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Submitted by Jan Lee

One hundred years ago, Fillmore residents brought their lovely blooms to a flower show. To celebrate 100 years of flowers, neighbors again showed off their garden beauties at the Fillmore Flower Show. It was a wonderful success, as anyone who attended can confirm. There was lots of talk about what was and was not blooming in each respective garden. A stem of cymbidiums in a dusty rose color grown by Joanne King was the best of show.

Our Fillmore youth had a variety of arrangements and compositions. We are so proud of their enthusiasm and accomplishments the music, Saturday by Becky Morales and Sunday by Barry Cooper, added to the friendly and colorful event. The plant boutique and cafe was enjoyed by visitors. Many children planted succulents and seeds at the youth table. There were photos of flower shows from long ago which brought smiles to many faces. If you missed it this year, plan to attend next year. I’ll remind you!

Without the hard work of the Civic Pride Committee volunteers and the support of our sponsors, this fun exhibit would not happen. We would like to thank the following businesses: Ari Larson, Armstrong Nursery, Chivas Skin Care, Diamond Realty & Investments, El Pescador Restaurant, Estela Homegoods, Genmai Sushi, Green Thumb Nursery, International, Hair Gallery, King & King Ranch, La Michoacana Bakery, Otto and Sons Nursery, Roan Mills, Sandi Ward’s Train Stop, The Treasure Station, Vallarta Restaurant, Yanni’s Best. These businesses give a lot to our community, make sure you thank them the next time you buy something from them.

Thank you people of Fillmore! You made this show a success. An event like this builds community, tradition, love of beauty and respect for nature. It is one of those intergenerational occasions that remind us how lucky we are to live in this gorgeous valley surrounded by so many caring neighbors.

Watch our website in the coming days, fillmoreflowershow.org, for photos of the show (thank you Scott Duckett).

Information was presented regarding Santa Clara River Valley Higher Education Needs and Priorities to the Governing Board by Ventura College Interim President, Dr. Damon Bell, and Assistant Dean, Dr. Jesus Vega.

Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District

Ventura County Community College District Presentation
Information was presented regarding Santa Clara River Valley Higher Education Needs and Priorities to the Governing Board by Ventura College Interim President, Dr. Damon Bell, and Assistant Dean, Dr. Jesus Vega.

Staff Appreciation Week May 13-17, 2019
The Governing Board approved Resolution 18-19-12 for the period of May 13-17, 2019 to recognize and appreciate staff for their contributions to the Fillmore USD.

Special Board Meeting
The Governing Board approved a Special Board Meeting for Tuesday, April 30, 2019. The purpose of the meeting will be to conduct a Board Workshop regarding Fillmore USD Facilities.

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

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Two Santa Paula residents were arrested after being linked to a burglary that occurred to a Thomas Fire victim’s property.

The victims were residents of the unincorporated area of Santa Paula. Unfortunately, their home was completely lost during the Thomas Fire in December of 2017, however, a detached garage remained standing. The victims used the garage to store personal property. Because of the loss of their home, the family was forced to move to a different location in the area. Throughout 2018, the victims returned to the location to check on the property.

During the month of October 2018, the victims arrived at the property and noticed the garage had been broken into. The lock to a door was cut and several valuables were taken.

Detectives received information that the stolen goods were sold at a business in the city of Ventura. Acting on this tip, investigators were able to identify Joshua Draper and Elise Main as the suspects.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Draper and Main’s residence. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Gang Unit and the Fillmore Detective Bureau served the warrant. The search of their property revealed additional evidence connecting the two to the burglary. As the investigation unfolded, detectives discovered that the suspects also had a storage locker in the city of Santa Paula. A search warrant was obtained for this location as well. The storage facility contained more stolen property from the Thomas Fire victims. Investigators also located several valuable construction tools and other property that appeared to be stolen but have not yet connected the property to a victim. The investigation is ongoing.

Draper was booked for violating California Penal Code Sections 459 PC / Burglary, 496(a) / Possession of Stolen Property and for violating Health and Safety Code Sections 11550 (a) / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and 11364(a) / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Main was booked for California Penal Code Section 496(a) / Possession of Stolen property and Health and Safety Code Section 11550(a) / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. Both remain in custody with bail set at $300,000.

Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

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).

Check out the refurbished information booth in Central Park! Thanks to Matthew Henschel, and his very supportive family, he will be earning his Eagle Scout rank under the Boy Scouts Organization. The Eagle Scout Service Project is the opportunity for a Boy Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community. Completing an Eagle Project is a requirement in order for Boy Scouts to attain the Eagle Scout rank. We are so grateful to Matthew and the Henschel family for their generosity to our community…we welcome anyone trying to come up with an Eagle Scout Project to complete, please reach out to the Parks and Recreation Department to discuss potential opportunities. Community postings: if you would like to post information in the booth, please contact Parks and Recreation department. 805-524-1500 ext 713 or email recreation@ci.fillmore.ca.us. Courtesy City of Fillmore Instagram.

Bob Crum

I previously introduced you to the new Canon Cliq+, a novel camera-and-printer-in-one. This week Canon introduced the EOS Rebel SL3, the smallest and lightest EOS dSLR camera to date. Yes, another new camera! Photography is alive and well!
Though cellphone camera technology continues to improve, forthright phonetographers will admit, albeit reluctantly, that cellphones frequently fail to capture challenging once-in-a-lifetime photos. Meanwhile, technical advantages of dedicated cameras empower a photographer to capture photos cellphones can't? Let's continue.

Available in traditional black or white, the EOS SL3 white model is cool and trendy, even au courant. Aha, got your attention, eh? It's physically compact but power-packed: 24.1 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor, powerful DIGIC 8 Processor, and Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus (AF). Best of all, selfie shooters will love the vari-angle LCD! And 4K video recording plus 4K time-lapse movies is the cat's purr.

Want more? The SL3 includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Create a great photo with the SL3 and Bluetooth it to your cellphone and text it or email it out on the Internet. You can even remotely control the SL3 with your cellphone. The cat's meow!

The SL3 camera is also budget friendly. Note that lens selection need not be the same brand as the camera body. Third party manufacturers (Tokina, Tamron & Sigma) make a plethora of lenses for Canon camera bodies. If you regularly read the photo of the week data you've noticed that I mostly use a Tamron 16-300mm lens. The range of this zoom lens meets most of my needs. Not having to swap lenses frequently eliminates dust on the sensor.

Three photo shoots past weekend. Even though I exercise my shutter-button finger three days a week, it was taxed to the limit at the third shoot.

The first assignment was at the Fillmore Middle School where Josh the Otter appeared. Josh the Otter is the water safety & awareness project to educate children with an important message: “Stay away from water unless accompanied by an adult.” Kids loved Josh!

On Saturday, the lovable, huggable Easter Bunny appeared at the Fillmore Recreation chalk art contest and a free-for-all Easter egg hunt. What a hoot! Kids being little, I decided to shoot from ground level. Miraculously, I survived, untrampled. Nevertheless, I'm reviewing my accident/health plan coverage.

Though shooting at ground level seemed best, kids running helter-skelter created an unexpected dilemma: Who and what to shoot with dozens of kids running every which way? I resigned to just pressing the focus back-button and prayed that at least a couple of photos showed some kids snatching eggs! Next time I plan to put the camera in burst mode – 10 photos/second - and fire away. BTW, it looked like every kid participating was pursued by, ahem, a phonetographer. Seriously?

Then it was on to the 100th famous, fabulous Fillmore Flower Show, a two-day extravaganza of eye candy. Like the proverbial fly on the wall, I watched people stop and stoop to sniff the roses. Perhaps an irresistible instinct? Must be. I can no more greet a dog without patting its head than pass a rose and not have a quick sniff. C'est la vie!

Highlight May 1 through May 5 on your calendar, the dates of Fillmore's first exciting Art and Photography Exhibit. Sponsored by the Fillmore Art Commission, the free event held in City Hall. Artwork and fine art photographs from 20 local artists will be on display for your enjoyment, and purchase! Enter a prize drawing by voting for your favorite artwork and or photo. Happy photoing!

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

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Raelene Chaney, a long-time resident of Fillmore, passed away April 7th in her home surrounded by loved ones at the age of 90. After a short battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma, she has now joined her beloved husband Robert Chaney in Heaven.

Raelene was born in 1929 in Yelm, WA and was a graduate of Big Bear High School. Although she had a full and busy life, her life didn’t truly begin until 1964, when a big city girl moved to a small town called Fillmore. Robert & Raelene then adopted two beautiful girls, Chris-Anne in 1966 and Susan in 1969, to bring more light and joy into their lives. Raelene worked for the school district in many different capacities but was best known for being a campus supervisor. You could hear her yelling, “Don’t make me write you up, get to class NOW!” She did this for about nine years and then became the supervisor for In-School Suspensions for another five years. Even though she was a tough cookie, she loved her students like they were her children.

From the moment she stepped foot in Fillmore, Raelene was involved in many community projects and groups, including the Ebell & Optimist clubs, just to name a few. She helped start the FHS Soccer Club, raised money for her daughters' softball team, and even helped one of her students go to the Fiji Islands to run Cross Country. She participated in the annual Flower shows, bike rodeos and over the last few years volunteered at the Wednesday Food Share program.

After the towns devastating loss of a high school senior on graduation night, Raelene co-founded Grad Nite Live in 1990. Raelene and her husband Bob along with several Fillmore residents, worked with local businesses for donations. In later years, the Grad Nite Live Thanksgiving pie sale was born. Seniors sold pies to pay for a dinner cruise so they could have a safe, sober, and fun graduation night experience.

She was best known for driving around in her “Put Put” yelling, “Did you order your pies?” (therefore becoming “The Pie Lady”) which we’re sure you can hear even now. From an overnight dinner cruise to an early morning breakfast at Carl’s Jr., great memories were had by all.

Raelene also received the Making a Difference for Women & Citizen of the Year awards. Then in May of 2018, she was bestowed with Fillmore’s highest honor by receiving Fillmore’s “Lifetime Achievement, Citizen of the Year” award.

She has impacted so many people throughout her long life because she was always the life of the party and loved by everyone who met her.

Raelene’s greatest pride and joy were her six grandchildren, of whom she loved to no end. All of the kids helped her in some way with Grad Nite Live.

She attended all their sports games, picked them up from school, helped them with homework, and taught them to drive in her “Put Put” car.

Raelene leaves behind: Chris-Anne Barker, Susan (Patrick) Golson and Grandchildren: Tenea, Brandon, Zach, Johnny, Samantha, and Tyler. She leaves behind an incredible legacy that her family is proud of. She was a phenomenal woman who will be truly missed but will forever live on in our hearts.

A very special thank you to our Angels at Los Robles Hospice. We would have been lost without you.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, April 18th 10a.m. at Faith Community Church: 355 D St., Fillmore, followed by a graveside service at Bardsdale Cemetery: 1698 S Sespe St., Bardsdale. Reception to follow and will be announced at service.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked to make donations to Grad Nite Live or FHS Soccer Club in her honor.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned & Operated ROBERT REY GARCIA JR FUNERAL SERVICES, Santa Paula, CA 805.229.7054.

A teacher’s aide from Fillmore High School was arrested for child annoying and contributing to a delinquency of a minor after it was reported that he was sending inappropriate messages to a student on a social media site and providing marijuana products to a minor.

At the end of the school day on 04/05/19, Fillmore Unified School District employees were notified of potentially inappropriate messages shared between a teacher’s aide and a student at the High School. Upon hearing about the allegations, the School District immediately notified the Fillmore Police Department and an investigation ensued.

Deputies responded to the high school to investigate the teacher’s aide, and found he had conversations with a student on the social media application, “Snap Chat.” The dialogue was improper and had sexual overtures. Deputies completed the investigation and concluded the employee, Ricardo Negrete, was annoying the student by sending multiple messages at various times of the day and night. Additionally, detectives discovered that Negrete sold a marijuana cartridge used in vape pens to a second minor not involved in the aforementioned incident.

Prior to arriving at work on 4/08/19, Negrete was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility for Penal Code 647.6 (a)(1)- Child Annoying and Penal Code 272 - Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

The Fillmore Police Department and the Fillmore Unified School District work together very closely and this cooperative relationship led to the quick identification and arrest of Negrete.

Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved: Captain Eric Tennessen

Fillmore Unified School District

April 9, 2019

A classified instructional assistant assigned to Fillmore High School was taken into custody on April 8, 2019 following a timely Fillmore Unified School District report of possible inappropriate conduct with a student. The District continues to work with law enforcement to investigate, as student safety and wellbeing are the Board’s top priorities. Parents that have any information that may assist authorities are encouraged to contact: Ventura County Sherriff’s Office, Detective Bill Meixner, (805) 947-9391.

At last night’s city council meeting Adrian Bonilla was recognized for promoting sportsmanship and placing 8th in the 2019 Boys Southern California Masters Wrestling Tournament CIF Championship and advancing to the State Tournament.
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Picture is Mayor Diane McCall (center) presenting Joanne King (left) and Linda Nunez with a recognition of the Fillmore Flower Show, celebrating 100 years of showcasing flowers to the Fillmore community.
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At the regular Tuesday meeting of the Fillmore City Council a proclamation was presented to Fillmore High School wrestler Adrian Bonilla, honoring him for his historic first of advancing to the State Wrestling Tournament in Bakersfield. Fillmore High School Principal John Wilber reported this award in February: “Fillmore High School wrestler Adrian Bonilla, has advanced to the State Wrestling Tournament. Adrian is a Fillmore High School senior, 195 pound wrestler, who was also the Citrus Coastal League Champion in his weight class. He placed 5th in the Southern Section California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Finals two weeks ago which earned him a trip to the CIF Masters Wrestling Tournament last weekend. At the Masters Tournament Adrian was 3-2 after two days of wrestling which was good for an 8th place, qualifying him for the State Tournament. Adrian is the first Fillmore High wrestler to advance to the State Tournament since the wrestling program started at Fillmore High School in 1987.”

Fillmore is celebrating the 100-year of its Flower Show. Joanne King and Linda Nunez received a City Proclamation recognizing the achievement.

Patterson Hardware was also recognized for its 100th-year as an essential part of Fillmore business. Mayor Diane McCall commented that it’s very nice to be able to purchase such a variety of hardware items from a home-owned business such as Patterson Hardware.

The organization, Donate For Life, was recognized with a City Proclamation for its work in seeking donations to provide physical organ replacements to critically ill recipients.

Council also recognized Fair Housing Month.

A presentation was made reminding citizens of the importance of the coming 2020 census.

The City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance 19-907, Ordinance 19-908, and Resolution 19-3691 to adopt a City Council Policy to establish design standards applicable to small wireless facilities within the public right of way and directed staff to bring back an amendment to the master fee schedule to establish application and related fees.

The City Council approved the introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Fillmore Municipal Code 14.40.100 to include banning heavy truck traffic on River Street between A Street and C Street, except for certain deliveries, and authorizing staff to order, install and maintain signs advising of this prohibition.

Council approved the continuance of the public hearing associated with changes to CFD No 5 Improvement Area B and continue it to April 23, 2019.

Council approved a motion to conduct a Public Hearing to consider adopting Resolution No 19-3690 to approve an update to the Development Impact Fees and Finding of Exemption from CEQA.

City Council discussed and considered contributing $25,000 to the Ventura County Library (VCL) for collections and Fillmore Library building expansion. Council followed Staff recommends that the Council not contribute to the collections of the VCL. The extremely tight fiscal budget weighed heavily on the decision.

City Council adopted Ordinance 889 on May 8, 2018, amending the Fillmore Municipal Code to allow murals. Murals are not identified as one of the City Council goals. Council followed staff recommendations that the following actions be taken:1.Interpret the proposed request of a mural to determine that this mural complies with Fillmore Municipal Code Section 6.04.3940.1 as the building is a mixed-use building and not an apartment, per the code.

A road rage incident that occurred in Fillmore on Monday, April 1st, led to the arrest of an Oxnard man and woman for possessing a stolen firearm and a dagger.

On April 1st at approximately 9:45 a.m., Fillmore patrol deputies were alerted to a road rage incident that occurred at Telegraph Road and SR 126 in Fillmore. According to the victim, a subject, later identified as Jesse Ramos, flashed a handgun at the victim while they were driving through Fillmore. The victim was able to capture Ramos’ license plate and a description of the suspect and provided that to the Fillmore deputies.

A short time later, an alert deputy spotted Ramos’ car near Piru and stopped and detained Ramos and his passenger, Erin Powell. Deputies searched Ramos’ car and found a loaded 45 caliber handgun, reported stolen to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2015. Deputies also found Powell in possession of a dagger and arrested her. During the investigation, detectives uncovered information that led them to request a search warrant for the couple’s home. Detectives served the search warrant and recovered an additional firearm from the residence.

Ramos was booked at the Main Jail for PC 29800(a)(1) / Own/Possess/Control Firearm by Felon or Addict, PC 25850(c)(6) / Carry a Loaded Firearm, PC 26500(a) / Sell, Lease, Transfer Firearms without License, and PC 417(a)(2) / Exhibit Deadly Weapon or Firearm with his bail set at $50,000. Powell was booked at the Main Jail for PC 21310 / Carry Dirk or Dagger Concealed with her bail set at $10,000.

Prepared by: Detective Shawn Pewsey #3867
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

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 rime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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A Kern County parolee and another male adult were arrested for possessing a loaded firearm with a high capacity magazine during a traffic enforcement stop in Fillmore.

On April 8, 2019, patrol deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle for a speeding violation while driving through Fillmore. During the stop, deputies learned that one of the occupants, Eloidoro Marquez, was on parole out of Kern County. Pursuant to his parole terms, deputies searched Marquez and his vehicle, and they found a loaded handgun with a high capacity magazine holding 28 rounds of ammunition in the vehicle.

During the investigation, both Marquez and another occupant of the vehicle, (S) Anthony Davila, claimed ownership of the firearm and the high capacity magazine. Neither subject was the lawful owner of the firearm and Marquez is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his parole status.

Marquez was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for violating California Penal Code Sections 29800(a)(1) – Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, 30305(a)(1) – Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition, 32310(c) – Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, 27545 – Illegal Sale / Transfer of a Firearm, and Vehicle Code Section 25400(a)(1) – Carry a Concealed Firearm inside a Motor Vehicle.

Davila was booked into the county jail for violating California Penal Code Section 32310(c) – Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, 27545 – Illegal Sale / Transfer of a Firearm, and VC 25400(a)(3) – Carry a Concealed Firearm inside a Motor Vehicle.

Prepared by: Deputy Dylan Foley
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

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).

Bob Crum

What do you do with all the photos that you take and store on your cellphone? Most likely shoot and send off to Facebook or Instagram or attach to an email. After that, all but maybe a few vanish into the vapor of cyberspace while you're busy taking more snapshots destined for the same fate.

What if you could take a selfie or with a friend(s), and immediately print a memento sticker? You can! Imagine the fun!

As Tech Crunch stated, “People tired of taking dozens of shots on their phone and then never looking at them again are excited by the idea that you can leave your phone in your bag and get a fun photographic keepsake, no apps or wireless connections necessary.” Remember Polaroid?

Alas, with an instant-printing camera, you can now leave your cellphone in your pocket or bag and convert from 'phonetography' to 'photography', painlessly, sooner than later.

Fujifilm's popular model, the INSTAX Mini 90 Neo Classic, is a compact camera that supports the use of Fujifilm Instax mini-type film to produce instant credit card-sized prints. It features a 60mm lens, a built-in flash, and automatic exposure control to ensure accurate exposures in a variety of lighting conditions. An exposure counter visually displays the number of exposures remaining in the film pack.

Canon, a major manufacturer of photographic gear, jumped into the fray recently introducing two new instant cameras. The higher-end version, model Ivy Cliq+, is an instant camera with built-in mini photo printer that can fit in a pocket to take to a party.

Selfie-tographers, rejoice! The IVY CLIQ+ features a large 2" selfie mirror with an eight LED ring light for great looking selfies! If you must, connect your smartphone to the Canon Mini Print app via Bluetooth1 and take a photo with your smartphone's camera and print the photo. Even use fun AR filters and add effects, frames, text, and 'stickers' to your 2"x3" photos with a peel & stick back!

With the Canon IVY CLIQ+ now you have a camera and a printer about the size of a smartphone. Plus it's available in three dazzling colors: Pearl White, Sapphire Blue, and Ruby Red.

Mermaids are a subject that always instigates emails protesting their reality. However, for centuries eyewitnesses claimed to have seen real mermaids around the world. The sightings go back to the Roman Emperor Augustus (63 BCE-14 CE). Multiple artists produced images of mermaids drawn from life.

On his first voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus claimed to have encountered three mermaids. Columbus spotted the mermaids off the coast of Haiti in January of 1493. He wrote about the mermaids in his travel journal, where he said the mermaids “rose well out of the sea.” Who among us dares question Captain Columbus?

There is plenty of historical evidence that mermaids are real. Before anyone doubts the evidence, keep in mind that humans have not yet explored more than 95% of the oceans. Could mermaids be lurking in the deep sea? I know where one lives nearby!

March is mermazing mermaid month at the Ventura Harbor Village. Disney movie fans, know about Princess Ariel, the protagonist of Disney's classic 1989 animated feature film The Little Mermaid. Hence, children of all ages line up eager to meet, greet and chat with, ahem, a real mermaid! Photo of the week is Mermaid Kristen who resides in Section 9 of Kelp Village in Seaweed County. Remit $50 for her GPS coordinates.

Photo ops abound this weekend. Easter bunny and egg hunt at Two Rivers park 9 am to 1 pm and Community Center flower show Saturday and Sunday. Happy photoing!

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