Ex-Golden State worker alleges abuse
Transcription
Ex-Golden State worker alleges abuse
Don Edwards &Assocs. Your Local Expert with Global Connections for Over 20 Years www.donedwards.info 805.340.3192 RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors Lic. # 01058377 124th Year, No. 12 • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 • Newsracks, 75¢, retail stores, 70¢ plus tax • Yearly subscription, $52 Ex-Golden State worker alleges abuse Tim Dewar [email protected] The little town of Ojai continues to present big problems for Golden State Water Company (GSWC). The investor-owned utility company is already the plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking to strip Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD) of the funding mechanism it hopes to use for a proposed buyout of GSWC's Ojai service area. Now, a former GSWC employee is taking the water giant to court — this time as the defendant — alleging he was wrongfully terminated from his job as a water distribution operator II for alerting company officials to unfair and unsafe business practices. Simon Hernandez, who worked for GSWC from November 2008 to April 2013, filed a 21-page complaint in the Superior Court of Ventura County June 10. Hernandez's attorney, Kevin Chaffin from the Chaffin Law Office in Ventura, said the two sides will meet in Courtroom 22B Nov. 4 for a case management hearing before Commissioner Miles Lang. Chaffin said they will confer with Lang to plan the timing for a discovery period and hopefully to set a proposed trial date. It should be assigned to a specific judge at that time as well. During discovery, both sides will interview witnesses and seek documentation that will support their case. For Hernandez, that means stacking enough evidence to prove his claims that during his years at GSWC he “experienced an ongoing pattern of retaliation, harassment and discrimination which ultimately led to his wrongful termination …” In the complaint, Hernandez claims that GSWC managers favored one local contractor over others, requiring subordinates to use them even when this resulted in Ojai customers incurring extra charges for leaking water or extended interruptions of service. Hernandez indicates that, at times, the contractor failed to comply with OSHA requirements regarding the use of flaggers, shoring, hard hats, proper lighting, staffing levels and it took longer to See Employee, Page A4 Wells: Can you dig it? City passes water well moratorium Tiobe Barron Ojai Valley News correspondent The Ojai City Council unanimously approved an urgency ordinance Tuesday night banning the drilling of new water wells in the city of Ojai for the next 45 days. The decision came on the heels of a similar moratorium passed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors earlier Tuesday. The city’s moratorium encompasses land within the city limits, while the county’s ruling includes most of the unincorporated areas of Ojai Valley. The City Council has until the Dec. 9 meeting to extend Ojai’s moratorium for a year. New California legislation is expected in January, and will likely designate Ojai’s groundwater basins as medium priority, which is based not on the amount of water in the basins but on their importance to residents. “The bottom line is: is this moratorium good policy for the city of Ojai, or is it not? I would offer to you that it is,” commented Supervisor Steve Bennett at the City Council meeting. “When it comes to groundwater policy, there has been a terrible absence of leadership from California, in terms of willingness to make the hard decisions … Current Ojai Valley News photo by Mariana Campos Pretty in pink Ojai resident Wiley Connell and his dog, Raybelle, enjoy the view of the “Pink Moment” over the Topa Topa mountains. See Council, Page A3 DA serves search warrant on Anterra facility Kimberly Rivers Ojai Valley News correspondent The Ventura County District Attorney (VCDA) served a search warrant to Anterra Energy Services Sept. 11 on suspicion that a felony had been committed. But exactly what felony the company is suspected of has not been released by the court. Anterra’s legal counsel has filed motions with Ventura County Superior Court (VCSC) to unseal the 46-page search warrant; they make the case that the VCDA failed to follow court orders in the execution of the warrant. “One of the individuals who served the search warrant, described himself as the architect of the shock and awe execution of this search warrant,” wrote Mark Pachowicz, legal counsel for Anterra, in a Sept. 15 letter to Christopher Harman, the senior deputy district attorney for VCDA. “It seems clear to me formulating a shock and awe search plan is entirely inconsistent with the Court order.” Anterra operates a facility on Wooley Road in Oxnard that has two producing oil and gas wells and a Class II oilfield waste disposal injection well. VCDA served the search warrant and is conducting an ongoing criminal investigation. However, no charges have been filed yet, and VCDA is not releasing specific information about their investigation. The Ojai Valley News obtained copies of the court documents filed as of Wednesday. Currently, only the first 10 pages of the search warrant are unsealed, allowing Anterra and the public only a glimpse of VCDA’s full effort. On the first page, VCDA indicated it believes the result of serving the warrant will “tend to show that a felony has been committed or that a particular person has committed a felony.” The warrant includes the taking of “Documents, in whatever form including in electronic form or located within digital media, pertaining to the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and/or disposal of produced water, drilling mud, tank bottom wastes, hazardous waste and hazardous materials.” The warrant also includes information related to chemical profiles and analytical laboratory data related to “waste generated from Vintage Production of California dated July 22, 2013.” See Wednesday’s Ojai Valley News for a story relating to leaked intercompany e-mails that have drawn attention to Anterra’s acceptance of oilfield waste. Anterra filed a motion Oct. 20 to unseal the remainder of the search warrant. Pachowicz, in his motion, questions the search warrant docu- ment. On the first page, a “no” box is checked next to the sealed option. Pachowicz argued the warrant the judge signed was meant to be unsealed. “VCDA refused to file the unsealed warrant the court signed on Sept. 8. Instead over Anterra’s objection, VCDA sought and subsequently obtained a sealing order without providing notice to Anterra as requested,” Pachowicz wrote. He added that the government illegally obtained attorney-client privileged information during their search. A sealed search warrant is sometimes used to protect a witness or informant; it may withhold certain aspects of the intent of the search from the party on which it is served — as well as the public. In a letter dated Sept. 15 to Harman, Pachowicz writes, “The fact that there See Warrant, Page A4 County Supervisors halt drilling of new water wells in Ventura River Watershed Kimberly Rivers Ojai Valley News correspondent In a four-to-one vote Tuesday, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors passed a moratorium on drilling new water wells in four major watersheds in the county: Ventura, Santa Clara, Cuyama and Calleguas. Most of the Ojai Valley is considered to be part of the Ventura River Watershed, including Upper Ojai, although some portions of Upper Ojai are within the Santa Clara River Watershed. The Supervisors' moratorium applies to the entire Ojai Valley, except property within the city limits of Ojai. Cities are exempt from the county's moratorium, and have full jurisdiction to enact similar ordinances of their own if they choose. The city of Ojai passed a moratorium of its own at Tuesday's Ojai City Council meeting. Because the Board of Supervisors passed the moratorium as an “urgency” ordinance, it went into effect immediately. It is retroactive to Oct. 22, and permits submitted after that date will not be processed. Supervisor Peter Foy was the lone nay vote. According to the new ordinance, “Water levels decreased in all (ground water) basins an average of approximately 13 feet, with the greatest level decrease, 78.4 feet, in the Ojai Valley.” It goes on to say, “In the Ojai Valley, the incidence of wells going dry has contributed to increased demand on Lake Casitas.” “The state has told us to bring (the groundwater basins) into safe yield by 2010. That has not been accomplished yet,” said Supervisor Steve Bennett at the public hearing. Bennett represents the Ojai Valley (including Upper Ojai), as well as Ventura, Montalvo, Saticoy, Riverpark, Northwest Oxnard and North Coast. During his opening remarks, Bennett said the county had received 27 new well permits in two days, which brought the total to 89 new well permit requests submitted in 2014. Tuesday, the Supervisors heard from supporters of the moratorium, who pointed to the drought and the need to use water in a more sustain- able way, and to not depend on rain. They also heard from those in opposition of the moratorium, who argued the temporary ban on new wells constituted a “taking” of their water rights under their land. Others simply said that lawsuits would be filed. Representatives from many local farms, including Ojai growers, and agricultural groups came out against the ban, saying they needed more time to work together to create a better ordinance. “The consensus process is more of a delay process,” said Mike Solomon, general manager of United Water Conservation District, which manages Lake Piru. Releases of water from Lake Piru are used to recharge the ground- water basins below the lake, but those releases have been halted due to drought conditions and low lake levels. “Sea water is coming in, and we are not going to be able to push it back out," Solomon said. The groundwater basins throughout the county are relied upon for residential, agricultural and industrial use, he pointed out, adding, “The basins are interconnected … some are at the worst drought level we have seen." “You are witness to history,” said Russ Baggerly, a Board member of Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD); he is also the CMWD representative for the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency See Supervisors, Page A4 A2 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 Get ready to rock at Nightingale Ball The Nightingale Ball, Ojai’s most anticipated winter social event, goes up-tempo this year as “Club Nightingale,” with decor, mood and music from the classic rock era added to its traditional blend of charm, elegance and fun. It all happens Dec. 6 at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, sponsored for the 14th year by the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation Guild. All proceeds will benefit the local hospital and its associated Continuing Care Center. The Nightingale Ball has raised more than $1.5 million for the hospital over the last 13 years. As always, the blacktie event will feature handsome benefactors in handsome attire, but this year the inn’s dining room will be decked out in a style reminiscent of stylish New York and Photo by Don Anderson Jane and Dick Weirick, chairs for the Hospital GuildÕs 2014 Nightingale Ball, have been active community volunteers with organizations like the Ojai Music Festival, Help of Ojai, the Ojai Valley Museum and Rotary since moving here in 1986. Hollywood supper clubs from another era, with music to match the mood from the rock group, Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries. “Obviously, you don’t tamper with the kind of success the Nightingale has enjoyed,” Chair Jane Weirick says. “So this year we’re adding a little spice to an already tasty recipe, and we think the result will be truly exciting. And speaking of recipes, we also have a very special menu for dinner that night.” In addition, the evening will feature plenty of dancing, socializing and fun surprises, plus a raffle offering a painting by prize-winning Ojai artist Sherry Loehr. Former Nightingale chairs Nita Whaley and Don Anderson will be this year’s honorary hosts. Tickets for the evening at “Club Nightingale” are $250 per person, with several sponsorship opportunities of up to $2,500 each. Sponsorships from individuals and business make up a major portion of the total proceeds that go toward improvements at the hospital and Continuing Care Center. For information or to make reservations, call 640-2317. Franchise Agreement Outreach The City of Ojai is considering a long-term agreement with E.J. Harrison for solid waste, recycling and green waste service. If you have any comments about your service, please contact Public Works at [email protected] or 646-5581 Ext. 209. At School Colin McMahon, an environmental economics major from Ojai, has received the dean's award for academic excellence from Colgate University for the spring 2014 semester. McMahon graduated from The Thacher School in Ojai. The dean's award is given to students with a 3.30 or higher grade point average average while enrolled in 3.75 or more course hours. Colgate University, in Hamilton, N.Y., is a residential liberal arts insti- tution distinguished by the dedication of its 294 full-time facultyscholars, and its commitment to global engagement, student-faculty research, off-campus study, sustainable practices, and utilizing technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Colgate offers 54 majors to a diverse student body of approximately 2,900 undergraduate students, and supports 25 Division I athletic teams. Police Blotter CRIMES • Disturbing the peace was reported in the 200 block of Bald Street Oct. 22. • Burglary was reported in the 700 block of El Paseo Road Oct. 22. • Burglary was reported in the 00 block of Burnham Road Oct. 22. • Petty theft was reported in the 200 block of East Eucalyptus Street Oct. 23. ARRESTS • A 35-year-old man was arrested in Ojai Oct. 17 for public intoxication. Bail was set at $2,500. • A 27-year-old woman was arrested on Bald Street Oct. 22 for disturbing the peace. Bail was set at $2,500. • A 24-year-old man was arrested on Old Grade Road Oct. 22 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $5,000. • A 54-year-old man was arrested in Ojai Oct. 24 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $5,000. • A 28-year-old man was arrested in Ojai Oct. 24 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $5,000. • A 61-year-old man was arrested on South Rice Road Oct. 24 for public intoxication and on a warrant. Bail was set at $7,500. • A 28-year-old man was arrested on East Ojai Avenue Oct. 25 for public intoxication. Bail was set at $2,500. • A 27-year-old man was arrested in Oak View Oct. 25 on suspicion of unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle. Bail was set at $20,000. • A 44-year-old man was arrested on Highway 33 Oct. 25 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and possessing a controlled substance without a prescription. Bail was set at $17,500. • A 35-year-old man was arrested on South Ventura Street Oct. 25 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $5,000. • A 22-year-old man was arrested on North Ventura Avenue Oct. 25 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $5,000. • A 44-year-old man was arrested in Ojai Oct. 26 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $17,500. • A 61-year-old man was arrested on North Lomita Avenue Oct. 26 on suspicion of driving under the influence. Bail was set at $5,000. • A 37-year-old woman was arrested at the Ojai Library Oct. 27 on a warrant. Bail was set at $2,500. • A 38-year-old man was arrested on El Conejo Drive Oct. 28 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $5,000. • A 39-year-old man was arrested on El Roblar Drive Oct. 28 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $5,000. OJAI ALARM & PATROL Locally Owned & Operated in Ojai (805) 646-2900 • www.ojaialarm.com NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Sports Zone has raised the Bar! Join us for NFL & College Football The City Council of the City of Ojai will conduct a public hearing, on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 401 S. Ventura Street, Ojai, California, to consider the following: FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR SOLID WASTE HANDLING SERVICES The City’s solid waste franchisee agreement is expiring on December 31, 2014, upon direction of the City Council, staff has negotiated a new franchise agreement with expanded services with E.J. Harrison & Sons. This new franchise agreement would be effective January 1, 2015. For more information, please contact the City of Ojai’s City Manager’s Office at (805) 646-1980 or visit us on the web at www.ci.ojai.ca.us. 1/2 price beer and appetizers during Halftime Offer also valid for Monday and Thursday Night Football (featured games only) Any person interested in this matter is invited to attend and present testimony either for or against the above item. If you challenge the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at or prior to the public hearing. /s/ Rhonda K. Basore, MMC, City Clerk, City of Ojai Published: October 31 and November 7, 2014 Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm & Fri & Sat 11am-1am Happy Hour weekdays from 3pm-5pm $1 off all beer, wine and appetizers 820 N Ventura Ave. Oak View, (805) 649-4655 Donʼt throw batteries away Household batteries are hazardous waste. Bring them to the Ojai Valley News office at 408-A Bryant Circle during business hours. The Ojai Valley News (SSN40598000) is published twice weekly, Wednesday and Friday, at 408 Bryant Circle, Suite A, Ojai California. Postmaster send all address changes to Ojai Valley News, P.O. Box 277, Ojai, CA 93024. Printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 A3 Council: Elections 2014: Continued from Page A1 groundwater users are at risk from potential new users.” California is one of the few western states still allowing property owners the right to water wells without a discretionary process. “The moratorium on issuing well permits is justified primarily by the current drought conditions, the condition of our water resources here in Ojai and also new state law,” explained Ojai City Manager Rob Clark. “I think we should coordinate closely with the county.” Not everyone at the meeting was in agreement with this course of action, however. “Just because Mr. Bennett and the County of Ventura want to get sued for their heavy-handed governmental politics, I don’t know that the Ojai Valley should follow suit,” said Brandon Hansen, owner of local company Hansen Well Service and current Ojai City Council candidate. He also spoke at the Supervisors meeting. “The policy does nothing to stop usage in the basin … We all have the right to use water under our properties. This moratorium flies in the face of that law.” “Any new wells are pumping the same water supplied by Golden State Water Company (GSWC),” said Ojai resident Pat McPherson. “There is no justification for this moratorium. It’s the same water.” More speakers had other concerns about the sudden “urgency moratorium.” “This drought has been in the works for three to five years,” observed Randy Haney, also a candidate for Ojai City Council. Haney advocated for a more proactive response in future, arguing this measure seemed reactive. “The moratorium doesn’t give you a lot of options,” offered Ojai Friends of Locally Owned Water representative Ryan Blatz. “The whole GSWC situation stems from centralizing power.” These sentiments did not stop the Council from approving the moratorium unanimously. And passing the moratorium didn’t stop the Council from approving two new water wells, one at 251 Saddle Lane and the other at 403 Bryant St. “I do not support retroactive legislation,” said Ojai Mayor Carlon Strobel. “I will treat (the well applications) as though we did not have this conversation.” “Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency had a lack of objection to approving these two water well applications,” stated Ojai Public Works Director Greg Grant. Both Councilwoman Betsy Clapp and Mayor Pro Tem Carol Smith voted against the well applications, but the remaining council members — a majority — approved them. Council also unanimously voted to create a $58,000 part-time contract position for a code enforcement officer. “At the Sept. 23 meeting, Council requested a discussion of code enforcement staffing options in order to be able to provide proactive enforcement of the leaf blower ordinance, and other city ordinances,” explained Clark. Up to this point, code enforcement in Ojai has been complaint-driven, with only one city staff member devoting a few hours of their workweek to enforcement, leading many residents to question the fairness of these regulations. “I have never supported complaint-driven code enforcement,” said Mayor Strobel. “I do not feel that it is equal. I feel our laws should be enforced across the board. Until the city gets serious about enforcing its laws, the citizens are not going to comply with them.” Although the issue was not on the agenda, residents spoke during the public communications portion of the meeting about a property at 1105 N. Signal St. that received a 2013 director's exemption from former interim community development director Ann McLaughlin for various construction projects. Many residents first raised concerns about the property to their elected representatives at the Oct. 14 regular Ojai City Council meeting, and current community development director Kathleen Wold informed them of McLaughlin's possible misuse of the director's exemptions, which are traditionally used exclusively for minor aesthetic projects not subject to design review through the planning commission. Ojai City Manager Rob Clark is having Ojai City Attorney Joseph Fletcher review the case and the city's legal authority moving forward. Council is expected to review the issue of director's exemptions next January. In the interim, the property owner, and those involved with the project request neighbors and residents not judge the property by its current, in-progress state. "A wall goes up, and until it's finished, it's not beautiful," said local landscape designer Paul Henderson. "You can't judge this property while you're just watching the beginning." Ojai Valley Sanitary District and Ojai Valley Municipal Advisory Council The Ojai Valley Sanitary District (OVSD) serves the entire Ojai Valley and is responsible for the maintenance of 120 miles of sewers and the treatment of wastewater. The OVSD board is responsible for setting rules and rates, and overseeing the system and operations at the treatment plant. Though there are three candidates — Randy Burg, John "Jack" Curtis and Stan Greene — only Burg returned a complete questionnaire to the Ojai Valley News. Curtis answered a portion of the questions, and Greene did not respond. Because no one is running against them, their names will not be on the ballot, according to Tracy Saucedo, Ventura County assistant registrar of voters. Instead, they will all be appointed or re-appointed to their positions by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The Ojai Valley Municipal Advisory Committee oversees issues — from land use to public health — pertaining to the unincorporated Ojai Valley. Their recommendations go to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and the Ventura County Planning Commission. Like the OVSD candidates, the MAC board members are running unopposed and therefore will be re-appointed to their positions by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. Neither of the board members currently up for re-election — Carin Kally and Terry Wright — responded to the Ojai Valley News questionnaire. Randy Burg • Age: 64 • Occupation: owner, HVAC manufacturer’s representative company • City of Residence: Oak View • Number of years served with OVSD: 13 years • Bio: Burg holds a B.S. Degree in economics and owns a HVAC manufacturer’s representative company. Randy is 64 and has lived in the Ojai Valley since 1977 and is very active with the Ojai Lions Club and is currently the treasurer. During his tenure as an OVSD board member, Randy was involved with the committee preparation of the Sanitary District ordinance dealing with the suspected hundreds of unpermitted sewer connections. “Everyone should pay their fair share of sanitary sewer service.” • Key issues facing Ojai Valley Sanitary District: Currently, the Sanitary District has begun the task of looking for ways to help individual home owners identify and repair problems with their private laterals which connect to the sewer system in the street. Our treatment plant can go from processing two million gallons daily to over nine million gallons a day during a heavy rain storm, with much of the increased flow coming from leaky private sewer laterals. With state regu- lations demanding ultrapure water discharge into the Ventura River, it becomes nearly impossible to process the extra rain water. Any fines for exceeding the water discharge standards would drive up the rates we currently pay for sewer service. John "Jack" Curtis • Age: No response • Occupation: retired • City of Residence: Ojai Valley • Number of years served with OVSD: 2003 to present • Bio: Attended Ventura College and UCSB; worked on a number of water and sewer projects including the Los Angeles and San Diego Aqueduct systems, as well as Bay Municipal Water District Aqueduct System for the city of Oakland; worked in freeway construction, and with Southern California Edison; member of now-defunct Meiners Oaks Sanitary District (1969 to 1975); married, three daughters, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. • Key issues facing OVSD: No response CORRECTION In the Wednesday, Oct. 29, issue of the OVN, an error was made in the front-page story about Anterra. The chief deputy director of the California Department of Conservation is named Jason Marshall. COMMUNITY IS MY AGENDA Paid for by the Committee to Re Elect Paul Blatz Ojai City Council 2014 A4 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 Warrant: Continued from Page A1 is an ongoing investigation is insufficient to seal a warrant. If there are confidential informants you are trying to protect or something else that might actually justify a sealing order … I am more than willing to listen to your position.” Harman responded Sept. 16, “California law does not require an agency executing a search warrant to provide the target with a copy of the affidavit, but only with a receipt from property taken.” Harman writes that in his motion, Pachowicz provided no “authority that requires law enforcement” to either give Anterra the full warrant, or which “prohibits law enforcement from seeking to seal a warrant at any time prior to charges being filed, those demands will also be refused.” In his motion Pachowicz goes on to state, “VCDA seized documents, many of which are privileged, not particularly described in the warrant,” and “certain members of VCDA now seek to embark on a review of the actual privileged documents VCDA unlawfully seized. VCDA’s total disregard for the Constitution, this court’s orders and Anterra’s privileged information has and will continue to cause damage to Anterra.” The motion includes requests for the court to prohibit VCDA from searching any of the seized material until further notice from the court; compel VCDA to unseal the warrant; force VCDA to return “items illegally seized;” and to appoint a special master to oversee the review of information so as to “insure the government does not review privileged information.” When a search warrant involves the office of an attorney or doctor or other professional whose client correspondence may be protected by the law, a special master is used to create a boundary between the government and that confidential information. In support of his argument for a special master, Pachowicz pointed to another criminal case (People v. Winslow) wherein the original prosecutor and investigator were replaced in the case because they had “knowledge of the privileged information.” “As to why we are not using an outside special master, first we are under no legal obligation to employ an outside person, as we did not search an attorney's or doctor's office. Second we wish to proceed in a timely fashion for our own as well as your client's interest in resolving these matters,” stated Harman in response to Anterra’s motion. A hearing on the unsealing of the warrant is currently scheduled for Friday at 8:30 a.m. This hearing has been scheduled and continued three times previously. right of an overlying land owner to access it. It is not within the county’s jurisdiction to interfere with water rights as defined by state law.” Brandon Hansen, owner of Hansen Water Well Specialists and an Ojai City Council candidate, offered his perspective. “As a local landowner and contractor who makes a living drilling and servicing wells throughout the county — and have for four generations — I want to raise our concern about the county of Ventura’s attempt at stripping property owners of their ability to exercise their groundwater rights,” said Hansen. He points out the ordinance says the Ojai Groundwater Basin has dropped 78 feet, but he claimed the Ojai Basin “has always fluctuated at these levels from year to year.” He argued that the benefits of residential wells include taking the strain off of municipal sources of water and “spreads the groundwater extraction over a much larger area.” Other speakers, however, said the time for the Supervisors to act is now. “I am seeing a troubling trend in the unincorporated areas,” said Lisa Burton, a landscape designer based in Ventura who specializes in what the company calls “climate appropriate” landscaping. “Homeowners are choosing to drill a well instead of changing their landscaping. One example is a property owner in Rancho Matilija. They have an acre and a half, and their sole purpose of drilling a well is to water their lawn. This is not the appropriate use of our water. This measure is only a moratorium until we can get sane common sense policy in place that will protect our water supply.” Rancho Matilija is an upscale, gated community near Lake Casitas on Highway 150. The ordinance does offer exclusions and exemptions related to well permits needed “for the repair, modification or replacement of an existing permitted water well.” Permits for wells that are “backup or standby wells which do not initiate any new or increased use of groundwater” are also allowed. Also excluded are areas “in which groundwater rights have been adjudicated by a court” and would result in this ordinance interfering with that management. Supervisor Bennett also explained the ordinance is designed to “sunset” — or no longer be in effect — once the groundwater basins come under the management of a sustainability agency which would have “adopted and submitted to the California Department of Water Resources a groundwater sustainability plan or alternative plan,” pursuant to state law. These agencies and plans are governed under the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program (CASEGEM), and under that program, certain groundwater basins are designated as low, medium or high priority in terms of needing management. These agencies — and the plans they would create to manage groundwater — are governed by State Water Code Sections 10727 and 10733.6, which go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015. In Ojai, OBMGA is discussing the process to become a sustainability agency. The county moratorium also allows for waivers to be granted by the Ventura County Planning Director on a case-by-case basis, based on certain conditions where the prohibition of new wells would cause “practical hardships or unnecessary hardships,” and when the granting of such a permit would “not be detrimental to the condition of groundwater resources.” An appeal process is also in place, should an applicant feel they should be granted an exception or waiver to the moratorium. Supervisors: Continued from Page A1 (OBGMA). Baggerly said the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, recently signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, has “changed 150 years of groundwater policy — policy that engendered a feeling by groundwater pumpers that they have absolute right to all the water that they wanted under their property. That’s a lie. It always has been. They have a correlative right. They cannot pump out more water than would endanger the basin and/or endanger their neighbor's well.” But others disagreed with Baggerly on the issue of water rights. “This ordinance deprives land owners from accessing groundwater underlying their property,” said Jurgen Gramckow, a resident of Ojai who is president of Southland Sod Farms in Oxnard. “In doing so it violates their California constitutional right to beneficial use of water. Whether water has been used in the past or not, there is a Employee: GSWC rate hearing set for Dec. 3 Continued from Page A1 complete some projects than other contractors. The end result, according to Hernandez, was the contractor was given preference in exchange for rewards to some GSWC managers that included kickbacks, fishing trips, free meals and other financial benefits. The complaint did not name the managers suspected of receiving the alleged rewards. As part of his job, Hernandez said he would often conduct high-bill investigations for Ojai customers and would advise them how to save money on their water bill. Once, the suit claims, he advised a customer they qualified for a smaller meter than was installed on their property. GSWC bills are figured, in part, on the size meter each customer has and larger meters result in higher charges for the customer. In the complaint, Hernandez said when word got back to his superiors he was warned not to advise customers who qualified that they could save money by requesting a smaller meter. Hernandez's suit says he brought this practice to the attention of GSWC district manager Ken Peterson, which elevated his treatment to a violation of government code 12940 (a whistleblower statute). It was after requesting OSHA-required safety equipment and bringing safety issues to the company's attention that Hernandez said he began noticing “a change of attitude towards him on the part of superintendent Skip Faria and manager Ken Neely.” The “change of attitude,” the suit alleges, includes being assigned an inordinate number of “dirty and difficult” jobs compared to fellow workers. The suit adds that one GSWC supervisor commented, “Let Simon do the work, that's what those people do,” a specific reference to Hernandez's ethnicity. Peterson was also informed of these alleged violations but took no action, according to the suit. As a result of his termination, Hernandez is seeking several concessions. Among them, an order prohibiting GSWC from taking further action against him and either reinstating him or prohibiting the company from making untrue or damaging statements about him to future potential employers. He also seeks an order preventing the water company from retaliating against employees for advising Ojai water customers of their right to reasonable water rights and preventing them from hiding such information from Ojai customers in the future. Also in the suit is a request for an injunction requiring Golden State to provide notice to its Ojai and Simi Valley customers that they might qualify for downsizing of their meters, under what conditions that could occur and of the water rates charged for each meter size. In addition he hopes to recover damages for loss of wages and benefits, punitive damages, attorney fees, legal costs and any other relief the court may determine appropriate. GSWC spokesperson Mitch Zak, with Randall Communications, said the company does not comment on personnel matters. The California Public Utility Commission and the Office of Ratepayers Advocates will hold public hearings on Golden State Water Company's (GSWC) request for water rate increases in the Region 1, Ojai service area for the years 2016 through 2018. In Ojai, GSWC is asking for rate increases of $256,500 (4.73 percent) in 2016, $402,300 (7.04 percent) in 2017 and $416,600 (6.78 percent) in 2018. The hearings will be open to the public and held Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Sarzotti Park multipurpose room, 510 Park Road in Ojai. GSWC parent company to talk financials American States Water Company (AWR), the parent company of Golden State Water Company, will release its 2014 third-quarter financial results Wednesday. The third quarter earnings conference call will be held the same day at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. Interested parties can listen to the live conference call over the Internet by logging on to www.aswater.com and clicking the “Investors” button at the top of the page. Kerry Miller Construction Manager Designer/Builder, Inc. Consultant Making Dreams Come True Thank You Ojai! Homes, Additions & Remodels 640-0262 Lic. #958625 Colorful Hanging Baskets Indoor House Plants kerrymillerdesigns.com [email protected] Iceberg Roses 5 gal. $17.99 FALL PLANTING IS COMING Itʼs Monarch Season! Large stock of Butterfly Milk- Great Selection of California Natives & Drought tolerant plants Large variety of rich, organic soils, and amendments Great Selection of California Natives Foxfarm & Kellogg Soils & Products And much, much more! 245 Old Baldwin Rd. - Ojai (805) 640-0055 Web: Read after-print and late-breaking news online www.ojaivalleynews.com Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 A5 Measure J will upgrade and renovate Ojai Unified schools. Join us in support of Measure J. ELECTED OFFICIALS & COMMUNITY LEADERS Russ Baggerly, Casitas Municipal Water District Director - Div. 5 Hank Bangser, Superintendent of Schools Steve Bennett, County Supervisor-District 1 Paul Blatz, City Council Rob Clark, City Manager Hannah-Beth Jackson, State Senator Dave Kenney, Police Chief Severo Lara, City Council Stan Mantooth, County Superintendent of Schools Norman Plott, Fire Chief Carol Smith, City Council Carlon Strobel, Mayor Rachel Ulrich, VCOE Board President Das Williams, Assemblymember All Ojai Unified Administrators OJAI UNIFIED BOARD OF EDUCATION Rikki Horne, Clerk Pauline Mercado, Member Kathi Smith, President Linda Taylor, Member Thayne Whipple, Vice President ORGANIZATIONS All Ojai Unified Parents Association Boards Ojai Education Foundation Board Ojai Valley Board of Realtors, Directors Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, Directors Ventura County Star SUPPORTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY Barbara Aaronson Joel Aaronson Vickie Achee Michael Addison Virginia Aguirre Julie Albright Helen Allen Cheryl Amestoy Joe Amestoy Cenen Aparicio Monica Aparicio Susana Arce Craig Arellanes Jeanine Arellanes Carmen Arellano Laurie Arnold Patricia Atkinson Ross Atkinson Jessie Austin Rogelia Avila Marty Babayco Betsy Bachman Lisa Baer Jim Bailey Fern Barishman Kitty Bartholomew Greg Bayless Dan Beach Melinda Beach Kathy Bean Alicia Beaty Robert Beck Ron Becker Becky Beckett Briana Beebe June Behar Shed Behar Irene Berban Valynne Bernetich Jim Berube Dawn Blauer Kay Bliss Ron Blood Caryn Bosson Barbara Bowman Stacey Boyd Debra Bradley John Broesamle Kathy Broesamle Susan Bronstein Dar Broumand Teena Broumand Laura Brown Margo Buddhu Byanca Bueno Linda Burr Angelica Calderon Michael Caldwell Marilyn Cambier Peter Cambier Jody Cansler Catherine Capp Jason Carney Megan Carney Carrie Carreon Phil Caruthers Sheri Ann Cate Maggie Cerminaro Cary Cheldin Amber Christensen Shawn Christensen Debi Christie John Christie Jim Churchill Marsha Churchill Jackie Clark Joe Clark Judy Clark Austin Cline Beth Cohen David Cohn Naida Cohn Sheila Cohn Sidney Cohn Sina Conley Linda Conrad Demitri Corbin Sophocles Cotsis Alasdair Coyne Stuart Crowner Bronwen Cull Bob Daddi Sherrie Damas Dawn Damianos Michael Damianos Mike Dawkins Laurie Day Charles Delgado Greg Delvecchio Sarah Delvecchio Laura Denne Robert Denne Peter DiCapua Todd Dickey Martha Ditchfield Lynne Doherty Theresa Dutter David Ebers Pete Ells Sharon Emery Judy Enneking Mike Etchart Vicki Etchart Danny Everett Ross Falvo Amy Faunt Rob Feiss Dale Ferranti Sarah Ferranti Chelsey Fink Dana Fleet Fred Fleet Yolanda Flores Suzannah Foster Glenn Fout Suza Francina Brett Franklin Yvonne Franklin Frank Finck Halina Garbacz Anne Gard Steve Gard Jennifer Garnse Bim Goddard Tessie Goddard Joy Golbère Christine Golden Jeff Goodman Margit Gorman Richard Gould Charlotte Grant John Grant Rebecca Grant Tim Grant Jodi Grass Kris Greco Alan Greenberg Valerie Greenberg Joshua Griffen Shelly Griffen Claudia Guerrara Rachelle Guiliani John Haag Allen Haas Margo Haas Christina Hahn John Hall Jim Halverson Robyn Halverson Julia Hamann Lori Hamor Charly Hancock Dave Hankins Jennifer Hankins Dale Hanson Rae Hanstad Barbara Harvey Phil Harvey Jenn Hawkins Jodi Heath Gerald Henas Shari Herbruck Norma Patricia Hernandez Jose Herrera Michelle Herzel Alisha Hicks Dan Higson Deanna Higson Anthony Hirsch Barbara Hirsch John Hoj Kim Hoj Carol Holly Richard Holly John S. Hook Jeff Hooper Kara Hooper Sonia Hopkins Sue Horgan Barbara Horne-Petersdorf Camille Houston Kent Houston Lori Howatt Ryan Howatt Vicki Hughart Stephanie Hull Gregory Ignacio Susan Ignacio Ann Inman Matt Inman Doug Irwin Tina Irwin Cindy Israel Allan Jacobs Janet Jacobs Ann James Tara Jamyang Mike Jauregui DeeAnn Jenkins John Jenks Victoria Johansen Curt Johnson Debbie Johnson Paul Jordan Linda Jordan Janelle Kandziora Pradeep Kapadia Susan Kapadia Anne Gruppe Kaplan Gerald Kaplan Marsha Kaye Jim Kehoe Dianne Kelley Jennifer Kelley Margo Kelly Joan Kemper Leonard Klaif Sherrill Knox Josh Koenig-Brown Carol Kornhaber Anna Kotula Jake Kunde Peggy LaCerra Jon Lambert Linda Lambert Treask Landgverk Jim Lashley Gabrielle Lashley Christiane LaVecchu Rich LaVecchu Muriel Lavender Jackie Law Kathy Leary-Wilde Mary Leibman Greg Lepine Martha Lepine Teresa Lessing Shannon Levesque Valerie Levett Mark Lewis Lorrainne Lim Cynthia Lindenbaum Leon Lindenbaum Melody Linecker Fred Linkenhelt Donna Lloyd Dottie Loebl Pilar Vega Lopez Carlos Loza Crystal Loza Diana Luboff Tony Luboff David Luckenbach Lisa Luckenbach Suzanne Lugotoff Lisa Lynch Glenda Mahon Edgar Maldonado Lorraine Mariz Melanie Marx Kim Maxwell Kelley Mays Kathy McAlpine James McBride Karen McBride Mary Jane McCall Barbara McCarthy Shirley McClung Summer McComas Jamie McCormick Roger McDivitt Joe McDonald LeighAnn McDonald Sandra McElwaine Julie McPherson Pat McPherson Stuart Meiklejohn Laura Meisch Dave Meisch Aimee Mendoza David Mendoza Craig Michels Stephanie Midgett Bill Miley Cookie Miley Mike Miller Tom Milner Deborah Moe Phil Moncharsh Dave Monson Robin Monson Vivienne Moody Francisco Morales Rene Munoz Brian Murphy Jeanine Murphy Anahi Navarro Ramon Navarro Tom Nelson Phil Nemy Dave Neville Mary Neville Brett Nicholson Sonia Nordenson Bob Norris Judith Hale Norris Bill O’Brien Jackie O’Brien Shaun O'Bryan Mary Ann O'Connor Leslie Ogden Carolyn Olsen Steve Olsen Susan Olson Ann Oppenheimer Harry Oppenheimer Blanca Ortiz Jamie Ortiz Karen Oswald Carole Paddock Phil Paddock Caroline Pahle Leon Hendrick Pahle II Carol Paquette Douglas Parker Erin Parker Peter Passell Lisa Patsch John Pavelko Patric Peake Margaret Peake John Peakes Jr. Laura Peakes Tim Peddicord Tonya Peralta Nancy Perez Chris Perkins Magda Perkins Rain Perry Joan Peters Chris Peterson Leah Petrucci Pam Phillips Carol Pilkington Eric Pilkington Danon Plott Judi Polito Ron Polito Fred Ponce Lori Ponce Shawna Poole Bill Prather Carolyn Price Danni Pusatere Mimi Quintana Leann Rains Tracy Rains Javier Ramirez Marisol Ramirez Marianne Ratcliff Maria Razo Norm Riley Denise Rimpa Ernie Rischar Julie Rischar Cullen Robertson Paul Robotham Maggie Rogers James Rogers Maria Rosales Bill Rosen Patty Rosen Randy Roth Renee Roth Asli Ruf Kevin Ruf Joe Ruggiero Grady Runyan John Russell Kate Russell Mackenzie Russell Peggy Russell Georgina Salgado Susie Salguero Helen Salmon Alan Saltzman Fred Sanders Ruth Sayre Simon Sayre Don Scanlin Karen Schmidt Brandon Schneider Katie Schurmer Graham Scott John Scott Julia Scott Karen Scott Suzanna Scott Ronald Segal Carmen Seligman Michael Shanahan Michael Shapiro Pat Shaw Marie Sheets Robert Shelor Cari Shore Cheryl Simms Kelsie Sims-Schneider Ellen Sklarz Bill Slaughter Brian Smith Gail Smith Jack Smith Kathy Smith Marilyn Smith W. Craig Smith Lilia Soriano Sara Sosa Paula Spellman Gwen Stoner Craig Strickland Moriya Stringer Caroline Stubbs Mark Stubbs Aryna Swope Jaime Tapia Anne Thacher Tony Thacher Bill Thatcher Cristi Thatcher Jeff Thatcher Suzy Thatcher Peter Thielke David Thomas Denise Thomas Amber Todd Julie Tovias Nicole Tries-Botti Bridget Tsao Brian Turner Sarah Turner William Ulrich Ken Umholtz Mary Beth Umholtz Jock Van Dyke Patty Van Dyke Art Vander Judy Vander Katy Vanderwyk Gabriela Vargas Theresa Vargas Wendy Varian Ben Vaughn Silvia Vega Kendra Vejtasa Carolyn Vondriska Gil Vondriska Theresa Vyhnal Guy Webster Leone Webster Stephen Weed Jane Weil William Weirick Smitty West Susan Westbrook Jody Whaley Jon Whaley Sheryl Whipple Katherine White Kevin White Phil White Beth Wickstrum Cheryl Widders Monte Widders Holly Wiggins Buddy Wilds Jeff Wilhelm Wendy Wilson Tami Winbury Reggie Wood Holly Woolson Ward Wright Justine Wynn Joann Yabrof Dorcas Young Doree Young Cathy Zacher Martha Zurita (partial list) The Children of Ojai Schools Need Our YES Vote on Measure J! Measure J will provide critical funding to make classroom and facility improvements to local Ojai schools by: • upgrading inadequate electrical systems for modern technology, • replacing antiquated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, • repairing or replacing deteriorating plumbing, sewer systems and leaky roofs, • upgrading athletic fields and other outdoor facilities, • making health, safety, and security improvements. Measure J makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. • All funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state. • By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizensʼ oversight committee. • Funds can only be spent to improve local Ojai schools, not for administrator or teacher salaries. Paid for by: Yes on J – Save Ojai Schools • FPPC# 1370739 For more information visit us at www.saveojaischools.com A6 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 arou valley nd OUR YOUR COMPLETE LISTING OF O J A I VA L L E Y E V E N T S [email protected] This Week Friday, Oct. 31 NPA POINSETTIA FUNDRAISER — Order your poinsettias from the Nordhoff Parent Association and proceeds will support all students at Nordhoff by providing funding for academics, athletics and the arts. The sale goes through Nov. 21, but if you order online by today, you’ll receive $2 off each poinsettia or centerpiece. Regular prices are $10 for poinsettias and $15 for a centerpiece. Go to www.nordhoffparent association.org by today and prices will be $8 and $13. FAMILY FUN FALL FESTIVAL — Calvary Chapel of the Ojai Valley, 195 Mahoney Ave., Oak View, will host a free child-safe alternative to Halloween with its festival today from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be carnival-style games, candy, popcorn, cotton candy, and more. Call 649-1515 for directions or more details. “TRUNK TREAT” — Church of the Living Christ, 190 E. El Roblar Drive, will host a free “Trunk Treat” event, today from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring games, candy, bounce houses, food, music, family fun and giveaways. Everyone is welcome. Call 646-1296. HALLOWEEN DANCE PARTY — Azu, 457 E. Ojai Ave., will host a Dia de los Muertos Halloween Dance Party and Costume Contest, today from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Admission: $10 at the door. Call 640-7987. HALLOWEEN AT DEER LODGE — The Photo submitted Oak View post office gets new artwork Monday, the Oak View post office premiered a 12-foot triptych by renowned photographer Joe Sohm. It features three large, colorful photos of the area. Sohm's display is part of a five-year project to beautify Oak View — which, as the triptych says, is the "Gateway to the Ojai Valley." Sohm (left) celebrated the unveiling with locals and post office employees. Deer Lodge, 2261 Maricopa Highway, will host a “psychedelic tent revival” Halloween party with the San Franciscobased band Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah, today starting at 10 p.m. No cover charge. Call 646-4256. Saturday, Nov. 1 OJAI HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS — Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., Ojai Historical Walking Tours depart from the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave. (approxi- mately one-hour tours of downtown historical and cultural attractions). Docents Connie Campbell and Jackie Clark will lead the Nov. 1 tour. Cost is $7 or $15 per family. Drop-ins are welcome. For reservations or to schedule tours during the week, call 640-1390. OAK GROVE OPEN HOUSE — Oak Grove School, 220 W. Lomita Ave., will host a free open house and allschool showcase, Satur- day from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring campus tours, open classrooms, entertainment, award-winning vegetarian fare and complimentary family photos. Everyone is welcome. Call 646-8236. “SLEEPLESS IN OJAI” — Is insomnia keeping you awake? Then come to the Ojai Library, 111 E. Ojai Ave., Saturday at 2 p.m. where Ian James will share what he’s discovered about how you can regain drug-free sleep and sanity. “CURLY TOP” — The Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave., will screen free classic family films every Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Rotating Gallery through Dec. 20, in conjunction with its exhibit on “The Ojai Theater.” The film being shown Nov. 1 will be “Curly Top” (1935), starring Shirley Temple. Call 640-1390. “DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER” — The Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., will host “Diamonds Are Forever,” a celebration of its 75th anniversary, Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will feature dancing, food trucks, beer and wine tastings, popcorn, cupcakes, photo booth, raffles and more. Music will be provided by Alan Thornhill, James Antunez, Jimmy Calire, J.B. White and Martin Young. Tickets: $5 for members and students; $10 for non-members. Call 646-0117. Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 A7 YOUR COMPLETE LISTING OF arou valley nd O J A I VA L L E Y E V E N T S [email protected] Sunday, Nov. 2 HOLISTIC HEALING FAIR — Healing in America, 107 W. Aliso St., will hold its monthly Holistic Healing Fair featuring a variety of modalities, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free energy healing and chakra balancing sessions all day and a free gong immersion meditation at 12:30 p.m. Call 640-0211 for more details. OYES FALL CONCERT — Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio, 316 E. Matilija St., will host a multi-generational concert titled “Old and New — Voices of Ojai,” Sunday at 2 p.m. Led by Julija Zonic and Smitty West, the concert will feature the OYES Youth Choir, Rockin’ It Old School choir and The Fifth Dementia band. Proceeds will benefit OYES. Tickets: $10 online or at the door; ojaiyes.org or call 6464300. “WHAT HAPPENS IN RUSSIA DOESN’T STAY IN RUSSIA” — The Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave., will host a “Town Talk” Sunday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. titled “What Happens in Russia Doesn’t Stay in Russia (Eyes Wide Shut: Theirs or Ours?).” Ojai citizen-diplomat Paula Spellman will provide a more nuanced picture of today’s Russia than can be found in many current media reports. She has been visiting Russia since the ‘70s. Admission is free for members, $5 for nonmembers. No reservations are required. Call 640-1390, Ext. 203. RAIN PERRY’S “SONG GAME” — at Kim Maxwell Studio will be dark for November but will be back Dec. 7. [email protected] (Oc31) TALK BY LAMA KARMA RINPOCHE— The Ojai Retreat, 160 Besant Road, will host Lama Karma Rinpoche giving a talk on “Generating Compassion in a Turbulent World,” Sunday at 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $20 for the lama plus $10 fee. Call 646-2536. Monday, Nov. 3 “PURIFICATION WATER BLESSING CEREMONY” BY LAMA KARMA RINPOCHE— The Ojai Retreat, 160 Besant Road, will host Lama Karma Rinpoche performing the “Purification Water Blessing Ceremony” Monday at 7 p.m. This ceremony will help remove obstacles for anyone experiencing difficulties — emotional, mental, physical or spiritual. Suggested donation: $20 for the lama. Call 646-2536. Tuesday, Nov. 4 “OUR ORIGINS AND DESTINY: REFLECTIONS FROM ‘THE SECRET DOCTRINE’” — with Elena Dovalsantos, Ph.D., wll be held Nov. 4 to 7 at Krotona School, 46 Krotona Hill, Ojai. Join Dovalsantos in the journey through humanity’s evolution using the Ageless Wisdom and contemporary science to examine where we came from and where we are going. Our discovery may exceed that offered by either religion or science alone. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon. $10 per single session or $35 for series. school info@krotonainstitute .org, www.krotona school.org or 646-1139. (Oc31) FREE PARENTCHILD CLASSES — The Ojai Neighborhood for Learning and First 5 will sponsor “Skill Building through Play: Parent and Child Together OUR Classes,” Tuesday and Nov. 18 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Ojai Library, 111 E. Ojai Ave. Led by Theodora Reyes, classes will be conducted in both English and Spanish. Call 640-4300, Ext. 1062. WORLD’S PROBLEMS DISCUSSED — Art Beals, parish associate and global mission strategist, will discuss “Ebola, Beheadings, and a ‘Kingdom of God’ Insight on the World’s Problems Today,” Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 Foothill Road, in the church parlor. All are welcome to this free timely presentation. Call 640-6451. “MEDITATION ON THE HEART CHAKRA” — The Theosophical Society in the Ojai Valley will meet at Krotona School, 46 Krotona Road, Ojai, Tuesday at 7 p.m. Olga Shtykova Omlin will talk about “Meditation on the Heart Chakra.” Donations are appreciated. Call 646-2653. “MEET GOD THE PERSON” — The American Vedic Association Bhagavad-Gita As It Is Fellowship will meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at 687 Villanova Road to discuss “Meet God the Person.” Always free. Call 640-0405. Wednesday, Nov. 5 VETERANS HONORED — At Home in Ojai, 225 N. Lomita Ave., will host an event to honor its six resident veterans, Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., led by retired USAF Sr. Master Sgt. Mike McManus, County of Ventura Veteran Services officer. For more information, call 791-9251. “CONTENTMENT IN EVERYDAY LIFE” — Healing in America, 107 W. Aliso St., Ojai, will "In Kevin Ruf, I see the passion for public education coupled with astute analytical skills that are critical to me in a board member." -Rikki Horne Vote for Kevin Ruf Ojai Unified School Board Ojai Valley Democrats Ventura Democrats Das Williams Rikki Horne Kathi Smith Thayne Whipple Chris Ando Emily Thacher Ayala & Tony Ayala Jim Bailey Claud Mann & Perla Batalla Becky Beckett Peter Bellwood Nicole Botti John & Kathy Broesamle Teena Broumand Barbara Brown Gerry & Sharon Campbell Cindy & Peter Cantle Jim Churchill Deirdre & Sean Daly Leif Dautch Bob Davis Laura & Bob Denne Karin & Rod Dingman Roger Essick Chelsea & Josh Fink Glenn Fout Catherine & Pete Frankenfield Katie & Joel Frazier Jon & Brenna Furness Anne & Steve Gard Angie Genasci Bill Gilbreth Lori Hamor Jennifer & Dave Hankins Susan & Jake Hardenbergh Rikki Horne Matt & Ann Inman Ed Italo Allan Jacobs Carrie Whitman Johnson & Matt Johnson Dennis Neil Jones Linda Jordan Jerry & Anne Kaplan Jim & Tanya Kirchner Jackie & Steve Kuehn Adan & Carmen Lara Severro Lara Bob Levin & Lisa Solinas Karen McBride Jay & Holly McArthur Barbara & Mike McCarthy Darwin "Buzz" McCredie Eli & Jess Neiderhiser Nan Davis Nicholson & Brett Nicholson Marianne Ratcliff Cullen Robertson & Karen Schmidt Maggie Rogers Kate Russell Michael Shapiro Dawn Shook Carri Shore Kathi Smith Al Stroberg & Betsy Patterson Jake & Sandi Stub Maria Studer George & Marcia Thacher Alan & Denise Thornhill Merv & Laura Van Auker Carolyn & Gil Vondriska Guy & Leone Webster Jeff Wells John & Nancy Whitman Matt Wilson Larry Yee Cathy & Eric Zacher Paid for by the committee to elect Kevin Ruf 3 VOTE WILLIAM ULRICH FOR OJAI UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD • Bill is the only candidate qualified to protect your school bond money! • He is the only candidate that has completed $225,000,000 in K-12 & University of California construction projects! • He is our insurance for responsibly spent bond money! Endorsed by Ojai Unified School District Board President Kathi Smith Ojai City Council member Paul Blatz Ojai City Council member Severo Lara Paid for by WmUlrich2014 for Ojai School Board host a five-week class by the Ojai Valley Shambhala Meditation Group titled “Contentment in Everyday Life,” Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., Nov. 5 through Dec. 3. By donation, but anyone interested can attend regardless of financial situation. Call 798-2330. OJAI LIBRARY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP — The Ojai Library’s Book Discussion Group will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. to discuss “The Orchardist” by Amanda Coplin. The library is at 111 E. Ojai Ave. Everyone is invited to join the group. The only requirement for participating in the discussion is to have read the book and come willing to share your opinion and listen to others. Call 646-1639. Thursday, Nov. 6 OJAI FILM FESTIVAL — The 15th annual Ojai Film Festival will run Nov. 6 through 10 at various times and venues, featuring 54 films from around the world, workshops-seminars and an awards brunch. The festival will begin with a free screening of the newly released Focus Earth documentary, “Love Thy Nature,” narrated by Liam Neeson, Thursday at 7 p.m. in Libbey Bowl, sponsored by Ojai Community Bank. The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session with director Sylvia Rokab. Films will run continuously through Nov. 10. Go to www .ojaifilmfestival.com for schedule and more information. Down the Road PEDDLERS’ FAIR — Ojai Peddlers’ Fair will feature antiques, col- lectibles, crafts and clothing, Nov. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Ave., rain or shine. Proceeds will benefit Mira Monte Elementary School PTO. OJAI HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS — Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., Ojai Historical Walking Tours depart from the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave. (approximately one-hour tours of downtown historical and cultural attractions). Docent Cricket Twichell will lead the Nov. 8 tour. Cost is $7 or $15 per family. Drop-ins are welcome. For reservations or to schedule tours during the week, call 640-1390. “THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER” — The Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave., will screen free classic family films every Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Rotating Gallery through Dec. 20, in conjunction with its exhibit on “The Ojai Theater.” The film being shown Nov. 8 will be “The Farmer’s Daughter” (1947), starring Loretta Young and Joseph Cotton. Former Ojai resident Young won the 1948 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in this film. Call 640-1390. SOULFETE DINNER EVENT — Danny Everett, chef and Olympic medalist, will showcase his culinary skills at a dinner celebration with entertainment, Nov. 8 at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave., with the first seating at 5 p.m. and second seating at 8:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio. For more information, including the five-course menu, ticket purchases and more, go to www .SoulFete.com or call 633-0796. “BRINGING IT HOME” — The Ojai Valley Green Coalition will host the Focus Earth film, “Bringing It Home,” as part of the Ojai Film Festival, Nov. 9 at 12:30 p.m. at the Ojai Art Center Theater, 113 S. Montgomery St. According to the documentary, hemp has no drug component and is part of a profitable global industry making textiles, building materials, food products, bio-plastics, and even auto parts. The film explores the past, present and future uses ofindustrial hemp while promoting its legalization. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with filmmaker Linda Booker and guests. Tickets are $10; available through ojaifilmfestival.com. FRACKING DISCUSSION — Ojai Chautauqua will host “The Future of Fracking: Questions, Challenges and Perspectives,” Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, featuring an expert panel moderated by awardwinning local reporter Kit Stolz, followed by a reception. Tickets: $20 presale, $25 at the door; available at Barbara Bowman’s, 125 E. Ojai Ave., or at www .ojaichautauqua.org. OJAI YOUTH SYMPHONY CONCERT — The Ojai Youth Symphony will open its 2014-2015 season Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. with a concert at the Greenberg Activity Center at Ojai Valley School, 723 El Paseo Road, Ojai. The Valley Continues on Page A10 A8 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 Opinion [email protected] Featured letter by Linda Jordan, Meiners Oaks Our schools will continue to deteriorate if we don’t approve Measure J As a proud Matilija and Nordhoff alumnus and mother of two children in the School District, I believe in Measure J and support it wholeheartedly. However, when I chat with friends and neighbors, I’m disheartened by the misinformation that’s out there. The first thing I hear is “Why the big need?” Great question! The last bond OUSD residents passed was in 1997 and the average age of the schools in our district is 71 years. Imagine, your home is 71 years old and you haven’t made any investment in repairs or updates for the last 17 years. This is the plight of Nordhoff, Matilija, Meiners Oaks, Mira Monte, Topa Topa, San Antonio, Summit and Chaparral. Conclusion? The facilities will continue to deteriorate without this bond, creating more expensive repairs as time goes on. I also hear “Sacramento, California, the governor will just take the funds and place them elsewhere, as has happened in the past.” Not the case. By law, all funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state. Additionally, all bond funds must be spent on facilities’ repair and/or infrastructure, and not on administrator salaries. Some residents have shared, “I already pay very high property taxes. I’m sure the School District is getting more than it needs.” Well, let’s examine the facts; there are 16 school districts in Ventura County; OUSD ranks as No. 16, at the bottom, in bond and parcel tax rates with a rate of $23.90 per $100,000 of assessed value. Four districts have placed bond issue measures on the Nov. 4 ballot, Briggs, Conejo Valley, Ojai and Rio. Assuming each district bond passes, OUSD would move from 16th to 14th. If we reject this bond, we must ask ourselves; if not now, when? This measure is a vote of confidence for our future. The Ojai Valley is such a unique beautiful place. Let’s do the right thing for our children. For more on Measure J, including the full text on the ballot, visit www.ojai.k12.ca.us. LETTERS TO THE E DITOR Send your opinions to [email protected] Bicyclists should follow the rules RICHARD FLOWERS, OJAI So many bicyclists run right through stop signs, don’t even look both ways or slow down. Too many bicyclists do not wear helmets. Numerous cyclists do not show hand signals when turning. Often bike riders are riding without hands on their handlebars. Several times you see bicycle riders wearing headphones and not paying attention. A lot of the time you see bicyclists riding against the flow of traffic or not looking over their shoulder when making a turn. Sometimes you see a cyclist actually wearing a helmet, stopping at the stop signs, paying attention to their surroundings, obeying the traffic laws, and actually performing hand signals when turning on to the next street. Real true lawabiding bicyclists do exist. There is hope! According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (CDMV) bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and are subject to the same rules and regulations. CDMV indicates to wear an approved helmet if under the age of 18. I believe everyone who rides a bicycle should wear a helmet, why should you put an age to it? Anybody at any age may injure their head if they get into an accident while driving their bicycle. Bicyclists are required to have full control of their vehicle. Headphones should not be permitted while driving a bike. Cyclists are required to ride with the flow of traffic. If bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as operators of motor vehicles and are subject to the same rules and regulations, then I believe the following should apply: all bicyclists should have in plain view an approved issued license plate with current registration and pay an annual license, registration and tax for using the roadway (for litter removal, skid mark removal, bike lane-trail maintenance and construction and enforcement) and bicyclists should be required to take a bicycle safety test, written and field. If getting your driver’s license and operating a motor vehicle is a privilege, then it should be the same with bicyclists. Recently, Assembly Bill 1371 was passed. This requires motorists to give 3 feet of buffer space for bicyclists on roadways. When passing, if there is not enough room you should slow down to pass a cyclist. In some cases this “Give me 3” bill works, but in other ways it does not. I have seen many cases where cars swerve almost into oncoming traffic to avoid bicyclists; this maneuver is dangerous and should be avoided. Cars parked along the roadway take up even more room. Should cars not be allowed to park in bike lanes? Should bicyclists not be allowed to ride on roadways where cars are parked? Should the roads be widened to accommodate the traffic load, parked cars and bicyclists? For those careless bicyclists who decide to ride almost in the middle of the roadway (when there is no apparent hazard in their pathway) how are they going to enforce the 3foot buffer? How are they going to enforce a violation on the bicyclists who do not obey the rules of the road? I believe that bicycle riders and motorists should both be safety conscious when driving on a public roadway because there are too many close calls. Measure J is not the way to go ANTHONY CUNNINGHAM, OJAI While I may get a lot of flak for what I am about to say, I feel it needs to be brought to light. It seems to me that most everyone in the valley is for Measure J. Have they really thought it out though? In 1997 Proposition 39, a school bond measure of $15 million was passed. I don’t know the duration of that bond, but it is still on our property tax bill. When it was passed it was for roofing repairsreplacement, air conditioning for all the schools, updating electrical service and asphalt work. As Yogi Berra said, “It’s like déjà vu, all over again!” However, this time it is at more than twice the cost. This time we are told our assessment will be $35 per $100,000. This will only increase as the years go by. Measure J is for the next 30 years. I am sure I won’t be around to see it paid off, but my children and grandchildren will, if they own property. All the things this bond is for, are shortterm items, with 10to 15-year life spans. When their time is up the bond will still have to be paid. Would you buy a car that would last 10 to 15 years and finance it for 30 years? I know I would not. I know the schools need to be maintained, but this bond is not the way to do it. It should not all be on the property owners. Many of us are on fixed incomes. There needs to be a good preventive maintenance program set up, so that things don’t need to be replaced before their time span is up. An ounce of prevention! Think about it! Elected mayor is a bad idea STEVE OLSEN, OJAI The idea of electing a mayor in Ojai is just a bad idea. The city of Sunnyvale held 12 meetings including three public hearings to discuss the pros and cons of changing to an elected mayor. The recommendation to council by a 12-to2 vote was to keep the present system of the council selecting the mayor from its own Ojai Valley News Directory (805) 646-1476 owner publisher managing editor editorial assistant business manager classifieds circulation advertising sales mgr. sports production Bill Buchanan Tim Dewar Misty Volaski Linda Griffin Jodie Miller Tina Rosas Tina Rosas Mike Dawkins Mike Miller Tina Lee [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ext. 220 ext. 213 ext. 232 ext. 227 ext. 218 ext. 210 ext. 212 ext. 228 ext. 235 ext. 221 ranks. This issue was brought up again in May 2010 and the Sunnyvale city attorney issued a report to the mayor and council that included a list of concerns regarding having a directly elected mayor. The list includes a concern that a directly elected mayor would push a personal agenda instead of a council agenda, a concern that a directly elected mayor could reduce citizen participation and involvement with city commissions, concern that a directly elected mayor could lead to conflict with the rest of the council and alter the city council-city manager relationship and there is no need to change a system that is working. In Sunnyvale this issue has come up four times and on all four occasions, the council or voters have chosen not to change to a directly elected mayor. The city of Ojai does not need to take the risk of having a potentially damaging change to our present form of city government. Vote “No” on Measure A. All Ojai benefits from Measure J KATE RUSSELL, OJAI We all benefit when our town has a good public school system. Naturally the students and their families benefit, but so does our entire community. Ojai as a whole needs Measure J, to keep property values strong, to maintain public spaces that serve all, to invest in schools that will educate tomorrow’s work force and care givers, and to invest in children. Children are the most valuable hope we have. Thus, I believe in an Ojai that values public education and wants to take care of all of its assets, both students and teachers, as well as its buildings and grounds. I can’t imagine an Ojai that doesn’t support its future as a healthy, thriving place for all ages. What an incredible feeling it will be to have our schools in great shape for everyone to enjoy. I’m voting “Yes” on Measure J because I believe in Ojai. Our public schools are the building blocks of everyone’s future. Natural beauty needs protecting KATHY BROESAMLE, OJAI On Ojai Day, those who stopped by the Ojai Valley Defense Fund table in Libbey Park were invited to submit the reasons why they enjoy Ojai. Dozens of people participated. Not surprisingly, the biggest winning category of reasons was based on “nature.” Above all, people love Ojai’s mountains, oak trees, the “Pink Moment,” fresh air, and peacefulness. Second came “people.” Respondents felt that people in Ojai are nicer, friendlier and more fun than the norm. The third theme mentioned was “small town,” including walking to everything, running into friends, and generally, our small-town feel. The ideas presented by those who stopped by our table on Ojai Day are consistent with the goals of the Ojai Valley Defense Fund. The fund exists to provide legal defense against any major proposal for projects or developments inconsistent with the quality of life we enjoy here in our beautiful valley. Even more important, the fund (currently at just under $1 million) stands to deter such undesirable projects or developments from being proposed in the first place. The Ojai Valley Defense Fund is working to make sure that the natural beauty and small-town atmosphere we enjoy here will continue to attract the friendly, committed people who call the Ojai Valley home, as well as the visitors who keep our economy vibrant. Please check out our website for further information and a list of donors, and join us as we work to save the Ojai Valley for future generations. All our poll participants were entered into a drawing for a dinner at Papa Lennon’s. We’d like to congratulate the winner of the drawing: Walter De Leon from Ojai. And, we’d like to thank Papa Lennon’s for their generous donation! We will all pay the price KIM HOJ, OJAI I feel compelled to respond to the thumbs-down in Wednesday’s newspaper and to all those who have the idea that a “No” vote on Measure J is somehow a good idea (“It’s time everyone shares the expense …”). All of us will “share the expense” of having schools that are poorly maintained by the impact to our property values if Measure J fails. Personally, that is not an expense that thumbs up, thumbs down • Villanova students send a thumbs-up to Full of Beans for hosting their Art and Music Night. Thanks for your kind generosity and great service. • A reader sends a thumbs-down to those people who are still watering their lawns seven days a week. • A reader sends a thumbs-up to Stephanie Hull from Starlight Dance Academy for teaching the Topa Topa kids “The Thriller” dance for the Fall Festival. • A reader sends a thumbs-down to the rotating mayor system. An elected mayor could have protected the rights of the Signal Street residents by being aware of what is going on. • A reader sends a thumbs-up to Carrie Johnson from California State Parks for teaching the Topa Topa sixth-graders CPR and first aid for their Catalina Island Marine Institute trip. Submit online at [email protected] We reserve the right to publish submitted thumbs up or down as letters to the editor. Submissions that are "advertorials" disguised as legitimate opinions, or those unfairly targeting individuals or businesses by name will not be published. Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct 31, 2014 A9 Opinion m [email protected] Featured letter by Michael Shields, Ojai Passing Measure J without a better plan is putting the cart before the horse This coming Tuesday, the Ojai Unified School District will ask the community’s permission to issue a $35,000,000 bond, in order to fund classroom and facility improvements. The current cost estimate (as stated on the ballot) is $35 per every $100,000 of taxable property; putting this in perspective an individual homeowner with an assessed property value of $550,000 will assume an additional $7,122.50 in taxes over the life of the bond. I fully agree that our schools are one of our most valuable assets and the building block of a healthy community, but I do have concerns with the overall vagueness associated with planned facility improvements. Given the current information the community has been exposed to; inclusive of the Sept. 9 forum, informational fliers, newspaper ar- ticles and actual ballot text, it is difficult to tell exactly what the voters will get in return for their investment. On a similar note, it is also unclear how many projects are planned or which individual schools will receive priority. I feel it would have been prudent for the OUSD to develop an overall master plan prior to placing the measure on the ballot and I believe other members of the community have expressed similar concerns. While there is little doubt that many of our schools are outdated and in need of improvements, I feel the community deserves some additional information prior to making a well-informed vote. The bond associated with Measure J incurs a substantial amount of debt, and it’s important to ensure we are making responsible decisions for our future generations. LETTERS TO THE E DITOR Send your opinions to [email protected] makes good economic sense to me as a homeowner or a teacher. Good schools with solid facilities mean that our community is a more desirable place to live, which translates into increased property values. In the last several years, I have seen firsthand the incredible need for repairs to basic needs at Nordhoff. I have had locks fall apart in my hand, shorted out electrical systems when plugging in lights, been unable to secure a building due to the multiple repairs to a door that needed to be replaced, waded ankle-high through water in areas with drainage issues, observed a broken bell system, and arranged for teams of volunteers to help renovate and paint the poorly maintained cafeteria stage for last fall’s dance performance. While it is convenient to tell ourselves that we should challenge Sacramento to make changes in our funding formula, we do not have direct control over that issue. For the moment, we still have the 2,600 students who come to school daily who deserve the best that our community can give them and need to have these issues addressed now. I have also been blessed to teach in one of the newer buildings at Nordhoff funded by the 1997 bond measure. Those who supported the 1997 bond initiated a legacy for our district and our community: an up-to-date modern science wing, performing arts building with music and dance classrooms, and administration buildings. I challenge all of us to continue the legacy started in 1997 of supporting our children by voting “Yes” on Measure J. Send a clear message to the children of Ojai that they deserve safe and comfortable fa- cilities that will ensure they can focus on learning. Our children deserve support KATHY SMITH, OJAI As a graduate of Nordhoff, an OUSD parent for the past 21 years, and now a twoyear OUSD employee, I have had a longstanding relationship with the district. My first experience with the financial challenges facing the district was my work on the original Save Ojai Schools campaign in 2008. That effort resulted in very strong support for a parcel tax but we came up about 1 percent short of the required 67 percent yes vote on the measure. I am now asking for your support by voting “Yes” on Measure J, the bond issue on the Nov. 4 ballot. Measure J funds will be restricted to facilities improvements, will be monitored by a required oversight committee, and, most importantly, will update and upgrade our aged schools. By law, Measure J funds may not be taken by the state and may not be used for administrative or teacher salaries. Measure J funds will be restricted to facilities improvements, and will be monitored by a citizens’ oversight committee, working in concert with the board of education and superintendent. Because of the way schools are funded, a bond is the only tool the school district has to raise money for building improvements. Personally, I find the amount of $35 per $100,000 of assessed property value to be relatively small in the big scheme of things. For the home in our school district assessed at the median amount, the cost will be .38 cents per day. For a much-higher assessed property, say $1 million, the rate is still less than $1 per day. It is time for us to continue to sustain the future for Ojai’s children and residents. I was fortunate to attend Ojai schools and my children attended Monica Ros, San Antonio, Matilija, and Nordhoff. We are extremely lucky to have such wonderful schools here in Ojai. Our public schools certainly enhance our community. They not only serve our children, but our schools are important components of our neighborhoods. The fact is we do have fewer funds available to our district. Please help us by voting “Yes” on Measure J. Measure J is best for students LINDA TAYLOR, OJAI I am very proud to have been elected to three terms on the OUSD Board of Education, and am looking forward to working with the newly elected board members in December. Several community members have asked me questions about the upcoming changes in the board and about Measure J. Some questions have been: “Will the new board sell or lease some OUSD school sites? How will Measure J funds be spent if it passes?” These are very valid questions that I also ask myself. Measure J funds will be collected beginning in 2015, so the new board and Dr. Bangser will have time to carefully analyze district needs and create a Master Plan for funding facility repairs and maintenance at school sites (an extensive list of facility needs and the text for Measure J are on the OUSD website). A Citizens’ Oversight Committee will be formed to work with the School Board and Dr. Bangser and to assure that Measure J bond revenues will be expended only to en- Letters to the editor • Keep it local. Letters about issues impacting the Ojai Valley receive priority. • Don’t get personal. Stick to the issues. • Keep it short (350 words is ideal). • Include your phone number for verification (not publication). • E-mail to [email protected], fax to 646-4281 or mail to P.O. Box 277, Ojai, CA 93024. Mission Statement: To inform you about the issues and events in our community with diligence and dedication. The Ojai Valley News, published on Wednesdays and Fridays, is operated by Ojai Valley Newspapers, LLC, 408 Bryant Circle, Suite A, Ojai, Calif. 93023. (805) 646-1476. Entered as second-class matter at the post office at Ojai, Calif. under the act of March 3, 1988. Adjudication Decree No. 38975 by Superior Court, Ventura County, Feb. 26, 1952. Send forms 3579 to P.O. Box 277, Ojai, CA 93024. Subscription rates by carrier are $52 for one year, $42 for seniors, $32 for six months and $22 for three months. Mail subscriptions are $75 for 1 year, $50 for 6 months and $35 for 3 months. hance the educational life of students and staff at those schools that will be in operation for many years to come, not on administration, not allowing any funds to be sent to the state. First and foremost, decisions about schools will be made based on what is best for students. Asking the Ojai community to approve Measure J is asking voters to do what is best for students. Please vote “Yes” on J on Nov. 4. ISIS killers must be stopped DONNA TURNER, OJAI I cried when Lassie came home, so consider the source. I saw a picture in the Wall Street Journal of the Kurds going though Turkey on the way to the Syrian town of Kobani to fight the ISIS and protect the Syrians. I got tears in my eyes when I saw no tanks, no rocket launchers, just pickups, jeeps, and buses. The soldiers were smiling and giving the peace and victory sign. Those of you who are old enough to re- member World War II, you will recall that Winston Churchill called upon the people of England to pray for the Channel waters to calm and to man any boat they had to go across and save their men from the advancing enemy, who were going to trap them. The waters did calm, which never happens, and they saved their men. Let’s pray that the Kurds are OK, and do save the Syrians from the monsters that kill and behead people. New ideas are needed on board MICHELLE THOMAS, OJAI It is obvious that our OUSD schools have been neglected, financially and physically, for several years. I was, frankly, appalled to see the state of disrepair our high school, for one, is in, after viewing the presentation on Channel 10 from principal Bayless. I believe we need a new perspective on running the School District. Robbing Peter to pay Paul has resulted in a deplorable situation. It will take more than passing Measure J to restore the physical and scholastic environment for our students. Our former board members did the best they could with what they had, but we are entering a new time. Management experience will be extremely important to ensure our taxpayer funds are well-spent. If we are going to make our classrooms safe and functional for our students, we will need board members that will be able to read the fine print in the construction plans, have experience in administering the funds, and managing large building projects. My two children received a quality education from the Ojai public schools. Children from young families in the district will not be as fortunate if we don’t ensure creative, new thinking and guidance from our school board. I honor the former board. My children, since graduated, were well-served by the district, but times have changed. Recognizing the need for new ideas to ensure a good education for our young people in the OUSD, is now! A10 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 arou valley nd OUR Continued from Page A7 concert will feature the three ensembles of the Youth Symphony, performing marches from the symphonic repertoire. In celebration of Veterans Day, all veterans will be admitted at no charge. Admission: $9, students 18 and younger admitted free. Music directors are Amy Hagen and Andy Radford. For information, visit www.ojaiyouth symphony.org or call 649-8086. CITY COUNCIL MEETING — The Ojai City Council will meet Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 401 S. Ventura St., Ojai. “LITERATURE AS YOGA OF THE MIND” — The Theosophical Society in the Ojai Valley will meet at Krotona School, 46 Krotona Road, Ojai, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. Reuben A. Weininger, M.D., will talk about “Literature as Yoga of the Mind.” Donations are appreciated. Call 646-2653. GARDEN CLUB MEETING — The Ojai Valley Garden Club will meet Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. in Fisher Hall at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 409 Topa Topa Drive, at the corner of Bristol Road. All guests are welcome. Kim Spadillos from Flora Gardens will demonstrate ways to construct a Thanksgiving centerpiece using succulents and pumpkins. “EMBRACING LIFE THROUGH LOSSES” — The Gables of Ojai, 701 N. Montgomery St., will host Jaikoo Lee, M.Div., offering a free Bereavement Support Group on four Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 12 through Dec. 10, to help those coping with the loss of loved ones during the holiday season. Open to the public and donations are welcome. Call Christine Fenn at 646-1446 for more details. “STRONGER TOGETHER” — will meet Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at OjaiCARES, 960 E. Ojai Ave., Suite 105. Support groups at OjaiCARES are peer-led, offered free of charge, and on a drop-in basis. They are open to cancer survivors of all diagnoses at any point in time (newly diagnosed, in or post treatment, or living with a recurrence). Participants can share issues, insights and emotions related to their cancer experience, as well as ways to live more fully. Call 646-6433 for more details. “INTO THE WOODS JR.” — Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio, 316 E. Matilija St., will present Stephen Sondheim’s fairytale musical, “Into the Woods Jr.,” Nov. 14 through 23 at various times (see ojaiyes.org for schedule). Tickets: $10 (at BrownPaper Tickets.com). Call 6464300. OJAI HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS — Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., Ojai Historical Walking Tours depart from the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave. (approximately one-hour tours of downtown historical and cultural attractions). Docent Barbara Washburn will lead the Nov. 15 tour. Cost is $7 or $15 per family. Dropins are welcome. For reservations or to schedule tours during the week, call 640-1390. “PAT AND MIKE” — The Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave., will screen free classic family films every Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Rotating Gallery through Dec. 20, in conjunction with its exhibit on “The Ojai Theater.” The film being shown Nov. 15 will be “Pat and Mike” (1952), starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey. The golf scenes in this movie were filmed at the Ojai Valley Inn & Country Club. Call 640-1390. ART CENTER BENEFIT CONCERT — Ojai’s Sam Harris will perform Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Ojai Art Center Theater, 113 S. Montgomery St., celebrating the center’s 75th anniversary. Pro- Stephen L. "Steve" Quilici for Ojai City Council • 40 years' business and public service experience • Apply the same rules to everyone • Make fair, transparent, logical, informed decisions • Be more frugal with tax dollars [email protected] Glenn Adamson Jack Fay Brian & Tina Ford Boyd & Gwen Ford Mike & Elana Daley Nancy Hill Steve & Susan Romero Sharon Booth Dr. Ingrid Lawaty Bob Bride Bob & Punky Soares Helene Hamm Rob & Katrina Schmidt Elaine Nelson Bill & Maggie Mors Patrick & Lisa Bishop Tom Jamison Roger & Caroline Embury Ben Larner Bob & Susana Arce Anthonie & Dorothy Voogd Dr. Larry & Chris Simpson Paid for by the Committee for Quilici for Ojai City Council 2014 T 12 years of Pauline -E serving E R the Ojai Community FOR and our Ojai Unified School Board children C LE MERCADO Paid for by re-elect Pauline Mercado ceeds will benefit the Art Center. Call 6460117. HOLIDAY HOME LOOK IN — The Women’s Committee’s annual Holiday Home Look In will be held Nov. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour distinctive Ojai Valley homes adorned with seasonal trimmings. A holiday marketplace is also held at the Matilija gym. Proceeds benefit the Ojai Music Festival and the Bravo! music education program. Go to www.ojaifestival.org or call 646-2094, Ext. 104. “WOOD” — Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio, 316 E. Matilija St., will present OhMy’s ridiculous bawdy fairytale for adults only, “Wood,” Nov. 15 and 22 at 8 p.m. Bar opens at 7:30 p.m. and an afterparty follows the performance (must be at least 18). Tickets: $20, proceeds will benefit OYES. Go to ojaiyes.org or call 646-4300. PERFORMANCE BY YOUTH CHOIR — On Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m.,the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., presents a free, 15-minute performance of “The Voices of Children,” an art-song cycle that sets eight short poems of English-speaking children from around the world to music for youth choir, piano, percussion and guitar. Judith Vander composed the songs and will conduct the singers, many of whom participated in the Ojai Youth Opera Camp. Rebecca Comerford and Julija Zonic selected the choir and were invaluable in teaching the songs. Pianist Raelynn Clare, YOUR COMPLETE LISTING OF O J A I VA L L E Y E V E N T S [email protected] percussionist Kevin Conahey, and guitarist Jon Lambert will accompany the choir. For more information, call 640-8327. “CANCER AS A TURNING POINT” — will meet Nov. 18 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at OjaiCARES, 960 E. Ojai Ave., Suite 105. Support groups at OjaiCARES are peer-led, offered free of charge, and on a drop-in basis. They are open to cancer survivors of all diagnoses at any point in time (newly diagnosed, in or post treatment, or living with a recurrence). Participants can share issues, insights and emotions related to their cancer experience, as well as ways to live more fully. Call 6466433 for more details. “INVISIBLE WORLD: ANNIE BESANT” — The Theosophical Society in the Ojai Valley will meet at Krotona School, 46 Krotona Road, Ojai, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Kurt Leland will talk about “Invisible Worlds: Annie Besant on Psychic and Spiritual Development.” Donations are appreciated. Call 646-2653. “PRE-THANKSGIVING FEAST” — The American Vedic Association Bhagavad-Gita As It Is Fellowship will meet Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at 687 Villanova Road for a celebration of thanks which includes a karma-free banquet dinner. Always free. Call 640-0405. Ongoing Events SMALL BUSINESS COUNSELING — Small business counseling is available regularly at the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce. Call 646- 8216. AMERICAN LEGION BINGO — The American Legion Post 482 in Ojai hosts bingo Tuesdays from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 843 E. Ojai Ave. (Early birds from 12:30 to 1 p.m.) Refreshments are provided. All proceeds go to our veterans. PLAY GROUP — Come have fun with other 5- and 6-year-olds at Libbey Park Wednesdays at noon. Gather for lunch and a good time. Call Dawn at 640-1283 for information, or just show at up the park. BREAST-FEEDING AND NEW BABY SUPPORT GROUP — The Nan Tolbert Nurturing Center, 555 Mahoney Ave., Oak View, holds meetings in Room 2 Wednesdays from 9 to 10:15 a.m. to talk about breast-feeding and parenting. Suggested donation: $5 to $10. Just drop by. The breast-feeding hotline is 646-7559, Ext. 1. TOASTMASTERS MEETINGS — Ojai Valley Toastmasters meets Fridays at 6:30 a.m. in the Library Room at The Gables of Ojai, 701 N. Montgomery St., Ojai. Come visit and hear a variety of presentations. For more information, call 207-5094. WALKING MEDITATION — Meditation Mount, 10340 Reeves Road, hosts walking meditations every Saturday from 9:30 to 10 a.m. in the International Garden of Peace. Donations are welcome. Call 646-5508. calendar@ojai valleynews.com Sports B1 Friday Oct. 31, 2014 INSIDE: B2 Perspectives B4 Classified B8 Perry’s Hikes Highlighting prep, rec and area sports Mike Miller, editor [email protected] NHS to battle Fillmore in key contest Mike Miller [email protected] Tonight’s game between the Nordhoff Rangers (4-4) and the Fillmore Flashes (6-2) is a must-win game for both teams if they want to remain in the chase for the Tri-Valley League title. NHS is coming off a dominating 30-0 victory over Carpinteria while Fillmore had their sixgame winning streak snapped by Bishop Diego last Friday evening, 23-6. Fillmore is new to the Tri-Valley League this season but they have been making some noise this fall. With wins over Channel Islands (21-3), Oak Park (53-8), Santa Paula (20-17), Santa Ynez (31-8), Hueneme (55-13), and Rio Hondo (27-0), the Flashes have built a nice résumé as they enter tonight’s game. The Flashes will keep the ball on the ground and they have multiple weapons so the Nordhoff defense led by defensive coordinator Russell Farrar will need to have a solid scheme drawn up. When the Flashes run the ball, they will likely give it to Hayden Wright (1,079 yards and 13 touchdowns), Jorge Andrade ((811 yards and seven touchdowns), or Damien Gonzalez (334 yards and four touchdowns). Defensively, keep an eye on defensive lineman Gilardo Sandoval who has accumulated 11 quarterback sacks on the season. Wright also leads the team in interceptions with five. The last time the Rangers and Flashes battled on the gridiron was 2011 and NHS won 35-6. For the Rangers, last week’s league victory over Carpinteria was a big boost thanks to the return of several key players. The 30-0 shutout victory was due to great play by the defense and the power running game. Do not expect NHS to stray far from that recipe tonight. Senior running backs Shane Hersh and Baylee Rogers provide Nordhoff with nice change-ofpace options. Hersh is a power runner while Rogers is more likely to juke his way past a defender. Hersh and Rogers accounted for all four NHS touchdowns last season. At quarterback, Austin Santino is getting his timing back after suffering a shoulder injury. When the opportunity arises, look for the Rangers to go deep on Fillmore. Defensively, the Rangers played great team defense and swarmed to the ball against Carpinteria. Watch the play of Rem Martin, Nick McGrew, Regin Wilson, Hersh, Atticus Reyes, Nick Sterling, Rogers, Miguel Carbajal, Jevon Morrison, Austin Baker, Spencer Bliss, Will Moses and Zeb Sheets on defense. Ojai Valley News Prediction: Last week we predicted the Rangers would score 31 points and they racked up 30, so we are pretty much dialed in. There is a lot riding on tonight’s game, not to mention it is also homecoming, so the NHS squad will be riled up and ready to play. With two teams that can run the football, tonight’s game should be a quick one, but it should also be jampacked with exciting play. We think the Rangers will be victorious in this one, setting up a monster game with Bishop Diego in the season finale. Nordhoff wins a hard-hitting, competitive game, 24-13. Game information: Fillmore at Nordhoff at the Ojai Valley Community Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown Montana Titus will lead the Nordhoff Rangers onto the field tonight when they take on the Fillmore Flashes. Tonight’s game is also Nordhoff’s homecoming celebration. Photo by Holly Roberts U-6 AYSO soccer boys dig in their cleats This group of local soccer stars get after a loose ball earlier this fall. A number of local youth soccer teams will be advancing to regional action in the coming weeks. Team Bachelor lands big victory in JTT tennis action Rick Thompson Ojai Valley News contributor Team Bachelor improved to 3-3 in Junior Team Tennis (JTT), winning their second match by just a single point dropping Chuck, 18-17. Charlie Coughlin and Dakota Martin from Chuck won the last doubles in a tiebreaker, then won the first game in the super tiebreaker to even the score at 17. Fabio Lauretta, who was teamed with Chris Boydston, hit the clinched the win for Bachelor. Merlin's magic returned as they stained the White Collars, 17-12. The match was even at 11 when Merlin's Rosie Quackenbush and Elizabeth Russell won the family feud defeating Emma Russell and Adrian Ocone, 6-1. Sponge Bob improved to 5-1 as they wiped out Psych, 17-12. Victor Becker and Daniel Ortiz led with a 6-1 win for Sponge Bob. Becker teamed with Elias Simon for a 6-4 doubles win to end the match. America's Got Talent won their second straight match lowering the boom on Big Bang Theory, 17-9, with wins from Jules Thompson, Inigo Aguirre, and Jaky Quackenbush. Pokemon moved to 4-2 with a big come-from-behind win against Supernatural. Down 11-8, Gemma Quackenbush and Hina Suzuki of Pokemon took the final doubles 6-1 to clinch the 14-12 win. Sponge Bob leads the odd division with a 5-1 mark, followed by Pokemon at 4-2, Big Bang and Supernatural at 3-3, and Psych at 2-4. Merlin heads the evens at 5-1, with Bachelor and AGT at 3-3, and White Collars and Chuck at 1-5. JTT is an Ojai Recreation Department program sponsored by the Ojai Valley Tennis Club. Teal Tortiglionis proved to be the pasta of choice Friday night as they won the battle of the 3-2 teams dropping the Red Rigatonis, 3120, and earning a spot in the adult World Team Tennis finals. Winning for the Tortiglionis were Shiva Narayanan, Janet Lawry, Carolina Murillo, and Heather Miller. Purple Penne improved to 5-1 as they boiled Black Angel Hair, 32-19. Jackie Francis and Karen Matthews led with an 8-4 doubles win and Theresa Finley and Danny Everett added singles wins to power the win. Penne and Tortiglionis will play Nov. 7 for the championship with Angel Hair and Rigatonis to battle for third. Soule Park senior golfers cap two October events On Oct. 6, the Soule Park Senior Men’s Club held a two-man team alternate shot competition. Coming out on top of flight one was the duo of Todd Tanner and Don Gluyas, with a 69.4. Second position went to Lonnie Gibson and Bill Hatch, who came home with a 73. Third place went to Richard Klinshaw and Dietmar Mages, with 74.4. In flight two, Larry Memel and Joe Garcia earned the top spot with 79.6. Coming in second was Terry Starr and Norm Smith, with 80 while third place was nabbed by Bob Bryden and Ken Myers, with 81.2. First in flight three was Pete Conforti and Tom Murphy, with 78.4. Second place went to Len Block and David Nakada, with 79.6 and coming in third was Dave Sparks and Bill Nugent, with 80.8. Late in the month, the club held a four-man scramble. In flight one top honors went to the team of Gary Markley, Jim Davis, Eddie Gibson and Al Gross, with 48.5. Second was the team of Steve Thompson, Terry Starr, Norm Smith and Mark Lusson, with 50.5. Flight two was led by the team of Conforti, Tony Hirsch, Murphy and Rocky Rockefeller, with 43.75. Grabbing second places was the team of Dave Sparks, Tony Pytlinski, Jim Gilden and Dale Babcock, with 47.75. Get your NHS football updates tonight on Twitter by following @OVNSports Photo submitted Standout gridiron play runs in the Rogers family Brayden Rogers (above), younger brother of Nordhoff standout Baylee Rogers, was recognized as one of the Ojai Eagles Players of the Week. Rogers plays running back and linebacker for the D-4 Eagles. Also earning honors this week were Santiago Avalos (D-3) and Isaac Thorpe (D-2). Last week Kolby Stevens (D-4), Grant Booher (D-3), and Zac Sheets (D-2) were recognized for their play against Santa Barbara. Get local sports updates. Follow us on Twitter! twitter.com/OVNsports @OVNsports B2 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 Perspective MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING MEL BLOOM It was a night to remember The great Chicago fire of 1871, burned the town down, the whole kit and caboodle with the exception of the stone-built water tower which still stands majestically on Michigan Boulevard as a testament to the city’s grit. I wasn’t there during the fire, but I read about it and heard my grandmother often sing the following song: “One night in fall when the folks were all in bed Mrs. O’Leary and her cow went in the shed. The cow kicked the lantern, winked and then it said ‘There’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight.’” Well, man! There was one humdinger of a hot time in our town last Friday night as Steve Edelson and Maria Angela Perna co-hosted a soiree so unforgettable it ranks with Napoleon’s coronation, which I also didn’t attend but read about. The grand occasion, was the “Great Reveal” as Mr. Edelson calls it, to reveal the new ownership and revitalization of one of Southern California’s mostesteemed restaurants, The Ranch House. Everybody who was anybody was there, along with a bunch of us who are nobodies. All of Ojai was invited and everyone showed up and quite possibly a few non-Ojaians crashed the shindig because the place was floor to ceiling, wall to wall packed. It could have been, but hopefully not, a pickpocket’s paradise not to mention a bonanza for home burglars because no one in town was home since everyone was at this jamboree. It was as if the combined presence of all who attended the Olympics, the Super Bowl and the Ballet Russe was present and it certifies when someone is gracious enough to feed the multitudes for free, the multitudes bring their in-laws and the in-laws bring their friends. The hoopla was a spectacle reminiscent of the bacchanals seen in ancient Rome. I never was there either, but I saw the Fellini films. It was like Mardi Gras in Rio, New Orleans, and Venice, all rolled into one. The food was scrumptious and prodigious, everything from hunks (not slices) of sausage, crab cakes, various hors d’oeuvres,and mousses of chocolate and berry served in miniature cornucopia with dainty silver spoons. And the wine flowed like the biblical wedding at Cannae. People we hadn’t seen in years were everywhere and it was reassuring to know they still are among us even though we all looked as if we added a few years. And the cacophony of voices in singing and conversation and the music from the piano, the band and the chanteuse made for an Emerald City New Year’s Eve celebration. Though I regret I was born too late to partake in the glamour, the cadence and the grace of minuets and waltzes in ornate ballrooms, I admit it is fascinating to watch contemporary dancing where people throw themselves into it with the fanaticism of dervishes or more aptly as if they are writhing in pain, reaching for itches they can’t scratch, or have been suddenly stricken with Saint Vitus disease, all of which is even beyond the whoop-de-do of my teenage years when the most common bug was the jitter. One of the many specialties of the evening was a camera which automatically took pictures as one (or more) stood in front of it and in less than 30 seconds produced a glossy photo, a splendid souvenir of a night to remember. The festivities began at 5 p.m. and lasted until midnight. Sweetie and I along with friends arrived at 7:30, too late, too dark, and too crowded to observe The Ranch House’s new look or that of its customarily impressive gardens. But the memories of the evening and the generosity and extravagance of its owners will long be remembered by this community. It was an event the likes of which we’ll never see again in our lifetime. Thanks for the memory. It will last until the end of my days. Garlington will speak on world religions Photo submitted Bill Garlington, Ph.D., is a retired professor from CSU-Channel Islands. Bill Garlington, Ph.D., an authority on philosophy, world religions and cultural history, will be speaking at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave., Nov. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. His topic will be "Insight into World Religions, including True Islam." He will be joined by Steven Scholl, an expert on Islamic mysticism, and author of the new book, "Mohammed." This lecture is being organized by the Center for Spiritual Living Ojai as part of its ongoing speaker series. Garlington, a retired professor from California State University at Channel Islands, is one of the most popular teachers at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Ojai. At OLLI, eight-week university-quality courses are offered to seniors by Channel Islands faculty as well faculties from other institutions. There is no grading, testing or preparation for a degree, just learning for the sake of learning. OLLI classes are taught at Help of Ojai's Little House, 111 W. Santa Ana St. To hear Garlington and Scholl, tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 at www.eventbrite.com/e/ the-perennial-philoso p h y t i c k e t s 13582976047. Should space be available, tickets can also be purchased at the door for $25. 533 E. Ojai Ave. 805-646-7747 BREAKFAST BUY 1 GET 1 50% OFF DAILY 8AM - 11:30AM Monday Night & Thursday Night Football at Soule Park! Buying Gold & Silver (805) 646-5685 Watch Repair postings Batteries Installed: $7.50 Senior Citizens $6.00 about local, FREE appraisal Restaurant & Bar open daily Locally owned & operated 1033 E. Ojai Ave. Call 646-4904 or 798-7140 1211 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai (second floor, above Chase Bank) Ojai Village Veterinary Hospital ge V e teri n a r y H p it a l O jai Vi l la os Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Day and night, call (805) 646-3111 311 W. Ojai Ave. PET OF THE WEEK Snoopy This cute little boy is Snoopy. He had a rough start in life but is still a happy little guy with a great personality. He is neutered, walks well on leash & seems ok with other dogs. We would love to see him get a second chance at a good life & a loving home. You can meet Snoopy at the Humane Society of Ventura County in Ojai. His adoption fee of $120. includes neuter, free veterinarian check, vaccinations, ID tag, microchip implantation & years of smiles. The shelter is located at 402 Bryant St in Ojai & is open Monday - Saturday 10 -6. We also have a low cost spay/neuter clinic. Many Chihuahuas & Chihuahua mixes can be altered at no cost. Call for information & an appointment. Humane Society of Ventura County Animal Shelter in Ojai at 402 Br yant Street • 646-6505 To get our Buying watches, jewelry, coins, tokens, medals, currency & sterling Free Popcorn, $1 Street Tacos, $2 Hot Dogs, $3 Garlic Fries, $1off Well Drinks, Beer & Wine. Bucket of Beer $14, Raffles! Tues. - Twilight starts at 11 AM Wed. - 4 for 3 (with cart) EXPIRES 11/14/2014 Angelo Spandrio breaking news ... SOLOPRENEUR HOTLINE like the Ojai 805.798.9108 “Expert Advice on running your business” Facebook No Fees, Ever page [email protected] www.solopreneurhotline.com and follow us EARLY EDITION: Read your news the night before delivery. OjaiValleyNews.com Valley News on Twitter Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 B3 From kitchen to track and back: Everett comes full circle with SoulFéte Kimberly Rivers OVN correspondent Ojai seems to have a nice variety of food choices. There’s Thai, vegan, Italian, Chinese, Mexican and more. But we seem to be missing a little soul — soul food, that is. Nov. 8, Danny Everett will change that by hosting SoulFéte, a soul food dinner event at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club. SoulFéte (soulFEH-t) is a blend of the English word “soul” and the French word féte, meaning “celebration.” Everett and his wife, Tiarzha, moved to Upper Ojai 15 years ago to start a family. Their children now attend two of Ojai’s public schools, which often benefit from Danny’s cooking. During the year, Everett leads cooking classes at the schools and helps with fundraisers. For Halloween this year, he’s leading a lunchtime fish fry at Summit Elementary School to raise money for the sixth grade Catalina science trip. Many know Everett from his Olympic track career — he’s held a world record and has won bronze and gold medals. But he is also a professionally trained chef, and while he continues to help out with the local Ojai Roadrunners track program, his professional life shifted some time ago from running to cooking. “My plan in high school was to join the Army and become a chef,” Everett said. “Fate, however, had other plans.” When he stepped on the track for the first time as a high school sophomore in South Central Los Angeles, his path shifted. In a few years he became one of the top 10 400-meter runners in the country. He earned an athletic scholarship to UCLA, and went on to Olympic glory. But food was always in the back of his mind. “While running on the world stage and traveling to countries like France, Italy, Monte Carlo, Spain, India, Switzerland and Russia, I was so fortunate to be able to also experience diverse culinary cuisines,” he said. He received professional training at the Los Angeles Culinary Institute during the off-season. The upcoming SoulFéte event is the product of Everett’s training and upbringing coming together in his “culinary point of view,” he said. “Down-home soul food and Southern sensibility with the most tasty and unique aspects of international cuisine.” He was inspired to become a chef, he said, by watching his grandmother “create delicious and expansive Thanksgiving meals in our modest home in Texas,” said Everett. His grandmother “was pretty adamant to not allow anyone in the kitchen while she was cooking, but for some reason she would allow me to come in and watch her.” He remembers her moving slowly around the kitchen, and he would get worried she Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church RCIA Program wouldn’t finish the meal in time. “Yet she always did, and the dishes were incredible. The turkey, ham, roasted chicken, dressing, at least seven side dishes, various pies and cakes, she made them all from scratch. And what was more amazing, was my grandmother never measured ingredients or used cookbooks.” That seemed to be the case for many cooks in the South, he noticed. “Everything she made just seemed to magically spring from her head to her fingers.” He learned fast, and by age 10, Everett was cooking full meals by himself for his entire family. “One of my favorite things about cooking is the way it brings people together,” said Everett. “I feel so fortunate that people seem to enjoy my cooking and company.” Cooking, he added, gives him an opportunity to be creative. “I love looking at cookbooks and putting my own twist on a unique recipe. I really enjoy finding fresh and unique ingredients and letting them almost speak to me in a way that helps me transform them into something so tasty.” He’s had many people tell him, “I don’t normally eat that vegetable, but there is something about the way you cook it that now I like it.” Living in Ojai has also has an impact on his cooking. “Ojai’s Farmers’ Market has influenced me to appreciate the farm-to-table experience. Having fresh, RCIA, Right of Christian Initiation of Adults Have you, or anyone you know ever wondered what it means to be Catholic? Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, Ojai, Invites you to come to our open door meetings and ask questions, and any comments you may have. Even if you are a non-practicing Catholic but have questions about the present day Catholic Church. Come learn more about how the church positively affects the lives of people all around the world, and learn more about how Pope Francis is effecting change in the World, the Church and our community, and of course you. Contact the Parish Office at (805) 646-4338 or (805) 646-0307 for more information St. Thomas Aquinas Church 185 St. Thomas Dr. • Ojai, CA • 93023 Office Hours 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Closed for Lunch 12p.m. - 1p.m. Donʼt throw batteries away Household batteries are hazardous waste. Bring them to the Ojai Valley News office at 408-A Bryant Circle during business hours. healthy and in-season ingredients makes a big difference in what you can create.” The market also inspired him to plant a garden at home. “Food fresh from the ground has a totally different taste than what you get from a grocery store.” A portion of the proceeds from Everett’s SoulFéte — which he’s calling a “pop-up event” — will benefit the Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio (OYES). Attendees will enjoy a five-course meal that will include cocktail pairings and unique dishes, like molasses barbecue chicken, sautéed collard greens and golden crust corn bread, paired with an apple mint julep cocktail. “I also want to have my pop-up be more like a community event that would benefit local children,” Everett said. “My hope is to host many more SoulFéte events that will benefit other nonprofits in and around the Ojai and Ventura County area.” Everett’s amazing peach cobbler also is on the menu for Nov. 8. When asked about the secret ingredient he said, “I don’t want this to Photo submitted Olympic runner Danny Everett has transitioned from the track to the kitchen — and the barbecue. sound too corny, but really, the most important ingredient to me is the love I have of making a cobbler from scratch that I learned from my grandmother and mother. It’s the process of lightly dusting my hands in the flour, the feeling of kneading and folding the buttery dough into an amazing crust, slicing the fresh peaches and adding the right amount of pure vanilla. I hope the joy I have of making cobbler and the feeling I get of honoring my family’s legacy when I make it, comes through with each bite.” See www.soulfete.com for more information. DAVID WHIPPLE GOLDSMITH Conflict Free Diamonds Jewelry repair G O L D • S I L V E R P L A T I N U M All work done on premises Monday-Friday 10-6 Saturday 11-2 18 k gold with a Swiss and platinum, 15cts natural aquamarine 553 W. El Roblar, Meiners Oaks • 640-0212 • davidwhipplegoldsmith.com Classifieds B4 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 RENTALS, FOR SALE APARTMENTS FIREWOOD ORANGE wood $225/cord, $120/half cord, 620-2869. 1 BED., unfurn., $850/mo., 1st. & last, incl. trash & water. N/S, N/D, N/P. 6461967. Available now. [email protected] RENTALS, STUDIOS STUDIO, $900/mo., 1st & last, $250 cleaning, 794-2120. RENTALS, OFFICES FOUND COIN PURSE in Arcade Plaza parking lot, 798-9108. RABBIT, Daly Rd. & Pleasant Ave. area. 713-303-0491. FREE FIREWOOD - Eucalyptus, some cutting req. Mon., Wed. & Fri., 11-4, at The Ojai Retreat, 160 Besant Rd. HELP WANTED EXPERIENCED retail only. 12-15 hrs. per week Ojai Valley Surplus. Apply in person, or call 805-6462350. LOST DIAMOND NECKLACE on Ojai Day, between Libbey Park and BofA. A solitare diamond on a white gold chain, was a gift from Mom on wedding day. Reward! 818-667-0747. RENTALS, HOUSES 4 BD., 2 bth., quiet nbrhd., f/pl., 2-car grg., nice fenced yd., N/S/D, pet + dep. on approval. Avail. midDec., $2,150./mo. + sec., 1st + last. Estab. credit report req. 649-1501 or 7012938. BEAUTIFUL custom duplex. 1 bd., 1 bth., kitchenette, fireplace, on 1 acre, oak grove, seasonal stream, parking for 1. $1,200 + dep., util. incl., n/s/d/p. 701-1327. OJAI: NICE LARGE office & warehouse suites in Ojai Valley News building. 805-563-9400. ANSWERS TO WEDNESDAY’S NY TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE S P L H E S W S C A R O L J A C K P O T A C H I E V E S T A N Z A S K P H E L A D A R L I N G R A A N W I H Y C/D R A P O N G T O R T L A U N C H E R K F C T O T O/E I S E L E X U R L K E R C O E R C I V E L Y B E E P E R S A S E S G O L A G N/D Z I M L A L D A O C P A I N U T M O P T B O A T S C H S E P S I L O N A C H/E I L L E S L L C E A R S A A M T O I N N G A B B A S S P R A T T H E P S T M/E E N E G A G F T O M U I A L A C I N I S M A N E B A U E R D D A V I/T D H I H O T I C I T K A S P D A M U S E R O M E S T A O P I A A S S M E N T D E L A I L L O I R E E M O A R N D I N G J A I L R A T A T A T A R I Z O N A P I A Z Z A S R A B A T O S A G E V I N E S L S D A/F A I R S L A E D D D E E P/A B L U E C R E S C E N T G P A GREAT NEWS! The online version of the Ojai Valley News is only $25 per year RENTALS, ROOMS PERKY 80 yr.-old owner has a beautiful home with room and kitch. privileges for $850/mo. Background chk. & appl. req., n/p, n/s. All inquiries to Kay WilsonBolton, broker, 805340-5025. Send resume to [email protected]. Owner is not lonely, frail or needs money, the family just wants someone else in the home. ojaivalley news.com ADVERTISE in the Ojai Valley News Business and Service Directory. 24 issues for only $240. Call 646-1476 and ask for Tina OJAI VALLEY NEWS BUSINESS AND SERVICE DIRECTORY Eric Anderson Landscape Contractor Mulch delivery, $40.00 cu. yd., 2 yd. min. •Commercial/Residential maintenance •Fine tree trimming •Drought tolerant landscapes •Irrigation system audit and repair St. lic. # 876863, city lic. # 14017 805-512-0513 or [email protected] Joe Anderson Foreman/operator Bringing down the prices in the Ojai Valley Down to Earth Lawn & Garden Call for Appointment 805.207.3263 230 Burnham Rd. Oak View Culver Softball Academy TRI-VALLEY TREE TRIMMING • TREE MAINTENANCE • FIREWOOD • BRUSH CLEARANCE • FREE ESTIMATE CALL CARLOS 805-798-0693 Deadlines for placing your ad For Wednesday’s paper, Monday before Noon. For Friday’s paper, Wednesday before Noon. We accept personal checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express & Debit. 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READERS are cautioned to make no investments before thoroughly investigating any advertisements in the Classified columns, which require investments in stocks, TREE PLANTING FIREWOOD • FREE DELIVERY $10 OFF FIREWOOD 805-798-1463 samples, equipment or cash bond in order to obtain a position. READERS are cautioned to thoroughly investigate services and products advertised in this publication. Consumers are urged to use prudence in their patronage. Advertising in this publication in no way represents an endorsement by the publisher. DISCRIMINATION: Any advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling, or with respect to an employment opportunity that indicates ANY PREFERENCE, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, number of tenants, status with respect to public assistance, disability, age and affectional or sexual preference is unacceptable. Advertisements For Roommates: Advertisements for roommates may specify gender, but only in two cases: IF the accommodation involves shared living space, or IF the housing is a dormitory in an educational institution. Keep in mind: Advertisements for apartments or housing not involving shared living space may not specify gender. Where living space is shared, only the gender of a roommate may be specified, and the ad may not specify race, religion, or any other protected class. THE PUBLISHER assumes NO FINANCIAL responsibility for errors nor for omission of copy. Liability for errors shall not exceed the cost of that portion of space occupied by such error. Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 B5 OVN10-07-2014 Published Ojai Valley News October 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number 2014100610017967-0 1/1 Ventura County Clerk and Recorder MARK A. LUNN File Date: 10/06/2014 THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: (1st Fictitious Business Name) Impresa Street Address of Principal Place of Business (P.O. Box or PMB not acceptable): 291 Avenida Del Recreo, Ojai, CA 93023 County of Principal Place of Business: Ventura Full name of 1st Registrant Individual/Corporation/Lim ited Liability Company: Susan Stinsmuehlen Amend Residence Address of 1st Registrant (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 291 Avenida Del Recreo, Ojai, CA 93023 Full name of 2nd Registrant Individual/Corporation/Lim ited Liability Company: Richard Edward Amend Residence Address of 2nd Registrant (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 291 Avenida Del Recreo, Ojai, CA 93023 This Business is conducted by: Married Couple The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 1/1/2014. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) Susan Stinsmuehlen Amend /s/SUSAN STINSMUEHLEN AMEND NOTICE – In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code). This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Ventura on the date indicated by the file stamp above. ———————— OVN10-12-2014 Published Ojai Valley News October 17, 24 & 31, 2014 November 7, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number 2014101310018411-0 1/1 Ventura County Clerk and Recorder MARK A. LUNN File Date: 10/13/2014 THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: (1st Fictitious Business Name) Splendor In The Grass Street Address of Principal Place of Business (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 334 S. Carillo St., Ojai, CA 93023 County of Principal Place of Business: Ventura State of Incorporation/ Organization: CA Full name of 1st Registrant Individual/Corporation/Lim ited Liability Company: Neil Gary Lockhart Residence Address of 1st Registrant (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 334 S. Carillo St., Ojai, CA 93023 This Business is conducted by: An Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 10/13/2014. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) Neil Gary Lockhart /s/NEIL G. LOCKHART NOTICE – In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code). This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Ventura on the date indicated by the file stamp above. ———————— OVN10-19-2014 Published Ojai Valley News October 31, 2014 November 7, 14 & 21, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number 2014100610017938-0 1/1 Ventura County Clerk and Recorder MARK A. LUNN File Date: 10/06/2014 THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: (1st Fictitious Business Name) Ojai Moving Pros Street Address of Principal Place of Business (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 236 W. Ojai Ave., Ste. 104, Ojai, CA 93023 County of Principal Place of Business: Ventura Full name of 1st Registrant Individual/Corporation/Lim ited Liability Company: Lance Anthony Quinn Residence Address of 1st Registrant (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 1310 La Paz Dr., Ojai, CA 93023 This Business is conducted by: An Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/01/2014. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) Lance Quinn /s/LANCE QUINN NOTICE – In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code). This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Ventura on the date indicated by the file stamp above. ———————— OVN10-20-2014 Published Ojai Valley News October 31, 2014 November 7, 14 & 21, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number 2014101710018783-0 1/2 Ventura County Clerk and Recorder MARK A. LUNN File Date: 10/17/2014 THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: (1st Fictitious Business Name) Ojai Valley Family Medicine Group Street Address of Principal Place of Business (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 117 Pirie Road, Suite D, Ojai, CA 93023 County of Principal Place of Business: Ventura Full name of 1st Registrant Individual/Corporation/Lim ited Liability Company: Carl A. Gross, M.D. Residence Address of 1st Registrant (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 1424 LaPaz, Ojai, CA 93023 Full name of 2nd Registrant Individual/Corporation/Lim ited Liability Company: Mary E. Dial, M.D. Residence Address of 2nd Registrant (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 1100 N. Montgomery, Ojai, CA 93023 Full name of 3rd Registrant Individual/Corporation/Lim ited Liability Company: James R. Halverson, M.D. Residence Address of 3rd Registrant (P.O. Box or PMB are not acceptable): 1108 Del Nido Court, Ojai, CA 93023 This Business is conducted by: A General Partnership The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 7/1/88. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) James R. Halverson, M.D. /s/JAMES R. HALVERSON, M.D. NOTICE – In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code). This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Ventura on the date indicated by the file stamp above. -———————— OVN10-21-2014 Published Ojai Valley News October 31, 2014 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OJAI HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Ojai Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing on the following item on Thursday, November 13, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Ojai City Hall, 401 S. Ventura Street, Ojai, California. Any interested party may appear before said Commission and present their views. Miscellaneous Permit (MISC 14-14) for Historic Preservation Commission’s recommendation to City Council to designate as an Historic Landmark the “Twice-Sold Tales” bookstore located at 121 E. Ojai Avenue, Assessor’s Parcel Number 023-0-077080. The General Plan Land Use Designation of the property is Downtown Commercial (DC). The Zoning Classification of the property is Commercial (C1), and 1.5 FAR Overlay. Property Owner: Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation. Applicant: Cornerstone Architect, Josh Griffen. Further information about this matter is available from the Community Development Department at 401 South Ventura Street, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by calling (805) 646-5581 ext 112. Anyone who seeks to challenge the decision of the City in court with respect to this item may be limited to raising only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City at or prior to the public hearing. October 28, 2014 /s/HEATHER WALDSTEIN Heather Waldstein, Assistant Planner ———————— OVN10-22-2014 Published Ojai Valley News October 31, 2014 November 7, 2014 Notice of Public Auction Pursuant to CCC 1988 Nov. 15th 2014 10 am to include but not limited to: Entire household contents from 2900 Keats Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Name Janice Brown and Christopher Brown. To be conducted by California Auctioneers 8597 N. Ventura Ave Ventura, Ca 805-649-2686 Bond #W150123027 Email public notices to: [email protected] Look for the fall edition of the Ojai Valley Visitors Guide! 535 W. El Roblar • naturesblendojai.com ƒ ƒ OJAI VALLEY NEWS GARAGE SALE MAP 6 4 5 3 2 DEADLINE to place a garage sale ad is Wednesday by noon. Call 646-1476, Ext. 210. 1 Please help keep Ojai beautiful. Take down your signs when your sale is over. #1 #2 #3 67 Feliz Dr. Sat., 8-11 Lrg. air comp., bike, stereo w/turntable, CD jukebox, vinyl records, CDs, many hshld. items. 226 Puesta del Sol, Sat., 8-? Giant sale! New organic cotton infant & adult sizes, furn., appl., knickknacks galore! Hwy. 33 to Encino Dr. to Feliz Dr. Hwy. 33 to Oakcrest Ave. to Barbara St. to Puesta del sol. 370 W. BALDWIN RD. x Rice Rd. Saturday only, 8-12 pm.“SATURDAY OUT WEST” Help of Ojai West Campus Sale. Clothing, misc. household and garage sale items. #4 #5 147 N. Arnaz Ave., Sat. & Sun., 7:30-1. Furn., hsld. items, applcs., bar stools, kid items, too much to list. 109 S. Montgomery St. Sat., 8-1. Lots of garden art, statuary, pots, fountains & misc. treasures. Hwy. 33 to E. El Roblar to N. Arnaz Ave. E. Ojai Ave. to S. Montgomery Ave. #6 909 Sunset Pl., Sat., 8-12. Furn., Asian art, rustic porch lights, garden tools, ktchn. items, books, jewelry and more! E. Ojai Ave. to Park Ave. to Grand Ave. to Grandview Ave. to Sunset Pl. B6 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 Local man wins prestigious international photography award Oct. 21, Ojai professional photographer and filmmaker Rich Reid was named one of two finalists in the new time-lapse category for the 50th annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year event, held in London and sponsored by the National History Museum and BBC Worldwide. This competition is recognized as the world’s most prestigious nature photography contest and has the reputation for being the "Oscars" of the wildlife photographic calendar. An international judging panel of wildlife experts and nature photographers reviewed 42,000 entries from more than 90 countries this year and narrowed the exhibition showcase to the top 100 photographs for the competition’s 18 categories. Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Sir David Attenborough presented the Photographer of the Year Award to Michael “Nick” Nichols, for his pride of lions image. Reid's winning timelapse video entry, “The Fire Tree,” documented a three-month period of a prescribed burn and regrowth of a longleaf pine grove in Moody Forest Natural Area managed by The Nature Conservancy in Baxley, Ga. Reid designed a tree-mounted housing that would withstand the fire. Firefighters helped him by predicting and scripting the burn around his three cameras, so that he could safely change Photo by Rich Reid Flames burn through a frame of Reid’s award-winning time-lapse video that shows how fire regenerates a forest. the sequence intervals before, during and after the prescribed burn. A photographer, filmmaker and instructor specializing in environmental and adventure photography, Reid began his career almost 30 years ago as a picture editor while studying business economics. He creates multimedia projects using time-lapse pho- tography to benefit the natural environment and shares his passion as a teacher, photography tour leader and global guide for National Geographic Expeditions. Visit https:// vimeo.com/67921054 to watch the tree-view video. Visit h t t p s : / / v i m e o. c o m / 67830939 to watch the ground-view video. Photo submitted Rich Reid gets his hands dirty in the field. MAKE AN IMPRESSION nancy sandstrom computer graphics 805•816•2281 [email protected] B7 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 Panel to look at both sides of fracking debate geophysicist at UCSB who led a study on the risks of oil field waste injection wells for the EPA, Nicholson has national experience in the quantifying of seismic risk associated with oil industry operations. • Dave Quast: As the California director of Energy In Depth, an advocacy group of independent oil producers, Quast has experience representing the industry before agency officials and audiences of all sorts. • Henry Stern: As a legislative aide to Fran Pavley, who shepherded California's new regulatory structure for fracking into law last year, Stern knows both the politics and the regulation of fracking in Sacramento from personal experience. Visit www.ojaichautau qua.org for tickets to “The Future of Fracking” and more information or call 231-5974. Photo submitted The last Ojai Chautauqua, about water and California’s drought, sold out. RELIGION BRIEFS there will be a celebration for the remembrance of our dearly departed, a communion of the saints, known and unknown. Experienced singers and musicians are always welcome; contact Raymond Egan at [email protected]. Centering Prayer is held Thursdays at 7 p.m. The outdoor labyrinth is open daily for meditation. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is at the corner of Bristol Road and Ojai Avenue. For information, call 646-1885. Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 1290 E. Grand Ave., celebrates All Saints Sunday this week with a service of word and sacrament beginning at 10 a.m. A new Bible study, “Molded by God,” begins at 9 a.m. Clay will be provided. The church welcomes the community to join the morning events. For more information call Pastor Charles Collier at 302-8800. Calvary Chapel of the Ojai Valley Calvary Chapel Christian Church of the Ojai Valley, 195 Mahoney Ave., Oak View, welcomes everyone for Sunday worship. Service times are 9 a.m. for family worship (children and adults together) and at 10:45 a.m. with a children’s and youth ministry provided. Pastor Dan Nelson will continue a chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the Book of Acts. The Ojai Valley Bible Study meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. Children are invited for Calvary Kid’s Club and youth are welcome to Calvary Youth. Call 649-1515 for more information. Center for Spiritual Living The Center for Spiritual Living is a “Science of Mind” community that practices the power of healing prayer and the teachings of principles from the world’s great religions and indigenous teachings. People of all faiths, races, ages and lifestyles are welcome. The Rev. Marilyn Miller’s sermon topic will be “Facing the Final Mystery: Honoring Your Ancestors on Day of the Dead.” Bring a photo of a departed family member for the “Dia de los Muertos” altar. Services are held Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave., with a meditation service at 10 a.m. The Young Masters Youth Program for ages 3 to 11 is available at 10:30 a.m. Ojai Presbyterian Church Ojai Presbyterian Church welcomes all who wish to come and worship with them. This Sunday the congregation will celebrate All Souls’ Day at all three morning services (8 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.). All Souls is the day on which we remember those who have gone before us in the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The services will include lighting candles of remembrance and feature musical offerings with soloists J.B. White, James Antunez and Laura Dekkers, and guest musicians, bassist Tom Etchart, guitarist Maitland Ward, flutist Ross Craton, violinist Sharon Cooper and cellist Pamela De Almeida. Jim Halverson will direct the All Souls’ Day Choir, with musical arrangements by Jimmy Calire. The church worship schedule offers nursery and toddler care and Sunday School through eighth grade during the 9:15 a.m. service. The Presbyterian Church is at 304 Foothill Road. Call 646-1437 for information. Ojai United Methodist Church Everyone is welcome to the Ojai United Methodist Church, 120 Church Road. The sanctuary is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon for personal prayer and meditation. Adult Bible study begins at 9 a.m. Sunday. Praise time is at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. Children are always welcome at Ojai United Methodist. This Sunday Pastor Cathie Capp’s sermon is titled “Jumping in with Both Feet.” The Scripture reading will be from Acts 2:43-47 and Matthew 5:13-16, 6:1, 16-18. Communion will be celebrated. For more information, call 646-3528. Ojai Seventh-day Adventist Church Everyone is welcome to the Ojai Seventh-day Adventist Church, 291 E. El Roblar Drive, Ojai. Services are held Saturdays at 11 a.m., and this Sabbath, the congregation will welcome Kevin Byrne, their former pastor, as guest speaker. His sermon topic will be “Home Grown Religion,” www.oakviewselfstorage.com 805-649-5533 Ojai Oak View Post Office ➞ OAK VIEW SELF STORAGE Builders Mart ➞ Sign up for your drive-up units in our new building today — NOW OPEN! Large 20’ and 30’ spaces available. Park Ave. X Portal St. 65 Portal St. Oak View Ventura Nice large office and warehouse suites FOR LEASE Located in the Ojai Valley News Building 805-563-9400 Dutch Personal Services Dutch Detailing to the Max Wed. - Sat. 8-5 Free Downtown Shuttle Fri. & Sat. 9pm - 3 am Ojai’s Designated Driver 7 days a week with appointment Dutch Personal Services (805) 340-6850 PLEASE DONʼT DRINK AND DRIVE! DBA as DPS based on 1 John 2:6. Everyone who was acquainted with the Byrnes is invited to welcome him back for the day. For more information, call 640-0358. Jewish Community of Ojai Join recently ordained Rabbi Adina Allen today at the 6 p.m. service at the Jewish Community of Ojai, 530 W. El Roblar Drive, Meiners Oaks. The service will be followed by an oneg (including candy). Allen and her husband, Jeff, and toddler Remy are staying with parents (and members) Pat and John Allen. Call 646-4464 for more information. Holy Cross Church All are invited to worship Sunday at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, 1212 Maricopa Highway, Ojai. Child care for infants and toddlers is available during the service. Preschool and elementaryaged children are offered classes after the children’s message and rejoin teens and adults for Holy Communion at the end of the service. Each Sunday in October, Holy Cross invites you to explore “Elemental Spirituality!” This Sunday: “Spending Time in Your Core Relationships.” Holy Cross wants to help you experience God by saying yes to Jesus every day. For more information call 646-5652. ➥ First Church of Christ, Scientist “Everlasting Punishment” is the subject of this Sunday’s lesson at the Christian Science Church, based on a passage from Psalms: “I will praise thee O Lord, my God, with all my heart … thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.” The church service and Sunday school begin at 10 a.m. Testimonial meetings are held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. All are welcome. The church is at the corner of Oak and Blanche streets in Ojai. A Christian Science Library and Bookstore for the community at 206-J N. Signal St. is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 3 p.m., offering a wealth of publications and a quiet place to read. Call 646-4901 for information. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church worships the Lord with uplifting celebrations, good music, short sermons and free coffee. Holy Eucharist is held Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. All are welcome to the Lord’s table for Communion. This Sunday at 10 a.m., lowed by a reception with the panelists. Tickets are $20 pre-sale, $25 at the door, and are available at Barbara Bowman's, 125 E. Ojai Ave., or online at www.ojaichau tauqua.org. The following people are scheduled to appear on the panel. • Brian Segee: As an attorney with the Environmental Defense Center, based in Ventura County, Segee has many years of experience effectively representing environmental protection, and knows the law and county codes governing fracking. • Don Clarke: An experienced petroleum geologist who has worked as a consultant in California for oil companies and for cities, and as an authority to the media. Clarke can speak to both the benefits and the risks of fracking. • Craig Nicholson: As a Ventura Ave. Nov. 9 the Ojai Chautauqua will drill down through the geology, the politics, and the business of fracking. Award-winning local reporter Kit Stolz will moderate a discussion among a distinguished panel representing very informed — and very different — points of view, with additional insight from the designer of California's new regulation of the industry (SB4). The purpose of the Ojai Chautauqua is to engage Ventura County in civil discourse about this and other controversial and emotionally-charged subjects. To that end, the committee strives to create balanced panels in order to illuminate all sides of these complex issues. “The Future of Fracking: Questions, Challenges and Perspectives” will be held Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, fol- Landmark Prophecy Series Begins tonight, October 31st via satellite on AFTV or 3ABN at 7:00p.m. Pacific time Also available online via live streaming to your computer, lap tap, tablet or smart phone go to www.aftv.com or www.youtube.com/ amazingfacts God Bless You! OJAI CHURCH OF CHRIST 411 N. Montgomery Street Ph: 646-5737 or 646-7768 CHRISTIANS COMMITTED TO WORSHIPPING AND GLORIFYING GOD IN CHRIST All are welcomed so that together we can seek to know God through Jesus Christ. SUNDAY Worship - 10:00am Bible Study - 11:30am Evening - 6:00pm * * No evening service 1st Sunday WEDNESDAY: Bible Study - 7:00pm Ojai Valley News • Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 B8 Perspectives OJAI VALLEY HIKING TRAILS PERRY VAN HOUTEN Three beautiful, colorful fall hikes to try Photo by Perry Van Houten In the fall, the cottonwoods are a beautiful sight. Photo by Perry Van Houten Middle Sespe Trail views of the cottonwoods. Fall is my favorite time of the year to hike in these three areas of the Los Padres National Forest, since temperatures are down and summer crowds (and bugs) are gone. Autumn is also an ideal time to go because the trees are turning to a vibrant yellow (in contrast to the vivid red of the poison oak). All three routes presented here provide options for longer hikes or even loop trips. • Lion Canyon Drive Highway 33 north from Ojai and take the Rose Valley Road turnoff. Go past the lakes and the road to Rose Valley Falls and continue to the marked Middle Lion Campground. Don't park at a campsite if you're just day hiking or you'll need an Adventure Pass. The trail crosses Lion Creek almost from the get-go, before climbing a bit into a scenic canyon where the trail splits three ways. The east and west forks take you to camps and waterfalls; the middle fork climbs almost relentlessly to Nordhoff Ridge. I recommend the east fork hike for the best fall color. • Middle Sespe Trail Take Highway 33 north from Ojai for just over 17 miles to the former Beaver Camp, now marked only with a sign post on the north side of the highway that says "Trail Middle Sespe." The camp was closed by the U.S. Forest Service in 1999 to protect the habitat of the arroyo toad and steelhead trout, but the trail is still in fine shape. Park in a dirt turnout just up the highway from the trail sign. The unmarked trail begins on the right side of the former road into the camp and descends through scrub brush to Sespe Creek. The trail can be a little hard to find after you cross the creek. Look a little northeast and you'll see the track running east along a bench. The trail soon widens and becomes much easier to follow. In the fall, the cottonwoods make an excellent showing here, especially Read after-print, late beaking news online at OjaiValleyNews.com ALL NIGHT LONG $1 off draft pints $2 off Draft Pitchers Half Off All Appetizers *Buy 1 entree and 2 beverages get 1 entree 50% off. (of lesser or equal value) 100 East El Roblar Drive (805) 646-9969 *offer valid Mon-Thurs only. Covered Patio Dining taking it all the way to the end. There are rest rooms at the parking area but no water is available. The trail begins at the east end of the lot and drops down to the creek, crossing it three times before turning east and heading downstream. Again, the cottonwoods here line Sespe Creek and command the show of autumn color. Can't get enough? The trail runs about 17 miles, past several streamside camps and a couple of legendary hot springs. Photo by Perry Van Houten Views from the Sespe River Trail. Ojai Pizza's Monday Night Football happy hour Visit us online at OjaiValleyNews.com downstream. As the trail climbs an 800-foot hill that drops to Rock Creek on the east side, you're treated to spectacular yellow foliage below you. If you're feeling up to it, continue on Middle Sespe Trail another four miles, all the way to Piedra Blanca. • Sespe River Trail This popular trail begins at the former Lion car camp, now the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. Drive Highway 33 for 15 miles north from Ojai and turn on Rose Valley Road,