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

(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

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

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

EASTER 2008

Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20).
This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Here’s the interesting part.

This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier!

Here are the facts: 1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you’re 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!). 2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

Happy Spring, Happy Full Moon Everyone!

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | 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

(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

On Thursday, February 28th, Reverend Michael Dowd will be sharing ideas from his recent book "Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World", an epic on evolution written in a spiritual context. See for yourself why Nobel Prize winning scientists and religious leaders across the spectrum are praising his bold new book that builds bridges, provides guidance, and restores realistic hope for people of any religion or belief system.

7:00 PM Thursday, February 28th
Meditation Mount, 10340 Reeves Road.
For more info, call 805-640-8815.

Posted by evan austin at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | 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

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

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

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

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

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

Continue reading "Jock's Top Twenty Bumper Stickers for the Holydays" »

Posted by Jock Doubleday at 01:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

So this is Christmas, And what have you done
Another year over, And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, The old and the young

A very merry Christmas, And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one, Without any fear

And so this is Christmas, For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones, The road is so long
And so happy Christmas, For black and for white
For yellow and red ones, Let's stop all the fight

Posted by evan austin at 07:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | 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

"The Wind beneath the Wind"
By Jock Doubleday

Christmas Day 1997

Nature is the first story. Nature is the true story. Nature's messenger is the child.

Culture is the second story. Culture is the false story. Culture's messengers are adults.

The child's story, nature's story, extends in all directions, to the beginning of the universe and to its end. Adults' stories, culture's stories, are bubbles surrounding particular tribes--bubbles of finite dimensions, finite volumes, that end where the walls of churches meet sidewalks, where boundaries of nations are marked, where well-worn paths end and the wilderness begins.

The child's story, nature's story, sounds a single clear note. Adults' stories, culture's stories, are cacophonous.

Men that some call the descendants of Noah ventured to build a high tower to reach heaven. They were prevented from doing so by a confusion of tongues.

Humankind could not then, nor can we now, reach god with high towers. Yet high towers we build. We believe that the answer to the mystery lies outside us. We believe that, because the answer lies outside us, we may find it with tools.

Science believes that it knows something about nature. It does not. Nature is not the name of the tree. Nature is not the visible tree, its bark, its branches, its needles. Nature is not the beauty of the tree or the scent of the tree. Nature is not the wind that moves through the needles of the tree.

Nature is the force of the tree. Nature is the invisible "filaments of intent" that twine through the tree and every thing. Nature is the wind beneath the wind. Nature is the invisible valuation that creates and governs visible nature. Our science, which does not study values, cannot know nature.

Continue reading "The Wind beneath the Wind" »

Posted by Jock Doubleday at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

A request from Lisa Sauvageau, Secretary, Akwit-tasen Generations of Life Foundation...

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin from Akwit-tasen, Generations of Life Foundation. "Mitakuye Oyasin" is Lakota for "All My Relations". It is a prayer of oneness and harmony with all forms of life: other people, animals, birds, insects, trees and plants, and even rocks. It reminds us that we are connected to these other aspects of Creation, that we share a common kinship in the Hoop of Life.

Continue reading "A New Year's Ceremony Request" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 04:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Introducing the new Ojai Peace Coalition Action Blog, which will feature current actions, archive our action alerts, maintain a set of links for online peace activism, and more! Visit now and let me know what you think about it!

Posted by evan austin at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

The Ojai Interfaith Alliance and Jewish Community of the Oaks present three women from Israel/Palestine sharing their stories, their fears and hopes for peace:

Wejdan Jaber: A Muslim Palestinian, Ms. Jaber was awarded a USAID “Clinton Scholarship,” in 2000 and a Master’s in Public Administration and International Management from the Monterey Institute for International Studies, Monterey, California, in 2002. Born in Gaza, she currently lives in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Abir Kopty: A Christian Palestinian citizen of Israel, Ms. Kopty was nominated as one of twelve “People of the Year” in Israel in 2005. She has served as Media Coordinator and Spokeswoman for Mossawa, the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel, Haifa.

Hagit Ra’anan: A Jewish Israeli, Ms. Ra’anan is a member of the Bereaved Families Forum and founder of Bridges of Peace. During the first week of the war in Lebanon in 1982, Ms. Ra'anan's husband was killed in combat near Beirut, while serving in the Israeli Military.

Jerusalem Women Speak is a program of Partners for Peace.

Posted by evan austin at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

...are not a new kind of underwear.

• Tomorrow (Oct 4) could be a busy day for the new parent with a love for the environment, pets, and jewelry: Hit up the first of six weekly baby-nurturing gatherings at the newly-opened Nan Tolbert Nurture Center from 11am-12:30, then pop over to Gem Quest Jewelers for their liquidation sale until 4pm, followed by a Blessing of the Animals at St. Thomas Aquinas from 4-6pm. Cap the evening off with a Green Coalition Waste Management Committee Meeting at 7pm!

>>read on for more!

Continue reading "Ojai News Briefs" »

Posted by evan austin at 06:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, with co-sponsorship by the Ventura College International Studies Program, presents the 4th annual Earth Charter Summit Celebration and Awards on Saturday October 13, 2007 at 3pm at Ventura College's Guthrie Hall. [get map] The event is FREE and includes refreshments, live music by Inlakech Cultural Arts Center Mariachis, and vocalist Emy Reynolds - winner of the recent Battle of the Bands!

Continue reading "Earth Charter Summit Celebration in Ventura" »

Posted by evan austin at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

Tyler Suchman named by Pacific Coast Business Times as one of their 2007 selections for top "40 Under 40" Business Leaders.

(Tyler Suchman, left; with Jerry Kaplan, right, at "Stop the Trucks" rally)

Tyler Suchman founded The Ojai Post and runs The Ojai Network, a collective of Ojai sites focusing on community and culture. His consulting company, Tribal Core, provides internet strategy, online marketing and search engine optimization services.

Continue reading "Congratulations, Tyler!!!" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 08:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | author bio

In celebration of the United Nations' International Peace Day, the Ojai Valley community presents a weekend of special events from Friday September 21 through Sunday September 23 entitled Living Peace in Ojai!

Convened by the Retreats of Ojai, the Ojai Peace Coalition, the Ojai Interfaith Alliance, various yoga centers, and many other volunteers, and underwritten by Casa Barranca and Glen Muse, the Living Peace in Ojai weekend is a coming together and celebration of our oneness, to explore and exemplify how we can activate and express Living Peace in ourselves and in our beautiful community every day, to help heal our fragile world.

If you would like to help in any way, please email info@livingpeaceinojai.com or call 805.715.7976!

The schedule of events includes:

Continue reading "Living Peace in Ojai!" »

Posted by evan austin at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (33) | author bio

Keith (or Keiter) was born in Ventura and lived most of his life here in the Ojai Valley. On Thursday, August 16, 2007, he was found dead outside the Ojai Library. He was 46 years old.

I am writing this in remembrance of my friend Keith Stolz. I met him about six years ago. I would walk the bike path with my two dogs in the early morning. We would meet him half way through. Sometimes Keith would walk with us and other times we would just stop to say hi. I have many stories in my memory about how kind and compassionate Keith was. I would like to share two of them.

Continue reading "VICTOR KEITH STOLZ 5.6.61 - 8.16.07" »

Posted by Laura Stinchfield at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (13) | author bio

Glenn Emanuel's remembrance ceremony was yesterday at the gazebo in Libbey Park. When i arrived at a few minutes before 4pm, there were but a handful of people gathered, most of whom were busily setting up easels of pictures and arranging chairs and sound equipment. within minutes, the gathering swelled to a strong crowd that read like a who's-who of the Ojai Valley...i saw Sid and Sheila Cohn, the Al-Awars, Jim Calire, John Azevedo, Noel Douglas, Peggy La Cerra, and dozens of other very familiar faces that i personally dont even have names for.

we opened with music and prayer, and elegant and heartfelt stories and reflections were shared by friends and family. as seems to be so often the case with those who leave us, these served to describe a person whom it feels beautiful to remember, but - as my wife observed as we solemnly left - whom we wish we'd known better while he was here. it's clear that Glenn loved us all, and that we all loved him no matter how large or small our piece of his experience.

i believe that Cheri Mason-Emanuel's son said it best when he introspected that Glenn never seemed sad...always happy. and so it hardly feels appropriate to be sad that he's gone; we can only be happy that he was here.

"Glenn was here", etched with care into the picnic tables of our minds and hearts. Ojai - and the world - are better for it.

Posted by evan austin at 08:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | author bio

The Ojai Peace Coalition, acting on the advice and brilliance of a friend, has decided to begin awarding an annual Noble Peace Prize to local heroes of Peace, to recognize those in our community who are living and encouraging the kind of world and ways of being that we're working for. i have designed a custom medal that will constitute the award, and it requires an initial investment to have a quarter-century of them manufactured. You can help by contributing HERE.
(i will also accept checks if that's simpler or more comfortable for you. email me and we'll work it out)

We will award the NPP in a public ceremony each year on International Peace Day (September 21), and the awardee will be the Ojai Peace Coalition's dignitary in the next Independence Day parade! Can you help us create this legacy and honor our heroes?

Posted by evan austin at 02:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | author bio

A few years ago, when I was mayor of our small town, I wrote an editorial for the Ojai Valley News called "Transforming politics - a new paradigm." It was a time not unlike the present, when some of the council members looked upon the people that appeared behind the podium as "fringe element." I both flinched and smiled when I heard that term bandied about, knowing that most change in society starts with the "fringe." I can remember a time when I was branded a quack by the medical establishment for writing about the health benefits of organically grown food, natural childbirth, alternative medicine and yoga. So when some were not ready to turn Ojai into a model sustainable car-free community where pedestrians are king, I generally took it in stride, confident that I was ahead of my time! My bible when I was on the council, was a book called Spiritual Politics: Changing the world from the Inside Out, (with a Foreword by the Dalai Lama) written by a couple who frequently led conferences at Meditation Mount, Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson. Here is the editorial, exactly as it appeared in 1999.

Continue reading "Spiritual Politics" »

Posted by Suza Francina at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (41) | author bio

What can our diverse faith traditions teach us about Peace and Compassion?

Please join leaders and practitioners of several of our valley's various spiritual paths for a dialogue centered on faith-based principles and practices of nonviolence, this coming Sunday March 11th from 3-5pm at the Ojai Women's Center, 441 East Ojai Avenue. We will also discuss why/whether different faiths should be communicating with each other at all, and to what end?

Gandhi said "In nature there is fundamental unity running through all the diversity we see about us. Religions are given to mankind so as to accelerate the process of realisation of fundamental unity."

This event is FREE. Bring friends, bring children, bring fellow congregants, bring your open heart.

For discussion here: whether you'll be attending or not, what have you to say on these topics? how does your faith inform your commitment to peace? what goal does or should interfaith dialogue have?

Posted by evan austin at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

When our family moved to the United States in 1974, we stopped in Israel and Jordan to visit some of the holy places. I remember visiting the wailing wall, calvary, and the location of Christ's tomb. Though I was only 7, it left an impression on me. Richard Nixon resigned a month after our arrival. I have vague memories of these times but I can honestly say the first President I really remember is Jimmy Carter. Carter has been a hero of mine for many years because of his honesty, integrity, and his work for peace. In particular, the Carter Center, founded by Carter, has the goal for advancing human rights and alleviating suffering. Recently I read his new book Palestine Peace Not Apartheid with great interest. I was curious to see what this prominent Nobel Peace Prize winner had to say about the Middle East, especially in using the word 'apartheid' in the title.

Continue reading "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid" »

Posted by Kenley Neufeld at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

DNC Voting Rights Institute on CA-50 Special Election

For several weeks since the June 6th Special Election in California’s 50th Congressional District there have been reports of election irregularities. The DNC Voting Rights Institute (“VRI”) has been monitoring the developments since Election Day and has raised a number of concerns regarding new and disturbing information.

First and foremost is the fact that any election where there are allegations of machine tampering, break downs in chain of custody, security breaches and other such irregularities must be taken seriously. There are several facts in this race that raise very deep concerns.

On the facts:

Continue reading "DNC's Voting Rights Institute Calls for "Manual Count" of all Ballots in Busby/Bilbray Election" »

Posted by Howard Smith at 06:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

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 02:07 PM | Permalink | author bio