The Rotary Club of Fillmore honored the three 4-Way Test Essay Contest winners on Thursday. The purpose of the Rotary Essay Contest is for the students to think about the meaning of the Rotary 4-Way Test and write an essay telling how they can apply these principles to their own lives. The 4-Way Test of things we think, say or do is: Is it the Truth?, Is it Fair to all concerned?, Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships? And Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

The three winners from Fillmore Christian Academy are: Chloe Richardson, 8th grade, Remy Richardson, 6th grade and Kaitlin Jowers, 4th grade each one was awarded $50 and a Rotary coin inscribed with the 4-Way Test. Remy Richardson and Chloe Richardson's essays will be sent on to the Rotary District 5240 contest.

The Ventura County Rose Society will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2013, at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center at 5100 Adolfo Rd., Camarillo.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for advice from Consulting Rosarians and refreshments, and our speaker presentation will begin at 7:30 pm.

The VCRS meeting will feature Dr. Anthony Hepton speaking on "Roses Suitable for Ventura County". Dr. Hepton was born in the United Kingdom and received a Ph.d from Cornell University in Plant Physiology and Anatomy. His career includes being a Director of Agricultural Research for Castle & Cooke in Hawaii, and Vice President at Dole Foods in charge of Quality Assurance. He is a Master Gardener and gardens in the Lake Sherwood area. Dr. Hepton is noted for his informative lectures on Ventura County horticulture.

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

Ventura County, CA - April 14 to 20 is National Library Week. Beginning Sunday, Ventura County Library joins libraries nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the value of libraries, librarians and library staff.

Libraries today are more than repositories for books; they are often the heart of their communities, serving as a meeting place for young parents connecting at story time, to small business owners looking to network, and even teens meeting up after school to do homework in an environment that promotes discovery and learning.

In addition to celebrating our physical library locations, this year, Ventura County Library features online resources found in the Ventura County eLibrary. Ventura County eLibrary offers library card holders over 18,000 free downloadable books, 105 free online magazine subscriptions, almost 3 million free downloadable music tracks, and over 12,000 streaming videos. Additionally, newspapers, encyclopedias, and phone books are all available free, online. Language instruction, career and resume help, practice tests, legal forms, and auto repair are just a few more of the resources available online at no charge. Our eLibrary is an online branch that’s open 24/7.

A Ventura County Library card is free. Find out how to get one at: http://www.vencolibrary.org/card. Our Library Catalog is also online; you can check it to find out if a book is available, or to renew a book.

“Service to the community has always been the focus of the library,” says Jackie Griffin, Ventura County Library Director. “While this aspect has never changed, libraries have grown and evolved in how they provide for the needs of every member of their community.” Indeed, librarians work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Celebrate National Library Week, and you’ll discover the best story in the library is the library.

Your Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

Applications for the 2013 Little Miss and Mister Sweetheart Pageant are currently available. This pageant is open to Girls ages 0 – 12 yrs and Boys ages 0 – 6yrs. Contestants will be judged on beauty and personality. Pageant will take place on Sunday, May 5th at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Entry fee is $65.00. Application deadline is Friday, April 26th. Applications received after the deadline will be assessed a $10.00 Late Fee - NO EXCEPTIONS!!. Applications may be obtained at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce or by calling #805-340-6222 or #805-850-5253.

Fillmore’s Flower Show is almost here! April 13-14, 2013 at the Fillmore Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, we will be accepting entries from 7:30AM to 10:30AM. Youth entries should arrive early with their flowers and “props” to have time for their arrangement to take place in unhurried fashion.

Our judges are certified and judge the Ventura County Fair entries, so we are very privileged to have them with their busy year-round schedule.

This revival of a tradition that began before WWI draws the community , young and old, together to celebrate beauty, creativity and the pleasure of growing things in our own yards!! Consider the fun and satisfaction of entering this show, “Fiesta of Flowers” with your own garden flowers. The youth also have the option of using flowers from a relative or mentor’s yard.

The show will be open to the public between 1pm-4pm both days. Music of piano and guitar will add enjoyment to this FREE event.

Entry divisions are listed in brochures available at The Treasure Station, library, City Hall, Historical Museum and Patterson’s Hardware store.

All helper volunteers are invited to join us to “set up” for the show on Friday at the Senior Center at 3:30pm. Hostesses are also needed during the daily, open to the public hours from 1-4pm.

Please be a part of this great community event and show off your flowers and artistry!!

For more information, please contact Joanne King, 805-524-4904 or Linda Nunes, 805-524-3021.

OPEN helps unemployed professionals jump start their job searches. We provide an intensive, five half-day outplacement training workshop that covers online and traditional job search strategies, network building, cover letter and resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiation, skills analysis, and more. These workshops are offered at NO COST to participants.

The next Workshop will run Mon, April 22 – Fri, April 26, 2013. Daily workshop hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at County of Ventura’s Job and Career Center, 980 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley, CA 93065-1998.

Reserve your place in our next workshop before Friday, April 19 by pre-registering online at www.EU-OPEN.org.

OPEN, a chapter of Experience Unlimited, is a no-fee service, sponsored by the State of California Employment Development Department.

Ventura County Library now offers their library card holders Freegal, free and legal downloadable music. Freegal, from Library Ideas, offers access to over 3 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists. All tracks are MP3 format. Registered library card holders may download three (3) tracks each month at https://vencolibrary.freegalmusic.com/. Freegal Music apps are available in the Apple® App Store and Google Play®.

Freegal allows Ventura County Library to increase the size and diversity of its collection by offering free access to over 10,000 music labels from 65 different countries.

“We have been waiting a long time for a service like this that delivers great music, compatibility with lots of devices and simplicity of use. We think this will be incredibly popular with our patrons and will help the library in marketing all its services to the community,” said Jackie Griffin, Director of Ventura County Library.

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

Camarillo, CA - Co-chairs Betty Bright-Martinez and Kay Wigton have announced that the gardens have been chosen for the 17th annual Camarillo Hospice Spring Garden Tour on Sunday, May 5, from 12 to 4 PM. “Put it on your calendar now, and get your tickets,” says Bright-Martinez, “because you do not want to miss this Tour!”

The five private gardens in Camarillo featured on this year’s Tour belong to: Eliane and Malcolm Jordan, Nedra and Jim Kindig, Susan Naumann, Diane and Doug Off and Esper Petersen. Original artwork by local artists will be on display and local musicians will provide live music. There also will be a boutique, opportunity drawings and refreshments.

Major sponsors of the event are LM Storage, Platinum; Union Bank/Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Gold; Pacific Oaks Federal Credit Union and Ron D. Speakman, C.P.A./Speakman Wealthcare, Silver; Darancare and Karen Knight, Bronze; and B & B Do It Center and Valenzano Insurance Services, Garden.

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If you were one of the hundreds who attended the Santa Clara Valley Railroad Historical Society's Rail Fest... you had a blast! If not... you missed a toot... er... hoot! Actually both! Speeder rides, the Frontier Gun Fighters, scrumptious barbie, entertaining music, arts & crafts, pony rides and of course...train rides by the Fillmore & Western Railway... featuring the star of the show... #14, the awesome 1913 Baldwin steam locomotive.

Indisputably... railroad aficionados are born train chasers. I know this because I'm one. It's addictive. There's something about the massive machines called locomotives... especially steam engines... that is indescribably fascinating. My high school yearbook states my career goal: Railroad engineer. Yep. But that didn't happen. Happenstance... the military draft... stepped in with a different idea. Or was that destiny. At any rate... with #14 Tresa Jean running... of course off I go... camera in tow... chasing to and fro. But I digress.

On the first day of the festival... besides all the usual activities...I noticed something unusual... and interesting. It was #14's first run of the day... from Central Station down to the fish hatchery... charge back up the hill... and stop at the west end of the Disney tunnel west of Hwy 126. Everyone would disembark... the train would back through the tunnel... and then come charging through the tunnel... billowing a huge cloud of black smoke... steam whistle blaring... yes... that's a photo op complete with goose bumps! So far... that's all normal. What was not normal was that in the engineer's seat was 86-year-young Vincent Cipolla.

Back at Central Station, prompted by a glimpse of his storied history... I captured a photo of visiting engineer Luke Johnson and engineer Vincent Cipolla shaking hands with his protegé Andy Wilkinson of the Fillmore & Western Railway. Afterward I learned of Cipolla's enduring and fascinating railroading life.

First a little historical background. The railroad seed was planted in Cipolla about the age of 8 when he was at a railroad yard with his father. He was invited into the cab of a steam locomotive and instantly fascinated with the firebox, the myriad controls, the sounds and smells. Perhaps that's when destiny took control. Later, at the age of fifteen, being a big guy for his age... he was successful at passing himself off as 18 when he approached a yardman and asked for a job. For whatever reason, Southern Pacific bought his story and the rest... well you know... is history.

At the Taylor roundhouse... he started out learning about locomotive electrical systems and such. But back during the war years, Cipolla explained you did everything in the yard to keep the locomotives running. And everybody backed up everybody else. Get the job done was priority #1 and he was the big kid eager to learn... and learn a lot he did... fast!

Later on, Cipolla became a fireman on Southern Pacific trains running to various points north. After thirteen long years as a fireman... the big day! Cipolla was awarded his railroad engineer's license on June 13, 1951.

Beginning ranked 389 on the Southern Pacific's seniority list... by 1984 he worked his way up to #1. With a higher ranking came the more... ahem... plush runs. Eventually... diesel locomotives came along and he was transferred to engineering coastal trains running from L.A. up to San Louis Obispo. Ah yes... the banker's run he declared... leave L.A. 8:30 a.m... arrive in SLB 2:30 p.m.... spend the night... leave SLB 2:30 and arrive back in L.A. 5:30 p.m. the next day.

Through all the years... Cipolla was always mindful of his beginnings... at a very young age... and all those that came along and helped guide his career. Accordingly, one day the usual run became unusual. He was engineering a train south and got word about a young boy eager to ride a train. At the stop in Oxnard, Cipolla met the lad and his mother. When asked if the boy would like to run the train... the boy beamed. Up in the cab he went. After showing the boy the throttle, the horn, whistle etc... he had him push the throttle forward and the big engine roared to life. Getting the highball... off they went... the boy blowing the horn at all the appropriate times. After dropping off passengers in Glendale, with the young boy again at the controls... they took the train at track speed to the yard in Burbank where they met the boys mother. As they pulled into the yard... all the tower operator could only see the boy at the controls... Cipolla behind him unseen. Surprised... the tower operator notified the higher authorities... and the yard superintendent, and assistant superintendent and others were there to meet them. Upon handing the boy off to his mother, Cipolla asked him his name. Henry Kaiser Jr. the boy proudly proclaimed. No one fussed about the boy being at the controls.

In 1982, Cipolla explained, Amtrak came along taking over passenger trains. Because Amtrak needed engineers, Cipolla rounded out his long railroading career as an engineer instructor, retiring in 1989.

So he thought. After retirement... the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) came calling. He went back to work for the FRA... again as an instructor through the late 90's. In the meantime, he was also running short lines part time.

As an extraboarder, Cipolla sometimes engineered a train to Fillmore... leaving the L.A. area, going over the hill to Saugus, and then into Fillmore. Most times spending a night or two in town in the area of Santa Clara Street and Central. After swapping around some freight cars... he headed back to the L.A. yard where the fruit was chilled for the long ride back east. So Fillmore was not strange territory when the line was an active branch connected to the big world.

Then one day not too long ago... in the Fillmore & Western yard... Cipolla noticed a young man... Andy Wilkinson... idling passing time. Remember, Cipolla readily concedes that a lot of good people played a big hand in guiding his career. They were all there... always... to teach him and help him at every opportunity. A facet of his life that he's never forgotten... or taken lightly... to this very day he told me. So... as his character dictates... Cipolla wasted no time planting the seed... so to speak. Let me show you something, urged Cipolla, teaching young Andy a thing or two. And the training began. Over the years... Cipolla taught the eager-to-learn Andy much about steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, their electrical systems, mechanical operating systems, rules-of-the-road and all other things a competent railroad man needs to know. To this day, Cipolla remains Andy's mentor for all things associated with railroading.

As Andy explained: “My parents (Dave and Tresa Wilkinson) own the Fillmore & Western so I'd come out here to the yard. One day Vince came by and said... 'hey, get your hands out of your pockets and get to work.' And that's how I met him. I was seventeen at that time. From then on, he came out on weekends and taught me how to run engines. He (Cipolla) took a hold of me and showed me everything and I'd began to love doing it. Because of his dedication and encouragement, I was rewarded with my engineer's license on my 18th birthday.” But he stated that it wasn't a cakewalk. Vince, Andy explained, was a very stern teacher... “it was his way or no way.” But along the way... “a lot of life's memories made right there that I won't forget. I still talk to him to this day. You're always learning (doing this work) and I still have questions so I call him and say... 'hey... I had this happen and what can I change about it' and he'll tell me ways about doing it. Now... I enjoy everyday doing this work... the kind of job where I look forward to going to work.”

After a railroad career spanning many decades.. Vincent Cipolla proclaims that he's seen it all... done it all... and enjoyed every minute of it. Railroading has been a wonderful life he states. Cipolla may not be on an active payroll but this engineer remains active. Don't be surprised to seem him beaming in the engineer's seat next year.

After high school, before Cipolla came along, Andy thought he was going to work on offshore ole rigs. Was Vince and Andy's chance meeting in the railroad yard happenstance... or destiny? Hmmm.

WHAT: Citrus Blossom Century and Metric Century Ride offers cycling enthusiasts and fans the opportunity to ride one of California’s prime agricultural regions while supporting youth mentoring programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Smell the fragrant fruit blossoms as you tour agricultural highlights of Ventura County. The route winds up Grimes Canyon through the Los Posas Valley, Somis, Camarillo, Oxnard Plains, East Ventura Foothills, Santa Paula farmlands, Bardsdale orchards and Fillmore fields. The day begins at Two-River Park in Fillmore. The metric century route takes in the Fillmore Orchards to Camarillo Foothills / El Rio Strawberry Fields and follows the foothills of Ventura and Santa Paula, before returning to Fillmore. Elevation gain is 2,756’. A 5-mile family ride is also available.

HOW: Register online or by mail. $55 for Century and metric century; $25 for Family Ride before April 1st, 2013. Late registration is $65; event day registration is $75. Visit http://www.active.com/cycling/fillmore-ca/fillmore-citrus-blossom-centur... or www.bbsvc.org to register. Registration includes: route slip and bib number; SAG stops with food/water/bike support. Jerseys available for purchase, BBQ available after the ride. If registration is by mail, make checks payable to Big Brothers Big Sisters and mail to 445 Rosewood Ave Suite Q, Camarillo, CA 93010

WHY: 100% of all proceeds will benefit the mentoring programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, an organization dedicated to changing the lives of children and youth facing adversity for the better, forever. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 1,500 youth and their families in Ventura County and neighboring communities, and is the top ranked youth mentoring organization in the country by Guidestar’s Philanthropedia, because of its evidence-based mentoring model with proven youth outcomes.

WHO: Come out and enjoy the best farmlands of Ventura County alongside fellow riders and at the same time support the efforts of mentors and youth programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Citrus Blossom Century ride is supported by the Fillmore Rotary; both organizations work together and help children navigate into adulthood responsibly.

WHEN/WHERE: The Citrus Blossom Century will take place on Saturday, April 6 starting at 8:00 a.m. Event begins at Two Rivers Park, 1300 River Street, Fillmore. Two Rivers Park is at the west-end of Fillmore. You can access it from Highway 126 in Fillmore. Either take D Street or C Street, south to the park. A Google earth KMZ route file to see the elevations and course is available upon request. Helmets required for ALL riders.

We invite individuals, companies and local businesses to consider advertising and sponsorship opportunities by contacting Lisa Meeker at 805.484.2282 x 18 or by e-mailing lmeeker@bbsvc.org.

Visit our website at www.bbsvc.org or call 805.484.2282 for additional event updates. Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/bbsvc/events

The long valued Fillmore Flower Show, to be held April 13-14, 2013, at the Fillmore Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore with the theme, “Fiesta of Flowers”, will provide an opportunity for all gardening enthusiasts and even some non-green thumb types to show off their creativity and beautiful blooms. The warmer weather that we had recently is bringing many roses and iris as well as other spring blooms into blossom.
Young people should bring their flowers and supplies to the center between 7:30am and 9:30am so they have ample time to make their arrangement in the youth room without interference.

The show is free and open to the public from 1-4 pm each day. A Garden Boutique with plants and door prizes will be available and a door prize raffle for lovely items donated by supportive merchants such as roses from Otto & Sons and a beautiful solar light sculpture from Treasure Station. We will also have a 50/50 cash drawing with the winner receiving a check for half the proceeds of this drawing.

Joy Asenas will be playing music on Saturday and Barry Cooper will play guitar on Sunday.

Entry is open to all, but competitive entries are limited to residents of Fillmore Unified School District area which includes Piru, Bardsdale & west to include the Little Red School House students. Entries will be received Saturday morning from 7:30am to 10:30am. Youth entries are free and adult entries (unlimited) for $5.00.

For more information, please contact Joanne King, 805-524-4904 or Linda Nunes, 805-524-3021.

On Tuesday, February 15th, Fillmore Women’s Service Club president Michelle Smith and member Valerie Richards attended the Ventura County Board of Supervisors Donor Recognition Event and accepted a certificate from Ventura County Children and Family Services and the Children’s Services Auxiliary. The certificate was awarded to Fillmore Women’s Service Club for their contribution to the 2012 Holiday activities for Ventura County’s abused, neglected, and needy children. Fillmore Women’s Service Club, established in 1964, provides support to Fillmore’s seniors and youth. We recognize our community’s educators and award numerous scholarships each year. Prospective members are encouraged to join us at our next meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 10th, 7:30 PM at the Fillmore Senior Center.

http://www.homelessresourcesca.org/

Santa Barbara, CA - California Homeless Resources is a new database which lists basic services for people in need. This up-to-date website (www.homelessresourcesca.org) is simple to use and lists current names, addresses, phone numbers and website links for vital services that are available to help people now.

The creator of the California Homeless Resources site is Matthew S. Kennedy, who was working in the Real Estate industry prior to the decline of the economy in 2008. For the last 2+ years, he created this website for people in California that want to get the help they need so badly all in one place.

Matt spent over 1,000 hours creating the California Homeless Resources database. In fact, still currently living in his vehicle (1990 Ford Van) in Santa Barbara, he uses the free internet service at McDonald’s and the Library to add cities to the website every day. On December 15th, he finished adding the final city - #481. Please share this valuable resource with people in need: www.homelessresourcesca.org

Ventura County Library announces the Axis 360 digital media library, now available to all cardholders through the Ventura County eLibrary. Axis 360 provides a state-of-the-art system for circulating ebooks and Blio ereading software.

Jackie Griffin, Ventura County Library Director states, "Adding the Axis 360 platform will enhance our current ebook offering of OverDrive and EBSCOhost. This additional partnership will give us a wider range of selection for our patrons who are clearly sending the message that more downloadable content is desirable."

Axis 360 offers a dynamic presentation of titles on their Magic Wall as well as book reviews and recommendations for further reading. Cloud-based delivery greatly simplifies the process of downloading onto patrons preferred devices, including iOS, Android and Windows tablets and smartphones.

Axis 360 is available now on the Ventura County eLibrary page under eBooks.

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.