Alumni Association Scholarship Fundraiser
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Fillmore Fire Department BBQ Fundraiser
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A big hello to all of you in Fillmore. The Alumni Association has been quiet this summer with their downtown events; but not to worry, We're Back!

Thursday, September 15, 2016 between 6:00pm and 9:00pm, we want to invite you, the community of Fillmore, to come downtown for a Fillmore Fire Department BBQ and listen to some good old time music. Our very own Fillmore classic cars will be parked downtown for viewing. The Alumni Association will be in front of Central Station Bar & Grill with all our Blue & White merchandise available to everyone.

As most of you know, the next night, Friday, Sept 16th, our Fillmore High Flashes football team, cheer, and band will host the Santa Paula Cardinals in the 106th meeting between the two schools, the oldest Ventura County High School rivalry on the grid iron.

Blue & White night is also an opportunity to celebrate and fund our Fillmore Firemen Foundation by purchasing a hamburger or hot dog meal. Fillmore Fire Department will be parking their fire engine, BBQ grill, and Fillmore's old restored fire engine from way back in the day, right on Central Avenue between Sespe Avenue, and Main Street.

The Alumni Association is gearing up for our downtown events, so come be a part of the fun. Next month is the Homecoming Parade, an event not to be missed.

Let's continue the tradition of celebrating in our historic downtown. Go Flashes! Beat Santa Paula!

Santa Paula Police Department

[Editor's note: The Gazette is publishing this Santa Paula Police Department press release as a public service to alert Fillmore residents to this sort of problem. Our thanks to the Santa Paula Police Department for providing this information.]

On Friday, September 2, 22016 at approximately 1226 hours officers responded to St. Sebastian School at 325 E. Santa Barbara St., Santa Paula. Initial reports were that a male subject had called a school employee and threatened to shoot them. As a precaution St. Sebastian School and due to there close proximity, Santa Paula High School, 404 N. 6th Street, and Renaissance High School, 325 N. Palm Ave., were also placed on lock down.

Upon initial investigation and speaking with the victim it was determined that she was possibly the victim of a phone scam. Both the Simi Valley Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff's Department have posted press releases, both within the last 3 days, warning residents to be aware of receiving phone calls from unknown persons claiming that they have a family member being held against their will. Often times the suspect / unknown caller does not have the correct information about the family member. That was the case with this victim and the suspect did not have the correct name of their family members. The victim was able to contact their immediate family members who were all unharmed.

Once it was determined this was a possible phone scam the lockdowns from both schools were released. At this time the investigaiton is ongoing. If anyone has further information on this incident please contact Sgt. Cody Madison at (805) 525-4474 x 220 or cmadison@spcity.org

Patricia Vasquez-Cabrera '15 receives her Continuing Education Grant. Patricia is a Sophomore at University of California San Diego. She is Majoring in Urban Studies and Planning. She is on schedule to Graduate in 2019. Congrats Patricia!
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Emilio Hernandez, Class of 2015 receives his continuing education grant from Vice President of the Fillmore High Alumni Association, Corinna "Chandler" Mozley. '71. Emilio is attending Chico State University and majoring in Economics. He is on schedule to Graduate in 2019. Congrats Emilio!
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Back in June, the Fillmore High Alumni Association awarded $31,000 in scholarships to the class of 2016. This August, we awarded an additional $20,000 in Continuation Grants to Fillmore High Alumni pursuing higher education at trade schools, colleges, and universities.

The Fillmore High Alumni Association is over 100 years old. The Association's ability to award scholarships is the result of generations of Fillmore High graduates, local businesses and community members who believe in the importance of higher education and have made donations to the Scholarship Fund by becoming members.

About The Fillmore High Alumni Association
Since 1913, The Fillmore High Alumni Association has been bringing people together to support education, students and the community of Fillmore. Our mission is to provide scholarships to Fillmore High seniors and any Fillmore High graduate seeking to continue their education. We invite any Fillmore High graduate, local business, non-profit organization or individual in the community interested in supporting the association's Scholarship Fund to become a member or renew your membership today by visiting http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/membership/

To see a complete list of this year's awardees, please click here. Thank you for supporting the Fillmore High Alumni Association!

Photo submitted to The Gazette by Kathy Long entitled "Response to Editor -Kathy Long Attachment Photo Sespe Creek (1)"
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Photo submitted to The Gazette by Kathy Long entitled "Response to Editor -Kathy Long Attachment Photo Sespe Creek (2)"
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[Below is Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long's response to The Gazette's Grand Avenue Fence Editorial.]

August 29, 2016

ATTACHMENT: Two photos of trash along Sespe Creek dated September 2015, prior to the installation of the pipe and cable fence.

[Below is The Gazette's Editorial Response to Kathy Long's Response]

An answer to response letter received from Supervisor Kathy Long's office, concerning Sespe Creek article of August 18, 2016.

By Martin Farrell

Thank you Supervisor Long for your explanatory response to my article. I also thank you for your many years of distinguished service to Ventura County, especially to the City of Fillmore. I can personally attest to your dependable assistance during my 30-years in the city, and I thank you for that as well.
(Here comes the "however")

I have hiked the Sespe often during my stay in Fillmore. As you affirm, Sespe Creek "is a gateway to the Los Padres National Forest, and is valued for its access to wilderness and wildlife."

Here is a Wikipedia description: ”Sespe Creek is a small stream in Ventura County, California in the United States. The creek starts at Portero Seco, and is formed by more than thirty tributary streams before it empties into the Santa Clara River in Fillmore. 31miles of Sespe Creek is designated as a national Scenic Waterway, and is untouched by dams and concrete channels."

I have to smile at the irony expressed in the description of the Sespe as "a small stream." After our 5-year drought the Sespe, at least at the south end, is completely dry. But those of us who have, in the past 20 years seen that "stream" develope into a roaring torrent, know how quickly it can flex its muscles. I believe only a couple of successful kayak expeditions down the Sespe have been recorded due to the danger. I happened to be hiking up the Sespe one day several years ago (check rain gage) when two kayakers approached. They had spent a couple of days coming down the Sespe. We had a short conversation. They told me this was the greatest trip they had taken in any wilderness area.

Very few people have been able to make it down the entire length of the Sespe. Too much water and you are dead, too little and it's impossible. If you're lucky and time it perfectly, as a couple have done, it's possible, but it's still an extreme trip.

But the trip up the Sespe is what is at issue here, not down. For more than a hundred years this hike has been popular with many folks out for a little exercise and adventure.

Here are some comments about the Sespe: "Sespe Creek is indisputably the finest wilderness run south of the Sierra Nevada." "Class 1V and 1V+ rapids become commonplace, and a couple of challenging portages await all but the most bazen of boaters. This is a multiday adventure."

Sespe Creek is deemed a "navigable" waterway. "obstruction of fire truck passage, or use of a navigable waterway, is also deemed a criminal offense. Victims of obstruction can contact the local sheriff or police department, make a report, and request that criminal charges be filed for violation of the two following State laws: (Penal Code Section 370). Harbors and navigation Code Section 131. "Every person who unlawfully obstructs the navigation of any navigable waters, is guilty of a misdemeanor." Several cases show examples of "Public Nuisance" as a civil offense. (Civil Code section 3479). The fence is an obstruction of access - also unlawful. (Note: I am not a lawyer. References provided by American Whitewater, et al).

I don't want to clog this response with legal statutes and findings. But it is clear that Sespe Creek is deemed "navigable" in law and, therefore, access cannot be obstructed by anyone. The law is based upon the California Constitution and several statutes.

That said, I have to question the wisdom of placing the steel cable fence, which blocks all traditional parking space at the northernmost end of Grand Avenue. Just about every remote road in Ventura County is subject to illegal dumping, including Grand Avenue. It is the remoteness of the area that attracts dumpers. The fence will do little or nothing to discourage this practice. The short time it has been in place proves nothing - the trash barrels have been full to overflowing for many weeks, and a newly dumped tire is there since I took my first photos.

The fence has corralled-off all traditional parking space forcing all vehicles to park onto the roadway, only in a parallel position. Ironically, the area is posted "No Parking", and the landowner claims entry would constitute a trespass violation. The landowner has a steel fence descending from his yard area down into the federally protected Sespe Creek entryway. I note that brush around this fence has been cleared away since my first trip to the area - the trespass sign and fence remain, both are illegal.

To shorten this response, the County fence obstructs public access to Sespe Creek, which is both a violation of State and Federal law. The main obstruction concerns parking, which significantly impedes foot traffic and creates a hazard to those wishing to recreate in that area.

The fence can do nothing to prevent dumping of trash - but cameras and strict fines can do the job - and would also discourage criminal activity.

For these reasons, I would ask, that the County of Ventura remove this fence and return the peaceful use of this important recreational area to the public. At the very least, the fence poses an extreme inconvenience to public access.

As an afterthought, seeing that hiking the Sespe has been important as long as there have been hikers, and significant harassment from the property owner to halt ingress to the Creek has been ongoing for decades, how does the property owner treat those coming down stream? Does he demand that they halt in their tracks to avoid alleged trespassing? Does he demand that they return north with their kayaks? That would be a problematic portage.

So I would argue that a better solution to halting trash-dumping at the gateway to the Los Padres National Forest would be several high-def cameras and strict fines.

Two final notes: The headline for my article ended with a question mark, which was omitted in the response. The other is the description of the fence as being "unobtrusive". I think someone attempting to park a camper in preparation for two-day hike into the wilderness might disagree.

Thank you for listening and I look forward to a reasonable resolution of this vexing issue.
Sincerely,
Martin Farrell
Publisher

The class in 1976 in the classroom
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Tony Cervantez in 1976
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Maria Barigan, Nancy Levyn, and Tony Cervantez
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Nancy Levyn and Maria Elana Garcia
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As a lasting tribute to the American Bicentennial in 1976, the students in Nancy Levyn’s 5th grade class studied American history, designed panels and created a very special quilt to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of our country. It depicted 28 events which tell the chronological history of the United States. With guidance from first time teacher, Nancy Levyn, the 28 students each chose a subject, contributed material and designed each fabric square. Finally the students sewed their own designs to the squares. Carolyn Thomas formerly of Fillmore and a mother of one of the students attached the finished squares to the backing.

Forty years after the quilt was constructed, Nancy has generously donated it to the Fillmore Historical Museum. Former student Tony Cervantez found several of his 5th grade classmates, Maria Barigan and Maria Elena Garcia who also attended the event. Together he, his classmates, Nancy and the museum docents celebrated the donation with a reception at the museum held last Saturday, August 27th.

Within the next few weeks the quilt will be mounted and displayed in the school room located in the two story bunkhouse building where it can be admired by all.

Nova Storage Fillmore held a gala grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on August 25th. Owner Larry Layne did the honors with a giant pair of scissors.

Mayor Diane McCall, members of the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce and City Council, along with many residents and tenants were in attendance.

The Fillmore High School Boys Varsity CIF Soccer Champions also came by to participate in the festivities. Upbeat music was provided by Octopus Dreamland, a group of young local musicians.

Located behind the Fillmore Fire Department and accessed off Sespe Place, Nova Storage has added 41 new storage units to accommodate the town's growing needs for self-storage. In addition, the upper level RV parking has been resurfaced and Nova is installing a new security access gate to the property and individual unit alarms for each tenant.

Future plans include the construction of a new three-story self-storage building with 40,000 square feet of storage and entrances from both the present driveway and off First Street.

Operational changes for tenant convenience include the acceptance of credit cards for rent payments as well as signing up for automatic billing or making online payments at www.NovaStorage.com. Every effort is being made to make doing business here as convenient and pleasant as possible.

The management team at Nova Storage Fillmore consists of property manager Bob Crum and assistant manager Cynthia Juarez. Nova prefers to use local service providers, so please drop by and introduce yourself to Bob and let us know how we can work together!

A hearty thank you to all who stopped in and participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony, and to Body Image Gym and the Hair Gallery for the door prizes and Vallarta for the tasty food.

With over 40 new units now available, Nova Storage Fillmore invites anyone with storage needs to come by and have a look. Regular business hours are 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., daily – closed major holidays.

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith urges recreational water users to avoid close contact with water bodies containing blue-green algae. Since June of this year, blue-green algae blooms have been identified in more than two dozen freshwater reservoirs, lakes and streams statewide.

A list of current algal blooms is available online. The state recommends that people and pets avoid contact with affected bodies of water.

“Boaters and swimmers across the state should be aware of posted signs that indicate the presence of blue-green algae,” said Dr. Smith. “These blooms can produce toxins that pose a health risk if the affected water is touched or swallowed. Signs of blue-green algae poisoning include eye irritation, skin rashes, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea and cold and flu-like symptoms.”

Blue-green algae poisoning is most common and symptoms, including death, can be more severe in pets and livestock because they tend to drink the water from affected lakes and reservoirs. Children and adults can experience serious injury to the liver, kidney and nervous system if affected water is swallowed. Medical treatment should be sought immediately if a person, pet or livestock is suspected to have blue-green algae poisoning.

Blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, are microscopic bacteria that have been found in freshwater lakes, rivers and streams across the state this summer. The algal blooms can appear as blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats that typically float on the water’s surface and collect along shorelines and boat ramp areas. Blooms are caused by slow-moving warm water and high levels of nutrients in the water. They can move, grow or shrink depending on conditions.

Common water purification techniques, including camping filters, tablets and boiling, do not remove toxins from affected water.

The state recommends guidance for people who recreate at affected water bodies:

• Take care that pets and livestock do not drink the water, swim through algae, scums or mats, or lick their fur after going in the water. Rinse pets in clean water to remove algae from fur.
• Avoid wading, swimming, or jet or water skiing in water containing algae blooms, scums or mats.
• Do not drink, cook or wash dishes with untreated surface water from these areas under any circumstances. Common water purification techniques, such as camping filters, tablets and boiling, do not remove toxins.
• People should not eat mussels or other bivalves collected from these areas. Limit or avoid eating fish from these areas. If fish are consumed, remove the guts and liver, and rinse filets in clean drinking water.
• Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your children, your pet or livestock might have been poisoned by blue-green algae toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae. Also, make sure to contact the local county public health department.

www.cdph.ca.gov

In July of 2015 the City of Fillmore evicted the nonprofit senior center organization from its building on Santa Clara Street. The city proceeded to greatly expand the facility's programs under the name Fillmore Active Adult and Community Center. The entire building was renovated and a new library and internet room was added.

The nonprofit moved to a new location on Central Avenue. It (Fillmore Senior Center) filed suit against the city for untimely termination of the lease. Others thought the suit was frivolous, but Senior Center doggedly pursued the action. The Senior Center lawyer warned the city council that it faced substantial loss of revenue if the suit went forward. The city chose to defend against the suit, and won.

The Senior Center's lease with the city provides that the loser must pay legal fees to the winner in any lawsuit between the parties. Patty Walker, President of the board of Fillmore Senior Center Inc. has stated "We don't have the money." Walker has told the press that she will consult her attorney for further advise. Fillmore's city attorney stated that the issue will be decided in closed session at Tuesday's council meeting.

(l-r) Councilmember Rick Neal and Councilmember Douglas Tucker will not seek reelection.

Council members Douglas Tucker and Rick Neal will not seek reelection in November.

Speculation continues about their reasons for leaving the Fillmore City Council. Many believe their decision not to run for a second term is based on their connection to a bullying atmosphere which contributed to the suicide of much loved former Fillmore Fire Chief, Rigo Landeros.

At a City Council open goals-setting meeting held two days before Landeros' death, Rick Neal implied some financial wrongdoing by Landeros concerning the fireman's foundation fund. His attack was halted by two council members because the issue was not on the agenda. Former councilman-mayor, Roger Campbell is quoted as saying "I quit talking with them [Tucker and Neal] after the incident with Rigo, and I suspect that's what happened throughout the town of Fillmore."

Both Tucker and Neal deny harassing or bullying Landeros. In February following Landeros' death, the Council passed a new code of conduct regarding council behavior.

Councilman Manuel Minjares is running for reelection and is joined by Tim Holmgren and Mark Austin.

A new $8 million firehouse will be constructed by the County of Ventura on a 2.7-acre plot near the intersection of Highway 126 and C Street. The existing station at 613 Old Telegraph Road is too small to allow needed expansion.

The new station will be more than three times the size of the current station at 15,000 square feet. The County has budgeted for 5 new stations: upper Ojai, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and lake Sherwood and Fillmore. The Fillmore station will start in October and be completed in 2018.

I have hiked up Sespe Creek many times during nearly 30 years in Fillmore. Apparently the property owner at the end of Grand Ave. has decided that he and his chosen few alone are now permitted access to this famous, 32-mile canyon watershed.

It's been a long time since I hiked the Sespe but I will give it another try this weekend if the weather cooperates. But my effort to enter the Sespe again will be met with much more difficulty than in previous years. This, because a heavy steel cable fence has been constructed from the property owner's house, along the roadway for perhaps two hundred yards. This fencing has cut off all the parking area leading to Sespe Creek access.

I've had confrontations with the property owner in the past, if the same man still owns that area. I have a bias here since I had to report the land owner's conduct to the Sheriff's department. On one occasion he threw rocks at me from his perch some 20 feet above the water. On another, he scrambled down the cliff to personally confront me, which was also reported. I have "served" him with papers showing the public right to pass through his property but he was unimpressed. Neither was I as I continued north.

For more than a hundred years citizens of Fillmore have enjoyed trips up the Sespe, often to places like Swallow's Nest and Devil's Gate. The Sespe leads into true pristine wilderness, the land of the condor sanctuary.

On too many occasions in the past various owners of the property, which encompasses the Sespe entryway, have sought to stop public access. Most of us respect private property, as a sacred constitutional right. But it's not an absolute right; it can come with reasonable restrictions, such as easements for important public use. The property enclosing the entry to Sespe Creek is such an area. The property owner may have fee title to the land, but he owns it only subject to a public use easement.

In this case the public's right is much more than a mere easement, it is a state constitutional trust guaranteeing public access and use. Between the high-water mark and the creek bed the public has a constitutionally guaranteed right to enter, and use the area for any lawful activity. Blocking such right of entry can be a criminal offense. The high-water mark in this place in the Sespe is the top of the western bank.

The public's right to enter and use Sespe Creek is based upon the fact that California has determined it to be a "navigable river" under several statutes, supported by case law. It makes no difference if the Sespe is dry as a bone in some years, it is deemed a "navigable river" in law and as such the public cannot be denied entry and use.

In a case involving Piru Creek the court said: "...It is equally well established that although abutting landowners own the land between the high-and low-water marks, their ownership is subject to a public trust for purposes such as navigation, fishing, and recreation." Bess v. County of Humboldt, (3 Cal App 4th at 1544, 5 Cal Rptr. 2d at 399).

Let it be clear, I am not a lawyer. This information was provided by the American Whitewater association which specializes in such cases.

So, the public may access Sespe Creek whenever it wishes, to fish, hunt, camp, or recreate in any lawful manner. According to my research, the fencing at the southern entry to Sespe Creek, which impedes public access, and the sign which threatens trespass proceedings against those who dare to enter the Sespe at the end of Grand Avenue, are unlawful.

At this time complaints are being prepared with various governmental agencies, seeking the removal of all barriers to public entry to Sespe Creek. This includes the Environmental Protection Agency.

Enjoy your hikes - and please report any personal confrontations with the property owner in question.

P.S. I will be making a photo hike up the Sespe this weekend or next. I'll let you know how it goes.

The Ventura County Fair auction.
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Ryan Nunez and her pig named Boi.
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Daniel Torres and his pig “Happy” won Reserve Grand Champion/FFA Champion.
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Erin Berrington and “Red Bull” won Reserve FFA Champion Market Steer.
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(left) Daniel Gonzales with Jesus Zamora and his Reserve Grand Champion Chickens.
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Twelve-year old Brooke raised a goat that weighed in at 76 pounds and named Sophie. Sophie was awarded Grand Champion, 4-H Champion and fetched $25.00 a pound for a tidy total of $1,900. Remember, she was selling a mighty fine Grand Champion.

What makes a youngster like Brooke want to raise a goat. Brooke explained that her mother had asked her if she'd like to attend a FFA (Future Farmers of America) show. “I did,” she said, “and that's how I got into it.” In the end, Brooke ended up in the Sespe 4-H club.

Don't bother trying to talk Brooke into raising a pig, or sheep or anything else. She'll quickly tell you all the reasons why not to raise anything but a goat.

Grand Champion goats just don't fall down from trees so there must be something to raising a goat to win such an honor. Listen and learn: “I ran her... and there's a 4-5 foot hill in the back yard that I made her jump up and down it.” Thinking Brooke might have misspoke I said “you made Sophie run up and down the hill?” “I made here jump up and down it”, Brooke admonished. I stand corrected.

Obviously a champion goat must demand a special diet. “Nothing special, just goat pellets that you can buy at the local feed store,” said Brooke, adding that they can't eat tin cans or things like that, they're actually very picky”. OK, I understand that but then I asked about a goat like Sophie eating my weeds. “She'll eat the weeds,” she said. Hmm... a four-legged weed eater that doesn't need gasoline to do it's job. I like that.

OK, what are you planning to do next year, I asked. “Another goat.” No sheep, no steers, how about a turkey, I asked, adding they earn good money. Brooke chuckled but said she might do a steer one year. Maybe.

Always ask about any special experiences raising their animal, in this case Sophie. “One time I was lying down and she came up and laid down next to me, like a big dog.

Of course we want to know about Brooke's plans for the auction proceeds. “Put it towards next year's project,” said Brooke.

Where did Brooke find her majestic goat? “Up in Bakersfield,” she said, adding, “they were in a pack and I chose her.” What made you think that she'd be a grand champion? Brooke explained: “You don't really know until you work it out but when I picked her out you kind of look for the best muscle and the biggest butt.”

Brooke sure knows about goat butts so I anticipate I'll be shooting photos of her in the auction ring again next year.

Ryan Nunez, 17, attends Fillmore High and participates in the FFA program. This year, Ryan raised a pig who answers to the name Boi. Well, that is when Boi is paying attention.

Given the innate insubordinate nature of pigs, raising one must be quite the chore. Or not. "He was pretty easy to raise, quite fun and probably one the best pigs I've raised", said Ryan. This was Ryan's fourth year raising, showing and selling swine.

In the auction ring, Boi, awarded the title of FFA Reserve Champion Market Swine, fetched a robust $10 a pound. And what will become of the proceeds? “Save it”, Ryan immediately said. You don't touch the savings account? “I did a couple of times for a computer and whatnot while confessing that she does not have 14 pairs of shoes in her closet.

Boi is the exceptional pig. According to Ryan: “He was easy to maintain, likes walks and he actually listened to me. He loved water and he loves to be have his belly scratched rolling over like a dog.

His diet? “Regular swine feed sometimes adding oats,” Ryan said, adding, “sometimes doughnuts, bananas or cake. Oh boy, I figured Boi surely had a weight problem. “Not really, said Ryan. “I could feed him whatever I wanted until we got here (at the Fair) and he was good weight, a hefty 259 pounds. Maximum permissible weight is 270 pounds.

What do I need to know if I was to raise a pig next year I asked. (I just might... ya never know) Here's the lowdown, according to Ryan. “You really have to care about it, you can't just think it's a joke. You have to take it serious, and like, you have to really enjoy animals.” And you have to be really dedicated.

In closing, Ryan said: “Boi was a good experience, I really loved it.” Raising championship swine is obviously all about loving what you do. Might also be said about raising all animals.

Next year? “Another swine,” Ryan said with a smile.

Daniel Torres, 18, also raised a pig that weighed in at the maximum allowable 270 pounds. Whew... one more doughnut and out of the competition. As it was, Daniels pig, named Happy, was awarded Reserve Grand Champion/FFA Champion that sold for $20 a pound... a total of $540.00. That's a happy sum.

Daniel is no stranger to winning... have won show championships for three consecutive years. Of course, maybe because Daniel gets his pigs to raise from bacon city Bakersfield.

And as it was, Daniel said that raising Happy was relatively easy, no real issues except weight. Keeping Happy happy on a diet was not an easy feat but Daniel was bound and determine to not let Happy get over the magic number.

Again the theme is dedication when I asked Daniel about what it takes to raise a championship pig. “It's a long process that that requires total dedication for the few months you have the animal,” Daniel explained. Adding, “it takes a lot of money and parent support. If you don't have parent support you won't make it. If you're going to do it, you have to do it right and a good backup (parental) helps. All my life I had good backup, everything I needed to do I could do because I had good parents and I greatly appreciate it.

Did you pick out Happy yourself?, I asked. “Oh yeah, I picked her out myself. She's called a cow pig by Billy Barns because all her markings make her look like a cow,” explained Daniel. But what do you look for (besides markings) when picking out a pig? “You don't want one that looks too muscular. Nice and even along the back, nice and even on the front. Just not to muscular because you can put muscle on her any time.

Daniels plans include attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study Agriculture.

Erin Berrington, 15, raised a 1,375 pound Reserve FFA Champion Market Steer. The behemoth is named Red Bull. Why? “Because he's red and acted like a bull when he was little,” she explained. Makes perfect sense.

I noticed that Red Bull can be shall I say... rambunctious? “Yes, when he's touched by people that he doesn't know. Sometimes kids will go up and touch him and he gets really crazy and tries to kick them, “Erin explained.

Erin obtained Red Bull last October. Since then, I imagined that a monumental task was about to ensue.

“When he was little, I started working with him three days after I got him,” Erin said, adding, “it was easy. But as he got older, he also got more (hesitated momentarily) crazy.”

So I assumed that Red Bull was difficult to raise. “Not really, only when he was around other steers... he just wanted to play.

Was Red Bull on any kind of special diet? “Oh yes, a lot, Red Bull was 50 pounds over weight the day before the Fair so I had to hold him back on grain and water,” explained Erin. Maximum weight allowed is 1, 400 pounds and Red Bull slid in at a suave 1,370 pounds.

How did Erin achieve the goal of making weight. “The day before I didn't give him any water, and only a scoop of grain. Then traveling here to the Fair, he was kind of nervous so he peed and pooped a lot.”

Worried? “Yes, I was, I was really worried that he wasn't going to make weight,” Erin quickly said, adding, “and I heard that the scale was weighing heavy. Well shoot, what if he weighs 1,400 and he goes over,” she wondered.

At auction, Erin's Red Bull was bought for $3.75 a pound for a total of $5,156.25. Was Erin OK with that? “Yeah, I'm OK with it... it is what it is... and I didn't win anything like big so...”

Next year? “Another steer, she said. This is Erin's sixth year, all of them raising steer except raised a lamb one year. Was the lamb the first year. “No, it was the fourth year,” she said. So, you took a year off by raising the lamb? “Yes,” she said, “and I regretted it. It was horrible. I do not recommend that.” The problem? “I was little then and it kept knocking me over,” said Erin. Oh, and this 1,375 behemoth can't knock you over? “Yes but I have a halter on him and he's like a puppy dog,” she said with a giggle.

Words of wisdom? “Be prepared to be scared of being stepped on and the steer ramming you,” she said. If the beast steps on... “it could break your foot,” she said, before I finished the sentence. Ever happen? “The year I won Grand Champion and he was put aside, he was on my foot the whole time. I started crying and people thought I was crying because I won but really he was stepping on my foot and it hurt and I couldn't get my foot out from under him,” said Erin. A single word comes to mind: Ouch! Luckily, no broken bones.

Upon high school graduation, Erin intends to enter college to prepare for a career in nursing.

Jesus Zamora raised three market roasters that were awarded Reserve Grand Champion chickens. The winning bidder paid $1,100 for for Jesus' three chickens. I could not find Jesus for an interview to include with this story.

Some kids acknowledge that parents play a very active part in their children's experience raising their animal of choice. All those that do deserve a huge heaping of accolades.

FFA teachers and 4-H leaders also deserve equal praise for all that they do. Perhaps being akin to brick layers... paving the solid road down which the youngsters travel on the way to becoming mature, educated contributing members of society. As such, the kids always have, and will continue to make, the United States the great country that it is today.

In the many years of covering this awesome activity, I've seen so many kids grow into wonderful, mature human beings as a result of the adults responsible for the 4-H and the FFA. Kudos to you all.
Lastly, the staff of the Fillmore Gazette, and no doubt the community at large, congratulate the kids who were honored with an award. To all the kids who raised and animal and participated in the Junior Livestock Auction at the Ventura County Fair... well done.! Not only did you do yourself proud, we all are also very proud of everyone of you!

Here's to looking forward to another fantastic Fair next year!

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Professional MMA Fighter Jose “Froggy” Estrada now ranks 2-0. On August 11th he fought MMA Fighter Christian Cardona from Torres MMA, “Las Vegas, Nevada”. The fight lasted about 2:44 seconds in the first round. Froggy used
his wrestling and ground game, also known as “ground and pound” to finish the fight. Next fight may possibly be
out of the state in Colorado or Mexico City. Fight date is to be determined.

“I want to give a big thanks to all you Fillmore residents who believe in me, and do what you can to support me as I put our good ol’ little Fillmore on the map. If anybody is looking for extra style of working-out or wants to come see what I do, come check out my gym, Westcoast Jiu Jitsu, 2945 Los Olivos #101 Oxnard, CA 93036. We provide classes for kids and adults,” Jose “Froggy” Estrada.

Every second, three people across the world receive a life-changing blood transfusion.

Blood donation saves lives. That’s why United Blood Services is uniting with blood donor organizations across 21 countries to highlight an almost 30 percent international drop in first-time blood donors compared to a decade ago.

Throughout the Missing Type campaign, A’s, B’s and O’s—the letters of the main blood groups—will disappear in everyday and iconic locations. The letters will disappear from famous brands and locations in the U.S., Australia, Japan, Ireland, England and many more countries.

Scott Edward, Director of Donor Recruitment, United Blood Services, this area’s non-profit community blood provider, said, “Volunteer blood donors save lives and transform health for millions across the world. Whether it is patients receiving treatment for cancer or blood disorders, after accidents or during surgery, or new moms who lost blood in childbirth, blood is an absolutely essential part of modern healthcare.”

Donors can make a convenient appointment to give blood at UnitedBloodServices.org or by calling 877-827-4376. Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Fast Track Health History the day they donate. It’s at UnitedBloodServices.org.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. For more information, visit UnitedBloodServices.org

United Blood Services is the Central & Southern California Region non-profit community blood provider and serves patients throughout the area. The United Blood Services network is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service organizations, and is a founding member of America’s Blood Centers and the AABB.