The 2015 Fillmore Flower Show, themed “Bursting with Beauty” presented by Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee was a well attended event in our community on April 18, 19, with people traveling from Thousand Oaks and other nearby communities to appreciate the beauty of flower creations accompanied by music performed by Joy Asenas and Barry Cooper.

This was the 7th annual show since we “set our hearts” on reconstructing this show which began in 1919.

It takes months of preparation, publicizing, leading of workshops and dependence on many, many volunteers to bring the show to fruition. All volunteers will be celebrated at our review BBQ held at the Doug King Ranch.

This year the Santa Ana winds in the preceding days reduced our entries from last year’s 256 to 197, but people were prepared with more potted plant and dish garden entries. The “Best of Show” award was presented to a cactus(owner Lynne Arbogast) that was more than 30 years old. With these times of drought, this was an appropriate winner and gave show visitors an idea of the beauty found in the cacti family.

We had more door prize donations this year than ever before! In a small town, merchants get asked constantly to donate for all types of events and needs and we would like to encourage every one to shop locally, look at the interesting architectural details of these historical buildings and personally thank these generous merchants and individuals for contributing to the Flower Show.

Merchants and individuals to thank are: Avenue Pet, Bennett’s Honey Farm, Beylik Farms, Carolyn Lasky, Central Station Bar & Grill, Chivas Skin Care, Diamond Realty & Investments, Elkin’s Golf Course, El Pescador Restaurant, Green Thumb Nursery, artist Joanne King, King & King Ranch, Mark Ortega, Mary & Ian Nunez, Mimstar, Ventura County Nursery, Mountain View Golf Course, Otto & Son’s Nursery, Patterson’s Hardware, The Scented Path, The Treasure Station, Vallarta Restaurant, Valley Crest Tree Company, Vic’s Tires, and William L. Morris Chevrolet.

Come to our Civic Pride meetings and add your voice and effort to improve quality of life and esthetic appeal in our community! The next meeting will be May 20, at 1:30pm in City Hall.

Most of the general public recognize law enforcement, fire personnel, and emergency medical technicians as the first on the scene of a disaster; while few may know, in the case of a natural or man-made disaster, there are a number of first responders on duty and on call every day and night at the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA).

In an emergency, Public Works staff works closely with public safety personnel to assess damage to develop and implement responses. For instance, when the announcement of the Camarillo Springs mudslide that impacted numerous homes was made, one of the first emergency responders on the scene was VCPWA Engineering Manager II-County Geologist of Development and Inspection Services, Jim O’Tousa.While observing and trekking around the devastating slide in the pitch black, rainy evening, O’Tousa communicated back to the Fire and Sheriff’s Command Center critical information on areas that were still safe, homes that needed to be evacuated, and areas that were still potentially in harm’s way of the mud flow and geologic areas likely to still be moving and dangerous. While in the field relaying critical information, O’Tousa was also receiving important weather updates by storm hydrologists from the VCPWA Watershed Storm Center, who were tracking the storm and alerting first responders of potential weather and rain conditions that could impact the areas in crisis.

VCPWA’s Transportation Department also plays a key role in major disaster events. “The access to and from impacted areas is often damaged or impassable during an emergency response,” explains David Fleisch, Director of VCPWA’s Transportation Department. “As first responders, it is our duty to restore access to roadways for emergency workers and others who need to rescue or evacuate residents and to remove debris to preserve public property.”

Public Works personnel were officially added as first responders in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Public Works personnel also serve as part of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Agency Operations Center (AOC) when activated.

VCPWA has emergency plans and response teams in place to respond quickly to emergencies. “We’ve been first responders for many years, often radioing in information critical to fire, earthquake, or landslide event emergencies,” says Herb Schwind, Director of Engineering Services Department. “We might be the silent first responders, but we are there in any emergency.”

Being on duty for VCPWA means that the Directors have the “bat phone,” or the active duty phone for a full month,after whichit is handedoff to the next Director. “If there is an earthquake, mudslide, or dangerous flood, the Fire and Sheriff’s office will call the appropriate VCPWA Director, who will then assign the first responders from VCPWA,” explains Janice Turner, Director of Central Services. In addition, on-site safety is a priority in emergency situations. Phil Raba, VCPWA Safety Manager, handles safety for personnel during a crisis and responds to incidents as necessary for safety assessments. “All Public Works employees are first responders, we work together as a team,” says Raba.

On Tuesday, May 19, VCPWA Director Jeff Pratt will pay homage to his team of almost 400 employees for Public Works Week Awareness Day, and a special nod to the work of his small team of unsung heroes who are always on call in the event of a natural or man-made tragedy. In addition, VCPWA Director Jeff Pratt will also announce this year’s “Employee of the Year” recipients. From 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the public will be invited to partake in various festivities, as the Government Center parking lot will be filled with VCPWA Department display booths, including heavy equipment for demonstrations, equipment show and tell, and invasive plant presentations. VCPWA staff will also lead activities and hands-on stations that demonstrate the many services provided by the Agency. More than 300 local students will be in attendance for the educational experience.

Event info:
Who: Ventura County Public Works Agency’s National Public Works Week Awareness Day
When: Tuesday, May 19
Times: Resolution with the County Board of Supervisors at 10:00 a.m. (Hall of Administration)
Public-activity displays and presentations from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Parking lot)
Where: Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, Calif. 93009

Video courtesy Bob Crum.

Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura is pleased to announce that the American College of Radiology has designated CMH as an accredited lung cancer screening center.

This designation means CMH meets the top standards for patient care in the screening for lung cancer set by the American College of Radiology and that CMH has been accredited in CT scans of the chest.

The nonprofit American College of Radiology, with more than 30,000 members, is the principal organization of radiologists, radiation oncologists and clinical medical physicists in the United States. The college periodically defines new practice parameters and technical standards for radiologic practice to help advance the science of radiology and improve the quality of care for patients.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and 12 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq:BSRR), parent of Bank of the Sierra, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. The dividend was approved subsequent to the Board’s review of the Company’s financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, which reflect continued capital strength, relatively robust operating results, substantial loan growth, and a sustained favorable trend in credit quality. The dividend will be paid on May 14, 2015 to shareholders of record as of April 30, 2015. Including dividends paid by Bank of the Sierra prior to the formation of Sierra Bancorp, the Company has paid regular cash dividends to shareholders every year since 1987, comprised of annual dividends from 1987 through 1998 and quarterly dividends since then. The dividend noted in today’s announcement marks the Company’s 65th consecutive regular quarterly cash dividend.

Sierra Bancorp is the holding company for Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com), which is in its 38th year of operations and at over $1.7 billion in assets is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. The Company has over 400 employees and conducts business through 28 branch offices, an online branch, a real estate industries center, an agricultural credit center, and an SBA center.

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward looking statements. Actual results may differ from those projected. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including but not limited to the bank’s ability to maintain current dividend payments or increase dividend payouts to shareholder, its ability to continue to generate record financial results, changes in economic conditions, interest rates and loan portfolio performance, and other factors detailed in the Company’s SEC filings. Sierra Bancorp undertakes no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

The Friends of the Santa Paula Blanchard Community Library invite all book lovers to their “Back Stacks” Book Sales. They are held the first Saturday of every month from 10AM to 2PM, every Wednesday from Noon to 4PM, and every Thursday, and Friday from Noon to 2PM.The next First-Saturday sale will be May 2, 2015. The sales offer great choices in fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and collectibles and are accessed from the north parking lot of the library at 119 N. 8th Street, Santa Paula, CA.Most books are priced from $.50-$2.00.Collectibles start at $4.00.

This month’s specials include 3 books, each with 50 ways to be more successful at work or in your business, all for $1.00, 8 Jeremy Robinson thriller novellas, all for $1.00, and The World of the Past, 2 volumes on ancient civilizationsthroughout the world at $1.00 for the set.

For more information email fobcl@yahoo.com

Bank of the Sierra today announced plans to open a new Loan Production Office (LPO) in the city of Oxnard, Ventura County, California. The office is scheduled to open in May of 2015. This represents the 29th location for the bank and follows the November 2014 acquisition of Santa Clara Valley Bank and its branches in the nearby cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Santa Clarita.

“Continued loan growth plays a key role in our ability to attain the bank’s short and long term strategic goals, and ultimately, return to shareholders,” commented Kevin McPhaill, President and CEO. “In the five months following our Santa Clara Valley Bank acquisition, very strong loan growth potential is evident in Ventura County, and the new LPO will help us meet the lending needs in that area,” he added.

“The loan production office in Ventura County is a natural fit to our existing franchise in this part of the state,” stated Michael Olague, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer. “We have experienced solid loan activity in this area and we look forward to expanding our presence in developing additional lending relationships,” continued Olague.

The new LPO will be located in Suite 1720 on the 17th floor of the Topa Financial Plaza tower at 300 Esplanade Drive, Oxnard, California 93036. Branch functions will be limited to loan processing and production. Deposit gathering and other bank branch functions will not be available at this office due to regulatory requirements governing LPOs.

Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com), which is in its 38th year of operations and at over $1.7 billion in total assets is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. The Company has over 400 employees and conducts business through 28 branch offices, an online branch, a real estate industries center, an agricultural credit center, and an SBA center. Sierra Bancorp, the holding company for Bank of the Sierra, is publicly traded on the NASDAQ: BSRR.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has postponed the Commission’s Hearing Board’s public review of the county's annual "unmet transit needs" draft findings until Monday, May 18, 2015. The rescheduled public meeting will convene at 1:30 p.m. at the City of Camarillo's Council Chambers (located at 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo).

According to VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle, the Commission's Citizen's Transportation Advisory Committee/Social Service Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC/SSTAC) simply wanted additional time to review the draft findings and recommendations arising from this year's "unmet transit needs" public process. CTAC/SSTAC serves as an advisory panel to the Commission and includes representatives from each city and the County, as well as the representatives of the various social service and advocacy organizations and providers in the county as called for in state law.

VCTC's "unmet transit needs" is a public process reviewing the transit needs of individuals and groups in Ventura County. Public hearings are held on an annual basis to receive public comment and to analyze potential unmet transit needs, and whether they would be reasonable to provide. As the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA), VCTC is required to conduct this process in order to be eligible to receive Transit Development Act funding from the state.

Agendas for VCTC and its various committees are available on the web at www.GoVentura.org. Public review of said agendas can also be made during normal business hours at the VCTC offices at 950 County Square Drive, Suite 108, in Ventura. Questions regarding the public process may be directed to Vic Kamhi at (805) 642-1591, extension 110.

Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq: BSRR), parent of Bank of the Sierra, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Sierra Bancorp recognized net income of $3.738 million in the quarter, for a return on average assets of 0.93% and a return on average equity of 8.06%. Net income was slightly lower than in the first quarter of the prior year due in large measure to the impact of nonrecurring items and a higher income tax accrual, but diluted earnings per share increased to $0.27 in the first quarter of 2015 from $0.26 in the first quarter of 2014 as a result of stock repurchases over the course of the past year. Income statement highlights for the quarter include robust net interest income driven by a large increase in average interest-earning assets, and relatively strong non-interest income resulting in large part from a higher level of fee-generating customer activity. Non-interest expense was higher due to substantial gains on the sale of OREO which helped offset costs in the first quarter of 2014, as well as higher core processing costs subsequent to our conversion in February 2014, higher personnel expense, and other operating cost increases associated with our acquisition in late 2014.

Total assets were up $96 million, or 6%, during the first quarter of 2015, due to net growth of $95 million in gross loan balances. Loan balances exceeded the milestone level of $1 billion for the first time in the history of the Bank, and growth for the quarter was favorably impacted by increased utilization on mortgage warehouse lines as well as the purchase of $28 million in residential mortgage loans in March. Total nonperforming assets, including nonperforming loans and foreclosed assets, were reduced by close to $2 million, or 7%, during the quarter. Total deposits increased $24 million, or 2%, due to a $37 million increase in core non-maturity deposits that was partially offset by a reduction in time deposits. Non-deposit borrowings increased $77 million.

“Growth during the CONTINUED »

Fillmore and Piru community members will unite at a Kick Off rally to officially launch their 10th Annual Relay For Life season. Team Captains, Survivors, Participants, Sponsors and community members are all invited to ring in the new season with a rally that educates everyone on how their involvement benefits the American Cancer Society’s goal to save lives and create more birthdays. Money raised will fight cancer by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.

Please join us on Monday, April 20th at Elkins Ranch Golf Course 1386 Chambersburg Road, Fillmore. Festivities will begin at 6pm. Refreshments will be served. For more information please visit our website at www.relayforlife.org/fillmoreca or contact Lorissa Magdaleno at 805-210-0023.

You are cordially invited to attend Fillmore High School’s 6th Annual Make A Wish event to be held on April 24, 2015 on the Football Field from 8:30-4:00pm. Our goal is to raise $5,000 so that we may grant a wish for a child with a life-threatening medical condition. Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties (“Make-A-Wish”) is an event to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. If you know of any child whose wish was granted, please contact Cynthia Perez cynthiaperez4455@gmail.com with the information so that we may create posters for them.

“Looking Toward the Future” is the theme of the Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society’s (SCRVRHS) Annual Railfest, co-sponsored by the Fillmore & Western Railway. The Railfest, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, takes place at Central Park in Fillmore on the weekend of April 25th and 26th between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Admission and parking are free.

Following in the SCRVRHS tradition to provide Southern California with a family fun event, the Railfest offers railroad-related activities such as miniature steam train rides; ‘speeder’ rides, turn table demonstration, displays from various railroad-related organizations, including model railroads, Operation Lifesaver, and food booths, including SCRVRHS’ very own Locomotive Tri-Tip Bar-B-Que. Other invited attractions include the famous Frontier Gunfighters, antique farm equipment demonstrations and vintage tractors, live musical entertainment, arts and craft booths, and commemorative festival T-shirts.

This year, there will be 1 hour train rides departing at 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm and 2:30pm. A caboose will also be added to provide a unique and rare opportunity for the public to ride in an actual caboose for a one hour excursion.

A Family Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Train will run on Saturday, April 25 featuring a Spaghetti dinner. On board will be gunslingers, good guys in white hats, frontier gals and other mystery players. Reservations required. For tickets or information please visit www.fwry.com or call 805-524-2546.

SCRVRHS will also have their 1956 Union Pacific Pullman Sleeping Car open for public inspection. The car, designated by U.P. as #1205 the ‘National Embassy’, is one of only twelve flat-sided aluminum ‘Embassy’ cars built for the Union Pacific Railroad. It came directly out of U.P. service spending the last twenty+ years on static display at the Miramar Hotel in Montecito. The interior is untouched and virtually original in every detail, right down to the Union Pacific blankets and Pullman soap bars. It has roomettes, staterooms, and a rare open section. A real step back into the closing days of the golden age of passenger train service! You’ll want to see this.

Plus the SCRVRHS RR Visitor Center will be open. The Center, located in the old Fillmore City Fire house, contains many railroad artifacts, an educational library, Lionel model train layout, gift shop and a video library and theatre.

Visit the old Southern Pacific Depot, Bunkhouse, or Hinckley house at the Fillmore Historical Society, which is rich in Fillmore history. They are located near the turntable.

This is SCRVRHS’s annual opportunity to demonstrate their charter as a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the history of the old Santa Paula Branch Line. Most of the Festival proceeds benefit the non-profit, its railroad restoration efforts; and a roundhouse/Railroad Interpretive Center.

Fillmore is located 40 miles north of Los Angeles in Ventura County on Highway 126 between Interstate 5 at Magic Mountain and the 101 Freeway in Ventura.

Fillmore Athletic Booster Club is committed to promoting and supporting all student-athletes at FHS and we are currently looking for new members. Parents, grandparents, and community members are invited to be an active participant in making sure our athletic programs have what they need. Stop by our May 4th meeting at 6:30 PM, held in the student store at FHS, or contact Jennie Andrade @ 805-340-3601. New members bring new ideas! Hope to see you on the 4th.

Ventura, CA – Local charity Hope’s Haven Children’s Charity has donated 10 iPads to the pediatric unit at Community Memorial Hospital.

The CMH pediatric unit averages two to three patients per day and has five beds.Critically injured and seriously ill children in Ventura County who receive either in-patient or out-patient care, along with their families, benefit as Hope’s Haven improves their quality of life with toys, financial assistance and VIP experiences. The siblings of these children benefit as they are included in the events and they are the recipients of gifts as well.

“While many children spend their days sitting in a classroom, playing at the park and having sleepovers, many of our children are being treated for illnesses or injury,” said Megan Meeker, CMH’s director of Maternal & Children's Health Services. “The iPads serve as a distraction and some fun during a difficult time for a child hospitalization or treatment, providing a sanitary alternative to toys and books while being a positive distraction during treatment.”

Hope’s Haven is working with the Ventura County medical community to place iPads in hospital pediatric beds. “They provide a vehicle for kids to keep up on school work, connect with friends and family through social media, as well as provide entertainment with movies, games and apps while they are going through the treatment process,” Hope’s Haven committee Chairman Sean Copeland said.

Meeker also points out that the iPad project yields positive results. “The simple offering of an iPad can help to cast a more positive light on a difficult situation,” she said. “With the iPad, the time goes faster, children are having fun, they are learning and they are given the opportunity to stay connected with their peers.”

Hope’s Haven Children’s Charity is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Ventura County children facing life-threatening illnesses and serious injuries. Through the support of local communities and annual fundraising events, Hope’s Haven works directly with hospitals, clinics and social workers to provide financial and emotional support for families.

Community Memorial Hospital is a member of Community Memorial Health System, a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and 12 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.