By Bob Crum — Wednesday, May 31st, 2017
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By Bob Crum — Wednesday, May 31st, 2017
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![]() Photo of the Week by Bob Crum. Memorable Day ceremony, raising the flag, at the Bardsdale Cemetery. Photo data: Manual mode, ISO 160, 16-300mm lens at 18mm, f/11 at 1/250 second. Enlarge Photo By Bob Crum — Wednesday, May 31st, 2017
Photo potpourri...
Last week, the parade. Now, on to the other festivities. With giggling children everywhere, it's near impossible to attend the recent May Festival carnival and not get in a good mood. Furthermore, the music venue was alive with folks kicking up their heels... so to speak. Those not dancing were sipping brewskies in the beer garden. Judging by the nasty look I got I should not have asked for ice tea. But I digress. On the carnival midway, I took advantage of the many opportunities to shoot using various methods to illustrate different ways to convey a particular point. For example, 'blur' can be accomplished two ways. Hold steady the camera set at a slow shutter speed of about 1/15 second and press the shutter button when the subject comes into the frame. The background remains in focus but the subject gets blurred illustrating movement. The other method is to increase the shutter speed and pan the subject... i.e. … follow the subject passing by which will result in the subject in focus but the background blurred. Most often requires a some trial and error. Accidentally, the blue Buffalo Bomber ended being a little of both. C'est la vie. There is no right or wrong method. Simply personal preference. Generally I prefer shooting at a higher shutter speed and blurring the background. Can you pick the photos I shot using either method and determine which method was used on each? Oh, check out the gorgeous, vivacious May Festival carnival mermaid. Made my day! If it were not for so much darn security I would have kidnapped her! Maybe next year. (I'm thinking helicopter heist! Night scenes are most interesting because of various colors of light. But mixed lighting is a nightmare for the camera. Accordingly, I almost always set white balance on automatic (AWB). One of these days I'll delve into some of the technical stuff like white balance and its significance. Stay tuned. For now, let if suffice to say that even if the camera misinterprets the light creating color issues it's usually correctable in post processing. Post processing (PP) is another topic to be covered some day. But not yet because I'm still trying to wean all you phonetographers off your smart phones and into 'real' photography with a real camera (hint) so post processing (editing) can wait a little longer. Pardon my teasing. Back to photography. Just prior to the seven-gun salute by the honor guard, I set the camera on burst mode and fired off a series of photos upon hearing the word: FIRE! Well, out of 27 images, not one photo with a muzzle flash. NOT ONE! Again, if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have none! Wait! If you look closely, you'll see brass casings flying. That counts... right? To capture muzzle flash maybe I need to get a camera that can fire bursts of 50 photos/second. Yep, that'll do it! No it won't. Can't afford that camera so flying brass casings will have to suffice. For now. Moving along, I selected the raising of the U. S. flag during the Memorable Day Ceremony at the Bardsdale Cemetery as the Photo of the Week. Indulge me while I briefly go off topic. I've been photographing the Bardsdale Memorable Day Ceremony for many years yet the symbolic act of raising the U.S. flag is always an emotional experience. It profoundly demonstrates and acknowledges that our cherished freedoms that brave men and women fought and died for endures. One day... one act... to remind us of their ultimate sacrifice. See you next year, same place, to honor all those who shall forever be remembered. Happy photoing! Email comments, questions or suggestions to bob@fillmoregazette.com |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 31st, 2017
A fire in the 1300 block of Blue Jay Street in Fillmore displaced five people, four adults and one child. The fire took place on Thursday, May 18th at 6:35pm. Fillmore Fire, Santa Paula Fire, City of Ventura and Ventura County Fire Departments were called in and the blaze was knocked down by 6:58pm. The fire was confined to the garage of the two-story home. Red Cross was assisting the victims. |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 31st, 2017
Jorge Izarraraz, 23 of Fillmore, who was charged with murder in connection with a fatal stabbing in Fillmore in 2015 has been allowed by prosecutors to plead guilty to the lessor charge of voluntary manslaughter. Izarraraz killed 24-year-old Edgar Torres of Fillmore during an involved in an altercation on November 2, 2015 in the area of Third and B Streets. Torres died later at the hospital with a stab wound. Izarraraz had been facing a murder charge but the DA’s office allowed him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter instead. Izarraraz remains in jail pending sentencing on August 1, 2017. |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
![]() On Saturday, May 20th Fillmore Fire Crew ran in this year’s Heritage Valley 5K/10K Run. Fire crew members ran in their full fire gear and completed the 5K race. Photos Courtesy of Sebastian Ramirez. Enlarge Photo |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
At the regular Tuesday City Council meeting a resolution authorizing and directing the execution of a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement creating the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency and adoption of a Resolution appointing a City Council Representative to the Board of Directors was unanimously approved. Mayor Carrie Broggie was appointed to the Board. Ordinance No. 17-879 adopting changes to clarify the City Manager's contracting authority and thresholds for formal and informal bidding requirements for consistency with the state's Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (ACT) was unanimously approved. The contract for the construction of the Dog Park fence project at Two Rivers Park was approved for $16,221.00. The Park will allow areas for both large and small dogs. The adoption of Resolution 17-3598 approving the 2015 Ventura County Multihazard Mitigation Plan was unanimously approved. The document runs to 700 pages and can be accessed at County records. The adoption of City Council Resolution 17-3597 adjusting several of the fees collected by Community Services was also unanimously approved. The new Parks and Recreation Coordinators have worked to streamline the reservation and payment process for usage of City parks and fields. When community organizations, such as sports groups, reserve a City facility for the season they are required to pay the full use fee and/or deposit at the time the reservation is made. However, the current fee schedule does not have a deposit amount for reserving fields. In order to ease the financial burden of full payment, City staff is recommending that the City Council establish a 20% deposit for all field reservations. Additionally, as staff was reviewing the fees for the upcoming pool season, they noticed some fees were unclear and/or wrong. Staff is requesting the following changes to the adopted fee schedule. AQUATIC CENTER Session Per Person (no discount for group fee) $120.00 $75.00 Private Swim Lessons Session Per Person $120.00. As Proposition 26 prohibits providing discounted fees to a certain classification of people when the discount is subsidized by other people paying that fee, staff recommends eliminating the two line items 01148.0001/376563.5 for senior discounted splash passes from the fee schedule. Group swim lessons and private swim lessons are currently offered at the same rate of $120.00 per Session. As group lessons are typically provided a lower fee than private lessons, staff is recommending that the fee for group swim lessons be reduced to $75.00 per session. With respect to the reservation of a City facility for a season of sports all field reservations for each park require a 20% deposit for the dates booked and will be billed monthly, in advance, in even installment payments. Any organization seeking to make a season long reservation can either elect to pay via the deposit and monthly billing option or pay in full at the time of the reservation. DOG PARK The construction work includes installation of chain link fencing and gates surrounding the existing dirt area between “C” Street and the existing fencing west of “C” Street at Two Rivers Park. City Council award the contract to C&W Construction Specialties, Inc. in the amount of $16,221.20 for the construction of the Dog Park Fence Installation Project at Two Rivers Park, Issuance of the Wastewater Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2017, to refinance outstanding 2007 bonds of the Public financing Authority were unanimously approved. Resolutions 17-3601 and 17-01 were approved for the recommended fiscal year 20-17-18 Budgets for the City of Fillmore and the Successor Agency to the City of Fillmore Redevelopment Agency. The Budget for 2017-18 can be seen in its entirety online at fillmoregazette.com. City Resolution 17-3595 to set the APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT for fiscal year 2017-18 was unanimously approved. Resolution No. 17-3596 to allow collection of the delinquent water and sewer utility by placing them on the Property Tax Roll was unanimously approved by the Council. Medical Marijuana Listening Session is set for Sunday, June 25, at 3:30 PM. Location: Memorial Building. 4TH ANNUAL CHIEF RIGO LANDEROS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
![]() The Miss Fillmore, Miss Teen Fillmore Pageant was held on May 6, 2017 at the Veterans Memorial Building. Congratulations to this year’s winners (Pictured above) Miss Fillmore Sara Uridel (center), Miss 1st Princess Amanda Villa (left), and Miss 2nd Princess Yanelli Cobian. Photos courtesy of Dale Crockett. Enlarge Photo ![]() Miss Teen Fillmore Ariana Schieferle (center), Miss Teen 1st Princess Alexis Van Why (left), and Miss Teen 2nd Princess Ellie Zielsdorf (right). Enlarge Photo |
By Bob Crum — Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
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By Bob Crum — Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
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By Mark Ortega — Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
The Class of 1962 will hold their 55th class reunion at the 104th Annual Fillmore High Alumni Association Dinner/Dance on Saturday June 10th, 2017 from 3pm to midnight at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 511 2nd Street, Fillmore, CA. 93015. Class of ’62 reunion questions may be answered by calling Maria “Diaz” Kilgore at 805-647-6274. Please make your dinner reservations early to confirm seating with your class. Your paid dinner reservation guarantees entry to the event, an award-winning catered dinner, and access to the bar, social lounge, and dance. You may also reserve your seats in person or by mail. To reserve by mail, visit our website at www.fillmorehighalumni.com, click on the Events link, click on the reservation form, print it out, fill it out, and mail it to the Fillmore High Alumni Association 559 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore, CA. 93015. To reserve in person, visit Patterson Hardware store in Fillmore. They are open 7 days a week. Both in person and by mail reservations must be received by Thursday June 7th. After June 7th, a limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $45 dollars per person. |
![]() Photo of the Week by Bob Crum. Fillmore Fire Department Ladder truck with Fillmore City Council and community members. Photo data: ISO 100, 16-300mm lens @32mm, f/10 @1/160 sec. Enlarge Photo By Bob Crum — Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
Going for the oompah!
Have I mentioned that photojournalism is fraught with hardships and hazards? I ran into more of the same the past weekend at the May Festival parade. The plan: Shoot still photos and video. I thought I had it figured out. I didn't! I should have have killed the plan the second it was conceived. Or at least had a glass of Merlot before the parade started. I decided to try to shoot some video because a still photo of a marching band lacked oompah oompah! Isn't a photo of a marching band in a parade without oompah like pizza without flavor? I hand-held the camera to shoot the still photo then quickly mount the camera on the tripod... switch the camera to video – focus - check the composition - press the record button and pan the camera to follow the parade participant. Then remove the camera from the tripod – compose - shoot a still photo of the next parade participant. Then quickly remount the camera on the tripod - switch the camera over to video – focus - check the composition - press the record button and pan to follow the parade participant. Then remove the camera... well, got the idea? Another problem was that even the slow moving parade participants moved too fast!!! I needed roller skates and wheels on the tripod to keep up. Politely speaking, it was frustrating. Remember that my specialty is mermaid boudoir photography. Shooting video with my dSLR camera is a new process. Even though my Canon 7D MKII shoots excellent quality video, the physical form factor is terrible. It's easier to pull teeth from a hippopotamus. There is no button to push for zooming the lens, no follow focus when zooming and other issues. Everything has to be done quickly. But my hands just don't do quickly so quickly these days. Forget the video for a moment and let's get back to 'still' photos. Remember, composition rules. A photo exhibiting good composition reflects a story told by the photograph! Great composition is testament to a great story! To execute the plan, I used my Tamron 16-300mm lens. For the hand-held photos I could shoot from a afar and zoom in, compose and shoot. That supposedly would give me time to mount the camera on the tripod to shoot video of the oncoming parade participant so long as they don't move too fast. Accordingly, I could crop the image later when post processing the stills. Splendid concept... execution not so much. I need clemency! Regardless of the obvious challenges learning to shoot video, I persevere because it seems appropriate that moving people warrant motion pictures... so to speak. In the meantime, you get to witness my metamorphosis, as it were, from shooting just still photos to still photos and video. It'll probably be a tad messy initially so I hope that you don't become too distraught before I get proficient. Your indulgence will be appreciated as I dilly dally with video. BTW, when was the last time you dilly dallied at anything? You should, it's fun! I do it a lot! Happy photoing. Send your comments, questions or suggestions to bob@fillmoregazette.com |
![]() At last night’s school board meeting, the Board of Trustee’s recognized their retiree’s for the 2017 school year. (l-r) Standing Sammy Cardona, Linda Root, Joan Morseley, Janet Bergamo, Janey Brunton-Munoz, Enedina Vasquez-Garcia and kneeling in front Gamaliel Aguilar. Also recognized was retiree Susan Pina, 31 years, who was unable to be present. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
![]() (l-r) Tom Mayhew, FFA President, Scott Beylik, in his role as President of the FUSD Board of Education, and Keith Gurrola, FFA President. Enlarge Photo Board Recognition Fillmore USD Retirees College and Career Access Pathways Partnership Agreement Fillmore USD ASES Update Assessment Update Personnel Recommendations |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
![]() It’s that time of year again! The Fillmore May Festival will be open May 18th through the 21st. Carnival rides, food vendors, music, games, and so much more for the whole family to enjoy. The May Festival Parade will be held Saturday at 10am, 250 Central Avenue. Fair hours: Thursday 5pm-11pm, Friday 5pm-11pm, Saturday 12pm-11pm and Sunday 12pm-8pm. And don’t forget about the Heritage Valley 5K/10K Run, sponsored by the Fillmore Rotary Club. The race will also take place Saturday, May 20th. Check-in for runners is 7am and the race will begin at 8am Sharp. Enlarge Photo |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
![]() Rotarian’s Dave Wareham and Kate English presented a program about choosing a prospective Rotary member and how to propose them to the Board of Directors. Submitted By Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
Contract Proposal Would Gut Class Size Equalities, Transfer Rules, Prep Time, and More
Written by Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) Fillmore Teachers reacted with deep concern this past week as the Fillmore Unified School District submitted an initial bargaining proposal that is a massive list of rollbacks that would greatly harm students and educators. Among the many proposals: • Elimination of class size balancing at Fillmore Middle School, Fillmore High School and Sierra High School. • Elimination class size balancing at elementary schools. • Elimination of preparatory time at the elementary level. • Elimination of experience, credentialing, and seniority in transfer, reassignment and other assignment decisions. • Elimination of the Fall Break, a calendar Fillmore went to for the educational benefits of our students and has been in place for over 25 years. • Still no calendar for the upcoming school year, leaving parents and families unable to plan. “It is beyond comprehension that the Board and Superintendent would willingly delay working with teachers until May and then make proposals at the expense of students, teachers, and this community,” said FUTA President Jennifer Beal. “None of the proposals will help student achievement and none seem to support the dedicated educators here in Fillmore. We sincerely hope these proposals fall away through the negotiations process. FUTA will continue to pursue an agreement that benefits students and recognizes the hard work teachers do on their behalf.” |
By Mark Ortega — Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
The Class of 1997 will hold their 20th Class Reunion at the 104th Annual Fillmore High Alumni Association Dinner/Dance on Saturday June 10th, 2017 from 3pm to midnight at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 511 2nd Street in Fillmore. Please make your dinner reservations early to confirm seating with your class. Your paid dinner reservation guarantees entry to the event, an award-winning catered dinner, and access to the bar, social lounge, and dance. You may also reserve your seats in-person by going to Patterson Hardware Store in Fillmore and paying there. All you have to do is pay the fee and fill in your name as you would like it to read on your name tag at the event. |
By Tom Pedersen — Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
What is the purpose of Memorial Day? Ask your children that question and you might be surprised with the answer they give you. Many don’t know and others tend to forget exactly why the holiday was created. Given that it's also the traditional beginning of the summer season, there seems to be some confusion by the general public over what the holiday honors. The holiday, instituted in 1866 in the wake of the Civil War, was first known as Decoration Day. It was set aside to remember both Union and Confederate soldiers alike. It's hard to imagine, but during the Civil War more Americans died (620,000) than in both World Wars combined (521,000). The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war. During that first national celebration, former Union General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there. “We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.” Memorial Day is not Independence Day or Veterans' Day; it is not for celebrating national pride or thanking all armed service members. Memorial Day is specifically meant to honor and remember those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. They died in the field of combat and returned home under solemn circumstances, inside flag-draped caskets. Memorial Day is when we are supposed to show gratitude to the countless American soldiers who never came home. It's not about summer blow-out sales at your favorite department store or backyard barbeques. It's a holiday that is not meant to be festive, and that fact seems to escape most people. Memorial Day is reserved for those who can't return a smile or a salute, not to mention the families and friends who have been left behind. On Memorial Day we need to stop and pay with sincere conviction our respects for those who died protecting and preserving the freedoms we enjoy, for we owe those honored dead more than we can ever repay. People of other nations sometimes show more of the true spirit of Memorial Day more than we do here. For example, a 2001 U.S. Memorial Day Guestbook entry from a citizen of the Netherlands states: "In 1999 I laid flowers at the grave of a young U.S. fighter pilot who was killed in action in my village in 1945. In the Netherlands I know of schools 'adopting' graves of Allied servicemen, keeping those graves in excellent condition. Does anybody know of adopting graves in the U.S. by schools?” How many graves of our fallen do we in America leave dishonored by leaving their resting places forgotten and neglected? We need to remember with sincere respect those who paid the price for our freedoms; we need to keep in sacred remembrance those who died serving their country. We need to never let them be forgotten. "Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic." -- General Logan - May 5, 1868 |
![]() Photo of the Week by Bob Crum. Getting wet to get the shot. Crashing wave... south of Magu Rock Photo data: ISO 640, 70mm, f/11 at 1/1600 sec. Enlarge Photo By Bob Crum — Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
Priorities...
Growing up in a country town, I frequently roamed the countryside. Often by bicycle but there were a lot of places a bike couldn't go. The woods! I knew the surrounding woods so well I could navigate the dreaded briar patch unscathed. Most of the time. I also knew where the scrumptious wild blueberry and raspberry bushes were. Oh, and where those mysterious elderberry and cherry trees were. Special treats that fruit. Hidden places only known by me and my dog King... who was sworn to secrecy. As the fruit ripened, I was compelled to sneak away and feast. You know, priorities. However, I had responsibilities which sometimes entailed making decisions: Chores or goodies. Goodies always a priority. Upon returning home from a forest visit, mother... who I wished was not always so inquisitive... would ask what I'd been doing. Blessed with a robust imagination, I was expert, so I thought, at concocting fabulously convincing stories. But mother, the wise woman she was, would say, “But Bob, we don't have any blueberry bushes in the chicken pen.” You'd think I know better than to tell a fib while sporting blue lips! Ah, those were the days. Photography is about priorities. When on assignment, the task: Create a photograph that tells a story, the essence of photojournalism. Instant decisions... from camera programming to composition... have to be made continually. A daunting task because no two shoots are the same. Always new challenges. In comparison, recreational photography is therapeutic. But it too demands deciding priorities. I can program my camera to produce numerous effects of the exact same subject or scene. The first important decision is the composition... framing the photo. What is the most important factor of the subject or the scene I'm about to shoot that I want to convey in the photograph? Priorities! After composition, next priority is how do I shoot the scene to present the desired effect: Shutter priority or aperture priority. This entails choosing a shutter speed with respect to the aperture and vice versa. Remember my previously mentioning how varying shutter speeds can present a different image of a waterfall? The same applies to varying the aperture. Open the aperture to the widest opening of the lens tends to blur the background. It's called applying bokeh... pronounced bow-kah. On the other hand, if I elect to present everything from the foreground to the background in focus, I simply close the aperture, i.e. make it smaller. Smallkeh. (new word I just made up Sometimes priorities are troublesome... i.e.... getting too close to the action to get an exciting photo and getting wet. (Photo of the Week) Low flying pelicans required different camera settings. Additional photos are of Ventura Harbor. I go there often when testing new gear or to try a new technique. With so many photo ops, the harbor is always a fun photo shoot. The California gulls always make the shoot interesting. Speaking of interesting, the May Festival is Thursday May 18 through Sunday May 21. Also, the 5K/10K race and walk on Saturday May 20. (Pancake breakfast Saturday morning.) Two great events with lots of interesting action to photograph. See you out there with camera in hand! Remember: Priorities; aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual priority. Decide, select and shoot! Happy photoing! Email comments, questions or suggestions to bob@fillmoregazette.com |
By Anonymous — Monday, May 15th, 2017
Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites Can Help Prevent Zika, West Nile
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) urges all Californians to eliminate standing water around their homes and businesses to help reduce mosquito populations in an effort to prevent Zika and West Nile virus infections. “As the rainy season comes to an end and temperatures rise, we will see increased mosquito activity,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Residents should dump out containers that hold standing water in and around their homes and businesses. Removing water will help reduce overall mosquito numbers and protect family members and neighbors from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases.” Mosquitoes breed in very small amounts of water. To help keep their numbers down, Californians should frequently check for, and eliminate, water-filled containers, clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes, and dump water from dishes under potted plants. Residents are also urged to report unusual numbers of mosquitoes or day-biting mosquitoes to the local vector control agency. With mosquito activity increasing, Californians should also protect themselves from mosquito bites at home and while traveling to areas where the Zika virus is present. To prevent bites, consistently use mosquito repellent when outside, wear long sleeves and pants, use air conditioning, and make sure window screens will keep mosquitoes out of the home. “It is particularly important for pregnant women and couples planning to become pregnant to prevent mosquito bites because Zika virus can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected,” said Dr. Smith. Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquito bites and can also be transmitted by both men and women during sex. Most people who are infected with Zika virus do not experience any symptoms but should take precautions to avoid sexual transmission, even if they never had symptoms. Zika symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. All individuals, particularly women of childbearing age, should take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites while traveling and when they return home. Sexually active people who travel to areas with Zika virus transmission should use condoms or other barriers to avoid getting or passing Zika virus during sex. There has been no local transmission of Zika in California to date, but the mosquitoes that can carry Zika virus live in many areas of California. West Nile virus (WNV) is also transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. WNV can cause a deadly infection in humans, and the elderly are particularly susceptible. WNV symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back. More severe symptoms, and even death, can occur. The state’s first human infection of WNV this year was reported last month. Visit the CDPH website for more information about mosquitoes, Zika and West Nile. Additional mosquito prevention information is available at www.cdc.gov. Hear Dr. Vicki Kramer, chief of the CDPH Vector Borne Disease Section, talk about the importance of removing standing water to prevent mosquito bites. |
