Ventura County Department of Public Health

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) urges Californians to get the influenza (flu) vaccine to protect your health during the upcoming flu season.

In California, flu usually begins to increase in late November or December. It takes a couple of weeks after vaccination for the body to build immunity, so now is the time to get vaccinated to have the best protection now the flu season has started.

“Getting vaccinated is the best line of defense against flu,” said Dr. Karen Smith, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “You can prevent missing work or school, visits to the doctor or hospitalization, and protect others from coming down with the flu.”

A person with the flu may be contagious and infect others before they even feel sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the 2016–2017 season, flu immunization prevented an estimated 5.3 million illnesses, 2.6 million medical visits, and 85,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations in the United States.

Flu vaccines are administered as a shot or nasal spray. For the 2018-19 flu season, the CDC recommends vaccination with no preference for any one vaccine over another.

CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccination for everyone six months of age and older. While anyone can get flu, pregnant women, children under five, adults 65 years of age and older, and people with chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and asthma are particularly at risk for flu-related complications. Flu vaccinations are needed every year to maintain the greatest protection because the vaccine changes each year to match circulating viruses and annual vaccination boosts immunity.

For pregnant women, flu complications can include premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth of the baby. Besides helping prevent flu complications, flu vaccine given during pregnancy also helps protect babies from flu infection for several months after birth, before the baby can be immunized, which is a time that babies are at high risk for flu complications.

Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, you should also:
• Stay home while sick and limit contact with others.
• Cover coughs or sneezes with your sleeve or disposable tissue.
• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

CDPH encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physician’s office or clinic about getting the flu vaccine. When flu vaccine is in stock, adults with Medi-Cal can also get immunized at the pharmacy where they generally pick up their prescriptions. Some local health departments may also offer low- or no-cost flu immunizations.

For more information about the flu, visit CDPH’s website. For the flu vaccine location nearest you, visit www.flu.gov.

www.cdph.ca.gov

Bob Crum

As much as I might find the reality perplexing, it's evident that for many people, smartphones have become the de facto device for taking photos. (sigh) Will smartphones make cameras go the way of dinosaurs? Not yet!

Visiting from San Luis Obispo, my friend Jed and I met for lunch. He shoots weddings and teaches workshops. As we pondered the photographic state of discombobulation, a few things came to mind. First, a little history.

Back in the days of film, most cameras included an exposure meter which worked reasonably well. Load the film, select Auto or Program mode, frame the shot and mash the shutter button. Then pray! Afterward, the photographer took the film to wherever to develop. Return some time later for the prints. Sometimes prayers worked, sometimes they didn't. Delightful or lousy, you got what you got.

Sure, film cameras were OK because most people were not enthusiastic photo makers. Most were no more interested in 'creating' a photo than today's... ahem... phonetographers. Most needed merely to record an event, or an activity or a particular subject such as a stunning flower or glorious sunset. Only two considerations: Exposure and composition. Same as a smartphone. Exposure basically automatic, and composition was rarely, if ever, considered.

Digital changed all of that. Whether a point-and-shoot or an interchangeable lens camera (ILC), there's still aperture and shutter speed controls and much more. The digital camera offers a photographer many creative possibilities. Today's digital cameras are so good that even in 'auto' mode, excellent photos are produced. Instead of dealing with a film canister, digital photos are transferred to a thumb drive and taken to a processor for prints. Costco, using real photo processing, produces fine prints. So why are those that previously used a film camera reluctant to transition to a digital camera?

Perhaps confusion is a factor. Pick up a digital camera and you'll see several buttons & dials. Menus operate the internal computer. One push of the menu button reveals dozens of options. Who has the time to learn what they all do? No wonder many a would-be digital photographer quickly puts the camera back on the counter and promptly exits the camera store.

Fear not! Those camera menus are like the various brushes an artist uses for creating a painting. It's a big part of creativity. But with a digital camera, you're painting with pixels. And the choices the camera menus give you are what you use to fulfill your vision!

I'd be remiss not to mention one other learning curve: The computer software programs essential to convert pixels into an image for the Internet or prints. But if one doesn't have a computer to run the software, well, there's always quilting.

We topped off our lunch with pumpkin pie and Jed departed to return to SLO with another wedding on the books. I seldom shoot weddings. Too many relatives have too much to say resulting in too much frustration. Much more tranquil shooting puppies and poppies.

Many times a photo can be anticipated like the photo of the week. As the boat approached the harbor, I saw the brown pelican. I predicted it would take flight as we came closer. I quickly dialed a fast shutter speed but didn't have time to select burst mode. As expected, it stretched out its long wings and quickly flew by in front of me. CLICK! Got it! In one shot! Love the challenge! Love the thrill! Love photography!!! Buy a camera and experience such thrills yourself. Warning: It's delightfully addictive!

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

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The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance to identify the suspect in the attached photographs. He is responsible for a vehicle burglary that occurred in Fillmore on September 15, 2018.

The owner of the vehicle had parked her car in the 3100-block of Telegraph Road in Fillmore, leaving her purse inside. When she returned to her vehicle several hours later, she discovered someone had smashed a window and removed her purse from the vehicle.

That same afternoon, one of the victim’s stolen debit/credit cards was used at a business in Oxnard to make unauthorized purchases. The suspect who made the purchases appears to be a Hispanic male, 35-45 years old, approximately 5’ 7” with a medium-to-heavy build, with a beard and mustache.

Residents are reminded to remove all valuable property from their vehicles and lock their car doors when they park.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Detective Bill Meixner at (805)524-2235 or at William.Meixner@ventura.org.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Prepared by: Detective Bill Meixner
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Fillmore City Public Works Supervisor David Smallwood presented an update on the city’s 3-year water testing report. He said city water quality is very good and no lead was detected.

The regular Tuesday City Council meeting opened with a presentation by Public Works Supervisor David Smallwood on the status of Fillmore’s water. He mentioned the 3-year testing of the city’s water quality was very good. All city wells and 30 testing points showed no trace of lead, though the water is “hard” due to elevated levels of normal minerals which affect the taste at various locations. Lynn Edmonds spoke on the importance of simplifying the city’s business permit policy. Maria Ventura spoke on the affordability of natural gas. Council discussed updating the city zoning ordinance. The city seeks to be increasingly business friendly and hopes to place business codes online in searchable form in the future.

In Fillmore, the first Ventura County location in the SONIC Drive-In chain is slated to open in summer 2019, according to Johnny Jones, its vice president of development and construction. The restaurant known for its drive-thru service model and specialty drinks (hello, Pickle Juice Slush) will be at what is now a vacant lot at 643 W. Ventura St., also known as Highway 126. Inspire Brands, the parent company of Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings, last month announced plans to buy the Oklahoma-based SONIC chain for $2.3 billion

The Falcon 9 launched into orbit at 7:21 p.m., Sunday, October 7, from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base about 158 miles (254 kilometers) north of Los Angeles to deliver the Earth-observation radar satellite SAOCOM-1A into orbit for Argentina’s national space agency. That mission was a success, and SpaceX also landed the first stage of the Falcon 9 at a new site (Landing Zone 4) near its Vandenberg launchpad in a historic first. But it was the spectacular views of the rocket streaking into the night sky, its two stages clearly visible after separation which wowed spectators across the region.

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The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance to identify the suspect in the attached photographs. The suspect is responsible for using a Ventura County resident’s identity and other personal information to withdraw money from the victim’s bank account at different bank branches.

On 08-24-18 and on 09-01-18, the suspect used the victim’s checking account number and other personal information to fill out withdrawal slips to withdraw money from the victim’s bank account at Chase Bank branches in Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Van Nuys. The suspect was successful in withdrawing nearly $4,000 from the victim’s bank account.

The suspect was described as a mid-forties to early sixties heavy-set black female, approximately 5-5” in height and weighing 215 pounds. The female appears to wear different wigs in the separate transactions to alter her appearance.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Detective Bill Meixner at (805) 524-2235 or at William.Meixner@ventura.org.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Prepared by: Detective Bill Meixner
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Pictured is FHS Scholarship Committee member Lori Wileman Bennett (Class of 1985) and FHS Alumi Arlinda Reyes (Class of 2015). Arlinda is entering her final year at Wagner College with a major in Arts Administration. Wagner College is located in Staten Island New York. Arlinda received a 2018 Continuation Grant award from the Alumni Association. Any graduate of Fillmore High School who is continuing their education at a college, university, community college or trade school may apply for a Continuation Grant. Applicants must be entering their second year of post secondary education. Applications may be obtained from the Alumni Association website or from the Alumni Store and must be received no later than June 30th of that year. To see a complete list of this year’s awardees, please visit www.FillmoreHighAlumni.com and click on the "Members Only" section. Thank you for your continued support of the Fillmore High Alumni Association.

Bob Crum

In the previous column, I discussed awareness which helps to develop a photographer's eye. Based on the questions I received on the subject, my explanation was insufficient. I understand! However, it's a challenge to present such concepts while constrained to 600 words.

OK, let's explore this further. You arrive upon a stunning scene. Don't immediately take a snapshot. Stop and engage the scene with mindfulness in the present moment. Camera settings and techniques aside for a moment, indulge the full experience of SEEING the grandeur. Rid the mind of frivolous thoughts. This frees your mind to SEE the scene. As you imbibe in SEEING, not just looking, you'll visualize a photo composition. Awareness enables a photographer's 'eye' to SEE a compelling image before even touching the camera. Soon you'll notice that your photography begins to evolve intuitively. At the opportune moment, make your photo. Afterward, don't quickly take your leave. Look around. Many times, totally unexpected, you'll SEE other stupendous photo ops. Stay aware! Got it?

For example, a recent trip to photograph the Kern River. Considering the 360-degree scenery, it's foolish to shoot and run. Many times a magnificent photo op exists behind you. Just turn around before moving on, and you'll often SEE more great photo ops. Note that this all comes from discipline which comes from experience which is acquired by, ahem, practice. Isn't it interesting how this all works?

I went to the Ventura Harbor last Sunday to 'see' the recent arrival of a double haul sailing canoe. Hokule'a is the Hawaiian canoe traveling the world by a map of the stars. Forty years ago, a group of Native Hawaiians and anthropologists built the Hokule'a to revive the ancient art of Polynesian wayfinding, which had been forgotten.

More about awareness and a case of doing as I say, not what I do. (grin) After the port visit, I walked over to the beach hoping for a stunning sunset. Whoa! Immediately saw large waves smashing on the jetty sending huge plumes of spray into the air. I walked to the eastern side of the jetty and watched the rhythm of the waves: four small waves, then a large one. I also observed larger splashes on the other side of the jetty. You know, the greener grass syndrome. I moved. I shouldn't have. I didn't notice the water rising higher on the north side. My attention was so fixated on the waves crashing on the jetty end that I was not, ahem, AWARE of where I was standing. Along came a sneaker wave, the cold water washing over my shoes soaking my feet! (expletives deleted)

I went back to the south side of the breakwater. Aha... now a fisherman on the jetty. Hallelujah! A subject to juxtapose! The sun was still approximately 30 minutes from sunset. From the right position, I visualized a smashing photo, so to speak. But I needed a smashing wave just as the sun kissed the horizon.

As the sun dropped, I continually moved to keep the angler positioned in front of the setting sun. At the speed the sun was dropping, I had only about 10-12 seconds to capture the visualized photo. At the moment the sun was about to caress the horizon, I anxiously waited. Come on waves: NOW! Finally, serendipity blessed me. As I pressed the shutter button, the feeling of accomplishment was immense. Awareness works!
The photo of the week is how I visualized it 20 minutes before making the photo. These experiences are what makes photography so exhilarating, so fulfilling and so addictive! SEE the photo in color online at fillmoregazette.com. Happy photoing.

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