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Story Courtesy Joe Woods

The young man from Fillmore did it again! Jose “Froggy’ Estrada with a now 5-1 record defeated “Ruthless” Rudy Morales with a record of 5-6 via TKO. It was the fight-of-the-night by far. The night was filled with eight fights. Three main events were broadcast live on Univision TV. Froggy’s fight was the first one up. The event was named Combate Estrellas / Stars Will Rise. This was for Combate Americas M.M.A.

Let’s go back a week in time when I called Froggy on the phone. I asked if he was ready. “Yes sir, Coach,” he said. “I am pissed off at him (Morales). He called me on my phone to ask a question about weight. I told him not to call me, call my people, I am fighting you in two weeks. The last thing I need to do is be friends with this guy!”

Froggy is a full-time pro-fighter now. He trains in the gym every day that’s his job. The work has paid off for him. He just signed a new fight deal with Combate Americas under the leadership of CEO Campbell McLaren. Froggy is a crowd favorite.

Fast forward to the fight. I saw Froggy about an hour before the fight in his locker room. He was taped up and getting his gloves on. I have never seen him so ready for a fight. Focus was the word I would use--Focus! I asked if he was still pissed at the guy, “Yes sir!” said Froggy. The fire in his eyes told the story. I almost felt sorry for the ”Ruthless” one. Almost!

I watched as Froggy got warmed up. I told him I would let him be so he could get ready. I told him “The Story”, then I said a prayer for him, told him I loved him and we had our handshake. That is the hardest part for me, to say goodbye and then feel powerless. The nerves were high for sure for this writer.

After three entertaining fights, it was time. Morales was first to come into the cage. He had the nerve to do the “Froggy Leap” while he came in. I was hoping Froggy saw that. Then the chants came up, FROGGY! FROGGY! FROGGY! FROGGY! Load enough to wake the dead at the Shrine in L.A. Froggy came down the ramp ready for a fight. After the introductions it was time. Morales came out clowning around. That was another big mistake on his part. Froggy wasted no time and was on the attack. Froggy threw more punches and kicks then any of the three other fights combined! And Morales still clowned around in the ring. He would look at Froggy after he got hit and try to say it didn’t hurt. WRONG!

Right before the First round was over Froggy was giving Morales a true beat down. The Referee pulled Froggy off Morales. With about 10 seconds left Froggy flew across the cage for one more attack. The crowd was going crazy at this point. In the start of the second round Morales’ face was showing a whole new look--blood and swelling.

Froggy showed no mercy, I am sure he was still pissed off. With great punches and kicks to the head the Referee saw enough, and stopped the fight. Froggy then jumped on top of the cage and threw his arms in the air with victory. His friend and family were in the balcony cheering him on. Froggy threw his mouthpiece to them with a huge smile.

What happened here my friends of Fillmore was a clown showed up to fight a man. The man won. Then the clown needed to go home and fix his face.

Froggy is the real deal folks! He his someone you should get behind and support. Froggy is the nicest man I know, and would do anything for anybody. He is a true Star On The Rise in the M.M.A. world and he is from right here in Fillmore.

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On Wednesday, April 11th at the Fillmore High gym, families, friends, coaches and teammates gathered to celebrate four FHS Varsity Softball players: Kasey Crawford, Sydnee Isom, Maiah Lopez, and Cali Wyand in signing their National Letter of Intent to continue their education and softball careers at the collegiate level.

Individual Player Bios:

Kasey Crawford
Kasey Crawford will be attending Dixie State University in the fall to continue her softball career and receive a college education. She will be majoring in Population Health and Health Administration. Kasey says, “Softball has taught me many things but the most important is learning how to be patient. I knew if I was patient long enough and worked extremely hard it would pay off and I would get what I dreamed about for so long.”
She started playing softball at age 5 and has loved it ever since. Kasey played on numerous travelball teams and has played for Fillmore High School Varsity Softball all 4 years. Kasey has received many awards on and off the field. She currently plays for So. Cal. Batbuster 18u Konis/Zappia. In 2013/2014 Kasey played for 14u So. Cal. Sparks coached by Australian Olympian Danielle Bouman were Kasey started her recruiting process traveling to Colorado, playing in her 1st PGF National in Huntington Beach and finishing 2nd in the USSSA National. In 2016 Kasey and her team finished in the top 10 at the PGF Platinum 16u with the So Cal. Diamonds. At the 2017 PGF National Kasey played for So. Cal. Batbuster’s where she had an outstanding performance and Coach Simkins head coach at Dixie State offered Kasey an athletic scholarship. Kasey and her teammates finished in the top 20 in the 16u premier division were they played teams from all over the nation.
For Fillmore High School Kasey is a 4 year All Academic League Tri Valley recipient. As a Freshman Kasey received Honorable Mention All League. In 2016 she was named MVP and 1st Team All League as a Sophomore. Her Junior year she was given the Golden Glove Award and 1st Team All League.
Kasey also plays Volleyball for Fillmore High where she received Honorable Mention her junior and senior year and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. Kasey is the daughter of Eric and Carina Crawford. Her brother Dylan is a sophomore at Fillmore High where he has participated in football, basketball, baseball and track. Kasey’s biggest fans are her grandparents, Mr. Burns, Mimi Burns, and Steve and Jerri Crawford. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me and I’m honored to represent my small town at the college level.”

Sydnee Isom
Sydnee Isom will be attending Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa in the Fall to continue playing softball at the collegiate level while furthering her education. Sydnee will be studying pre-med in pursuit of her medical degree. Sydnee says, “What a journey this has been...a journey that all started with taking a chance, a risk, trying something new.” Sydnee keeps in mind as she starts the next chapter in her life. She started playing softball at the age of 6 and never looked back. Sydnee played on various travelball teams with her first team being So Cal Sparks coached by Danielle Stewart-Bouman and her latest and final travelball team being So Cal Pumas coached by Gary Keohohou, Mark Yamauchi and Judy Tresler. Sydnee is a 3 year Varsity Letterman for the Fillmore High Softball program. Sydnee has attained numerous athletic and academic awards throughout her high school and travelball years. In 2013/2014 she played for So Cal Sparks 14u where she started her recruiting process, traveling to Colorado, playing in her 1st PGF National Tournament in Huntington Beach, CA and finishing 2nd in the USSSA National Tournament. In 2017 Sydnee and her Phenom travel team finished in the top 8 at the Colorado Sparkler where she had an amazing performance which drew multiple college interests and ultimately lead to her athletic/academic scholarship offered by Northwestern College Head Coach Chris Nachtigall. For Fillmore High School, Sydnee’s primary position is pitcher and she also plays first base. Sydnee is a 4 year All Academic All League Tri Valley recipient. As a freshman she received the MVP award for the JV softball team. As sophomore she received Honorable Mention All League Tri Valley Varsity, as a Junior she was named 1st team All League Tri Valley and was named MVP for her Varsity team. Sydnee also played Varsity basketball her freshman and sophomore years where she was also an All Academic All Frontier League recipient. Her freshman year she was awarded Honorable Mention All Frontier League and her sophomore year was 2nd team All Frontier League. Sydnee has also achieved academic honors over her 4 years of high school as a recipient for Principals Honor Roll, Fillmore Unified School District Honor Roll and Renaissance Academic Recipient.
Sydnee is the daughter of Tim and Leslie Isom. She has 2 sisters, Victoria and Zoie. Victoria is a graduate of Oxnard High School and Zoie is a freshman at Fillmore High School, where she played basketball and is currently a pitcher for the schools JV softball team. Amongst Sydnee’s biggest supporters, are her grandparents Charles and Judy Whittaker, Norm Isom and Paula Hoaglan. Sydnee would like to thank “those that never gave up on me but rather helped make me the better person and player I am today. Thank you to the coaches that took chances on me, that pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. Thank you to my friends that have always had my back and to the teammates who truly want me to be the best I can be. Thank you to my family that always supports me and my goals. You have inspired me, taught me, loved me and have supported me and because of you, I will do big things in life.”

Maiah Lopez
Maiah Lopez will be attending Franklin Pierce University in the fall where she will be studying Criminal Justice. Maiah says she wouldn’t be the person she is today if it wasn’t for softball. "Softball has taught me so many life lessons and mannerisms. Softball has also taught me to work hard. It wasn’t easy by any means, but all the blood, sweat, and tears paid off."
Maiah started playing softball at the age of 5. As a transfer from Oxnard High School, Maiah is a 4 year Varsity Letter winner, earning 2nd team All League for the Pacific View League her freshman and sophomore year. As a junior for Fillmore High School she was named 1st Team All League, 1st team All County, 1st team All CIF and received the Silver Slugger Award. Maiah is an Honor Roll student and received the President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence.
Maiah's first PGF National was in 2013 as a pick-up player for Lil Rebels out of Las Vegas were they placed 9th in the Premier 14U Division. In 2014, she joined the So. Cal. Pumas Siciliano 14U team where they had an outstanding performance placing 3rd in the gold bracket at the 2014 TCS Western World Series in Park City, Utah. 2015 Maiah decided to travel south and joined the USA Athletics Porter 14U travel team. That year they traveled to Colorado where they played in the Sparkler Power Pool games and placed 13th in the PGF Nationals Premier Division in Huntington Beach. In 2016 Maiah played for the USA Athletics Gold 18u, where they were the runner up at the PGF National Platinum Division.
Maiah's biggest supporter is her mom, she is thankful to her mom for introducing her to this ‘beautiful sport called softball. Without softball I wouldn’t have made so many friends who have now become my family."

Cali Wyand
Cali Wyand will be attending Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey in the fall where she will be majoring in Sports Administration. Cali says, “Softball has taught me leadership skills, how to hold myself accountable, endurance, respect, life skills and most of all being a successful person.
Cali has been playing softball for 13 years, from playing Fillmore Girls Softball to working her way up to elite teams in the travel world. Cali currently plays for So. Cal. Choppers 18u Ensey.
Cali has played for Fillmore High School Varsity Softball all 4 years. Where she has received All Academic League Tri Valley every year. As a freshman Cali earned 2nd team All League and Outstanding Defense Award. In 2016 Cali earned 2nd team All League as a sophomore. As a junior Cali was 2nd team All League and received the Miss Hustle Award.
Cali also played Varsity Basketball all 4 years for Fillmore High School and was All Academic League Frontier Valley. Cali earned 2nd team All League every year. As a Freshman Cali earned the Outstanding Defense Award. Her sophomore year Cali received the Team Captain Award and her senior year she was named All Tournament Player, receiving the Coaches Award.
Cali is the daughter of JT and Dena Wyand. Cali’s has 2 brothers, Paget is a sophomore and Ty is a freshman at Fillmore High School, where they have participate in football, basketball and track.
Cali’s heart will forever bleed blue. She is tremendously proud of being a Flash and will always do her best to make herself, her family and her community proud.

Lino Isaias Davalos Perez of Fillmore.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Lino Isaias Davalos Perez (DOB 12/23/80), of Fillmore, was sentenced to 17 years in state prison following a February 27, 2018, jury conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol, causing injury and driving with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit causing injury.

On the morning of April 4, 2016, Perez crossed into oncoming traffic hitting two other vehicles and collapsing the front of the vehicle he was driving onto his passenger. Perez’s passenger suffered fractured bones, cuts to internal organs, and several other injuries. The driver and occupants of the second vehicle struck by Perez suffered injuries ranging from bruises and pain, to bone fractures. Perez exhibited alcohol intoxication at the scene and his blood results later showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.156 percent, almost twice the legal limit.

Perez had prior convictions for driving under the influence and carjacking at the time of the collision. He was driving on a suspended license. The charges for which Perez was sentenced to prison are violent “strike” offenses.

Fillmore Unified School District

Approve Tentative Agreement between California School Employees Association, Chapter 421, and the Fillmore Unified School District.
The Board of Trustees approved the Tentative Agreement.

Adopt Resolution 17-18-16– Staff Appreciation Week, May 14-18, 2018
The Board of Trustees approved Staff Appreciation Week in order to recognize the many outstanding contributions provided by our District staff.

Approve Resolution 17-18-15 Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution for Non-State Agencies
The Board of Trustees approved resolution 17-18-15.

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

Bob Crum

Around Easter time the Antelope Valley west of Lancaster is alive with hundreds of acres of gold-colored California poppies--a cornucopia of poppies such to cause a sudden copious flow of uncontrollable giggles. None yet this year, I miss them.

Another delightful flower I miss are lilacs. From Sunset Magazine: “(Lilacs) Flowers as pretty as party dresses, with a gently sweet fragrance reminiscent of Grandma’s dressing table, make lilacs sentimental favorites. Lilacs spark nostalgia ― possibly for a place where they once flourished, or perhaps for another era. But this nostalgia isn’t easy to create everywhere. In (So-Cal) mild-winter climates, you can’t pop just any lilac into the ground and expect an exuberant show of blooms come midspring. You’ll need to buy low-chill varieties.”

Aha! Low-chill varieties is the secret. If I had a place to move to hereabouts where I could play horticulturist, I'd plant a couple bushes of ‘blue skies’ lilacs: Very fragrant lavender flowers appear on an 8-foot-tall plant. Heavy bloomer. No need to adjust water to induce dormancy.” But I digress.

Speaking of flowers, the fabulous Fillmore Vision 2020/Civic Pride 2018 Fillmore Flower Show was held this past weekend--a tradition since 1919. The Active Adult & Community Center was full of exposed naked flowers in full bloom.

So many roses on display obviously many Fillmore residents are rose aficionados. A room full of rose blooms of various colors including pretty petite roses. Not just roses. Blooms and plants of differing kinds and colors were on display.

Photographically speaking, the flower show is a tough assignment. Lighting is not good but can't use flash because of excessive unsightly glare reflected from the plants. What's a photographer to do? Personally, I simply substitute margaritas for ice tea in the flask in my back pocket and shoot. Trade secret. Indoor fluorescent lighting like in the Community Center always present challenges. Pardon me here as I get a tad technical. Colors captured by cameras are interpreted in degrees of Kelvin (K) on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000. Kelvin represents the temperature of light, directly correlated with the color of the burning carbon at that temperature. This is important because the color of the light will affect the colors in photographs. Furthermore, cameras see colors differently than our eyes.

Hark, a remedy is at hand. Camera white balance settings compensate for a given light source Kelvin. Correct white balance (WB) makes white areas look white. The white balance setting chosen will change the color balance in your pictures, making it warmer or cooler depending on how the light affects the subject.

The various white balance settings on my Canon 7D MKII to approximate the K of the light are: Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten light, fluorescent light, flash, custom and kelvin. Custom is interesting. More another time.

Outdoors on sunny days auto white balance works fine for landscape photos and mermaids sunning on the beach. Indoor fluorescent lighting often messes with 'auto' WB. Hence I switched the camera's WB to the fluorescent setting. But fluorescent light's K varies. What then? I can't dial in the K temp because I have no way of determining it. Matters not because the 'fluorescent' setting worked reasonably well. Any remaining color shift was corrected during post processing with Lightroom software.

The photo of the week is one of the many creative presentations at the show: Plant in a boot with a note on the rock. Test question: What do you see unusual about the photo data? Happy photoing!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

Corey Cole

Fillmore High Head Football Coach Corey Cole has resigned after one season at Fillmore High School. The team finished their season 0-10, and 0-3 in Frontier League. Not only will the Flashes be looking for a new coach, but they will also be moving into a new league next fall.