Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) issued the following statement commending passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 2156, legislation she co-sponsored that will establish a memorial for the 1928 Saint Francis Dam disaster:

“The collapse of the Saint Francis Dam was one of the most catastrophic tragedies in our state’s history — second only to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. This major historical event has remained in obscurity for far too long. From the victims who sadly lost their lives to the heroic telephone operators and California Highway Patrol officers who tried to warn residents of the rushing waters, this memorial will commemorate the stories of local residents for many generations to come. I am pleased the House has passed this bipartisan bill to recognize an important part of our history, and I look forward to working with Congressman Knight, as well as Senators Feinstein and Harris to see its passage through the Senate and ultimately ensure that this bill becomes law.”

Congratulations to Ralph and Lorena Jimenez on being named the June 2017 Yard of the Month. Their beautiful green tropical oasis features King, Queen and Pickling palms along with Banana trees and Tulips. They have three children, Matthew (attending UC Merced), Nick and Sophia. The Jimenez family was presented with a gift certificate for Otto & Sons Nursery. The house is located at 898 Union Pacific St. If you would like to nominate a yard in your neighborhood or have questions about Fillmore Civic Pride please contact Ari Larson at petenari55@hotmail.com or 805.794.7590.

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, is kicking off the Plug-in Electric Vehicle Rebate Program to encourage Ventura County residents to choose lower emission vehicles. This program has been funded at $226,946 from the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Clean Air Fund, which was formed in 1992 from a $1.5 million donation from 3M. This rebate program was approved by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board on June 20, 2017.

This rebate program will incentivize the purchase or lease of 140 plug-in Model Year 2017 or newer electric vehicles in the county, with vouchers worth either $1,100 for plug-in hybrids or $2,200 for battery electric vehicles. Electric vehicles qualifying for the Ventura County rebate include all those listed on the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project website (www.cleanvehiclerebate.org) except hydrogen-powered vehicles and electric motorcycles. The California income limits will not apply to the Ventura County rebate program. Instead, rebates will be limited to those vehicles with a base MSRP of no more than $75,000.

According to Michael Villegas, Ventura County Air Pollution Control Officer, “This program will effectively reduce air pollution emissions and save consumers up to $2,200 in addition to any available state and federal incentives.”

Ventura County residents thinking about purchasing a new vehicle should consider the many advantages of a plug-in electric vehicle in addition to helping to protect our air quality.

Reservations for rebates are required to insure availability. However, the reservations will expire eight weeks from the date of issuance. The rebate process is fully explained, and application forms are available, on the APCD website, http://vcapcd.org/index.htm#EVVoucher or by contacting Stan Cowen at the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District at 805/645-1408 or stan@vcapcd.org.

The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) is a charitable foundation committed to promoting and enabling philanthropy, building long term capital to benefit Ventura County. Its four primary roles are to be a careful steward of the funds entrusted to its care, a long term partner dedicated to donor intent, an effective grantmaker focusing on the needs of nonprofits and of the community, and a community Leader and convener, focusing on the common good.

The Fillmore Women's Service Club held their Installation Dinner at the Genmai Japanese Restaurant on Central Avenue. A good time was had by all and our thanks to Genmai for the good food and service in making this a wonderful evening.

Susan Banks, outgoing President was presented with a gift and a beautiful scrap book depicting articles and photos of the 2016-2017 year. Susan thanked the club for their hard work and support of all the projects completed and for all the good ideas for the future.

Pam Smith conducted the installation of the new board of officers. Danielle Quintana, President, Mimi Burns, First Vice, Charmaine Delgado, 2nd Vice, Fundraising, Kelly Towry, 3rd Vice, Membership, Taurie Banks, 4th Vice, Youth, Pam Smith, Recording Secretary, Kristie Neal Corresponding Secretary, Susan Banks, Parliamentarian. and Marilyn Griffin, Secretary.

The Fillmore Women's Service Club is starting a Young Women's Group, open to girls 14 to 21. The program will include volunteer work, guest speakers, and building general self esteem. Any girl wishing to join can contact Taurie at 551-9244.

The Club will be having the Fireworks Booth fund raiser, west of Saint Franics Church in the Dollar General Parking lot. (look the the pink signs). Please support our scholarships and community service.

Any woman, 21 years of age or order are welcome to come visit us, and help make a difference to the lives of people in our community.

The Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru would like to welcome the community to come participate in a series of forums over this summer for the Fillmore-Piru communities to learn more about the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.

Over the Summer we will be hosting three community forums: free and open to anyone!

1. Hotel Partnerships- June 19th, 2017

2. National Cancer Information Center/ Cancer.org- July 24th, 2017

3. Survivor Speaker Kymmer Crookston- August 21st, 2017

All forums will begin promptly at 7pm and will end around 8pm at the Active Adult Center in Fillmore. (533 Santa Clara St, Fillmore CA)

On June 19th, the American Cancer Society representative Caitlin Barringer will be speaking on our local hotel partnership agreement with Brighton Management. Where local hotels partner with the American Cancer Society by providing complimentary rooms for visiting cancer patients utilizing our incredible local doctors, hospitals, and treatment centers. We will discuss qualifications, and how to use these services.

American Cancer Society would like to give a special thanks to the following hotel management firm and hotels for joining us in the fight against cancer and providing one less thing that a patient needs to worry about! Brighton Management, Ventura Beach Marriott, Sheraton Four Points Ventura Harbor, Holiday Inn Express Ventura Harbor, Courtyard Oxnard, Residence Inn Oxnard, Holiday Inn Express Port Hueneme, Hampton Inn Channel Islands.

Relay for life of Fillmore-Piru will be happening September 23rd-24th, 2017 from 9am-9am at Shiells Park in Fillmore. For more information on the Relay for life of Fillmore-Piru, please visit www.relayforlife.org/fillmoreca, or contact Caitlin Barringer (805)644-4237.

Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru will also be holding their first ever corn hole tournament at the Relay for Life event; from 12pm-5pm Saturday September 23rd. For more questions or to register please email Charissa McLain at charissa.mclain@gmail.com. First place prize will be (4) Southwest One Way Domestic Flight E-Passes.

Vern Freeman Diversion. Photo courtesy Mike Weir.
Enlarge Photo

Santa Clara River Downstream of Freeman Diversion, Photo courtesy Nina Danza.
Enlarge Photo

Story courtesy California Trout Project

Southern steelhead need unobstructed passage throughout the length of the Santa Clara River, from the ocean to the upstream areas of tributary creeks, to complete their lifecycle and reproduce. Experts on fish and water issues will explain how much flow is needed to provide minimum depth for fish when they migrate, and how to restore passage at man-made barriers that impede fish movement, at ‘Water Talk: Designing for Fish Passage and Instream Flow’ on Jun 29, 6:30pm at Patagonia (235 W. Santa Clara Street, Ventura).

“Half of the ocean-going anadromous salmon species in California are on the road to extinction within the next 50 years,” reports Candice Meneghin, CalTrout Conservation Manager, “Our recent report SOS II: Fish in Hot Water (http://caltrout.org/sos/) reveals dams are a major problem because they disrupt the historic pattern of in stream flows as well as block fish migration.” In the Santa Clara River, operation of Pyramid and Santa Felicia Dams (on Piru Creek) and Freeman Diversion (downstream of Santa Paula on the Santa Clara River mainstem) change the timing, magnitude, duration and frequency of historical stream flows. Flow release and capture at these water utilities, especially during average or low water years, need to fit with natural rainfall occurrences so minimum in stream depth occurs for fish passage.

The first speaker at the Water Talk will be Bill Trush, Co-Director of the Humboldt State University River Institute presenting scientific results on what hydrological changes have occurred in nearby southern California Rivers and why these now threaten steelhead populations. A second speaker will be Tom Hicks, a California water law and conservation attorney with special expertise in stream flow enhancement, who will discuss water transfers and explain case studies used to increase in stream flows. The Santa Clara River Steelhead Coalition will also be showcasing their outreach video Restoring Resilience that introduces member and participant organizations, the steelhead habitat restoration actions underway on the watershed, and how this promotes connectivity from the headwaters to the ocean for steelhead recovery.

Program attendees will understand more about designing projects on the Santa Clara River for fish passage, including restoring minimum flows, locations of existing impediments that block migration, and tools and programs available to help integrate steelhead recovery into multi-benefit projects that support fish, water and people. The program is an excellent opportunity for students, residents and advocates to learn from science-based, solutions-oriented professionals involved with environmental protection and sustainability.

All Water Talks are free, open to the public and hosted by the Santa Clara River Steelhead Coalition whose mission is to protect and restore wild Southern steelhead and its habitat in the Santa Clara River watershed. The Coalition is chaired and coordinated by California Trout, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring resilient wild fish in healthy waters for a better California.

For more information contact Nina Danza, California Trout Project Coordinator at ndanza@caltrout.org.

Submitted By Rotary Club of Fillmore

The annual Heritage Valley 5k-10K Race, Fitness Walk, Fun Run was once again a success. Over 225 runners & walkers entries were received this year – up from 202. The race is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fillmore with partners Fillmore Unified School District and Santa Clara Valley Explorer Post 2958. Runners & walkers of all ages enjoyed good weather. After the race the participants, family members and friends enjoyed the sunshine on the lawn of FUSD administration waiting for final results. Booths included Clinicas Del Camino Real and Norma Moreno, massage.

Overall female winner of the 5K was Kiana Hope in 19:50.3 and overall male winner was Everado Magana in 17:22. Overall female winner of the 10K was Niza Laureano, age 10, in time of 41:52.4 and overall male winner was Oscar Orozco in 35:55.7. These winners received a gift certificate from Inside Track in Ventura and local fruit bag. Medals were presented to the top three places in each age group/gender.

Teams participated for the opportunity to win funds for their favorite charity. The first place team in the 5k was FHS Cross Country Team and second place team was Condors Youth Cross Country. The first place team in the 10K was Santa Clarita Runners. They also were the team with the most participants.

The Rotary Club of Fillmore would like to thank all of those who participated and supported this event. We’d like to thank our sponsors and supporters with special acknowledgement to our Gold, Silver & Bronze Sponsors & Fitness Fans. Gold Sponsor: Union Bank. Silver Sponsors: Gold Coast Embroidery, Bank of the Sierra, Fillmore Piru Citrus Association. Bronze Sponsors: Dick & Martha Richardson, Edward Jones Financial, Fillmore Search & Rescue, HANDS-On Consultations, Heritage Valley Blazers, Piru Petroleum Club, Quality Ag, Inc., Western Yosemite Insurance Services. Fitness Fans sponsors: Ari Larson, Diamond Reality, Aguirre Financial, and Jan Marholin.

There were many, many donations of raffle items and in-kind donations: Water Store generously donated water and ice for our water stops for runners. 7-Eleven & Sparkletts & Julie Latshaw donated bottled water. Subway donated two sandwich trays. Super A donated boxes of fruit. Ed McFadden donated fruit for runners and raffle baskets. Additional raffle donations came from: Adrian Rangel Photography, Aguirre Financial, Andy Klittich, Ari Larson, Bank of the Sierra, Bennett’s Honey Farm, Beylik Farms, Bright View Tree Company, Chivas Skin Care, Cindy Blatt, Martha Richardson, Don & Ruth Gunderson, Edward Jones, El Pescador Resturant, Elkins Ranch Golf Course, Fillmore & Western Golf Course, Fro-yo, Baskin Robbins, Inside Track, Jan Marholin, Kate English, Mountain View Golf Course, Norma Moreno, Renee Swenson, Rotary Club of Fillmore, Sandra Lupercio, Union Bank, Vallarta’s.

Thank you to all our volunteers: Santa Clara Valley Explorers Post, Fillmore Search & Rescue, Epi Torres, Joe Martinez, Daisy Palma, Fernando Vancini (PYS), Stephen McKeown, Paige McKeown, Diane Wareham, Kim Tafoya and members of FHS cross-country, Josh Cox and members of the FHS Interact Club. (Our apologies to anyone we missed!).

Proceeds from this event help fund Fillmore/Piru Youth Programs, FHS Athletic programs and other Rotary projects like: FHS & Sierra H.S. scholarships, dictionaries to all third graders, RYLA (youth leadership camp), Condor Cross Country, Cub Scout Pack 3400, Piru Youth Sports, FHS X-country, FHS swim team, FHS Mock Trial, just to name a few.

This summer Camarillo Hospice will offer a four week summer film and grief support group for children on Tuesday evenings 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Children will view the following films and participate in a support group discussion regarding grief and loss.

● Lion King June 27th

● Up July 11th

● Frozen July 18th

● Big Hero 6 July 25th

The Good Grief Club designed for children ages 6 to 11 and provides children with opportunity to engage in grief related discussion and activities designed to help express feelings, problem solve, and develop effective coping mechanisms.

To register for a support group, please contact Stacia Sickle, LCSW, at 805-389-6870 ext. 25 or ssickle@camarillohospice.org.

Ongoing Support Groups
Young Widow and Widowers Support Group Tuesdays 5:30 to 7:00 pm

Healing after the Loss of a Loved One: Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays 1:00 to 2:30 pm and Thursdays 6:00 to 7:30 pm

Survivors of Suicide Support Group 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Adult Loss of Parent Support Group 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Reinvesting in Life after Loss 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month 3:00 to 4:30pm

Camarillo Hospice also offers a 10 week Understanding Your Grief Support Group
All Camarillo Hospice support groups are committed to maintaining an open, accepting, confidential atmosphere. The groups are free of charge and are held at 400 Rosewood Avenue, Suite 102, Camarillo. Reservations are required.

For more information on Camarillo Hospice visit www.camarillohospice.org or contact us at 805-389-6870.

Enlarge Photo

Written by the United Water Conservation District

In a proactive move on Friday, June 2, United Water Conservation District (UWCD) General Manager Mauricio E. Guardado, Jr., called for the emergency water quality release of some 15,000 acre feet (AF) from the Santa Felicia Dam's Lake Piru in an effort to combat rising nitrate levels in UWCD's wells at its El Rio facility. The announcement came during UWCD's special board meeting held at the Santa Felicia Dam, which was attended by General Managers and Board of Directors from several neighboring water districts, including Casitas Municipal Water District in Ojai, Calleguas Municipal Water District in Thousand Oaks and Camrosa Water District in Camarillo, as well as representatives from Ventura County Watershed Protection District, the Santa Clara River Watershed Committee, and legislative representatives.

"The release of 400 cfs here at Santa Felicia Dam will result in the diversion of high quality water at our Freeman Diversion facility, recharging the aquifer and, ultimately, offsetting the increasing nitrate levels in our wells at El Rio. By taking action before the situation is critical, we are confident in our ability to ensure the public's safe drinking water as we move into the dry, warm days of summer," stated Guardado in making the announcement. He was also encouraged by the participation of neighboring water districts, adding that "Through our collaborative efforts and preparation, we are able to take advantage of opportunities such as the purchase of Article 21 State Water, which helps all of us manage, protect, preserve and enhance our water resources."

The emergency water quality release coincides with the release of 10,000 AF of Article 21 State water from Castaic Lake, purchased by UWCD in April from Northern California under the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) State Water Article 21 program. UWCD, the special district tasked with managing, protecting, conserving and enhancing the water resources of the Santa Clara River Valley and Oxnard Plain, purchased 10,000 AF of Article 21 State water for the purpose of replenishing groundwater basins throughout the District.

The additional Article 21 water was stored at Castaic Lake for eventual release, extending the benefit of additional water recharge to all of UWCD’s basins. The release of this State Water was timed and executed at a flow rate determined to maximize benefits to all of the District’s basins, in particular, riverbed infiltration for the upper basins (Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula) and recharge in Saticoy and El Rio facilities benefitting the Oxnard Forebay, Mound, Oxnard Plain and Pleasant Valley basins.

The release, which will continue over the next two weeks, also affords the public a rare opportunity to enjoy weekend access to whitewater kayaking below the Santa Felicia Dam in lower Piru Creek. Individuals interested in accessing lower Piru Creek on the weekends of the release period must request access 24 hours in advance by contacting Lake Piru Senior Park Services Officer Clayton Strahan at (805) 525-4431 extension 148 or by emailing him at claytons@unitedwater.org

About DWR’s State Water Project
California State Water Project (SWP or Project) is the nation's largest state-built water and power development and conveyance system. Planned, designed, constructed and now operated and maintained by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), this unique project is comprised of 34 storage facilities, reservoirs and lakes; 20 pumping plants; 4 pumping-generating plants; 5 hydroelectric power plants; and about 701 miles of open canals and pipelines, providing supplemental water to approximately 25 million Californians and about 750,000 acres of irrigated farmland. Its main purpose is to store water and distribute it to 29 urban and agricultural water suppliers in Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and Southern California. Of the contracted water supply, 70 percent goes to urban users and 30 percent goes to agricultural users. The Project is also operated to improve water quality in the Delta, control Feather River flood waters, provide recreation, and enhance fish and wildlife.

Funds from the sale of general obligation and revenue bonds have provided about 78 percent of financing for construction of the State Water Project. Full repayment of these bond funds is being made by Project beneficiaries, rather than by the general taxpayer. Other funding sources have included tideland oil revenues, investment earnings, legislative appropriations for recreation, federal flood control payments, and water contractor advances. Currently, short-term financing is obtained by commercial paper notes which are replaced periodically by long-term revenue bonds.

Annual costs include the salaries of a diversified team of engineers, biologists, specialists in water development and power generation, hydroelectric plant technicians, and civil maintenance workers, as well as expenses (equipment, supplies etc.) required to operate and maintain SWP facilities. Annual costs also include power purchases, exchanges and sales.

The 29 water contractors repay all water supply related costs of the SWP. These represent about 94 percent of the annual costs for operation and maintenance of SWP facilities. The remaining costs are funded by the federal government for joint operation of San Luis facilities (3 percent) and State general funds for recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement (3 percent).

Contractors also repay with interest about 89 percent of SWP capital expenditures made through 1995. Repayment of the remaining 11 percent comes from the federal government for flood control (2 percent), the State general funds for recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement (5 percent), and the rest from miscellaneous sources.

All contractors pay the same rate per acre-foot for the cost of constructing and operating facilities which store and convey the SWP water supply. In addition, each contractor pays a transportation charge which covers the cost of facilities required to deliver water to its service area. Thus, the contractors more distant from the Delta pay higher transportation charges than those near the Delta. For more information on the DWR’s State Water Project, visit http://www.water.ca.gov/swp/

About United Water Conservation District (UWCD)
Since 1927, United Water Conservation District, situated in central Ventura County, has distinguished itself as a leader among water agencies by conserving and enhancing the water resources of the Santa Clara River and Oxnard Coastal Plain, while working to protect the environment's natural attributes. The District conserves runoff from all major tributaries of the Santa Clara River within its boundaries, including Piru, Hopper, Sespe, and Santa Paula Creeks. Without these efforts, much of this valuable water would simply flow out to sea.

Committed to managing the area’s water supplies through groundwater replenishment and through the construction and operation of efficient water supply and delivery systems, today the District serves as the conservator of groundwater resources that are utilized by the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, and Fillmore, as well as several mutual water districts and numerous farms and individual pumpers. It also provides surface water for agricultural irrigation and provides treated drinking water to the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. For more information, visit http://www.unitedwater.org