ojai blog - news and events in the Ojai community

Cystic Fibrosis - Great Strides Ojai

This in from reader Debbie...check out this great event.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, with help from Cystic Fibrosis families in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, is sponsoring Great Strides Ojai, on May 20, 2006, at Lake Casitas Recreation Area in Ojai. This is a 10K (6.2 mile walk) for Cystic Fibrosis started by Steve and Cathie Knapp in memory of their son, Dan.  Kick off the summer by joining us for a day of fun with family and friends, prizes, barbecue, silent auction, and exercise in beautiful Ojai.

·         Registration at 9:00 a.m. at Lake Casitas Recreation Area
·         Walk starts at 10:00 a.m.
·         Santa Maria Style BBQ (Tritip, chicken, turkey dogs, beans, salad, garlic bread)
·         Trivia Prizes
·         Silent Auction

Our first Great Strides Ojai in 1999 raised $9,000, and Great Strides Ojai 2005 raised over $80,000. Wow!  This year’s goal is $90,000, and we can reach this goal with your help!  And remember, over $.90 of every $1.00 raised at Great Strides Ojai goes directly to CFF research and care!

2006 Ojai Valley Memorial Day

Ojai Valley Memorial Day is back, celebrated on May 29, 2006, at Libbey Park & Bowl, in a day-long celebration honoring our servicemen and women.  From the organizers:

We come together to honor our Veterans and Loved Ones who served our country so today’s and tomorrow’s children will live in peace.  Memorial Day is about All People and the future generation. It is a reminder of every person’s responsibility for our freedom.

Make this year’s celebration truly Memorable. Bring your whole family and friends. Share, one to one, with your Veteran neighbors.

Right now we especially need volunteers for: web site assistants, writers and photographers for local, regional and national releases for TV, Radio Newspapers and Magazines. Also documentary and film producers.

Tell us how you would like to help. Join our 2006 Memorial Day team! Make a difference with your action.

Contact us:
Sanford Drucker, Army veteran of WW II
(805) 646-9562  dragondruk@aol.com

Shelly Rhoades, Navy veteran of Bosnia and Iraq
(805) 646-8843  crzystpd@sbcglobal.net

Ojai Classic Rock Fest this Saturday!

Hello Cleveland Ojai!  Are you ready to rock? 

The Ojai Classic Rock Fest is coming this Saturday to Libbey Bowl, noon - 10pm, doors at 11.  Tons more information at Rage-Jax Foundation and a previous Ojai Blog post.  See you there!

The Ojai Post

The Ojai Post is a community blog, featuring Ojai residents from all walks of life writing about the unique Ojai experience. Ojai is a special place, not just for its geography, flora and fauna, small-town architecture and rich native American history - its also because of the people - talented, creative souls who tend to walk to the beat of their own drummer and carve their own path through life. Check in for daily musings, rants, Ojai news and greater goings-on from the place some call Shangri-La.

Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit launching websites.  Happy March 1, Ojai.

Visit Ojai: online Ojai visitors guide

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been putting together The Ojai Network, an online directory for Ojai, which now has about 300 entries, from touristy things to local services.  Following are some links that may help a visitor to Ojai find that perfect romantic hideaway, memorable little restaurant or peaceful hiking spot.

Where to stay in Ojai:
Ojai Hotels, Inns & Spas
Outdoor Ojai Destinations
Private Ojai Destinations

Where to eat in Ojai:
Ojai Restaurants

What to do in Ojai:
Events In Ojai
Ojai Galleries
Music in Ojai
Ojai Theater & Film

Get away from the office and the traffic in sloooojai:
Ojai Healing Destinations
Ojai Healers
Outdoor Recreation in Ojai
Sports & Exercise in Ojai

And certainly some of you will inevitably need these links, so keep this page bookmarked:
Ojai Real Estate Agencies
Ojai Realtors
Ojai Chamber of Commerce

...more from the Ojai Skateboard Park

Didj, aka Bardo Surfer, has returned to the Ojai Skateboard Park for some maintenance and stories - an excerpt:

We've all been hearing a lot of talk about a cement park being built. I heard tonight, from Sean, that the plans have been drawn up and they have the land. The only thing keeping it from happening is that we need 200 grand to build it.

It seems to me, an impartial observer with limited knowledge of the various political and economic forces at play here. that if the kids can treat the park with more respect and show that they love it, then their chances for a cement park will dramatically increase.

Ojai Classic Rock Festival 2006

The Ojai Classic Rock Festival returns to Libbey Bowl in Ojai on April 1, 2006, featuring Vince Welnick of the Grateful Dead sitting in with Cubensis and six more tribute bands, including the alter-egos of  Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Neil Young, The Allman Brothers and Bob Dylan.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the RageJax Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes music and arts programs to at-risk children.  Come check out the vendor’s faire, many types of food for sale and a drum circle (bring your drum).  Ticket prices are $20.00 in advance for adults; kids under 12 are free.  An after-show party at The Hub features The Nate LaPointe Band.  Music starts promptly at noon and continues until 10pm.  Bring your coolers (no glass), lawn chairs, blankets, and drums are welcomed, but no dogs or alcohol, show is rain or shine.

The Ojai Network

A little something I've been working on - the Ojai Network.

Thacher School redux

The Thacher School, in Ojai's east end, tucked in at the base of Horn Canyon, has a storied and fascinating history.  Founded by Sherman Day Thacher in 1889, the co-ed boarding school preps kids for the Ivy League and other institutions of higher learning around the world.  Rumor has it the requirement for incoming students used to be showing up with a horse, gun and cowboy hat.  Now, students are paired up with one of about 120 school-owned horses.

A handful of students are blogging about their Thacher experience - check out the ToadBlogs.

Ojai celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

It's time for this year's community Martin Luther King Day celebration taking place in the Libbey Park Fountain area on Monday, January 16, 2006. The theme of this free event, planned by student and adult volunteers, is "We Cannot Walk Alone." It will feature music, presentations, artwork, food, and activities for all ages. Check out The Ojai Valley Youth Foundation for details and lineup.

Thanks to Evan from Ojai Peace Coalition for the heads-up.