On Monday, March 16, Fillmore Unified School District’s Child Nutrition Services handed out free school lunches (each lunch also include breakfast the for the next day) at three locations. Fillmore Middle School, Mountain Vista Elementary, and Piru Center Square in the middle of town in Piru. On Monday by 12:15pm, Piru had given out 90 meal bags, FMS 120, and Mt. Vista 150. For more info about the program see https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-high-school-flashes-blog/2020/...

Ventura County, CA – The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA) is committed to maintaining its four farmers markets as a vital food facility and local food source during this time of uncertainty with the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the VCCFMA announces that all four markets will remain open for the foreseeable future in Midtown Ventura, Downtown Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Santa Clarita.

In order to provide the safest operations possible, the VCCFMA is modifying its systems by implementing more stringent cleaning and disinfecting protocols at the markets, which include increased sanitization of the equipment and frequently touched areas. Additional hand wash stations and sanitizing products are also available at the markets’ Information Booths. All sampling practices are being discontinued as well as the elimination of cooked foods.

The move of the Thousand Oaks Market scheduled for March 26 to the Front Northwest Outdoor Lot at the Oaks Shopping Center has been postponed during this chaotic time. The market will remain at the East End Parking Lot on Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard until the market operations become stabilized. A new move date, projected for May, will be announced once the site has been approved.

Shoppers can assist with safety by utilizing the hand washing stations, washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before eating or drinking and washing again thoroughly after using the restroom. Products will be limited, and shoppers are asked to observe social distancing as well. All food products need to be thoroughly washed when taken home. It is also advisable not to touch ones’ face, hair, body or clothes. Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure everyone’s safety at the markets.

Current updates will be available on VCCFMA social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more information, call 805-529-6266, or visit the website at www.vccfm.org

Bob Crum

Check out the Youtube sandpiper video here https://youtu.be/oMFgwlQfdBY.

I'm delighted and surprised to see hundreds of emails from readers in my inbox.

However, so many emails that I had to hire three personal assistants. Therefore, I'm sending an invoice for $3.81 to everyone who emailed me last week to cover payroll! The hullabaloo is the result of my recent proselytizing unmercifully about photo 'prints'.

Noah, William, Isabella, James, Emma, Logan, Elijah, Ava, Lucas, Charlotte, Ethan, Jacob, Olivia, Michael, Sophia, Daniel, Amelia and others wrote essentially asking: Do you make prints yourself? Yes! Or do you send the digital file to a photo lab? Sometimes.

Except for canvas or aluminum prints, I produce prints up to size 13" X 19" (the maximum size photo paper my printers can handle) in my photo lab. I have two printers: A Canon Pro 10 and a Canon Pro 9000 MKII. Two printers because they each use a different type of ink. The Pro 10 uses pigment-based ink; the 9000 MKII uses dye-based ink.

Colorants in dye-based ink are fully dissolved in water, while pigment-based inks are insoluble particles suspended in water. The pros of Dye-based Inks: Cost less, has a broader color range and accuracy of color and produces prints more vibrantly.

The main advantage of pigment-based ink is that the ink will generally last longer because the colors locked in the pigments will protect them from evaporation or oxidation. Typically pigment-based ink costs more.

For most small prints, 4"X6" or 5"X7", I use the dye-based 9000 MKII printer. Longevity is not critical. For "Fine Art" prints selling for $$$$$, I use the pigment-based Pro 10 printer because longevity is important.

Making prints is the culmination of the creative process. From composing the photo in the camera, to post-processing, to the print slowly emerging from the printer is a pleasurable creative process. As photographer Jodi Durr said: I remember the moment (I made the photo) so vividly because it was photographed. I cherish the moment so fondly because it was printed."

Selecting the photo paper best suited for the print is essential. So many options! Brands include Red River, Canon, Epson, Hahnemuhle, Innova, Moab and Canson, to name a few. Choices include the thickness/basis weight. Photo papers are designed not only to look a certain way but also to feel a certain way. Texture refers to the fibrous look and feel of the paper. Surface sheen refers to the reflectivity of the paper coating. A print of a boudoir mermaid photo on Hahnemühle Photo Pearl 310 is so sensual! Imagine that hanging on your wall!

Print just 'special' photos. For every 50 digital photos I shoot, most likely only 1-2 worthy of printing. Also, it doesn’t make sense for everyone to invest in a photo printer, I understand that. But whether you print at home or send a file to a photo lab, print a special photo!

Think about collecting 30 (or more) photos from a family get together or a birthday or any special event for a photo book. Blurb, Shutterfly, Costco and others make great, economical photo books. Photo books make treasured family heirlooms.

I recently read: Take a trillion photos. Forget billions of them. But print one, and do it right. Mount it, frame it, display it! I'll add that five years hence you'll be delighted you did.

Wildlife is the photo of the week if birds may be considered wildlife. These little birds, sandpipers if I'm correct, frequent Faria County Beach around sundown, dashing around and poking their beaks into the sand. Interesting birds and so much fun to watch.

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Chancellor Greg Gillespie has announced that after monitoring the status of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic daily and consulting with and reviewing information from local, regional, state, and federal health agencies, Moorpark, Oxnard, Ventura colleges and Ventura College – East Campus will begin transitioning to virtual and alternative instruction for lecture classes beginning the week of March 16 through March 20. Following the week-long transition, lecture classes will move to virtual and alternative instruction beginning March 23. Student services on campuses and other support resources—such as libraries, computer labs, food pantries and admissions and records—will continue to be open and available to students.

“We are initiating the changes to our classes out of an abundance of caution,” said Gillespie, who noted that there are currently no cases of COVID-19 at any VCCCD campus. “We value our students, classified staff and faculty and want to support everyone in their educational and work efforts by maintaining a healthy and safe environment.”

“We made the decision after thorough consultation with Ventura County Public Health, our educational partners in the community, the State Chancellor’s Office, and our academic, classified, and student leadership,” added Board Chair Bernardo M. Perez. “Moving to virtual instruction enables our colleges to continue meeting the educational needs of our students and our community, while implementing a proactive approach that addresses concerns about everyone’s health and well-being.”

Courses that do not readily fit into a virtual format—especially in career education areas and other specialized disciplines—will be excluded from the requirement. At this time, laboratory classes, performing arts courses and activity courses (physical education/kinesiology) will continue as scheduled while implementing social distancing practices. Online courses and dual enrollment classes in the high schools will both continue as usual.

Virtual instruction will continue until April 6, which is VCCCD’s Spring Break. Classes are expected to resume April 13 and continue through the end of the semester. Due to the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the district will continue ongoing assessment regarding student instruction.

Effective March 16 through April 13, all public events and other activities expected to draw 250 or more people to any VCCCD campus will be postponed, modified, or canceled. This is in accordance with the latest guidelines from California Department of Public Health on events and gatherings, which recommends increasing social distancing and limiting large events. The decision regarding canceling, modifying or postponing graduation ceremonies for the colleges will be made at a later date.

All interested community members are encouraged to visit VCCCD Alerts for comprehensive campus information and latest updates.

About Ventura County Community College District
The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges—Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura—offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit vcccd.edu and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

To view this press release on our website or to access it in a different file format
(i.e. doc, pdf, html) please visit: https://newsroom.vcccd.edu/category/press-releases/

As Ventura County’s regional transportation planner and bus operator, the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is monitoring COVID-19 closely and staying in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services and other local transit providers. Currently, VCTC Intercity buses are running as usual while VCTC takes steps to reduce health risks for the community.

“Currently, our service is not affected by the coronavirus; however, should changing circumstances require us to adjust or cancel service, we will provide timely and detailed information via email, our website, and social media. We are monitoring the situation closely, along with the community of transit operators across Ventura County,” said Darren Kettle, VCTC executive director.

The following are highlights of the hygiene protocols we have implemented across VCTC Intercity Transit services:

Enhancing cleaning: VCTC has increased frequency of cleaning on fleets and at ticket sales office to multiple times a day, including with every shift change. VCTC utilizes recommended disinfectants to wipe down surfaces and equipment, with specific emphasis on high touch points.

Increasing supplies of antibacterial products: VCTC has increased available supplies to staff and drivers, such as antibacterial hand-sanitizer wipes, and made them available throughout employee workspaces.

Reinforcing good hygiene practices: We are sharing with employees and passengers the best ways to prevent communicable diseases, as well as implementing social distancing techniques, when possible. Training and other materials are distributed throughout our operations and will be revisited regularly by staff.

VCTC also shares the following CDC-recommended tips for riders to keep themselves and the community healthy:

Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
When sneezing and coughing, use tissues, promptly dispose of them and immediately wash your hands.
If you are feeling ill, please stay home until feeling better.
Practice social distancing by staying six feet from anyone who appears sick and selecting a bus seat far from other riders when possible.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit cdc.gov, and for local emergency planning information go to vcemergency.com.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission

The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.

The Fillmore Community Awards Committee is proud to announce Fillmore & Western Railway Company as the 2019 Business of the Year!

After learning about being selected Business of The Year, Josh Carsman, Fillmore & Western’s Marketing & Events Director said, “We are very grateful to be chosen Business of the Year by the Fillmore Community Awards Committee. Thank you!”

Josh went on to say, “With regards to the future of Fillmore & Western Railway. I'm optimistic that all parties involved can come to the table to reach a future sustainable long-term agreement that is beneficial to each. Whatever I can do to increase & expose the value that this railroad brings to the Heritage Valley & beyond I will. Its preservation plays an important role to Ventura County. Especially with driving tourism & economic development to the cities it connects. Each city has such a great agricultural history. Each has something special to offer. It's quite magical when we can all come together and do great things. People from other cities & counties even begin to notice. And thus begins the tides of change. Full steam ahead! We are extremely thankful for the community support & recognition we have received. Your local support is a critical part of the process & we hope to continue serving this community.”

Fillmore & Western Railway Company (Short Line Enterprises) was founded in 1967. Between 1967 & 1972, the company bought, sold and traded locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars. The majority of the equipment was acquired from the property departments of 3 major movie studios: MGM, Paramount & 20th Century Fox.

In 1996, Short Line Enterprises became the film division of the Fillmore & Western Railway Company. Operations expanded from movie work and limited passenger trips to year round Weekend Scenic adventures, Murder Mystery Comedy Lunch & Dinner trains, Holiday trains, Special Event trains, Steam train rides, School trains & privately chartered group trains. The antique trains of Fillmore & Western rolled into the 21st century. They remain highly involved in the magic of movie making, while the company's unique excursions provide the means of travel to a bygone era.

Fillmore & Western supports partnering with neighboring cities when possible and thanks all those who support preserving the railroad for years to come. They thank the local community and hope to remain in Ventura County. Visit Fillmore & Western’s website at FWRY.com and "Like" them on Facebook.

The Community Awards will take place on Saturday, April 11, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the Fillmore-Piru Memorial Building. More information to follow.

Presentation by Ma’ayn Johnson, A/CP, Housing and Land-use Planner, explained developments in Ventura County, historically and at the present time. Emphasis on the “housing crisis”, regional and state-wide, needs assessment, was discussed.

8-D - Council discussed and approved contract in the amount of $18,000 for the 2020 Fourth of July community fireworks show to be provided by ExpoShows, Inc. Fillmore.

A presentation by Ma'ayn Johnson, A/CP, Housing and Land-use Planner, explained developments in Ventura County, historically and at the present time. Emphasis on the "housing crisis", regional and state-wide needs assessment, was discussed.

A presentation was given to remind the Council of future Red Cross Month. Action will be taken at a later date.
8- A- City Council discussed amending the City’s contract with Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. to have Mariposa handle citywide irrigation services.

Considering the need for assistance with irrigation, staff has negotiated with Mariposa to have Mariposa perform irrigation services on a citywide basis, as previously advertised, in amount not to exceed $6,910/month or $82,920 annually. This amount will furnish a full-time irrigation specialist to the City, and at a very competitive rate.

Motion was approved, as recommended, to approve an amendment to the Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. contract in the amount of $82,290 per year and appropriate funds totaling $12,418.15 for FY19/20 general fund supported landscape irrigation maintenance areas.

8-B - Staff requested City Council receive report on proposed additions and updates to the Schedule of Fees and Charges for City Services; conduct a public hearing to obtain comments concerning the additions and/or changes; and consider adopting Resolution 20-3750 to add a credit card processing fee, certain parks and recreation fees, and add fire inspection fees under Building and Safety, update and/or add various filming fees, increase the planning deposit amounts for various planning activities plus restate some of the fees previously established and set forth in the City’s Schedule of Fees and Charges.

Request was continued to 3-24-2020

8-C - Discussion regarding establishing a commercial and industrial vacancy registration program and fee.
Vacant storefronts can be found in almost every area in Fillmore. Part of this problem is often due to the per square foot rents that are charged for commercial space, which can be financially prohibitive for some small businesses. As a result, commercial spaces remain vacant, creating a financial and economic impact on our community.

The impact of vacant storefronts not only degrades the character of Fillmore but creates visual blight and negatively affects the desirability of new businesses locating in an area, which in turn affects City tax revenues. Vacant commercial spaces also often attract undesirable behavior, and cause economic disruptions, whose externalized impacts are felt by surrounding neighbors, businesses, and ultimately the City, which must expend considerable resources addressing such impacts.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A narcotics investigation led to the arrest of two men and two women on March 4, 2020, for drug related violations including maintaining a place for selling or using controlled substances.

Between June 1, 2019 and February 26, 2020, Eddie Posadas and his acquaintances have been arrested by Fillmore patrol deputies for numerous drug related offenses at Posadas’ Fillmore residence. Detectives conducted an investigation and were able to confirm Posadas was involved in the sales of methamphetamine. Detectives were able to gather enough evidence to obtain a search warrant from the Superior Court in Ventura County for Posadas’ residence located in the 600 Block of Lemon Way in the city of Fillmore.

On March 4, 2020, detectives executed the search warrant at Posadas’ residence. Posadas, Xochitl Cervantes, Maria Negrete, and Mario Correa were all contacted as Posadas’ residence and were arrested for drug related violations. During the search, a small quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was found inside Posadas’ residence.

Based on the investigation, Posadas was booked into the Main Jail for a felony violation of HS 11366 – Maintaining Place for Selling or Using Controlled Substances and misdemeanor violations of HS 11377(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance, HS 11550(a) – Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, and HS 11364(a) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office elected to file the previously mentioned charges and Posadas remains in custody with his bail set at $25,000.

The Narcotics Street Team is comprised of Narcotic Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Oxnard Police Department.

Nature of Incident: Narcotics Arrests
Report Number: RB# 20-32233
Location: 600 Block of Lemon Way, Fillmore
Date & Time: 03/04/20 @ 1:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services, Fillmore Detectives, and Ventura County
Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Xochitl Cervantes, 24, Fillmore
(S) Eddie Posadas, 30, Fillmore
(S) Maria Negrete, 48, Fillmore
(S) Mario Correa, 55, Fillmore
Prepared by: Detective Shawn Pewsey #3867
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian