Independence Day is coming!
...and how do we feel about that? the Ojai Peace Coalition is returning for our second year, and on our first birthday! with the theme "Shining Moments In Our History", we'll be highlighting our favorite moments of peace and social justice from the past 230 years (and even speculating a little into the future!)
to be a part of the fun, please contact evan austin at 805.746.3750 or superher0@sbcglobal.net. we're meeting in Libbey Park on this coming saturday july 1 to make signs from 2-6pm....b.y.o.m(aterials).!
this is also a forum for sharing our thoughts, reflections, and general musings about the upcoming holiday. what does Independence Day mean to YOU?


Comments (5)
When I was little, my hometown always had a carnival over the fourth of july. So independence day meant rides and cotton candy. Today I'm much more cynical and Independence Day is a good day to stay home, to avoid the crowds who wave flags in support of a motto of freedom and justice for all but who show less tolerance on most other days. It always strikes me that the big thing I'm intolerant of is what I perceive as intolerance.
Comment #1 Posted by: Heather | June 27, 2006 09:38 PM
Don't get me started! This is one crazy town. When I first came to Ojai on Monday, July 5, 1999, I was surprised to find myself in the midst of 4th of July festivities, which I (and everyone else in the nation) had already observed the previous day. I was told the City of Ojai chose to celebrate Independence Day on Monday, July 5th to accommodate church-goers and allow them to worship on Sunday. This happened again in '04. Despite the separation of church and state, the former seems to carry precedence over the latter here. Call me crazy, but, particularly in light of the events of 9-11, shouldn't the 4th of July be held on, oh, say, I dunno, the 4th of July? Now, I’m no flag-waving zealot, but I think it’s important to observe National Holidays on the date they are established. Anyway, that's how I suppose I'll look back on Independence Day and my days in Ojai. That and having a Bloody Mary at Pangea at 9:00 in the morning and sitting on a barstool on the parade route. Which reminds me, I need to call Joe and reserve my seat.
Comment #2 Posted by: Lisa Snider | June 29, 2006 11:20 AM
Jeeeeeze! I was just downtown, at 8:30 this morning, which is Saturday, July FIRST, and they are already lining up their chairs! W.T.H.!
Comment #3 Posted by: Lisa Snider | July 1, 2006 09:52 AM
those chairs were there last NIGHT, which was friday, june 30! it might very well be a record...
i hope you put some chairs out, Lisa. it IS a measure of your patriotism, after all. :)
Comment #4 Posted by: evan | July 1, 2006 10:51 AM
Ha! Alright, Evan, I'll see you tomorrow - I'll be the one cheering from a barstool in front of Pangea!
Comment #5 Posted by: Lisa Snider | July 3, 2006 08:47 AM