Last Friday, I opened and closed the Ventura County Fair with leg cramps as proof. But pleasure trumps pain. Never can I attend this magnificent Fair and not savor visual treats replete with abundant fun... aches be damned.

Upon opening at 11 a.m., I moseyed down Main Street... photoing here and there... eventually reaching the Morgan Horse Show Arena to shoot the “big beauties draft and carriage show”. The restored carriages and the horses that pull them are magnificent. Most interesting were the two draft wagons pulled by a trio of 2,000 pound horses. One team of three Belgian beauties and the other team three Clydesdales. Awesome!

Next... pure giggles: The All Alaskan Racing Pigs. In past years, my compositions concentrated on the pigs. But this year I decided to reset to default photojournalism. Still show the pig hurdles of course but include a much larger background of spectators. In a word: Context. In other words: 'Rooted in Tradition'.

Viewing the photos on my computer display I was pleasantly surprised. The reactions of the spectators adds a dimension to the racing pigs that I hadn't thought about in recent years. But also the perpetual question all photojournalists face: What is the photo's subject? Such are the complexities of photojournalism. In this case, what's more interesting... the Alaskan racing pigs or the reactions of the spectators? Perhaps both are equally interesting? What do you think?

Anyway, this is a great example of the allure and fascination of photography - the omnipresent multiplicity of options as well as the stimulation of experimentation. However, to experience this exquisite phenomenon, one needs... ahem... a 'camera'... not a smartphone. Just sayin'.

Unlike a colleague at another unmentionable publication, I did not succumb to the vast array of gastrointestinal teases: Turkey legs, BBQ ribs, funnel cakes, BBQ corn on the cob, ice cream dots, fudge, rice teriyaki bowls, deep fried watermelon, Dodger dogs, deep fried Twinkies, fish tacos, and much, much more. Anything with jalapeños would be self-inflicted agony! I relented only when I saw the advert: “Our Wurst is the Best.” So, a brat and German-style potato salad for lunch. Not exciting but safe and satisfying.

'Twas a bright and sunny day, a tad warmer than usual for the Fair. Photoing anything on the midway under such conditions is very challenging. So indoors I went at the Clark Animal Center for shade and where sheep and goats provided photo ops.

Later, time to capture a few gratuitous photos of the throng milling hither and yon. Sashaying to the Midway, dozens of contests chock full of colorful stuffed animals tempt fairgoers to ante up tickets to play. Winners are few but resisting the temptation futile considering that the carny barkers are experts at goading male egos... titillating machismo.

Sundown finally arrives. Remember the Fair golden hour? I was ready but challenged nevertheless given the atmosphere devoid of h²o particles to diffuse the light even the slightest. But try I must. The goal: Sunstars! Must haves! Spinning dials on the camera had my Canon 7DMKII screaming “what are you doing?” Shut up and do as I command, I reply... politely.

After the requisite evening photos, it was time to return to my truck to fetch a jacket for the inevitable chill and the tripod for the fireworks. Long day but fireworks are also must haves.

This coming weekend is the most action packed time, IMO. Tomorrow, Friday, is the ever exciting Junior Livestock Auction in the Clark Pavilion. Grange, 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) kids all bring to the auction ring the results of their earnest endeavors, raising a championship animal. Championship kids and animals they all are... no doubt!

Saturday and Sunday the always exciting PRCA rodeo. From barrel racing to bull riding... non-stop photo ops.

See ya at the Fair.

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

[Editor's note: See all of Bob's fair photos in this week's Front Page section.]

An extensive air and ground search of the Mt. Pinos area for a hiker reported missing on Saturday night concluded this morning at 9:00 am with a Search and Rescue team finding Lisa Mathiasen alive! A three person Ventura County Sheriff’s, Fillmore Mountain Rescue Team navigated steep slopes and cliffs on the north side of Mt. Pinos when they were able to make verbal contact with Ms. Mathiasen. Ms. Mathiasen had fallen down the cliff and taken shelter in a ravine. When the rescuers contacted Ms. Mathiasen they immediately provided first aid and stabilized her on the hillside. Ms. Mathiasen had suffered injuries from her fall and was dehydrated, but coherent. Two members of the search and rescue team stayed with Ms. Mathiasen while the third climbed out the canyon to establish radio contact to summon additional rescuers. A Ventura County Sheriff’s helicopter responded and hoisted both Ms. Mathiasen and the rescuers out of the canyon.

Ms. Mathiasen was taken to a local area hospital where she is listed in stable condition.

Prepared by: Captain Garo Kuredjian
Approved by: Commander Tim Hagel

Jorge Izarraraz, Fillmore

Jorge Izarraraz, 24, of Fillmore, was sentence to 16 years, 4 months in state prison for fatally stabbing Edgar Torres of Fillmore to death on November 2, 2015, at about 9:05 p.m. Deputies responded to a stabbing that occurred in the area of Third and B Street in the city of Fillmore. Once on scene, deputies located the stabbing victim. Torres had sustained one stab wound to the chest area, following an argument with, at that time, an unknown suspect. Torres was transported to the hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.

Due to the seriousness of the crime, Sheriff’s Major Crimes and Sheriff’s Gang Unit investigators, responded to the scene and began a tenacious investigation over the next several days. With the community’s support and cooperation, investigators were able to identify, locate and arrest Jorge Izarraraz for unrelated charges on November 6, 2015.

Earlier today and after a lengthy investigation into the homicide, the Major Crimes Bureau arrested Izarraraz for one count of Penal Code Section 187 / Murder. He appeared Tuesday before Ventura County Superior Court Judge Bruce Young for sentencing. He pleaded guilty on May 23 to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter. He also admitted to special allegations that he used a deadly weapon and committed a felony while he was out of jail and on probation on unrelated cases.

On 07/27/2017, a traffic stop by Fillmore patrol deputies resulted in the arrest of two subjects, including one for two robberies that occurred in Santa Paula.

On 07/27/2017, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a vehicle code violation in the 200 block of Rhodes Court in the City of Fillmore. The driver, later identified as Erik Urbano, immediately ran from the vehicle while Armando Lomeli and a third subject stayed inside the vehicle. Deputies pursued Urbano and caught him a short distance away and arrested him. Deputies learned that Urbano had a felony PROS warrant and was in possession of methamphetamine.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies located an imitation firearm that was altered to look like a real firearm. While conducting their investigation, deputies learned there were two armed robberies that occurred earlier in the day in the City of Santa Paula at the Baskin Robbins and Boost Mobile. Personal property and cash were taken during the robberies. With the assistance of Santa Paula Police detectives, Lomeli was identified as the suspect in one of the robberies. He was subsequently arrested for robbery, altering an imitation firearm, resisting or obstructing a police officer and for disorderly conduct.

Lomeli and Urbano were both booked at the Main Jail.

Nature of Incident: Santa Paula Robbery Suspect Arrested After Traffic Stop
Report Number: 17-111625
Location: 200 Block of Rhodes Court, Fillmore
Date & Time: 07/27/2017 3:45 pm
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department /Santa Paula Police Department
Prepared by: Detective Delpit
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen
CHIEF OF POLICE CAPTAIN DAVE WAREHAM
SHERIFF GEOFF DEAN