Virginia Neuman, who regularly teaches art at San Cayetano Elementary School and the Senior Center, has been giving art lessons to groups of children at the Boys and Girls Club in Fillmore since the beginning of the 2012 school year. This has been made possible through a grant provided by the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation.

She gives two lessons on Wednesday afternoons to different age groups, ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade. The lessons are informal and supplement whatever other art instruction they receive at school. Some of the more popular lessons have been using scratch art paper at Christmas and drawing a skeleton at Halloween. They have also learnt to draw castles, houses and dinosaurs, small portraits and origami. The children have worked with paint and crayons, oil pastels and pencil, in small groups of ten to a dozen students. Different age groups rotate each week, so each group gets a lesson about once every three weeks.

Please join us on February 6th from 5-7PM at the Boys & Girls Club to see this fabulous art work on display in their First Annual Art Show.

Never have I met anyone who has had a love for chickens as much as Luke Samuel Kraft. Since he was just one year old, he developed this love for chickens and eggs. He started collecting the eggs from his four hens daily to be a little helper to his Mommy. It’s a favorite thing for him to do. During the summer of 2012 his Pop (grandpa) took him to get a bantam pair of chickens for himself. He was so excited to have his own set of chickens. Little ones, just for him. He helped his daddy make a special coop for them too. He named the boy “Rooster” and the hen “Girl”. He loves his girl the most. Luke can’t wait until she starts laying some eggs. Luke goes outside every day to check her and let them out of the coop to roam for the day. Often he will bring Girl inside for a short time. There he holds her and they read stories together, watch cartoons, he talks to her and cares for her. When they are outside he will play in the sandbox with her and follower her around the yard. In the fall when Luke went to choose his pumpkin he insisted that Girl needed a pumpkin too. For Christmas he found a nest for her and was excited to give it to her as a gift. He will often push her in his little shopping cart and go down the street to his grandparent’s house to visit and share his girl. For his third Birthday he requested to have a “chicken party” and he wanted a cake that looked just like his “girl”. So off we went looking for the perfect cake topper and he found one! Of course, it looked just like girl too. Occasionally he gets to bring her in the car if we are running quick errands. This little hen is the sweetest thing. She won’t run or fly away from him. Sometimes she will just look up at him with the sweetest look. She seems to love Luke Samuel just as much as he loves her.

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WELCOME FARM WATCH READERS!

Detective Ray Dominguez had the following to report for this edition:

Happy New Year Farm Watch readers, I hope all of you are off to a good start this year. As I mentioned in the last edition, I have been working on the Owner Applied Number Program, and all the renewal letters have been sent out. If you currently have an OAN, but did not receive a letter please contact me at (805) 384-4726 or ray.dominguez@ventura.org for assistance.

With regard to the OAN Program, I have been receiving a lot of calls asking for information, and some commonly asked questions and answers are as follows:

Q: Do I have an Owner Applied Number?

A: If you received a letter, you have a number issued. Check the mailing label attached to the letter for your number sequence. If you received multiple letters from us, that means you have multiple OAN’s issued to you. Please complete each application and send it back to us.

Q: I have multiple farm/ranch properties I would like to register. How do I go about doing it?

A: Make photocopies of the blank application form and fill out the appropriate information as it relates to each property, then send it back to us. If you already have a number issued, we’ll just provide you with a new sequence (i.e. CA0561000A, CA0561000B, etc.). Note the number stays the same, just the last alpha character changes with the addition of new properties.

Note: if you are adding a property that was not previously issued a number sequence, please write “NEW APP” in the upper right corner of the application form. This will help me and our data entry folks with processing the application.

I’ve also been getting calls about CONTINUED »

Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee was pleased to present a certificate of appreciation to Theresa and Henry Robledo and son, Adrian, 11 years, for their support of our downtown planting project. Ari Larson had mentioned the project to them and they wanted to get involved with sponsoring two of the pots.

This family not only sponsored pots, but came out on the big planting day with brooms in hand & helped clean up along the sidewalk behind those who were busy planting the flowers & putting in new potting soil.

When asked about why they were interested in the project, Theresa said they have a “vested” interest in the community with their local business, Diamond Realty and Investments. Theresa has been a broker for 8 years and Henry, a realtor since 1999. Their business serves all of Ventura County. Theresa said to check out their webpage at www.diamondrealtyteam.com. She wanted people to “stay tuned” for Diamond Realty & Investments’ announcement of an exciting grand opening in the future. You can search for Diamond Realty Team on Facebook & “like” them to receive an invitation with information, when the opening is announced.

Adrian is a confident & enthusiastic young man & expressed his enjoyment in being involved on the community project. He suggested that we get more young people involved in these projects on a regular basis.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley in partnership with the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation wish to announce their 1st Annual Art Show at the Club on February 6th from 5:00-7:00PM. Local artist Virginia Neuman has been working with the kids all year. The Boys & Girls Club was a recipient of a grant from the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation which has allowed the Club to have their youth learn the many components of a structured art program. “Having a well known artist such as Mrs. Neuman work with the youth has been a tremendous opportunity for the kids at the Club” says Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley CEO, Jan Marholin. The exhibit will be free and open to the public for viewing on February 6th from 5:00-7:00PM. Please come join us.

A major building milestone occurred on Thursday, January 17th, as the first wall of the new hospital was poured.

This significant event marks the beginning of the second phase of construction that will see the steel skeleton of the new hospital rise out of the ground. Work over the next couple of months will center around the completion of all the “lower level” walls of the hospital, culminating in the installation of the first floor of the hospital come springtime

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first of the Mixer of the year, January 31st, 5:30-7:30pm. Come celebrate our new location at 211 Central Avenue! We are on the corner of HWY 126 and Central Avenue. There will be food, no host bar, and live music by the Grand Grooves. Chamber Members, don't forget to bring a door prize to promote your business!

For more information call 805-524-0351.

The Community Awards Dinner is March 28, 2013. Fillmore Chamber of Commerce needs nominations for Citizen of the Year for the Annual Community Awards Dinner. Drop nominations at our new location at 211 Central Avenue or phone them in to Renae Stovesand-Martel at 805-746-1923. We are on the corner of HWY 126 and Central Avenue. Submit nominations before February 15, 2013. For more information call Fillmore Chamber of Commerce at 805-524-0351.

Type of Program: Family, Date: Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013, Time: 3:30 p.m., Place: Fillmore Library: 502 Second Street, Fillmore, Phone: 524-3355 - Website: www.vencolibrary.org. Come join us for an exciting reptile safari! The Reptile Family will be bringing live animals that are native to many continents from around the world for you to see and touch! Sponsored by the Fillmore Friends of the Library

The Ventura County civil Grand Jury is now accepting applications for new jurors for 2013-14. Applications are available at our Open House on February 6, from 3-6 pm, at 646 County Square Drive, Ventura. This is an excellent opportunity to learn what Grand Jury service consists of, view the chambers, and enjoy some refreshments, too.

The Grand Jury is an investigatory body created for the protection of society and the enforcement of the law. Its goal is to ensure government agencies within our County are doing their best to serve the public in a cost-effective manner. If you have ever wondered about how you might contribute to your County, now is your chance to participate.

To get more details about the mission of the Grand Jury, and to view previous years’ reports, please visit our website: http://grandjury.county of ventura.org. If you are interested in serving on the 2013-14 Grand Jury, please note that applications can also be filled out on-line and will be accepted until April 15, 2013. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call us at 805-477-1600.

The Grand Jury is available for speaking engagements throughout the County. If you would like to request a speaker for your organization, please contact: Judith Cohen at 805-477-1600.

On Tuesday, January 22, 2013 the Fillmore Ebell Ladies will be entertained by the AHH! Chorus. the Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines, Intl. one of the worlds largest singing organizations for women. They are dedicated to the creation of harmony and enrichment of the lives of its members through friendship, education, community involvement and musical excellence in performance of the barbershop art form.

The AHH! chorus is a spirited group of women who love to sing. Their mission is to share their joy and preserve the art form of four-part a-Capella singing.

If you would like to attend the luncheon meeting please call Glenda DeJarnette at 805-524-4949. Lunch begins at 12:30pm and the cost is $12.00

Ventura, CA - The Ventura County Fair has announced that the annual Fair poster contest will be held for the 2013 Ventura County Fair. The contest is open to young artists in grades 5 - 12 who reside in Ventura County.

The theme of the 2013 Fair is “Boots, Barns and Banjos” and will serve as the guideline to the imagery. Artwork may be created in any medium but may not be 3 dimensional and must not use glitter or metallic paint.

Poster designs will be judged on Theme, Originality, Composition and Skill. Entries will be accepted from February 1 until April 1. Entry deadline is Monday, April 1.

Rules, deadlines and other information can be found on the Fair website, www.venturacountyfair.org. For more information about the contest call 648-3376 x 110 or send an email to info@venturacountyfair.org. (Please put “Contest” in the subject line)

Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, First prize: $500, Second Prize: $250, Third Prize: $100

The winning design will be used to advertise the Fair on Fair posters, souvenirs, advertisements and other applications. Second and third place winners will also be used in various applications. All contestants entries will be displayed in the Youth Expo at the Ventura County Fair.

The Ventura County Fair will begin its annual 12-day run Wednesday, July 31 and continue until Sunday, August 11.

For more information about the Fair, or the poster contest, please call the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 648-3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org. Keep up to date when you Like us on Facebook

On, Wednesday, January 9th, the officers and board members of the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau held their first meeting of 2013 at Orange Rush Cafe, (formerly Mr. Good Lunch), in the William L. Morris Car Dealership showroom. The meeting was also the first presided over by newly elected president, Kevin Keehl, who welcomed the opportunity to lead the board in 2013. Keehl is the owner/operator of Piru MX and a member of the Piru Neighborhood Council. Another new face on the board of directors was Rick Neal, newly appointed liaison from the City of Fillmore and newly elected City Councilman and Mayor. Other board members present were Cindy Jackson, Immediate Past President representing Sespe Creek Stables and CJ Financial; Talia Wunder, Board Director representing The Best of VC Marketplace, also the liaison and Tourism chair of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce; Ron Lewis, Board Director and Parliamentarian and President of the Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society and Fillmore member-at-large; Rosa Martel, Board Secretary and liaison from the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce; Maria Christopher, Rancho Camulos Museum; Jim Mendrala, Board Director representing Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society; Donna Stewart, Board Director and owner/operator of the Santa Paula Inn; Kathleen McCreary, Board Director representing Fillmore & Western Railway and office staff for the HVTB; Kathy Long, Board Director and Ventura County Supervisor, District 3, representing the unincorporated areas of the Heritage Valley. Board Secretary, Jeanne Orcutt representative for the California Oil Museum was unable to attend.

Business discussed was forming a committee to review the 2013 budget and based on findings, bringing it back to the board for revision, also clarification of the by-laws as they pertain to term limits for directors and officers. In addition, several board members will meet to review and suggest revisions to create a more inclusive and larger HVTB brochure that would include more of the growing membership businesses and organizations. There were committee and member reports and a discussion regarding the bureau's outreach to both Chambers of Commerce in the valley in cooperation with Supervisor Long to spearhead a workshop with the Ventura County Environmental Health Department and event/festival planners.

The HVTB holds board meetings, with a no-host lunch, every other month, and locations were decided for the remainder of 2013. The meetings rotate between the communities of Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula. Membership is open to individuals and/or businesses, non-profits, for profits, anyone who is interested in helping the bureau to attract more tourists to the Heritage Valley. The tourism office is located at the east end of Fillmore's downtown Central Park, at 364 Main Street. We welcome locals and visitors to stop in, browse the brochure racks for information on local and regional attractions, museums, restaurants, festivals and many other interesting venues. Office hours are Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm, occasionally closed for tourism meetings offsite and lunch. Be a tourist in your own backyard, visit the bureau, explore the valley.

Miranda Alexis Alonzo
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Evan Alan Hobson
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Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee recognized the two youngest sponsors of our downtown Central Avenue pot refurbishing project, with certificates of appreciation.

Miranda Alexis Alonzo and Evan Alan Hobson are friends that both attend Sacred Heart School in Ventura.

Miranda said that she has lots of friends at Sacred Heart & loves the school. It is the “best” school that she’s ever been to & she is getting a good education. When Miranda was asked about why she chose to be involved in the pot replanting project, she said that she wanted to show appreciation for the Fillmore community. She thinks that Fillmore is such a “pretty place” and wanted to help make it even prettier. “If ever someone wanted to live in a beautiful place, they should come & look around here”, stated Miranda.

Evan Hobson, 9 years old & Miranda’s classmate, spoke about enjoying his school also, especially math, science and social studies. He would like to be a dancer or an artist when he “grows up”. When Evan was asked about being a sponsor for the Central Avenue project, he said he “wanted to have flowers that would look beautiful in Fillmore.”

Our community can be proud that we have such great young people growing up in Fillmore, who are serious about their school studies and taking an active interest in beautifying their hometown!

VENTURA COUNTY, CA - The nation’s widespread outbreak of the flu has caused an increase in flu cases in California and a sudden surge in demand for the flu vaccine in Ventura County. Ventura County’s Public Health (VCPH) Department reports that the phones have been busier than normal with people calling in to find out where and when they can get a flu shot.

According to a report received today from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), flu levels in California are now significantly higher than what is normally expected this time of year. Over the past week, flu levels across the state have jumped up by ten percent.

“This year’s vaccine is a good match for the flu strains that are circulating so we encourage everyone who has not yet been vaccinated to get a flu shot now and protect themselves.” said Dr. Paul Russell, Deputy Health Officer for Ventura County Public Health. “It is especially important for those who are the most vulnerable to be vaccinated - the very young, very old and those with chronic illness.”

Ventura County Public Health clinics are offering flu vaccines for people of all ages on a first come, first served basis during normal business hours at their four Public Health clinic locations. Hours are 8:30 – 11:30 am and 1 – 4:30 PM and shots are offered on the days indicated:

1. South Oxnard Public Health
Centerpoint Mall
2500 South C St. Suite B-1, Oxnard
Monday – Friday

2. North Oxnard Public Health
2240 E. Gonzalez Rd., Suite 140, Oxnard
Tues. & Thurs.

3. Ventura Public Health CONTINUED »

Persons interested in serving on the City of Fillmore Park and Recreation Commission are invited to submit an application to the City by Friday, February 8, 2013 at 4 p.m.

The Parks and Recreation Commission serves at the pleasure of the city council. The Park and Recreation Commission services the community by providing and overseeing parks, buildings and recreation programs. The Parks and recreation Commission have an active role in the recreation changes that are needed for the citizens of Fillmore. The Park and recreation Commission generally meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Monthly meetings last approximately one hour. Two seats on the commission will be appointed to a four-year terms ending in January 2017. At that time, the commissioners could re-apply to continue service on the commission.

Those interested in being appointed to the Park and Recreation Commission are invited to submit an application to the City Clerk’s Office, Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA. 93015.

Applications are available in the lobby at Fillmore City Hall or may be found at the City's website at www.fillmoreca.com/docs/cag.pdf . Applications must be received by Friday, February 8, 2013 at 5 p.m.
Appointments to the Park and Recreation Commission will be made by the Mayor following an interview and recommendation by the City Council Interview/Selection Committee.

For further information on the application process please call the City Clerk’s Office at 524-1500, extension 214.