The Ojai Post

Yesterday morning, as I was about to turn off my computer and fly out the door for an early morning yoga class, I received an email from one of my students with the following editorial in the New York Times.
OPINION February 19, 2010
Op-Ed Contributor: Not Grass-Fed, but at Least Pain-Free

The author, Adam Shriver, is a doctoral student in the philosophy-neuroscience-psychology program at Washington University. According to his editorial, "Recent advances in neuroscience suggest it may soon be possible to genetically engineer livestock so that they suffer much less."

I contemplated the insidious implications of removing the ability to feel pain all the way to my yoga class. By the time I arrived I was fed up with the arrogance of the human race.

When I first started teaching forty years ago I had this innocent hope that yoga would lead to enlightenment. Enlightenment begins with empathy. Empathy encompasses the ability to experience the pain and suffering of other living things. Empathy is the first step. And, as J. Krishnamurt pointed out, "The first step is the last step."

Continue reading "Enlightenment Begins With Empathy" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | author bio

California Fish and Game Commission,

Dear California Fish and Game Commission:

Only recently did I learn my home state of California lists the Black Bear as a 'game' animal and permits killing of cubs as small as 50 pounds. I am horrified! Bears are shy, gentle animals that only come into contact with humans when they are looking for food or water or when people enter their territory.

I have seen these magnificent creatures in the Sierras and in natural habitat close to Ojai. Usually the bears climb a tree and wait until people have left - mom sends her cubs up first.

Continue reading "Letter from Marjorie Emerson, Ojai, to Fish & Game re Plan to Expand Bear Hunting" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | author bio

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.

Posted by evan austin at 07:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Today, February 8th, 2010, is my mother's eighty-ninth birthday. I feel fortunate that she is in good health and able to live independently and enjoy her life.

As I watch her doing housework, playing the piano, laughing with her great grandchildren and taking walks, I am reminded of how four years ago my father called to tell me that my mother was in the Ojai Valley Community Hospital. I cannot recall ever hearing his voice sound so broken and sad. At first I could not even understand what he was saying - something about, "If only I had fixed the hallway carpet."

Continue reading "Helping My Mother to Walk Again After She Fell and Broke Her Thigh Bone " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Corporatist Rising

Not many people realize that we have a constitutionally limited, representative democracy in this country. It hasn't worked perfectly, but it did work better than no democracy at all. I say DID because it is now dead. This post isn't about the election Tuesday in Mass or the DLC infiltration of the of the Obama administration or any of those little problems. All of those little problems are swept away with today's Supreme Court decision.

Continue reading "Say Buy Buy to American Democracy" »

Posted by Sean P. Keenan at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (69) | author bio

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 " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

All I Want For Christmas is Safe, Clean Drinking Water
On a drizzly Sunday night, I went with a friend to Meditation Mount to hear a talk on "Ending World Hunger." To be honest, it was the last thing I wanted to do. I had a tooth-ache, I was tired and I have enough problems of my own taking care of my elderly parents, my animals, paying my bills and working on local issues, without adding "ending world hunger," to my already impossible to-do list.

I made the effort to show up for this event mainly because the speakers, Lyn Hebenstreit and Tara Blasco, directors of the Ojai-based Global Resource Alliance (GRA) organization, are my longtime friends. They had just returned from a two-months trip to rural East Africa to help locate new sources of clean water. I figured the least I could do was show-up to hear about it.

Continue reading "Despair and Disparity" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | author bio

Here we are on this shortest day of the Winter Solstice. A day to pause, reflect and light a candle. As we look out on the foggy early morning landscape, imagine how bleak these winter days would be without our trees, the lungs and guardians of the earth.

A few days ago one of the young readers of the Ojai Post gleefully left a video clip with a comment that said, "Check out the Ojai Hippies in the forest !" I confess the child in me laughed at the clip -- but truth is, there's nothing funny about clear-cutting trees.

Continue reading "From Copenhagen to Ojai: Clear-Cutting the Truth About Trees " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (19) | author bio

First of all, a note on OVN's personnel change a couple weeks back - I teased the story that Bret Bradigan was fired with a quick post and stated more to come. OP author Demitri Corbin subsequently posted a behind-the-scenes blog post, which was the "more to come" I was referring to. Because that blog post ruffled some feathers, Demitri decided to pull it down, which is his prerogative. Apologies to those who were confused by the course of events - I should have been more cautious in teasing a future story. - Tyler

Following is from Ojai resident Clive Leeman.

The recent departure of Ojai Valley News editor and publisher Bret Bradigan was nasty, brutish, and short. Before we even knew he was going, he was gone--no official announcement, no explanation, not even a story in the local newspaper, which Bret had edited for nine years.

Continue reading "Guest Editorial: Clive Leeman" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

Steve Olsen, Mayor Pro Tem
Sue Horgan, Councilmember
Carol Smith, Councilmember
Betsy Clapp, Councilmember

Re: Upcoming Ojai City Council Vacancy

Dear Members of the Council:

It will come as no surprise that I submit my name for consideration for appointment to fill Joe DeVito’s term on the Ojai City Council. I have attached my resume to my application, but believe that this letter outlining my more pertinent experience is appropriate.

I moved to Ojai some seventeen years ago; I had come up to explore Rose Valley Falls at the suggestion of a friend. I immediately fell in love with Ojai, came back the following weekend looking for a place to live, and moved here shortly thereafter.

Continue reading "Ojai City Council Vacancy -- Letter from Leonard J. Klaif " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Sunday, December 13, 5:00 pm, at Meditation Mount

Lyn Hebenstreit and Tara Blasco, directors of the Ojai based non-profit Global Resource Alliance (GRA) and recipients of Ojai's 2008 Noble Peace Prize, are back from their tenth field trip to Africa. They will present an inspiring two-hour program entitled, "Ending World Hunger," on Sunday, December 13, 5:00 pm, at Meditation Mount.

Lyn and Tara will give a brief overview of hunger worldwide and share their most recent two month experience in rural East Africa. Their slide-show presentation will present a first hand view of poverty and explore how to empower people to break the cycle of hunger, poverty and disease.

Continue reading "Ojai Noble Peace Prize Recipients Back from Africa -- Will Present Progam on Ending World Hunger " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

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.

Continue reading "Happy, Merry, Joyous, Cheery Chalica!" »

Posted by evan austin at 07:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Dear OWL Member, Ojai Valley resident, or other member of the public,

Please read the letter below. If you approve, reply with your first and last name, to suewill@roadrunner.com as soon as possible and we will add your name to the signatures. Please respond even if you have already sent an individual letter.

Response to Pedro Nava Memorandum on Ojai Bear Incident
To: Ben Turner, Legislative Aide, Assemblymember Nava’s Capitol Office, ben.turner@asm.ca.gov

From: the Ojai Wildlife League, (OWL) http://www.ojaiwildlifeleague.com/

Dear Assemblyman Pedro Nava and Mr. Ben Turner,

Thank you for investigating the protocol and policies that resulted in the killing of an Ojai black bear by the California Department of Fish and Game on October 10th, 2009.

Continue reading "Please Sign Letter to Pedro Nava from the Ojai Wildlife League" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

To: Roland Takayama, rtakayama@dfg.ca.gov
Dear Roland Takayama,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. It is a beautiful day here in Ojai.

I am writing because even though I have done my best to understand the circumstances and policies that resulted in the order to kill the Ojai black bear on October 10th, 2009, I am still filled with grief when I think about what happened.

Continue reading " Letter to Captain Roland Takayama, California Department of Fish and Game, re Ojai Bear Incident" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

This Letter is in response to Pedro Nava Releases Memorandum on Ojai Bear Incident

To: Ben Turner, Legislative Aide, Assemblymember Nava’s Capitol Office, ben.turner@asm.ca.gov

Dear Mr. Turner and Assemblyman Pedro Nava,

Thank you for investigating the circumstances and policies that resulted in the killing of an Ojai black bear by the California Department of Fish and Game on October 10th, 2009.

I have read the official CDFG Report, as well as all the articles and interviews with Roland Takayama, the local head warden responsible for "dispatching the bear," in various Ojai, Ventura and Santa Barbara publications.

As someone who witnessed the bear’s death, I have written several Letters and articles pointing out the conspicuous omissions in Mr. Roland Takayama’s version of the bear incident. (See Letter below).

"Dispatching" a bear should be an action of last resort --not the ignorant and cruel Fish & Game back-up plan that we witnessed here in Ojai. Killing bears does not keep bears out of residential neighborhoods. As long as attractants are present and as long as there is no mitigation during years of fire and drought, bears will come.
:

Continue reading "Letter to Assemblymember Nava from former Ojai Mayor, re Ojai Bear and Department of Fish & Game" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

It's a beautiful, sparkling, sunny autumn day here in the Ojai Valley. Three weeks have gone by since the death of the Aliso Street Bear. Some are saying, "Why all the fuss over one bear, when every day millions of other animals and people are suffering and dying?" That first Sunday morning, a few hours after I heard the bear crashing down from the tree, I knew at some level that my grief was not only for this individual bear, but for all the injustice and senseless death in the world.

The Ojai Bear Poems featured here are by local poets David Moody, Robert Peake, mt2 and Crow.

Ballad of the Aliso Street Bear
By David E. Moody, Ph.D.

I fear the two-legged creature
More than any other.
I know not why.
But my thirst
Drives me into his lair.

I wait until dark
When all his kind
Have gone into their caves
And my blackness
Blends into the night.

And there in the very heart of his land
I find where the two-legged creature
Keeps his supply of sacred water
A whole fountain of precious water
And I slake my aching thirst
To my heart's content.

Continue reading " Ojai Poetry: The Ballad of the Aliso Street Bear and Other Poems" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | author bio

The question has been raised as to whether or not Joe DeVito can vote to appoint his own successor. I was on the City Council the last time a council member was unable to complete her term. While this person was involved in the selection process, she did not actually vote, as the vote was taken after she left the council. A vacancy cannot be filled until there is actually a vacancy. If it turns ot that I am wrong about this, I will publish a correction here.

The time table on the City website http://www.ci.ojai.ca.us/ (Item 3 - Process to Fill Unexpired Council Term) states that the council plans to fill the vacancy December 8 or 15, while Devito is still in office. To learn more, come to the council meeting this Tuesday night.

Why I support Lenny Klaif
As a former mayor of the City of Ojai, I would like people to know why I support City Council candidate Leonard Klaif, either by appointment or special election.

Continue reading "Why I Support Ojai City Council Candidate Lenny Klaif " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (30) | author bio

Note from Suza: Ann Bryant is executive director of the BEAR League of Lake Tahoe. Ojai resident Sue Williamson, one of the organizers of the Ojai Wildlife League, has discussed the Ojai incident extensively with Ann. To learn more, please join us at the Bear meeting tonight, 7:30 pm, Matilija Auditorium.

Bear's death due to Department of Fish & Game incompetence,

The beautiful but unfortunate bear who inadvertently ventured into Ojai recently should most certainly still be alive today and would be were it not for the inappropriate and woefully disturbing actions of a governmental agency --the Department of Fish and Game -- that answers to no one and blatantly disregards its own mission to protect California's wildlife.

Continue reading "Ojai Bear's Death Due to Department of Fish & Game Incompetence -- Guest Editorial by Ann Bryant " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | author bio

The Council Chambers were overflowing. Every seat was taken. People were sitting on the floor. People were floating out the door. There was not enough room to hold all the outrage!

I wondered what Jere Kersnar, our City manager was thinking. He often has a smirk on his face, like a father who tolerates the foibles of his children. Tonight it was his fate to listen to testimony from two officers from Fish & Game, the Chief of Police, an animal rescuer, a pet psychic, a Chumash Elder, an avocado Rancher who has co-existed with bears for twenty years, a young boy who asked why couldn't there be a bear bag (or a net) at the bottom of the tree, and all the residents of Aliso and Signal and rest of Ojai who witnessed the Bear saga from beginning to the sad, tragic end.

Continue reading "Bears To Be On Future Ojai City Council Agenda" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (24) | author bio

Part One in a series on the Ojai Community's response to a killing of a black bear in Ojai.

One of the most misunderstood of all creatures is the bear. Like so many other Ojai residents I am filled with sorrow and anger over the killing of a black bear who climbed a tree on Aliso Street, a residential street in downtown Ojai, a few miles away from the mountains that surround the Ojai Valley.

This is not the first bear that has been killed in recent years in the neighborhoods of our valley, but we hope that it will be the last.

In our efforts to prevent this from happening again in the future, a group of concerned citizens is in the process of educating themselves about the habits of black bears, the statewide policies of the Department of Fish & Game's policy on bear encounters, and local law enforcement, as well as how other communities are handling the problems that arise when bears show up in residential neighborhoods.

The constructive idea of an "Ojai Bear Commission," has also been proposed, and will be included in this series.

Continue reading "More Ojai Residents Speak Out About the Killing of the Aliso Street Bear " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 04:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | author bio

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" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 06:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

UPDATE 6:15pm 9_25 below the fold
Mac is out of the city of Pittsburgh and on the way back to Cleveland to visit his family. He promises to write up a full report of his experiences and analysis later this evening and I'll be posting that as soon as I get it. Just finished looking at the G20 Conference accord and the first thing that strikes me is that they claim they are interested in re-regulating the financial sector. Well, yeah. That's the smart move based on the collapse of the global economy and the political pressure. BUT, they also say that the what's known as the Doha Round of the WTO, their last meeting that ended in failure, should be adopted. The Doha Round called for total deregulation of the financial sector. I'm sorry, but those two positions are mutually exclusive and they cannot be inhabited simultaneously. They may be able to close down an entire American city, ship in 5,000 cops from all over the country and deploy a combat hardened National Guard battalion to stop like 6,000 kids from annoying them, but they can't be for continued deregulation of capital and re-regulation of capital. More later...

The Ojai Post is lucky enough to actually have a person on the ground with the protesters. My good friend Mac Lojowsky has arrived in Pittsburgh this evening and he will be updating me with photos, and his impressions from the scene. Mac Lojowsky is a freelance journalist who has covered and participated in the global justice movement since 1999. He is a graduate of the Evergreen State College and makes his living as a carpenter. After the break is his first dispatch from Pittsburgh from earlier this evening.

Continue reading "G20 - Live Blog from Mac Lojowsky - UPDATE 6:15 pm 9_25" »

Posted by Sean P. Keenan at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | author bio

Guest Editorial by John van Houten, M.D.

The city of Ojai has made a concerted effort to become a “green” city in the past few years. However, it has ignored one very effective way to be more environmentally responsible, and that is by promoting cycling as an alternative form of transportation.

Ojai is a haven for recreational cyclists and even pro level cycling teams due in large part to our beautiful terrain and agreeable year round weather. However, there is no support for cycling as a form of daily transportation.

Continue reading " It's About the Bike: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthy, Wealthy and Green Ojai " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 06:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

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

Continue reading "Morning Meditation Under the Great Oak" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | author bio

The time for glitz and feel-good campaign/advertising rhetoric is over. Now we need to hear definitively what our new President is really all about.

Will he come out and support real change and reform of the health care system or will he abandon the Progressives and the people who worked so hard to get him elected last year? In short,

Will he be FDR

or will he be Grover Cleveland

It's all up to him.

Continue reading "Obama's Defining Speech Tonight! 5PM UPDATED - EPIC !" »

Posted by Sean P. Keenan at 03:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (78) | author bio

Guest Editorial by Marty Fast, a former 4-H leader who lives in Ojai

The Ventura County Fair is over. What happened to the 4-H pet market animals? Most of them have been transported to the slaughterhouse. How many of the 4-H animal owners accompanied their pets to the slaughterhouse? How many of the 4-H pet owners have ever been to a slaughterhouse to witness the horrific process of slaughter?

Continue reading "Fair No Fun for 4-H Pet Market Animals, but Happy Ending For One Lucky Pig" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 05:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

Are you a HopeDance Magazine reader? Put out by Bob Banner, who lives in San Luis Obispo, the magazine has migrated completely online via a really nice new site. Check it out, and give it a read.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

Today is auction day for the 4-H market animals at the Ventura County Fair. Yesterday, I had another talk with a friend who has been involved with 4-H since childhood. He knows everything that happens to each kind of animal from beginning to end. I do my best to be respectful of his views. But at one point in our conversation, when he was questioning why I want to save the llife of the lamb he has raised, I heard myself say, "Just imagine if the lamb were a dog. Then you would undertand how I feel."

Continue reading "Today is Auction Day for the 4-H Animals." »

Posted by Suza Francina at 06:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (17) | author bio

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" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | author bio

Dear Suza,

I have been reading your articles about 4-H kids. I understand why they should not send their animals to the slaughterhouse.

What I am about to tell you here are events that actually transpired, as accurate as my memory can recall. I could never in my life think up anything like this.

Several years ago I was living on a five-hundred acre ranch right in the middle of the Wind River Indian Reservation, a hundred miles east of the Grand Teton Park in Western Wyoming. I was trading my husbandry talents and the feeding and care of fifty horses and mules, plus summer time irrigating of all the pastures, in exchange for a nice ranch house and the use of any of the stock I wanted to ride. For me and my many dogs and cats, it was ideal.

Continue reading "Why 4-H Kids Should Not Send Their Animals to the Slaughterhouse" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 03:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (37) | author bio

Last night, like most nights, I came home from playing with my horses. It was a bit late (I'd been watching the moon rise) and it was quite dark....

Upon my arrival I am greeted at the door by my dog Orion, wildly wagging his tail as he usually does when I come home. My other dog, Willow, however, doesn’t come to greet me. “That’s odd,” I think, and so I look around for her.

She’s standing in our hallway, and her tail is wagging wildly, but she’s not facing me. She’s turning her head around to look at me and then back to stare at a a big black splotch on the floor, wiggling and waggling as she’s standing over it, but with a certain nervous, “uuuuuuhhhhh, mommmm?” tension. (Reminding me of the time that my tough cats were all lying on my crumpled harp cover on the floor in Kentucky — when I lifted it up, there were three baby chimney swifts underneath there. Apparently they were aggressive enough, even though they couldn’t fly and could barely see, that the cats felt it necessary to throw the harp cover over them and then sit on it until reinforcements arrived...)

I look to see what she’s responding to and see the big black splotch. From standing height, with no glasses, it looks like a pile of Willow fur, but I don’t think she’s likely to be focused on hair balls as she is such a conscientious, regular creator of such.

So I crouch down to peer at the big black splotch, which focuses in my eyeballs as this:

Continue reading "A Houseguest" »

Posted by Leigh Melander at 03:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | author bio

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.

Continue reading "Teaching Yoga in the Ojai Valley " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

(This post contains a guest post emailed to me by a friend who wishes to remain anonymous, but first I have to set the stage)

The fact that the Blue-Dog(Blue Cross) Democratic Caucus and Senators like Baucus(Hey, that rhymes) can block meaningful health care reform is a disturbing outrage. Now, the situation is extremely fluid and big things are afoot. The Progressive Caucus has come out to block any bill in the house that has a watered down "Public Option." We need to support those Representatives and tell them to fight for us.

Go HERE to help support the people in the House who are fighting for us.

Continue reading "Now is the time to be heard on Health Care Reform" »

Posted by Sean P. Keenan at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (28) | author bio

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.

Continue reading "Public Nakedness -- Can Nude Be Lewd? " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 12:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

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"?" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

"All I know is what I read in the newspaper," said Will Rogers. If I believed this too, then the recent article in the July issue of the Ojai Ventura View* would concern me.

The delays to get the skate park built bring up some serious questions that need to be addressed. Some people say other cities have built a skate park in less than a year from inception to ribbon cutting. So why does it take Ojai so long? Is it because we don’t have the resources or expertise to manage such a project, or is it a delay tactic as is suggested by the View? This is a simple project compared to what is in store for us to raise money and remodel the Bowl, and raises serious questions whether the City is capable of undertaking such a project.

Continue reading "Guest Editorial by Pat McPherson:"Why does it take Ojai so long to build a skate park?"" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

Yoga in the Ojai Valley

In my articles here on the Ojai Post, I've discussed how yoga props make yoga safer and more effective for people with osteoporosis and other health issues.

People sometimes tell me, “But not everyone can afford to go to a yoga class or purchase all those expensive props like yoga bolsters, backbenders or wall ropes.” One person even accused me of being “elitist,” arguing that many people cannot afford to attend classes at fully equipped yoga centers and that they don’t have the money to purchase props for home use.

My reply is this: One year of yoga often costs less than a single day in the hospital! Plus there are convenient alternatives to standard props for situations in which yoga props are not available. In fact, the greatest props of all for improving your balance and building strong bones -- walls, kitchen counters and chairs-- are usually readily available.

Continue reading "One Year of Yoga Costs Less Than a Day in the Hospital" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

Guest Editorial by Ojai Resident Thomas Sherk

I am writing to let people know what really happened on the 4th of July.

Some time in June I saw a Letter to the Editor in the Ojai Valley News by Earth Friend Gen for the July 4th Almost Naked Bike Ride. I decided to do the Ride because I was raised by a hippy mother who brought us to nudist beaches and camps throughout childhood. I recently talked with my mom who is gravely ill and not long for this world. Out of a tribute to her, I decided to participate. Prior to the 4th, I had never met Earth Friend Gen.

As a group, we met at the Y and rolled on the bike path towards the parade. Turning left on Bristol, we approached the parade crowd from the rear. As we got closer, a middle aged white male approached me and pulled a knife out of his front pocket, opened it and stepped towards me, saying, “I will cut your f*****g nuts off.” He continued walking towards me. I had to back up when he was within a foot of me. He threatened two other people on bikes next to me in the same way.

Continue reading "My 4th of July Bike Ride " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (20) | author bio

PR from the fine folk at the Ojai Valley Museum...

Elise DePuydt Presentation and Book Signing with
Guest Speakers: Sculptor Ted Gall and Mosaic Artist Merilee Eaton

Ojai Valley Museum, Sunday Gathering
July 26, 2 – 4 pm
Admission Free

The Ojai Valley Museum’s Sunday Gathering on July 26, from 2 – 4 pm, will feature a presentation and book signing with Ojai author Elise DePuydt who has recently launched an Ojai art and history book titled: A Photo Guide to Fountains and Sculpture of Ojai: Art, History & Architecture. The book is a valuable guide to publicly viewable art and historical places of the Ojai Valley. It has over 200 beautiful full-color photos taken by the author and a collection of historical black and white photos.

Continue reading "OV Museum: Presentation and Book Signing" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

I can feel in my bones that this is a good day to introduce my Blog:
Yoga for Healthy Bones

I started this blog about a year ago to help answer the questions I'm frequently asked about practicing yoga after being diagnosed with osteoporosis, arthritis, and related health concerns. When my eighty-eight year old mother fell and broke her thigh bone and ended up at the Ojai Hospital for surgery and rehabilitation, I was faced with the challenge of getting her out of a wheelchair and walking again. So this blog gives me the oppotunity to share what I've learned working with elders and people of all ages and abilities who want to keep their amazing skeletal structure strong for a lifetime --without taking Forteo or the other latest toxic miracle bone drug.

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

"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" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

By Ojai author Stephen Mitchell

Take a gentle deep breath, turn on the sound,
and please click here: Psalm 122

I rejoiced when I heard them announce,
“The time of warfare is past.
No more will brother hate brother
or violence have its way.
No more will they drown out God’s silence
and shut their hearts to his song.”

Pray for peace in the cities
and harmony among the races.
May peace come to live on our streets
and justice within our walls.
With all my heart I will pray
that peace comes to live among us.
For the sake of all earth’s people,
I will do my utmost for peace.

(The Psalms, translated by Stephen Mitchell)

I dedicate Psalm 122
to evan Austin and his family,
Tara Blasco and Lyn Hebenstreit, the 2008 Noble Peace Prize honorees,
and the Ojai Peace Coalition.
Look for them in the 2009 Parade, Entry #46!

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

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."

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" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 03:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

If you're feeling too CENSORED here on The Ojai Post, then you have a brand new home at The Uncensored Ojai Poste.

Says UOP Founder Jock Doubleday: "Voice your opinion without censorship! Please include your full name, town and state, web site, and email address with every post or comment."

He also says "The Illuminati Will Fall" just so you know what you're getting into. Congrats, Jock, on an original site with an original name!

UPDATE 3:27pm: Did the Illuminati get to Jock?

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (28) | author bio

Death cuts you off with a very, very, very sharp razor from your attachments, from your gods, from your superstitions, from your desire for comfort . . . So how can I find out, actually, not theoretically, what it means to die? It means to be totally free, to be totally unattached to everything that man has put together, or what you have put together . . . totally free. . . While you are living, every moment you are dying, so that throughout life you are not attached to anything. That is what death means.
-- J. Krishnamurti, public talk, January 1, 1986, six weeks before his death

The Ojai Valley News web site has a spot that lists "RECENT DEATHS." There I read the names of my teachers and classmates from Matilija and Nordhoff... childhood dentists and doctors from long ago...my yoga students.... former mayors and city council members....Ojai activists....old friends and acquaintances... I am aware that someday my parent's name and then my own name....will appear under "RECENT DEATHS..."

Yesterday I got a shock when I suddenly saw the name of Ted Cartee, a man with deep roots in Ojai, a man only a few years older than me. I got on the phone and called one of his longtime friends. Today I read his obituary in the Ventura County Star. I am posting it here. I don't know what else to do. Life goes by in the twinkling of an eye. One brief moment in eternity he and I were carpooling to a meeting at the Government Center. We were laughing, speaking out, celebrating some small victory for Life On Planet Earth. Next moment we drop the body and fly free of this Earthly realm, with all it's joys and sorrows.

Yoga classes end with Savasana, Corpse Pose. Why do we do yoga? We do yoga to fully incarnate and consciously inhabit our bodies. And to prepare for death.

Continue reading "In Memory of Theodore "Ted" L. Cartee, Ojai Activist, Spiritual Seeker, Kindred Spirit" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

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.

Continue reading "New Iyengar Yoga Class Friday Mornings at 8 AM with Suza Francina at Sacred Space Studio in Ojai" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 06:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Routine enough. Visit the dentist for my semi-annual teeth scraping. Piece of cake. Sure.

Arrive at Dr. J’s on schedule with Sweetie in tow. Hygienist greets me. “Hi Fred, plunk yourself down. Comfy? How about a pillow for your head? You’ve got great teeth. What’s your secret?” OK, fun’s over.

We’re half-way through the scraping with that tool you think will slip and rip your gums to shreds. “Oops. Look at that. Your crown popped off. Good thing it didn’t happen while you were eating.” Ugly thoughts speed through my mind. “We’ll get Dr. J to glue it back in place. No big deal.” Sure.

Continue reading "Open wide..." »

Posted by Fred Rothenberg at 09:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Hi all - I asked Mark to write up a post regarding his experience with Parkinson's Disease, and a song he wrote which has been very well received. Give it a read, and check out the song, which is available for download at the bottom of Mark's site.

The PD Song

My name is Mark Solomon. I'm a TV writer/producer. I've lived here in Ojai for 20 years. Many of those years were spent commuting back and forth to the Valley since I was producing such shows as ALICE, GRACE UNDER FIRE and DIAGNOSIS:MURDER. I was also Executive Producer of NEWHART (By the by, I was nominated for an Emmy for writing the now famous LAST NEWHART episode! Unfortunately, I lost to an episode of THE WONDER YEARS about the death of a teacher! Funny stuff! Go figure!)

2 1/2 years ago, I found out I had Parkinson's Disease. I'm still at a very early stage, though I do have tremors in my right arm and leg. It's noticeable and like Michael J. Fox, I tried to hide it. I sucked at it! People could tell something was wrong with me.

Continue reading "Guest Editorial: Mark Solomon and The PD Song" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

Here I am the week of my 60th birth day dismantling my whole life and moving all my Earthly belongings (mostly books, manuscripts, journals, photographs, yoga props and daily-life essentials like kitchenware, towels and bedding), into an 8 x 8 x 12' PODS container. It feels like some kind of rite of passage or initiation. A 60th birthday cleanse!
View image

Continue reading "My 60th Birthday: Coincidence or Cosmic Plan? " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (12) | author bio

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.

The Last Lady of the Cats

This is a personal story, including some author speculation, based on encounters with one of Ojai’s not-so-atypical, possibly mystical beings…

Ojai has talking cats. English-speaking, talking cats.

But today, there’s only one Ojaian left who can hear them properly.

And she’s not talking.

Continue reading "Ojai Myths Series Installment No. 4" »

Posted by Sean P. Keenan at 04:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | author bio

Confused about the May 19th Special Election?

Recommendations from the Ojai Valley Democrats:
___________________
1A - NO
1B - YES
1C - NO
1D - NO
1E - NO
1F - YES
___________________
As some of you are aware, there's an election coming up. May 19th you will be asked to vote on Propositions 1A, B, C, D, E & F. This is a special election called because the legislature needs your vote to change the Constitution of the State of California. This is a direct result of the budget the legislature passed in February to deal with a $42 billion deficit. Since the budget was fashioned back in January - February, the deficit has grown, some say higher than $50 billion, so this budget doesn't even actually solve the whole budget shortfall to date. The Ojai Valley Democrats met on Monday, April 27th and we discussed in depth and voted on our recommendations, the following is what we decided.

Continue reading "Are you ready to Vote?" »

Posted by Sean P. Keenan at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

Posted by Sean P. Keenan at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | author bio

I had the unique opportunity to taste many delights at the Ojai and Ventura Famers Markets this weekend and wrote a piece about it for the VC Reporter. It was a blessed Easter weekend -- spring has sprung at the markets and there are lots of new products and surprises in store! For a slideshow of lots of photos! and more information about new products and vendors, (particularly at the Ojai Market), visit my blog.
Mange!

We also indulged in fresh curds of cheese ($5 for half a pound) from Ojai’s cheese guru — you’ll recognize him by the triangle of cheese on his head and the shirt that reads “What a friend we have in Cheeses.” We dipped the chewy delicious curds in some Mt. Olive Organic Pear Butter ($5 per jar) for an out-of-this-world taste explosion. The pear butter had the light grit of pear and the cinnamon and spice combination of unfiltered apple juice — divine!

Posted by DK Crawford at 01:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

It was the perfect night to have the ordinance Banning All Leaf Blowers within the City on the agenda. The winds were howling and the leaves were blowing wild and free. Surely the whole Ojai City Council would see that leaf blowers are among the least justifiable and most obnoxious technological inventions dreamed up by modern man.

Six weeks ago, at the March 4 City Council meeting, a recommendation was made by City staff to repeal the ordinance dealing with gas-powered leaf blowers in residential neighborhoods. At that meeting (as well as other meetings in recent years) numerous members of the public spoke up in favor of a city-wide ban on all leaf blowers, gas and electric.

At last night's meeting this was item #9 on the agenda and the hour was late. This time only Marleen Luckman and I spoke up in support of Option A: "No person shall operate a leaf blower, whether fuel or electrically powered, within the City."

Marleen Luckman, an environmental health expert and member of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, reiterated the many health issues that she and other speakers had addressed in past meetings.

When it was my turn to speak at the podium I expressed that there should be no question that at the very least a City as classy as Ojai should adopt Option B: "No person shall operate a gas or fuel powered leaf blower within the City." This would strengthen the current ordinance, described above.

Continue reading "Update on the Ordinance Banning All Leaf Blowers in Ojai" »

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

I am very pleased to announce that the Post has a new partner in E.W. Scripps, which also owns the VC Star. Scripps is taking a minority stake in the Post, and will be providing much needed resources and some capital infusion, so that we can expand greatly, including highly targeted local and national advertising that will allow us to hire a staff to do local news and investigative reporting. More from the press release below...

OJAI, CA (AP) -- Community blog The Ojai Post (www.ojaipost.com) today announced the sale of an equity stake to media publisher E.W. Scripps.

E.W. Scripps has committed significant resources in a cash and stock deal worth more than $1 million. Funds will be used to expand on-site advertising, create a daily print publication, install newspaper racks and acquire shares in a tree farm co-op to hedge against increasing paper costs.

"The Ojai Post is our gateway into a well-educated, upwardly mobile market that we have long coveted," said Robert Zurunkle, VP Acquisitions for E.W. Scripps. "We also see operational synergy with The Ojai Post's new sister publication, the Ventura County Star."

Many noted investigative efforts by the Ojai publication contributed to its valuation and subsequent investment by E.W. Scripps. Ojai Post founder Tyler Suchman will take a position in the interactive team at the new online version of another E.W. Scripps publication, the Rocky Mountain News.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (14) | author bio

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" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

For the life of me, I don't see how our city manager's recommendation to direct staff to prepare an ordinance repealing Section 5-11.05(e) of the Municipal Code, dealing with leaf blowers, fits in with the Roadmap to a Sustainable Ojai (posted on the City's web site) and our stated goal of making Ojai a model green community.

If you Google questions like "what Cities ban leaf blowers?" or "do leaf blowers make workers hard of hearing?" etc., hundreds of web sites pop up. This morning I e-mailed a copy of the most comprehensive document I've found so far, copied below, to our city manager, council members and interested members of the public.

FACTS

Click on Links Below for Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Leaf Blowers:

Leaf Blower Noise and Its Consequences
http://www.nonoise.org/quietnet/cqs/leafblow.htm#conseq

Air Pollution From Leaf Blowers
http://www.nonoise.org/quietnet/cqs/leafblow.htm#air

Leaf Blowers and Health: Letter to California Air Resources Board
http://www.nonoise.org/quietnet/cqs/leafblow.htm#carblett

Continue reading "Are Leaf Blowers On the Roadmap to a Sustainable Ojai?" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | author bio

i'm very excited to announce the NEW Ojai Peace Coalition Action Blog at

www.ojaipeace.org

Posted by evan austin at 06:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

I am very pleased to announce that I am adding two authors to our roster.

Fred Rothenberg was referred to me when I put out the word that I was looking for a blogger who could represent the elderly population in Ojai. Fred was an inspired recommendation - retired now after working in the healthcare industry, he is active with HELP of Ojai, the Library Friends and Foundation, and a heck of a blogger is in own right.

Sean P. Keenan, aka SPK, is sure to stir things up with his writings on politics, civil liberties, theater and more. I hardly need to introduce him to Post readers, but be sure to check out his bio, and roll up your sleeves for some thoughtful discussion.

I'm also on the lookout for a blogger to represent the Hispanic community, who can post bilingually. Ideally, this person is deeply involved in the Ojai community, and can communicate the opportunities, challenges and culture of Hispanics locally and beyond. Get in touch with your recommendations.

So please join me in welcoming the new guys. Hope you enjoy.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 02:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

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.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (14) | author bio

Happy Mardi Gras! i.e., Fat Tuesday!

As many of you know, I grew up in Lafayette, LA, the heart of Cajun country. Today most everyone I know from back home is out, dressed up in purple, green and gold, camped out somewhere along the parade route waiting for floats pass by and "throw them some beads!"

Mardi Gras is a huge carnival that originated in Paris and starts with fancy costume balls held weeks before the actual day followed by parades starting at least a week before. One of my favorite "carnival" times used to be in New Orleans the weekend before the day. There were still huge floats, tons of beads but a much more moderate crowd.

Continue reading "Happy Mardi Gras! Cajun Kitchen Cafe' and My Hunt for Beads!" »

Posted by DK Crawford at 01:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

Tired of having your windshield smashed by loose rock flying off a double hopper gravel truck?

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?" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 06:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

Last December, on the Friday before Christmas, my loyal dog Queenie died. I know the day for sure because there are comments about her passing on the Ojai Post.

Queenie was an Australian Shepherd, a Queensland Heeler, also known as an "Aussie" dog. She came to me through a friend who found her wandering the East End. No one came to claim her when my friend brought her to the Humane Society, so I adopted her. She was my loving companion for about ten years.

This week, with the Winter Solstice and Christmas coming around again, I was reminded that Queenie died a year ago.

Well, guess what? On Thursday, out of the blue, I got a call from an Ojai woman who rescues dogs on death row.

Continue reading "Synchronicity:The Friday Before Christmas " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 03:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (101) | author bio

Jason is a friend of mine I met during my first year at University of Santa Monica (USM). He recently became an author for the Huffington Post. Here is his debut article for them published a couple days ago. Don't worry Tyler he retains all rights to his work.
----------------------------------
3 Ways to Get Self-Centered For The Holidays
Jason Mannino

Premise
When we think "self-centered," unpleasant images often come to mind; but it becomes important in the context of self-actualization to distinguish SELF centered from EGO centered.

How do you distinguish SELF centered from EGO centric? For a moment, listen to the thoughts constantly playing in your head. They may be the ones stressing you out about whether you can afford to buy that very important person in your life the new Macbook they want so badly. The part of you having the thoughts is your EGO. The part of you that can hear them is the true essence of who you are, which lives beyond your mind and body. It is your-SELF.

Continue reading "3 Ways to Get Self-Centered For The Holidays" »

Posted by Raymond Powers at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

In a case titled "Elizabeth Ann Vergilio Vs. County of Ventura," the owners of the Ozena gravel mine challenged the County's right to impose hours of operation and transit through the Ojai Valley.

Judge Reiser ruled against Virgilio and Ozena. Even though Stop the Trucks was not a direct participant in this case, it is a huge victory for the Coalition. Much of the County's brief was based on our research and complaints.

The "Stop the Trucks" Coalition has not only been supporting the County's contention that the rules must hold, we've also insisted that the County also actually enforce those rules.

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Ozena Loses Court Case on Trucking Hours" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

I was raised in the Pentecostal church. Somewhere in my subconscious are the memories of hundreds of hours reading the Bible, listening to Sunday school teachers, youth pastors, and fervent "fire and brimstone" preachers. We belonged to the Assemblies of God, the world's largest Pentecostal denomination. Thanks to the church sponsorship, my family was able to emigrate from Holland to Ojai.

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be "saved" and turn my Life over to God. Especially during revivals. But, fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on ones point of view, even as an eight-year old I questioned the Bible. My sisters and I sang "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so...." almost every Sunday morning, sometimes in front of the whole church, accompanied by the piano or organ. But I was the only one in my family brave enough to raise my trembling hand and ask questions like, "How can we be happy in heaven with all those other people burning in hell?"

From bumper stickers and conversations, I gather that most of my family members oppose same-sex marriage. This morning I read this week's Newsweek Cover Story on Gay Marriage. The opening paragraph said,

Continue reading "What the Bible Teaches About Marriage" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (56) | author bio

Excerpt: BBC complete article by David Bain, lecturer in philosophy at the University of Glasgow

Suppose that Fred existed shortly after the Big Bang. He had unlimited intelligence and memory, and knew all the scientific laws governing the universe and all the properties of every particle that then existed. Thus equipped, billions of years ago, he could have worked out that, eventually, planet Earth would come to exist, that you would too, and that right now you would be reading this article.

After all, even back then he could have worked out all the facts about the location and state of every particle that now exists.

And once those facts are fixed, so is the fact that you are now reading this article. No one's denying you chose to read this. But your choice had causes (certain events in your brain, for example), which in turn had causes, and so on right back to the Big Bang. So your reading this was predictable by Fred long before you existed. Once you came along, it was already far too late for you to do anything about it.

Now, of course, Fred didn't really exist, so he didn't really predict your every move. But the point is: he could have. You might object that modern physics tells us that there is a certain amount of fundamental randomness in the universe, and that this would have upset Fred's predictions. But is this reassuring? Notice that, in ordinary life, it is precisely when people act unpredictably that we sometimes question whether they have acted freely and responsibly. So freewill begins to look incompatible both with causal determination and with randomness. None of us, then, ever do anything freely and responsibly."

Posted by Raymond Powers at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

The following article is by my friends Gordon Davidson and Corinne McLaughlin, who frequently visit Ojai and teach at Meditation Mount.

There has always been a higher, spiritual hand active in the life of the United States, beginning with its founding in 1776 by one of the greatest gatherings of political geniuses ever seen on the planet. And throughout its 212 year life, at each moment of agonizing need, the United States has seen an inspired leader emerge to meet the crises of the times with vision, strength and the gifts required. Abraham Lincoln saved the Union and ended slavery, Franklin D. Roosevelt acted boldly to help end the Great Depression and defeat the Axis Powers. And now, in this moment of historical crisis, another great leader, uniquely qualified to meet the needs of our nation and the world, has come forth, overlighted by Spirit, as an expression of the soul of the American people.

Continue reading "The Spiritual Dimensions of Obama's Leadership" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (22) | author bio

Here we are! The River of Life has brought us to this day. It's easy to be philosophical about the outcome of a small-town City Council Election, but I cannot imagine the state of mind of Barack Obama and John McCain as the clock is ticking down.

Yesterday I met with Carlon Strobel, our wonderful Ojai City Clerk, and she reminded me of what happens if there is a tie. Here in our small town, where only about 8,000 residents live within the City Limit, (approximately 4,800 registered voters), if a candidate loses by even a single vote, there is no provision for a recount. Therefore... if it's a tie.... the winner is determined by A TOSS OF THE COIN! (Or, they can pick straws. Either way, it's in the hands of fate.)

So in case there are any undecided voters, here are my
Endorsements from the Ojai Community and Beyond
FrancinaSuzaflyer.pdf

Continue reading "Ojai Elections: What Happens If There Is A Tie?" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 05:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

It seems like a hundred years since I bicycled over to City Hall to take out candidate papers for this year's Ojai City Council election, but it was only August 6th.

In order to qualify, I needed at least 25 signatures of registered voters living within the City of Ojai. That part only took a few hours. Then I discovered that the cost of a ballot statement has gone up from $350 in 1996 to $600. As a writer and yoga teacher of modest means, with many four-legged friends to feed, that almost stopped me in my tracks.

As the word got out, the universe delivered a sprinkle of checks and $20 bills. By the end of the week I was an official Ojai City Council Candidate. Since then there have been about ten interviews, four Candidate forums, and dozens of other campaign related activities. Today, for the first-time, there is no forum to prepare for, no questionnaire or other time-sensitive document to fill out. In case anyone is curious what all is involved in running for office, here are some of the highlights, and a list of the interview/forum questions, in chronological order.

Continue reading "101 Questions for Ojai City Council Candidates" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

John Wilcock is an unassuming local author with a rich tapestry of a life over 81 years. One of the original co-founders of the NY Village Voice in 1955, John has written for alternative and underground publications and syndicates for decades. He also is a stalwart on public access TV, and published some comments on our recent public access thread.

He has rolled out the chapters of his autobiography over the last year, and chapter 25 is all about Ojai. (Although I get way too much credit for Stop The Trucks, which has far more dedicated flagbearers than I.) An excerpt follows:

MOSTLY I’M BLISSFULY CONTENT living in Ojai. It’s a tranquil haven whose amiable folk, much like people in small towns everywhere, smile and offer a friendly greeting as they meet in the street. The police were all-too ubiquitous when I arrived but now do an excellent job of handling unobtrusively what small amount of crime there is.The surrounding countryside and especially the Los Padre mountains are a delight. But living here can get pretty boring. Unless you’re involved with the local theater or are a fan of bar life, there’s nowhere to hang out, which makes it hard to meet people. That’s why I go away so often. Occasionally I make new friends on trips, but they don’t live in Ojai and most have the mistaken impression that it’s too far to come for a visit--although Los Angeles can be reached within a couple of hours’ drive.

And be sure to read Bret Bradigan's closing letter which refers to "trustafarians" and "trust-fund hippies" no less than five times with a nice sprinkling of "rich liberals", "liberal elitists", "pathological narcissists", "smug entitlement" and "smug certainty" to boot. w00t!

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

(photo credit to Ray Smith, Daly Road Graphics)

1) Do you now or have you in the past personally supported "Stop the Trucks!"

The City Council has agreed to give financial support to the "Stop the Trucks" organization. There are some legal hurdles that need to be addressed, but I believe we need to find a way to make it happen.

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: City Council Candidate, Betsy Clapp, Answers Our Election Year Questions" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 02:41 PM | Permalink | author bio

Danger Apparently Still Being Ignored by Planning Division

(All pictures are courtesy of Maureen and Dan Smith, Wheeler Hot Springs)

In a August 21, 2006 letter regarding the Ozena Valley Ranch Mining project, the Board of the Ojai Valley Municipal Advisory Council warned Christopher Stephens, then the Director of Planning for the Ventura County Planning Division and now the head of the entire Resource Managment Agency for the County, that "SR-33 has suffered many landslides and slipped roadways in past years. The vibration created by the mine's trucks on SR-33 may be adding significantly to the problem of road slippage, slumps, and slides. No review of vibration as a potential impact on SR-33 has been included in the Draft MND and vibration from trucks may present a significant adverse impact on the environment."

In February of 2008 a portion of Route 33 collapsed into the river. Below are a dozen photographs of the damage done, indicating the collapse was far more significant than originally reported.

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: County Planning Officials Failed to Heed Warnings About Potential Road Collapse " »

Posted by Howard Smith at 04:31 PM | Permalink | author bio

At last night's Ojai City Council forum/debate, someone in the audience asked the question, "Do you consider it appropriate for the city council to take a position on state issues, such as Proposition 2, or national issues, such as the war in Iraq, or international issues, such as global warming?"

In my one-minute response, I pointed out the fact that many California City Councils, individual City Council Members, Mayors and Former Mayors, Senators, Representatives, Assembly Members and other elected officials do in fact take a position on state and national issues.

For example, if you visit the YesOnProp 2 website you will see endorsements from over one hundred elected federal, state and local officials including US Senators Barbara
Boxer and Dianne Feinstein; State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and

Continue reading "Does Ojai Care About Animals?" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (68) | author bio

The signs are up, many of us have already voted, and most have probably already decided, so let's have at it, Ojai! What's your understanding of Proposition 8, and where do you stand?

* FIRST THINGS FIRST: As a Citizen and as a No On 8 supporter, i mourn what appears to be defacement of the two large Yes On 8 signs in the Valley (in front of the Baptist church and at Crestview Drive) and reject that action as gravely injurious to the mutual integrity needed to keep our discourse civil and rational, and our democracy healthy. i certainly empathize with the frustration that these acts were likely borne of, and hope that damages can be swiftly repaired.

SECOND, let's please be respectful of each other and of this forum by adhering to the posted community standards: Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. You also agree not to impersonate any regular authors or commenters with the intent to participate in deceptive dialogue. Violators may be banned. Please treat fellow commenters with civility and respect, as if you were engaging in person. Despite differing opinions, we would all like to see Ojai's character and quality of life preserved and improved for generations to come. We're in this together. i recognize that this can be a deep and passionate issue, and encourage us all to rise above the virtual sign-defacement that personal attacks would amount to and represent.

Continue reading "The 8 Debate" »

Posted by evan austin at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (90) | author bio

FILM FESTIVAL DATES
November 6-7-8-9, 2008
PRESS CONTACT: Maureen McFadden
(805)966-0190/momcfadden@aol.com

Ojai’s Ninth Annual Film Fest
2008 SLATE OF FILMS ANNOUNCED ALONG WITH CELEBRITIES

Ninth Annual Ojai Film Festival spools out its programs November 6 – 9 with 57 independent films, lifetime achievement honor ceremonies, and a seminar to fill in the four-day event. Hosting sponsor and headquarters for the festival is the premiere AAA five-diamond award-winning resort, the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.

Ojai has become a viable path for filmmakers and their work to get noticed. Hollywood producer, Peter Guber said of the Ojai FF at the podium of the Toronto Film Festival last year, “Ojai is the next Telluride!” That festivalis like Ojai, a four-day event focused on films one would not otherwise see in the mainstream but of a very high caliber. Artistic Director, Steve Grumette, who was one of the founders of the festival in 2000 said, “There are so many more films being made since the advent of digital technology, and in the past eight years, the festival has sent over a dozen films on to win the highest honors in the industry, including Academy Award nominations and Oscars.”

Continue reading "Ojai Film Festival Announces Slate of Films" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 06:29 PM | Permalink | author bio

"Stop the Trucks" has turned its attention from Diamond Rock to the Ozena Valley Ranch and Gravel mine.

At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting the council agreed to give financial support to the Stop the Trucks Coalition, after a victory for the citizens’ group in August...

“After this agreement has been worked out, keeping the Diamond Rock Mine’s trucks out of Ojai, it has been pretty clear to me that whatever this group did, they did it successfully,” said Mayor Sue Horgan.

For Nao Braverman's full story go to the Ojai Valley News Blog at:

http://ojaivalleynews.blogspot.com/2008/10/council-to-help-fund-stop-trucks-effort.html

Posted by Howard Smith at 05:59 PM | Permalink | author bio

This Tuesday, October 14th, at 7:30 pm the Ojai City Council will meet for its regular session. Part of the agenda will be devoted to discussions on how to co-ordinate efforts to deal with the Ozena Valley Ranch & Gravel Mine's proposed renewal and modification of their C.U.P. with the County of Ventura.

Given the well documented negative impact of these highly disruptive and polluting mining and trucking operations on agriculture, fishing, the economy, our water supply, our environment and the health of our children, the "Stop the Trucks" Coalition urges everyone in the Ojai Valley to attend and share your opinions with the City Council.

Posted by Howard Smith at 09:52 AM | Permalink | author bio

(Trucks passes through town on Ojai Ave & Montgomery, photo credit to Ray Smith, Daly Road Graphics)

In documents recently obtained by the Ojai "Stop the Trucks" through a Ventura County Public Records Request, the Coalition has learned that Ozena wants to alter their existing permit so that trucking through the Ojai Valley will begin as early as 3:00 am and continue as late as 6:00 pm during the week with "No Route Restrictions" at all on Saturdays!

This proposal would more than double trucking from a total of seven hours a day during the week to a new and even more intrusive and disturbing 15 hours a day!

In a recent review of weigh tickets from 2007, the "Stop the Trucks" Coalition estimated that Ozena is likely now violating existing permit hours in trips through Ojai by as much as 55%. In a letter to "Stop the Trucks," County CEO, Ms. Marty Robinson, agreed with the Coalition that violations have been under reported by the Planning Division.

In a further review of emails obtained through that same Records Request, we found that the agent for Ozena, John Hecht of West Coast Environmental & Engineering, rejected the consultant the County originally selected, URS, because: "...the proposed costs did not appear in line to the anticipated scope of work. Ozena believes that a competitive process will provide a qualified CEQA contractor in a more cost effective manner."

In a separate email Mr. Hecht then went on to propose the names of three other firms:

Continue reading "STOP THE TRUCKS: Ozena Wants to Expand Hours of Trucking Thru Ojai and Hand Pick the Consultant who will Review their new Proposal!" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 09:22 AM | Permalink | author bio

In a letter to the Ojai "Stop the Trucks" Coalition, Ventura County CEO, Ms. Marty Robinson, wrote: "After the CEO's office reviewed the July and August 2007 weigh tickets tickets communicated by the RMA" (Resource Management Agency) "a statistically significant sampling of the 649 original tickets was conducted by our office and it was determined that potential northbound violations were omitted from consideration by the Planning Division. If these potential northbound violations had been included , the number of violations would have been materially higher..."

"Stop the Trucks" had previously reported that upwards of 55% of all Ozena related trips through the Ojai Valley were likely in violation of these rules.

Continue reading "STOP THE TRUCKS: County CEO Finds Ozena Violations Greater Than Reported" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:18 AM | Permalink | author bio

Ojai Post author Gay Hendricks and his wonderful wife Katie penned an editorial for the Huffington Post today with 439 comments and counting. An excerpt...

It's high time we got to see an honest, loving, real relationship in the White House. If you're like us, you probably don't want to spend the next four years hearing how much the perfectly-coiffed Mrs. McCain has spent on her outfit, which of their nine houses they're weekending at or which of their thirteen cars they're wheeling around in. There's something bigger to worry about, though. If the actuarial tables have any predictive value, a McCain presidency would soon become a Palin presidency, and that is a scenario truly frightening to contemplate.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Continue reading "OJAI FILM FESTIVAL ARRIVES SOON!" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 04:31 PM | Permalink | author bio

Greg, Sabine and the kids are taking an extended driving trip up through Canada and back, and documenting the whole thing on a blog. Some other Ojai locals get some ink as well. Check it out, its a great read...

UPDATE: (whoops, forgot the site! sorry...) parentinguntethered.wordpress.com

...one common experience I found in all the wonderful towns and cities that we have been to, both in the U.S and Canada, is that the police force tend to be on foot and not driving or sitting in their cars. We have been in Canada for two weeks now and I still have not seen a police car. When is the last time you saw a cop on foot in Ojai?

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 06:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

SuzaforOjai.com

More Info About Suza at SmartVoter.org

I am pleased to announce that I have been endorsed by the National Women's Political Caucus
Ventura County

Note: Endorsements are valley-wide and beyond. You do not need to live in the City of Ojai to endorse an Ojai City Council Candidate. If you would like to endorse me, please send your name, address and phone number to info@suzaforojai.com . (To learn more about all the candidates, visit the Ojai City Council link at the upper right corner of the Ojai Post page.)

I welcome your questions, suggestions and ideas for making Ojai a model green and sustainable community.

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (17) | author bio

If I had a chance to ask a question during the Joe Biden-Sarah Palin debate, I would ask Governor Palin: "Do you believe in dinosaurs?"

As a creationist who claims that the world was literally created by God in seven days, she rejects the theory of evolution and therefore cannot believe in dinosaurs.

If she answers, "Yes, i do believe in dinosaurs," she will be contradicting her whole belief system.

Why is this question important? Because Palin's fundamentalist beliefs and the preaching in her church in Wasilla shape her political aspirations. Her regular pastor, Ed Kalins, suggested in 2004 that those who voted for John Kerry would not go to heaven and in 2005 that anyone who criticized President Bush after hurricane Katrina would go to hell.

Continue reading "Ojai's Clive Leeman asks, " Does Sarah Palin Believe In Dinosaurs?"" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (28) | author bio

Posted by Howard Smith at 04:45 PM | Permalink | author bio

I hope I can stop laughing long enough to post this piece by Garrison Keillor. What a pity he lives in Lake Wobegon and not in Ojai! If you need some comic relief, read on...

Continue reading "Comic Relief" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

(Caltrans photo of the collapse of Maricopa Highway in Cuyama Valley)

Last week in a Ventura County Star article by Tony Biasotti, Ventura County officials conceded that there are significant problems in the Planning Division but the real questions is this: Are they Willing To Change?

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/04/officials-concede-land-use-problems/

According to Biasotti Ventura County officials hosted an unusual meeting in a conference room just off of the courthouse cafeteria.

"Everyone on our team has affirmed we have a problem here," Matt Carroll, the top deputy to County Executive Officer Marty Robinson, said at the opening of the meeting. "The facts speak for themselves."

"Complaints about the system from developers and property owners are nothing new..." " But this time, the county is listening and often agreeing..."

"Last year, the county commissioned a report on its land-use procedures by Tom Berg, a consultant who once held (Chris) Stephens' current position as Resource Management Agency director. Based on interviews with 75 people in and out of county government, Berg's report concluded that the land-use process was in need of "systemic changes."

"The county put together a committee of high-level managers, including Carroll and Stephens, to analyze Berg's recommendations and start putting them into action."

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Ventura County Officials Finally Admit there are Problems and MAC Candidate Jerry Kaplan Responds to our Election Year Questions" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 02:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Suza Francina for Ojai City Council

Dear Ojai Post Reader,

As you may know, I am running for re election to the Ojai City Council. This election takes place the same time as the General Election, on November 4th.

There are two open seats on the Ojai City Council. I am asking for your vote for one of them.

If you are a regular reader of the Ojai Post you have probably seen my articles on a wide range of topics, from birth to death to animals, leaf-blowers, alternative transportation and other environmental issues*. The fact of the matter is that local, national and global politics touches every aspect of our lives from the moment we enter the Planet till our inevitable departure.

When I ran in 1996 there were no web sites like the Ojai Post. E-mail and the Internet was not yet a part of our daily lives. After I was elected, the city manager laughingly told me that I sent the first ever e-mail to City Hall. So here I am, posting the first Ojai City Council fund-raising letter on the Internet.

Continue reading "Preserving the Spirit of Ojai " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | author bio

Do You Support this Vision of Ojai?

(Downtown Ojai in Winter, photo credit to Lauren Simone)

Or This Vision?

(A traffic at the "Y." Photo credit to Daly road Graphics, Ray Smith)

Suza Francina was the first of the five candidates competing for two City Council vacancies to respond to our questions for candidates. (see below) "Stop the Trucks" hopes the other City Council candidates and those running for the MAC (Municipal Advisory Council) will take a few moments to answer a few questions online. We would like each candidate to share their thoughts with the public on the how they intend to deal with the long term threat posed by gravel trucking through Ojai and the blind eye that the Ventura County Planning Division is seemingly paying to regular daily violations of the existing Conditional Use Permits (C.U.P.'s).

Continue reading "Stop The Trucks - Second Election Edition" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 03:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Ray Smith of Daly Road Graphics sent us these notes and photographs about Gravel Trucks in which it appears that trucks coming and going from Santa Paula are driving on residential streets. If true this would a clear violation of local road and traffic regulations. While we await further confirmation, here is Ray's first person report:

" I spotted another truck near my home. Apparently, they are coming from Santa Paula, but instead of going through downtown via Ojai Avenue, they cut north to Grand Avenue. They head east, turn onto West Summer St.,
then south on Canada to pick up Ojai Avenue again. This is the third time I've seen one do this. "

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Sneaking Through Town on Grand Avenue???" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

Do You Support this Vision of Ojai?

Or This Vision?

(A double hopper stuck in traffic at the "Y" heads into the heart of Ojai on Route 150/Ojai Avenue.. Photo credit to Daly road Graphics, Ray Smith Monday, May 6, 2008)

With five candidates competing for two City Council vacancies and several of the MAC (Municipal Advisory Council) seats also facing competitive races, the Ojai "Stop the Trucks!" Coalition is asking everyone running for office to take a few moments to answer a few questions online. We would like each candidate to share their thoughts with the public on the how they intend to deal with the long term threat posed by gravel trucking through Ojai and the blind eye that the Ventura County Planning Division is seemingly paying to regular daily violations of the existing Conditional Use Permits (C.U.P.'s).

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Election Year Edition" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

World Affairs Council CA Central Coast

September 11, 2008
Location: Ventura County Maritime Museum
2731 S. Victoria Avenue
Oxnard, CA 93035
Time: 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
(Reception with appetizers
and no-host bar 5:30-6:30,
presentation 6:30-7:30)
Cost: $15 members, $20 non-members

By 1405 China had been a powerful empire for nearly two thousand years. The crown jewels of Emperor Zhu Di’s navy were his Treasure boats. These behemoths, nearly half the size of World War II aircraft carriers, were largest wooden sailing ships ever built. And although the wealth they carried back to China was staggering, it created conflict between the two factions that served the emperor; the Military and the Mandarin bureaucrats.

Continue reading "World Affairs Council Presentation" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:40 PM | Permalink | author bio

OJAI FILM FESTIVAL

GLEN MUSE, 815 Libbey Ave., Ojai, CA 93024

Continue reading "Ojai Film Festival Party In Paradise" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:17 PM | Permalink | author bio

This morning we learned of a news report that the United States Army is planning on using our own brothers and sisters -- live pigs -- in a new training exercise.

What kind of training exercise could that be? we wondered. At first we worried it might be something like chasing live pigs, or wrestling them, or capturing them and tying them up or or some other cruel and insensitive practice.

But then we learned the real reason.

Continue reading "From Rosie and Tillie: Ojai SpokesPigs Alert" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 07:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (28) | author bio

Send your donations to the Stop The Trucks! Coalition – c/o The Ojai Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1134, Ojai, CA, 93024, or you may also walk your contribution into the Chamber’s offices anytime during the business week, at 201 S. Signal Street -- in the Ojai Festivals building -- in downtown Ojai.

HELP US STOP THE TRUCKS!
By Michael Shapiro, Chairman / Stop The Trucks! Coalition

Repeating what I wrote last week in my Ojai Valley News Guest Editorial -- various news reports about the recent Santa Barbara-based Diamond Rock Mine didn’t tell the full story. It is simply not true that the Stop the Trucks! Coalition prevailed during the recent hearings before the Santa Barbara Planning Commission, and that’s why we’re appealing the decision of the Santa Barbara Planning Commission to approve the Diamond Rock Mine’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR). If we don’t, it paves the way for the granting of their Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and simultaneously strips-away any of Ojai’s legal rights to challenge them in the event that they “change their minds” and hundreds of rock and gravel mine-transport trucks end-up careening through Ojai after all.

Continue reading "HELP US STOP THE TRUCKS!" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 05:04 PM | Permalink | author bio

(photo credit, Rob Varela, Ventura County Star)

Below are some of the highlights from Ventura County Star reporter Tony Biasotti's article last week.

"Until last year, it was common for Bob Walker to wake up before dawn to the sound of grinding engine brakes, as a caravan of gravel trucks passed his house. 'When they're coming through at 2:30 or 3 a.m., and you're sleeping, it gets pretty loud,' Walker said during a recent interview at his home, just north of Ojai on Highway 33. 'At one point, it was an everyday thing.'"

…But many Ojai residents still chafe at what they see as enough truck traffic to turn their bucolic city into a loud, smoggy, congested mess. Ventura County (Planning Division), they say, has ignored their concerns. Walker filed three complaints against one mining company, starting in 2005, and said the county never acknowledged any of them until a few months ago.

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Ojai Complains of Gravel Trucks on Highway 33" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:47 PM | Permalink | author bio

(photo credit to Ray Smith, Daly Road Graphics)

In Thursday’s Ventura County Reporter, Editor Bill Lascher wrote:

“A broad coalition of Ojai residents, environmentalists, business owners, public officials and educators launched a blistering attack June 17 on county planners overseeing permits for mining operations.

Ventura County Chief Executive Officer Marty Robinson confirmed county officials plan to discuss allegations in a letter sent by Stop the Trucks Coalition Vice-Chair Howard Smith about oversight of the controversial Ozena Valley Ranch mine.”

For the full story go to:
http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/mine_opponents_suspect_official_bias/6073/

Some further highlights:

“Frustrated by what they perceive to be lax enforcement of planning regulations, Smith and his allies called for the ouster of a key Ventura County planning official for decisions related to the mine, which is located several miles north of Ojai, east of State Route 33.

Continue reading "STOP THE TRUCKS: Mine Opponents Suspect Official Bias" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 02:06 PM | Permalink | author bio

i spent a couple of hours yesterday evening in downtown Ventura, handing out information about and with my new friends from the Ventura chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War, and am still energized by the experience. Of course, i'm not a veteran (although i have recently joined Military Families Speak Out since my brother leaves tomorrow to begin his training as a Marine Reservist), but i am a civilian ally who hopes to have a classy black "I SUPPORT IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR" tshirt very soon.

The Ventura IVAW chapter is small and relatively new, but is eager and active. They spent several hours on friday outside the main gates of the Port Hueneme Navy Base with IVAW applications and information about GI resistance to this war, where they were shouted at, flipped off, and photographed by the Military Police. But they were there, building visibility and offering support to anyone strong enough to shrug off the heavy social stigmas within the military just long enough to get some information about how to serve AND resist.

Continue reading "Iraq Veterans Against the What?!" »

Posted by evan austin at 03:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

The World Affairs Council of America, California Central Coast Chapter
Proudly Presents:

Social Business: Investing in Social Change and International Responsibility

A native of Bangladesh, Mr. Sham is experienced in government
and non-government sectors. He is closely involved with Nobel Peace Prize-winning
Grameen Bank and its family of organizations. He has also worked in the
Ministry of Agriculture and the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation

Lunch Presentation
Thursday, July 10, 2008
12 - 2 pm
Camarillo Library Community Room
4101 Las Posas Rd
Camarillo, CA 93010

RSVP to Ashley Bailey
(805) 299-2394 or by email
WACA@paladinprinciple.com
By Monday, July 7th

$30 WACA Members
$35 Non-Members

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

I hear it's supposed to soar to 113 degrees today. My house does not have air conditioning so I've discovered all sorts of tricks for staying cool. I wash my clothes in cold water and wear them wet. I put ice cubes down my underwear. Last night I took a walk in wet clothes and came home dry. Of course cold showers or a tub of cold water helps. Or I go outside near some thirsty trees and make rain by pointing the hose towards the sky and get nice and soaked.

A bigger challenge is keeping Rosie and Tillie ("Ojai's SpokesPigs") from having a heat stroke. Tillie broke her kiddie pool, so yesterday, in the boiling hot mid afternoon, I stepped out into the 107 degrees inferno and headed for the Y in search of a new pool. I went into True Value Hardware. Their pools were too big but while I was there I decided I could use another fan. Like a child in a toy store, I spent 15 minutes examining the display models and studying the inviting pictures on the box.

Continue reading "Keeping Cool in Hot Ojai with Rosie, Tillie and Artoo-Detoo" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (16) | author bio

This is just in from the NY Times website:

June 17, 2008
Oregon woman plans to parade topless on July 4
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 6:51 p.m. ET

ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A woman seen frequently in Ashland riding topless on her bicycle says she plans to be in Ashland's Fourth of July parade free and independent of all clothing but a hemp G-string. The Chamber of Commerce says that's contrary to the rules for the family celebration. She says she'll sue if she can't parade as she wishes.

Jen Moss has been known as ''The Naked Lady'' since she moved to Ashland in May from Ojai, Calif., drawn by the town's nudity laws. They specify only that people must cover their genitalia in a city park or the downtown commercial district, which means Moss need not cover her breasts.

The police in California, she says, harassed her when she rode her bicycle wearing a G-string and pasties.

Moss applied for an entry for the parade, which draws thousands each year.

The Ashland Chamber of Commerce learned of her coverage plans from an online posting. She promised to lead in-line skaters ''wearing only a hemp G-string and blowing a conch shell.''

''We don't feel that someone in the parade who is topless or nearly naked is appropriate for a family audience,'' said parade chairman James Kidd.

Continue reading "Jen To Strike Again!" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 04:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (49) | author bio

One of the most provocative and entertaining writers on sustainable cities is James Howard Kunstler, author of The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America's Man-Made Landscape and other books. The Washington Post recently published an article by Kunstler entitled Wake Up, America. We’re Driving Toward Disaster. He writes:

Everywhere I go these days, talking about the global energy predicament on the college lecture circuit or at environmental conferences, I hear an increasingly shrill cry for “solutions.” This is just another symptom of the delusional thinking that now grips the nation, especially among the educated and well-intentioned.

Continue reading "Peak Oil and the Greening of Ojai " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 01:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

When I came home Monday evening, my roommate immediately told me that "Dennis Kucinich is reading the Articles of Impeachment on C-Span." It's moments like this that make me vow to get a TV again. I quickly called a friend and I could hear Kucinich in the background.

"Yes! Yes! " my friend said, " Dennis Kucinich is on the floor of the House of Representatives introducing Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush right now!! He is doing it in a very dignified manner. He refuses to be hurried. Each Article takes five or ten minutes to read and there are 35 Articles all together on every aspect of the Bush presidency. It's been going on for two hours and he's only half done! So far the charges included misleading Congress about the threat from Iraq and Iran, authorizing and condoning torture, illegal domestic surveillance..." I quickly fed the animals and raced to my friend's TV.

Continue reading "Kucinich Impeaches Bush for Four Hours " »

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (64) | author bio

Many of you may remember when i last attended the Memorial Day events here in the Ojai Valley in 2006, after which i wrote this report which brought up issues of patriotism, accountability, veteran-civilian relations, and the meaning of supporting the troops while opposing the war.

This year's Memorial Day was quite different for me, but not so much because of the local events. i have made some significant personal strides relative to the above issues by listening to the testimony of warriors at the Winter Soldier 2008 event, responding to my brother's choice to join the Marine Corps Reserves, reading some of the local veterans' stories in their book "Ojai Valley's Veterans Stories", and connecting to local organizers of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

***

At this time in 2006 i didn't have a nine-month-old daughter, so i was a little slower getting out the door this time. i missed the pancake breakfast at the American Legion building in Oak View, but caught the last half of the parade, where i noted several violations of the Federal Flag Code. After the parade a sizable crowd gathered at Longhorn's Feed & Supply to hear speakers and for the awarding of the parade trophies. i approached as Ms. Shelley Rhoades was reading the same poem she read last time in Libbey Park, while Boy Scout Troop 503 did the same enigmatic flag-passing ceremony. i began to wonder what was going to happen at the park.
Some guy took the "stage" and led us all in prayer to a Christian God, thanking him for our community and lifestyle and for helping us preserve it, in Jesus' name. Veteran Al Wescott sang his original song "Soldiers, Sailors, and Tired Old Men", just like he did in 2006. The teen girls in their long satin dresses and label-sashes gave out awards to everything from a bagpiper to a llama (although i think it was an alpaca, technically) to "pooper scoopers". People clapped and cheered, then left.

Continue reading "My Memorial Day 2008" »

Posted by evan austin at 02:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

Photo courtesy of Daly Road Graphics & Ray Smith

Story By Chris Meagher at The Santa Barbara Independent

Gravel Haulers Prohibited Through Ojai, Los Padres
Trucks Brake for Highway 33

"The main artery through Ojai, State Route 33 sits in western Ventura County, just a few miles from the Santa Barbara County border. Along Route 33 sit schools, hospitals, shopping malls, and Ojai’s busiest intersection. What it will not accommodate — to the relief of many Ojai residents — is the daily rumbling of hundreds of semi trucks carrying thousands of pounds of gravel to construction sites throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties..."

“The Highway 33 corridor is not suitable for these big trucks,” said 1st District Planning Commissioner Michael Cooney..." "...Michael Shapiro of the Stop the Trucks Coalition, citing the air quality impact on the health, safety, and welfare of those living or traveling near Route 33, said industrial traffic through Ojai would have had a palpable and “scary” impact on residents, creating an industrial feel that could potentially harm the valley’s income from its reputation for arts and tourism. “It [would have] totally, adversely affected the economy,” Shapiro said..."

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Santa Barbara Gravel Haulers Prohibited Through Ojai" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Photo courtesy of Daly Road Graphics & Ray Smith

On involvement
If you're going to complain, get involved

From Bill Lascher, Editor of the Ventura Reporter:

"As has been groused about numerous times on these pages and society in general, too many people whine about the actions taken by government and other institutions without ever taking action to challenge those institutions.

Some lament in Ventura County that red tape and not-in-my-backyard-minded activists hinder progress. Yet, without a vigilant active community little would be done to help the vast majority of our citizens, many decisions would be taken with myopic profit motives and few socially minded initiatives would get off the ground...."

"...Now, the first signs are emerging of other successes by local activists, even as new fights take shape...."

"...Ojai residents concerned about mining truck traffic along Route 33 have scored something of a victory and will have a chance to ensure that victory holds May 14. That day, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission will consider final action on the proposed Diamond Rock mine. After criticism of the mine's plans to use Highway 33 to transport material and other environmental concerns that might impact Ventura County more than Santa Barbara County, the plan was altered to prevent trucks from traveling south on 33, to reduce its production rates and truck trips to avoid situations where those truck trips might be necessary, and to address other environmental concerns. It is a testament to the continued involvement and dedication of Ojai and Cuyama Valley residents - as well as the mine owner's willingness to discuss community concerns - that such progress was made..."

Continue reading "Stop The Trucks: Praise for Ojai in the Press" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:01 PM | Permalink | author bio

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
View image

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 (42) | author bio

What a week it's been!

(For pigtures visit: http://www.ojaipost.com/2008/02/a_visit_to_an_ojai_pig_sanctua.shtml)

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 (16) | 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

View image

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,
View image
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 (19) | 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

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

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 (5) | 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 (27) | 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