Irma and Greg Murray's yard of the month.

Irma and Greg Murray, of 914 Central, Fillmore, have been chosen to receive the Civic Pride Vision 2020 “Yard of the Month” award for September which includes a donated Otto & Sons Nursery gift certificate.
According to Irma, Greg does all the work and the beautifully kept yard is a showcase for the successful use of drought resistant plantings and water saving practices.
The yard’s elevated planters were cleared after the Murray’s moved in 4 years ago and additional railroad ties were added to divide the area further, keeping mulch and water from running away. A drip watering system and decomposed granite walkway were added, as well as a windmill sculpture and a blue glass globe for accent.
Greg said that he chose plants that would attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. While we were admiring the yard a large moth was helping “himself” to the Lantana nectar and hummingbirds zipped & darted all around. The yard was vibrant with Mexican Bird of Paradise, Salvia plants in red, hot pink, and purple, yellow Lantana, bronze & pink Flax, while purple Nightshade(Solanum), roses and redbud trees added vertical dimension. The redbud varieties were Oklahoma and Forest Pansy. Fragrance filled the air as leaves were brushed in passing along the walkway.
Greg said that many of his trees & roses were from Otto & Sons and was very pleased to receive the gift certificate.

Conway Spitler

First, the Bennett honey farm near Piru where we purchased some eucalyptus honey. They have a beehive behind glass which my grandsons enjoyed.
Next, the Fillmore Fish Hatchery where they enjoyed feeding the fish and watching them jump for the pellets. In talking with one of the workers, I was surprised to hear that hatchery stocks lakes and steams far north as Atascadero and as far south as Puddingstone Lake in San Dimas. I had thought that Castaic, Piru, Casitas, and Pyramid Lakes were all the places.
Then to visit the Fillmore train. While in the gift shop (located in a train
car) we felt today's earthquake. I thought the train car was just shifting due to aging shock absorbers. Beverly accused my oldest grandson of jumping on the train car's platforms and causing it to sway. She later apologized.
After the train, well with eight and six year olds where else but the Golden Arches in beautiful Fillmore. After that, by happenstance, turned into the Fillmore School District Farm where the boys enjoyed petting some steers and horses. I recommend this little side trip for young kids.
How many Fillmore residents have taken time to do this little tour with their children or grandchildren?

The Fillmore Ebell Club will be entertained this month by Top-Notch, an award winning barbershop quartet, at the Veterans Memorial Building on September 23, 2008.
Top-Notch is a very active quartet that promises lots of "audience appeal and high quality show entertainment." So recommends the membership of the seven-time International Chorus Champions, the Masters of Harmony. Top-Notch has recently appeared with the Pacific Chorale, and the Riverside Master Chorale. Other appearances include the Motion Picture and Television Relief Fund dinner. See and hear them at www.topnotchquartet.com
Larry Goodfried (Lead) started his musical career as a professional trumpet player, appearing on stage with such icons as Jack Benny, and numerous movie sound tracks. In recent years, Larry has been featured in many productions of The Music Man, including the Glendale Alex Theater, The Whittier Center Theater, and the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center. Larry has won five gold medals with the Masters of Harmony.
Art Taylor (Tenor) recently celebrated his 45th year as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Art has earned nine chorus gold medals as a barbershopper. Two with the Phoenix Phoenicians, and seven with the Masters of Harmony.
Bob Heron (Baritone) plays the piano and organ and has been singing all of his life. Prior to joining the Barbershop Harmony Society, he spent fifteen years as a music director and pianist for the Morgan-Wixson Theater in Santa Monica. He has earned five gold medals with the Masters of Harmony. Bob was the baritone of the quartet "Time Honored, the 2002 Far Western District Senior champion quartet.
Dan Place (Bass) is a 47-year barbershopper. The wall of his den is covered with photos of his many quartet and chorus achievements. As a long time member of the Arcadia chorus and a seven time gold medal winner with the Masters of Harmony, Dan is the expert crooner of all those low notes. It is often said in the barbershop world that the gals swoon for the tenor, but they go home with the bass.
Though Top-Notch is weighted down with barbershop gold, they're a light-hearted foursome who will delight you when invited to your next event.
Anyone interested in more information, or becoming a member of the Fillmore Ebell Club, may call Trisha Armstrong at 805-727-1901.

Congratulations To Taylor Atkins – Miss California Teen USA 2008 for competing August 12th through 16th at Miss Teen USA 2009 in the Bahamas and placing in the Top 15 out of the 51 teen delegates that represented each of there home states.

Taylor, you did an awesome job representing the state of California at Miss Teen USA!

Taylor will complete her reign as Miss California Teen USA and will crown the next titleholder on Sunday, November 23rd at the Miss California and Miss California Teen USA 2009 pageant being held at the Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs.

Many thanks go out to Taylor’s friends & fans for their loving support. Thank you to the businesses of the Piru community for their kind generosity including the Piru Neighborhood Council, Piru Petroleum Club and Rancho Temescal.

Goodenough Road is open to the public, after being closed in 2005 for flooding damage. Hikers can access the trailhead for Dough Flat, leading into the Sespe Wilderness. For current road information go to www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/conditions.

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce Business Networking Mixer
Thursday September 18, 2008 from 5:30- 7:30 P. M.
At Edward Jones Investments Kyle Wilson 330 Central Avenue Ste. C
For more information call (805) 524-7072

Secure free booth space for Sunday, Nov. 9th , to sell two-dimensional Fine Art at the Fillmore Annual Home Tour sponsored by the Fillmore Historical Museum, 350 Main St. A 10% commission will be charged. There are 10 booth spaces available indoors in the newly renovated Fillmore train depot, 4 spaces in the outdoor gazebo and 10’x10’ outdoor spaces on the depot grounds. Ribbons will be awarded. Set up/judging time 9-11, open time 11-4. For apps: Luanne Perez 524-0925 or Joanne King 524-4904.

Relay For Life of Fillmore-Piru September 13-14, 2008 Fillmore High School Baseball Field 24 hours 10:00 am to 10 pm. You can register on-line at www.events.cancer.org/rflfillmoreca For more information please call Jessica LaRoe at 485-4692 X 24 1-800-ACS-2345 www.cancer.org

Sespe 4-H Club is now accepting sign-ups for the 2008-2009 year. If you are interested please call 524-2621 or plan to attend our next club meeting which will be Thursday, September 18th, 7:00 PM, at the Memorial Building. Our 4-H Club offers the opportunity to learn about and raise livestock for the Ventura Co. Fair, also we offer some craft classes and perform community services. Member must be 9 years of age to raise an animal. Please plan to attend our next meeting and get acquainted and ask questions. We look forward to seeing you there!!

Scenic Lake Piru was once again the site for the Piru Petroleum Club’s Annual Fishing Tournament. The 2008 edition celebrates the 11th annual hosting of this always-popular derby. This year’s event, held Saturday, September 6th, attracted 27 teams with two competitors per team. Proceeds from the tournament are dedicated to the annual scholarship fund the Club provides Santa Clara Valley students, including Piru, Fillmore and other parts of Ventura County.

Competitors launched their crafts or picked their favorite shoreline “hotspot” first thing in the morning, gathering the catches of the day for the 2 pm final weigh-in. Winners were designated in several categories, reflecting the range of fish we catch at Lake Piru, The categories and winners for this year were announced as follows: Bass: 1st Place: Greg Social & Jaime Schmidt (14 lbs. 11 oz.); 2nd Place Tony Ward & Ken Khor (12 lbs. 3 oz.); Trout: 1st Place: Ken “Punky” & Pam Preciado (4 lbs. 14 oz.); 2nd Place: Still swimming!; Pan Fish: 1st Place: Ellis Casner & Bruce Johnston (6 lbs. 5 oz.); 2nd Place: Nick Taminich Jr. & Juan Perez (1 lb. 4 oz.); (Included Crappie, Blue Gill, Red Ear, etc).

Catfish: Left to grow another year--fishing story of course!; After the weigh-in, anglers, families and friends gathered at the day camp site area on the north end of the Lake to enjoy tasty tri-tip with all the trimmings. The team of Gil and Cindy Escoto, Tim and Julie Lovelace, Richard and Christine Arias, Art and Peggy Escoto, Kelly Brown, Victor Piche, Terri McMahan, Pat and Sandy Casas with daughter Roxanne, and other helpers prepared this meaty barbecue meal.

In addition to the fishing competition, local industry and business groups donate great prizes for the incredible raffle held each year. This raffle attracts fisherman and locals to get in on the action. Prizes range from fishing gear such as poles, knives and tackle, to boom boxes, a pop-up canopy, beverage coolers, bar-b-ques, game sets and more.

Special thanks to this year's sponsors, which included: Ace Pump Testing; Cavin’s Oil Drilling; CD Lyons; Howard Supply; Excalibur Well Service Corp.; Julie Medina Avon; Ramon Medina, Century 21; National Oilwell Varco; Oilwell Service; PTS; Ventura Crane and Weatherford.

The Piru Petroleum Club is a non-profit organization based at Britt Park, located at the base of Torrey Mountain in Piru. This club has been in existence for many years, supporting the social, business and community needs in the Valley. Current officers are Gil Escoto, President; Pat Casas, Vice-President; Linda Edmonds, Secretary-Treasurer. The Board of Directors is made up of members from the industry and related enterprises. Social gatherings allow free flow of information and fellowship, and include twice monthly luncheons and once a month dinners, each month hosted by different board members and their companies. In addition to the annual scholarship, the Club supports a variety of local causes, including the Labor Day PiruFest.

For more information about Lake Piru Recreation Area, call the Lake Operators, Recreation Resource Management, at 805-521-1500.

Fillmore Depot 1887.
Enlarge Photo

The Fillmore Museum is planning a meeting on Saturday Sept. 20, 2008 in the museum office in the bunkhouse to officially form a Museum Docent group. We are looking for volunteers to do a wide variety of activities. These activities include hosting the museum on Sat or Sun from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. as well as leading tour and school groups, working on displays, doing research and any other activities of interest. Volunteers would be expected to donate a minimum of 4 hours per month on a flexible schedule. Requirements are simply that the volunteer be interested in learning the history of the area, enjoy meeting people and be willing to donate their time. We will provide docent training.

If you are interested or just have questions please call the museum office at 805-524-0948. We would be happy to answer your questions.

California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol is offering a traffic safety program for teenage drivers and their parents. The Start Smart program is aimed at helping future and newly licensed teenage drivers become aware of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. The program is designed as an educational tool for parents and teenagers in an effort to reduce the number of teenage injuries and deaths resulting from traffic collisions.

Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. The primary objective of the program is to provide teens and parents with an understanding of how poor choices behind the wheel can affect the lives of numerous people. The Start Smart program also provides teens and parents with information on defensive driving, traffic laws in California, dynamics of traffic collisions, tips on avoiding traffic collisions, and DUI awareness. “The information we provide is useful not only to new drivers, but to experienced drivers as well,” Officer Mike Untalan stated. “The Ventura CHP will be conducting monthly presentations in an effort to meet demand from parents. It is encouraging to see so many people interested in the program,” Officer Untalan added.

Smart Start classes are free of charge and are held at the Ventura Area CHP office. The next class will be on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 6:30 pm. To make a reservation, please contact Officer Mike Untalan at (805) 477-4130.

It’s back to school time and the Ventura County Library is kicking off the new school year by highlighting World Book Online Reference Center, available 24/7 on the library website www.vencolibrary.org.

World Book Online Reference Center includes all of the articles from World Book Encyclopedia, plus:
• Pictures, maps, simulated historic websites, videos and animations, audio clips, and links to useful editor-approved websites.
• Links to thousands of related magazine articles.
• An interactive dictionary.
• Access to World Book Kids for younger students.
• A Spanish-language encyclopedia.
• An interactive dictionary and atlas.
• Educators’ tools that provide a range of resources for teachers, including state curricula, links to lesson plans, and professional education links.

Visit the library’s website at www.vencolibrary.org and click on “Databases-Research” or “Homework-Research” (they both lead to the same page). There you will find the library’s electronic resources collection arranged by subject and listed alphabetically. The link for World Book Online is listed under Encyclopedias. With a Ventura County Library card, log on and enjoy free, unlimited access to World Book Online. This valuable service is available 24/7 from any internet-enabled computer—in your library and even from your home!

To find out more about how you can access World Book Online, call or visit your local Ventura County Library.

September 25, 2008, will mark the annual National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims to honor the memories of murdered victims and recognize the impact of homicide on surviving family members and friends.

If your loved one was killed in an act of violence, because of a drunk driver or killed while serving in the military, please join us to honor their memory on this day. An authorization form must be turned in with a 5x7 picture of your loved one no later than September 15th.

Please contact POMC (805) 236-8130 to receive the forms or you can reach us by email at vc.pomc@yahoo.com. Authorization forms may also be downloaded by visiting our website at www.pomc.org/venturacounty under the “coming events” section.

Sponsored by the Ventura County Chapter Parents Of Murdered Children (POMC), a National Non-Profit Organization, this special observance seeks to pay tribute to the hundreds of people who have been murdered in Ventura County and all around our Nation and beyond, to publicly recognize the tremendous losses endured by their families and friends; and to educate our community about the rights and services available to surviving family members of homicide victims. We invite you to join us survivors of homicide victims, local dignitaries, family and
friends for what promises to be a moving and inspirational event.

The ceremony will consist of a pre-ceremony dove release, music, guest speakers, a lighting of candles and a Murder Wall with the pictures and stories of those whose lives were taken by an act of violence.

Ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 25th, 2008 at 4:30 PM at Plaza Park in Oxnard (Plaza Park in downtown Oxnard is located at the intersection of Fifth Street and "B" Street (just off Highway 101 and the Pacific Coast Highway).

Joe Blaylock show that the California Condor is not shy of human contact.

California Condor.
Enlarge Photo

2 Condors.
Enlarge Photo

As it takes a unique set of meteorological components to come together at the correct time to produce a “perfect storm,” the “weather’ is looking bad for sportsmen.
Components within the anti hunting and environmental movements sponsored by the Natural Resource Defense Council, a non profit environmental clearing house of attorneys and activists ( this is their mission statement: Who We Are…NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.2 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals http://www.nrdc.org/about/) came together in 2006 to create a “storm” via filing a law suit against the California Department of Fish and Game to ban any lead based bullets within the “historic” range of the California Condor. Our own local condor headquarter is located 5.38 miles to the North East of the center of Fillmore. You can see the facility in Hopper canyon from space using Google Earth. The suit was brilliantly advertised in that a group of “sportsmen to include hunters” from Ventura California had filled the complaint. A review of the actual suit posted on the internet revealed the NRDC had virtually sponsored the Plaintiffs. An attempt was made to call several of the plaintiffs for comment which found no such phone numbers as listed in the suit.
Thinking back it was nearly two years ago when this writer first became aware of the legal strategy of the antihunter and environmentalist in Ventura, and having reviewed this legal complaint (this suit was posted and now removed from public viewing on the internet?); I made calls to fellow hunters and magazine editors for support. Unfortunately, like a hurricane forecasters, the calls only elicited a luke warm if not total indifference for the call to “board up the windows”. A few weeks later a call to Jessica Brooks at the respected and only major US non lead bullet manufacture “Barnes Bullets Inc” of American fork Utah was met with an unselfish offer to help in anyway. On feeling that Barnes would eventually benefit from such a law I was surprised to hear Jessica, whose mother and father own the business, actually say “I feel it will eventually be bad for the industry”. We discussed that this suit, like the weather, was one of the major components that would lead to a storm.
Rather than fight the lawsuit the California DFG agreed to implement a no lead policy in selected deer hunting zones throughout the state. This new law was first written and then modified several times until it was ordered to be enforced starting this July of 2008.
Agree with the philosophy or not, it is the law, and the following is how it will affect hunters, land owners, and possibly all sportspeople eventually.
A call to the assistant Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Mike McBride of the California Department of Fish and Game, was helpful in clearing up some of the question that had typically not been addressed either clearly or at all in the months of online information, or the many DFG handouts. Mike said, “Like a new car this thing is going to have some bugs that have to be worked out”. CONTINUED »

Candi Tovar

They came from as far away as Sparks, Nevada and Auburn, California to what was a reunion of many close friends celebrating Candi’s 33 years with VONS.

“It was better than a class reunion!” Candi said. Union Local 1036 members joined in the fun, as well as representatives from the corporate office. “Everyone was so happy to see each other after many years of no contact”, said Candy. “We’ve always been like family, and many went in different directions through the years.” Friends and family also attended.

Among those in attendance were past managers, Jim Buress (who originally hired Candi), Curt Underwood, Dennis Padgett, Mike Ayerle, Frank Ybarra, Mike Chapman, and 1st meat mgr. Bob McCary.

Several spoke well-wishes to Candi and talked about the special friendship they had with her. A slide show was produced, and many memory boards with photos of years past were a great hit.

Candi started as a checker in Newhall, California, and was transferred to Fillmore after only a month. She worked as a checker in Fillmore for a year before being transferred to the meat department where she worked for 28 years.
Later, Candi worked at the union office for a year, in 2001, on a special SPUR assignment to organize Wal-Mart.

After the strike Candi came back as a Supervisor and worked for 5 years in Santa Paula, which she describes as a “great experience.” Candi’s last year was spent at the Fillmore store.

The party included great food, the slide show, music, dancing, and Barry Thompson sang a special song to Candi.
Candi looks upon the festivity more as a reunion of friends rather than a tribute to herself. Addressing those friends in attendance she stated “I honor you for what you have brought to my life.”

But this was hardly a true retirement party for Candi. For the past 8 years she has been a volunteer for foster children, and severely neglected and abused children through Royal Family Kids Camp, ages 6-12, and Teen Reach Adventure Camp, ages 13-15 (all kids from Ventura County) and plans to pursue her career in social service to foster kids and youth.

Pool Complex Construction.
Enlarge Photo

Construction on the new Fillmore swimming-tennis complex is well under way as this photo shows. The floor of the pool itself was poured two weeks ago. The sides of the pool are expected to be sprayed-on later this week.

Conway Spitler

Pop Quiz
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of give people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes who stories have inspired you.

THE LESSON:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Can you figure out what these words have in common?
It's no trick--there really is a key sameness.

banana
dresser
grammar
potato
revive
uneven
assess

Have you given up? Give it another try, look at each word carefully. You'll kick yourself when you discover the answer next week!