Leslie Klinchuch, Project Manager for Chevron for the Santa Clara Valley, presents a check to the Santa Clara Elementary Principal Kari Skidmore for $1,000 to support the Music in the Classroom program with PTO President Amber McCalister and students in attendance. Photo & article courtesy Larissa Nelson.
Enlarge Photo

Photo & article courtesy Larissa Nelson.

Chevron is continually going above and beyond to support local programs in the Fillmore community. They have a goal to be committed to contributing to the social and economic development of our communities. They believe that providing community support, both through financial assistance and personal involvement, is their responsibility as a good neighbor. Their support in serving the students that attend Santa Clara Elementary demonstrates their desire to serve others and be an integral part of the neighborhood. This year they have generously supported the Fillmore and Santa Paula students at Santa Clara Elementary school, aka the “Little Red Schoolhouse”. This program will help infuse music and culture into the lives of many youth, affirm their value, nurture their skills and talents, help them realize their artistic value, and lead them to a greater understanding and appreciation for music and art.

Last week, this grant was awarded from the Chevron Environmental Management Company from Leslie Klinchuch, Project Manager for Chevron for the Santa Clara Valley, and presented to principal, Kari Skidmore for $1,000 to support the Music in the Classroom program. The community support of Chevron will help serve students K-6 by enriching their elementary education and assisting with bringing a music teacher to the classrooms to teach appreciation and understanding of music for students, teach instrument instruction to the students, assist with developing community involvement by inviting community members to participate in concert, and help with improvement of the student’s success on standardized tests based on skills learned through music.

If other members of the community would like to support similar programs at the school, they can reach out to PTO Vice President Larissa Nelson at happyarissa@gmail.com

On Saturday, November 18th at 12:52pm a micro 1.9 earthquake occurred approximately 5 miles South East of Fillmore and 7 miles South West of Piru. For more information go to http://scedc.caltech.edu/recent/Quakes/ci37814007.html

Fillmore Unified School District

Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District:

Approve the Start and End Date for 2018-2019 School Calendar
The Board approved the start and end dates for 2018-2019 school calendar.

Approve Updated FUSD Salary Schedules
The Board approved the update to current salary schedules, incorporating the updated fiscal year change. Salary rates are not changing; the request is to update the schedule to applicability for the 2017-2018 school year.

Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Ventura County Behavior Health Career Pathway and Fillmore Unified School District for 2017-2018
The Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding with Ventura County Behavioral Health for Behavior Health Career Pathway

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

California Highway Patrol

Thanksgiving weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel times in America, can also be one of the deadliest on the roadways. To help motorists avoid tragedies, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will have all available officers on patrol during a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).

The MEP begins at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 26. During the MEP, CHP officers will educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state to ensure everyone has a safe holiday.

Not wearing a seat belt can be a fatal decision in a collision. According to the CHP’s 2016 Thanksgiving MEP data, among the 27 people killed in collisions within CHP jurisdiction, 14 were not wearing a seat belt. Research shows that wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest things people can do to stay safe when traveling in a vehicle.

“Whether you are driving across the street or across the country for your Thanksgiving gathering, it is imperative to wear your seat belt,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Wearing a seat belt is essential every day of the year, but we do not want to have festivities ruined as a result of people not buckling up for their trip.”

The CHP is also partnering with seven other state law enforcement agencies across the nation for the Thanksgiving weekend for the “Interstate 40 Challenge.” The annual campaign focuses on the 2,500-mile stretch of interstate that runs from North Carolina through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, ending in Barstow, Calif. The CHP will be educating and enforcing traffic safety laws during this challenge. During past challenges, California has not seen a single fatality on I-40

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest levels of Safety, Service, and Security.

Bob Crum

A long, long time ago, Pilgrims gathered to give thanks for their blessings. Because it became a yearly habit, President George Washington declared the 4th Thursday of November a national holiday. Tradition prevails. Americans have been celebrating the occasion with reckless abandon ever since.

So many blessings: Country, family, friends and good health most days. I am also very grateful for the Gazette publisher and all of you who faithfully read my weekly column. Were it not for y'all and photography, I might still be farming alfalfa.

Thanksgiving is a photographic bonanza! It's usually a time when far-flung family members - from the newest baby to grandfather Artimis - gather to partake of the festivities. Awesome opportunity for fantastic family photos! It's also a great time to graduate from snapshots to making memorable photos for the family album. WHAT?! Photo album? What's that?
Real photos invoke nostalgia like no fleeting Instagram image can. Picture this: The family gathered around the coffee table perusing the pages of the “Family Photo Album” instead of viewing images on a computer monitor. There's something very special about documenting the family gatherings with real photos in a family album. You can't hand down Instagram to the next generation! Family photo albums become precious heirlooms! Think about that! BTW, there are several very good online photo book printers. Upload the photos and an album can be sent to all who desire one. One of the best is https://www.adoramapix.com/.

Battery fully charged? Don't forget about 'composition'! Know exactly what the subject is that you are about to photograph. If it's grandfather Artimis, fill the frame with Artimis. If this means moving then move! Candid shots are generally more interesting. If you're photoing the turkey, fill the frame with just the bird! Think composition!

The dining room table is always a fascinating subject. It's an opportunity to get some closeups of the table settings, decorations, the turkey etc. Prepping the meal in the kitchen always a great photo op.

Two requisite photos are the family getting together at the dining table and the family group portrait.

If it's a big family gathered, stand at one end of the table and shoot lengthwise. Then shoot from the other end to be sure you've included everyone. Omit Uncle Brutus and you'll hear about it forever! It's helpful to carefully stand on a chair or better, have a ladder handy for a unique perspective.

Be ready when it's time to carve the bird. Stand opposite the carver. Again, fill the frame with the carver and bird. Make the subject the subject not an afterthought. Start a new trend for interesting photos. Perhaps light candles in the pumpkin pie for the kids to blow out.

Caution: When it's time to dine, do not photograph people eating!

Now the classic photo: The family portrait. Preferably outdoors for better light. Creatively direct people for interesting placement. When appropriate, have some kneeling in the front and stagger people of various heights. Porch steps are great. When everyone is in place, be sure that you can see every face in the viewfinder. If necessary, get everyone closer or move back. Forget cheese... have everyone say wheeee or money. Blinking eyes not allowed. Don't forget the tripod if you want to be included in the photo. Set the camera timer to 10 seconds, mash the shutter button and dash into position. Don't forget to grin!

Happy Thanksgiving with many happy returns!

Photo of the Week... turkeys, of course. Not promoting the brand... just the occasion.

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

With the holiday season upon us, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today reminded consumers about the importance of safe food preparation and storage measures to prevent foodborne illness.

Bacteria can be found in foods such as meat and poultry and may cause illness if insufficiently cooked, inadequately cooled or improperly handled. Also, it is important to carefully wash fresh produce, and not allow uncooked food to come in contact with raw meat or poultry.

“We can help ensure that foodborne illnesses don’t ruin our holidays, or any day, by properly preparing and handling meat, poultry and other foods,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith.

Most foodborne diseases can be prevented by:
• Washing hands with soap and warm water before and after food preparation, and especially after handling raw foods.
• Cleaning all work surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot soapy water and rinsing with hot water after each use.
• Cooking food thoroughly and refrigerating leftovers promptly between meals.
• Preventing cross-contamination (from raw foods to foods that are ready to eat).
• Keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

Symptoms of foodborne disease can include diarrhea, which may be bloody, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. Most infected people recover from foodborne illnesses within a week. Some, however, may develop complications requiring hospitalization. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for potentially life-threatening complications.
For more information about preparing and storing food, visit the following CDPH links:
• Food Safety Tips for Holiday Feasts
• Safe Food Handling Practices
• Foodborne Pathogens and Illnesses
• Controlling Food Allergens

Additional information on food safety is available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). Consumers can also access the national Partnership for Food Safety Education’s “Fight BAC!” (bacteria) Web page.

www.cdph.ca.gov