October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog” Month. With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face in this country.

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) suggests that people who are looking for "Man's Best Friend" check out the dogs which are currently being housed locally at the Camarillo Shelter, located at 600 Aviation Drive (in the airport complex). On any given day, the Camarillo Shelter cares for over 175 dogs, in addition to numerous cats, bunnies, horses and other critters.

Dogs end up at a shelter through no fault of their own. In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, researchers surveyed people turning animals in to 12 various shelters around the country. The study, which can be seen at The American Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)'s Web site (http://www.aspca.org), reviewed reasons why people gave up their dogs up for adoption, and found the following frequency of answers:
 29 percent surrendered their dogs due to behavior problems
 29 percent surrendered their dogs because of the family's housing situation
 25 percent surrendered their dogs citing incompatibility with the family's lifestyle
 15 percent surrendering their dogs due to the family's preparation and/or expectations.
At the Camarillo shelter, 17% of the dogs in 2009 were owner surrenders. The largest percentage, however, were strays. Seventy percent were loose dogs that were picked up with no license or visible owner information. Less than 25% of those strays were reclaimed by their owners. Responsible pet ownership requires more than simply agreeing to take an animal into your life when it’s convenient. It means being ready to make a life long commitment that will enhance the lives of both the human and the animal.

Shelter dogs are CONTINUED »

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Community Memorial Health System is offering low-cost early breast cancer detection services to women who schedule a screening mammogram during October through the Breast Center at Community Memorial Hospital and Ojai Valley Community Hospital.

For $55 patients receive a digital screening mammogram in addition to potential access to the most technologically advanced medical care, including the following:

 Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided biopsy
 Dedicated breast ultrasound
 Bone densitometry
 Fellowship-trained female radiologists
 Breast Cancer education
 Cancer-related information, education and support
 Minimally invasive diagnostic procedures, including ultrasound-guided biopsy, computer-assisted stereotactic core biopsy and needle localization biopsy.

Also for women who qualify, complimentary early breast cancer detection and surgical intervention services are available for uninsured or underinsured women.

Call Community Memorial Hospital at (805) 652-5093 or Ojai Valley Community Hospital at (805) 640-2250 for more information.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and nine family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Ventura, CA - Shopping for school supplies is usually not an easy task, especially for families who can’t afford to buy these materials. Each fall, the Rotary Club of Ventura, in conjunction with the Downtown Ventura Lions Club, provides backpacks for kids who otherwise would not have supplies for school. This year, the Rotary Club gave new backpacks and school supplies to 510 deserving children in the Ventura Unified School District. Each backpack was filled with paper, folders, pencils, crayons, markers, calculators, glue sticks, and much more!

“Providing new backpacks filled with supplies is a great way to welcome in the new school year,” said Rotarian Ellyn Dembowski, who chairs the Backpack Program. The program put a smile on every student who received a new backpack, and the parents are grateful knowing they have a bit more money to provide for the basic necessities.

The backpack project is made possible year after year through the generous donations of supplies and money collected by Rotarians, as well as funds from the club’s Julius Gius Foundation. These gifts are a visible reminder that we live in a community that cares for our families in need.

The Rotary Club of Ventura also provides dictionaries to local schools, scholarships, coats for children in need, a children’s holiday event, and many other local and international programs.

Morris Eagle, Ph.D., Clinical Supervisor and Distinguished Educator in Residence at CLU

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - California Lutheran University and Verizon are presenting a breakfast and panel discussion on domestic violence from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in CLU’s Lundring Events Center.

The free event is being held in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and will highlight the launch of a CLU program for domestic violence survivors.

The panelists are the following: Catherine Dougan, director of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Victims’ Assistance Program; Morris Eagle, Ph.D., a clinical supervisor and Distinguished Educator in Residence at CLU; Caroline Prijatel Sutton, executive director of The Coalition to End Family Violence; Rick Vasquez, a senior detective on the Oxnard Police Department’s Domestic Violence Investigation Team; and Anthony Wold, a supervising prosecutor in the District Attorney’s Office. Mindy Puopolo, Psy.D., director of CLU’s Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program, will moderate.

The panelists will discuss the challenges to preventing domestic violence in the local community and possible solutions, including CLU’s new program. Funded in part by a $200,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program began in September at CLU’s Community Counseling Centers in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks. Existing programs already provide shelter and crisis services so CLU’s goal was to provide long-term help to break the cycle of violence. Whereas counseling programs typically focus on perpetrators with limited success, this 20-week program was designed to give survivors tools for defusing volatile situations and protecting themselves. A licensed clinician and graduate student lead group meetings and students work as liaisons with the legal system to advocate for the survivors. The survivors and their children also receive free individual counseling as needed.

An overview of “Telling Amy’s Story,” a PBS documentary following the timeline of a domestic violence homicide, will be shown. State Sen. Tony Strickland will give the introduction.

Intimate partner violence is the leading cause of injury and death to American women. Studies estimate that 25 percent of women have been raped or physically assaulted by their current or former spouse, cohabitating partner or date at some time in their lives. Survivors return to their partners an average of seven times.

Lundring Events Center is located in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center north of Olsen Road near Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks.

Reservations are required. RSVP by Sept. 30 to Jenna Knauss at jknauss@callutheran.edu or (805) 493-3390. Guests are encouraged to bring old wireless phones and accessories to donate to Verizon’s HopeLine program that supports domestic violence prevention agencies.

The Fillmore High School Athletic Booster Club has begun taking orders for T-Shirts for the 100th Game between Santa Paula and Fillmore. FHS Alumni Shirts, Football Jersey’s with Players Names & Numbers as well as the Historical Rivalry T-Shirts are available. If you would like to place an order, please call #805-524-8491 or email: lcole@fillmore.k12.ca.us. All orders & payments must be received by no later than October 27th.

Nick Johnson, Cartoonist.

Cartoonist Nick Johnson is pictured with the subject of his work, the famous Lulu. Nick started his “Adventures of Lulu” series in the Gazette about five months ago. Follow Lulu’s adventures in the Humor section of this website located here: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/humor

Annis Jane (Jones) Morris

The Isaac and Alice Jones family moved west around 1914 and settled in the Fillmore and Santa Paula area of California. Annis and her twin, Carlos, attended the Little Red Schoolhouse in their elementary years. This one-room school is still in use today, located half way between Fillmore and Santa Paula.

That area still known for Citrus growing, and now avocado as well, was at one time a great apricot producer. Mom remembers during some of those years being recognized as one of the fastest "pitters" on harvest team.
After marriage to Earl Morris in 1929 she became a homemaker from then to now. Earl eventually worked for Sunkist Citrus Association Packing House in Fillmore and then was a custodian and bus driver for many years for Fillmore Union School District until retirement.

Earl and Annis birthed five children. (4 in Fillmore, 1 in Santa Paula) Shirley, Sharon, James, Leonard, Dean. (Sharon is the only one pre-deceased). All grew up in Fillmore.

After the Northridge quake, which did extensive damage to Fillmore, Mom moved to West Covina wit-h her daughter Shirley Cannon for a few years. She is now a resident in Orange with Son, Leonard Morris, for almost 10 years. Leonard and Nevelyn have been Orange residents for forty years.

The children and grandkids will be attending the Oct. 9th celebration in Orange, coming from North and East: Oregon, Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, Texas. Other extended family and friends from other cities, states and regions as well.

Plans include a Model "T" CONTINUED »

Learn to move on the dance floor! Beginning Ballroom and Latin Dance classes begin Tuesday October 5, 2010, Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore; Ballroom: 6:30-7:15, Latin: 7:30 - 8:15. Cost is $20.00 per person 4/week session, $30.00 per couple 4/week session. For more information please call: 805-276-9274.

Members of Fillmore Soroptimist will be selling See's Candy from now until November 5th. Please support our local women's service group by purchasing some delicious See's Candy for Thanksgiving and Holiday gifts! Items being sold include favorites like: Truffles, Assorted Chocolate, Milk or Dark Chocolate, Nuts & Chews Toffee-ettes, Peanut Brittle, Assorted Molasses Chips, Assorted Peppermints, Assorted Gourmet Lollypops, Santa Bear Box, Mini Holiday Fancy Box and gift certificates!

Stop by the following local businesses to place your order: Terri at Aguirre Financial & Insurance Services (606 Sespe Ave. #105), Yolanda at Antiques and Other Collectibles (352 Fillmore St), Kathy at Fillmore Mail Stop (330 Central Ave.) and Sandi at Sandi Ward's Crafts & Things (435-D Santa Clara-in the train car). For more information please contact Kathy Vargas at 805.524.7835.

The final plans and arrangements for the Fillmore Celebration of the Centennial of Boy Scouts are being done this week. Tuesday, Sept. 28th at 6 p.m. the festivities will start at the Scout Building at the east end of Sespe Ave. The Centennial Celebration is open to everyone with an interest in the boy scouts as a scout in any troop since 1910 or an adult leader or a citizen who continues to support the program.
An evening of pictures, scout food and memories will be completed with a campfire to retire old flags at 8. There is additional parking behind the building so there will be space for everyone to attend. In order to plan food for the evening, please RSVP to Coleen Chandler, 524-5058.

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Fillmore Library will present "Sounds of Ancient Mexico." Martin Espino will perform an interactive, family musical program using instruments like those used in ancient Mexico. Mr. Espino creates 90 percent of the instruments that he uses in his programs, and is an expert with bamboo and gourds. He has made over 40,000 instruments in his 30-year career. The program starts at 3:30 PM on September 29, 2010, and is sponsored by the Fillmore Friends of the Library.

The City of Fillmore in conjunction with the County of Ventura & Clean Harbors will be hosting a household hazardous waste collection day Saturday October 2, 2010 between the hours of 8:30AM – 1:15PM. The collection facility is located at the Fillmore Public Works Yard, 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore.

This collection event is open to residents of Fillmore, Piru & Santa Paula as well as the unincorporated areas of western Ventura County. The household hazardous waste facility accepts paints, stains, thinners and solvents, kitchen & bath cleaning products, lawn & garden products, photographic chemicals, oil, antifreeze, automotive and household batteries, fluorescent light tubes, mercury thermostats, mercury containing products, electronic waste & more. This event is FREE to the public and the perfect opportunity to get rid of those items you otherwise cannot throw into the trash.

For questions or to schedule a drop-off appointment please call (805) 658-4323.

Residents are encouraged to recycle appliances, refrigerators, electronics, tires, wood trash and recyclables
Got clutter around the house? Bring it to Fillmore’s “City-Wide Clean Up Day” on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010.

City residents and small-business owners are encouraged to bring their unwanted clutter that day to Well No. 4 located at 728 Goodenough Road, across the street from Ameron Pole Products, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Trash, recyclables, furniture, appliances, old tires, refrigerators, computers, television sets, stereos and cathode ray tubes are among the materials that will be accepted, free of charge.

Note, however, that oil, gasoline, diesel fuel and household hazardous waste such as cleaning solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, batteries and paint will not be accepted during “City-Wide Clean Up Day.” However, the City of Fillmore’s next Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection is October 2, 2010.
For more information on the “City-Wide Clean Up Day,” call 524-3701.

¿Tiene demasiada basura en su hogar?
El 25 de septiembre es el día de Limpieza del Otoño en toda la Ciudad en Fillmore
¿Tiene demasiada basura en su hogar? Tráigala al Día de Limpieza de toda la Ciudad el sábado 25 de septiembre, 2010.
Invitamos a los CONTINUED »

James McGee

Ventura County, CA, September 14, 2010 – After four months of tireless searching, the American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter has hired James McGee as the new Regional Chief Executive Officer of Ventura County.

With a successful career in the health, consumer products, and technology industries, McGee brings a broad range of leadership and business development experience to the CEO position.

“I’m excited to bring my talents and experiences to a tremendous organization like the American Red Cross,” said McGee. I’m honored to carry forward a great legacy of providing critical services and support to local families in times of need.”

Most recently, McGee served as Staff Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development at WellPoint, the largest health benefits company in the United States. During his time at WellPoint, McGee launched and led a variety of corporate-wide strategic initiatives focused on new growth for the company. McGee also held senior leadership roles across Corporate Development, Product Development, and Business Operations. During his tenure at WellPoint, McGee was instrumental in opening California Health and Longevity Institute, an innovative health and diagnostic center located in Westlake Village.

McGee started his professionally career with The Walt Disney Company and held a variety of management roles across Disney’s Corporate and Consumer Products Divisions. McGee also spent time as a technology consultant with boutique consulting firm Guidance Solutions based out of Marina del Rey, CA.

McGee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business from Wheaton College and completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Operations and Management at the University of Southern California.

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This weeks Alumni Article features the the 1953 Football Champs. Fillmore High is very proud of their mighty Flashes in 1953. The Varsity squad captured seven of nine games and won the league championship for the first time in nine years. Led by co-captains Cesar Mendoza and Dick Fredericksen Fillmore's eleven rolled over seven straight foes after they lost their season's opener to Cantwell 14-6. Included in this victory string were non-league triumphs over Burbank 13-0, Paramount 19-6, and league wins over Hart 26-0, Oxnard 25-7, Lancaster 13-12, and Ventura 33-13. One of their toughest contests that football season was against their arch-rival, Santa Paula. In a bruising, close game, the Fillmore Flashes pull it out with a 12-7 win. Closing out their highly successful season the Flashes dropped a tough 27-14 decision to St. Anthony, Catholic League Champs, in the C.I.F. playoffs. Fillmore's superiority in league play was shown by the placing of six men on the all-county team. They were - Roger Palmer tackle, Dave Goodenough end, Phil Blodgett guard, Dick Fredericksen fullback, Chuck Greer Quarterback, and Cesar Mendoza halfback. Coached by Ed Simmons - head coach, and Richard "Toolie" Palmer - asst coach, the Varsity squad of 1953 will long be remembered by Fillmore fans as one of the finest pigskin teams to represent Fillmore High. In celebrating the 100th meeting between the Flashes, and Santa Paula Cardinals this November 12th in Fillmore, the Alumni Associations is putting together a DVD highlighting this football Rivalry. The oldest High School Football series in Ventura County. To Pre-Order your DVD, please call the Alumni Association at 805-524-0416, or you can email your order now at cardsflashesdvd@att.net. $20.00 (Picked up at Alumni Office) or $25.00 (Mailed directly to you). Pre orders are going swiftly, so be sure to call or email yours in today. You will be billed in October and the DVDs will be available on November 12th and after. GO FLASHES!!!