ojai blog - news and events in the Ojai community

The Ojai Post

in case you haven't noticed... i'm doing all of my blogging over at The Ojai Post...

Meet The Champion Ojai Masters Swim Team

press release from a reader... congrats, team!

OJAI MASTERS SWIMMERS PLACE FIRST IN SO. CAL.

The Ojai Masters Swim Team, coached by Rick Goeden, came away with the first place trophy at the Southern California Regional Swimming Championships in Santa Clarita. Competing against 21 other teams, 42 Ojai swimmers from 25 through 89 years of age bested the field. Ojai’s final point total was 1897, almost twice that of second place Long Beach with 953.

For about 10 years, Ojai and Santa Barbara were a combined team and won many championships. This is the first time Ojai has won the championship as a single team. Ojai’s domination of the meet was attributed not only to the fast swims posted by many swimmers, but also to its depth. In relay competition, Ojai fielded teams in age groups all the way up to 80 and over.

Ojai’s Jennie Taylor, the most senior swimmer of the meet, won two events and received standing ovations after many of her swims. She competed on the 80-plus relay with Eleanor Brown, Boyd Ford and Bill Mors. The time posted would have placed them fifth in the nation in 2006. Many Ojai relay teams posted times that would have placed them in the 2006 National ‘Top Ten’. Results for the 2007 Top Ten relays will be announced later this year.

Three Ojai swimmers, Mitnee Duque, Rich Sojka and Eleanor Brown won the high-point award in their respective age groups.

Coach Rick Goeden contributed to the team effort by winning three events and swimming on several winning relays.  Goeden commented “For a small town such as ours to compete with 21 other teams that draw from a much bigger area is an amazing accomplishment.” He also noted “an incredible camaraderie that most coaches can only dream of.”

Swimmers who contributed to first place relay wins were Christel Rogero, Donna Whitman, Camilla Denton, Barbara Wood, Laurie Edgecomb, Tina Drennan, Sheri Ann Cate, Katherine Erickson, Nancy Voyer, Courtney Harris, Franco Campana, Bryan Tally, Kerry Ellison, Peter Christl, Beck Selzer, Grant Wilson, Richard La Plante, Harry Delatre, Peter Lawrence, Brock Bernstein, Jim Beckett, and Bill Wechter.

Ojai also has a junior swim team for children. For more information on Masters or Junior Swim Teams, call coach Rick Goeden at 646-6884.

Other Ojai swimmers who won individual events in their age group were:
Laura Schreiner, 50 free, 50 butterfly, 100 free.
Sara DelVecchio, 100 I.M., 200 breast, 50 breast
Kitty Johnston, 100 butterfly, 200 breast, 200 I.M.
Jermaine Britton, 50 free, 100 free
Carole Borland, 50 breast, 100 I.M.
Scott Wilson, 50 free, 100 back
Kelley Van Houten, 100 back
Sue McMahon 1000 free

Ojai Blood Drive

Blood donors needed

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD

Hosted by the Ojai Valley Board of Realtors
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Located at the Ojai Valley Women's Club
441 East Ojai Avenue

Please contact Debbie Curry at (805)233-2638 for your appointment

For questions about deferrals or procedures, call 800-843-2949 ext. 7066
Please bring picture ID or Red Cross donor card when you donate

CranioSacral for children

passing this on from a dear friend...

I am excited to announce that I am holding space for working with children. Over the past few months I have witnessed the power of CranioSacral work on children, and it is truly amazing how fast and easily their bodies unwind.

CranioSacral therapy is helpful in over all wellness for children, and more specifically for:
TMJ
Birth trauma
Headaches and Migraines
Physical & emotional trauma
ADD
Hypertension

CranioSacral Therapy is a light touch therapy, which addresses restrictions of a physiological body system called the CranioSacral system. The system consists of the bones, membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain, spinal cord, and sacrum. Using a very gentle touch the practitioner releases restrictions in the CranioSacral system, so the body can release the effects of stress and trauma and naturally heal itself. This space is deeply relaxing and it is where powerful healing takes place.

To begin with I will be working with children 5 years and older and within the next few months I will able to work on children of all ages – including new born children. The 1st session in 45 minutes for $50. The 2nd session is 30 minutes for $35.  I recommend a minimum of 3 sessions.

Love & Light,
AnneDorthe Dreyer
dorthedreyer@hotmail.com

Obit: Marcel Fortney, 1957-2007

Templeton CA, January 19, 2007– Local resident Marcel Fortney suffered a fatal heart attack at his Templeton home on Monday, January 15th.

Fortney, 49, had spent nearly 30 years working in the motorcycle industry, beginning with his first job at Cycle Guide magazine. He was most recently the U.S. agent for AGV, a prominent Italian helmet maker. He also owned and operated several San Francisco Bay area motorcycle dealerships.

“Calm, cool, and creative; that was Marcel,” said friend and business associate Justyn Amstutz. “I just can’t believe he’s gone. Not only was he a leader in our industry but those of us blessed enough to also know him as a friend will miss him very much.”

In addition to his passion for motorcycles, Fortney will be remembered as a great music lover, a devoted husband, and an avid supporter of his daughter’s equestrian career.

Marcel lived in Ojai from 1998 through 2005.  As the “Unofficial Mayor” of Ojai, it was not uncommon to find Marcel at Ojai Coffee Roasters or Bonnie Lu’s surrounded by friends.  “I swear, he always had one eye on the window.  He could tell you who went by in the last ten minutes, what car they were driving and what the mileage was on that car.  He knew everyone.  Everyone.  Today there’s a void running right through the heart of town.”, said his long time friend and fellow resident, Jeffrey Cox.

Marcel Fortney leaves his wife, Christie, and daughter Mackie, 14. A private memorial service is scheduled for noon on Sunday, January 28th in Ojai, CA and all of Marcel’s friends are welcome to attend. A potluck meal will also take place for those who would like to participate. For further details about the memorial please call 760-436-9937.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in behalf of Marcel’s daughter to:
The Mackie Memorial Fund
c/o Mid State Bank
1207 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, CA 93023

For information regarding the fund contact Patti Michaels at 805-646-0111.

Expecting moms - check this out

Renee Mandala, MA, CD(DONA), CLC, certified lactation counselor and doula is offerring FREE 15 minute breastfeeding consultations on Tuesday, December 12 from 1 - 3 pm at the Mother's Guild in Ventura. Call to reserve a space at 805-667-2115.  The Mother's Guild is a retail store well-stocked with everything new moms and babies could need and want.  It is located at 3130 Loma Vista Road, Ventura 93003.

Free Women's Wellness Clinic

from a reader...

THE 5TH ANNUAL FREE WOMEN’S WELLNESS CLINIC
Sponsored by: THE JANE CUSUMANO FOUNDATION
“Providing support, education, prevention and assistance to those in need”

Presented by: THE ARBOLADA MEDICAL GROUP & MARY EVANS, RN, FNP
With the cooperation of the Ojai Valley Community Hospital and our community Physicians and Volunteers.

DATE: October 7, 2006 TIME: 9:00 a.m. thru 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 1320 Maricopa Hwy. Suite E (Office of Mary Evans, RN, FNP)
PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT: 805-646-0151
(Appointment is a must)

The Jane Cusumano Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing preventative health care, and assistance in the fight against breast cancer and cervical cancer to women in need. The clinic is reserved for women (without medical coverage) to obtain a free pap and exam. And mammography certificate.

The foundation was founded shortly after Jane lost her fight with breast cancer in June of 2001. The foundation is comprised of several women in the Ojai Valley, some who are cancer survivors themselves.

On her behalf we have committed to fulfilling her wish that pre-screening for breast and cervical cancer is made available through her foundation. Hope to see you there!

For information on the Jane Cusumano Foundation please call 805-207-6177
Donations are graciously accepted.

Ojai Fire Watch: Day Fire update

Updates on the Day Fire will continue to be posted on The Ojai Post.  The National Weather Service has issued an Urgent Weather Message warning that strong Santa Ana winds may be returning on Friday night through Saturday mid-day.  This has potential negative implications for Ojai.

Community Meeting Tonight, 9/21, 6:30pm
Chaparral School auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Avenue

Ojai Fire Watch: Day Wildland Fire

Full ongoing coverage of the Day Wildland Fire over at The Ojai Post...

Use The Force: Reiki Training

An announcement from a friend...

Reiki Training
Level I & II
with Francis O’Neill & AnneDorthe Dreyer
at The Day Spa of Ojai (2434 E. Ojai Ave.)

What is Reiki?
Reiki(Ray-key) is a sacred Japanese healing art that anyone can learn. Rei means universal or higher knowledge and ki means life force. Reiki promotes relaxation, reduces stress and inspires deep healing on all levels of being.
 
Participants
Anyone can become an open channel for the Reiki energy. It is a beneficial tool for all ages and for all aspects of life. Reiki empowers you to help yourself and others (including animals and plants) any time and any place with healing energy. All required is the desire to learn and receive the Reiki attunements.

Reiki Level I
2 Mondays in August, the 14th & 21st, 2006.
5:45pm-8:45pm.                  
Cost $150, includes handbook and certificate.
Prerequisite: None.

Reiki Level II
3 Wednesdays in September, the 13th, 20th, & 27th, 2006.
6:00pm-8:30pm.
Cost $150,includes certificate.
Prerequisite: Level I.

To reserve a seat, please call AnneDorthe at 805-535-5833 or Francis at 805-889-3360