The Ojai Tennis Tournament is one of Ojai's biggest traditions, one that I have covered extensively for these pages (I even interviewed a ball boy). It all begins this Thursday and runs through Sunday, April 24-27. A big part of the tradition is the Tea Tent. Sandy Herman is this year's Tea Tent Chair and has provided the following article for the good readers of the Ojai Post.
Continue reading "Pouring Tradition Continues at 108th Ojai" »
(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."
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" »
OJAI FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREES
Richard + Lauren Shuler Donner
and Ray Bradbury
Malcolm McDowell Signs On As Honorary Chair of First Ojai Film Festival Celebrity Golf Classic
VIP PASSES ON SALE NOW
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" »
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.
reader submitted video of the Bike Tour... Heather Miller writes: "Hundreds of local riders and fans braved the chilly morning to watch the tour from the peak of Casitas Pass. I took a video I've uploaded to youtube in case you're interested in sharing it with your readers. It was a very exciting event, I'm sure the sprint thru downtown was equally as exhiliarating."
(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.
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/feb/24/portion-of-hwy-33-still-closed-to-traffic/
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.
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!" »
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" »
Your Daily Yoga Vitamin: Supported Legs Up the Wall Pose
During the course of a typical day, most people spend 16 hours with the head above the heart and the legs and pelvic area below the heart. Because of this, one of the first poses I teach students of all ages, is "Legs Up the Wall Pose."
Supported Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparita Karani in Sanskrit), known as Yoga’s Great Rejuvenator, is a gentle, inverted pose that can be practiced by almost everyone. It is a safe position that most people can hold long enough so that gravity can return the blood from the extremities to the vital organs.
Inverted Poses:The Elixir of Life
Your Daily Yoga Vitamin -- Downward Facing Dog Pose
The Downward-Facing Dog Pose, known in Sanskrit as Adho Mukha Svanasana, is named for the way dogs and other animals naturally stretch their bodies several times a day. The shape of the pose resembles a dog stretching, with the arms and hands stretched out like a dog’s forepaws; the shoulders, spine and chest stretching; and the pelvis and tail bone high up in the air, stretching as far back away from the hands as possible.
When dogs stretch, they do so with great enjoyment--with all their heart and soul and a smile on their face!
Stretching daily in Downward-Facing Dog removes a lifetime of stiffness from the body and develops spinal strength and agility.
Your Daily Yoga Vitamin -- the Yoga Splits
For a larger view of this inspiring pose: http://www.suzafrancina.com/media/JHJacobs_060609_055_suza.jpg
This joyous, exhilarating pose is known in yoga as Hanumanasana, the Monkey Pose. When you practice this fabulous stretching pose, it feels--and looks like-- you are taking a giant leap! This powerful stretch, with the arms reaching up toward the heavens represents a "leap in consciousness," a change from one stage of life to the next. The inspiring teacher demonstrating the pose is in her 70's. Hanumanasana is a fun pose to practice at the end of your yoga session, when your body is nice and warmed up from practicing Standing Poses, Downward Facing Dog Pose, Lunges and other Yoga Basics. In the beginning, the pose can be practiced by placing a bolster and folded blankets under the hips and pelvis.
Photo of Betty Eiler by Jim Jacobs.
Two recent articles in the Ojai Valley News and the Los Angeles Times highlight the ongoing problems created by massive numbers of gravel trucks coming through the Ojai Valley.
The first is from the November 21st edition of the OVN by Nao Braverman in which she reports:
"Traffic threat from Santa Barbara County mines remains..."
"...Two new gravel mine expansion applications have Ojai Valley advocates concerned about an increase in truck traffic. Those community members are fighting to protect the quality of local air, noise and safety, particularly because the valley’s tourist-based economy depends on it…"
UCLA Football has been up and down this year, but turned in their best performance of the year this Saturday, beating the top 10 Cal Bears at the Rose Bowl, and lead the Pac-10 with a 4-0 conference record. Micah Reed, a star offensive lineman at Nordhoff High (Class of 2004) who was named All-State as a senior, started at left guard for the Bruins in place of Noah Sutherland.
"Micah played very well,'' UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. "As a matter of fact, our offensive line played very well. They protected the quarterback, and it was one of our best games this year. They played well as a unit, and I was pretty encouraged by what we did. Micah in there, in the starting lineup, was pretty noticeable. He's done a nice job."
Micah, 21 years old, is the son of Timothy and Nona Reed and has one sister, Jolene, and one brother, Kacy. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for Community Service in 2006, and made the Director's Honor Roll in Spring 2006 as a UCLA History major. (disclaimer: I graduated UCLA in 1994 with a degree in History. Go Bruins!)
This week, my social calendar is tapped out, thanks to an amazing number of opportunities to get out there offered by incredibly talented people right here in our own little town. From films to comedy to running for a worthy cause, the first weekend in October promises to get us moving, laughing and thinking.
Continue reading "It's All Happening: Film Festival, Comedy and Running" »
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.
I was delighted to start - and to finish! - the Ojai Valley Century bike ride today.
101.7 (yeah, I chose to ride to/from the start at Libby!) miles of sheer joy. You know, 6 hours on a bike gives me time to settle in to the thinking, development, and even experimentation process. In the past, I've written about such thought experiments as riding up Dennison Grade thinking about phone numbers only to realize that I'd ridden MINUTES slower than ever before...
Today, I found myself "mentally developing" answers to this question:
What gets in the way of people performing at their best?
Today is the first day of The Ojai, so slather on some sunscreen and find a courtside seat because it all ends Sunday!
Some of you may recall I covered The Ojai extensively here on the Post last year, just click below for the rundown as well as the big get of the year - an interview with a ball boy!
I arrive back in Ojai around 10 PM and am greeted silently by my new Dirtsurfer, just arrived via UPS and separated into two different boxes. My enthusiasm for the new toy overcomes my inclination to just fall in bed and go to sleep. Without the proper tools, I am unable to completely put it together and end up going to bed hungry – hungry for dirt that is.
The cycling tour winds it way through downtown Ojai on February 24, with dozens of cyclists competing. See the bicyclists whip throught downtown past hundreds of spectators, led by and followed by support vehicles, fire engines and police cars. Continue reading for some video of the Bike Tour...
STOP THE TRUCKS!
COMMUNITY MEETING
Tuesday, January 30th - 7:00pm
Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E Ojai Ave.
You’re invited to come learn about plans to add hundreds more sand & gravel trucks on
Highway 33 through ours towns and the nearby national forest.
*A short photo presentation on Scenic Highway 33
*Speakers, including representatives from:
Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce
Los Padres ForestWatch
Highway 33 residents
Local Decision makers
School Representatives
Cuyama Valley Farmers
Forest users
…and more!
*Learn how you can help make a difference!
Letters needed by January 31 – how to make yours effective
Please RSVP to ensure that we print enough materials!
Call (805) 252-4277 and leave a message stating your first and last name and the number of people (if any) coming with you. This event is free and open to the public.
Continue reading "Stop The Trucks: Community Meeting Jan 30th" »
Just back from the Rose Bowl... GO BRUINS!
Alright STOP, collaborate and listen…
“What the hell,” you ask, “why is she quoting Vanilla Ice?” Fair enough, but what you should really be asking yourself is “What the hell, how did I know that was Vanilla Ice?”
My muse has been MIA, the film has been all-consuming and the Ojai Day Fire has extinguished all creativity. That is, until yesterday.
Dang, dang, dang, diggydangdang…
This is my buddy Brett Nichols. He's going to come up to Ojai and tear up the skateboard park in the near future. Rad video.
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:
The final day of The Ojai offered up sunshine and exciting competition. After 3 days of morning fog and afternoon clouds, Sunday warmed up to be a beautiful “Chamber of Commerce” day. The smell of sweat and sunscreen commingled with tri-tip, Harley exhaust and orange blossoms created an air of unmistakable Ojai.
There were other nuances worth mentioning, too. For example, I knew my readers would want to know about the head gear: hat or visor. It seems that while the visors were quite popular, baseball style caps were more prevalent. Like the one sported by top seed, 18-year-old Sam Querrey of Thousand Oaks (pictured). He played in the Men’s Open final against 29-year-old Zbynek Mlynarik of Chatsworth. Youth and a power serve, though, proved to be no match for the speed and savvy of the veteran.
This is when everything about The Ojai starts to get interesting. I think as far as collegiate sports go, The Ojai is to tennis what March Madness is to basketball.
The brackets are filling in nicely; well, for Sam Querrey they are anyway. 
It takes some careful study to figure out what is really going on. My guy Brian Wilson came close in the Men's Open, but didn't quite make it to the final. Hope he still gets to stay in the free room. But Sam will be in it tomorrow and is sure to carry the trophy and the prize money home.
My first stop today, though, was to check the media board. And, as you can see, there was only one media outlet not of the traditional newsprint variety representing.
I attended the Annual Ojai Tennis Barbecue last night at Lower Libbey Park. There were a lot of youngsters in visors brandishing racquets and feasting on tri-tip and chicken. George Conrad, Chair of the barbecue, told me that this annual tradition for “The Ojai” was catered by Ojai West Rotary.
The food was great, but the action on the courts was even better. When I arrived, Brian Wilson of the pro tour (left in photo) 
and Hank Pfister, pro tour retiree (right in photo), were taking on top seed, Sam Querrey of Thousand Oaks and our own Bozhidar Katsarov of Ojai. There was a lot of cheering and banter from the crowd, not your usual somber spectator etiquette happening. Players acted as their own line judges and sometimes relied on the crowd to call the shots. It was all in good fun.
After the match, I sidled up to pro Brian Wilson for a quick interview. I asked him what brought him to The Ojai.
The 106th Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament is in its second day of play today. Yesterday I met Tea Tent Vice Chair Peggy Chase, who, in a lovely wide brimmed garden chapeau, shared the magic and mystique of the tea tent with me. Her account follows...
The 106th Annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, or “The Ojai” to the more savvy, is less than a week away. It’s Ojai’s oldest event and one that carries with it an esteemed reputation rich in history and tradition. So naturally, being someone who knows nothing about tennis, I will be covering it for The Ojai Post. I hope they let me keep my press pass.
Continue reading "Tennis Anyone? The Ojai Tennis Tournament Returns!" »
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.
Recent Comments
[Kenley Neufeld] on Forces for Good
[Millennium] on Year 2008, Of Global Enlightenment
[Suza] on "Pastie Lady" Earth Friend Jen hits
[Raymond] on Forces for Good
[phalarope] on Clear Cut Foresting in the Olympic
[Tyler] on Forces for Good
[Lisa Snider] on Forces for Good
[Dr. Freud] on Clear Cut Foresting in the Olympic