Bob Crum

Another fantabulous May Festival is in the books! Photos were shot on Saturday. Better weather brought out the whole town. And from kiddies to grannies, hundreds danced to great music in front of city hall.

The event is an excellent opportunity to practice conscious awareness. However, the moment I witnessed it, my subconscious being aware of being consciously aware invoked confusion. So I just stopped thinking about being consciously aware, and instantly instinct took over. The result: 858 photos from which to select 40 or so. About average when encountering a cornucopia of photo ops.

One problem: Phonetographers! They seem to be multiplying logarithmically—19,483 phonetographers in 2017, 195,259 last year, 1,382,690 this year. An epidemic of ginormous proportions!

If only I got a dollar for every kid who approached me begging: “Hey mister, take my photo”! “Can't, your mother told me not to” usually works. If it doesn't, I threaten to seize their cellphone. That always works because a teenager can't live five minutes without texting!

Carnival photo ops are incredibly challenging. Consider a scene of people in partial shade waiting for deep-fried Twinkies and a game booth with bright lights in the frame. If I expose for the bright lights, people in the shadows are underexposed. If I expose for the people, the bright lights are bright blobs. Wait! My Canon 7DMKII gives me exposure metering mode options. Pressing the WB button gives me the following options: “Evaluative metering”, “Partial metering”, “Spot metering” or “Center-weighted average metering.” In the scene described, I selected center-weighted average metering. Bingo! Still, the exposure is seldom perfect, or what I'd like. However, back home I can tweak the exposure with Lightroom. Ah, the wonders of technology, and strawberry margaritas.

Rides all move at various speeds providing exciting options. At a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, the result would be a fine but a static photo. However, if I reduce the shutter speed to perhaps 1/20th of a second, the ride will be blurred which is perfect for illustrating motion. Hold on! A slower shutter speed increases the light wreaking exposure havoc. OK, I'll simply decrease the aperture size accordingly. Y'all remember the exposure triangle of ISO, shutter speed and aperture, right? Ah yes, when I can float ISO, mash buttons and twirl camera dials to create a photo, I'm ecstatic! And happy to be legally allowed to have so much fun!

Carnival's formidable challenges make photoing interesting. Never a dull moment. Given the technology of present-day cameras, photographers can create most any photo their mind envisions. However, even advanced cameras can do only so much in “P” mode. “P” means “program” not “professional.” It should be evident that to execute various photographic options, (here it comes) one has to know how to operate their camera effectively. It takes time and determination to master the camera but quite rewarding. Though painless, I'm becoming convinced that this learning curve deters many from relishing the jubilation of creating photos. Photography is about creativity. Turn cellphone on, frame image, push camera button... what's creative about that? Yes, I know many phonetographers are as fond of photography as I am of pickled pigs feet. But it's my job to keep teasing. Furthermore, my toes tingle every time a phonetographer buys a real camera.

Photo of the week: The carnival midway and a sunstar. I enjoy creating sunstars in photos when appropriate. The sunstar was created in camera, not with an add-on in post-processing.

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

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A fifteen year old Piru juvenile was arrested after Fillmore detectives tied him to graffiti vandalisms that occurred at the Fillmore High School and at a county park in Piru.

The Fillmore Investigations Bureau concluded a 3 month investigation into the tagger who had been committing vandalisms at the Fillmore High School as well as throughout the town of Piru during the spring of 2019. The markings caused over $1600.00 in property damage to Fillmore High School and county parks of Piru.

Detectives worked in conjunction with the Fillmore School Resource Officer to collect intelligence in order to identify the vandal. Once identified, investigators sought a search warrant for the juvenile’s residence. During the service of the search warrant, investigators uncovered additional evidence linking the suspect to additional graffiti vandalisms.

The juvenile was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard for PC 594(b)(1)/ Graffiti Vandalism.

Prepared by: Deputy Cameron Knox
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Submitted by Coach Cindy Blatt

Six Varsity Girls participated in the CIF-SS Div 4 swimming championships prelims on May 1 in Riverside, CA. For the first time in FHS Swim Team history two relays teams qualified for the prelims. The 200 yd. Medley Relay (Kat Furness, Yazmeen Gonzalez, Erin Berrington and Zoe Avila) swam to a 28th place finish out of 35 teams. Their time of 2:09.59 was three seconds faster than their qualifying time and is a new school record. The 200 yd. Freestyle Relay (Yazmeen Gonzalez, Karen Trujillo, Natalie Couse, Zoe Avila) placed 35th with an excellent time of 2:01.05. The 400 yd. Freestyle Relay was 1st alternate and did not make it into the meet.

Katrionna Furness qualified for finals on Friday, May 3rd. She swam a lifetime best in the 100 yd. Freestyle with a 53.73 placing 4th with a new school record. Kat also swam the 100 yd. Backstroke, placing 5th with a 1:00.78, several tenths faster than her prelim time.

“We are very proud of all the girls”, stated Coach Cindy Blatt. “They swam well in a very competitive Div 4 meet. Kat is a senior and will be missed. She has shown our other swimmers how to compete at a higher level.”

How about a little history of the Fillmore High Alumni Dinner. In the early 1900's the annual dinner meetings were held on the High School Campus, with individual class meetings being held in separate class rooms. The dinners, which usually consisted of pit barbecue, were prepared by various groups, including Albert (Dutch) Bartels '26, and his crew, and Ed Burson and his group. Dinner attendees sat at tables on benches made from citrus picking boxes and 1x12's. The dinners were held on the old tennis courts, which is where the high school cafeteria is located now. After 1951, Dinners were held between the current Gym and the Cafeteria, and on the High school quad, and eventually, at the Memorial Building, where the meals were prepared by The Fillmore Club, headed by K.B. Rogers and Ron Godfrey '62. Eventually, as it grew in numbers, it was moved to the City Park. Dinners returned to the Memorial Building (it's current location); but this time, out on the lawn area to accommodate everyone wishing to attend. You can pay for your reservations online at www.fillmorehighalumni.com (Click on Events), or you can go to Patterson Hardware (open 7 days a week) and pay in person.

A parent spoke at last night’s school board meeting about the issue of fight that has been taking place at Fillmore Middle School.

Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District

Award Bid for Gymnasium Roofing Restoration at Fillmore High School
The Governing Board awarded the bid as follows:
Project #: 2019-25
Project Description: Gymnasium Roofing Restoration at Fillmore High School
Bid Date: April 24, 2019
Bid Results: Lowest Qualified Bidder: Western States Roofing, Inc.
Bid Amount: $378,000.00

Award Bid for Science Building Window Replacement at Fillmore High School
The Governing Board awarded the bid as follows:
Project #: 2019-026
Project Description: Window Replacement at Fillmore High School Science Building
Bid Date: April 24, 2019
Bid Results: Lowest Qualified Bidder: Bodagger Builders
Bid Amount: $412,425.00

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

Bob Crum

Last week I was intensively and arduously involved in the inaugural Art and Photography Exhibition. Sponsored by Fillmore's Arts Commission, the exciting art show was presented in city hall's council chamber. Fifteen artists and four photographers presented their artwork. Most visitors were surprised and delighted to see a wide variety of art and photos.

The artist reception was a smashing success. So many from the community attended, enjoying the opportunity to meet the artists and photographers and discuss their artwork, if so inclined. Some art was purchased.

The majority of visitors, with the People's Choice ballots in hand, took voting for their 1st, 2nd and 3rd favorite works of art and photographs seriously, reviewing the art two or three times before voting. Over 180 visitors cast People's Choice ballots.

As you'll note in another space or the website, my photo of the Fillmore & Western steam engine nighttime photo won People's Choice first place. My photo of the dazzling poppies that I featured here as the photo of the week a month ago won second place. Winning two awards out of three is a great honor. Furthermore, a collector purchased the print of my train photo.

Photography, i.e., fine art photography, was woefully underrepresented. Only four photographers participated. So depressing. I'd like to see a much larger contingency of photographers exhibiting in next year's show. I have to believe that there are many photographers in Fillmore. To be included in next year’s show, send me an email today!

At the art show, I learned that many would-be photographers simply haven't learned about photography. I'm not surprised. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my subconscious mind, a place deep in my brain, I sensed that I knew the reason the masses abandoned photography in exchange for phonetography, but I couldn't articulate my synopsis till now. Most phonetographers are lazy! While a would-be musician, or would-be golfer, knows that lessons and practice manifest a piano player or golfer, the majority of phonetographers avoid learning photography. After all, lessons and practice steal Facebook time. So much easier to whip out the cellphone, snap a photo and slap it up on Facebook or Instagram. But that's a snapshot, not a photo! Even while acknowledging photography's advantages, phonetographers effectuate a simile of Newton's First Law: Things not bothered to learn remain unlearned. The universal truth: Photography knowledge cannot be learned by osmosis!

Many would-be photographers I talked with at the art show universally agreed that they would participate in a photography group (club) for education & fun. However, as previously stated, I don't have a projector necessary for critiquing photos. Does anyone know anyone from whom I can borrow a projector one evening a month? Or where I might obtain a projector for a modest cost? Or just send me a check for $650. Just a thought!

One refrain I hear repeatedly is how do I find so much variety to photograph? Seriously? Remember my commentary about conscious awareness? It's as simple of being aware and learning to see as a photographer. Even phonetographers can learn this, I think.

One day I saw a unique and interesting accumulation of clouds over the backcountry north of Fillmore. Camera in hand, I drove up Goodenough Road looking for the best location to shoot from without overhead power lines in the frame. It took considerable moving around to find the best place from where to shoot that showed the avocado grove in the foreground, the mountains, and clouds. Location determines perspective for best composition. Happy photoing.

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

Katrionna Furness was two time first-team All Citrus Coast League champion. Photos courtesy Coach Cindy Blatt.
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Sam Guzman swimming the 100 yd. butterfly.
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Fillmore High teammates cheering for their swimmers at Thursday’s All Citrus Coast League championships.
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Submitted by Cindy Blatt

Fillmore High School swim team participated in the prelims and finals of the Citrus Coast League Swimming Championship on April 23 & 25, hosted by Malibu High School. The very competitive new league includes Fillmore, Malibu, Santa Paula High School, Carpinteria High School, Hueneme High School and Nordhoff High School.

FHS Jr. Varsity Girls placed third in a five team field. Kodi Sieben won the 100 yd. Individual Medley and placed second in the 50 yd. breaststroke. Olivia Palazuelos, Stephanie Garcia, Hannah Fairall, Angie Mynatt, Isabela Regalado, Ximena Orozco all had strong individual performances. The 200 yd. Medley Relay and the 400 yd. Freestyle Relay placed second. Additionally Anahi Hernandez, Ramona Delgarn and Emma Myers helped to score points on the 200 yd. Freestyle Relay.

Varsity Boys placed 5th in a six team field. Ricky Cadena, Eddie Rodriguez, Ethan Gray, Sam Guzman, James Chandler, Jesus Ceballos and George Mooradian all placed in individual events and helped score team points on relays.

Varsity Girls placed 5th in a six team field. Katrionna Furness was a two-time Citrus Coast champion in the 50 yd. freestyle and the 100 yd. backstroke. Freshman Yazmeen Gonzales, Karen Trujillo, Zoe Avila, Erin Berrington, Isabella Palazuelos, Michelle Higuera, Abby Sanchez all placed in individual events and helped score team points on relays. Other relay swimmers include Melia Galindo, Faith DeRuchie, and Natalie Couse.

“We had a handful of really great swims”, stated Coach Cindy Blatt, “but most of our swimmers swam very flat swims, meaning they did not make time drops in their races. This was not a surprise to Coach Mike and me because our swimmers have been swimming in a cold pool (72-74 degrees) since the middle of March. Our swimmers were not able to put in the proper hard work and spend time in the pool that was needed due to the cold pool. We are very proud of all our swimmers for swimming hard and doing their best!”

Katrionna Furness has qualified in the 100 yd. freestyle and the 100 yd. backstroke at the CIF Div4 Swimming Championships in Riverside. Prelims are on Wednesday May 1st , Finals are Friday, May 3rd. FHS Varsity Girls have also qualified in the 200 yd. Medley Relay, the 200 yd. Freestyle Relay and they are first alternate in the 400 yd. Freestyle Relay. Relay team members are: Kat Furness, Yazmeen Gonzalez, Karen Trujillo, Zoe Avila, Erin Berrington and Natalie Couse.

To all of you fight fans out there, I hope you had the chance to see the Combate Americas fights on Univision or live at The Galen Center at U.S.C. If you missed it, you missed a true war between Adrian Guzman, now 4-1, and Fillmore’s own Jose “Froggy” Estrada, now with a record of 6-2.

The fight was made up of many battles. Both fighters came out slugging. Froggy struck first in the first round with a right hand that sent Guzman down on his backside. Guzman got up quickly and tagged Froggy with a right/left combo that knocked Froggy down. “Man he rocked me,” said Froggy. “I got up and took a deep breath and said to myself, don’t panic. I felt okay after that.”

After many more punches thrown by both fighters, in this reporter’s mind, Froggy getting the best of them, I saw a head butt that caused a big cut on the Frog Man. It did not seem to bleed much and Froggy did not seem to give it any thought. Then Guzman got Froggy in a guillotine hold (choke hold), but with some great moves Froggy got out of it. Before the five minute round was over both fighters knew they were in a real war.

Now the start of the second round, Froggy was cut above the right eye, and Guzman was bleeding from the mouth. The two fighters picked it up where they left off. The crowd of about 3,000 people were into the fight. The shouts of “FROGGY, FROGGY, FROGGY!” filling the arena, the fighters were slugging it out again. Both landing hard clean shots.

All at once Guzman got Froggy in the same choke hold he had earlier in the fight. It was on tight. I was worried for our man from Fillmore. But then, to the amazement of the crowd, Froggy picked up Guzman while in the choke hold and slammed him to the mat. The crowd went crazy, so did I! Then with his skill, Froggy put a rear-naked choke hold on Guzman. Guzman showed heart and worked his way out of the hold, but then Froggy slapped Guzman with another rear-naked choke hold. With blood spitting from his mouth Guzman had no choice but to tap out. This was a true war!

Froggy being the showman that he is, jumped on top of the cage, with his arms raised high, he showed his excitement to the crowd as they chanted his name over and over again. After Froggy got down, the ring announcer said the greatest words this reporter could hear, “THE WINNER FROM FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA, JOSE ‘’FROGGY” ESTRADA!”

After some T.V. interviews I met up with Froggy backstage. He was getting about five stitches above his eye. I asked Froggy how do you feel? “Great Coach Woods! That was a great fight.” Froggy went on to say,”He rocked me a little, but I landed more shots on him.” Let me tell you folks, this young man has great skills. He can fight! Froggy has the crowd on his side, with great skills, guts, and personality. His smile can light up an arena. He is a joy to watch. “I love doing this!” Froggy said. “This is what the Frog does!”

I would like to thank the people at Combate Americas for the V.I.P. treatment they show not only Froggy and his team, but also to me. Even though I am just a small time, sometime reporter, they treated me with respect. Also there were many great fights on this card. West Coast Jiu-Jitsu scored two wins when “Malicious” Michael Reyes 6-4 took out Oscar “Jacarei” Suarez now 4-3 in the second round on a T.K.O. Combata Americas has some great hungry, and up and coming fighters. They entertain and come out to fight.

What is next for Froggy? “Take a few days off, have some good food at Grandmas house, then back to work getting ready for the next fight,” said Froggy. “When the next fight comes around I will be ready for whoever they put up against me. I will always be ready!”

Congratulations to Froggy, Michael Reyes, and the West Coast Jiu-Jitsu team. And I am sure Froggy would want me to say God Bless Mose Aieti, and rest in peace, brother.

Battles make wars. The battles Froggy and Guzman fought went back and forth for the eight minutes they fought. But what matters most in the fight game is who won the most battles, and at the end, who wins the war. In this fight Froggy won most of the battles, and he for sure won the war.

Isaias Arana, 24, San Fernando.

A suspect has been arrested after kidnapping and threatening to kill a woman.

On the evening of April 24th, at approximately 7:52 pm, patrol deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol Station responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 100 Block of South Hopper Canyon Road, in the unincorporated area east of Fillmore. Upon arrival, deputies learned that Isaias Arana had come to the residence in an attempt to contact a female victim in violation of a restraining order. After being denied entry into the home, Arana used a pistol to shoot several bullets through the front door and a window while the victims were inside.

As Arana entered the residence through a broken window, one of the adult victims was able to flee the residence with a child through a back door. Once inside, Arana threatened to kill the other two female victims and forced them into another room at gunpoint. Soon after, one of those victims was able to successfully flee the residence.

When deputies arrived, the reporting parties believed that Arana and the final victim may still be inside the residence. Therefore, the Sheriff’s SWAT Team was activated and responded to the location believing Arana was armed and barricaded inside the residence with the final victim.

Further investigation determined that Arana had forced the victim out of the residence at gunpoint prior to the deputies’ arrival. Arana then drove the victim to the San Fernando Valley where he picked up a male acquaintance. After driving to the Pacoima area, the male acquaintance engaged in a physical altercation with Arana in an attempt to disarm him. The female victim used this opportunity to flee. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the location reference the physical disturbance and contacted the two men. Arana was subsequently arrested and the firearm was recovered.

Arana was transported to the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he was booked for 664/187(a) PC - Attempted Murder, 207 PC - Kidnapping, 422 PC - Criminal Threats and 273.6 PC - Violation of a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. Arana is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on April 29, 2019. His bail has been set at $1,000,000.00. Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Frances Saleh at (805) 384-4729, or by email at frances.saleh@ventura.org.

Prepared by: Detective Frances Saleh
Approved by: Captain Jeff Miller

APRIL 30, 2019 Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District

2019 Summer Projects Update
Information was presented to the Governing Board by Assistant Superintendent, Andrea McNeill, Director of MOT, Phil Clark, and Maintenance Manager, Denise Berrington.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

To encourage an increase in bicycle safety in our community, the Fillmore Citizen Patrol will be holding a bicycle safety rodeo from 9 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, May 4th. The event will be near the BMX track at Two Rivers Park and will feature a safety course, bike tune-ups, free helmets and fitting assistance, bicycle registration and raffle prizes. The event will also feature displays from the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad, SWAT team, K9 Unit, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and Fillmore Fire Department.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Millions of Americans ride bicycles, but less than half wear bicycle helmets. For example, a national survey conducted in 2001-2003 found that only 48% of children ages 5-14 years wore bicycle helmets when riding. Further, older children were less likely to wear helmets than younger children. In 2010 in the U.S., 800 bicyclists were killed and an estimated 515,000 sustained bicycle-related injuries that required emergency department care. Roughly half of these cyclists were children and adolescents under the age of 20. Annually, 26,000 of these bicycle-related injuries to children and adolescents are traumatic brain injuries treated in emergency departments.” http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/ti... es.html

The Fillmore Police Department encourages all riders, regardless of age, to take advantage of modern safety equipment, and for parents to ensure their children are wearing helmets while riding bicycles and skateboards.

The safety of our children is a top priority in the city of Fillmore, and we encourage parents to attend this event with their children.

Prepared by: Sergeant Dave Sparks #2409
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

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