Happy Halloween!

Halloween is a time of great fun for children, but it can be a little scary for parents and drivers. Children are often out after dark, crossing busy streets and perhaps going to unfamiliar homes.

"With excited kids frantically going from neighbor to neighbor, drivers need to be particularly cautious," said Ray Palermo, director of public information for Teachers' Insurance Plan™. "However, by following some simple advice, parents, children, drivers and homeowners can all have a safe, enjoyable time."

· If children are out at night, drivers need to be particularly careful at dusk and when driving either over a hill or around a curve, where visibility is limited. Use high beams to see and be seen.

· Trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult or travel in a group. Children should be told not to eat any unwrapped candy or treats until they return home where their parents can see them. Making sure kids have already eaten before heading out may help.

· Parents may want to limit kids to local events run by police stations, firehouses, senior citizen centers or local businesses, or organize their own through their school.

· Parents should incorporate reflective tape in costumes or add bright colors to increase visibility. Make-up rather than masks should be worn to help ensure that children have an unobstructed view of their surroundings.

· Trick-or-treaters may be caught up in the excitement of the day and not be as careful as they should. They should always cross at corners and look both ways before crossing. Drivers need to keep a careful eye on the road and on the sidewalk, in case anyone darts out from between parked cars.

· Children should stay on the sidewalk or if none is available, walk facing the lane of traffic, and they should carry a flashlight.

· Homeowners should clear their yards of anything that can be tripped over and be sure to have a front door or walkway light on, and refrain from decorations that use an open flame that could ignite a child's costume.

Written By Bill Dewey and Steve McClary, Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee

Fillmore is home to many beautiful species of trees, many of which do quite well as street trees or yard trees in our climate. The Fillmore Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee will be highlighting many of these wonderful examples in the weeks to come.

This week we will take a look at the Floss Silk Tree (chorisa speciosa). The tree is native to South America. The heavy trunk of the common variety is studded with thick spines to protect it from foraging animals. Leaves are divided into leaflets like fingers of a hand, dropping during autumn flowering. The large, showy flowers somewhat resemble narrow-petaled hibiscus or orchid blooms. "Majestic Beauty" is a thornless variety bearing rich pink blooms. Trees grow 3-5 feet in youth, then more slowly to an eventual 30-60 feet at maturity.

This beautiful specimen can be seen by going north on Central Avenue, then left on Stonehedge, and right onto Woodgrove Lane, where the tree is located at the top of the cul-de-sac in a central planter. It is currently spectacular!!

The warm family home of Brandon and Adrienne Theising on Los Angeles Ave. in Bardsdale actually began its life in 1910 a mile away on Pasadena Ave. as a one bedroom, one bath home of another young couple, Harry and Katie Gage. They and their two sons lived happily in the country until March of 1928 when they were driven from their home by flood waters from the St. Francis Dam. Everyone escaped safely and the house was rebuilt and rented. Again it was flooded in 1943 and the Gages decided to move their home away from the rampaging river to a quieter location on Los Angeles Ave. Eventually their youngest son, Dick and his wife Beverly lived there until Dick’s death.
The Theisings, seeking a quiet place in the country to raise their family, bought the small home and have expanded it to include four bedrooms, a large welcoming family room and kitchen, screened porch, and a play yard that is every child’s dream. Beautifully restored antiques decorate the living area and an arbor covered with red roses leads you to their front door.
This house has quite a history and may be seen during the Fillmore Historical Museum Annual Fall Home Tour. This year the tour will highlight four homes in Bardsdale. The date is Sunday, Nov. 9th from 12:00 to 4:00. The Heritage Valley Fine Arts Sale will take place on the Museum grounds from 11:00 to 4:00 on the same day. Tickets are $20.00 advance sale and $25.00 the day of the tour. They may be purchased through the Museum (524-0948) or at Coffeeboy or Mirage in town, or at any home the day of the tour.

An FUTA sponsored Q & A with the FUSD School Board Candidates will take place Thursday, Oct 23rd, at 3:30 p.m. in the FHS Library. All candidates running for the three open spaces on the Board will be invited to participate. All FUTA members are encouraged to attend the Q & A. The Election will be held November 4th. Remember to VOTE!
Why should you care who is on the FUSD School Board? The School Board must provide financial oversight for the district; sets the tone of labor relations within the district; and sets district policies. Be sure to attend and hear the candidates’ answers.

The four Fillmore Unified School District Elementary Schools are pleased to announce that Wells Fargo is sponsoring the annual Fall Carnival this year. “The Fall Carnival is a legend as a community event that also benefits all of our elementary schools, so a partnership with Wells Fargo is really a partnership with the community. We are extremely excited” states Jan Marholin, Principal of San Cayetano. The Fall Carnival will be on Thursday night October 30th from 5-8PM. There will be plenty of food, games and fun! Stop by pick up a Tri-tip sandwich hosted by the Fillmore Lions or one of Lou Hoover’s famous cinnamon rolls. As an added bonus this year, Wells Fargo will have the stagecoach at the event. Don’t miss out come join us for this annual event!

Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector Lawrence L. Matheney announced that the Secured Property Tax Bills for the 2008/09 tax year are being mailed October 2, 2008. If you have not received your Fiscal Year 2008/09 property tax bill by October 10, please either telephone his office at (805) 654-3744, or send an Email request for a duplicate bill to HelpingHand@ventura.org.

A total of 244,075 Secured Property Tax Bills have been issued for 2008/09, representing a total secured tax roll of $1.2 billion, an all-time high. We have already received electronic payments, via phone and internet, on 426 bills, totaling $75,496.10.

The FIRST INSTALLMENT of the Fiscal Year 2008/09 secured property tax can be paid without penalty through December 10, 2008. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. There will be a payment drop box until MIDNIGHT on December 10, 2008. The drop box will be located near the pay phone at the East entrance of the Hall of Administration at the County Government Center, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, California, 93009.

Property taxes can be paid over the Internet using a credit card or electronic check. A convenience fee is charged by the payment processing company. The website is available through www.venturapropertytax.org/. Mailing a check with the payment stub remains as an efficient way to pay your taxes. Payments postmarked on or before December 10, 2008, will be considered on time. Because timeliness of mailed payments is measured by the U.S. Postal Service cancellation mark, if you must wait until December 9 or 10, 2008, it is recommended that you take your payment into the Post Office and have it postmarked in your presence. State law requires that a 10% penalty be collected for all late payments.

Saturday, December 6, 2008. The parade will begin on Central Avenue at Second Street at 1:00 PM and proceed south on Central Avenue to the end of the parade at Santa Clara Street.

According to Fillmore Lions Parade Chairman Dick Diaz, Santa Claus will be in Fillmore in time to ride in the Parade. With Santa Claus in the Parade will be many local children and civic groups ushering in the holiday season.

There is still time to become a participant in the Parade. Either stop by the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce to pick up an application, or contact Dick Diaz. Dick can be reached at 524-5315, or 279-3599, or email dickdiaz@roadrunner.com for an application, or to have your questions answered. There is no cost to enter the Parade. Parade check-in will be 11:30 AM in front of the Memorial Building, Second and Shiells.

The Civic Pride Committee met this last week and every home gardener in Fillmore should remember the date of April 4, 2009, for the Fillmore Flower Show which will be held at the Senior Center!
More information will be forthcoming; however, mark the date of April 4, and plan what you will be taking to the Fillmore Flower Show!
The yard of the month has been selected and the winner will have his/her picture taken with their garden of the month!
An essay contest is planned for the 4th and 5th elementary grade students with November 21 being the deadline for this event. The subject is: What I like about living in Fillmore!" More information will be forthcoming! The grand prize is really worth the effort!

SANTA PAULA, Calif.--The Ventura County Board of Supervisors recently issued a resolution honoring Limoneira Company, one of California’s most prominent agribusinesses, for its leadership role in exploring and producing renewable green energy for industrial use.

The resolution recognizes Limoneira’s new 5.5 acre solar installation, which is capable of producing 1,950 megawatt hours per year. Set among the company’s lemon and avocado orchards in Santa Paula, the “solar orchard” will generate enough electricity annually for about 200 homes. Limoneira will use the energy to power its main lemon packinghouse.

"We are honored the supervisors support Limoneira's ongoing efforts to produce clean, renewable energy,” says Harold Edwards, Limoneira president and CEO. Our aim is to be a leader when it comes to sustainability and a model for other companies to follow.” CONTINUED »

VENTURA, CA – Straight Up Ventura County’s newest podcast exploring the Social Host Ordinance now being enforced throughout Ventura County is now online. Narrated by a Ventura County youth, the podcast features appearances by Dan Hicks, Program Administrator of Prevention Services at the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department and Thousand Oaks Police Captain Randy Pentis. Both gentlemen talk at length about the civil fine that is issued to responsible individuals hosting a loud and disruptive party where underage drinking is taking place, and the effectiveness of the ordinance since it has been placed into effect. Information in the podcast includes:

· The range of fines that vary from city to city

· The conditions that need to occur in order for a fine to be issued

· Statistics on how effective the ordinance has been throughout the county

“We thought this was a very important issue that parents, as well as teens, should know about,” states Katherine Kasmir, Director of Straight Up. “The ordinance is in place in every city in the county and most people aren’t aware of it.”

· Listen now to Straight Up’s podcast at http://straightupvc.org/0920_podcast_01_sho.mp3

· Subscribe to all of Straight Up’s podcasts at http://www.straightupvc.org/podcast/feed.xml

· Subscribe through iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=2922327...

Straight Up’s regular podcast, its blog at http://www.straightupvc.org/blog, and other online resources are aimed at encouraging community discussion about the serious issue of underage drinking. Straight Up also engages youth and adults by offering workshops, youth leadership training, video resources, and Reality Parties for Parents.

Straight Up is a youth development project that promotes social change regarding underage and binge drinking using improvisation and interactive performance and workshops with engaging discussion, exploration of issues, and the development of personal and community solutions to these problems.

Straight Up is made possible through funding from Ventura County Behavioral Health Department Prevention Services. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.straightupvc.org

Santa Paula, CA. - Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVBank; OTC BB: SCVE.OB) today announced its board of directors has authorized a repurchase of up to an additional $220,000 of the company’s common stock. The Bank is authorized until April 17, 2009 to purchase from time to time in open market, depending on market conditions.

Over the previous six months, the Bank has repurchased 4,148 shares. The average price paid was $10.75 per share.

“Our stock is currently trading at a significant discount and it has, we believe, little correlation to our recent financial performance, including seven quarters without a loan charge-off”, said Michael D. Hause, president and CEO. “Because of our history of rigorous underwriting and stringent credit quality standards, our Bank continues to be strong. BauerFinancial, Inc. has rated SCVBank as 5 - Star, one of the safest financial institutions in America.”

Chairman Guy Cole stated, “The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Bank and its shareholders for the Bank to reacquire shares of its common stock on the open market for several reasons, including the recent trading price of the common stock that the Board believes is undervalued and the Bank has sufficient cash available to effect repurchases without adversely affecting the Bank’s financial condition. In addition, the repurchases will have the effect of improving the Bank’s earnings per share and return on equity.”
____________________________

Founded in 1998, Santa Clara Valley Bank has offices in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Valencia. Under its stock symbol of SCVE.OB, Santa Clara Valley Bank's stock is traded through McAdams Wright Ragen, Howe Barnes Hofer & Arnett, and Wedbush Morgan Securities. The Bank's web site is www.SCVBank.com.

Santa Clara Valley Bank Corporate Headquarters
901 East Main Street
Santa Paula, California 93060
805-525-1999

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events concerning expectations for growth and market forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, the effect of interest rate changes, the ability to control costs and expenses, the impact of consolidation in the banking industry, financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions.

Enlarge Photo

7-Eleven, Inc. is baking fresh ribbon-shaped donuts every day this October to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure® during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The yeast-raised donut twists are topped with pale-pink icing, sprinkles and tiny pink candy ribbons. Offered at a suggested retail price of $1.19, the freshly baked donuts are delivered every morning to participating 7-Eleven® stores. With 15 cents from each sale being donated to the Komen organization, the convenience retailer hopes to raise between $25,000 and $50,000 for the national charity.

“This is an easy, not to mention delicious, way for people to give to this important cause,” said Joe Hermes, 7-Eleven’s senior fresh food director. “They can grab a pink donut for themselves on the way to work, fill a box to take to the office or designate a day of the week as ‘Passionately Pink for the Cure®’ day with these donuts and other pink treats like M&Ms® Brand Chocolate Candies and coffee in pink mugs.”

7-Eleven stores will feature a special display anchored by a refillable, stainless steel 16-ounce mug with a pink soft touch band around the top. The mug retails for $6.99 with the first hot beverage included, and refills are just 99 cents (suggested retail prices). Pink ribbon magnets, value-priced at $1.99, give consumers an opportunity to show their support of the cause at work and at home. A portion of sales will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“Thanks to medical advances, early detection and treatment, women who get a diagnosis of breast cancer today have real hope,” said Nancy Lear, 7-Eleven community relations manager. “With one in eight U.S. women developing this disease sometime in their lifetime, breast cancer impacts almost everyone either personally or through friends and family. Organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation are helping doctors make strides toward controlling and ultimately eradicating this disease.”

Besides pink ribbon donuts, refillable coffee mugs and refrigerator magnets, participating 7-Eleven stores also are carrying popular pink products from manufacturers that have made a commitment to contribute a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer charities for every item sold. Special edition TicTac mints, Hershey Kisses and M&M candies have specific product and/or packaging to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness this month.

“Susan G. Komen for the Cure partners with a variety of organizations, offering hundreds of creative opportunities for all people to be a part of the breast cancer movement,” said Katrina McGhee, vice president of marketing for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “Our partnership with 7-Eleven is a great example of how people can support Komen’s promise to end breast cancer by simply running their morning errands.”

Susan Steppler Adams receiving the Toolie Palmer bark art as first prize in drawing. For more photos, visit http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/alumnidinner
Enlarge Photo

2008 Scholarship Recipients: Laura Orozco, Julio Cesar Chavez, Ashley Grande, Christina Amezcua, Briana Rojo, Angelica Serna, Luis Munoz, Kassaundra Sandoval. For more photos, visit http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/alumnidinner
Enlarge Photo

im Wilson with the second award in the drawing, Donated by Calvin and Lavonne Deeter. For more photos, visit http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/alumnidinner
Enlarge Photo

If you haven't already found it, Scott Duckett, our alumni webmaster has put 31 pictures from the 2008 alumni dinner on the Alumni Dinner page of the alumni website. We thank Bob Cox for supplying us with all the pictures. If you have already checked on this page of our website, you saw some errors in some of the names, and for this we apologize, but they have all been corrected, so we hope there weren't too many people upset over this.

Some classes are already starting their plans for the 2009 alumni dinner that will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Memorial Building. So if your class graduation year ends in 4 or 9, and if you are planning a reunion, please let the alumni office know so we can put information in the Flashbacks, in the Gazette and on our website. If any class doesn't want to go to all the effort of planning a class reunion out of town, please plan on attending the alumni dinner as your class reunion. We will have an area for visiting before the dinner, reserved tables for you at the dinner and will provide an area for visiting after the dinner. We hope to have many classes at this year's dinner.

The Scholarship Committee is working to update the scoring system for the alumni scholarships prior to handing out the scholarship applications to this year's seniors in January.

The committee hopes to receive more applications and be able to award more scholarships this year, as well as continue to offer Continuation Grants to those alumni who are already attending colleges and universities. The alumni office greatly appreciates the many donations that come into the office for alumni scholarships.

The next issue of Flashbacks will be coming out in November, thanks to the hard work of Kathleen Penrod McCreary. She has lots of information from alumni members, which is what makes this newsletter so interesting. If we didn't have input from graduates and others, there wouldn't be a whole lot to publish, so we thank you for your input. A notice will come out prior to our mailing the next issue, so be looking for it.

For more Alumni Dinner photos, visit http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/alumnidinner

Soroptimist Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon “Generations of Women” will be the theme of the Soroptimist International of Santa Paula Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon to be held on Saturday, November 8th at 11am at the Boys & Girls Club located at 1400 E. Harvard Blvd in Santa Paula. Vintage clothing will adorn the venue and many generations of local families will not only be in attendance, but modeling for this glamorous event. Fashions will be provided by Mirage, Draper & Damons & Lupita’s Children’s Fashions. Proceeds benefit the Soroptimist programs both locally and world-wide. Their mission includes cures for heart disease, breast cancer and arthritis, a stop to human sex trafficking and domestic violence and the promotion of bettering the lives of women and girls in all walks of life. Though the mission is serious, the event promises to be fun for all in attendance. A generous “Chinese Auction” will replace the silent auction – providing all with a fair shake at taking home valuable prizes, including many theme baskets, outings & fashion accessories. Mouth-watering cuisine will be provided by The Ironhorse. The ever-entertaining and “Honorary Soroptimist Sister” Peggy Kelly will be presiding over the Fashion Show with her keen eye and usual sense of humor. In keeping with the theme, all generations of Your Family are invited, so gather up your mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and daughter and join us for a unique day. For more information, to purchase tickets or to donate a raffle item please contact Barbara Kroon at 805-689-2229.

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 October 18, 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 Ebell Club will be entertained this month by the Tune Bandits, at the Veterans Memorial Building on October 28, 2008.

Mike and Vanessa Hester, the Tune Bandits, are a Ventura based duo, who have been performing in and around Ventura and Los Angeles County for the past ten years. They began their singing careers late in life, (after the children moved out) and would be the first to tell you how amazed they are about their success.

The Tune Bandits have played all twelve days at the Ventura County Fair for the last eight years and have been the entertainment for "Christy's" at Ventura Harbor for the past ten years. They have also performed the last two years at the Ronald Reagan Library 4th of July celebration. The Tune Bandits also perform for private parties, weddings, and benefits throughout the year. They may never be rock stars but feel very blessed for the fans and friends they have made throughout their singing career. Contact Vanessa and Mike at thetunebandits@aol.com., or by telephone at 805-644-4511.

Anyone interested in more information, or becoming a member of the Fillmore Ebell Club, may call Trisha Armstrong at 805-727-1901.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

California wildfires pose a year-round threat to lives and property. It is everyone’s responsibility to do his or her part in helping to mitigate the death and destruction these fires cause. As we enter a particularly volatile time of year for wildfires, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind the public to be extra vigilant in looking for suspicious activity related to arson. Arson is an extremely serious offense that can result in the loss of life as well as millions of dollars in property.

If you see suspicious activity, it is important to realize that specific details often quickly fade from memory. Suspect and vehicle descriptions should be written down quickly. Camera phones (when safe to use) are another way to possibly document what is taking place. In addition to license plates and generic vehicle and suspect descriptions, law enforcement is helped tremendously when unique characteristics of a person or vehicle are noted.

Other things to look for related to arson activity are individuals loitering and vehicles parked in areas where they don’t belong, particularly if there is a lot of fuel (dry grass, brush, etc.) in the area. Your awareness should be increased whenever Santa Ana conditions exist or you become aware of a Red Flag Warning.

If the activity appears to be an arson in-progress, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency reporting in the Sheriff’s jurisdiction, call (805) 654-9511.