This past week, Fillmore FFA held their annual Buyer’s Banquet on Thursday evening at the School Farm. The Buyer’s Banquet is a gesture of appreciation for all the wonderful support the buyer’s gave the members at fair. The barn looked festive decorated with hay bales, white roses and the tables covered in blue and gold. The banquet was called to order by Madam President Riley Wright, ‘11, at which time Mr. Vice President Robbie Armstrong, ‘11, called the roll of officers and determined that the officers were at their stations. All the while Sentinel Brandon Pina, ‘12, stationed by the door, welcomed guests and made sure the room was comfortable. Reporter Brooke Aguirre, ‘13, gave the invocation before dinner. Guests and members enjoyed a wonderful tri-tip and chicken BBQ dinner, with side dishes and desserts provided by the FFA members. During dinner, guests were entertained by a slideshow of FFA activities produced by Secretary Ashley Jackson, ‘11. After dinner, Booster member Alishia Duncan presented belt buckles to Anthony Perez, ’12 and Craig Harvey, ’12, for their accomplishments with their SAE swine projects. This was followed by the acknowledgment of buyers. President Riley Wright called up each member with their buyers. At which time Vice President Robbie Armstrong and Treasurer Alexus Galassi-Duncan, ’13, gave each buyer a picture of the FFA member and animal they had purchased. President Riley Wright lead the guests and members in the salute to the flag and the banquet was adjourned. Special thank you to Otto and Sons for the roses, El Pescador for the rice and salsa, Sandy Gurrola for the chili beans and the Fillmore FFA Booster Club for the tri-tip and chicken. On behalf of the Fillmore Chapter, I’d like to thank the buyers once again for their generous support and taking the time to attend our 2010 Buyer’s Banquet.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

Thank you to all who helped at the car wash: The Fillmore High School band members would like to THANK everyone who made last Saturday car wash a HUGH success!! Thank you Alynette and all the DJ’s from Q-104.7 for broadcasting our event on radio. Thank you Super A Food for allowing us the parking lot area Thank you Jiffy Lube for providing us with water. And last Thank You parents for being there with all your HELP and SUPPORT!
From The High School Band.

Fillmore will be hosting its very own Farmers’ Market this Friday, September 3rd, from 3-7pm. The market will be located on Main Street and Central Ave.

Over 50% of the participating farmers are from Fillmore or nearby surrounding areas (such as Piru). Both local merchants, residents and participating farmers are very excited about the start of this market. The Farmers’ Market will not only help bring more foot traffic to Central Ave., it will also support the growing “green” movement to shop and eat local. Shopping local means less gas, and supporting local growers, which is a win win for everybody. The first market will boast 10-12 vendors selling tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, melons, stone fruit (nectarines, peaches), honey, apples, berries, baked goods, flowers, nursery plants, and eggs.

The market will be rain or shine. Bring a blanket and have a picnic with the family on City Hall Park. And stay until dusk to watch a screening of “Horton Hears a Who.” Fillmore Fridays is just getting better.

Courtesy Mary Trimble.

Fillmore’s Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee, has launched what we hope will be a very successful fundraiser effort to keep our Flower Show going, year after year. We have created beautiful succulent wreaths and succulent baskets which are being sold at The Loose Caboose in a cooperative venture that we think will be a win-win situation.

If you haven’t stopped at The Loose Caboose, on the south side of Highway 126, right before the railroad tracks, as you near Santa Paula, you will be amazed at all the changes and unique products as well as fresh local grown fruit and vegetables.

Please support the Fillmore Flower Show and make a stop at The Loose Caboose to see what volunteers with “civic pride attitude” are willing to do for their city’s enhancement!

Come learn about our wonderful museum, Saturday, September 11th and 18th, 9:30 to noon and find your "camulos niche"...tours, school tours, historical research, gardening, fundraising, maintenance and restoration...and volunteer opportunities such as our Ramona Days event, November 6, abound at the rancho!! Please reserve your spot by September 9th . Contact Hillary via e-mail or phone, garyhill8@msn.com / 805-832-9435 for training information and reservations. Visit www.ranchocamulos.org to find our more about Rancho Camulos...where the history, myth, and romance of old California still linger...

If you want your Labor Day to be free of labor, at least for Fun, Food and Entertainment than Piru Fest is your “E” ticket ride. All you need to do is take a short drive though the scenic Heritage Valley to arrive at beautiful historic down town Piru. Your ears might be the first to tell you that you have arrived when they delight to velvety smooth harmonics of Danny Torres and the Piru River Band and DJ Galindo. Next your sense of smell will backup what your ears were saying, when your nose picks up on the aroma of all the great food cooking. Yours eyes will be the final confirmation when they behold all the hometown style sights that our annual PiruFest has to offer. Since it all kicks off at High Noon we expect you might arrive hungry. So just as soon you hitch your wagon and tie off your horses you'll probably want to check these good folks out right off the bat. Poncho's Mexican Restaurant, Elva’s Tri Tip & BBQ Chicken' U Scream Ice-cream Hotdogs, Pastrami sandwiches too, Piru-Railway Cafe, Adrianna's Tamales & Carne Asada. After you've bellied up for chow you may want to walk it off some. Well what better way to that than to stroll past all of our Art & Crafts booths like, Ray's Classic Citrus Labels, Fillmore Band uniforms fundraiser, Christy's Cookie Lee Jewelry, PiruFest & Piru Tee-Shirts, Louie’s Model car dude just to name a few. Once that's done you might want try your hand at a friendly round of horseshoes and win anyone of the top three cash prizes or some of our other activities, but save a little energy for later to kick up a little dust on the dance floor. However you choose to take in our annual PiruFest we're just glad to share it with yall, YeeeeHaaaa! We'll see ya there partner!

Event will honor firefighters.

Ventura – On Saturday, September 11, 2010 at noon, a special “American Flag Retirement Ceremony” will be held at the new Veterans Home of California in Ventura, located at 10900 Telephone Road, Ventura (at Wells Road) to properly dispose of worn and tattered American Flags – those that have served well and are deemed no longer serviceable. “As part of this moving ceremony, we will be honoring the brave men and women who lost their lives on 9-11-2001 at the World Trade Center, and those brave men and women who continue to protect us daily,” said Brenda Manke, Administrator, Veterans Home of California—Ventura.

Tracy Lehr, anchorwoman for KEYT Channel 3 will serve as Master of Ceremonies and Ventura County Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Nester will be the guest speaker.

The American Flag is the most displayed and recognized banner in the world. The United States Flag Code states: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way…” And this historical event, sponsored by American Veterans Flagpoles and Flag Company and the Boy Scouts of America, is for the whole family to observe and see how the country’s Symbol of Freedom is correctly retired.

This is an educational, family event, free of charge and open to the public. It is a learning experience for children and adults alike. Members of the Boy Scouts of America have been very involved with this effort. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies and their families are all encouraged to attend in their uniforms to participate or be guests of this memorable experience. “I encourage everyone -- Veterans and their family members, members of the Armed Forces and their family members, Veteran Service Organizations, firefighters and their families, the law enforcement community and the public -- to join us at this moving ceremony,” added Manke. “We are very proud to be continuing this tradition at the Veterans Home of California – Ventura.”

To have your flag picked up and replaced for the American Flag Retirement Ceremony, please call the American Veterans Flagpoles and Flag Company at 805-647-3524 or email paul@AmericanVetFlagpoles.com. In addition, the County of Ventura has placed Flag Collection Boxes at the County Government Center located at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura. For more information, please call 805-659-7501.

Robert Cantu

Robert Cantu, Enrolled Agent (EA) has earned the prestigious Fellow designation from the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) for completing the three levels of the National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI®). This achievement demonstrates Robert Cantu, EA’s dedication to protecting taxpayer rights and attests to his expertise in tax.

Fellows of NAEA's National Tax Practice Institute have completed a demanding three-part curriculum that has uniquely prepared them to effectively represent their clients before all administrative levels of the IRS. Having successfully completed coursework covering all variances of examinations, audits, collections and appeals, and having studied best practices and role-playing, Fellows know the entire process from both the client and IRS perspectives. While earning the EA license denotes competence and the right to represent taxpayers, Fellows have made the commitment to a higher level of knowledge and excellence which further sets them apart. The course, open only to licensed tax professionals, was developed to prepare licensed representatives to protect their clients’ rights by disseminating the most recent information about IRS laws and procedures critical to representation.

In service since 1980, Robert Cantu EA provides top quality and reasonably priced tax preparation, planning and representation services to individuals and small businesses. He is open year round and can be reached at 805-525-8895 or via www.cantutax.com.

Fillmore, CA. - Community Memorial Health System’s Healthy Women’s Program is hosting a Community Outreach Day which offers free mammograms and healthcare education to the first 35 women who qualify. This event will take place at the Center for Family Health in Fillmore on Saturday, Sept. 25.

The women will arrive early at the CFH office located at 852 Ventura Street where they will be transported to The Breast Center at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, and then back to the Centers office.

In 2009, an estimated 194,280 new cases of breast cancer occurred in the United States, and early detection and awareness is the key to fighting this life-threatening disease. The Healthy Women’s Program provided through Community Memorial Health System benefits women in the community who are uninsured, under-insured or lack funds to pay for mammograms and follow-up treatment, if necessary.

“These women have nowhere else in the county to go to get these services; that’s why they come to us,” said Petra Luna, education manager for Centers for Family Health.

The Healthy Women’s Program is made possible through funds raised by the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s annual Gold Dust Gala, along with the generous support of the Wallis Foundation.

To find out if you qualify for this program, call 805/651-2661. For more information on the Healthy Women’s Program visit www.cmhshealth.org/healthywomen.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and nine family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Camarillo Police Department’s Traffic Bureau would like to remind all drivers that school will be back in session starting tomorrow and that drivers need to slow down and drive carefully. The Pleasant Valley School District and the Oxnard Union High School District, which includes Adolfo Camarillo High School, will begin Wednesday, September 1, 2010.

Due to this busy time of year and students traveling to and from school, drivers are urged to slow down and watch for school children. The Camarillo Police Department’s Traffic Unit, Patrol Officers, and Community Resource Officers, including School Resource Officers (S.R.O.), will be conducting extra patrols at all schools in the city. Police officers enforce traffic violations in the interest of public safety. Officers will be watching for speeders, drivers on cell phones, seatbelts, as well as all other violations.

It is a critical safety issue that vehicles do not park in designated no parking areas, especially in and around a school. Additionally, parents are advised not to block city streets waiting to get into school parking lots. This is a violation of law and can be a traffic hazard for school children, as well as blocking or slowing emergency vehicles trying to get to the school or through the area. Historically and quite unfortunately, police officers have observed many of the violators around the schools tend to be the parents of the school children. A common causative factor for an unsafe traffic maneuver or illegal parking situation is often attributed to the parent “running late.” We strongly recommend that parents give themselves plenty of time when leaving their house to safely drop off or pick up their child. The extra enforcement will continue for several weeks into the new school year. Please slow-down and drive carefully!

Location: City of Camarillo
Date: 8-31-2010 Unit Responsible: Camarillo Traffic Bureau
Officer Preparing Release & Follow-up Contact:
Harold Hanley, Public Information Officer (P.I.O.)
Date of Release: 08/31/10
Approved By: Captain Monica McGrath

The Humane Society of Ventura County will hold its fourth annual fund-raiser on Sunday, Sept. 12. Proceeds go to the private nonprofit organization’s animal shelter in Ojai.

The “Cats in the Canyon & Hounds in the Hollow” event, which will feature an Italian buffet, music by the Iron Mountain Boys blue grass band and a silent auction, will run from 2 to 5 p.m. at Boccali’s Restaurant at 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road in Ojai.

Silent auction prizes include: a seven-night stay in Hawaii, Channel Islands excursions courtesy of Island Packers, two airline tickets provided Alaska Airlines and two tickets to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Attendees also will get a chance to visit with animals from the shelter.

Tickets purchased in advance are $40 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Tickets bought on site will be $50 and $25, respectively.

HSVC receives no direct financial assistance from city, county, state agencies or national animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Fundraising events, grants, bequests, investments and donations are its only sources of income. For tickets or more information, call Volunteer Coordinator Kate Nelson or shelter staff at 646-6505.

Hello Alumni! The F.H.S. Alumni Association is producing a DVD documentary film of the Fillmore/Santa Paula Football Series. On November 12th, 2010, the Flashes will host the visiting Cardinals from Santa Paula, and the meeting will mark the 100th time the two teams will meet on the gridiron. This is the oldest High School Football series in Ventura County, and one of the oldest rivalry’s in the state of California. Interviews, and stories along with old game films are being compiled to make this DVD. The DVD will be available this November, 2010, but you may want to order now before they run out. A limited number of DVDs will be made. The cost of the DVD is $25.00. (packaged and mailed directly to you) or $20.00 if you wish to pick up at the Alumni office in Fillmore. (Note: Alumni office is opened Mon. Wed. & Fri. from 9:00am to 11:00am). To Guarantee your copies, please call the Alumni Association at 524-0416. (You will be billed later). If no one answers, clearly leave your name and phone number and number of DVDs you want and someone will be sure to call you back to confirm your order. Each week, the Alumni section will feature a short story from a participant of the rivalry. This week we feature the 1945 Flashes Football Team, Ventura County Champs. That year, the Flashes brought home the bacon by winning the Championship under the leadership of Coach Eugene Kennedy. Only one out of seven games was lost all season, and that was to the powerful Santa Barbara Dons. Fillmore played Santa Paula twice that year and beat them both times. The first time the Flashes won 27-6; The second time they met the Flashes won, 14-0.

The week before fair FFA member Alexus Galassi-Duncan was given some wonderful news. Her heifer, Talula, is with calf! Veterinarian, Dr. Richard of Somis, confirmed Talula’s pregnancy with an ultrasound. Alexus was overwhelmed with emotion as she was able to see the tiny calf’s rib cage and heart beat.

Last October, Alexus purchased Talula for her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) heifer breeding project. Talula an Angus Maine Cross, was six months old when Alexus bought her from breeder Donita Mullins at Six Flat Ranch in Santa Paula. When Talula reached thirteen months of age, Alexus took her to stay at Mr. Bob Powers’ ranch in Lockwood Valley. Talula stayed at Mr. Power’s ranch for a month and a half and was bred by his Allie bull, RJ. The gestation period for a heifer is nine months, putting Talula’s due date somewhere in late March to early April. When asked what she hopes the gender of the calf will be, Alexus says she would like a bull calf. Her plan is to take the bull calf as a steer to the 2012 Ventura County Fair. That steer would qualify to participate in the County Bred and Fed competition at fair. Not many steers at the Ventura County Fair are from Ventura County. Most are from outside the county or even the state. To be able to say your steer is bred and fed in Ventura County is quite an accomplishment. After having the calf, Alexus plans to keep Talula and some day start her own breeding business. This past fair, Alexus placed 1st overall in Advanced Bred Heifer Showmanship with Talula. On behalf of the Fillmore FFA congratulations to Alexus and Talula! We eagerly await the new addition to the school farm.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

The Flashbacks were sent out last Friday, thanks to the hard work of Joyce Basolo, Linda Durand, Maxine Merry, Jane Johnson, Joleen Stethem, Em Wendel and Ellyn Mosbarger, and all paid up members should have already received their copy. If not, please call the alumni office, 524-0416.

The alumni board met Monday, August 16, and the main topic of discussion was the DVD of the 99 game history of the Fillmore/SantaPaula football rivalry. Interviews are still being made by Isaac Reyes, who is putting the DVD together, along with film clips of some of the memorable Fillmore/Santa Paula football games. Isaac is putting together a two to three minute "teaser" on Facebook so you can see what the DVD will be like. When this is available, a notice will appear in this column and on the alumni website. Pre-orders are now being taken for the DVD--$20 if you pick it up at the alumni office or at the 100th football game on Friday, November 12, or $25 if it is shipped to you. The completed DVD will be available after November 1, so please get your orders in now so you will be assured of having one.

A recap of the alumni dinner that was held on June 12 was made, and all agreed that it was one of the best that the alumni has put on. Plans are already being made for next year's dinner on June 4. Note the earlier date and please put it on your calendar.

It was moved, seconded and passed that we need to reframe the class pictures that are on display at each alumni dinner, as they are beginning to fall apart. Most of these frames were assembled 20 years ago and they are beginning to show some wear and tear.

The alumni board will begin to contact alumni members who are not subscribers to the alumni newsletter, Flashbacks, or are not Life Members, to encourage them to become at least subscribers, as this helps support the many activities in which the alumni is involved.

The board of directors will work towards informing the seniors at Fillmore High about the alumni association and what it does for graduates of F.H.S. and to encourage them to keep the alumni office apprised of any address changes. This is very important to keep the alumni files up to date. Information will be passed out during Career Day at the high school, and when Mark talks to the seniors regarding alumni scholarships in January.

The Fillmore High Sports Hall of Fame committee has completed its review of over 200 applications and has selected 80 of the top athletes from the past 96 years of Fillmore High School athletics programs. These athletes, along with six coaches and the outstanding athletic teams of Fillmore High will be recognized and inducted into the first class of the Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 13, the evening after the 100th football game.

Master of Ceremony’s – City of Oxnard, Asst. Chief Scott Whitney

Oxnard, CA – The 4th annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims in Ventura County will be on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at Plaza Park - Oxnard. On this day we as a community will join together to pay tribute to the hundreds of people who have been murdered; killed by a drunk driver or killed in War. This day publically recognizes the tremendous loss endured by surviving families and friends. The event will consist of a pre-ceremony dove release at 5:30PM, followed by the ceremony which will include guest speakers, slide show, music and Vigil. There will also be table’s set-up for families whose loved ones have not had justice. If your loved ones murderer has not been arrested it is an opportunity to place flyers, wanted posters or information on their murder and bring attention to their unsolved case.

Anyone interested in including their loved one in this ceremony may contact the Ventura County Chapter Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. at (805) 236-8130. To include your loved one’s picture in the Slide Show, Murder Wall and to RSVP for the event, you must contact us no later than Wednesday, September 15th. Seating is limited.

Local photographer, Charles Morris, has won recognition for his photography from the Channel Islands Professional Photography Association (CIPPA). CIPPA is an affiliate of Professional Photographers of California. Charles won a merit and Best in Class – High School Senior Portrait for his print “Senior Glamour” at the competition held earlier this month. Senior Glamour featured FHS High School senior Chloe Keller.

Professional photography competition at the local level has three judges who evaluate each entry on specific criteria, without knowing who the maker of the image is. Prints can earn up to 100 points. If a print receives 80 points, it receives a merit. Typically only about 1 out of 4 or 5 prints receives a merit in a competition. Often prints that are merit winners are submitted to state and national competitions.

Professional photography competitions are used by photographers to hone their skills and allows them to evaluate their work in comparison to other top photographers in the area.

Principal photographers at KSSP are Carmelita Miranda and Charles Morris. KSSP is a full service photography studio specializing in portrait, wedding and quinceanera photography (and video). KSSP Photographic Studios is the school photographer for Fillmore High School, but photographs high school seniors from all over Ventura County. For further information, please contact KSSP Photographic Studios at 524-6400 or visit http://ksspphotostudios.com.