Well, I have learned the hard way to never ask a lady how old she is, but I can safely say that the celebration of Pat Morris's birthday today, May 7, 2015, at the Fillmore Senior Center, I heard from my wife Carolyn, was a big one! Not as big as Gertrude Ness's 109th, but significantly bigger than my nearly 68th which is right around the corner! There was only one other person in the room older than Pat! And, it is an even numbered birthday! Probably an annoying riddle for most of you, but remember I am a slow learner! To prove that I am a slow learner I asked Pat and she proudly told me that today is, “My 80th Birthday! She then proudly followed with, "I am looking forward to my 90th!"

A quick stop at the Fillmore Senior Center on my way home from the airport allowed me to witness the love and friendship friends of Bardsdale resident Pat Morris, felt for Pat. In the room were twelve wonderful ladies there to celebrate Pat's Birthday! Most of the ladies present, in the back room of the Senior Center, are Sisters within the P.E.O. Chapter GY here in Fillmore. Because Pat is very active in the Community, others in attendance were from The Bardsdale United Methodist Church, Fillmore Historical Museum and the ranching community here in the Santa Clara Valley. Those in attendance were; Carolyn Diaz, Jane Kampbell, Joanne King, Lia Veiekade, Rae Bretzing, Bev Hurst, Sue Cuttriss, Lanie T. Doll, Rita Rudkin, Linda Gilden and Carmen Zermeno.

Pat is married to Bob Morris of Bardsdale and together they farm on about 119 acres in the Bardsdale and Santa Paula area. Together Pat and Bob have raised 4 children; Gregory Seely, 48 of San Francisco, Treacy Seely, 44 of Long Beach, Sean Morris, 49 of Fillmore and Tonya Peters, 51 of Melbourne, Australia. Pat and Bob have two Grandsons; Ian, 14 and Jack, 10 of Fillmore.

Pat is a retired educator in both public (Santa Monica and Beverly Hills) and private school. Pat retired as a Principal with the St. Patrick's Episcopal Church and Day School. After retirement Pat held positions as Vice President and President of The St Patrick's Episcopal Church and Day School Board.

Pat and Bob are both active as Board Members with the Fillmore Historical Society, and are members of the Bardsdale United Methodist Church Choir as well as serve on various committees within the Bardsdale United Methodist Church. Pat would like to invite the entire Santa Clara Valley Community to attend the Memorial Day Observance at the Bardsdale Cemetery where the Bardsdale United Methodist Church Choir will be performing as part of the Memorial Day Observance. Pat is the Past President, and sitting Vice President of P.E.O. GY Chapter. Bob serves on the Board of Fruit Growers Lab and the Southside Improvement Company which serves the water needs for the Bardsdale area. Both Pat, born in Los Angeles on May 7, 1935 and Bob born in Santa Paula, are life-long Californians!

I would like to thank Sue Cuttriss for the great lead on a good story! Although I wasn't offered any of the Birthday Girl's cake, I would still like to say Happy Birthday Pat from all of us here in the Santa Clara Valley! I hope to be at your 90th!

Laurie Reid from the Ventura County area is on a mission to see more families share sit-down Sunday dinners with their senior loved ones. The reason? New research shows that 50 percent of surveyed families living near senior relatives feel they do not share enough meals with older loved ones, losing an important family connection.*

“For seniors, it’s not what’s on their plate that matters most at mealtime – it’s who is at the table with them,” said Reid, owner of the local Home Instead Senior Care® office. “When seniors share meals with a companion, they have a better mealtime experience – both nutritionally and emotionally.”

Almost 75 percent of the people surveyed said they only sit down for a family meal with senior loved ones for special occasions, events or holidays. They say a big part of the problem is time – both not having enough of it and conflicting schedules.

To encourage families to make time for these meals, the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation® will donate $1 to Meals on Wheels America (up to $20,000 total through July 31, 2015) for each person that commits to regularly scheduling family dinners at SundayDinnerPledge.com. Pledging to have a sit-down dinner with loved ones will help to ensure other seniors will have a quality meal through the Meals on Wheels program.

“We hope families will make the pledge to either revive or begin new mealtime traditions with their senior loved ones,” Reid said. “This small commitment can have a big impact on a senior’s well-being.”
To help families across the country host their own Sunday dinner, Home Instead Senior Care has partnered with celebrity chef and mother of four Melissa d’Arabian to develop easy, nutritious recipes. Additional resources include tips for how to involve seniors in meal planning and preparation, pre- and post-dinner activities and meal plans for healthy, inexpensive meals that all generations can enjoy.

For these free resources and more information on how you can bring back the Sunday dinner and reconnect with your senior loved ones, visit www.SundayDinnerPledge.com or call Home Instead Senior Care at 805-577-0926.

* Home Instead, Inc. completed surveys with a random sample of 1,000 households in U.S. and Canada between February 10 and 15, 2015. Participants were 50 percent male and 50 percent female, with 900 households in U.S. and 100 in Canada.

About Home Instead Senior Care®
Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care® network provides personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises that are estimated to annually provide more than 50 million hours of care throughout the United States and 15 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 65,000 CAREGivers℠ worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network strives to partner with each client and his or her family members to help meet that individual’s needs. Services span the care continuum – from providing companionship and personal care to specialized Alzheimer’s care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. At Home Instead Senior Care, it’s relationship before task, while striving to provide superior quality service.

About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based senior nutrition programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.

About Melissa d’Arabian
Food Network star, best-selling author, writer and mom of four Melissa d'Arabian is an expert on affordable and healthy family home cooking. Well known for her “Ten Dollar Dinners” show and best-selling cookbook, she also hosts Food Network web series “The Picky Eaters Project” and serves as a lead judge on “Guy’s Grocery Games.” Her new "Supermarket Healthy” cookbook is available now. www.melissadarabian.net.

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Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers were among more than 90 volunteers to join Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County to help build affordable housing in Santa Paula in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 2-10. On Saturday, May 9th, a large group of women volunteers worked to provide, safe, decent, affordable housing in Habitat’s new Trinity Lane Development.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has been participating in Women Build events since 2007. This year, participants included a number of mother-daughter teams and a diverse group of women, ages 16 to 75+, representing local businesses, community groups, and faith-based organizations – all working side-by-side with Habitat Partner Families who will purchase their Trinity Lane homes upon completion of construction and homeowner education classes.

Two successful young women who participated in Saturday’s build have been in their own Habitat home since 2005; sisters Maria Guadalupe Cisneros and Maria De Jesus Cisneros have earned their bachelor’s degrees, and Maria De Jesus is now enrolled in the master’s program at California State Northridge. Twenty year-old Irisela, the oldest daughter of our fifth Trinity Lane Family Partner has been working on-site with her mother and father helping to build other Habitat homes until construction on their house begins this summer. Irisela shared her family’s story during the Women Build lunch-and-learn, speaking to a crowd of more than 90 participants. Her parents and five siblings, ages 11 to 21, are currently living in a crowded three-bedroom apartment with a leaky roof, electrical problems, and no power in one room; her brother is sleeping in a walk-in closet. Irisela’s parent, who been employed by the same agriculture company in Ventura County since 2002, are excellent role models encouraging their daughters and sons to work hard and focus on their studies.

The first two Trinity Lane homes will be completed and dedicated on May 30, 2015 and another two homes will be dedicated in December of 2015. Among the first five homes in Trinity Lane, eleven young girls and five boys will soon have a decent place in which to live, grow and thrive.

“It is an exciting day when so many women work together to build and support families in need of safe, decent and affordable housing. Habitat is built on partnership and volunteerism, and Women Build is a particularly meaningful day of hard work and construction mixed with a desire to support our community,” said Steve Dwyer, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County’s Executive Director.

National Women Build Week is a weeklong event created by Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program that challenges women to devote at least one day to help build affordable housing in their local communities. Across the nation, more than 15,000 women are expected to volunteer at Habitat construction sites this week to spotlight the homeownership challenges faced by women.

Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 and each year provides the support of Lowe’s Heroes and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills.

“National Women Build Week has made a difference in the lives of thousands of families since its inception,” said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe’s director of community relations. “We’re grateful to all the women in Ventura County who got involved this week and were part of something bigger with Lowe’s and Habitat.”

Lowe’s donated nearly $2 million to this year’s National Women Build Week, including a $5,000 store gift card to Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County. National Women Build Week is one of the major initiatives supported through Lowe’s national partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat and helped more than 4,000 families improve their living conditions.

Habitat’s Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable homes in their communities. Since the program was created in 1998, more than 2,300 homes have been built in partnership with low-income families using Women Build crews.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program and to learn about Women Build events in communities across the U.S. year-round, visit Habitat.org/wb or the Women Build tab on http://www.facebook.com/habitat.

Court Appointed Special Advocates For Children
Thursday, May 28
6:30-8 pm, Camarillo

CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as officers of the court. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks among hundreds of current cases. CASA volunteers change that. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time—and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive.

CASA needs more volunteers! Currently there are over 40 children in Ventura County that have been assigned to the program but are on a waiting list because of the lack of volunteers. Please consider attending the next CASA Informational Session on Thursday, May 28th to prepare for the upcoming 30-hour training session. For more information about the upcoming CASA Informational session please contact Bernadette Cardenas, at (805) 389-3120 or Bernadette@casaofventuracounty.org.

To reserve a seat call 805.389.3120

After you have registered, you will receive location information by email or phone call.

The Ventura County Rose Society will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center at 5100 Adolfo Rd., Camarillo.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for advice from Consulting Rosarians and refreshments, Our presentation will begin at 7:30 P.M.

The VCRS meeting will feature the Ventura County Rose Society Members presenting a program about "The Roses of Spring". Members and friends will display and discuss the roses that they enjoy growing in their garden, and present tips on growing good roses, and sharing good fertilizers, mulches, and general care of roses. We invite you to join us on Thursday, May 28, and ask that you bring your garden roses to share as we celebrate "The roses of Spring!"

Visitors are always welcome to our VCRS meetings. For more information contact; Janet Sklar at 818-337-9970 or Dawn-Marie Johnson at 805-523-9003. Our website is http://www.venturarose.org/

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Message from Detective Chip Cadman:
In this edition of Farm Watch, I want to mention some success stories involving the arrest of avocado thieves. Two individuals were caught stealing avocados in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula. In March, Detective Fox was conducting an investigation into a theft of avocados. He later returned to the location of the thefts to conduct a follow-up investigation and install cameras in the event the thieves returned.

When Detective Fox returned, he observed a vehicle driving out of the property that appeared weighed down. Detective Fox stopped the vehicle and discovered it was occupied by two men who had stolen several hundred pounds of avocados. Both men were later arrested for the theft of fruit and it was returned. I am continuing an investigation attempting to link both men to additional thefts in the area.

Also as deputies have been on patrol in the unincorporated area of Moorpark, they have caught thieves parking nearby orchards, walking in on foot and stealing avocados. These thieves were stopped by deputies and arrested.

On another note, it CONTINUED »

Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) are rewarding cyclists in Ventura County’s Bike to Work Week 2015 with a chance to win great prizes such as a new bike, cycling GPS, Kindle, and cell phone bike mounts.

The campaign, which runs May 11-15, promotes the benefits of bicycle commuting and gives cyclists an opportunity to win valuable prizes, take part in “pit stops,” get a free bike tune-up, and more. Interested cyclists are invited to sign up at www.GoVentura.org by filling out a pledge form. Upon completion, cyclists will be eligible to win one of this year’s prizes.

VCTC and VCAPCD will be hosting public “pit stops” at or near the city halls in Camarillo (May 11 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.), Oxnard (May 12 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.), Simi Valley (May 13 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.), Ventura (May 14 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.), and Thousand Oaks (May 15 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.). Free bike tune-ups courtesy of local bike shops will be offered, as will breakfast refreshments, bike-related giveaways, and informational materials. VCTC also offers free downloads of the Ventura County Bikeways Map, complete pit stop details, and tips for getting ready for Bike to Work Week on its website, www.goventura.org.

“Bike to Work Week is a great time to work more activity into your daily routine,” noted VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “By combining something you do every day – like commuting to work – with a healthy and environmentally friendly activity such as biking, you can reap so many benefits, both physically and financially.”

Bike to Work Week is the centerpiece of National Bike Month, which is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week represent key opportunities to demonstrate the benefits of bicycling as well as its enduring popularity.

“Biking is a great way to make your lifestyle more active, both at home and at work,” Kettle added. “Once you’ve tried it, we think you’ll agree that it’s a great alternative to sitting behind the wheel day after day.”

For more information about the Ventura County Bike to Work Week 2015 campaign or to download VCTC’s mobile bikeways app, visit www.GoVentura.org or call (800) 438-1112.

The Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center of Ventura County today announced that ithas been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to support its “Teach theChildren” program.

S.P.A.R.C. is a nonprofit organization andthe first and only no-kill animalshelter serving Ventura County. Since 2012, S.P.A.R.C. has saved animals likethe cat with the broken pelvis or the dog with a broken leg. Severe illnesses like cancer are a sure deathsentence in most shelters, but at S.P.A.R.C., we do everything in our power to give each animal a secondchance and a forever home. S.P.A.R.C. has an incredible99.5 percent save rate, which is the highest in Ventura County.

The Petco Foundation investment will help to expand our community outreach through specific trainingand education, which will allow S.P.A.R.C. to significantly increase the number of animals who find their “forever homes;” decrease the number of abused, injured and abandoned animals; help identify and find solutions
to keeping a companion animal in its home; and continue to build a community- based infrastructure whichwill translate to any community and help to end the unnecessary deaths of nearly four million animals each year.

The Petco Foundation has served as a voice for companion animals across the country since 1999.Today, with more than 8,000 local animals welfare partners across the country, the Petco Foundationdonates approximately $15 million a year to make a difference in the lives of millions of animals. Theorganization is funded through donations raised during fundraisers conducted in Petco’s more than 1,300 stores across the country, as well as from Petco associates, vendors and corporate contributions. Moneyraised helps fund animal welfare organization, spay and neuter efforts, animal-assisted therapy programs, and humane education. The majority of the funds raised remain in the communities where they wereraised, as well as animal welfare efforts nationwide.

For more information about Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center or the Petco Foundation, visitwww.santapaulaarc.org or www.petcofoundation.org. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter andInstagram or by using the hashtag #PetcoFoundation.

S.P.A.R.C. is a private, non-profit organization and is the first and only no-kill animal shelter in Ventura County. SPARC is a place where homeless animals are brought for humane care without risk of being killed due to lack of space, illness or injury. S.P.A.R.C. relies solely on private donations.

About the Petco Foundation
At the Petco Foundation,we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since1999, the Petco Foundation has invested more than $125 million in life saving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 8,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay/neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other life saving initiatives. Through our “Think Adoption First” program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

The Muller, Garcia, Duran and Haro Families wish to thank everyone who has helped us cope with the loss of my husband William “Bill” Muller.

Thank you for the Mass Cards, Flowers, Delicious Food, Prayers, and Condolences & Donations. For sharing memories, for the many Hugs that were so needed. For just being kind and patient with me when I repeated my wonderful memories of life with my husband.

Perhaps you weren’t able to come see me or the family. If you could only say a silent prayer for us, we thank you! To the many colleagues, Ameron employees, Pacific Lighting Sales especially Mike Everett, the Mark Terstriep Family, Jim & Elaine McDaniel, Paqui & Charles Henderson for taking the time to call me personally from faraway places. You were more of a comfort than you could ever imagine, because you shared my tears and pain at the loss of this wonderful friend to all. Also to our friend and Pastor Fr. Artur, who was feeling ill, but did the Mass anyway. Deacon Ramon for being there when we needed his assistance. Michael Lara for his musical talent, Jesse Olivares for leading the Rosary as Bill had requested. Lastly, to Kelly Gomez and Family, for the excellent catering which we all enjoyed.

To my Children, Arleen & Bob Duran, Steve Garcia, and Randy & Mary-Allan Garcia; what a Blessing you are to me! You all promised Bill I would be “taken care of by all”.” I know this helped him to leave in peace. I’ll try to be worthy of this kindness, and never take any of you for granted. Life is too short. Let us serve the Lord with Love and Gratitude the way Bill taught us to by his perfect example of what it means to be a God Loving Christian.

With Love and Gratitude,
Hilda M. Muller

Photo by Les Dublin
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Photo by Les Dublin
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Ojai was recognized as an official International City of Peace, at the Ojai City Council Meeting, April 14, 2015. Mayor Lara read the proclamation and presented it to Brian Berman and Julie Heyman, on behalf of the peace team members who worked towards this initiative: David Baker, Brian Berman, Lisa Berman, Julie Heyman, Dianne McCourtney, RakeshMenon, Kathy Nolan, Anahata Pomeroy and Marilyn Salas.

“We see receiving our status as an ICP for Ojai as just the beginning. We will be exploring and developing opportunities that encourage individuals and groups in finding creative ways of fostering peace through initiatives, programs and events,” said Berman.

The ICP initiative envisions a world where cities are dedicated to embracing a quality of life that brings universal values of peace, prosperity and safety to the daily lives of their citizens. Cities around the world are adopting this model, concentrating on their local peace building activities and connecting through Partnerships for Peace, which is the United Nations theme for International Day of Peace, September 21, 2015.

The team’s vision for Ojai is a community that fosters a culture of peace within our families, schools, businesses, government, and all aspects of community life. Calling themselves “The Peace Pod,” they are dedicated to serving the emergence of personal, ecological, and universal wellbeing. Their goal is to inspire educational programs and services designed to empower individuals and the community in establishing an inclusive, sustainable, and enduring culture of peace. The whole community will benefit by connecting with, knowing, and respecting its neighbors of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs. Their vision is holistic, serving to nurture a society that embraces love and peace in body, mind and spirit, in which the whole community will benefit.

The group developed a Facebook page for posting peace events and programs for building a culture of peace here in the Ojai Valley. https://www.facebook.com/groups/102218600109281/

For more information about ICPvisit: www.internationalcitiesofpeace.org

The Rotary Club of Fillmore’s 2015 Heritage Valley 5-10K Run/Fitness Walk and Health Fair will be held on Saturday, May16th. In 2008, the Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers revived this dormant community run. (The Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers merged with the Rotary Club of Fillmore in January 2013. The Club now uses the name Rotary Club of Fillmore). The run was cancelled in 2009 but re-started again in 2010 and has run yearly through 2014.

Much of the race course follows the bike/walking path along the beautiful Sespe Creek with views of San Cayetano Mountain. Out of town participants join local runners and walkers of all ages. Our event includes a 5K Run/Fitness Walk and 10K run; a 1-mile Fun Run/Walk for kids; health fair and Rotary Raffle. We also offer a Team Challenge for teams with a minimum of five members. Team members receive discounted entry fee, the opportunity to win money to support your favorite charity or organization and prizes for the best team t-shirt!

All funds raised from this event go back into our community. Proceeds this year fund Fillmore & Piru Youth programs, Fillmore High School athletics and other Rotary projects. We are partnering with Cops Running for Charity, a 501(c)3 non-profit and Fillmore Unified School District.

In 2014 we brought in Podium One Timing and Race Management to help with registration and provide chip timing and instant online results. We are excited to have them back.

We have a great health fair with many presenters including Safe Kids Ventura County, Ventura County Public Health Nutrition program and First 5 with many more to be confirmed.

During our awards ceremony we will raffle off some amazing gifts: Two Dodger Tickets; Foursome green fees from Elkins Ranch Golf Course, Avocado baskets, Fresh Tomato baskets from Beylik Farms; Gift Certificate from The Scented Path; just to name a few.

You can register online at Active.com or with a paper registration found throughout town or contact Race Director Joe Aguirre – 805-524-2096. Race day registration begins at 7:00 AM in front of the Fillmore Unified School District offices at 627 Sespe Ave., Fillmore, CA 93015.

All races begin at 8:00 AM. Awards ceremony begins at 9:15 AM. For those who pre-register, packets are available for pick up on Friday, May 15th from 4:00-7:00 PM at Sespe School classroom 23 at 627 Sespe Ave, Fillmore, CA.

Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Joe Aguirre at 805-906-4114.

CEO Brian Troop and Santa Paula Branch Manager Scott Dunbar are proud to announce the relocation of the Santa Paula branch to 750 E. Main St., Santa Paula, CA 93060. With more than 200 attendees, the grand re-opening mixer was held on Wednesday, April 22 from 5:30 p.m.- 7 p.m at the new location.

Due to recent expansion, the Santa Paula office moved to the new address on Main Street on Friday, December 19, 2014. With 15 full time Troop Real Estate professionals serving Santa Paula, Fillmore and surrounding areas, the new transfer allows for private conferences and provides a productive work environment.

"We are definitely pleased with our new location in downtown Santa Paula," Dunbar said. "We look forward to being a part of the positive energy that's been building here for the past several years."

Building manager Laura Staben was thrilled to have Troop Real Estate, Inc.'s Santa Paula office move in. The property has been a known real estate building for years, having been Century 21 and Staben Realty, Inc. prior. "The open house was extremely well attended and a lot of good vibes were going between people. Brian, Scott and Cynthia did a fantastic job of remodeling the interior and I have really good feelings about this office being successful."

For more information regarding the Santa Paula office, please contact the Santa Paula branch manager, Scott Dunbar, at 805.921.0030. For more information regarding Troop Real Estate, Inc. visit www.troop.com.
About TROOP REAL ESTATE, INC. — Established in 1987, Troop Real Estate, Inc. has perennially been a leader in the north Los Angeles and Ventura counties' residential market in the overall volume of listings sold. Troop Real Estate, Inc. is Ventura county's largest independent brokerage company and provides the full range of residential, commercial, fine estates, property management, financial, escrow and relocation services.
Troop Real Estate branches are located in Simi Valley (Commercial), Simi Valley, Simi’s Wood Ranch community, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Oxnard, Channel Islands, Ventura, Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Santa Clarita.

The 2015 Fillmore Flower Show, themed “Bursting with Beauty” presented by Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee was a well attended event in our community on April 18, 19, with people traveling from Thousand Oaks and other nearby communities to appreciate the beauty of flower creations accompanied by music performed by Joy Asenas and Barry Cooper.

This was the 7th annual show since we “set our hearts” on reconstructing this show which began in 1919.

It takes months of preparation, publicizing, leading of workshops and dependence on many, many volunteers to bring the show to fruition. All volunteers will be celebrated at our review BBQ held at the Doug King Ranch.

This year the Santa Ana winds in the preceding days reduced our entries from last year’s 256 to 197, but people were prepared with more potted plant and dish garden entries. The “Best of Show” award was presented to a cactus(owner Lynne Arbogast) that was more than 30 years old. With these times of drought, this was an appropriate winner and gave show visitors an idea of the beauty found in the cacti family.

We had more door prize donations this year than ever before! In a small town, merchants get asked constantly to donate for all types of events and needs and we would like to encourage every one to shop locally, look at the interesting architectural details of these historical buildings and personally thank these generous merchants and individuals for contributing to the Flower Show.

Merchants and individuals to thank are: Avenue Pet, Bennett’s Honey Farm, Beylik Farms, Carolyn Lasky, Central Station Bar & Grill, Chivas Skin Care, Diamond Realty & Investments, Elkin’s Golf Course, El Pescador Restaurant, Green Thumb Nursery, artist Joanne King, King & King Ranch, Mark Ortega, Mary & Ian Nunez, Mimstar, Ventura County Nursery, Mountain View Golf Course, Otto & Son’s Nursery, Patterson’s Hardware, The Scented Path, The Treasure Station, Vallarta Restaurant, Valley Crest Tree Company, Vic’s Tires, and William L. Morris Chevrolet.

Come to our Civic Pride meetings and add your voice and effort to improve quality of life and esthetic appeal in our community! The next meeting will be May 20, at 1:30pm in City Hall.

Most of the general public recognize law enforcement, fire personnel, and emergency medical technicians as the first on the scene of a disaster; while few may know, in the case of a natural or man-made disaster, there are a number of first responders on duty and on call every day and night at the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA).

In an emergency, Public Works staff works closely with public safety personnel to assess damage to develop and implement responses. For instance, when the announcement of the Camarillo Springs mudslide that impacted numerous homes was made, one of the first emergency responders on the scene was VCPWA Engineering Manager II-County Geologist of Development and Inspection Services, Jim O’Tousa.While observing and trekking around the devastating slide in the pitch black, rainy evening, O’Tousa communicated back to the Fire and Sheriff’s Command Center critical information on areas that were still safe, homes that needed to be evacuated, and areas that were still potentially in harm’s way of the mud flow and geologic areas likely to still be moving and dangerous. While in the field relaying critical information, O’Tousa was also receiving important weather updates by storm hydrologists from the VCPWA Watershed Storm Center, who were tracking the storm and alerting first responders of potential weather and rain conditions that could impact the areas in crisis.

VCPWA’s Transportation Department also plays a key role in major disaster events. “The access to and from impacted areas is often damaged or impassable during an emergency response,” explains David Fleisch, Director of VCPWA’s Transportation Department. “As first responders, it is our duty to restore access to roadways for emergency workers and others who need to rescue or evacuate residents and to remove debris to preserve public property.”

Public Works personnel were officially added as first responders in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Public Works personnel also serve as part of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Agency Operations Center (AOC) when activated.

VCPWA has emergency plans and response teams in place to respond quickly to emergencies. “We’ve been first responders for many years, often radioing in information critical to fire, earthquake, or landslide event emergencies,” says Herb Schwind, Director of Engineering Services Department. “We might be the silent first responders, but we are there in any emergency.”

Being on duty for VCPWA means that the Directors have the “bat phone,” or the active duty phone for a full month,after whichit is handedoff to the next Director. “If there is an earthquake, mudslide, or dangerous flood, the Fire and Sheriff’s office will call the appropriate VCPWA Director, who will then assign the first responders from VCPWA,” explains Janice Turner, Director of Central Services. In addition, on-site safety is a priority in emergency situations. Phil Raba, VCPWA Safety Manager, handles safety for personnel during a crisis and responds to incidents as necessary for safety assessments. “All Public Works employees are first responders, we work together as a team,” says Raba.

On Tuesday, May 19, VCPWA Director Jeff Pratt will pay homage to his team of almost 400 employees for Public Works Week Awareness Day, and a special nod to the work of his small team of unsung heroes who are always on call in the event of a natural or man-made tragedy. In addition, VCPWA Director Jeff Pratt will also announce this year’s “Employee of the Year” recipients. From 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the public will be invited to partake in various festivities, as the Government Center parking lot will be filled with VCPWA Department display booths, including heavy equipment for demonstrations, equipment show and tell, and invasive plant presentations. VCPWA staff will also lead activities and hands-on stations that demonstrate the many services provided by the Agency. More than 300 local students will be in attendance for the educational experience.

Event info:
Who: Ventura County Public Works Agency’s National Public Works Week Awareness Day
When: Tuesday, May 19
Times: Resolution with the County Board of Supervisors at 10:00 a.m. (Hall of Administration)
Public-activity displays and presentations from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Parking lot)
Where: Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, Calif. 93009