Enlarge Photo

Last week, the Fillmore Rotary Club presented a check for $500 to the FHS Swim Team. Pictured (l-r) are Hannah Faith, Special Ed teacher, and Co-coach Joaquin Holladay, Sienna Dalgarn, Alexis Pina, Coach Cindy Blatt, and Alejandro Lanza. Courtesy Rotarian Martha Richardson.

By David Goldstein, Environmental Resource Analyst with the Ventura County Public Works Agency

With recent rains and cold weather, it may feel like winter, but spring officially started last week. Are you ready for spring cleaning? For those wanting to “green” their clean, cleaning is not just a matter of removing material such as dirt, grime, crumbs, skin cells or pet hair from surfaces and crevices. Cleaning also does not just mean disinfection. Instead, the meaning of “clean” can include removing pollutants and cutting waste. Killing germs is important, but battling biological enemies does not have to come at the cost of tolerating chemical pollutants and creating waste.
The Ventura County General Services Agency’s 2023 Earth Day guide, distributed in preparation for next month’s Earth Day facility tour, describes several green methods and products custodial crews at County facilities use to clean facilities serving thousands of people per day. The guide emphasizes the products and methods selected are evaluated not just on the basis of cost and efficacy, but also with consideration for “recycled content, landfill and water impacts, and chemical content.”
“Green soap dispensers” are one simple success highlighted in the guide. The agency reports replacing 96 percent of soap dispensers in the buildings served by County custodians. “The new foaming soap is not only bio-based, but it is also Green Seal Certified,” reports the guide. Impressively, mainly by dispensing as a foam from a compressed source, rather than transferring liquid soaps from a wall-mounted container to a customer’s hands, the new system has reduced soap costs by 50 percent, according to the guide.
Such soaps are also available for residential use. A search at Amazon.com for “non-toxic foaming soaps” generated 430 results. Many of these come with refillable soap dispensers, so buyers can buy refills in large bottles, saving money and cutting waste.
The soap’s Green Seal certification mentioned in the guide refers to a non-profit organization which has been certifying products for more than three decades. Other non-profit organizations, as well as the public agencies, also manage certification programs; however, Green Seal was an innovator and is known for its rigorous health, sustainability, and performance standards. At www.greenseal.org, consumers can find certified products and services to “make healthier, greener choices” for home, school, or workplace.
If you do not see Green Seal certified options when buying cleaning products, you can still make greener choices by avoiding products labeled with the words “danger,” poison,” “caution,” or “warning.” You might also avoid toxic products and excessive packaging by creating your own cleaning, polishing, and deodorizing products from non-toxic ingredients such as baking soda, cornstarch, toothpaste, lemon juice, vegetable-based liquid soap, vinegar, and borax.
Recipes for 10 “all natural, homemade cleaning solutions” are available at www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/green-living/natural-cleaning-recipes. Many of these recipes start with plant-based cleaners, and there are even plant-based disinfectants. The most common of these is vinegar, which is a great cleaner, but not as powerful as bleach or alcohol.
If a plant-based solution does not work as quickly or effectively as chemical-based cleaners and disinfectants, the difference can often be overcome with the addition of another ingredient – elbow grease. When applying these cleaners, start with less abrasive tools, such as nylon scrubbers, and then work your way up to toothbrushes, pencil erasers, steel wool, pumice bars, or single-edge razor blades if you need to really scrape and scrub.
Basic, chemical-based cleaning products can be used in less environmentally taxing ways. For example, bleach solution, according to the label, may be mixed from a bulk container at a rate of one-third cup per one gallon of water. This reduces the consumption of individually packaged, bleach-based products. Just do not mix bleach with ammonia when making your own cleaning products. Doing so produces a toxic gas.
The General Services Agency Earth Day Tour will take place April 21. Meet at the Hall of Administration Fountain at noon. Register in advance by using the QRTY code at
https://www.ventura.org/general-services-agency/earthday/
David Goldstein, Environmental Resource Analyst with the Ventura County Public Works Agency, may be reached at (805) 658-4312 or david.goldstein@ventura.org

Enlarge Photo

Carolyn Boucher, from the Simi Sunset Rotary, was one of the speakers at a recent Fillmore Rotary meeting. She told the Club about Simi Sunset’s Kidney Donation Program. Rocky Rhodes, another Rotarian, spoke about his decision to donate a kidney. Tony Falato was the recipient of the kidney and continued the story of how thankful he is to Rocky for saving his life. The Simi
Sunset Club is now promoting kidney donation through a website: www.TeamGinny NeedsYOU.com, and Email:TeamGinny1@gmail.com. Ginny Donnelly is in critical need of a kidney transplant! If this is something you’d consider, go to these sites and find out more. You don’t have to be a blood match like you do for other transplants like liver. Photo credit Rotarian Martha Richardson.

Enlarge Photo

The Fillmore Rotary speaker was Alondra Gaytan, Director of Strategic Relations from EconomicDevelopment Collaborative (EDC). She told the Club the EDC is the region’s largest economic development public-private partnership. It provides access to capital and direct business advising to over a thousand businesses a year. Pictured (l-r) is Alondra Gaytan with Rotary President Dave Anderson. Photo credit Martha
Richardson.

The City of Fillmore is setting aside Saturday, April1stto allow residents and small business owners to drop off materials that are not accepted in general trash and recycling bins for safe disposal and free of charge.
The Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Residents and small business owners can bring their HHW to Fillmore’s Public Works Department yard at the corner of A Street and Sespe Avenue.
The Collection will accept: Chemicals – household, pool, and garden; pesticides; batteries – auto and household; fluorescent tubes; paint and solvents; motor oil and filters; medication; electronic waste
The Collection will not accept: Explosives; ammunition; fireworks; tires; radioactive waste; infectious waste; smoke alarms and detectors.
For more information, please call (805) 524-1500 x234.

Above is a display set up at Patterson’s Hardware on Central Avenue, inspired by this year’s Flower Show, set for April 15 & 16, 2023. Photo credit Jan Lee.
Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Jan Lee

Don’t miss the Fillmore Flower Show, April 15 and 16 at the Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street in Fillmore. There will be live music, a coffee corner, a plant boutique, youth art and compositions, and of course, LOTS of home grown flowers. Bring entries to the Center between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. $5 no matter how many entries you have. All youth entries are free. Open for public viewing 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Please plan to attend.
Two fun divisions are Bouquets, Arrangements and Miniature Arrangements. Bouquets are presented in a single vase (provided by the exhibitor) that has flowers of the same variety, but with no filler material. Arrangements are flower displays up to 20 inches by 20 inches with containers provided by exhibitor that may include items appropriate to the scene. This division allows you to creatively express the theme, “Garden Treasures”. Another popular division is Miniature Arrangements and Bouquets. There are two groups in this division, not to exceed 4 inches by 4 inches and not to exceed 10 inches by 10 inches.
Youth may enter any division. Please see fillmoreflowershow.org for more information.

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

On Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 5PM La Promesa De Jesus Church hold their second “March Rally”. Lifting up Jesus in the CITY OF FILLMORE. Pastor Ernie Rangel says “ I believe with all my heart that Fillmore is a special city. I was born and raised here in Fillmore, grew up in gangs, drugs and violence but God has changed my life and this movement that we are starting is stirring up a revival in our city and I want every person from this city to know that I am here to serve them and that our church is a place that welcomes ANYONE AND ANYBODY. Pictured above are the group f 70 who marched along this past weekend Inset is the group marching on the Fillmore Bike Path. Courtesy Ernie Rangel Jr .

Ventura County — The Museum of Ventura County is pleased to present author Carina Monica Montoya at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on April 8, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Montoya will be reading from her book Fillmore, which is part of the Images of America series. A native Californian, Montoya has written several books, including Santa Maria Valley, Filipinos in Hollywood, Pacific Coast Highway in California, Ventura County, and Los Angeles’s Historic Filipinotown. Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is full of historic photos and fascinating stories of regions throughout the country. Montoya’s look at Fillmore is full of insights that will shed new light on the history of this fascinating town. Montoya’s reading will be followed by a question and answer session and a book sale. Montoya will be autographing purchased copies of her book.

“Even though I grew up in this region, I am learning new facts about the Fillmore area all of the time,” said the Museum’s Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director Elena Brokaw. “Having Carina Monica Montoya present her book at the Agriculture Museum will be a great way for our community to hear more about this history of this area that we love.”

This event is free and open to the public. The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, CA 93060. More information can be found on the Museum of Ventura County website at www.venturamuseum.org and by phone at (805) 525-3100.

By Dr. Barry Fike

The famous “Praying Hands” picture was created by Albrecht Durer, the son of a Hungarian goldsmith. He was born in Germany in 1471 and died in 1528. As is the case with nearly all men of genius, fact and fiction become interwoven and created the legend of the artist as we know him today.
It is said, that while studying art, Albert, as he was called, and a friend roomed together. However, the meager income they earned on the side as they studied did not prove to be enough to meet their needs for rent, food, clothing, and other living expenses. Albert suggested that he would go to work to earn the necessary income for both of them while his friend pursued and finished his art studies. When finished, the friend would then go to work to provide support while Durer would finish his studies. The friend was pleased and happy with the plan, except that he insisted that he be the first to work and that Albert continue his studies.
This plan was followed and in time Albert Durer became a skilled artist and engraver. Returning to his room one day, Albert announced that he was not ready to assume the burden of support, while his friend studied art. But, as a result of his hard labor, his friend’s hands were so swollen that he was no longer able to hold and use the paintbrush with skill. His career as an artist was ended.
Albert was deeply saddened by this disappointment which his friend had suffered. One day when he returned to their room, he heard his friend praying and saw his hands held in a reverent attitude of prayer. At this moment, Albert received the inspiration to create the picture of those wonderful “praying hands”. His friend’s lost skill could never be restored but in and through this picture, Durer felt that he would express his love and appreciation for the self-sacrificing labor which his friend had performed for him. Durer also had another thought that such a picture could inspire a like appreciation on the part of others who may also be willing to sacrifice and give on the behalf of someone else.
The story is now legend. I cannot verify if this is factual or not, but it is a good story. Self-sacrificing is a brand of love that is not too often seen in our too-busy world. Yes, in the act of sacrificial love we have identity as being part of the body of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as the Church. Humble giving and prayer are keys to open Heaven’s door for others.
As Helen Keller once said: I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble…for the world is moved along, not only by the mighty shaves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker!

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NKJ

Ryan Oge
Enlarge Photo

Pictured above is Ryan Oge, a graduate of FHS 2007. He is at Good Samaritan Hospital, Lafayette, Colorado with liver failure. His only chance of survival is with a liver transplant. Please pray for him. Any questions, please contact: Marvin Oge, 805-223-1477, mlojsowr88@gmail.com.

Jesus Zavala Castaneda, Oxnard,CA

Case #: 2020016395

On March 24, 2023, a Ventura County jury convicted Jesus Zavala Castaneda
(DOB 05/24/60), of Oxnard, on two counts of lewd touching of a minor under 14 years old. The jury also found all aggravating factors related to each count to be true. Castaneda sexually exploited an underage family member between 2018 and 2019. The conduct stopped in June 2019 when the 13-year-old victim reported the abuse. Following a two-week trial that included courageous testimony from the victim, her peers, her mother, as well as a senior detective, teacher, and expert on child abuse, a jury convicted Castaneda of two felony violations. “I was struck by the courage of the victim and the strength of her mother,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward Andrews, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit. “For adolescents reporting sexual abuse, good parental support is the most vital tool for navigating the shame and blame an offender can leave behind.” Castaneda will be sentenced on April 24, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 46 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

President Dave Anderson inducted Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo "Lalo" Malagon as a new Rotary Club member Congratulations, Eduardo! Courtesy Rotarian Martha Richardson.

By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times

It has been 29 years and a handful of days since a popular 21-year-old Ventura subscription salesman was shot down after leaving a friend’s Santa Paula-Ojai Road area apartment in Santa Paula early on March 7, 1994, and Eric Velasquez’s mother still is hoping for justice.

Velasquez was killed by a single shot to the chest, fired by an unknown gunman standing in the parking lot. Velasquez died at the scene, leaving behind grief-stricken relatives and friends and baffled police.

The murder has remained a cold case, but one that received an infusion of funds when the state set a $50,000 reward to find Velasquez’s killer.

Velasquez was described by family and friends as devoted to his family, his girlfriend, and his work as a subscription salesman for the Los Angeles Times.

“I think whoever did this is sure suffering in some way or another,” Susan Ventura, Velasquez’s mother, said at the time. “But it’s all over the city — not just in Los Angeles. They can’t control the guns.”

Many residents of the apartment complex said they were unaware of the incident until later in the morning; one who said he heard a strange noise found Velasquez’s body lying in the carport and called police.

Other witnesses told Santa Paula police investigators that the gunman may have been a man who was involved in an argument with Velasquez earlier in the evening when he arrived at the complex to visit a friend. The man who Velasquez was seen arguing with was a friend of a man who lived in the apartment complex.

The two exchanged words and, reportedly, Velasquez said something related to the other person threatening him with a gun in Ventura, but the two shook hands after the man de nied he had pulled the weapon.

Velasquez had been student at UC Santa Barbara for one semester before taking leave because he and his family could no longer afford the tuition. But he found a job he seemed to be made for — selling subscriptions to the Los Angeles Times door-to-door, every weekday from 4 to 9 p.m.

Most months, he was the top salesman or at least second from the top, taking pride in his work and success in selling subscriptions.

His family and friends described Velasquez as outgoing, gregarious, and persuasive — perfect traits for a job in sales.
To save money, Velasquez lived with his parents, baby-sat his 10-year-old brother in the afternoons, and on the weekends drove to La Puente, where he had attended high school, to visit his high school girlfriend, a romance that never waned.

He was returning from La Puente the evening that he stopped off in Santa Paula to see a friend and subsequently was killed.

Velasquez’s mother, Susan Ventura, set up a $1,000 reward out of frustration in September 1995.

“I want justice to be served in my son’s murder,” Ventura said then. “I want his killer off the streets.”

In October 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murder of Velasquez. The reward was part of a $200,000 allotment made to spur leads in four cold cases.

At the time, the Governor’s Office noted: “The Santa Paula Police Department has exhausted all investigative leads and requested that a reward be offered to encourage anyone with information about this murder to contact Detective S. Virani at 805-525-4474. The victim’s family has also offered a $1,000 reward and rewards are offered by Crime Stoppers and We-Tip.”

Had he not been killed, Eric Velasquez would now be 50 years old.

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Calling all FHS Alumni from the great class of 1973! A 50 year Class Reunion is planned at the Fillmore High Alumni Dinner Event on Saturday, June 10th, 2023.

What a celebration this will be. Each year the Alumni Association invites all our Alumni and their guests to attend this wonderful evening event in downtown Fillmore in front of City Hall/City Park. Lately, many Class reunions have taken part in the annual dinner, and the great class of 1973 will mark their spot as they celebrate 50 years at their reunion. We hope all Alumni and their guests will make plans to attend this years Dinner. Catering this years dinner will be award winning Cater DJ’s California Catering from Ventura. Included with your payment to the event will be delicious Appetizers (For the early arrivals), Included with Dinner is Dessert, Water, Coffee, and Tea. There will also be four Bars for mixers, Beer, and Wine. This year we have two DJ’s along with a Live Band for your evening dancing and listening pleasures. In addition to the class of '73's reuion, many other classes are planning to attend their class reunions so we encourage Everyone to pay for your reservations as soon as possible. THE EVENT HAS SOLD OUT in recent years and we expect another sell out this year. Please go to www.fillmorehighalumni.com

Fillmore’s James Latshaw

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) today announced student James Latshaw from Fillmore, CA, has been selected to become a member of the esteemed organization. The Society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community commitment. The announcement was made by NSHSS Co-founder and President James W. Lewis.

"On behalf of NSHSS and our co-founder Claes Nobel, a member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, I am honored to recognize the hard work, passion, and commitment that James has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence," said Lewis. "James is now a member of a unique community of scholars — a community that represents our very best hope for the future."

"We are proud to provide lifetime membership to young scholars to support their growth and development," stated Lewis. "We help students like James build on their academic success by connecting them with learning experiences and resources to help prepare them for college and meaningful careers."

NSHSS members automatically become lifetime members at the time of their initial membership. Each step along the way — from high school to college to career — NSHSS connects outstanding young scholars with the resources they need to develop their strengths and pursue their passions.

Civic Pride Volunteers have selected the yard of month John & Carol Ramos at 236 Second Street for the March, “Yard of the Month”, award. Otto & Sons Nursery has generously supported this program since the beginning & now awards a $50 gift certificate to the nursery.

John & Carol lived on Fourth Street in the early 1980’s, then moved to the Central Coast for work & returned to Fillmore in 1989 because they liked the community. They purchased the home on Second Street which was surrounded by shrubs, at the time.

After their work slowed down, in 2014-2015, they hired Landscape Architect, Taryn Tree from Camarillo to design a drought tolerant landscape that complimented the architecture of the home & worked with her in choosing the plants.

The focal point is a beautiful Palo Verde tree in the back center, with red yucca plants behind, large aloes of different varieties to the right, a large circle of variegated lantanas in the front, a spreading, Mexican Fan Palm on the left, and dormant Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) bushes professionally pruned, ready for Springtime.

Lining the driveway are a row of dormant Crepe Myrtles with aloes beneath them. Near the entry, are rosemary bushes.

The yard has been designed for low maintenance & water conservation with weed barrier, covered by rock & contained planted areas. It is now beautifully maintained by a local gardening company, Joe Anderson, Landscaper.