A huge thanks to all who participated in the down town trees! We really have such an extraordinary community here in Fillmore. A few years ago I was up in Sonoma for the holidays, and hearing they had trees down town, I thought I would see their event. Every tree was gorgeous, perfectly coiffed and lit spectacularly...it was really something to see in all its perfection, yet I walked away from it with an odd feeling of 'huh?'....

But walking down the street the other day I finally figured out what was bothering me then...as I passed the trees in our down town, each unique, most homemade, all put up with obvious joy...I realized what made ours different then the Sonoma production...our trees beauty came from our hearts, and to the hearts of our community!

The only 'rules' for our tree tradition are no glass, no electricity, and no flocking- and if you can make the ornaments homemade all the better...but recycling is also honored! Then it is keeping your tree 'spruced up' until they come down around New Years. This tradition had never been about the money, only the heart. I talked to Marie Wren to get the history of the Christmas trees downtown and up until 1950 there were two giant trees put on both sides of downtown- right in the middle of the intersections. But then someone crashed into a tree, so after that the Chamber of Commerce started the trees down the side walks. Some time in the early 1970s they just disappeared.

A few years back some friends were reminiscing at a FHS Alumni Banquet about 'the old days' and we wondered what happened to this tradition...so it was decided to get it up and going again. Every year it gets bigger and bigger in heart and in number of trees- so we hope to see more clubs, classrooms, churches and individuals participating next year!

A special shout out to Moon Nursery in Piru, who loans us the trees, drops them off and picks them up too- we couldn't have done it without your generosity! To Otto and Sons Nursery who is always there to help the details! And to Bank of Sierra who is always the first to take a tree, and also copies all the flyers for us. And to all of you who brought smiles to so many with a tree you decorated- you are why the community of Fillmore is so beloved!

Have a beautiful Christmas!
Regina Stehly

Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) has expanded its board by adding three new members.

Named to the board are Heidi Whitcomb, CEO of Ventura Rental Party & Events, Melinda Beardsley, president of Beardsley & Son and Bradley Dykes, branch manager of Morgan Stanley in Oxnard.

For Whitcomb, the decision to join the board was easy. "I have a passion for children and believe in SEEAG's mission to educate and excite children about where their food comes from," says Whitcomb. "Making healthy food choices will benefit students and their families."

The nonprofit organization helps young students and the public in general gain a better understanding of where their food comes from. Students take part in classroom presentations and free farm field trips as part of SEEAG's Farm Lab. SEEAG's new Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative educates and inspires children to eat healthy by adding locally grown Ventura County specialty crops to their diet through its Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom. SEEAG's STEM Careers in 21st Century Agriculture shows middle and high school students the diverse job opportunities available in today's agricultural industry.

Beardsley is the fourth generation in a family involved in Ventura County farming. "Agriculture is an important part of all our lives," says Beardsley. "Being a part of an organization focused on educating and encouraging the appreciation for agriculture is a privilege."

Dykes agrees, “SEEAG's work introducing thousands of students to farms, farming and the origins of their food, has a positive impact on our community and will change young lives along the way."

Mary Maranville, SEEAG's founder and CEO, says adding to the board was necessary. "Board members will be responsible for helping guiding SEEAG as it expands its educational reach further into Southern California," says Maranville.

SEEAG also hosts Ventura County Farm Day each year in November. It is a day when the public is invited to visit farms throughout Ventura County.

For more about SEEAG, go to www.seeag.org.

About SEEAG
Founded in 2008, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is a nonprofit organization that aims to help young students understand the origins of their food by bridging the gap between agriculture and consumption through its agricultural education programming. SEEAG’s “The Farm Lab” program based in Ventura County teaches schoolchildren about the origins of their food and the importance of local farmland by providing schools with classroom agricultural education and free field trips to farms. Through this and other SEEAG programs, over 25,000 elementary school students in Southern California have increased their understanding of the food journey. For more information, visit www.seeag.org or email Mary Maranville at mary@seeag.org

Joseph Kern passed away this past Tuesday, December 11.

Among other things, he was a Fillmore attorney for more than 60 years, and City Attorney for 19 of those years. His public achievements were many. But Joe was also a personal friend to me, and a major reason for the Fillmore Gazette's success during the past 30 years. He defended us through a multitude of spuriously brought legal challenges and was always there when he was needed - which during the earlier years was frequently. He was always generous with his time and advice.

Joe invited me to several special events at St. Thomas Aquinas College; most memorable, a speech by the late, great, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and another visit by a celebrated expert on Dante's Divine Comedy. The former visit permitted me to take notes and write a short piece on Scalia's talk.

Joe always seemed to have time to meet with me over some question, legal or otherwise, though I'm sure he had better things to occupy that time. An impatient person myself, I envied his patience. I remember one special, beautifully drafted legal document he prepared for me. He was a notably gifted legal draftsman as well.

I will always remember Joseph Kern as a devout Catholic, trusted friend and confidant.

Thank you Joe; may your soul rest in peace.

Submitted by Lynn Edmonds

The topic for the 2019 Speaker Contest will be “Freedom of the Press. What does it mean?”

This topic is very important and vital to our freedom and democracy evidenced by the continued fight over newspaper reporting in our daily life and discourse. Facts, opinions, fake news come up almost every day in nations’ politics and governing. Fillmore students, parents, teachers and the newspaper are thrust into daily controversy and strife over what is true and factual and correct. Youth living in the Fillmore School District area will have a chance to weigh in on this important topic during the speaker contest.

The contest will be held on Monday, February 4 at 6:45pm at the Scout House on the eastern end of Sespe Avenue. Parents, students, educators and the general public are invited to attend. The contest is open to all Fillmore area students of high school age regardless of the school of attendance (including home taught and foreign exchange students).

The winner will receive $100 and all participants $25 providing their speech is at least 5 minutes. Student should enter by contacting the Lion’s Club Chair Bill Edmonds at 805-524-4839 or Barbara Lemons at Fillmore High School. Students can also pick up the application and flyer at Walt’s Jewelry in downtown Fillmore.

Students should enter early and begin writing early as it takes time to research and prepare. Only six students can enter the contest. The first six who enter and are prepared to compete will be chosen. Good luck to all the students.

Submitted by Lisa Hammond
The ‘last best small town’ is stretching, moving, toning, meditating and breathing! Our beautiful little town of Fillmore has had a yoga studio for quite a number of years, and for all but the last almost one year, our beloved Janine Rees was our matriarch (sadly, she passed away February 14, 2017). She had 20+ years of teaching yoga under her belt (okay, so maybe under her sweatpants and tshirts - it’s the attire she wore for teaching yoga - something we loved). She built an amazing yoga community, and it’s this community that still lives on today in our beautiful town of Fillmore. We still feel her presence every day as we share her dreams with old and new members alike.

Formerly known as Fillmore’s Health and Wellness Center, we are now known as ReGEN Yoga and Movement Center (the new owner is Renee Swenson). We are a place to Renew, Recharge and Restore our mind, body and spirit. We have over 25 classes each week which include meditation, strength classes, Nia dance, yoga, and more! Our instructors are a wonderful dedicated group. We are considered a ‘boutique studio’ as our classes are small and our members receive very personal attention. We offer a variety of free events each month so you can ‘try before you buy’.

ReGEN Yoga and Movement Studio is a cozy 1910 craftsman building located at 448 Santa Clara Street (across from City Hall). Check out our website www.regenyoga.com for more information and pricing (check us out on Facebook and Instagram under ReGEN Yoga and Movement Studio). Come Renew, Recharge and Restore - you’ll be glad you did!

Deputy District Attorney Brandon Ross presented a very informative and interesting program on Project LEAD, Legal Enrichment and Decision Making. This project focuses on fifth graders and opens their eyes to what can happen if they make bad decisions and how their behavior can affect them legally. During the program they hear from a Judge, DA, Etc. and will travel to the Juvenile Justice Court where they participate in a Mock Trial. They also learn about electronic monitoring, and all aspects of what can happen with bad decisions. The hope is that this knowledge will filter into their lives and those of their families and friends.

Rosalyn Diaz, a student at Fillmore Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning the local competition sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

Rosalyn’s poster was among more than 50 entries in the contest. There are over 380,000 entries submitted world wide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest each year. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

The theme for this year was: “Kindness Matters.” Rosalyn’s poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the contest theme.

The judges were again impressed by the expression and creativity of the students’ art. It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. Fillmore Lions Club is proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions with other students and our city.

Miss Diaz’s poster will advance to face stiff competition through the district, multiple districts and international rounds of competition.

One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of US $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to the awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of US $500.

Runner-up students were Ella Ochoa, and Paola Ruiz. All participants are students in Mrs. Doris Nichols' art class at Fillmore Middle School.

The Lions Club would like to thank the School Board for encouraging teachers and students to get involved in all types of education.

The judges had a very difficult time in the selection.

Mrs. Nichols is commended for her assistance in this annual event.