Conway Spitler

It takes all kinds
The winner of the 2007 True Stella Award: Roy L. Pearson Jr. The 57-year-old Administrative Law Judge from Washington DC claims that a dry cleaner lost a pair of his pants, so he sued the mom-and-pop business for $65,462,500. That's right: more than $65 million for one pair of pants. Representing himself, Judge Pearson cried in court over the loss of his pants, whining that there certainly isn't a more compelling case in the District archives. But the Superior Court judge wasn't moved: he called the case "vexatious litigation", scolded Judge Pearson for his "bad faith", and awarded damages to the dry cleaners. But Pearson didn't take no for an answer: he's appealing the decision. And he has plenty of time on his hands, since he was dismissed from his job. Last we heard, Pearson's appeal is still pending.

Here are some facts about the 1500s:
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. CONTINUED »

Located in the historic downtown Piru business district in the former bank building, which was preserved following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, is the recently re-opened “U Scream Ice Cream”. As an anchor tenant at the corner of Main and Center Streets in downtown, it is great to see this site continue as a thriving and exciting business as new operators launch this exciting enterprise for Piru residents and visitors to our historic town and Lake Piru area.
Offering early morning coffee and treats to youth heading to school, farmers and businesspeople preparing for their daily commute, and many locals who have made this a favorite gathering place, Alfonso and Flora Aguilar have recently taken control of the scoops and are operating this business.
The shop now offers early morning coffee, breakfast sandwiches, donuts and wonderful Mexican sweet bread, or pan dulce. Lunchtime offerings include deli sandwiches, Frito boats, nachos, variety of hot dog combos and other specials. Snacks and cold drinks are also available, including a variety of energy drinks that are all the rage these days. CONTINUED »

"We are the first step in wellness." Advocacy and education through health and wellness. Building better lives for the adults and children of the Santa Clara River Valley. This is the motto the Board of Directors of The Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation has adopted. The Foundation was formed in 2005 in anticipation of the re-opening of Santa Paula Hospital to support a broader range of healthcare initiatives for the growing cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru.
The Wellness Foundation has invested donations from the communities served into the acquisition of capital equipment, totaling over $300,000 for Santa Paula Hospital. The Foundation has also established the Alan M. Peterson Scholarship for Healthcare Education which annually gives scholarships to worthy students in our communities who want to pursue a higher education in health related fields. Donations to the scholarship or endowment funds are used for these purposes.
The major fundraiser of the Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation is the annual Gala. This year's Gala will be held on Saturday, December 5th. More information on will be forthcoming so mark your calendars as you don't want to miss this very worthwhile event.
Board members of the foundation are: Doug Green, President (Santa Paula), Bill Bartels, Vice-President (Fillmore), Martha Gentry, Past President (Fillmore), Marsha Rea, Executive Director & Secretary (Santa Paula), Jim Garfield, Treasurer (Santa Paula), Christine Johnson, MD (Fillmore), Bill Herrera, Phd. (Santa Paula), Gabie Reeves (Santa Paula), Brianne McGrath (Fillmore), Rigo Landeros (Fillmore), Monty Winkler (Fillmore), Ernie Villegas (Fillmore), and new Board Members Mary Jo Sariscany (Santa Paula), and Lynda Edmonds (Fillmore).
For more information about the Wellness Foundation or to make a donation please contact any of the above Board Members or write us at P. O. Box 348, Santa Paula, Ca., 93016-0348 or telephone 805-525-0633.

July 17-19, 2009
Harding Park, 1300 E. Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula, CA 93060
www.santapaulafestival.org

Known as the “Citrus Capital of the World” because of its expansive lemon and orange orchards, the City of Santa Paula celebrates the fruit of California every year with the popular Kiwanis Citrus Festival. The 42nd Annual Kiwanis Citrus Festival’s theme this year is “Sweet Fruit, Sweet Life” and is a full weekend of headline entertainment, carnival rides, a downtown parade, car show, citrus and avocado pavilion, specialty foods, arts and crafts vendors, family fun stage, and fruity fun and games. The Festival starts at 5 PM on Friday, July 17, and runs through Sunday, July 19, 2009. All of the attractions and details can be found on the Festival website, www.santapaulafestival.org.

The Citrus Festival features a spectacular lineup of headline entertainment, featuring El Chicano, Tierra, Dazz Band, Los Cadetes De Linares and Carmen Jara. Other entertainment includes The Company Band, House Arrest, Principes Del Ritmo and La Sonora Dinamita. Music lovers can also enjoy the headline entertainment and DJ music under the trees in the Bud Light Beer Lounge. The entertainment lineup is listed on the festival website, www.SantaPaulaFestival.org. CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore
Neil C. Schmidt Memorial Dedication
Fillmore Community Aquatics Center
Saturday July 25th, 2009
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Please join us for a public remembrance
and
Dedication for Neil C. Schmidt
Cake will be served

Come experience the thrill of acting in a live community theater production. Sespe Players Inc. of Fillmore is looking for adult actors and actresses (no prior acting experience necessary) to audition for their Halloween Production to be held Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, Fri Oct 30 and Sat afternoon Oct 31, 2009.
Auditions and the production will take place at the Historic Sespe Auditorium located at 627 Sespe Ave. Fillmore. Auditions will be held on the following evenings Tuesday August 4, Wednesday August 5, and Tuesday August 11, 2009 starting at 7:00 P.M. Callbacks will be scheduled as necessary.
Please contact Chris Villegas at 805-524-3275 or Janet Foy at 805-217-2402 or 805-524-2757.
We look forward to see you there. Please bring a friend. We also have positions open for a stage manager, make up artist, lighting and sound technician, and a prop manager. Anyone who is willing to learn about live theater is welcome.

Conway Spitler

You wonder about the human race!
After the Fourth of July, celebrating our independence, you drive up Central Avenue from C Street. On the left is the beautiful green grass--which by the way--helps us keep cool during the summer. And how do the Fourth of July celebrants treat the beautifully keep lawn by the city? Well, if you look at it when the "citizens" fired their fireworks, these "citizens" just left the mess of what was left over for someone else to pick up the trash.
Why do we, as a human race, seem to leave our "trash" for someone else to do away with? It doesn't take must effort to pick up the "trash" that you spread about and place it in the proper container. This makes for a cleaner city, state, and nation!

Calling all actors! Hey kids …. If you’re between 6 and 17 years of age and want to learn all about acting, then read on … this class is just what you need!

Through Fillmore’s Parks and Recreation, an 8-week workshop “ACTING SILLY” is now being offered starting this afternoon, 4:30 to 6:00 pm at Fillmore’s Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street. Kids will have the opportunity to learn all aspects of acting to include improvisational exercises with scene study and memorization. The 8 wk. series will culminate into a final stage presentation at the Fillmore Towne Theater. Participants must be able to read English.

Instructor for the class is L.J. Stevens, an industry professional for over 20 years. L.J. grew up working in the family business of movie theater management. Born and raised in New York, she became the in-house manager for Circle in the Square Repertory in NYC, and obtained her BA from St. John’s University in 1985. L.J. has extensive experience in stage performing, managing theaters in and around Ventura County, and has conducted many workshops for children. CONTINUED »

Rancho Camulos Museum has been selected as an advance ticket point of purchase for the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival which will take place July 31-August 1 at the East End Soccer Fields in Santa Paula. Advance ticket purchasers (Daily Admission Adults: $7; Children 5-14: $3 and special parking $7) get a discount from the gate price of $10/$5 and you won’t have to stand in line to purchase. You will also be contributing to our nonprofit’s educational and preservation efforts.
The Citrus Classic Balloon Festival is a unique event. It features two thrilling evening Balloon Glows and an exciting Hare and Hound Race as well as entertainment and activities for all ages. See www.Citrusclassicballoons.com for details
Tickets are available in person at our gift shop and at the Camulos fruit stand. Tickets may also be ordered via phone or email (805-521-1501 / ranchocamulos@earthlink.net for either pick up at the gift shop, at will call at the event, or by mail for an additional fee. Please make your family, friends, workmates, church, service, and social organization contacts aware of this opportunity to help Rancho Camulos by purchasing through us in person, by email, or phone.

Fillmore Aquatic Center
Programs & Fees Summer 2009
Through August 14, 2009

• Recreation Swim – through August 14, 2009
Monday thru Friday – 1:15 -3:45 PM
Fees: $2.00 per visit/per person 2yrs & under: free
Splash Pass: 10 visits/$18.00 20 visits/$38.00

• Adult Lap Swim – (16 yrs – Adult)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – 5:30-7:30 PM
Tuesday & Thursday – 6:00-8:00 AM
Tuesday & Thursday – 11:45 AM-12:45 PM
Fees: $4.00 per visit/per person
Splash Pass: 10 vists/$35.00 20 visits/$70.00

• Water Exercise – (13 years – Adult)
Tuesday & Thursday
8:00-9:00 AM; 9:00-10:00 AM; 7:00-8:00 PM
Fees: $6.00 per visit/per person
Splash Pass: 5 visits/$25.00 10 visits/$45.00 20 visits/$80.00

• Family Night
Friday – 6:00-8:00 PM Fees: $1.00 per person

• Swim Lessons: See class schedule hand-out
Group Lessons: two-week sessions/30 minutes classes
Max. 6 students per class Fees: $50.00 per student/per session
Session I – July 7 – July 17 - sign-ups June 24-July 3
Session II – July 20 – July 31 – sign-ups July 13-17
Session III – Aug 3 – 14 – sign-ups July 27-31
Private Lessons: two-week sessions – by arrangements
• Pool Parties – by special arrangements. Fees: Deposit: $200, Rental fee: $250.00 (2 hours), $350.00 (3 hours), $75.00 each additional hour.

Sponsored by El Dorado Mobile Home Park & Fillmore Fire Department.
Attention Fillmore residents and El Dorado Residents—Saturday, July 11, 2009, 10am-2pm, El Dorado Club House, 250 E. Telegraph Rd, lunch included.
Topics covered: What is a mass casualty incident, start triage & assessment, basic first aid certification, and Fillmore specific information.
All are welcome! For more information call Paul Schifanelli at 524-0858 or Patrick Maynard at 524-1500 ext. 228.

Ventura County Fair Parade Accepting Parade Entries until July 20
The 134th Ventura County Fair and Elk’s Lodge #1430 in Ventura have announced the date for the 2009 Ventura County Fair Parade. The parade will be held on Saturday, August 8 at 10:00 AM.
This year’s fair theme “Purebred and Home Grown” will be reflected in the floats and presentations in the parade. Schools, organizations, clubs, families, companies and individuals are encouraged to participate.
“We are very excited about this summer’s fair, and we want to ask all of our friends and neighbors to join us in this wonderful Ventura tradition as we march down Main Street,” said Barbara Quaid, CEO of the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
The parade Grand Marshal is William P. Clark, National Security Advisor and 44th Secretary of the Interior under President Reagan, former California Supreme Court Associate Justice, and long-time Fair supporter. The parade will include floats, school bands, horses and local celebrities. It will begin on Main Street near Ventura High School and make its way downtown to the Historic San Buenaventura Mission.
Deadline for parade applications is July 20, everyone who is interested in participating may get more information and an application by calling 805-648-3376, or by visiting www.venturacountyfair.org.

On Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 3 PM, the Fillmore Friends of the Library will sponsor an exciting new puppet show about a greedy sea monster. Children will learn about colors and making new friends as they follow the monster’s many adventures. The free event is part of the non-profit Friend’s summer program series for patrons of the library.
For information call 524-3355.

Ever feel like you’re riding a wave every day? There is nothing worse than living with a child or teen spinning out of control, and no worse feeling than the hopelessness parents experience in the process. Parents can help break such a cycle.

The Dr. Neil Schmidt Fillmore Family Resource Center invites parents of all ages to our United Parents meeting where ideas will be given on how to respond, not react to situations.

Many free resources and information will be given regarding a Ventura County job training program for 18-24 yr. olds, a tatoo removal program, and an exciting Small Business Center Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program.

This support group is intended for the parents, grandparents and guardians of struggling teens, not the teenagers themselves. Parents who would like to join us in a preventive effort for their family are invited as well. Both parents should attend if at all possible.

We will be meeting at the One Step Center, “Chocolate Church”, Episcopal Church (corner of Saratoga St. and Second St.), between, 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2009 Questions? Please call Norma Pérez-Sandford (805) 208-0712 or leave a message for María Wells, United Parents (805) 384-1555.

Please join us, we understand. We are not here to judge, we are here to help and empower you with information in both this difficult and joyous journey called Parenthood.

On July 11th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Santa Paula Hospital will host a community health fair to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of its re-opening. The event is open to all residents of Ventura County and will offer a variety of entertaining and educational booths of interest to all ages. The fair will be held on the grounds of the hospital, located at 825 N. Tenth Street.

Food, like Dominos Pizza, as well as barbequed hot dogs, will be available, and Public Health staff will offer testing of cholesterol, blood sugar and more, at no cost. The County’s Mobile Mammography Unit will be available for those making appointments in advance, by calling 677-5202.