Food allergies, which researchers estimate affect up to 15 million Americans and can cause life-threatening reactions, will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Cristina Porch-Curren, M.D., who specializes in allergy and immunology, will conduct the seminar that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard, located at 600 E. Esplanade Drive.

Dr. Porch-Curren will discuss the diagnosis of food allergies, common food allergies and food allergy vs. food tolerance. Attendees also will learn about exposure to allergy-causing food, managing dietary needs and a creating a normal life with food allergies.

Dr. Porch-Curren received her medical degree from the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed an internal medicine residency at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach and Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Torrance. She is a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. Dr. Porch-Curren is a member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff.

Registration is free but reservations are required. Call 1-800/838-3006, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

Future scheduled Speaker Series events include: Ethics in Healthcare: Should Your Doctor Be Your Friend? on Nov. 12 at the Museum of Ventura County; TEDMED 2015 on Nov. 19 at the Museum of Ventura County; and Celiac Disease on Dec. 1 at Community Memorial Hospital.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and 12 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Community Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

To receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures.

To qualify for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. If given intravenously in the first three hours after the start of stroke symptoms, tPA has been shown to significantly reduce the effects of stroke and lessen the chance of permanent disability. CMH earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period.

These quality measures are designed to help hospital teams provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients.

“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and this award demonstrates our commitment to ensuring patients receive care based on nationally-respected clinical guidelines,” said Stephanie Lara-Jenkins, RN, BA, CMH Stroke Coordinator “CMH is dedicated to improving the quality of stroke care and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke helps us achieve that goal.”

Community Memorial Hospital has also met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

“We are pleased to recognize CMH for their commitment to stroke care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., M.P.H., national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines steering committee and Executive Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Studies have shown that hospitals that consistently follow Get With The Guidelines quality improvement measures can reduce length of stay and 30-day readmission rates and reduce disparities in care.”

For providers, Get With The Guidelines-Stroke offers quality improvement measures, discharge protocols, standing orders and other measurement tools. Providing hospitals with resources and information that make it easier to follow treatment guidelines can help save lives and ultimately reduce overall healthcare costs by lowering readmission rates for stroke patients.

For patients, Get With The Guidelines-Stroke uses the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when they learn how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital and recognize the F.A.S.T. warning signs of a stroke.

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, along with the Centers for Family Health serving various communities within and located in Ventura County, California.

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 5 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org/quality or heart.org/QualityMap.

On Saturday, November 7th, from 10:00am-3:00pm, the Bardsdale United Methodist Church (BUMC) will sponsor a "Home Tour" of four homes and the 117 year old Bardsdale United Methodist Church! The BUMC Ministry has been serving Bardsdale for 123 years and relocated to the current Church in 1898! The cost of the Home and Church Tour will be $25.

On March 12, 1928 at two and half minutes after midnight one of the worse disasters to hit Los Angeles and Ventura Counties occurred when the nearly new St. Frances Dam experienced catastrophic failure sending an enormous amount of water into the Santa Clara Valley into Piru, Fillmore, Bardsdale and Santa Paula and onto the Pacific Ocean. The result was the loss of 431 lives and the destruction of many homes. Most of the homes were swept from their unsecured foundations and floated away only to be torn apart, or come to rest at locations far from their original placement.

One of those homes, according to the current owner, is featured on the BUMC Home Tour. This 1500 square foot home is located on one acre of land and now a working goat ranch. Built in 1927 the home was a fairly new home at the time of the St. Francis Dam Disaster. Although not known for sure, the home was and located someplace upriver in the Santa Clara Valley. The location was more than likely in the Bardsdale area not far from the current location.

The home was not originally the Craftsman style home that it is today. The he current owners indicate the previous owner, over the twenty-five years they lived in the home transformed the home to a Craftsman style home with many well executed construction features. The features include stain glass, a beautifully refurbished fire place and expert carpentry work throughout, an aluminum roof and solar power. Of note is the tile surrounding the fireplace that depicts the agricultural roots of the Bardsdale area. There also is a newly planted Family Orchard.

As mentioned this is a working goat ranch consisting of 18 French Alpine goats, a calf, three tortoises, four pet pigs and a few chickens. There is a Showroom that displays, for purchase, some of the many products made from the goats milk as well as a soap workshop to demonstrate how the soap is made. The website for the ranch indicates, “Raising our French Alpine goats and milking them twice a day is so worth the effort because their rich and nutritious goat milk is what makes our soap so moisturizing, nourishing and gentle. Each bar of soap is great for your face, body and hands and is especially designed for dry or sensitive skin.” The ranch is not open for walk-in customers, but is by appointment only. Visiting the Ranch as part of the BUMC Home Tour is an excellent opportunity to not only interact with ranch operations, but to see this very interesting home that is not open any other time of the year for viewing.

Pre sale tickets are available at the BUMC located at 1498 Bardsdale Ave, Bardsdale, 805-524-2070. And, the Fillmore Historical Museum, 340 Main St, Fillmore, 805-524-0948. Tickets will also be available at the BUMC, Fillmore Historical Museum and at each home on the day of the tour. In the event of rain the Tour will cancel and not be rescheduled. In that unfortunate circumstance the BUMC thanks you for your donation!

On Monday, November 2, 2015 a Day of the Dead Festival will be held on Central Avenue. The Day of the Dead Festival will run from 6pm to 9pm. It will include over 20 vendors, live bands, folklorico dancers, food, and art exhibits.

The Day of the Dead Festival is being put on by the students of Fillmore High School, La Fondita Restaurant, Big Brothers & Big Sisters Mentor Program, and The Fillmore City Chamber of Commerce.

Come join the fun as we honor our past, celebrate the present, and build the future with traditions.

Mission Home Health, a San Diego-based Medicare provider is expanding its footprint in Southern California and is now accepting patients in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. In mid-October, they acquired the Medicare certified division of Help Unlimited, a Ventura-based company that has served patients across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties for the past 40 years.

Founded in 2009, Mission Healthcare initially provided physician ordered home health, but quickly expanded to include other home based services including hospice and private duty homecare. Clinically owned and operated, Mission Home Health offers reliable, thoughtful professional care with locations in San Diego, Temecula, Riverside, San Bernardino, Palm Springs and Orange County.

Mission Home Health services adults and seniors who are recovering after a hospital or facility stay, or need additional support to remain safely at home to avoid unnecessary hospitalization. These Medicare-certified services may include short-term nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, and assistive home health care. Mission Home Health is a Medicare-certified agency where Medicare, Medi-Cal and most private insurances are accepted.

Mission Home Health’s goal is to have a positive impact on the lives of its patients, their families and their healthcare partners. Mission Home Health believes there’s no place like home when it comes to providing its patients with the utmost care and comfort while offering a variety of in-home treatment options to meet every need.

For more information about Mission Home Health, visit www.homewithmission.com online or call (888) 871-0766 or on Facebook at facebook.com/HomeWithMission and Twitter @HomeWithMission.

OXNARD, CA — Community Action of Ventura County is proud to introduce two new members of the organization’s governing board. The 15 seat, tri-partite board seeks to find a balanced voice in addressing poverty and homelessness in our community. With one-third of the board representing local elected officials, one-third representing the private sector, and one-third representing the collective voices of our low-income and homeless client base, the governing board serves as Community Action’s legislative body.

They began their terms as board members at the October 12, 2015 board meeting. Ramona Tovar is board representing the low income population in Ventura County District 3. Alex Castillo representing the low income population in Ventura County District 1. Community Action board meetings are open to the public.

Ramona Tovar of Fillmore, CA has dedicated her life to helping those in need. She Anthony Whitak said her father raised her on the teachings of community leaders like: Cesar Chavez, David Sanchez, and Hank Lacayo and that her calling to serve those in need was simply a natural extension of that upbringing. Tovar is working toward a degree in Psychology and brings a broad portfolio of professional and volunteer experience to the board.

Alex Castilla has been a resident of Ventura since 1989. Castilla graduated from California State University in Los Angeles in 2004 with a degree in History. Since 2009 he has helped provide affordable housing to low income families through his work with Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation.

The Community Action Agency
In Ventura County Since 1965

Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq: BSRR), parent of Bank of the Sierra, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015. Sierra Bancorp recognized net income of $4.410 million for the third quarter of 2015, an improvement of $859,000, or 24%, relative to the third quarter of 2014. The increase in net income is the result of higher net interest income driven by a large increase in average interest-earning assets, and improvement in non-interest income, partially offset by higher overhead expense and a higher tax accrual. The Company’s return on average equity increased to 9.32% in the third quarter of 2015 from 7.51% in the third quarter of 2014, and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.33 from $0.25. For the first nine months of 2015 the Company recognized net income of $12.704 million, which represents an increase of 10% relative to the same period in 2014. The Company’s financial performance metrics for the first nine months of 2015 include an annualized return on average equity of 9.02%, a return on average assets of 1.01%, and diluted earnings per share of $0.93.

Total assets were up $80 million, or 5%, during the first nine months of 2015 due to net growth of $83 million, or 9%, in gross loan balances that was partially offset by lower levels of cash and investments. Loan growth for the first nine months was favorably impacted by increased utilization on mortgage warehouse lines, the purchase of $28 million in residential mortgage loans in March, and organic growth in other non-agricultural real estate loans. Total nonperforming assets, including nonperforming loans and foreclosed assets, were reduced by $7 million, or 28%, during the first nine months of 2015. Despite runoff in the third quarter, total deposits were still up $62 million, or 5%, for the year-to-date period due primarily to a $61 million organic increase in core non-maturity deposits. Non-deposit borrowings were increased by $22 million in the first nine months of 2015, in order to meet the funding requirements created by strong loan demand.

“The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly.” – Cecil B. DeMille

“As one of the most CONTINUED »

Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq:BSRR), parent of Bank of the Sierra, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share. The dividend was approved subsequent to the Board’s review of the Company’s financial results for the quarter and the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, which reflect continued capital strength, consistent operating results, and a sustained favorable trend in credit quality. The dividend will be paid on November 12, 2015 to shareholders of record as of October 29, 2015. Including dividends paid by Bank of the Sierra prior to the formation of Sierra Bancorp, the Company has paid regular cash dividends to shareholders every year since 1987, comprised of annual dividends from 1987 through 1998 and quarterly dividends since then. The dividend noted in today’s announcement marks the Company’s 67th consecutive regular quarterly cash dividend.

Sierra Bancorp is the holding company for Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com), which is in its 38th year of operations and at $1.7 billion in assets is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. The Company has over 400 employees and conducts business through 28 full-service branches, a loan production office, an online branch, a real estate industries center, an agricultural credit center, and an SBA center.

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward looking statements. Actual results may differ from those projected. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including but not limited to the bank’s ability to maintain current dividend payments or increase dividend payouts to shareholder, its ability to continue to generate record financial results, changes in economic conditions, interest rates and loan portfolio performance, and other factors detailed in the Company’s SEC filings. Sierra Bancorp undertakes no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley is both pleased and excited to announce the opening of its new club site in Piru. Located inside the Piru Community Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley will serve youth grades K – 12. With a fun assortment of games, a dual room serving as a computer lab and arts & crafts room as well as close proximity to the community baseball fields, kids of all ages are sure to have fun. The Piru location will offer an after school program as well as seasonal programs during summer, fall, and winter recesses. Like both of the other clubs, they will have a STEM focus on robotics and the sciences. For more information or questions about our program, please contact Piru Site Director, Cesar Villanueva at (805) 855-5008. Membership applications are available for pickup at 802 Orchard Street in Piru. There is no membership cost to the children living in Piru.

On Saturday, November 7th, from 10:00am-3:00pm, the Bardsdale United Methodist Church (BUMC) will sponsor a "Home Tour" of four homes and the 117 year old Bardsdale United Methodist Church! The BUMC Ministry has been serving Bardsdale for 123 years and relocated to the current Church in 1898! The cost of the Home and Church Tour will be $25.

In 2015 the Bardsdale United Methodist Church, will celebrate 123 years in ministry, and the 117th year in their beautiful church building! The church is a registered county landmark # 50. It is a clapboard construction style known as Carpenter Gothic with a high pitched tower roof.

The BUMC beginnings date back to 1892 when the Rev. George Alexander preached an afternoon sermon with 14 in attendance. In 1898 the Church moved to its present location on the corner of Bardsdale Avenue and Ventura Street when two lots were donated to the church by Senator Thomas Bard. The sanctuary was dedicated on April 15, 1899. In 1914 the building was expanded with the addition of the wing which now houses our church offices. In 1926 the chancel area was expanded, and the basement was finished.

In August of 1982 a section of the original plaster ceiling collapsed during a morning worship service. Driven by the faith and vision of the Rev. Bob Ness, and the generous and faithful support of church members and friends in the community, this led to a four year, million dollar renovation and restoration of the church facility. The renovation included the addition of new stained glass windows to complement the existing windows, the oak chancellory, a hand carved pulpit and lectern, and new chandeliers from a downtown (LA) church, and the construction and addition of our Schoenstein organ. The church became a historical landmark during this time.

In 2006, approximately three quarters of an acre of land was gifted to the church. Work is currently underway to create a new parking area, a meditation area with rose garden, and a grassy yard area for outdoor events.

Pre sale tickets are available at the BUMC located at 1498 Bardsdale Ave, Bardsdale, 805-524-2070. And, the Fillmore Historical Museum, 340 Main St, Fillmore, 805-524-0948. Tickets will also be available at the BUMC, Fillmore Historical Museum and at each home on the day of the tour.

On Saturday, November 7th, from 10:00am-3:00pm, the Bardsdale United Methodist Church (BUMC) will sponsor a "Home Tour" of four homes and the 117 year old Bardsdale United Methodist Church! The BUMC Ministry has been serving Bardsdale for 123 years and relocated to the current Church in 1898! The cost of the Home and Church Tour will be $25.

A 3,100 square foot, 1909 Craftsman Style Bungalow on ten acres planted in citrus is one of the four homes on the tour! This home was originally built for a San Francisco newspaper cartoonist and lived in for eighty years by his family. There is even a local legend of Spanish Gold buried somewhere near the home.

The home did have one major remodel in 1999 by the current residents which included lifting the roof 3-4 feet to accommodate a staircase and raising the upstairs ceiling allowing the much taller, both six foot plus, current owners to climb the stairs and entering the rooms and bathroom without hitting their heads. Wrap around decks were added to allow breathtaking views of the valley, above the canopy of citrus trees! Views of Bardsdale, the Sespe River and San Cayetano Peak are what can be seen from the decks. Although extensive, the remodel retained much of the original look, which included the original exterior cedar shingle siding, of the home from the street view! The front of the home is planted beautifully around the circular river rock defined driveway and is welcoming to visitors to the home! The interior of the home received the bulk of the changes in the remodel and with the exception of the original Douglas Fir floors downstairs were retained. The fireplace was also returned to the river rock face originally used when built. The entire house changed from the original 2800 square foot, two bedroom, one bath home upstairs to a four bedroom; three bedrooms upstairs and a bathroom and one bedroom and bathroom downstairs. A painting of Jesse Arms Botke's famous cockatoos inspired the colors of the downstairs. The basement was excavated and serves as an office and the laundry area. This comfortable home is tastefully furnished with family antiques, early Hummels, inherited pewter and an early Edison phonograph that helps any visitor feel as though they were stepping back in time!

Pre sale tickets are available at the BUMC located at 1498 Bardsdale Ave, Bardsdale, 805-524-2070. And, the Fillmore Historical Museum, 340 Main St, Fillmore, 805-524-0948. Tickets will also be available at the BUMC, Fillmore Historical Museum and at each home on the day of the tour

Elkins Ranch will hold a Cruise night and Toy Drive on October 17th at 4pm. The toys collected will be presented to the Fillmore Fire Department for their annual Christmas toy drive. A snack bar Special for all guests will include Elkin’s famous burger, fries and a drink for $10. Elkins Ranch Golf Course is located at 1386 Chambersburg Road, Fillmore. For more information call 524-1121.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley is both pleased and excited to announce the opening of its new club site in Piru. Located inside the Piru Community Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley will serve youth grades K – 12. With a fun assortment of games, a dual room serving as a computer lab and arts & crafts room as well as close proximity to the community baseball fields, kids of all ages are sure to have fun. The Piru location will offer an after school program as well as seasonal programs during summer, fall, and winter recesses. Like both of the other clubs, they will have a STEM focus on robotics and the sciences. For more information or questions about our program, please contact Piru Site Director, Cesar Villanueva at (805) 855-5008. Membership applications are available for pickup at 802 Orchard Street in Piru. There is no membership cost to the children living in Piru.

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 10, 2015 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 Medical 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.

Ventura, CA - The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) announced today the launch of Ride Week 2015, happening October 5-9, as part of a regional campaign to help reduce traffic and air pollution in Southern California.

Research shows that more than 75 percent of Ventura County’s workers commute alone in their cars and about one third of them spend an hour or more on their roundtrip drive. Ride Week encourages employees and students to make a pledge to try an alternative transportation method, whether it is carpool, vanpool, public transit, walking, biking or telecommuting, for at least one day during the event.

To help get Ventura County commuters excited about Ride Week, VCTC is raffling gift certificates for a new bike, running shoes, Fitbit wireless activity trackers, monthly bus passes and other prizes for anyone who pledges to try an alternative ride October 5-9.

Those interested in entering, can make their pledge at www.rideweek.org. Not only will they be entered to win, but they can also request an evaluation of their commute with customized travel options and contact information for possible ridesharing partners.

“County highways and freeways are more congested than ever, meaning longer commute times, more money spent on gas and vehicle maintenance and more tons of tailpipe emissions polluting our environment,” said VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “Our hope is that Ride Week will open commuters up to alternative methods of transportation and that they’ll find something they like not just during Ride Week, but throughout the year.”

For more information about transportation, air quality and ridesharing during Ride Week or any week follow VCTC (goventura/@goventura) and VCAPCD (TheAirZone/@VCAPCD) on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.

The role of da Vinci robotic surgery to treat endometriosis – a disease in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it – will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Edwin Ramirez, M.D., who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, will cover the treatment options available for women facing endometriosis, including laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, at the seminar that will run from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 N. Brent St.

Dr. Ramirez will discuss how robotic-assisted surgery can lead to fewer complications; less blood loss and pain; less infection risk and scarring; shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery; and better outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Dr. Ramirez received his medical degree from New York Medical College and completed residency training at Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Ramirez is a member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff.

Registration is free but reservations are required. Visit cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800/838-3006.

Future scheduled Speaker Series events include: the Latest in Food Allergies on Nov. 5 at the Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard; Ethics in Healthcare: Should Your Doctor Be Your Friend? on Nov. 12 at the Museum of Ventura County; TEDMED 2015 on Nov. 19 at the Museum of Ventura County; and Celiac Disease on Dec. 1 at Community Memorial Hospital.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and 12 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.