Women of the Ojai Valley 2013

Women
of
the
Ojai
Valley
2013
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WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
"The strength of the team is each individual member.
The strength of each member is the team."
Phil Jackson
Aimee Eccles
798.5191
Sharon MaHarry
766.7889
Belinda Wynn
368.1820
Sharon McClung
637.4467
Char Michaels
620.2438
Shea Davis
340.0079
Cheryl Deckert
272.5221
Stacy Cadenasso
217.2676
Cynthia Waring
798.2930
Tami Winbury
798.3412
Genevieve Gould
794.0538
Tonya Peralta
794.7458
Maria Sherlock
689.9164
Wendy Lockwood
890.7278
The women of Keller Williams Ojai. Proudly serving Ojai and all of Ventura County.
Keller Williams Realty Ojai • 109 N. Blanche St. # 100 • Ojai, CA 93023 • 805.646.9800
Each Keller Williams Realty office is independently owned and operated. BRE# 01859199
WOMEN
603 West Ojai Avenue, Suite C
P.O. Box 189
Ojai, Ca 93024
805.646.3729
vicki@derbyandderby.com
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Derby & Derby, Inc.
Investment, Insurance & Wealth Planning
Since 1979
State of California Registered Investment Advisor
California Insurance licenses #0575624 and #0A38521
Our Team
Victoria Derby Breen
Owner/President
Donna Lloyd
Vice President
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The 3 women team of Derby & Derby may be small in
number but is power packed. The combined compliment of
skills, education and resources supports the delivery of high
quality individualized investment, insurance and wealth
management advice and service. Thank you to our Vice
President, Donna Lloyd, and our Administrative Executive,
Cindy Rodarte for their 26 and 17 years (respectively) of
dedication to our clients and company. Their genuine
commitment to ongoing education and ever expanding
expertise, in combination with their compassionate care for
our clients and loving personalities, makes Derby & Derby a
very special work environment. It is a joy and Vicki
thanks you.
Cindy Rodarte
Administrative Executive
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WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Longevity and experience are just two of the attributes that the women of the Ojai Valley News, Ojai Valley Visitors Guide
and Ojai Valley Real Estate Guide bring. They include Linda Griffin (from left) Misty Volaski, Jodi Miller, Colleen McDougall,
Nancy Sandstrom and Sally McNaughton.
When it comes time for us to
decide which special publications we
will do during the coming year, by far
the easiest decision I have to make is
whether to do the Women of the Ojai
Valley edition.
The Ojai Valley is full of women
who contribute greatly to making it
such a wonderful place to live and if,
for some totally unexplainable reason,
I was ever to doubt that, I need look
no further than just outside my office
door.
The Ojai Valley News, the Ojai
Valley Visitors Guide and the Ojai
Valley Real Estate Guide (as well as the
many other special publications we
produce throughout the year), are the
beneficiaries of the services of a
multitude of women who bring a
special energy and dimension to the
workplace that would not be there with
an all-male staff.
In addition to the many
outstanding correspondents and carriers
on which we rely so much, we have a
core group of seven who have
contributed a total of 140 years to this
company; an average of 20 years each.
So while we take the time to again
honor women throughout the Ojai
Valley who are deserving of recognition
for the things they do and the people
they are (not just because they are
women), I can take a bit of personal
satisfaction from the fact that I have a
group of women right here in my office
(and a very special one at home) who
make my life easier and more enjoyable
and who make each publication we
produce special in its own way.
Tim Dewar
Publisher
WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Suffrage Movement Finally Victorious at
Ojai Valley Community Church!
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WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Carolyn Vondriska, Esq.
Waite, Jacobs & Atkinson, Attorneys-at-Law
Carolyn J. Vondriska, Attorney (center)
Karla Tetreault, Office Manager/Legal Assistant (left) and
Megan Davis, Office Assistant (right)
Trusts • Wills • Estate Planning
Conservatorships • Probate
Elder Law • Business • Real Estate
Carolyn is proud to be serving the Ojai Valley as an Associate Attorney at the law firm of
Waite, Jacobs & Atkinson, providing clients with quality estate and healthcare planning
services. Carolyn is a 1993 graduate of U.C. Davis School of Law, where she graduated in the
top 5% of her class, earning a spot in the prestigious Order of the Coif national honor society.
She clerked for United States District Judge Milton L. Schwartz in Sacramento, thereafter
joining the litigation department of the international law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP in San
Francisco. She went on to become a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Washington State for
nine years before moving to Ojai to be near family.
Carolyn is the mother of three children. She is an active volunteer with the Ojai Valley
Defense Fund, Topa Topa Elementary School, and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Carolyn is part of a talented and dedicated team at Waite, Jacobs & Atkinson, which has
been providing estate and healthcare planning services for more than 35 years. The team
includes Office Manager Karla Tetreault, an Ojai native with 13 years of experience in estate
planning, and Office Assistant Megan Davis, who came to the firm in 2011 after a decade of
teaching throughout the Ojai Valley.
As a team, they look forward to helping you with your estate and healthcare planning needs.
Waite, Jacobs & Atkinson • 603 W. Ojai Avenue, Suite D • 805-646-7263
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WOMEN
By Angelique LaCour
Sitting behind a large desk in her
spacious office, framed by a great view
of the exquisite Topa Topa mountains,
Vicki Breen does not fit the image one
might expect of the owner of a highly
successful investment and insurance
firm. But this petite blonde, dressed
down in a pair of chic jeans, holds five
securities licenses, along with life and
long-term care insurance licenses.
Breen co-founded Derby & Derby
with her mother, Marjorie Derby in
1983. She has headed the now threewoman firm since Marjorie, who died
in 2007, retired in 1990.
“There’s a different energy when
you have all women, not that we don’t
want the male input,” Breen said. “But
it’s a different working-together kind of
energy.”
A single mother, Marjorie instilled
in her three daughters the belief that
whatever they set their sights on, they
would be able to accomplish. And she
walked that talk herself. She had gone
to college and worked in public
relations for nonprofits when she
decided to enter the male-dominated
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securities business in 1968.
The firm Marjorie joined sent her
to New York for training to receive her
securities license.
“She was the only woman in the
class, and they had to get an exception
to allow her to go onto the floor of the
Stock Exchange because then women
weren’t allowed,” Breen said.
In those days, according to Breen,
the nature of the investment business
was “transaction and sales oriented,”
and her mother mostly worked for other
firms, so was never really independent.
“My mother’s success came from
her natural ability to relate to people
and to understand that there’s more
than the sale,” Breen said. “Even
though the business then was about
selling the firm’s products, my mother’s
strength was in building relationships
with her clients and meeting their
particular needs.”
In 1979, Breen’s mother finally
“got through” to her and convinced her
that the investment business would be a
good fit for her too.
From the beginning, the twowoman team built their business using
a relationship model with a nurturing
environment for their clients.
OJAI VALLEY 2013
OVN file photo
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Vicki Breen’s belief in the power of women started with her mother, Marjorie.
“When you’re talking money,
you’re talking emotions, you’re talking
life,” Breen said. “It’s very personal so
you have to have a very strong trust
factor.”
Donna Lloyd joined the company
in 1987 and now serves as vice
president. Cindy Rodarte joined in 1997
as the company’s administrative
assistant to complete the three-woman
team at Derby and Derby.
When Breen first entered the
business she said it bothered her that
only people with a lot of money seemed
to get a lot of help with financial
planning.
“It doesn’t matter whether you
have a few thousand dollars or multimillions, you get the same level of
service here,” Breen said. “The reason
we can be so service oriented is
because Donna and Cindy are hands-on
at all times.”
Breen also serves on the board of
directors for Pacific Global Investment
Management Company and Pacific
Advisors Funds in Glendale. She and
husband, Dan, also in the investment
business, have one son, Zac, who will
be a senior at Villanova Prep this fall.
WOMEN
President, Sr. Loan Consultant
WMartin@aol.com
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Office Administration
HagarJoAnn@gmail.com
HeritageOjai@aol.com
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V.P., Certified Mortgage Advisor
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EmilySandefurCMA@gmail.com
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DRE License #01254167 │ NMLS #331543
403 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai, California 93023
10
WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Elizabeth
Maria
Amani
Melissa
Vac
Erica
Monica
Sandra
960 East Ojai Avenue
(in the Firebird Plaza)
www.medicineshoppe.com
Stop by and say hello to
all of the friendly staff at
The Medicine Shoppe
Amani Hishmeh, R.Ph.
646-0106
THE WOMEN OF ALLSTATE INSURANCE
Our office has been serving the Ojai Valley for the past 15 years under the leadership of Jill Olivares, where our motto is:
“Every client is the 1 million dollar client”
Our
Please stop by To say hi,
meet the team, and
grab a treat!
Candice Alexander
Tammi Skiba
Luz LaFarga
Tiffany Merlo
Jill Olivares
Jill Olivares Insurance Service • 370 Ventura Avenue Oak View, CA 93022
Jillolivares@allstate.com • 805.649.6090
dedicated and experienced team
of professionals provide competitive
options for all aspects of your life.
From personal liability lines to life,
health, and every business option, you
are in good hands!
Besides providing excellent products
and customer service Jill has continually
followed her passion of contributing to
the community that she loves through
her involvement with the Ojai Valley
Youth Foundation, the Oak View Civic
Council, and Ojai Valley Chamber of
Commerce. Her team also exhibits their
commitment to the community by their
continued representation at local
events. Sponsorship and involvement
with causes such as Addiction
Awareness, Heart and Soul with the
American Heart Association, and
Cruising for Cure with the American
Cancer Society help contribute to the
belief in giving back.
WOMEN
Veronica Cole joined the
Chamber/Ojai Visitors Bureau
alliance in April of this year,
and she hit the ground running.
Veronica has a solid background
in marketing and public relations,
and is the primary contact
between the Ojai Visitors Bureauʼs
PR firm and all journalists and visitors that call or come into our
office. If you want more information about the OVB, call Veronica
at 640-3606 or send an email to
info@ojaivisitors.com .
Veronica Cole
Ojai Visitors Bureau
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Norma Gonzalez
Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce
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Norma Gonzalez has been with
the Chamber only since
September of 2012, but she has
already been part of many significant changes. She helped design
the new website, is leading group
and personal tutorials on using our
website, and has streamlined
many office procedures. If you
need any information about the
Chamber
or Ojai, Norma can help you.
Give her a call at 646-8126 or
email at info@ojaichamber.org.
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WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Activist gives her time to the community
By Angelique LaCour
“After family comes
community, and I’ve
always been very
involved in
photo by Ashley Kuzmich
Growing up in New Orleans, Dale
Hanson’s childhood dream was to move
to California and work on Gene Autry’s
ranch. That dream, at least the moving
to California part, came true when this
single mother moved to Los Angeles at
21, with her three-year-old son, Davis
Moyers.
It didn’t take long for Hanson’s
entrepreneurial spirit to kick in, and she
opened a wholesale jewelry business.
Twenty years later, she sold it and went
to work for Gov. Jerry Brown during
the following four years.
“I had contributed to his campaign
because I liked what he stood for on the
environment and social justice,”
Hanson said. “I was invited to an event
where I met him and eventually was
hired to be his scheduler.”
In 1987, after “learning a lot,”
Hanson’s job with Brown ended, and
she was at a crossroads in her life. Her
son was now married and she had
become the grandmother of three little
girls.
“I had been wanting us all to get
out of Los Angeles because I didn’t
want my grandchildren raised there,”
Hanson said. “On a drive to Montecito
with a friend, we took the back way
and stopped in Ojai to stretch our legs.
The orange trees were blooming on the
East end, and there was no question in
my mind that this was where I wanted
to live.”
Within a year, Hanson and her
family moved to Ojai. A few years later
Hanson’s daughter-in-law died when
her daughters were 7, 9 and 11, and the
girls moved in with their grandmother.
Hanson got her real estate license
and went to work at Ojai Realty in
1998. Shortly thereafter, she became a
notary. Her corner desk — alongside a
community work.”
Dale Hanson doesn’t have time for vacations. The community keeps her busy.
window at the realty office in the middle of town — serves as a command
post for Hanson.
“I’m here seven days a week — I
don’t take vacations,” Hanson said.
“After family comes community, and
I’ve always been very involved in community work.”
Hanson had been active with the
American Red Cross in Los Angeles
and was subsequently put in a leadership role in Ojai for what has become a
triad of first responders.
The triad, which includes ham
radio operators, Red Cross members
and Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) trained volunteers, meets
once a month for emergency planning
purposes.
An avid, lifelong environmentalist,
Hanson serves as secretary of the board
for the Ojai Valley Green Coalition; she
also serves as one of the seven directors
of Ojai F.L.O.W.
It’s easy to see why Hanson has
no time for vacations. But there’s more.
“My real passion is animal advocacy,” Hanson said. “I live a vegan
lifestyle because I can’t stand the torture and exploitation of animals.”
Hanson is co-founder of the Spay
Neuter Animal Network (SPAN) and is
opposed to backyard breeding.
“In 2011, more than 4,600 pets in
Ventura County were killed because
there were no homes for them,” Hanson
said. “That’s got to be stopped. Most
people do care, but they just aren’t educated and don’t realize what the numbers are.
“We are working with the county
and Steve Bennett to get Animal
Regulation to hire a no-kill director,”
Hanson said. “There is absolutely no
reason why Ventura County, like so
many agencies across the country, can’t
have a no-kill director specially trained
to not kill innocent animals.”
WOMEN
Carolina (owner)
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Stephanie
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Kim
Women who love what they do.
245 OLD BALDWIN ROAD
8am - 5pm daily
(805) 640-0055
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WOMEN
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Your home away from home.
Danielle
Alex
OJAI VALLEY 2013
Kaleigh
Bethany
Michelle
Bernice
Alexa
- 8 imported & domestic beers on tap as well as various
bottled beers
- Great selecion of wines (bottles & by the glass)
Great menu selections: hot wings, salads, burgers,
tacos, pasta, hand-cut fries, fried catfish, sandwiches
- We serve certified Angus beef, free-range chicken &
nitrate-free bacon
- Organic milk & choco milk option for kids!
- Ranger Gold Cards Accepted
~ Now Offering Full Bar Service ~
Mikayla
Receive a FREE
APPETIZER per
table with an order
of an entree!
*Daily specials
include: Tri-tip, St.
Louis Ribs, Baby Back
Ribs,
BBQ Chicken.
(*selections vary daily)
(805) 649-4655
• Certified Angus Beef • Free Range Chicken • Freshly Baked Bread
Denice
Kim
Vanessa
It’s All About Me!
at the Blow Dry Bar
“The best kept secret in Oak View!”
820 N. Ventura Ave, Oak View, CA 93022 • www.jjssportszone.com
378-380 Ventura Ave.
(805) 649-2942
Oak View, CA
7 years established business
WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
15
Marsha Kaye
Your Ojai Home Loan Specialist
Marsha Kaye has been a resident of the Ojai Valley for over three years. She has had an active mortgage business since 1989 and is
thrilled to be representing a national lender, Prospect Mortgage, in Ojai. Living and working in Ojai allows her to bring her years of
experience to play in a local market she now knows well. Marsha believes in contributing and participating in her community.
Marsha Kaye
She is the Marketing Chairperson for the Ojai Valley Board of Realtors and is active in Ojai FLOW (Friends of Locally Owned Water).
She was instrumental in creating a partnership between the Ojai Board of Realtors and the Ojai Land Conservancy which will
Loan Officer, NMLS #358407
Business/Cell: (805) 640-0654
facilitate the reclamation of the Ojai Meadows Preserve for native wildflowers. It is Marsha’s goal to continue contributing to the
marsha.kaye@prospectmtg.com
community and to become the lender of choice for the Ojai Valley.
www.myprospectmtg.com/mkaye
307 East Matilija Street, Suite G
Home town solutions for your lending needs.
Ojai, CA 93023
Loan inquiries and applications in states where I am not licensed will be referred to a Loan Officer who is licensed in the property state. Equal Housing Lender. Prospect Mortgage is located at 15301 Ventura Blvd., Suite
D300, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Prospect Mortgage, LLC (NMLS Identifier #3296, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) is a Delaware limited liability company, licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California
Residential Mortgage Lending Act. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. Rev 7.10.13 (0713-0317)
Thank you to all our volunteers...
Front left: Patty Black, Frankie Marsh, Helen May Ortman, Peggy Russell, Joan Marble
Middle left: Katrina Butler, Shelley DuPratt, Sue Cowlishaw, Laurel Hayward, Nancy Voyer,
Alexi Vincent, Rena Randall , Shirley Delores, Yvonne Ellias
Back left: Sina Conley, Linda Burgess, Donna Long, Julie Mc Pherson, Shirley LaBarre, Leslie Jacobs,
Trish Culbertson, Patti Bagley, Charly Simmans, Dianne Steele, Patty Smith, Linda Gagnon .
16
WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Jolene Hoffman is a warrior. As
shelter director for the Humane Society
of Ventura County, it’s practically written in her job description.
“This job,” she says with a sigh.
“It takes its toll. But we laugh when we
can, and we don’t dwell on the horrible
things. We work together as a team
constantly, and we talk a lot. And that’s
what gets us through the tough stuff.”
“We” is a word Hoffman uses a
lot. Asked to specify what her job
entails, she waves her hand and says,
“Oh, we all do a little bit of everything
... we’re all a family.”
Hoffman has been involved with
the nonprofit Humane Society since
1982, when she came to the Ojai shelter
as a volunteer. She signed up to help
with the pet therapy program and soon
started working at the front desk. By
1985 she was running the place, and
helping keep the doors open through
creative fundraising and outreach
events.
That first summer was a big test
for Hoffman. When Ojai’s infamous
Wheeler Fire sprang up — practically
surrounding the city in fast-moving,
unpredictable flames — people
swarmed in an out of the shelter, dropping off pets as they were forced to
evacuate from the valley. “Dogs, cats,
horses, goats, sheep, llamas,” Hoffman
remembers. “It was just, ‘Grab your
animals and bring them in. We’ll figure
it out.’ And we did ... I was up for 36
hours straight at one point. But we were
committed and we were here for the
duration (of the fire).”
Over the last few decades, many
other emergencies have asked Hoffman
and her staff to step up and make sacrifices. In the last year alone, the staff
nursed back to health four severely
photo by Greg A. Cooper
By Misty Volaski
Jolene Hoffman shares a rare quiet moment with Oliver, the shelter bird. “He’s
so bad!” she says with an indulgent smile. “Happy birthday!” Oliver responds.
emaciated horses. There were also
dozens of dogs brought in from one
home, most of whom had mouth and
foot infections and dirty, matted fur.
The sacrifices for the animals are
willingly made, Hoffman asserts. “Our
priority is the shelter, the animals. We
do what we have to do.”
Still, being a warrior isn’t easy.
“When you’re dealing with animals that
have been abused, it can be really
hard,” she admits. But the rewards, she
adds, come as the animals begin to
respond to proper care and love. And
that makes it all worth it. “When you
see them change, when you see them
put on weight and start to become trustful ... they were so fearful at first, but
they’ve become so loving. And that is
really healing for all of us — for the
animals AND the staff.”
So does Hoffman have a
menagerie of pets at home? She chuckles. “We’ve got three dogs and that’s
our limit.” After her third dog passed
away a few years ago, Hoffman and her
husband, Jeff, decided they would only
keep two.
“But then I met Parker the
Barker,” she sighs, pointing to a photo
of a sassy-looking pup on her desk. “He
was dumped here a year and a half ago
with his mom, who was full-term pregnant, and a sister too.” The dogs had
been horribly abused, and little Parker
was a biter — so much so that Hoffman
had to take apart the carrier he was
brought in and throw a blanket over
him just to get him out. “So we just
passed him around (in the blanket),
held him tight.” Slowly, with lots of
patience and some training, she said,
“He became the best dog. He is just a
lover, such a little lover.”
Some people, Hoffman says,
throw away their animals like they’re
trash. “But,” she smiles, “here, we do
recycling.”
WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
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Dr. Carisa Boshoff Novak
3rd Generation Chiropractor
“The first time I met Carisa was when she & her husband walked into our restaurant. Tim, our manager
ran to give her a hug and said to me, "She saved my
life when my back was a mess. We HAVE to get her
in!" I responded, "Of course; can she save my back?"
Carisa overheard and responded, " Come to see me. I
can help you." I did and she did. She is extremely
knowledgeable, capable, empathetic and devoted to
her craft! She fought long and hard with my insurance company to get an MRI authorized, arguing that
more information was needed to understand the
pain. She made time to see me when I desperately
needed her care. She followed through at each of our
appointments and was committed to finding a solution to my problem. I have since spoken with several
people who feel as strongly about her abilities as Tim
and I do. Her father & grandparents were chiropractors. It is a family tradition that is taken seriously. In
addition to being very competent, Carisa is a fine
human being. The Ojai Valley is lucky to have her as
one of our own.”
— Suzanne Roll (Chef/Owner of Suzanne's Cuisine)
Dr Carisa S.E. Boshoff Novak, D.C. C.A.d
Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified
Addictionologist, Clinical Nutritionist
236 W. Ojai Ave.
Suite 104
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-1008
Boshoff NovakChiropractic
www.boshoffchiropractic.com
email: drcarisa@boshoffchiropractic.com
1100 W. Gonzales Rd. Suite 101
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 485-4339
(805) 485-6042 fax
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WOMEN
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From left: Gwen Clark, Eli Rodridguez , Nancy Melet (Co-owner)
OJAI VALLEY 2013
WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Barbara Kennedy Enterprises, Inc.
• Property Management
• General Contractor
• Permit Expediting
Barbara Kennedy has lived in the community her entire life. 13 years ago she got involved in a project close to her heart, turning her former elementary school, (Oak View Elementary School) into what
is now the Oak View Park and Resource Center. At the Center, Barbara serves as the Site Manager
and has spent years bringing the dilapidated old school into a flourishing center that now houses a
County Library, Boys and Girls Club, Art Studio, Child Development Resource Center and the Nan
Tolbert Nurturing Center. The Center also has several Multipurpose Rooms with programs ranging
from 12-step programs to Zumba classes. There is also a huge Community Kitchen and Auditorium
that is rented for fundraising, private parties, cooking classes and catering. During this renovation
project Barbara also became a licensed General Contractor and has a few renovation projects under
her belt. Her first commercial project was the new Oak View Shell Carwash. It is her intent to continue
to grow and expand her permit expediting service as well. To contact Barbara for any of the above
services she can be reached at 805-340-1883 or BKennedy8@sbcglobal.net, www.ovparc.org or
www.bkeinc.net
Community Service is also a large part of Barbara life, she believes in helping to make the Ojai
Valley a safe environment to raise her son. Barbara has been a member of numerous organizations
and has served on many boards such as, Ventura County Parks Commission, Ojai Valley Municipal
Advisory Council, Oak View Civic Council, Honorary Mayor of Oak View, Ojai Valley Chamber of
Commerce, Community Works!, Women of the Moose, Oak View Womenʼs Club and is currently
working with the Ojai Valley Little League.
19
WOMEN
Éy à{x
OJAI VALLEY 2013
photo by Bryan Florer
20
Kate Horwick, with Shasta and Diesel, in front of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation office in Ojai.
By Misty Volaski
When disasters hit in the U.S. —
and increasingly, around the world —
Kate Horwick reaches for the coffee.
“As long as the dogs are deployed,
we’re deployed,” she says. “When a
crisis happens, we go NOW.”
That means lots of work and lots
of sleepless nights for Horwick, the
program manager for the National
Disaster Search Dog Foundation
(NDSDF).
She not only oversees “everything
dog-related” at the nonprofit organization, she also supports the search dogs
and their firefighter handlers sent to
look for survivors after a major disaster.
“Support” can mean finding a way to
get equipment sent wherever it’s needed, networking with various emergency
crews, communicating with the teams’
families and the media, and even offering simple emotional support for those
deployed.
When the Great Sendai
Earthquake struck Japan in March
2011, Horwick spent three “stressful,
sleep-deprived” weeks making sure the
deployed teams had everything they
needed to rescue as many survivors as
possible. Similar, if shorter, scenarios
played out for disasters such as the
Moore, Okla. EF5 tornado and the East
Coast’s Hurricane Sandy. “It’s a
tremendous experience. It calls upon
every resource we have,” she says.
“The enormity of the devastation can be
overwhelming.”
But, asserts Horwick, there’s
nowhere she would rather be.
“This is a very rewarding job. It’s
amazing to be part of something like
this,” she says. “This is such a dedicated group, so supremely dedicated. The
mission means so much to everyone (at
NDSDF). There’s this passion, like,
‘OK, let’s DO this.’”
It’s a good thing, too, because
even when there aren’t disasters,
Horwick and the NDSDF crew work
long days making sure the right dogs
are being recruited and trained and
paired with the right handlers. Then
there’s fundraising and paperwork and
graduation ceremonies and a slew of
other tasks.
But it all starts with finding dogs
that have the traits needed to be suc-
cessful searchers. Horwick gets calls
from animal shelters all over the country with suggested canines. “We only
take shelter dogs,” Horwick says, in
keeping with the NDSDF motto of
“from rescued to rescuer.” After the
dogs are trained, they are paired up
with firefighter handlers — and
Horwick is always present to see the
dogs “choose” their human counterparts. She also oversees NDSDF
Lifelong Care Program, an adoption
program for dogs that do not earn
search dog certification.
Lately, Horwick’s focus has been
on the NDSDF Training Center, which
is being constructed in stages in
Wheeler Canyon between Santa Paula
and Upper Ojai. Soon, kennels, training
facilities, administrative offices and
other needed resources will all be in
one place. “I can’t wait till it’s done,”
she enthuses. “It’s so needed. We’ll be
able to certify so many more teams.”
But despite her love for the Search
Dog Foundation, Horwick never envisioned herself working in a job like this
one — although maybe she was always
destined for leadership. Raised in Ojai,
she helped found the Ojai Valley Youth
Foundation when she was 14 — “I was
the only kid for a year!” she remembers. After graduating from Nordhoff
High School and then UCSB, Horwick
moved to England, where she has dual
citizenship. Two years later, she was
back in the States, to Colorado this
time, where she earned two more
degrees.
But in 2010, it was time to come
home, and Horwick moved back to the
valley. Soon after, she says, “I saw a
job posting for project manager at the
Search Dog Foundation.” Something
clicked; she applied and got the job.
“To be able to say I have a career,
that’s just ...” she trails off with a big,
satisfied smile. When she’s not working, Horwick loves going to Giorgio’s
on Thursday nights to compete in trivia
contests and takes Scottish country
dancing in Ventura. “I’m the youngest
person by far,” she laughs. “But it’s just
so much fun.”
WOMEN
Éy à{x
OJAI VALLEY 2013
21
The Women of The Optimist Club of Ojai are as pictured, left to right: Debi Cloud, Jill Swann, Susie
Provost, Nikki Bart, Edie Lambert, Dawn Shook, and Carol Atkinson. Not pictured: Carmen Holland, Bev
Davidson, Wanda Martin, Colleen Cody, and Brenda Krout. The Optimist Club of Ojai, an International
Service Club, was charted in 1964, and brought women into the group in 1989. Our Club Motto is “Friend
of Youth”, with our fundraising efforts used to support local schools, art, music, sports, and academic
programs for the Youth in our Valley. If you have tasted our famous tri-tip sandwiches at Nordhoff
Home Football Games, or at Ojai Day in October, you have supported our youth programs, and we thank
you! We meet monthly (4th Tuesday night) at the Ojai American Legion Hall, with a potluck dinner
@6pm, and you are all welcome to join us! Ideal Seafood
11512 N Ventura Ave. Ojai, CA • 805-640-1514 • idealseafoodojai.com
Our reputation has been built on offering the freshest seafood possible
by bringing it from the boats to you. Always FRESH and WILD.
Green Goddess
Gardens
Ahi Tuna, Salmon, Halibut,
Swordfish, Sea Bass, Jumbo Shrimp,
Smoked Fish, Scallops, & More!
WE CATER
Ready to eat menu for those on the go!
Creating gardens
of lasting beauty
203 N. Signal Street (next to LaFonte)
805.640.9400
www.GreenGoddessOjai.com
(805) 640-1827
A Landscape Company
22
WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Megan Edwards
With the ink on her degree still wet
and a newly opened consulting
business, back in the 80's Megan
began understanding a timeless
business principle "take care of the people and the
people take care of the business."
Flash forward some 25 years, and an
RN diploma later, and Megan now
applies this guiding principle to the
day-to-day operations of Ojai Valley
Curves. The experienced and
compassionate team at Curves,"take
care of women" so they can take care of their health. "Their health is our business."
Each day Curves helps women decrease their risk related to heart attack, stroke,
diabetes, immobility, and stress through a 30 minute workout, especially designed
for women, that is fun, fast and safe. And Curves Complete, the phenomenally
successful new weight loss program, developed in collaboration with the Cleveland
Clinic, combines meal plans, exercise, and personal coaching all in one place leaving women feeling energized, confident, and
good about themselves. So are you ready to
make great health your priority? Drop by or call
Ojai Valley Curves to make an appointment with
greater health!
Ojai Valley Curves (805) 640-0110
power to be your best
">ˆÊ6>iÞÊ̅ïVÊ
ÕL salutes women!
With great trainers, state-of-the-art equipment,
top-notch instructors and a variety of group fitness
classes, we empower women to be their best!
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WOMEN
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
23
VITALITY FITNESS with VAL POULOS
A Personal Training Gym
www.vitalityfitnessojai.com
After 28 years in the fitness industry, I've finally struck out on my own!! I want to welcome you all to my state of
the art training facility with a complimentary cardiovascular/strength workout. It's guaranteed to boost your
metabolism and build a strong lean body. Please come in and experience the most complete, balanced and
exciting workout of your life. Our participants will testify to the many benefits they have gained from the
METABOLIC MADNESS classes in addition to the popular On The Ball classes. The environment is clean,
spacious and friendly. The common goal here is to encourage all levels of fitness to progress and succeed in
getting into the best shape of your life. Private and semi-private session are also available and the rates are
unbeatable. Come and experience what it means to get results and feel amazing. PERSONAL TRAINING
This is the first and foremost purpose of my beautiful new gym. I will be doing both one-on-one and
semi-private training sessions (groups of 2 to 4 people of compatible fitness levels). Private training
sessions are $60/hour, and semi-private sessions are $37.50 per person/hour. Reduced rates are
available for pre-paid packages, so please see all the details at www.vitalityfitnessojai.com, or email
me for more information.
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
I will also be teaching the popular group classes that many of you have enjoyed over the years.
Please visit www.vitalityfitnessojai.com for the current schedule and cost.
Get On The Ball! – a great total body workout with emphasis on core training.
Metabolic Madness – a functional training class that is the ultimate cardio-vascular and strength
workout combined.
YOGA
The amazing Solvei will teach her Power Yoga class on Saturday mornings. Please visit the
website www.vitalityfitnessojai.com for all the details, or email me with your questions. Please look
for even more, exciting classes to be added in the near future.
AERIAL YOGA
I am also proud to announce that Vitality Fitness will also be offering Aerial Yoga taught by Susan
Bronstein. Come experience a new kind of yoga and why people are raving about it!
406 Bryant Circle, Suite O • 805-218-1499
Bookends Bookstore
& Other Curiosities
Marcia Doty - Since arriving in Ojai 18
years ago, after an exciting career with
Southern California Edison, my passion
has been not only reading but acquiring
antiquarian and unusual books. My
vision of having a bookstore to house
these wonderful books became a reality
in December as I opened BookEnds
Bookstore in Meiners Oaks, selling non
fiction used books.
Celeste Matesevac - Coming to Ojai after
a career with Southern California Edison, I
began working for non profits in the valley –
Ojai Music Festival, Ojai Community Hospital
and for the past ten years I have been with
the Search Dog Foundation, currently as the
Community Relations Manager. On the
weekends I am behind the counter at
BookEnds Bookstore with partner Marcia
Doty as we a restored a 70 yr old church and
launched this new business venture.
110 S. Pueblo Ave. at corner of El Roblar Dr., Meiners Oaks
(805) 640-9441
WOMEN
Éy à{x
OJAI VALLEY 2013
photo by
24
Nordhoff HIgh School valedictorian Michelaina Johnson still struggles with body issues.
By Michelaina Johnson
I sat in the hall of the doctor’s
office, a begrudging 14-year-old,
dreading the results. Looking back,
they don’t surprise me, but at the time I
was unable to accept the truth.
I am one of eight million
Americans who have struggled with
anorexia nervosa. But I don’t consider
myself a statistic.
My nurse practitioner told me if I
were in a room with 100 girls my same
height and age, I would be the 13th
smallest girl. That moment was not my
epiphany, but it laid the foundation.
Rather than be worried, I was
proud. I believed each pound I lost was
a new chance gained at the happiness
my family once had before my
stepfather left.
“Very often people with eating
disorders are good at fooling others
through excuses and not telling the
truth,” said local nurse practitioner
Mary Nelson, FNC-P. “It is often a
control issue. If you can’t control one
thing, you try to control another.”
In my childhood, I experienced a
number of factors attributed to this
disorder, including a drive to be perfect.
However, my response to my family
problem — the divorce of my mother
and stepfather — was what I believed
caused my disorder.
Four months before I was
diagnosed, my stepfather walked out on
my mother and me. I blamed myself,
believing that by changing to become
someone my stepfather thought I
should be, he’d return.
My stepfather often told my
mother and me that we needed to lose
weight. He used to take me to the local
track and watch me run laps for an hour
while he sat on the steps and played
video games.
I took his words to heart and
designed a plan: I was going to change.
He was going to see his mistake and
return to his daughter.
My plan was succeeding. I limited
my portions and stopped eating
breakfast. I lost 20 pounds in three
months.
I had the classic symptoms of
anorexia, according to the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual IV. I refused to
maintain a healthy body weight, feared
becoming fat, was extremely
dissatisfied with my personal
appearance and denied the direness of
my situation. I also had very low selfesteem.
One day my grandmother and I
baked lemon scones. They looked
delicious, but I could not bring myself
to eat one; I had already eaten my
allotted portion until dinner.
“We are bombarded with social
and media images that convey that it’s
important for us to be very thin, but
what we really need to do is to learn
what is healthy for us individually. We
need to get okay with who we are
because, anorexic or not, many people
battle with body image and self-
Continued on next page
WOMEN
Continued from previous page
acceptance their whole lives,” said local
psychologist Susan Van Mouwerik,
Ph.D.
Even after I realized my stepfather
wouldn’t return, I continued to limit my
food intake because I thought people
liked the new, thinner me better —
even though family and friends had
expressed concern about my eating
habits.
For me, getting better took
Éy à{x
professional intervention.
In eighth grade, one of my teachers
anonymously reported their concern
about my health to the school therapist.
I started seeing the therapist routinely
and gradually began to heal, physically
and mentally.
During the following summer of
2009, I joined my high school’s crosscountry team. At that point, my mindset
had improved significantly, but I still
feared gaining weight and continued to
limit my food portions.
After daily dizzy spells and low-
OJAI VALLEY 2013
25
energy post-practices, I decided to meet
with a nutritionist to change my dietary
habits to accommodate my increased
physical activity and to learn how to
curb my diet to consume the healthiest
fuel for my body.
I was fortunate though. Eating
disorders have the highest fatality rate
of any mental illness, according to the
South Carolina Department of Mental
Health, and 20 percent of anorexics die
from health complications.
Four years later, I am stronger and
able to share my experience, which
bridged the gap for a couple of my
friends to confide in me that they, too,
have suffered with an eating disorder
and allowed me to help them during
their recoveries.
I also learned forgiveness; I’ve
forgiven my stepfather and myself. That
step was gradual and the most difficult.
As is the case for many anorexics,
remnants of the disorder still remain
like a virus that lays dormant in one’s
body and resurfaces. Weight gain,
dessert and low self-esteem still
trouble me.
But I’ve learned that my
weaknesses can be my strengths. My
drive to be perfect motivated me to
become the 2012 Nordhoff High
School valedictorian and my body
image inspired me to coach in order to
teach young athletes healthy habits.
More than that, I’ve learned that true
beauty and strength are based on no
one else’s opinion but mine.
If you know someone who is
struggling with an eating disorder or
you’re someone who needs help,
contact a local therapist. Also, I found
that the websites www.anad.org and
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org have
helpful information.
Editor’s note: Michelaina
Johnson is an Ojai Valley News
correspondent. While it is normally
not our policy to allow reporters to
write articles of which they have a
personal interest, we felt the subject
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26
WOMEN
Éy à{x
OJAI VALLEY 2013
We hope you enjoy this year’s Women of the Ojai Valley supplement.
We thank the women who allowed us into their lives so we could profile them in this issue and wish we had the space and
time to feature all of the women who make a difference in the Ojai Valley. Although that is not possible, we do welcome
and appreciate your suggestions of those you feel should be included in the 2014 edition.
Please send your suggestions to editor@ojaivalleynews.com
But please be aware that next year, the Women of the Ojai Valley supplement will be published on May 9,
closer to Mother’s Day. Because of this change, please don’t wait to send us your ideas.
By Michelaina Johnson
In 2012, Dawn Shook stood
before the Ojai City Council — along
with locals Jill Swann and Nikki Barts
— to list the reasons why Ojai Day
should be saved. Included in her
reasons were the fun events for
families, the financial benefits to local
businesses, the hotel industry and
tourism — and for a reason closest to
her heart. “The money the service clubs
make goes back to the community.”
The four hours of waiting to speak
during that meeting were worthwhile.
The Council unanimously voted to hold
Ojai Day that year.
Shook has been a member of the
Ojai Optimist Club since 1999 and club
secretary for about 10 years.
The money raised at Ojai Day and
other local events — including tri-tip
sales at Nordhoff home football games
— enables the Optimist Club to support
local organizations such as the Ojai
Unified School District and the Fourth
of July Independence Day Committee,
to the tune of $20,000 a year.
“We are all dedicated to what we
do,” said Shook. “We feel we are doing
a really good service for the
community. The football games are our
favorite fundraisers because we get to
see everyone in the community, and
they love our sandwiches.”
Shook also served as president of
the Ojai Chamber of Commerce in
2006/2007. “I always go the extra mile.
I always do more than I expected,” she
noted.
Her mantra also pertains to her
Éy à{x
position as executive officer of the Ojai
Valley Board of Realtors. For the past
13 years, Shook has seen herself as an
ambassador for Ojai, assisting locals
and tourists who stop-by with questions
about real estate or the town itself.
In 2005, Dawn and her husband,
Allen, purchased the former Masonic
Lodge of Ojai and reconstructed the
landscape by adding a pool and
replacing the concrete driveway with a
garden.
“We put a lot of time and effort
into it. We were trying to keep it
structurally and historically the same,”
said Shook. “We basically updated the
wiring, painting and made it pretty.”
The home now serves as the
residence not just for the Shooks but
also for Dawn’s 60-plus nutcracker
collection. “Every year I buy a new
nutcracker ... I have the Wizard of Oz
ones. They are probably my favorites,”
said Shook.
Despite their love for Ojai, the
Shooks are not natives. They moved to
Ojai in 1977 to escape the cold weather
of the East coast, but many of her
fondest family memories remain there.
She was raised in upstate New York
where she met her high school
sweetheart and soon-to-be husband of
40 years.
Not long after moving to Ojai, she
realized another passion that is close to
her heart — family. The couple
celebrated the birth of their son, Dylan.
“We brought up our son with a
good work ethic,” Shook explained.
She said they taught him “if you desire
to have a home or a car or whatever
OJAI VALLEY 2013
27
photo by Michelaina Johnson
WOMEN
Dawn Shook
you want to have in life, you have to
work at it and make it happen.
Consequently, he has worked with his
family and acquired his own home,”
said Shook.
With his home, came the growth
of his own family. Dylan and his wife,
Anna, welcomed baby James Shook in
October 2012.
“We are thrilled that Dylan and
Anna found each other and now have
our first grandchild and they are living
in town with us. It has been a really
good time in our lives watching one
generation to the next... Teaching him,
showing him the love of life and
28
WOMEN
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Jan Komura, DDS - Restore Dental Group
Jan Komura, DDS was born and raised in Ojai.
A graduate of Nordhoff High School, Dr. Komura
attended the University of Washington, where she
received her Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and
Communication. She received her Doctor of Dental
Surgery from the University of the Pacific School of
Dentistry. Her father, Dr. Robert Komura, practiced
Orthodontics in Ojai and Ventura for over 35 years.
Her mother, Lucy “Skip” Komura, taught kindergarten
locally and was very active in the community,
volunteering for such causes as the Ojai Children's
Home Society and The Ojai Tennis Tournament.
In the spring of 2002, Dr. Komura returned to private
practice in Ojai. The practice, now named Restore Dental Group, has provided
dental services to the Ojai Valley for over 100 years. Dr. Komura, along with
general dentists Dr. Wyatt Harris and Dr. Jenna Yarborough, practice with a
strong, conservative philosophy. This preventative approach, combined with
modern restorative techniques, has provided a wide range of services to patients
of all ages. From patients that want to improve their appearance, replace missing
teeth, or maintain their smile, Dr. Komura and the team at Restore Dental Group
continue to help the residents of the Ojai Valley meet their dental goals.
Dr. Komura is married to Jonathan Wong, DDS, a local periodontist. They live in
Ojai and just celebrated the birth of their daughter, Rian.
204 B Pirie Rd, Ojai 805.646.3816
OJAI VALLEY 2013
digs
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SINCERE THANKS
to the many
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It’s been a wonderful dream come
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With everlasting gratitude,
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WOMEN
Éy à{x
OJAI VALLEY 2013
CLOTHING
JEWELRY
ACCESSORIES
GIFTS
Dee Dee Herman
Dee Dee Herman was raised in the Ojai Valley
area and still maintains a strong family base
in Ojai. Dee Dee took possession of White
Sparrow in December 2012, and opened as
the official store owner
on January 2, 2013. Dee Dee brings over 20
years of sales experience to White Sparrow.
White Sparrow offers a fabulous selection of
women’s clothing, along with a large
assortment of costume jewelry, accessories
and handbags. Shopping at White Sparrow is
a wonderful, upbeat shopping experience.
Dee Dee, along with White Sparrow’s
manager, April Michalski, LOVE assisting
White Sparrow’s customers in finding perfect
items for any occasion. If you are looking for
a casual outfit for a family get together or
going to a wedding, White Sparrow is
here to lend a helping peep.
White Sparrow is perched in the Arcade Plaza
at 305E. Matilija Road, Ojai, CA 93023. If you
have any questions or need assistance please
feel free to call us at 805.646.5051. You can
email Dee Dee or April at
lovewhitesparrow@gmail.com or visit us on
the web at www.lovewhitesparrow.com.
305 East Matilija Street, Ojai Ca 93023 • (805)646-5051
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 to 5:30 & Sun 10 to 5
Santa Barbara Travel Bureau is Proud to be Represented by
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29
30
WOMEN
Éy à{x
OJAI VALLEY 2013
By Tiobe Barron
photo by
Julie Tumamait-Stenslie is an Ojai
native in a truer sense than most. The
Ojai Chumash elder can trace her
lineage in the area back to the early
1800s.
“As a Chumash descendant, it is
my belief, and that of many other
Chumash people, that we have always
been on this land,” Tumamait-Stenslie
said in an article for the Ojai Valley
Museum. Her family came from Santa
Cruz Island. “In 1811, Juan de Jesus
Tumamait was baptized in the San
Buenaventura Mission, which was
established in 1782.” Raised by his
grandparents, Juan grew up with an
appreciation for the tradition and old
ways of the Chumash — and that’s why
the Tumamaits hung on to their last
name.
Tumamait-Stenslie, an elder of the
Barbareño-Ventureño band of Chumash
was raised with a rich knowledge of
ancient Chumash traditions, something
she got from her father, Vincent
Tumamait. She helped him for many
years with cultural presentations, and
continued to do so even after her father
— the local tribe’s paha, or leader —
died in 1992.
“Our family’s Chumash ancestry
extends throughout Chumash historical
homelands, from the villages of
Hichimin, Lu’upsh and Swaxil on Santa
Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands, to as far
north as San Luis Obispo County and
as far south as Humaliwo (Malibu), and
throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura
counties (including Mishopshno or
Carpinteria and Matilija, here in the
Ojai Valley),” she explained. “We have
traced our family to at least 11 known
Chumash villages, and as far back
historically as the mid-18th century,
prior even to the Portola Expedition of
Foundation and others to provide
lectures and workshops about the
Chumash history and culture.
Recently, she backed the efforts of
the Ecotopia Group to rehabilitate the
Matilija Hot Springs. Years of public
access in the area — which was once
used as a scared healing spot by the
Chumash people — led to litter,
vandalism, violence and vehicle breakins.
“In my mind, this should always
remain a healing place,” Tumamait-
Julie Tumamait-Stenslie
1769 into Alto California.”
Tumamait-Stenslie grew up off
Rice Road in Meiners Oaks, a place
that remains special to her.
“As a child, I loved this area,
being near the river and the
mountains,” she said. “Later, I would
learn that our family descended from
the people who lived in the village
there.”
Tumamait-Stenslie has followed in
her father’s and great-grandfather’s
footsteps, attempting to preserve the
stories and traditions of her people. She
has done much in the way of education
and outreach, working with the Ojai
Valley Museum, the Santa Barbara
Natural History Museum, the Ojai
Stenslie said. “One of the reasons I love
living here in Ojai is the people and
their concern about the land. People
here are always ready to put down their
hard-earned money to purchase land to
be preserved as open space. For me and
my descendants, it will be a wonderful
legacy to be able to learn and know
about the ancestral villages and be able
to look out over an open meadow
instead of a mall.”
Although the federal government
has not recognized her tribe, largely
due to the fact that the tribe does not
own land locally, she and others are
working to change that.
An effort is underway to finalize
the purchase of six acres in Saticoy
WOMEN
COUNTRY
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OJAI VALLEY 2013
Ojai
31
LIVING
T
his is the original Gate House which
was built in 1912 as part of the Libbey
Estate. Charming cottage nestled in the
foothills of Ojai. The blend of historic charm
and modern upgrades are perfect. The pool
house was recently redone by designer
Kelly McDowell. Sitting on an acre of land
with a vegetable garden and a beach entry
pebble tech pool. Gated and private, this
property is a designated historic landmark
in Ojai. Don’t miss this one!
C
harming Farmhouse sitting perfectly
on 2.2 acres with great views. Bright
and spacious with an open floor plan, this
custom home has plenty of light. Views out
of nearly every window, you can watch
your horses in the barn or just enjoy sitting
on the big wrap-around porch watching the
sunset. Lovely wood floors, a big barn and
riding arena. There is also a guest studio.
Won't last long!
L
ovely, elegant living in the prestigious
area of Rancho Matilija. This Mediterranean home is meticulously kept both indoors and out. With a spacious open floor
plan including vaulted ceilings, lots of light
and a perfectly private, gated yard. You will
love entertaining your guests in this cook’s
dream kitchen which is open to the great
room and overlooks the pool area. You may
visit with guests in the elegant formal living
room or curl up with a good book in the
private study. The grounds are lush and
gorgeous, private and perfectly landscaped. The pool house is separate, private
and spacious. This home is beautiful.
Photos by Chad Jones/Re/Max
“There’s no place like home – Let me find yours.”
®
RE/MAX Goldcoast Realtors
(805) 798-0516
donnasallen.com • Donna4Remax@aol.com
DONNA SALLEN
Lic. # 01488460
32
WOMEN
Éy à{x
OJAI VALLEY 2013
empowering the powerless
through grassroots
solutions
Education, health and safety
for at-risk and exploited women
and children
Lotus Outreach is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
dedicated to ensuring the education, health
and safety of at-risk and exploited women
and children in the developing world, mainly
Cambodia and India. Lotus Outreach
achieves its mission by supporting the
development of grassroots projects in
vulnerable communities. By working with
local people and organizations, LO ensures
the local ownership, cultural relevance and
cost effectiveness of each project.
Education is our greatest tool
Whether formal or non-formal, we incorporate
education into the heart of all our programs. By
teaching our beneficiaries skills like math, literacy, sewing, farming, animal husbandry, preventive
health practices and financial management, they
gain lifelong resources that foster self-reliance and
sustainability.
Originally established to support education
for at-risk students and refugee populations,
Lotus Outreach now also helps rehabilitate
and empower survivors of human slavery
and sex-trafficking.
Affecting the larger world
from the Ojai Valley
Women and children are the key
Women and children are often among the most
disadvantaged members of their communities, but
given resources and protection they provide the
greatest return on investment. Children carry and
share these benefits for life, and women tend to
heavily reinvest their gains in their families and
communities.
Patty Waltcher, a local Ojai real
estate agent for over 20 years, has
been on the Board of Directors of
Lotus Outreach for 11 years, and
has been the President for the last
two years. Lotus
Outreach programs
span 14 time zones
and have improved the
lives of thousands of
women and children.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO DONATE visit: www.lotusoutreach.org, call: 888-831-9990 or call Patty Waltcher directly at 805-340-3774