Central Avenue in downtown Fillmore was under construction this year from March 10th through October. Downtown store owners who patiently struggled through the year are hopeful despite a tough economy.

On October 17, 2008, the Fillmore City Council held a special meeting, at the request of downtown merchants, to explore options for increasing business in downtown Fillmore. Business owners described their struggles, complained about the construction on Central, and asked for help in the form of increased signage and a "shop local" campaign. At that meeting, the Council decided to adhere to the previously agreed upon construction blackout period, which started in November and is scheduled to continue for the rest of 2008. Since then, the City has provided directional banners on the sidewalk between the railroad and City Hall, decorated Central with red banners and lights, and is in the process of placing large signs near Highway 126 that would direct passersby to "Historic Downtown: antiques; specialties; museum; restaurants; winery; train rides; gun shop; services; ice cream; toys." The City has also aired “shop local” commercials on Channel 10, and printed up “shop local” decals. Deputy City Manager Bill Bartels commented that a citywide vision is needed for long term improvement.

Mirage and Mimstar, both located on the corner of Central Ave. and Santa Clara St., possibly suffered the most from construction. Not only were they affected when their portion of Central was closed, but construction equipment was parked in a lot next to theirs on Santa Clara St. Shirley Wright, owner of Mirage, said that business was the worst she had seen in 25 years, but that Christmas shoppers and an open road have helped. Wright and Karen Thayer, owner of Mimstar, explained that many of their customers were unable to walk far, and customers feared that cars parked near the corner would be hit by construction equipment or towed. Some customers thought that the building had been closed during construction, and many were unwilling to navigate through construction obstacles, according to Thayer. Wright said that the construction was so noisy that shoppers could feel the vibrations, and it ruined the shopping experience for customers who had braved the conditions. Thayer said that things started to turn around for Mimstar after Thanksgiving. Because she provides less expensive more personal gifts, her store is very popular in these tighter economic times. Some of her customers have told her that they are not going to the mall this holiday season.

Andrew Whaley, owner of Coffeeboy, expressed frustration but is incredibly optimistic about the potential of downtown Fillmore. The construction on Central started soon after he opened his coffee shop. Besides construction, he blames the seemingly uninhabited properties from Highway 126 up the initial block of Central, which obscure the entrance to downtown. He noted that many Fillmore residents who commute to jobs outside Fillmore visit downtown too infrequently to have any awareness of shopping opportunities here. He believes that Fillmore should learn how to grow more successful downtown business from other small towns that have thrived. Whaley has seen a slight increase in customers coming in off the highway since October, the last month of construction before the blackout period. CONTINUED »

Cooper’s Hawk
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Hands up, all who knew there is a real nature preserve right in our own backyard! The Hedrick Ranch Nature Area (HRNA) is a 223-acre property on the south bank of the Santa Clara River between Fillmore and Santa Paula, off of South Mountain Road. Sanger Hedrick’s father bought the property in 1940, and the family has farmed it until recently. In 2001, he sold the property to the California State Coastal Conservancy which then granted it to the Friends of the Santa Clara River (FSCR), a non-profit environmental group. The mission of FSCR is to “protect, enhance and manage resources of the Santa Clara River.” They believe it is critical to protect and preserve floodplains and riparian areas and to address watershed issues. The HRNA is a living workshop where habitat restoration takes place, including weed abatement, seed collection, native plant propagation, and planting.

Volunteers meet once a month on alternate first Saturdays or Sundays for a morning’s work. On a recent Saturday morning, several eager workers with loppers in hand tackled an overgrown path. All agreed that working with friends, seeing a variety of birds and wildlife, including coyotes and bobcats (and the occasional rattlesnake), and doing their part to help the environment were all benefits of volunteering at HRNA. A highlight of today’s workday was seeing regular HRNA and Ojai Raptor Center volunteer Pete Triem release three Cooper’s Hawks into the wild. A group of teenagers with City Corps of Ventura were also on hand to plant 1,200 native plants grown right on the property.

In addition to volunteers, the HRNA is supported by grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and from the State Water Resources Control Board. The FSCR also contracts with Coastal Restoration Consultants for technical advice on implementing the habitat restoration plan. John True, Project Coordinator, discussed how the goal of removing non-native, invasive plant species and reintroducing native species was being achieved. The property had most recently been used as pasture for cattle when FSCR received it, and heavy rains in 2005 causing flooding had deposited about one foot of silt and sediment on the property. Native grasses, shrubs, and trees were planted, and now most plants used in restoration here are propagated in a small nursery on site from seeds and cuttings collected on the preserve. There are about 11,000 plants growing in their “low-tech” nursery, and they are continually starting plants throughout the year, using frames covered with plastic to protect vulnerable plants from the cold in winter months. Plants are watered from a well and rain. According to John, as a greater variety of native species are planted, biodiversity increases, resulting in higher populations of insects, birds, and other wildlife. The Least Bell’s Vireo, an endangered species of bird, is present in the area.

The restoration of the Hedrick Ranch Nature Area is helping to meet the larger goal of protecting endangered species and returning the Santa Clara River to a more native state. More volunteers are always welcome at workdays! The next workday is Sunday, January 11, 2009 (weather permitting). Wear long pants, boots, and sun protection, and bring water and gloves. They have tools, but you can bring your own. If you have been looking for a way to help the environment while making new friends, enjoying nature, and getting a little exercise, then these workdays fit the bill. Jackie Bowland Worden of Bowland & Associates (Biological and Environmental Consulting Services), the restoration manager for HRNA, coordinates the workdays. Contact her at jbworden7@gmail.com.

Kailey Andrews, United States Air Force.
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Life-long Fillmore resident, Kailey Andrews, 19 years, a graduate of Fillmore High School (FHS) Class 2007, was home for the Thanksgiving Holiday with her family after she completed eight weeks of Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) in Wichita Falls, Texas and six weeks at Keesler AFB near Biloxi, Mississippi. At Keesler AFB she trained in the operating room of the base hospital as a surgical apprentice. Kailey attended Los Nogales Elementary and Camarillo Heights Elementary Schools, and Los Altos Middle School in Camarillo before attending FHS. After graduation from FHS Kailey attended Ventura College before enlisting into the United States Air Force. Kailey was an avid softball player since she was 4 yrs. old and played year-round softball through high school at both second base and center field. Kailey enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of 2007.

Airman Kailey Andrews left on November 29th for Eglin AFB located about sixty miles from Pensacola, Florida. Eglin will be her new duty station with the Air Forces 96th Medical Group as a Surgical Technician. As a Surgical Technician she assists professional staff in providing patient care for surgical patients before, during, and after surgery. Airman Kailey Andrews will perform scrub and circulating duties in the operating room (OR). Additionally she will assist with post-anesthesia recovery of patients. The 96th Medical Group manages and provides comprehensive, cost-effective health care for 83,000 eligible beneficiaries who include active duty men and women, their dependents and military retirees. It operates a community-based teaching hospital with graduate level programs in family practice, general dentistry and other medical disciplines. It deploys and expands to provide responsive health services in any contingency. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

At approximately 11:01 PM, Ventura County Sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to a report of robbery at the Shell Gas Station. A Hispanic Male, 5’9” to 6’, 150-170lbs, Slender build, Brown eyes, 20-29 year old suspect wearing a hooded sweatshirt, knit cap with his face covered by a bandana brandished a rifle at the 38-year-old female store attendant and demanded money. The clerk gave him the money in the cash register and watched the suspect flee toward the west and north. A second witness saw the suspect leave the store carrying a rifle and also called authorities.

Anyone with additional information about this crime is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (805) 494-TALK (Thousand Oaks / Moorpark), (805) 385-TALK (Camarillo / Oxnard / Port Hueneme), Fillmore Police Department at (805) 524-2233 or the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Unit at (805) 477-7000.

Pictured (l-r) Mountain View Principal Chrissy Schieferle, school board member David Dollar and Heidi Popp. Popp was given the “Be the Change” award.
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Pictured (l-r) Cynthia Frutos, David Dollar and Isela Larin. Larin was given the "Be The Change" award for her outstanding career counseling at SHS (Sierra High School).
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The open session of the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting was December 16, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Board presented awards to Isela Larin and Heidi Popp, swore in newly elected Board Members, elected a president, received recommendations from the Reconfiguration Committee, discussed fundraising principles, discussed contracts, and heard a facilities update on recent leaks.

Cynthia Frutos introduced Isela Larin on behalf of Sierra High School (SHS). Larin was awarded a "Be the Change" certificate for her outstanding work. She provides career counseling to SHS students, as well as Fillmore High School (FHS) students. Larin received praise for arranging remarkable guest speakers, and helping each SHS student with a plan for life after high school.

Mountain Vista Elementary School Principal Chrissy Schieferle introduced Heidi Popp. Popp was awarded a "Be the Change" certificate. Popp had sought donations for a "coat closet" from Mountain Vista staff, Fillmore Middle School staff, and the community. Schieferle said that Popp had hoped to gather enough coats and clothes to help the needy during the holidays, but collected so much clothes that the "coat closet" will be open year-round.

Board Members John Garnica and Virginia De La Piedra were re-elected in November, and were sworn in for another four-year term at this meeting. The Board elected Garnica to be School Board President, elected Board Member Tony Prado to be Vice President, and elected Board Member Liz Wilde to continue as Clerk. The Board decided to continue holding meetings on first and third Tuesdays. The Board appointed Prado as the School Board Representative on the County Committee on School District Organization. It appointed Superintendent Jeff Sweeney as the Ex-Officio Clerk and/or Secretary, with Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush as alternate. It appointed De La Piedra and Garnica to the Vision 2020 Steering Committee, with Wilde as alternate. It appointed David Dollar to the Agricultural Advisory Committee. CONTINUED »