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The FHS Class of '68 is planning their 50th Class Reunion. The date is set for Friday, June 8th, 2018 at Elkins Ranch in Fillmore. It starts at 5:30pm, and ends at 11:00pm. The reunion dinner includes barbecue Chicken, Tri Tip, and all the wonderful fixings that go with barbecue. There will be a DJ so folks can listen to, and dance to, all the oldies-but-goodies. To make a day out of your 50th class reunion, go ahead and make your reservation for a round of golf earlier in the morning. Gil Escoto is heading this up and he can be reached at 805-231-5817. For further info on this wonderful celebration, please call Jeanie "Gofourth" Allred at 805-216-0781. Or, if you’re on Facebook, go to....FHS Class of 1968. You can also find more info at the Alumni's website at www.fillmorehighalumni.com. Click on the "Reunions" link at the top of the website. Congratulations FHS Class of '68 on your 50th Celebration!

Bob Crum

Ranting again because the menace continues unabated: A growing horde of phonetographers. This greatly affects me, a world-renown photojournalist who will someday undoubtedly be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Uh huh!

About phonetographers, an experienced photography friend recently lamented: “The point is that if the 'untrained' (phonetographers) gets the money shot, why do they (clients) need a (pro) photographer? Don’t knock it! Embrace it”. Frustrated, she's ceding photography to a hobby. As a rogue photojournalist, surrender is not in my DNA.

Most times on scene, I anxiously but patiently wait, anticipating “the” moment a composition that best tells the story materializes. With a Canon 7DII glued to my eye, I am not invisible. Yet phonetographers, oblivious of my presence & purpose all too often step into the frame ruining the shot!

Back to the harbor last Sunday for another shoot. Arrived early. As often happens, a photo op materialized while walking around. Camera ready anticipating the 'right' moment. Suddenly, dreaded phonetographers with seemingly no purpose or particular destination gathered between me and the subject. Being a public venue of course they had every right to be there so I had no business yelling: GET THE (choose any naughty word you prefer) OUT OF MY SHOT! Wasn't easy but I remained polite and silent. I waited. To my delight they eventually moved on just in time. My patience (this time) was rewarded with the photo I anticipated making. It's my fervent hope that phonetographers (listening?) learn photography ethics sooner than later. They don't get paid for a money shot. I do. Just sayin'. End of rant.

The harbor provides photo ops galore. And challenges. Though the sky included either cirrus clouds or a layer of altostratus fluff, the bright sun created horrendous glare on the ocean. C'est la vie.

Though perplexing, the dastardly circumstances proved to be a fortuitous opportunity to illustrate the difference between images made with a circular polarizer filter (CPL) and without one. Photos that I will need for future instructional purposes.

It was chilly at the beach. After the shoot, I retreated to my truck for warmth. In the interim, I decided to stay. A potentially colorful sunset loomed given the temperature and clouds. At the appropriate time, I ventured out to the beach tripod in hand. Tripod? Of course! I have scientifically proven that during a sunset it progressively gets darker. In low light, with the lens aperture at its widest, shutter speed needs to progressively get longer to achieve a respectable exposure. Hand-holding a camera with a shutter speed of a 10th of a second begets shaky photos. But instead of reducing the shutter speed so much, why not just increase the ISO value? Remember that the higher the ISO value goes, so goes problematic digital noise. Now you know!

My optimism quickly diminished. As the sun set, it disappeared into a marine layer on the horizon, the heavy fog quashing most potential colors. Exasperating!

However, just before the sun disappeared into the murky goop, a brief moment of lackluster orange appeared turning into a feint purplish pink. Then darkness. Nevertheless, is there such a thing as a bad sunset? Actually, yes. Residing in Florida, I witnessed a couple of sunset killers called hurricanes. Speaking of Florida, did I tell y'all about almost eloping with a Key West mermaid?

Featured photo is the Lady Washington heading out to sea. Speaking of tall ships, I created a photo/movie of my tall ship adventure you might enjoy. The link is https://youtu.be/xMx1rjJfAvE.

Happy photoing.

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

Fillmore's Parkview Apartments need some immediate attention.

The Gazette has received calls about the building's single elevator malfunctioning. The building is home to 53 residents. The elevator has not worked for the past 13 days, and counting, trapping some elderly and disabled residents on the third floor. This elevator has been malfunctioning for years, at the rate, according to one resident, of several times a week for many years. Most recently, repairs are waiting for an inspection from the state.

Recently, one resident had to be carried by Fillmore Firemen, from the second floor, in a bed sheet, using the stairs. Many residents are unable to use the stairs due to various disabilities. Use by others has aggravated existing disabilities. Other residents cannot bring supplies up to their apartments, and cannot walk their dogs. They are virtual prisoners when the elevator doesn't work. On separate occasions, two residents were trapped in the elevator, assisted only after screams for help were heard.

It seems like this building has been a problem for a long time. From the beginning, multiple plumbing problems were an issue. According to some residents this remains a problem. Among numerous deficiencies in the structure are electronic keys that don't work, gate locks that don't work, and doors that by code should be open, but are locked.

In the lounge area are a bank of computers - none of them work. There is no internet as advertized. Some smoke detectors do not work, according to one resident. Lighting in the parking lot is inadequate, with uninvited people gathering there at night.

But the elevator is a main issue. This elevator seems far too small for the size of the building, and there is no freight elevator. Normal deliveries require traversing three flights of stairs.

I don't know what can be done to permanently fix the small elevator and guarantee quick, professional maintenance. I do know that this small, frequently out-of-order, elevator presents (to me) a clear, present, and outrageous fire hazard. Imagine the building, housing 53 residents, facilitating the evacuation of so many people, many elderly and disabled, at the same time, through this small, unreliable elevator! Panic time for those who cannot use the stairs?

Whoever is responsible for managing Parkview Apartments (Buckingham Management?) should have had the common sense to place the elderly and disabled residents on the GROUND FLOOR, where they can be quickly evacuated if need be, and medically serviced without climbing 3 flights of stairs.

(l-r) Fillmore Mayor Manuel Minjares and Dave Wareham.
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(l-r) Fillmore Mayor Manuel Minjares and Max Pina.
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Police Chief David Wareham was presented with a City Proclamation for his 32 years on the Ventura County Sheriff's Department as he prepares to retire. Former Sheriff's Deputy Max Pina was also awarded a Proclamation for his 53 years of service.
Fillmore Chief of Police David Wareham presented the 2017 Uniform Crime Report at Tuesday's regular City Council meeting. The City of Fillmore was reported to be ranked number 9 in the list of California's Safest Cities. Violent crime was reported to be at a record low for the City. Full details are available at https://www.alarms.org/safest-cities-in-california-2018.
A proclamation in remembrance of the devastating St. Francis Dam collapse was received by the Fillmore Historical Society. The reading of the Proclamation described California's second most destructive event which saw a 40-foot-high wall of water sweep down the Santa Clara River to the sea. The collapse occurred at night with very little warning to Piru, Fillmore, and Santa Paula.

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On Tuesday, February 21 at approximately 2:06 AM, the Santa Paula Fire Department responded to a structure fire at an 8-unit apartment complex on the 200 block of North 8th Street. When fire crews arrived, the attic of the complex was engulfed. The structure fire displaced all 12 individuals living in the complex, which 7-units were occupied, and 1-unit was vacant. The fire started on the second floor in the vacant unit, inside the bathroom near the ceiling and electric heaters. The fire spread quickly through the second floor due to a common attic that was shared among the units. Most of the roof was removed and stripped to access the fire and prevent further damage. Santa Paula Fire crews rescued an elderly
lady on the second floor on home dialysis.

The individual who reported the incident resided on the first floor and was awoken by a loud crashing noise coming from the vacant unit directly above their residence and a layer of smoke originating from their ceiling. The Red Cross assisted all
affected individuals from the structure fire and provided temporary housing. Responding agencies included Ventura County Fire, Ventura City Fire, Fillmore City Fire, Red Cross, American Medical Response, and the Santa Paula Police.