The Ojai Post

Welcome to Day 38 of the 64-day Season for Nonviolence; one of today's affirmations and practices is

KINDNESS: Do something kind for someone for no reason other than to be kind. Bring beauty to a place where it may be needed without letting anyone know that you were the one who did it. Write about how it felt and then share this story with someone.

Tell us what you've done or will do...anonymous posts welcome!

The Season's daily affirmations and practices are updated EVERY DAY at ojaipeace.org.

Posted by evan austin at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | author bio

Today is January 30: Day One of the 64-day Season For Nonviolence that spans the death dates of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. It is in honor of the lives, work, and commitment of these men and others who advanced the consciousness and practice of nonviolence in profound and dramatic ways, and who continue to inspire peoples’ personal, social, and political lives to this day, that we invest the energy to consider one reflection or practice each day during this period.

1. Today, I will reflect on what Peace means to me.

COURAGE: Light a candle to symbolize your commitment to accept the courage to practice 64 Ways of living nonviolently.

Follow the Season at ojaipeace.org!

Posted by evan austin at 08:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

No doubt you are well aware of the disaster, needs, and response in Haiti, and if you're like me it can seem overwhelming to know how to help. Specifically, there can be a general doubt about where your money (if that's how you choose to reach out) is best placed, given that many relief organizations - including the Red Cross - have high overhead costs that divert some of the funds away from direct relief. It is not my intention to judge or discourage past or future donations to great orgs like the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and others...but i would like to make you aware - with a grateful hat-tip to Lisa Snider of Radio Ojai - of Direct Relief International, which "provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people affected by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest at home and throughout the world. We work to strengthen the in-country health efforts of our partners by providing essential material resources – medicines, supplies and equipment."

Why is DRI so special? For one thing, spending less than one-half of one percent of their annual support on fundraising and less than one percent on administration means that 99% of funds go directly to relief. For those of us in Ventura County, there's another bonus: DRI is based in nearby Santa Barbara. Two great reasons to donate to Haiti relief today? i think so.

Cross-posted on the Ojai Peace Coalition Action Blog.

Posted by evan austin at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

How would you like some free, locally-produced Christmas music to decorate/eat/wrap/unwrap by?

Ojai Radio is currently featuring local artist, Todd McHatton's Christmas Songs. Click here for a listen!

And to download the whole 5 song EP for FREE click here! If you like indie rock, Harry Nilsson, or Christmas.... give it a listen.

Posted by evan austin at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

"You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can't bomb it into peace" -Michael Franti
You can't slash away uncomfortable truths, either...but that doesn't mean people won't try. The above photograph is of my car, a 2001 Ford Focus that you've probably seen around the valley for almost as long as this war's been on, which i call "Arlington Mobile" after the Arlington West temporary memorials in Long Beach and Santa Barbara (which, of course, take their names from Arlington National Cemetary). Both of my driver's side tires were slashed sometime late last week, which affords me the opportunity to reflect on the dramatic, terrifying, confounding, and even amusing disconnect between the message and the response, and to "ping" our local collective consciousness with the fact that "the holidays are here, and we're STILL at war".

i've reflected on this before, and yet it still comes as a poignant reminder: the gap between an uncomfortable Truth (the persistence of war and the actual number of American military dead) and a violent response (nasty notes, egging, slashing tires) is ENORMOUS, MISPLACED, and INDIRECT. That gap SHOULD be filled with education, social skills and awareness, and democratic empowerment...a tall order, for sure.

Some friends have come forward to help me replace the tires. That's the easy part. The OTHER things we need...to have healthy, communicative, and non-violent people all around? Of course, those are more difficult. i suggest we start with education...even sixth grader Ethan Matsuda knows that.

Posted by evan austin at 09:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | 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

Sally Carless, founder and Executive Director of Global Village School, recently received the Ojai Peace Coalition’s Noble Peace Prize. Each year, the Coalition honors a local individual who works for and exhibits peace in their lives.

The nomination most specifically cited Carless’s attention to peace and justice issues through the establishment and continued operation of the Ojai-based Global Village School, an international K-12 homeschool diploma program with a creative, flexible approach and an emphasis on peace, justice, diversity, and sustainability. Global Village offers a full diploma program and college preparatory classes that prepare students to be wise and capable stewards of the planet and each other.

According to evan austin, founder of the Ojai Peace Coalition, “The purpose of the Noble Peace Prize is to recognize and honor local actions and lifestyles that positively affect our community in ways consistent with the Ojai Peace Coalition's aims and values, and to create S/Heroes of Peace with the idea that culture is defined in part by our traditions, rituals, and honored individuals.”

Continue reading "Global Village School Founder Honored on Int'l Day of Peace" »

Posted by evan austin at 03:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

This is written by poet, writer, and long-time Ojai resident, Fiona O'Connell:

One thing that we of the twenty-first century do not lack is words. In this up-to-the-nanosecond era we are deluged in them to the despairing point that we sometimes suspect we are drowning. Our main focus as we wade neck-deep through the rushing river of political locution and counter-locution is how best to get to the far shore (peace and quiet) in one healthy piece.

But in this same century there is another thing we have and there are no words for it. Ridiculous? No, not at all. Every once in a blessed while in the middle of the excess of verbosity a lifeline is tossed, whereupon we lunge for it, grab it, and find ourselves on the far shore (peace and quiet) where the sun of the good, the true and the beautiful is shining. A lifesaving book is securely tied to the lifeline; it is a copy of Three Cups of Tea. Hmmm we murmur inaudibly, “Two’s always been my limit. What might three be about?”

Continue reading "Three Cups of Tea" »

Posted by Sally Carless at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

...not unusual for Ojai, mind you. But as compared to similarly-themed gatherings across our nation, Friday night's town hall meeting was marked by order and respect that we can and should be VERY proud of.

From the Ventura County Star article by Tom Kishen:

Amid rallies and forums across the country that have sometimes been angry and often accusatory, the Ojai event was different from the beginning. Organizer Kristofer Young, a holistic chiropractor, asked the about 80 participants to stand if they wanted a respectful meeting. Everyone did.

Ojai citizens will rally at the Y from 5-7pm on Monday August 31st for healthcare reform.

A town hall meeting on healthcare reform will take place in Ventura on Monday August 31st at 7pm in the Topping Room of the E.P. Foster Library, 651 East Main Street.

Posted by evan austin at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | author bio

Sponsored by Heal the Community, a group of local parents and residents impacted by the April gang-related murder of Seth Scarminach, the forum will allow residents to discuss the issue of gangs in our valley with a panel of community leaders and experts.

i was there at the start, but my almost-two-year-old insisted that we leave early. The Matilija auditorium holds 300 people, and there were more folks crowding around every door and sitting outside. Notes were taken and will be available at a later date, and there will be an additional forum in late summer/early fall.

What did you see, hear, or say tonight? Who provided the best solutions? What were they?
And, as MC Brett Bradigan asked, what are YOU willing to do to help?

Posted by evan austin at 07:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (14) | author bio

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

The last two months have been a boon for my musical collection. Typically I purchase quite a bit of music in a year, but for some reason I have added twelve new pieces to my collection in the last two months and I'd like to share my thoughts on 11 of those releases.

In addition to playing my iPod at my desk, I also have a 45-minute commute each direction, which provides plenty of opportunity to listen to music. My musical tastes vary considerably and I hear about music from a few key friends, listening to KEXP, and reading the linear notes of my existing collection. Take for example the new release by Rocco DeLuca and the Burden. Though I've heard of him, and almost went to see him last year, the motivational factor on this purchase was that Daniel Lanois produced Mercy. Dan is one of my top artists and producers, so I usually grab anything related to him. Once again, this is not a disappointment. A great blues release with subtle lyrics and an angelic voice. Clearly a unique sound on an old style. The "Lanois" sound does not come through too strong like it did on the Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, and U2 productions but if you listen closely then you can hear it. You won't be disappointed.

Continue reading "Cultivating Music in 2009" »

Posted by Kenley Neufeld at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (15) | author bio

So says SheWired.com... guess the secret is out.

We saw our first two sets of lesbians during lunch and noted that it was great to have family around. Post lunch we decided to take a quick soak in the spa, where we ran into several more gay women in pairs, including some friends we didn’t know were coming up. I wondered if we hadn’t stumbled upon the secret getaway of not only Hollywood, but the lesbian contingency of LA and SF.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 07:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | 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

I was asked to highlight a woman-owned restaurant, preferably one with a female chef/cook for the VC Reporter's special Women's Issue. I got great suggestions like Feast Bistro and World Flavor Cafe in Ojai but I'd seen reviews of them fairly recently so I headed out to Oxnard to visit a place I hadn't been to before. There were really fun surprises as you'll see when you read the review.

There is also a slideshow with more pictures of food and fun after the jump , didn't want to make everyone crazy each time they open the post. :)

Continue reading "A Blast From the Past -- Fresh & Fabulous in Oxnard CA and the Woolworth Museum" »

Posted by DK Crawford at 01:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | author bio

Tonight's City Council meeting was a great one...government in action, with a full room of energetic Citizens. We heard proclamations to the group behind our local Arbor Week activities and to the 2010 Census, some salient public comments dealing mostly with small business signage (specifically, being able to have a small display or sandwich board out to advertise specials or sales), and a quickly approved Consent Calendar totaling $429,714.62 and approving the minutes of six meetings. Discussion Items 2 and 3 dealt with the City's use of pesticides and the proposed purchase of a City-wide phone system, respectively. Public Works Director Mike Culver gave what i thought were brilliantly coherent and detailed reports on both these topics and the research and planning that he and his staff had put together at the Council's direction (short version: the City uses some pretty low-impact herbicides a few months a year and will be putting together a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management program with direction from a task group to include diverse Citizenry and mindful via public comment of instances in which killing "weeds" might be completely unnecessary. Councilwoman Betsy Clapp playfully urges the use of goats for weed control. The current phone system is physically broken and antiquated and splits the City into three departments...the new one funnels all calls through City Hall and connects the public with the department they're after with an extension after that, makes interdepartmental communication easier, and will pay for itself - $40,623 - after 14 months, saving us $5,000 per year after that on our phone bills.)

Then we got to the main reason i was there: the proposed repeal of the City's ordinance regarding leaf blowers.

Continue reading "Total Leaf Blower Ban Proposed!" »

Posted by evan austin at 12:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (38) | 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

Meyer Lemon Semifreddo with chocolate covered cocoa nibs and walnut brittle

Local eatery serves up local ingredients in a unique boutique

A few weeks ago I had the joy of going to Treasure Beach and Cafe' and wrote about it for the VC Reporter. When I spoke to them that day they told me they'd started serving Sunday brunch and I must say the menu sounded scrumptious!

They specialize in fresh preparations of seasonal, local ingredients and list the local, often Ojai, food sources on the menu. They also change the menu every week to fit what's available from growers.

I have posted more photos after the jump so you can see just how yummy it was. Here is the review in the VC Reporter.

Hope you enjoy!!

Continue reading "Food Review of Ojai's Treasure Beach and Cafe'" »

Posted by DK Crawford at 08:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | 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

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

(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

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

Continue reading "OJAI FILM FESTIVAL ARRIVES SOON!" »

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

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

Downtown Ojai, 10:00pm

A brief but high-speed chase ended abruptly at the corner of Grand and Signal Streets when the sedan being chased by Ojai police jumped the curb and traveled nearly 50 feet, landing upside-down in the backyard of the home there.. The driver then fled on foot, with police in pursuit. Many area residents came to the sidewalks, some with flashlights, as indistinct yelling was heard nearby.

By 10:15pm the suspect was apprehended, and witnesses say he was yelling "Mama, Mama!" as he was loaded into the police car. Sheriffs say the unidentified man, whom they're not sure is from around here, fled from the police after they responded to a domestic abuse call.

Posted by evan austin at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | 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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you involved with a non-profit organization? Did you know that over 1.5 million non-profits exist in the United States and over 300 in the Ojai Valley alone? Pretty phenomenal when you think about it. I just finished reading a book by Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant, two MBAs, who wrote a study on high impact non-profit organizations. The books is called Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits. It was a good read considering the potentially dry topic.

"At a time when the social sector has grown to more than $1 trillion, understanding what leads to impact is essential. Whether you're a non-profit leader, philanthropist, business executive, board member, volunteer, or simply interested in changing the world, this book will inspire you to be a stronger force for good."

Continue reading "Forces for Good" »

Posted by Kenley Neufeld at 05:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio