Bob Crum

It was a dark sunny night as I traipsed with trepidation around the Day of the Dead celebration. Tough assignment because my camera doesn't have a “Night” white balance setting. Upside, photo ops aplenty.

A friend approached and asked, “Why are you still lugging around that big ole camera? Get a cell phone, dude!” I smiled, and winced. Such questions are like weeds – persistent and irksome. Yet could the answer serve to motivate fence-sitters to buy a camera? Let's see.

First, let's consider microwaves and ovens. Many don't, but I like Brussel sprouts. I used to steam them in the microwave. The micro made quick work of the mini cabbages. But I prefer tasty crispy sprouts! Steamed, they just cannot match the sprouts baked crispy in the oven! Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put trimmed Brussels sprouts, olive oil, a dash of kosher salt & pepper in a large plastic bag and shake to coat. Pour onto a baking sheet and place on oven center rack. Roast for approx. 30 minutes, shaking the pan every 10 minutes for even browning. That's how to do scrumptious!

For steaming the veggies, the microwave (cell phones) works well. For crispy sprouts, must roast in an oven (dedicated camera). The point: Two different tools for two different results. One is not necessarily better, just different. Same with photography? A cell phone (steamed photos) is OK for snapshots to quickly send off on the Internet. But, for the ultimate control and creativity, a camera (baked photo) is obviously superior. Two different tools for different purposes. Important: don't fry photos!

I've also have a few photographic friends who think that digital photography, with dedicated cameras, is dead. They're eating too many steamed Brussel sprouts. I ask them how come camera manufacturers continue to produce state-of-the-art cameras. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic to name a few, continue to produce new generation cameras with ever better technology. Sure, camera sales may not be as robust as they used to be, but thousands are still made and bought every year. Like ants at a picnic, phonetographers are everywhere including in my way! But there still are hundreds of thousands of photographers who use cameras and upgrade to newer cameras as needed.

Which reminds me of another frequent question: I have a model X camera and wondering if I should get the latest model? I answer with a question: What might the new camera do that your present camera doesn't? If not much, take the savings and treat me to lunch. If, on the other hand, a new model incorporates features that would enable you to accomplish your vision easier or better, buy the new model and enjoy.

I still have my first Canon 7D. At seven years old, it's ancient in technology years but still an excellent camera. When the sensor needed cleaning, I let the pros at Canon clean it and make sure all is perfect. But, the newer 7D Mark II incorporates technology and options not available on the older 7D which makes the 7D MKII a better tool for the work I do.

If I go out to shoot landscapes or mermaids at the beach, the 7D works just fine. However, the 7DMKII provides many more important focus points and superior AI servo technology, both of which are a huge advantage when shooting fast moving objects, like leaping grasshoppers or sprinting hippos.

Here's the link to review the Dia De Los Muertos, Day of the Dead celebration. https://youtu.be/_2N6OgLukkw

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

On September 22, 2018, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit were assisting in an investigation involving shots fired in the city of Fillmore. Detectives canvassed the area and were able to locate an occupied residence and occupied vehicle that were struck by bullets. Additionally, large bullet fragments were located near the scene. During the course of the investigation, Detectives obtained information regarding three suspects who were seen in the area at the time the crime occurred.

Search warrants were served on November 1, 2018 at multiple locations and the suspects were located. Additionally, an illegally possessed firearm involved in the shooting was located and seized.

Based on the information obtained, Alexis Meza, Edwin Meza, and Israel Resendez were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle, and conspiracy to commit a crime. All three suspects are currently being held on a $200,000 bail.

Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Sarah Bramlette at 805-654-2856.

Prepared by: Detective Sarah Bramlette #5020 / (805) 654-2856
Approved by: Captain Todd Inglis

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).

Approval of Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) Local Indicators (2017-2018) for the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)
The Governing Board received a presentation and approved the Local Indicators for 2017-2018 LCAP. Assistant Superintendent, Micheline Miglis presented the information.

Technology Update
The Governing Board received a presentation on the Technology Update. Anthony Ibarra, Director of Technology presented the information.

Approve Change Order #1 for New AG and SDSR (CTE) Buildings at Fillmore High School, Purchase Order #F18-01083
The Governing Board approved Change Order #1 in the amount of $44,177.25 due to extended project coordination related to District commissioning of new Title Report, geotechnical engineering soil survey, and client-driven design revisions.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Fillmore Unified School District and the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association
The Governing Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding regarding high school class size overage (Spring 2017).

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

Board of Trustees to meet again unless otherwise announced:
Regular Meeting Regular Meeting
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 5:30 pm Closed Session/6:30 pm, 627 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015. Tuesday, December 4, 2018, Open Session 5:30 pm Closed Session / 6:30 pm Open Session, 627 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015.
Fillmore Unified School District (805) 524-6000

Follow Fillmore Unified Schools on www.blog.fillmoreusd.org

Bob Crum

It was fun... so long as I'd survive. Not a night for the faint of heart. In the darkness, indescribable nondescripts roamed Central Avenue positioned to pounce on unsuspecting hapless souls. Even fright was scared.

I was fine until sunset. At nightfall, I was startled by a presence that entered my awareness. She was the ghastly beguiling Witch of Fillmore, broom in hand. With bewitching eyes, she approached slyly, winked and with a raspy, guttural voice uttered: “Be careful what you wish for.” As I gasped for breath, she quickly slithered into the darkness.

As I slowly turned around, I was startled to see a bug on a bug. The largest tarantula I've ever encountered engulfed a VW Beetle. I gave it a wide birth when I heard it hiss.

Further down the street stood two haunting skeletons with evil soul-piercing laser eyes guarding a pickup truck. Gravestones filled the bed of the truck. Didn't see my name on any of them. With goosebumps aplenty, I went searching for treats! A strawberry margarita would be nice!

While traipsing about with anxious trepidation, I was jostled by spiderman, superman, black ghosts, white ghosts, dragons, preachers, thing 1, 2 3 and 4, wolves, princesses, a fairy godmother, a hot dog and even Hercules with pink hair strolling with box face!

The street was exceedingly crowded with curb-to-curb monsters. With photo ops at every turn, photographing any of it with so little elbow room proved to be a nightmarish dilemma. In a word: Exasperating!

Not only was the crowd a challenge, but cameras also need light for the lens to autofocus (AF). No light, no AF. My Canon 7D Mark II features 65-point cross-type AF that helps ensure precise AF and focuses quite fast. If a subject happened to be near sufficient light, AF worked reasonably well. But it can't work in the dark. Remember, many aspects of a digital image are fixable; focus is not!

Some subjects were OK to shoot with flash. With the pop-up flash activated, there's still the problem of focus. My Canon 7D MKII has pre-flash strobe light used to prevent red-eye in flash exposed photos. With the on-camera flash activated in darkness, the pre-flash strobe fires when I press the focus button. It's just enough light for the lens to focus, and as soon as it does, I press the shutter button. The problem is that the process takes time. It may only take a second or two, but by the time the lens does focus, it may be too late, the prime moment gone. BTW, I don't use the normal procedure of depressing the shutter button halfway for focus and exposure. I assign a different button on the camera for focus and exposure... the shutter button only for making the photo! Just my preference.

I incurred many challenges photographing the Trunk or Treat event. Back home, fearing the worst, I transferred the photos from the SD card to the computer with great apprehension. As suspected, many of the photos were not, ahem, properly exposed presenting a test of my post-processing prowess. I use Adobe Lightroom first. Thereafter export the photos to Photoshop Elements 14 with NIK plugins. Alas, 35 splendid photos are publishable. Color me ecstatic.

The photo of the week is not a fiendish Halloween cacodemon. Instead, I chose a charming lad delightfully dressed complete with a majestic sombrero.
Enjoy a youtube photo/video of the event at: https://youtu.be/Bg5-3P40QJg Next week, photos from the spectacular Day of the Dead event. Happy photoing!

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

The Ventura College Veterans Resource Center and Ventura College Foundation are inviting veterans, active military and their families to attend the third annual Ventura College Veterans Day Celebration and BBQ Thursday, November 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Veterans Resource Center on the Ventura College campus (4667 Telegraph Rd., Ventura). The BBQ is free. The California Resources Corporation is sponsoring the event.

"Veterans and their families have sacrificed greatly on our country's behalf. This event is a way of showing our appreciation and gratitude. Veterans are an important part of Ventura College's student population," says Anne King, executive director of Ventura College Foundation. "Their dedication to achieve their educational goals is an inspiration."

A short program will begin at 11:00 a.m. that highlights the services available through the Veterans Resource Center and tuition assistance and textbook lending support offered by the Ventura College Foundation. During the program, the center's library will be renamed the Jerry Arellano Veteran Resource Center Library. Arellano was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran and long-time firefighter including service at Station 32 at Edwards Air Force Base. The BBQ begins at 11:30.

The Veterans Resource Center helps veterans and their families with college admission and application processing, academic counseling and access to V.A. educational benefits. The Ventura College Foundation's William and Helen Scarpino Veterans Promise Program is funded by donors who cover Ventura College tuition costs for first year veteran and active duty military students, enabling veterans to reserve their GI Bill tuition support for four-year universities. This benefit will be extended to qualified 2nd year veteran students in the 2019-20 academic year.

For more information about the November 8 BBQ, contact the Ventura College Veterans Resource Center at 805-289-6060.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Anne Paul King at (805) 289-6461 or aking@vcccd.edu or visit www.VCgiving.org.

Juan Carlos Contreras Zamora, 42, of Piru.

On October 26, 2018, deputies with the Thousand Oaks Police Department responded to the 2700 block of Erbes Road for a reported indecent exposure that occurred in the area. Through investigation, deputies arrested an adult male for indecent exposure.

During the investigation, deputies learned the victim was pushing her granddaughter in a stroller when she saw a landscaper working in the area. He waved and smiled at her several times as she walked around the track at Oakbrook Neighborhood Park. As the landscaper was working within several feet of the victim, she noticed he had exposed his genitals. The suspect did not say anything to the victim. The victim immediately got up, walked away from the suspect, and reported the incident to police.

The suspect was located nearby and was identified as Juan Carlos Contreras Zamora. Zamora admitted his involvement and was arrested. Zamora was transported to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura where he was booked for one count of indecent exposure. Zamora is currently out of custody on bond and is due to appear in Ventura County Superior Court in December, 2018. Anyone who witnessed the incident can call Detective Dan Hawes at (805) 371-8392.

Prepared by: Detective Timothy Lohman
Approved by: Captain Don Aguilar

California Highway Patrol

California Highway Patrol is completing an investigation into possible criminal charges in association with a fatal all-terrain vehicle crash that occurred back on September 18th of this year. 25-year-old Christopher Almena of Fillmore overturned an all-terrain vehicle near South Mountain and Balcom Canyon Road. His passenger, 23-year-old Jacqueline Reyes of Fillmore, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from her seat and killed. CHP suggests that prosecutors charge Almena with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a bloodalcohol level above the legal limit. Almena was arrested but has been released on bail pending investigation.

Bob Crum

The lament began softly, growing louder with each passing day. It was not unlike the Sirens of Greek mythology, mischievous creatures who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and singing voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.

The wailing was from the Sirens of Santa Cruz Island beckoning me back. More island photo ops they teased. Resistance was futile, so I relented and called Island Packers. Hearing the boat was full was disheartening. The enchanting wailing continued to ululate unabated. Alas, the merciful phone call. A cancellation provided an opening if I was still interested. Ha! Camera in hand, I boarded the Island Adventure last Saturday bound for the Willows anchorage.

We departed the harbor under sunny skies and a chilly 69°. I learned long ago that it's always cooler on the water. Much cooler out on the Pacific ocean. I dressed accordingly: Thermal undies under street clothes plus a raincoat as a windbreaker on top of my fleece hoody. I was prepared. So I thought.

I took my preferred position that's best for photo ops, the ship's bow. As we passed the jetty, the nostrils instantly recognized the refreshing aroma of the salt-infused air. However, soon after passing the sea buoy, we were engulfed in thick fog. Not just plain thick fog. It was Super Soggy Fog (SSF). Thicker than sea poop... er... pea soup!

I kept my camera covered, but needed windshield wipers for my eyeglasses. The thought did occur that maybe I should go inside. I didn't. My immune system is not always 100% so I tend to avoid crowds in close quarters. Also, being on a photo expedition, best be ready if happening upon marine wildlife!

A few miles further, clear skies. Momentarily. Before long, the dastardly SSF once again engulfed us lasting all the way to Santa Cruz island. However, it was an excellent opportunity to make some exquisite photos of, ahem, fog! No dolphins, no whales, just FOG!

After dropping off passengers at the Scorpion pier, we continued to the Willows anchorage amid patchy fog. I was able to make several photos of the island topography along the way. Lo and behold, as we approached the Willows anchorage, we were greeted with delightful sunshine! Hallelujah!

Photographically speaking, Santa Rosa Island is a challenge because of the hilly terrain. Trails are scarce. Hiking is limited to exploring the dry creek beds in the canyons. One trail at Willows went up to a coastline overlook. I opted for the easier creek trail. Along the trail, I saw my first island scrub jay but did not see an island fox.

At the Frys and Willows anchorages, there are no piers for offloading from the boat. Small outboard-powered dinghies carry passengers, six at a time, from the mother ship to shore. As Island Packers warns, be prepared to get feet wet. Occasional large waves make the landing on the beach a bit tricky. When it was my turn to exit the dinghy, I didn't see an approaching wave. My feet got wet! No problem! I was wearing water shoes and NRS HydroSkin 0.5 Wetsocks.

The photo of the week illustrates part of the exciting adventure. As the dinghy approached the beach, a wave came in and tossed it sideways. Six startled passengers tightly clung on. Two Island Packer's staff members did a remarkable job of keeping everyone calm and stabilizing the wayward dinghy. The wave subsided, and the passengers safely disembarked, wet feet and all. Such events make unforgettable memories. The mischievous Sirens? They wouldn't pose for a photo. Next time!

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

Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola presenting Iverson’s wife Ashley with a gift basket filled with Fillmore treats.
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Fillmore Fire Department and Packinghouse Creative participated in Murphy Auto Museum’s 3rd Annual Memorial Car Rally honoring fallen firefighter Cory Iverson by hosting rally drivers and Iverson’s wife Ashley.

The rally visited the Fillmore Fire house for a short ceremony. Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola gave a short speech and presented Ashley with a basket filled with items Fillmore is known for.

The rally also visited Fillmore Association of Businesses (FAB) member, Packinghouse Creative for refreshments, games, music and a tour of the packinghouse.

Cory Iverson lost his life on December 14, 2017 while battling the Thomas Fire in Fillmore, California. Proceeds from the rally will benefit two charities; Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness and The Murphy Auto Museum.

The rally took its participants on a beautiful drive through Ventura County’s backcountry while playing scavenger hunts and games along the route.

The rally raised $10,000 that will benefit Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness and The Murphy Auto Museum.
Funds are still needed to support and ensure the ongoing success of The Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation. https://iversonfaa.org/

This past weekend the Fillmore Fire Department and Packing house Creative host the Murphy Auto Museum’s 3rd Annual Memorial Car Rally for fallen fire fighter Cory Iverson. Pictured left is Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola presenting Iverson’s wife Ashley with a gift basket filled with Fillmore treats.

(l-r) Parks and Recreation Coordinators Krista Martinez and Sandra Edwards as they present on Fillmore’s upcoming “Trunk or Treat” & "Dia De Los Muertos" event to take place this month.
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Events:
A presentation to promote the upcoming City Events “Trunk or Treat” and Dia De Los Muertos events was given by Parks and Recreation Coordinators Sandra Edwards and Krista Martinez at Tuesday's regular Council meeting. The events will take place at Central Park, in front of city hall, Nov. 2.

CalRecycle:
City Council adopted (1) a resolution authorizing the submittal of grant applications to CalRecycle to participate in grant program and (2) a resolution establishing an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Practices Policy, unanimously.
Authorization for the submittal of grant Applications to the California Dept. of Resources Recycling and Recovery ("CALRECYCLE") for the rubberized Pavement Grant program and approval of resolutions authorizing the applications and adopting a city council policy for environmentally preferable purchasing practices.

Pay Schedule:
The Staff request that the City Council Adopt Resolution 18-3672 adopting the Second Revision to the Publicly Available Pay Schedule for all City of Fillmore employees was unanimously approved.

Eduardo Robles, 30, of Fillmore.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Eduardo Robles (DOB 10/29/87), of Fillmore, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for the killing of Benjamin Brown, of Oxnard. On May 31, 2018, Robles, who had been drinking alcohol and using drugs, was driving his vehicle on Highway 126 when he intentionally rammed the car in front of him which was driven by Mr. Brown. The impact caused Mr. Brown’s vehicle to veer across the highway and collide with a tractor-trailer. Robles was also convicted of attempted murder for the injuries caused to his passenger, Jose Gaspar of Fillmore.

Robles faces a maximum sentence of 32 years to life in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 5, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 45 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura.