[Publisher’s comments] I’ve had a good conversation with our Postmaster, Bill Thompson. The main issue concerning the re-location, as explained to me, is the safety of his employees. While no accident involving anyone has yet happened, some close calls have occurred over the years. The most damage to the boxes recently was due to a car. This incident was duly reported to the Sheriff’s office. I believe the boxes could be returned to their former location, while safeguarding postal employees, by reconstructing the “island” and placing heavy bollards (steel pipes) on both ends of the box areas. I think complete reconstruction would be best. This would cost money. Who might pay for the work? This is important enough that private funds might be found. Let us know what you think. This is a very valuable postal convenience, at least worth your opinions. You need to speak up!

Bob Crum

Finally! A photographer and ardent reader of Photography Know-How, Alex R. of Thousand Oaks commented on the photo data pertaining to last week’s Photo of the Week. I wondered if anyone would. There's a wealth of information in the photo data about how the photo was captured. But it doesn't tell you the time of day. Should I be adding that?

Alex thought the exposure indicated normal daylight so why was the ISO (6400) so high? Also asked why such a slow shutter speed given when appeared to be ample light. An astute observation.

The time of day was 5:33 pm. The Photographer's Ephemeris (photoephemeris.com) listed the sunset at 5:15 pm. I captured the photo 15 minutes after sunset, the light low and fading fast.

Disappointed that there were no mermaids, I was about to leave when I noticed three large waves heading for the shore. Never saw a photo op that didn't excite me! I had just enough time to reprogram the camera. In manual mode, I opened the lens aperture to its widest, F/5.6 because of rapidly fading light. Furthermore, I slowed the shutter speed to 1/25 of a second. Key factors 1) a wider aperture lets in more light 2) a slower shutter speed provides more time for the camera sensor to gather light. Such are the mechanics.

Time was growing short so no time for exposure trial & error shots. So after programming the aperture and shutter I simply put ISO on auto and let the camera's exposure meter select the most appropriate ISO. The result, ISO rose to a high of 6400 for the exposure. Bingo!

Photography is about creativity. Hopefully descriptions like this illustrate that even programming the camera is part of the creative process. Just as the subject can usually be composed in a myriad of ways, so can the techniques used to capture the composition.

Back home, downloaded the photos to the computer for post processing where the magic happens. First import the RAW image into Adobe Lightroom for essential adjustments like increasing the exposure level. Just before exporting it I took artistic license (which I do often) by adding a touch of vignette to direct an observer's eyes to the crashing wave. You did notice, right?

Exported the tiff image to Photoshop Elements where I used Viveza II, a special sauce NIK plugin to add a little structure. Because the dim light cooled the image, I warmed it slightly. Done! Magic! BTW, photo post processing (editing) is also an enjoyable creative endeavor.

Important news concerning Adobe's Lightroom (LR). A few years ago, Adobe adopted a 'subscription' basis for most of its software. The most popular is the photographer’s plan which includes LR and Photoshop for $9.99 per month. I'm enjoying the benefits of the photographer’s subscription plan.

Subscription benefits aside, many still prefer standalone programs. However, there will not be a LR 7. LR 6 is the last standalone version that can be purchased outside of a Creative Cloud subscription. LR 6 will remain for sale for an undetermined amount of time, but will no longer be updated with camera/lens support, RAW file support from newer cameras or bug fixes. Hence, the program will become less usable over time for serious photographers using the latest gear. Check Amazon for LR6.

Photo of the week is a delicate white rose from my rose garden presented to illustrate that photo ops aplenty are nearby. Speaking of photo ops, I just received my exciting Mono County Eastern Sierra visitor’s guide. Oh my... such fabulous scenery to photograph! Get your guide at monocounty.org. It's free!

Happy photoing.

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

Today, District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that Gabriel Munoz-Hernandez (DOB 7/1/1998) of Ventura, was convicted of rape of an unconscious person in violation of Penal Code section 261(a)(4) and kidnapping to commit rape or sexual penetration in violation of Penal Code section 209(b)(1).

On February 20, 2017, Munoz-Hernandez contacted the 17-year-old female victim on Facebook. The next day, Munoz-Hernandez met the victim in person and took her to a friend’s home where he encouraged her to drink alcohol. The victim eventually lost consciousness. After the victim lost consciousness, Munoz-Hernandez carried her to a dumpster enclosure nearby where he raped her. An independent witness, who attempted to intervene, was able to capture some of the assault on camera. Another independent witness called 911. Ventura Police officers quickly arrived on scene to find Munoz-Hernandez assaulting the unconscious victim behind the dumpster.

The sentencing hearing is March 6, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 25 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. Munoz-Hernandez may be sentenced to 15 years to life in the California Department of Corrections.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

At Tuesday's, January 23, regular Fillmore City Council meeting, the following occurred:

A zoning ordinance amendment to accommodate the reconstruction of existing single family units within the commercial highway zone was approved.

Intention for City to grant a franchise to Seneca Pipeline was unanimously approved.

Request for City to enter contract with Tom E. Figg Consulting Services in connection with Planning Development Application Review was unanimously approved.

Authorization for application for land and water conservation fund grant for the City's Two Rivers Park Project was approved.
An ordinance of the City Council adding a new Chapter 8.20 "Regulation of Smoking" to the Fillmore Municipal Code to Regulate the Smoking of Tobacco and Cannabis was approved.

Tuesday night’s City Council meeting covered zoning ordinances for existing family homes, the Seneca Pipline Franchise, the Two Rivers Park Project and Smoking Regulations.

The 11th Annual community awareness event by Soroptimist International of Oxnard, Camarillo, The Conejo, Ventura, and Fillmore clubs of District 1 Camino Real Region will take place March 8 at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 Main Street, Ventura. A community awareness walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. from the museum plaza. Red-clad walkers from Soroptimist clubs, Abolitionists, Prototypes, and other community activists will carry signs for STOP Trafficking and support for human rights; the public is invited to attend.

The goal of this annual event is to bring awareness and empowerment to the community, particularly, women and girls, that human trafficking is not just a global problem, but a local one. A panel of four speakers will present information on the current cases of human trafficking in Ventura County and victim survivorship. Speakers are: Dawn Schiller, Survivor/Mentor/Advocate; Michael Munn, Ventura County District Attorney Investigator II; Dr. Allyson Richard, Los Robles ER physician; and Christan Perez, Interface Children and Family Services program manager of the HEART Program.
Dawn Schiller is an expert survivor-leader in the anti-trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault movements. Abused and trafficked on the streets of Hollywood in her teens by the infamous porn actor, John Holmes, she survived the gruesome Wonderland Avenue murders in 1981 and ultimately turned him into the police. Dawn has worked as an associate producer and consultant on the movie “Wonderland” where actress Kate Bosworth portrayed her while actor Val Kilmer played John Holmes.

Her subsequent years of struggle to survivorship, education, and service to others offer valuable first-hand insight to community advocates. Today she is a speaker, educator, consultant, and author.

Michael Munn began his law enforcement career in 1987 in Buena Park. In 1998 he became a DA Investigator for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Some of his assignments included Gangs, SEA Task Force, and Anti-Terrorism Organized Crime Unit. In 2007 he was promoted to Supervising Investigator. His units were DNA Unit, Family Protection Unit, Human Trafficking Unity, to name a few.

In 2015, Mr. Munn was hired by the VC District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation as a DA Investigator II. He is currently assigned to Human Trafficking and was tasked to form the VC Human Trafficking Enforcement Team, which includes local police agencies in Ventura County along with FBI and Amtrak Police.

Dr. Allyson Richard is a practicing Emergency Medicine physician at Los Robles Hospital. After attending the Soroptimist 9th annual event two years ago she was motivated to create and present a training program for medical staff recognizing ER patients who could be victims of sexual slavery and human trafficking. Allyson attended Wayne State University School of Medicine, did her internship and residency at UCLA Hospital. She has done much community service and volunteering by mentoring youth through Career Days, STD/AIDS classes, harmful effects of smoking and drugs, and volunteering at Cass Free Clinic, Detroit, MI. free clinic. Dr. Richard has done international service in Nepal and Peru. She organized and lead trauma workshops and “Introduction to Tuberculosis and Filariasis” in Mae Sot, Thailand.She is a busy mother to three children as well as working and teaching medical staff with her new platform of recognizing human trafficking victims.

Christan Perez is the program manager of the Interface Children & Family Services’ HEART Program, Helping to Educate, Address, and Respond to Trafficking.

Christan has worked in social, wellness, and human services for 14 years, having worked in both Ventura and San Diego Counties. She began her career in social services as a case manager for “At Risk” Youth, and now oversees the human trafficking shelter and community-based advocacy programs at Interface. Christan’s professional ventures have provided her the opportunity and experience of working directly with victims and survivors of human trafficking, and raising awareness to the issue in our community.

You will hear and learn what WE, local citizens, can do to combat sex slavery and help women. Learn the warning signs of someone trafficked:
• Is the victim in possession of ID or travel documents?
• Was the victim coached on what to say to law enforcement?
• Does the victim have freedom of movement?
• Is the victim allowed to socialize or attend religious services?
• Can the victim freely contact friends and family?
• Has the victim been harmed or deprived of food, water, sleep, or medical care?

Raise awareness that sex slavery is not just a global problem, but a local problem; advocate for tougher laws and stronger anti-sex slavery law enforcement; and call the police if you suspect unusual activity in your neighborhood.

The event is partially funded by a $2500 grant awarded by Soroptimist International of the Americas. Founded in 1921, Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women working to improve the lives of women and girls. County clubs are Soroptimist International of Ventura, Oxnard, Fillmore, Camarillo and the Conejo.

For more information on Soroptimist go to www.soroptimist.org, or local information www.stoptraffickingventuracounty.org To report suspicious activity call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE. For more information on the March 8 event, contact Debbie Gohlke at 805-320-5215.