A road rage incident that occurred in Fillmore on Monday, April 1st, led to the arrest of an Oxnard man and woman for possessing a stolen firearm and a dagger.

On April 1st at approximately 9:45 a.m., Fillmore patrol deputies were alerted to a road rage incident that occurred at Telegraph Road and SR 126 in Fillmore. According to the victim, a subject, later identified as Jesse Ramos, flashed a handgun at the victim while they were driving through Fillmore. The victim was able to capture Ramos’ license plate and a description of the suspect and provided that to the Fillmore deputies.

A short time later, an alert deputy spotted Ramos’ car near Piru and stopped and detained Ramos and his passenger, Erin Powell. Deputies searched Ramos’ car and found a loaded 45 caliber handgun, reported stolen to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2015. Deputies also found Powell in possession of a dagger and arrested her. During the investigation, detectives uncovered information that led them to request a search warrant for the couple’s home. Detectives served the search warrant and recovered an additional firearm from the residence.

Ramos was booked at the Main Jail for PC 29800(a)(1) / Own/Possess/Control Firearm by Felon or Addict, PC 25850(c)(6) / Carry a Loaded Firearm, PC 26500(a) / Sell, Lease, Transfer Firearms without License, and PC 417(a)(2) / Exhibit Deadly Weapon or Firearm with his bail set at $50,000. Powell was booked at the Main Jail for PC 21310 / Carry Dirk or Dagger Concealed with her bail set at $10,000.

Prepared by: Detective Shawn Pewsey #3867
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this rime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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A Kern County parolee and another male adult were arrested for possessing a loaded firearm with a high capacity magazine during a traffic enforcement stop in Fillmore.

On April 8, 2019, patrol deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle for a speeding violation while driving through Fillmore. During the stop, deputies learned that one of the occupants, Eloidoro Marquez, was on parole out of Kern County. Pursuant to his parole terms, deputies searched Marquez and his vehicle, and they found a loaded handgun with a high capacity magazine holding 28 rounds of ammunition in the vehicle.

During the investigation, both Marquez and another occupant of the vehicle, (S) Anthony Davila, claimed ownership of the firearm and the high capacity magazine. Neither subject was the lawful owner of the firearm and Marquez is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his parole status.

Marquez was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for violating California Penal Code Sections 29800(a)(1) – Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, 30305(a)(1) – Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition, 32310(c) – Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, 27545 – Illegal Sale / Transfer of a Firearm, and Vehicle Code Section 25400(a)(1) – Carry a Concealed Firearm inside a Motor Vehicle.

Davila was booked into the county jail for violating California Penal Code Section 32310(c) – Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, 27545 – Illegal Sale / Transfer of a Firearm, and VC 25400(a)(3) – Carry a Concealed Firearm inside a Motor Vehicle.

Prepared by: Deputy Dylan Foley
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Bob Crum

What do you do with all the photos that you take and store on your cellphone? Most likely shoot and send off to Facebook or Instagram or attach to an email. After that, all but maybe a few vanish into the vapor of cyberspace while you're busy taking more snapshots destined for the same fate.

What if you could take a selfie or with a friend(s), and immediately print a memento sticker? You can! Imagine the fun!

As Tech Crunch stated, “People tired of taking dozens of shots on their phone and then never looking at them again are excited by the idea that you can leave your phone in your bag and get a fun photographic keepsake, no apps or wireless connections necessary.” Remember Polaroid?

Alas, with an instant-printing camera, you can now leave your cellphone in your pocket or bag and convert from 'phonetography' to 'photography', painlessly, sooner than later.

Fujifilm's popular model, the INSTAX Mini 90 Neo Classic, is a compact camera that supports the use of Fujifilm Instax mini-type film to produce instant credit card-sized prints. It features a 60mm lens, a built-in flash, and automatic exposure control to ensure accurate exposures in a variety of lighting conditions. An exposure counter visually displays the number of exposures remaining in the film pack.

Canon, a major manufacturer of photographic gear, jumped into the fray recently introducing two new instant cameras. The higher-end version, model Ivy Cliq+, is an instant camera with built-in mini photo printer that can fit in a pocket to take to a party.

Selfie-tographers, rejoice! The IVY CLIQ+ features a large 2" selfie mirror with an eight LED ring light for great looking selfies! If you must, connect your smartphone to the Canon Mini Print app via Bluetooth1 and take a photo with your smartphone's camera and print the photo. Even use fun AR filters and add effects, frames, text, and 'stickers' to your 2"x3" photos with a peel & stick back!

With the Canon IVY CLIQ+ now you have a camera and a printer about the size of a smartphone. Plus it's available in three dazzling colors: Pearl White, Sapphire Blue, and Ruby Red.

Mermaids are a subject that always instigates emails protesting their reality. However, for centuries eyewitnesses claimed to have seen real mermaids around the world. The sightings go back to the Roman Emperor Augustus (63 BCE-14 CE). Multiple artists produced images of mermaids drawn from life.

On his first voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus claimed to have encountered three mermaids. Columbus spotted the mermaids off the coast of Haiti in January of 1493. He wrote about the mermaids in his travel journal, where he said the mermaids “rose well out of the sea.” Who among us dares question Captain Columbus?

There is plenty of historical evidence that mermaids are real. Before anyone doubts the evidence, keep in mind that humans have not yet explored more than 95% of the oceans. Could mermaids be lurking in the deep sea? I know where one lives nearby!

March is mermazing mermaid month at the Ventura Harbor Village. Disney movie fans, know about Princess Ariel, the protagonist of Disney's classic 1989 animated feature film The Little Mermaid. Hence, children of all ages line up eager to meet, greet and chat with, ahem, a real mermaid! Photo of the week is Mermaid Kristen who resides in Section 9 of Kelp Village in Seaweed County. Remit $50 for her GPS coordinates.

Photo ops abound this weekend. Easter bunny and egg hunt at Two Rivers park 9 am to 1 pm and Community Center flower show Saturday and Sunday. Happy photoing!

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

At last night’s School Board meeting concerned parents addressed the bullying atmosphere in Fillmore schools, particularly middle school.

Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District:

Winter 2018 High School Athletics Update
Information was presented to the Governing Board by Fillmore High School Principal, John Wilber.

Winter 2018 Sports Medicine Report
Information was presented to the Governing Board by Director of Sports Medicine, Breanna McLain

Revision to the Single Plan for Student Achievement, Mountain Vista Elementary School
The Governing Board approved the revision to the Single Plan for Student Achievement, Mountain Vista Elementary School.

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

Source: Fillmore City/Police

The City of Fillmore and the Fillmore Police Department have received numerous complaints about residence placing objects in the street in front of their homes to reserve parking spaces. The placing of any object in any public roadway is an encroachment into the public right of way. Encroachments within the City are only allowed with a permit issued by the city pursuant to Fillmore Municipal Code Section 11.12.020. Any resident found placing objects into the streets without first obtaining a permit is in violation of this section. The City of Fillmore and the Fillmore Police Department will begin issuing citations for violations of this section beginning on May 1, 2019. The Penalty for violating this section is a fine up to $100 for the first offense.

Submitted by Jan Lee

The Fillmore Flower Show is just around the corner, April 13 & 14, 2019 at the Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street. Plan to enter something and attending during public viewing from 1:00 t0 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The beautiful blooms, dish gardens, plants, music, cafe and plant boutique are well worth the effort. Admission is FREE! You can buy a ticket to enter a silent auction with prizes donated by local businesses. This year there will be an activities table for children. Also enjoy a display of 100 years of flower show photos.

The divisions for adults to enter are listed on the website: fillmoreflowershow.org. There is a $5 fee to enter no matter how many entries you have. The judges will select the top representation of each category. Bring your entry to the Center between 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 12th.

While Youth are allowed to enter any division and be judged with the adults, there are a few divisions especially for Youth who reside within the boundaries of the Fillmore Unified School District beginning at age 3. Division IX—Youth Arrangements - This is a flower display, limited to 20” X 20” to be arranged at the show without adult help. Arrangement should reflect the theme of the show, “100 Years Celebrating Flowers”. Division X— Youth Composition - An original poem or short essay on a single page with or without illustration on the theme of the flower show. Division XI— Youth Art (Non-Competitive) - Original artwork reflecting the flower show theme.

Think of all the celebrations in your life where flowers play a significant role: birthdays, Valentine’s Day, weddings, graduation, love, promotions, baby born, etc. Isn’t it time to celebrate the flowers that always bring joy to the special moments in our lives? Come on you creative people! Let’s see how you can join the fun by sharing the beauty of you garden with your neighbors. We are counting on all of you to make this the best show ever!

See you at the Fillmore Flower Show!

Bob Crum

Upon awakening, I rolled out of bed and dashed to the computer for an Antelope Valley weather report: Temperature in the low 70s with a moderate breeze of 6-9mph. Great! Poppy bloom is short-lived so quickly dressed, grabbed my gear and headed north for another exciting photographic adventure.

Fake weather report! At my first stop, the weather was horrific! Not only very cold, but also very windy! What to do?

I've experienced this condition – cold and windy - before so I was prepared for gloom. I donned a winter coat, grabbed the camera and grudgingly began the short walk to the poppies. As expected, the poppies were closed tighter than a gnat's chuff! Nyctinasty! Nevertheless, I shot some photos of closed poppies for future purposes.

Nature devised a mechanism whereby plants, like poppies, protect themselves against unfavorable weather conditions by closing the flowers. The process is called nyctinasty (nĭk′tĭ-năs′tē). Wind and/or cold temperature trigger nyctinasty. Speculation suggests that cold temperatures cause the cells of the underside of a poppy to swell up more than those on the top causing the flower to close. When the temperature rises, the swelling subsides and the flower opens. Wind also triggers nyctinasty to protect the poppy's petals from blowing away.

I recall a bed of poppies on an east-facing hill about three miles up the road. Perhaps situated leeward and sheltered, I might get lucky. Though cold and windy, many sheltered and sun-warmed flowers were open and shouting TAKE MY PICTURE! So many glorious poppies without, ahem, a phonetographer in sight!

The little grove of Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) was about five miles down the road. I previously made a quick cursory trip around the area making only a few photos. This trip I spent more time in the grove. Aberrant, irregular growth patterns, and in full bloom, make the tree-like succulents interesting and very photogenic.

Moving on, I turned south on 170th Street West. A couple of miles down the road I was surprised to see thousands of poppies that weren't there previously. On the east side of 170th Street, up a dirt road, poppies filled a hillside. These too were on the southeast leeward side of a hill shielded from the wind and sun-warmed. With so many luscious photo ops, endorphins flooded my head making me giddy! Such are the joyous experiences of a wildflower photographer.

Later, I moseyed down Lancaster road, past the busy Poppy Reserve on to Munz Ranch Road. Within a few miles another southeast-facing hill full of sheltered poppies. A delightful ending to a fulfilling day of photoing poppies. Perseverance rules. Also delighted to be legally allowed to have so much fun!

One fantabulous adventure deserves another. So, last Saturday, the last day of Mermazing Mermaid Month, I went to Ventura Harbor Village. There I met Kristen, a beautiful mermaid with a lovely tail. In between Kristen meeting & greeting a line of children eager to meet a real mermaid, we made plans to meet afterward, in a kayak-for-two, under the Ventura Pier. We enjoyed shrimp scampi, champagne & great conversation. When time for her to return to her watery home, I asked for her, ahem, phone number. HA! The laughter was rollicking and hearty. Cell phones don't work underwater! However, she told me that she resides in Section 9 of Kelp Village in Seaweed County and whispered the GPS coordinates!

Photo of the week is another image of gorgeous poppies with a backdrop of fiddlenecks.

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