From cattle kings and cowpokes to pioneer women and saloon gals, all “fun-slingers” are invited to claim a stake in a unique fundraiser when Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group opens the doors to the Old West on Saturday, June 21.
The 2nd Annual Western Casino Night to benefit the River Valley Adult Day Program will be held at the historic Glen Tavern Inn (134 N. Mill St., Santa Paula) from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are only $65 each ($75 at the door).
The evening will feature celebrity dealers, prizes, gourmet “chuck wagon vittles” followed by a hearty dinner and old West fun.
Western style hors d'oeuvres and cocktails (each ticket includes one courtesy drink, beer, wine or soda only) will start the party at 5 p.m. and a hearty Western dinner prepared by the Ironhorse Restaurant will be served at 5:30 p.m. on the wide-open spaces outside the Inn.
Games of Chance will be held from 6:15 to 9 p.m. with the initial stake of $50 in play money included with each ticket.
Players will “Git along!” with games of skill (bring your best poker face for Texas Hold 'Em and Blackjack!) and chance (Roulette and Wheel of Fortune).
The Western Casino Night will offer musical entertainment, a no host bar and plenty of “Celebrity Dealers” such as “Deadeye” Bob Gonzales (Mayor of Santa Paula), “Calamity” Kathy Long (Ventura County Supervisor), “Gun-Slingin'” Steve MacKinnon (Santa Paula Police Chief), City Council members and a whole posse of River Valley Club supporters.
Casino fun will be in the lobby of the historic Glen Tavern Inn as well as in the “South 40” Annex where a Silent Auction will offer something to please every cowpoke and Prairie Princess.
Opportunity drawings will offer real life gambling destination trips among other prizes.
“People really enjoy our Casino Night partly because it's an informal evening…the Western theme really appeals to people,” says Cathy Barringer, former longtime President of Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group.
The River Valley Club, now approaching its second anniversary, offers activities to seniors with special needs (Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), featuring current events (conducted each Monday by Barringer who notes “I really enjoy it!”), visits with a therapy dog, arts and crafts, light physical activity and numerous other planned activities.
“The club serves nutritious and delicious hot meals and snacks and has a wonderful, inspirational staff,” who Barringer says especially enjoy working with seniors.
So corral your energy, polish those boots, press the jeans and get ready to kick up your heels in support at this rootin' tootin' cabaret.
River Valley Club supporters are sure that all Cowboy Joes and Calamity Janes will have a bronco-busting time at a Western Casino Night...make sure you don't miss this Gold Nugget party where you can dress Western from your finest Stetson down to those spurs that jingle jangle jingle!
Call 525-1333 for more information or to make reservations.

The Los Angeles-Ventura Counties Affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will be hosting an upcoming orientation and training for volunteers. Learn about MADD’s programs, services and volunteer opportunities in your area. The event will be on Saturday, June 21st from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at the Proud Bird Restaurant. Lunch will be provided.
Each year, over 17,000 people die and over a half a million people are injured in alcohol related traffic crashes. Approximately 1.4 million drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States. This problem affects all of us!
If you are wondering what you can do to help make our communities safer, then attend and find out how you can make a difference in your area!
For more details and to RSVP regarding this training, or to volunteer, contact MADD at 310-215-2905.

Conway Spitler

Here are some statistics from 1903:
Average life expectancy in the U. S. was forty-seven (47).
Only 8% of the homes had telephones.
A three minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
There were only; 8,000 cars in the U. S. and only 144 miles of paved roads.
Sugar cost 4 cents a pound.
Coffee was 15 cents a pound.
Eggs were 14 cents a dozen.
The five leading causes of death in the US were: pneumonia and influenza, tuberculosis, diarrhea, heart disease, and stroke.
The American flag had only 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was 30.
Canned beer and iced tea had not been invented.
One in ten U. S. adults couldn’t read or write.
Only 6% of all American had graduated from high school.
Just think what it will be like in the next 100 years.

This program is only funded for 6th grade students here in Ventura County to hopefully support our youth making positive/healthy choices in their lives and how to use this information to help their family members as well, even if they have already started using and are addicted to the nicotine.
There are over 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette. Some of those chemicals are poisons, such as arsenic, insecticides, formaldehyde and of course the by-product of smoke carbon monoxide. There are 2 very important phone numbers that are shared with our students:

1. To report illegal sales of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco) to minors (under the age of 18)… If someone sees a store clerk selling to a minor, they can make an anonymous call to: (800) 5ASK-4-ID

2. If you know someone that is already addicted to smoking and wants to quit. The Ventura County Public Health offers free classes to anyone in Ventura to help them stop smoking. They also provide “free” nicotine patches to help those going through withdrawals. 201-STOP

Start you day with a yoga class that will awaken your body, calm your mind, Lift your spirits and charge your day with positive energy. Come try the FREE introductory trial class on Tuesday June 3rd. This class will be every Tuesday from 9:15 am to 10:00 am. For more information please call the Senior Center at 524-4533.

Calling all Alumni of Fillmore High School to come out to our Annual Alumni Dinner in Central Park (Next to City Hall), on Saturday June 14th, 2008. Social hour starts at 4:00pm, and Dinner starts at 6:00pm. As we do every year, we will be honoring classes from the 1930’s, up to the present. We will introduce the Scholarship recipients from the New Graduating class of 2008. Fillmore High School is very unique in that there are not many high schools with alumni associations. Only a hand full are scattered through out the State of California. Dinner price is $30.00 per person (if an Alumni Subscriber to their Newsletter), and $35.00 if your not. $40.00 if you buy the ticket at the door. The cost covers the dinner, the short program (presentation of Scholarships recipients, etc), and what’s left over, contributes to the running of the Alumni Association. Please come join us and help support the Alumni Association for one Fillmore’s most unique events of the year, and remember to “Fight on for Fillmore, and Sing out her name!”
Information can be found on the Alumni Website at www.fillmorehighalimni.com, or you can call the Alumni Office at 805-524-0416.

County Supervisor Kathy Long, 3rd District would like to announce to all residents of Ventura County that the next Santa Paula Tattoo Removal Clinic will be held on Saturday May 31st, 2008 from 8:30 am – 12 noon, no appointments necessary. Orientation for first time participants will be at 9 am located at 1334 E. Main St. the Santa Paula Family Care Clinic. Due to overwhelming response, spaces will be limited.
County Supervisor Kathy Long spearheaded this clinic in collaboration with the following agencies: Ventura County Public Health, Ventura County Probation Agency, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Paula Family Care Clinic, Interface Children Family Services, and CalWORKS.
The clinic not only welcomes participants but volunteers to run the clinic. If you have any questions, or would like to find out how you can help, please call the Santa Paula Family Care Clinic at (805) 933-1242.

The Fillmore Senior Center meeting will be held on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 10:00 A.M., Fillmore Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore. Applications for Board of Director openings will close Friday, May 30, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. Applicants applying for the Senior Center Board of Directors as of May 27, 2008 are Elizabeth Vasquez, Lucille Rivas, Marie Wren, Allan F. Hair, Geri Lee and Carolyn Lasky. Apps are available at the Center or City Hall. The Fillmore Senior Center Board of Directors will vote June 2 on a sub-committee to review the applications and bring back names to the June 23, 2008 board meeting. The number of board members will be voted on by the Fillmore Senior Center Board of Directors.

The Fillmore Historical Museum is going to be celebrating and dedicating the 1887 Southern Pacific Depot on Saturday, May 31, 2008. It will be held from 2 to 4 p.m.

Ojai, California -- Community Memorial Health System in partnership with Ojai Valley Community Hospital and the Rotary Club of Ojai are inviting the public to a free seminar that will revisit the Hippocratic Oath on Saturday, June 14.

James Hornstein, M.D., will lead the seminar that will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Soule Park banquet room, at 1033 East Ojai Ave.

Physicians and nurses strive daily to do the right thing for their patients. The question is: What exactly is the “right” thing? Whose ethics and values are we using to define the right thing?

Dr. Hornstein will discuss if the problems of American healthcare can be helped by the Hippocratic Oath. Learn more about this ancient but most respected source of medical ethics, and learn about the age-old problems of confidentiality, euthanasia and abortion.

Dr. Hornstein is chairman of the Bioethics Committee at Community Memorial Hospital. He received his medical degree from UCLA in 1980 and a certificate in Advanced Studies in Bioethics from Loyola Marymount University in 1996. Dr. Hornstein has been a lecturer at UCLA, USC and other institutions, where he also has taught ethics in society and medical ethics.

Admission is free, but space is limited, so reservations are suggested. Call 640-2355, or go online to www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

The Ventura County Library has a new web-based resource to make it easier for you to maintain, repair, and follow service bulletins and recalls for your car, truck, van, or SUV. Containing the same trusted information as the popular print manuals, the ChiltonLibrary database offers complete and detailed repair information on thousands of vehicle make and model combinations.
Anyone with a Ventura County Library card can access the database through the Library’s website at www.vencolibrary.org. Once you arrive at the website, click on “Databases - Research.” There you will find the Library’s electronic resources collection arranged by subject and listed alphabetically. The link for ChiltonLibrary is under “Auto Repair.”
ChiltonLibrary can be searched from home as well as from within the Library. The database offers detailed step-by-step service instructions with photographs, illustrations, and vacuum and wiring diagrams. It also features maintenance and specification tables as well as troubleshooting and diagnostic help.
Unlike the print versions of the manual, ChiltonLibrary is updated on a regular basis, ensuring that users always have the most up-to-date information at their fingertips. The newest version has an updated interface and contains a variety of other enhancements, including individual tabs for repair, maintenance and recall information, improved search functionality, clear navigation, and domestic and import vehicle information updated monthly.
To find out more about how you can access ChiltonLibrary, contact your local Ventura County Library community library or visit the Library on the web at www.vencolibrary.org.
The Ventura County Library community libraries include the Avenue, H.P. Wright, and E. P. Foster libraries in Ventura, Camarillo Library, Fillmore Library, Meiners Oaks Library, Oak Park Library, Oak View Library, Ojai Library, Piru Library, Ray D. Prueter Library in Port Hueneme, Saticoy Library, Simi Valley Library, and the Albert H. Soliz-El Rio Library.

Fillmore High School Alumni game Saturday, May 30, 2008 at 10:00 am. Two-four inning games will be played by an over and under 30 team. Donations are $20.00 per player. All proceeds will go to the Fillmore High School Softball Club. Thank you for your support Alumni Lady Flashes!

ROSTER (30 & UNDER)
Names Year Graduated
1.) Nicole Ortiz 1996
2.) Sally Alvarado 1998
3.) Naomi Qualls 1998
4.) Erica Araujo 1998
5.) Chastity Gongora 1999
6.) Sandra Rodriguez 1999
7.) Esmeralda Maciel 1999
8.) Yvette Lopez 2002
9.) Ashley Gongora 2003
10.) Diana Ibarra 2003
11.) Elizabeth Robledo 2004

ROSTER (30 & OVER)
Names Year Graduated
1.) Judy Ortiz 1979
2.) Tanya Gonzales 1982
3.) Julie Hooten Medina 1985
4.) Anna Duran 1986
5.) Camille Grove Yanez 1987
6.) Susan Cheney Golson 1987
7.) Liz Cervantez Hinklin 1987
8.) Cynthia Chessani 1988
9.) Mary Riesgo Williams 1989
10.) Tracy Vaughn Grove 1989
11.) April Ponce Thompson 1990
12.) Brenda Castro Martinez 1991
13.) Debbie Davis Andrade 1995
14.) Melinda Harma

The free introductory class will be on Tuesday June 3rd from 9:15- 10:00
This class will be offered on Tuesday mornings.
Alzheimer’s Care Consulting will begin at the Senior Center beginning Wednesday June 11th
By appointment only.
Please call the Senior Center @ 524-4533
This service will be on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 11:00-1:00.

Adventures in Agriculture is coming to the Ventura County Fairgrounds! The free event will be an educational and fun agricultural festival Saturday, May 31; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Antique Farm Equipment, Limoneira’s Giant Hot Air Balloon, Farmer’s Market, Children’s Activities, Entertainment, and more are on tap with a goal of educating visitors about the productive fields and agricultural assets here in our own back yard.

The Great American Children’s Dell has more fun than you can shake a stick at! Pony Rides, Kid’s Tractor Pull, The Great American Petting Zoo, Farmyard Follies (Ed-Utainment Animal Show) and Gascar Crazy Animal Races. (Watch a race between a goat a pig a duck and a sheep!) Ventura County Fair’s Uncle Leo will be on hand to show the kids how to milk a cow! The youth group “Alma de Mexico” will perform traditional Mexican Dance in the authentic costumes of Mexico’s many states.

Fine Art and Music are important features of Adventures in Agriculture. Gail Pidduck and John Nichols, acclaimed artists whose work has become well associated with agriculture in Ventura County, will show their artwork in a gallery setting. Ventura County’s favorite songsters “The Tune Bandits” and “The Iron Mountain Boys” will provide musical entertainment

Professional Bull Riding (America’s original extreme sport) will round out the day in the Grandstand arena. The show starts at 2pm and tickets for this special PBR sanctioned attraction are only $15. Tickets are on sale at the Fairgrounds Box Office.

Wyndham Hotels, Toyota and many other generous sponsors make Adventures in Agriculture possible. Stop by the Wyndham booth and ask how you can get a free hot dog and soft drink!

“Agriculture is Ventura County’s most valuable resource. We are happy that we can bring it to the community so that everyone can see the processes, and learn the values and opportunities it brings to us all,” said Barbara Quaid, CEO of the Ventura County Fairgrounds. “We have mixed in some fun and we hope that our neighbors and friends will enjoy what we have to offer.”

For more information please call 648-3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org.