California Highway Patrol

Saturday morning, August 25th at 9:55am California Highway Patrol received a report that the cab of a semi truck hauling lemons had caught fire on Highway 126 east of Piru. The truck reportedly burned to the ground by the time CHP arrived, traffic in both directions was affected by the fire. Ventura County Fire was able to extinguish the flames and CHP was able to reopen both westbound lanes an one eastbound lane by 11:15am. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Bob Crum

First, I enjoyed a whole weekend of much needed rest & relaxation. No assignments! After walking miles to photograph airplanes, bucking bulls or hurdling pigs my bones ached, my tendons taut. The deep seaweed massage by Mermaid Megan was delightful! Like the yogurt motto: Oui to me time. However, I got bored silly which is eminently and frightfully depressing. Faithful readers know that I thrive on photographic challenges. Even miscues are fantastic learning opportunities. But I digress.

Nikon finally released a pair of mirrorless cameras: Z6, 24.5MP (megapixels) and a Z7, 45.7MP with an ISO range of 64-25,600. Ho hum some say.

Some Nikon aficionados are already decrying the video recording limitations. They wonder why Nikon limits their latest, greatest camera to Ultra HD 4K at 30 frames per second? Shame on the scorners. Perhaps Nikon engineers preferred to design a mirrorless “camera”, not a super camcorder!

But the scorners have a point. Panasonic GH4 owners have been shooting at Nikon's present resolution and frame rate since 2014. “Going further into the video territory,” says David Murphy at PetaPixel, “let’s talk slow motion. Nikon is offering a measly 1080/120p. I’m not saying this won’t give you some buttery smooth slow motion, but again, when my two-year-old Panasonic GH5 can outclass this by giving me a stellar 1080/180p, I just find it hard to be impressed.”

A big misstep in my opinion is Nikon's requirement to use costly Sony QXD memory cards. A 32GB QXD card costs approx $90.00. My 32GB high speed SD cards for my Canon 7D2 cost me $25.00. I have 10 cards. Do the math.

There are some Nikon redeeming attributes: 45.7MP full-frame sensor (if you really need 45.7MP), touchscreen interface, 5-axis IS system (Sony and Olympus have this) and 493-point AF system.

Depending on your lens requirements, perhaps best to wait before rushing to buy either a Z6 or Z7. Remember, you don't merely buy a camera you buy into a “system”. A very important part of the system are lenses. Nikon is releasing only three lenses for their new mirrorless cameras: 24-70mm f/4 S, 35mm f/1.8 S, and 50mm f/1.8 S.

Want the trio of wide-angle, medium zoom and telephoto, you'll have to wait till 2021. If you're a Nikon shooter with Nikon lenses, an adapter will be available soon, says Nikon. But regular readers know that I think adapters are usually problematic. Nothing better than native lenses on a camera sans adapter.

Ready to get into a mirrorless camera system? Go for it! Olympus, Fujifilm, Sony and Panasonic make excellent mirrorless cameras. Again, lens availability should be your priority, not the camera brand. At this time, none have a universal 16-300mm or 18-400mm lens that allows me to shoot a ton of stuff without having to constantly change lenses. Because of lens availability, I continue to shoot with my trusty Canon 7D Mark II camera. For now!

Photo of the week is a BMX stunt rider at the Ventura County Fair. Two riders performed several jumps but I didn't want a ho-hum photo of rider in the air. Even a phonetographer can get that shot. I wanted the rider in the air and in the smoke burst. This didn't come easily. Again, it's about being ready and timing. I think it was the 7th or 8th jump when the photo op materialized. BAM! Got it! Aaaaaah. BTW, I pre-visualized this shot after watching them perform last year. Joy is absolute when visualization manifests. Any wonder why I love photography? Happy photoing!

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

Ventura County Department of Public Health

As students return to school, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) urges parents and guardians to ensure immunizations are on their back-to-school checklist. Many vaccine-preventable diseases, such as whooping cough and measles, can easily spread in child care and school settings.

“Immunization can help keep our children healthy, in school and ready to learn,” said Dr. Karen Smith, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “If you haven’t done so already, check with your child’s doctor to find out what vaccines your child needs. Vaccinations are the best way to ensure that students are protected against serious and preventable diseases.”

When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for getting sick and spreading diseases to students in their classrooms, and children and adults within their communities. Babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions are especially susceptible.

California law requires students to receive certain immunizations in order to attend public and private elementary and secondary schools as well as licensed childcare centers. Schools and licensed childcare centers are required to enforce immunization requirements, maintain immunization records of all children enrolled, and report students’ immunization statuses to CDPH.

Families that are having difficulty obtaining required immunizations prior to the start of school can contact their local health department for assistance in finding other local immunization providers.

Visit www.ShotsforSchool.org for more information on immunization laws and required vaccinations for students in California.

www.cdph.ca.gov

Courtesy Mike Van De Mheen, Fillmore Air Conditioning & Heating

For those that haven’t heard my work van full of all the tools I use to make a living was stolen from in front of my home at 4:41 a.m., on 8-15-18. Having been in business for 23 years and surviving through tough times like the recession and new competitors, I knew I would make it through this.

What surprised me was how much support I would receive from this community. As soon as the news spread, I starting getting calls of support. People have offered to loan their work trucks, tools, money and a secured yard to store my truck. Several have offered a reward. Many have just said they would do whatever they can to help and are keeping an eye out for my van. Several neighbors offered security footage of the suspect’s car.

Thanks to Patrick Maynard for checking city video. The Sheriff’s Department has been great. Deputy Peterson was very thorough in taking the report. Detective Meixner has called daily with any updates. He seemed to have taken it personally since he had a family member who was in the construction business and knew how important the tools were to make a living.

At this point we have a very poor video of the suspect walking around my van and stealing it, as well as the suspect’s car making a U-turn at the corner of Mountain View and Second Street at 4:18 a.m. before he steals it. I know the tools are gone. It’s a waiting game to see if my van shows up and in what condition.

I have heard some people complain about the crime in this town. People have to realize that the population hasn’t grown that much compared to most cities but the amount of strangers driving past us on Hwy 126 has seemed to have gone up 500% in the last 10 years.

I have never been prouder to have Fillmore in large letters as my Logo.

If you have any information on this theft you can contact Detective Meixner at the Sheriff’s office 805-524-2233.

Thank you,
Mike Van De Mheen

UPDATE:
I originally wrote this last night and sent it to the Gazette and was going to have my wife post it today. At 8:45 this morning I was at my shop still numb and trying to figure out what to do for a van. Then I get a call from a 626 number and I crossed my fingers it was the call I have been waiting for since Wednesday morning. It was. The office manager from Assembly Automation called to inform me that a suspect drove around their parking lot with my van for around 10 minutes, parked after a few minutes and walked away. If it wasn’t for her and her co-workers paying attention to this suspicious activity and taking the time to call me there could have been more damage done to the van (unlocked and didn’t need a key anymore to start it). The investigation continues so hopefully they can catch the thief so maybe they won’t visit this little town we all love so much. Once again THANK YOU FILLMORE!
Mike Van De Mheen

Any information on this crime please Contact Detective Meixner at 805-524-2233

Superintendent Adrian E. Palazuelos, Ph.D launched an enormous number of school improvements during the summer break. The synthetic track was resurfaced at a cost of $372,822. Site-wide exterior painting at Mountain Vista Elementary School and the Middle School was completed. Projects extended to paving, striping, carpeting, roofing, and renovation of bathrooms. A slide presentation of improvements was given by Andrea McNeill at Tuesday’s School Board meeting.

FUSD Summer Projects Update
Information was presented to the Governing Board by Assistant Superintendent, Andrea McNeill.

FUSD Enrollment by Site
Information was presented to the Governing Board by Assistant Superintendent, Andrea McNeill.

Approve Resolution No. 18-19-01 Assignments of Teachers Who Are Teaching Outside of Their Credential Authorization or on an Emergency Permit
The Governing Board approved Resolution No. 18-19-01.

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

Soroptimist International of Fillmore installed Cathy Krushell as the new president on August 15, 2018. The 2018-2019 Officers also include: Vice President, Jane David, Recording Secretary, Marianne Crane, Correspondence Secretary, Betty Carpenter, Treasurer, Patti Walker and One Year Director, Darlene Lorenz. SI of Fillmore celebrated their 60th Anniversary this year. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that economically empowers women and girls by providing access to education, the single most effective anti-poverty intervention. If you would like more information on scholarships or would like to become a member please contact Membership Chair Darlene Lorenz at 805.524.9929 or email Languages33@aol.com

On Thursday, August 9th at approximately 3:40pm a crash occurred on Highway 126 outside of Piru killing a man from Bakersfield. Troy Jackson was driving a 2002 Jeep and it had been reported to CHP that the Jeep was swerving in and out of lanes. Shortly after CHP received calls reporting the Jeep had crashed into an avocado tree on the northbound side of the highway. The driver received fatal injuries. Cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Submitted by Ari Larson, President Elect

Scott’s program was on the Bardsdale Cemetery, which was formed by the people, in 1895. It is an independent Special District separate from the City or County, governed by a five member Board, of local residents, appointed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. Scott stated that people are unprepared for what they want when they pass away. There are many options now for burial traditional, stacking, in-ground cremations and niche wall. Plots can also be purchased ahead of time.

Bardsdale Cemetery is not funded by the state, county or by the city of Fillmore, but is primarily funded through burial fees, which are declining and supplemented through a small portion of local property taxes and a special $5 annual parcel tax approved by the voters in 1981 and has never been increased. In order to continue operating and maintaining this cemetery, as it has in the past, the cemetery district considered proposing a new ballot measure, but prior to that a survey was taken, by voters within his district and a majority said they didn’t want a higher tax. So until this can happen the cemetery will continue on as best they can and people who complain about things there need to realize why it’s the way it is.