Submitted by Martha Richardson

Rotarian, Ernie Villegas gave and interesting and enthusiastic program on Destination Fillmore. He and a dedicated “team of champions” are committed to making Fillmore the place to be and to come to. We have our Train and City events which are drawing people, but we need more to bring in monetary resources. There are ideas to bring in small microbreweries, new ice cream store, more music downtown, and other small businesses that will draw visitors and locals as well as filling empty buildings. FAB, the Fillmore Association of Business is working with current merchants to improve and retain their business. They are encouraging family friendly events like the Porch Fest, events at diamond Realty and the Fillmore Alumni Association. With new technology we can get the Fillmore “word” out. There is a Fillmore webpage, in progress which will show all that is happening here. Some say why change things, but we all know most people are shopping and eating out of town. We need to make our downtown a great place to shop, eat, and enjoy by all.

Ventura County Library Adult Literacy READ Program is looking for Adult volunteer tutors who would like to help other adults improve their reading and writing skills. No teaching experience is required and the training is free. The five-week tutor training series will be offered in Ventura in August through September, and in Simi Valley in September through October.

The READ program trains adult volunteers to provide free one-to-one reading instruction for adults in need of basic literacy skills. Instruction in basic literacy includes the development of phonetic reading skills combined with communication skills. Ventura County Library is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to volunteer as a tutor or encourage someone you know to take advantage of the free program.

After completion of the five-week training, tutors will meet with their adult learners at locations throughout the county. Tutoring is scheduled by the availability of the tutors and the learners.

Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating in so many ways for adults who never received the proper instruction. Adults who are unable to read have a much more difficult time with many daily activities that others may take for granted, along with a clear disadvantage in today’s competitive job market.

For more information about how you can support literacy and make a difference in someone's life, call (805) 677-7160.

Show Student ID for a Free Ride
Do you attend California Lutheran University, California State University at Chanel Islands, Moorpark College, Oxnard College or Ventura College? Then you can ride the bus for free this school year! All you have to do is show the bus driver your student ID.

Transit Operators County-Wide
The College Ride Pilot Program is a grant-funded project that will allow Ventura County college students to ride buses in Ventura County for free for the 2018-19 academic year. Students can ride on any bus at any time and do not have to be traveling to or from school. The following operators are participating:

• Camarillo Area Transit
• Gold Coast Transit District
• Kanan Shuttle
• Moorpark City Transit
• Ojai Trolley
• Simi Valley Transit
• Thousand Oaks Transit
• Valley Express
• VCTC Intercity Transit Service

Students can save money, relieve stress and help the environment by participating in this program.

Ventura County Transportation Commission

On Thursday, August 2nd President of the Santa Clara Valley Hospice Board of Director Rachel Bustillos presenting a check of $300 to Alejandro Arana, President of the Santa Paula High School Key Club.

Submitted by Santa Clara Valley Hospice

Rachel Bustillos, President of the Santa Clara Valley Hospice Board of Director, presented Alejandro Arana with a check for $300 in support of the Santa Paula High School Key Club. Alejandro, President of Club, accepted the check and said that the money will help the club offset the cost of the bus taking them to the Fall Rally South event in Six Flags this November.

President Bustillos said, "We, at Hospice are very appreciative of the many volunteer hours that these fine young students have given to our organization and to the community", "there are so many instances when their help has been invaluable!". For the past months, Key Club members helped Hospice in large events like the Night of Elegant Nostalgia, the Man Cave Tour, Cinco de Mayo, the Hawaiian Casino Night, and the most recent Santa Paula Senior Festival.

The club has also provided student-interns to Hospice, Lizette Cornejo and Emily Chavez. Lizette and Emily, now Seniors, helped the Hospice's office for several months while gaining professional office skills.

"Helping Hospice is very aligned with our Club's mission", said Alejandro. "Key Club and Hospice are all about helping the people in our community!"

"Key Club International is the oldest, largest, and most successful non-profit student-led organization for high school students. Through community service students learn about caring, character-building, inclusiveness, and leadership. Members of Key Club, a part of the community-service based Kiwanis International Family, develop themselves into young leaders as they positively impact their schools and communities."

The Santa Clara Valley Hospice is a community volunteer, 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization serving older adults and people with disabilities. They also offer support and programs for those experiencing short or long term illnesses in the cities of Santa Paula and Fillmore and the non incorporated areas of Piru and Saticoy. Their office is located at 217 N. Tenth St. in Santa Paula. All their programs are free of charge and they can be reached at 805-525-1333 M-F from 9 am to 1 pm.

August 1, Ventura County’s original Social Network returns with twelve days of fun, excitement and entertainment. This year’s Fair, themed “A Country Fair with Ocean Air”, will feature interesting exhibits, exciting contests, and top-of-the line Grandstand Entertainment performances.

The Ventura County Fair is a top quality experience at great values. Special admission days offer opportunities to enter the Fair free or at low prices. Opening day, Wednesday, August 1, is “Dollar Day”, with $1 admission until 3PM. On Youth Day, Friday, August 4, children under 12 are admitted free all day. Seniors (62+) and Persons with Disabilities are admitted free all day on Tuesday, August 7th. “$3 Before 3” Day is Wednesday, August 8; admission is $3 until 3PM. Military Appreciation Day is Thursday, August 9- on this day, all military personnel holding a current, valid military ID will be admitted free. Thank you for your service!

Thrill-seekers will enjoy Carnival Wristband Days again this year. On August 2, 6, 7 and 9, purchase a $30 wristband, good for unlimited carnival rides until 7:00 pm.

The Fair offers a unique way for visitors to have fun while giving to the community at the “Feed the Need” Food Drive on Thursday, August 2. Bring 5 cans of food to donate to FOOD Share. For this, you’ll receive a free return ticket to the fair, good for August 6-9.

The Grandstand Entertainment begins on August 1 with Motor Sports, a great way to get revved up for the concerts to come. (Motor Sports requires a $5 admission in addition to paid fair admission.)

Grandstand concerts are a Fair favorite, visitors can see their favorite musicals acts and rodeos FREE with paid admission to the Fair. This year’s lineup includes UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey (August 2); Plain White T’s (August 3); LeAnn Rimes (August 4); Alfredo Olivas (August 5); Sublime with Rome (August 6); The 5th Dimension (August 7 matinee only); Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons (August 7); Boyz II Men (August 8); Hunter Hayes (August 9); and Creedence Clearwater Revisited (August 10).

Rodeo Days at the fair are Saturday, August 11 and Sunday August 12. Two shows each day are free with paid Fair admission and are a sure way to Cowboy Up and experience great P.R.C.A. Rodeo action and adventure with your family and friends!

Everywhere you look at the Fair you will see someone singing, dancing, playing music, making magic and more. While there are acts from all over California the Ventura County Fair takes great pride in presenting Ventura County talent. Check the schedule of events for these great local acts and say hello to our neighbors as they take to the stage.

The Ventura County Fair makes transportation easy with free shuttle rides to and from the Fair. Convenient and comfortable, the shuttles begin ½ hour before the fair opens and bring visitors to the Fair’s front gate. No traffic hassles, no parking problems, free parking and free shuttle bus service to the Fair is available from 10:30 am until 11:00 pm at these locations: Oxnard Performing Arts Center (on Hobson Way in Oxnard) County Government Center (Lots E & F, off Telephone Rd. in Ventura) Pacific View Mall (off Mills Rd. in Ventura, near Sears Auto) Ventura High School (Larrabee lots off Poli St. in Ventura) Parking lot at Schooner & Harbor Blvd. (across from Sheraton 4 Points Hotel in Ventura) Free shuttle service is also provided from San Buenaventura State Beach off Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, but regular State Beach parking fees will be charged. Wheelchair capable busing is available from all sites.

The Ventura County Fair 2018 “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” runs from August 1-12 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. For more information, please visit www.venturacountyfair.org or call (805) 648-3376.