ojai news at The Ojai Post :: blog, newspaper, events in Ojai, California

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms in Ojai!

A few weeks ago, I posted a story about the birth of my son, Forty Years Ago, in the Small Town of Ojai
In celebration of Mother's Day, I'd like to share with you the story of the birth of my daughter at the home of Beatrice Wood

Birth and death, the two great mysteries of life, are all but hidden from view in our modern culture. By the time I was pregnant with my second child, I was much better educated about childbirth and realized more fully what I had been up against fourteen years earlier, when I gave birth to my first child at age eighteen.

In the intervening years, while I was studying to be a yoga teacher in San Francisco, the publishers of Yoga Journal organized a conference of pioneers in the birth movement. The panel of speakers presented pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding from a natural and spiritual perspective, in line with yoga philosophy. One of the speakers was the French obstetrician, Frederick Leboyer, author of the revolutionary book, Birth Without Violence .

Continue reading "A Birth Story for Mother's Day" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 06:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (13) | author bio

Look out for the locavores: New Ojai group to eat only food grown locally for a year
http://vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/look_out_for_the_locavores/5946/

By now you have probably heard that Kristofer and Joanne Young are organizing a locavore project in the Ojai Valley for the entire year of 2009. A locavore is a person who pays attention to where her/his food comes from and commits to eating local food as much as possible. I just finished reading the link above to a great article in the VC Reporter that answers the questions I had about committing to a local eating lifestyle. Turns out you can sign up and still hang on to three foods each month that are things that may not be available locally. In my case I was worried about giving up organically grown brown rice, millet and tofu --three things my Dutch-Indonesian bones cannot live without. Now that I know I can eat grains with my local vegies, I'm ready to sign up.

There is an introductory meeting on Saturday, May 10th at 7:00 PM at the Young's house in Ojai. Here is an invitation with the details: .http://groups.google.com/group/eat-local-one-year

Download, view, or print the meeting flyer here.

Continue reading "EAT LOCAL ONE YEAR ~ BE THE CHANGE OJAI " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | author bio

Thanks to all the volunteers who gathered signatures in Ojai, Ventura and rest of California, our Secretary of State Debra Bowen certified an anti-cruelty ballot initiative for the statewide general election to be held November 4, 2008.

This statewide initiative was the effort of Californians for Humane Farms, a coalition of animal protection organizations, veterinarians, environmentalists, food safety organizations and concerned citizens. According to Californians for Humane Farms, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act will provide the most basic protection to nearly 20 million animals confined in industrial factory farms in California: that they be able to turn around and extend their limbs.

Continue reading "Announcement from Rosie and Tillie: Anti-Cruelty Measure Certified for California’s November Ballot" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

Green Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D. and Brenda Feuerstein
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It's a beautiful Earth Day here in the Ojai Valley. Yet we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that growing numbers of scientists and biologists are proclaiming that our planet is dying. We who are alive today are living in the midst of an unprecedented ecological crisis in which the fate of our entire planet hangs in the balance. Biologists have labeled this tragedy the Sixth Mass Extinction: Every day, an estimated 150 species are becoming extinct -- an entire species comprising tens of thousands and even millions of individual plants, insects and animals.

As others have pointed out, individual action is both a drop in the bucket --- and potentially, collectively, supremely important.

Green Yoga is a blueprint for how the philosophy of yoga, with its reverence for life and recognition of universal consciousness, provides the spiritual wisdom to enable us to respond intelligently in our daily life.

Continue reading "A Yoga In the Ojai Valley Earth Day Review: Green Yoga" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 02:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

(photo courtesy of Daly Road Graphics & Ray Smith)

On Tuesday afternoon, April 8th, members of "Stop the Trucks" coalition successfully testified before the Ventura County Board of Supervisors at their regular weekly meeting after a presentation by consultant Tom Berg, who had been hired to assess issues and problems at the county's Resource Management Agency which includes the Planning Division.

The Coalition stressed the need for monitoring and enforcement of permit conditions, particularly of gravel mine operations, a fact that was reflected back by four of the Supervisors to County staff at the end of the meeting.
The Planning Division currently is responsible for oversight of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) issued to the Ozena Mine and Gravel operation.

According to an article in the Ventura County Star by Tony Biasotti on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, Berg's noted that there are there are many ways in which the county could be more "transparent, predictable and accountable."
And, " the system has some problems."

Continue reading ""Stop the Trucks:" Expert cites problems in Ventura County's Resource Mangement Agency & Planning Division " »

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:18 PM | Permalink | author bio

Forty years ago, on April 8th, in the small town of Ojai, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy.

It was 1968 and there were no midwives in Ojai, at least none that I knew of. To educate myself I went to Bart’s Books, and found a copy of Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read, one of the fathers of natural childbirth. This book describes the mess obstetrics was making of pregnancy and birth and how fear plays a big part in the pain of labor.

I had never actually seen a baby born, not even on film. But in Holland, where I was born, natural childbirth is the accepted form of delivery. My father had delivered my youngest sister at home and it was natural for me to think I too would simply have my baby at home. I grew up hearing stories about women in Indonesia who gave birth in the rice fields when it was too far to walk home.

Continue reading "Forty Years Ago, in the Small Town of Ojai ..." »

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (26) | author bio

I've gotten word that Magnum Range, based in Riverside, CA, has pulled all necessary permits and will open a shooting range and family fun center in what was the Ojai bowling alley on the east side of town.

The facility will offer a full suite of gun services, including firing range, NRA-certified trainers, parent-child safety classes, and a factory parts shop. The fun center is designed to get kids excited about gun use, while demonstrating proper safety techniques, and will include a light-beam shooting gallery, bow-and-arrow workshop and a laser tag venue co-sponsored by GoArmy.com.

"We are proud to open our sixth shooting range, and Ojai is going to be our best yet," said Magnum Range President Robert Magnum. "The continuity of our industry depends on providing fun and safe venues for adults and children alike. We are particularly excited about the opening ceremonies, because the legend of rock himself, Ted Nugent, will be the Master of Ceremonies and headliner on the full day rock concert. Hope to see you all there for a great day of shooting!"

A spokeswoman for Magnum Range said that while construction will begin immediately, the retrofit will be significant, with the facility slated to open April 1, 2009.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (21) | author bio

In a news story written by Nao Braverman in Friday's Ojai Valley News, "owners of the Ozena Valley Sand and Gravel Mine and the Virgilio Family Trust filed a lawsuit against Ventura County last week, for allegedly changing the scope of their permitted operations without prior notice, hearing or environmental review, according to the lawsuit. They are also filing charges against the county for restricting the use of State Highway 33, which is allegedly in excess of the authority granted to the county, according to the legal petition."

Continue reading "STOP THE TRUCKS: Gravel Truck Owners Suing Ventura County" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:47 AM | Permalink | author bio

Tomas Young's BODY OF WAR

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03212008/watch.html

I'm too undisciplined to have a television around the house but I do my best to catch "Bill Moyers Journal"
on PBS every Friday night. Of all the segments I've watched over the years, last night's show was the most moving footage I have ever seen.
This is the story of Iraq war veteran Tomas Young who was shot and paralyzed less than a week into his tour of duty. Three years in the making, BODY OF WAR tells the poignant tale of the young man's journey from joining the service after 9/11 to fight in Afghanistan, to living with devastating wounds after being deployed to Iraq instead.

Continue reading ""BODY OF WAR" " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

OJAI FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREES
Richard + Lauren Shuler Donner
and Ray Bradbury

Early Entry Deadline for Filmmakers April 15

(Ojai, CA) Ojai Film Festival has announced it will produce two Lifetime Achievement Awards programs to honor high powered producers, Lauren Shuler Donner and Richard Donner, Friday, Nov. 7 as well as an American icon, Ray Bradbury on Saturday November 8 as part of its ninth annual event set to run November 6 through 9, at the five-diamond resort – the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.

Chairman of the Festival Board, David Shor enthused, “I am pleased and honored to announce, Ray Bradbury and the Donners' have accepted our invitation to be honored at the Ojai Film Festival with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their amazing bodies of work that have inspired and entertained so many people around the world. All the honorees have one thing in common – they can’t be categorized in any one genre. These are major developments for our festival.”

Continue reading "OJAI FILM FESTIVAL TO HONOR RAY BRADBURY AND RICHARD & LAUREN SHULER DONNER" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 06:25 PM | Permalink | author bio

I just finished watching “Borders” a DVD with Jennifer Lopez about the senseless border murders of hundreds, if not thousands of young women in Juarez, Mexico. Apparently very little is being done about it, because of all the political and financial hypocrisy and ramifications of investigating the murders.

The injustice, unfairness and misery in the world is staggering. No wonder we are losing so many beautiful people to various drugs, depression, alcoholism and life debilitating choices. It’s hard for “sweet people” of conscience and good will, especially the impressionable young to continue to hope and progress in such a negative, unkind world environment. Many times the cry for help all over the world is deafening and overwhelming.

Many become disillusioned and feel no matter what they say or do, or who they vote for, or how much they cry out in frustration for justice and fairness, the Big Guns continue to win. Pain and suffering continue to exist, and it’s hard to bear the fact that our fellow beings (and animals) are suffering, in spite of our spiritual and religious beliefs geared to console us. The need for help all over the world is overwhelming. What can we do to save our own psychology and heart, so we can make a difference to others?

Continue reading "The Starfish - Making a Difference" »

Posted by Dvorah Adler at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

A Yoga in the Ojai Valley DVD Review

EARTHLINGS
Nature Animals Humankind MAKE THE CONNECTION

Watch the movie here: http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=119

Written, produced and directed by Shaun Monson.
Narrated by Academy Award Nominee Joaquin Phoenix.
Music by critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby.

This is the single most powerful and informative movie about society's treatment of animals! A must-see film for anyone who cares enough to know.
-- Woody Harrelson

The Humane Society calls EARTHLINGS "The definitive documentary film of all times that Americans don't want to see. "

If I had to name one movie that I want everyone to see, including my family, friends and yoga students, it would be EARTHLINGS . Then they would understand why I am so adamant that human beings must speak out on behalf of animals.

Continue reading "EARTHLINGS" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | author bio

Dear Moms: These articles are for you; for your love, your sweetness and your natural talent for healing. I’m here to remind you how smart, intuitive, beautiful and capable you are - and to lighten up about this whole thing called parenting, which has become such a concern for so many.

We take our roles as parents so seriously, because of the media, our friends, our family, Oprah, and the latest experts, who bombard us with their new theories on how to raise our children. They discuss endlessly how difficult this parenting job is and unfortunately many of us have fallen for all the rhetoric. I propose that, parenting is easy when you discover who you truly are to your children. You are “THE HEART, SOUL, JOY AND SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION of those Kids!

That means you can play this parenting game any way you want (I ‘m talking about loving parents who want the best for their children and that is most of us). These children came into your life - you didn’t come into theirs. They came into your house, your lifestyle, your consciousness, your craziness. And that is completely wonderful! Because they need a foundation to start their life from, and your life is their foundation (exactly as it is confusion and all!)

It’s time for you to stop apologizing for who you are and how you live your life. So what? - if you don’t keep your house sparkling clean and dishes washed all the time? So what - if you don’t have that great job or extra money to get those Nike’s? So what - if you didn’t marry Mr. Perfect and ended up getting a divorce then a boyfriend? And So what - if you’re impatient with your little darling after telling her for the hundredth time to put on her shoes or she’s going to be late for school? One big SO WHAT?

Continue reading "Moms Come First! Enlightened Parenting" »

Posted by Dvorah Adler at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (41) | author bio

What a week it's been!

Early Monday morning I got a call that two pot-bellied pig sisters, Rosie and Tillie, needed a home. Their rescue-mom had two more homeless pigs coming and there was no more room at the Pig Inn. I agreed to take them on faith, sight unseen.

That afternoon the sisters arrived in style in two large dog crates. Each crate was hoisted from the back of a station wagon on top of a child's wagon, in order to pull them into the backyard. The first one out was Tillie, who is black and looks like my old pig Rosie. ("Old" Rosie left her body three years ago.) Then came "new" Rosie, who is white. "New" Rosie does not resemble old Rosie so naturally, for the first few hours, I got "new" white Rosie and Tillie, the black-Rosie-look-alike, mixed up.

Within minutes of being released, the two sisters began happily rototilling the back yard and eating the delicious young spring grass and other goodies. Pig Heaven! So much space, rich mulch and soft earth!

Normally pigs naturally retire at sunset but these girls were too excited to sleep! I tried turning off all the outside lights and hoped they would go to bed like good little piggies. Around 8 p.m. I tiptoed into the yard to check on them. I could see their lumbering figures in the moonlight, one dark, one white, still digging and rooting. I tried luring them into their igloos with pieces of carrot and apple. Finally, somewhat exasperated, I sprinkled cereal into the back of their huts. When they stepped inside, I quickly tiptoed back into the house, turned off all the lights and went to bed.

Continue reading " Meet Rosie and Tillie, Ojai's First Spokespigs" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (14) | author bio

(Photo by Troy Harvey/Special to the VC Star)

In this Sunday's edition of the Ventura County Star, we see barracades divert traffic around a section of Maricopa Highway - Route 33 - about 10 miles north of Ojai that has collapsed into the North Fork of Matilija Creek.

Only residents and emergency personnnel are allowed to use northbound lanes. For all other vehicles, the CHP expects a long-term closure of the highway between Lockwood Valley to the north, where most of the gravel mines in dispute are located, and Matilija Road and the Ojai Valley to the south.

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Collapse of Route 33" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

over-pass-work2.pdf

In today's Ventura County Star:
Saturday, February 23, 2008, from staff reports:

Bridge on Highway 33 Collapses: No One Hurt

A bridge support beam failure caused 130 to 150 feet of embankment along south-bound Highway 33 above Ojai to slide into the North Fork of Matilija Creek on Friday evening, authorities said.

The roadway was empty at the time of the collapse and no one was hurt, California Highway Patrol officials sad.

The bridge, located 10 to 12 miles north of Ojai, reportedly gave way about 6:15 p.m., according to the CHP.

Only southbound lanes were affected, officials said and northbound lanes remained open to residents and emergency personnel.

For all other vehicles, the CHP expects a long-term closure of the highway between Lockwood Valley Road to the north and Matilija Road to the south.

Caltrans crews worked to repair the roadway Friday night, authorities said.

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Highway 33 Bridge Collapses!" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Your Daily Yoga Vitamin--Handstands for Healthy Bones

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Photo Credit: Ruth Miller

Today a young woman brought her mother to my Gentle Yoga class. She explained that her mom had never taken yoga before and, as I could see from the mom's rounded spine, that she had osteoporosis. The daughter placed her mom's mat by the wall, alongside the rest of the students, who ranged in age from 62 to 84. The young woman explained that she took yoga from various teachers, and that she was here to accompany and observe her mom. She placed her own mat into a far corner of the room where, I realized five minutes into the class, she thought she would be able to do her own practice.

While my experienced students were hanging in Downward Facing Dog Pose in the lower yoga wall ropes,
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I showed the new student (the mom) how to lie down on the floor to relax her back. I put two folded blankets under her head and a ten-pound yoga sandbag across her pelvis. After checking to be sure that her upper and lower body were in line, she rested her lower legs on a chair seat. This is an easy position that passively stretches the back muscles.

It soon became evident that this new older student (the mother of the younger, experienced student), was a quick learner and soon she was practicing Downward Facing Dog Pose with the rest of us. While teaching, I could see the daughter out of the corner of my eye practicing other poses. "You know," I finally said, "This is not going to work. Come over here and take the class with us."

Continue reading "Yoga In the Ojai Valley, Breathe New Life Into Your Bones!" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (18) | author bio

Happy Belated Valentines Day!! Here's Hoping you
find your Soul Mate, Love Dvorah

Posted by Dvorah Adler at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | author bio

Christmas in Ojai from Daly Road Graphics

On February 1, 2008 "Stop the Trucks," filed the following formal complaint against the Ozena Mine with the head of the Ventura County Planning Division, Kim Rodriguez:

Please consider this letter on behalf of Ojai residents, John Broesamle, Howard Smith and the “Stop the Trucks” coalition a formal request to re-open the investigation of possible C.U.P violations on August 14, 2007 in the operation of gravel trucks in conjunction with the Ozena Valley Sand and Gravel Mine.

The Ojai “Stop the Trucks Coalition is comprised of the City of Ojai; Forestwatch; the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce; the Ojai Valley School District; the Ojai Valley Board of Realtors; and many hundreds of private citizens.

In your September 27, 2007 letter to Howard Smith (prepared by Pat Richards) and your January 8, 2008 letter to John Broesamle, the department denies both complaints of early morning and late afternoon CUP truck violations by citing the weigh tickets provided to the Planning Department by Ozena.

After an extensive forensic study of the weigh tickets turned over to the Planning Division by the agent for Ozena, John Hecht of West Coast Environmental & Engineering, “Stop the Trucks,” now firmly believes that the use of self-prepared weigh tickets, which appear to be the sole tool used by the division to monitor truck traffic, is not valid. It is a method in which the results can seemingly be manipulated at will by the mine operator; and/or the weigh master; the trucking contractor; and/or their designated drivers; and may result in fraud or misrepresentation of the facts. Clearly they fail the test as the evidentiary basis for any claims, pro or con.

Details of our review are in the “Analysis” provided both below and attached separately.

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Complaint Against Ozena" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 04:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Your Daily Yoga Vitamin: Backbends for a Healthy Heart

Continue reading "Yoga in the Ojai Valley - Happy Valentine's Day!" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 06:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (17) | author bio

My daughter Monica meets Wilbur...

For a larger view: View image

More images after the jump!

Continue reading "A Visit to an Ojai Pig Sanctuary" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (37) | author bio

Your Daily Yoga Vitamin: Supported Legs Up the Wall Pose

During the course of a typical day, most people spend 16 hours with the head above the heart and the legs and pelvic area below the heart. Because of this, one of the first poses I teach students of all ages, is "Legs Up the Wall Pose."

Supported Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparita Karani in Sanskrit), known as Yoga’s Great Rejuvenator, is a gentle, inverted pose that can be practiced by almost everyone. It is a safe position that most people can hold long enough so that gravity can return the blood from the extremities to the vital organs.

Inverted Poses:The Elixir of Life

Continue reading "Yoga in the Ojai Valley" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

Deb Norton, Co-Artistic Director of Theater 150, has been working with me and five other playwrights for the past 12 weeks to create six 10-minute plays. We've all submitted our final scripts and they are now in the hands of T150's very talented actors, who will read the plays this weekend. Come on down for the readings on Saturday the 9th at 5pm and Sunday the 10th at 4pm. Purchase tickets for $10 here.

Continue reading "It's This or Jail: 6 Great Plays This Weekend at T150" »

Posted by Lisa Snider at 09:54 AM | Permalink | author bio

Your Daily Yoga Vitamin -- Downward Facing Dog Pose

The Downward-Facing Dog Pose, known in Sanskrit as Adho Mukha Svanasana, is named for the way dogs and other animals naturally stretch their bodies several times a day. The shape of the pose resembles a dog stretching, with the arms and hands stretched out like a dog’s forepaws; the shoulders, spine and chest stretching; and the pelvis and tail bone high up in the air, stretching as far back away from the hands as possible.

When dogs stretch, they do so with great enjoyment--with all their heart and soul and a smile on their face!

Stretching daily in Downward-Facing Dog removes a lifetime of stiffness from the body and develops spinal strength and agility.

Continue reading "Yoga In the Ojai Valley" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (12) | author bio

I came to the United States on the General Moore, a ship that landed in New York Harbor 57 years ago. My father held me on his shoulders so I could see the Statue of Liberty holding her torch of hope and welcome. We were refugees from Nazi Germany, spared from the ovens and on our way to a distant uncle in Los Angeles, who was willing to take us in and offer us citizenship. I still remember the cheers when we finally hit shore. America! We were safe.

My mother ended up working as a line-man in a Cheetos factory, and my father, a tailor made clothes for Lucille Ball. On Saturdays my Mom and I would go downtown to get colored blouses to match the skirts my Dad made, so I’d look well-dressed for school.

I remember being 8 years old, sitting alone on the grass at Queen Anne Park in South Los Angeles (we lived in a ghetto), eating my lunch, when I notice that a dozen young black boys coming my way, first walking, then running and then shouting. I froze. They encircled me, I couldn’t move. I tried to get up and one of them pushed me down again. Suddenly, a huge black man came running up shouting at the young boys, “Leave her alone! You punks, get outta here!” They scattered, I ran home. Saved again, but for what?

Continue reading "Yes “YOU” Can! It is POSSIBLE!" »

Posted by Dvorah Adler at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

Your Daily Yoga Vitamin -- the Yoga Splits

For a larger view of this inspiring pose: http://www.suzafrancina.com/media/JHJacobs_060609_055_suza.jpg

This joyous, exhilarating pose is known in yoga as Hanumanasana, the Monkey Pose. When you practice this fabulous stretching pose, it feels--and looks like-- you are taking a giant leap! This powerful stretch, with the arms reaching up toward the heavens represents a "leap in consciousness," a change from one stage of life to the next. The inspiring teacher demonstrating the pose is in her 70's. Hanumanasana is a fun pose to practice at the end of your yoga session, when your body is nice and warmed up from practicing Standing Poses, Downward Facing Dog Pose, Lunges and other Yoga Basics. In the beginning, the pose can be practiced by placing a bolster and folded blankets under the hips and pelvis.

Photo of Betty Eiler by Jim Jacobs.

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

GURU that is. Funny how they appear in the most unexpected forms. My Buddha.

It doesn't matter who your Guru/Buddha is, AWAKENING can happen at any time, regardless of who you are, what you say or what you do. You could be praying or watching tv eating ding-dongs. Contrary to common belief, it doesn't matter how long you've been meditating, chanting, doing yoga, going to church, or doing service. Awakening is always a surprise. A GIFT with no past or present merit or strings attached. A HAPPENING. Two short videos for your entertainment. AWAKENING #1 (the realization) Part #2 (the interviews and breakthrough) - Love, Dvorah

Continue reading "I'LL SHOW YOU MINE - IF YOU SHOW ME YOURS!" »

Posted by Dvorah Adler at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (18) | author bio

A rainy day book review: Writing Begins with the Breath.

These rainy days are great for writing! I've already gone through four pieces of Rudi's Organic Apple 'n Spice bread (not as good as Farmer and the Cook apple walnut muffins but good enough to fuel the brain) and, in between checking the Ojai Post, am actually getting some work done!

I am a self-taught writer. Almost forty years have flown by, but I still recall the day I triumphantly placed my first newspaper column, thick with white-out, on the desk of Fred Volz, the grand editor of the Ojai Valley News. Through sheer desperation and force of will, in the midst of taking care of my two-year old son Bo, I managed to turn my messy pages into a sparkling published masterpiece --or so it looked to me!

A few weeks ago I found a book sitting on a chair near my front porch. When I saw the title, "Writing Begins with the Breath," for me, a yogi-writer, it was love at first sight! I thought to myself, "Wow! Just what I need!" Destiny dropped this book in my lap just in the nick of time, as I am about to embark on a very personal writing adventure.

Continue reading "Writing in Ojai on a rainy day." »

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

Yikes!!! I am. I looked in the mirror today and thought I was just gorgeous, thin and brilliant! So I went to get ready for work and weighed myself and I weighed 195 pounds! How did that happen? Then I remembered.

I've been dylexic all my life and sometimes I see things reversed, and it's been happening more and more since I moved to Ojai. All this time I thought I was thin, beautiful and quite brilliant. But actually I'm on the chubby side with only 5 words of a song movin' though my head!

Fortunately those 5 little words are all I need to be thin, beautiful and Brilliant! A truly Happy-Free dyslexic anorexic with a touch of dysmorphia, Now, I'm going to share them with you (see link)...Much love Dvorah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qev6xgnvdKY

Posted by Dvorah Adler at 01:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

I truly love Ojai! So special, secluded, spiritually elite - yet oh so friendly and open. A perfect place to rest your weary head and find a soulmate (probably a Bijon, Maltese or Lesbian you met at the "200 Lesbians Ball")

It's a wonderful place to practice yoga in a silk, Om crystal studded stretch outfit, while listening to the latest Krshna Das Bhajan. You can also heal your body with a healthy diet of wheat grass, followed by a protein shake, Boca Burger and a natural thick chocolate cake chaser from Rainbow Bridge.

Ojai is one of those "natural illusions" that mesmerizes you with hope and secret longing for transformation. "Maybe", you pray, "If I experience the Pink Moment enough times, I'll evolve into that 'Being of Light' that 'Open Present Moment', that the great Krishna Murti and all the other "Holy Krishna Murtis" have been talking about! Maybe, I'll finely get it! Right here in Ojai!"

Continue reading "Life is so Awesomely, Adorably, Fantastically, Holy/Sacredly, Lovingly Meaningless!!!" »

Posted by Dvorah Adler at 07:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | author bio

Yogi, Presidential Candidate and Peace Activist Dennis Kucinich

Congressman Dennis Kucinich practices yoga every morning, follows a vegan diet and has been an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq since its inception. He infuses spiritual philosophy into his rhetoric, truly sees that everything is connected, and believes that peace begins within. No wonder I was impressed when Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth came to Ojai and spoke in September, 2007!

Can I help it that I'm excited about someone who connects global warring and global warming? Who supports the humane treatment of animals and sees the connection between public health and animal health? Plus, how can you not love someone who proposes a Works Green Administration that will allow us to organize our country around sustainability and conservation and free our country from dependence on foreign oil! I could go on and on...and I will!

The first time I recall hearing any mention of Kucinich was a year ago, when I walked into Gem Quest and Meg Easling, the owner at the time, went on and on about how great he was. Her spiel went in one ear and out the other. Plus sometimes I think our choice for who should be our fearless leader is about as rational as our choice for a mate -- and tall people are perceived as more powerful.

My family is a political soup. If we want to eat in peace, we don't discuss politics at the table. What do I say to those near and dear to me whose Bush/Cheney marriage=man+woman bumper stickers are wedded to their vehicles?

Here's why I'm going to cast my lot with the Kucinich team, and vote for him in the primaries:

Continue reading ""A Man with the Courage of a Lion, a Heart of Gold and Backbone of Steel"" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (18) | author bio

"White is the praise of winter"
-- Ojai, Land of Man's Sacred Nature

Today is a spectacular winter day in Ojai. There is a dazzling blanket of white snow on the majestic Topa Topa mountains. Ojai has sometimes been compared to a valley in Switzerland, and on a day like this you can see why. A few more days of snow and I can imagine sledding down Signal Street or Thacher Road, just like when I was a kid in Holland! All along Pratt trail the creeks are flowing. Several times my dogs immersed themselves in the water.

When I see the beauty of Ojai, my mind naturally turns to how to preserve it. I have three giant scrapbooks filled with articles from the Ojai Valley News documenting all the environmental battles fought in Ojai all the way back to 1967. These scrapbooks formed the basis for an editorial I was requested to write by the OVN's that appeared eight years ago today on January 7, 2000.

Since many of the issues Ojai has faced remain essentially the same, I thought I would post this editorial here, exactly as it first appeared. Only the dates have been changed to 2008.

Continue reading "Ojai is still a place that uplifts the spirit" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 01:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

Pleasure is the flower that passes; remembrance, the lasting perfume. ~Jean de Boufflers

I am writing this thread with the desire that others who have memories of Hope might share them here as well.

Hope Frazier: Creative Inspiriter
…and to me, Mistress of Mayonnaise

DK Crawford

Hope was one of those people who seemed to do most things well. She was an incredible cook and hostess, a gifted poetess and photographer, an inspired artist and activist.

What perhaps many don’t know about Hope is that she could make a mean jar of mayonnaise. For a while there, Hope would make my sister and me a weekly container of the tangy, lemony, smooth homemade condiment, simply because we’d beg her to.

Continue reading "Memoir for Hope Frazier" »

Posted by DK Crawford at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | author bio

We attended the first Village Jester Christmas Dinner and Show. All the tables were seated around 6:30 pm and the place was packed! We first thought we'd be squeezed in at the bar (due to our last minute decision making abilities) but somehow the magical Nigel found us a spot on the porch. All the heaters blazed and the canvas curtains were pulled down. There were two other tables on the porch, one huge table of thirteen I believe -- a couple with their six adult children and various others -- a small table of another family and us. My sister and I brought Santa Hats and Christmas Crackers to decorate the table with. We also had gifts for our two friends who were arriving.

We got our drinks, found our friends and met our fabulous waitress who'd been called in at the last minute due to the influx of diners. Billie Idol and other wacky 80s songs were playing as we got our bearings. Nigel was floating around, making sure everyone was seated and the pre-fix courses began. For vegetarians there was a tofurkey with vegetarian gravy for the entree but all of us opted for the good ole' fashioned turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Continue reading "Christmas Eve at The Village Jester: A Fabulous Small Town Adventure" »

Posted by DK Crawford at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | author bio

“In the end -- and it will end -- your life will seem to have sped by like a fleeting dream.”
--Doris "Granny D" Haddock

The Winter Solstice is almost upon us. It was this time of year, some years ago, that I rode my bicycle over to Eucalyptus Street to see my old friend Ruth. It was a crisp sunny day and I was not really in the mood to be stuck indoors but Ruth had called to say she had "something important” to tell me.

The moment I stepped inside, I sensed something was up. Shirley, the next-door neighbor who checks on Ruth twice a day, was in the kitchen dumping oatmeal down the sink. She didn’t waste any words telling me what was going on. “Ruth says she’s going to starve herself to death. But I’ll save these oranges, just in case she changes her mind.”

“What?” I asked, “What are you talking about?”

“She messed all over herself again this morning. It’s the third time this week. After I cleaned everything up, she got back into bed and now she says she’s not going to eat or drink another thing.”

Shirley continued, “She might have suffered a stroke. I’m not sure. She’s having memory lapses, but I know she’s serious about this. And she says if she waits much longer she might not have enough sense to make this decision.”

Continue reading "Winter Solstice Liberation" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 02:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (26) | author bio

Yesterday I went to visit my friend Martha Locke. So many years have gone by since I last saw her, that I wasn't even sure if she was still alive or where she lived. I first met "Marty" about 30 years ago. She had curly red hair and sang in plays at the Art Center. My son was young, my daughter not yet born, and I was teaching yoga at the Women's Club, the Art Center and the Gables. I was also working as a home-health care provider and had an affinity for older people. Back then anyone over 50 was old. Marty was lively and fun to be with and I knew I could drop in on her anytime. I would bring my various boyfriends up the stairs to the tiny apartment where she and her husband Charlie lived, and we would have tea and toast at a sweetly set table by a window that overlooked what was back then a green field with beautiful oaks. I would return a few days later, by myself, to get the scoop on what they thought of my latest beau. They tried to set me straight but I was in a hormonal coma and only saw what I wanted to see.

Continue reading "A visit with longtime Ojai resident Martha Locke" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | author bio

Turn On. Tune In. Drop Out!
I got a little jolt last night as I sat in Upavistha Konasana (Seated Wide Angle Pose) watching the PBS documentary on Hippies and the Summer of Love. It dawned on me that it was 40 years ago (1967) that I took the Greyhound bus from Ventura to San Francisco and rented a room on the third story of a house on the Haight. For the first time in my life I was free to draw around the clock with Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkle in the background. I could sit for hours on the window ledge, in my painted jeans, watching the unfolding hippy invasion below. From my third story perch I could spot Janis Joplin in the crowd and hear Country Joe and the Fish playing nearby. Imagine growing up in Ojai and suddenly finding yourself transported amongst 20,000 people dancing in Golden Gate Park! The documentary showed the Human Be-In, a Gathering of the Tribes, and all the great counterculture gurus. I remembered how I made money selling my art, babysitting the four poor children who lived in the basement below, and peddling the Berkeley Barb. You could buy a ten pound bag of brown-rice for $1 and get clothes at the Free Store. I don't remember ever eating the Free Food. When I ran out of rice I fasted to protest the Vietnam War. My AWOL boyfriend was picked up by the military police in the dead of night and locked up in the Presidio. Did anyone else see the PBS special last night? Did you see yourself? As I stretched forward in Upavisthakonasana I had this great cosmic insight that we're all still trying to turn on, tune in and drop out... Is that what growing older is all about?

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (26) | author bio

this moment

a bright sliver of the moon hangs over
the dark shadowy mountains of the
valley of the moon
i stand stone still
watching the first glimmers of dawn
the quarter moon so bright it
almost looks full
the valley below so silent
like the beginning of time
no busy minds...no cars...
only the soft soft hooting of the owl

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | author bio

I roll over to watch the squirrels do their oak tree gymnastics outside the bedroom window, and listen as they bark at a scrub jay. My yellow Labrador, Sydney, is less concerned about the critters stirring outside than getting her way with her master. She circles the bed again and again, her nails clicking on the floor, her tail wagging furiously and her nose jabbing into his hand. Finally he says the magic words, “Okay!” And she leaps onto the bed, rousing me to wakefulness with her cold wet nose on my cheek. Bill rubs her ears and she lays her whole 75 pounds across his chest and sighs heavily.

Continue reading "Sunday Morning" »

Posted by Lisa Snider at 07:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

This has to be my favorite time of year. It all starts with the time change. It’s like something inside me is awakened. I think it’s just me thawing out.

Finally the turtlenecks are banished to the back of the closet in favor of a soft faded tee. Loafers and sneakers are kicked off and newly liberated feet find comfort in a pair of flip flops. Oh, my, I need a pedicure. Maybe later.

Continue reading "Ode to Ojai Spring" »

Posted by Lisa Snider at 08:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

A bit of a departure from what we've been doing, but I thought I'd share something I've been working on. Feedback much appreciated:

Continue reading "Just For Fun - A Bit of Fiction" »

Posted by Lisa Snider at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio