City of Fillmore Neon-Lighted Sign From Pre-World War II

We spent some time in Fillmore this weekend and as always drove past the Fillmore sign at the northeast corner of Highway 126 (E. Telegraph Road) and Central Avenue. You don't see many signs like this around town.

Fillmore sign photo taken as I was waiting at the stoplight driving south on Central Avenue

The sign was originally constructed in 1940, making it over 70 years old. It is designated a historical landmark by the City of Fillmore.

Fillmore sign is a cool green neon lit up at nightIt's not exactly easy getting to Fillmore from the Conejo Valley as you either have to take the winding path of the 23/Grimes Canyon Road via Moorpark or drive out to Ventura via the 101 and take the 126 to Fillmore by way of Santa Paula. Kind of a haul but certainly fun to do every now and then.

At a total area of only 2.8 square miles, Fillmore is the smallest of Ventura County's 10 cities, and its population of roughly 16,000 places it 9th (roughly double the population of Ojai).

Quite a quaint little place that is certainly fun to visit, with highlights such as the numerous themed train rides at Fillmore & Western Railway, State Fish Hatchery and Railroad Visitor Center, along with an old town feel along Central Avenue with a 1 screen movie theater originally built in 1916.

Click here for upcoming Fillmore events and here for other things to do around town.

Hungry People in Ventura County Find Relief Thanks to Food Share and its 150+ Partners

By Nancy Needham (nancy@conejovalleyguide.com)

Foodshare CEO Bonnie Weigel overlooks 26,482 square feet of warehouse space that holds donated food for those in need in Ventura County.Food Share in Oxnard distributes over 9 million pounds of nutritious food per year in Ventura County through its more than 150 non-profit partners, government programs and outreach workers.

Individuals, corporations, foundations, grants, county farmers and the USDA contribute food and money to help Food Share alleviate hunger. Countywide food drives of all types and sizes bring groceries into the food bank. Local businesses, schools, service clubs, places of worship, Boy Scouts, Postal Workers and small children collect food. Other generous individuals, supermarket chains and farmers also fill bags with groceries for those in need. Volunteers go out into the local fields and glean fresh produce.

The more people who volunteer, the easier the work of distributing food to those in need throughout Ventura County.Each day 31,325 pounds of food goes into 26,482 square feet of Food Share warehouse space with 17,640 square foot freezer space, (equal to 1,176 household freezers) and 17,640 square foot cooler space (equal to 802 household refrigerators). There is a loading dock and 15 trucks. Their trucks drove 88,217 miles in 2010 using 11,181 gallons of fuel.

Food Share distributes food to other pantries throughout the county in Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Somis, Thousand Oaks and Ventura.

Because of Food Share's efforts, more than 73,000 Ventura County residents are fed monthly.

For more information, call 805.983.7100 or visit www.foodshare.com.