Nick Johnson, Cartoonist.

Cartoonist Nick Johnson is pictured with the subject of his work, the famous Lulu. Nick started his “Adventures of Lulu” series in the Gazette about five months ago. Follow Lulu’s adventures in the Humor section of this website located here: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/humor

Annis Jane (Jones) Morris

The Isaac and Alice Jones family moved west around 1914 and settled in the Fillmore and Santa Paula area of California. Annis and her twin, Carlos, attended the Little Red Schoolhouse in their elementary years. This one-room school is still in use today, located half way between Fillmore and Santa Paula.

That area still known for Citrus growing, and now avocado as well, was at one time a great apricot producer. Mom remembers during some of those years being recognized as one of the fastest "pitters" on harvest team.
After marriage to Earl Morris in 1929 she became a homemaker from then to now. Earl eventually worked for Sunkist Citrus Association Packing House in Fillmore and then was a custodian and bus driver for many years for Fillmore Union School District until retirement.

Earl and Annis birthed five children. (4 in Fillmore, 1 in Santa Paula) Shirley, Sharon, James, Leonard, Dean. (Sharon is the only one pre-deceased). All grew up in Fillmore.

After the Northridge quake, which did extensive damage to Fillmore, Mom moved to West Covina wit-h her daughter Shirley Cannon for a few years. She is now a resident in Orange with Son, Leonard Morris, for almost 10 years. Leonard and Nevelyn have been Orange residents for forty years.

The children and grandkids will be attending the Oct. 9th celebration in Orange, coming from North and East: Oregon, Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, Texas. Other extended family and friends from other cities, states and regions as well.

Plans include a Model "T" CONTINUED »

Learn to move on the dance floor! Beginning Ballroom and Latin Dance classes begin Tuesday October 5, 2010, Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore; Ballroom: 6:30-7:15, Latin: 7:30 - 8:15. Cost is $20.00 per person 4/week session, $30.00 per couple 4/week session. For more information please call: 805-276-9274.

Members of Fillmore Soroptimist will be selling See's Candy from now until November 5th. Please support our local women's service group by purchasing some delicious See's Candy for Thanksgiving and Holiday gifts! Items being sold include favorites like: Truffles, Assorted Chocolate, Milk or Dark Chocolate, Nuts & Chews Toffee-ettes, Peanut Brittle, Assorted Molasses Chips, Assorted Peppermints, Assorted Gourmet Lollypops, Santa Bear Box, Mini Holiday Fancy Box and gift certificates!

Stop by the following local businesses to place your order: Terri at Aguirre Financial & Insurance Services (606 Sespe Ave. #105), Yolanda at Antiques and Other Collectibles (352 Fillmore St), Kathy at Fillmore Mail Stop (330 Central Ave.) and Sandi at Sandi Ward's Crafts & Things (435-D Santa Clara-in the train car). For more information please contact Kathy Vargas at 805.524.7835.

The final plans and arrangements for the Fillmore Celebration of the Centennial of Boy Scouts are being done this week. Tuesday, Sept. 28th at 6 p.m. the festivities will start at the Scout Building at the east end of Sespe Ave. The Centennial Celebration is open to everyone with an interest in the boy scouts as a scout in any troop since 1910 or an adult leader or a citizen who continues to support the program.
An evening of pictures, scout food and memories will be completed with a campfire to retire old flags at 8. There is additional parking behind the building so there will be space for everyone to attend. In order to plan food for the evening, please RSVP to Coleen Chandler, 524-5058.

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Fillmore Library will present "Sounds of Ancient Mexico." Martin Espino will perform an interactive, family musical program using instruments like those used in ancient Mexico. Mr. Espino creates 90 percent of the instruments that he uses in his programs, and is an expert with bamboo and gourds. He has made over 40,000 instruments in his 30-year career. The program starts at 3:30 PM on September 29, 2010, and is sponsored by the Fillmore Friends of the Library.

The City of Fillmore in conjunction with the County of Ventura & Clean Harbors will be hosting a household hazardous waste collection day Saturday October 2, 2010 between the hours of 8:30AM – 1:15PM. The collection facility is located at the Fillmore Public Works Yard, 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore.

This collection event is open to residents of Fillmore, Piru & Santa Paula as well as the unincorporated areas of western Ventura County. The household hazardous waste facility accepts paints, stains, thinners and solvents, kitchen & bath cleaning products, lawn & garden products, photographic chemicals, oil, antifreeze, automotive and household batteries, fluorescent light tubes, mercury thermostats, mercury containing products, electronic waste & more. This event is FREE to the public and the perfect opportunity to get rid of those items you otherwise cannot throw into the trash.

For questions or to schedule a drop-off appointment please call (805) 658-4323.

Residents are encouraged to recycle appliances, refrigerators, electronics, tires, wood trash and recyclables
Got clutter around the house? Bring it to Fillmore’s “City-Wide Clean Up Day” on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010.

City residents and small-business owners are encouraged to bring their unwanted clutter that day to Well No. 4 located at 728 Goodenough Road, across the street from Ameron Pole Products, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Trash, recyclables, furniture, appliances, old tires, refrigerators, computers, television sets, stereos and cathode ray tubes are among the materials that will be accepted, free of charge.

Note, however, that oil, gasoline, diesel fuel and household hazardous waste such as cleaning solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, batteries and paint will not be accepted during “City-Wide Clean Up Day.” However, the City of Fillmore’s next Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection is October 2, 2010.
For more information on the “City-Wide Clean Up Day,” call 524-3701.

¿Tiene demasiada basura en su hogar?
El 25 de septiembre es el día de Limpieza del Otoño en toda la Ciudad en Fillmore
¿Tiene demasiada basura en su hogar? Tráigala al Día de Limpieza de toda la Ciudad el sábado 25 de septiembre, 2010.
Invitamos a los CONTINUED »

James McGee

Ventura County, CA, September 14, 2010 – After four months of tireless searching, the American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter has hired James McGee as the new Regional Chief Executive Officer of Ventura County.

With a successful career in the health, consumer products, and technology industries, McGee brings a broad range of leadership and business development experience to the CEO position.

“I’m excited to bring my talents and experiences to a tremendous organization like the American Red Cross,” said McGee. I’m honored to carry forward a great legacy of providing critical services and support to local families in times of need.”

Most recently, McGee served as Staff Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development at WellPoint, the largest health benefits company in the United States. During his time at WellPoint, McGee launched and led a variety of corporate-wide strategic initiatives focused on new growth for the company. McGee also held senior leadership roles across Corporate Development, Product Development, and Business Operations. During his tenure at WellPoint, McGee was instrumental in opening California Health and Longevity Institute, an innovative health and diagnostic center located in Westlake Village.

McGee started his professionally career with The Walt Disney Company and held a variety of management roles across Disney’s Corporate and Consumer Products Divisions. McGee also spent time as a technology consultant with boutique consulting firm Guidance Solutions based out of Marina del Rey, CA.

McGee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business from Wheaton College and completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Operations and Management at the University of Southern California.

In addition to his CONTINUED »

This weeks Alumni Article features the the 1953 Football Champs. Fillmore High is very proud of their mighty Flashes in 1953. The Varsity squad captured seven of nine games and won the league championship for the first time in nine years. Led by co-captains Cesar Mendoza and Dick Fredericksen Fillmore's eleven rolled over seven straight foes after they lost their season's opener to Cantwell 14-6. Included in this victory string were non-league triumphs over Burbank 13-0, Paramount 19-6, and league wins over Hart 26-0, Oxnard 25-7, Lancaster 13-12, and Ventura 33-13. One of their toughest contests that football season was against their arch-rival, Santa Paula. In a bruising, close game, the Fillmore Flashes pull it out with a 12-7 win. Closing out their highly successful season the Flashes dropped a tough 27-14 decision to St. Anthony, Catholic League Champs, in the C.I.F. playoffs. Fillmore's superiority in league play was shown by the placing of six men on the all-county team. They were - Roger Palmer tackle, Dave Goodenough end, Phil Blodgett guard, Dick Fredericksen fullback, Chuck Greer Quarterback, and Cesar Mendoza halfback. Coached by Ed Simmons - head coach, and Richard "Toolie" Palmer - asst coach, the Varsity squad of 1953 will long be remembered by Fillmore fans as one of the finest pigskin teams to represent Fillmore High. In celebrating the 100th meeting between the Flashes, and Santa Paula Cardinals this November 12th in Fillmore, the Alumni Associations is putting together a DVD highlighting this football Rivalry. The oldest High School Football series in Ventura County. To Pre-Order your DVD, please call the Alumni Association at 805-524-0416, or you can email your order now at cardsflashesdvd@att.net. $20.00 (Picked up at Alumni Office) or $25.00 (Mailed directly to you). Pre orders are going swiftly, so be sure to call or email yours in today. You will be billed in October and the DVDs will be available on November 12th and after. GO FLASHES!!!

All are invited to participate in an 8 week nutrition class at Fillmore’s Health and Wellness Center, 448 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, starting October 5, 2010. The group will meet every Tuesday from 5:15 to 6;15 p.m. and will be facilitated by Mary Farkis, M.S., M.A. Mary has over 25 years of professional experience as a registered dietitian. Her classes emphasize taking responsibility for one’s own health in order to live life with love, joy and compassion.

Some of the health issues discussed during the class will include: Diabetes, obesity, high lipids, cancer and arthritis. By the use of easy exercises and breathing techniques, Mary will guide participants through the necessary nutritional and emotional changes needed to better love and serve oneself and others. By creating new positive habits, members can see decreases in blood pressure and cholesterol, reduction in stress levels and a normalizing of blood sugar and weight.

To optimize your health knowledge and success, join this dynamic group today. Call Janine at 524-4856 or 746-7345 to register. The eight week session is $60.00, payable in advance or in installments.

The Rotary Club of Fillmore just completed a community project to serve the students of Fillmore Christian Academy. A new library has been set up after several months of sanding, painting, putting in new flooring, adding shelves and books.

Many students and their parents visited the new library at Back to School Night last Wednesday, and Thursday was the official Grand Opening. The library is called the Martha Richardson Library as she was the first teacher of the school which started in September of 1993. It started as a one room school and now has progressed to six classrooms with students in grades K-8.

Martha, a member of the Noontime Rotary, will be the Librarian and will again encourage the students to read, read, read.

Thousand Oaks, CA. - KCLU will receive a 2010 National Edward R. Murrow Award on Oct. 11 in New York City.

Lance Orozco, news director for the NPR station, will accept the award for Best Audio Sports Reporting in the small market radio division for his story “The Oldest Dodger.” Orozco profiled Tony Malinosky, a 100-year-old Oxnard man who is the oldest-living member of the Major League Baseball team.

KCLU has won more than 140 regional awards for broadcasting excellence in the last decade, but this is the station’s first national award since it signed on in 1994. KCLU is the only small-market radio or television station in California that is receiving a national Murrow award.

The Radio Television Digital News Association presents the annual Murrow awards to honor excellence in electronic journalism. RTDNA is the world’s largest professional organization exclusively serving the electronic news profession. This year, 59 news organizations including NBC News, CBS News and The Associated Press will receive 89 awards.

Orozco and KCLU General Manager Mary Olson will attend the black-tie ceremony at the Grand Hyatt New York. Orozco, a broadcast journalist for nearly 30 years, worked at KEYT-TV, KCBS-TV and other television and radio stations throughout California before joining KCLU in 2001.

Orozco and Program Director Jim Rondeau produce local news and public affairs programs in tiny studios at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. The university, which operates KCLU as a public service, broke ground Aug. 24 on the $2.9 million KCLU Broadcast Center. The 6,570-square-foot center, slated for completion in June, will feature four state-of-the-art production rooms, including what will be the station’s first dedicated newsroom. It will also have a classroom and lab to train broadcast journalism students and facilities for community events.

KCLU broadcasts local and national programming to 70,000 weekly listeners on 88.3 FM in Ventura County and 1340 AM and 102.3 FM in Santa Barbara County. Live streaming and archives are available at http://www.kclu.org.

To listen to “The Oldest Dodger” go to http://kclu.org/news/local/story.php?story_id=538.

This family event, including barbecue and entertainment, will benefit Veterans!

Ventura – On Saturday, October 2 from noon to 3 p.m. the first ever Veterans Appreciation Fundraiser, Barbecue and Concert will be held at the Veterans Home of California—Ventura, 10900 Telephone Road, Ventura (at Wells Road). Tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased by calling 805-659-7506 or 805-659-7526.

Voted Ventura County’s most dynamic and captivating classic country band, the Sweet County Band will perform at the benefit to support Veterans at the Veterans Home. The band is comprised of some of Ventura County’s finest, seasoned musicians. The excellent quality of their music and beautiful vocal harmonies will make this an unforgettable day!

“This special event will honor the brave men and women Veterans who reside at this new Veterans Home who have served our country so bravely,” said Brenda Manke, Administrator, Veterans Home of California—Ventura. “And we are so fortunate that the wonderful Sweet Country Band has volunteered their time and talents for this great event!” All proceeds will go toward the Veterans Morale and Welfare Fund, which will be used to purchase items such as recreation equipment, arts and crafts supplies, tickets to theaters or other outings, special sports channels and more.

Currently, 29 men and women Veterans are residing at the Veterans Home. In order to be eligible for admission, a Veteran must be 62 or older, or younger if disabled, a California resident and have served honorably in the military. The California Department of Veterans Affairs’ (CalVet’s) mission is to promote and deliver the benefits provided by the grateful State of California to its deserving Veterans and their families—with a vision for California’s Veterans to live the highest quality of life with dignity and honor. It is the Department’s goal to provide the best long-term care and enhanced quality of life for all California Veterans Home Members. The Veterans Homes of California provide California’s Veterans with a living environment that protects their dignity and contributes to their feeling of self-reliance and self-worth. The Homes’ amenities are intended to provide residents excellent care in a homelike environment and foster a sense of community. For additional information, please call 805-659-7502. “On behalf of CalVet and my staff members, we encourage everyone to come out for a great time, a great barbecue and a chance to support our deserving Veterans,” added Manke.

Joe Nunez and daughter Joanne Fore on the occasion of his 100th birthday celebration.

On Saturday, August 21, Joe Nunez celebrated his 100th birthday with a surprise party at the Fillmore Convalescent Center. He was greeted with a lively rendition of Las Mananitas by over 50 friends and family members, many of whom he had not seen in many years. A wonderful variety of foods was prepared by niece Terry Vasquez and Matthias Gonzalez, Activities Director for the Convalescent Center and a grand-nephew of Joe's. A trio of delicious birthday cakes, provided by nieces Evelyn Aguirre, Lydia Leon & Marge Aguirre, was also enjoyed by all.

Joe was born on August 24, 1910, in El Monte, CA. He was the third child of 10, and oldest boy born to Ramon & Ysabel Nunez. As a small child, he moved with his family to Angel's Camp, CA, and then, when he was about 7 years old, to Piru. He clearly remembers much of the history of Piru, of a time when there was a food co-op, skating rink, and theater, among many other businesses. In 1937, he married Nettie Ramirez, who had been his next-door neighbor growing up. In 1952, their only child, Joanne Elaine, was born. The family moved to Fillmore in 1955, where he continued to work for Paul Goodenough and Goodenough Ranches for a total of 58 years. Upon his retirement in 1987, Joe & Nettie moved back to Piru. Nettie passed away in 1993, at which time Joanne, her husband Wayne Fore & their children Brianna & Chad moved to Piru with Joe, and they were able to provide support for one another.

Joe's family would like to thank the staff of the Fillmore Convalescent Hospital for their help and cooperation in making this celebration possible, and for their on-going care.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Memory Walk® will take place 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 23 at Conejo Creek North. Hundreds of people from the surrounding Thousand Oaks area are expected to participate in this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk, is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research programs. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to raise funds to support the fight against Alzheimer’s including those living with the disease, families, caregivers, corporate and community leaders. Participants in Memory Walks across the United States have raised more than $300 million to date.

To start a team or make a donation, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/CaCentralCoast or (805) 484-6028.

About the Alzheimer's Association:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information visit www.alz.org.