California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol is offering a traffic safety program for teenage drivers and their parents. The Start Smart Program is aimed at helping future and newly licensed teenage drivers become aware of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. The program is designed as an educational tool for parents and teenagers in an effort to reduce the number of teenage injuries and deaths resulting from traffic collisions. Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. The primary objective of the program is to provide teens and parents with an understanding of how poor choices behind the wheel can affect the lives of numerous people. The Start Smart program also provides teens and parents with information on defensive driving, traffic laws in California, dynamics of traffic collisions, tips on avoiding traffic collisions, and DUI awareness.

Officer Pedeferri, who was critically injured by a driver who was under the influence of drugs, will once again be the guest speaker at this month’s presentation. The collision also killed an innocent party, and left Pedeferri as a paraplegic. “Officer Pedeferri has had a tremendous impact with our presentations, and his participation has only helped to increase the numbers of attendees,” Officer Untalan, PIO for the Ventura Area stated.

Smart Start classes are free of charge. The next class will be on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 6:30 pm. For more details, and to make a reservation, please call Officer Mike Untalan at (805)477-4130.

A free, five-day Job Search Workshop for unemployed professionals is offered by OPEN (Outstanding Professionals Employment Network), a chapter of Experience Unlimited, sponsored by California EDD.

This workshop includes tips on writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing, networking, online job search and more. The workshop begins Monday Feb. 9 and runs through Friday, Feb. 13 (2009) from 8:30 a.m. a.m. to 1 p.m. in Simi Valley.

Register at www.eu-open.org. For questions, call 805-526-6349.

I was born there in Fillmore, by accident on December 27, 1926.....My parents were visiting some friends, Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill, who were also the parents of my Aunt Mary,-- Mary was married to my maternal uncle, Everette Huckaba and they lived in Saticoy..The O'Neill's lived in a large two story home in the middle of a citrus grove between the Sespe Ranch and the river (On Santa Paula side of river) At the time, my parents lived (I think ) in Montalvo--- They called the nearest doctor, who happened to be Dr. Osbourne...So my birth certificate says "Fillmore" is the place of my birth, but I was raised in Santa Paula and consider SP as my home town..

Those were days of the Great Depression, so due to my dad having to move because of work, we did end up as residents of Fillmore for about a year.. I did my seventh grade there, in 1938/39, in , I think, the first year of the new Junior High addition at the high school...

I remember going to Dr. Osbourne's house with a bunch of beggars for trick or treat that Halloween..The Osbournes lived on the corner of the main thoroughfare into Fillmore--Where the stop sign was-Turn to the left to go over the Canejo to Thousand Oaks or turn to the right to go to Santa Paula. Their son later lived in the same house and was also a doctor--probably during your time there. Anyway,back to my story--Mrs. Osbourne gave each of us scalawags a nice treat. While thanking her, I told her that her husband had delivered me..She asked my name, then told me to wait a minute..When she came back to the door, she gave me a BIG BAG full of goodies as I was one of her husbands "Babies"--I remember the bag had a candied apple, candied popcorn ball, cookies, balloons,and lots of stuff...When I saw my bonanza, I told her that I sure was glad that my father had evidently paid the bill for my delivery !!! She laughed and said, "Yes, My dear, Mr. Bunch paid for you in full. " CONTINUED »

Conway Spitler

To all the kids who survived the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank, while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paint.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants and children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the street lights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were OK.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find our we forgot the brakes after running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendos, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD;s, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms...
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had try outs and not every one made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law as unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problems solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT All.
If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATION.
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids,d before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
"With hurricanes, tornado's, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?

City of Fillmore

The Fillmore Park & Recreation Commission is soliciting potential names for Fillmore’s new community park, currently being constructed at the corner of C and River Streets.

Submittals will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 6 and may be turned in at City Hall, attention Recreation Department. The winning entry is scheduled to be announced at the March 24 City Council meeting. The winning entry will receive $50 from the City of Fillmore.

For more information please contact Angela Mumme at 524-1500, extension 214.

Taylor Atkins

The annual Miss Greater Ventura USA® Pageant is now accepting applications. Toay Productions has been providing young women with the opportunity to be the ambassador for the county of Ventura for over 10 years. The Teen and Miss titleholders will both receive over $5000 in entry fee/scholarship and prizes. These prizes will include a photo shoot from KSSP Photography, website designed, a custom gown, make-up, jewelry and many other gifts from local sponsors. This year the pageant is geared toward giving young women a choice to compete at a state pageant or receive a 500.00 cash scholarship.

We are thrilled that Taylor Atkins was crowned Miss California Teen 2008 and made the top 15 at the Miss Teen USA Pageant, which was held at the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas. Additional information regarding the Miss California USA & Miss California Teen USA pageants can be found at http://misscaliforniausa.com/

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen never married or pregnant must be a resident of California for the past 6 months. Applicants attending college out of state may enter if their primary residence is in California.
The practices for the pageant will begin on February12th, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at Brekke Elementary School, 1400 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Oxnard, CA. The participants will be taught communication skills, the importance of character, walking techniques and stage presence. CONTINUED »

We have had some great ones in the past and want to have a great one this year.

Have you missed the show? Why not come forward and help get the show going again.

There is a small group of people that would guide you in starting a small, but great, garden show once again.. Many items (equipment, signs, etc.) have been "lost", or stored, from previous garden shows. These need to be found. So, anyone out there who has output wants to assist, etc., please contact Linda Nunes to help get things rolling again.

We have the Bible from previous shows! What we want are volunteers interested in getting the show going again!

Family Feud

The Bacon Family of Fillmore are ready to battle for a win when they play against The Stringham Family of Costa Mesa, CA on the nationally syndicated Family Feud, beginning on Thursday, February 12. The high-stakes game where contestants must guess the most popular answers to survey questions posed to 100 people in order to win big money airs Monday-Friday at 6:00 p.m. on KCAL (Channel 9).

The Bacon Family – which includes Aaron, a new dad who serves in the Navy; sister-in-law Alisha, a dedicated mom and sales representative; sister-in-law Jessica, a veterinary technician and all around animal enthusiast; father-in-law David, a manager and driver for a trucking company; and wife Brittney, a fun-loving and energetic wife and mom – will be the ones to beat when they face off with The Stringham Family in America’s favorite family game show.

“We have always watched Family Feud, so one day we thought we’d try and get on the show,” said David. “If we win, we’re all taking a family cruise.”

“This family has a big heart,” said host John O’Hurley. “Let’s hope that they can pull through for a win.”
Will Fillmore’s Bacon Family win enough to take a family cruise? We’re not saying, but viewers can find out by tuning in beginning Thursday, February 12.

A free, five-day Job Search Workshop for unemployed professionals is offered by OPEN (Outstanding Professionals Employment Network), a chapter of Experience Unlimited, sponsored by California EDD.

This workshop includes tips on writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing, networking, online job search and more. The workshop begins Monday Feb. 9 and runs through Friday, Feb. 13 (2009) from 8:30 a.m. a.m. to 1 p.m. in Simi Valley.

Register at www.eu-open.org. For questions, call 805-526-6349.

Community Action of Ventura County (CAVC) is offering financial help to low-income households through its Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Those who qualify also may also be eligible for CAVC’s no-cost residential weatherization program that provides minor home repairs; furnace, water heater and refrigerator repair or replacement; and replaces old light bulbs with energy-efficient ones.

Interviews are by appointment at CAVC’s offices at 621 Richmond Ave., in Oxnard, and at 946 E. Thompson Blvd., in Ventura. Call 436-4023 or 436-4025 for an application packet to be mailed to you. CONTINUED »

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular Friday trash and recycling collection schedule in Fillmore on Feb. 20, during the week of Presidents’ Day.

For more information, call 647-1414.

The class reunions for the Honored Classes at this year's alumni dinner are shaping up and people are getting the word out as to what is planned for those classes whose graduation years ended in 4 and 9, as well as all the other graduating classes from Fillmore High.
The class of '44 will meet for lunch at El Pescador in Fillmore on Saturday, June 6 and then reconvene at the Memorial Building for the alumni dinner. Biz Basolo is in charge in getting this class reunion started. If you have any questions, you can call him at 524-5841.
Em Casner Wendel has sent out letters to all her classmates of the class of '49 inviting them to lunch on Saturday, June 5, with continued visiting that evening at the alumni dinner. For more information, call Em at 805-642-7220.
Ann Mosbarger Scanlin has invited all graduates of the class of '54 to meet at the alumni dinner at the Memorial Building on Saturday, June 6, for their 55th class get-together. Ann can be reached at 805-646-6460
Bob Morris and his committee have planned a Friday/Saturday gathering for the class members of the class of '59. Friday evening, June 5th will be a dinner at a place yet determined, and Bob hopes everyone will reconvene at the alumni dinner on Saturday night. If you need more information you can call Bob at 805-524-0096.
Lucy Rangel Sanchez, class of '69 is hoping someone will pick up the ball for her class and send out information about meeting at the alumni dinner on Saturday, June 6. The alumni office will be glad to help in any way they can. CONTINUED »

Conway Spitler

31 billion searches on Google every month. In 2006 there were 2.7 billion to Google. There are 54,000 words of
English, five times as many as when Shakespeare was here! Ten top jobs did not exist in 2004! TV 23 years, radio 20 years. Audience of 50 million in four years. Two million registered on My Space One out of four employees have been with employer less than four years. 200 million My Space subscriber, 1992 one million.

Bert Rapp, the city Public Works Director, has ignored the open ditch along the railroad tracks off Sespe. He claims that the city has no money to repair this eyesore. The ground under Sespe Street is deterioration and caving in. Public works does not maintain nor has ever cleaned the ditch out. Bert states he was unaware of the drainage pipe or the ground caving in under Sespe Street. The city’s property runs along Sespe Street and is parallel to A Street Self Storage. Bert says that the city does not have the money to install a drain pipe in that area. The storm water from A Street and Sespe Street, and drainage water from the Fire Department also runs down into this ditch. All storm water drainage from the pipe dumps into the ditch and is causing the ground to cave in. There is nowhere else for the water to drain to except into the ditch. With all the money the city is spending on storm water drainage I don’t understand why this is being ignored.

Animal Control Officer Bob Wisma
Enlarge Photo

Animal Control Officer Bob Wisma gets ready to euthanize a skunk (below) that had taken up residence under The Fillmore Gazette and adjoining offices. Wisma used phenobarbitol to sedate the female skunk which was then taken to a Ventura County Animal Regulation laboratory, where its brain will be tested for rabies. Skunks are the second largest carrier of rabies, behind bats. The skunk had made the entire building, located at Sespe and
Orchard, a smelly affair for the last two weeks.