Where can you develop your talent and build self-confidence? Right here in your own backyard! Starting today, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM at the Community/Sr. Center, through Parks & Recreation, students will learn dance, acting, voice and improvisation by Director, Sandie Allen. Ms. Allen has produced over 100 musicals. An 8-week workshop class is being offered, followed by a performance workshop, culminating in an exciting live stage performance at Fillmore’s Towne Theatre on Central. All this for only $40 a month (Price break for siblings) Parents are encouraged to join. What a wonderful way to create special memories for your whole family! DON’T MISS OUT! We hope to have our first production by this summer.

HURRY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!! Sign up at City Hall – Rec. Dept. For more information contact: Priscilla Rzezuski (805) 524-0553 Sandie Allen (818) 991-1488

The Senior Class of 2009 is doing a Cookie Lee fundraiser!! This will allow the students to participate in the annual Grad Nite Live cruise and promote a Safe & Sober graduation night for all graduates. This is an amazing time for graduates and includes a cruise on an amazing ship that has great food, music, dancing, and other fun events they can participate in. This is an annual event sponsored by city businesses and local supporters and is at NO COST to the graduates. Please help the GRAD NITE LIVE committee by purchasing an item from any senior student, or you can go to www.cookielee.biz/christinaromero and view the catalog and order on-line. The fundraiser is from April 14th until May 1st, 2009. 50% of the proceeds will benefit Grad Nite. Thank You for your continued support!!

Ventura County Fair and 4-H Program announce “Kids, Cameras & Crops” Photography Contest, open to all County Youth 9-18.
The Ventura County 4-H Program and the Ventura County Fair have announced that they will conduct the third “Kids Cameras & Crops” photography contest. The contest is open to all county youth between the ages of 9-18.
The program is a part of the 4-H Agricultural & Natural Resources Literacy and Journalism program. It was created to encourage youth look at our agriculturally-rich county in a creative way, and to share what they have seen in a photographic display.
The educational and fun program will begin with a kick-off on April 25 at the Hansen Agricultural Center with a presentation by Master Gardeners about photographing nature. The Master Gardeners will be available to mentor youth who will take photos at the farm following the presentation. Master Gardeners will also be available to talk about the various plant-life that grow on the farm. Space is limited. Please r.s.v.p. to 805-662-6943 by April 23.
Information about the contest can be found on the Fair website: www.venturacountyfair.org, or by calling the 4H office at 805-662-6943.

Purebred and Home Grown Music is in the air as the bands begin to warm up for this year’s Ventura Count Fair. Fiddles are fiddling, guitars are strumming and drums are beating out the exciting news; “We’re going to the Fair”!

Boot Scootin’ country acts are always a Fair favorite, and this year’s diverse country line up is sure to please fans with performances from Josh Turner, Jake Owen, Gretchen Wilson, Clay Walker and Lee Ann Womack.

Josh Turner is a Multi-Platinum Recording Artist and a Grand Ole Opry inductee. On August 8 he will perform favorite hits including songs from his latest album, “Everything is Fine”.

On the same stage 2009 Academy of Country Music Top New Male Vocalist, Jake Owen, will sing his infectious hit “Yee-Haw” along with favorites from his album, “Easy Does It”.

“Redneck Woman” Gretchen Wilson will take the stage on August 10 to perform some good old barnburners and rock and roll songs from her latest album “One of the Boys”.

Lee Ann Womack will be as busy as a bee on August 14, singing hits like “The Bees” and “I Found it in You”, from her album “Call me Crazy”. CONTINUED »

Santa Paula, CA - Richard Lyons and friends will be performing the “Ezra Clay Project” at the Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 South Seventh Street, Santa Paula, Saturday evening, May 30th. Doors open at 7:00 PM performance starts at 7:30 PM. Admission is $15.00 per person seating is limited. Make your ticket reservations at www.santapaulatheatercenter.org

Richard Lyons is a natural singer/songwriter & storyteller who was born and raised in Kentucky. Early on he found success in Hollywood writing the theme song to the 20th Century Fox show “Dance Fever” which aired for 9 years. During that same period he also worked for 6 years as the opening announcer for the Merv Griffin Show where he chatted backstage with the likes of Orson Wells, Vincent Price, Francis Ford Coppola, Glen Campbell and an entire host of musical luminaries. He went on to compose music for numerous small films and have his pop songs recorded by other artists.

Eight years ago he called show business quits, sold his Topanga Canyon home and 24-track studio and moved to the upper mountains of Ojai/Santa Paula with his lovely wife of 25 years, actress Laurie Prange. “It was the beginning of a time of intense creativity, of reflection and rebirth for me.... a real turning point. I needed to get back to my roots.... my love of God and country”.

It has been a long journey from the hills of Kentucky, to Hollywood, to the mountains of Upper Ojai, where it is an unusual day when he doesn't see a tarantula, bobcat, coyote, falcon, fox, and even the occasional bear or mountain lion. In his new collection of songs, “The Ezra Clay Project”, he reflects upon his country and bluegrass influences from the South and the fiercely independent spirit of the Old West. The Santa Paula Theater Center is a perfect venue for this presentation. Reserve your tickets at www.santapaulatheatercenter.org, seating is limited.

Topanga Roots Evolution, Theme to Topanga Days, the Best Festival Experience in Southern California During Memorial Day Weekend.

Topanga Canyon, Ca. - April 21 2009 - The 36th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair announces headlining acts BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS (May 23), SANTANA Original Lead Singer GREGG ROLIE (May 24) and THE METERS Experience w/ LEO NOCENTELLI (May 25th).

The Topanga Community Club will celebrate their 60th year this spring as a non profit serving the needs of the Topanga Canyon Residents, funding the organization’s youth & seniors programs, the grounds, ball field & volunteer built Community House. They continue in their founders tradition of promoting charitable causes and fund raising events which provide ways to unite and enrich the community and beyond. There has been no better way to achieve those goals than Southern California’s Memorial Day Gem known fondly as The Topanga Days Country Fair. CONTINUED »

Acoustic country/bluegrass jam for fiddlers, guitar pickers, banjo & mandolins. All skill levels are welcome. 2nd and 4th Sunday of the months (next is April 26). Oak View Community Center, 18 Valley Road, Oak View. Hosted by California Old Time Fiddler's Association. FREE.

Discover the rewards of foster parenting at a Foster Parenting Informational Meeting. Learn how you can provide the healing, support and guidance that can transform a child at risk into a self-assured, successful adult. More than 600 children are currently in foster homes in Ventura County, and every day, another child is removed from their home because they have been neglected, abused or abandoned. By being a foster parent, you have the opportunity to make the difference in a child's life. English only. For more information call the Human Services Agency of Ventura County at 805-654-3456 or go to vchsa.org/foster.

EVENT DATE: Saturday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
LOCATION: 4601 Telephone Road, Suite 112, Ventura.

Nan Drake, Community Relations Director for Santa Clara Dispsoal

(Fillmore, California) Nan Drake, community relations director for Santa Clara Dispsoal, has been named one of the Top 50 Women in Business in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Tri-Counties
Drake was feted by the Pacific Coast Business Times at a special reception at Fess Parker’s Double Tree Resort in Santa Barbara.

Drake, who represents Santa Clara Disposal which serves the cities of Fillmore and Santa Paula has been very active in the Santa Clara Valley. She was co-chair of the 2008 Santa Clara Valley Boys & Girls Club Auction and is the president-elect of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce.

Her tireless commitment to recycling has made Ventura County the most lauded and praised county in California. The California Integrated Waste Management Board frequently cites Ventura County as an excellent example to follow in recycling. She is an enthusiastic speaker for environmental issues and a sustainable community that makes her a favorite for Rotary Clubs and the like.

Nan is the voice of one of the largest family owned trash-hauling companies in the United States. She also represents Gold Coast Recycling, Agromin and California Wood Recycling. CONTINUED »

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We would like to give a special Thanks to The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Tri Counties,(Jeffrey,Jennette,and to all who made it possible). Thank you so much for granting my daughter's wish and for making it a magical stay at The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim,Ca. I would also like to Thank all the doctors who have cared for our daughter Brianna,you have truly made a difference in our lives. We would also like to give a special Thanks to The Disneyland Resorts for making our daughter's stay as comfortable as possible. And also speaking of comfortable we also want to Thank our limo driver for giving us a smooth and comfortable ride over and back home. And we would also like to give a special Thanks to The Fillmore Gazette for taking pictures of our daughter and publishing our article. Thank You so much this will be a trip that our daughter will never forget.

Musician Paul Baker will perform for the Eubell Club.

Tuesday, April 28th – Ebell Club - Harpist, organist, pianist, director and arranger, Paul Baker keeps a busy schedule of solo performance, recording, conducting and arranging. Paul grew up in Seattle, Washington and attended Seattle Pacific University and the University of Washington. He received his Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California. His music on Celtic harp, concert harp, piano organ and harpsichord can be heard on recordings and movie soundtracks. Twice a prizewinner in the International Pop and Jazz harp Competition, he has published 20 arrangements of American standard songs arranged for solo harp. The group Pastiche premiered his arrangements for flute, harp and voice, “A Gershwin Sampler” and “Seven Popular Spanish Songs” at Carnegie Hall. Voted “Best Musical Director of the Year” for his work with Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Assassins”, he has recently performed at the Hollywood bowl with Ann Miller and Charlotte Church, played for the touring companies of “Phantom of the Opera” and “Peter Pan” at the historic Pantages Theater in Hollywood, and worked on several new recordings and film scores. He has been organist and organist/choir director for several of the major churches in the Seattle and Los Angeles areas. Paul’s solo Celtic harp CDs are “The Tranquil Harp” and “The Ladder of the Soul” and his newest CD, “Celtic Harp: The Quiet Path,” has just won Best New Age Album and Best New Age Song in the Independent Music Awards in 2009.

For the past four years Mr. Baker has been the musical director for the William Inge Theater Festival and has created their tributes to Kander and Ebb, Adolph Green and most recently the 2007 tribute for Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock. He played for the national tour of “The Producers” starring Jason Alexander and Martin Short at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood and the National Tour of Camelot with Michael York.

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

Conway Spitler

If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.-- Bill Gates
Life is not fair - get used to it! -- Bill Gates
Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they will give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a card phone until you earn both.
Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

March 30, 2009 (Ventura, CA) The Ventura County Fair is an annual celebration of agriculture; of cultivating the land, producing crops and raising livestock. With that in mind, the 31st District Agricultural Association, who organizes the Fair is pleased to announce that the theme of the 2009 Ventura County Fair is “Purebred and Home Grown”.

“For 12 magical days we will present the community with an educational and fun look at agriculture, Ventura County’s principal industry. It is our wish to teach our children, and those who are new to the county, how important agriculture is to each of us, and how it can help us to better our lives,” said Barbara Quaid, the Fair’s CEO and General Manager, adding “Purebred and Home Grown” is a perfect theme that will enhance the Fair’s distinct character.”

Within this celebration visitors will also enjoy competitions in the various arts divisions, free entertainment, the fun of the carnival midway, the fabulous fair food we all enjoy once a year and many untold surprises!
The Ventura County Fair will open Wednesday, August 5 with fun for the whole family until Sunday, August 16.
For more information about the Ventura County Fair, please call (805) 648-3376 or visit us at www.venturacountyfair.org.

Saturday April 18th, 2009
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Ventura Family YMCA will join more than 1,700 YMCAs nationwide in hosting its 18th annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day, on Saturday, April 18th, from 8am to 1pm. An opportunity for kids and families to “Put Play in Their Day,” this special event uses free, fun, engaging, and creative activities to encourage children and families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day exemplifies Activate America®, the YMCA’s response to our nation’s growing health crisis. The YMCA is redefining itself and engaging communities across the country to better support Americans of all ages who are struggling to achieve and maintain well-being in spirit, mind and body.
Throughout its nearly 160-year history as a volunteer and charitable organization, the YMCA has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities and individuals it serves. Today a new set of issues are calling the YMCA to act. CONTINUED »

Piru Neighborhood Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 6:30 P.M.
Piru Community Center

AGENDA

Social hour at 6:30 p.m., refreshments will be served. Easter Egg Hunt photos from Heritage Valley Studios will be on sale during this get-together and after the meeting.

Pledge of Allegiance

1. Public Comment (5 minutes per person) on issues not on the agenda below.

2. Speaker: Jim Delperdang, Ventura County Code Compliance – “County Zoning Enforcement” and “Building and Safety Code Enforcement” have been combined into one agency. Brief presentation on services available.

3. Speaker: Nicole Norori, CEDC – 60 Farm Worker Rentals –An update and brief overview on the proposed development of 60 units at the former farm worker labor camp (east Center Street). Nicole will also give an update on the Focused EIR process and the 45 day public review / comment period scheduled to start April 10, 2009. (Comment period closes mid-May.) CONTINUED »

Saticoy, CA – In its commitment to keeping the community healthy, Ventura County Health Care Agency and the Public Health Department are holding a community health fair in Saticoy at the Jose Flores Saticoy Community Center, on Saturday, April 18th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

There will be free health screenings provided by Public Health for glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and body fat. Dr. Raul Reyes, of Santa Paula, will be giving free dental screenings.

In addition, the fair will provide fun for the entire family, with a prize wheel and various activities, including a Jolly Jump for kids. There will be information about access to medical care, coverage and low cost services available to all Ventura County residents.

For more information on this event, please call 805-677-5252..