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The views expressed herein are the personal views of each individual author or commenter and are not intended to reflect the views of The Ojai Post or its Authors, Tribal Core or Tyler Suchman as managing editor.
all rights reserved
The views expressed herein are the personal views of each individual author or commenter and are not intended to reflect the views of The Ojai Post or its Authors, Tribal Core or Tyler Suchman as managing editor.
Arts & Entertainment :: The Ojai Post
July 07, 2010
July 06, 2010
Special Edition of The Ojai Bubble
A Note from Nancy Gross of The Ojai Bubble.
The Ojai Bubble July 2010 issue is at Ojai Printing and will be out and around in a few days. The issue is themed around French Connections to Ojai, in light of Bastille Day on July 14, and the French Festival in Santa Barbara on July 17 and 18. To view a small sampling of what is within, visit The Ojai Bubble’s Facebook page.
With 28 pages of articles, photographs and poems, it is not only thicker than Volume 1; it is more consistent visually, while still playful and colorful. Perhaps Steve Grumette enhancing my photos, and having three professional photographers contribute are the reasons the pages look so pretty. And, as I received a suggestion here, a suggestion there, from Anca Colbert, my daughter Ivy Anderson, P. Lyn Middleton, Myrna Cambianica, and others, I grew in the graphics role.
May 26, 2010
OVGC: Watershed Talk and Movie TONIGHT at Chap
Tonight at Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E Ojai Ave, 7pm, check out a presentation by Brock Dolman, Director of the WATER Institute and author of Basins of Relations: Think Like a Watershed. This will be preceded by a short film: The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water.
May 25, 2010
Friday: Matilija Junior High Talent Show
from reader Kathy Couturie...
Matilija Junior High School students are competing in a talent show Friday, May 28 at 7:00PM in the school’s auditorium. “MATILIJA’S GOT TALENT” will feature 10 acts. Twenty students will perform in bands, plus singing, dancing, and more. The show is sponsored by the PTA and is an important fundraiser for the school. All are welcome to come out and support this unique display of highly talented students! Tickets are available in advance at the Matilija school office at 703 El Paseo Rd., or just prior to the event at the door. Doors open at 6:00PM; tickets cost $5. For more information contact Matilija Junior High at 805-640-4355 extension 1657
Zeretzke Award At Libbey Bowl 7pm Tonight!
The City of Ojai will present John Zeretzke with a Lifetime Achievement Award tonight to kick off the Nordhoff High School Jazz Band concert at 7pm. The Arts Commission decided to move the ceremony to the bowl because of all the students he has influenced will be there at the same time as the city council meeting. The council meeting will proceed as usual at 7:30. And thank you Bill Wagner for honoring our request. So, if you planned to go to the city council meeting, come over to the Libbey Bowl for the ceremony and honor John and the work he does in arts education and support the Nordhoff Jazz Band and Should be great fun!
May 23, 2010
OBC Salutes Food Share with Craft Beer and Fine Food
Here's a cool Father's Day Weekend event that's making me thirsty.
If you love to celebrate with finely crafted beers, delicious food and hang out at the beach, then the Ojai Beverage Company and 33 Productions, Inc. have put together just the event for you.
On June 19 The Salute Beer Festival will bring a variety of widely acclaimed breweries, restaurants and live musical entertainment to the Ventura State Beach. Net proceeds from the event are being donated to Food Share; Ventura County's regional food bank, which feeds more than 55,000 people through 150 plus partner agencies in Ventura County. That's a worthy cause to celebrate.
With dozens of American Craft Breweries and the regions finest restaurants signed on for the for the beer and food pairing event, the blessing of the California Small Brewers Association, music by Jack Maness of Sublime and Long Beach Dub All Stars the only real thing left to let you know is to buy your tickets at salutebeerfestival.com. General Admission $50, VIP $125 until June 1, then $60 and $135 respectively.
Props to Joby Yobe of OBC and Christine Hansen of 33 Productions for putting together such an impressive lineup. Full press release after the jump.
Continue reading "OBC Salutes Food Share with Craft Beer and Fine Food" »
May 20, 2010
Music Festival: Gail Zappa Joins Zappa Symposium
from the fine folk at Ojai Music Festival...
Frank Zappa, America’s great musical iconoclast and innovator, once said “a composer is a guy who goes around forcing his will on unsuspecting air molecules, often with the assistance of unsuspecting musicians.” Famous to some for his rock band “The Mothers of Invention,” and to others for his sharp tongue and avant-garde classical music, Zappa enjoyed a legendary career that spanned more than 30 years and astonished the world by breaching the barriers of musical genres.
Continue reading "Music Festival: Gail Zappa Joins Zappa Symposium" »
May 19, 2010
Introducing the Ojai Bubble
May 17, 2010
Volunteers needed for Ojai Music Festival
from the fine folk at the Ojai Music Festival...
The Ojai Music Festival is still recruiting volunteers to assist at the 64th Festival slated for June 10 to 13, 2010. Volunteer positions include hospitality, production, set up, security, ushering, artist liaisons, and office assistance. This is an exciting and fun way to experience the Ojai Music Festival from behind the scenes and meet new people.
Continue reading "Volunteers needed for Ojai Music Festival" »
33rd Annual Art in the Park
PR from the Ojai Art Center...
Memorial Day weekend takes on an added degree of excitement May 29th and 30th with the return of one of Ojai’s main cultural events, the 33rd annual Art in the Park. The open-air juried show draws artists and art lovers from all over southern California to Libbey Park for two days of sales and socializing. From 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday the park will come alive with the art and chatter of over 50 artists hoping to make a connection and sell their work. Art lovers will be there to purchase their newest treasure or just to have a chance to appreciate the newest work of a previously unknown artist.
May 16, 2010
Congratulations -- Ojai's Deb and Chris Get Married!
Ojai acting troupe's leaders wed onstage in musical extravaganza
This is such a great story in today's VC Star --with fabulous photos.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/may/15/ojai-acting-troupes-leaders-wed-onstage-in/
I expect that this story will travel around the world...
May 12, 2010
John Zeretzke Given City of Ojai’s Lifetime Achievement Award
story from Linda Harmon...congrats to a worthy recipient.
I first met Zeretzke on the back patio of Local Hero (now Feast Bistro), on a beautiful Ojai summer night. He and tenor Mark Llewellyn were performing lilting ballads that floated on the evening air. The audience knew they were in the presence of two uncommonly talented and unique musicians when Zeretzke began to make weird, unearthly sound effects to accompany the old whaling song they sang, the sounds of breaching whales. This he accomplished on an electronic violin and a handmade set of rare Bulgarian bagpipes.
Continue reading "John Zeretzke Given City of Ojai’s Lifetime Achievement Award" »
May 07, 2010
Ojai Music Festival Seeks Housing Hosts for the 2010 Festival
from the fine folk at the Ojai Music Festival...
The 64th Ojai Music Festival, slated for June 10 to 13, is seeking housing hosts for behind-the-scene production/technical staff and college music student interns. The Festival is in need of guest cottages, private rooms, and homes in the Ojai Valley.
“It’s been a tradition since the late 1940s for Ojai Valley residents to extend their hospitality by inviting artists and production staff to stay at private homes or guest houses during the Festival weekend,” explains Festival operations director Gillian McManus. “These opportunities have allowed artists to intimately experience the magic of Ojai, and it is a lifetime chance for residents to meet talented individuals in the classical music industry.”
Continue reading "Ojai Music Festival Seeks Housing Hosts for the 2010 Festival" »
May 06, 2010
The Noisy Donut Shop at Ojai Playhouse
The Noisy Donut Shop presents a special screening of Maynard James Keenan's (Tool, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle) new documentary film which follows his unusual adventure starting his own vineyard in an Arizona ghost town.
As the Los Angeles Times states, "The frisson between his [Keenan] well-crafted personal mystique and the way the film presents him as a dedicated new winemaker learning his craft is intriguing."
The film excited local artist and wine lover Attasalina Dews, so she and Christopher the Minister have teamed up with the Ojai Playhouse and the Village Jester to bring you this unique event. An after party will be held at the JESTER featuring wine from the ARIZONA STRONGHOLD...
CHUPACABRA
The Trickster. The Shape Shifter. The ever elusive shadow who mutates with the Sun and Moon. One year a Dragon, another a Snake. This is our mystery blend. Think forest, not trees. Think weather, not rain. Stare, and the CHUPACABRA, who dwells in your heart and not in your head, will vanish. Only a True Alchemist can draw holy blood from a stone, and the CHUPACABRA is his opus, his phoenix, his cherub, his child. Bravo, Mr. Glomski, Bravo!
RSVP and invite your friends! (Reserve your tickets today at 805.646.1011)
facebook event page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102461589797546&index=1
facebook movie page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blood-Into-Wine/178422249785
Ojai Valley Museum Sunday Gathering
from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
Ojai Shakespeare Festival - Looking Back With the Madrigali Renaissance Voices
Sunday, May 16, 2-4 pm
Join former artistic directors and actors Paul Backer, John Slade, Jaye Hersh, Susan Kelejian and Claire Haider for a rich and colorful look back at the Ojai Shakespeare Festival. This group presented its first play in the historic Libbey Bowl in 1981. Enlivening the gathering, the Madrigali Renaissance Voices will perform some of their entertaining stories and songs. . Everyone is welcome to this interesting and enjoyable afternoon.
Mother's Day at Made In Ojai
from the fine folk at Made in Ojai - take yer mama...
Made in Ojai’s Second Sunday Artisans’ Faire will feature a Mothers Day theme. Outside there will be artisans making jewelry and other art forms and in the store, you will find many Mothers Day themed gifts. You are invited to make a Tiny Self Puppet to take home and to visit with the artists. Sunday 10 am – 2 pm. Free to the public. 323 E. Matilija Street, 646-2400.
May 03, 2010
Theater 150: Fundraising is Tacky
from Co-Artistic Director Chris Nottoli and the fine folk at Theater 150...
On May 15th in Libbey Bowl, I’m going to marry Deb Norton, the coolest, smartest, most talented person I’ve ever met. There might be 500 to 1000 people witnessing the ceremony. Why? Because I’m ego-maniacal braggart? Hardly. As you’ll see in the musical, that is the ceremony, the last thing I wanted was to be married, much less involved in some culturally mandated, pair-bonding ritual. Was it because Deb’s dad has a shotgun to my back? Nope. Well, I hope he doesn’t…
Feel Good Music in Ojai
Have you ever been to a concert and just end up smiling the entire time because the music is positive, fun, and creative? A performance where the energy is just right, the lyrics are inspirational, and the performer is happy to be alive and share? Joe Reilly is that performer and he'll be in Ojai on Tuesday performing in the Soul Centered dome at 7pm. Tickets at the door.
Joe Reilly's heart is an infinite ocean and each song that he writes is a resonant wave. We call him Spiritboy because when he aligns his hands, his heart, and his harmonies, he not only displays his personal emotional journey, he also plucks the heartstrings of hope to bring us beyond despair into healing action. His heart has been nurtured by Native American, Buddhist, and Catholic teachings. As a result, he can howl a chilling splash-in-the face blues about treachery and historical injustice and inspire you with upbeat ditties that echo in your mind long afterwards.
Joe is from Michigan and this will be his second pass through Ojai. In the years I've known Joe, I've discovered that he is gentle, kind, loving, musical, creative, and fun. His music his perfect for kids of all ages and most who leave wanting more.
April 30, 2010
Oak View Memorial Day Parade is May 31!
This just in from the Oak View Civic Council:
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
Join us for the Memorial Day Parade Monday May 31 2010!!
The Oak View Civic Council honors our Ojai Valley Veterans. Our theme is “Honoring our Veterans, in War and Peace”. Monday May 31st, we start with a pancake breakfast from 7–10: am organized by the American Legion in Oak View. Our valley wide Memorial Day Parade starts at 9:45 along Old Ventura Ave. in Oak View and entrants march/roll down the shortest parade route ! We encourage your organization to join us to make this community parade a wonderful event for all.
Continue reading "Oak View Memorial Day Parade is May 31!" »
April 28, 2010
Guest Editorial: Brian Bemel
I asked Brian Bemel to share his story. Brian is President and Artistic Director of Performances to Grow On which is putting on this weekend's 11th Annual Ojai Storytelling Festival. Who's going to at least one of the events?
My Story in Storytelling
By Brian Bemel
The sharing of stories is what makes us human. It is the spoken word
that is the door to all of the beautiful, terrible, wondrous and
astounding things we have done- Bill Harley, storyteller
April 24, 2010
Reminder: Ojai's EarthPlay on the Meadow Today-- April 24
Saturday, April 24th, 11am--5pm. EarthWalk starts at 10 am.
Valet Bike Parking
Ride your bike to EarthPlay on the Meadow and the Ojai Valley Green Coalition will see that you get Valet Bike Parking for your trusty ride! http://www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org/2010/04/valet_bike_parking_at_earthpla.shtml
Here are Ojai's Earth Day Details:
If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned fun for Earth Day, no need to look very far! The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, in partnership with Oak Grove School, Ojai Valley Green Coalition, Rotary Ojai – West, Rotary Club of Ojai, and other earth friendly Ojai organizations will offer a community-wide Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 24th, 11am -- 5pm. (EarthWalk starts at 10 am)
Starting at Rotary Park on Ojai Avenue, check out alternative transportation at Rotary West’s exhibit, and find out how you can win a great prize by getting out of your car for the day. From there, join an EarthWalk at 10am, to EarthPlay on the Ojai Meadows Preserve for an earthly fun day of eco-friendly activities celebrating the earth beneath our feet on Ojai’s own nature preserve. Located on Maricopa Highway next to Nordhoff High School, the Preserve is just minutes away from just about anywhere in Ojai.
Continue reading "Reminder: Ojai's EarthPlay on the Meadow Today-- April 24" »
April 21, 2010
Arts and Entertainment Notes
Get out and have some fun!
This weekend: EarthPlay on the Meadow, The 110th Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament and the Madrigali at the Art Center
Next weekend: Ojai Storytelling Festival and the Annual Open Studio.
Libbey Bowl Exhibit at the Museum
good stuff from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
In Ojai, California, an outdoor landmark of world-renown will be razed to the ground on June 21, 2010 and reconstruction will begin immediately thereafter. Beginning in 1957, Ojai’s Libbey Bowl amphitheater has gathered international music and theatre groups attracting audiences from southern to northern California, and from east coast to west coast. As a tribute to the past, present and future of Ojai’s Libbey Bowl, the Ojai Valley Museum will mount an historical exhibition showcasing the highlights of the Bowl’s first 50 years, and the plans for its reconstruction and future use.
April 16, 2010
Deep Time and The Meaning of Life -- Sunday, April 18th, at the Ojai Retreat
Sunday, April 18, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Ojai Retreat 160 Besant Road in Ojai (above the Ranch House Restaurant)
The story of the development of life on Earth is not just a theory for biology books. It is the key to understanding our world today – not only our environment, but the moral and spiritual dimensions of our world as well.
This is the theme of ‘Deep Time and the Meaning of Life’, a talk to be given by David E. Moody, Ph.D. Dr. Moody’s talk explores the intersection between science and the sacred. It examines the extraordinary mystery of why our planet is so perfectly suited for life, with just the right climate and chemistry for us and all living things. Did this happen because God made it this way? Or are we just lucky? Or is there a deeper, more interesting explanation?
Continue reading "Deep Time and The Meaning of Life -- Sunday, April 18th, at the Ojai Retreat" »
April 15, 2010
Libbey Bowl at the Ojai Valley Museum
I'm looking forward to checking this out. From the fine folk at the Museum...
The Ojai’ Libbey Bowl’s imminent renovation is the source of big excitement for a little town. The excitement grows with plans underway for the exhibit, “Ojai’s Libbey Bowl/Past, Present, Future,” opening April 29 at the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave. The exhibit, like the Bowl project, is a joint community project, and will spotlight people and events that have been part of the amphitheater’s long history. It is a joint venture between the Museum and the Save Libbey Bowl committee of the Ojai Valley Service Association.
April 12, 2010
Open Music Thread
Metallica's maturing smooth jazz-metal fusion. Still rocks! What are you listening to?
April 10, 2010
Save Libbey Bowl...why?
The first year that Sweetie and I moved to Ojai we attended the Music Festival. We had no idea what to expect, including the Libbey Bowl wooden benches imported from Spain after Torquemada had finished with them.
We sat close to the front, not wanting to miss a dulcet tone, a memorable phrase, a catchy tune. Warmly placed between what turned out to be veteran Festival goers, we patiently waited for the program to begin. A middle-aged man emerged to polite applause, plunked himself before the impressive Steinway and began to play. It’s been years since we experienced his performance and perhaps my memory is a bit clouded, but I swear he was playing with his elbows.
April 06, 2010
Art exhibit for Ojai Center for the Arts
from the fine folk at Ojai Center for the Arts...
The Art of Erin Gafill, a San Francisco painter with family roots in Carmel’s historic art colony beginnings, will hold an opening reception Sunday, April 11 for her current work on view at the Ojai Center for the Arts, 113 S. Montgomery. Gafill’s exhibit entitled, “The Passionate Landscape,” features her expansive, vibrant scenes of the Central Coast, from Tomales Bay in the north to Big Sur in the south. (images after the jump...)
Continue reading "Art exhibit for Ojai Center for the Arts" »
April 04, 2010
Ojai Music Festival - Call for Volunteers
from the fine folk at the Ojai Music Festival...
The Ojai Music Festival is currently seeking volunteers to assist at the 64th Festival slated for June 10 to 13, 2010. Volunteer positions include hospitality, production, set up, security, ushering, artist liaisons, and office assistance. This is an exciting and fun way to experience the Ojai Music Festival from behind the scenes and meet new people.
Continue reading "Ojai Music Festival - Call for Volunteers" »
April 03, 2010
Attasalina in Bergamot Station Premiere
Here are a few more shots.
Continue reading "Attasalina in Bergamot Station Premiere" »
March 31, 2010
Attasalina at Bergamot Station
Attasalina Dews is one of 50 artist to be featured in a show called Month of Photography in Los Angeles at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. The group show which documents Southern California neighborhoods premieres April 3rd.
The Lucie Foundation Presents
MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY LOS ANGELES
[MOPLA 2010]
Gala Opening Night
Featuring
groupSC2009
an intimate view of southern california
Premiere Digital Installation
Saturday, April 3rd 2010
6:00 pm – 10:00pm
Bergamot Station
and adjacent
MINARC / Gallery SKART
2324 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Artist's Bios, More Details and Images from the project can be viewed on exhibition website:
www.galleryskart.com/groupsc2009
March 28, 2010
Ojai Center for the Arts---2010 Photo Show
Call for Artists!
Eat!
A Photography Exhibit at the Ojai Center for the Arts
EAT is the theme of this year’s photograph exhibition at the Ojai Center for the Arts. The seventh annual juried show celebrating food and eating encourages any photographic style including photojournalism, agrarian landscapes, food stills, photomontages, etc. The show opens June 5 and runs through July 7, 2010.
Last year more than 40 works by nearly as many photographers were displayed at the Art Center. This year we expect that more artists will compete to have one or more of their works in the show.
Photographers are invited to submit their work on June 3 or June 4. Detailed submission information can be found on the Photography Branch page of the Art Center website.
Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 12 to 4 pm. Admission is free. There will be a reception Sunday, June 6 from 1 to 3:30 pm. Refreshments will be served. The Art Center is located in downtown Ojai at 113 South Montgomery Street.
Meet Betty Eiler, Sunday morning yoga inspiration
Meet Betty Eiler. If you need a good dose of motivation to roll out your yoga mat this morning, take a moment to view Betty's joyful yoga practice on her site: http://www.bettyeileryoga.com
I first met Betty at a yoga conference about twenty years. At the time, I was on an arduous journey trying to tie up a yoga book. I had gone through three agents and my brave manuscript had met with untold rejections.When I found out that Betty started yoga later in life, (at around age fifty) I had this idea that she would make a great cover girl.
Continue reading "Meet Betty Eiler, Sunday morning yoga inspiration" »
March 27, 2010
Corpus Christi
I thought I 'd share this article I read this morning. Corpus Christi opened last night with rave reviews. There are two performances left.
March 26, 2010
Reminder to see, "The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil," Saturday, March 27th
Film Showing -- Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
Opening remarks by Das Williams
Click here for film poster: POC_Poster.pdf
On Saturday afternoon, March 27th, at 4:30pm at the Ojai Theatre, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition will make a special presentation of the documentary film, The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.
The film focuses on the oil supply crisis that the collapse of the Soviet Union brought upon Cuba. This Cuban experience of the 1990s offers lessons to help prepare other nations with petroleum-based economies—such as our own—for a future in which oil will become more more expensive and could eventually be unavailable.
Speaking prior to the film screening will be Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams, who grew up in Ojai. He is a candidate for the California State Assembly and a community organizer for the Ventura-based nonprofit CAUSE,
Coastal Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy
March 24, 2010
Ojai’s 33rd Art in the Park
A little something from the Ojai Art Center aimed at our fine city's visitors...
The time is now to think art. If you are a fine artist or appreciate the arts make your plans now to visit Ojai, one of California’s best art towns. Memorial Day is the traditional opening weekend of our southern California’s summer, and that weekend, May 29-30th, offers one of Ojai’s main events, the 33rd annual “Art in the Park.”
" Always remember to preheat your pan before using."
The first thing I noticed when I stumbled bleary-eyed into the kitchen early this morning was that the little red "on" light was glowing on the electric stove. The knob was turned to medium high.
It was still dark out. I was the only one up. How could this be?
I had spent the evening at the home of my old friend Roy, helping him with a writing project. I was still wide awake when he went to sleep so I decided to wash the dinner dishes.
Continue reading "" Always remember to preheat your pan before using."" »
March 23, 2010
OVM: Awesome Art Recap
from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
The opening of the 9th annual "Awesome Art" show last Thursday at the Ojai Valley Museum was not so much an exhibit as it was an explosion of creativity and talent. Young artists from six local high schools created 407 outstanding works for the exhibit.
Ah, the theatre, the theatre!
There are two theatre events this weekend that I'd like to recommend. Two gay-themed plays being performed this weekend and I urge you to see them both. The first to tell you of is Corpus Christi by Terrence McNally. In the 1990's there were three notable plays by gay authors. I had the good fortune of being in two of them. Jeffrey by Paul Rudnick and Angels in America by Tony Kushner. Jeffrey, an Off-Broadway sex romp and Angels, an 8-hour gay fantasia on national themes, both had long runs and critical acclaim. Terrence McNally didn't fair as well. He got death threats for the 1998 production of Corpus Christi. More notable for the furor from the religious right than for it's artistic success, it opened to less than glowing reviews. It has been revived over the years in various productions with better success than the original and comes to Ojai this weekend courtesy of Ojai's own John Grant and 108 Productions. The troupe is on the last legs of a tour that began in 2008 and will end this Spring in San Francisco. They're traveling with a documentary film crew, so it will be nice to have Ojai included in the mix.
Speaking of Jeffrey, that is my connection to the actor in Theater 150's Solo Series presentation of Bent to the Flame. I met the playwright and actor Doug Tompos on Jeffrey. He was assigned to teach me the roles I would be taking over. Years later we worked catering in Los Angeles and I've not seen him for sometime until last Saturday's matinée. Bent to the Flame tells us the story of a young Tennessee Williams, fresh on the heels of his success with A Glass Menagerie, as he is prepares to address an audience gathered to hear a lecture on the work of a controversial gay poet. Doug gave a wonderful performance. The only complaint I have about the production is that there were only 4 people in the audience!! Let's hope that Ojai will come out and support the visiting artists this coming weekend.
Corpus Christi is being presented at the Zalk Theatre of the Besant Hill School in Upper Ojai on March 26, 27, and 28. Show times are 7:30pm. Tickets are $25.00 @108productions.org or call 640-1210 or visit the Ojai Theatre Box Office at 146 E. Ojai Ave.
Bent to the Flame is playing in repertory with The Common Air, Friday March 26 and Saturday, March 27 at 7:30pm and Sunday March 28 at 2pm. Tickets are $25.00 Friday and Saturday, $15.00 on Sunday
Theater 150 is located at 316 E. Matilija Street. Visit theater150.org or call (805)-640-4300
March 21, 2010
Radio Ojai: Lola Haag Jazz Trio
Radio Ojai has a free download of Ojai local Lola Haag performing "Poor Butterfly", and here's a note about her trio's upcoming show...
Ojai's own Lola Haag will perform at the Historic Pierpont Inn in Ventura on Saturday, April 24th, 2010. Lola will be singing a variety of jazz standards including selections from both of her CDs "The Sarah Vaughan Songbook" and "Good Morning Heartache." The cover charge is only $10.00, and... drum roll please... the Pierpont will be offering the "Lola Birthday Special" of 2 martinis for the price of 1.
Corpus Christi at the Zalk Theatre
from reader JG on behalf of the coming production of Corpus Christi at the Zalk Theatre of the Besant Hill School in Upper Ojai...
Terrence McNally's acclaimed and notorious play, Corpus Christi, is being presented at the Zalk Theatre of the Besant Hill School in Upper Ojai on March 26, 27, and 28. When the play was first performed at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1998 the playwright was subjected to death threats and the theatre received bomb threats.
March 17, 2010
Leonard Klaif: Your Voice on the Council.
Now that the campaign for the vacant city council seat left by Joe DeVito is officially underway, I feel it's time to announce the launch of Leonard Klaif’s website: Klaif4ojai.com
Here you can not only peruse his political views but you can get to know Len as a human being and meet his whole family!
March 11, 2010
Made in Ojai Artisans Fair on Sunday; “Wishing Well” to Support Global Village School
Global Village School is the featured recipient of an activity at Made in Ojai Artisans and Mercantile for the month of March. This artisan cooperative consists of 36 local artists who take turns staffing the store, which carries their work. They also sell food products, personal care items, books, music, etc.
Throughout March, Made in Ojai is sponsoring a Wishing Well to collect donations for Global Village School. This Sunday, March 14, from 10 to 2, they are having an artisans fair to highlight the Wishing Well. The fair will spotlight an amazing diversity of work in all kinds of media created by Ojai artists.
March 08, 2010
OVGC Film: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
On Saturday afternoon, March 27, at 4:30 p.m. at the Ojai Theatre, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition will make a special presentation of the documentary film The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.
March 03, 2010
Overnight Music Thread: OK Go
treadmill guys outdo themselves:
February 22, 2010
OV Museum: Awesome Art
from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
2010 marks the 9th consecutive year that the annual student art exhibit, “AWESOME ART” is mounted in the changing gallery at the Ojai Valley Museum, Ojai, California. The exhibition runs March 4 through April 11, 2010 and showcases upper level student artwork from Nordhoff High, Thacher, Besant Hill, Ojai Valley, Villanova, and Oak Grove schools.
February 18, 2010
Contribute to the "Our Libbey Bowl" Exhibit
from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
HISTORIC LIBBEY BOWL EXHIBIT LOOKING TO PUBLIC FOR DISPLAY ITEMS: You can contribute to the "Our Libbey Bowl” exhibit at the Ojai Valley Museum set for April 29 through July 11. Your photos, programs, items and memorabilia from events held at Libbey Bowl will help present a complete and rich picture of the history and use of Libbey Bowl. The exhibit will also include the new plans for the Bowl.
Continue reading "Contribute to the "Our Libbey Bowl" Exhibit" »
February 16, 2010
Freedom: A Haiku
Today is Day 18 of the 64-Day Season for Nonviolence that spans the death dates of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. One source lists the following as today's Quotation, Affirmation, and Practice, and i thought the OP community might enjoy participating!:
FREEDOM:
Quotation: "Every human has four endowments - self awareness, conscience, independent will, and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change." -Stephen Covey
Affirmation: Freedom means that we have the independent will to act and respond creatively, that we have the self-awareness to self-reflect and to change as dictated by the compass of conscience. Moment by moment today, I become conscious of my freedom.
Practice: Claim your definition of freedom. Write a haiku poem about freedom.
These affirmations are updated EVERY DAY at ojaipeace.org.
February 13, 2010
Ojai memorializes Elliot, the bear that touched its heart
A sensitively written story in the LA Times, by Steve Chawkins.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ojaibear13-2010feb13,0,2128142.story
Story of the Bear Sculpture
http://www.ojaipost.com/2009/10/aliso_street_bear_sculpture.shtml
Continue reading "Ojai memorializes Elliot, the bear that touched its heart" »
February 11, 2010
Bear Art Dedication – Friday, Feb. 12, 4 pm, Fountain Plaza
An Invitation from Marcia Benkert
Although the notice is short, I’m excited to share the news, and invite you to an important Public Art Dedication, in Ojai, California, Friday, February 12, 2010, at 4:00 p.m., 328 E. Ojai Avenue (fountain plaza behind Bonnie Lu’s).
This majestic, steel sculpture of a Black Bear represents a memorial to our respected wildlife, and a reminder to ourselves, of the painful lessons that we, as a community, have needed to learn in order to effect a change in the way we respond to innocent animals wandering into our neighborhoods.
Continue reading "Bear Art Dedication – Friday, Feb. 12, 4 pm, Fountain Plaza" »
February 10, 2010
Music Habits
It's never a bad time to talk about music. Here's a group of songs (song, artist, release) that I've put together as a playlist for myself.
- The Road, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, The Road Original Film Score
- Flume, Peter Gabriel, Scratch My Back
- Summer Fog, The Album Leaf, A Chorus of Storytellers
- Broken Horse, Freelance Whales, Weathervanes
- All the Way, David Ahlen, All the Way the Savior Leads Me
- The Department of Dead Letters, David Sylvian, Manafon
- VCR, The xx, xx
- Plastic People, Four Tet, There is Love in You
- Joy Maker Machinery, Sweet Billy Pilgrim, Twice Born Men
- Wooden Arms, Patrik Watson, Wooden Arms
- Harm, Loney Dear, Dear John
- Bellwether, Joe Henry, Blood From Stars
- Canvas, Imogen Heap, Ellipse
- Mean to Me, Nellie McKay, Normal As Blueberry Pie
You could probably find most of this on myspace, last.fm, or MOG but I may also put together a recording to share. Look in the comments in the future. For the record, Joe Henry, Four Tet, The Album Leaf, and Peter Gabriel are all playing in Los Angeles in the near future.
What are you listening to?
February 08, 2010
Great Stuff from the Green Coalition
Ojai Creek Riparian Habitat Restoration Project Phase 2
Saturday, February 20 and 27 - 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain or shine, Libbey Park Gazebo
Join the Watershed Committee in a native planting and non-native plant removal project, to reestablish a functioning wetland and riparian ecosystem that supports a diversity of fish and wildlife species and to improve the flow of water. How: wear sturdy shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and pants, and bring gloves. Tools will be provided, but if you can bring your own shovel and/or trowel, that would help. Call 805-669-8445 for more info.
Our Seeds: come to the film, stay for the seed swap
Saturday, February 27, 4:30pm, Ojai Theatre
Join the Green Coalition at the theatre for a movie on Seeds, generously sponsored by Nutiva. All are welcome, $10 suggested donation. For more info call 805-669-8445.
February 03, 2010
Stone Foxes at T150
January 25, 2010
Men of Ojai At Made in Ojai
Ojai Calendar Project is celebrating the birthday of Mr. February, Buddy Wilds tonight at Made in Ojai from 6 to 9pm. The party will continue at Movino's where Daniel Ash will spin.
January 15, 2010
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. this Monday in Ojai!
January 13, 2010
Go Green Ojai! Museum Update
From the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
At their first meeting of the New Year, the docents of the Ojai Valley Museum and their guests were treated to a talk and tour given by Ellen Hall, President of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition. Marian Newman, docent coordinator, gave a brief address and then Hall, a former mayor of Ojai and past director of the Ojai Valley Museum, walked the docents through the newest exhibit, Go Green, Ojai!
January 12, 2010
Ojai City Council Appointment On Agenda Tonight, Tuesday, January 12, 2010
It should be an interesting meeting tonight! This evening our City Council members will be deliberating on applicants for the vacancy created by the resignation of Joe DeVito last month. While appointing a fifth member to the council is a serious matter, I anticipate some humorous small town drama.
For those new to city meetings, they are held at Ojai City Hall, 401 S. Ventura Street. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. This Item, "Appointment to City Council to Fill Unexpired Term," is number four on the agenda, so it might be after 8 p.m. before it comes up. I recommend arriving on time, if you can, so that you get your bearings, especially if you plan to speak at the podium for the candidate of your choice.
Delicious Pepperidge Farm cookies, coffee, assorted herbal teas and spring water are available in the city hall kitchen to add to the small-town friendliness of the meeting and to help keep you awake when things get bogged down. I have also been known to take home a handful of chocolate lady fingers to ease the pain of disappointment at the outcome -- or to celebrate small victories -- as the case may be.
WARNING: The coffee at city hall is real. This is not your low-caffeine-organic type brand. I drank it once and immediately felt a terrific jolt to my nervous system -- got the shakes and was up all night.
Back to the matter at hand:
As of this morning, five brave souls have applied for the position. In alphabetical order, the five candidates are:
Paul Blatz, Demitri Corbin, Leonard Klaif, Mike Lenehan and John Mirk.
Continue reading "Ojai City Council Appointment On Agenda Tonight, Tuesday, January 12, 2010" »
January 10, 2010
Young at Heart
“Want to go to Theater 150 to hear the old folks sing?” Bert, in her usual efficient way had spotted the publicity, ably developed by our neighbor Shed Behar. ”We better hurry because it will probably sell out.” I mumbled something only heard by my inner self.
Our neighbor, Joan Rush, four other women and two men…all grandparents…were exposing themselves to the community in a way that most of us only dream of. Get up in front of friends and relatives. Stare into bright lights. Hope that you don’t forget the words, miss a high note or have a heart attack. Risk some polite applause. Go home to a stiff drink. Then do it three more times.
Welcome to Transition Ojai! Learn All About Transition Towns Here.
Transition Ojai is now live!
The Transition Town movement represents one of the most promising ways of engaging people and communities to take the far-reaching actions that are required to mitigate the effects of peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. Here in Ojai I see the Transition Town model as a way to bring together and empower many different community projects, organizations and endeavors that are part of creating a sustainable community.
The first in a series of informative Transition Town meetings will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 7pm, at 1215 Drown Avenue, Ojai (above Grand, last house on left before intersection with Pleasant Ave).
For more information contact Wayne Thompson at 805 798 2152 or e-mail transitionojai@gmail.com
How Do Transition Towns Begin?
Continue reading "Welcome to Transition Ojai! Learn All About Transition Towns Here." »
January 05, 2010
OV Museum: Children's Event
From the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum:
“An Introduction to the Museum,” the fifth children’s event in the series “Take Me to the Museum,” will be held on Saturday, January 9, at the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Avenue. Two sessions will be available from 10 am to noon and from 1 pm to 3 pm.
January 02, 2010
Inspiration for 2010: "I Am Potential"
The caption that came with the video below said, "Love is the answer to overcome anything." After watching it, I would add, "Having good parents helps alot!"
This video is a peek into the life of Patrick Henry Hughes, who was born with an extremely rare genetic disorder: arms that could not straighten, legs that would never be able to walk, and most devastating of all, permanent blindness. He had been born with no eyes -- the eyes he has are artificial. It shows him as a baby, and later as a toddler, playing the piano. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg
About Patrick Henry Hughes, author of I Am Potential.
www.patrickhenryhughes.com
January 01, 2010
Early Morning in Ojai at the Dawn of the New Year
I head out in the dark
to catch the magic moment --
the crack of dawn
My dog runs ahead
her exuberance, her ecstasy
is contagious
I look West
and the full moon
is hanging high in the sky
by an etheric thread
Continue reading "Early Morning in Ojai at the Dawn of the New Year " »
December 30, 2009
Overnight Music Thread: Death Cab for Cutie
I'm like a decade late to the party, but these guys are totally great.
Death Cab for Cutie - "I Will Possess Your Heart"
Krotona in the Ojai Valley
From the fine folk at the OV Museum...
Join historian and author Joseph Ross for a presentation and booksigning at the Ojai Valley Museum, Sunday, Jan. 10 from 1 to 3 pm. Ross’s latest book, Krotona in the Ojai Valley, is a portrait of the prominent theosophists that colored the economic, cultural and spiritual life of the unique Ojai community in the 1920's.
December 24, 2009
It's Christmas Eve!
How would you like some free, locally-produced Christmas music to decorate/eat/wrap/unwrap by?
Ojai Radio is currently featuring local artist, Todd McHatton's Christmas Songs. Click here for a listen!
And to download the whole 5 song EP for FREE click here! If you like indie rock, Harry Nilsson, or Christmas.... give it a listen.
December 14, 2009
Ojai Museum Docent Program
from the fine folk at the OV Museum...
What was the original name of the Ojai Playhouse in 1914 when it first opened? How were prisoners in the Ojai jail kept in line without a guard ever being posted? Where can you find the largest collection of fountains in the valley? If questions like this intrigue you and you enjoy history, you may be interested in working with the Ojai Valley Museum docents, a group of volunteers that are the glue holding the daily museum operations together.
December 12, 2009
Oui Wii
I am a latecomer to the world of Wii, my appetite for video games dying with Atari's passing many years ago. For some reason, if the game's champions and villains aren't primitive low-res insects, monsters, or spaceships, they have no appeal to me.
So I was more than a little surprised when a box of Wii showed up at our door several weeks ago. Apparently, a neighbor had hooked my wife on Wii Fit. I set it up and she started Wii-ing like a teenager. It wasn't long before she convinced me to give it a try.
Go Green Ojai Reception Tomorrow
I'll be in DC, where I'll be lucky if it hits the low '40s. Hope y'all in Ojai come out to support this fun reception... the museum exhibit is quite stunning and a testament to the hundreds of man-hours and woman-hours that have been put in.
Go Green Ojai Reception - Sunday Dec. 13, 4pm
The Green Coalition is putting together a great museum exhibit that will run from December 10 through February 14, 2010. Kick things off by attending the Reception, featuring Casa Barranca organic wine and music by the Foothill String Quartet. The admission cost for the reception will be $25. Reservations on the Green Coalition website or paid at the door.
December 10, 2009
Coming to Ojai: A Joyous Holiday Concert with Tingstad and Rumbel at Meditation Mount
Debut Performance in Ventura County
Saturday, December 12th at 7:30 pm
A holiday concert, Comfort and Joy, with Grammy Award-winning musicians, Tingstad and Rumbel, will take place at Meditation Mount on Saturday, December 12th at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are available online at www.meditation.com; $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Meditation Mount is located at 10340 Reeves Road, Ojai, CA, 93023. A holiday ‘Food Drive’ is part of the concert.
Grammy Award winners Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel have performed, recorded and toured together for nearly 25 years with 19 albums to their credit. In 1998, their album, “American Acoustic,” was honored as Acoustic Instrumental Album of the Year, which led to a Carnegie Hall appearance in 2000. In 2003 they received a Grammy Award for their album, “Acoustic Garden.”
December 07, 2009
MEINERS OAKS HOLIDAY STROLL
From the fine folks at MOBAA:
Sales! Specials! Caroling! Refreshments! Music! Art! Santa Claus!
Meiners Oaks Business and Artist Association (MOBAA) invites the community to the Meiners Oaks Holiday Stroll, Saturday, December 12, 2009, 3:00-7:00 p.m.
All ages welcome. Free event!
Meiners Oaks businesses along El Roblar Dr. will be open and having holiday sales and specials. Some will have in-store raffles and surprises! There will be live music, art displays and refreshments to enjoy as well as Christmas Caroling and entertainment by Hula Hoopers and Fire Dancers!
Participating businesses include: Living Aikido, Summer’s Dawn Massage, REMax, Cardinali Brothers Music, David Whipple Jewelry Design, Beehive Beauty Boutique, Euterpe Farms, Farmer and The Cook, Papa Lennon’s, Ortiz Nursey, Ojai Pool Store, Project Ride, Terramor Organic Home, Four Paws Pet Grooming and Healthy Lifestyles Liquid Nutrition. (more after the jump)
OEF: A Christmas Carol
Proceeds from the Friday, Dec. 18 7:30pm, performance of “A Christmas Carol,” put on by the Ojai Performing Arts Theater, will benefit the Ojai Education Foundation, which provides support to Ojai public school programs. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.ojaief.org or by calling OEF President Mike Caldwell at 646-8430; OEF board member Carol Holly at 646-7101 or at the Attitude Adjustment Shoppe at the “Y” in Ojai.
Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival: David Shor Releases Statement About Resignations
On Saturday evening, the following email was issued:
-----Original Message-----
From: OJAI-VENTURA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
To: OJAI-VENTURA FILM FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL
Sent: Sat, Dec 5, 2009 8:07 pm
Subject: FILM FESTIVAL RERSIGNATIONS
Please be advised that the following officers and directors of the Ojai Film Festival Corporation d/b/a Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival have resigned:
David Shor
Rinaldo Brutoco
James Holland
Sheila Cluff
Bill Monot
Lori Wyatt
John Bennet Perry
Moments ago, David Shor, former Board Chairman and President of the festival, released the following statement:
I am proud of where I was able to take the festival as its board chairman and president, essentially leading it from its demise a few years ago to the position of acclaim it achieved this year. Over the course of the last three years a new strategic plan was developed and executed to expand the festival and attract wider audiences and serve a broader geographic area within Ventura County. As a result the festival expanded into Ventura, formed strategic partnerships with the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and Brooks Institute, began the Celebrity Golf Classic, changed its name to the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival, and for the first time attracted very capable and committed directors & officers from outside of Ojai. Additionally, many new donors, sponsors & advertisers signed-on with the festival and enabled the expansion into new venues, expanded special events and screenings, and the festival attracted the best films in its history. A relationship with the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) was formed along with many other special and meaningful relationships. (continued after the jump)
Happy, Merry, Joyous, Cheery Chalica!
From an online article published today, entitled "Chalica, new weeklong UU holiday, slowly gains adherents - slowly":
Part of the reason that Chalica has the following that it does is that it has a song. Two songs actually. Evan Austin, a member of the UU Church of Ventura, Calif., wrote “The Chalica Song,” several years ago, using the same tune as the “Hanukkah Song” sung by comedian-actor Adam Sandler. Austin’s song, molded in part around names of famous UUs, found its way onto YouTube where it has been viewed more than 1,300 times. [Posted here is the updated, second version]Austin said, “I just liked the idea of Chalica as a fresh new thing.” Could there be a copyright issue in emulating Sandler’s song? “It’s just four guitar chords repeated over and over,” he noted.
November 30, 2009
'Fallen Angels' join The Men of Ojai This Thursday
“Fallen Angels,” by photographer Bobbi Bennett will featured in a gallery show with The Men of Ojai 2010 Calendar collection this Thursday, December 3, 6 to 9pm at Casa Barranca Wine Tasting Room, 208 East Ojai Ave. Bennett has exhibited nationally and is widely collected. Her work joins that of Attasalina Dews in the 2010 Men of Ojai Calendar. The image "Fallen Angels" is in the permanent collection at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art at "50 x72".
Two original (20X24) c-prints and digital prints will be available for purchase at the Thursday evening fund raising event. The Men of Ojai portraits will also be auctioned.
Admission is $30 and includes one Men of Ojai 2010 Calendar, 2 glasses of Casa Barranca wine and edibles from Azu, Feast Bistro and Osteria Monte Grappa. Ticket stubs are redeemable for10% discounts at the three eateries and 20% discounts at Casa Barranca Wine Tasting Room through the holiday season. Proceeds benefit Ojai Calendar Project, an nonprofit organization dedicated to funding the arts in the Ojai Valley. For tickets and information visit www.menofojai.com or call 805-603-0079.
November 24, 2009
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service TONIGHT!
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service,
sponsored by Ventura Interfaith Ministerial Association
Tuesday, November 24, 7pm @ Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, 101 South Laurel Street, Ventura | 805-643-1933
office@venturachurch.com
Join many friends from many faith traditions for music, worship, fellowship, and gratitude! All proceeds will benefit the Ventura Homeless Prevention Fund.
Participating Organizations:
An Lac Mission
Church of the Foothills
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3rd Ward
First United Methodist Church
Project Understanding
The Salvation Army
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Temple Beth Torah
Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura
Ventura Center for Spiritual Living
Ventura Church of Christ
VIMA (Ventura Interfaith Ministerial Association
...and more!
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow...”
Melodie Beattie
November 22, 2009
Save Thanksgiving!
1. Select a tray(s) to prepare: mashed potatoes, dressing, green beans, or turkey.2. Purchase food item(s) and large foil baking tray or pick up a tray at no cost from Ventura Missionary Church. Turkeys will also be available at no cost beginning 11/19 at Ventura Missionary. One tray should yield approximately 40 servings.
3. Prepare the dish* at home and place in full size foil baking tray.
4. Cover. Label. Refrigerate.
5. Deliver to rear entrance of the Knights of Columbus Hall at 36 Figueroa, downtown Ventura at 8:45am Thanksgiving morning.
*Turkeys are to be pulled and deboned right away, and immediately refrigerated.
More information and full event press release follows:
November 17, 2009
Museum: An American Dream on the Big Screen
from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
On December 5, The Ojai Valley Museum will present an event highlighting the work of internationally known local resident and photo-historian Joseph Sohm.
Continue reading "Museum: An American Dream on the Big Screen" »
November 14, 2009
Latest News from the Ojai Valley Museum
From the fine folk at the OV Museum...
Uno: Winners were announced Saturday at the Ojai Valley Museum’s Ojai Celebrates Art II. The crowd that came to see the Ojai-themed work was treated to painted and photographed scenes familiar to Ojai residents.
Dos: Ojai artists and authors Alice and Richard Matzkin will be the featured speakers at a Sunday Gathering at the Ojai Valley Museum on November 22, from 2 – 4 pm. The Matzkins will give a presentation about their recently published book, The Art of Aging: Celebrating the Authentic Aging Self, followed by a booksigning.
Tres: The Ojai Valley Museum’s Board of Trustees is announcing its search for a museum director. “For the last two years, the Board has managed the museum and is now in a position to seek candidates who have the qualifications and skills to promote and develop the potential of the museum”
Full stories after the jump...
Continue reading "Latest News from the Ojai Valley Museum" »
November 08, 2009
On the Red Carpet of the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival
Wow, what a night at the Ojai Valley Inn! I just returned from the film festival's red carpet, where celebrities and filmmakers talked about their screenings. Demitri Corbin was there with camera in tow, so I expect we will see some great footage from him, too. Tomorrow is the last day of the fest, with 46 films being screened from 10:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. Get out there!
Click here to listen to 11 interviews in 20 minutes on Radio Ojai.
November 07, 2009
Stolen Lives Tonight at 8pm
I did a telephone interview with director and producer Anders Anderson who's film Stolen Lives will screen tonight at 8pm at Ojai Art Center theater. His co-producer Andy Steinman will attend this evenings screening but Mr. Anderson is on holiday with his family, so we did a conference call set up by his publicist Matthew Wolf of Rogers & Cowen:
November 06, 2009
Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival: Ingredients
I went to the first screening at the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival of the documentary film "Ingredients," and bumped into local food activist, Marty Fujita of Food for Thought, who participated in the post-screening panel discussion. Following the two-minute interview with Marty, I offer my brief review of the film. It's an excellent film! Go see the second screeing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. at Matilija. Listen to the interview here.
November 05, 2009
Blogging The Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival
The opening night party begins tonight, Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, 905 Country Club Road.
It is to be followed by a 7 p.m. free screening, at the inn’s recreation field, of “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers.”
Afterward, Ellsberg, his wife Patricia, along with filmmakers Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, are set to do a question-and-answer session.
For more information on the festival go to:
http://www.ojaifilmfestival.com
The full program can be downloaded by going to the folllowing link:
http://www.ojaifilmfestival.com/files/OVIFF09-Program.pdf
Over the next four days we will be reporting back at this site on what films viewers recommend...
Check back frequently for periodic updates.
October 21, 2009
Final Broken Word Reading of the Season
Broken Word has been a very successful reading series debuting local writing talent at Ojai's own The Farmer and the Cook in Meiners Oaks. The final reading of this year's series will be held on Thursday, October 29th at 6PM. Please note the earlier time.
In honor of Halloween, the final reading will celebrate poems and stories that touch upon the dark and sometimes frightening aspects of human nature. Come enjoy a chill in the air--and emanating from the page. Listen to original stories and poems from local writers while enjoying The Farmer and the Cook's delicious vegetarian Mexican food, and take advantage of one dollar off organic beer and wine all evening. For more information and directions, please visit the Broken Word website.
From Science Daily: Presidential Election Outcome Changed Voters' Testosterone
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020181257.htm
ScienceDaily (Oct. 21, 2009) — Young men who voted for Republican John McCain or Libertarian candidate Robert Barr in the 2008 presidential election suffered an immediate drop in testosterone when the election results were announced, according to a study by researchers at Duke University and the University of Michigan.
In contrast, men who voted for the winner, Democrat Barack Obama, had stable testosterone levels immediately after the outcome.
Female study participants showed no significant change in their testosterone levels before and after the returns came in.
Continue reading "From Science Daily: Presidential Election Outcome Changed Voters' Testosterone" »
October 16, 2009
The Men of Ojai 2010 Calendar Gallery Exhibit
I am happy to announce that The Men of Ojai 2010 Calendar has completed production. There will be a reception tonight from 7 to 9pm at Firebird Plaza, 960 E. Ojai Ave. to unveil the gallery prints of the calendar images. 12 18X24 photographs will be auctioned and the calendars will be on sale. Those who supported the calendar project with pre-purchases may pick up your calendars this evening. Calendars are $25. tax included. Calendars go on sale tomorrow, Ojai Day at these locations: Made in Ojai, Ojai House, The Oaks, Kindred Spirit, Busy Babes, Ojai Valley Museum and at our booth on Ojai Ave. during the festivities.
Continue reading "The Men of Ojai 2010 Calendar Gallery Exhibit " »
October 15, 2009
The Story of the Bear Sculpture
Each morning this week, when I step outside my door to go to to work, I see the silhouette of a bear in the pine tree across the street. From this distance, it looks just like the several-hundred-pound black bear that I first discovered in the same position, on the same branch, last Saturday morning. But it is not him. It is a 70-pound metal sculpture created by my neighbor, Mark Benkert, honoring the memory of the bear. The following video tells the story of how it got there.
"Climb the Pine" by Patrice Robbins
Dishing Ojai: Osteria Monte Grappa
An email from Susan Kapadia, former chef and owner of World Flavor Café, revealed that she sold her business to Stefano and Tammi Bernardi, who have served as long-time co-owners of Via Vai and Pane E Vino in Montecito. Stefano and Tammi have made some changes to the layout of the restaurant space to allow for a few more seats and created a fantastic rustic northern Italian menu (Stefano is from the region between Venice and Verona). Bill and I dined at Osteria Monte Grappa last night and were thrilled (ecstatic actually) to have another quality dining option in the Ojai Valley. It’s also refreshing to see experienced restaurateurs at the helm. And, they brought one of their top chefs (Cesar) from Pane E Vino.
The menu is reasonably priced with countless offerings, including plenty of vegetarian options. The bambinos also have their own menu. We found the space to be a bit cramped and hot and the sloped floor an odd curiosity (our beverages were definitely tilting precariously in our neighbor’s direction).
October 13, 2009
Video filmed in Ojai: In Memory of the Bear on Aliso Street
Just got home from City Council. Meeting highlights later. Rest assured the Bear will be on a future agenda. Found this video link of the Aliso Bear in the Comment section. Maheekat writes:
"Here's some video of the bear for everyone:"
Until I watched this video, I only saw the Bear from far-away, hoping that staying away would help. It is so amazing and moving to see this beautiful willd Bear up close! I am in awe. Be sure to watch it!
October 10, 2009
Film Festival Announces Lineup
PR:
Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival is proud to announce its line-up of more than 60 films to be screened at the upcoming Festival November 5th through 8th in several venues throughout Ojai and at Ventura’s Brooks Institute. For a complete, downloadable schedule of all films and pass and ticket purchase information, visit www.ojai-venturafilmfestival.com.
October 09, 2009
The Last Semester, Ojai's Nordhoff, 1909 - 2009
Memories by Susan Diets, Class of 1967
Last weekend I overcame my adolescent shyness and reunited with my old classmates and teachers at the Nordhoff Centennial Celebration.
Those of you who were around when the high school was first established in 1909 will recall that our whole town was once called Nordhoff, and that is how the high school got its name. But in 1916, a group called the anti-Nordhoffians, with the help of the manager of the Foothills Hotel, Mr. Morse, convinced a hopelessly divided town to convert from "Nordhoff" to the new name, "Ojai."
Continue reading "The Last Semester, Ojai's Nordhoff, 1909 - 2009" »
October 08, 2009
Sixth Annual Earth Charter Awards Honor Local Activists
WHAT: 6th Annual Earth Charter Summit Celebration and Awards Presentations. FREE admission and refreshments.
WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Ventura College Guthrie Hall. Event co-sponsor: Ventura College International Studies Program. Directions to Ventura College and campus map.
BACKGROUND: The CPR-endorsed Earth Charter is a UN-commissioned declaration of principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society for the 21st century.
CPR, in conjunction with VC's International Studies Program, coordinates Ventura County's annual Earth Charter Summit and presents Earth Charter Awards to those community activists who best embody the Earth Charter's core values. Please join us in celebrating the Earth Charter and honoring the 8 local heroes and sheroes selected as this year's Ventura County ambassadors of Earth Charter Principles:
Continue reading "Sixth Annual Earth Charter Awards Honor Local Activists" »
Klezmer Band In Concert, October 17th
7:30 PM on Saturday, Oct 17
530 W. El Roblar, Meiners Oaks,
October 06, 2009
OV Museum: Seizing The Opportunity
from the fine folk at the Museum... video coming soon...
Videography is often an important introduction to major exhibitions at museums. Over a period of time, the Ojai Valley Museum had dreamed of making such an introduction available to its visitors for its exhibits. With an extremely limited budget, this boutique museum could not easily afford to employ professionals to do this very special creative endeavor for the museum.
September 29, 2009
Save Libbey Bowl Campaign Kick-off
Plans for a community-wide fund-raising effort to build a new Libbey Bowl will be announced by Ojai community leaders at a 10 a.m. press conference Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the old Bowl in Libbey Park in downtown Ojai.
September 23, 2009
Ojai Forum on the New Economy Starts Friday!
The vision for the forum is to create an annual international gathering on the New Economy in Ojai. Imagining into the new economy is focused on creating a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come. We are not trying to fix the old but rather exploring new models and approaches, such as complementary currencies, mutual credit system, new investment tools, governance, and communications that builds healthy communities.
http://www.ojaiforum.com/
Friday, September 25th
5pm – Ojai Theater
Program: What is the global perspective on the new economy? Solutions from a whole systems approach lead directly to a local living economy.
Hazel Henderson: Ethical Markets (live via video feed)
Stuart Valentine, Iowa Progressive Asset Management
Rinaldo Brutoco, World Business Academy
Hazel is the author of Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy (2006). A consultant on sustainable development in over 30 countries and a syndicated columnist. She is an advocate for socially responsible business and investment. As founder of Ethical Markets Media she also produces a public television series.
Continue reading "Ojai Forum on the New Economy Starts Friday!" »
JD's at MWB...
Always awesome Jane Doe's at the Movino Wine Bar tonight, as part of Brad Buley's Futur Wednesdays...
Here's a taste:
September 20, 2009
Ojai Forum on the New Economy: Updated Schedule of Events
The vision for the forum is to create an annual international gathering on the New Economy in Ojai. Imagining into the new economy is focused on creating a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come. We are not trying to fix the old but rather exploring new models and approaches, such as complementary currencies, mutual credit system, new investment tools, governance, and communications that builds healthy communities.
You are invited to participate in a deep exploration into the design of an action-based road map leading to new models for a vibrant economy in Ojai and beyond. The confluence of various tipping points in global, national and local economies have come together to provide an extraordinary opening for innovation and positive social change.
http://www.ojaiforum.com/
Schedule:
Continue reading "Ojai Forum on the New Economy: Updated Schedule of Events" »
Fundraiser for Acupuncturist Kathleen MacGregor
AN AFTERNOON OF LAUGHTER & MUSIC
The Friends of Shabad Kathleen MacGregor are proud to host an eclectic Sunday afternoon of comedy and music on September 27, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ojai Community Church, 907 El Centro Street, Ojai, CA 93023. Proceeds from the event will help defray living expenses while Kathleen undergoes cancer treatment and stem cell transplantation.
The event will feature local Ojai legends The Household Gods, the comedic Ventura Improv Company, musical favorites Don & Patricia Cardinali & Friends, jazz by the international Toni Jannotta Trio, 13-year-old L.A. comic Steven (Steve-O) Ford, refreshments and a silent auction. Ojai’s own Buddy Wilds will host the event as Master of Ceremonies.
Tickets are $25 for adults, and $15 for seniors (65 and over) and youth ages 13-17. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. Tickets can be purchased in Ojai at Cardinali Brothers Music (139 W. El Roblar Drive, 805/646-2098); Ojai Creates (606 E. Ojai Avenue, 805/640-6558); and Ojai Coffee Roasting Company (337 E. Ojai Avenue, 805/646-4478). Tickets will also be available at the door.
For further information contact Patricia Cardinali at Cardinali Brothers Music at (805) 646-2098.
Listen to Kathleen's poignant interview on Radio Ojai.
Continue reading "Fundraiser for Acupuncturist Kathleen MacGregor" »
September 19, 2009
Living Peace in Ojai Photos - Set 2
Living Peace in Ojai Photos - Set 1
September 17, 2009
Ojai Forum on the New Economy: Schedule of Events
You are invited to participate in a deep exploration into the design of an action-based road map leading to new models for a vibrant economy in Ojai and beyond. The confluence of various tipping points in global, national and local economies have come together to provide an extraordinary opening for innovation and positive social change.
The vision for the forum is to create an annual international gathering on the New Economy in Ojai. Imagining into the new economy is focused on creating a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come. We are not trying to fix the old but rather exploring new models and approaches, such as complementary currencies, mutual credit system, new investment tools, governance, and communications that builds healthy communities.
http://www.ojaiforum.com/
Schedule:
Continue reading "Ojai Forum on the New Economy: Schedule of Events" »
September 14, 2009
Patrick Swayze dies at 57
This was not surprising, but sad - pancreatic cancer is a painful disease I've witnessed firsthand. Rest in peace.
Patrick Swayze, the hunky actor who danced his way into viewers' hearts with "Dirty Dancing" and then broke them with "Ghost," died Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57.
September 12, 2009
Ojai Forum on the New Economy - Register Now!
http://www.ojaiforum.com/
You are invited to participate in a deep exploration into the design of an action-based road map leading to new models for a vibrant economy in Ojai and beyond. The confluence of various tipping points in global, national and local economies have come together to provide an extraordinary opening for innovation and positive social change.
The vision for the forum is to create an annual international gathering on the New Economy in Ojai. Imagining into the new economy is focused on creating a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come. We are not trying to fix the old but rather exploring new models and approaches, such as complementary currencies, mutual credit system, new investment tools, governance, and communications that builds healthy communities.
http://www.ojaiforum.com/
Presenters:
Joshua Addison - Bell Arts Factory
Ojai Community Bank
Rinaldo Brutoco - World Business Academy
Roger Collis - Ojai Economy Group, Meditation Mount
Susan Davis - Capital Missions Company
Dulanie Ellis - Ojai Valley Green Coalition
Tim Gallagher - Gallagher 20/20, previously Ventura County Star
Tim Hall - Eco Ranchos
David Hedman, ThermaPure
Hazel Henderson - Futurist, Ethical Markets
Michael Lind - REC Solar
Michael Lindfield - Meditation Mount
Ted Moore - ICEL
Zhena Muzyka - Zhena’s Gypsy Tea
Stephen Nellis - Pacific Coast Business Times
Bill O’Brien - Hawkes and Associates
Lena Robinson - San Francisco Federal Reserve
Mary Anne Rooney, Global Entrepreneur Training in Trade
Carrie Rosenbloom - eMommy
Dave Smith - Ventura County United Way
Howard Smith - Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Bruce Stenslie - Economic Development Collaborative - Ventura County
Ava Stern - Rainbow Vision, Santa Fe
Tyler Suchman - Ojai Economy Group, The Ojai Post
Julie Tumamait - Chumash Elder
Stuart Valentine - Iowa Progressive Asset Management
Thayne Whipple - Ojai Economy Group
Jodi Womack - The Womack Company, No More Nylons
Ken Wright - Showerminder
http://www.ojaiforum.com/
Continue reading "Ojai Forum on the New Economy - Register Now!" »
Ojai Big Chili Cookoff!
Morning Meditation Under the Great Oak
It's no use trying to save the world
When I myself am drowning
I sit now under the Great Oak
A tree so strong, so majestic
So silent, so serene
September 11, 2009
Peace Film Series: PROMISES
PROMISES explores the nature of boundaries and tells the story of a few children who dared to cross the lines to meet their neighbors. Rather than focusing on political events, the seven children featured in PROMISES offer a refreshing, human and sometimes humorous portrait of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Living Peace in Ojai's 2009 film series presents PROMISES at the Ojai Playhouse on Saturday September 12, 2009 at 4:30pm, by donation. Please join us.
September 08, 2009
Mark Whitwell at Sacred Space Studio Thursday,Sept.10,8:30am-12:30pm
![MarkWhitwell_Sept_10[1].jpg](http://www.ojaipost.com/images/MarkWhitwell_Sept_10%5B1%5D.jpg)
Stop the "Gravel" Trucks: Live Video of Gravel Trucks Racing Down Maricopa Highway
Check this out thrill ride.... Filmed from a motorcycle going up Maricopa Highway, Route 33, from just before the Double Tunnels to just past the Rose Valley turn off, you will dodge Gravel Trucks coming out from behind blind curves...
During these ten minutes you will pass no less than 5 double hoppers, most of which are clearly and dangerously crossing over the double yellow lines. That's one truck every 2 minutes!
The first three appear at about 1:50 (one minute, 50 seconds in). The fourth appears around blind curve at around 8:25. The fifth also crosses over the double yellow line at around 9:50.
You can advance the player if you want or just watch the whole thing from the bottom of the mountain to the top. We suggest you turn your volume way down low!
Also, you can blow up to a Full Screen view (pretty wild!) by hitting the Google View tab at the bottom right of the Flash Player.
Ojai Forum on the New Economy,
You are invited to participate in a deep exploration into the design of an action-based road map leading to new models for a vibrant economy in Ojai and beyond. The confluence of various tipping points in global, national and local economies have come together to provide an extraordinary opening for innovation and positive social change.
The vision for the forum is to create an annual international gathering on the New Economy in Ojai. Imagining into the new economy is focused on creating a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come. We are not trying to fix the old but rather exploring new models and approaches, such as complementary currencies, mutual credit system, new investment tools, governance, and communications that builds healthy communities.
Presenters: Lena Robinson (San Francisco Federal Reserve), David Brubaker (Ojai Community Bank), Tim Gallagher (Gallagher 20/20, Ventura County Star), Stephen Nellis (Pacific Coast Business Times), Rinaldo Brutoco (World Business Academy), Bruce Stenslie (Economic Development Collaborative), Dave Smith (Ventura County United Way), Stuart Valentine (Iowa Progressive Asset Management), Hazel Henderson via live satellite remote, many more.
http://www.ojaiforum.com/
September 07, 2009
Ojai Studio Artists 2009 Tour - Save The Date
Mark Your Calendar!
2009 Studio Tour
October 10th & 11th, 2009
10AM to 5PM
www.ojaistudioartists.org
Dear Members, Collectors and Art Enthusiasts,
The Ojai Studio Artists Tour, held since 1984, is an October pilgrimage that brings art lovers and collectors to over fifty artists' studios to see new creations, view works in progress, and enjoy a weekend steeped in fine art conversation. OSA invites you for a behind-the-scenes art tour of Ojai, to visit with our artists in their creative environment and attend our Saturday night reception.
Sincerely,
Ojai Studio Artists
a non-profit organization
www.ojaistudioartists.org
Continue reading "Ojai Studio Artists 2009 Tour - Save The Date" »
September 04, 2009
Ojai Big Chili Cookoff!
Ojai Economic Forum, September 25th - 27th
September 03, 2009
"War Child" at Ojai Playhouse
The Living Peace in Ojai Peace Film Series presents "War Child" at 4:30 pm on Saturday September 5th at the Ojai Playhouse/Theatre, admission is by donation.
"Left home at the age of seven/one year later I'm carryin' an Ak-47." For hip hop artist Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier in Sudan's brutal civil war, these lyrics are hardly empty posturing. They are the bitter reality of a young man who was "forced to sin" but determined to "never give up and never give in." Today, wounded but still hopeful, he fights a new battle: bringing peace to his beloved Sudan and building schools in Africa. This time, his weapon is a microphone. See why audiences from New York to Berlin to London rave about the award-winning film, War Child, and have embraced the hip-hop artist with a terrifying past and a gentle soul. Interspersing original interviews, live concerts, and rare footage of Jal as a seven year-old boy, War Child will make viewers cry, laugh, dance, and celebrate the power of hope.
Stop the "Gravel" Trucks: Diesel Exhaust Linked To Cancer
AN ARTICLE THAT JUST APPEARED IN SCIENCE DAILY CONFIRMS SOME OF OUR GREATEST FEARS.
Damage to our air quality is one of the reasons the Coalition has been opposed to gravel trucks traveling through the Ojai Valley on their way from the Cuyama valley to Oxnard and Ventura. Ojai has what is known as a "closed" air shed, which means that pollutants collect here in the valley and remain trapped. Despite appearances that might suggest otherwise, Ojai has some of the worst air quality in the County.
Scientists have demonstrated that the link between diesel fume exposure and cancer lies in the ability of diesel exhaust to induce the growth of new blood vessels that serve as a food supply for solid tumors.
Continue reading "Stop the "Gravel" Trucks: Diesel Exhaust Linked To Cancer" »
OV Museum: Ojai Celebrates Art
from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
The Ojai Valley Museum’s second annual juried art show, OJAI CELEBRATES ART, is open to artists 18 years of age and older working in any gallery media. Cash awards will be given for first, second, and third place winners in the amounts of $300, $200 and $100.
PR: In Concert - Paddy Keenan and Fionn O Lochlainn
i receive press releases... sounds like a fun event.
In the mid-1970s The Bothy Band forever changed the face of Irish traditional music. One of the band’s founding members, and one of its driving forces, was uilleann piper Paddy Keenan. The virtuosity and ferocity of his playing led to his being described as “the Jimi Hendrix of the pipes”, and his style has continued to mature in the intervening years as he has pursued a solo career. Generally acknowledged as the most accomplished uilleann piper performing today, he is certainly one of the most brilliant musicians of his generation.
Continue reading "PR: In Concert - Paddy Keenan and Fionn O Lochlainn" »
September 02, 2009
The Government Can
August 30, 2009
Focus On The Masters: Guy Webster
Nice article in the VC Star on Ojai resident, legendary photographer and motorcycle museum curator Guy Webster, and his upcoming appearance in the Focus On The Masters program.
This is a guy who had Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel in his dad’s living room in the mid-1960s performing “The Sounds of Silence,” operated a toy sailboat with Jagger in his pool and nearly got crushed with David Cassidy during a crowd stampede at a concert.
August 26, 2009
OVGC Movie: Are We Running Dry?
The Ojai Valley Green Coalition presents:
The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?
Saturday August 29, 4:30pm
Ojai Theatre
$10 suggested donation
"This documentary is a definitive look at how the water crisis affects the American Southwest states and its escalating economic toll. From the White House to the House of Representatives, the film's writer, director, and executive producer, Jim Thebaut, interviews key thinkers in an intelligent and informed discussion about the evolving water crisis."
August 25, 2009
The Ojai Big Band
a little PR...
The Ojai Big Band under the direction of Dan Willard, will present a free concert on Sunday, September 13 from 3 – 5 p.m., sponsored by the Ojai Presbyterian Church. The Ojai Big Band currently rehearses at the church and plays for dances, weddings and other special events, but “this concert will be more jazz and will allow the band to “stretch out” and play arrangements that they normally do not have a chance to play,” says Dan Willard, director of the band.
August 24, 2009
What the Meaning of Life?
It seems that yoga is very big now-a-days. Even Oprah is asking the big question: "What's the meaning of life?". She recently did a 10 week live, on-line seminar with New Age Guru Eckhart Tolle, discussing "the meaning of life". I thought I'd offer my version in this short music video. (you may notice some Ojai residents singing along) -- love Dvorah
2010 Men Of Ojai Calendar On Sale Now
The Ojai Calendar Project presents the 2010 Men of Ojai Calendar. Presale of the calendar has begun. To order your calendar now go to: www.menofojai.com. Your purchase will support the costs of production and contribute to the community spirit of the project.
August 21, 2009
Sergio Sells Out!
from the fine folk at Ojai Valley Museum - congrats on a successful event...
SOLD OUT!
The Ojai Valley Museum announced today that the “Mad About Sergio” reception is sold out. The response has been overwhelming and the museum must consider the comfort of our guests and the physical capacity of the facility. We will not be able to accommodate anyone who comes to the door without a prior official RSVP. Everyone with an official reservation will be admitted.
There will be two Sunday Gatherings with the cartoonist during the run of the exhibit. These will also be well attended so make your reservations early. For questions and information please contact the museum at (805) 640-1390 or see: http://www.ojaivalleymuseum.org/
August 19, 2009
Photo of the Day: Aragones+Docents
from the fine folk at the OV Museum...
"Ojai Valley Museum docents are even more MAD about Sergio after hearing him explain in detail how the retrospective of his work that is now on exhibit at the museum evolved. Bi-monthly educational docent meetings are held at the museum for participants. For information on becoming a docent call 805-640-1390."
August 16, 2009
MAD About Sergio: Anatomy of an Exhibit
From the Ojai Valley Museum - article by Denise Picard, photography by Ashley Conde/Brooks Institute. Enjoy!
Anatomy of an Exhibit
What occurs behind the scenes building an exhibit? Obviously there is talent, but in addition there is a lot of work and passion. Take for instance the current Ojai Valley Museum exhibit, “MAD About Sergio.” The seed was planted when Bobbie Boschan, Vice President of the Museum Board of Trustees met Sergio Aragonés two years ago at the former location of Artful Living. He was taking knitting lessons so he could knit a scarf for his wife for Valentine’s Day. The following year, when Boschan saw the cover of the program for the Ojai Film Festival, created by Aragonés, the seed sprouted into the idea of an exhibit.
Continue reading "MAD About Sergio: Anatomy of an Exhibit" »
August 12, 2009
Ojai Economic Forum - SAVE THE DATE!
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: www.ojaieconomy.com/2009-ojai-forum/
Jane Doe's tonight at Movino
hot show, see you there - Brad Buley at 9, Jane Doe's at 10. Following is lonelygirl15 of YouTube fame featuring The Jane Doe's "Junkie".
Ojai Playwrights Conference Aug. 11-16
One of the reasons why I volunteer for the playwright's conference every year is that I get a chance to connect with old friends and colleagues and get reacquainted with a process I know all too well – the play workshop. It is a process that maybe only interesting to theater geeks and professionals but it is fascinating and I get great pleasure in knowing that some of theater's most gifted minds come here to Ojai to workshop their new creations and prepare them for the Great White Way. Some great minds have assembled for the 12th season of the Ojai Playwright's Conference and last night I made a surprise visit on one of those old friends.
August 11, 2009
4-H Kids and Their Animals: the Ultimate Betrayal at the Fair
Guest Editorial by Marty Fast, a former 4-H leader who lives in Ojai
Once again this year, the 4-H animals are on display at the Ventura County Fair. Many of these animals return home once the fair is over, but what happens to the pigs and other market animals? Market pigs begin their life with great pain and suffering. Procedures such as castration, tail docking and ear notching are all done with no painkillers or anesthesia.
Continue reading "4-H Kids and Their Animals: the Ultimate Betrayal at the Fair" »
Jane Doe's at Movino Wed. Night
Free Future Wednesday tomorrow night at Movino Wine Bar - 9pm, Brad Buley followed by The Jane Doe's in a special acoustic "red-eyed soul" performance. Andy and Brad are good friends of mine, but I'm not blowing smoke when I tell you Andy is hands-down one of the best vocalists and songwriters you'll ever see. A fun clip of Brad doing his 'hawk:
August 10, 2009
Overnight Thread: Bob, Doug, and Geddy
I'm heading to Canada in the morning and was reminded of my old friends Bob & Doug.
August 07, 2009
2009 Ojai Playwrights Conference
...is underway, with public presentations and live theater starting up on August 11th.
Check out the OPC website.
Read the active OPC blog.
August 05, 2009
Free "Social Media & The Arts" Seminar
I am presenting a free seminar on Social Media & The Arts, underwritten by The Irvine Foundation and the Ventura County Community Foundation. If you are an artist, musician, in an arts organization or a non-profit, you should get a lot out of this specially-designed seminar. Spread the word!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Ventura County Office of Education
5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo CA 93012
We expect it to fill up fast - the room holds around 100 people, has a big screen and wireless access, so bring down a laptop. REGISTER (FREE) HERE.
August 04, 2009
Teaching Yoga in the Ojai Valley
Teaching Yoga to the Elders of Ojai
View image
Ojai, California, 1972.
Suza and her first yoga teacher, Sarah Kirton, who is described in Yoga for People Over 50, (1977).
The first thing my 90-year old student asked me while she was on the floor stretching her legs was, "Do you have a boyfriend?" "Oh my God," I thought, "It just never ends. Romance will always be more interesting than the rest of life."
I like to pry into the lives of my students as much as they like to pry into mine. After forty years of teaching, in every setting and every sort of circumstance, I can safely say that nothing is as it seems. In the course of a typical month I make the rounds all over the valley, from picture-perfect estates in Rancho Matilija, the top of Foothill, Thacher, McAndrew and high up Sulphur Mountain Road in Upper Ojai, to more modest homes in the hills of Krotona, to humble apartments and small family houses on the valley floor, and even old "shacks" that are falling apart and going back to the Earth.
July 31, 2009
Overnight Thread: Is Ojai Ready for Battledecks?
More on Ojai Bucks!
July 30, 2009
Mad about Sergio
PR from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...
“Mad About Sergio,” a premier retrospective exhibit of the work of world famous Mad Magazine cartoonist Sergio Aragonés opens on August 7 at the Ojai Valley Museum, and will run through October 4, 2009. The retrospective will feature original artwork by the artist as well as inform the viewer about the process of cartooning. The opening reception will be August 22 from 5 to 7 pm.
Public Nakedness -- Can Nude Be Lewd?
Guest Editorial by John Wilcock, publisher of the Ojai Orange.
We were all born naked and how we look when we meet our maker is not especially relevant. And in between, most people like to be covered, especially in public.
But not everybody. It’s summer, a time when even the prudish tend to doff their clothes, albeit in the privacy of their homes. It’s when naked bodies become public that the trouble begins.
July 29, 2009
A Yoga Question: Are backbends good for "osteoporosis backs"?
This Yoga in the Ojai Valley post is from Suza's Blog Yoga for Healthy Bones
Before I write more about yoga props, walls and chairs, I want to respond to two recent questions .
One person wrote: "Suza thanks for sharing.... the back bends shown in your slideshow .. are they good for osteoporosis backs?"
Another person wrote: "I have read many posts on here about not doing bending, twisting, etc and don't understand how yoga could be safe. Years ago before having osteo and other issues, I did yoga and I understand how it would not be safe now. Are there yoga classes that are tailored to osteo patients? how do you find them?"
Continue reading "A Yoga Question: Are backbends good for "osteoporosis backs"?" »
July 25, 2009
Mark Whitwell - 4 Day Yoga Intensive
2009 Ojai Forum on the New Economy - Save The Date
http://www.ojaieconomy.com/2009-ojai-forum/
Continue reading "2009 Ojai Forum on the New Economy - Save The Date" »
Mad City Chickens - This Afternoon
The 79 minute documentary is a sometimes wacky, sometimes serious look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge—and even a mad scientist and giant hen taking to the streets—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom. 4:30PM Today at the Ojai Theater.
Ojai Big Chili Cook Off
http://www.ojaibigchili.com/
http://www.ojaibigchili.com/documents/Cook-Application.pdf
July 24, 2009
See you at Astrella Celeste's show
I just got a text message from my friend Brad Colton, who is joining Astrella tonight on drums. This guy is an unbelievable percussionist.
See you at the free show tonight - its going to be a blast.
Want to Become a Photographer?
Dutch and Henry share some Cheerios....
Oak View neighbor, photojournalist, and author David Labelle will be sharing hints from his great little book, I don't Want to Know All That Technical Stuff: I Just Want to Shoot Pictures.
6 to 9 p.m, Saturday
Topping Room of the E.P. Foster Library
651 E. Main St., Ventura.
David's a great guy, with a 40 year award-wining career in photojournalism and teaching. And he's an Oak View native! If you've got some time tomorrow and you're looking for pointers on what David defines as the TLC of photography: timing, light, and composition, stop by!
Avril Lavigne - Knocking on Heaven's Door
July 23, 2009
LA Times: Hamlet "teeming with vitality and intensity"
Congrats to the Theater 150 crew on a great review from Philip Brandes in the LA Times. Excerpt:
Teeming with vitality and intensity, Kubzansky's in-your-face staging bursts from both ends of the reconfigured 80-seat venue through a central runway flanked by the two audience rows. The solid ensemble performances is heightened by Randall Tico's atmospheric sound design.Theater 150's impressive first foray into full professional status shows there really are more "Hamlets" on heaven and earth than are dreamt of in even the most jaded philosphy.
Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival Announces Historic Partnership with Brooks Institute
Submitted Press Release:
Brooks Institute to Serve as Festival’s First-Ever Ventura Venue; Hosting Screenings, Workshops, Panels and Special Events on Nov. 5 – 8, 2009
OJAI, CALIF. (July 21, 2009) − The Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival, formerly Ojai Film Festival, and Brooks Institute are proud to announce that the Institute will serve as the host for all Festival programming in Ventura as the event marks its 10th anniversary by expanding its footpint into the City of Ventura.
Running from November 5 - 8, 2009, this milestone year will render opportunities for a broader regional and national audience to take part in a variety of Festival events at the Brooks Institute campus. Formerly a motion picture studio, the Institute will host many of the Festival’s screenings, the annual filmmaker party and all of the Festival’s workshops and panels. Additionally, Ventura Marriott has signed on as a hotel sponsor. Ojai continues to serve as the Festival’s headquarters with screenings held at various Ojai venues.
Astrella Celeste, live and free, tomorrow night
Come on out tomorrow night, Friday, July 24th at the Ojai Women's Club at 441 E. Ojai Avenue. The evening features a DJ, full bar and special live performance by Astrella Celeste. Doors open at 8 p.m. Entrance is free. The event is sponsored by the Ojai Beverage Company and Thirty-Three Productions.
From her bio, "First thrust into the spotlight in early childhood, Astrella released a hit single in Italy at age 8, which impelled the Pope to request a meeting with her. A veteran of acting schools and dance troupes, Astrella also served as co-writer and backup vocalist for her world-renowned father, singer Donovan, and has repeatedly toured with him for the past 15 years."
Listen to "Rain" from Astrella's album Blue Star over at Radio Ojai. Check out more photos, music and more at Astrella's MySpace page. Did I mention the show is FREE?
July 22, 2009
Otto Heino tribute
a nice post on Otto Heino by Janna over at Conejo Post. short excerpt below...
I felt like I was a friend of Otto Heino. He was just that kind of person, who, if you met him a few times, you felt like you knew him. He was so greatly talented, but so friendly and natural too. Otto lived and potted in the east end of Ojai, among the towering old oak trees, and near acres of orange orchards. He had a gallery/store called The Pottery, in front of his home and studio, and it was open most afternoons, for anyone interested to wander through, either on the honor system, or with a friend helping out there.
July 18, 2009
New Content on Radio Ojai: Jesse Lucas and OBC!
There are two new shows on Radio Ojai!
One is with 17-year-old singer/songwriter and Nordhoff High coed Jesse Lucas, who talks about her new demo CD and how she draws from personal experience (and sometimes dabbles in fiction) to create her signature acoustic-pop style. Jesse plays her guitar and sings her newest song "Maybe" at the top of the show. Listen here.
And yesterday I stopped in to chat with Joby at the Ojai Beverage Company about Astrella Celeste, playing Friday, 7/24, at the Women's Club, and the OBC's wine tasting event featuring 10 local winemakers pouring their finest on Saturday, 7/25. Listen here.
July 17, 2009
Ojai's Famous Potter Otto Heino Has Passed Away at the age of 94
I used to stop on my daily walks and visit Otto at his home. He was such a friendly, talkative soul during the time I lived in the East End of Ojai. Would be fun to share some Otto memories or stories if anyone has them. Here is the story in the Star. http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/jul/17/otto-heino-ojai-artist-known-for-glaze-dies-at/“It’s the end of an era, really. Otto was truly one of the last great American craftsmen to live in our community,” said Donna Granata, founder of Focus on the Masters, a nonprofit educational organization that documents the lives and works of area artists.
“He had a work ethic unmatched by anyone I know. This was a man who once produced a glaze to match a car,” Granata said of Heino, who was still using a pottery wheel and firing his own kilns into his 90s. “All of his success, literally, he created with his two hands.”
New Info** Otto's La Times Obituary http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-otto-heino21-2009jul21,0,1590279.story
July 13, 2009
Broken Word Reading Series in Ojai
Broken Word Happy Hour is a spoken word reading series featuring fiction and poetry writers from around Southern California. I had the pleasure of participating in the second reading in this series back in May, and am looking forward to reading again alongside talented local word-wielders at the fourth Broken Word happening on Thursday, July 23rd at 7PM at Ojai's own Farmer & Cook.
Come enjoy a summer evening on the patio, listening to stories and poems while enjoying Farmer & Cook's signature vegetarian snacks as well as organic beer and wine. Previous events have been a great success--and now the secret is out! For more information and directions, visit the newly launched Broken Word website.
July 11, 2009
Mad City Chickens!
I hear this is a must see... looks really fun and of great relevance to our community.
Saturday, July 25th at 4:30pm, Ojai Theater will be the local premiere of the film, "Mad City Chickens," a wacky and wonderful documentary about one Wisconsin city's "chicken underground" fighting city hall to make their poultry passion legal. This is a film you don't want to miss, even if you don't eat eggs or have a hankering for feathered friends. You will laugh out loud and even Sci-Fi and Twilight Zone fans will appreciate the style of the film.
One thing's for sure, if you've been on the fence about getting chickens, you'll be convinced to join the growing ranks of home farmers who are committed to a more sustainable food system and to make happy hens a part of your life.
After the film we'll be having a chat with Garm Beall, founder of the website backyardchickens.com about how to get started raising chickens with Q&A at the Village Jester pub next door.
This is a fundraiser ($10) for the Food & Agriculture Committee of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, so that we can plant more vegetable gardens for folks and conduct more culinary events. So please broadcast this to others (Ojai and beyond) who love food and need a good laugh!
Keep it fresh, keep it fun!
Dulanie Ellis-La Barre
Grow Food Party Crew & the Culinary Club
July 10, 2009
New Sunday Morning Iyengar Yoga Class in Ojai
"Life is so hard, how can we be anything but kind?" -- Thich Nhat Hanh
Yoga is fundamentally an act of kindness to yourself. All ages and levels are welcome in this new Sunday morning Iyengar yoga class. Please arrive early to discuss any health concerns, injuries, etc.
Sunday 8--9:20 AM (starts July 12, 2009)
Sacred Space Studio, 410 Bryant Circle, Suite A, in Ojai
Instructor: Suza Francina, Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher
Class Description:
Continue reading "New Sunday Morning Iyengar Yoga Class in Ojai" »
Ojai Events: Tonight and Soon
TONIGHT: Ojai resident Canyon Cody went to Spain in 2008 with a Fulbright grant to research immigrant music and record an Arab flamenco hip-hop album. The pre-release concert is tonight, Friday July 10th at Farmer + the Cook. The show is free! Music will start at 7pm. Before the concert at 6pm, Canyon Cody will give a talk about his Fulbright research project about multi-cultural music in Spain. There will be drinks and delicious organic food.
TONIGHT: A Midsummer's Night Jazz featuring Ellen Johnson on vocals, Scott Hiltzik on keyboards, Richard Matzkin on drums and Ryan Rost on bass. No cover show at Il Giardino, 401 E Ojai Ave., 7:00 - 9:30pm, reservations recommended, 805-640-7381.
SATURDAY, JULY 18th: a FREE event - Global Economic Dissolution & Evolution: A Creative Dialogue on Emerging Opportunities. Join the World Business Academy, Progressive Asset Management, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, the Ojai Economy Group and Meditation Mount for a provocative evening of dialogue and inquiry exploring the 'green shoots' of economic recovery and opportunities rising from the ashes of the recent global meltdown. Featuring Howard Smith, Rinaldo Brutoco, Stuart Valentine and Roger Collis. REGISTER HERE.
July 08, 2009
Theater 150 presents Hamlet
Hamlet is coming to Theater 150!
Previews July 16 and 17: 8PM
July 18: 8PM -Opening Night Gala
Runs July 19-August 8
Thursday-Saturday: 8PM, Sunday 2PM
Tickets $15-$29 Gala-$50
Sundays, as always, 2-for-1
And also there is a set of Hamlet trading cards with an incentive for local merchants to participate. Check out both press releases after the jump...
July 07, 2009
Nominations Are Open Now!
The Ojai Peace Coalition is SO proud to have borne our 2008 Noble Peace Prize honorees, Tara Blasco and Lyn Hebenstreit, as dignitaries in last Saturday's Independence Day parade (along with former Marine Sergeant Lyn Weeks, representing Veterans for Peace)! In addition to working to increase public health and decrease poverty in Africa, Lyn and Tara engage in spiritual activism right here in our valley community by leading meditation groups, as well as providing support for mothers and infants. Learn about their work in Africa by visiting the Global Resource Alliance website.
Nominations for the 2009 Noble Peace Prize are open now!
CLICK HERE to nominate your most valued local s/hero of peace!
(Need suggestions to get started? How 'bout this thread on community organizers, from September '08?)
July 06, 2009
Neverland Tribute Photos
Neverland photos courtesy of fine Ojai citizen Randy Graham...
(and this odd little note - "Matt Tyson, 31, of Ojai, Calif" is quoted in an AP article today on the performers appearing at Staples Center for MJ's memorial...)
June 29, 2009
Live From OCRC
Down here at Ojai Coffee Roasting Co. getting a little work done, and David Harris is set up with a drum machine and an electric guitar playing and singing really tastefully. Very nice. He'll be playing here until about 3:30pm or so - if you get a chance, pop in, grab a tea and enjoy some tunes.
June 28, 2009
OJAI-VENTURA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR 10th ANNIVERSARY
Press Release:
Meegan Huff Expected to Expand Existing and Forge New Community Partnerships as Visibility of Regional Festival Rises
OJAI, CALIF. (June 25, 2009) – Formerly the Ojai Film Festival, the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival is proud to announce that Meegan Huff has been named the organization’s new executive director as the Festival approaches its 10th anniversary this fall. The behind-the-scenes leadership change comes on the heels of the Festival’s recent announcement that it is broadening its regional footprint by becoming an event encompassing the cities of Ojai and Ventura.
“We are thrilled to have Meegan as a part of our team,” says David Shor, chairman of the Festival. “She brings a strong creative energy to the team—not to mention enormous professional experience in diverse industries that benefit the Festival. We are confident that Meegan will move our vision forward and will take us to the next step in our evolution as we enter our next chapter as a lifestyle-driven destination festival.”
June 27, 2009
Deepak Chopra: A Tribute to My Friend, Michael Jackson
Some of you may remember when Deepak Chopra came to Ojai a few years ago. First he spoke to a SRO crowd at the Krotona Institute where he eloquently reminded us of the perennial wisdom, the oneness of all life, and not to identify too much with the various roles we play in this world. For one fleeting moment I almost felt enlightened. I "got it" when he said, "Life is not only stranger than you think, it is stranger than you CAN think."
After the Krotona event, Deepak gave a talk to an intimate gathering at the Ojai Retreat. I got lucky and was invited to dinner with him and his wife at the Ranch House. The next day he did a booksigning at Local Hero before being whisked away to a series of events in Los Angeles where he spoke before an audience of several thousand.
I'm sure Deepak has his flaws like all human beings, but I am impressed by his astute observations on the human condition. I just finished reading his compassionate tribute to Michael Jackson on the Huffington Post, and felt moved to post it here.
A Tribute to My Friend, Michael Jackson
"Michael Jackson will be remembered, most likely, as a shattered icon, a pop genius who wound up a mutant of fame. That's not who I will remember, however. His mixture of mystery, isolation, indulgence, overwhelming global fame, and personal loneliness was intimately known to me. For twenty years I observed every aspect, and as easy as it was to love Michael -- and to want to protect him -- his sudden death yesterday seemed almost fated.
Continue reading "Deepak Chopra: A Tribute to My Friend, Michael Jackson" »
June 24, 2009
10th ANNUAL OJAI-VENTURA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Press Release:
the biggest, little FILM festival you’ve never heard about:
10th ANNUAL OJAI-VENTURA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
NOV. 5 – 8, 2009
Newly-Expanded Film Festival Celebrates 10 Years of ‘Enriching the Human Spirit Through Film’ with a Celebrity Golf Classic, World Premieres, Nonstop Indie and Classic Film Screenings and More
WHAT: The Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival celebrates two milestones this year: its 10th anniversary and joining forces with the City of Ventura to bring its selection of world class feature, short, animated and documentary films to an even broader audience. Known for its welcoming, familial spirit and dedication to showcasing compelling stories from budding and established filmmakers, the Festival is located just 70 miles from Hollywood’s doorstep and has evolved into a top regional destination festival over the past ten years. Screened in locations throughout Ojai and Ventura, including the legendary Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, the Festival’s past films include many that have subsequently received widespread distribution, honors and awards, including Academy Awards. Also, each year the Festival bestows Lifetime Achievement Awards on industry icons and a Limelight Award on the best film submitted by a student filmmaker. Past lifetime achievement honorees have included Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon franchise, The Omen), Lauren Shuler Donner (St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink, Dave) and Laszlo Kovacs (Ghostbusters).
Continue reading "10th ANNUAL OJAI-VENTURA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL" »
New Iyengar Yoga Class Friday Mornings at 8 AM with Suza Francina at Sacred Space Studio in Ojai
About the Instructor: Suza Francina, is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Instuctor who has taught since 1972.
About the Class: All Level Iyengar Yoga Class
Friday Mornings 8--9:25 AM, (New students please arrive early)
Sacred Space Studio, 410 Bryant Circle, Suite A, Ojai.
Class Description
Iyengar yoga classes cover the safe-practice of all categories poses: Restorative Poses, Standing Poses, Forward Bends, Back Bends, Twists, Inverted Poses, Lying Down Poses, Hip Openers, etc. Special attention is given to strengthening standing poses and deeply relaxing restorative yoga poses. Classes are unhurried, with plenty of props to provide support so that your practice is rejuvenating and restores your energy reserves. You will learn the safe practice of the two-pillars of yoga: Headstand and Shoulderstand. Those who are new to yoga will have the opportunity to practice safe, gentle variations, suitable for beginners. All ages and levels are welcome.
June 23, 2009
Calendar Call
The response to the Men of Ojai Calendar project has been great. So far we have 30 candidates. I still have an additional dozen men to interview, so I've scheduled time at the Ojai Arts Center to meet with potential calendar models. If you or anyone you know is interested in being in the 2010 Men of Ojai calendar, please stop by the Ojai Art Center tomorrow, Wednesday from noon to 3pm. For more info please email me at demitri@pinkminute.com or call 805-603-0079. Thank you.
June 22, 2009
FRESH the movie at The Ojai Retreat next Monday
HopeDance FiLMs and Pesticide Free Ojai present:
FRESH
Monday, June 29, 6pm
Suggested Donation: $5-$10
The Ojai Retreat • 160 Besant Road • 646-2536 • www.ojairetreat.org
6pm: Potluck (organic popcorn and refreshments provided)
7pm: Film & Discussion
Fresh celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthur’s 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, the Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy.
June 18, 2009
Winner of the Locally Grown Contest
The following entry from DK is the winner of the Locally Grown contest. It captures the topic with elegant simplicity. Thanks to everyone for participating and reading.
Savor every meal
For the miracle it is
Each and every bite
Congrats, DK, and drop me an email to sort out your tix. For the rest of you, see you there!
Reflections on Ojai Music Festival 2009
Reflections on Ojai Music Festival 2009
I’m so appreciative that the Ojai Music Festival continues to create inspiring and entertaining programs. I always know that I will be witness to world class performances with virtuoso musicians playing works by composers who are dedicated to their craft. This year was no different.
Continue reading "Reflections on Ojai Music Festival 2009" »
June 17, 2009
Win a Pair of Tickets to Locally Grown With Haiku
I have a pair of reserved tickets to this Saturday's Locally Grown concert for one talented participant.
It's time for a haiku contest! In the comments of this post, give us a haiku on food. Read more about the concert, and get ideas for your haiku by reading the Locally Grown press release I posted last week. You can enter more than once. Winner will be chosen by an as-yet-undetermined number of judges on Thursday, 4pm.
June 11, 2009
Ojai Music Festival Starts Tonight!
Tonight, 6pm, Libbey Park marks the beginning of the 2009 Ojai Music Festival, with a FREE event. Check out the entire program, including tonight's offerings, which begin with a Trimpin sound sculpture in the park, followed by an 8pm performance in Libbey Bowl by a collection of artists including Jeremy Denk and eighth blackbird's Lisa Kaplan and Matthew Duvall.
June 10, 2009
Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Locally Grown
Two big music weekends in a row here in Ojai - Music Festival this weekend, and Locally Grown next weekend. Press release from the latter...
Locally Grown concert celebrates summer solstice
As the summer outdoor concert season heats up, Locally Grown, a benefit concert in support of Food For Thought, the Ojai Healthy Schools program, will take place under the stars in Ojai’s Libbey Park on Saturday, June 20th from 5 pm to 10 pm. Tickets range from $20 to $30 for lawn seats, $40 to $50 for reserved seats, to $150 for VIP seats (which includes admission to the after-show festivities) and are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com. “We’re excited to be celebrating the summer solstice, since a big part of our mission is to reconnect people to the natural cycles of the earth by eating seasonal, locally grown produce, ” according to Marty Fujita, President of Food For Thought.
Continue reading "Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Locally Grown" »
June 08, 2009
Bummer. Lost again.
Darn it. I lost again. Did great work on three stunning photographs and didn't even merit an honorable mention. Spent hours shooting the Old Mill renovation in Santa Paula, risking life and limb, and all I get is chopped liver. Where will it end?
The Ojai Art Center Photography Branch hung another standout show at the Art Center this weekend. Thirty photographers qualified fifty photos in the Branch's annual show Visions of Change. Well the only thing that didn't change was my winning nothing, nada, zilch.
June 06, 2009
More Men of Ojai
The Council of Fabulousness will reconvene today to select models for the 2010 Men of Ojai calendar. Auditions will take place this afternoon from 2 to 4pm on the new patio of the Ojai Beverage Company, 655 E. Ojai Ave. Those who are interested should bring a recent photo. The calendar is being produced in partnership with Bret Bradigan, Attasalina Dews and myself. Shooting will take place between June 22 and August 1. The calendar will be unveiled Friday, October 16 at a gallery reception at the Ojai Valley Museum and will go on sale on Ojai Day, Saturday, October 17. Proceeds from the calendar sales will benefit local arts programs. For more information contact project manager Demitri Corbin at 805-603-0079 or email to demitri@pinkminute.com.
OVGC Presents: "Earth" from Disney - Tonight
A very special private screening of EARTH benefiting the Ojai Valley Green Coalition:
Tonight - Saturday, June 6 2009 - 9:30 p.m. $6
The Ojai Theatre - 145 E. Ojai Ave.
(805) 646-1011
June 04, 2009
Celebration of Nature and Song
Add this to the never-ending list of great things to do this weekend! Submitted by Smitty West:
Euterpe Farms presents a FREE event: Celebration of Nature and Song
Bring Your Body and Soul to the Euterpe Rest Space
Under the Oaks..by the Windmill on the 600 block of Rice Road between Lomita and Camille
Saturday, June 6th, 5pm till 8pm
Click ahead for more details...
Joyfully FUNNY! For Your Entertainment...
June 03, 2009
Ojai Wine Festival
June 02, 2009
Stop, Drop & Roll: 3 Nights of Plays at Theater 150
![safe_image[1].gif](http://www.ojaipost.com/images/safe_image%5B1%5D-thumb.gif)
Theater 150's three-night one-act series, "Stop, Drop and Roll," will feature new works from playwrights Cindy Frings, Tara Jeffery, Nancy Kurland, George Miller, Sheila Murphy, Carrie Rosenbloom and yours truly! The theater's co-artistic director, Deb Norton, has been working with the playwrights since late February, so we are all more than ready to showcase our plays.
Check-out the line-up and purchase tickets after the jump.
Continue reading "Stop, Drop & Roll: 3 Nights of Plays at Theater 150" »
May 30, 2009
Ojai Kundalini Yoga Retreat
May 27, 2009
Hollywood Invades Ojai
Currently writing from Ojai Coffee Roasting Co... there are literally twenty five Hollywood types in here sizing up OCRC as a location for some movie. Of course they aren't grabbing a coffee, they are just creating a ridiculous amount of noise, pointing around where some actor is going to walk, and how the camera is going to catch the scene.
Have I mentioned how much I don't miss living in LA?
May 26, 2009
Tuesday Nite Music Club
Elvis Costello with The Police
Medley: "Watching the Detectives, Walking on the Moon, Sunshine of Your Love"
From January, 2009 on Costello's Sundance TV show Spectacle
(h/t Bob Cesca)
May 22, 2009
Cellist Jami Sieber Returns to Ojai 6/7
I just talked to Jami Sieber, cellist, vocalist and composer, via Skype about her upcoming show, playing with elephants and blending music and poetry. Jami will perform in Ojai on June 7th at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Space Studio; tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door. Jami also has shows in Santa Barbara on 6/5 and in Los Angeles on 6/6. For more information, and to purchase her latest CD's "Only Breath" and "Unspoken," go to www.jamisieber.com. Listen to the interview here (which features bumper music from "The Moon Inside").
May 21, 2009
Thursday Nite Music Club
From NPR's All Songs Considered:
Who's the greatest beatboxer in the world? We'll soon find out, when the annual Beatbox Battle World Championship gets underway in Berlin, Germany on May 28. Each year contestants from all over the world flock to the city to lay down some sweet, human-generated beats in hopes of snagging the grand prize. This year's winner will be crowned on May 31.
In the meantime, the BBWC has announced the winner of its wildcard competition. It's Julia Dales, a 17 year-old from Canada.
She's got my vote. (h/t C&L)
HELP of Ojai Fundraiser 5/28
A special screening of "Navigating the Fog of Investing" will be held on Thursday, May 28th from 4:30-6:30 at the Ojai Theater (formerly known as the Ojai Playhouse) at 145 E. Ojai Avenue. The event is sponsored by Hoffman and Associates and a reception will be hosted immediately following the film at the beautiful Lavender Inn at 210 E. Matilija Street . Tickets are a $10 suggested donation in advance, $15 at the door. All proceeds will go to HELP of Ojai. For more info, call Chris Poynter at 805-646-5122 x16
Here is an interview with Help of Ojai about the event:
May 20, 2009
StandUP! for Spoken Word Poetry
A regular at The Ojai Playwrights' Conference, actor and spoken-word poet Steve Connell returns to Ojai for performances at Theater 150 on May 22-24th. He has been featured on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, in the Aspen Comedy Festival, and is two-time winner of both regional and national slam poetry competitions. Connell has also performed at private events for both Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. Tickets and information are available on the Theater 150 website.
May 14, 2009
Bowling Center Before Planning Commission
Image via Wikipedia
CONCEPT REVIEW (CR 09-02) FOR THE REVAMPMENT OF A BOWLING CENTER THAT INCLUDES SITE IMPROVEMENTS, ADDITION OF APPROXIMATELY 475 SQUARE FEET TO THE EXISTING BUILDING, AND CONSTRUCTION OF THREE PATIO AREAS FOR OUTDOOR DINING AND A BATTING CAGE for property located at 1202 E. Ojai Avenue, Ojai, California, Assessor’s Parcel Number 028-0-073-010. The General Plan Land Use designation of the site is General Commercial (GC) and the Zoning classification of the site is General Commercial (C-1). Property Owner: Gail Bazzano. Applicant: Stacey Benotto.
Wouldn't it be great to have the bowling center back after all these years?
May 08, 2009
Open Music Thread
Holy cow, The Breeders rocked. What are you listening to?
Open Thread: Kind of hot for May Edition
May 05, 2009
Ojai Myths Series Installment No. 3: Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Submitted by an anonymous reader. As with all legends, take with your own preferred level of grains of salt. And of course, if you have anything to add, or can share local legends and stories you have heard, please do.
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
You’ve heard the song. You’ve been over the bridge. You’ve eaten the tangerines off the trees under marmalade skies. Here’s one story of how it came about.
Continue reading "Ojai Myths Series Installment No. 3: Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" »
May 04, 2009
Happy 90th Birth Day, Pete!
Yesterday, May 3rd, was the undefinable Pete Seeger's 90th birth day. i recorded my favorite Seeger tune for him this morning, and there's also a movement/petition to give Pete a Nobel Peace Prize.
April 29, 2009
Evening Mental Health Break
Flaming Lips and the band White Dwarfs and Stardeath cover Madonna's Borderline. (hat tip C&L)
Twitter Contest: win a free autographed book
"style, naturally" is written by eco-supermodel Summer Rayne Oakes, who presented last month at a gathering up at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. It is hand-autographed, and a perfect gift for someone who is interested in fashion and eco-trends.
April 26, 2009
American Idol in Ojai?
Taylor Hicks in Ojai tomorrow? From @DustinBlackburn on Twitter...
Anyone want to be an extra for 3 hours on monday @5:30pm for a taylor hicks video in ojai ca?
April 24, 2009
Attasalina and the Seraphim Rising
Attasalina and the Seraphim Rising are launching their first tour; Wrestling with the Angels at Theater 150. Tickets for Friday, April 24th are $15 and can be purchased at www.theater150.org or in Ojai at Coffee Connection, Cardinali Bros. Music and Studio Sauvageau. Doors open at 8, Show begins at 9pm. Limited Seating. Food & Drink. 
April 22, 2009
News From The Music Festival
First, this:
Steve Reich, the 2008 featured composer at the Ojai Music Festival described by New Yorker magazine as “the most original musical thinker of our time,” has won a Pulitzer Prize for Double Sextet, which was commissioned and premiered in 2007 by eighth blackbird, the music director of the 2009 Ojai Music Festival. The 22-minute work can be performed either by a sextet playing against a prerecording of the work or as an ensemble of 12 instrumentalists.
On Sunday, June 14, the closing day of the four-day Ojai Music Festival, eighth blackbird will be joined by six ‘live’ musicians in a performance of Steve Reich’s Double Sextet, to open the Festival’s four-hour Marathon Finale.
And after the jump, a bunch of photos from the 2009 Ojai Music Festival Preview, which was held up at Meditation Mount this weekend. (photo credits: Lynn Malone)
April 20, 2009
Movie Night at the Jester Tonight
MOVIE NIGHT AT THE JESTER!
This month's film is Running Dry
April 18, 2009
What's New on Radio Ojai
There are a few new shows on Radio Ojai highlighting current events this week and next:
An interview with the band We Govern We, playing tonight at the Whisky.
An interview with Attasalina Dews, who talks about her band, Attasalina and the Seraphim Rising, playing 4/24 at Theater 150.
The latest installment of The Ojai Moment with Lisa and Matt: Matt Spins & Tweets. Lisa talks to Matt about the joys of spinning at Bryant Street Gym, Lisa's Lab chews up Simon and Garfunkel and Matt is tweeting on Twitter. Current events: Ellen Johnson 4/24, Elvis in Ojai 4/25 and The Ojai Tennis Tournament 4/23-26.
Ultimate ThruYou YouTube Funk Mashup
April 15, 2009
Music 150 Debut
Attasalina and the Seraphim Rising are launching their first tour; Wrestling with the Angels at Theater 150 in Ojai on Friday, April 24th. Newly formed on 2008, Attasalina and the Seraphim Rising have eclectic musical inspirations drawn from the late 70’s and early 80’s art rock movements such as glam, punk, goth and industrial. Influential artists include: David Bowie, Bauhaus, Siouxie and the Banshees and Skinny Puppy. Their debut stage performance features a mix of original songs as well as unique material from some of the underground’s supreme artists. Woven together like a story, their music creates a powerful ambiance from the moment you step into the theater.
April 14, 2009
The Place to Be for “TEA” & Tennis
Submitted by Fran Pavelko, vice chairman:
HospitaliTEA is our SpecialTEA - The Place to Be for “TEA” & Tennis
Tradition Remains at the HospitaliTEA Tent For the 109 th year.
The BeauTEA and PossibiliTEAs for another great year are endless.
TEA –Talk –Tradition and HospitaliTEA go hand in hand, under the
TEA Tent and on the courts. That is “LOVE” at “The Ojai.”
Over 130 gracious ladies volunteer to serve TEA and cookies, and
welcome players, parents, and the faithful locals to “The Ojai.” The
BeauTEA of “The Ojai” event is enjoying Tennis, TEA and Tradition.
The “TEA Tent” is the nicest tradition of “The Ojai,” comments Ruby Morrison, who has served as president, secretary and board member. Ruby now holds the prestigious title of “Director Emeritus” and adds with pride, “It’s so beautifully done and such a nice surprise to people. Some say – we’re the Wimbledon of the West.” During the course of the tournament, approximately 1,500 cups of TEA will be poured and over 10,000 cookies will be served.
April 12, 2009
Mountain Hare Krishna by Krishna Das and Sting
Enjoy!
April 08, 2009
“Noises Off!” at Ojai ACT
My friend, John Hankins, sent this over. He is one of the actors in the play. I'm taking advantage of the special this weekend and will attend Saturday night. Hope to see you there!
Ojai ACT
Art Center Theater
A non-profit community ensemble
“Noises Off!” Opens
Leave it to an actor to write a play where the funniest action occurs backstage, but with equal hilarity onstage, coming to the Ojai Art Center Theater stage March 28 through April 25.
It’s “Noises Off!” by Michael Frayn, who spawned this rowdy comedy while standing in the wings watching a farce starring Lynn Redgrave.
“It was funnier from behind than in front and I thought that one day, I must write a farce from behind,” Frayn said.
“Noises Off!” is a play within a play, with the actors putting on a silly comedy entitled “Nothing On” and blowing their lines, entrances and relationships.
April 07, 2009
Ticket Discount: Ojai Music Festival
What a great deal for locals. Get lawn tix for the Ojai Music Festival for only 10 bucks each. Enter promo code Ojai10 at ojaifestival.org by April 24th. lawn coupon (PDF)
March 28, 2009
Ojai Wild!
Jeff Kuyper, Executive Director of Los Padres ForestWatch, joined me on Radio Ojai recently to talk about the Ojai Wild! Annual Benefit on Saturday, April 4. He also talked about his organization and how it keeps our wild lands wild.
Tickets for Ojai Wild! are $75 for adults, $20 for children under 14 years of age, and a table for 8-10 people may be reserved for $600. Tickets are available by calling the Los Padres ForestWatch office at 805-617-4610.
Learn more about the event after the jump.
March 27, 2009
Open Thread
some events housekeeping...
Ojai Yoga Crib - October 23-25
Join Kira Ryder, Alana Mitnick, Uschi Gibson and the community of Lulu Bandha's for the seventh Ojai Yoga Crib and spend a magical weekend in the gorgeous Ojai Valley in Southern California.
Five Day Plein Air Painting Workshop - April 27 - May 1
Learn to interpret the beautiful Ojai countryside in terms of paint, using value and color to create form. The aim of the Plein Air Painting Workshop is to teach you to think, see, and express light and form in your paintings.
Annual Community Passover Seder - Sat, April 11, 5:30pm
Join the Annual Community Passover Seder, conducted by Rabbi Yossi Carron, Jewish Community of the Oaks. Saturday April 11, 2009, 5:30PM at Soule Park Golf Course.
March 26, 2009
Locally Grown Benefit Concert 2009
Mark your calendars for summer solstice - Saturday, June 20th, when the 2009 installment of the Locally Grown benefit concert for Food for Thought Ojai returns to Libbey Bowl.
PR: Locally Grown Benefit Concert Returns to Libbey Bowl
“This year’s Locally Grown benefit concert will celebrate the diversity of our community, as well as continue our focus on environmental stewardship” announced Food For Thought president, Marty Fujita, today. “It also takes place on Saturday, June 20th at summer solstice, which is significant to us, since a big part of Food For Thought’s mission is to reconnect people to the natural cycles of the earth by eating seasonal, locally grown produce.” The event will feature an eclectic mix of musical styles including American roots rock, Mexican-American rhythms, Reggae and Afro-Cuban beats.
March 23, 2009
It's your Democracy...
There are a lot of things happening with the new Ojai Valley Democratic Club. There is a meeting tonight at 7 pm at the Ojai Art Center for anyone interested attending.
Volunteer for the Ojai Music Festival
from them...
The Ojai Music Festival is currently seeking volunteers to assist at this year’s 63rd Festival slated for June 11 to 14. Volunteer positions include hospitality, production, set up, security, ushering, artist liaisons, and office assistance. This is an exciting and fun way to experience the Ojai Music Festival from within and meet new people. The volunteers make the Festival happen!
March 21, 2009
Generative Artwork
Paul Prudence is a computational artist and author of the mesmerizing website: http://dataisnature.com/. In this video, paul uses sound sensitive prototypal systems that seem to evoke a sense of Synaesthesia in the viewer.
March 20, 2009
Inbox Housekeeping for the Arts
All sorts of announcements have come my way - take a gander through the following...
Roberta Raye at Made in Ojai says: Made In Ojai is restructuring from a consignment shop to an artisans’ collective. The store will close for re-design March 30-April 3rd and re-open on April 4, 2009. Membership is limited. Apply by March 25, 2009 - the store is located at at 323 East Matilija Street, and is open between 11 and 6 weekdays and 11-4 weekends.
Anca Colbert invites you to "Views of Early California: A Golden Light" - images from the 1880s to the 1950s. TONIGHT at The Oaks of Ojai - Friday, March 20th - 5 to 7 PM, spa foods and drinks will be served. There are many gems to discover: rare views of Ojai, Matilija Canyon, The Thacher School, The Oaks when it was called El Roblar Hotel, many more.
Linda Harmon announces that Ojai Day is looking for Artists: the Ojai Day Committee is now accepting submissions of images by visual artists that will be juried for reproduction as the annual Ojai Day Poster. Submit camera ready image of their work, contact information, and current biographical for use in publicity to Linda at lhart412@roadrunner.com, mailed to the Committee c/o Linda Harmon, 412 N. Fulton St., Ojai, or dropped off at the City of Ojai’s Boyd Recreation Center, 510 Park Rd., or contact her at 640-0381.
Lulu Bandha's says: Come gather for a slideshow to hear stories from India and the beginnings of LuckyUschi. There will be tea and snacks and the opportunity to browse in the LuckyUschi boutique. TONIGHT - Friday Night, March 20th, 7:30 to 9:30pm, FREE.
March 17, 2009
Poetry Gets Local
Out of the ashes of the official Ojai Poetry Festival, a group of enthusiastic local volunteers has banded together to bring a new event to Ojai: The Ojai Valley Poetry Fest on June 6th, 2009 at the Ojai Art Center. The event will feature Wanda Coleman, Frank T. Rios, Jackson Wheeler, and Marsha de la O.
The group is also looking for local poets to host and perform half-hour to hour-long segments throughout the day of the festival, and volunteers in all aspects of the event. Admission is free in exchange for volunteering on the day of the event. To apply for the poetry program, send a short proposal--100 words or fewer--along with the number of poets involved to: OjaiPoets@gmail.com by April 1, 2009.
March 13, 2009
Stop The Trucks: The First Casualty of War is the Truth
Michael Shapiro, Chair of Stop the Trucks, sent the following letter regarding Weigh Tickets as a response to an email (below) from Chris Stephens, Director of Resource Managment for the County of Ventura.
Hello Chris -
I've finally read your email regarding how the Coalition might obtain a full year's worth of weigh tickets from the Ozena Ranch Mine facility. Obviously - the "evidence" you've collected is entirely insufficient.
I've turned your email over to our attorney -- for I do not have the legal skills to know how to go from here. Naturally - I view your email not only with great disappointment - but I also see it as one more example of how the Planning Division does not wish to let genuine evidence come to light by conveniently hiding behind a rather poorly collected and insufficient randsom sample of Ozena weight tickets. I'm not that naieve, Chris, to believe that if you and your other colleagues really wished to collect a full year's data that you would certainly be able to do so. The fact that you aren't willing to do that speaks volumes: You fear the TRUTH and simply can't handle the TRUTH.
We'll have to seek another legal remedy to get to the bottom of this. How unfortunate.
Sincerely,
Michael Shapiro
Chair - Stop The Trucks! Coalition
Continue reading "Stop The Trucks: The First Casualty of War is the Truth" »
March 12, 2009
Free Musical Instrument Petting Zoo
A great event for the kids from the Ojai Music Festival...
Crash, bang, toot! The Ojai Music Festival’s BRAVO! education program will present a first-time Musical Instrument Petting Zoo on March 18, from 3 to 6 pm (update: come when you can between 3 and 6pm), at the Miramonte Elementary School. A free community event, the Petting Zoo is geared to students grades first through third who might be interested in learning more about orchestral instruments.
March 11, 2009
April Hendrix releases EPK
Ojai-based musician April Hendrix and her band have just released an electronic press kit. The video which features interviews with band and a live performance of her song "The Well" at The Hub, was filmed by SPK and Rob Clement. April is managed by Lanny Kaufer. You can check April's profile on MySpace where you can hear a few other original tunes and see a calendar of her upcoming gigs. Enjoy!
March 10, 2009
Happy International Women's Day! Come to the VC Women's EXPO 3/13-15
Today is International Women’s Day, which has been observed since 1911 (just 9 years later, women in the U.S. were given the right to vote). This year’s theme, as designated by the U.N. (individual countries also develop their own themes) is “Women and men united to end violence against women and girls.”
A great way to honor and recognize women locally is to attend the Ventura County Women’s EXPO, taking place this weekend, March 13-15, at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Fifty dynamic guest speakers will present on various topics over the three-day event, including health, relationships, career, finances and motherhood. The topic I am presenting is much less weighty and ambitious – I will be talking about local wines!
Continue reading "Happy International Women's Day! Come to the VC Women's EXPO 3/13-15" »
March 06, 2009
Awesome Art at the OV Museum
from the Ojai Valley Museum - Denise Picard writes up the reception and awards ceremony...
Sunshine was among the guests last Thursday afternoon, for the reception and awards ceremony of the museum’s latest exhibition, “Awesome Art.” Outside, in the museum’s lovely patio, there were pizzas, fresh fruit, lemonade, and Ojai Valley School provided delicious cookies. But the main attraction was inside, where over 260 students from six valley high schools mingled with their parents, teachers and friends to view the art work of their peers.
March 05, 2009
I'd Rather Smoke a Cigar
I was about to head down the hill to buy a cigar. It’s one of those forbidden pleasures I engage in a couple of times a year. In order to curb my usage, I only buy one at a time. That gives my guilt complex a chance to work on me before I actually lay out the cash. It’s an awful habit. Mouth tastes like the inside of a shoe for two days.
So I said to Sweetie “You know what…I think I’ll shlep down the hill to get a cigar.” She said with a beautiful smile “Go ahead. You’ll enjoy it.” OK, I said, I’ll just check my e-mail. Bad decision.
March 01, 2009
Gypsy/Balkan/Jazz Group "Fishtank Ensemble" in Ojai on Thursday March 5th
WHO: Fishtank Ensemble
WHAT: Live Music, Gypsy, Balkan, Flamenco and Jazz (“cross-pollinated gypsy music”)
WHEN: Thursday March 5 at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30)
WHERE: Ojai Valley Women's Club, 441 E Ojai Ave
HOW MUCH: $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Ticket info www.ojaiconcertseries.com
Catch gypsy/Balkan/jazz/flamenco group Fishtank Ensemble for the first time in Ojai as part of the Ojai Concert Series. The group, known for their wildly eclectic gypsy and Balkan flavored music, consists of one sexy diva and 5 crazy musicians, including a former peripatetic violinist who left his gypsy wagon in Europe after years of musical research and will break every hair on his bow to set the room on fire.
Continue reading "Gypsy/Balkan/Jazz Group "Fishtank Ensemble" in Ojai on Thursday March 5th" »
Open Music Thread
February 28, 2009
Ojai Yogis Invited to Ventura's First Ever YOGATHON
VENTURA’S FIRST EVER “YOGATHON” TO SUPPORT KIDS’ ARTS
Today, Saturday, February 28, Yoga Jones and Kids' Arts will host Ventura's first ever “Yogathon” fundraiser at the historical Elks Lodge, 11 S. Ash Street at Main, in Ventura.
Local teachers, including Ojai teachers Suza Francina at 2pm and Kira Ryder at 5pm, and others such as well-known Yogini and Indian dancer, Hemalayaa Behl, (4pm) will hold classes every hour from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. The event will finish with an uplifting evening Kirtan, with the Ojai Kirtan Band at 7:00 pm.
A full day pass is $50 at the door or $15 per class, which includes free entry to the evening Ojai Kirtan Band event.
Arrive early to register and bring a mat and blanket.
Besides the yoga classes, the Yogathon features a silent auction, art exhibit, refreshments, massage and healing arts.
The event coordinators hope to raise awareness and funds to support continued free art and yoga classes for disadvantaged youth. One demonstration during the event will include a group of children asked to draw a picture and then participate in yoga, afterwards they will be asked to draw another image to illustrate the immediate difference yoga makes in a child’s perspective.
Continue reading "Ojai Yogis Invited to Ventura's First Ever YOGATHON " »
February 27, 2009
Happy 3rd Birthday, Ojai Post!
The Ojai Post, February 27, 2006, entry #1:
The Ojai Post is a community blog, featuring Ojai residents from all walks of life writing about the unique Ojai experience. Ojai is a special place, not just for its geography, flora and fauna, small-town architecture and rich native American history - its also because of the people - talented, creative souls who tend to walk to the beat of their own drummer and carve their own path through life. Check in for daily musings, rants, Ojai news and greater goings-on from the place some call Shangri-La.
February 20, 2009
Mardi Gras Tomorrow Evening
You going? From the Mardi Gras folks with a final day heads-up and info on the fundraiser...
Mardi Gras is coming! It's all happening this coming Saturday, February 21, starting at 7:30 at the Ojai Valley Woman's Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door. See press release or poster for ticket locations. This year's theme is "Venetian Vibrations: Unmask Your Passion!" Fittingly, artist Robert Lamarche's amazing masks are on sale now at Studio Sauvageau for those who need a stunning, last minute costume.
Live music, costume contest, Rondia's Southern homestyle cooking plus beer, wine, cocktails, fantastic decorations and slideshow! Don't miss the coronation of 2009 Mardi Gras King and Queen Scott and Betsy Smith of Euterpe Farms!
As always, this is a fundraiser and I have a special interest this year because my stepson, Denlow Enlow (my late wife Harmony's son), is the beneficiary of the proceeds. He is coping with the devastating effects and expenses of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Please help us get the word out to the community about this year's 19th annual benefit.
Thanks,
Lanny Kaufer
February 18, 2009
Dishing Ojai: Wine
Right here in our own backyard, we have two great wineries with tasting rooms open to the public: Casa Barranca and Old Creek Ranch (have you been?). Casa Barranca specializes in organic wine, and Old Creek has some wonderful Mediterranean styles. We also have Movino, where Buddy Wilds serves up glasses of intriguing varieties, like Earthquake Zin or Caymus Conundrum, when he’s not up on the stage or coiffing a hair-do or two. And over at the Ojai Beverage Co., Jorge and Joby have daily tastings to tempt any palate, and 1000 bottles to choose from. I’ll be presenting on local wines (there are more than you'd think) at the upcoming Ventura County Women’s Expo and would love to hear your thoughts about wine. What have you tasted lately that’s got you swooning over the grape? And do you have any fun wine quotes (or even song lyrics) to share, like, “In vino veritas (In wine there is truth),” or Dean Martin’s, “You haven't drunk too much wine if you can still lie on the floor without holding on.”
More Dishing Ojai columns here.
Radio Ojai interview with Beth Sutherland, Producer of the Ventura County Women's Expo here.
February 17, 2009
Open Music Thread
February 16, 2009
RIP Louie Bellson
Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni (6 July1924–14 February2009, better known by the stage name Louie Bellson.
February 11, 2009
Open Thread
One of my favorite winter moments in Ojai is when the sun is shining in the west, the dark rain clouds fill the eastern sky, and the light illuminates the tallest trees as they tower above the orchards.
Here's an interesting thing coming up March 5th from the Ojai Concert Series... “Fishtank Ensemble” - a unique eclectic blend of Romanian folk, Gypsy, Balkan, Flamenco, Klezmer and originals.
February 09, 2009
Golda Meir Comes to Ojai!
Golda Meir, (1898-1978) will be portrayed by noted Ojai actor, Catherine Dain, in a 45 minute staged abridged reading of William Gibson's play:
GOLDA'S BALCONY
Directed by Gai Jones and produced by Edie Smith
7 PM Saturday Feb 28, 2009
Jewish Community of the Oaks
530 West El Roblar, Meiners Oaks
Suggested minimum Donation $10
Program will be followed by a Dessert Reception
"Golda’s Balcony" offers the compelling story of Golda Meir’s transformation from a young Russian immigrant in Milwaukee to an activist for a Jewish state in Palestine and then to its leader – Prime Minister of Israel.
Framing her tale with the decisions she was forced to make during the 1973 war, she attempts to answer the question “What is the price for survival?” There were no easy answers for Golda, who sacrificed her relationships with her husband and children for her obligations to her country. Her uneasy conclusion was,
“Peace, there will be peace when the Arabs learn to love their children more than they hate the Jews".
"Perfect!" New York Magazine "Enlightening!" New York Times
"Amazing Personal History!" Variety
"Laughter and Tears!" Akron Beacon Journal "Fascinating !" AP
"Momentous ! Riveting!" The Detroit News
February 06, 2009
Happy Birthday, Bob!
Awesome Art at the Ojai Museum
from the Ojai Valley Museum...
“Awesome Art” will be on display for all to enjoy from February 12 through April 5 at the Ojai Valley Museum. The exhibition, showcasing art by Ojai Valley students from Nordhoff High School, Thacher School, Besant Hill School, Ojai Valley School, Villanova Preparatory School and Oak Grove School, has become an annual Ojai Valley Museum tradition.
“Awesome Art” is very popular with students from all schools and all grade levels, as well as their families and teachers. As for the public, they appreciate witnessing the wide range of emerging artistic talent in the Ojai Valley.
February 05, 2009
Open Music Thread
Oren Lavie - "Her Morning Elegance"
February 04, 2009
Tom Chapin in Town Friday Night
Not on the Test: Here's a great song by Tom Chapin, who just happens to be coming to town for two shows Friday night.
For more info on the song and the testing issue, visit http://notonthetest.com or Tom Chapin’s personal site. Here’s some info about Chapin and the Friday night concerts being hosted by the Ojai Concert Series:
Tom Chapin has gained widespread critical and popular acclaim for his recordings aimed at 4 to 11 year-olds and their families. He has created a body of songs which are quickly becoming children’s classics. Tom Chapin’s award-winning albums. aimed at both adults and children, span many styles and generations. His musical career began with his brother, the legendary songwriter Harry Chapin, and for more than thirty years, Tom has been entertaining and amusing audiences with life-affirming original songs. Tom’s adult concerts and recordings are sparked by strong, intelligent songwriting and the intricate, melodic guitar work that has become his trademark. The New York Times calls Tom Chapin “one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music.”
Children's show at 5:30pm, adult performance at 7:30pm. Go to Ojai Concert Series for ticket info, or call Shane Butler at: 805-665-8852.
A mystery portrait of Obama as a young man?
Great story from the LA Times... maybe you recognize the painting from the Ojai for Obama campaign headquarters?
Lindberg "was going through the stacks and said, "Hey, did you know this is Barack Obama?' " [Ojai's David] Bush said.
"It's truly one of those yard-sale finds," said Bush, an environmental lawyer.
The painter gave the portrait to Lindberg, who tried to donate it directly to Obama's national campaign, Bush said. But she never got a response to her queries. When Lindberg learned that Ojai was mounting its own campaign push, she stepped forward with the donation. As soon as McCluer saw it, she had to have it, her husband said. McCluer offered $2,000, but the campaign office organizers were unsure whether they should part with it.
January 28, 2009
Tonight - Matilija Jr High - An Inconvenient Truth Revised
One last reminder for the 7pm event tonite -
The Ojai Valley Green Coalition welcomes Al Gore trained Climate Jedi Gretchen Lewotsky to its Ecology and Community series Wednesday January 28, 2009 • 7:00 pm $5 donation.
Inconvenient Truth slideshow and discussion with Gretchen Lewotsky Currently VP of State & Local Government Affairs and Environmental Operations for the Fox Entertainment Group, in January 2007 Gretchen was chosen by Al Gore's The Climate Project to be one of the 1000 persons selected world-wide to be trained by Al Gore to present his An Inconvenient Truth slideshow.
January 19, 2009
Images from MLK Day 09
Music Listening Thread: MLK Day
U2: Sunday Bloody Sunday
Old Crow Medicine Show: Motel In Memphis
John Baez: We Shall Overcome
NPR Podcast: Martin Luther King Music
NPR: 'A Musical Celebration'
January 13, 2009
Rebuilding Libbey Bowl
from the Ojai Music Festival...
Libbey Bowl serves as a historic gathering place for events including the Ojai Music Festival. Over the last few years, the City of Ojai has conducted numerous structural studies only to find that the termite and wood rot damage is so severe that the Libbey Bowl is in critical condition and must undergo a major rebuild.
Please join the City of Ojai, Ojai Music Festival, and the Ojai community at the Commissions Special Joint Meeting to hear about plans for rebuilding the Bowl.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2009
7:00 pm
Sarzotti Park (510 Park Road, Ojai)
open to the general public
Agenda items include:
* Overview of Assessment and Needs
* David Bury of Bury Architects unveiling of preliminary site plans
If you would like to volunteer or donate to the Libbey Bowl project, please contact
(805) 646-3117 or email info@LibbeyBowl.org.
2009 Ojai Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The 9th annual Ojai Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Celebration is coming on Monday, January 19. Press release follows...
The Ojai Valley Youth Foundation is pleased to announce that John R. Hatcher III, President of the Ventura County Chapter of N.A.A.C.P., will be the featured speaker at this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration. The 9th annual event, free to the public, will be held in Ojai’s downtown Libbey Park on Monday, January 19, from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Special guest performers include San Diego hip hop musician/poet Gill S.O.T.U. and gospel choir Living Sacrifice from Santa Barbara. Top local youth musicians and singers will represent many of the schools in the area. They will be joined by Ojai-based, internationally known singers Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen. Local youth will provide food, booths, artwork and much more. Many Ojai students are participating in a writing contest based on this year’s theme.
Music Listening Thread
I'm really enjoying Punch Brothers, which is led by Chris Thile, formerly of Nickel Creek. The album is sort of bluegrass chamber music. It's a fascinating listen. I'm also enjoying the last Nickel Creek album "Why Should The Fire Die?," which I never got around to buying when it came out in 2005. I picked up both albums this weekend on iTunes.
I've also been playing with the Pandora app on my iPhone. You pick an artist you like, and it starts streaming songs you can give a thumbs up or thumbs down to, and as it learns your preferences, it builds out essentially a radio station. I have a few channels set up, including ones based on Old Crow Medicine Show, Moby and Mother Hips. It's very similar to SonicNet's app, which was available in the late '90's, but was killed due to licensing restrictions.
What are you listening to?
January 11, 2009
Feature Film Thread
Bumped into Lisa and Bill, and then Kira and Eric coming out of Gran Turino - they all said it was classic Clint Eastwood, and a really great film.
Ali-Sun and I decided to go for Milk. What a courageous story about a man who was able to shift reality by inspiring people to sacrifice and contribute to a greater good in order to foster positive societal change.
What are you watching on the big screen or the little one?
January 09, 2009
Stop the Trucks: Naked & Topless No More?
Tired of having your windshield smashed by loose rock flying off a double hopper gravel truck?
So are we.
The Conditional Use Permit for the Ozena mine requires that all gravel trucks be covered but no one that we've spoken to in the Ojai Valley has ever remembered seeing a covered gravel truck... Ever!
Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Naked & Topless No More?" »
January 08, 2009
Ojai Musician Al Westcott Passes On
I received the following email from Howard Freiberg regarding the passing of local musician Al Westcott...
Goodbye Old Friend