Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

On Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 5PM La Promesa De Jesus Church hold their second “March Rally”. Lifting up Jesus in the CITY OF FILLMORE. Pastor Ernie Rangel says “ I believe with all my heart that Fillmore is a special city. I was born and raised here in Fillmore, grew up in gangs, drugs and violence but God has changed my life and this movement that we are starting is stirring up a revival in our city and I want every person from this city to know that I am here to serve them and that our church is a place that welcomes ANYONE AND ANYBODY. Pictured above are the group f 70 who marched along this past weekend Inset is the group marching on the Fillmore Bike Path. Courtesy Ernie Rangel Jr .

Ventura County — The Museum of Ventura County is pleased to present author Carina Monica Montoya at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on April 8, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Montoya will be reading from her book Fillmore, which is part of the Images of America series. A native Californian, Montoya has written several books, including Santa Maria Valley, Filipinos in Hollywood, Pacific Coast Highway in California, Ventura County, and Los Angeles’s Historic Filipinotown. Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is full of historic photos and fascinating stories of regions throughout the country. Montoya’s look at Fillmore is full of insights that will shed new light on the history of this fascinating town. Montoya’s reading will be followed by a question and answer session and a book sale. Montoya will be autographing purchased copies of her book.

“Even though I grew up in this region, I am learning new facts about the Fillmore area all of the time,” said the Museum’s Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director Elena Brokaw. “Having Carina Monica Montoya present her book at the Agriculture Museum will be a great way for our community to hear more about this history of this area that we love.”

This event is free and open to the public. The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, CA 93060. More information can be found on the Museum of Ventura County website at www.venturamuseum.org and by phone at (805) 525-3100.

By Dr. Barry Fike

The famous “Praying Hands” picture was created by Albrecht Durer, the son of a Hungarian goldsmith. He was born in Germany in 1471 and died in 1528. As is the case with nearly all men of genius, fact and fiction become interwoven and created the legend of the artist as we know him today.
It is said, that while studying art, Albert, as he was called, and a friend roomed together. However, the meager income they earned on the side as they studied did not prove to be enough to meet their needs for rent, food, clothing, and other living expenses. Albert suggested that he would go to work to earn the necessary income for both of them while his friend pursued and finished his art studies. When finished, the friend would then go to work to provide support while Durer would finish his studies. The friend was pleased and happy with the plan, except that he insisted that he be the first to work and that Albert continue his studies.
This plan was followed and in time Albert Durer became a skilled artist and engraver. Returning to his room one day, Albert announced that he was not ready to assume the burden of support, while his friend studied art. But, as a result of his hard labor, his friend’s hands were so swollen that he was no longer able to hold and use the paintbrush with skill. His career as an artist was ended.
Albert was deeply saddened by this disappointment which his friend had suffered. One day when he returned to their room, he heard his friend praying and saw his hands held in a reverent attitude of prayer. At this moment, Albert received the inspiration to create the picture of those wonderful “praying hands”. His friend’s lost skill could never be restored but in and through this picture, Durer felt that he would express his love and appreciation for the self-sacrificing labor which his friend had performed for him. Durer also had another thought that such a picture could inspire a like appreciation on the part of others who may also be willing to sacrifice and give on the behalf of someone else.
The story is now legend. I cannot verify if this is factual or not, but it is a good story. Self-sacrificing is a brand of love that is not too often seen in our too-busy world. Yes, in the act of sacrificial love we have identity as being part of the body of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as the Church. Humble giving and prayer are keys to open Heaven’s door for others.
As Helen Keller once said: I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble…for the world is moved along, not only by the mighty shaves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker!

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NKJ

Ryan Oge
Enlarge Photo

Pictured above is Ryan Oge, a graduate of FHS 2007. He is at Good Samaritan Hospital, Lafayette, Colorado with liver failure. His only chance of survival is with a liver transplant. Please pray for him. Any questions, please contact: Marvin Oge, 805-223-1477, mlojsowr88@gmail.com.

Jesus Zavala Castaneda, Oxnard,CA

Case #: 2020016395

On March 24, 2023, a Ventura County jury convicted Jesus Zavala Castaneda
(DOB 05/24/60), of Oxnard, on two counts of lewd touching of a minor under 14 years old. The jury also found all aggravating factors related to each count to be true. Castaneda sexually exploited an underage family member between 2018 and 2019. The conduct stopped in June 2019 when the 13-year-old victim reported the abuse. Following a two-week trial that included courageous testimony from the victim, her peers, her mother, as well as a senior detective, teacher, and expert on child abuse, a jury convicted Castaneda of two felony violations. “I was struck by the courage of the victim and the strength of her mother,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward Andrews, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit. “For adolescents reporting sexual abuse, good parental support is the most vital tool for navigating the shame and blame an offender can leave behind.” Castaneda will be sentenced on April 24, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 46 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

President Dave Anderson inducted Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo "Lalo" Malagon as a new Rotary Club member Congratulations, Eduardo! Courtesy Rotarian Martha Richardson.

By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times

It has been 29 years and a handful of days since a popular 21-year-old Ventura subscription salesman was shot down after leaving a friend’s Santa Paula-Ojai Road area apartment in Santa Paula early on March 7, 1994, and Eric Velasquez’s mother still is hoping for justice.

Velasquez was killed by a single shot to the chest, fired by an unknown gunman standing in the parking lot. Velasquez died at the scene, leaving behind grief-stricken relatives and friends and baffled police.

The murder has remained a cold case, but one that received an infusion of funds when the state set a $50,000 reward to find Velasquez’s killer.

Velasquez was described by family and friends as devoted to his family, his girlfriend, and his work as a subscription salesman for the Los Angeles Times.

“I think whoever did this is sure suffering in some way or another,” Susan Ventura, Velasquez’s mother, said at the time. “But it’s all over the city — not just in Los Angeles. They can’t control the guns.”

Many residents of the apartment complex said they were unaware of the incident until later in the morning; one who said he heard a strange noise found Velasquez’s body lying in the carport and called police.

Other witnesses told Santa Paula police investigators that the gunman may have been a man who was involved in an argument with Velasquez earlier in the evening when he arrived at the complex to visit a friend. The man who Velasquez was seen arguing with was a friend of a man who lived in the apartment complex.

The two exchanged words and, reportedly, Velasquez said something related to the other person threatening him with a gun in Ventura, but the two shook hands after the man de nied he had pulled the weapon.

Velasquez had been student at UC Santa Barbara for one semester before taking leave because he and his family could no longer afford the tuition. But he found a job he seemed to be made for — selling subscriptions to the Los Angeles Times door-to-door, every weekday from 4 to 9 p.m.

Most months, he was the top salesman or at least second from the top, taking pride in his work and success in selling subscriptions.

His family and friends described Velasquez as outgoing, gregarious, and persuasive — perfect traits for a job in sales.
To save money, Velasquez lived with his parents, baby-sat his 10-year-old brother in the afternoons, and on the weekends drove to La Puente, where he had attended high school, to visit his high school girlfriend, a romance that never waned.

He was returning from La Puente the evening that he stopped off in Santa Paula to see a friend and subsequently was killed.

Velasquez’s mother, Susan Ventura, set up a $1,000 reward out of frustration in September 1995.

“I want justice to be served in my son’s murder,” Ventura said then. “I want his killer off the streets.”

In October 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murder of Velasquez. The reward was part of a $200,000 allotment made to spur leads in four cold cases.

At the time, the Governor’s Office noted: “The Santa Paula Police Department has exhausted all investigative leads and requested that a reward be offered to encourage anyone with information about this murder to contact Detective S. Virani at 805-525-4474. The victim’s family has also offered a $1,000 reward and rewards are offered by Crime Stoppers and We-Tip.”

Had he not been killed, Eric Velasquez would now be 50 years old.

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Calling all FHS Alumni from the great class of 1973! A 50 year Class Reunion is planned at the Fillmore High Alumni Dinner Event on Saturday, June 10th, 2023.

What a celebration this will be. Each year the Alumni Association invites all our Alumni and their guests to attend this wonderful evening event in downtown Fillmore in front of City Hall/City Park. Lately, many Class reunions have taken part in the annual dinner, and the great class of 1973 will mark their spot as they celebrate 50 years at their reunion. We hope all Alumni and their guests will make plans to attend this years Dinner. Catering this years dinner will be award winning Cater DJ’s California Catering from Ventura. Included with your payment to the event will be delicious Appetizers (For the early arrivals), Included with Dinner is Dessert, Water, Coffee, and Tea. There will also be four Bars for mixers, Beer, and Wine. This year we have two DJ’s along with a Live Band for your evening dancing and listening pleasures. In addition to the class of '73's reuion, many other classes are planning to attend their class reunions so we encourage Everyone to pay for your reservations as soon as possible. THE EVENT HAS SOLD OUT in recent years and we expect another sell out this year. Please go to www.fillmorehighalumni.com

Fillmore’s James Latshaw

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) today announced student James Latshaw from Fillmore, CA, has been selected to become a member of the esteemed organization. The Society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community commitment. The announcement was made by NSHSS Co-founder and President James W. Lewis.

"On behalf of NSHSS and our co-founder Claes Nobel, a member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, I am honored to recognize the hard work, passion, and commitment that James has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence," said Lewis. "James is now a member of a unique community of scholars — a community that represents our very best hope for the future."

"We are proud to provide lifetime membership to young scholars to support their growth and development," stated Lewis. "We help students like James build on their academic success by connecting them with learning experiences and resources to help prepare them for college and meaningful careers."

NSHSS members automatically become lifetime members at the time of their initial membership. Each step along the way — from high school to college to career — NSHSS connects outstanding young scholars with the resources they need to develop their strengths and pursue their passions.

Civic Pride Volunteers have selected the yard of month John & Carol Ramos at 236 Second Street for the March, “Yard of the Month”, award. Otto & Sons Nursery has generously supported this program since the beginning & now awards a $50 gift certificate to the nursery.

John & Carol lived on Fourth Street in the early 1980’s, then moved to the Central Coast for work & returned to Fillmore in 1989 because they liked the community. They purchased the home on Second Street which was surrounded by shrubs, at the time.

After their work slowed down, in 2014-2015, they hired Landscape Architect, Taryn Tree from Camarillo to design a drought tolerant landscape that complimented the architecture of the home & worked with her in choosing the plants.

The focal point is a beautiful Palo Verde tree in the back center, with red yucca plants behind, large aloes of different varieties to the right, a large circle of variegated lantanas in the front, a spreading, Mexican Fan Palm on the left, and dormant Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) bushes professionally pruned, ready for Springtime.

Lining the driveway are a row of dormant Crepe Myrtles with aloes beneath them. Near the entry, are rosemary bushes.

The yard has been designed for low maintenance & water conservation with weed barrier, covered by rock & contained planted areas. It is now beautifully maintained by a local gardening company, Joe Anderson, Landscaper.

Rotarian and Fillmore Chief of Police Garo Kuredjian informed the Rotary Club that he has been promoted to Commander and will be overseeing pre-trial detentions in the City of Ventura, thus leaving Fillmore. We will miss him and all he has done in the community! Garo also introduced new Ventura County Sheriff, Jim Fryhoff. Fryhoff related all the positions he has held and the experience he has had in his career to date. He informed the Club that there are 750 Deputies in the county. One of his goals is to promote positivity amongst the officers and to motivate them to make their communities better. He explained that Fillmore is a contract city with the Sheriffs Department, which means we have full use of their resources such as the Crime Lab, Air Unit, Search & Rescue, and SWAT to name a few.

The guest speaker last week was Rotarian Barb Filkins. She grew up on the East Coast and moved to California to attend Pomona College. Later she attended Harvey Mudd College and got her private pilot license. After graduation she was homesick so returned east and taught flying for Empire Airlines. In 1978 she got a job in California and she and her fellow pilot, Dale, moved here and were married. They were flying and working at the National Test Pilot School. She taught in the cockpit as well as in the classroom. Her passion is to teach and inspire each student to be the best and to inspire others. Courtesy Rotarian Martha Richardson.

The Fillmore Lions Club has announced the 2023 Student Speaker Contest topic, “Social Media: Connects Us or Isolates Us?” This year’s contest will be held February 6th, 2023. Deadline to apply is January 23rd, 2023—see contest details in article.

This topic is very important and relevant in our world today. The contest will be held on Monday February 6th, 2023 at 6:45pm at the One Step A La Vez located at 421 Sespe Ave. 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, those attending outside of the district and foreign exchange students). The deadline to apply by is Monday, January 23rd, 2023. More information about the contest and how to sign up can be found at www.fillmorelionsclub.org

The winner will receive $100 and all qualified participants will receive $25 providing their speech is at least 5 minutes but no longer than 10 minutes. The winners of each stage of competition will receive a financial award and be invited to the next level of the contest. The ultimate winner will receive a total of $21,000 in scholarships to a school of their choice. Students interested in participating can contact Gaylynn Brien at 360- 521-5647 or Mr. Overton at Fillmore High School at 805-276-6070.

Students should start early to enter the contest and writetheir speech because it takes time to research and prepare. Additionally, the number of students entering the contest may be limited.