Fourth pgs 1-20_Template - TAB

A SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
OJAI VALLEY NEWS
JULY 4
2013
O
jai’s
4th of
July!
Anne
Williamson
Cassandra
VanKeulen
(805) 798-1272
Interior Designer
(805) 320-3314
Previews Specialist
LIC #01448441
Transaction Coordinator
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The Fourth of July
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The Fourth of July
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The Fourth of July
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How must those empty chairs look to those who don’t know Ojai?
Yes, I get it. I know that Independence Day is a national holiday.
People all over the country break out their flags, stock up on party
supplies and scope out their favorite vantage point to from which to
watch their community’s firework’s display.
But that doesn’t stop me from believing that here in Ojai, when
Independence Day rolls around, we just do it up better than most other
communities.
I chuckle to think how it must be for someone unfamiliar with
our little corner of the to drive through town around July 1 or 2
(although it seems to be getting earlier every year) only to see row
upon row of empty lawn chairs (this too, has graduated to love seats,
sofas and all other matter of furniture) lining the sidewalks.
Our homespun parade offers a perfect opportunity to see people
we may have lost touch with (at least since the previous year’s parade),
to remind ourselves about the many groups and organizations who
work throughout the year to make Ojai the place it is and just to take a
few minutes away from the stress and worry of everyday life to delight
in some of life’s best memory-making moments.
We are fortunate to have a group of very dedicated volunteers
who work hard to make sure we have this opportunity to make
cherished memories with our family, friends and fellow Ojai Valley
residents.
They deserve our thanks and our support.
Plan to attend one or more of the Wednesday night concerts this
year. Show the musicians you appreciate them taking time out of their
lifes to help make our celebration better.
If, in year’s past, you have watched the fireworks show from
outside the Nordhoff High School grounds, give it a try this year.
Besides relieving congestion and the resultant trash that often clutters
surrounding neighborhoods after the hoards depart, your admission
fee will also go to help pay for the fireworks show itself. Remember,
these are volunteers who work to pay for the show we all enjoy. They
get very little monetary help to pull this off and it is a huge
undertaking.
And perhaps in the midst of the hoopla and bunting, barbecuing
and flag waving, you will also take a second to remind yourself how
fortunate we are to have the freedoms we have so we can live in a
community such as Ojai and can get together and have a parade and
fireworks show the way we want to have it, not the way a government
dictates we do.
Happy Independence Day to one and all. Now go out that and
make some memories.
The Fourth of July
— Tim Dewar, publisher
5
PARADE
GRAND
MARSHAL
War hero, tireless volunteer Tom Jamison doesn’t do ‘retirement’
By Misty Volaski
Ever since he moved to
Ojai in the 1970s, Tom Jamison
has been a busy guy. He came to
town with his wife, Kathleen, to
retire; but his definition of
retirement was hardly the norm.
Instead of sipping iced tea in the
shade, he set out to spend his
days volunteering for worthy
causes in his community.
And those causes are
many. From barbecue master at
St. Joseph’s annual fundraising
dinner to president of the Ojai
Valley Sanitary District, “His
record of service to this valley is
amazing,” says Ojai
Independence Day Committee
chairwoman Nancy Hill. “He’s
probably been on more boards
6
and committees than almost
anybody else.”
That’s why he has been
named the 2013 Grand Marshal
of the Fourth of July Parade.
When you wave at him as he
leads the parade down Ojai
Avenue, you’ll be waving at a
World War II hero.
Jamison joined the U.S.
Army Air Corps in June 1940
with a desire to fly military
airplanes. Within a few years,
was married and flying B-24
bombers in the South Pacific,
New Guinea and the
Philippines. In all, he flew 52
missions in his five years of
active duty. He retired from the
Air Force Reserve in 1961,
having earned the rank of Major
and garnering three Air Medals.
But he continued working for
the Federal Aviation
Administration, in the Los
Angeles Air Traffic Facility for
16 more years before finally
coming to Ojai.
But he didn’t slow down
once he and Kathleen got here.
You can’t list them all in one
breath (or even two). In addition
to organizing and cooking at the
St. Joseph’s barbecue for more
than a decade, he also served on
the retirement facility’s advisory
board. He’s been a president on
the Ventura County Municipal
Advisory Committee, helped
promote military aviation
through scholarships with the
Order of Daédalions, served on
the board of directors — and
volunteered for just about every
The Fourth of July
other job that needed doing —
at HELP of Ojai, and
participated on the board of
directors at the Ventura River
County Water District. While on
the Sanitary District board of
directors, he helped consolidate
all of the valley’s sanitary
districts into one district, in
order to provide better, more
streamline service. But he’s also
worked with the Ventura Elks
Lodge, the Ojai Optimist Club,
the Ojai Valley Moose Lodge,
Ventura County FOOD Share,
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, the
Ojai Memorial Day festivities
and the American Legion — to
name a few.
“There’s great satisfaction
in being able to pay back your
community,” he told the Ojai
Valley News last year.
Jamison’s also been
awarded a Papal medal from
Pope Benedict, and last year was
named an Ojai Rotary Club
Living Treasure.
“He’s just an amazing
guy!” Hill enthuses. “He’s one of
the most important people I’ve
ever known who’s made a big
difference in his community.”
And despite his age (91),
he’s still an active volunteer. As
he likes to say, “It keeps a guy
moving, you know?”
“No matter how old he
gets, he never gets old!” laughs
Hill. “Tom’s great, really down to
earth. When it came time to
vote (for this year’s grand
marshal), it was pretty much
unanimous. He’s quite a guy.”
The Fourth of July
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The Fourth of July
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The Fourth of July
9
Schedule
of events
Wednesday, July 3
Libbey Bowl
6 p.m. — Music by Ventura British
Brass Band (free)
7:30 p.m. — Music by Kevin Hogan &
Frank Browne of the Fantastic
Diamonds (free)
Thursday July 4
Chaparral Auditorium
414 E. Ojai Ave.
7 to 10 a.m. — Ojai Valley Lions Club
breakfast featuring pancakes, sausage,
eggs, juice and coffee; $5 per person.
Downtown Ojai
8:45 a.m. — Youth Freedom Run
begins at Libbey Park fountain for a
warm-up to music; one mile and halfmile run available. The course runs
east along the parade route on Ojai
Avenue and returns to Signal Street.
$1 donation; awards for all.
Ojai Avenue from Country Club
Drive to Park Road
10 a.m. —Independence Day Parade
Nordhoff High School
1401 Maricopa Highway
Fireworks Celebration
5:30 p.m. — music by Crowfoot, food
and activities
7 p.m. — Music by Party of 5
9:15 p.m. —Fireworks show
• Presale tickets are available at
American Hay, Attitude Adjustment,
Rite Aid and Ojai Hair Company.
Adults, $8; children younger than 13,
$4; family pass, $15 (two adults and
children younger than 13)
• Adult tickets at the gate, $10;
children younger than 13, $5; family
pass, $20 (two adults and children
younger than 13)
For more information: call 223-0578
or 646-0076.
10
The Fourth of July
2013 Ojai 4th of July Parade Entries
1. Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County
2. Rodger Embury (Part of Vietnam
Veterans)
2. Veterans of the Foreign Wars Post
11461
3. Nordhoff High School Music
4. Grand Marshal
5. Ojai Valley Gymnastics
6. Ojai Valley Museum
7. Ojai Valley Trail Riding Co. at Oso
Ranch
8. Monica Ros School
9. Ojai Valley Board of Realtors
10. The Manor of Ojai
11. Ojai Community Nursery School
12. Ojai Valley Tae Kwon Do Academy
13. Calvary Chapel of the Ojai Valley
14. The Quilici and Feret Families
15. Ojai Lightning Youth Basketball
16. Bethany Chapel Twirlers
17. City of Ojai
18. ETI Corral 57 (Horses)
19. ETI Corral 57 (Trailer)
20. Rotary Clubs of Ojai Living
Treasures
21. Danza Azteca Tonalli
22. Ventura County Corvette Club
23. Los Cowboys de Paloma
24. Ojai AYSO
25. See Noah’s Ark
26. Ventura County Sheriff’s Posse
27. Rabobank
28. Starlite Dance Academy
29. Ojai Community Bank
30. The Albright Family
31. Greenbroke Equine
32. Ojai Valley Amateur Radio Club
33. Ojai Valley CERT
34. American Red Cross of Ventura
County
35. Upper Ojai Search and Rescue
36. American Vedic Association
37. Miss Oak View Pageant - Miss Oak
View
38. Miss Oak View Pageant - Miss
Preteen Oak View
39. Miss Oak View Pageant of
Excellence
The Fourth of July
40. Oak View Civic Council /Miss Oak
View Pageant - 1st Runner Up
41. Rancho los dos Amigos
42. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
43. Ojai Valley School & Summer Camp
44. Humane Society of Ventura County
45. Ventura Model A Club of Ventura
County
46. Mom’s Across America
47. Gary Girod
48. Ojai Valley Community Hospital
49. Ojai Valley Mexican Fiesta
50. Yueguada El Coyote Dancing Horses
51. Ojai Valley Community Church
52. So Cal Corvairs
53. Ojai Valley Lions Club
54. One Love Fest
55. Sol Sanctuary
56. Ventura County TopaTopa Flywheeler
Tractor Club
57. Ojai Valley Democratic Club
58. Congresswoman Julia Brownley
59. D.P.S.
60. Vote Yes For Ojai Water August 27th
2013
61. The Birds of Ojai Crypts
62. Shine Supply
63. Real Cowgirls
64. Los Companeros
65. Lifeline Medical Transport
11
OJAI SURPLUS
Open
July 4th
til 1
VOTED ONE OF BEST IN OJAI
Camp
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Water
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for all
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SALE PRICES
Too many items to list
952 E. Ojai Ave
646-2350
www.ojaisurplus.com
The Fourth of July
AY
Swimsuits
12
Tank
EV
ER
YD
Sundresses
Wat
er t
oys
2013 event sponsors
The following are some of the area
businesses and individuals who made
donations to help make this year’s event
successful:
$1,000 - 5,000
Bruckheimer, Linda & Jerry
The Jerald Petterson Family, Gerry &
Carol
In Loving memory, Ginger & John Wilson
$500 - $999
GLEN CHASE Jr.
OPTIMIST CLUB OF OJAI
ROTARY CLUB OF OJAI WEST
TOM JAMISON - 2013 GRAND
MARSHAL
$250 -$499
AMERICAN LEGION POST #482
AMERICAN LEGION WOMENS AUX
#482
AMERICAN MARINE INSURANCE Wendy Hubbell
MICHELLE & ED BUCHMAN
COORDINATED WIRE ROPE OF
VENTURA - Mike Kasten
HERITAGE FINANCIAL - Wanda Martin
EDWARD JONES - Debra & Alan
McComas
NANCY & JONATHAN LITTMAN
C.D. LYON CONSTRUCTION INC. Chris & Debbie
MANOR OF OJAI RESIDENTAL CARE Halina Garbacz
ELIZABETH & PAUL
McCONNAUGHEY
IN MEMORY OF LYNN MENICK
OJAI COMMUNITY BANK - Dave
Brubaker
OJAI REXALL DRUGS - Carol & Dutch
Atchely
OJAI VAN LINES - Diane & Bill Clegg
JOHN E PEAKES INSURANCE
AGENCY
RAINBOW BRIDGE - Earnest Niglio
RAINS - Jan & Alan
VADNAIS INVESTMENTS - Dean &
Gloria
CINDY & TERRY WRIGHT
$100 - $249
BERRY CONSTRUCTION - Joanna &
Dan
CLEANFORCE CORPORATION
FRIENDS RANCH, INC. - Anne & Tony
Thacher
HOLGUIN, FAHAN & ASSOC., INC.
MORGAN CARRIAGES - Connie & John
JERRY L CONROW & COMPANY
Certified Public Accountant
OJAI VALLEY INN & COUNTRY CLUB Chris Kandziora
OJAI VALLEY MEDICAL CLINIC
OST TRUCKS & CRAINS - Denny
Zermino
TOP GUN BUILDERS - Laura & Dave
THE KINDRED SPIRIT - Kathy Francis
THE RANCH HOUSE - Dave & Edie
Skaggs
STIIX BILLIARDS - Margaret & Gerald
Matchin
SUSANNE’S CUISINE - Suzanne Roll
ROYAL CLEANERS - Dan Kurilchyk
DAVID WATSON D.D.S.
EVERGREEN WELLNESS OF OJAI Russell & Elizabeth Kun
MONTE WIDDERS - ATTORNEY AT
LAW
Tucker & Phil Adams
Pat & John Allen
Mary Bergen
Kathy & John Broesamle
Carolyn & Roger Embury
Jack Fay
Pat & Gary Hartmann
Kathleen Hellwitz
Anne Jane Holmes
Carolyn Huntsinger
Margo Kelly
Kati & Fran Korzum
Sally & Art Lemire
Dottie Lobel
Joanne & Richard McFerron
Gloria & Oscar Melendez
Judy & Ed Mercer
Michal & Tom Mitchell
Ellie & Bob Nelson
Marian Newman
Vickie & Keith Nightingale
Alice Norton
Steve North & Becky Beckett
Kim Damon Perron
Marie & Bob Pratt
William Schrader
Mary & Jim Sanders
Suzanne Siebenthal
Louise & Dr. Robert Skankey
Martha & Emery Starkweather
Peggy & David Stanwood
Rachel & Peter Strauss
Pat Vardell
Wayne West
Judy & Mike Willett
Houra Williams
Ken Williams
Martha & Jim Witledge
Doree & Marty Young
$10-$99
ARCADE HAIR SALON - Buddie Wilde,
Rachael Rice, Jackie Coke
ART BALCHEN PROPERTIES
BLISS YOGURT - B McCarthy
BODY ESSENTIALS - Kelli Loughman
CHISUMS, FLOOR COVERINGS Debbie & Tim Kresge
CODE INDUSTRIES - Elena & Carmen
Olmo
COLDWELL BANKER - Riki Strandfeldt
THE COHN INSURANCE AGENCY Shelia & Sid
CROOKED CREEK RANCH - Bob Davis
CUTS & MORE - ALEX
DALEY LANDSCAPING
DIAMOND RESEARCH CORP - Art
Diamond
FARR & ASSOCIATES - Brenda & Gary
FLORA GARDENS
FOUR PAWS PET GROOMING
FRONTIER PAINT - Doug & Moira Volpi
HUSTED MAYTAG APPLIANCE Richard Husted
JAVA & JOE
LAKE CASITAS RECREATION AREA Suzi Taylor
OJAI CREATES - Iris Williams & Kirk
Lowry
OJAI GLASS CO.
OJAI HAIR CO - Vanessa Bradley &
Cindy Duran
OJAI VALLEY ELECTRONICS & HOBBY
OJAI VALLEY IMPORTS
PAPA LENNONS
ROLAND’S SMOG CHECK - Susan &
Scott
SAKURA OJAI - KAREN & EDDIE
SANTA ANITA PARK - Pete Siberell
SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART Devin Scott
SANTA BARBARA ZOO - Joey Corazza
SCOTT LOOMIS CONSTRUCTION
SKATING PLUS
STARLIGHT DANCE ACADEMY Stephanie Hill
TARA’S NAILS & SPA - Alex
THATCHER CONSTRUCTION - Christi
& Jeff
THE HAIR-EM - Nancy Boynton & Sarah
Davis
TITAN SPEED ENGINEERING - Heather
& Bob Sanders
THE WHARF - Darren Borgstedte
MONTE WIDDERS- ATT0RNEY AT
LAW
John & Debra Adair
John & Holly Adams PhD
Joy & Dick Adams
The Fourth of July
James Alexander
Jean Angle
Maxine Arnheiter
Pattie & Ross Atkinson
Lois Barnes & Steve Jung
Larrilyn & Paul Bangs
Chuck Barnett
Bonnie Bartling
June & Shed Behar
Norm Bergman
Mary & Don Betlach
Lerie Bjornstedt
Charlene & Bill Brannan
Leticia & Larry Broida
Katherine& Dr. Robert Buckingham
Ursula Baertschi
Joanne & Mike Caldwell
Terasa & Chano Camarillo
Lanae & Bert Carter
Naida & David Cohn
Shelia Grady Cox
Betty & Phil Culbert Family Trust
Mary & Dr Kevin Cox
Patricia Cunningham
Linda & Kay Desch
Mary & Arnold Detmer
Heidi, Peter & Tony Dicapua
Susan & Roger Dickens
Geraldine Dimmick
Maria & Alex Doran
Darlene & Rudy Duran
Pat & Roger Essick
Roberta & Randall Edwards
Judy & Russ Eldeb
Barbara & Carl Enson
Bridget & Aaron Fabbian
Franceen Fallett
Theresa & Jeff Ferguson
James Finch
Cheryl & Dean Geiser
Judy & Al Gonelli
Barbara & Carl Greenfield
Rose & Dan Grimm
Carol & Allan Gross
Joan & Bob Grove
Mary Guinn
Sahara & David Hackel
Julia & Walter Hamann
Nancy & Bill Hammond
Rory & Mitch Hewett
Debbie & Bob Hill
Donna & Ed Hunt
Dargyal Jamyang & Mei-chin Ma
Antonia & Tom Jirovsky
Mary Kazmer
Mary Kennedy & Richard Keit
Pat & Bruce Kuebler
Continued on Page 15
13
Summer at
Oak Grove School
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company
Summer Special
• Enjoy one hour trail ride through the beautiful
Ventura River Preserve!
• First rider at the regular price,
and your partner at half off
Peace camps, Art camps,
Surfing, Science, Hiking,
Rock Academy & more.
• From now through Labor Day
"Pink moment" ride available
Now enrolling.
Open to the Public
Pre K - 12, inquiry-based, college prep
Founded by J. Krishnamurti
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company
Call: 805-890-9340 for reservation
Private Rides available for extra charge
Must present this ad at time of reservations
14
oakgroveschool.org/summer-camps • (805) 646-8236
camps@oakgroveschol.org • 220 W. Lomita, Ojai
The Fourth of July
From Page 13
Wendy La Braque
Carol & Ken Lakes
Edie Lambert
Arlene & Troy Lawson
Inez Legan
Marilyn & Mike Lenehan
Betty & Keith Loomis
Gwen Weiser-Lotts
Rebecca & Tom Low
Claudia & Drew Lurie
Sharon & Gary Markley
Jacqueline & Ed Marks
Sandra Marks
Mary McConnel
Janice & Tom McCormick
Roxye Mcneil
Patrice & Randy McGill
Heidy Hilgers & Jerry Myers
Collette & Steve Miller
Ruth & Al Milner
Marquita & John Mirk
Cathy Moon
Margareite & Bill Mors
Therese & Chuck Montag
Natalia & Charles Moore
Bob Music
Doris & Duane Owens
Louise & Bill Paxton
Laura & Bill Peck
Karen Phipps
Pamela Ann Phillips & Sara
Bandoli
Lois & Irv Poff
Tiffany & Sam Potts
Judy Pugh
Neil Quinn
Elizabeth Rajcan
Alice Ragland
Marty & Dan Reid
Lillemor & Bonte Reynolds
Jayne & Sid Rice
Barbara & Erick Richardson
Emma & Geoffrey Ridley
Laura & Jens Riege
Julie & Ernie Rischar
Barb & Jay Roske
Peggy & John Russell
Mary & Jim Sanders
Shirley & Dick Saxby
Clella Schneider
Jennie & Darwin Scott
Paula Scott
Donna & Jim Seebirt
Sally & Ernie Seidenkranz
Margaret & Larry Shellnut
Betty Siebenthal
Harry & Ray Sims
Josephine & Micheal Smith
Sherry & Randy Smith
Punky & Bob Soares
Cornia & Doug Solecki
Doris & Carl Stein
Jane & Verl Stevens
Jodi & Gary Stever
Maria Studer
Cindy Swallows
Joyce & Hugh Syme
Julie & Jonathan Teichert
Dixie Thorne
Pat & Lou Torres
Karen & Woody Traudt
Sally & Jim True
Sarah & Brian Turner
Michelle Tuschka
Crickett & Fred Twichell
The Marvin Van Wagners
Pat & Karol Vardell
Michael Vaughn
Bev & Harold Venable
Kathy & Gene Volderding
Moria & Doug Volpi
Nancy Voyer
Kiona Wacther
Susan & Colin Walker M.D.
Joice & Al West
Barbara & Joe Wilhelm
Debra & Gary Wilson
Judy & Cliff Wiseman
Karen & William Wu
Joe Zorskie
Join us for our
Grand Opening
The Fourth of July
Saturday, July 6th
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
180 N. Signal St
Ojai, CA
Art you will love!
15
Small but mighty volunteer committee makes it happen
By Michelaina Johnson
As a child, I always enjoyed
watching Ojai’s Independence
Day parade and then, as I got
older, even riding atop a float, but
I never considered all the amount
of work needed to make it all
possible.
Despite being volunteers
and very few in number, the
Independence Day Committee
has managed to make the two-day
celebration — from the July 3
concert to the fireworks at
Nordhoff High School —
successful for 52 years. That’s
more than half of parade’s nearly
100-year history.
They have had some help
though, including the local Boy
Scouts who help with clean-up.
“We have had a record
number of volunteers this year ...
People have stepped up to the
plate to help us,” said Nancy Hill,
who has been chairwoman of the
Ojai Independence Day
Committee for longer than she
can recall.
“I just moved up to Ojai
and a friend told me I had to join
the Fourth of July committee, and
it turned out to be the best thing I
could have done,” said committee
member Tina Nielsen, who joined
two months ago. Like many of the
committee members, Nielsen is in
charge of multiple tasks from
publicity to paperwork. Part of
her responsibility includes sorting
the applications for the various
floats and entries.
The committee’s
responsibilities include organizing
the July 3 concert at Libbey Bowl,
the pre-parade fun run for kids,
Fourth of July parade itself, the
evening entertainment (which
includes the fireworks show). The
behind the scenes details
comprise of selling fireworks
tickets, renting porta-potties and
the not-so-fun shoveling of horse
manure after the parade.
“I was born and raised
here, so it (the parade) is
something that I feel is important,
and so many people come out and
enjoy it. I love the Fourth of July,”
said Hill.
As Independence Day
approaches, most of the
committee members dedicate
four to five hours a day toward
organizing the events — besides
working their usual full-time jobs
and caring for family. On the
second Thursday of each month,
the committee assembles at HELP
of Ojai’s Little House to prepare
for the upcoming festivities —
except in May and June, when
they meet more frequently.
The events cost an
estimated $38,000 a year to run
due to permits, property rentals,
insurance and fire department
and police supervision. The ticket
sales for the firework show
generate the most revenue to pay
for the events’ expenses.
“It is a very costly event,
but we definitely get it done ... It is
so important (that) people show
up for the fireworks or buy tickets
because we couldn’t do it without
the show,” said Hill.
For the past two years,
pyrotechnic expert Jeff Patton has
been in charge of the fireworks,
and he will do it again this year. “
Tickets for the fireworks
show may be purchased at
Attitude Adjustment, American
Hay in Oak View or Rite Aid in
Mira Monte, addition to being
available at the gate. For more
information, contact Hill at 6460076 or find them on Facebook at
Ojai Fourth of July Events.
2013 Donors list
The following is a list of
some of the businesses and
individuals who have donated
time or services to make this
year’s Fourth of July holiday event
successful:
AMERICAN HAY & Grain
AMERICAN LEGION POST
#482
ASWELL TROPHIES
ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
AMERICAN HAY & Grain
AMERICAN LEGION POST
#482
B & B SERVICES - Bill Brown
BOY SCOUT TROOP #503- Oak
View
BOY SCOUT TROOP #503
BOY SCOUT TROOP #504 Ojai
CAMARILLO POLICE DEPT.
EXPLORER POST
CITY OF OJAI
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY
PATROL
ENTERPRISE SIGNS
FARMER JON’S
OJAI ROTARY CLUB
RONALD G. HARRINGTON,
ATTORNEY AT LAW
HELP OF OJAI
LIFELINE AMBULANCE
SERVICE
LIGHTNING RIDGE
LIONS CLUB OF OJAI
16
LOS CAPORALES
MERCDES BENZ OF OXNARD
OJAI COMMUNITY BANK]
OJAI HAIR CO.
OJAI POLICE DEPT.
OJAI RECREATION DEPT.
OJAI UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT
OJAI VALLEY FINANCIAL
SERVICES
OJAI VALLEY NEWS
OST TRUCKS & CRANES
PREISSLER MEDIA SERVICES
RITE AID
ROTARY CLUB OF OJAI WEST
VENTURA COUNTY
HUMANE SOCIETY
VENTURA COUNTY FIRE
DEPT.
VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFFS
DEPT EXPLORER POST VENTURA
VENTURA COUNTY
SHERIFF’S DEPT. EXPLORER
POST - 0jai
Rose Ann Abruzzese
Fernando Andrude
Jamal Arusse
Gene & Cindy Balluch
Larry Beckett
Josh Benevitez
Mona Benevitez
Dee Barnett
Ronda Besore
Barry Bluhm
Kay Bradley
Vanessa Bradley
Rene Briggs
Eric Brock
Bryan & Jodi Burdette
Garnett Carlton
Betsy & Mike Carnes
Servino Cervantes
Gayle Childress
Janell Clark
Ronnie Clark
Austin Cline
John Cline
Sid Cohn
Jodi Cormer
Daryl Crank
Evan Denny
Bill Davis
Caleb, Diane & John Duff
Alex Elliot
Carolyn Embury
Dr. Fred Fauvre
Ruth Pters Frame
Wayne Francis
Tom Fischer
Charlie Foote
Paul Garth
Victor Garza- Sound Man
Troy Gilbert
Leslie Gibson
Judy Golphenee
Dave Harris
Larry Hartman
Leon & Kim Helton
Cindy Hernandez
The Fourth of July
Carl & Kim Henderson
Windy Hilgers
Chris Hilgers
Kevin Hogan
Carol & Bob Jarboe
Veronica John
Joseph Johnson
Sean Kellythorne
Tom Kitty
Marshall Lopez
Wanda Martin
Dennis McCullough
Elizabeth McCullough
Roxye Mc Neil
Brenda & Denny Miles
Kimberley Monre
Olga Moll
Casey Moore
Glen Morgan
Jino Morino
Jack Tobin Morrison
Dan Mullins
Pat Ness
Brianna Nicals
Kressa O’Hearn
Criystal Overstreet
June Pathier
Pat Pathier
Mike Peters
Nancy Peterson
John Prentice
Mike Raymond
Bert & Rene Rapp
Amanda Rhodes
Jim Roberts
Joyce Robinson
Emile Sandefur
Jeff Sawyer
George Say
Sue Siebenthal
Richard Sigman
Dr. Bob Skankey
Kathy Smith
Ray Smith
Lynn & Gregg Supan
Nancy Tabor
David Thomas
Joe Thomas
Don Thompson
Lavon Theriault
Cricket Twitchell
Arlene Urettia
Eric Westrom
Don Williams
Terry Wright
The Fourth of July Committee:
Pat Allen (Publicity), Sharon
Cline (Treasurer), Halina Garbacz
(Drawing baskets), Tracy Patton
(Parade), Nancy Hill Hinz,
(chairman), Kasey Moore, Tina
Neilson (Parade), Dave Ostby
(Boy Scouts), Bonnie Patton
(Rides), Jeff Patton (Fireworks),
Ray Smith, Sharon Thumpson
(Caterer & Literopes), Rhonda
Wilder, Jodi Woolwine (Parade),
Terry Wright, Marty Young
(Secretary).
It is our privilege to serve you. We are greatful for your confidence, trust,
and continued support. We look forward to carrying on the tradition of true
community banking in the Ojai Valley.
THANK YOU!
and Ventura
The Fourth of July
17
(Formerly Mountain Meadows)
Open 7 Days a Week!
640-0055
“A big thank you to all of
our wonderful customers
and friends. You make our
jobs a pleasure.”
— Carmin, Carolina, Danny,
Jodie, Chris, Thomas and Luis
18
Flora
Gardens
Nursery & Garden Products
245 Old Baldwin Road, Ojai
(Next to Frontier Paint)
FloraGardens.net
The Fourth of July
Friendly
&
Knowledgeable
Service!
Hours, Admission,
Special Promotions,
Schedules, Entertainment ,
Transportation and more at
www.venturacountyfair.org
or (805) 648-3376
The Fourth of July
19
If not for the first amendment, I’d be dead. I’m a
heretic and for centuries Christians killed Christians
they regarded unorthdox. Thanks America, for the
first amendment!
I learned of Jesus through mom and movies, not
church. Mom’s simple faith was expressed in love
and forgiveness. I grew up, married and thought
“find a church.” Church had an air of certainty,
black and white, the infallible bible. Anyone undermining our “truth”, was of the devil. We learned
that God is holy, mankind depraved and hellbound,
however God is good and will save a few by
unconditional election.
Jesus died for the elect, that’s me. Goodbye Sierra
Club, I could abuse the earth, Armageddon was
coming but I’ll be “raptured”and the world will
burn. I went into ministry, penetrating the cradle of
evil, “public schools”! We used our sports platform,
a talk on choices, then snuck a prayer of salvation
in the school! Whatever offense, no worries, the
offended are going to hell.
I climbed the ladder of evangelical fame, visits
to the White House, working crowds into a frenzy
as I spewed hate. Intoxicating! When it got quiet,
a voice lingered on the fringe of my conscience,
whispering “is this really what Jesus is like?”
I spoke to millions but my message was challenged by love. My concrete indoctrinated exterior
began to crack. Ironically the people I was trying to
save, began to save me. I believed God was holy
but there was one label I couldn’t give him
anymore; loving. A God who could throw good
people into a place of torment could not be loving.
Other followers would let me bellow about doctrine, inerrancy then they’d take me back to Jesus,
loving, forgiving. I hated who I’d become. So I
focused on Jesus, whom i’d lost in church. I read
books by pastors with different interpretations.
I read with an open mind. I studied church history,
evolution of doctrine, Judaism, original languages,
understanding so much is lost in translation. I studied context of scripture. Man do we blow context.
Instead of my faith collapsing, Jesus became
more real. I could think again. I no longer believe
in a young earth or Adam and Eve populating the
world or animals coming from the Ark. A God
guided evolution seems best, and is no less
miraculous.
I don’t believe the Bible is infallible. It comes
with mystery, complexity and errors. I realize it’s
wide open to interpretation, which makes it so
beautiful and dangerous! I believe it’s inspired
and sacred! The genius of scripture is not whether
Adam/Eve actually happened but that it happens all
the time, temptation, shame and a God who calls us
out of hiding. Paul described Jesus as the
“fullness of God in bodily form”. Jesus divine
teachings transformed my life. People use the bible
how they want, I chose to follow Jesus not the
bible. He loved unconditionally, dispensed forgiveness as pure gift, not the way the church says
‘saved by grace’ but then makes you pay and
follow conditions. He was radically inclusive,
people were drawn to his love and saved by it! He
didn’t stand on a soapbox screaming at sinners,
they became his “friends”. He blistered the
religious though! How did they respond? They
called him a devil, sinner, drunk, heretic and killed
him. Jesus was not murdered by the dredges of society but by the devout and get this, he loved them
too asking his father “forgive them“ with his last
breaths, because what they do is out of ignorance.
I’ve banked on that prayer.
A friend wrote a book “Love Wins.” challenging many assumptions by Christians about every
persons eternal fate. Evangelicals believe the bulk
of humanity will go to a place of torment called
“hell,” and that includes good people. Rob Bell
did a wonderful job of challenging that notion. He
wasn’t controversial to me, I’d studied the history,
knew how the doctrine evolved but it started a
firestorm. He made the cover of TIME and the book
became another best seller. He also became the
most hated pastor in U.S. evangelical Christendom.
A toxic hatred from Christians against a Christian. Why? Because the book posits the notion that
Ghandi, could be in heaven by the grace of Jesus.
Rob went to Wheaton, received his masters from
Fuller Seminary and pastored for over 15 years.
His approach wasn’t shallow. Still he was called a
heretic by Christians who couldn’t stomach Ghandi
in heaven. Because of my endorsement of Rob I
suffered many of the same attacks. People attempted to force me to recant. I’ve been called a heretic,
false teacher, satanist, told I’d be struck down
by God, am not a real Christian and of course am
going to the “deepest pit of hell”. Despite heresy
trials, I never recanted and amazingly I’m still here.
We have found many are thirsty for Jesus but not
dogma. Community is now a place where you can
question, doubt, think for yourself. It’s a place
where God is healing people who’ve given up on
Christianity, but not Jesus.
I harbor no ill wishes against those who disagree
with me, and though they believe I will go to hell,
I believe we will be seated together at the great
feast, right next to Ghandi. I do believe God cares
about sin, not about “cussing” but “greed, pride,
abuse”.God cares about justice on earth and will
bring it, but it’s purpose though painful, is restorative over punitive. God doesn’t need to torture
people to be just. There are plenty of real hells on
earth and he wants us to rescue people from them.
I hope that all people, best and worst, in this life
or the next, could be healed and put into our right
minds by Jesus. He did it to a man so evil, his
name was Legion, because he had 6000 devils in
him. Jesus healed that damned man, put him in
his right mind and he chose to follow Jesus. Who
in their “right” mind, meeting the “right” Jesus
wouldn’t? My opinion anyways. Recently Rob
shared with our community, two Jesus loving
heretics, two survivors. Thanks mom, as you
taught, Rob reminded, and I teach, the love of
Jesus wins.
-Pastor Paul Bergmann