Eighty-three students from the Fillmore Middle School Advanced Band will perform for members of the Fillmore Ebell Club on Tuesday, May 26th, at 2:00 p.m., in the Fillmore Memorial Building. The students will perform selections from classical to modern for the Ebell members. The band program at FMS is very active throughout the year, performing concerts and parades. The Fillmore Middle School Intermediate and Advanced Bands will combine with the Fillmore High School Band for the Fillmore May Festival Parade on May 16th. The Fillmore Middle School Bands will also be holding a joint concert with the Fillmore Unified Elementary School Bands on May 18th, at 6:30 p.m., in the FMS Gym. The Fillmore Ebell club has made numerous donations to the music and art programs in the Fillmore Unified School District in years past. Anyone interested in more information, or becoming a member of the Fillmore Ebell Club, may call Trisha Armstrong at 805-727-1901.

Show will be a 2 hour event with Juan Garcia and Shaun Latham as opening acts and headlining the show will be Felipe Esparza. Felipe Esparza is best known for his raw, real-life comedy that all audiences can relate to. He is also known for his wild hair and his often-imitated phrase, "what's up, fool?" He is one of many new comedians that got immediate television exposure, when he appeared on a Showtime, "Diamonds in the Rough" segment, just 1½ years into his stand-up career. Since that time, he has appeared on numerous television shows, including ABC's "Comics Unleashed", Showtime's "Comics Without Borders", BET's "Comic View" and "One Mic Stand", and Galavision's "Que Locos" (where he holds the title of most appearances by any comedian). He has also completed filming on his first feature-length film, "The Deported" directed by Lance Kawas and starring Nick Turturro and Paul Rodriguez amongst others. Show will be at the Casa Del Mexicano in Santa Paula on Friday, 19 June 2009. Doors open at 7:00 pm; show runs from 8 to 10 PM. The event cost is $25 a ticket and is for adults 18 and older. You can call or email Susie at 805-218-5649 or suzortega@yahoo.com.

In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the day off on Monday, May 25. As a result, Fillmore city residential customers will have their trash and recyclables collected one day later than usual, on Saturday, May 30.
The regular Friday collection schedule will resume the following week.
For more information, call 647-1414.

Each summer, many parents throughout Ventura County are faced with the same old question: What do I do to keep my kids occupied this summer? The Ventura County Library has the answer. Get them reading!
The Ventura County Library encourages children and teens to improve their reading skills by reading and using their public library. Sign up for the Ventura County Library 2009 Summer Reading Programs Be Creative @ Your Library for kids through middle school, and Express Yourself @ Your Library for students middle school and above. Studies about summer learning show that more than just fun happens when children participate in library programs. These free library programs run from June 15 to August 22, and encourage children of all ages to enhance their reading skills during summer vacation. They have the opportunity to read books and earn prizes, simply by signing up at their community library. The 2009 Summer Reading Program kicks off at Ventura County community libraries with special programs during the months of May and June. Check the schedule below to find out when your community library is scheduled to have a program. Programs are free and ideal for children of all ages!
Teens are encouraged to check with their local libraries for summer volunteer opportunities.
You may visit your local Ventura County Library for more information about the 2009 Summer Reading Programs. Information can also be found on the library’s web site www.vencolibrary.org.
2009 Summer Reading Program Kickoff program schedule. Be Creative @ Your Library! For all ages! Kickoff program! For all ages! Craig Newton’s Music-Fest, a Celebration of the Joy of Creating Music. This Kick Off program is free! Wednesday, June 3, Fillmore Library, 3:30 pm.

On May 13, 2009 at 3:30, the Folk Ensemble will share enchanting music and dances from Hawaii and the South Pacific. Come enjoy the graceful Hula along with the energetic and vigorous dances of Tahiti and the Maori people of New Zealand.

The free event is sponsored by the Fillmore Friends of the Library, a non-profit organization providing support to the library with funds for books, children’s programs, and adult events. The event will be held on January 17, 2007 at 3:30 PM at the Library’s 502 Second Street address.

Docent led public tours are available without appointment February through November, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 1-4 pm and year round by appointment. If you belong to a club or other group, you can make a reservation for a special group tour that will fit in with your schedule and special interests. Teachers and others working with youth groups are encouraged to schedule an interactive tour to help children learn about California history.
Rancho Camulos is a National Historic Landmark where the early Californio lifestyle is preserved in its original rural environment. What began as part of the 48,000 acre Mexican land grant, Rancho San Francisco, deeded to Antonio del Valle in 1839 is still a 1,800-acre working ranch. Rancho Camulos was also the setting for "Ramona," the 1884 novel by Helen Hunt Jackson that generated national interest in the history of Hispanic settlement in California and the impact on Native Americans. The museum is a 10-acre portion of the ranch where visitors view the 1853adobe, 1920 adobe, cocina, winery, chapel, schoolhouse, and beautiful grounds and then view the 1910 silent film “Ramona” that was filmed on location at Rancho Camulos. The suggested donation for the one- hour tours is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children and students. Private group tours and special events can also be arranged. The Museum is located on Highway 126, 10 miles west of the I-5 freeway in Piru. INFO: (805) 521-1501 or www.ranchocamulos.org
Rancho Camulos Museum National Historic Landmark Needs Docents / Volunteers
Become a part of where the history, myth and romance of Old California still linger. CONTINUED »

The Ventura County Library community libraries will be closed Monday, May 25, for the Memorial Day holiday.
The Ventura County Library community libraries include Avenue Library, Camarillo Library, Fillmore Library, E. P. Foster Library, Meiners Oaks Library, Oak Park Library, Oak View Library, Ojai Library, Piru Library, Ray D. Prueter Library, Saticoy Library, Simi Valley Library, Albert H. Soliz-El Rio Library, and H. P. Wright Library.
Books may be returned to the bookdrops at any of the community libraries. The Ventura County Library is available via the internet, 24 hours a day, at www.vencolibrary.org.

The American Red Cross of Ventura County is seeking new volunteers for its Disaster Services Teams. Individuals can sign up for free training on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, which will take place at the Hyatt Westlake, 880 S. Westlake Boulevard.

The training on Saturday, May 16 runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and includes an overview of the American Red Cross, a look at how the Disaster Services Team is organized and how the Red Cross responds to large and small disasters. Information will also be presented on ways the Red Cross provides food, shelter and how the organization meets clients’ needs. A Disaster Action Team Workshop will also be offered, detailing how the Red Cross responds to small local disasters such as single family fires.

The training continues on Sunday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes information on Shelter Operations, with details on how to work and run a shelter, and a Shelter Simulation, consisting of a tabletop exercise pulling all the elements together.

Seating is limited, and RSVP’s are required. To make a reservation, email TrainingVentura@usa.redcross.org or call 805-987-1514, ext. 320. Individuals can also sign up online at www.arcventura.org. Further information is also available through these channels as well.

Since 1917, the American Red Cross of Ventura County has been meeting needs throughout the communities it serves. Each year, more than 1,200 local volunteers respond to more than 50 local disasters, teach tens of thousands of individual’s vital lifesaving skills, and support the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The American Red Cross is not a government agency.

The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJF) is only four years old and yet is already making great strides in addressing the county’s chronic social issues, thanks to its many generous benefactors. In addition to nearly 100 active donors that seed its Giving Circle with grantmaking dollars, numerous foundations have also been vital contributors. Recently the SJF has received several generous grants that will allow it to grow organizational capacity, increase education and outreach, and improve operations.

The Marisla Foundation provided a one-year $20k grant to expand the SJF education program for the Giving Circle members and donors, grassroots organizations and the broader community. This grant will fund a Ventura County critical issues report, as well as a guided tour for Giving Circle members to explore the social and environmental conditions in the county in order to make good grantmaking decisions.

The McCune Foundation, an original and ongoing supporter of SJF, has recently provided an additional $25k grant for operations and capacity building. Sage Publications presented $2k for staffing and program costs.

The California Endowment provided a two-year $127,575 grant towards capacity building, which will include, among other goals, developing outreach material, providing professional trainings to grassroots community groups, evaluating the social justice issues through the impact on health in low income communities in Ventura County, and designing a participatory evaluation process. CONTINUED »

Santa Paula, CA. May 5, 2009- Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVBank; OTC BB: SCVE.OB) today announced that Mr. Ralph DeLeon has been elected Chairman of the Board. DeLeon replaces Mr. Guy E. Cole, who has served as Chairman for the past two years. He will continue to serve as a Director of the Bank. Additionally, Mr. Elias Valdes has been selected as Vice Chairman.

In the spirit and tradition of community based organizations, the SCVBank Board has customarily rotated the leadership of the Board.

President and CEO Michael Hause commented, “I have known Mr. DeLeon for over 27 years, and he has been a leader in many fields and endeavors. Ralph is well suited to lead SCVBank into the future.”

After managing several grower and harvesting companies, DeLeon formed SAMCO, which provided custom harvesting services for growers in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida and The Bahamas.

DeLeon has been honored as a Kellog Fellow of the Agricultural Leadership Program. He has served as Director of Fruit Growers Laboratory, Associates Insectary, Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club of the Santa Clara Valley, the Ventura Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and Agricultural Producers. CONTINUED »

Its hustle and bustle and the Ventura Family YMCA as individuals and families get ready for summer. Registrations are currently taking place for numerous summer childcare and youth sport and aquatics programs. The YMCA has also started early registration for its 2009-2010 school year childcare.

Summer Childcare Day Camps: Send your child to the ultimate summer childcare experience. Campers will discover hidden talents and develop new hobbies through age appropriate activities such as arts and crafts, organized games, swimming, music and field trips. Day camp for the children is the YMCA’s most widely offered program nations wide. The Ventura Family YMCA provides summer day care for over 200 children in Ventura and Oxnard.

Specialty Camps: These camps provide an opportunity for children to learn and excel in an area of their interest. With choices ranging from photography to sports camp, there are choices for every child’s interest. Each camp focuses on character development, social skills, and keeps children active during the summer months.

Resident Camps: Pre-teens and teens can participate in one of our life changing week long resident camps. Campers share cabins with friends and meet new cabin mates from other Channel Island YMCAs. Some activities include archery, crafts, lakes swimming, hiking, and rock climbing. This all takes place in a safe and fun setting with trained, caring volunteers and professional staff. CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

“Day of the Teacher” will be observed on Wednesday, May 13. This special observance was established 27 years ago to honor teachers and the teaching profession in California. This year’s day of the Teacher theme is “California Teachers: Standing Up for a Better Tomorrow.” Remember the teacher who taught you how to read, do math, spell a word correctly? Or the one who taught you that it was just as important to listen as to talk? If you want to honor a special teacher, send 300 words or less to info@thefillmoregazette.com telling us about the professional who made a difference in your life. We will post them online, and if space allows, in print.

Conway Spitler

The most useless thing to do -- worry
The greatest Joy -- Giving
The greatest loss -- loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work -- helping others
The ugliest personality trait -- selfishness
The most endangered species -- dedicated leaders
The greatest "shot in the arm" -- encouragement
The great problem to overcome -- Fear
The most effective sleeping pill -- Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease -- excuses

The most powerful force in life -- love
The most dangerous pariah -- a gossiper
The world's most incredible computer -- the brain
The worst thing to be without -- hope
The deadliest weapon -- the tongue
The two most power-filled words -- I can
The greatest asset -- faith

The most worthless emotion -- self pity
The most prized possession -- integrity
The most beautiful attire -- a smile!
The most powerful channel of communication -- prayer
The most contagious spirit --- enthusiasm
The most important thing in life -- God