The plan for the expansion project is for a 2,220 sq. ft. addition which will include two study rooms, a community meeting room, a reading lounge, updated technology, two new ADA compliant restrooms, and will have a more positive impact on the community. They are now working on much needed funding for this project and hope to begin the project in 2020. Photo courtesy Martha Richardson.

Photo and story by Brett Chandler.

In honor of the 17th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Fillmore Boy Scout Troop 406 conducted a formal flag retirement ceremony last Tuesday night. During this ceremony the Scouts retired almost 50 worn U.S. flags which had been dropped off at the red box in front of the Fillmore Fire Station. This community service is conducted on a regular basis by Troop 406 to assure the proper disposal of worn U.S. flags. The Boy Scouts of America is one of the few organizations sanctioned to officially conduct flag retirements. Troop 406 meets every Tuesday night at 6pm at the Scout House on Sespe Street and invites any boy ages 10 ½ to 18 to drop in and join in the fun. Photo Courtesy Brett Chandler

Submitted by Martha Gentry, Executive Director, Fillmore Historical Museum

On September 11, 2018, Leslie Klinchuch and Natasha Molla of Chevron Corporation presented a check for $1,000 to Martha Gentry, Executive Director of the Fillmore Historical Museum, to be used for museum programs and outreach. During the cleanup of the former Fillmore Refinery site, the museum has received a series of grants from Chevron for programs as well as donations of Crepe Myrtle trees for the beautification of the museum site. The museum was able to help Chevron with historical research on the operations and infrastructure of the site.

The location of the photo shows a 100 year old wagon wheel which was found at the site and donated by Chevron Corp. to the museum. Currently the museum has a series of photos and story boards on display in the museum which show some of the history of the refinery site and history of oil exploration in the Fillmore mountains.

The museum is located at 340 Main Street and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.; Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Submitted by Marie Wren

Cub Pack 3400 is organizing for the coming year with meetings every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm at the Scout House on 128 Sespe Avenue in Fillmore. Boys and girls kindergarten - 5th grade are invited to join. The cost for insurance and badges is $25 for a full year of fun and entertainment as well as learning about nature, camping and crafts. Cubmaster Rudolfo Osario will be assisted by Steve McKeown.

The new Scouting rules now allow girls to be a part of the scouting organization along with the boys. Girls who wish to join will be included in regular Dens until there are 4 or 5 and then they will form a separate Den just for the girls. Dens for both boys and girls will be part of the Cub Pack 3400 this year. Cubs will now be a family activity for everyone. Parents and children interested in Scouting should attend a meeting for more information and join for 9 months of fun.

The Little Free Library will soon be opening their first location in Fillmore when Marie Wren completes the installation of a small box on a post in her front yard. The grand opening will be announced later so watch for the date.

The Little Free Library is a non-profit 50l C 3 organized in Wisconsin several years ago and now has over 75,000 locations throughout the world. Each little box holds books to take to read and keep or return when you want to share. There is no cost and no “checking out.” Both children and adults are invited to participate. The motto is “Take a Book—Share a Book.” The books are always free.

The mission is to inspire a love of reading, build community and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world, and Fillmore will soon be a part of it.

Anyone wishing to share outgrown children books or your own favorite is invited to call Marie (524-4044) who will arrange to pick up your box of books, or you may leave them at her front door at 239 Sierra Vista to be put into the “library” when it opens. Everyone enjoys sharing an interesting story or non fiction.

If you wish to join this new Fillmore activity you may learn more at littlefreelibrary.org or call 715-690-2488.

On Sept. 28, the Future VC Leaders’ Summit will convene college students at the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) to learn how transportation, housing, economic and urban planning issues impact the local community. Students will have an opportunity to speak directly to civic leaders and influence policy and planning decisions.

The Summit is sponsored by the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA) and the region’s major colleges and universities.

“The Future VC Leaders’ Summit will engage college students in issues and policies that directly impact their daily lives and their desire to stay in Ventura County after they graduate,” said Darren Kettle, executive director of VCTC. “We are looking forward to meeting the future leaders of our region.”

The event will take place from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28 in the VCCF conference room at 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, Calif. 93012. It is free to students enrolled at Ventura County colleges and universities and includes breakfast and transportation from campus, however advance registration is required. Students can register for the Summit at www.futurevcleaders.eventbrite.com and learn more at www.goventura.org/summit.

The Summit program will feature a keynote address by Pete Peterson, Dean of the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy; a lively panel discussion with local experts in the fields of transportation, economics and urban planning; and closing remarks by Erick Went, entrepreneur and Chief Technology Officer of Camarillo-based Matter Labs. The event will include opportunities for students to interact with the speakers and network with their peers.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at www.goventura.org.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has launched a new page on its website that allows people to order bus passes online and have them delivered by mail to a physical address of their choosing. The online sales portal is the latest feature to be added to the VCTC’s recently redesigned website.

“Online pass sales allow for a higher level of convenience and accessibility for VCTC bus riders,” said Darren Kettle, VCTC executive director. “Individuals can now order passes 24-7 from their computer, phone or other device and receive them by mail.”

The pass sales portal, powered by Shopify, allows riders to purchase VCTC 10-Ride Tickets or 31-Day Passes. The 10-Ride Ticket gives riders a discount of 10% per ride. The 31-Day Pass offer unlimited rides for 31 consecutive days starting from the first of day of use. Passes will arrive in the mail at the address provided by the rider.

In-person pass sales remain available at seven locations throughout Ventura County. Passes can also be purchased over the phone by calling (800) 438-1112. For more information, visit www.goventura.org/buy-passes/.

Later this fall, VCTC will unveil an additional feature for transit customers – an “app” for real-time transit information for all Ventura County bus services.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at www.goventura.org.

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Calling all bakers and lovers of pie to our 3rd Annual Pie for Breakfast! The pie bake-off and silent auction will benefit the One Step A La Vez program for at-risk youth. One Step A La Vez youth have been in partnership with the Latinos for Engagement, Advancement, Development (LEAD) Employee Resource Group from Southern California Edison (SCE). LEAD will showcase a student-designed “Clean Power” art exhibition demonstrating what clean energy means to students and their community. Eat pie and learn more about clean energy.

The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 22 from 10am-12pm at the One Step Teen Center, 421 Sespe Ave. Fillmore, CA 93015. The event will include a Clean Power Youth Art Exhibition, pie bake-off contest, and silent auction. There is no cost to attend. All guests can enjoy a slice of pie for breakfast. Anyone who wishes can contribute a homemade or purchased pie as a donation to the silent pie auction or may enter the pie contest.

Pie-bake off contest information: Bakers who would like to be considered for the bakeoff must submit two identical recipe homemade pies between 9am-10am on the contest day at 421 Sespe Ave. Fillmore, CA. Winning pies will be live auctioned at the event. There will be prizes for the winning pies in the categories of crust, filling, best looking, best overall, and best student pie.

“Last year, one prize winning pie auctioned for more than $300! Since we began this event two years ago, it just keeps growing. You do not want to miss the excitement! We’re hoping to have more youth bakers this year, because we have a category for best youth baker.” Kate English, executive director of One Step A La Vez

One Step A La Vez is a teen drop in center serving Fillmore, Santa Paula and Piru teens between the ages of 13 and 19. The majority of One Step A La Vez youth are Latino high school students from low income families who are trained in leadership, service to others and civic engagement. The One Step youth were recently invited by LEAD to visit SCE‘s Irwindale Energy Center to learn about renewable energy.
As a result, the students have engineered a “Clean Power” art exhibition that will be displayed at Pie for Breakfast. All students are welcome to enter artwork on this theme, and there will be prizes for the youth artists.

The mission of the One Step A La Vez program is to serve the communities of the Santa Clara Valley by providing a safe environment for 13-19 year olds and preparing informed, empowered youth who are equipped with the tools to lead; cultivate cultural awareness; bridge the gaps of inequality; and advocate for fair, just and healthy individuals and community.

For more information contact: Kate English at 805-625-7067 or kate@myonestep.org

Submitted by Martha Gentry, Fillmore Historical Museum, St. Francis Dam Commemoration Committee

The St. Francis Dam commemorative committee is happy to finally have placed the memorial plaque at the Bardsdale Cemetery. Many thanks to Lin Thomas who donated the rock which was found on his ranch. Thanks also to Sam Bennett and Johnny Zavala who retrieved the rock and took it to Fillmore Lumber where Butch Foy installed the plaque. Sam and Johnny were responsible for moving the rock to the cemetery and placing it in a prominent location near the burial plots of many of the victims of the flood disaster. Doug Basolo, manager of the cemetery, was also instrumental in deciding on the location and placement of the stone. This was the culmination of the 90th anniversary events commemorating the collapse of the St. Francis Dam.

Local musicians Bruce, Mark, Jim and Greg got together for a free-form jam session on Friday, September 7 in front of Roan Mills, 400 block Central Ave. After playing to a crowd of approximately 30 people, Bruce Johnson (above playing bass) said, “We’re inviting all local musicians to come out and jam with us on Friday nights. For more info visit www.packinghousecreative.com

Submitted by Lynn R. Edmonds

Please join with the Soroptimists and the Lions’ Clubs of Fillmore to Celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21 at 5:00 at the City Park by the Peace Pole.

In 1981 the UN General Assembly Resolution passed a resolution put forth by Costa Rica, that Sept 21 be declared the International Day of Peace to be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace. Soroptimist International of Fillmore member, Sarah Hansen, began the first Fillmore International Day of Peace in 2007 with a temporary wooden pole. The permanent Peace Pole was installed in 2010 though the collaboration of the City of Fillmore, local service groups and donations from individuals.

Inscribed on the Peace Pole Fillmore Peace Pole is script in seven languages stating “May Peace Prevail on Earth”; English, Spanish, Chumash, Arabic, Braille, Hebrew and Japanese.

In declaring the International Day of Peace, — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said "Let us all work together to help all human beings achieve dignity and equality; to build a greener planet; and to make sure no one is left behind." This is a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all. It is each of our responsibility to do our part in building a more peaceful world.

Please join us for a time to reflect on the need for peace!