Bob Crum

Aah, the pain hurts so good. As I write this on Monday following the Railfest, I'm still recovering. Like some dogs are predisposed to chase cars nipping at the tires, I was compelled to chase the steam engine but not to [!@#$] at the hooves of the iron horse. Just that the steam engine is a photo op phenomenon.

A slowpoke the steam engine is not. Spewing steam and smoke, she rambles speedily. One must be equally speedy because there's very little time to drive from one shooting location to the next. Adding to the foreboding franticness, some motorists drive like they have nowhere to go and all day to get there. GET OUT OF MY WAY! (Yelled silently, of course.)

Fortunately, most of my shooting spots along the route were devoid of, ahem, “phonetographers.” However, there were several of “them” at the last location, one standing down the track 100 yards or so, in view of course. This necessitated taking a different position than planned. After the train passed, I waited for him whereby I cheerfully admonished him about proper protocol, i.e., GET OUT OF THE WAY of the shot for the rest of us. For the coup de gras, I pointed to the sign: “Private Property, No Trespassing.” Phonetographers!

True, photography is all about “light.” Great light makes a good photo better. But photographers don't control daylight, yet. The event happens regardless of the kind of light nature presents. It was cloudy all Railfest weekend presenting diffused soft light! A photography friend loves cloudy skies declaring soft light moody. Sure, if I'm photoing mermaids on the beach under cloudy skies, the soft light exudes a tantalizing, exotic mood. Conversely, I prefer sunlight creating contrast on the steam engine's metallic body expressing muscle. Regardless, as long as the light isn't dark, it's good!
As mentioned often, composition is a significant component of a compelling photo. I have predetermined locations specifically for obtaining compelling photos. But this year, Fillmore & Western Railway (FWRY) discombobulated my photoing plan. My locations are selected based on the steam engine pulling the train west, as in years past. This year, however, FWRY put the engine on the east end of the train pushing it west and pulling it back to Fillmore, ruining my planned shots. (sigh) There wasn't time to re-scout new locations based on the train configuration, so I still shot from my predetermined places. The problem? Smoke trails don't lie. Forward leaning smoke indicates a train in reverse — wrong perspective. To get the perspectives I wanted required shooting from a different location as the train approaches. Fix it in Photoshop? I could, but that would violate my photojournalism code of ethics so not an option.

The photo of the week is #14 on the 88-year-old turntable. The turntable, purchased from Capreo, Canada for $16,000, is operated by the Santa Clara Valley Railroad Historical Society. Notice the steam rising straight up? Truly an 'authentic' photo! More Railfest photos forthcoming.

Art and Photography Exhibition showing now through Sunday, May 5 in city hall. Hours: 5/3 noon to 7 pm, 5/4 noon to 5 pm, 5/5 noon to 4 pm. Yes, I have three photos on display. The Artist Reception on Friday, May 3, from 5 pm to 7 pm is an excellent opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their art. Come by and buy! All art is for sale. Remember to vote and submit your People's Choice ballot for a $100 drawing! See you there!

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

Pictured right is Jose “Froggy” Estrada during his training at his home gym, West Coast Jiu-Jitsus in Oxnard. Photo courtesy Joe Woods.
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It is fight time again sports fans! That’s right The Frog Man is about to fight again! Friday night, April 26th, on the campus of U.S.C. in Los Angeles, Ca. First fight starts at 7 p.m. I got a chance to go to West Coast Jiu-Jitsus in Oxnard where Jose “Froggy” Estrada trains, with the great coach Brian Espinoza in charge and teammate Michael Reyes, both getting ready to fight the same night. I had a sit down interview with Froggy, this is how it went:

Question: Are you ready?
Froggy: Yes Sir! Been ready since my last fight. The fire inside is burning.

Question: What’s the temperature?
Froggy: 200 degrees! I am ready to go all out in this fight. Training hard, eating good, ready to redeem myself after the last fight that I got robbed in Mexico. I’m back with a chip on my shoulder.

Question: What can you tell me about the guy you are fighting?
Froggy: Undefeated. His first fight at 145 pounds, record of 3-0. His name is Adrian Guzman. He is a striker, he is working on his wrestling. I need to show him my experience and skills I have.

Question: What are you going to do about this guy when you get him in the cage Friday night?
Froggy: I am going to out skill him, out class him, and do what Froggy does best. With my experience, and this not being my first rodeo, I will take him out.

Question: Do you ever have any fear before a fight?
Froggy: NO FEAR!

Question: What gets you going on fight night? What gets you excited?
Froggy: Being able to fight and perform in front of the crowd. To be able to back up what is being said on T.V., social media, the press, and knowing I am fighting on worldwide T.V. That is what brings me enjoyment, to give the viewer what they want on fight night.

Question: Do you respect Adrian Guzman?
Froggy: Right now, yes. But not when the cage door locks. It will be him against me then. And it will be me with my hand raised in victory when the fight ends.

Question: What about after the fight? Do you respect him then?
Froggy: Yes. Always respect. Respect for his team, his family and of course him.

Question: What do you want to say to your fans before the fight?
Froggy: Thank you, thank you for your support. I hope you all tune in to the fight on T.V. or on social media. Thank you to my hometown Fillmore! Thank you for the support over the years. Be ready to see the Frog do his thing!

Question: Who do you want to thank?
Froggy: My manger, my coaches, my teammates at West Coast Jiu-Jitsu. My family, my sponsors, and of course my fans. And I have a message to the kids out there; keep working hard, and never give up on your dreams!

Folks I have been covering Froggy Estrada since his first fight. This is a great man and a great role model for all of us out there. I have known him since he was in Middle School here in Fillmore, and I am so proud to be able to call Jose “Froggy” Estrada my friend. Thank you Froggy! Now DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE! The fight will be on Univision T.V. on Friday night, April 26th. Look up your local listing for the time.

Henry Mata, 67, Fillmore.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Henry Mata (DOB 6/13/51), of Fillmore, was convicted of molesting four children under the age of 14. Specifically, Mata was convicted of one count of oral copulation on a minor under age 10, one count of digital penetration on a child under age 10, seven counts of lewd acts upon a child under age 14, five counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under age 14, and one count of annoying or molesting a child. Additionally, the jury found true a special allegation that Mata committed lewd acts involving substantial sexual conduct upon multiple victims.

In April 2016, the first of four victims came forward to Ventura County Sheriff’s detectives stating Mata committed numerous lewd acts upon her in his Fillmore home when she was eight years old. After investigating, detectives arrested Mata and the District Attorney’s Office filed formal charges. Shortly thereafter, three additional victims came forward with information that Mata molested them numerous times between 2004 and 2014 while they were between the ages of 6 and 12. Two additional uncharged victims testified at trial that Mata committed lewd acts upon them while living in Santa Paula in the 1980s when they were between the ages of seven and ten years old. All victims were related to Mata.

Sentencing for Mata is scheduled May 15, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 23 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. Mata faces a maximum possible sentence of over 300 years to life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

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.

City of Fillmore

Fire Chief Keith Gurrola spoke to the Council concerning fire prevention measures and trash removal. He cautioned about the heavier than normal weed growth expected following this year’s exceptional rainfall. Chipper Day was announced for May 4 when the City will pick up hazardous materials, including palm fronds. Strong efforts should be made to clean-up fire-hazard growths before July 4.

City Council approved the adoption of Ordinance 19-908 to add Fillmore Municipal Code Chapter 11.13 to regulate Small Cell Wireless Facilities (SWF) in the public right-of-way, and determine the project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act.

TOWNE THEATRE
Staff has recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency Board authorize staff solicit offers from private parties to purchase the Towne Theatre. Council chose to wait until all Council members were present before making a decision on this matter.

8-C.
Staff’s recommendation that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 19-3698 declaring its intention to levy the annual assessment, approve the preliminary Annual Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2019/20, and set a Public Hearing for May 14, 2019 to receive public comments on the proposal to increase the assessments, was approved.

HOSPICE
8-G. Staff’s request that the City Council approve a new real property agreement for the use of the Store Front located at 642 Lemon Way by Santa Clara Valley Hospice was approved.

The Packinghouse Creative (341 A Street Fillmore) will be one of two Fillmore locations featured on the 34th Annual Barn Tour on Saturday April 27, 2019. Packinghouse Creative founder, David Storrs, likes to think outside the box. He came to Fillmore and fell in love with the town about five years ago. He purchased the one-time orange packinghouse facility and converted it into a creative space for luthiers and other skilled artisans. A portion of the 8,000 square foot facility currently houses an array of private collection items celebrating Americana culture. Unique vintage items include cars, hundreds of antiques, movie props, old signs, and full-size vignettes of days gone by. The facility is seldom open to the public. The other four locations on the Barn Tour include: The Bunny Hill Farm (2206 Grand Ave. Fillmore); The Agriculture Museum (c. 1888) (926 Railroad Ave. Santa Paula); Ranch Rodoro (c. 1870) (14732 W. Telegraph Rd. Santa Paula); and The Fig Tree Farm (c. 1919) (1372 1W. Telegraph Rd. Santa Paula). Tickets are $25 per person and include lunch (12 and under are $5 per person). Hours are 10am-3pm. The event will benefit the Santa Clara Valley Hospice/The Home Support Group Inc. To purchase tickets in advance please call 805.330.0093, or visit the Sana Clara Valley Hospice/The Home Support Group Inc. at 217 10th St., Santa Paula. Tickets will also be sold on the day of the event at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. Hospice is pleased to announce that they will be better serving the Fillmore and Piru communities when they open their satellite office in Fillmore. The grand opening is scheduled for May 15, 2019.

Submitted By Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola

Annual notices to abatement hazardous weeds and brush are being mailed out this week and next by the Fillmore Fire Department. The last date to remove the weeds is June 1st but the Fire Department encourages everyone to have their weeds removed as soon as possible due to the dry conditions that have persisted this past month. Heavy rainfall this last winter has contributed to a bumper crop of weeds throughout the region; some properties in the city have had weeds grow as tall as shoulder high. When clearing dry brush and weeds take precautions to ensure accidental fires are not started by hot exhaust from weed eaters and lawn mowers. The Fire Department suggests that weed clearing occur in the mornings when humidity's are higher and temperatures are cooler. Dead wood from trees and brush should be removed. Dead palm fronds are also encouraged to be removed. To help facilitate early hazardous weed and brush removal, the City with help from Harrison Industries and the local Fire Safe Council, is hosting a free "Yard Waste Disposal Day" on May 4 (see announcement in the Gazette). There will also be a Weed Abatement Question and Answer session on Tuesday April 30 from 5 - 7 PM on the steps of City Hall. Fire Department personnel will be available to answer questions in both English and Spanish.