COOLING CENTERS: Cooling Centers are available in Fillmore - Fillmore Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore (805) 524-3030, and Fillmore Library, 502 Second Street, Fillmore (805) 524-3355.

Heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.

Most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition. Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE A HEAT EMERGENCY

To prepare for extreme heat, you should:
• Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
• Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
• Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)
• Keep storm windows up all year.
WHAT TO DO DURING A HEAT EMERGENCY
What you should do if the weather is extremely hot:
• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
• Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.
• Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
• Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
• Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Fillmore Trout Hatchery in eastern Ventura County will be closed to the public approximately four months beginning May 4, while the facility undergoes maintenance and repairs. All of the rainbow trout normally raised at the Fillmore Trout Hatchery have been moved to the Mojave River Hatchery in San Bernardino County to accommodate the necessary work.

The Mojave River Hatchery underwent extensive maintenance and upgrades in 2017 and is now open to the public. The hatchery is again growing and stocking trout to approved waters in Southern California. With the Mojave River Hatchery back online, trout production and distribution is forecast to improve significantly for Southern California in 2018. It is now the Fillmore Trout Hatchery’s turn for facilities work and the Mojave River Hatchery has adequate room to raise fish for the Fillmore Trout Hatchery for the next few months.

As with the Mojave River Hatchery, the maintenance scheduled for the Fillmore Trout Hatchery will result in increased efficiencies and better trout production. The Fillmore Trout Hatchery has been in service to the public for 78 years. The maintenance and repairs scheduled include improving capability of the aeration tower, pressure washing and epoxy coating of the rearing ponds, plumbing upgrades, water and electrical use efficiencies, enhanced public outreach and educational materials for visitors and grounds work.

During the closure, Fillmore Trout Hatchery staff will perform maintenance and repairs to the raceways, buildings and equipment. Once the repair projects are complete, the hatchery will begin to receive fish and will again open to the public. CDFW estimates reopening in September or October.

For a list of fish plants, please see CDFW’s Fish Planting Schedule.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jaime Serna (DOB 1/29/1972), formerly of Fillmore, was placed on formal probation for a period of 36 months after pleading guilty to a felony violation of Insurance Code section 1871.4(a), making a fraudulent statement of a material fact for the purpose of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. Serna must make restitution to the victim, American Claims Management, in the amount of $27,955 and serve 180 days in the Ventura County jail as a condition of his probation.

Serna was employed by Agromin in Santa Paula as a truck driver and injured his right shoulder on May 12, 2010. He was placed off work on temporary total disability and had shoulder surgery on September 10, 2010. He remained off work and continued to collect temporary total disability benefits of two-thirds of his salary, tax free. On February 12, 2012, Agromin received a tip that Serna was working on cars and engaging in physical activities that contradicted his claimed physical limitations. Agromin notified its workers’ compensation insurance administrator, who retained private investigators to conduct surveillance of Serna.

Investigators obtained seven and a half hours of surveillance video of Serna working on cars at his residence. He was seen removing a radiator from the engine compartment, and removing and replacing batteries and the wheels and tires off the vehicle. He was also observed picking up a 36-lb. floor jack and carrying it into his garage. In July 2012, Serna gave a deposition and lied under oath about his injuries.

Workers’ compensation insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It impacts honest business owners who provide insurance coverage to their employees. In the United States, fraudulent claims cost insured employers $2 billion annually, with much of these costs passed onto the public. Our office will vigorously prosecute unscrupulous employees who attempt to victimize employers.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

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A donation to the Heilman “F” fund helps keep our beloved chalked “F” on the hill above Fillmore lit-up at night. The Fillmore High Alumni Association is proud keep this fund to provide ongoing financial support for buying new lights, replacing batteries, parts, etc., as needed. Frank Poncho Morales and friends carved the “F” out on the hill in the 1930’s, and John Heilman, Fillmore High graduate Class of 1953, and friends, illuminated it with solar lights in 2018. Thank you Frank, John, and friends! You can make a donation at http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/donate/ Let’s keep the “F” glowing!!

Flick & Float is coming on Friday, July 26th at 9 p.m. at the Fillmore Aquatic Center; they will be showing “Moana”, $3 for everyone 3 years+. Bring your own floatie, blankets, or lawn chairs (limited bleacher seating available). Remember there is no swimming while the movie is playing, you may only be in the pool on your floatie. Food/Treat trucks will be present!!! Come join us for a movie night in Fillmore! Courtesy City of Fillmore Instagram page.

Bob Crum

Last week's car show photos roused the readership in a big way: 37 emails! Most were technical, specifically about the star-shaped sunbursts, like starbursts.

Alec R. asked: "How do I get that effect with my iPhone?" Alec, ALEC! You are such an incorrigible phonetographer. To capture the star-shaped sunbursts, you have to close down the iPhone camera's aperture to f/22 or smaller. Oh, wait, you can't do that on your iPhone. So sorry! Well, guess you'll just have to buy a real camera!

Tom B. wrote to say: "Many of the car show photos show people. I just want to see photos of the cars." Tom, I understand. The event was so well attended I felt like I had to climb over a herd of octopuses having a committee meeting on Central Ave to get a car photo. See you there next year?

The sunstars on the black Chevy photo of the week prompted Alice M. to ask: "Did you add them in Photoshop?" Alice, how could you? No, not added in PS! They were all captured in the camera. It was possible because 1, plentiful chrome on the grille, 2, the position of the car relative to the sun (car parked facing west) and the sun's position in the sky making the reflective light possible. Those elements combined resulted in a bonanza of sunstars.

Since most of the questions are about the sunstars, let's again review the process. Please note, the technique is done with a camera, hardly ever possible with a cell phone. If all you have is a cellphone, see my suggestion for Alec above.

Sunstars can occur while aiming the camera at the sun or from a reflected surface. If it's the sun directly, it has to be a time of day when the sun is beginning to get lower in the sky because the effect occurs when it meets a physical object. As the sun gets lower in the sky, line up an object with the sun in your camera's viewfinder. It can be a tree limb, building roof corner or a carnival ride. Stop down your camera's lens aperture to f/22 or smaller. Adjust ISO and shutter speed to maintain correct exposure. Remain mobile, i.e., constantly move back and forth until the sun barely touches the object it's next to. You'll see the sunburst rays change as you move to and fro. Make the photo at exactly the right instant. Don't stop with one photo. Shoot several as you move about changing the effect of the rays where the sun meets the object. In post-processing, you'll see that one that you made will be the best. Celebrate your achievement with your favorite beverage.

Regarding reflective sunburst rays, like on the black Chevrolet's chrome, remember the two important elements: Time of day and camera position relative to the car. I needed to wait for the overcast to clear. No sunlight, no sunbursts! It's all about timing and the sun.

It's great to find lost stuff. At the last place I looked, I found my long ago lost Tamron 1.4 teleconverter. A teleconverter (TC) is like a lens magnifying glass. Mounting my Tamron 16-300mm lens on the TC increases the reach to 420mm. Sweet! To test the combo, I went outside where in the dark of night, I shot two workers on cherry pickers preparing to move high-voltage wires to a new pole. But why that photo for the photo of the week? Ulterior motive? Of course! Who believes that a cell phone could have made that photo? Anyone? Point made? Happy photoing. See the car show slideshow video here: https://youtu.be/W9l2o-36j1I

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

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Target practice on private property has been determined to be the cause of a 131-acre fire on Sunday, July 14th, between Fillmore and Santa Paula. The fire was reported at 11:40 p.m. in the 21600 block of South Mountain Road, spreading to light to medium brush. It was contained south of South Mountain Road, east of Balcom Canyon, north of the ridge line and west of Bardsdale Cemetery. Three firefighters were sent to the hospital; one with an ankle injury, and two due to dehydration. More than 300 personnel and equipment were assigned to the fire. Tankers 76 and 78 were called in from Porterville and Air Attack 07 from Santa Maria. LA County Copter 16 also responded. At least a dozen dozers were called to the scene. Handcrews and type-3 engines designed to work on narrow dirt roads and rugged terrain were called in. At approximately 2:50 p.m. a drone was spotted over the fire; law enforcement was requested. Per the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR 9212.1(f), it is illegal to resist or interfere with the efforts of firefighters to extinguish a fire. Doing so can result in a significant fine and/or a mandatory court appearance. Even a small drone can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with firefighting aircraft. In most situations, if drones are spotted near a wildfire, firefighting aircraft must land due to safety concerns. This prolongs firefighting operations; in many cases, wildfires become larger when aircraft are not able to drop fire retardant, water, monitor wildfires from above, or provide tactical information to firefighters. Homes and other values at risk could burn needlessly, firefighters or others could be injured, or worst of all, a fatal accident could occur. No evacuations and no structures were involved. No information released if the shooter will be held financially liable for the fire. Photos courtesy Ventura County Fire Department.

First 5 Ventura County (F5VC) is pleased to join Interface Children & Family Services (ICFS) in announcing 13 Neighborhoods for Learning (NfL) locations scheduled to open in late August. Services will be provided across the county with locations in Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura. The sites will help provide essential learning opportunities and services for Ventura County’s nearly 60,000 children prenatal – 5 and their families.

This announcement marks another milestone achieved as part of F5VC’s newly redesigned NfL model. First 5 Ventura County will be investing $2.9 million annually in the First 5 Neighborhoods for Learning, powered by Interface, with classes beginning in late August and early September
2019.

“We are committed to continue delivering Parent and Child Together (PACT) Classes and family support services throughout the county and in neighborhoods where our most vulnerable families and young children reside,” said First 5 Ventura County Executive Director Petra Puls. “Together with ICFS, we have thoroughly reviewed and selected 13 easily accessible locations to serve as neighborhood hubs for early learning and family support services. Many of the sites are in familiar locations, like schools.”

The centrally located NfL locations will offer programs including Parent and Child Together (PACT) classes to help parents and caregivers enhance their knowledge of child development and positive parenting practices to support their children’s learning and development. Parent education classes provide a venue for parents to connect with peers and benefit from social support. Families will also have access to developmental screenings, assistance with care coordination and referral to services such as housing, dental, and Cal Fresh programs.

"We're excited to partner with F5VC in establishing these prime NfL locations,” said Interface Executive Director Erik Sternad. “The carefully selected NfL sites will allow us to work collaboratively to ensure our Ventura County children and families are served in the best and most cost-effective manner possible.”

The award winning First 5 Neighborhoods for Learning were founded nearly 20 years ago with the understanding that parents and caregivers are the foundation of children's well-being and healthy development. Years of research confirms that a child’s brain develops faster from birth to age three than at any other later period in life, building the foundation for a child's future learning, behavior, and health. “A child’s experiences in the first three years are the bricks and mortar of brain development, which is why we’ve updated the NfL model and placed an even greater emphasis on PACT classes” remarked Elizabeth Majestic, Pritzker Fellow and First 5 Director of Neighborhoods for Learning.

“To help us best serve the families with young children, F5VC and ICFS will be hosting a series of local open house events in early August offering opportunities for parents to enroll in classes and engage with the community,” said Puls. “We hope our neighbors will come out and explore all we have to offer and meet our NfL staff.”

The first of these events will be on Tuesday, August 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Justin Early Learner Academy in Simi Valley and Sespe Elementary in Fillmore. All those interested in joining the F5VC and ICFS family to learn more about classes and programs are encouraged to drop by.

Additional locations will be announced in the next few weeks. To view a current list of locations and open house opportunities, please visit www.First5Ventura.org

About First 5 Ventura County
Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a significant impact throughout life. Based on this research, First 5 Ventura County was created by voters in 1998 to invest Ventura County’s allocation of funds from California’s voter-approved Proposition 10 tax 50 cents-per-pack tax on tobacco. F5VC invests these revenues in programs and services for children prenatal - 5 that support children’s health, early learning, and strong families, including our nationally recognized Neighborhoods for Learning (NfLs).

First 5 Ventura County knows that improving the life trajectory of our youngest children will not be the product of Prop 10 funds alone, which now average $160 per child under the age of 5 in each county. Changing systems and policies to prioritize children at the earliest moments in their lives is what’s required to help all children have the best start possible in life.

About Interface Children & Family Services
Interface is Ventura County’s leading nonprofit social services agency, providing free, proven, and responsive services to address the complex physical and emotional needs of 59,000 local clients every year. Its 30 programs utilize 10 evidence-based practices to serve children, teens, adults and families who are typically low-income and struggling with poverty, domestic violence, human trafficking, homelessness, incarceration, child abuse, neglect and abandonment. Interface also connects 150,000 clients per year to a vast network of health and human services in 19 counties through its 2-1-1 Information and Referral program.

Interface’s core program areas are Mental Health and Trauma Treatment, Domestic Violence Intervention and Child Abuse Prevention, Youth Crisis and Homeless Services, Human Trafficking Intervention, Reentry Services, Early Childhood Family Development, and 2-1-1 information and referral. The agency has pioneered several programs including launching California’s first 2-1-1 call center, initiated Ventura County’s Pay for Success Program, and was one of the first agencies in the state to open a domestic violence shelter. Recently, Interface opened the only human trafficking shelter for adults, and is the only provider of child abuse treatment in the region. The agency operates out of five main locations including Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, Santa Paula and Thousand Oaks, and soon, will be providing early education and parent support at an additional thirteen First 5 Neighborhoods for Learning Powered by Interface sites. For more information, please contact Catherine L. Kort at ckort@icfs.org or (805) 206-8663.

Bob Crum

It's reported that planet earth, and the universe, was created in darkness. Not satisfied, God said: Let there be light! Thomas Edison, not one to argue with a higher authority, promptly invented the light bulb. And the Lord was pleased saying: Light is good but more is better, and the sun was born.

Without light, photography couldn't exist. But what is light? Paraphrasing BBC.com: "Einstein suggested that light is carried in tiny quantum packets. Each quantum packs a discrete energy punch that relates to the wavelength: the shorter the wavelength, the denser the energy punch. A brighter light source delivers more light packets, but doesn't change the amount of energy each light packet contains.

Furthermore, Einstein named these energy packets 'photons', now recognized as particles which carry visible light. At this point, physicists decided to end the debate over whether light behaved as a wave or a particle. Both models were so convincing that neither could be rejected. To end the confusion of non-physicists, the scientists decided that light behaved as both waves and particles at the same time: A paradox.

While we take sunlight for granted, photons often wreak havoc. While the human eye can discern differing brightness levels, not so even for the most advanced cameras. Camera sensors bombarded with variations of photons often get confused. Hence, white balance not always correct, not to mention exposure. Challenges prevail.

However, understanding light will significantly improve your photography. For example, different types of natural light can also produce a wide variety of subject appearances, even though these all have the same light source: The sun. Three factors influence how natural light renders a subject: Time of day, camera direction and weather.

Cambridge in Colour explains: From sunlight, a subject's illumination is comprised of several components: Direct sunlight (warmer, high contrast) diffuse skylight (cooler, low contrast) and bounced light (reflective light). The time of day complicates matters because the kind of light affects white balance and/or contrast. Besides the time of day, the extent of cloud cover significantly varies the type of light. As I said, light is complicated.

To beat the throng, I was ready at 8 a.m. to shoot the car show. Not so fast. The marine layer (clouds) was thicker than cold yogurt. Under the clouds, the light was softer than room temperature rose petals. Soft light is fine for mermaid boudoir photography, but not for classic vehicles. I prefer sunlight to reflect the rich, gorgeous colors. Furthermore, without sunlight no sunstars.

About noon, with the marine layer beginning to break up, it was time to go. OMG, the throng became a super-sized crowd. Oh my, look at the luscious Chevy - excuse me sir - I'd like to photography that car. Yes sir, you are in my way. Scuse me ma'am, I'd like to photograph that car - yes, you are in my way. Wish I had a dollar for every person that walked in front of my camera! Ugh!

Anyway, so many fantabulous classic vehicles it was a gold mine of photo ops. But cars parked side-by-side made it challenging to get the desired perspective. Did the best I could considering the circumstances. Remember, it's not nice to ask how many photos I shot.
Oh, and when the sun moved towards the western sky, hallelujah! You know I can't resist a few shots of cars with sunstars? Remember, in addition to kind of light, the time of day is equally important. Hear me?

The photo of the week is the black Chevy at the car show, complete with multiple sunstars on the chrome. Happy photoing!

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

Recovery continues for California communities impacted by the Camp, Hill and Woolsey wildfires, which all started November 8, 2018. FEMA has now approved $76,755,681 to reimburse the State for emergency protective measures performed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire (Cal Fire) for costs associated with battling last November’s wildfires under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. This brings the total amount of federal assistance to more than $163 million; additional projects will continue to be funded.

FEMA funds will be used to reimburse the department for such endeavors as firefighting, traffic control (barricading), search and rescue, air attack fire suppression, and operating a mobile communications center during the three wildfires which started November 8, 2018 in Butte, Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

The grant is funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) works with FEMA during all phases of the program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scope of work. FEMA obligates funding for the project after its final approval.

Once a project is obligated by FEMA, CalOES works closely with the applicant to finalize the grant and begin making payments. CalOES has implemented new procedures designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations, including houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

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8-A Council approved the response to the Grand Jury findings and recommendations, and submit the response to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court for the annual detention report.

8-B Resolution 19-3726 creating the unrepresented part-time classifications of Volunteer Fire Assistant Chief (temporary coverage), Volunteer Fire Battalion Chief and Volunteer Fire Engineer and adopting job descriptions for these positions was approved.

8-C City Council approved amending Resolution No. 14-3439 to add the part-time positions of Volunteer Fire Assistant Chief (Temporary Coverage), Volunteer Fire Battalion Chief, and Volunteer Fire Engineer, as well as the daily rate per 24-hour shift for these positions. The daily rate changes set forth in Salary Schedule “T” will be retroactively effective to July 1, 2019.

8-D That the City Council adopt Resolution 19-3724 Approving and Adopting the City of Fillmore’s Revised Publicly Available Pay Schedule to reflect the July 1, 2019, Fire Department volunteer staff additions and pay rate changes.

8-E It was approved that City Council members serve as official representatives of the City to various intergovernmental agencies. The League of California Cities allows each Member City to vote at the Annual Business Meeting. Council members, Mayor Diane McCall, Mark Austin, and Tim Holmgren were appointed.

8-F The following was approved: that the City Council: 1. Find that this action is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines; and 2. Approve the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 913 amending the Fillmore Municipal Code to allow covenants for easements.

8-G The City Council, as the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Directors, approved the updated month to month leases for the Theatre Storefront properties at 336 and 338 B Central Avenue, Fillmore, California.

8-H It was approved, that the City Council, as the Successor Agency Board of Directors: 1. Approve the attached First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Successor Agency property located at 510 Santa Clara Street; and 2. Direct staff to submit the First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement to the County Oversight Board for approval and authorize the Agency’s Chair to execute the agreement after Oversight Board approval.

8-I City Council, as the Successor Agency Board of Directors: 1. Approved the attached First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Successor Agency property located at 510 Santa Clara Street; and 2. Direct staff to submit the First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement to the County Oversight Board for approval and authorized the Agency’s Chair to execute the agreement after Oversight Board approval.

Courtesy Jan Lee

Recently, the Fillmore Lion’s Club took the time to honor members of their local Club. Member Jaclyn Ibarra earned the “Lion of the Year” which is given to the Fillmore member who has done the most for the local community. Ms. Ibarra has been active in almost all the community activities this year. Her enthusiasm and good nature is contagious!

The second award given was for service above and beyond was Eddi Barajas, current president of Fillmore Lion’s Club. Mr. Barajas received the “Don Snyder Award.” One of the Lion’s Club’s community projects is the Youth Speaker contest; Mr. Barajas spent hours and hours working to coordinate this contest on top of the time he spent as Club President. The young speakers and local members appreciate his outstanding efforts.

The third awarded was to Stephen McKeown who earned the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Like the other two recipients, Mr. McKeown stays busy working on projects that help the Fillmore community. Over many years, he has been available to work toward any and all Lion’s Club projects. Fillmore residents have benefitted greatly by the efforts of these three dedicated people. When you see them around town, congratulate them and thank them for their service. The awards were presented by Lion’s District Representatives Margaret and Bill Dunlevy.