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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 13th, 2022
 On April 10, 2022, at 7:48pm, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Fillmore City Fire and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a reported injury vehicle accident that had just occurred in the area of Fourth Street / Goodenough Road. Arriving fire crews reported two vehicles with two patients being transported to the hospital, conditions unknown. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel—AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 13th, 2022
 Fillmore’s Chalk Festival was well attended on Saturday, April 9. Lots of kids and parents decorated the sidewalks in front of Fillmore City Hall with colorful chalks. A live music trio played some great oldies but goodies, and Mr. Softee showed up to the delight of ice cream lovers. Enlarge Photo |
 The Fillmore Citrus Fruit Association in 1906. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 13th, 2022
 Building boxes for Sparr Fruit Company circa 1915, with two workers smiling while they stop building for a photo. Enlarge Photo Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum The Fillmore Citrus Association was formed in 1897 with David Felsenthal as president. In 1899, the Association bought property for $50 at Sespe Avenue and A Street and built its packinghouse on the site for $1,500. Soon more packinghouses followed. Some were locally owned like the Fremlin-Walker Packinghouse off Santa Clara Street. Others were owned by companies from elsewhere. One of the earliest of these was the Sparr Packinghouse. Sparr was a Riverside, California, company which opened a packinghouse in Fillmore in the first decade of the 20th century. The packinghouse was on the southwest corner of Main and Central. The first packinghouse burned in 1913 and was rebuilt. The later building burned in 1970. By 1930, Mutual Orange Distributors, which had started in Redlands in 1910, had a packinghouse in Fillmore on Old Telegraph Road. In 1913, Frank Erskine, who had been with a citrus association in Whittier, was hired as the manager of the Fillmore Citrus Association. Besides overseeing the construction of a new orange packinghouse in 1918 and a new lemon packinghouse in 1924, he also organized two bands made up of employees, the Fillmore Citrus Association American Band and the Fillmore Citrus Association Mexican Band. According to the business card of the bands, “Music for any occasion at reasonable rates. Either band separately or the two bands consolidated. Proper instrumentation in any number of men from sixteen to fifty.” The bands performed throughout the region as well as on the radio. Erskine left the Fillmore Citrus Association in 1929 to join the newly formed Ramona Savings and Loan. As the citrus industry expanded in the area, more workers were needed. Jobs included not just picking the oranges, but loading field boxes weighing as much as ninety (90) pounds onto wagons and later trucks. Once the fruit was at the packinghouse it had to be unloaded and then washed. In 1916, mechanical washing machines were installed at the Fillmore Citrus Association orange packinghouse. The fruit had to be graded for size and quality, then packed into boxes by local women workers. The boxes again had to be loaded into trucks or train cars. Mechanics to work on the machinery of the packinghouse and truck drivers were needed. To ease the labor shortage for pickers, in 1941 the Fillmore Citrus Association built a labor camp in Fillmore. In 1942, they contracted with the Villasenor family, who owned a local restaurant, to provide meals for those living at the camp. This evolved into the Villasenors managing the camp and, in 1979, buying the camp. Finally, in 1946, the Fillmore Citrus Association built a second orange packinghouse. This building now houses Nova Storage which recognizes the building’s history with murals of citrus crate labels on the building. Only one citrus packinghouse continues to operate in Fillmore, the Villa Park Orchards Association packinghouse at the former MOD location. The other buildings have been repurposed to avocado packinghouses, artist studios, and storage facilities. Whatever their use, they are a reminder of why Fillmore came to be. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
 Construction is going full steam on the Fillmore Library Expansion Project which began in November of 2021; the project will be adding a Classroom, Reading Room., Computer Room, Study Rooms and STEAM/Innovation Lab. The project is funded by the CA State Library, CDBG, City of Fillmore, and Fillmore Wigley Bequest Trust Account. It’s managed by Ventura County Public Works Agency, the Architect Anderson Kulwiec Appleby and the Contraction is Monet Construction. Total cost for construction is $1,940,000 and the anticipated date of completion is August 2022. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
 The Street Sign Dedication Ceremony for Max Pina Way will be held Saturday, April 9th at 11:30am in the alley next to the Fillmore Police and Sheriff Station. The City of Fillmore will honor Fillmore Police SGT. Pina, VCSO Deputy and City of Fillmore Resource Officer, for his decades of service with the citizens and youth of Fillmore. Thank you to Fillmore City Manager Dave Rowlands and Fillmore Police Chief Capt. Garo Kuredjian for their support and suggestions which helped with the location and decor of the sign. The Mayor and Fillmore City Council members, along with Ventura County Sheriff Aad Undersheriff, will be attending. Please join Max’s family and friends at the celebration! There will a be hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks available |
 On March 26th, Fillmore High hosted their Beautification Day along with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County Mentor Club, Fillmore students and other local community programs and members. Photo courtesy Fillmore High Flashes blog. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
This year, after returning to in-person learning, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County Mentor Club at Fillmore High School (FHS) decided to have a FHS Beautification Day on March 26, 2022. Beautification Day consisted of Fillmore students and community members picking up trash, rocks, raking leaves, painting the faded blue wood tables and faded walls, pruning rose bushes, and scraping gum from the campus sidewalks. Each year for the past ten years, the youth of the FHS Mentor Club have been creating one big community project for the student members to organize throughout the school year. Throughout the years, the projects they work on have been a beneficial learning experience for the youth in a variety of ways. They had the experience of working in a group and brainstorming ideas. Collectively they had peer discussions to resolve the logistics of the project. After they decided on the project, there was a list of "to-do" tasks that they divided among one another. The project was integrated into their community. Our youth present their project to city council members, school administrators, and local adult service clubs such as the Fillmore Lions and Rotary Club. All high school students and mentors had an opportunity to get involved with the community and make connections. Some students felt more confident planning, others speaking in public, and others working hands-on. As their supervisor, I see how they develop their social skills as they continue in the Mentor Club. Some of the benefits of volunteering in their community include the chance to network and meet new people, learn new skills and increase self-efficacy while making a positive impact in their community. The event was well attended by both students and community members. FHS students liked that their campus shined a little bit more than usual. Thank you to the Fillmore Lions and Rotary Club members who participated, the Fillmore Lions Club for sponsoring the pan dulce in the morning, and the pizza lunch. A BIG THANKS TO ALL THE FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (FUSD) STUDENTS that volunteered on a Saturday morning and to the FUSD for the cleaning supplies and continuous support. Amelia Aparicio, |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
"Truth, beauty and goodness"...these are what our community needs! And the truth is that we have some amazing gardeners among us bringing such beauty, and all to share for the good of others. Gardeners define what it means to live well, no matter how big or small the gardens be... There is supposed to be only one 'Yard of the Month', but if you don't mind I want to include other sites for you to check out each month from our fair town...these homes didn't win the prize, but in my eyes they embody the truth of beauty and goodness! If you find yourself near one of these sites, stop by. Do check out the home at 1044 Candalaria where there are so many lovely personal touches that make it a delight to see. The 745 Fine Street home has done an exceptional job of planting its front yard to low maintenance, drought resistant, and/or edible plant varieties- and it all pulls together to enhance the facade of the home, well done! At 615 Yucca the folks here put in an orchard of fruit trees in the front yard with a side raised bed of lovely perennials, all secured with a permascape that not only looks beautiful but cuts down on water usage and maintenance. Finally at 607 Lemon Way, Apt. A, I spied a Dragon Fruit making its way over the wall- looking in I found the happiest of low maintenance, low water specimens (the scarlet blooming cactus was exquisite!) among joyful Mexican folk art. The yard was obviously set up for easy outside entertaining with family and friends. Gloriosa! But April's 'Yard of the Month' goes to Doug and Nancy Cope at 603 Fourth St. They came to Fillmore over twenty years ago, originally from Canada, an entire country where everyone is just so dang 'nice'- something that our world can use a little more of today. Thus the Copes are not only to-the-core gardeners, but I was in for that to-the-core 'nice' of the Canadian way...so I knew I was in for a double dose of just plain wonderful. They live in the 'office' of the original orange ranch there in north Fillmore and what they have done to make it 'home' is remarkable. I met them as I interrupted their outdoor dinner in the cozy nook they created, complete with overhead bistro lights that softly lit the sitting area and hearth made from blocks ("so the grand kids have a place to roast marshmallows"). Pots of succulents were tucked into every corner, mature roses interplanted with bearded iris line one side and where ever there was a strip of bare ground, Nancy made sure to have something growing. Any structurally needed walls were covered with something in full Spring bloom, whether it was panels of intoxicating jasmine or a retaining wall that carried happy geraniums up and over to other side, altogether some twenty feet of blooms! Though the Copes live literally in the middle of town, they have created a place of quiet contemplation and privacy...but that does not mean they don't to contend with the issues of gardening in our environment. So far this year, they have trapped and rehomed nine racoons (who would have thought coons could have such a party in those tall and narrow Italian Cypress trees!), four possums and two squirrels... being nice goes only so far! The costs of utilities in Fillmore require water to be conserved- everything is hand watered or micro irrigated to control its use. Doug, quite the handyman, even put together in an irrigation system that has a weather sensitive component to it. Their orchard is crowned with an original orange tree from the founding ranch. Alongside it, and girded by colorful Nasturtiums and Belladona Amaryllus, are Grapefruits, Guavas, a Pinkerton Avocado (a truly great, and locally found!, variety of avocado), Peaches, Bananas (Burros variety), Blueberries, Tangerines (the old variety of Dancy- so the taste is exceptional, and its marmalade is sublime), and Limes. Apricots and a Mission Fig that provides fig jam for everyone that visits, and over twenty grapevines of wine and table varieties, and a gorgeous Pomegranate that Nancy freezes the juice from for year round use. Whew! The Copes can sure show us how we can pack a lot into a small space! The next project they have up their sleeves is to plant the large pots they picked up on travels to Mexico with various cactus to line the full sun driveway. There already is an 'Old Man As I left their place, Nancy loaded me up with bulbs for my garden and two kinds of marmalades from her kitchen by way of their orchard...yup, I hope when I grow up to be as nice as these folks! Let's all love the places we live in by bringing beauty into them, and sharing our garden knowledge- and results!- with our neighbors...it is like a good infection -the truth about living a life well is it really does bring with it goodness and beauty. And let me hear from you if you find a gem of a garden in your neighborhood that I might miss otherwise...reginastehly@gmail.com Thanks for spreading the infection! Remember the Flower Show this weekend folks! Share any and all your yard's beauty with the rest of the town- bring them by this Saturday between 7:30 and 10 AM. There will be plenty of help for you (don't worry if you can't remember the name of that 'special rose' from Aunt Clara!) and for $5/adult (youth free) you can bring in as many buckets of flowers, pots, bouquets and arrangements that you can muster! See you there! |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department Three men from Los Angeles are in custody for stealing catalytic converters, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy, and drug possession charges. On March 30, 2022, deputies responded to a report of a catalytic converter theft that had just occurred in the 1000 block of King Street in the city of Fillmore. A witness reported they saw two suspicious vehicles speeding away from the location. Patrol deputies immediately searched the location and were able to locate and stop on one of the vehicles the witness described. The vehicle was occupied by three subjects who were found to be in possession of burglary tools, floor jacks, and illegal drugs (Photographs attached). A floor jack was left behind at one of the crime scenes. In addition, two of the suspects had outstanding arrest warrants out of Los Angeles County. The investigation revealed four additional theft victims in the same area. Detectives believe that these three suspects are part of a catalytic converter theft ring out of the city of Los Angeles. Detectives believe the second vehicle reported by the witness was also related to the theft. All three suspect were taken into custody and subsequently booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for Grand Theft, Possession of Burglary Tools, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, and Possession of Methamphetamines. All three remain in custody with each of their bail set at $250,000. Their court date is set for April 4, 2022. Anyone with information pertaining to crimes of this nature are urged to contact Detective Valdez at the below listed number. The reporting party may remain anonymous. In an effort to deter would-be thieves and to track stolen catalytic converters, the Fillmore Police Department has teamed up with several local auto repair shops. The below listed businesses have agreed to etch your license plate number and paint a Sheriff’s star on your catalytic converter, free of charge. Our goal is to deter a potential thief who might be planning to steal your catalytic converter. As soon as they see the painted Sheriff’s star and engraved license plate number, they will hopefully leave your car alone. If your catalytic converter is stolen, law enforcement or a scrap yard will be able to recognize the catalytic converter as stolen based on the markings. You can make an “Etch and Catch” appointment at any of the below locations in the city of Fillmore: Ernie’s Auto Care & Smog De La Rosa Auto Repair Bob’s Radiator Shop Fillmore Auto Electric & Tune When you call for your appointment, make sure to mention it is for the “Etch and Catch” program. We are asking for our community’s help to prevent catalytic converter thefts. If you hear strange noises during the night, such as power tools or sawing, if you see a vehicle driving suspiciously slow through your neighborhood or stopped at the side of the road, if you see or hear ANYTHING out of the ordinary, please call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 911 or (805) 654-9511. Often, cases are solved when an observant resident calls when something does not seem quite right. For more information on the program click on video link: https://bit.ly/3uS59xL. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram@VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories. Nature of Incident: Three Suspects Arrested for Stealing Catalytic Converters Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). |
 On Saturday and Sunday, April 9th and 10th, at the Fillmore Active Adult Center from 1pm to 4pm, the Fillmore 2022 Flower Show will take place. Be sure to stop by and smell the roses. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
Fillmore Flower Show April 9th & 10th, 2022
By Jan Lee The divisions for adults to enter are listed on the website: fillmoreflowershow.org. There is a $5 fee to enter no matter how many entries you have. The judges will select the top representation of each category. Bring your entry to the Center between 7:30a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 9th. While Youth are allowed to enter any division and be judged with the adults, there are a few divisions especially for Youth who reside within the boundaries of the Fillmore Unified School District beginning at age 3. Division IX—Youth Arrangements. This is a flower display, limited to 20” X 20” to be arranged at the show without adult help. Arrangement should reflect the theme of the show, “100 Years Celebrating Flowers”. Division X— Youth Composition. An original poem or short essay on a single page with or without illustration on the theme of the flower show. Division XI— Youth Art (Non-Competitive) Original artwork reflecting the flower show theme. Think of all the celebrations in your life where flowers play a significant role: birthdays, Valentine’s Day, weddings, graduation, love, promotions, baby born, etc. Isn’t it time to celebrate the flowers that always bring joy to the special moments in our lives? Come on you creative people! Let’s see how you can join the fun by sharing the beauty of your garden with your neighbors. We are counting on all of you to make this the best show ever! See you at the Fillmore Flower Show. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
By Susan Hopkins Fillmore gardens and hillsides consistently explode with blossoms in the spring. For over one hundred years the people of Fillmore have shown their delight in this floral bounty by putting on a flower show. The show has gone through a variety of forms reflecting what was going on in the community and the broader world. The location changed and the themes changed. The 100th year for this event took place in 2014. It has been held nearly every one of those 100 years and was only paused from 1939 to 1945 due to the world war and during a period when there was a lack of leadership due to the age of its membership. In 1987 it was canceled because of a freeze, and most recently in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With great delight our local gardeners look forward to the reemergence of the 2022 Flower Show this month. Newspaper clippings from 1913 describe a contest amongst the local elementary schools. “A framed print of George Washington was to be awarded to the school with the best display of wild flowers at the annual May Day festival. The picture was awarded to San Cayetano School in 1913.” (The first San Cayetano School, not the San Cayetano School that we know today.) It later went to Fillmore Grammar School and Sespe Elementary. The Washington print is now on display in the Fillmore Historical Museum. The early shows were held on May Day and featured a May Pole Dance and relay races for children. Based on records kept by the Garden Club and clippings from the newspaper it appears that the first formal show was in 1919. In May of 1922 flowers were abundant again “One (part) of the May Day celebration that commanded universal admiration…..was the beautiful Floral Exhibit at the high school grounds. This was staged in one corner of the cement paved tennis court.” In 1937 the flower show was held in the building that would later become Briggs’ Hardware. Pictures show rows of flowers in tall vases lining the walls from front to back. In 1928 the Fillmore Spring Flower Festival was held in early May. It was held under “the joint auspices of the Veterans’ Service Club, the Fillmore Merchants’ Association, and the Chamber of Commerce……to inject zest and enthusiasm into the social and business intercourse of the community.” It was a full day of activities beginning at 10:00 AM with the show open for public viewing. In the afternoon there were children’s sports and a baseball game. In the evening there was a program at the high school and flowers exhibited were auctioned off with the proceeds going to the sick relief fund of the service club. This took place just weeks before the 1928 St. Francis Dam disaster. After WW II, sponsored by the Fillmore Garden Club, the Flower Show grew and was moved to the Veterans’ Memorial Building. Dahlias were the specialty of the first show. Through the years a wide variety of flowers has been shown such as dahlias, camellias, lilies, and of course roses. At times certain flowers were banned. One year it was sunflowers and another times it was morning glories and bleeding hearts. There were silver bowl trophies for adults and cash prizes for school children. In 1972 visitors voted for best arrangement and a special Judges’ award was given to the Fillmore Insectary for its display on beneficial insects. Each year at the conclusion of the Flower Show, prizes are awarded and the winners of raffles and silent auctions are announced. There is great anticipation waiting to hear which entry won the coveted Best of Show Award. Through the 1970s the Fillmore Garden Club sponsored the Flower Show providing the planning and man power to keep it going. The tables, vases, display shelves, and extra ribbons always found a safe home in the barns of local ranchers. The King and King Ranch has made storage room for all of the Garden Show necessities for years. The Garden Club also held plant sales, auctions, and asked for donations to fund the show. Annual costs continue to rise but admission for viewing the show is always free. Lately there has been a five dollar entry fee for adult exhibitors. Youths residing within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries may exhibit for free. In 1982 the club held a theme contest among local students and chose the winner from 50 selections. The chosen theme “Holiday with Flowers” was the winning entry. During the yearly event many citizens assist as host and hostesses, local musicians provide entertainment, refreshments are provided, and generous members donate plants for a plant sale. A 1982 news story highlighted what a community affair the show was by noting that the Fillmore Future Farmers Chamber of Commerce, and Jaycees would assist with physical work of setting up display tables and hanging plant stands as well as taking it down at the end of the show. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce had generously donated monetary help to assist with expenses of the show. Local businesses and organizations regularly and enthusiastically supported the show with donations and prizes for the silent auction. This still is happening today. Following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, the city started the Vision 2020 project to provide improvements and beautification. At the outset the community was polled to gather ideas for what citizens would like the city of Fillmore to be like in 2020. At that time several committees were formed including the Civic Pride Committee. It began working on projects around the city that included the Garden of the Month awards for beautiful landscaping, the care of the downtown planters and flower pots, and the sponsorship of the Flower Show. Linda Nunes the chairperson contacted Conway Spitler, Wilma Allen, and Joanne King about restarting the flower show. In 2009 after an 11 year break the revived Fillmore Flower Show began. An appeal to the community asked for help with a search for lost equipment and signs. To create interest in the show workshops on flower arranging and rose pruning were held in various locations for youth and at community meetings. The show was held in the Senior Center on Santa Clara Street. Judges Sue Diller and Barbara Scheider from the Ventura county fair share their expertise and say that the Fillmore Flower Show is their favorite. In 2014 the Flower Show celebrated its 100th year with the usual gorgeous display of flowers and the theme “100 Years of Flowers.” Many arrangements reflected the theme with vintage vases, photos, and old fashion blooms. Hostesses even wore vintage outfits in a nod to the special year. In 2020 the Active Adult Center was reserved, the judges were contacted, brochures were printed and the committee had many of the plans in place for the next show. Unfortunately, Covid 19 had other plans and the Flower Show was canceled in both in 2020 and 2021. 2022 sees the Civic Pride Committee back in action and actively planning on an even better show with the theme “Farie Tales and Flowers” on April 9th and 10th. With this year’s early rains there should be an abundance of spectacular blooms to delight everyone. |
