Heading out into the dark, dank river bottom. (notice Councilmember Gayle Washburn behind the guy taking a picture of ME!)
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Rider warns people to be ready...for the Headless Horseman.
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On guard on the wagon.
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Guarding 'the Head'.
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Any minute now.... and the suspense builds.
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Alas... the Headless Horseman charges.
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Unsuccessful and dejected... the Headless Horseman stands at the ready for the next attempt... to retrieve his Head.
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Story and photos by Bob Crum

For decades, the Headless Horseman has haunted areas around Sleepy Hollow. Lately, the ghostly phenomenon has continued his undying search around Ichabog, the Pumpkin Patch at Santa Paula.

Mystery, intrigue and adventure abound from within and around the mystical cornfields of Ichabog. Peer into the darkness and witness... if you dare... the Headless Horseman on his mighty steed riding swiftly by in his quest to retrieve his head from the clutches of Glitter Montana and the band of Marshals. He has only from dark until midnight to get his head back. If he succeeds, he will gain unimaginable powers of evil. It is up to the forces of 'good' to guard and prevent the head from being clutched away by the dastardly force of evil lurking in black garb.

All performers are provided by the Santa Clara Valley Equestrian Riders. And the action and fun begins the minute the Fillmore & Western Railroad train leaves the Fillmore Central Station. Arriving at Ichabog, you'll board a tractor-pulled hayride wagon and taken to the depths of the very dark, dank and spooky river bottom
where the chill of death fills the night air. Goose bumps are common experiences as horseback riders harken the imminent arrival of the villian. Guarding “The Head” are armed Marshals at the ready. If you're lucky... you'll survive the mayhem to return to the Pumpkin Patch where you'll re-board the train to return to Fillmore. On the way back... more sinister, mischievous activity on the train. Can't say more... sworn to secrecy. Go see for yourself. If you dare.

For the fourth year, KSSP Photographic Studios will be offering a FREE Halloween photography for children, in costume, 12 years & younger on Halloween, Saturday October 31st. A free 4”x6” print will be printed (limit 1 free print per family or group) and available for pick-up on Halloween. As part of this tradition, each child's picture will be entered in the Child's Creative Costume Contest.

As in past years, no appointment is necessary and no purchase is necessary. The studio will be open from 3pm to 8pm to photograph individuals or groups, in costume. Children 12 and under will be photographed for free. For those over 12 years old , there will be a small charge.

As part of the Child's Creative Costume Contest, each child's costume will be judged by an independent committee. The child with the best costume will win a free family portrait session and an 11”x14” family portrait.

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 Photographic Studios is the school photographer for Fillmore High School. For further information, please contact KSSP Photographic Studios at 524-6400 or visit http://ksspphotostudios.com.

“MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA” Ben Vickers, some what of a Mad Scientist, and Greg, his faithful assistant, continue their research on the process of reanimating dead tissue. His plans to take over the world are set aside when he falls in love with the delivery girl. He now must make plans to win her love. Sespe Players next production of Mad Scientists In Love, Sespe Auditorium 627 Sespe Ave. October 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31. Kids in costume, admitted free on Saturday 31st with paid adult. Pre-sale discount tickets available at La Flor Bonita. At the door ticket sales offered also. For more info call Janet 217-2402.

Conway Spitler

With the changes, within the city and schools it would be interesting to check?
The Vision 2020 was to help direct what would be here in the year 2020!
With the changes in personnel in the schools, in the city administration and in the citizens of the city itself, it is a wonder at all that Vision 2020 ideals exist today.
What is your feelings about Vision 2020? Like to hear from you!

Come experience live theater with Sespe Players production of Mad Scientists in Love by Jim Trapp produced with special arrangement with Baker's Plays, Quincy MA. Our first ever Halloween production! Come out to Sespe Auditorium 627 Sespe Ave. Fillmore and see if the Mad Scientist gets the girl of his dreams or if his creations take over the world in this very funny comedy.

Production dates are October 23, 24, 30 at 7:30PM, and October 25, & 31 at 2:00PM. For our Halloween matinee, any children ages 5-13 in costume will be admitted free of charge with a paying adult, and be able to participate in a costume parade during intermission. Pre-sale Tickets are available at LaFlor Bonita The Pretty Flower Shop located at 719 Ventura Street Fillmore CA. The Pre-Sale Discount Tickets are Adults $15.00, Seniors and Students $10.00. Tickets purchased at the door are $18.00 for Adults, and $12.00 for Seniors and Students.
Come to Fillmore for some live theatrical entertainment and fun. See you at the show!

Rotary Programs for the remainder of October will be: Tuesday, October 20th at 7:00AM, Lindsey Guerrero, VP of Operations of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley will speak about the Boys and Girls Club serving Fillmore, Rancho Sespe and Santa Paula, Tuesday October 27th at 7:00 a.m. Ferial Masry, CANDIDATE: California’s 37th Assembly District; AUTHOR: Running for All the Right Reasons: A Saudi-Born Woman’s Pursuit of Democracy. ISBN-13: 978-0815609117 SPEAKER: Jeddah World Economic Forum, INSPIRATION: ABC News’ “Person of the Week”. The Fillmore Sunrisers Rotary Club meets on Tuesday at 7:00AM at the El Pescador Restaurant located at 1305 Ventura St Fillmore, CA 93015. For information about Rotary Sunrisers, contact Joe Aguirre 524-2096.

The Ventura County and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors will meet Sunday, October 18, at noon at Ventura College, Building B, in the cafeteria. The NAWCC is a nonprofit organization whose members include hobbyists, collectors, and professionals. The common bond is a fascination with the art and science of timekeeping and timepieces. You can learn more about the NAWCC at www.nawcc.org. And more about Chapter 190 at www.nawcc-ch190.com

Everyone interested in watches and clocks, (modern or antique), is invited to visit and join our chapter. Members of the public are also invited to attend. There is a three dollar admission charge. Watches and clocks will be on display. There will be a mart followed by an informational meeting and a program.

This month's program on October 18th will begin at 1:15 PM and is a feast for your traveling and horological senses.

Dave Weisbart from NAWCC Orange County Chapter 69 will present “Dave's Horological Vacation in
Vienna and Prague” (a professional program with monolog and music) Come take a visual
vacation with Dave and see some grand sights and great clocks.

The Ventura County Chapter 190 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors was chartered in September, 2006, and distributes a monthly newsletter to members. Membership applications will be available at the meeting, or by calling 805-988-1764.

Ventura, CA. - October 13, 2009 - Children up to 18 years of age will now be eligible to receive the novel H1N1 2009 vaccine. The H1N1 Vaccine became available last week in Ventura County in the form of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV): the H1N1 FluMist. The other vaccine, the injectable form, is expected to arrive this week or next. “The response so far has been good with some physicians calling for more vaccine and others still moving through their inventory,” said Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Public Health Officer. “Other clinics designated to receive the FluMist are still waiting for their vaccine to arrive.”

Those who will be given priority in receiving the vaccine over the next few days, until injectable vaccine arrives, are these targeted groups: all children from the ages of 2 years to 18 years of age (an increase from the 10 years of age limit last week) and healthy, non-pregnant household contacts (2-49 years) of infants under 6 months of age. “We want to expand those groups of people eligible to receive the vaccine as quickly as we can. That’s why we’re raising the age of eligibility to 18 years of age,” said Dr. Levin.

When sufficient supplies of swine flu vaccine become available over the next few weeks, groups permitted to receive the vaccine will expand to include: children from 6 months to 24 years of age, pregnant women, household contacts of children under 6 months of age, health care workers and emergency medical personnel and those with high risk medical conditions up to 65 years of age. People not included in these groups have been shown to be at very low risk for serious illness from the H1N1 virus.

Call your physician’s office for vaccine availability. The novel H1N1 (swine) vaccine is available for county residents only and is available at Ventura County Health Care Agency Public Health Clinics. The Public Health Department recommends that anyone with questions about the H1N1 virus, as well as the vaccine or where they can receive it, should visit the Public Health website at: www.vchca.org/ph. Residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1, or the Public Health H1N1 Hotline, at 981-5390 with any questions.

County Supervisor Kathy Long, 3rd District would like to announce to all residents of Ventura County that the next Santa Paula Tattoo Removal Clinic will be held on Saturday October 17th, 2009 from 8:30 am – 12 noon, no appointments necessary. Orientation for first time participants will be at 9 am located at 1334 E. Main St. the Santa Paula Family Care Clinic. Due to overwhelming response, spaces will be limited.

County Supervisor Kathy Long spearheaded this clinic in collaboration with the following agencies: Ventura County Public Health, Ventura County Probation Agency, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Paula Family Care Clinic, Interface Children Family Services, and CalWORKS.

The clinic not only welcomes participants but volunteers to run the clinic. If you have any questions, or would like to find out how you can help, please call the Santa Paula Family Care Clinic at (805) 933-1242.

Paul Dwork

The Fillmore Ebell Club will be entertained this month byVentriloquist Creator and Master Magician, Paul Dwork, at the Veterans Memorial building on October 27, 2009.

Paul Dwork is a Master Magician with over 35 years of performances all over Ventura County and Southern California.

Paul has been a Magic Castle member since 1978; a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians; Society of American Magicians; and Former Member of the Magic Circle in England

Paul has been performing magic since 1969 and has developed the reputation as "The Merlin of Magic". He has also performed using Science and Magic as part of the magical experience for children.

Paul performs in various settings such as: Close-Up Magic; Parlor Magic; Stage Shows; Walk Arounds; Motivation talks using magic as conduit; Mentalism, incorporating ESP and clairvoyance in creating a fun and entertaining program.

Type of parties and events: Birthdays Parties -- all ages, 4 to 107 years; Anniversaries, weddings and other personal parties; Corporate Events (trade show booths, walk-around, product promotion, company parties); Holiday Parties; and Magic available for all occasions. Paul is located at 699 Mobil Avenue, in Camarillo, CA 93010, and may be contacted directly at 1-800-639-9322, or www.magicmagicmagic.com.

Anyone interested in more information, or becoming a member of the Fillmore Ebell Club, may call Pat Murray at 524-1825.

The "Cash for Clunkers" program for new cars may have ended, but the IRS wants to remind taxpayers that many people might overlook another special break available. If you buy a new vehicle this year, there's a special federal tax deduction available that can help you save money, in some cases hundreds of dollars. This tax break will allow people who buy a new vehicle in 2009 to deduct the sales and excise taxes they pay when they file their tax return next year. The tax deduction is available on the 2009 federal tax return even for those who claim the standard deduction.

The deduction is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and applies to taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price for qualified new cars, light trucks, motorcycles or motor homes. Generally, vehicles weighing 8,500 pounds or less qualify. This means that most new cars and many new trucks will qualify. New motor homes qualify regardless of weight.

Buyers are entitled to a partial deduction if they earn between $125,000 and $135,000 ($250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers). The deduction is eliminated for those who earn over these amounts.

To qualify the vehicle must be new and purchased in 2009 after Feb. 16 and no later than Dec. 31. There is still time left but the clock is ticking.

More information is available at www.irs.gov/recovery

Best regards,

Terry L. Lemons

Director of Communications

Internal Revenue Service

El Pescador Restaurant held a fundraiser on Monday, October 5, for the family of David Garcia, who was killed last week in a traffic collision by a suspected drunk driver. He was a 1994 graduate of Fillmore High School and a well-liked DJ. His friend and fellow DJ Alex Estrada was also killed in the crash. The fundraiser served approximately 200 persons. Shown center is Jesus ‘Chuy’ Ortiz, owner of El Pescador with David’s mother, Rachel
Garcia and his brother, Matthew Garcia. An account has been set up for the Garcia family at Bank of America, acct. #0912130005; and the Estrada family at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, acct. #122220593.

Javier Barajas, 31 of Los Angeles, was sentenced on September 29, 2009 to 300 days in jail for his part in a March 2008 driveby shooting in Fillmore. Barajas had pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to a drive-by shooting that was gang-related, earlier. Barajas, his brother Jose Barajas, 30 of Los Angeles, and Jose Rodriguez of Simi Valley, had driven to Fillmore after the funeral of Jose Camacho, 22 of Moorpark, who was killed in Port Hueneme in a gang dispute. One shot was fired into a vehicle and another into an occupied residence. No one was injured. The three were arrested as they were returning to Moorpark, March 27, 2008.

Jose Barajas was sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to shooting at the inhabited building for the benefit of a criminal street gang. Rodriguez was given a four-year sentence in 2008. Javier Barajas’ attorney said his client was a family man who agreed to drive his brother to a club, and that his brother fired a weapon out the window. The attorney said Javier had no ties to gangs. Prosecutor Joann Roth said Javier Barajas knew exactly what he was doing when he drove the car to the drive-by shooting.

Javier Tapia and daughter Alianna Nathalia were pleased to receive the Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee “Yard of the Month” award for October from Linda Nunes, committee member.

Their home at 350 Bridlewood was purchased in early 2007 and received landscaping assistance from Javier’s brother-in-law, Jesus Jasso, owner of “Landscape Valley”. Grass was removed and curved edges added for a more natural presentation with mounded flower beds on the side and corner. They wanted a tropical “look”, so Queen palms, Phoenix palms, Flax, Bird of Paradise, and Nandina Bamboo were planted. Javier said that the Nandina bamboo is being pruned in the shape of a “pig” for Alianna Nathalia’s pleasure.

Javier added Begonias, Zinnias, Purple Salvia and red and white Roses along with red and white Impatiens for color. His favorite plant would be the red rose and he would like to add more roses for color.

Otto & Sons Nursery generously donate a $25 gift certificate to each award recipient, so Javier is looking forward to checking out their roses.

The H1N1 Vaccine is now available in Ventura County in the form of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV): the H1N1 FluMist. The other H1N1 vaccine, the injectable form, is expected on or around October 15th. At least one physician in the county began immunizing yesterday. His identity has not been revealed. “We are concerned that his office will be deluged with requests for vaccinations. His office has a disproportionate share of chronically ill children,” said Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Public Health Officer. Additional doses have arrived in the county today (Tuesday) and are being distributed among local health care providers.

Those who will be given priority in receiving the vaccine over the next few days, until injectable vaccine arrives, are a few targeted groups: children from the ages of two years to 10 years of age and healthy household contacts (2-49 years) of infants under 6 months of age.

When sufficient supplies of swine flu vaccine become available over the next few weeks, groups that are permitted to receive the vaccine include: children from 6 months to 24 years of age, pregnant women, household contacts of children under 6 months of age, health care workers and emergency medical personnel, and those with high risk conditions up to 65 years of age. People not included in these groups have been shown to be at low risk for serious illness from the H1N1 virus.

The novel H1N1 (swine) vaccine, is available for county residents only. County clinics where the vaccine will be available can be found on the website at: www.vchca.org/ph
Call your physician’s office for vaccine availability.

Come experience live theater with Sespe Players production of Mad Scientists in Love by Jim Trapp produced with special arrangement with Baker's Plays, Quincy MA.
Our first ever Halloween production! Come out to Sespe Auditorium 627 Sespe Ave. Fillmore and see if the Mad Scientist gets the girl of his dreams or if his creations take over the world in this very funny comedy.
Production dates are October 23, 24, 30 at 7:30PM, and October 25, & 31 at 2:00PM.
For our Halloween matinee, any children ages 5-13 in costume will be admitted free of charge and be able to participate in a costume parade during intermission.
Pre-sale Tickets are availabe at LaFlour Bonita The Pretty Flower Shop located at 719 Ventura Street Fillmore CA. Adults $15.00, Seniors and Students $10.00.
Come to Fillmore for some live theatrical entertainment and fun. See you the show!