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

Enriching The Human Spirit Through Film

Ojai Film Festival seeks volunteers for its' 9th annual edition with dates
November 6 through 9 (previously in October).

Host Sponsor for 2008 Festival is the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. Volunteers are
sought in all areas. Please contact the film festival office and find out how
you can get involved as a volunteer NOW.

Call now (805)640-1947 or e-mail:
info@ojaifilmfestival.com

Volunteer applications are also available at the film festival office at
111 West Topa Topa by appointment only.
Please phone ahead (805)640-1947.

Continue reading "Ojai Film Festival Seeks Volunteers -- VIP Tickets Now On Sale" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:19 PM | Permalink | author bio

Attention horticulturists and gardeners - these California golden poppies, usually seen bright orange throughout Southern California, appear to be picking up the yellow color of the daisies they are growing next to. What's the deal? Consider this an open thread.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (15) | author bio

I returned recently from greater Seattle, where we drove around the Olympic Peninsula and stayed for a few days. Outside of the National Forests, the devastation of the forests is staggering due to clear cutting. Where the clearcut has been replanted are now tree farms, devoid of the diversity that one might find in the Hoh Rain Forest, for instance.

Despite "some" who argue that the Sierra Club is responsible for deforestation, the logging operations have destroyed a national resource, leaving little pockets of protected National Forest. I talked to a couple native Americans in a reservation art gallery, and they called it a "mistake", allowing the logging companies to do what they did, peaking in the 80's and 90's. We saw native Americans living in poverty near tribal centers, the surrounding lands devastated by clearcut just a few hundred yards from their commodity BIA houses.

We need greater awareness of sustainable and natural building, so that we can all live within a reasonable resource footprint that supports everyone on the planet.

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

There is life after taxes (even though said taxes are funding the estimated $3 trillion war bill and and annual $54 billion in nuclear weapons, which are all about Death), and in the Valley of Plenty, there's lots of living to be done:

Tomorrow (Friday April 18th, 2008) sees parents socializing about their joys and challenges and Besant Hill School students performing Broadway's 27th longest running musical. The long-fenced Wetlands Project between Nordhoff High and Meiners Oaks is newly restored and open once again to the public, and a rally and fundraising kickoff to Save Ojai Schools (from State budget cuts) will be held on Sunday April 20th at OUSD Headquarters. An ongoing art exhibit titled "A Sense of Place" will feature the paintings of local artist Tegan Hope at Busy Babes hair salon until May 31st, and the Ojai City Council will meet on Tuesday the 22nd at 7:30pm. That same evening, co-founder of afterdowningstreet.org, David Swanson, will be speaking at the Ojai Retreat on strategies for saving our Constitution, Economy and Environment.

Just around the corner, the Ojai Storytelling Festival will open May 1st in Libbey Bowl, and an organizational meeting for Ojai's new locavore group is slated for May 10th (sign up here).

Click on over to the Ojai Post for current discussions of global warming, downed power lines, ending the war, illegal immigration, 9/11, childbirth, and more!

cross-posted at OjaiNews.com

Posted by evan austin at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | author bio

Born and raised in the UK, Alasdair Coyne is an organic gardener by profession, living in Ojai, California. He was a co-founder of Keep Sespe Wild Committee, an organization dedicated to the watershed of Sespe Creek in Los Padres National Forest.

20 Incontrovertible Truths about Global Warming – A Comprehensive Look at a Global Challenge

The story of global warming is a complicated one. A proper understanding of it requires considering the long-term repercussions of how we are altering the life-sustaining ecological balance of the Earth. Scientists are saying that we must stop the current annual increase in global emissions of climate changing gases in as little as seven years from now. Meanwhile, life around us goes on as usual – people driving, flying and shopping, all of which contribute to climate change. There’s little indication that the necessary changes will happen in the next seven years.

In the following article, I’ve outlined twenty points which should be useful as you learn more about global warming. Future articles will focus on some of these points in detail.

Continue reading "Guest Editorial: Alasdair Coyne" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 07:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (23) | 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

from the US Forest Service...

Forest Service Reopens Areas Burned in Zaca Fire;
Trail Damage Extensive; Public Urged to Use Extreme Caution

Los Padres National Forest officials announced that the area burned by the Zaca Fire, closed to public entry since the fire began in July 2007, will be reopened at noon, April 4. The trail system has sustained extensive damage and the public is urged to use extreme caution when traveling in the affected area, said Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez.

“A great deal of dry ravel (erosion) occurred immediately after the fire, and the winter rains and heavy snowfall caused additional damage,” explained Hernandez. “Particularly hard hit are vulnerable mid-slope trails like segments of the popular Santa Cruz trail, and the Grapevine and Potrero trails in the San Rafael Wilderness. Another key area that sustained significant damage is the Manzana Narrows. Many sections of the trail system have been completely obliterated.”

Continue reading "Zaca Fire Closure Lifted" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | 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

Saturday, March 29, 2008, 8-9pm local time.

http://www9.earthhourus.org/

Posted by evan austin at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

from ForestWatch, check it out...

Los Padres ForestWatch, a local nonprofit organization working to protect the Los Padres National Forest, is excited to announce a creekside barbeque in Ojai on Saturday afternoon, March 29, 2008. The event will take place at Thacher School's picturesque Diamond Hitch Camp at the base of the Los Padres National Forest.

Continue reading "Los Padres ForestWatch Benefit: Creekside BBQ" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (29) | 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

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

reader submitted video of the Bike Tour... Heather Miller writes: "Hundreds of local riders and fans braved the chilly morning to watch the tour from the peak of Casitas Pass. I took a video I've uploaded to youtube in case you're interested in sharing it with your readers. It was a very exciting event, I'm sure the sprint thru downtown was equally as exhiliarating."

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | 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

from the Forest Service...

Steven Emory Butcher was found guilty yesterday of starting the Day Fire that burned more than 162,000 acres in the Los Padres and Angeles NF's in 2006, and the Ellis Fire in 2002. Congratulations to Special Agent Heather Campbell and the other LPF personnel who worked very hard to bring this case forward to its successful conclusion.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 01:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

from the US Forest Service...

Conifers and Fire
Part One in a series on Fire Ecology in the Los Padres National Forest

February 20, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Botanic Garden Blaksley Library
1212 Mission Canyon Road
Santa Barbara

Los Padres ForestWatch and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden are pleased to sponsor a three-part series: Fire Ecology in the Los Padres National Forest. The first presentation in this series, Conifers and Fire, will be held February 20, 2008, at 7:00 PM in the Botanic Garden’s Blaksley Library. The evening will include talks by Dr. Bob Haller, Botanic Garden Research Associate and expert on conifer forests in California, and Mark Borchert, Province Ecologist for the US Forest Service, who has conducted extensive research on conifers in the Los Padres. Los Padres ForestWatch is a local nonprofit, working to protect the Los Padres National Forest. Additional information on this event can be found on the ForestWatch website at www.LPFW.org or by calling ForestWatch at 805-617-4610. Future presentations include one on chaparral in March and one on rare plants in April.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | 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

A new story by Nao Braverman of the Ojai Valley News along with last year's press release from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reveals the heightened threat to our community: "Mine Owners Seek Expanded Routes, Hours; Despite death, bid to expand mine continues."

Some of the highlights from the OVN: "In mid-January, owners of the Ozena Valley Mine applied for modifications to their Conditional Use Permit to mine sand and gravel in Ozena Valley. Included in the application is a request to increase the number of truck trips hauling sand and gravel to and from the plant and expand the hours that their gravel hauling trucks are permitted to travel on Highway 33."

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Ozena Mine Seek Expanded Routes & Hours" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 05:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | 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

I thought this was an interesting Craigslist post that I saw on OjaiNews.com... invite me up when you get the farm going...

Approx. one acre field to lease/farm/garden/cultivate - $3500
Opportunity to develop an organic farm/garden operation in Upper Ojai. High demand for organic produce,fruit,berries and other agricultural items or nursery stock. Well water. Excellent location central for marketing as well as site market outlet. Free range chicken/egg facility. Farm building.shed.tool shop... dozens of mature fruiting trees... avocados... potential for caretakers quarters... this is a lifestyle, not a dream... thanks

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

The Ventura County Reporter features news story on "Appeal denied in truck violation case."

Bill Lascher, Editor of the VC Reporter, published in this past week's edition a short article on the Gravel Truck battles, which Bill says is the prelude to a much longer story in the coming weeks.

Some excerpts and a link to the full article follow:

….The most recent development came with County planners’ refusal to hear an appeal by Ozena’s owners of a violation of existing conditional use permits…

“We’re opposed to having this town, which is dependent on a tourist economy, education, and the arts, inject industrialization. “It completely obscures and takes away from the heart and soul of what the town is about…”

Continue reading "Stop the Truck: Between a rock mine and a hard place" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 04:08 PM | Permalink | author bio

From the Forest Service...

Cal Trans informed the Forest Service yesterday that Highway 33 will stay closed just past Wheeler Gorge and will probably not reopen until Monday, 2/4/08. They had other priorities and just received emergency funding to work on the road. They now have 2 bulldozers and 6 dump trucks available.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Today is January 30th, 2008. It was on this day in 1948 that Mohandas K. Gandhi was shot and killed in Delhi, and it is on this date that we begin the Season for Nonviolence. This 64-day period between the memorial dates of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4th) and is used globally as a time for personal and community reflection on the healing and transforming power of nonviolence and the contributions towards Peace made by these two great leaders.

In this spirit the Ojai Peace Coalition presents our handy, consolidated, easily-printable, wallet-fittable, fun-to-foldable 64 Daily Reflections Card to keep with you so your commitments to Peace and Compassion are never more than a glance away. Enjoy!

Our first week of reflections are:
Jan 30: Today, I will reflect on what peace means to me.
Feb 01: Today, I will look at opportunities to be a peacemaker.
Feb 02: Today, I will practice nonviolence and respect for Mother Earth by making good use of her resources.
Feb 03: Today, I will take time to admire and appreciate nature.
Feb 04: Today, I will plant seeds--plants or constructive ideas.
Feb 05: Today, I will hold a vision of plenty for all the world’s hungry and be open to guidance as to how I can help alleviate some of that hunger.
Feb 06: Today, I will acknowledge every human being’s fundamental right to justice, equity, and equality.

Posted by evan austin at 01:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

A note of community interest from Scott Eicher, Ojai Chamber CEO...

As reported in the Ojai Valley News, Lake Casitas is threatened with Quagga Mussel infestation. If the Quagga enters the lake's ecosystem, it will be virtually impossible to remove. Closing the lake could keep it out, but at what cost? Ron Merckling, Water Conservation/Public Affairs Manager for Casitas Municipal Water District, will be our keynote speaker at the first Chamber Breakfast of 2008.

Come hear what Mr. Merckling has to say about the impacts the Quagga could bring: closing the lake; environmental effects to the lake; potential economic impacts of each case. Wednesday morning,
January 30 at Soule Park Golf Course from 7:30 to 8:45 Advance Chamber Member price is $25; non-Chamber members $30 before January 25th. After January 25th; tickets $30 for all. Buffet breakfast included. Contact the Chamber at 805-646-8126 or info@ojaichamber.org to reserve your spot. [ed. note - as this is the first public posting of this event here, perhaps you can still request an advance chamber member price today]

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

There's a bunch of info on the Ojai Storm Watch page. Feel free to post hazards, observations, links, etc. in the comments. It'd be good to get some neighborhood updates, and to hear from our friends in Upper Ojai and out in Matilija (I heard they got a little snow a few days ago?).

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 12:19 AM | Permalink | author bio

Photo by Daly Road Grapics, Ojai Ave at Montgomery, 7:00am on 1/22/08

Appeal by Ozena Mine to Expand Trucking Hours Rejected

Such changes would have expanded allowable and permitted trucking through our valley from the current seven hours a day on weekdays to more than double that.

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Another Victory for Ojai!" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 05:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

from Heidi Anderson, Wilderness/Trails Manager, US Forest Service, Ojai Ranger District... Looks like we get a QUICK breather between storms. A couple of photo taken from my driveway on my way to work this morning.

And another great shot of Chief Peak after the jump... thanks, Heidi!

Continue reading "Snow Capped Mountains" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

Any rain-related problems out there? Leave it in the comments and I'll compile it this evening. Stay warm and dry tonight.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (25) | author bio

From the Forest Service...

Hwy 33 is closed right now at Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center. The 1-800-gas-road phone number and the Cal Trans Website contradicts itself. Scott Morgan just came down from the Wheeler Fire Station and CHP is sitting in a car at the closure.

Info from the website:

SR 33 [IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA] IS CLOSED FROM 7.5 MI NORTH OF OJAI (VENTURA CO) TO 9 MI SOUTH OF THE VENTURA/SANTA BARBARA CO LINE - DUE TO SNOW - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE CHAINS OR SNOW TIRES ARE REQUIRED FROM WHEELER CAMPGROUNDS TO THE LOCKWOOD / OZENA RANGER STATION (VENTURA CO)

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | author bio

The rain continues steadily, with a forecast for continued sky-water through Saturday night (AccuWeather) or Monday (Weather Channel). Our local Police and Highway Patrol are reporting no road closures or major accidents, but there are many flooded areas which are mostly marked with cones and/or signs. As always in the rain, simply be cautious and aware, reduce your speed, and increase your stopping distance.

Continue reading "A Downpour of News" »

Posted by evan austin at 05:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Heidi Anderson, the Wilderness/Trails Manager for the Ojai Ranger District of the US Forest Service, sent through a Trail Report, which I'll reprint after the jump, along with the following note:

Attached is a trail report from yesterday for the Sespe River Trail. Just the perfect temps for hiking and no bugs. The storms in early January did a number on the trail in the Day Fire burn area.

The left photo is the first crossing of Sespe below the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. The right photo is west Kerr Springs along the Sespe (pretty sweet spot, says Heidi!)

Continue reading "Forest Service Report: Sespe River Trail" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 03:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

Happening in the Valley today and into the weekend: "Bringing Up Baby" at the Nan Tolbert Nurturing Center in Oak View begins today (which i can personally vouch for as an excellent parenting/partnering/caregiving experience with real benefit to our community and planet), followed by music, cooking, peace, and theater tomorrow. Saturday sees the 22nd Annual Peddler's Fair, free chiropractic, and tequila tasting. Sunday is all about more eating, more drinking...and supporting Democratic presidential candidate and Ojai visitor Dennis Kucinich.

Continue reading "After the Rain, a Smattering of Headlines" »

Posted by evan austin at 07:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Esteemed reader Lanny Kaufer sent me a release for this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with this note... "I have a special interest in this year's program. As a veteran of Dr. King's SCOPE project I registered "Negro" voters in rural Virginia in 1965-66. Through my association with King's organization, the SCLC, I met Deric Gilliard who lives in Atlanta and is a former Communications Director of the SCLC. By piecing together sponsors and speaking engagements at local schools, we (the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation and I) managed to entice him to come out here for a few days to share his first-hand knowledge of the Movement and many of the activists who embodied it."

The eighth annual Ojai Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration is Monday, January 21, 2008 from 11am-4pm at Libbey Park (fountain plaza) in downtown Ojai. The rain location is the Chaparral Auditorium.

This year’s theme is “Where Do You Stand?” Nearly every school in the Ojai Valley will be participating in this free community-wide program. This youth-led event, presented by the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation, will include art, music, and the spoken word in a festive setting with food and activities for every age.

Continue reading "2008 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Ojai" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

There are buckets of rain coming down and a Flash Flood Watch is in effect, which is particularly acute across the burn areas.

If there are any reports of flooding roads or creeks, please post here in the comments, and we'll keep an eye on things for everyone.

Yellow Push Pin = Caution, no hazard or block reported
Orange Placemark with dot = Minor report from agency
Green Placemark, no dot = Road closed
Blue Placemark with dot = Agency resource location

(map after the jump)

Continue reading "Ojai Weather Report - Flash Flood Watch" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 07:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | author bio

Posted by Raymond Powers at 11:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | author bio

Not a new one, but still a good one. Click to listen:

Brett Dennen - They Holidays Are Here (And We're Still At War)

(Lyrics after the jump)

Continue reading "The Holidays Are Here (And We're STILL At War)" »

Posted by evan austin at 06:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (13) | author bio

This blog post's title comes from my sister Tatiana, who is serving in the Peace Corps in Zambia, Africa. It is the phrase "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in the language of Citonga.

ACTIONS:
SUNDAY DECEMBER 23 - HELP VETERANS SET UP ARLINGTON WEST IN SANTA BARBARA
Veterans for Peace in SB will be setting up their Arlington West memorial just as they have every Sunday for several years now, honoring the fallen in our current wars. They anticipate being critically short of volunteers tomorrow and would like some help from 7-9am for setup and after 3pm for take-down. Arlington West takes place on the beach next to the pier.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 23 - GREET THE KUCINICH PEACE TRAIN IN VENTURA
Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich's Peace Train has been traveling the California coast and making key stops along the way. Although Dennis' brother Perry died earlier this week (which puts the Kucinich's at funeral services in Ohio), the Peace Train rolls on with veteran campaign organizer, activist, and key aide Amy Vossbrinck filling in. The train arrives at the Ventura station at 9:58am...be there by 9:30 to join other supporters in greeting its arrival!

NOW - BLANKET AND COAT COLLECTION FOR LOCAL FARM WORKERS
Tanner and Michael Akseven of Ventura are collecting gently used and recently washed, cleaned and dry-cleaned blankets and coats for local farm workers. If you bring them to me, i'll get them to the Aksevens. Contact me for drop-off availability: evan austin at superher0@sbcglobal.net or 805-746-3750

Cross-posted at the OPC Action Blog. (with video!)

Posted by evan austin at 09:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

Malibu resident William H. Weissberg was killed in this crash when an out-of-control gravel truck hit his Mercedes-Benz as he was entering an intersection on PCH. The driver of the gravel truck, Hovik Papikyan, also died.

This story and photo, published in the Malibu Times in October was forwarded to the "Stop the Trucks" coalition by a concerned Ojai resident. (Copyright © 2007 Malibu Times. All rights reserved.)

We have posted it here as both an illustration and a reminder of the potential dangers gravel trucks may present to our community, partcularly as they attempt to navigate hazardous road conditions on both Route 150 between Ojai and Santa Paula and Route 33 from Ojai to the Cuyama Valley.

Continue reading "Stop The Trucks: Two Killed in Gravel Truck Accident" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 07:46 PM | Permalink | author bio

Two recent articles in the Ojai Valley News and the Los Angeles Times highlight the ongoing problems created by massive numbers of gravel trucks coming through the Ojai Valley.

The first is from the November 21st edition of the OVN by Nao Braverman in which she reports:

"Traffic threat from Santa Barbara County mines remains..."

"...Two new gravel mine expansion applications have Ojai Valley advocates concerned about an increase in truck traffic. Those community members are fighting to protect the quality of local air, noise and safety, particularly because the valley’s tourist-based economy depends on it…"

Continue reading "Stop the Trucks: Gravel Mines Eye Expansion and a Clear Pattern of Risk Emerges from Smog" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:49 PM | Permalink | author bio

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | author bio

A note from Dulanie Ellis, concerned citizen and member of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition Food and Agriculture Committee:

The Meiners Oaks Water Board has decided to rethink their rate structure. We want them to do a flat rate for everyone, residential, commercial and agricultural. We're proposing a $30 meter rate and a unt rate of 75 cents. While this will double Ag rates, it beats the heck out of the tiered rate system which would raise rates up to 700% for farmers. We need residents to come out and support this! Please broadcast this to friends!

Please come out tonight, Tuesday 11/20, at 6:30pm for about half an hour, to 202 W. El Roblar.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:53 AM | Permalink | author bio

Today is November 15th. It's the day the Articles of Confederation were approved in 1777, when NBC radio opened with 24 stations in 1926, and when a million people peacefully protested the Vietnam War in Washington DC in 1969. It's the birth day of Ed Asner, Bill Richardson, and Ol' Dirty Bastard, and the death day of Constantine VIII, Dawn Powell, and Charlie Grimm.
Today is Saint Leopold's Day in Austria, Independence Day in Palestine, and America Recycles Day in the U.S.A. Today there are 432 days left in the reign of the Bush Administration.

And on November 15, 1986, perhaps a thousand exhausted and passionate people marched into Washington, D.C. at the culmination of the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament.

Their story, in very brief, goes something like this:
The March was many hundreds strong when it left Los Angeles, California on March 1, 1986 as a project of the non-profit organization PRO-Peace. They got as far as Barstow, Ca when the organization folded due to bankruptcy and other factors. Many people left, but a resolute few hundred held round-the-clock meetings for a few weeks to reorganize themselves and continue.

Averaging about 15 miles per day, the marchers trekked across our nation through big cities, small towns, and great expanses of beautiful nothing in between. Along the way they held workshops on non-violent conflict resolution and peace-and-justice topics, staged protests and demonstrations at nuclear sites, and interacted with local populations in a variety of creative ways. Most nights were camping, with a large and colorful "Peace City" of tents set up in whatever open space they were invited - or allowed - to use. In a truly grassroots, self-organized effort, the marchers did everything from cooking to washing to maintaining a library, school bus, mail truck, portable toilets, and more.

Nine months and 3,700 miles from L.A., the Great Peace March arrived in the nation's capital to meet with decision-makers, stage a protest at the Department of Energy, and say goodbye. Many people only really completed the first two.

Every year in the 21 since the March, participants have reunited in different parts of the country. Here in California, it happens at Carpinteria State Beach (or, like last year, at Lake Casitas). Drawing dozens of Marchers from as far away as Hawai'i and as close as Carpinteria itself, this close-knit family still shares a common passion and bond over their experience even with their differing and evolving lifepaths. Earlier this year, i found out why they continue to reunite, and what their activism is like more than two decades later.

Continue reading "Great Peace March Arrives in D.C. 21 Years Ago Today" »

Posted by evan austin at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | author bio

Images from the Ojai Farmer's Market, Sunday, November 4th...

Continue reading "Open Thread" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (20) | author bio

Two Calls, Two Points

We have two Senators, and they each need to hear two things from you TODAY:
• ban cluster bombs (98% of victims are civilians, and most of those are children)
• filibuster Mukasey (nominee for Attorney General, refuses to say that waterboarding is torture)

Senator Dianne Feinstein: 1.202.224.3841
Senator Barbara Boxer: 1.202.224.3553

need more? read on... (+ bonus action!)

Continue reading "No Bombs, No Torture: Call the Senate" »

Posted by evan austin at 07:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | author bio

It's a sparkling Sunday morning here in the Valley of the Moon!

These past nights of the Full Moon, looking down on the landscape from my favorite spot high in the hills, when all is quiet and buildings disappear in darkness, it is easy to imagine the diverse cultures that have lived in this valley over thousands of years. In my mind's eye I can see how the valley looked, even a hundred years ago, with trees, rivers and deer.

I wonder how the rabbits, quails, snakes, coyotes and the multitude of creatures of the night are adapting as they lose ground with each passing day. I see rabbits darting amidst cars in parking lots on Bryant Street, possums scurrying down Canada, looking for openings in fences, and families of raccoons sitting by mailboxes on Signal Street. As we clear more and more brush away from our homes to prevent fires, we must not forget this brush is part of their habitat. How I hope they can survive!

I've been sitting outside, drinking organic coffee and browsing through this week's articles about the fires. When I see the images of families looking at the ruins of their homes, I wonder, "What does it feel like to have all your earthly belongings suddenly disappear?"

Yesterday I received a letter from my friends Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson, about their experience of their house burning down. Some of you reading this probably know them. They visit Ojai regularly and have presented workshops at Meditation Mount for many years. Since disasters can happen to any one of us, I thought I'd pass this on, even though I might not be quite as forgiving and philosophical as they are! They wrote:

Dear Friends--here is an article we wrote over 10 years about about our experience of our house burning down. I'm sending it to you in case it might be helpful to someone you know who lost their home in the So. Calif. fires--or in any tragedy or crisis. Let us all continue to hold So. Calif. in our prayers and meditations.

SPIRITUAL LESSONS WE LEARNED FROM OUR FIRE

Some years ago, while we were away for an evening, an arsonist burned our house to the ground. We lost everything but the clothes on our backs and our cars. Everything was in ashes in less than 15 minutes--furniture, clothes, office equipment, books, and most difficult of all--all our work, our writing, our research.

Continue reading "Spiritual Lessons Learned From the Fire" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | author bio

From the USFS: Since the winds have calmed, significant progress has been made in containing the 58,396 acre Ranch Fire. It is now considered 87% contained and fire managers are planning for full containment on Tuesday, October 30. The estimated control date has been extended by 5 days to allow for mopping up in inaccessible areas of low threat. If everything goes according to plan, the Ranch Fire should be fully controlled on November 5.

From WaPo: FEMA called a California wildfire briefing on Tuesday and had staff members posing as journalists, lobbing softball questions to Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson, the deputy administrator for FEMA.

"And so I think what you're really seeing here is the benefit of experience, the benefit of good leadership and the benefit of good partnership," Johnson said, "none of which were present in Katrina." (Wasn't Michael Chertoff DHS chief then?) Very smooth, very professional. But something didn't seem right. The reporters were lobbing too many softballs. No one asked about trailers with formaldehyde for those made homeless by the fires. And the media seemed to be giving Johnson all day to wax on and on about FEMA's greatness. Of course, that could be because the questions were asked by FEMA staffers playing reporters.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

From Think Progress:
This morning on Fox News, hosts of the show Fox and Friends blamed the wildfires in California on a new culprit: al Qaeda. They pointed to a 2003 FBI memo, which raised the possibility that al Qaeda may try to set wildfires around the western United States. They also noted that men in a “hovering helicopter” saw “a guy starting one of these fires.”
Later in the segment, host Steve Doocy acknowledged that in memo, al Qaeda didn’t even mention California. “They mention Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming,” he added. (emphasis mine)

Watch it and read the transcript.

i guess the whole "fight 'em over there so we don't have to fight 'em over here" thing didnt work out so well. Bring the troops home to fight Al Qaeda's fires! is "fear-mongering" one word, or two?

Posted by evan austin at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

High Wind Warning in effect until Tuesday 3pm. Weather Underground is reporting highs in the mid 80s to mid 90s, northeast winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts to around 70 mph.

VC Fire Dept updated at 10:49am - the fire has burned 29,000 acres and is 10% contained. 653 personnel are assigned to the incident. All of Ventura County is experiencing extremely high amounts of smoke in the atmosphere. The smoke is primarily coming from the Ranch fire in the eastern part of the county and from the Canyon and Buckweed fires in Los Angeles County. Good news for access to resources: the Nightsky Incident in Santa Rosa Valley is 100% contained with full control expected by about 5 pm.

KVTA reports that Governor Arnold has declared a State of Emergency. Highway 126 is closed in both directions between Main Street in Piru and Chiquito Canyon in Santa Clarita. C Street is closed in Fillmore between Old Telegraph and Meadowlark. Piru Canyon and Halsey Canyon Roads are closed. Down in Malibu, Malibu Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway are both closed.

Inciweb's servers are getting hammered. They are reporting a Red Flag Warning in effect until 4 pm Tuesday for gusty northeast winds and low relative humidity. Strong northeast winds and low relative humidity will create conditions for extreme fire behavior through the day. Fire is expected to spread at a rapid rate with long range spotting. Most fire activity will be wind driven.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | author bio

Here we go again? We'll be tracking the Ranch Fire, which is located around Piru and Fillmore - other fires are raging in Malibu, San Diego and elsewhere. With heavy Santa Ana winds the next few days and resources stretched thin across Southern California, this could be a tough fire to fight.

Inciweb has a full report including this: "The fire is burning southwest pushed by 20-30 mph winds with gusts to 60 mph. The terrain is rugged with medium to heavy chaparral brush typical of Southern California. This area has not burned for approximately 40 years." The Incident Information Center has been activated and can be reached at 626-821-6700.

The Ventura County Fire Department has this caution: "All of Southern California is currently being affected by extreme wildfire activity. Firefighting resources are stretched very thin as all Southern California agencies work to protect their citizens. The large number of fires mean that resources may not be immediately available."

KVTA AM 1520 has specific canyon and street evacuation areas in Piru and Fillmore, and is reporting that Highway 126 is open.

Weather Underground for Fillmore (93015) reports High Wind Warning in effect until 3 PM PDT Tuesday... Tonight: Very windy. Areas of smoke...otherwise mostly clear. Visibilities locally reduced to less than one mile at times. Lows in the mid 50s to upper 60s. Northeast winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts to around 70 mph. Winds strongest below passes and canyons in eastern Ventura and western Los Angeles counties.