Tuesday, November 20th at approximately 4:35pm a fatal collision occurred near State Route 126 and Hopper Canyon Road. A Red Hyundai Elantra crossed into the westbound lane colliding into three vehicles causing a fourth vehicle to collide with derbies from the crash.
Tuesday, November 20th at approximately 4:35pm a fatal collision occurred near State Route 126 and Hopper Canyon Road. A Red Hyundai Elantra crossed into the westbound lane colliding into three vehicles causing a fourth vehicle to collide with derbies from the crash.
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Organizer Laura Bartels is pictured with three young ladies wearing their new coats which they received from last year’s coat drive giveaway. Photo courtesy Bob Crum.
Organizer Laura Bartels is pictured with three young ladies wearing their new coats which they received from last year’s coat drive giveaway. Photo courtesy Bob Crum.
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Please support Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid’s Coat Drive to raise enough money to put a coat on every child that comes through the line this Christmas in Fillmore

This project idea started in 2005 when I was watching the kids waiting with anticipation to see Santa at the North Fillmore Community Storefront for the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department toy giveaway. Looking at the line, none of the kids had on coats. My mind thought immediately “Did the children forget their coats? They knew it was cold and that the wait was long.” The line snaked as the little boy tucked into his mother and the realization hit me like the cold wind- The little boy didn’t forget his coat. He doesn’t have a coat.

Please join Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid and Fillmore Community’s Winter Coat Drive with support from the Fillmore Volunteer Firefighters Foundation, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Fillmore Rotary and other community organizations. In December we will be giving away brand-new warm winter coats to needy children of the Santa Clara Valley who are standing outside in line in Fillmore to receive their toy from Santa. There are no “administrative” costs. You send the money and our teams go and buy the coats.

As Marion Wright Edelman, the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund says: “We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.” When you place a warm coat on cold little shoulders, you know that a warm coat makes a big difference. We have given away over 7,000 new coats through the years.

Tax deductible donation can be made to Fillmore Volunteer Firefighters Fund, in the memo- coats, and mail to POB 331, or deliver to Taylor, Scoles & Bartels or donated through Go Fund Me at https://www.gofundme.com/warm-coats-for-fillmore039s-kids

Laura Bartels, Director
Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid
PO Box 236
Fillmore, CA 93016

 
On Tuesday, November 17th Sonshine Preschool took a special field trip to the Fillmore Fire Station to drop off the pennies they have saved to donate to help the Fire Department purchase toys the Annual Toy Drive. Pictured above are the students and teachers with members of the Fillmore Fire Department.
On Tuesday, November 17th Sonshine Preschool took a special field trip to the Fillmore Fire Station to drop off the pennies they have saved to donate to help the Fire Department purchase toys the Annual Toy Drive. Pictured above are the students and teachers with members of the Fillmore Fire Department.
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As a special treat for making their donations to the Toy Drive the students were able to try on the fire fighter’s uniforms.
As a special treat for making their donations to the Toy Drive the students were able to try on the fire fighter’s uniforms.
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Huge concrete flood control channels are being placed to direct water into the Santa Clara River, east of El Dorado Estates. Hundreds of new homes and condominiums are scheduled to be completed in 2019.
Huge concrete flood control channels are being placed to direct water into the Santa Clara River, east of El Dorado Estates. Hundreds of new homes and condominiums are scheduled to be completed in 2019.
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The Fillmore Towne Theatre will offer a special showing of “Arthur Christmas”on Saturday, December 1st at 11:30am and 2pm. The movie is free.
The Fillmore Towne Theatre will offer a special showing of “Arthur Christmas”on Saturday, December 1st at 11:30am and 2pm. The movie is free.
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Fillmore Unified School District
Fillmore Unified School District

Board Policy Updates
The Governing Board approved the following Board Policy updates at the November 20, 2018 meeting: BP/AR 6142.1 Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Instruction, AR 3516.3 Earthquake Emergency Procedure System, BP 3515.7 Firearms on School Grounds, and BP/AR 3515.2 Disruptions

Draft Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Strategic Goals
The Governing Board received a presentation on the draft Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Strategic Goals. Superintendent Palazuelos presented the information.

Approve the Start and End Dates for 2019-2020 School Year
The Governing Board approved the start date for staff to be Monday, August 12, 2019, followed by the first student day to take place on Thursday, August 15, 2019. Pending collaboration from both employee units, the last day for students would be June 4, 2020, followed by a teacher workday on June 5, 2020.

Approve Date and Time of the Annual Organizational Meeting
The Governing Board approved the date and time of the Annual Organizational Meeting to take place on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 6:30 PM

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations, and leaves.

 
Photo of the Week "Yellow crowned night heron, a rare sight in Ventura" by Bob Crum. Photo data: Canon 7D MKII camera, ISO 10,000, Tamron 16-300 lens @277mm, aperture f/11, shutter speed 1/320 of a second.
Photo of the Week "Yellow crowned night heron, a rare sight in Ventura" by Bob Crum. Photo data: Canon 7D MKII camera, ISO 10,000, Tamron 16-300 lens @277mm, aperture f/11, shutter speed 1/320 of a second.
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Outrageous ISO!
Bob Crum
Bob Crum

Well, I gave y'all a heads up for Black Friday. You also had another fantabulous opportunity on Cyber Monday. You bought a camera, right? Great!

Regardless of what you bought, you could not have gone wrong given modern-day technology. These marvelous, wondrous image makers do everything except wash the supper dishes.

Now, please READ THE MANUAL! I know, these days, many manufacturers are bypassing the written manuals and putting them online to download as a pdf. Do it! Download it and study at your leisure.

Videos are another option. When I bought the Canon 7D Mark II camera, which is a complex and powerful camera, I purchased a tutorial video ($29.00) specifically for the 7D2 from creativelive.com. The demonstration videos were great explaining all of the camera’s features and functions. It helped me navigate and customize the menus, and how to best use the extraordinary autofocus system. Not to mention the camera's video capabilities. It was a big help, worth 10 times the cost.

There are plenty of resources available to help you get up to speed with just about any camera you buy. Needless to say, it's of the utmost importance to KNOW how to operate the camera. Mastering the camera will enable you to capture the photos that you mentally visualize. I can't stress this point enough.

Of course, most cameras have a 'program' or 'auto' mode, and that's fine to begin with. In fact, I advocate that you start out in auto mode. But when doing so, you can do yourself a huge favor by reviewing the metadata. That is, after making the photo look at the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture the camera used to make the photo. The metadata will help you quickly understand the relationship between ISO, aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure. Then, when you're not satisfied with a photo the auto setting used to create the photo, you'll be ready to take the next step: Manual mode! That is, taking control and setting the ISO, aperture and shutter speed. When you start doing this, you are becoming a photographer, your ultimate goal. Right?

Operating a camera is not rocket science. You can do this. When you know how to program the camera for the photo you want, you begin to 'create' photos. It's this creative process that is so overwhelmingly satisfying. It's not unlike any creative art form. There's untold joy in Fine Art Photography. Trust me, you'll love it!

The subject of the photo of the week is a yellow-crowned night heron. I photographed this rarely seen bird at the Ventura Harbor, one of my favorite haunts. Take a moment to check the photo data, especially ISO and shutter speed.

It was past sundown when I first saw the bird perched briefly on a commercial fishing ship. As it flew, I followed, huffing and puffing as it landed briefly here and there. It kept flying... I kept chasing. Because it was moving fast, I set shutter speed at 1/320th. It finally landed down at the water's edge where the light was very dim. I knew I had to shoot fast. In the excitement I neglected to slow the shutter speed to a more appropriate 1/60th. That would have reduced ISO from the ultra high of 10000 to perhaps 1600 resulting in much less image noise. I ignored, with great trepidation, the fact that the 7D2 is not supposed to capture acceptable photos at that high an ISO because of excessive image noise. A subject for another day. Happy photoing!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

 
Photo from 2017 Annual Toy Giveaway.
Photo from 2017 Annual Toy Giveaway.
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Please join many of your local non-profit organizations, local first responders, students and members of the community in kicking off the annual giving of Holiday Spirit for those in need. Between now and December 14, donations of new unwrapped toys, canned food, reading books and new coats for children will be accepted. Donation drop offs include the City of Fillmore Fire Station, City of Fillmore Police Station, Fillmore City Hall and Bank of The Sierra. If you would like to make a monetary donation to the overall effort, checks may be made payable to the "Fillmore Volunteer Fire Foundation" a 501(c)(3) organization. Other local non-profit organizations supporting the Community Giveaway are; Fillmore Rotary, Fillmore Lions Club, Fillmore Search and Rescue, Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Association, Soroptimist International of Fillmore, One Step A La Vez, the Latshaw Foundation, the Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, Fillmore FFA and Sespe 4-H. If you would like to have any items picked up or have any questions please call (805) 524-1500 ext 226. Thank you.

 
The new Ventura County Fire Station, at the western corner of C and River Streets, is seeing activity for the first time in nearly a year.
The new Ventura County Fire Station, at the western corner of C and River Streets, is seeing activity for the first time in nearly a year.
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The project looks to be about 90 percent completed. Work on the Station, originally scheduled for completion in December of last year, was halted due to union issues according to Fillmore Planning Director, Kevin McSweeney. Efforts to contact the project manager have been unsuccessful, but work on utilities and painting are ongoing.

The Station appears to be a 5-star project with brick driving areas and decorative rock walls. With a price tag of approximately $9-million, it should be. The large station is expected to be an important fire-fighting asset, especially for eastern Ventura County.

Perhaps it might have proven helpful in fighting this year’s devastating fires had it been finished on time.

 
At approximately 3pm on Monday, November 19th a commercial van went off the road and into a ditch on lower Grimes Canyon road near Bardsdale Avenue. Crews were able to respond quickly and pull the van from the ditch. No injuries were reported at the time of the accident, cause of the accident is still under investigation.
At approximately 3pm on Monday, November 19th a commercial van went off the road and into a ditch on lower Grimes Canyon road near Bardsdale Avenue. Crews were able to respond quickly and pull the van from the ditch. No injuries were reported at the time of the accident, cause of the accident is still under investigation.
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Saturday, November 17th was the Grand Opening of Fillmore’s Little Free Library located at 239 Sierra Vista. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Jack Stethem (left) built the replica of the Fillmore Depot and Marie Wren (right) and friends filled it with books to promote reading. Both adult and children’s books are “for the taking” according to Wren. Everyone is invited to take a book or leave a book they want to share with others. There is no checking out or cost, so enjoy, Fillmore!
Saturday, November 17th was the Grand Opening of Fillmore’s Little Free Library located at 239 Sierra Vista. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Jack Stethem (left) built the replica of the Fillmore Depot and Marie Wren (right) and friends filled it with books to promote reading. Both adult and children’s books are “for the taking” according to Wren. Everyone is invited to take a book or leave a book they want to share with others. There is no checking out or cost, so enjoy, Fillmore!
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Pictured above is the lot located behind the El Dorado Mobile Home Park where the new Bridges subdivision “Oak Haven” will be located.
Pictured above is the lot located behind the El Dorado Mobile Home Park where the new Bridges subdivision “Oak Haven” will be located.
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At last week’s council meeting they unanimously approved a new development of 133 homes.

Comstock’s parent company, Hearthstone, will be building the “affordable” detached condominium units east of Pole Creek and south of the El Dorado Mobile Home Park. The Units will be named Oak Haven and be part of the Bridges subdivision.

The units will be freestanding homes; however the buyer will not own the land underneath it. Hearthstone also plans single-family homes in the next phase of Oak Haven. They will include five floor plans and differing architectural styles and range in size from 1,610 to 2,486 square feet. It will be a gated community with a community center, pool and playground, and private roads.

Prices for the gated community have not been disclosed yet, but homes in Oak Haven’s 1stphase were priced $300,000 to $400,000. The builder said he “expects 80% of the Oak Haven buyers to be first-time homebuyers and the majority of those will probably use loans insured by the FHA, which allows for smaller down payments” according to the VC Star.

 
Santa and Mrs. Claus pictured in last years parade.
Santa and Mrs. Claus pictured in last years parade.
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Thanksgiving is almost here and that means the Fillmore Lions Club Christmas Parade is happening as well.

This year’s Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 1st. The parade will begin at 10:00 am. And as always, Santa will trade in his sleigh for the morning and make his special trip down Central Avenue aboard a Fillmore Fire Department fire truck. At the end of his ride, Santa will make his way to the depot so you can take photos with the kids Don’t forget your camera!

The Christmas Parade is open to individuals, businesses, civic organizations, school bands, church groups, car clubs and equestrians. Just about any group or person who wants to celebrate the season with a “themed entry” is welcome and there is no cost to enter the parade. To be a part of the Christmas Parade, send an email to FillmoreChristmasParade@gmail.com and an application will be sent to you. For questions or additional information, please contact Lion Scott Lee at 524-1896.

The parade route will be posted “No Parking” from 8:00 am to approximately 12:00 pm on the day of the parade on Central Avenue from Third Street to Santa Clara. Your cooperation is needed in order to keep vehicles off of the parade route during that time for the safety of parade participants and spectators.

Although the Fillmore Christmas Parade has a long standing tradition in Fillmore, it was in danger of being cancelled in 2001 when the parade lost its’ sponsor. The late Hank Carrillo suggested the Fillmore Lions Club assume the responsibility for the Christmas Parade as a service to the community and the Lions Club continues to sponsor the Parade in Hank Carrillo’s honor. Fillmore Lions wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you on December 1st!

 
Laura Bartels received a check for $600 on behalf of Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid. Rotary President Andy Klittich presented the check which is used to buy warm winter coats for children in need. Bartels has been hosting the fundraiser for 10 years. Photo courtesy Martha Richardson & Ari Larson.
Laura Bartels received a check for $600 on behalf of Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid. Rotary President Andy Klittich presented the check which is used to buy warm winter coats for children in need. Bartels has been hosting the fundraiser for 10 years. Photo courtesy Martha Richardson & Ari Larson.
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Photo of the Week "The lady, her face artfully painted, recently celebrated Dia De Los Muertos in Fillmore" By Bob Crum. Photo details: Canon 7D MKII camera in manual mode, ISO 400, Tamron 16-300mm lens @63mm, aperture f/5.0, shutter speed 1/60 seconds.
Photo of the Week "The lady, her face artfully painted, recently celebrated Dia De Los Muertos in Fillmore" By Bob Crum. Photo details: Canon 7D MKII camera in manual mode, ISO 400, Tamron 16-300mm lens @63mm, aperture f/5.0, shutter speed 1/60 seconds.
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Giving thanks!
Bob Crum
Bob Crum

Anyone keeping count? I am! This is column number 100! I'm proud of this milestone! More importantly, being Thanksgiving, I thank you because without the support of all 2,386,395 readers like you, it couldn't happen! I also thank the Fillmore Gazette for the opportunity to dazzle you with writings of Pulitzer Prize caliber.

Ready for Black Friday? Now that y'all know the benefits of a 'real' camera, you know that you want one! Or you know someone on your Christmas shopping list who would love to receive a real camera.

Cameras and multiple lenses are not essential for successful photography. Present-day point-and-shoot cameras with attached lenses are excellent, and generally cost less. For example, a new P&S just announced is the Sony HX99. For starters, the HX99 is the perfect travel camera. It packs a 28x zoom (24-720mm), 18MP 1/2.3" sensor, 180-degree tilting 3.0" touch screen and 4K/30p video with full pixel readout plus 10 fps shooting with a 155 image buffer and much more. All that fabulous technology for merely $448.00. Incredible! I'd be thrilled to receive an HX99. (hint hint)

For your convenience, I'm presenting some camera buying guides. Though not a comprehensive list, any Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal on the following cameras will surely scratch anyone's photographic itch. I'm not endorsing one over another and the numbers 1-10 are merely separators and do not infer that #1 is better than #5.

Consider for kids: 1. Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10, 2. Nikon Coolpix W300, 3. Olympus Tough TG-5, 4. Fujifilm FinePix XP120, 5. Ricoh WG-50, 6. Canon EOS 200D / Rebel SL2 , 7. Nikon D5600.

Cameras for beginners: 1. Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D + EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, 2. Nikon D3500 + AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, 3. Canon EOS Rebel T7 + EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II, 4. Canon EOS Rebel T100 / EOS 4000D + EF-S 18-55mm, 5. Nikon D5600 + AF-P 18-55mm DX VR, 6. Pentax K-70 + HD DA 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE7, Panasonic Lumix GX80 + Lumix G VARIO 12-32mm MEGA O.I.S., 8. Fujifilm X-A10 + XC16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II, 9. Sony A5100 + E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS, 10. Olympus E-M10 III + M.ZUIKO 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ.

Compact cameras: 1. Panasonic TZ200 / SZ200 2. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II 3. Fujifilm X100F, 4. Panasonic LX100 II, 5. Leica Q (Typ 116), 6. Panasonic LX15 / LX10, 7. Ricoh GR II, 8. Sony RX100 VI, 9. Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 /
FZ2000. 10. Sony RX10 IV.

Mirrorless cameras: 1. Fujifilm X-T3, 2. Nikon Z7, 3. Canon EOS R, 4. Sony Alpha A7 III, 5. Panasonic Lumix G9, 6. Sony A6500, 7. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, 8. Fujifilm X-T20 camera, 9. Fujifilm X-H1 camera, 10. Sony A9 camera, 11. Sony A7 II camera, 12. Panasonic GH5 camera.

dSLR cameras for photography enthusiasts: 1. Nikon D850, 2. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 3. Nikon D750, 4. Canon EOS 6D Mark II, 6. Nikon D7500, 7. Canon EOS 5DS/5DS R, 8. Canon EOS 7D Mark II, 9. Nikon D500, 10. Sony Alpha A99 Mark II.

Local retailers are Samy's Camera and Hooper Camera. If you are averse to paying sales tax, shop Adorama at https://www.adorama.com or B&H https://www.bhphotovideo.com. Shop only “authorized” retailers. Now you no longer have an excuse to remain cameraless. Just pick one and buy!

Blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving as you gather with loved ones to celebrate the holiday. Preserve the precious memories with lots of photos to enjoy henceforth!

Send questions, comments or suggestions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

 
Anonymous Tip of a Gun Investigated at Fillmore High School
A reported weapon on campus put Fillmore High School on lockdown, Tuesday, November 13th, from noon until 2:45pm. About 50 Sheriffs Deputies searched the students, backpacks, lockers and rooms. No weapon was found. Above, concerned parents
gathered across from the school.
A reported weapon on campus put Fillmore High School on lockdown, Tuesday, November 13th, from noon until 2:45pm. About 50 Sheriffs Deputies searched the students, backpacks, lockers and rooms. No weapon was found. Above, concerned parents gathered across from the school.
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Students were told to shelter in place, many hiding in barricaded storage rooms as shown right.
Students were told to shelter in place, many hiding in barricaded storage rooms as shown right.
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The Fillmore Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office investigated an anonymous tip of a gun on the campus of Fillmore High School. After an extensive search of the campus, no handgun was located and the campus was deemed safe.

On 11-13-18, at 10:50 A.M., the Fillmore Police and Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Fillmore Unified School District administration regarding an anonymous tip received by the school. The tip came through an anonymous reporting system set up by the Fillmore Unified School District. The tip provided very minimal information, saying that there was a gun on campus and someone wanted to hurt a student.

Out of an abundance of caution, and for the protection of the students, district and school administrators decided to place the school into lockdown. More than 50 Sheriff’s deputies worked to verify the information in the tip and ultimately conducted a search of every classroom, student, locker and room at the school. After the three hour extensive search, no firearm was located and the campus was deemed safe.

At the conclusion of the incident, students were released pursuant to school district protocol.

Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

 

Courtesy Dan Michel

To many, sitting around a camp fire could be considered living a life of paradise. But to former Fillmore resident, Virginia Michel (FHS class of 45) and her family members, escaping the Camp Fire that was consuming the town of Paradise was anything but idyllic.

She along with her daughters, Candy Woods (class of 65), Holly Peters (class of 77), granddaughter Kacey Woods (class of 72), niece Cindy Sweeney Medley (Class of 68) granddaughter Cally Tidey as well as two nieces and two step-grandsons and their families did just that on Thursday, November 8 as the deadly flames began consuming the town.

Wind-driven smoke and embers turned day into night and clogged escape routes tragically took their toll on many trying to escape the inferno. The death toll stands at 29 souls and 7000 structures lost. Fortunately all of Virginia's family made it safely to a granddaughter's home in Chico but then could only sit and wait for the word on the fate of their dwellings. Several days later the word came that five of the seven family homes were part of the 7000. Holly's home where Virginia lives still stands but is possibly damaged due to the loss of the detached garage. The house belonging to step-grandson Jay Peters was the other survivor. Home owners were told they wouldn't be able to return to their properties for one to three months because of potential toxins.

Dan Michel, Virginia's son and Fillmore resident, said the families seem to be coping as best they can. He added, "I think they're focusing so much on the beginning recovery steps such as dealing with insurance companies and utilities that the gravity of their loss is pushed aside until the wee quiet moments. They were so supportive when my step-son Brian Zell’s apartment building, Hawaiian Village, burned to the ground during the Thomas Fire; we have to be there for them."

Since Virginia and her late husband Lloyd moved to Paradise in the 1980"s according to Dan, the town has dodged some bullets in regards to fires. Judging by the pictures of the smoking remnants in the media, this time it was a bomb you couldn't evade.

 
Pictured (l-r) are Don Tello, Branch Manager of Bank of the Sierra Santa Paula and Tracy Grove, Operations Manager, presenting a check for $2,500 to Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley CEO, Jan Marholin. The grant will support the award-winning After School STEM Academy at club locations in Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula. This grant will allow local youth continued participation in STEM activities such as 3D Printing, Robotics and Green Screen technology. Submitted by Jenae Quintana and Photo courtesy Pearl Galvan.
Pictured (l-r) are Don Tello, Branch Manager of Bank of the Sierra Santa Paula and Tracy Grove, Operations Manager, presenting a check for $2,500 to Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley CEO, Jan Marholin. The grant will support the award-winning After School STEM Academy at club locations in Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula. This grant will allow local youth continued participation in STEM activities such as 3D Printing, Robotics and Green Screen technology. Submitted by Jenae Quintana and Photo courtesy Pearl Galvan.
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Rosalyn with her winning poster. It was announced at the recent Fillmore Lions Club Enchilada Dinner. Photo courtesy Brain Wilson.
Rosalyn with her winning poster. It was announced at the recent Fillmore Lions Club Enchilada Dinner. Photo courtesy Brain Wilson.
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Submitted by Brian Wilson

Rosalyn Diaz, a student at Fillmore Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

Diaz’s poster was among more than 450,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

The poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Kindness Matters”
Fillmore Lions Club President Eddie Barajas said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the entries this year. “It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.”

Diaz’s poster will advance through the district, multiple district and international levels of competition if she is to be declared the international grand prize winner,” Barajas said.

One international grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of US $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to a special award ceremony. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award.

 
At last night’s city council meeting, Mario and Vanessa Robledo, pictured with their three daughters, spoke to council
after being selected as operators of the Fillmore Equestrian Center.
At last night’s city council meeting, Mario and Vanessa Robledo, pictured with their three daughters, spoke to council after being selected as operators of the Fillmore Equestrian Center.
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Fillmore City Council Meeting

At Tuesday's regular city council meeting, Mario and Vanessa Robledo were selected to be operators of the Fillmore Equestrian Center.

Both the Robledos and longtime Fillmore resident Steve McKinnon proposed plans to manage the center.

McKinnon has lived in Fillmore since June 1982 and has been a boarder at the FEC for over 20 years. He also has a good relationship with the roping club. He is a semi-retired general contractor with 25 years of property management.

Mario and Vanessa Robledo have lived and board (ed) at the FEC. They own several horses and have a 50-acre private ranch outside of Fillmore where they manage horses and have hosted multiple boarders. In addition, they own and operate Robledo Transportation Logistics, Inc. and Prancer’s Village.

The council praised both offers but decided that the Robledo's provided more experience with equestrian issues.

Public hearing: development permit 17-06 - for 133 detached Condominium units by Comstock Homes located in tentative tract
Map 5520 (phase 2) was unanimously approved.

Heritage valley parks subdivision – consideration of easement Agreements with the Ventura county transportation commission
(“VTTC”), the city of Fillmore, and hearthstone was unanimously approved.

Public hearing: zoning ordinance amendment 18-04 (ZOA 18-04) Deleting section 6.04.7220 of the Fillmore municipal code to
Eliminate general plan amendment pre-screening and adoption of Finding exemption from CEQA, was unanimously approved.

Public hearing: zoning ordinance 18-05 (ZOA 18-05) amending Fillmore municipal code sections 6.04.0401, 6.04.0410, 6.04.0496 and 6.04.3415 to clarify family day care and day care center zoning Regulations citywide and adopt findings of CEQA exemption, was unanimously approved.

Public hearing: adoption of zoning ordinance amendment 18-06 (ZOA) 18-06) to permit supportive and transitional housing and
Emergency shelters citywide as required by the general plan And state law and clarify the distinction between group homes
And residential care facilities and adoption of a finding of Exemption from CEQA, motion was unanimously passed.

Public hearing: adoption of zoning ordinance amendment (zoa 18-08) to eliminate development permit requirements and certain Development standards for new commercial uses in existing Structures city-wide and adoption of a finding of exemption from CEQA.

The Fillmore Christian Academy requested a waiver of entitlement fees as they relocate their campus. Council denied a waiver but structured payment of $4,289 in three parts to facilitate the move. This fee covers the costs of the planning department, Willdan Engineering, and the city attorney to review and process the permit.

Requested approval of a contract with Rincon Consultants, in Connection with planning development application review was unanimously approved.

 
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