Bob Crum

In a few days, jolly St. Nick will be flying all around Fillmore skies with a sleigh chock full of goodies. You know, those reindeer haul around Santa's sleigh so fast I'm thinking that they're equipped with JATO... Jet Assisted Take Off. If Rudolf goes slow enough, I'll attempt to snag a photo with my super-telephoto lens.

Speaking of challenges, there are two assignments every year that are monsters to photograph. One is the Junior Livestock Auction at the County Fair. Trying to photograph a kid leading a pig strutting around the auction ring is extremely challenging. Furthermore, phonetographers have proliferated to the degree they are a hazard to a working photojournalist. In spite of that nemesis, capturing the so-called money shot is just reward.

The other monstrous assignment is the annual Fillmore Fire Department toy giveaway that was held last Saturday at the fire station. Make no mistake, it's an awesome event and equally satisfying. Kudos to all who execute this awesome event. Photo ops aplenty... actually too many occurring simultaneously. If I sneeze I might miss a money shot. I get paid only for money shots, you know, so I don't sneeze on assignments.

Anyway, the dilemma arises because once Santa arrives, and walks up the street meeting and greeting the throng of kids and kid-like adults, and settles down in his chair, pandemonium begins. The throng of people out on the street start to converge in the confines of the fire station. Oh what fun!

Imagine a crowd mingling around the toy tables. How do I get a shot in edgewise when I can't move? The perils of photojournalism. With action everywhere, pre-planning is useless. Besides the crowd, the lighting is atrocious. A big open roll-up door dumping in tons of bright sunlight. Further in, fluorescent lighting that is woefully inadequate. And further along another big roll-up exit door with more bright light. It's a nightmare to shoot.

With the camera in manual mode, I constantly had to adjust aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure all the while attempting to compose a photo with a youngster in motion and getting bumped (black & blue bruises are proof) by others also in motion. Somehow I managed a few photos that I hope you enjoy. BTW, anyone interested in this assignment next year???

Cameras UP! Ready for Christmas morning? Be sure the camera battery (or your cellphone) is fully charged. When framing the image, always think “subject”. If it's Johnny or Susie opening a gift... Johnny or Susie should be filling the frame of your composition. But also be quick. Stay ready for a quick photo of the family's giggles as Johnny or Susie display uncontrolled excitement. The time to practice zooming in and out is NOW... not Christmas morning. Another tip I learned long ago: Difficult as it may be, disassociate yourself from the unfolding drama and stay in the photographic moment. There are no do-overs. Miss a great photo op and it's gone forever. Stay in the mental photographic mode. It's not easy because you too will want to participate in the happenings. But capture the photo of a lifetime and you'll relive the memory for a lifetime. Just sayin'.

BTW, forget cookies. I know that Santa loves Tillamook caramel butter pecan ice cream.

Hoping that you and yours have a most enjoyable holiday season with family and friends. God Bless you and here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Ho... ho... ho.

And happy photoing!

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

County of Ventura, California

The County of Ventura will open an information center in Santa Paula tomorrow to assist the residents of the Santa Paula/Santa Clara River Valley and the surrounding area who have been affected by the Thomas fire.

The center will be in a trailer parked in Steckel Park on Highway 150 north of Santa Paula.

The center will open Wednesday, December 20th, and operate through Friday, December 22nd. It will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The center will provide:

• Debris removal and permitting information from the Resource Management Agency.
• Applications for public assistance and housing/rental assistance from the Human Services Agency.
• Health education, resources and counseling from Public Health and Behavioral Health.

If demand warrants, the center may re-open after the holidays.

American Red Cross of Ventura County

The outpouring of support from the community has been incredibly generous and the American Red Cross is eternally thankful. In order to provide the best service for those affected by the Thomas Fire, the Red Cross is partnering with our community partners for the distribution of collected items. All donations of goods will be accepted by our community partners..

Individuals affected by the fire may receive donated goods by visiting any one of the community partners listed below. All items collected at the donation center have been processed and distributed to local community partners who are active in aiding Ventura County Residents 365 days a year.

Those affected by the Thomas Fire can contact the following agencies for recovery assistance.

FOOD SHARE
Monday – Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM
4156 Southbank Road
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 983-7100

SALVATION ARMY
Open 7 Days 10:00AM-6:00PM
3451 Foothill Road
Ventura, CA 93001
1800-725-9005

ARC THRIFT STORE
Open 7 Days 9:00AM-6:00PM
265 E Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 653-1756

HELP OF OJAI
Monday – Friday 12:00PM-7:00PM
Saturday – Sunday 10:00AM-4:00PM
111 W Santa Ana Street
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-5122

RESCUE MISSION ALLIANCE
Open 7 Days 10:00AM-7:00PM
315 N A Street
Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 487-1234

FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS CONTACT THE INCIDENT INFORMATION HOTLINE 805-465-6650

How to Help
The Red Cross is able to provide disaster relief services during wildfire season thanks to the generosity of the community. The best and quickest way to support wildfire relief efforts is through a financial donation. Call, click or text to give: call 1-800 RED CROSS, visit redcross.org, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The Red Cross is accepting new volunteers who are interested in supporting wildfire relief efforts. Visit tinyurl.com/ThomasFire to begin an application. Once submitted, Red Cross representatives will contact the applicants regarding orientation and volunteer opportunities.

Stay Connected
Impacted residents can safely and securely list themselves as safe and well by registering at redcross.org/safeandwell. Friends and family are able to search the database for messages from their loved ones.

Download the Red Cross Emergency App for preparedness information and shelter locations at your fingertips. Look for it in your app store, or text GETEMERGENCY to 90999.

Follow the local Red Cross on Twitter and Facebook for additional updates.
Ventura County:
facebook.com/RedCrossVenturaCounty
twitter.com/RedCrossVentura
Los Angeles County:
facebook.com/redcrossla
twitter.com/RedCrossLA

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross

City of Fillmore

This is an important message regarding the Thomas brush fire north of Fillmore. This is an advisory notice due to the potential threat of fire in your area. You are not under any evacuation order at this time. Please prepare your personal belongings including valuables and pets and be ready to leave in a moment’s notice. For additional information please call the incident hotline at 805-465-6650 or visit www.readyventuracounty.org.

Advisory Area – A Perimeter 2nd Street North on Island View Street, West on 4th Street to Central Avenue North, West on Stonehedge Drive, North to Country Court West to A Street, North to Goodenough Road, North to the Levy.

For the latest updates visit http://www.readyventuracounty.org/

Aviso de Fuego Tomas

Este es un mensaje importante con respecto al evento de Fuego Tomas al Norte de Fillmore. Este aviso es por la posibilidad de peligro del fuego en su area. No estan bajo orden de evacuacion a este momento. Pero por favor prepare sus efectos personales, incluso objetos de valor o importantes y animales domesticos. Esten listos para evacuar al momento que sea necesario.

El perimetro de la area de aviso es:

La Calle Segunda, Norte de la calle Island View
Oeste de la cuarta, norte de la Avenida Central
Oeste de la Calle Stonehedge
Norte de Country Court, Oeste a la Calle A
Norte de la Calle Goodenough
Norte al dique.

http://www.readyventuracounty.org/

Erasmo Hurtado, 28 of Fillmore

At about 6 AM Monday, December 11th, an employee at the Fillmore Middle School (543 A St., Fillmore) saw a man walking away from a classroom and called the police. The man left the campus before police arrived to discover the classroom had been broken into and property had been taken.

Deputies checked the area and found a bag of stolen property at a nearby labor camp. Patrol deputies and detectives, working with physical evidence left at the scene and the description of the suspect, found (S-1) Erasmo Hurtado in the 900 block of Blaine Ave. and were able to determine he was responsible for the burglary. Hurtado, who was under the influence of a controlled substance and possessed a lock pick, was arrested for Penal Code Section 459 – Burglary (felony), Penal Code Section 466 – Possession of burglar’s tools (misdemeanor), and Health and Safety Code Section 11550(a) – Under the influence of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, where he remains in custody with a bail of $40,000.

Prepared by: Detective Danielle Delpit
News Release Date: 12/12/2017
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham

Former Mayor Pro-Tem Manuel Minjares was selected new Fillmore City Mayor at last night's City Council meeting, and Council Member Diane McCall was elevated to the position of Mayor Pro-Tem.

Former Mayor Carrie Broggie received warm recognition for the excellent job she did during her term as she returned to her seat on the City Council.

MEDICAL CANNABIS WAREHOUSING AND DELIVERY
A half-dozen residents commented on new consideration of medical marijuana delivery within the city and up to three medical cannabis delivery warehouses.

Opposition to this proposal by a half-dozen concerned residents was forcefully expressed to the Council. At issue is a decision to be taken between the possibility of multi-million dollar revenue streams and a perceived threat to community health and moral values. No action was taken by the Council.

"The City of Fillmore currently bans all cannabis businesses from operating within the City. However, in response to the request from several residents at its regular meeting on November 14,2017, the City Council requested that staff bring back the discussion of an ordinance to allow medical cannabis delivery within the City. Staff reviewed the City of Ojai’s ordinance pertaining to medical cannabis delivery as the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office provides police service to both Fillmore and Ojai."

A LICENSE AND SITE ACCESS for Hearthstone to construct entryway improvements during a two-year period was unanimously approved.

Proposed extension #6 to Tentative Tract map 5422, NLA COMMUNITY, LLC. NORTH FILLMORE SPECIFIC PLAN AREA was denied. The Plan has received 11 extensions to date.

An amendment to the City's Employment Agreement with David W. Rowlands was unanimously approved the Council.

Due to disruption caused by recent fires, City Council Reports, Recommendations, and Comments were deferred.

City resident Marie Wren asked Council if something could be done to increase public information during emergency situations, such as the recent Thomas Fire. Police Chief David Wareham explained the various methods used today, Channel 10, Twitter, etc., and that during periods of no change in the threat, statements to that effect should be sufficient. However, the matter will be taken under consideration. Wareham praised the extraordinary, effective cooperation between all public services (fire, police) in fighting this devastating wildfire. Special thanks to Cal-Fire and helicopter forces were acknowledged. Fire Chief Keith Gurolla was singled out by Wareham as indispensable to fire defense due to his exceptional knowledge of local terrain.

Cal-Fire Captain Dave Russell noted that 94,000 evacuations were undertaken, 504 homes destroyed, 33 helicopters, plus 2 night helicopters were deployed, and 8 air tankers were used to fight this Thomas Fire. These figures combined several local fire statistics. Fillmore was fortunate in suffering no loss of life, injuries, or structures.

Resident Art Sanford asked for assistance in restoring his father's house which burned to the ground 8 months ago. A resident for 40 years, he has met with substantial difficulty in being permitted to rebuild the house due to zoning. He is forbidden to rebuild without obtaining a code amendment costing $10,207.