The Fillmore Police and Fire Departments want to ensure the citizens of Fillmore enjoy a safe Fourth of July week. Citizens are reminded that Safe and Sane fireworks sold in Fillmore are legal in Fillmore between June 28th at 12 PM through July 5th at 12 PM.

The use of any non-approved fireworks that explode or launch into the air are illegal and will result in criminal charges and/or a $1,000 fine. If you witness any illegal activity, please report it. Please call the Fillmore Police Department at 805-524-2233 to report illegal activity.

Below are several safety tips to ensure you and your family enjoy a safe Independence Day celebration.

- If you witness a crime or fire in progress involving illegal fireworks, call your local authorities by dialing 9-1-1.
- Only Safe and Sane fireworks bearing the seal of the State Fire Marshal are legal in the city of Fillmore. All other fireworks, including altered Safe and Sane fireworks and those that explode or leave the ground are illegal.
- Children should not play with fireworks. Fireworks are intended for use by adults in open spaces.
- Always have a bucket of water on hand to dispose of fireworks and a hose connected to water available in case of fire. Do not dispose of fireworks in trash containers.
- Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns and can cause blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. Teach your children “stop, drop and roll” in the event their clothing catches fire, and make sure they know how to call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

Prepared by: Sergeant Kevin Vaden
News Release Date: June 21st, 2018
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

The CIF Victory Parade honoring the 2018 CIF Champion Baseball Team and CIF Champion Swimmer Katrionna Furness will be held on July 6th at 6pm. It will end in downtown Fillmore. There will be autograph signing by the CIF winners, food trucks, vendors and entertainment for the whole family until 9pm.So far the following food vendors have confirmed: Nothing Bundt Cake, Raspado House, Oh My Gosh Hot Dogs, and Central Station –tacos. Thank you Fillmore Womens Soccer League for sponsoring the parade!

Bob Crum

This is column number 79 and much to my delight, readership has gone from snowball size to an avalanche if you'll kindly allow me a little hyperbole.

For the past 78 weeks I've met many of you while out and about. Many continue to read the column because I don't go too deep into the technical weeds... so to speak. Many of you now understand that creating photographs is what makes photography extremely gratifying.

That's good to know because I have repeatedly tried to convey what I consider the most significant aspect of photography: Creativity. This entails much more than merely setting shutter speed or lens aperture.

Some technical details are necessary. Unless you are able to control your camera, executing your vision is hampered. But if you're the creative type it's hard to beat photography. If you're the adventurous type, simply do as I do! It's fun! Of course I know all the so-called rules pertaining to compositions: Rule of thirds, balanced elements, leading lines, symmetry and patterns, viewpoint, background, depth etc. However, in my opinion the only rule in photography is that there are no rules. Just some guidelines to improve your photos. But I've been a rogue photographer for so long I can't remember when I worried about applying 'leading lines' or patterns. When I see an interesting subject, I mentally visualize the end result, program the camera accordingly and shoot! More times than not, I win! Then again, circumstances sometimes dictate... ahem... failure. So depressing. But I digress.

Consider how many times you've been to a special place and thought: Wow, I have to photograph this. This is the time to execute your creative potential. Stop and take a minute to consider your options. Then, as you mentally visualize the photo, program the camera and shoot. Here is an abbreviated explanation of the process of creating an award-winning photo. Imagine approaching a spectacular waterfall. Move to find the best perspective, program your camera for proper exposure and the kind of image you want to create, check the focus on the mermaid sunning on the ledge and press the shutter button. Congrats! You have just created a fine-art photo!

I'm learning and realizing that many of you seem to benefit more from my explaining the various creative aspects of photography than the heavy technical details. But some tech stuff is important so you'll still get some. While you may think it's like bad-tasting medicine, you know it's good for you.

Now... what if? Because I'm considering shifting the column emphasis to my experiences and the creative nature of photography, maybe it's time to change the column name from Photography Know-How to Focus on Photography. What do you think? Any other ideas? Please take a moment and tell me your thoughts about the proposed name change. Thank you.

I was in Ashland Oregon recently for my granddaughter's graduation from Southern Oregon University. GO KATIE! While up in that neck of the woods, I checked out some wineries and the surrounding countryside. Photo of the week is a photo I made while taking a walk along the north shore of Lake Emigrant. Notice the play of late afternoon sunlight in the serene Oak grove. You know I can't resist a sunstar photo op. BTW, the star effect is done in camera, not added during post processing. The importance of knowing some... ahem... tech stuff. Just sayin'.

Note that because of some email issues, I have to temporarily change the email address. Send your comments, suggestion and/or questions to: photography@earthlink.net

Happy photoing.

Fillmore Unified School District

Board meeting highlights:

Recognitions
The Governing Board recognized the Fillmore High School Baseball team on their 2018 CIF Southern Section Division 7 Championship.

The Governing Board also recognized the students and staff of the Fillmore Unified Migrant Program for their accomplishments during the 2017-2018 school year.

2018 Summer Construction Projects
The Governing Board received a presentation on the 2018 Summer Construction Projects. Assistant Superintendent, Andrea McNeill presented the information.

Local Control and Accountability Plan for 2018-2019 and the 2018-2019 Proposed Budget
The Governing Board approved the Local Control Accountability Plan for 2018-2019 and also approved the 2018-2019 Proposed Budget.

Approve Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Fillmore for School Resource Officer
The Governing Board approved a Memorandum of Agreement for a School Resource Officer. The term of the agreement is for three years beginning July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021.

Award of Bids for Site Wide Painting at Fillmore Middle School, San Cayetano Elementary, and Mountain Vista Elementary
The Governing Board awarded separate bids for site wide painting at the aforementioned schools. Painting to take place during summer 2018.

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

The following inductees were recognized at the 2018 Fillmore High School Open House as the inaugural class of the Fillmore High School Academic & Career Hall of Fame. We are currently accepting nominations for the next class of inductees:

1. Jamie Arundell Latshaw – Class of 1993, Westpoint Graduate, Recognized by Inc. Magazine and Goldman Sachs as a top national company.

2. John Garnica – Class of 1984, Westpoint graduate – Class of 1988 with a degree in Computer Science, John was first FHS graduate to graduate from Westpoint.

3. Dorothy Wilson LeLand – Class of 1966, B.A., M.A., Ph.D – Purdue University, Chancellor – University of California, Merced since 2011.

4. Jeff Morales – Class of 1982, B.A. University of Notre Dame – Class of 1986, National Geographic TV-4 National Emmy Awards.

5. Keith Gurrola – Class of 1974, BA – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Currently City of Fillmore Fire Chief.

6. Lucy Alcozar Rangel – Class of 1963, BA/Teaching Credential – California State University, Northridge, Over 50 years of service to the Fillmore Unified School District.

7. Brian DeCuir – Class of 1993, Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, California. Optometrist, Moorpark CA.

8. Epi Torres – Class of 1969, Longtime teacher, coach and administrator at Fillmore High School, Coached several CIF Champion teams and individuals.

9. Conway Spitler – Class of 1938, BA – San Jose State University, MS – Stanford, Founded and developed the Fillmore High School Alumni Association.

10. Mark Ortega – Class of 1979, Expanded the scope of the Fillmore High School Alumni Association. Instrumental in linking Fillmore High School to the community.

Fillmore High School is currently accepting nominations for the Fillmore High School Academic & Career Hall of Fame (FHSACHOF). To nominate an individual, please email the following information to Barbara Lemons at blemons@fillmoreusd.org. You can find Fillmore High School Academic & Career Hall of Fame Nomination Forms below: