Soroptomist presented the Verna Padelford Creative Writing Awards, Wednesday, April 21st. Fillmore Middle School winners—Front Row (l-r)—Elizabeth Manzano, First Place—Poetry; Rachel Pace, Third Place—Poetry; Yaneli Enriquez, Second Place—Poetry; Anthony Larin, Second Place—Short Story. Not pictured were Felicity Zavala, First Place Winner—Short Story. Back Row (l-r)—Rachel Cone, Teacher/Coordinator; Susan Fitzgerald, Teacher; and Kathleen Briggs, Soroptimist Writing Awards Chair and judge. (K. Pace photo)
Enlarge Photo

Fillmore High School Creative Writing Awards winners pictured: Front Row (l-r)—Ryan Martel, First Place—Short Story; Alexis Briano, Special Honorable Mention-School Spirit—Poetry; Vanessa Villa, Second Place—Short Story; Laura Garnica, First Place—Poetry. Back Row (l-r)—Erik Orozco, Third Place—Short Story; Wayne Bauer, Teacher/Coordinator; Roberto Munoz, Third Place—Poetry; Not pictured were Tyler Gray, Honorable Mention—Short Story; Daniel Meza, Second Place—Poetry; Gabriela Diaz, Imelda Lopez and Lynn Ferguson, Honorable Mention winners--Poetry. (K. Pace photo)
Enlarge Photo

The Soroptimists of Fillmore honored students from Fillmore Middle School and Fillmore High School at an awards dinner buffet on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Fillmore’s El Pescador Restaurant.

The Verna Padelford Creative Writing Awards for the Middle School and High School were awarded for poetry and short story/essay. All the student winners who placed received cash awards for their entries. Participation was great this year—16 students from the Middle School and 36 students from the High School.

For Middle School, the award which covered Poetry, went to Elizabeth Manzano for 1st place, Yaneli Enriquez for 2nd place, and Rachel Pace for 3rd place. The award which covered Short Story/Essay went to Felicity Zavala for 1st Place and Anthony Larin for 2nd Place; (There was not an entry to award a 3rd place winner).

At the High School level, the winners for Poetry this year were Laura Garnica for 1st place, 2nd place went to Daniel Meza, and 3rd Place went to Roberto Munoz. With the good quality of high school poetry entries, there were several Honorable Mentions, especially one for School Spirit for Class of 2010, won by Alexis Briano; other Honorable Mention recipients were Gabriela Diaz, Imelda Lopez and Lynn Ferguson. The Short Story/Essay winners were Ryan Martel for 1st Place, 2nd Place went to Vanessa Villa, and 3rd Place went to Erik Orozco. Tyler Gray received Honorable Mention.

The Soroptimists would like to thank Rachel Cone, English Teacher Coordinator and Susan Fitzgerald, Teacher, at Fillmore Middle School; and Wayne Bauer, English Teacher Coordinator at Fillmore High School, for their help in coordinating this effort. And a special thanks to the Soroptimist Writing Awards Chair, Kathleen Briggs, for her time and efforts for the judging and organizing the event, and Soroptimist Dr. Ellie Wattles, who assisted in the judging for the Middle School.

These awards are given annually by the Soroptimists in honor and memory of former member and school teacher, Verna Padelford. The purpose of the contest is to encourage students to write and receive recognition for their efforts. Soroptimists want to support the academic programs at the Middle School and High School, while giving individual students a feeling of personal success.

Pictured is Ronda Reyes-Deutsch receiving her honorary plaque as a dedicated middle school counselor now at Fillmore Middle School. This is being presented by the Executive Director of PDAP, Ginny Connell.

One of Fillmore’s own, Ronda Reyes-Deutsch, was an honoree this past Friday, April 30, 2010 at the “Hope and Healing Celebration” through PDAP (Palmer Drug Abuse Program) of Ventura County. PDAP is an adolescent substance abuse prevention/intervention program that provides counseling support to our youth here in Ventura County. Mrs. Reyes-Deutsch is currently a bilingual school counselor at Fillmore Middle School. She was honored as a dedicated middle school counselor who collaborates with staff, students, parents and the community to provide as full a range of services as possible to convince ‘every’ student of his/her strengths and promise and to motivate the young people to be academically successful with a healthy social/emotional outlook and a focus on career oriented goals. For about twenty years, Ronda was involved in education at many levels: running a day care center, working with severely handicapped children using music therapy, teaching in grades kindergarten through 12th and in adult education. Shortly after completing her Masters Degree in Education with a Credential in School Counseling in 2003, Ronda came to work at PDAP as a Family Advocate in a prevention program at Pacifica High School in Oxnard. She worked with the families of students participating in the program, providing them with all the resources needed to assist them in becoming the “safety net” within which the students could achieve their potential and avoid the risks of substance abuse, violence and academic failure. Two years later, she became a school counselor for the Rio Elementary School District. Currently she is a school counselor at Fillmore Middle School. Ronda has two children, Lui and Arli. She and her husband David met while both were working at PDAP.

Pedro and Gracelia Barajas, of 654 Boulder, Fillmore, have been chosen to receive Vision 2020 Civic Pride “Yard of the Month” award for May which includes a $25 gift certificate donated by Otto & Sons Nursery.

When the Barajas moved into their home in 1976, the yard had only grass, so through the years, Gracelia & Pedro have added a fountain with gladioli, marigolds & petunias around the base, planted a beautiful Valencia orange tree which is loaded with fruit to share with friends, and beds of flowers around the house & along the front of the yard. There are beds of purple & white iris, coral Kalenchoe, coral cannas, coral variegated geraniums, pink & white Martha Washington and coral waxy leafed pelargoniums in bloom, along with a striking red/white striped amaryllis and yellow gerberas.

Gracelia said some of the plants are from the Dewey family nursery which no longer exists.

Beds at the front of the yard hold blue & white Lily of the Nile, cannas and beautiful large roses in bloom or in bud. A special one with huge, yellow- gold blooms is called Sungold. Her favorite is a coral rose that is only budded now.

Granddaughter, Maelani Gonzales and daughter, Annette Barajas enjoy the yard with Gracelia, who says that she finds the garden “like a paradise and a spiritual place in the early mornings.”

Civic Pride wishes to thank Otto & Sons for supporting our yard of the month award for years with the gift certificates and invites all in the community to attend our meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30PM in City Hall. Come share your ideas & commitment for beautifying our community.

A road closure of A Street north of Santa Clara Street and south of Sespe Avenue has been planned for City water line replacement. A Street will be closed Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Work is anticipated to begin as early as Monday, May 3rd, taking approximately 30-40 days to complete. Work is slated to be finished on or before Friday, June 25th, 2010. A notice of the re-opening schedule will also be published.

The water line replacement will require the full closure of the A Street / Sespe Avenue intersection for approximately five days at the beginning of the project. The intersection will be reopened once the initial work is completed, but A Street will remain closed north of Santa Clara Street and south of Sespe Avenue. Alternate routes include Central Avenue to the east, or Santa Clara Street west to B Street north, then to Old Telegraph and over to Sespe Place.

All emergency public service providers including the Fillmore Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, American Medical Response, Fillmore Area Transit, VISTA, and the Fillmore Unified School District have also been made aware of the closure.

Closure signs will be posted on SR 126 as a reminder to motorists. Thank you for your patience as the City conducts this important water line replacement project.

For further information please call the City Engineer, Tom Scott, at (805) 524-1500, extension 232.

Conway Spitler

Is there anyone out there, in this great city of Fillmore, thinking about where we are in our Fillmore Vision 2020 Statement was adopted in October 2006 vision was adopted?
Where are those leaders of the community who brought together the Fillmore Vision 2020? Or, are we interested at all after all the work of developing and publishing the Fillmore Vision 2020?
The preface of Vision 2020, stated: "This document is not intended to be a "how to" guide for Fillmore's future, rather it is intended to provide a set of guiding principles and goals for our community from now to year 2020 (hence "Vision 2020).
The Statement of Vision = "Foster a thriving small-town atmosphere in which civic pride, personal- well-being and a balanced economy are nurtured and protected."
Chapter Goals for Attaining Quality Education were:
A. Identify and Support Existing Efforts of Agencies that Provide Educational Programs for Youth and Adults.
B. Students leaving local schools with competitive edge for succeed.
C. Strong Parental involvement in All Aspects of their child's education.
D. Learning Opportunities for all ages from infants to seniors.
E. Each school designated as a "California Distinguished School".
F. Resident demonstrating pride in our schools.
G. Test Scores in State's Top 10"%
H. Students proud to go to school and respectful of other students and teachers.
I. Resources for Extracurricular Activities.
J. Quality, state-of-the-art Library, School Facilities.
K. Up-to-date, well-equipped vocational programs.
L. Graduation Rates above State and National Averages.
M. High acceptance rates into 4-year colleges and universities.
N. Attract and Retain highly-qualified educators by offering competitive salaries, etc.
Take some time to see what has been done since October 2006!

The residents and business community of Fillmore are invited to attend the Spring Festival Kick-Off Mixer, Wednesday, May 12th, on the Patio at El Pescador Restaurant, 1305 Ventura Rd., from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
Sponsored by the Heritage Valley BNI and the Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers, this free event features fun, food, networking and door prizes. Local business people and services from the Heritage Valley are encouraged to attend.

BNI Heritage Valley is a professional and business networking organization dedicated to growing your business by building relationships, promoting referrals, resources and contacts.

This is the second Mixer sponsored by BNI Heritage Valley and there will be again a Food Drive to benefit the Fillmore Food Bank. Please bring non-perishable food, toiletries and baby items in support.

BNI Heritage Valley meets Thursdays at 7:30 am at El Pescador and the Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers meets Tuesdays at 7:00 am at El Pescador.

Contact - BNI: Melanie Fiske, President, BNI Heritage Valley - 805-517-1097
Contact - Rotary: Joe Aguirre, President, Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers - 805-524-2096.

Please come to the Fillmore Mail Stop-The Little Shop That Can, for your passport photo, copying, faxing and laminating needs. Kathy Vargas the proprietor will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Also, while you are there consider purchasing the Plant for Peace.

All proceeds from the sale of the plant go towards the purchase of the Peace Pole, which will be installed at the City Park prior to the 2010 International Day of Peace in September. The community along with Soroptimist International of Fillmore are working together to bring this symbol of peace to our town.
Fillmore Mail Stop is located at 303 Central Ave., across the street from the post office, Phone: 524.7835.

Fillmore Youth Football will be holding a final registration opportunity on Wednesday, May 12th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the back room of the Veterans Memorial Building. The cost is $190 for the first player, a $20 discount to second sibling and $10 to each sibling thereafter. If you are interested in playing but unable to attend that night, please contact John Holladay at 797-6804.

Three Things I love about me! Find Balance in Your Life by Embracing the REAL You CALLING ALL WOMEN… as women, we take on so many roles, that it is easy to lose our REAL self. Discover how you can find balance in your life, peace instead of stress, and freedom instead of frustration. Join Soroptimist International of Fillmore as they host Lori Hanson, noted speaker, consultant and author. DARE TO BE INSPIRED! When: May 19, 2010, Where: Mr. Goodlunch Café, 1024 W Ventura St., Fillmore, CA 93015, Cost: $12.00 (Pays for Lunch), Please R.S.V.P with Terri Aguirre at 805-524-2096.

Armed Services YMCA and Department of Defense partnership supports child care needs of eligible military families

In a continued effort to meet the growing needs of military service members, the Ventura Family YMCA will provide respite child care services to deployed National Guard/Reservists and select military personnel. Underwritten by the Department of Defense (DoD), respite child care services are designed to provide licensed child care for children of deployed military personnel.

“The Ventura Family YMCA is pleased to support military families and the child care needs of deployed military personnel,” said Jacob Munyon, Child Care Director, Ventura Family YMCA. “Providing a nurturing environment for families and children is integral to the YMCA’s commitment to child development and family strengthening.”

Respite child care provides part-time, occasional and licensed child care for children whose parent or guardian needs temporary respite from their role as primary caregiver in the absence of a deployed spouse. The care is intended for children who are 5 years of age up to 12 years of age.

With respite child CONTINUED »

The City of Ventura is pleased to announce the winners of the 2nd annual “Art Tales” creative writing contest. Short stories and poems were submitted in both youth and adult categories that were inspired by one of the five Municipal Art Collection works of art which is currently on exhibit in the E.P. Foster Library.
More than 80 entries from Fillmore, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula and Ventura were judged by a committee of professionals. Out of the 80 entries submitted, 7 are from Fillmore. Every April is National Poetry month and the April ended with its award ceremony at E.P. Foster Library in Ventura on April 28th to honor the winners.

They were:
Short Story – Youth
Sofia Felino, 1st Place, “The Synesthete”
Jocelyn Munoz, 2nd Place, “Carwash on the Avenue”
Alejandra Contreras, Honorable Mention, “Tony's Pizza”
Lupita Perez, Honorable Mention, “Tony's Pizza”
Daniel Vargas, Honorable Mention, “Tony's Pizza”
Poem – Youth
Christopher Medrano, CONTINUED »

Kenneth Fine’s book, “An Anecdotal History of Fillmore,” is now back in print. The first printing in 2002 sold out and Marie Wren recently ordered a second printing. This book is full of stories about Fillmore from the early days until about 1958. Everyone who knew Booger Red Fine enjoyed his stories about growing up in Fillmore,
and the things all grownups enjoyed Kenneth Fine was a great storyteller. This book is sort of like sitting under a tree and listening to your own grandpa remember things. It is priced at $25 to cover the cost of printing. Call Marie Wren 524-4044

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course is being offered by the City of Fillmore on May 14-16 and May 21-23. Hours are Fridays 5:00-9:00 PM and Saturdays & Sundays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You must be a least 16 years of age to take the course. All participants must pass a pre-qualifying swim on the first day of class.
Cost is $150.00. Once you pass the course you will receive a Red Cross certification in Water Safety Instruction. You must sign up at City Hall. For more information go to City Hall or the Fillmore Aquatic Center. Last day to sign up is Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Boy Scouts and other volunteers are building a Canary Pond at the new Water Recycling Plant. The fish put into the pond will be like a canary in a mine signaling a problem. A shade structure has been built over the pond to protect it from the sun. The project is being led by Eagle Scout Kevin Rapp. The Scouts involved with the project have the opportunity to earn the prized Hornaday unit award. If you would like to learn how to build a fish pond please come and help! If you would like to learn how to make a pond please join us on the next workday Saturday, May 1st. Show up at the plant at 1570 River St. at 9:00 A.M. and ready to work. For more information contact Bert Rapp, shown in picture with Scout Jonathan Freeman from LDS Troop 411 as they install a 4x4 on the Canary Pond shade structure. Bert can be reached at 524-1500 x 231. The pond is being built with private donations with leftover funds going to the Boy Scout troops involved.

For several years, the “Fillmore Friends of the Library” have done so much for our community providing several programs, especially for our youth. This past Saturday, Mayor Patti Walker presented certificates and a check to each individual for their entries in the Poem Contest at their general meeting.

Each winner was called upon to read their poems as they received their awards. The Fillmore Friends of the Library had a difficult time selecting the winners this year but enjoyed reading every entry and the poem contest is growing larger every year.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents that the annual summer reading program will begin the first week of June so stop by the library to get more details. This years Poem Contest winners are:
1st Place: Sereth Malagone and Naythan Martinez, 2nd Place: Elizabeth Manzano, 3rd Place: Rachael Pace, Honorable Mention: Christopher Medrano.

All students are from Fillmore Middle School and a big thank you to Mrs. Fitzgerald for submitting the poems for the contest.

Please join us for a day trip to the San Manuel Casino and other attractions in the San Bernardino Valle. Specially chartered bus will pick us up at the San Salvador Mission in Piru and the Fillmore Senior Center in Fillmore. Monday, May 24th, Pick up in Piru at 9 am, Pick up in Fillmore by 10 am, Arrive San Manuel by 12:30 pm (est), Depart San Manuel at 7 p.m., Arrive Piru/Fillmore approx. 10 pm, Cost is $25 per person. Guests are eligible for up to $10 in credits from casino upon arrival. Payment due, in advance of trip and we must have at least 50 passengers to guarantee trip., Must be at least 21 years of age. To sign up, stop by Fillmore Senior Center or Call 805-521-1554. Hope you will join us for a fun day!

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course is being offered by the City of Fillmore on May 14-16 and May 21-23. Hours are Fridays 5:00-9:00 PM and Saturdays & Sundays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You must be a least 16 years of age to take the course. All participants must pass a prequalifying swim on the first day of class. Cost is $150.00. Once you pass the course you will receive a Red Cross certification in Water Safety Instruction. You must sign up at City Hall. For more information go to City Hall or the Fillmore Aquatic Center. Last day to sign up is Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Sign-ups for swimming lessons will be held at the Fillmore Aquatic Center beginning on Monday, May 17. Sign-up at the pool Monday thru Friday 5:45-7:00 PM, Saturdays 1:00-4:00 PM. Swimming lesson Session I begin June 1 – June 11, afternoons only. Session II begins June 14-25, mornings and afternoons. Come to the Fillmore Aquatic Center for more information.

Fillmore Town Theatre, 338 Central Avenue was the historic venue for The 2010 Inaugural Unsung Heroes Music Festival and Awards Ceremony Saturday April 17! The bands and the turn-out were awesome!

Fillmore High School Marching Band, No Requests, House Arrest, The Last Dog and Pony Show, End Transmission, Dead of Night, Awesome Otter, Panik Attack, Tempting Fate, Sea Glass Zander, Nostaljik and 8Stops7 serenaded, in their own unique ways, 10 Fillmore Unsung Heroes briefly identified below. Each band and organization donated their services for the day. Generosity, particularly by bands and technicians, was key to the event!
Mr. Greg Godfrey, Ms. Janet Bergamo and Mr. Scott Helgeson were honored for dedicated years of service to the Fillmore Unified School District’s (FUSD) various music programs.

Other worthy recipients were Dr. K.S. Hart who makes medical care available at the Fillmore Senior Center and Ms. Hilary Carson, who co-ordinates the One Step A La Vez Youth Drop In Wellness Program at the Community Hall of Trinity Episcopal. This latter initiative was created over 7 years by another Unsung Hero, Ms. Lynn Edmonds.
Horticulturalist Bill Dewey, who has been behind many environmental initiatives including several recent school and community clean ups, and Rev. Fr. Barney Gatlin for his many years spent nurturing the community of Piru, were also honored.

Our final Unsung Fillmore Hero was Claudia Montanes Toledo. She has just returned from Navy deployment in the Middle East. After 11 months of separation from her daughter Selma and parents Maria and Nacho Toledo, she is very grateful to be back in the town and country she loves so well.

The event was masterfully Emceed by Josh Overton from the FHS drama department and ably assisted by a huge crew of volunteers front and back-stage throughout the day.

Many community organizations and individuals made invaluable material, financial and technical contributions:
City Council, City Parks and Recreation department, Band Boosters & Debbie and Darren Gallarza, John Foy of Sespe Players, Middle School Admin., Christine and Rick of Central Music, The Clear Choice, Fedex, The Lab, Oxnard, El Pescador, One Step & The Artivists, SEG-Way, Amelia Aparicio, Abel Ayala, Dave Adams, Mike Barahonas, Mikey Ramirez, Steve Bedau, Lennon Bedau, Susan Bolanos, Annete Cardona, Larissa Downing, Susan & Gerald FitzGerald, Paul FitzGerald, Anita & Colm FitzGerald, Jessica Mendez, Bill Faith of The Scented Path , Alonzo of the Vacuum Center, Max Gabaldon, Stevie Garner, Susan Bolanos , Councilor Laurie Hernandez, Genaro Morales, RJ Stump and team, Janey Munoz, Brandy Lengning and the One Step Team, The Coffee Boy team and many, many more.