Fillmore, CA – It’s a bird! It’s a plane….wait…it’s a train? Thomas the Tank Engine™ is set to roll into Fillmore for the Day Out With Thomas™ 2009: The Hero of the Rails Tour. All Thomas fans are invited to spend the day with their favorite engine that always saves the day! The event, which takes place April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 2009, will be hosted by Fillmore & Western Railway Co. and presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by The LEGO Group.

For more than six decades, children have been captivated by the courageous adventures of Thomas and his engine friends. Pulling out of the station for its 14th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas 2009: The Hero of the Rails Tour will visit more than 40 cities in the United States and Canada. Day Out With Thomas is the only place for families to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of everybody’s favorite #1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts. Each year the tour grows, traveling to new destinations, adding new activities and welcoming new visitors. In addition, exclusive Thomas & Friends merchandise is available at Day Out With Thomas events including a 2009 Day Out With Thomas passenger car and commemorative t-shirts, pennants, engineer caps, frames, and more. CONTINUED »

From unique homes to magnificent domiciles, gorgeous gardens to sundaes at a historic hotel, winning custom gift baskets to the opportunity to purchase beautiful plants and stunning roses for spring gardens, new and exciting pleasures await you at the Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group's 26th Annual Homes & Gardens of Santa Paula Tour.

The Tour will be held Saturday, April 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to Marilyn Harvey, Hospice Board Vice President/Tour Chairwoman, “This year's tour has lots of contrasts, a new hillside home,” custom designed by noted plant growers Dianne and Dudley Davis, “a stately Victorian,” full of surprises owned by Billie Ann Moore, “a vintage home with a modern remodel” demonstrating the talents of owners and interior design/architectural team of Susan and John Kulwiec, “and the storied historic Glen Tavern Inn,” restored to its former glory by Rosanna and Tom Jennett.

“I know,” Harvey noted, “there is something for everyone.”

And that includes herself: “It's exciting to see what people have done to improve their homes and it's always fun to see a home that's fresh and new. I always look for ideas that I can adapt to my own decorating style … and where else can you go to get decorating ideas at this price?” CONTINUED »

Santa Paula, California – Beautiful Santa Paula is the new home for reining horse trainer Tom Foran of Foran Performance Horses. Tom and his wife, Kirstin, have relocated their operation, Forastar Ranch, to 410 Willard Road, and are excited to announce an Open House and Clinic on May 2-3, 2009, to introduce themselves to the community and give everyone the opportunity to learn about the sport or reining.

The Open House will feature a reining demonstration from Tom, and an entertaining musical freestyle reining performed by 17-year-old Rebecca Murray, who dedicates her performance to her friend, Rebecca Goss, who died in a tragic car accident in 2007. In fact, proceeds from the clinic on May 3 will benefit the Rebecca Goss “Boo-Yaah” Foundation, which assists grieving families who have lost their children by proving final expenses, grief counseling and other resources.

In addition to the exciting reining action, the Open House will also feature music, food, door prizes and a karaoke contest. This event is free, but an RSVP is requested, and all funds raised will benefit the Rebecca Goos “Boo-Yaah” Foundation. For more information or to RSVP, please email forastarranch@gmail.com, or visit www.foranperformancehorses.com. To learn more about the Rebecca Goss Foundation, visit www.beccaboo-yaah.org. See you in May!

Fillmore Fire and Soroptimist Club are offering a CPR Class on Tuesday, March 24th from 6pm to 10 pm at the Senior Center. Fee $15.00. For more information call Capt. Huerta at 805-524-0586 or 805-207-9202.

Hi! My name is Sarah Rose Lochelt, and I graduated from Fillmore High School in the class of 2005. I am currently finishing my final year at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA (near Pasadena) and will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry with a minor in religion. I havent quite decided what I am doing after graduation. I have applied to the Claremont School of Theology graduate program for a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and been accepted, and will also be applying for my schools (Azusa Pacific University) Kern Scholarship, which would pay my way through a Master of Divinity degree here at APU. I would love to stay in this area and attend graduate school and continue working with the youth ministries I am currently involved with. I also aspire to travel the world in the next few years, as well as possibly pursuing a teaching credential and becoming a high school teacher in the Ventura County area. My experiences here at Azusa Pacific have been amazing; I have loved everything about my four years here. Between playing basketball here, attending and leading D-groups, going to classes, and volunteering in ministries on and off campus, Id have to say that the majority of my experiences have been rooted in the incredible community that this university creates and upholds. To attend a small school and have such close-knit peers and professors has been an incredible blessing. By far, the best memories Ive had have been with my roommate, Kimberly, who I have lived with for all four years. Kimy has blessed my life in so many ways, AND she is an amazing roommate! We have spent long nights up doing homework and talking about everything from God to graham crackers to good music, and everything in between, and I must say that our adventures in dying hair, dumpster-diving, and drawing pictures to put on the walls have really made these the best years of my life.

Fillmore High Alumni Association

The Board of Directors of the Alumni Association wishes to thank all of the alumni members who have renewed their subscriptions to Flashbacks for the 2009 year. There are a few remaining members who have not renewed, and we hope they will do so, as the subscriptions are one of the ways that helps keep the alumni association running.
The Scholarship Committee has received forty applications for scholarships this year from graduating seniors, and it is a remarkable class with fifteen seniors having earned a grade point average of 4.0 or higher. The Scholarship Committee, which consists of Mark Ortega, Kathleen McCreary, Corinna Mozley, Susie Ortega, Betty Carpenter and Liz Kemp will score each application on the basis of their G.P.A., Autobiography, Volunteer Work, Community Service, School Activities, Athletics, Church Involvement and Work Experience. The scores will be totaled, and the top fifteen to twenty finalists will be invited to a personal interview on Wednesday, April 8 at the high school. The top five finalists, after the interview, will be interviewed at a later date by Mr. John Lemley, class of 1961, who will select his top two and award each of them with a $1500 scholarship for two years, plus a laptop computer. Announcement of the Lemley and alumni scholarships will be announced sometime in May. CONTINUED »

Conway Spitler

The Fillmore Flower show has been a presentation of the Fillmore Garden Club since 1963. Roses have always been featured in the past and they will be the main attraction this year!
Youth prizes have been given in past years to spark interest in the next generation of gardeners. Of course, this will be continued for this garden show.
Residents within the boundaries of the Fillmore Unified School District are welcome to compete in the Rose Show.
Categories include: cut roses, arrangements and bouquets.
JoAnn King, chairperson of the show, stated that the show is the major event put on by the garden club and that the club is able to stay on budget thanks to the many volunteers that help to put on the show.
Many volunteers are assisting with the show. Thanks also go to the students in the FFA who help with the show.
Bring your flowers to make an entry! And, if you don't have an entry, take the time to visit the show. It will be worth your time and effort.

Leia Morning

The Fillmore Ebell Club will be entertained this month by actress/playwright/scholar Leia Morning, on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at the Veterans Memorial building. Lunch begins at 12:30 p.m.
Leia Morning presents stunning portrayals of historical and literary women "pioneers" and adventurers, such as Sacagawea, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Mother Teresa, Emily Dickinson, Helen Keller, Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Grandma Moses, Dorothea Lang, Rosie the Riveter, Margaret Mead, Christa McAuliffe, and G.I. Jill--great women, who heard the call and answered in extraordinary ways.
In addition to her work as an actress and writer, Ms. Morning is a harpsichordist, harpist, singer and composer. Her solo performances include the Hollywood Bowl, California State Fair, Huntington Library and Art Museum, Crocker Art Museum, Renaissance Fairs, as well as numerous schools, libraries, theaters, and museums throughout California.
Anyone interested in more information, or becoming a member of the Fillmore Ebell Club, may call Trisha Armstrong at 805-727-1901.

Starting Monday, April 6, 2009 - Ages 5 to 9 - 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Starting Thursday, April 9, 2009 - Ages 10 to 14 - 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Cost for the class is $30 per month.
Location: Fillmore Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street.
Please come to City Hall and fill out the registration form.
For more information please call Missy @ 524-1371.

As the economy enters the second year of a national recession, local groups are stepping forward to help some of Ventura County’s most vulnerable members. Ventura Council Member and former Mayor Carl Morehouse made contact with Kris Kristofferson, who has graciously agreed to return to perform for a second “Have a Heart for Farm Workers” benefit concert at The Majestic Ventura Theater to aid farm worker housing.
“Kris is someone who truly understands the plight of working people and the working poor,” says Morehouse. “He has a long history of sharing his talents to benefit those in need”. Kristofferson performed two years ago to raise funds for farm worker housing. The concert was highly successful, raising close to $100,000.
Mike McGuire, President and CEO of Affinity Bank, one of the event’s key sponsors, is grateful for Kristofferson’s generosity. “We live in a beautiful county, and one of our key economic drivers is agriculture. Farm workers are essential to successful agriculture, and their need for decent, affordable homes has never been greater. The concert proceeds will help to remedy their living situations by supporting the work of the Ag Futures Alliance’s House Farm Workers program and the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Farm Worker Housing Fund.” CONTINUED »

March 8, 12009 (Ventura County) “21 and Still Green”, the 21st Annual County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just around the corner with all of the festivities and shenanigans that remind us all what it really means to be Green. The whole county is turning out for the wearin’ of the green on Main Street. Horses, Clowns, Car Clubs, Marching Bands and the Biggest Green Pig in the World will be stepping off on Saturday, March 14 at 10 AM on Main Street in downtown Ventura .

Presented by the Ventura Elks Lodge 1430, the parade with more than 80 entries winds down Main Street from the old Elk’s Lodge on Ash Street, past the judge’s reviewing stand on Chestnut Street on down to the Mission San Buenaventura. CONTINUED »

The horse population at the Humane Society of Ventura County’s shelter in Ojai grew by one with the birth of a filly from one of the 37 severely neglected horses that were rescued from a Lockwood Valley ranch last fall.
The filly, named Lindilu in honor of a Humane Society staff member, was born at about 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, reported Jolene Hoffman, director of the shelter.

“One of our caretakers heard all of the horses just screaming,” Hoffman said. “She went out to check, and the filly had just arrived.”

“It’s just started,” Hoffman added, noting that at least 19 other of the rescued mares have been confirmed pregnant, underscoring the nonprofit’s ongoing need of funds for the care of all the horses.

Donations may be sent to the shelter at PO Box 297, Ojai, CA 93024. For more information, call 805 656-5031, or visit www.humansocietyvc.org.

Opening Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 1-3 PM will be the City of Santa Paula’s California Oil Museum’s newest exhibit, presented by the Santa Paula Historical Society, “Born of Fire and Fury: A History of Santa Paula Fire Department”. Located at Main and 10th Streets in downtown Santa Paula, it will chronicle the over 100 year’s story of Santa Paula’s firefighters. It is expected to feature an early 20th century fire engine as well as equipment, uniforms, photos, log books and news clippings that will excite children and adults alike and firefighters, past and present. Opening reception will include a very impressive demonstration by the Santa Paula Fire Department. Refreshments will be served.

Until recent years the town’s firefighters were all citizen volunteers and the department remains to this day an independent fire department. It had its beginning just after the turn of the last century when flames in a downtown building, combined with the fury of Santa Ana winds, destroyed a good portion of downtown Santa Paula. CONTINUED »

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner to recognize the Citizen, Business, Police, Firefighter, Student and City Employee of the year will be on Friday, March 6, 2009, 6:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building. Tickets available at the door or at AM Pet prior to the event.

Fillmore and Piru library In partnership with: Network for a Healthy California-Gold Coast Region Children’s Power Play! Campaign.

Come be a part of the fun and learn about eating healthy and being active! -Month long display at both libraries encourage everyone to eat healthy and be physically active -Month long activity cards
for Kids of all ages -Story Time events as well! Kickoff event - Fillmore Library March 2nd 3:30-4:30 pm Piru Library March 2nd 3:00-4:00 Story time - Fillmore Library March 25th 3:30-4:30 pm Piru Library April 1, 2009 3:00- 4:00 pm

For more information contact: JoAnn Torres at 805-677-5267 or joann.torres@ventura.org Network for a healthy California--Gold Coast Region Children’s Power Play! Campaign.

Conway Spitler

If you want to put this as one of my items—okay! Ten top jobs today did not exist in 2004! One of eight couples married met on line! 31 billion searches on Google every month. In 2006 2.7 billion to Google. Audience of 50 million — four years. It took TV 23 years and radio 20 years! There are 54,000 words of English, five times as many as when Shakespeare was here! Two million are registered on My Space. One out of four employees have been with employer less than four years. 2008 milion My space subscribers—1992 one million.
* * *
The Fillmore Flower Show planning is going great guns under the leadership of Joanne King and her assistants. The
leadership group met this week going over the necessary details to have the public show on April 4 and 5 at the senior center. So, start “talking” to your flowers and give them that special attention needed for the flower show. More information will be forthcoming! Fillmore Flower Show - Fillmore Blooms Again” brochures are now available in various areas throughout the City of Fillmore. Look for the bright red brochure “Fillmore Blooms Again”. The brochure gives you all the information necessary to enter along with the special notes for exhibitors. Bring in your flowers! Then visit the show!

VANDALISMS
02/17/09
2nd St. & Saratoga
02/18/09
500 block Central
02/19/09
1000 block Cottonwood
02/19/09
300 block Main
02/19/09
3rd St. & Lemon Way
02/20/09
700 Edison Lane
02/21/09
700 block Santa Clara
02/23/09
N. C. St. & Old Telegraph
02/24/09
400 Saratoga
02/25/09
800 block Wileman CONTINUED »

Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVBank; OTC BB: SCVE.OB) today announced its 2008 fourth quarter and year-end financial results.
Total revenue for 2008 was $7,698,000, which was 3% higher than the $7,478,000 for 2007. The small increase in revenue was affected by the decreasing interest rate environment. Net interest income increased 10% to $5,026,000. Operating expenses increased 8% over 2007. Much of the expense increase is attributable to the relocation of the Fillmore Branch in late 2007; data processing and other professional services; and promotion expense. Due to the stress of the economic conditions on the Bank’s loan portfolio, the provision for loan loss increased to $944,000 in 2008 compared to $224,000 in 2007.
The Bank’s net income for 2008 was $256,000 or $0.24 per share, a 46% decrease, compared to $472,000 or $0.46 per share in 2007, primarily the result of the large provision for loan loss. SCVBank’s average net interest margin remained at a healthy level of 4.79% in December, 2008. CONTINUED »