The members having some fun at the Kelsey Dairy Farm while waiting for our tour.
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Listening to the farm manager at Kelsey Dairy Farm while he gives us a tour of the farm.
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I Believe. Not only are these words the beginning of the FFA Creed, but they were also the theme of the 84th National FFA Convention. The convention was held October 18-22 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Throughout the convention FFA members competed in contests including public speaking, job interview and livestock judging. Students were also given the opportunity to attend a career show, tour agricultural businesses or farms and hear the inspiring words of motivational speakers as well as National Officers at nine different sessions.

This year Marc Zavala, Ryan Calderon, Sierra Blankenship, Hailee Smith, Micah Chumley, Alexus Galassi and myself as well as parents Alishia Duncan, Kathleen Aguirre and Fillmore FFA advisor Mr. Ricards were able to travel to Indiana for an exciting week. We began Wednesday morning with a self guided tour of the National FFA Center where we learned about the history of FFA. Shortly after that, we went on a tour of the Indiana Speedway. We took a bus ride around the track, learned traditions and facts about the speedway and also saw different models of race cars. We then hurried over to the giant Career Show and Expo. With over 1300 career and college booths in attendance, we each received enough pamphlets and pens to last us a lifetime! The career show definitely opened our eyes to how many great agricultural colleges and careers there are in the United States. After walking through the Career Show and Expo, our group headed to the Conseco Feildhouse for the Convention’s Opening Session. The National Officer team introduced the theme “I Believe” and explained that these words are truly the base of our organization. Without believing in something, whether it be in agriculture or yourself, FFA would not be the strong organization that it is today. The National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown then gave a few words of wisdom to the 45,763 members in attendance. To end the session, motivational speaker Dave Roever talked to us about not giving up on ourselves. Mr. Roever is a war veteran who almost lost his life during battle. The majority of his skin was melted off and it left him with scars covering his body. He travels to talk to high school kids as well as army troops to encourage them to stay confident and never give up on their lives. Mr. Roever’s story had us laughing, crying and reflecting on our own lives.

Thursday morning’s rain couldn’t dampen our spirits as we headed out to participate in the National FFA Day of Service (NDOS). The NDOS is a community service event at various non-profit locations throughout Indianapolis. There are only enough spots for 1500 FFA members to participate in the NDOS and the Fillmore FFA was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend. Our NDOS site was Damar Services which is a residential facility for children with behavioral and mental disabilities. Along with FFA members from North Carolina we cleaned tables, walls, windows and organized recreational equipment. We all agreed it was a very rewarding experience. Quickly changing back into our official FFA uniforms we were off to the Second Session to hear the retiring address from our National Vice President of the Central Region Wyatt DeJong. He encouraged us to “do more and expect more from yourself then others expect of you.” At this session awards were given to outstanding FFA chapters throughout the nation who have made a difference in their communities. Later that night with a few thousand new FFA friends, we rocked Lucas Oil Stadium at the Blake Shelton Concert.

Friday was our day reserved for farm tours, but first we attended a session where we heard from speaker Vernice “Fly Girl” Armor a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Airforce. Her message was that your past prepares you for your future. She explained to us that how you respond versus react to a situation is truly the key. She went on to talk about “how can we be in service to others even when we feel like we are in our lowest moments because that is where true happiness and success is.” After this powerful message, we were off to our farm tours. Our first tour was at Umbargars Feed and Grain where we learned the process of making livestock show feed. Then we explored the family run “Kelsey Dairy Farm.” There we learned the high tech process they use to manage their herd of 300 cows. They use everything from computers to analyze each cow’s daily milk production to a mechanical pulley that automatically cleans the pens. Then we had a little fun in the five acre corn maze where we lost Mr. Ricards, don’t worry folks we found him! Our day ended with a tour of Hunter’s Honey Farm where we learned the steps of extracting and processing honey.

Saturday morning we attended a workshop called “What would we do without Agriculture in our lives?” It was lead by Past National Officer Becky Sullivan representing Kansas State University. We played games to learn about agricultural products and what the states top commodities are. We ended the workshop by discussing various agricultural careers that we were interested in. We ended our stay in Indiana with the final session of the 84th National FFA Convention where they announced the 2011-2012 National FFA Officer team. We would like to thank those in the community that supported our fundraising efforts and the Fillmore FFA Boosters that made it possible for us to attend the convention. It is our goal to share our experiences and lessons learned with our local chapter and the Fillmore community because I believe, We believe, We are FFA!

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

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Tuesday and Wednesday, November 1st and 2nd, the Fillmore Historical Museum was the recipient of 7 white Crepe Myrtle trees which were a generous donation from Chevron Corporation. The Museum helped with their research on the old Texaco Refinery which was located on the east side of Pole Creek. We are pleased to acknowledge their donation which will enhance the appearance of our museum site.
Martha Gentry
Exec. Director
Fillmore Historical Museum

Tess MaGregor recovers from her fall off a cliff.

Seen here with Elsa Swenson and Mae, Tess makes a quick recovery after a dreadful fall off of a cliff just outside of Hidden Valley during her outing with the evil realestate mogal, Langley Lohan. It is unknow at this time if Lohan was at fault. Mr. Lohan, Tess and 20 other citizens from Hidden Valley will perform for Sespe Players Community Theater Group at the Sespe School Auditorium this weekend.

Sespe Players' continue their colorful performance of “The Hare-Raising Saga of Hidden Valley” this weekend. It's a one-of-a-kind Melodrama written and directed by Chris Villegas.

Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00. Tickets may be purchased at the door, Student/child:$5 Senior: $10 Adult: $15. Doors open 30 minutes before performances.

Jamie Arundell Latshaw will be the guest speaker at the Bardsdale United Methodist Women's annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Veteran's Day, November 11, at the Bardsdale Church.

Mrs. Latshaw, a graduate of Fillmore High School and the United States Military Academy at West Point, spent eight years in the Army as a logistics officer and is the CEO and President of her company, Lexicon Inc. Lexicon contracts with the government and private firms to train and educate their employees about the customs and languages of countries where their business is conducted. She is married to Leroy Latshaw, a former Army helicopter pilot, and is the daughter of Jim and Diane Arundell of Fillmore.

The festive meal will be a traditional Thanksgiving fare with all the trimmings and will begin a 12 noon in LeBard Hall. Suggested donation is $12 per person.

The church is located at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue.

Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee will be selecting the best holiday decorated home & yard for their “Yard of the Month” award in December. The winning selection will be made on December 14th, and the community is invited to help in the selection process by sending your suggestion with address to Linda Nunes at lnunes@sidewindercycle.com or by phone to 805-524-3021.

After selecting the award winner, an article in the newspaper will announce the winner and also some addresses worthy of Honorable Mention, so people can drive around to see the special decorations.

The award winner will receive a gift certificate for $25 that has been generously donated by Otto & Sons Nursery.

This is the last chance for Thanksgiving Pies from Grad Nite Live, so grab a 2012 senior or call me and order a pie today. $11.00 each - Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Lite Apple and Razelberry. You can pick your order up Tuesday the 22nd of November at the Memorial Bldg. from 12 noon to 4PM. Students that sold pies will pick them up at 12 noon so they can distribute them in a timely manner. Need to Call me? 5524-4909 Mrs Chaney

E.J. Harrison & Sons Reaches Storm Water Settlement Agreement with the Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program to Protect the Santa Clara River and Ventura's Coastal Waters

Saticoy, Ventura County, CA - E.J. Harrison & Sons and Wishtoyo Foundation's Ventura Coastkeeper Program ("VCK") are pleased to announce the resolution of a lawsuit filed against E.J. Harrison & Sons by VCK in December of 2010. The settlement agreement, filed in federal court along with a dismissal of the suit, provides for E.J. Harrison & Sons to construct additional storm water treatment infrastructure to continue to ensure that storm water discharges from its Saticoy facility comply with Clean Water Act water quality standards and are protective of the ecological, recreational, and cultural uses of the Santa Clara River and Ventura's Coastal waters. "E.J. Harrison & Sons is making a commitment to protecting the Santa Clara River and Ventura's coastal waters that should be applauded" says Jason Weiner, Ventura Coastkeeper's Associate Director and Staff Attorney.

In addition, E.J. Harrison & Sons is providing $50,000 for California Trout to work on steelhead migration projects in the Santa Clara River watershed, and $5,000 for Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy ("CAUSE") to conduct 12 Santa Clara River watershed street, storm channel, wetlands, stream, and river community trash clean up events.

"The settlement is one more of the important needed measures to provide Ventura County residents and visitors with coastal waters and a Santa Clara River that are safe for recreational and cultural utilization, and that support native wildlife such as the endangered "Isha'kowoch" (Chumash name for Southern California Steelhead)," says Mati Waiya, Chumash Ceremonial Elder and Executive Director of the Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program.

E.J. Harrison & Sons, founded in 1932, operates a facility in Saticoy adjacent to the Santa Clara River. The company services about 90,000 customers in Ventura, Camarillo, Fillmore, Ojai, Thousand Oaks and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura County with residential, commercial and industrial service. The company also services Point Mugu and the Channel Islands Beach Communities as well as Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County.

"We feel our commitment to the environment is second to none, and we have a long history to back our claim," said Ralph Harrison, President of E.J. Harrison & Sons.

Harrison said his company's trash collection and recycling practices have had a major positive impact on the environment for over two decades, and last year marked a major milestone for the company. In 2010, Harrison earned Climate Registered status for taking voluntary steps to measure its operation's carbon footprint, ensuring that it is moving toward compliance of Assembly Bill 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act. The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization that operates the only carbon footprint registry in North America. Even before earning Climate Registry status, Ralph Harrison noted the company began gradually replacing a large number of its diesel trucks with vehicles that run on cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas and in 2006 opened the first LNG fueling station in western Ventura County.

Ralph Harrison also points to a number of industry and civic honors Harrison has been awarded over the years for its environmental efforts. They include the 2011 Climate Change Action Award, by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors; the 2010 Environmentally Conscious Business Award, by the Ojai Chamber of Commerce; and the 2005 Blue Sky Award, given by CALSTART, North America's leading advanced transportation technologies consortium. As for recycling, E.J. Harrison & Sons' record speaks for itself. In the newly released diversion numbers from the State of California, all of the cities Harrison serves surpassed the mandated 50 percent diversion goal. Harrison also has future plans to bring food waste recycling to all of its customers, working toward the 75 percent reduction that is now mandated.

In recognition of its great recycling programs in 2007, the California Resource Recovery Association took note, citing Harrison Industries for having California's Outstanding Recycling Program. For further information about Harrison-visit: www.ejharrison.com

About the Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program: Founded in 1997, Wishtoyo is a 501(c)(3) non profit grassroots organization with over 700 members consisting of Ventura County's diverse residents and Chumash Native Americans. Wishtoyo's mission is to preserve and protect Chumash culture, the culture of all of Ventura County's diverse communities, and the environment that our current and future generations depend upon. Wishtoyo shares traditional Chumash Native American beliefs, cultural practices, songs, dances, stories, and values with the public in its Chumash Discovery Village and through educational programs in schools to promote environmental awareness and natural resources stewardship. In 2000, Wishtoyo founded its Ventura Coastkeeper Program ("VCK"). VCK's mission is to protect, preserve, and restore the ecological integrity and water quality of Ventura County's inland and coastal waterbodies for all beings in the County's diverse community through outreach and education, restoration projects, scientific analysis, advocacy, litigation, and community organizing and empowerment. To learn more about Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, visit us at http://www.wishtoyo.org/ventura-coastkeeper.html.

Livingston Memorial VNA & Hospice conducts weekly adult bereavement support groups to help those who have experienced a loss. Explore and express feeling, understand the grief process and receive emotional support. Open to the public and free of charge, the groups are held:

Wednesday Afternoons from 3:00 – 4:30 @ The First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Drive, Oxnard

Wednesday Evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 @ Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#106), Ventura

The second and 4th Tuesday of the month from 3:00 – 4:00 @ The Townhouse, 4900 Telegraph Rd, (7th floor), Ventura

A monthly class for the newly bereaved is also held:

The second Tuesday of the month from 6:00 – 7:00 @ Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#106), Ventura

Drop ins are welcome; for more information call: 642-0239

Sacramento, CA – This Sunday, Californians will be rolling back their clocks as daylight saving comes to an end on November 6, 2012. CAL FIRE and fire departments across the state are reminding residents to replace the batteries in all smoke alarms as well as their carbon monoxide (CO) alarm when they change their clocks.

“We recommend changing the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover, CAL FIRE. “While you are spending a couple minutes to change the time on all your clocks, it’s so easy just to add an extra minute to ensure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarm all have fresh, new batteries as well.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms increase the change of surviving a home fire by 50 percent.

For decades, firefighters have used the time change as a reminder for residents to change their smoke alarm batteries. This year, officials are adding carbon monoxide alarms to their message following a new state law requiring all single-family homes have a carbon monoxide alarm.

CAL FIRE has the following tips on smoke alarms:

Test smoke alarms once a month.
Replace batteries in all smoke alarms and CO alarms twice a year.
Don’t “borrow” or remove batteries from smoke & CO alarms even temporarily.
Regularly vacuum or dust smoke & CO alarms to keep them working properly.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Don’t paint over smoke or CO alarms.
Practice family fire drills so everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm goes off.

Find more information visit the CAL FIRE Web site at www.fire.ca.gov.

November 11th is the last day the students can sell Marie Callender Pies for Grad Nite Live. They will be turning their orders and money in Monday, November 13th so we can process the orders and call them in to Marie Callender. It gets rather hectic the last week and the week-end. If possible please get your selling/buying done as soon as possible. If you want to order pies call Mrs Chaney, 524-4909 or 407-5759 and I'll see that your order is processed on time. We are hoping that this "Pie Sale" will help the students get their ticket for the Graduation Harbor Cruise. Grad Nite Live gets $5.00 for every pie, so if the student turns in 20 pie orders they have made their $100. If they do nothing for our fundraising, then they pay $100 for the Cruise. Parents please help your seniors get their orders filled. Thanks.

November 9, 2011

OAKLAND, CA - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time and may last up to three and a half minutes.

The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies. NOAA's National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts.

Similar to local EAS tests that are already conducted frequently, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline video service providers across all states and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help the federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally.

"A national test of our Emergency Alert System, with the vital communications support and involvement of participants, is a step towards ensuring that the alert and warning community is prepared to deliver critical information that can help save lives and protect property," said Damon Penn, FEMA's Assistant Administrator of National Continuity Programs. "Because there has never been an activation of the Emergency Alert System on a national level, FEMA views this test as an excellent opportunity to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system. It is important to remember that this is not a pass or fail test, but a chance to establish a baseline for making incremental improvements to the Emergency Alert System with ongoing and future testing. It is also important to remember that the Emergency Alert System is one of many tools in our communications toolbox, and we will continue to work on additional channels that can be a lifeline of information for people during an emergency."

"The upcoming national test is critical to ensuring that the EAS works as designed," said Jamie Barnett, Chief of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. "As recent disasters here at home and in Japan have reminded us, a reliable and effective emergency alert and warning system is key to ensuring the public's safety during times of emergency. We look forward to working with FEMA in preparation for this important test."

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, Emergency Alert System participants and other stakeholders have been working toward making this test a reality.

As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses. Anyone can visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

About FEMA
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

VENTURA, CA - The Ventura Family YMCA is celebrating YMCA National Week of Prayer November 7th through November 10th. Everyone in the community is invited and encouraged to come and enjoy the messages and fellowship that will be shared by pastors from local churches in the community.

The week’s activities will kick off on Monday morning, with a lecture from Bill Findley focused on the theme “Prayer for Non Profits” accompanied by a musical performance by Troy Jones. Tuesday afternoon, Gary Archer from Ventura Missionary Church will have a discussion featuring the topic of “Grey Matters – Senior’s Day” with The Silvertones providing musical entertainment. Wednesday will be a special evening dedicated to our youth; activities will include a camp fire, participation from local youth groups, Bubble Rollers, a rock climbing wall and music from The River Community Worship Team and Bible Fellowship. Thursday afternoon, Teen Challenge will provide both music and lecture on the subject of Addiction. Local sponsors have generously provided refreshments that will be served at each day’s activities.

This is the fourth year that the Ventura Family YMCA will be participating in the YMCA National Week of Prayer. In addition to the activities held at the Ventura Family YMCA Monday through Thursday, the Y invites the community to participate in events held throughout the community honoring veterans.

The Week of Prayer is an annual event to celebrate the spirituality of the YMCA movement around the world. This week is a tradition that dates back to 1904 when local YMCA’s unite to consider their work in the context of the Bible. YMCA is an organization with a heritage based on Christian principals that serves individuals and families of all religions, races, and creeds. Everyone is welcome to come and participate in activities during Week of Prayer regardless of their spiritual background.

Pastor Jim Duran from the River Community Church and Chair of the Y’s Mission Emphasis Committee is been an active participant in the YMCA Week of Prayer and knows how beneficial the week can be for everyone.

“I believe this will be the best "Week of Prayer" so far because there is a lot more people involved. The partnerships between the YMCA, local churches and pastors, the business sector, and the community at large are making our week second to none. I am excited about our topics this year because we are coming together to discuss and pray about real life situations that many people deal with but nobody wants to talk about. And if that is not enough, we are inviting all Ventura's youth to unite with a Wednesday Night Youth Event. Where else can you go and get a free meal, great music, superb speakers and hope for the future through the power of prayer? This is an event that the entire community should attend,” said Duran.

If you are interested in celebrating in the YMCA National Week of Prayer please feel free to contact Margo Byrne, Executive Director of The Ventura Family YMCA at 805-642-2131 Ext 17 or email margo.byrne@ciymca.org. Or visit www.ciymca.org/ventura.

About the Ventura Family Y
The Ventura Family YMCA serves over 20,000 individuals annually through facility memberships, before & after school childcare, day & resident camps, youth sports, swim lessons, teen programs, and many more healthy lifestyles and community enriching programs throughout Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, Santa Paula, and Saticoy. Through the Open Doors program the YMCA ensures that no one is ever turned away due to their inability to pay and facility memberships without contracts or join fees makes the Ventura Family YMCA accessible to everyone. The Ventura Family YMCA is located at 3760 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003.

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Wednesday, October 26, 2011 was a day when Fillmore’s reputation as one of the “Last of the Best Small Towns” was reconfirmed. If anyone passed along Central Avenue between the hours of 4pm-7:30pm, you might have wondered about all the activity as enthusiastic young people & seniors & “in- betweeners” worked together to refurbish the planter pots with red, white & blue themed flowers to go with our military banners hung above the street.
This was a long hoped for, and well planned “grass roots” event. Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee was given permission by our city manager, Yvonne Quiring, to seek sponsor ships to refurbish the pots because of the city’s deficit & the landscaper’s request for more money to do the work.

The pots had long struggled with hard rocky dirt, poor quality watering systems and frequently exchanged small annuals which did not balance with the pot size.

When the “word” was put out seeking sponsorships, we began getting calls and Wednesday was our first planting event.

All the large diameter pots have been planted with a compact tree rose & the red & blue flowering plants, but there are still small pots needing sponsors. Information is available from Linda Nunes at 805-524-3021 or other Civic Pride committee members like Cindy Klittich & Sarah Hansen.

Sponsors can be “hands on” types, helping with the planting & care or donating type.

They will receive a small plaque attached to the pot & a certificate of appreciation, along with publicity in our newspapers.

Civic Pride would like to recognize our city fire chief, Rigo Landeros for his immense help in driving the skip loader & dump truck for old soil removal. He even helped with shoveling dirt & sweeping. Now how is that for community members working together to benefit our town!

Sponsors that have already become involved are: Otto & Sons Inc., Victoria Pace, Kennedy Smith, Janet Foy, Sespe 4H,, Grace Beer, DDS, Soroptimist International of Fillmore, Gayle Washburn and Patterson Hardware.

Join us for two fun-filled days. On Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the Sr. Center will host a display and sale of hand made items and crafts and on Sat., Nov. 5, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. a giant Rummage Sale. Light refreshments will be served at the Craft Fair. It’s a great opportunity to support your Sr. Center and get your Christmas shopping done.