The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) urges Californians to get the influenza (flu) vaccine in September or October ahead of the arrival of influenza 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 respond fully, so now is the time to get vaccinated to have the best protection before the flu season begins.

“Getting vaccinated is the best protection against flu illness,” said CDPH Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “You can prevent missing work or school, visits to the doctor or hospitalizations, and protecting others from coming down with the flu.”

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

For the second year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only recommend injectable flu vaccines. The nasal spray flu vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV) is not recommended for use this season due to concerns about the effectiveness.

Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and, sometimes, thousands or tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.

To reduce this risk, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine 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 and asthma are particularly at risk for flu-related complications. Flu shots are needed every year to maintain the greatest protection because the vaccine changes each season to match the circulating viruses.

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 your cough or sneeze 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, clinic or pharmacy about obtaining the flu vaccine. 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

Rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to increase in California, according to new statistics from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). These diseases are reportable to the state and local health departments. The data are presented in CDPH’s 2016 STD Annual Report: a summary can also be found on CDPH’s website.

Over a quarter million cases of STDs were reported in 2016, a 40% increase compared to five years ago including, 198,503 cases of chlamydia, 64,677 of gonorrhea, and 11,222 of early syphilis. Particularly concerning to health officials, 207 cases of congenital syphilis were reported. If not caught early, syphilis during pregnancy can result in congenital syphilis leading to stillbirth or permanent, lifelong disabilities. Syphilis can also cause permanent loss of vision, hearing and other neurologic problems in adults. If left untreated, STDs can increase the risk of HIV infection and lead to lifelong reproductive health problems.

“The number of reported STDs in California is increasing at a concerning rate,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “This is the third year in a row that we have seen increases in chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.”

These three diseases can be prevented by consistent use of condoms, and they can be cured with antibiotics, so regular testing and treatment is very important, even for people who have no symptoms.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates are highest among people under age 30. Rates of chlamydia are highest among young women, whereas males account for the majority of syphilis and gonorrhea cases.

Regular screening for STDs is recommended for people who are sexually active. STD services also provide opportunities for further prevention of HIV through testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.

“All Californians need to know how to protect themselves and their partners,” said Smith. “Getting tested regularly is one of the most important steps.” A directory of where to get tested can be found at this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage.

CDPH is collaborating with the California Department of Education and community groups to implement the newly enacted California Healthy Youth Act, which mandates comprehensive STD/HIV prevention education in schools. For more information, go to the CDPH Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch website.

www.cdph.ca.gov

Fillmore Unified School Board Meeting Highlights:

WELCOME! Micheline G. Miglis, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services
The Board approved Micheline G. Miglis as the new Assistant Superintendent of Education Services.

Dashboard Local Indicators
The Board received a report regarding the Dashboard Local Indicators. Information was presented by Assistant Superintendent, Martha Hernandez.

Approve Management/Confidential/Supervisory Off-Schedule One Time Payment
The Board approved the staff recommendation for Management/Confidential/Supervisory employees to receive a 2% off schedule payment based on 2016-2017 earnings.

Approved Tentative Agreement Between California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter #421 and Fillmore Unified School District
The Board approved the Tentative Agreement between CSEA and FUSD.

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

Ten-year-old Presley McLain was selected from nominations all over the state as the 2016 California Division Statewide Recognizing Excellence Special Recognition Youth Engagement Recipient. “The mission of the American Cancer Society is fueled by its volunteer efforts. Your commitment and dedication have played a very important part in making a difference in ending the pain and suffering caused by this disease. Thank you.” stated Cynthia LeBlanc Dir. CA Division Awards Team in a letter sent to Miss McLain in May 2017. This year Presley has raised $7633.00. for Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru by asking family and friends to donate to RFL in lieu of birthday gifts. Presley invites the public to attend the RFL this year scheduled for Sept. 23-24, 2017 at Shiells Park in Fillmore. The daughter of Lori and Bobby McLain, Presley aspires to continue raising money for a cure for cancer and someday would like to be the Events Chair for Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru like her mother Lori. This year Presley is on the Luminaria committee. If you are interested in making a donation, forming a team or have any questions please contact Caitlin Barringer 800.227.2345 or Caitlin.Barringer@cancer.org

Bob Crum

She really said that about my photo of the week.

It's OK. Actually, it's a gift of sorts. It provides a grand opportunity to discuss the “subjective” nature of photography. The freedictionary.com defines “subjective” as: “belonging to, proceeding from, or relating to the mind of the thinking subject and not the nature of the object being considered.”

The subject of the subjectivity is my Photo of the Week last week. A photographer friend said: “No offense but that picture is hideous. (gasp!) There's way too much stuff going on that picture and you lose the drama of what you were trying to say. You've lost the plan light and you had so many colors I don't know where to put my eyes in the sky oh it's terrible.”

Last week's Gazette provided a great example of the subjective nature of photography. On the front page was the staff photo of the U.S. Flag flying from the Fillmore Fire Department ladder truck. I too shot a similar photo about 1 p.m.. Not satisfied, the rogue in me opted for a something different. Try to tell a story, not just shoot a photo.

My friend claimed too much stuff going on. My plan involved vehicles traveling underneath the flag to provide a perspective of the flag size relative to the vehicles. Obviously she didn't get my intent. What about you?

She also said that “you've lost the plain light and you had so many colors I don't know where to put my eyes in the sky oh it's terrible.”

All afternoon I hoped for sunset colors in the clouds. I preferred a 9/11 sundown. Near sundown, I took position and waited 30 minutes. As hoped the clouds lit up. Shoot. Not yet. I had to wait for some traffic. Finally, three vehicles came into view. Shoot! Mission accomplished.

Or was it. Did my story get lost in all the hubbub? Is simple better... just a static flag photo? What do you think? I can handle it! Remember, hideous has already been used. Her ghastly comment about my photo is simply her subjective opinion. Realizing this, I didn't take offense. But now neither will she get a gift this Christmas!

Technical issues involved maintaining proper exposure on the beautifully back-lit flag while maintaining the cloud colors. I only got one shot. No time for exposure adjustments or retakes. If I didn't properly program the camera... the plan would fail.

Art in any form is totally subjective. As people look at art–a painting or sculpture or a photo–it's natural to critique. As do I. More about this in a future column.

The Photo of the Week is Mr. Fishbreath of San Luis Bay at Avila Beach. I made my annual journey to Gopher Glen Apple Farm last Sunday. Think heritage apples! Anyway, I also always visit the nearby Harford Pier. Think nature photography. Other than a few seagulls landing nearby and a lone pelican flying around not much was happening and it was getting late. About to leave I noticed a large dark object twenty-five feet below swimming towards me. A mermaid??? Just as I pointed my camera in the general direction, a large sea lion surfaced for a brief moment, smiled and quickly disappeared under the pier. It all happened in a blink! Thank you Mr. Fishbreath!

Shooting at water is challenging. I had the camera in manual mode and ISO on 'auto'. For exposure's sake, I almost always let ISO float on auto for waterscapes because reflections change and the light changes with every camera position relative to the sunlight.

This was the first time a sea lion suddenly appeared from the depths and smiled! Made my day!!! I giggled all the way home!!!

Happy photoing.

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

VENTURA, CA – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Percy Stanley (DOB 07/24/1989), of San Bernardino, pled guilty to pimping a minor. Sentencing is set for October 17, 2017, at 9:00 a.m., in the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura, courtroom 12. He is expected to receive a three-year prison sentence.

Co-defendant, Asia Jones (DOB 10/31/1998), of Moreno Valley, pled guilty in March to causing a minor to engage in commercial sex acts. In April 2017, Jones was sentenced to local jail and placed on three years of formal probation. Jones now must register as a sex offender.

On January 11, 2017, police received a call from a resident reporting a possible act of prostitution. The caller reported that a silver Mercedes-Benz had dropped off a woman in the area, and moments later a male met up with the young woman. The two walked into a neighbor’s side yard, dropped their pants, and began having sex in plain view.

Members from the Ventura Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit, Patrol Task Force, and Ventura County Human Trafficking Enforcement Team responded to assist in the investigation.

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.
Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Twitter @VenturaDAOffice