American Red Cross of Ventura County

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others needing blood products.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of
complications.

Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.

"I began treatment (with) my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours.
My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage," she said. "I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood."

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

American Red Cross Donation Center

American Red Cross Woodland Hills Donation Center
6338 Variel Ave.
Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367

Monday and Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Additional blood donation opportunities:

Camarillo
10/26/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Santa Cruz Village, 1 University Drive
10/28/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Santa Cruz Village, 1 University Drive

Oak Park
10/27/2015: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Oak Park High School, 899 North Kanan Road

Oxnard
10/21/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Oxnard College, 4000 S Rose Ave
10/22/2015: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Oxnard High School, 3400 W Gonzales Rd

Simi Valley
10/17/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Simi Valley Rancho Santa Suzanna Community,
5005 E Los Angeles Ave
10/23/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave
10/30/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Simi Valley Rancho Santa Suzanna Community,
5005 E Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
10/19/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Xirrus, 2101 Corporate Center Drive
10/21/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/26/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/28/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/30/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 N Moorpark Rd

Ventura
10/20/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in California), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

The Diaz family, Richard and Carolyn, with US Navy Chief Phillip Diaz, and his sisters Arron Diaz and Julia Fitzgibbons (Diaz).
Enlarge Photo

United States Navy Chief, Phillip Diaz, was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (ITC E-7) on September 16, 2015 during an official Navy Pinning Ceremony in San Diego, California. In attendance were his proud parents, Richard and Carolyn Diaz, Sisters Arron Diaz and Julia Fitzgibbons (Diaz), Uncle Michael Diaz and Aunt Karen Diaz. Richard and Carolyn had the honor of pinning on Chief Diaz's Navy Chief Anchors to his uniform shirt lapels.

Chief Diaz, 29 years old, is a 2004 Fillmore High School Graduate. All of Chief Diaz's education was within the Fillmore Unified School District attending K-5 at Piru Elementary School, 6-8 at Fillmore Middle School having been part of the first 6th Grade Class to enter the Middle School. He went on to attend FHS where he played baseball and and football, graduating in 2004! Chief Diaz was also active in the Bardsdale United Methodist Church, and local 4H Clubs where he had the honor, at age 9, of having his pig "Tomasina" being selected as the Grand Champion at the Ventura County Fair.

Chief Diaz began his career in the Navy on October 31, 2005 attending his basic training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class receiving a meritorious promotion to Seaman Apprentice E-2. Chief Diaz's job specialty is Information Technology. In addition to his current instructor assignment at the Center For Information Dominance, Point Loma, San Diego, Chief Diaz was previously assigned to the U.S.S. McFaul (DDG 74), an Arleigh Burke class of guided missile Destroyer in Norfolk, Virginia. And, at the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit-2 (EODESU-2), in Little Creek, Virginia. Chief Diaz has been on three deployments; two to the Persian Gulf aboard the U.S.S. McFaul and in Afghanistan with the EODESU2, prior to his assignment in San Diego as an instructor.

On August 24, 2008, while assigned on the U.S.S. McFaul, the McFaul was to first United States Vessel to arrived in Batumi, Georgia, as part of Operation Assured Delivery to "deliver humanitarian relief supplies, as part of the larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance" in the wake of the 2008 South Ossetia war. The McFaul offloaded nearly 155,000 pounds of supplies—including hygiene items, baby food and care supplies, bottled water, and milk.

Chief Diaz has received numerous awards during his Naval service. According to Chief Diaz, "I am ready to be a Navy Chief! I look forward to guiding the sailors under my command to some day being successful as future Navy Chiefs!" Chief Diaz will remain at his current assignment for the next 1 1/2 years, but after that he will serve "At the convenience of the Navy!" Chief Diaz hopes to spend more time in San Diego, but is excited to serve where the Navy needs him.

The citizens of the Santa Clara Valley are proud of Chief Diaz's service, congratulate him on his promotion. We thank Chief Diaz for his service and sacrifice to maintain the freedoms all of us enjoy as American citizens. Chief Diaz is truly an American Hero!

A 3-judge Ventura County Superior Court appeals panel struck down the eviction of the Fillmore and Western Railway by the Ventura County Transportation Commission who owns the tracks the railway operates on.

The panel released the decision on Tuesday, September 22, 2015. It ruled that the VCTC used an incorrect legal procedure to evict the railway, and the judge who upheld the eviction error in backing the eviction based on the incorrect legal procedure.

It remains to be seen if VCTC will appeal this ruling to a higher court, or return to the trial court to seek a legal eviction.

The VCTC filed a lawsuit in March 2014 against the Railway when they ignored the agency’s demand to stop running the train operation. The Railway countersued, claiming the Commission terminated its 20-year lease wrongly. The popular tourist train remains in operation for now.

New Senior Center Location:
330 Central Avenue, Suite C (Across from the Post Office)
Fillmore, CA 93015
Same Phone #: 524-4533
Parking in the back of the building / Open Monday – Friday: 8:30 to 1:00 PM.

Yeah! We now have “Fresh Coffee”

Regular Scheduled Programs & Activities
Monday 8:00 – 9;00 Senior Walk / 9:00-10:00 Tai Chi Class / 10:30 Senior Chair Exercise
Tuesday 8:30 - 1:00 Computer Room Open / 9:00-12:00 Gourd (1st & 3rd Tuesdays of Month.)
Tuesday 10:00 - 11:00 Book Club (2nd Tuesday of the Month.)
Wednesday 9:00 - 10:30 Busy Hands / 10:30 Line Dancing
Thursday 9:00 - 1:00 Computer Room Open / 10:15-11:30 Sketching Class (day changed)
Friday 10:30 - 11:30 Senior Chair Exercise

BINGO, STARTING SOON “KEEP” WATCHING FOR START-UP DATE!

AARP Drivers Safety Program Monday & Tuesday, October 19th & 20th. this is a 2 day course 4 hrs each day. From 8:30 -1:00 pm Cars have changed. So have the traffic rules, driving conditions, and the roads you travel every day. Some drivers age 50-plus have never looked back since they got their first driver's licenses, but even the most experienced drivers benefit from brushing up on their driving skills. You ask what will I learn by taking the Course? You can expect to learn current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment. You'll learn adjustments to accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. You will learn the following: How to minimize the effects of dangerous blind spots: How to maintain the proper following distance behind another car: The safest ways to change lanes and make turns at busy Intersections: Proper use of safety belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and new technologies used in cars: The effects of medications on driving: The importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use. After completing the course, you will have a greater appreciation of driving challenges and of how you can avoid potential collisions and injuries to yourself and others. This is a “GREAT Course” One every Senior should take. Please Call and let us know your coming. 524-4533

One Stop Shop for Medicare 2016 will be held at the Fillmore Senior Centers “New Location”, 330 Central Avenue, Suite C, across the street form the Post Office in Fillmore. Friday October 23. (Time to be determined) HICAP Counselors will run a Prescription Drug Plan comparison for you. Receive counseling on Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap, Employer Group, Retiree Plans & Medi-Cal. Enroll in a stand alone Prescription Drug Plan for 2016 Call HICAP for a Free, Unbiased Medicare & Health Insurance Counseling 800-434-0222 they will also send you a Part D worksheet, so your comparison will be ready for the ONE Stop Shop. Remember Open enrollment begins Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2015

Next Board Meeting: is scheduled for Monday, September 28. at 1:00 pm