A long overdue and much needed remodel of the Fillmore Clubhouse is underway, thanks to the US Navy Seabees! These great guys & gals will demolish the interior of the Girls Shower Room in preparation for turning it into a Homework Room for the Club’s Kids. They will also fix the windows and install a vent in the quasi-kitchen. This work has been planned and will continue under the direction of EAC(SCW) Michael Palyok, USN. There will be eight to 12 Seabees doing the demolition work so that our kids can have a better place to learn and grow, and, hopefully learn to give back when they grow up, just as these fine people are doing today.

The project is scheduled for the entire weekend, November 20th and 21st, and is the first step in the remodel of the interior of the Club. We still need donations of drywall, flooring and paint to complete the project. All donations are appreciated; anyone interested in helping is encouraged to call the Club at 805-525-7910 to pledge their help.

This project has been driven by the efforts of Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley Board Members Tom McGrath and Earl McPhail. Historically, the Seabees have made themselves available to groups in the Ventura County area to help with construction projects between assignments. They provide a welcome and much needed experienced hand when it comes to helping local non-profit organizations.

The Club will be providing refreshments and beverages for the workers throughout the day, and will be asking local restaurateurs for donations to keep these wonderful workers fed and comfortable throughout the weekend.

The North Fillmore Storefront will be having its annual Santa visit and Christmas Toy Give Away on Tuesday, December 21st, 2010. At the same time, Laura Bartels spearheads a wonderful program called the Winter Coat Drive to put a new coat on every child that doesn’t own a coat.

Soroptimist International of Fillmore is donating $ 100 towards the coat drive and CHALLENGES all service clubs in Fillmore to match or exceed our donation. To donate, call Laura Bartels at 524-1934.

Fillmore High Alumni Association

Over six hundred family members and friends were on hand Saturday to see the induction of the 82 former athletes, seven coaches and 18 championship teams into the first class of the Fillmore High Sports Hall of Fame. Those in attendance were treated to a tour of the newly designed Hall of Fame room in the Science Building, which now displays individual pictures of all the 82 recipients as well as of the coaches and the championship teams. Following the tour, the guests were treated to a buffet dinner put on by El Pescador restaurant and then on to the high school gym where the presentations were made.

Although it was a very long evening, everyone agreed it w4s well worth the wait to see everyone inducted. Each inductee was presented with a plaque and a Hall of Fame blazer as resumes of their athletic achievements were read by the five committee members. The championship teams that were inducted were the 1914 baseball team, which was the first championship team from Fillmore High, the 1926 basketball team, 1936 football team, 1940 basketball team, 1945 football, 1946 basketball, 1952 basketball, 1953 basketball, 1970 football, 1975 baseball, 1976 baseball, 1977 baseball, 1977 football, 1988 baseball, 1990 boy's cross country, 1991 girl's cross country and 2005 boy's soccer.

The coaches that were inducted were Mr. J. Wm. Gastrich, who started all the athletic programs at Fillmore High and also was the coach of all the teams. Mr. Eugene "Red" Kennedy who coached many championship teams from the 1920's to 1946, Richard "Toolie" Palmer, who was also inducted as a player, Jim Fauver, Bruce Dempsey, Tom Ecklund and Epi Torres, who also was inducted as an athlete. Many of the inductees commented on how much they appreciated what these coaches did for them while playing at Fillmore High.

Former athletes who were honored came from the class of 1915 with Mr. Harold Mayhew, who was on the championship baseball team down through the next eight decades. The names of all inductees at this year's Hall of Fame ceremony can be found on the NEWS page of the Fillmore High Alumni website at www.fillmorehighalumni.com.

Another Hall of Fame ceremony is planned for 2011 and an announcement of the availability of applications for consideration to the Hall of Fame will be sent out after January 1. Those who applied this year, but were not selected will be automatically considered for next year.

It’s time again for the 2010 Annual Fillmore Christmas Parade sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

On Saturday December 4th at 1:00 PM the parade will proceed south on Central Ave. from Second Street to Santa Clara Street.

The parade route will be posted with “No Parking Signs” from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM the day of the parade. The Lions Club requests the cooperation and patience of Fillmore residents for this event to ensure the safety of all involved.

The Parade is open to all groups or persons wanting to celebrate the season with a “themed” entry. Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce Office, Lobby of City Hall or by contacting Bob Klittich, Parade Chairperson at 524-1224, or Klittich@gmail.com.

There is no cost to enter the parade. Parade check-in is at 11:30 AM on Second Street, in front of the Memorial building.

This is the 10th year the Lions Club has sponsored the Annual Fillmore Christmas Parade. The Fillmore Lions Club’s continues to sponsor the parade in honor of long time member, the late Henry “Hank” Carrillo. Hank urged the Club to assume the responsibility of the parade when it was in danger of losing sponsorship.

Santa Clause is expected to be in Fillmore to wish all a Merry Christmas in time for the Parade. Immediately after the parade Santa will be available for pictures, (if you bring your own camera), at the Fillmore Museum, near the train station.

See you all on December 4th!
Bob Klittich,
Annual Christmas Parade Chairperson
Fillmore Lions Club

Do you want to invest in your community’s youth without spending a dime? While accepting donations of many sorts, the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley has recently begun raising funds by collecting used inkjet and laser/toner cartridges from printers, fax machines, and copiers. Through partnership with an Ojai based company called eCycle, cartridges sold for recycling raise $0.25-$6.00 each depending on type. The Club is also collecting all models of used cell phones and MP3 players for wide ranging prices of up to $85.00 per model. Cartridges should be undamaged and not previously refilled. Phones should be undamaged, including unbroken LCD screens and bodies.

Cartridges, phones, and MP3 players can be dropped off at the Santa Paula (1400 E Harvard Blvd) or Fillmore (565 First St.) locations of Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, or shipped to PO Box 152, Santa Paula, CA 93061-0152. The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization focused on helping children reach their greatest potential. Please call (805)525-7910 for more information.

Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee, is, once again, sponsoring the Fillmore Flower Show because of all the positive comments & enthusiastic community participation. The show will be held on April 16-17, 2011. It will be at the Fillmore Senior Center, located at 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, California, 93015. The event is open to the public both days from 1:00pm-4:00pm and it is still FREE.

Last year, we had the historical scrapbook loaned from the Fillmore Historical Museum with newspaper articles and photographs beginning in 1925 set up for people to enjoy. Many exclamations were heard, as former community members relived memories as they looked through the book.

After the show, Linda Nunes took notes from the book and learned much about the Flower Show legacy. Some of the highlights follow:

1926 Piru Grammar School won first prize with a rainbow of flowers ending in a pot of golden California poppies.
1930 The show had the largest crowd in history and displays even included water plants & gold fish by Willet Hiller.

1962 The youth division theme will be “Nursery Rhymes in Flowers” with music provided by William Knight. Commercial exhibits will be included this year.

1964 The flower show committee has banned sunflowers, morning glories, Indian Paint Brush, Bleeding Hearts & Dutchman’s Britches from show entries. (A humorous article about Pampas Grass & Cattails winning prizes was written for the local newspaper & preserved in the scrapbook.) Hand painted crafts as well as art works will be displayed in the show.

This year workshops open to the public are being planned to get you enthused about preparing your flowers for show entry and will be announced after plans are completed. The time and date specifics for these workshops and events will be presented in news articles to follow.

Announcing the Book Drive for the Kids of Piru. Their goal is 2000 books. Currently they have 1000. The books will be handed out at the Piru Christmas Parade on December 11. Contact the Fillmore Police Station at 524-2233 for drop-off information.

Santa Clara Valley Hospice
Home Support Group Inc.

A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life” Tree at the Fillmore Plaza, 251 Central Ave., Fillmore, CA. Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 5:00 PM. These names were received November 3 - 10, 2010

IN MEMORY OF:
Sandy Everhart
All past members Fillmore
Women’s Service Club
Robert J. Hoy
Lucian Meyers
Eric (Rick) Godfrey
Bret Godfrey
Vena Godfrey
Louis Meehl
Grace Meehl
Terry Meehl
Kathy Black
Nadine Randall
Dale Hutchins
LaRue Hays
Beverly Penrod
George Penrod
Joy Rogers
Cleo Chilikas
Mary Bamman
Jo Anne Bamman
Pat Bamman
Bill Bamman
Mary Ann Alvarez
John Chapman Morris
IN HONOR OF:
Cathy Barringer
Maiya & Bill Huerra

A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life” Tree at the Piru Center Street Park. Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 5:30 PM. These names were received from Piru, November 3 - 10, 2010

IN MEMORY OF:
Ron Strawn
Lola Alcozar
Greg Alcozar
Ronnie Alcozar

Piru Reading List:
These names were received from Piru, October 27 to November 3, 2010
IN MEMORY OF:
Paul A. Perez
Delia Hernandez
Nana Lucy Gonzales
Dino Lovato
Grandpa Zeke Hernandez
Bill Bishop
Melinda Bishop
Mae & Morris King
Josie Bishop

These names were received from Piru, November 3 - 10, 2010
IN MEMORY OF:
Ron Strawn
Lola Alcozar
Greg Alcozar
Ronnie Alcozar

These names were received from Piru, November 10 - 15, 2010
IN MEMORY OF:
Raymond Valenzuela
Barbara K. Ponce
Ignatio & Amanda Ortega
Anthony Golson S.R.
Lee & Ramona Golson
“Baby Lee” Golson
Jimmy Nunez Ruiz
Lonnie Kenneth Ruiz
Julio Alcantar
Vanda Roberts
Susana Sanchez
Ricardo Rangel
Justin Anthony Torres
Arnulfo Sanchez
Guadalupe Rangel

About Hospice of Santa Clara Valley
Hospice of Santa Clara valley was started in 1980 and is non-profit corporation serving Santa Paula, Fillmore, Saticoy and Piru. All funds raised remain in the communities served. All services are without charge and it is a Volunteer Hospice.

Hospice provides for the psychological and spiritual needs of those with life-limiting illness, and their families. Hospice goals are to maintain the patient in their home and pain free.

Everyone in this geographical area is eligible for Hospice services, which include practical and emotional support, nursing in cooperation with medical model Hospices, counseling, social services, chaplain, if desired, and trained volunteers to assist with respite care, medical transportation, medical equipment loan, or whatever is helpful to the family.

Hey! There’s a great Yoga class for all Fillmore Middle School and High School students AND IT’S FREE. It’s at Fillmore’s Health and Wellness Center, 448 Santa Clara St, Fillmore on THURSDAYS from 5-6 p.m. Come learn to stretch and improve balance and strength; great for athlete & non -athlete alike! Don’t eat just before coming, and take off your shoes at the door. Professional athletes of all kinds use Yoga to feel better and increase performance. Try yoga.

In observance of Thanksgiving Day, the employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal are taking the day off on Thursday, Nov. 25. As a result, Fillmore residential customers will have their trash and recyclables collected a day later than normal, on Saturday, Nov. 27.

The regular Friday schedule will resume the following week.

For more information, call 647-1414.

The Humane Society of Ventura County will hold its 27th annual “Santa Paws” fund-raiser during the first two Sundays in December where pets – along with their families – can have their pictures taken with Santa.

The first “Santa Paws” event will be held Dec. 5 at the Ventura Beach Marriott Hotel, 2055 East Harbor Boulevard, Ventura. The second is set for Dec. 12 at the Humane Society of Ventura County’s shelter at 402 Bryant Street in Ojai. Both will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The cost is $20 for one 4 x 6 photo, but for an addition donation of $10 or more, families can have a compact disc containing all the digital photos taken of them. Photos and CDs will be mailed or persons can pick them up at the shelter. They will not be processed that same day.

Greg Cooper, a professional photographer who also teaches at the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, is the photographer.

“It is so entertaining to watch Jolene Hoffman, our shelter director, inter-act with the animals to get that ‘perfect photo,” said Sherry Brockus, HSVC’s executive director. “She saves her ‘squeaky voice’ all year to use with Santa. A great time is had by all.”

Parking at the Marriott hotel will be validated and will be free for Santa Paws participants.

Proceeds go to the care of animals at the HSVC’s shelter. Information: 646-6505 or 656-5031.

FFA students participating in a workshop.
Enlarge Photo

Each April, California FFA members elect six outstanding individuals to represent them as California’s state officers. The officers have various duties, one of which includes traveling throughout California to visit High School FFA Chapters giving leadership and educational workshops. On Sunday October 31st, Lindsey Anderson, State Vice- President, and Jessica Vazquez, State Reporter, arrived in Fillmore to visit our chapter.

Lindsey is a 2010 graduate from Escalon, CA, where she participated in CDE’s like parliamentary procedure, job interviews, and Ag sales. Her SAE projects were swine and she was an Agriscience National Winner. Lindsey held FFA officer positions of Secretary and President in her Chapter, as well as Vice-President in the Delta-Cal Section. Lindsey’s favorite aspects of FFA are the opportunities it offers students and she believes the organization can change members lives. I asked Lindsey what influenced her to become an FFA member. She explained that her parents were FFA members in High School, and that they got her interested in the organization.

Jessica Vazquez likes how diverse FFA is and how it can reach so many students from different backgrounds. Jessica, whose father is an Ag Teacher, graduated in 2010 and is from Cottonwood, California. She was active as Chapter Reporter, Secretary and President. She also was a Regional Reporter and President. Jessica enjoyed SAE swine, lamb and steer projects and her CDE’s included fruit tree judging, Ag issues and prepared public speaking. Jessica’s parliamentary procedure team was 2nd in the Nation. When asked why she ran for state office, Jessica said she wanted the opportunity to positively impact students’ lives.

The evening started with Mr. Ricards and the chapter officers taking Lindsey and Jessica to dinner and then to the Haunted House at the School Farm. We were joined at the farm by Santa Paula FFA Chapter Officers and their visiting officers Casey Erickson, State Sentinel, and Jacquelynne Garcia, State Secretary. On Monday, the Ag Careers and Technology class enjoyed a workshop taught by the state officers that included making butter and games to encourage communication. The remaining Ag classes participated in a workshop that explored Ag careers and educational pathways. While in Fillmore, the state officers were able to take a tour of Beylik Farms. Beylik Farms is a family business that produces hydroponicaly grown tomatoes, cucumbers and other produce. The state officers said they were impressed at the technology and the process used to grow the produce. The state officers were then taken to the Fillmore Unified School District office to meet District Superintendent Mr. Jeff Sweeney and Assistant Superintendent Mr. Mike Bush.

The state officers visit was a great experience. It was impressive to watch them interact with students in the classroom and watch how they represented FFA while visiting our community. Fillmore FFA Chapter would like to thank Lindsey Anderson and Jessica Vazquez for visiting our chapter and being great mentors for each FFA member.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

Council Forum: Cost of new water recycling plant sparks comments

By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula City Council
Published: October 15, 2010 – Used by Permission

Santa Paula voters heard different takes on the cost of the city’s new water recycling plant from City Council candidates at the October 5 League of Women Voters Ventura County Forum held at the Community Center. On the panel were council incumbents Ralph Fernandez and Bob Gonzales, who are seeking their second four-year terms, former councilman Rick Cook, who served two terms before losing his bid for a third in 2006, and newcomers Duane Ashby and Rita Stafford.

Moderator David Maron asked the written questions submitted by audience members, and he noted he had several concerning true costs of the new water recycling plant. Specifically, candidates were asked for a breakdown of the $500,000 payment the city is now paying Santa Paula Water, the partnership formed by PERC and Alinda Capital that designed, built, operates and financed the $58 million facility, the first DBOF plant in the state.

Citizens will see their sewer bills climb to about $77 a month starting in November, after several rates increases. City users were paying approximately $42 a month into 2009.

Stafford noted it is “essential to go back where it all started,” and the bidding process might not have been as extensive as it should have been. “I don’t know how this came about, but it seems to me it would not have gotten to this point it at its inception if it had been taken care of very carefully.” And, Stafford said, she understands “another bill is coming through for the same project.”

Ashby said citizens must CONTINUED »