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

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

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

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

Download, view, or print the meeting flyer here.

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

Posted by Suza Francina at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (12) | author bio

TODAY, Sunday May 4th at 3:00pm, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions will host a public meeting to celebrate, discuss and reaffirm Julia Ward Howe's 1870 Mother's Day Peace Proclamation:

"As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel . . . to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interest of peace."
[read the full Proclamation here.]

Continue reading "Mother's Day for Peace!" »

Posted by evan austin at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Iraq Veterans Against the War held a series of hearings on the weekend of March 14 through 16, 2008 (the same weekend as Not One More! here in Libbey Park) called "Winter Soldier 2008", modeled after the Winter Soldier hearings in 1971 during the Vietnam War.

i have downloaded all of the testimony from these emotional and enlightening hearings, and will gladly burn you a 10-disc audio set for $10 (a single mp3 disc for $1). $5 will go to the Ojai Peace Coalition, and $5 will go toward the new IVAW Chapter in Ventura. email me to request a copy.

here's Infantrymen Clifton Hicks and Steven Casey giving testimony as part of the March 14th panel "Rules of Engagement, Part One": LISTEN. DOWNLOAD.

Continue reading "Winter Soldier Audio Discs Available" »

Posted by evan austin at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

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

from Peace Action's Peace Blog:
April has been the most deadly month for U.S. troops since September.

Those who died in Iraq in recent weeks:
Sgt Michael Lilly 23 Boise ID
Sgt Jeremiah McNeal 23 Norfolk VA
Cap Ulises Burgos Cruz 29 Puerto Rico
Spc Matthew Morris 23 Cedar Park TX
Pvt Shane Penley 19 Sauk Village IL
Col Stephen Scott 54 New Market AL
Maj Stuart Wolfer 36 Colorado Springs FL
Sgt Emanuel Pickett 34 Teachey NC
Spc Jason Kazarick 30 Oakmont PA
Maj Mark Rosenberg 32 Miami Lakes FL
Sgt Jeffrey Hartley 25 Hempstead TX
Sgt Richard Vaughn 22 San Diego CA
Spc Jeremiah Hughes 26 Jacksonville FL
Sgt Timothy Smith 25 So Lake Tahoe CA
Sgt Anthony Capra 31 Hanford CA
Sgt Shaun Tousha 30 Hull TX
Cpl Dean Opicka 29 Waukesha WI
Air Adrian Campos 22 El Paso TX
Cpl Jordan Haerter 19 Sag Harbor NY
PO Cherie Morton 40 Bakersfield CA
Ltn Matthew Vandergrift 28 Littleton CO
Pvt Ronald Harrison 25 Morris Plains NJ
Spc Stephen Christofferson 20 Cudahy WI
Sgt Adam Kohlhaas 26 Perryville MO
Sgt Guadalupe Ramirez 26 Mohave Valley AZ
Cpl Jonathan Yale 21 Burkeville VA
Ltn Timothy Cunningham 26 College Station TX
Pvt John Bishop 22 Gaylord MI
Sgt Ronald Blystone 34 Springfield MO
Sgt Shaun Whitehead 24 Commerce GA

426 Iraqi sisters and brothers were killed.

Cf: www.icasualties.org

Posted by evan austin at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | 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

New on the Ojai Peace Coalition Action Blog:

• Mother's Day for Peace: Sunday May 4th from 3-5pm at the E.P.Foster Library on Main Street in Ventura.

• The Future of Local Transportation, Saturday, May 10, 2008 (National Train Day) from 2-3:30pm at Ruby's Café of Oxnard, 348 South Oxnard Blvd.

• Nominate a Peace Pioneer for a $10,000 prize from Ben & Jerry's!

• Tell the Presidential candidates to declare clean cars a priority starting Day One of their administration.

• Women today make up 56% of college graduates and nearly half of the labor force in this country, yet women make only 73 cents to a man's dollar, and mothers only make 60 cents, for the exact same job. AND THE SENATE FAILED TO PASS THE FAIR PAY ACT LAST WEEK, with Senator McCain saying that women just need "education and training". Tell him he's off-target.
(for the energetic: sign this petition in support of the Fair Pay Act through Commitee for a Democratic Majority)

• DVDs of last week's "Are Peace and Impeachment Possible?" town hall are coming...email me if you'd like a copy!

• Tell DHS that the Social Security database is not an appropriate tool for enforcing the immigration laws.

• Share your story or comments about how important it is to provide healthcare coverage for all kids in California. MomsRising.org will share your comments and pictures with California lawmakers to show them that real families are impacted and care about this issue.

Posted by evan austin at 12:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Amusing article in the LA Times on Ojai's own Jennifer Moss, aka Earth Friend Jen, aka the "Pastie Lady"...

Ojai's citizens, meanwhile, have divided into pro- and con-Pastie Lady camps, venting their opinions in the local newspaper nearly every week.

"Ojai tolerance is not eternal," local filmmaker Leland Hammerschmitt wrote in a guest editorial in the Ojai Valley News, in which he scolded Moss for her "naked narcissism." "You've had more than your day. Go away. Just stop."

But Moss, whose social activism appears to revolve around natural-fiber clothing and the healing powers of water, also has ardent defenders. They say "Earth Friend Jen" is not hurting anyone and that naysayers should leave her alone.

UPDATE - 7:15pm: We're getting a ridiculous amount of traffic from people searching for our resident-in-pasties, thanks to an article not just in the LA Times but on the AP. Hence the pages not rebuilding properly, and some other technical weirdness. If you're looking for more on EFJ, check out the video filmed by our own Mike Didj... Earth Friend Jen's Point of View

UPDATE - 7:55pm: Our fine hosting provider, Digital Housing , took a look at the undercoating, tweaked a few knobs and greased the thingometer. The site should be running a lot smoother... comment away.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (38) | author bio

"FOOD, FARM AND ECO-EATING" — an Ojai Valley Green Coalition presentation, will be held today, Thursday at 7--8:30 p.m. at Chaparral High School Auditorium.

This evening the Food and Agriculture Action Committee will give a lively presentation on how every choice we make about buying fresh and nutritious food, grown by our region's farmers, is a choice for the health of our environment -- both for the Ojai Valley and the global community.

Come discover other food resources that exist within the valley through the coalition's Food Security Assessment. Learn more about local food production and about a new Community Supported Agriculture program. Consider the environmental impact of livestock production and learn about Eco-Eating, an environmental option focusing on a plant-based diet.

We look forward to sharing an evening of film & media, gardening programs, books and what the food lovers of our valley are doing to add to our enjoyment of life and our food security through sustainable agriculture.

Chaparral Auditorium Unified School District 414 E. Ojai Ave.
$2 donation appreciated, but all welcome.To learn more about this event and other activities, visit us:
www.OjaiValleyGreenCoalition.org Info: 805.653.8445

"Every time you pick up your fork, you can make a big difference for the environment."
http://www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org/media/PresentationAnnouncement-FA.pdf

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | 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

This was written by good friend and former Ojai activist, Carol Grier. Carol now does her peace work from a beautiful island in British Columbia. She recently spent some time in Washington, D.C. at the Winter Soldier Hearings. I was deeply touched by her reflections, and felt moved to share them with our community.
In Peace,
Sally

**************************************

They were dressed all in black, in the hundreds, marching single file, with white death masks and the names and ages of war victims on placards ‘round each of their necks. I caught my breath and watched in anguish—this after having listened to three grueling days of eyewitness accounts of the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations at The Winter Soldier Hearings in Washington D.C. last month. Five years on, and there’s no end in sight—another quagmire.

As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, I am still impacted by multiple tragedies of the Vietnam War. I know many families who were split politically and are still not healed. Countless Vietnam vets living in nests under bushes or in encampments under bridges across the nation are “survivors” still unable to come to terms with the illegal and immoral war in which they were used by their government and thrown away like so much refuse. More Vietnam veterans have died since the war by their own hand than were actually killed in Vietnam. And thousands more tragic stories from the Vietnamese too, should have taught us—but here we are again.

Continue reading "Bring Them Home Now! (By Carol S. Grier)" »

Posted by Sally Carless at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | author bio

edited by Rob Clement
originally uploaded by RedTerror

Posted by Mike Didj at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | author bio

Two different colleagues relayed stories where the word wetback and beaner were used recently. I didn't expect to hear these two words in 2008. Even the folks who demonstrated in Ojai last week did not admit to being racist (though I suspect differently). And despite the fact that we have a black man running for the President of the United States, it is obvious that racism is alive and well in America, and in our neighborhood. Both these words were used inside crowded businesses and the derogatory terms were heard by those it was directed toward. In both cases, the recipients were highly educated and active participants in our society and economy. What is happening here? During the mid-1970's, when I attended elementary school in Fresno, I did hear these terms. But in Trader Joe's? Inside a Mexican food restaurant?

Continue reading "Two Words I Didn't Expect to Hear" »

Posted by Kenley Neufeld at 08:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (32) | 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

The Friends Committee on National Legislation, in their most recent newsletter, cites three recent polls that indicate a majority of Americans think that U.S. military spending is too high and should be capped or reduced. And yet Congress is scheduled this month to consider President Bush's demand for an additional $102 Billion for the disaster in Iraq, which is on top of the $562 Billion already given to the occupation since 2003 and on top of the $3 Trillion the war is estimated to cost for veterans' care, weapons replacement, and higher oil prices. It's also on top of the human cost of over 4,000 Americans and over 1,000,000 Iraqis.

Closer to home, the State of California is out nearly $64.5 Billion from this war (while facing a $16 Billion deficit), and Ojai's share is $14.4 Million to date.

What to do?
• Sign the Ojai Peace Coalition's petition to the Ojai City Council, urging their adoption of a resolution calling for withdrawal of troops, contractors, and bases; appropriation of medical, psychological, financial, and educational assistance for veterans; redirection of war funds to neglected domestic needs; providing non-military support for rebuilding Iraq; and transfer of authority to Iraqis with the help of U.N. peacekeepers.

• Attend a presentation and discussion TODAY at 4:30pm about resisting war through taxes and counter-recruitment. Joseph Maizlish of Southern California War Tax Resisters will be presenting along with Norm Bauer of the Ventura County Committee to Stop the War and the War Resister's League. This is taking place at a private home...contact me for exact location.

Continue reading "Approaching Spiritual Doom (Plus What To Do About It!)" »

Posted by evan austin at 06:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | author bio

From Mother Jones, a photo essay...

The photos on these pages are selected from photographer Brian Ulrich's Copia project, which began after 9/11. "In 2001, citizens were encouraged to take to the malls to boost the U.S. economy through shopping," he says, "thereby equating consumerism with patriotism. The Copia project, a direct response to that advice, is a long-term photographic examination of the peculiarities and complexities of the consumer-dominated culture in which we live."

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | 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

Up to 54 cents of every dollar you send to Uncle Sam this tax season will go to the United States military in some way, and yet even as militarism is touted as a solution to the world's ills, we live in a time of unprecedented global unrest. The Ojai Peace Coalition invites you to spend an evening discovering the connections - both personal and collective - between the world's violence and our own hard work, and what nonviolent means are available for resistance.

Joseph Maizlish of Southern California War Tax Resisters and Norman Bauer of the Ventura County Committee to Stop the War will co-present about protesting war through tax resistance and counter-recruitment at a private home in Ojai on Saturday, April 5th, 2008.

Contact me for exact location and time.
This event is FREE, with donations accepted.

Posted by evan austin at 08:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

the following guest editorial was submitted by Jeff Furchtenicht and Sean P. Keenan.

Its a beautiful Saturday. We're strolling downtown, for our first cup of coffee, a chat with friends and neighbors, the usual in our bucolic 'burb.

Oops, not this morning. The Minutemen have arrived in Ojai.

There they are, dragging the American flag on the ground, standing on a corner where members of our community gather for work, yelling and screaming.

Please. Not in our town. And not before our first cup of coffee.

Continue reading "Guest Editorial: The Minutemen Have Landed" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 02:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (127) | author bio

The corner of Montgomery Street and Ojai Avenue is ALIVE right now, and it's not just the heavy morning traffic. That collection of corners informally make up what some call a DLS, or Day Laborer Site, and there are at least three different groups there this morning, representing many sides of the immigration issue.

Save Our State and No More Invasion chose that corner in Ojai for an anti-illegal-immigration protest this morning, and their message seems to be heightened border security, more strict laws to deal with people who are currently here illegally, and mass deportation. These two groups are known for working together and for embracing tactics of fear and intimidation, including having used pepper spray on someone in recent months. They also videotape much of their protests and post the videos on YouTube.

One of the group's emails was intercepted, and so a second group present is the "ad-hoc anti-fascist coalition" which i believe is based in Ventura. They are mostly young people, dressed in much black and metal, and equipped with banners, signs, flags, and a bullhorn. This group equates SOS and NMI with fascists, Nazis, and white supremists, and so their call is for these Minutemen to go away.

A third, very small group is comprised of some locals who have a distaste for the negative and violent energies of the previous ones, who desire to stand in solidarity with the day laborers in a spirit of compassion. A fourth group is of course the laborers themselves, who were made aware of the impending protest within the past couple of days both by local activists and police. They are mostly quiet, having receded from the corner and watching in a loose group as the Minutemen and anti-fascists have their yelling match. Ultimately, they are not able to be on the actual corner where it's easiest to be picked up, so in a sense the Minutemen have succeeded for today.

The protests will last at least until noon...if you're going through downtown Ojai, you can't miss it.
Photos coming soon.

Posted by evan austin at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (77) | 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

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

Obama delivered a brilliant speech today, transcending politics-as-usual and the scorched earth policies that dominate the American political landscape. An excerpt below...

For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle – as we did in the OJ trial – or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she's playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies.

We can do that.

But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.

That is one option. Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, "Not this time." This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time.

Continue reading "Obama on Race and Politics" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (22) | 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

California has a new plan for massive disasters. Abandoned elderly, emptying beds for higher priority patients, veterinarians setting bones and stitching people up. Not a pretty sight.

Older, sicker patients could be allowed to die in order to save the lives of patients more likely to survive a massive disaster, bioterror attack or influenza pandemic in California.

It's not how nurses and doctors are accustomed to doing things, nor how Californians expect to be treated. But it is part of a sweeping statewide plan being praised for its breadth, even as it rankles providers who will have to carry it out.

The new "surge capacity guidelines" released by the state Department of Public Health, depict a post-disaster health care environment that looks and feels nothing like the system most Californians depend on.

It provides for scenarios in which patients could be herded into school gymnasiums for life-saving care or animal doctors could stitch up the human wounded and set their broken bones.

The 1,900-page document lays the practical -- and ethical -- groundwork for local and county health departments, hospitals, emergency responders and any able-bodied health care worker likely to be called upon in a catastrophe. Striking in its specificity and its frank focus on the need to suspend or flex established laws and to ration health care, the plan is being hailed as a model for the rest of the nation.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | author bio

Dear Editor,

Health insurance has been a major focus of mine for several years. I discovered a few years back that if you became unemployed and your COBRA insurance ran out, and you have even the smallest pre-existing medical condition, you were out of luck and un-insurable. Without medical insurance, all that my wife and I had worked and saved for all of our lives was at risk. We immediately took out a $2,500 deductible Blue Cross policy for my wife that was in good health, and have paying for it for the last 12 years. For me, with a pre-existing medical condition, the only solution was to start a business to get group insurance, which I did.

Continue reading "Guest Editorial: Pat McPherson" »

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (37) | author bio

At my request, the National Priorities Project, which bills itself as "a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent", has calculated war cost data specifically for the City of Ojai (previously the closest data available was for Ventura County).

By the numbers:
Taxpayers in Ojai, California will pay $12.6 million for the cost of the Iraq War through 2007. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:

5,170 People with Health Care OR
22,429 Homes with Renewable Electricity OR
234 Public Safety Officers OR
188 Music and Arts Teachers OR
1,933 Scholarships for University Students OR
1 New Elementary Schools OR
38 Affordable Housing Units OR
4,695 Children with Health Care OR
1,494 Head Start Places for Children OR
190 Elementary School Teachers OR
168 Port Container Inspectors

Posted by evan austin at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (33) | 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

I am a budding (not leafing? why are they always budding?) entrepreneur. I have a young company that I started as a sole proprietorship a couple of years ago, but have big dreams for it.

I've spent a lot of years working in the nonprofit sector -- in the arts, in community, and in social services, and have reached a point of literal and philosophical exhaustion with the assumptions that we make about how "charity" should work, and how separate it is from commerce in this culture.

As a result, as I began my business, I decided not to start it as a nonprofit, though I have a really burning commitment to many of the ideals of the nonprofit world, because I wanted to see what it felt like to come at it from a sense of strength and abundance, rather than trying to convince the world I was doing something noble, so everyone needed to give me money for it. I'm done with begging! (If I never see another grant proposal in my lifetime, I will die happy.)

But, as I'm dreaming it forward, I've been wondering about this split we perceive between for profit and nonprofit, and have been doing some digging about how to shake up those assumptions.

Continue reading "Social Business Ventures" »

Posted by Leigh Melander at 07:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | author bio

From a letter sent by the Ojai Valley Democratic Club:

Because of the hard work we have all been doing, Ventura County is about to change from Republican to Democrat. Four years ago we were 16,000 behind. Now the gap is only 473! Help us close the gap and move on to a decisive majority!

To discuss common objectives and strategies in that pursuit, supporters of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Dennis Kucinich, along with members of the Ojai Peace Coalition, MoveOn.org, and the Ojai Green Coalition, are invited to attend a general meeting of the Ojai Valley Democratic Club this Saturday, February 23rd at 10:00am at the Ojai Arts Center, 113 South Montgomery Street, Ojai.

Posted by evan austin at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | 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

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

This year the California Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legal right for gay and lesbian couples to marry. Join millions of like-minded Californians and sign this open letter asking the Governor to tell the court that the current law is unconstitutional and that all loving couples deserve the freedom to marry.

By adding your name, you’re taking a stand and showing that you’re someone who supports the freedom to marry and the honor, dignity and respect that come along with it. Make your voice heard by February 14, in this critical year for LGBT Californians. The time is now.

Happy Freedom To Marry Week, my LGBT friends. I DO support your freedom to marry if you choose to.

Today's Season for Nonviolence mantra:
Feb 11: Today, I will look beyond stereotypes and prejudices.

Posted by evan austin at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

Jack Johnson lives in Hawai'i with his wife and kids, loves the natural world, and makes a brand of laid back, mostly acoustic rock that's popular in local surf communities like Santa Barbara and Ventura in addition to being highly palatable for nearly all radio-cafe-mall playing. He also has been to Ojai to play Locally Grown 1.

Jack's fourth studio album, Sleep Through The Static, comes with this description:

My friends and I have just finished recording a new album called Sleep Through the Static. At this point in my life I weigh about 190 lbs and my ear hairs are getting longer. I also have a couple of kids. My wife popped them out, but I helped. Some of the songs on this album are about making babies. Some of the songs are about raising them. Some of the songs are about the world that these children will grow up in; a world of war and love, and hate, and time and space. Some of the songs are about saying goodbye to people I love and will miss.

Continue reading "Album Review: Jack Johnson's "Sleep Through The Static"" »

Posted by evan austin at 01:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | author bio

Silly, sure...but it gets the point across and is no more complex than it needs to be:

Can we do this?

Continue reading "Happy Democracy Day!" »

Posted by evan austin at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | author bio

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

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

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

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

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

from reader Kim Sleder...

The Nan Tolbert Nurturing Center is an organization dedicated to the nurture of children pre-birth to three, through inspiring partnerships and community resources that address pre and post-natal wellbeing, infant/ toddler development, and parent education and support.

We are soliciting new program applications/ paid instructors in the fields of early years development, enrichment, play groups, health, prenatal/postnatal, etc. to be offered at the Center.

For more information, please look to our website at www.birthresource.org and contact us at 646-7559. Program application deadline for Spring/Summer is March 7th and classes will begin early May.

***************************************************************************

CONTACT:
Kim Sleder
c/o Ojai Valley Birth Resource and Family Support
at the Nan Tolbert Nuturing Center
555 Mahoney Avenue
Oak View, CA 93022
805-646-7559
www.birthresource.org

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | 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

i don't pretend to know a whole lot about economics or all the troubles that the housing market is in right now, but i'm comfortable enough to know that certain frivolities of society (schools, roads, health care, etc) are feeling a pinch. i also tend to believe educated economists when they say that a declining housing market and general loss of net jobs are sure signs of what they call "recession".

i get a little bit worried when, despite January's unemployment rate being higher than December's, President Bush claims that "for the first time in 52 months, we didn't create jobs." i become alarmed when he says that our economy is in a "rough patch", as though the financial standings of the world's only superpower are a neglected corner of his ranch.

what i DO know is that the occupation of and war on Iraq is costing the United States $720 Million every day of the tax money we're about to send more of. locally, that amounts to $487 Million from Ventura County alone to pay for fiscal year 2007, with FY2008 estimated to cost OUR COUNTY $550 Million. that's a lot of money. how much?

Continue reading "My Economic Stimulus Package : End the F#*%ing War!" »

Posted by evan austin at 02:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | author bio

Thanks to Peggy LaCerra for sending me this!

"The Best Peace Sign!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrIgA4Nk

Posted by Suza Francina at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | 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

Bob Ballard is doing great things for the homeless. He is bringing them an opportunity to create. And he is doing great things for art lovers. He is bringing them art from an unlikely place: homeless shelters. He is doing all of this because he wants to shift perceptions.

The story of Ballard's nonprofit, Hearts of Fire, is in this week’s VC Reporter. Excerpt:

Hearts of Fire has become a burning passion for Ballard, who admits, “I’m not trying to solve any problems, not find them housing and food. I’m just looking for a way for them to express themselves.”

“We’re just really excited about what’s going to happen next,” he said.

This is only on newsstands until tomorrow, but you can always check it out online (but the newsstand version is better because you will get a better look at the featured artwork).

See the music video that inpired Ballard's work after the jump.

Continue reading "Homeless Art" »

Posted by Lisa Snider at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | author bio

Hollywood and fans the world over were shocked last week when Oscar-nominated actor Heath Ledger, gaining fame for challenging roles in films such as Monster's Ball, Brokeback Mountain, and this coming summer's The Dark Knight, was found dead in his apartment with sleeping pills nearby, at the age of 28.

Lauded personally as a "down-to-earth, generous, kindhearted, life-loving, unselfish individual", his death prompted remarks from such Hollywood heavyweights as Mel Gibson and Ang Lee, both of whom mourned the "tragic loss" of a young life.

On the same day as Ledger's death, 20-year-old Army Sergeant Michael R. Sturdivant of Conway, Arkansas died in Kirkuk, Iraq "of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident during convoy operations". Those who knew him praise his service-oriented attitude, dedication, and volunteerism. His life was marked by a good heart and kind words. Needless to say, Sturdivant's untimely and tragic death received only local attention.

And why is this? Is an actor's life worth more than a soldier's? Is a tuxedo more prized than camouflage? Many will unhesitatingly (although with some disgust) answer "Yes!", and it would seem that the evidence is on your side. i answer "Yes" also, but not because i believe that one life or vocation is worth more than another. i believe that Mr. Ledger's tragedy is so because it was UNEXPECTED. The difference for Mr. Sturdivant is that death is one of the accepted risks of his job. Rarely mentioned or stated explicitly, to be killed is one of the things a soldier - and those who send him or her into battle - can EXPECT. Soldiers are made to die, and war was made to kill them.

Continue reading "Soldiers Are Made To Die" »

Posted by evan austin at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (23) | 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