The Fillmore Civic Pride committee announces the date of the spring Fillmore Flower Show. It will be held April 8 and 9, 2017 at the Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara in Fillmore. The fun and creative theme for the show this year is "Birds, Bugs and Beautiful Blooms".

According to experts, now is the time to prune roses to get spectacular blooms for the spring flower show in April. If interested, Otto and Sons Nursery is offering rose pruning and seasonal care workshops at their nursery. The workshops are January 21 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The $15 charge per session includes a $10 gift certificate for next purchase, a goodie bag and opportunities for a door prize. Reservations are a must. Call 805-524-2123 or go to their website for more information.

At the suggestion of the Flower Show judges, a class has been added to Division VI- Miniature Arrangements and Bouquets. In addition to class A size not to exceed 4 inches by 4 inches, new class B size not to exceed 10 inches by 10 inches. This will allow participate more creativity and flexibility.

There will be several more encouragements to participate in the April flower show. Updates are also on the website fillmoreflowershow.com.

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular Friday trash, recycling and green waste collection schedule in Fillmore on Jan. 20, during the week of Martin Luther King Jr.

For more information, call 647-1414.

Advances in reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries will be the focus of a free seminar that Community Memorial Health System is holding on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Samuel Bern, M.D., who specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, will lead the discussion during the seminar to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 N. Brent St.

Dr. Bern will discuss who is a good candidate for surgery and whether it is healthy to have multiple surgeries. He also will discuss breast and facial reconstructive surgery; the future of cosmetic surgery, including facial transplants; and whether television cosmetic reality shows are honest.

Dr. Bern received his medical degree from Yale University. He trained in general surgery at Harvard and plastic surgery at UCLA. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and he is a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Bern has 35 years of experience in plastic surgery. He has been an active member of the Community Memorial Hospital staff since 1992.

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

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.

Story and Photo courtesy of Marybeth Jacobsen

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and 45 students, from 14 Ventura County high schools, are very jolly this holiday season. This month, they each received a Dell Latitude laptop complete with a Microsoft Office Suite software package, carrying case, flash drive and 4 year warranty.

A $15,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation made the Workforce Education Coalition’s (“WEC”) Laptop Advantage program possible.

Students who received laptops submitted a teacher recommendation and an essay about why they need a personal laptop. WEC President, Marybeth Jacobsen, said that, “The essays demonstrated how bright and motivated to succeed these students are. Based on the students’ essays, it’s clear that the Alcoa grant made it possible for us to positively change some young people’s lives. ”

Because they now have the tools that they need to excel, these students will no longer be at a disadvantage when they walk into a classroom. The new laptops permit them to carefully complete and submit on line homework, do research, write reports, create PowerPoint presentations, and complete college and financial aid applications.

Next year, the WEC hopes to continue its Laptop Advantage program and to add graphing calculators to the gifts awarded to students. Anyone who would like to support the WEC’s work should contact Marybeth Jacobsen at WorkforceEC@gmail.com.

Dear Fillmore USD Residents,

On behalf of the Board of Education and the administration of the Fillmore Unified School District, thank you for your overwhelming support of Measure V. While a few ballots remain to be counted, as of the end of last week Measure V was winning with an overwhelming YES vote of 71.7%. Measure V – a $35 million general obligation bond – will allow us to improve, repair and upgrade classrooms, schools and other educational facilities throughout the District.

Much planning for these projects has already been done through our Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. However, the implementation of the plan including architectural drawings, permits, contractor bids, the sale of the bonds, etc., is a complex and time consuming process. Nevertheless, I want you to know that we are 100% committed to making these projects a reality as soon as possible.

We are also committed to maintaining the highest level of fiscal integrity and making sure solid taxpayer protections are put in place and adhered to as we move through this process. Once again, thank you for your support. We are incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful students, dedicated employees and a community that cares and believes in our schools.

Respectfully,
Adrian E. Palazuelos, Ph.D.
Superintendent, Fillmore Unified School District

In a continuing effort to help women advance their education, the local Fillmore chapter of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization) will be offering financial awards this spring. To be eligible, you must be a woman who attends or has been accepted to an accredited undergraduate degree program or a vocational/skills training program, live within the 93015 Zip code area, and have at least a 3.5 grade point average. Anyone interested should contact the College and Career Center if you are a student at Fillmore or Sierra High School or contact Patricia Morris at morrisp905@gmail.com. The deadline for application is March 6, 2017.

Since Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday this holiday season, Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular Friday trash collection schedule in Fillmore both weeks.

As a special holiday feature, residents may put out twice the amount of trash at no extra charge during the two weeks following Christmas. Please make sure the trash is in bags. We will also collect extra recyclables, but please make sure to flatten all boxes.

Also, Harrison is making it easy for their customers to recycle their Christmas trees. All customers need to do is remove the ornaments, hooks, lights, tinsel, bows, nails and tree stand, then cut the tree into sections no more than 4 feet long and place in the yard waste barrel on their scheduled pickup day. Flocked trees now also can be recycled.

For more information, call 647-1414.

Fred R. Ponce Sr.

The 39th annual Piru Christmas Parade welcomes all entries, including last minute people! Check-in is at San Salvador Mission on Center Street beginning at 12 p.m. for a 2:00 parade. There is no fee for entry. Post-parade activities in the Piru Train Depot area include the Fillmore High School Band and Mariachi Group, food (of course), pictures with Santa, raffles, and a horseshoe tournament. Piru River Band will begin their set at the depot about 2:30 when FHS bands finish. Celebrate the season with us!

Grand Marshal Fred R. Ponce Sr. Biography
I Grew up in the community of Piru, Graduated from Fillmore High School in 1972. I worked in Aerospace in Santa Clarita for 18 years. On April 3, 1972 at the age of 18 I became a Reserve Firefighter for Ventura County Fire Department working out of Piru sta.28 and Fillmore sta.27. On February 4, 1991 I accomplished my goal and was hired as a full time firefighter for Ventura County Fire Dept. During my career I worked at El Rio sta. 51, Port Hueneme sta. 53, Fillmore sta. 27 and Piru sta.28. I also held other positions as a Public Information Officer, Recruiter, Fire Cadet Coordinator and being involved with the Spark of Love Toy Drive for the Christmas Holidays.

On October 1, 2000 I was promoted to the position of Fire Engineer assigned to Piru sta.28. In 2002 I was selected and recognized, Firefighter of the Year for Battalion 5. The last 15 years of my career I worked at sta. 28 in Piru. I wanted to give back to the community that I grew up in, by being involved with the community and helping the citizens of Piru. I was the Fire Dept liaison working with Piru Neighbor Council; I assisted with organizing and instructing the first Piru Cert Team. On March 28, 2016 I retired with 25 years of service with Ventura County Fire Department.

Now I enjoy traveling with my wife Yvonne, camping, fishing and BBQ’s with family and friends. My parents are Raymond and Elma Ponce of Piru. I have 4 children Daughter Romie Ponce, sons Fred Ponce Jr., Ray Alvarado and Joseph Ponce. Three step children daughters Susie Sandoval and Veronica Stone, step son Antelmo Sandoval and 15 grandkids.

The Fillmore lions club has announced that this year contest will be held on Monday February 6, 2017 at the Fillmore scout house at the end of Sespe Avenue by pole creek. The topic will be "Is the right to privacy a threat to our national security?" this topic is very relevant and interesting in light of the events of the past year. The computer hacks, the wiki-leeks, and the NSA phone taps just to mention a few news worthy events. Chair Bill Edmonds states that the total prize money going to the overall winner will be more than 21,000 with the Fillmore winner receiving $100 and the runner ups $25. We can have no more than 6 speakers so get your applications in early. The winner will go on to compete against the other winners from the other lions clubs in zone #8 all high school age youth who live within the boundaries of the Fillmore unified school district regardless of school may enter including home taught, foreign exchange students and students of other high schools may enter.

Students who wish to enter may contact Mr. Edmonds at 524-4839 or Principal Tom Ito at Fillmore High School. Edmonds emphasizes that this public speaking competition will be very worthwhile to the students and very interesting to their parents, and to the community. Public speaking competition will look very good on college applications and resumes. Students should get started early because if takes time to develop and practice a good speech.

Hello Fillmore!
Last year the Christmas Trees on Central came back after a thirty year hiatus...with the help of our great community we hope it will be a yearly tradition to anticipate....if you were a kid in Fillmore way-back-when you would remember the "Christmas Tree Drill" : pick your tree and decorate it with homemade ornaments as a loving gift to our community...no money involved- only your hearts...
But we are doing something different this year as we are using a variety of trees- not just pine- so we can replace trees around town that have died from the drought and beautify public places....and a HUGE thank you to Brightview Nursery for their community spirit in donating the trees! In addition, much gratitude to the Lions Club for their grunt help setting up and tying down the trees on Central. Finally, thanks to all the business', families, classrooms, clubs and organizations, and individuals that will 'adopt' a tree to bring the true spirit of Christmas to our town...and there is nowhere that lives this spirit better then our wonderful community!
The trees will be in place downtown by the evening of Thursday, Dec. 1st. and they need to be decorated by Friday evening (the Christmas Parade-Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 1pm- might complicate your access to the downtown) If we run out of trees, we will place you on the list next year. Interested in a tree? Leave a message ASAP at: reginastehly@gmail.com... Thank you!!!