The Ojai Post

DK - Good post. Great message! - Randy

Thanks DK, for bringing our attention to this article.

The world is burning...
There are infinite reasons to take a break from fireworks!!

I agree! There are infinite rasons, not the least of which is the terror the noise inflicts on the dogs, cats, birds...the pollution they cause...there is no escape. My poor dog is in ill health and becomes so anxious and traumatized by the bombs going off.

Dianne, I find myself nodding in agreement with your statement. The last several years I have watched my sister's dog, fish and cats. The first time I did this, I watched as fireworks made them tremble with fear. My solution was to close all the windows and turn up the classical music on the stereo system. To my pleasant surprise, the music managed to drown out most of the choreographed explosive devices and allowed the animals to avoid the trauma.

I look forward to a Fireworks Free Ojai Valley, July 4th, 2010!

if these sentiments are to transition into a real-world campaign of any sort, i think it absolutely CRITICAL that we hear from some folks who DO want fireworks...in order to understand WHY.

anyone?

I am not against fireworks. When I read the article I thought "wow, that's sure a sign of the times and where things lie financially" and "way to think fluidly! about Ms. Vasquez"!" She saw a need, thought of the fireworks and plugged it in. We often get so caught up in how things usually go that often this wouldn't have even been considered.

That said...Now that I have asthma, I do feel the after-effects of fireworks. In Ojai, if you park by the hospital when you are trying to leave that massive crowd of confusion there is this HUGE cloud of smoke to try to navigate. In Ventura we live close-ish to the fair and each night of the fair we work with the dogs to not be afraid. (I created something called "Boom boom" treats the first night and by the end of the week when the fireworks would start the dogs would run in the kitchen to sit and wait for their treats. That was my attempt to recondition. But after the fireworks at the fair we see this huge cloud of smoke approaching the house and close our windows. It stays for an hour or so and I've read about what kind of debris is in them. That's the scary part to me. Also, one year in Ojai I'd just gotten done with breathing smoke from a nearby fire only to have the smoke of fireworks shortly after.

I love them, think they are romantic, beautiful and exciting. We used to create our own displays of them back in Louisiana along the river and our neighbors across the water would compete with their own. I am mixed. I love the fun and celebration but for me the air quality and yes the cost vs. human needs is what I consider.

BTW...in the south we have thunderstorms and animals react very similarly to those which occur frequently. We had dogs break through screen doors, dig holes to hide up under the interior or a bed, etc. It's not just unnatural events that cause animal fright.

Didj and DK, thank you for the tips on making that night less traumatic for my dog.
I am not only speaking of pets but the wild animals that share this valley with us. the "bombs blasting in air" directly beside our meadow preserve...
I totally agree with you Suza. I would love to see this valley fireworks free!

Dianne, good point! Hadn't even considered the wild animals so close to Nordolf! I believe the Ojai valley is special/unique in many ways and one of them is that air seems to stagnate sometimes in the bowl of mountains surrounding Ojai. Between the smoke that lingers, the fire hazards, and the effect of explosives on wild animals, maybe it isn't the best place for fireworks! Not at all what was on my mind when I posted but interesting discussion.

I'm in favor of keeping the Fireworks display in the Ojai Valley. It has always seemed to be a wonderful way to celebrate our country's birthday and a celebration of the freedom we enjoy. I don't think the solution to the hunger issue or any of the other social ills or economic challenges we face will be solved by curtailing public spending on National Holidays.

Jeez, Bill, you must really love the Fireworks!
I would rather celebrate our "freedom" with $39,000 going to feed hungry people and care for abandoned animals and wildlife here in the Ojai Valley. We can still have the parties and parades--even sparklers!--and still celebrate our country. And in the height of fire season--makes absolutely NO sense.
DK -- I remember the fireworks every night on the River in New Orleans during the World's Fair. My friend who lived close to the Fair had wolf-mix dogs who went bonkers every night--she had to stay home to control them; she, too, put classical music on loud.
I know pyrotechnics employs a lot of people, but, c'mon, it's too dangerous, too expensive, not worth the possibility of fire, air quality, sound intrusion, etc....Let's just have our parties with sparklers!

The full amount spent is obviously mitigated by ticket sales at Nordhoff High. Just for conversation, since we're discussing what money is being "spent" on the fireworks that could be available for something else.

I will be curious to see how my new Australian Shepherd reacts...

Link to last year's Firework Open Thread:

http://www.ojaipost.com/2008/07/ojai-fireworks.shtml

Dang! Still don't know how to make these links live!

If you know how, pleae let me know.

Oh WOW Suza, I had no idea that post existed! Beautiful firework photos Tyler, amazing! How'd you take them? (photography question)...
I will now go finish reading. Looks like lots of input!

Hi DK - It was just a little Canon point-and-shoot. Chris Foley has a nice setup with a tripod - maybe we can get him to post a new thread this year.

(Suza - I include the code for links above the comments box - just copy the first line of code, and replace the URL and description with your info)

I understand the reactions regarding this article, but I also think that a few major points have been overlooked. The fireworks are and have been an enjoyable celebratory event in Ojai for many years. I know that I personally have invited family and friends from other areas of California to join in the festivities. It has become an annual family event mainly because everyone has fallen in love with our town and the intimacy and enjoyment our particular fireworks show brings. The turn out each year is always impressive and yes! these people are paying for the show! It is self sufficient and a bright explision of family and enjoyment for all to enjoy. We can justify doing away with all "non-practical" enjoyments in life, but lets get real. . .would life as great?? Fireworks are a tradition, they are a joy for many, and they are funded by the very people who enjoy them. If the sales fail, than yes, I would be against city funding or pulling money from other areas to put on the show, but thankfully, we are not there yet! KEEP THE FIREWORKS! KEEP THE FUN! KEEP THE SMILES! THE FAMILIES! THE JOY! THE CELEBRATION! THE HOPE! GO FIREWORKS!

The fireworks are and have been an big event in Ojai. The turn out each year is always impressive and yes! these people are paying for the show! Fireworks are a tradition, they are a joy for many, and they are funded by the very people who enjoy them. If the sales fail, than yes, I would be against city funding or pulling money from other areas to put on the show, but thankfully, we are not there yet! To the person with the "home with your sparklers" comment. . .yikes! The firework show also aides in keeping people from doing silly unsafe things at home creating their own explosions! The fireworks have a history of safety, fun, are family friendly, build community, have been self sufficient, and are just fun! We can justify the cutting out of many "non-neccessities" in these economic times, but this just screams overzealousness and pessimism to me. Get happy Ojai! P.S. I have dogs too. I feel guilty that they get scared . . .but in reality it is one night. Yes they get anxious, but then again, they generally forget about it the other 364 days out of the year. . .unless of course we experience nature-made lightening storms. . .these generally produce a similar result and are just as easily forgotten.

APOLOGY TO ALL! As a first-time poster I kept receiving error messages and was unaware they were posting! Aye Yay Yay! Very Sorry =(

Tris,
No worries! There is some glitch showing an error message that's had several people post 3 times, myself included! Will go remove the extras. Thanks for offering your thoughts :)

I'm aware the comment functionality is not working well. It's being addressed, with a new solution coming in the next couple weeks.

Ok, I'm going to try to follow Tyler's istructions in Comment 15 and make the
link to last year's Firework Open Thread LIVE:

("Suza - I include the code for links above the comments box - just copy the first line of code, and replace the URL and description with your info")

I've read the above instructions five times, very slowly, word for word, and I'm getting worried because, for the life of me, I don't know what it means!

I'm sure I'm Tyler's slowest student, ever!

OK I will now break it up into baby steps.

Copy the first line of code.

??????

OK! Suddenly I see what he means, I think.

Replace the URL and description with your info

(this I just cannot grasp)

OK, I will try remove this:
"http://www."

HERE GOES! FIRST TRY EVER!

Ojai Eventsojaipost.com/2008/07/ojai-fireworks.shtml

I'm sorry Tyler, I failed!

OK - here's the starter code:

<a href="http://www.ojaievents.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ojai Events</a>

the URL that is there - http://www.ojaievents.com/ - gets replaced by whatever URL you want.

the description that is there - Ojai Events - gets replaced with whatever description you want.

So if you want to link to the Fireworks Thread, then your code would look like this:

<a href="http://www.ojaipost.com/2008/07/ojai-fireworks.shtml" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fireworks Thread</a>

And using that code would result in this: Fireworks Thread

It's fun to read these sparkling, spirited Comments!

As always, many viewpoints to consider...

Drove the parade route to Ojai Lumber yesterday with a newcomer to Ojai. She could not believe all the chairs already in place, up and down Ojai Avenue, all the way to Park Road...many secured with ropes or yellow tape...there's something so funny and sweet about eagerly reserving your spot four days ahead of time...the guys at the lumber yard were laughing about it too...

Just saw Comment #23.

Ah...much better...

Thank you, Tyler. I think I get it now!

Fireworks Thread

Fireworks Thread

Suza, there have been chairs in place since at least Sunday, which had me fuming! What happened to just putting your chairs out the night before? Oh, well, we will be in Portland and will miss all the fun!

Hi Lisa,

Thank you, I STAND corrected!

Chairs out since Sunday night? And I thought Tuesday was over the top!

Does the City have to pay for extra police to patrol Ojai Avenue to make sure these chairs wait patiently for their entusiastic occupants and don't "wander" off?

Just think, some prankster could line Ojai Avenue with hundreds of plastic chair....and send "latecomers" into a panic!

Or those of us who are too kind to "reserve" a front row seat seven days in advance can rebel and arrive en masse before dawn on the 4th, plunk our collective bottoms down and simply refuse to budge!!

Sorry you will miss the small-town fun but Portland I believe is one of over 70 cities (in over 200 countries) to participate in the World Naked Bike Ride movement... some cities had over 5,000 participants (according to the web)... so hope you have a fabulous fourth amongst all those bicycle-friendly Portlanders...

Since 1999, we have only missed one parade!

Yes, I do believe the valley's youth have a tradition of their own: swiping a few chairs from the parade route the night before!

And make no mistake, I will NOT be among the naked bicyclists (gross) in Portland!

Don't worry, Lisa, you missed it!

This year an estimated 5,000 Portlanders rode on June 6th and 13th...That would sure start some Fireworks in Ojai!

and here I was wondering how Lisa would choose to accessorize her glory ride...
I saw the chairs and thought it was a little out of control too. I notice people are just wild to get a shady spot. maybe the heat is causing insanity? I like when the couches start to come out!

Interestingly enough the LA Times just posted all the times/locations for fireworks both in LA, and in Ventura and Riverside counties. Ojai isn't listed? curious...
I also don't get the 'how' of making links live. Any thoughts/teachings welcome :)
Here's the link:
http://www.latimes.com/theguide/summer/la-hotlist-fireworks1,0,5437612.story?page=1

LAHotListFireWorks

Whoopie! It worked!

DK, see Comments #15, #21 (where you can learn from my mistakes)& #23 (where Tyler explains step-by-step how to do it.)

the talking points against fireworks are compelling:
• the Ojai Valley doesn't have good ventilation, and carries the dubious distinction of having the worst air quality in Ventura County...arguably not very smart to intentionally poison ourselves further.
• Our especially animal-companion-friendly local culture has many legitimately concerned about knowingly creating a fright hazard for them.
• the high cost of pyrotechnics displays - especially in, but not limited to, a struggling economy - is cause for pause and a review of various human needs going unmet.
• Veterans' groups in other areas have lobbied against fireworks displays citing PTSD aggravations from the explosions

...however, all of this is up against "TRADITION", which carries an unquantifiable but usually gargantuan strength and value, even though we all know that tradition for tradition's sake is not a compelling reason to continue any practice.

our nation's capital puts on quite a display...why couldn't we rig up a huge screen and have an outdoor viewing, in similar fashion to everyone watching New York City's New Year's celebration?

on a related note, here's a brief article about making your I-Day celebration a little more green. h/t Tea Silvestre, via Facebook.

Thanks evan...tried to leave a comment twice but it disappeared...

Thanks Suza! OK, lemme try. Here's the latest about fireworks from CNN.com. It highlights both the costs (Tucson is saving $55,000) and another town whose citizens scraped together the money themselves so their show could go on! Hope this link thing works!

Tried to do it fancy like...lemme try w/o the block quote :)

Dreck. What am I doing wrong?
Here's the link w/o any extras...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/03/independence.day.fireworks.canceled/index.html

Now I don't feel so bad that Tyler had to give me special instructions...here, let me try. (Just noticed Tyler added a "Link to example." But here is my way.

STEP ONE COPY:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/03/independence.day.fireworks.canceled/index.html

STEP TWO COPY THIS CODE FROM ABOVE COMMENT BOX:
Ojai Events

and then I delete "www.ojaievents.com"

and cut and paste the first code:

and then I add this:

independence.day.fireworks.canceled/index.html

OK now I will "test" to see if it worked --I really want to learn this for future comments!

(If it doesn't work, hope you learn from my mistakes!)

I tried to Post my special "Suza's cut and paste method" to LIVE links but my Comment got held back due to all the sample link--I alerted our honorable web master. He will rescue us...unless he's out partying or at some important meeing...

Sorry, my cut and paste method did not work this time--better stick to Tyler's Instructions (above the Comment box and copied here:)

OK - here's the starter code:

Ojai Events
the URL that is there - http://www.ojaievents.com/ - gets replaced by whatever URL you want.

the description that is there - Ojai Events - gets replaced with whatever description you want.

So if you want to link to the Fireworks Thread, then your code would look like this:

Fireworks Thread
And using that code would result in this: Fireworks Thread

Comment #23 Posted by: Tyler | July 1, 2009 12:52 PM

DK, did you see the "link to example," above the comment box? My "cut and paste" method did not work this time.

I'm going to try to make this link "live" once more. I need the practice!

fireworkscancelled

YEAH SUZA!! whew! usually I'm ok at this stuff, I am obviously missing something. Thanks for posting it!