Conaway and Dean coming into the finish line during a practice run. (Conaway in blue/white leathers).
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Close up of how close the racing is. Conaway leading Dean by inches after 1 mile of racing.
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Christian Conaway traveled to Calgary Canada this past week to compete in the International Gravity Sports Association 2012 Winsport Canada Cup World Championship event. The race was held at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. Conaway races Street Luge and Classic Luge.

The course was 1 mile long and contained 2 sweeping corners and 4 hairpin turns. The course had two speed bumps which also added a level of complexity for the racers. Race speeds exceeded 58 mph.

Conaway qualified with the 4th fastest time down the course in both of his disciplines. In his first heat race while leading the remaining 4 racers Conaway drifted out of a corner and made contact with the hay bales and was dismounted from his luge. He was able to recover quick enough to finish in the 3rd position to allow him to advance to the next round of racing. Interestingly when he jumped back on his luge he did so with the luge backwards and managed to finish the heat to advance to the Semi Finals in which he took 2nd place in the heat.

Advancing to the Street CONTINUED »

With the recent layoff of roughly 50% of Fillmore City employees and the City’s diminished capacity to provide service, the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) Board is questioning the City’s ability to deliver on the services they need.

The service contract with the City was originally entered into about twelve years ago due to VMB fluctuating employment needs. The facility sometimes needs workers to set up tables, cook in the kitchen and do various task when it is rented out; but bookings are not consistent, making it difficult to maintain employees. The City, at the time of the contract agreement, had full time employees available and could provided most of VMB’s service needs. One City employee, Annette Cardona, is knowledgeable of what a services are needed and what to charge customers. But Cardona may be leaving as an employee at the end of the year, and with only half of the City staff available it is questionable how well the VMB can be serviced.

The land where the VMB stands was donated by the Shields Family and built in 1952 to recognize our veteran’s service. It is a Special District authorized in the California Veterans Memorial Code and has the largest non-sectarian hall/ballroom in Fillmore along with a large banquet room, kitchen, lobby and basement where rifles and flags used for funerals and Memorial Day Parades are stored along with other equipment.

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The Fillmore Unified School (FUSD) Board met on Tuesday to a standing room only capacity. In attendance were members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) to receive an award along with a representative of the local 4H Clubs and the head of the migrant program who gave a presentation on student improvement during the summer.

Last week the FFA members attended the Buyers Banquet and on Tuesday the FUSD Board presented them with an award for their outstanding achievement at the 2012 Ventura County Fair. In attendance was Salvador Lopez, Ricardo Aparicio, Hailee Smith, Chris Berrington, Brooke Aguirre, advisor Joe Ricards and receiving the award on behalf of the members was Alexus Galassi.

In all, 35 FFA Fillmore students participated this year receiving 31 awards and recognitions, winning first place in every category entered, with the exception of sheep. FFA Member Brooke Aguirre read the names of the other award winners and their categories; Novice Swine: 1st Jaylene Ortiz, 2nd Alexis Rodriquez; Advance Swine: 1st Marc Zavala, 2nd Felicity Zavala, 3rd Ryan Calderon, 4th Yasmine Luna, 5th Andrew Perez, 6th Kaileigh Carpenter, 7th Tina Wheeler, 8th Sierra Blankenship. Replacement Heifers; 1st Sam Wokal, 2nd Macie Wokal.

Steer Showmanship; 1st CONTINUED »

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Explorers receive a donation of $1,008 from Ari Larson with Cookie Lee Jewelry and Teresa Robledo with Diamond Realty at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
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Recognition of Fillmore Senior Center volunteer Vivian Johnson. Mayor Gayle Washburn presents Senior Center volunteer Vivian Johnson with a Proclamation at Tuesday night’s council meeting. The Proclamation recognized Johnson’s service since 2008 as Board Secretary and Field Trip Chair; 2nd Term Representative for Fillmore on the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging; serves on the Senior Nutrition Task Force; and serves as Hostess at the Center’s welcome desk.
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After having been dark for over a month, the Fillmore City Council Meeting of August 28, 2012 began with every seat in the chamber filled. Most in attendance came to receive a Proclamation and others to give presentations or their opinions. Agenda items included the water treatment plant, abandoned shopping carts and public records requests response procedures.

There are still questions as to what exactly happened and why the former City Attorney Ted Schneider left his position. The Council stated that Schneider’s firm told them they could not disclose conversations due to client-attorney confidentiality and that the decision for Schneider to leave was made by the firm members. Soon after this was disclosed Council Member Steve Conaway stepped down from the Dias and addressed the Council as a citizen and stated the comments made regarding the matter did not address conversation the that Mayor Gayle Washburn had with Schneider’s law firm just prior to his leaving.

Conaway stated, “We’ll never know with exactness what she (Gayle Washburn) said (to the senior partner at the city attorneys law firm). The City Manager nor any one council member has the power to remove the City Attorney. That is a true statement. Here is what is not talked about. We do know that Gayle Washburn called the law firm. She certainly didn’t call to chat about the weather; it’s not unreasonable to assume that she expressed her displeasure or “issues” about our City Attorney (or) one of his partners. She certainly didn’t speak to Mr. Schneider about her concerns at that time. That said I suggest you reread my statement, made as a private citizen. Let’s review--Gayle Washburn calls the law firm, who wants the city’s business, and she says something which results in the firm removing Ted Schneider from our meetings immediately while the bidding process is ongoing. Gayle Washburn sits on the council who will be deciding which law firm gets Fillmore’s business. The citizens of Fillmore can put two and two together.”

City Manager Yvonne Quiring, who could not attend the meeting due to family matters, asked Attorney Julie Scott to act as Special Council and give information on California Public Records Act and Freedom of Information Act to the Council. Scott stated the public should have access to information but there are between 40-50 exceptions to the rules. These exceptions include things such as the right to privacy, trade secrets, names of children involved in a crime and others. These exceptions are called “Catch Alls or Balancing” and public agencies often have the discretion as to whether disclosure does more harm than good. These decisions are done on a case by case basis. Scott cited a 2006 Supreme Court Case where the court decision was, the interest in withholding names until the case was completed was alright if releasing information beforehand might harm the city’s flexibility and negotiations.

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Sylvia Meza, Administrative Assistant for Solid Terrain Modeling proudly raises the American Flag.
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I have been pretty enthused lately looking for locations where a person, or business fly's the American Flag in support of our troops currently serving as well as in support of this great Country we Americans live! In my travels around town I have witnessed all types of Flag displays at residences and businesses and not all are displayed so that they attract attention, but displayed because it is a statement that needs to be made; We support our troops and the United States of America!

Although off the beaten path, the Flag in this article is flown proudly daily by the business, but the statement is no less important just because it is not seen by throngs of people passing by! I remember being inside of this building many times over the years and I must admit I have sipped more coffee there from a stained coffee cup than I probably should have, but the price of the coffee (free), company (mostly crusty old men) and gossip (well the gossip was sometimes very juicy) was always good! It was where, as we would like to say, we would discuss and then solve all the problems of Fillmore! When we were done with Fillmore we would move on to Santa Paula and so on! Thanks to friends, the result of a surprise birthday party, I even celebrated my Fiftieth Birthday inside this building!

The owner, at that time, of this building was the late Fred Krone, owner and operator of Norkro Clock Parts located at 340 Fillmore Street. It is sandwiched between a residential home and an apartment complex and across the street from Butch Foy's Fillmore Building Supply. At that time Norkro Clock Parts was one of two clock parts suppliers in the United States for not only clock repair shops, but for the hobbyist as well. Fred was one knowledgeable person about clocks! He also was a considerable character; former real estate broker, Hollywood Stuntman (known then as Crunch Krone) and periodic Fillmore City Council meeting speaker. I learned with those credentials you never knew who would be in the back room sipping coffee with him when you got there! They did include at least two City Council Members after one of his visits to a City Council Meeting, former and current stunt men and more than a few law enforcement officers.

But, this building CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

Wednesday August 22nd was the first day of classes for Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) and all classes were full. The gardeners and custodians have been working hard to get the District in shape for the students’ and staffs’ return. This new school year brings a new Assistant Superintendent, new Associated Student Board (ASB) Speaker of the House, and new web-based instructional tool being implemented for the District.

Introduced at the August 21, 2012 FUSD School Board Meeting was new Assistant Superintendent Earl Davis. Davis has worked in education for 24 years starting in 1988 at Arcadia Unified, then Chaffey Community College, and Pleasant Valley School District in Camarillo. Davis, who has three grown sons and lives in Channel Islands, said he is looking forward to working at FUSD during these challenging yet exciting times.

Also introduced was Fillmore High School (FHS) senior Mary Ortiz, the new 2012 ASB Speaker of the House. Ortiz, who is 17, comes with an impressive resume of accomplishments; President of FHS Athletics Hall of Fame Club; President of Piru 4-H; Ambassador Girl Scout for 13 year; Junior Fair Board Secretary for Ventura County Fair; Varsity: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball; and honor roll student since elementary school. Presently Ortiz is working on the August 31st Homecoming, which is coming early this year.

Last school year CONTINUED »

Breanna Berrington with Mr. Armani, FFA Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer.
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Chase Bowens with Katniss, Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine.
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Alexis Rodriguez with Sweet Cheeks, FFA Champion Market Swine.
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A friendly goat poses.
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A happy pig smiles for the camera.
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Alexis Rodriquez, 16, won FFA Champion, market swine.

Alexis raised a pig named Sweet Cheeks. "Sweet Cheeks?" "Well," said Alexis, smiling, "I didn't know what to name her at first... my mom helped me. Wait. Mom came up with Sweet Cheeks? "Yep," said Alexis. Because the pig has?....
... "My pig has a really big butt (you now see why I paused) so my mom came up with Sweet Cheeks. Aha... I should have known!

How was Sweet Cheeks to raise? Alexis said: "She's sassy and likes to mess around... and likes to bite my feet. She kind of has my attitude and I really like that about her."

Alexis did exceptionally well considering this is her first year in the FFA and raising a pig. Did she realize the odds of winning the first year in the program? Alexis said: "No," adding, "I really didn't think I'd get... ummm... anything for her. I didn't think I was gonna... like... umm... ... I don't know. I didn't think I was going to win anything.

If the goal was not to win a championship... then what? Alexis smiled and explained: "Just to get out and experience things... and to raise her... she was really good to raise... I liked raising her." Being your first year raising a pig, did you have any idea what it'd be like raising Sweet Cheeks? "No," said Alexis, adding, "I actually thought it was going to be easy but it was kind of hard." The hardest part? "Waking up every morning," Alexis said, "to feed her, to walk her. She was stubborn at first, she didn't like to walk but she got used to going out and walking so she got easier along the way." And baths... did she enjoy the baths? "Yeah," said Alexis. She did? "Well... she enjoys it sometimes but most time she screams... or steps on my feet", said Alexis, adding, "but other times she's good...
... when she's calm... not all stressed out."

Next year? "I'm going to raise another pig," said Alexis. And this years auction proceeds? "I'm going to save it til next year to buy my next pig. The winning bid for Alexis' pig was $9.00 a pound. As for long range plans, Alexis plans to attend college and eventually become a probation officer.

Here, Alexis pays tribute: "I want to thank my mom for motivating me and being there sometimes for me and especially my aunt and uncle... Nicky and Sabino Perez... they have really been helping me out with the whole FFA thing. And Mr. Ricards... he's a really good guy."

Tori Gonzales, 10 of Piru 4-H won 4-H Grand Champion & Bred & Fed Champion swine.

This was a really big win for young Tori. Tori's pig's name is Gee G... a derivative of her sister's boyfriends name, Greg, and the pig being a gilt (female pig)... hence Gee G.

What does a 10 year old girl experience raising a 276 pound pig which is a pretty large animal. As Tori explains: "I liked having her and being with her. I had a lot of fun with it. Especially washing her. We'd mess around in the wash pen." Whoa! Did she really enjoy being washed, I asked? "Once in a while," Tori said. Not always? Tory nodded no. When she didn't want to be washed? She'd scream... real loud. And did you use for soap suds? "Just regular shampoo and conditioner," said Tori, with a grin, adding, "if it was really hot, we'd also use lotion and sunscreen. Aha. Then... having a hunch... I asked if the lotion Tori used was Avon's Skin So Soft. "Yes," giggled Tori.

There has to be trials and tribulations raising a pig... so...? "Trying to get her to walk the first time at the beginning. We'd be out there for about five minutes and she'd be ready to go home," explained Tori, adding, "she didn't like to go for walks." Ha... was Gee G a lazy pig? "Yes!, proclaimed Tori.

And the auction money? "Ummm... I'm not sure yet," Tori said. The winning bidder paid $25 a pound for Gee G. And next year? "Next year I really want to raise another pig." Tori said.

Now that you've raised a pig that won 4-H Grand Champion the very first time you participated... would you be disappointed next year if your pig didn't do so well? Without hesitation, Tori said: "Well no because I got to know how the feeling is so I'd be OK with getting a regular first place ribbon... or anything." But if you got nothing? "I'd still have fun," Tori said.

Did you learn about responsibility? "Yeah," Tori quickly said. "We had to be there every day with her... take care of her... feed her." How much did mom and dad help? "Mostly dad helped because mom doesn't like animals... like smelly things. So mom is dainty? "YES!," said Tori. So dad pitched in once in a while? "Well, mostly all the time," Tori said with a glance over to her dad. Being the first year... was it tough? Another robust "YES!" from Tori. C'est la vie raising pigs.

Chase Bowens, 15, with Sespe 4-H won Reserve Grand Champion market swine.

Chase raised a pig named Katniss. Some of you may be familiar with the name... I wasn't. So I nonchalantly asked how Chase arrived at the name. "Because I saw the movie and read the book The Hunger Games," said Chase and I named my pig after the 12th Tribute." I've since Googled 'The Hunger Games' which is a story narrated by a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen, a tribute from District 12 who volunteers for the 74th annual Hunger Games in place of her younger sister, Primrose. Now everything makes perfect sense.

Have you raised pigs that won in previous years, I asked? "Yes I have," beamed Chase, adding "in 2010 I won Grand Champion." How long have you been raising pigs? You need to picture Chase counting fingers and then said: "About 10 years." Wow, I said, you're an ole pig farmer from way back! "Yeah," said Chase with a giggle.

What was the best part of raising Katness? "Well," explained Chase, "the best part is more like about her personality. Me and Katness... she likes me but she kind of doesn't. When I need to wash her she gets grouchy but I just get used to it and that's the fun part of it." Hmm.

And the most difficult part? "The most challenging part was when she was a baby she came home sick... we gave her antibiotics and she was still sick and we didn't think she would make it. But she made it," Chase said, smiling. Well... did Katniss have a bad cold or what? "Bronchitis," Chase said.

And the $10 a pound auction money? "First, put it toward another pig at the Denver National Stock Show," Chase explained. Wait... why buy a pig at the Denver National Stock Show I wondered? "Because," Chase explained, "you have a chance of winning $50,000." $50,000 for raising a pig? "Yes, Chase said. The details remain a mystery.

Along the way, there's always a support group involved. Accordingly, Chase said: "I would like to thank my mom and dad, James Backman of Small Town Genetics and God!" Now that's an impressive support group!

Breanna Berrington, 15, won FFA Reserve Grand Champion market steer.

And your steer's CONTINUED »