Hello Alumni! The F.H.S. Alumni Association is producing a DVD documentary film of the Fillmore/Santa Paula Football Series. On November 12th, 2010, the Flashes will host the visiting Cardinals from Santa Paula, and the meeting will mark the 100th time the two teams will meet on the gridiron. This is the oldest High School Football series in Ventura County, and one of the oldest rivalry’s in the state of California. Interviews, and stories along with old game films are being compiled to make this DVD. The DVD will be available this November, 2010, but you may want to order now before they run out. A limited number of DVDs will be made. The cost of the DVD is $25.00. (packaged and mailed directly to you) or $20.00 if you wish to pick up at the Alumni office in Fillmore. (Note: Alumni office is opened Mon. Wed. & Fri. from 9:00am to 11:00am). To Guarantee your copies, please call the Alumni Association at 524-0416. (You will be billed later). If no one answers, clearly leave your name and phone number and number of DVDs you want and someone will be sure to call you back to confirm your order. Each week, the Alumni section will feature a short story from a participant of the rivalry. This week we feature the 1945 Flashes Football Team, Ventura County Champs. That year, the Flashes brought home the bacon by winning the Championship under the leadership of Coach Eugene Kennedy. Only one out of seven games was lost all season, and that was to the powerful Santa Barbara Dons. Fillmore played Santa Paula twice that year and beat them both times. The first time the Flashes won 27-6; The second time they met the Flashes won, 14-0.

The week before fair FFA member Alexus Galassi-Duncan was given some wonderful news. Her heifer, Talula, is with calf! Veterinarian, Dr. Richard of Somis, confirmed Talula’s pregnancy with an ultrasound. Alexus was overwhelmed with emotion as she was able to see the tiny calf’s rib cage and heart beat.

Last October, Alexus purchased Talula for her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) heifer breeding project. Talula an Angus Maine Cross, was six months old when Alexus bought her from breeder Donita Mullins at Six Flat Ranch in Santa Paula. When Talula reached thirteen months of age, Alexus took her to stay at Mr. Bob Powers’ ranch in Lockwood Valley. Talula stayed at Mr. Power’s ranch for a month and a half and was bred by his Allie bull, RJ. The gestation period for a heifer is nine months, putting Talula’s due date somewhere in late March to early April. When asked what she hopes the gender of the calf will be, Alexus says she would like a bull calf. Her plan is to take the bull calf as a steer to the 2012 Ventura County Fair. That steer would qualify to participate in the County Bred and Fed competition at fair. Not many steers at the Ventura County Fair are from Ventura County. Most are from outside the county or even the state. To be able to say your steer is bred and fed in Ventura County is quite an accomplishment. After having the calf, Alexus plans to keep Talula and some day start her own breeding business. This past fair, Alexus placed 1st overall in Advanced Bred Heifer Showmanship with Talula. On behalf of the Fillmore FFA congratulations to Alexus and Talula! We eagerly await the new addition to the school farm.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

The Flashbacks were sent out last Friday, thanks to the hard work of Joyce Basolo, Linda Durand, Maxine Merry, Jane Johnson, Joleen Stethem, Em Wendel and Ellyn Mosbarger, and all paid up members should have already received their copy. If not, please call the alumni office, 524-0416.

The alumni board met Monday, August 16, and the main topic of discussion was the DVD of the 99 game history of the Fillmore/SantaPaula football rivalry. Interviews are still being made by Isaac Reyes, who is putting the DVD together, along with film clips of some of the memorable Fillmore/Santa Paula football games. Isaac is putting together a two to three minute "teaser" on Facebook so you can see what the DVD will be like. When this is available, a notice will appear in this column and on the alumni website. Pre-orders are now being taken for the DVD--$20 if you pick it up at the alumni office or at the 100th football game on Friday, November 12, or $25 if it is shipped to you. The completed DVD will be available after November 1, so please get your orders in now so you will be assured of having one.

A recap of the alumni dinner that was held on June 12 was made, and all agreed that it was one of the best that the alumni has put on. Plans are already being made for next year's dinner on June 4. Note the earlier date and please put it on your calendar.

It was moved, seconded and passed that we need to reframe the class pictures that are on display at each alumni dinner, as they are beginning to fall apart. Most of these frames were assembled 20 years ago and they are beginning to show some wear and tear.

The alumni board will begin to contact alumni members who are not subscribers to the alumni newsletter, Flashbacks, or are not Life Members, to encourage them to become at least subscribers, as this helps support the many activities in which the alumni is involved.

The board of directors will work towards informing the seniors at Fillmore High about the alumni association and what it does for graduates of F.H.S. and to encourage them to keep the alumni office apprised of any address changes. This is very important to keep the alumni files up to date. Information will be passed out during Career Day at the high school, and when Mark talks to the seniors regarding alumni scholarships in January.

The Fillmore High Sports Hall of Fame committee has completed its review of over 200 applications and has selected 80 of the top athletes from the past 96 years of Fillmore High School athletics programs. These athletes, along with six coaches and the outstanding athletic teams of Fillmore High will be recognized and inducted into the first class of the Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 13, the evening after the 100th football game.

Master of Ceremony’s – City of Oxnard, Asst. Chief Scott Whitney

Oxnard, CA – The 4th annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims in Ventura County will be on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at Plaza Park - Oxnard. On this day we as a community will join together to pay tribute to the hundreds of people who have been murdered; killed by a drunk driver or killed in War. This day publically recognizes the tremendous loss endured by surviving families and friends. The event will consist of a pre-ceremony dove release at 5:30PM, followed by the ceremony which will include guest speakers, slide show, music and Vigil. There will also be table’s set-up for families whose loved ones have not had justice. If your loved ones murderer has not been arrested it is an opportunity to place flyers, wanted posters or information on their murder and bring attention to their unsolved case.

Anyone interested in including their loved one in this ceremony may contact the Ventura County Chapter Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. at (805) 236-8130. To include your loved one’s picture in the Slide Show, Murder Wall and to RSVP for the event, you must contact us no later than Wednesday, September 15th. Seating is limited.

Local photographer, Charles Morris, has won recognition for his photography from the Channel Islands Professional Photography Association (CIPPA). CIPPA is an affiliate of Professional Photographers of California. Charles won a merit and Best in Class – High School Senior Portrait for his print “Senior Glamour” at the competition held earlier this month. Senior Glamour featured FHS High School senior Chloe Keller.

Professional photography competition at the local level has three judges who evaluate each entry on specific criteria, without knowing who the maker of the image is. Prints can earn up to 100 points. If a print receives 80 points, it receives a merit. Typically only about 1 out of 4 or 5 prints receives a merit in a competition. Often prints that are merit winners are submitted to state and national competitions.

Professional photography competitions are used by photographers to hone their skills and allows them to evaluate their work in comparison to other top photographers in the area.

Principal photographers at KSSP are Carmelita Miranda and Charles Morris. KSSP is a full service photography studio specializing in portrait, wedding and quinceanera photography (and video). KSSP Photographic Studios is the school photographer for Fillmore High School, but photographs high school seniors from all over Ventura County. For further information, please contact KSSP Photographic Studios at 524-6400 or visit http://ksspphotostudios.com.

Congressman Elton Gallegly helps Cyndy Treutelaar, president of the Humane Society of Ventura County board, shovel the first pile of dirt.
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The Humane Society of Ventura County broke ground on Aug. 18 for its Harry Valentine Visitors Center that will help the local nonprofit organization better care for the needs of animals countywide.

The new 2,500-square-foot building will house several employee offices, reception area, conference room, gift shop, storage area and new bathrooms. Made possible through a $2.4 million donation from the estate of Harry Valentine, the building is expected to be completed in about a year. Crews then plan to remodel the HSVC’s current building to expand its spay-neuter clinic.

“It’s a long day coming, and a splendid day for the Humane Society,” Don Buffon, Vice President of the HSVC Board, told the crowd of about 100 HSVC administrators, staff, volunteers and supporters of the Ojai shelter.

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) joined HSVC Board President Cyndy Treutelaar and board members in the ceremonial groundbreaking. Bishop William Downey of Our Lady and All Angels Liberal Catholic Church in Ojai blessed the ground, saying, “May this be a place where creatures can find sanctuary and safety.”

Gallegly, a staunch animal rights supporter, told the crowd that people are divided on most political matters facing this country, “but the one thing most everyone agrees on is the animal issue, and folks like you make things like this happen.”

The shelter and clinic will remain open during construction.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is located at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai. For more information, call 656-5031.

Santa Paula, CA – The problem of impaired driving is a serious one. While America witnessed a decline in the number of DUI fatalities in recent years, the numbers are still too high. That’s why the Santa Paula Police Department is announcing today the it’s joining the Avoid the 14 - Ventura County DUI Task Force along with other law enforcement agencies throughout the country in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving. The Campaign runs August 20 – September 6, known by its tagline, Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

The Santa Paula Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Drivers License Checkpoint on August 21st, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM at an unannounced location within the city limits.

“All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences and the loss of loved ones due to this careless disregard for human life,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “Because of the commitment to end the carnage, Police, Sheriffs and CHP are intensifying enforcement during the crackdown. They’ll be especially vigilant during high-risk nighttime hours when impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads.”

According to the latest data, 32 percent of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involve a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or above, averaging one fatality every 45 minutes.

“Our message is simple and unwavering. If we find you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions,” said Lieutenant Troyce Reynolds, Santa Paula Police Department. “Even if you beat the odds and walk away from an impaired-driving crash alive, motorists should be aware that the financial and social consequences of a DUI can be devastating."

Violators will face jail time, loss of their driver’s license, huge fines and maybe sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.
“Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences. Just designate a sober driver. Don’t take the chance. Remember, if you are over the limit, you’re under arrest,” said Lieutenant Reynolds.

The national Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown is led by NHTSA and the California Avoid DUI Task Force Campaign combining high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness through publicity.

For more information on local and statewide Avoid DUI Task Force Campaign Enforcement Schedules and Daily DUI Arrest/Fatal Stats, visit the www.californiaavoid.org. The Program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety who reminds everyone to please – Report Drunk Driving – Call 9-1-1!

Lieutenant Troyce Reynolds
Santa Paula Police Department
(805) 525-4474 ext 114

What a wonderful week Fillmore FFA had at the Ventura County Fair! It started Monday night with weigh-ins for steers and lambs. Steers needed to be in the weight range of 1000-1400 pounds and lambs needed to be between 110-165 lbs. Early Tuesday morning swine, which needed to be between 210-280 lbs, were weighed-in. I am proud to say all of Fillmore FFA’s animals made market weight. Which means the animals could be shown in market classes and sold at auction.

All Fillmore FFA members did well in their market classes earning the USDA market ready title. Anthony Perez won the title of FFA Reserve Grand Champion Swine with his pig “Tank” who weighed a whopping 278 lbs! Friday was the Junior Livestock Auction, students had their animals looking their best as they showed them off to potential buyers in the auction arena. A special thank you goes out to local businesses and community members that supported the Fillmore FFA by buying animals. Saturday was Showmanship classes for all species. Imelda Lopez placed 4th over all in Advanced lamb showmanship. Fillmore FFA dominated in swine showmanship. Class winners for FFA advanced swine showmanship are as follows: 1st Marc Zavala, 3rd Sierra Blankenship,4th Mandy Wheeler, 5th Ashley Jackson, 6th Hilary Vigil, 7th Kayla Perez. FFA Swine novice showmanship class winners are as followed: 1st Travis Micarelli, 2nd Jenifer Martin, 3rd Christian Peritore, 4th Ryan Calderon, 5th Kaleigh Carpenter, 6th Yasmin Luna, 7th Felicity Zavala. Brittany Gurrola placed 4th over all in FFA advanced steer showmanship. In FFA Novice steer showmanship Robbie Armstrong placed 2nd and Sal Lopez placed 3rd. In FFA advanced bred heifers showmanship Alexus Galassi-Duncan placed 1st over all. Fillmore FFA proudly won the FFA Herdsmanship Award and brought home to Fillmore the perpetual trophy to display until next years fair. This award is given to the chapter that keeps their barns the cleanest, has members readily available to answer question, and represents their chapter best. Congratulations to all the FFA members on their successful completion of their SAE projects. Thank you to all the parents, Booster members, Wayne and Mr. Ricards for all their hard work and support.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

Bert Rapp
City of Fillmore, Public Works Director

Answer: The City has about 12 miles of old unlined iron water pipes that are starting to fail. These iron pipes were installed between 1917 and 1950 and are typically from 4-inch to 12-inch diameter. They have a life expectancy of 60 to 90 years and are installed under the streets and alleys throughout the City.

The City is proposing to replace these pipes over a 35 year period with the hope of getting it done before too many of the pipes fail. The replacement program will cost about $506,000 per year for the 35 years. This amounts to about $5 per month on the customers’ bill. This is the largest portion of the costs behind the proposed water rate increases that will be discussed at a public meeting August 24th at 6:30 P.M. at Fillmore City Hall.

Replacing the 12 miles of un-lined iron pipe in Fillmore will likely be a one-time expense for the foreseeable future because the other 38 miles of pipe in the City modern, long lasting pipe.

In June of this year the City replaced the failing iron water pipe in A Street from Santa Clara to Sespe. It was an unlined iron pipe installed in the 1930’s. It had four major leaks in the last three years. And last year the City replaced the failing iron pipe in Central Avenue from River Street up to Sespe. These projects demonstrate the magnitude of effort required to replace a pipe and the disruption it causes the community.

The first pipes in the City’s water system were installed in 1917. Today we have about 50 miles of water pipes under the streets of Fillmore bringing water to the homes and businesses. Thirty eight miles of these water pipes were installed after 1950 and are in excellent condition. However many of the pipes installed prior to 1950 are unlined iron pipes and are beginning to fail. The good news is that our cement coated iron pipes are in excellent condition and have many years of life left.

In 1922 the first cement coated iron pipe was installed in Charleston South Carolina. In 1999 it was checked and found to be in like new condition inside the pipe. Cement mortar lining revolutionized iron pipe longevity.

The success of cement linings is due to two properties of cement. The first is the alkaline reaction of the cement and the second is the gradual reduction of the amount of water in contact with the iron. When water soaks into the cement in the pipe it frees calcium hydrate which reacts with calcium bicarbonate in the water to precipitate calcium carbonate which clogs the pores of the mortar and prevents further passage of water to the iron. Even small cracks or chips in the mortar lining tend to heal themselves providing continuous protection of the iron pipe.

After about 1950 almost no one was using unlined iron pipe anymore for water systems. In the 1970’s PCV water pipes became well used and almost all of the 12-inch and smaller diameter water mains installed in Fillmore after 1970 have been long lasting PVC pipes. No one knows for sure how long cement mortar lined iron pipe and PCV pipe will last, but it may last 150 or 200 years.

This is the second in a series of articles about the City water system. If you have any questions about City of Fillmore Public Works or the water system you may call Bert Rapp at (805) 524-1500 ext. 231 or e-mail at brapp@ci.fillmore.ca.us

The Ventura County Parade marched down Main St much to the delight of parade-goers and participants alike. Many thanks to the members of the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430, who did a wonderful job of keeping everything running smoothly.

If you missed the parade, you can still catch it on CAPS-TV Ventura. The parade will air on Channel 6 on Wednesday at 7 pm, Thursday at 3 pm, Friday at 10 am, and Saturday at 8 am next week.

Thank you to our three wonderful judges: Nan Drake – Community Relations Director of Harrison Industries, Steve Bennett - Ventura County Supervisor, Leticia Austin – Director of Marketing and Communications at the United Way of Ventura County.

The Ventura County Fair is proud to announce the trophy winners of the 2010 Ventura County Fair Parade:

Color Guard: 1st – Marine Corps League of VC
2nd – 187th Airborne
Floats-School: 1st – Ventura High School Dance Team
2nd – Ventura High School Pep Squad
3rd – Sacred Heart School
Floats-Adult Club: 1st – Country Lovers Western Dance
2nd – Ventura Rotary East
3rd – Vietnam Veterans
Floats-Youth Club: 1st – Athletes in Motion
2nd – Ventura Buccaneers
3rd – Ventura Packers Cheerleading
Antique Auto-Indiv. 1st – D.J. Federlein
2nd – “Lizzie” 1926 Model T Ford
Antique Auto-Clubs 1st – VC Model “A” Ford Club
Classic Auto-Indiv. 1st – Derek Luna
2nd – Carl Scheiper
3rd – Miss Oakview
Classic Auto-Clubs 1st – Nite Life Car Club
2nd – Classic Sixties Corvairs
Misc.-Novelty 1st – San Buenaventura Art Riders
2nd – Ambassador of Goodwheel
For more information, please visit www.venturacountyfair.org or call (805) 648-3376.

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the day off on Monday, Sept. 6. As a result, Fillmore city residential customers will have their trash and green waste collected one day later than usual, on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Piru Fest 2010, Saturday, September 4th, Piru Depot, 12 noon. Something free to do for Labor Day weekend. Come and join the fun in Piru. Dan Torres and the new Piru River Band. Games for Kids of all ages. Great food, Poncho's Restaurant, Eliva's Tri Tip, BBQ Chicken, U Scream Ice Cream and more. Piru Railway Cafe and Adrianna's Tamales and Carne Asada and more. Arts and Craft vendors need, call (805) 804 7520 or email mtroyke@yahoo.com for more information.

Ventura County, CA. - The public is invited to attend the 3rd annual Point Mugu Surf Contest Presented by Quiksilver at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Point Mugu, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21-22. The event is free and open to the public starting at 6 a.m.

150 surfing contestants are expected with professional surfers Sean Hayes, Adam Virs, Peter Mel, Reff McIntosh among others participating at one of Southern California’s best surfing locations. This particular surfing area off the coast of Point Mugu faces in a south direction which gives it a unique wave. The South swell, submarine canyon, and sandbars cause waves to break differently and bigger than at other beaches.

There are six different divisions: Open, military men, open women, Quiksilver Young Guns, body board and Quiksilver Expression Session featuring pro surfers. Opening ceremonies on Saturday will begin at 7 a.m., and the first heat begins at 7:15 a.m. The surf event lasts until 5 p.m.
Each heat lasts 15 minutes. There will be multiple heats per division and the top two scores from each heat will advance for that division. The finals are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 22.
Live music bands will Reality Check, The Harm, Road to Bremen, The Royal Heist and Big Junior Little just to name a few. Food and vendor booths will be open during the event.

The public is to enter the Las Posas road gate at NBVC Point Mugu, both Saturday and Sunday. All guests are directed to a parking lot and then shuttled to and from the event. The public is allowed to bring cameras, however the maximum focal length is not to exceed 100 mm.

For more information, please call Vance Vasquez, NBVC Public Affairs Office at 805-989-8095 or Teri Reid, NBVC Public Affairs Officer at 805-989-9234.

Mark your calendar to save the date for the Great Train Robbery fundraising event, benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley. Scheduled for departure at 6:00 PM on Saturday, September 11, 2010, guests will be treated to a ride on the Fillmore & Western Railway serving an appetizer buffet, provided by several Santa Clara Valley restaurateurs, on each car. A full no-host bar will be provided by Fillmore & Western Railway.

Entertainment includes a ‘shoot out’ and ‘train-jacking’ by local desperadoes, played to the hilt by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Association Posse Riding Club, and the kidnapping of a mystery Club Benefactor at the Santa Paula station. Several arrests will occur during the trip by the Chief of Police Steve MacKinnon from Santa Paula and Police Chief Tim Hagel of Fillmore. Held in a special ‘jail’, arrestees can be ‘bailed out’ after an appearance before the ‘traveling judge’. Event passengers will be encouraged to enjoy the music on the dance car. The kidnapping victim will be rescued and his/her identity revealed at the end of the evening as the train returns to the Fillmore Station around 10:00 PM.

The route runs throughout the Heritage Valley by first going west to Santa Paula when departing Fillmore, then traveling east all the way to Piru before concluding the trip back in Fillmore. The entire trip will last approximately 4 hours.

Kid art will be on display and available for purchase throughout the event. Guests will be encouraged to ‘ransom’ the kidnapped benefactor, with all funds becoming the property of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley.

Boarding tickets sell for $45 per person, and can be ordered by calling the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley at 805-525-7910. Advance sales are encouraged as seating is limited.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley provides after school and Summer Camp programs for children ages 5 to 18, at the Club’s two locations; 1400 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula and 565 First St., Fillmore. Club members pay a $25 annual fee to attend the Club, and no child is turned away for their inability to pay the membership fee. It costs the Club $560 per child annually to provide services for its members. The obvious gap between cost of services and membership is bridged by generous donations from local businesses, private donors and local and national grants. Donors interested in providing financial assistance to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley are encouraged to contact the Club at 805-525-7910. All donations, regardless of amount, are gratefully appreciated.

Cell Phones for Soldiers and Fillmore Mail Stop are calling on all Americans to support the brave men and women serving in the military by donating your used cell phones and chargers. More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 1 Million cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.

Local residents can help support the collection drive by donating their phones at:
FILLMORE MAIL STOP, 330 CENTRAL AVENUE, FILLMORE (Across from the Post Office)

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell. Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has raided millions of dollars in donations and distributed millions of prepaid calling cards to soldiers overseas.

The donated phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone – the money is used to purchase prepaid calling cards which are sent to troops. DONATE YOUR OLD CELL PHONES AND HELP OUR TROOPS CALL HOME. Your phone does not need to be working to donate it. Please drop off any broken, dead, smashed, or old phone, anything is usable. Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including: ●Gold, silver, and platinum from circuit boards ●Copper wiring from phone chargers ●Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs ●Plastic from phone cases and accessories.

The City of Fillmore Fire Department would like to remind residents of the danger associated with the dry summer season and the high probability of brush fires. The City of Fillmore is nestled amongst an area surrounded by numerous natural hazards including creeks containing non-native bamboo and hillsides covered with dense dry vegetation.

A quick review of historical fire data indicates Fillmore residents have been victim of a wild fire greater than 1,000 acres in size nearly every five years for the past three decades. The last fire to directly impact local residents was the Day fire in 2006 that scorched some 162,000 acres.

Above average rainfall experienced in late 2009 and early 2010 has led to higher than normal vegetation growth in the Santa Clara Valley. When combined, these dry fuels and low relative humiditys pose significant risk to those living within high fire danger areas.

Is My Home at Risk?
Two factors have emerged as the primary determinants of a home’s ability to survive wildfire. These are the home’s roofing material and the quality of the “defensible space” surrounding it. By using fire-resistant materials unlike wood or shake shingles, you can insure the long-term safety of your property.

Defensible space is an area around a structure where fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure. It also reduces the chance of a structure fire moving from the building to the surrounding forest. Defensible space provides room for firefighters to do their jobs. Your house is more likely to withstand a wildfire if grasses, brush, trees and other common forest fuels are managed to reduce a fire’s intensity. As part of an ongoing hazard mitigation plan, the City of Fillmore Fire Department has issued weed abatement notices to those properties with hazardous vegetation growth. This remains to be an ongoing project for the department due to the high number of bank repossessions and foreclosures.

Staying Informed During an Emergency Situation
In the event of a fire related emergency, residents are encouraged to stay informed as best as possible. To obtain the latest information on ANY local fire situation, please tune in to Fillmore Access Cable Television Channel 10, Fillmore Emergency Access Radio AM1620 or visit our website at www.fillmorefire.com. Residents can also follow Fillmore Fire Department on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/fillmorefire or texting “follow fillmorefire” to 40404. Up-to-the-minute information will be published through all four sources as it becomes available.

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VCGC began in 1924 with Mrs. F.H. Osgood of Ojai as Charter President.

Club purpose: “The purpose of this club shall be to promote interest in the subject of gardening and to foster community beautification through district projects.”

Club contains members from Ventura, Camarillo, Oxnard, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Ojai, so projects are rotated through the different communities each year.

Some of the projects include: Blanchard Library entry planter was redone and a bird bath added for the children’s section. Sheridan Way School garden presented with 2 miniature fruit trees, artichoke plants and watering cans. Fillmore Convalescent Hospital presented a table with umbrella for their patio. Santa Paula Hospital given 2 benches one year and another time $100 was donated for new roses to be added to the rose garden.
Linda Nunes, of Fillmore, will be acting president for the 2010-2011 garden club year. An invitation is extended to all women and men interested in attending or joining. Dues are $20. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 1. Program speaker will be Antonio Sanchez of Napolito Nursery, Ventura, Fall Planting of Natives. Contact: President Linda Nunez 524-3021 or Director Carolyn Lasky 524-1252.

Bert Rapp
City of Fillmore, Public Works Director

Answer: Fillmore is located in the Santa Clara Aquifer system which extends from the Pacific Ocean to Aqua Dulce. There are multiple interconnected basins under the river and the Fillmore basin is the largest of them all. It is approximately 8,000 feet deep and contains about 7,300,000 Acre Feet of water. The Fillmore basin begins near the Fish Hatchery and extends downstream almost all the way to Santa Paula.

The City of Fillmore draws its water out of the Sespe sub-basin in north Fillmore. The Sespe sub-basin has the best water quality of all the water basins in the Santa Clara River system. It is recharged by the Sespe Creek and receives flow off of San Cayetano Mountain. The majority of the Sespe Creek watershed is located in the Los Padres National Forest and is essentially undeveloped. The Sespe Creek has been designated as a natural and scenic river.

The Fillmore basin has provided an abundant supply of groundwater to municipal and agricultural users for about 100 years and remains in good health. About 46,000 acre-feet are pumped out of the Fillmore basin each year: 43,700 acre-feet by agriculture and 2,300 acre-feet by the City of Fillmore.

The City water wells draw from the top 300 feet of the basin or upper 4% of the basin depth. The water quality below this level quickly deteriorates becoming higher in salts and minerals. It is believed the deeper water is ancient ocean water when the area was submerged below sea level.

The City has an allocation of CONTINUED »