Bob Crum

The pandemic remains prominent as we all continue hunkered down at home. I can't experience the grief felt upon losing a loved one or friend to the virus. Although seeming insignificant, I know not what else to do other than empathizing. And pray this pandemic nemesis ceases soon.

Very annoying are buzzing mosquitoes and overly fanatical camera brand loyalists. No sooner was my previous column published, Nikon fanboys pounced like a flock of vultures on fresh carrion. I understand such angst, but the veracity of their vitriol is shocking.

It was not like I said anything terrible about Nikon cameras, nor would I. Nikon cameras are first-class gear. I was scolded and chastised for not being an equal-mentioning columnist—their cry of woe—I never, ever mention Nikon. It's true. Should I apologize for my naughty oversight? Hmm. Since Canon pays me $3,750 per column for mentioning my Canon camera, a $3,750 check from Nikon will beget that apology. Just kidding! I don't receive any fees from any company that manufactures photographic products. Unless I'm writing a product review, I don't mention Sony, or Panasonic, or Olympus, or Fujifilm cameras either. However, all are welcome to send me a $3,750 check for a product mention in my column. Incidentally, two photography friends shoot with Nikon cameras--one a D750 and one a D850, and we get along fine. However, because my Canon camera photos are considerably better, they are obligated to buy the drinks after a shoot. C'est la vie!

I previously discussed a photo walk at the Ventura Harbor. And the meetup with Arnold, a San Diego photographer friend on assignment at the Harbor. Johnny, a phonetographer wannabe photographer, tagged along. After Arnold's photoshoot, we three enjoyed a delish dish at Andria's Seafood restaurant. As the hour drew nigh, we were ready for a few sunset photos. Arnold went back to grab a golden-hour photo of his boat project. I was still holding an image in my mind that I visualized earlier.

Rewind: After making a few photos from a dock earlier in the afternoon, I noticed an opening in the tower on the building in the background. This is a potential photo op because I'm known as one who cannot resist making a photo with a "sunstar" effect. But three elements--me, the subject and the sun--have to align for the visual to work. I consulted the "Photographer's Ephemeris", an app on my cellphone. The Ephemeris shows me the angle of the sun for any time and date at any location on a Google map. After entering my location, my plan appeared doable and my toes wiggled.

As the time neared, Johnny and I went back to the pier where I planned to execute the photo I had in mind. Arriving a little early, I consulted the Ephemeris once more to verify the alignment. While waiting, I passed the time photographing the seagulls at the end of the dock. Johnny still had no idea what I was planning.

As the magical moment neared, I rechecked my camera's settings. It's important to be ready because of a scientific fact that I discovered about 163 years ago: As the sun sets, it moves faster. As the sun rapidly approached the top of the tower, I had to move slightly to my right to get the alignment perfect. Such precise maneuvering is not for the faint of heart. Two minutes---one minute---CLICK! BINGO! Right place-right time-right on! The photo of the week is the result of visualizing and executing as planned. For those interested, here's the link to the photographer's ephemeris: https://www.photoephemeris.com/ Happy photoing.

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

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On April 7, 2020, detectives with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Fillmore Patrol Station concluded a narcotics sales investigation and arrested three Fillmore residents for various narcotics and firearms violations.

During the month of March 2020, detectives began an investigation involving Cary Roberts who was suspected of selling narcotics to residents in Ventura County. Detectives conducted surveillance and were able to gather enough evidence of Roberts’ involvement in methamphetamine sales. Based on the investigation, detectives were able to obtain search warrants for Roberts’ residence located in the 700 Block of 4th Street in Fillmore and a business associated to him located in the 700 Block of Santa Maria Street in Santa Paula.

On April 7, 2020, detectives executed search warrants at both locations associated with Roberts. Detectives contacted and arrested Roberts at his residence in Fillmore. While at the residence, detectives also contacted Billy Howard and Dana Baysinger. Both Howard and Baysinger reside at the residence and were arrested for misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, respectively. Detectives searched the residence and found methamphetamine, money, scales and packaging consistent with narcotics sales.

During a search of Roberts’ business, detectives located additional methamphetamine, a loaded firearm, ammunition and illegally possessed prescription medication. In all, detectives seized approximately 383 grams of methamphetamine and over 2,700 Oxycodone pills. Roberts’ past criminal history prohibit him from owning and or possessing any firearms or ammunition. Roberts and Howard were both subsequently booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for a variety of charges. Baysinger was cited and released for misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine.

Prescription medications are contributors to both fatal and non-fatal overdoses taking place in Ventura County. The Narcotics Unit is committed to aggressively target narcotics sales and help combat opiate overdoses in Ventura County through aggressive narcotic enforcement.

Nature of Incident: Narcotics and Firearm Arrest
Report Number: 20-48357
Location: 700 Block of 4th Street, City of Fillmore 700 Block of Santa Maria Street, City of Santa Paula
Date & Time: April 7, 2020 @ 4:20 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Narcotics Street Team Sheriff’s Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit City of Fillmore Patrol Station
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age (S)
Cary Roberts (S) Fillmore 50
Billy Howard (S) Fillmore 59
Dana Baysinger Fillmore 49
Prepared by: Sergeant Eduardo Malagon
Approved by: Captain Brian Slominski

Last week the FHS Alumni Board of Directors held an emergency meeting where they made the difficult decision to cancel the June 13th 2020 Alumni Dinner, due to the Corona Virus Pandemic outbreak. Without a vaccine, they are very uncomfortable bringing together a large group of people in a confined area. They will be reaching out to everyone who has prepaid for this year’s dinner and inform them of their refund options. That will probably take place within the next two to three weeks. Thank you for understanding, and continued support of the FHS Scholarship Foundation. Pictured are this year’s scholarship recipients.

Mark Ortega ’79, FHS Alumni President

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are in the midst of difficult and unprecedented times. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has brought worry, uncertainty and has totally disrupted life as we knew it. The one thing that hasn’t changed is our Mission at The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley. Our Mission is “To enable young people, especially those who need us the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.” Our youth are the most vulnerable and even though they cannot physically be with us each day, we have not stopped planning for them.

Our Site Directors have been using our green screen technology and creating virtual instructional and informational videos and posting them on various social media platforms for our youth. They are awesome videos and we are proud of our staff for the quality of these short presentations. Our Site Directors are now working diligently on summer programs, and know they must insert an academic curriculum that will deliver a direct impact on our youth. This will to help close the gap of the learning loss from the closure of school this Spring. We want our youth to go back to school in the Fall with resources and skills to help them achieve success.

We are asking for your support and partnership. We have had to cancel or postpone fundraising events greatly reducing one of our key revenue streams. We are asking for more individual donor partnerships at this time. Thank you for your consideration and for investing in the young people of the Santa Clara Valley.

We can hardly wait to open our doors and see our youth again!

Please Donate Now

Thank you for your continuous support!

Sincerely,
Jan Marholin, CEO
Pearl Galvan, Director of Operations
Helen McGrath, Board President

Bob Crum

The call came at 2:30 PM one day last August. No sooner had I uttered howdy when Johnny G. blurted, "I'm ready." I was not surprised. It began when Johnny tagged along with me to the Ventura Harbor. A photographer friend, Arnold, commissioned to shoot a commercial project at the Harbor, was coming up from San Diego. I was delighted for the opportunity to reconnect with Arnold, a friend I miss. He was a great excuse to visit Ojai, his previous homestead.

Arnold's photoshoot involved a commercial fishing boat recently refurbished in a nearby boatyard. The company, proud of its workmanship, and the happy captain, needed photos for a new company brochure touting the company's staff and competency. We left Arnold to do his work. Back in the Village, my photoshoot began. As in any harbor replete with ships of all stripes, it's a treasure chest of photo ops to shoot. Selectivity becomes key. Some subjects are naturally photogenic, while others are just interesting. And of course, all manner of wildlife has to be photographed-it's a law-so to speak.

As we were walking along, I was photoing several subjects. Not so much for Johnny. Curious, I asked why he was taking so few photos? Let's get a drink he suggested. With two tall glasses of refreshing ice tea before us, Johnny began his tale of woe.

"I notice that you take an inordinate amount of time composing a photo. I also notice that you also take several photos of the same subject using various exposures. And you vary the format, some vertical and some horizontal photos. All of which makes my iPhone inadequate. I frame the subject I'm shooting, push the button and done. It doesn't feel like I even took a photo." I empathized but Johnny did capture some interesting photos.

As Johnny spoke in a subdued monotone voice, I empathized. As our discussion continued, I also learned that Johnny was developing a better understanding of photography as a creative exercise. He also began to realize that phonetography did not scratch his creative itch. The kind of creativity he saw me exercising during our walk. The phone call announcing that Johnny was 'ready' meant that he was ready to buy a camera.

I suggested Johnny first outline and define his photographic intentions and desires. When finished, distill it further to its essence. The distilled list will help determine the best system to consider.

It was immediately apparent that he needed more than a point and shoot. Briefly considered were all-in-one bridge cameras with dSLR's ergonomics, a superzoom lens and compact convenience. Furthermore, bridge cameras sell at bargain prices. But without the ability to change lenses, this didn't fulfill Johnny's needs either. Johnny was ready for a prosumer dSLR camera. With the category defined, he could concentrate on specifics: brand, model and price.

Update. Johnny understood that one does not just buy a dSLR camera - you buy into a system: lenses and a host of accessories. Canon was his decision. No arm twisting on my part. Due in stores soon, he pre-ordered a Canon EOS Rebel T8i. He also bought a Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO, but not because it's my favorite lens. Johnny made his decisions without any persuasion on my part. Seriously!

From the archives, the photo of the week is one I made at the Ventura Harbor during the photo walk described above. Pay especial attention to the tower on the building on the left. It plays a "star" role next. Happy photoing!

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

Fillmore Unified School District

There are meal bags available for students on Wednesday, April 15th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, at Mountain Vista only. Supplies are limited and all meals will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please bring your FUSD meal service post cards.

Distribución adicional de alimentos el miércoles 15 de abril
Hay bolsas de comida disponibles para los estudiantes el miércoles 15 de abril, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, solo en la escuela Mountain Vista. Las bolsas de comida son limitadas y todas las comidas se distribuirán por orden de llegada.
Por favor, traiga sus tarjetas postales de servicio de comidas del Distrito escolar unificado de Fillmore.