On Friday, August 2, Kevin Shaffer played the organ at the Hinckley House for members and friends of the Fillmore Museum to enjoy. Photo courtesy of Andrea Recendez.
Enlarge Photo

Written by Carina Montoya

You never know who might show up at your front door. Last year, Kevin Shaffer and his wife Kimberly visited the Fillmore Historical Museum for the first time. They had driven California State Route 126 many times through the years, passing through Fillmore going east or west, but never stopped to see what Fillmore has to offer. One day in 2023 when they were passing through Fillmore, Kimberly suggested to Kevin that they stop and visit the Fillmore Museum. The day of their visit coincided with a day the museum’s Hinckley House was open to tour. The Hinckley House was built in 1905 and later owned by Fillmore’s first dentist, Dr. Ira Hinckley, and his wife Catherine, “Kate.” When Kevin and Kimberly entered the front parlor of the house, Kevin’s eyes became fixed on a more than century-old pump organ that sits prominently in the room. He told the museum staff that he knows how to play the pump organ and asked if he could try it. Museum staff said, “yes,” and without hesitation, Kevin played the piece “Let it Be,” a song by the Beatles, released in 1970. The music from the pump organ awakened the quiet and pristine exhibit of today with a sound that echoed years past when the house was filled with music and laughter. Museum staff were so pleased to hear the pump organ played by someone who knows how to play it, and Kevin was happy to be given the opportunity to play it because the last time he played a pump organ was in 1969. For both Kevin and the museum, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

On Friday, August 2, Kevin played the pump organ to members and friends of the museum. The performance was recorded, and Andrea Recendez photographed the event, which was the first of its kind held at the Hinckley House. One of the special guests was Diane Arundell, who was married to the late Jim Arundell. The Arundell family in Fillmore dates to the mid-1800s. William Arundell and his son Thomas “Tommy,” came to Ventura County in 1879. Tommy established an apiary in Pole Creek and accumulated over 1,200 acres, soon harvested six tons of honey, and had up to seven hundred stands of bees. Tommy built an adobe on the property and purchased a pump organ. The pump organ was later donated to the Fillmore Historical Museum by the Arundell family, and it is now a permanent exhibit at the Hinckley House. Diane recalls seeing the pump organ years ago at the adobe, but Friday’s event was the first time she heard it being played. She said it sounded beautiful. When Kevin was asked about the quality of sound and condition of the pump organ, also called a harmonium, or reed organ, he said “it’s still in good shape and has good resonation.” Although the pump organ is much like an organ, the difference is the pump organ makes sound by blowing air through reeds, which are tuned to different pitches to make musical notes.
Originally from Ohio, Kevin learned how to play the pump organ when he was a child. He later studied at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and together with Kimberly opened a dance and music studio that they operated for twenty-five years, until they moved to Ventura about 6 years ago. Today, Kevin is a piano teacher, and plays piano at events.

In our ongoing commitment to safety and California’s fight against wildfires,
SoCal Edison (SCE) crews and contractors will be in the Fillmore area conducting aerial inspections of our electrical equipment. Over the next few days, you may notice an increase in aerial activity, including the use of drones. All personnel can and will provide an SCE-issued badge or authorized work letter at the request of customers or residents; hours of operation: Daylight Hours, Monday – Saturday. The work that Edison does is very crucial to public safety, to maintain continuity of the grid, provide the best service possible to their customers and minimize power outages.
The job may involve a 360-degree inspection of power poles, transformers and switching equipment, looking for potential problems such as frayed electrical wires or damage to specialized equipment designed to prevent wildfires and keep power flowing.

“We get to see a birds-eye view of our infrastructure and our assets that we don’t typically get to see from the ground, said Kathy Hidalgo, SCE director of inspections. “We now have a holistic view of the health of our assets.” Citizens have an expectation of privacy and we do not intend to invade a person’s privacy. SCE deploys drones and helicopters strictly for the purpose of inspecting and evaluating equipment in the field,” said Kristi Gardner, SCE principal manager of program oversight, development and planning. “The focus of these operations is our own electrical assets, structures and right of ways to support our assets. SCE pilots and vendor pilots comply with all applicable laws and regulations.”
For more information, please visit https://energized.edison.com/stories/a-360-degree-view-of-safety.

We have exciting news for the church- we are starting our Date Night after a long hiatus from the Covid pandemic. So, we need your help and prayers!

The first time will be August 23 from 5:30-8:30 pm in LeBard Hall.
If you do not know the format, parents drop off their kids ages 4-11, and we provide a safe, nurturing environment while the parents have some free time. Around seven pm we read a story and give the children a healthy snack, and then the children continue enjoying the various centers that we have set up around the hall. We are flexible with the age suggestions, so if you want to take a younger grandchild with you, and you can be responsible for that child, it will be fine.
If you would like to help, you can in various ways. if you want to do a center: reading books, making a craft, stringing beads, designing a structure with cardboard boxes and paper tubes, playing a board game, or whatever else you think a child would enjoy, this is your opportunity! Please contact Marcia Heerema with your ideas- 805 625-0848.
To help in a different way, if you want to contribute to the smack time, with prep time or actual snack items such as paper serving items, or money for the food, please contact Judi Hartshorn , as she is our resident food hostess- 805 320-2515 and she will gladly tell you what is needed.

We could use cardboard cereal boxes, toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, or any small boxes so our budding architects can have at it with glue and staples! Please start collecting these and drop them off at church on Sunday. When we have enough, we will ask you to kindly stop, but at the moment, we need our various building supplies.
Please share this with your friends and families with children, and publicize this opportunity for the children to spend an evening at church.

There is a registration form for the parents to fill out, so we will have emergency numbers on file. Eventually we will limit the number to 25 children, but that will take some time before the idea catches on in the community.
If you know of older siblings or teens who would like to be helpers, feel free to invite them, but let us know ahead of time, so we can assign them to a station.

As always, please continue to hold this and our church in prayer.

We have exciting news for the church- we are starting our Date Night after a long hiatus from the Covid pandemic. So, we need your help and prayers!

The first time will be August 23 from 5:30-8:30 pm in LeBard Hall.
If you do not know the format, parents drop off their kids ages 4-11, and we provide a safe, nurturing environment while the parents have some free time. Around seven pm we read a story and give the children a healthy snack, and then the children continue enjoying the various centers that we have set up around the hall. We are flexible with the age suggestions, so if you want to take a younger grandchild with you, and you can be responsible for that child, it will be fine.
If you would like to help, you can in various ways. if you want to do a center: reading books, making a craft, stringing beads, designing a structure with cardboard boxes and paper tubes, playing a board game, or whatever else you think a child would enjoy, this is your opportunity! Please contact Marcia Heerema with your ideas- 805 625-0848.
To help in a different way, if you want to contribute to the smack time, with prep time or actual snack items such as paper serving items, or money for the food, please contact Judi Hartshorn , as she is our resident food hostess- 805 320-2515 and she will gladly tell you what is needed.

We could use cardboard cereal boxes, toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, or any small boxes so our budding architects can have at it with glue and staples! Please start collecting these and drop them off at church on Sunday. When we have enough, we will ask you to kindly stop, but at the moment, we need our various building supplies.
Please share this with your friends and families with children, and publicize this opportunity for the children to spend an evening at church.

There is a registration form for the parents to fill out, so we will have emergency numbers on file. Eventually we will limit the number to 25 children, but that will take some time before the idea catches on in the community.
If you know of older siblings or teens who would like to be helpers, feel free to invite them, but let us know ahead of time, so we can assign them to a station.

As always, please continue to hold this and our church in prayer.

Caltrans is happy to report that their crews have removed enough dirt and material to reopen SR 150 in Santa Paula. “We will open the roadway later this evening, July 31, to traffic.” Be mindful that striping work is ongoing and pending pavement repair.

Reminder, construction for the retaining wall is still ongoing. The remaining tasks include four more rows of end anchors (tiebacks), timber lagging, final grading, and landscape for erosion control.

Occasionally, there will be a one lane closure to facilitate the remainder of the work. Flaggers will be onsite directing traffic during this closure. Closures will be avoided during peak travel times from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The southbound and northbound shoulders will remain closed, and we urge the motorists to slow down in the construction zone. The speed limit for the work zone will be set at 25 mph. Please drive at a safe speed through the area.”
The pedestrian path through the private property remain open for now until further assessment. Additionally, VCTC will cease operation for their shuttle.

With the roadway open for both directions, we will no longer work 24/7. However, we will evaluate the need to work extended hours based on our progress.

We thank the community for the cooperation and please be work zone alert.
Here is a link to video from last week’s work: https://youtu.be/F3I3E4AoGFA.

Time to spice up your family outing this Saturday evening in Fillmore!

The Bardsdale United Methodist Church at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue is hosting “Movies Under the Stars” starting this Saturday at 8:00p.m. The movie being shown is Prince of Egypt, a family friendly saga about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
Please arrive early to secure a great parking place or bring chairs so you can relax and watch the movie in style! The movie will be shown on the Ventura Street side of the church.

The cost is free, but there will be freshly popped popcorn and soft drinks for a nominal donation to add to your viewing pleasure.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors to attend also.
So join us for what will be a great evening at our little rural church in the middle of Bardsdale!

Larry Jennings. Photo/article credit Brandy Hollis.
Enlarge Photo

This last Sunday I took a later than usual walk and man was it a warm one. I like to take the path behind the High School Football stadium towards the bus barns and jog down the dirt path because for a second I feel like I am out trail running without really going up a trail.

I saw a man who I think is Larry Jennings trying to get a bush into a trash bag. I have met him before, last month in preparation for Fourth of July fireworks at City Hall—a very kind gentleman.

I stopped and asked him if I could assist, and we got a very large Goat Head plant into the bag, big stickers and all. He told me he didn’t realize how big it was! Mister Jennings was just out there pulling those big monsters for the love of his community before they all dried out and got stuck in everyone’s shoes and, in particular, my son’s bike tires. I just thought it was really neat he was out there in Fillmore helping out.

I talked with him for a while and offered to carry the bag down to the trash. No sir, he was going to wait till the trash bag was full and carry it home which was a bit of a walk.

I talked to him about the train museum article and mentioned my name. This is how I know he must be the sweetest man alive, because he said, “That Brandy Hollis, everything she writes is good”. Oh wow! That is the best compliment I have received in a good, long while!

Mister Jennings, thank you for all you do out of the goodness of your heart, without an ask! My son’s tires and my shoe soles also thank you. But most of all, thank you for bringing a tremendous amount of joy to my day with your kind words. Sometimes we don’t know how much someone might need a kind word, and let me tell you, I really did. I appreciate you, Larry Jennings! Fan girl forever, Brandy Hollis.

The Ventura Sheriff K9 Foundation invites our community members to the “Annual Ventura County Sheriff K9 Foundation Golf Classic” to be held on Monday, August 26, 2024, at the Moorpark Country Club. The course, a 27-hole scenic beauty, offers a challenging and exciting experience for all skill levels.

This fundraiser will include a pre-event K9 demonstration, multiple on-course contests for amazing prizes, hole-in-one opportunities to win a car from Bunnin Chevrolet or an E-Bike from Newbury Park Bike Shop, golf trips, and many other awards and opportunities. Guests will be provided on-course beverages from local breweries, a Bloody Mary bar, ‘Dog Haus’ hotdogs at the turn, hand-rolled cigars, awesome player goody bags, gift basket opportunities, and more. Players will have a chance to win a full set of TaylorMade irons, drivers, and putters for their teams.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s K9 Unit is a specialized unit that is funded through generous donations from the public and local businesses. All proceeds from fundraising efforts will go directly toward our hard-working four-legged friends for medical expenses, life-saving equipment, food, and advanced training to ensure our dogs are ready at a moment’s notice to keep the public safe when they are called to action.

Please come out and have a great time, for an amazing cause!

To become a sponsor for this event, or to register your foursome to golf, please visit https://www.vcsok9.org/2024golf.
For any questions about the tournament or information about sponsorship packages available, please contact Chad Jones at chad.jones@ventura.org or 805-561-3909.

Nature of Incident: Ventura Sheriff K9 Foundation Golf Classic
Location: Moorpark Country Club 11800 Championship Drive Moorpark, CA 93021
Date & Time: Monday, August 26, 2024 – 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura Sheriff K9 Foundation; Ventura Sheriff’s K9 Unit

Prepared by: Sergeant Matthew Delahuerta
Approved by: Captain Dean Worthy

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1327/Water-Meter-Cleaning-Calendar-Project-Up
In preparation for the new water meters coming to Fillmore, Keystone Utility Systems will be going around the city starting May 1st, 2024 through the upcoming months to clean out meter boxes.

Here is some important information regarding this project:

* Utility Systems will not need to enter your home
* Residents should not experience any disruptions
* Please make sure to comply with posted “No Parking” Signs and Regulations

For more information regarding the cleaning and installation process, please call Keystone Utility Systems at (877) 587-2279
Stay updated here for dates and locations of the upcoming cleaning and installation routes.
Water Meter Cleaning & Installs

Meter Cleaning Route Week of 07.22.24 Locations - https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/783/Meter-Cleaning-Route-....

Water Meter Cleaning Route for week of 07-29-24 https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/783/Meter-Cleaning-Route-....

City of Fillmore - Willdan Progress Update WE 7.26.24.pdf – Visit https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1327/Water-Meter-Cleaning-Calendar-Project-Up.

Above is a photo of Edith with her husband Bert (Bertran “Bert” Roderick), c.1954. They married in 1952. Bert was manager at People’s Lumber and was an active Mason; he passed in 1974. Inset, Hazel Hiberly, on the right, with Edith on the Statendam, c. 1970. Photo credit Fillmore Historical Museum.
Enlarge Photo

Edith’s home on Foothill Drive was known for many things; one included a built-in kitchen which was hidden behind a wall, pictured above. Photo credit Fillmore Historical Museum.
Enlarge Photo

Pictured above is a mural of a world map done by Lawrence Hinckley, which was one of many unique features in Edith’s home on Foothill Drive. Photo credit Fillmore Historical Museum.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Although the couple seemed to have much in common, in 1940 they divorced. Edith moved into the “Alley Mansion” at 424 Clay.
In 1942, Edith and her co-writer Beryl J. M. McManus saw the publication of their book, El Camino Real: Understanding our Spanish Speaking Neighbors. This was the first Spanish grammar textbook printed in the US. 1943 would see the publication of El Camino Real 2, which was Edith’s solo work. These books would be used in US high schools well into the 1970s. It spent more than 20 years on Houghton-Mifflin’s best seller list. The success of the books allowed Edith the ability to stop teaching in 1947.

World War II curbed Edith’s travel, but she kept up a steady correspondence with many of her former students. In 1948 she returned to Europe and was disturbed by much that she saw – such as the Dachau Concentration Camp.
It was at this time she began “the Great American Novel”. Edith was better at writing textbooks than novels and found no publisher for it. Today she would just self-publish and prove all the publishers wrong – maybe.

In March of 1949, Edith started the major project of building a new home on Foothill Drive. She had to have an engineer draw up proper plans for permitting, but essentially, she was the architect of her dream home.

While the outside was mid-century modern, it was what was on the inside that “Sunset Magazine” featured. Edith truly believed in built-ins including the kitchen which was hidden behind a wall. One of the more remarkable features was a mural of a world map done by Lawrence Hinckley. It is a pity that later owners chose to paint over the mural which showed the places Edith had visited.

In her 1952 holiday letter (always sent in January), her friends learned of the new man in her life. She told of how they met in a store and they both immediately knew theirs would be a special relationship and he moved into the house on Foothill with Edith. He would often want to go out and have fun. If she couldn’t go with him, he would go on his own. Finally, there was a time when he left and didn’t come back. He had left for untamed, non-descended brethren. Yes, Spunky was a skunk. One wonders if Edith ever compared notes with her neighbor on Foothill, Harriet “Petey” Weaver, as to who made a better housemate – a skunk or a racoon.

1952 saw more changes – as in marriage to Bertran “Bert” Roderick, a widower. Although not born in Fillmore, Bert had lived here many years, he was manager at People’s Lumber and was an active Mason.

The 1950s and 1960s Edith planned and decorated two duplexes and four homes, including the house on Foothill. She also was busy as a writer and lecturer. She sometimes traveled with Bert but often with friends such as Hazel Hiberly, Fillmore teacher and school principal.

Edith loved to fly. She first flew with some barnstormers over Santa Paula in 1918 and flew cross country in 1932, a trip which took two days. As flying became more common, Edith flew whenever she had the chance.

So now it is 1972, Marie Wren told the story this way: “My husband, Gene Wren, was on the board for the Chamber of Commerce, and he came home from a meeting one night about 1972 and said, ‘We just put $500 into the pot to start a museum for Fillmore.’”

Soon Edith was involved, and the community went through their basements, attics and barns looking for things to donate. The office space the Chamber of Commerce rented in the Masonic Building was turned into a museum. Edith, Dorothy Haase and Ruth Walker oversaw the early growth.

Her beloved Bert died in 1974 and her travel schedule again picked up. It was probably a stroke of luck in 1974 that Edith was home in Fillmore and not touring the world. Southern Pacific Railroad announced that they were going to tear down the Fillmore Depot which had sat empty, deteriorating for several years. According to Marie Wren, “Edith made a deal to buy it for $1 and move it across the street so museum items could be moved from the Chamber office into a building of their own and thus, we had a real museum.” The costs to move the depot, which had to be done immediately and to restore it, were paid by Edith as a present to her hometown.

Edith was devoted to the Museum, but in 1979 she resigned as curator. The museum was now in the hands of the very capable Dorothy Haase.

In 1983 she published “Old Timers’ Tales of Fillmore”, a compilation of articles written for “Vista Magazine.” It has now been reprinted and copies are available at the Museum.

Time was catching up with Edith, but it wasn’t diminishing her enthusiasm for life. In 1977 she met for the first time (so she said) another longtime Fillmore resident – Charlie Brown, a well-known outdoorsman who had worked in the oil fields. They were married but unfortunately living together as man and wife did not work out, so Charlie moved out although they remained friends and did not divorce.

Edith died on April 11, 1988, after a long illness. She was survived by her sister, Alice Moore Milton, and brother, Fred Moore. Her brother George had passed away in 1986.

What has also survived, Edith Moore Jarrett Roderick Brown, is the Fillmore Historical Museum. Even in death Edith was looking out for the Museum, giving an endowment which put the Museum on sound footing. If you haven’t been to the Fillmore Museum, there is no better time than now.

Above is a delicious Sespe Burger
Enlarge Photo

Pictured above is the Sespe Burger sign.
Enlarge Photo

Above is former Fillmore resident Jeff Porter and his wife, Christina, who have opened two classic California burger stands known as Sespe Burger in northeastern Ohio.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Jeff Hansen

With its widespread popularity, you can find a hamburger just about anywhere but if you want a Sespe Burger you have to head to northeastern Ohio. The Youngstown area towns of Boardman and Columbiana to be exact, where former Fillmore resident Jeff Porter and his wife, Christina, have opened two classic California burger stands.

Jeff graduated from Fillmore High School in 2003 and went to Moorpark College before earning a marketing degree from Cal Poly Pomona. He got his first taste of the restaurant business while still at Pomona, starting as a busboy at Ruby Tuesdays in West Covina and worked his way up to server. “Sometimes I wasn’t real happy with the food coming out of the kitchen,” Porter recalled, “and one day the manager threw me a chef’s apron and said if I could do better, go ahead. I didn’t know at the time it was the start of my food career. “
During the height of the food truck craze, Jeff did all the prep work and truck maintenance for a mobile fried chicken operation and that’s where he met Christina. She is a Boardman native and moved to Southern California after graduating from culinary school in Pittsburgh. “She’s the real chef in the family,” Jeff added, “but we both spend time in the kitchen, we’re not desk people.” After having two kids, June, 8, and Isacc, 5, Christina wanted to raise her family in her hometown. “So I just packed them up and we headed for Ohio in 2015,” she said. The couple built up a following for their juicy California style burgers with a mobile grill they set up at the Birdfish Brewery in Columbiana and started looking for a location for their first Sespe Burger, opening the Boardman burger joint in 2019. “The place we took over came with a drive thru window that didn’t mean much to us until Covid hit,” Jeff said. “That and mobile ordering kept us alive during the pandemic. One of our customers was a developer who loved our food and wanted us to open another in Columbiana at a property he was developing.” The second Sespe Burger is located in a shopping center called Firestone Farms, a nod to Harvey Firestone, born in Columbiana and founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.

‘What’s a Sespe?’ With Ohio a long way from SoCal, customers often ask about the name. A counter sign explains the pronunciation and Jeff tells folks ‘it’s ‘an area not a town’ While customers may not know the Sespe geography, they know a great burger when they eat one. A devoted customer base gives Sespe Burger rave reviews that sizzle just like the burgers being smashed on the grill. ‘hooked on the first bite’…’our official favorite burger joint’…’the best burger I’ve ever had.’ In a posted video, sprinkled with some salty language, one Sespe Burger fan claims he drove four hours to get his favorite burger. “We keep it simple,” Jeff said. “We just use the best ingredients available and offer classic California burgers.” Sespe’s menu also includes delicious pastrami and plant based sandwiches and nuggets and interesting takes on fresh cut ‘loaded fries’ with chili cheese, pastrami and avocado and egg. Although not open until 11 a.m., Sespe’s breakfast burritos are also a hit with several meat choices. “When we opened the Boardman location our daughter said she wanted to open a lemonade stand out front,” Christina said, “so we came up with June’s Lemonade and some of the proceeds go to local charities that she gets to pick”

The Porters’ move to Ohio also enabled a lifestyle hard to achieve in the food business. “The cost of living is better here,” Jeff said. “Restaurants require a big time commitment to be successful. If we were in California, we would have to be open additional hours and charge more. Here, we can keep our menu prices affordable and have time for other things besides work.” With young kids at home, the hours fit the Porters’ lifestyle. Sespe Burger closes at 7 p.m. and the doors are locked on Sunday. Jeff remains loyal to his roots and can always be found wearing his Dodgers hat in an area populated with Cleveland Guardian and Pittsburgh Pirate fans. “I’m a big Dodgers fan, the only drawback is the west coast games don’t come on until 10 p.m. here.”

At 38 and with ‘a few grey hairs,’ Jeff said he and Christina are happy with their current locations and lifestyle although people have approached him about possible franchising. His sister Megan Hernandez and several cousins still live in Fillmore. “I go home every year and I’d love to open a Sespe Burger in Fillmore but we’ll see.” He’s inquired about the vacant Margaret’s Cocina on Ventura Street and even has a picture of Margaret’s on the Sespe Burger wall as well as colorful logos of local citrus growers to remind him of his hometown.

If you’re planning a summer road trip and find yourself in Ohio, stop by Sespe Burger. You’ll find a little bit of Fillmore and maybe just the best burger ever!

A brand new mobile library dedicated to serving local students was unveiled today at the Ventura County Government Center. The School Mobile Library will visit schools throughout Ventura County, with a particular focus on those that do not have credentialed librarians on staff.

The School Mobile Library will offer books for students in multiple formats and languages, STEAM instruction and programs, homework support in alignment with school curricula, and access to technology and online resources. While libraries throughout the state, including the Ventura County Library, operate bookmobiles that serve the general public, this is the first in California to be specifically for students.

“Nearly 70 thousand Ventura County students attend schools that don’t have a professional librarian on staff. And some of those schools have no on-site library at all,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “The new bookmobile will bring library services to students where they already are – at school.”

The School Mobile Library will contain $50,000 dollars’ worth of brand-new books. Staff from the Ventura County Office of Education will lead book discussions and lessons on media literacy, financial literacy, and more. County Library staff will provide STEAM kits and other fun activities during school visits. The bookmobile will also provide an opportunity for students to sign up for library cards, which will help comply with an upcoming state requirement that all students get library cards by the 3rd grade.

The School Mobile Library is a joint project of the Ventura County Library and the Ventura County Office of Education. It is made possible by a generous donation of $50,000 from the Ventura County Library Foundation, Premier America Credit Union, CBC Federal Credit Union, County Schools Federal Credit Union, and Ventura County Credit Union. This funding is in addition to the $250,000 Stronger Together: Improving Library Access grant received by the Ventura County Library through the California State Library.

The School Mobile Library will begin visiting Ventura County schools during the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

# # #

About the Ventura County Office of Education

The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1323/Aquatic-Center

We appreciate your enthusiasm and support for our community pool. Historically, our pool season has kicked off on Memorial Weekend, marking the beginning of summer fun. However, due to current staffing challenges, we must delay the opening of the pool this year until June 10th.

Key Information:

New Opening Date: June 10th
Reservation System Launch: June 3rd
Reservations: First come, first served
Registration: Online only

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, all pool reservations will be managed through an online system. This system will go live on June 3rd. We encourage you to check this website periodically for updates and to secure your spot as soon as the reservation system becomes available.

How to Reserve:

Visit Our Website: Bookmark this page and return on June 3rd.
Register Online: Fill out the reservation application available on this site.
First Come, First Served: Reservations are limited, so early registration is advised.
Registration Links:

2024 Lap Swim - https:// www.cognitoforms.com/-CityOfFillmore/_2024LapSwimRegistrationForm
2024 Recreation Swim - https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfFillmore/_2024-RECREATIONSWIMRE-GISTR...
We understand that this delay may be disappointing, but the safety and quality of your experience remain our top priorities. We are working diligently to ensure that the pool is staffed and ready for a fantastic season starting June 10th.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to welcoming you to the pool soon!

For questions or concerns, please contact Juana Garcia at jgarcia@fillmoreca.gov or via phone at 805-312-9975 ext. 240.
Stay Updated: Please check this site regularly for the latest information and updates regarding the pool season at https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1323/Aquatic-Center.

PRESS RELEASE

July 12, 2024

In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, Ventura County Law Enforcement will continue to approach homelessness and related issues through a multifaceted strategy. Emphasizing collaborative and supportive methods, we will maintain partnerships with social services, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with essential resources and support.

This recent court decision restores a tool for law enforcement when handling homeless encampments. Increasing law enforcement’s ability to make arrests, when appropriate and necessary, expands our options when responding to or proactively engaging with concerns involving our homeless populations. Ventura County law enforcement will evaluate the need for arrest on a case-by-case basis, understanding that each situation presents its unique set of circumstances.

While other jurisdictions may face different challenges regarding homelessness, Ventura County has found it important to focus not only on illegal behavior but also on the causes of such behavior and the individual’s ability and willingness to receive assistance. Enforcement and arrests are sometimes necessary, but connecting individuals with housing, healthcare, and other support services can often be a more constructive approach. Local law enforcement agencies will always respond swiftly to criminal activity while considering contemporary and emerging practices for addressing the complex societal issue of homelessness.

By taking this flexible approach and working closely with our county and city leaders, along with community partners, we aim to achieve successful outcomes for our unhoused population while improving livability and safety in our communities.

Now available home for rent, 3bdr, 2bath, $3250.00 mon., plus deposit. No utilities included. Text Barbara @ 805-797-3697. (7/25)

The Connie Converse Universe Celebrating Connie Converse's 100TH Birthday comes to Ojai on August 3, at 7:00pm at the Ojai Underground Exchange 616 Pearl Street, Ojai 93012.
This one hour very special folk music show/ birthday celebration of “The Connie Converse Universe” is a live acoustic folk cabaret about this true trailblazer and 1st female modern folk singer-songwriter from the early 1950s who disappeared in August of 1974 and whose whereabouts remain a mystery to this day. This show runs 60 minutes and dives into the quirky ahead of her time songs by Connie Converse who predated Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan as well as the genre singer-songwriter! Singer-songwriter performer, Hope Levy tells the true story and mystery of Connie’s life along with some stories of her own (and her very strange connection to Converse as well)! The Connie Converse Universe won the “Outstanding Musical” award at this year’s 2024 San Diego International Fringe Festival. Tix on sale now at https://www.ojaiundergroundexchange.com/shows
Please help spread the word to folk followers and Connie Converse fans and or post our show listing in your calendar of events.
“The Connie Converse Universe” celebrating the 100th Birthday of Connie Converse, Saturday, August 3 at 7:00pm at the Ojai Underground Exchange at 616 Pearl Street, Ojai 93012 Tix on sale here

https://www.ojaiundergroundexchange.com/shows

Written by Carina Montoya

Houry Meguerditchian, local Fillmore resident and co-owner along with her husband, Nerses, of TRACKS vintage shop on Central Avenue since 2021, is one of downtown Fillmore’s friendly and welcoming proprietors. She named the store TRACKS because she came to know Fillmore when the Fillmore & Western Railway Company offered year-round weekend excursions through the valley. Houry and Nerses often made weekend trips to Fillmore from Woodland Hills, where they lived before deciding to move to Fillmore in 2019. They enjoyed Fillmore’s quaint downtown area, antique shops, and the valley’s beautiful landscape.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Houry’s family immigrated to the U.S. when she was 9 years old and settled in Glendale, CA. Today, her career as a second-grade teacher with the Glendale Unified School District keeps her busy during the school year, especially having to make the daily commute, but she enjoys both worlds because she loves teaching and loves spending time at TRACKS. Houry is also a member of the Fillmore Women’s Service Club and volunteers her time in fundraising projects to raise money for youth scholarships and women returning to school. She was also a member of the Fillmore Association of Businesses (FAB).

Fortunately, Houry’s associate at TRACKS, Sandi Ward, longtime resident of Fillmore and former owner of Sandi Ward’s Train Stop in Fillmore for 20 years, mans the store when Houry is away. TRACKS offers unique vintage collectibles, antiques, toys, clothes, and knick-knacks. There are a lot of items to browse through, and there is something for everyone, and something for all occasions. Both Houry and Sandi share a passion for unique items, so there is always something new and interesting to be found at TRACKS.

TRACKS will celebrate its second anniversary in August and will offer special deals and discounts all through the month of August. It’s so important to support local businesses, so during Fillmore Family Fun Day to be held on Saturday, July 20th, stop by and say “hello” to Houry and Sandi. They would be happy to show you all the unique items TRACKS has to offer.