Conway Spitler

How many of you, in the City of Fillmore, remember the "Statement of Vision" from the Fillmore Vision 2020 Steering Committee? This was when a group of leaders in Fillmore worked on a vision plan needed to bring Fillmore's Future into Focus!

There were seven key areas of focus for Fillmore: Keeping agriculture economically viable; Recreation opportunities; Keeping agriculture economically viable; Recreation opportunities; The need for neighborliness and civic pride; Shared responsibility to the community's health, education and safety; the importance of community volunteerism and finding an economic balance involving agriculture, tourism and small, local businesses.

It was stated at the time: "The Vision Committee wants to emphasize that this is an open process. We are open to a variety of ideas and we will listen to what the public has to say. The challenge is advancing these wants and needs in a way that is most beneficial to everyone in the community. But we shouldn’t be afraid to aim high."
Where do we stand now?

Many people in Fillmore do not know that any veteran’s name can be added to the wall at the Memorial Building. If you are interested in having a deceased family member or friend added, get a permission letter from the family, attach a check for $125 to cover the cost of the name plate, and deliver both to Annette Cardona at the
City Hall. Since these name plates are cast in bronze, it takes several months. This is a fitting memorial for
anyone who has served in the military. Our WW2 veterans are passing away quickly now and often we forget there is a place for their name to be included on the Memorial wall.

Applications are now available for the Fillmore Women’s Service Club Educational Scholarship for adult women returning to college or a trade school. Applicants must reside within the Fillmore School District. For information and an application form please telephone Susan Banks at 524-1470.

Educational Scholarships
Applicants are now available for the Fillmore Women’s Service Club Educational Scholarships. Any graduating senior who resides within the Fillmore Unified School District and is continuing on to a College, University or Trade School can apply. Applications are available at Fillmore High School or by telephoning Susan Banks at 524-1470.

City of Fillmore

Citywide Clean Up Day Set for March 27, 2010

Got too much junk around the house or office?

If so, the next Fillmore “City-Wide Clean Up Day” is March 27, 2010. City residents and small-business owners are encouraged to bring their unwanted clutter to well #4 located at 728 Goodenough Road, across the street from Ameron Pole Products Saturday, March 27, 2010, 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 that oil, gasoline, diesel fuel and household hazardous waste such as cleaning solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, batteries and paint will not be accepted during the “City-Wide Clean Up Days.” However, Ventura County’s Pollution Prevention Center (5777 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura) is available for Fillmore residents and small business owners to dispose of toxic materials, also free of charge. Appointments are required. Call 658-4323. For more information on the “City-Wide Clean Up Days,” call 524-3701

Applications are now being taken for Citizen of the Year. Applications can be picked up at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, 557 Ventura Street in Fillmore. (805) 524-0351.

A fashion show luncheon to raise money both to provide nursing scholarships and to support community volunteer work will be held on March 20, 2010. Altrusa International Inc. of San Buenaventura Foundation is hosting the annual fundraiser at the Courtyard by Marriot in Oxnard. The theme this year is “Dream . . . A String of Pearls.” Assistance League Bargain Box will present fashions suitable for casual, business, and evening wear.

The luncheon will include raffles and a silent auction. Lynn’s Jewelry Studio has donated an exquisite pearl necklace to be raffled. Baskets of goodies will also be raffled, and there will be door prizes. Fashions will be sold at the event. For luncheon tickets and reservations, contact Sharon Knapp at 805-654-0545. Tickets are available now.

Altrusa members donate their time and money to various causes throughout the year. They feed the hungry at Family-to-Family, give books to teenagers at Blanchard Community Library’s Teen Scene in Santa Paula, and are working to supply the Point Mugu Naval Base Recreation Room with entertainment resources. They also support Khepera House, Project Understanding Tutor Centers, and Westpark’s afterschool program.

Adrian Hernanadez and Ben Prado having a great time at the library.
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Peggy Escoto shares a book with her granddaughters Ariana Ocegueda and Kaeleigh Ellis. The book was purchased with funds from the Books For Children grant.
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Piru Library started 2010 with great excitement because of the new books we have on our shelves. Thanks to the Libri Foundation of Eugene Oregon and our local sponsor The Friends of Piru School the Piru Library received a BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grant for $1400 worth of books. The newly purchased books include picture books, math, science, and novels for children of all ages. The Libri Foundation awards grants to rural public libraries matching funds that have been raised by local sponsors. Friends of Piru School is an organization of parents, teachers and community members who work to enrich the learning experience of Piru School students.

The Piru Library is unique in that it is the Piru School Library during school hours and a branch of the Ventura County Library System open to the public after school, evenings and Saturdays. Visit www.vencolibrary.org, call 521-1753 or stop by at 3811 E. Center St. Piru on Mon.,Tue.,Wed.,Fri 3pm -7pm, Th. 1pm-5pm and Sat. 10am-2pm, to check out all of our new books.

Cindy Escoto is Piru's Librarian.

At their February meeting, the Fillmore Ebell Club recognized its past presidents. Honored at the luncheon meeting were the following past presidents:
Current President, Mary Ford - 2008-2010
Current Yearbook Chair and past President, Wanda Haynes - 2007-2008 and
2001-2003
Current Membership Chair and past President, Pat Murray - 2005-2007
Current Meeting Co-Coordinator and past President, Charlene Smith - 2003-2005
Current Treasurer and past President, Fay Swanson - 1999-2001 and 1995-1997
Current Meeting Co-Coordinator and past President, Marlene Schreffler - 1997-1999
Past Presidents (Pro-tem) - 1993-1995
Special Activities Co-Chair and past President, Lorraine Finch - 1991-1993
Current Parliamentarian and past President, Margaret Haskell - 1989-1991
Past President, Donna Zaelke - 1987-1989
Past President, June Cochran - 1985-1987
Past President, Jeanette Anderson - 1972-1974
Past President, Edith Felsenthal - 1971-1972
Past President, Harriet Phillips - 1970-1971
Life Member and past President, Ruth Musgrave - 1968-1969
If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Trisha Armstrong at 727-1901.

This 1 ½ hour class will meet weekly on Saturday mornings 11 – 12:30.
Learn all aspects of musical theatre by a professional Director/Choreographer. Sign up now to perform in an exciting summer stage musical. (Location of the class TBA).

Students will be trained in dance, acting, voice, audition prep and stage performing. Cost for this 1 ½ hour class is $55 a month. $5.00 off for siblings.
Expert training right here, close to home! You can’t go wrong … save your gas money and learn from the very best! Right here in your own backyard!

Expand your horizons through the arts! It has been said that children involved in the arts do better in math and language. Moms have verified this ... On occasion I’ll hear, “My child has been doing so much better in school since taking the actor’s workshop”, another class offered weekly here in town. Indeed, this has been a well-known fact, children’s self-esteem just gets better and better! Learning in a fun environment and making friends is essential to the growth of our youth.
Give your children the chance to express themselves through performing arts and watch your precious little flowers bloom and grow!

For information on this upcoming newly formed musical theatre class or the
on-going actors workshop class, taught by Hollywood Acting Coach,
Stephen Burhoe, please call: Priscilla (805) 524-0553 or (805) 794-6228 or email mrzeus@att.net

Artists Guild of Fillmore is a new organization of artists, all living in Fillmore. They are currently presenting their first show at the Fillmore Public Library located at Second Street and Central Avenue. These local artists agreed to provide one piece of artwork per member as an example of what they do. They invite everyone to come into the Library for a closer look at the art wall during the open hours on Monday and Tuesday 2-7; Wednesday 10-5; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12-5. Closed Sunday.

Ventura County, CA - Valley Care IPA, an Independent Physician Association comprised of physicians in Santa Paula, Fillmore and Ventura communities recently received the highest score for patient satisfaction with a grade of “Excellent” reported by the California Office of the Patient Advocate. The annual report card was recently released providing information how HMO groups are meeting National Standards of Care. Six of the physicians groups in Ventura County were graded and Valley Care IPA received the excellent rating.

The National Standards of Care is a criterion where each medical group’s patient records are compared to a set of national standards for quality of care. This criterion ranges from asthma, cancer screening, chlamydia screening, diabetes, heart care and others. Each medical group is graded on patient care and patient service including how well they communicate with their patients, the coordination of patient care, helpfulness of the office staff, timeliness of care and service, and health and wellness promotion.

“When Valley Care IPA was founded in 1993, our goal was CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

Mountain View Street between Main Street and Santa Clara Street will be closed beginning Tuesday, February 16th at 7:00 a.m. and will reopen to traffic on Friday, March 12th at 5:00 p.m.

To allow the railroad crossing to be repaired in the fastest possible manner and reduce inconvenience to residents who use this as their primary route, a full road closure has been planned. This full closure will allow the work to be conducted rapidly and will reduce safety hazards to motorists and their vehicles. Detour signs will be posted to direct residents and visitors to alternate routes while the work will be conducted by the Fillmore and Western Railroad with oversight by the City of Fillmore, and Ventura County Transportation Commission.

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.

For further information please call the City’s Public Works Director, Bert Rapp, at (805) 524-1500, extension 231

Applications for the Miss Fillmore/Miss Teen Fillmore Pageant are available. The “First Practice” will take place at the Memorial Building on Wednesday, February 24th beginning at 6:30PM. Refreshments will be provided. Questions and answers will also be addressed at that time. Miss Contestants must be a Junior or Senior girl in good standing. Teen Contestants must be a girl between the ages of 13 (by January 1st) and 17 in good standing, but not a Junior or Senior. All contestants must reside within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries. Applications are available at Fillmore High Schools Student Store, the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce or by contacting Pageant Director Lori McLain at #524-4432.

“Wrapped Trees” by Carmelita Miranda.
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“The Look” by Charles Morris.
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Two photographs by KSSP Photographic Studios have received merit awards at the annual print competition held by the Professional Photographers of California held in early February and one at the Channel Islands Professional Photography Association (CIPPA) on February 15. CIPPA is a local affiliate of the Professional Photographers of California. Carmelita Miranda won a merit award for her print entitled “Say a Prayer” in the Studio Portrait classification at the State competition and for “Wrapped Trees” in the local competition in the Landscape Category. Charles Morris won in State competition in the Studio Portrait classification for a portrait of former Miss California Teen USA, Taylor Atkins, entitled “The Look.” The State merits that were won represent 2 of only about 125 prints that won merits state-wide.

Professional photographers compete in print competitions to see how they compare with other photographers, to improve their techniques and the quality of their photography. This is a form of on-going education that top photographers participate in. Merit judging at the State level is performed by six independent judges from outside of California. At the local level, three judges are used. The judges do not know who took the photographs being judged. Only about 1 in 5 prints earn a merit award.

Principal photographers at KSSP are Carmelita Miranda and Charles Morris. KSSP is a full service photography studio specializing in portrait, wedding and quinceanera photography (and video). KSSP is the Fillmore High School photographer and is the photographer for the upcoming Greater Ventura County Pageant in March.
For further information, please contact KSSP Photographic Studios at 524-6400 or visit http://ksspphotostudios.com.

Fillmore Women's Service Club - Annual Spaghetti Dinner. Theme this year: "The Spaghetti Train" - February 20th, 2010, Memorial Building - Second & Central Ave - Fillmore, Calif. Social Hour 5PM - Dinner 6PM to 7:30PM Take Outs OK, Silent and Live Auction - Lot of Fun for All, Adults $13 & Children under ten $8., For Tickets call Donna Voelker 805-524-1036. ALL ABOARD!!