OPEN SPACES
The latest news from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Working to Protect The Ojai Valley’s Future - Today
Newest Park Receives $100,000 Challenge
n May, the Conservancy received an anonymous $100,000 gift to help the dream of turning “blight into beauty” take one more step towards reality. The gift requires the community to raise an additional $200,000 to realizethis generous gift. This means for every $2 raised through donations, the anonymous donor will give $1 towards the park. To date the Conservancy has raised $60,000 towards the challenge goal. The response has been very positive and we have now received donations from over one hundred community members. Naming rights and other information about the campaign are available on page 3.
NEWEST PARK CAMPAIGN
GOAL
$610,000
AMOUNT RAISED
$403,000
Moonlight On The Meadows Event Just Around The Corner
t’s time again for our annual fundraising dinner on Saturday, September 8. This very popular event will be held again at the scenic Ojai Meadows Preserve and includes many of the popular ingredients from last year’s event. However, new activities and improvements will be added this year to keep it fresh, including bluegrass music, a new, delicious cuisine, better lighting and sound, new auction items, and a streamlined check out system for auction items. “We had a great event last year,” said Carole Cascio, Events Coordinator, “but we can always learn from the feedback of volunteers and event participants and make this year more memorable.”
The annual event has grown in popularity each year and boasted over 250 guests last year. “It’s a great time to see old friends and
Guests Enjoying Last Year’s Event.
make new ones too,” comments Cascio. The silent and live auction will again help to raise more funds for the protection of Ojai’s open spaces with items ranging from dinners at local restaurants to vacations in exotic places.
Appetizers and drinks will be served during the social hour before dinner. Children will be entertained by “Quilly’s Crew”, a group of marionettes who share an environmental message, and will be making their Ojai debut.
This year’s event will start at 5pm and cost $60 per person. Each couple will receive a copy of the Conservancy’s beautiful,newcookbookas a gift. For more information or to make your reservation, please call 646-0251 or send an email to: ovlcevents@ojai.net. Payment can be made by credit card or check.
OJAI VALLEY LAND CONSERVANCY
Post Office Box 1092
Ojai, California 93024
Office Phone/Fax • (805) 646-7930
Events Hotline • (805) 646-0251
E-mail Address • ovlc@ojai.net
Street Address:
250 E. Ojai Ave. #B • Back Arcade Plaza Website • www.ovlc.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joan Kemper • PRESIDENT
Carl Thelander • VICE PRESIDENT
Alan Rains • TREASURER
Jim Jackson • SECRETARY
Susan Bee
Vickie Byrne
Roger Essick
Allan Jacobs
Spencer Silver
Al Stroberg
David Trudeau
Pauletta Walsh
Allan West
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Julie Bloomer
Caryn Bosson
John Broesamle
David Bury
Fred Bysshe
Stacy Davis
David Garber
Ellen Hall
Carl Huntsinger
Thad Hyland
Richard Handley
David Lavender, Sr.
Philip Moncharsh
Vivienne Moody
Nancy Myers
Philip G. Pierpont
Mary Nye Pierpont
Steve Olsen
Michael Shapiro
Nina Shelley
Mansfield Sprague
Pat Weinberger
Merrill Williams
STAFF
Carole Cascio • Events and Volunteers ovlcmembership@ojai.net
Jim Engel • Fundraising and Land Protection ovlc@ojai.net
Jill Greene • Membership Services ovlcmembership@ojai.net
Pete Johnson • Education and Preserve Management ovlceducation@ojai.net
A Message From Jim
Key Ingredients for Success
Our “Moonlight on the Meadow” annual fundraising event is just around the corner and our staff and volunteers are gearing up for another great Conservancy activity. During 2001, we’ve also increased the number of events we offer. Some are free, while others have a fee. Many of them are social in nature while others emphasize education. All of them are fun. We offer these events to enrich the lives of our members, raise crucial funds allowing us to accomplish our mission, but most of all we see these as a great opportunity to get to know our community and to answer questions you may have about our efforts. We know that having a great mission to protect open space is not enough. You also need to have great confidence that if you make a donation of money or time that we will use it wisely and get the best value for each dollar and hour you share. So don’t be shy. Please look at the list of our board members and staff on this page and feel free to ask us questions, offer criticism or let us know what we are doing right. This input is critical to our future open space efforts. Whether it is at a Conservancy event, in public or by phone, we’d love to hear from you.
Jim Engel Executive Director
Leave ALegacy
Give AGift For Future Generations Of The Ojai Valley
Please join the seventeen families and individuals who have included the Conservancy in their will or trust. Consider the lasting impact of an estate gift for the preservation of the natural and agricultural heritage of the Ojai Valley. Your contribution will be used for:
•Preserving critical open spaces like the Ojai Meadows Preserve
•Restoring important natural habitats
•Educating our youth and community to be better stewards of our open spaces
If you have already named us in your estate plans, let us thank you for your generous gift and welcome you to the Conservation Legacy Circle. For a confidential inquiry about helping to protect the future and beauty of this valley, please contact the Conservancy office at 646-7930 or email us at: ovlc@ojai.net
Preserving Ojai’s Special Places Forever Newest Park Campaign
The latest campaign update is available at www.ovlc.org
Gift Naming Right Opportunities
from $500 - $150,000
“As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled” VICTOR HUGO.
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is offering a limited number of gift naming opportunities for donors who want to honor or memorialize family, friends, mentors or for civic pride.
THE PARK STREAM ~ The stream emanates from the central viewing plaza and flows through the Park.
THE CENTRAL VIEWING PLAZA ~ An 1,800 sq. ft. central overlook and gathering area with panoramic views of Chief Peak, Topa Topa Mountains and Sulphur Mountain.
THE TRELLISES ~ The Park’s three trellises, which will provide shade and access to the center of the park, feature wood branches laid on timber beams supported by natural stone columns.
OJAI AVENUE PLAZA ~ This highly visible plaza features open seating for viewing the stream.
RINCON PLAZA ~ The gateway to Ojai’s Newest Park, adjacent to the scented walk and butterfly garden.
EL PASEO PLAZA ~ This entrance leads to the trail of discovery and is the permanent location of the Gift Appreciation Wall.
OJAI AVENUE STONE WALL ~ A1000 ft. undulating, low stone wall edging in and out of the Park connects the Rincon and Ojai Avenue Plazas. Reserved.
GARDENOF DISCOVERY ~ Anatural bedding of water plants along the edge of the stream with fragrant native flowers and shrubs.
CHAPARRAL GARDEN ~ A4,600 sq. ft. garden with gentle slopes, native trees and plantings to block out street noise.
PUBLIC ART ~ Three distinct artistic works designed by local artists to be placed at the corners of El Paseo, Rincon and Ojai Avenue (administered by the City of Ojai Arts Commission).
SCENTED WALKAND BUTTERFLY GARDEN ~ A walk lined with flowers of brilliant colors and fragrances to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
OLD OAK TREE RESTORATION ~ The lower edge of the Park will reach out on El Paseo and Ojai Avenues to the old oak tree, which will be revitalized and preserved.
TRAILOF DISCOVERY ~ The trail leading from El Paseo Plaza will be filled with plants and surprises, great for school field trips. Reserved.
18 TREES, 7 BENCHES ~ Avariety of trees, central to the Park’s design, include Oaks, Maples, and Sycamores. Benches will be spaced throughout the Park. 20 Reserved.
GIFT APPRECIATION WALL ~ 500 Names Maximum - The Gift Appreciation Wall at the corner of El Paseo and Rincon, will be unveiled at the opening of Ojai’s Newest Park in 2002. 80 Reserved.
F OR I NFORMATION : Call Jim Engel, Executive Director, The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy • 646-7930 or email: ovlc@ojai.net
Ojai’s Newest Park Campaign Committee
CO-CHAIRS: Don and Sheila Cluff
COMMITTEE: Ren Adam, Khaled Al-Awar, John Broesamle, Jim Engel, David Lavender II, Lois Rice, Mansfield Sprague, Terry Twichell and Larry Wilde.
CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT: David Kaplan
ARTFORTHE PARK
The Oaks at Ojai is pleased to be showing the work of San Francisco artist Bob Larkin July 15 through September 1, 2001. Areception to honor the artist will be held on Friday August 10, 2001 from 5:30 thru 7 pm. Bob Larkin will be contributing 20% of all proceeds to the Campaign for Ojai’s Newest Park. This “Blight to Beauty” community project is transforming an abandoned gas station into Park to be enjoyed and viewed by citizens and visitors. His primary media are oil painting, drawing and collage.
Beverages and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. The Oaks Gallery is open to the public and there is no charge for reception admittance. R.S.V.P. is required to Elizabeth @ 646.5573 or elizabeth@oaksspa.com. Space is limited.
Gift Naming Guidelines
• All gift-naming contributions can be made over two-years.
• All naming right opportunities are to be provided on a first come - first serve basis. Once they are secured by a gift or pledge, the “naming” will no longer be offered.
• No more than two individuals or families can share one gift naming right.
• Gift-naming donors will be offered a recognition plaque to be placed at the location of the specific gift naming identified on the Park’s masterplan. The gift naming will have the suggested inscription as follows: “Smith Family-Central Viewing Plaza.”
The Latest Newest Park Donors
Ren & Victoria Adam
Helen Allen
George & Amanda Ball
Shed & June Behar
Dick & Marilyn Bernacchi
Katharine & Murray Bowes
Masako Bristol
In Memory ofHorace Bristol
Bronk-Vreeland Ford
David & Vickie Byrne
Joyce Chell
Tom & Becky Collins
Gary & Mackay Crampton
Lanyard & Mary Dial
Sanford & Christine Drucker
Raymond & Yvette Ellis
Karen Fay
Richard Godfrey
Carol Garramone & Charles Massaro
Joline Godfrey
Frank & Linda Granat
Larry & Pat Hartmann
Kathleen Hellwitz
In Memory of Freddy Kuri
Jonathan & Linda Lambert
Howard Lambert
Stan & Ro Lazarus
Phil & Maren Long
Mindy & Steve Maloon
Bill & Cookie Miley
Ojai Valley Bank
Ojai Valley News
Earl & Alice Ragland
Dan & Olga Singer
Carl & Katie Thelander
Paul & Ollie Turner
Robert & Virginia Unruhe
Deric & Barbara Washburn
Ron & Helayne White
Conservancy News Briefs
AThousand Delights
Over seventy people attended the One in a Thousand Nights Moroccan Feast at the beautiful home of Sylvia and Shlomo Raz. The new event was a complete sellout and a treat for all the senses. Colorful displays of rugs and pillows, seasoned foods, tents and costumed guests, and belly dancers transformed the Ojai Valley’s East End into an exotic, far away, locale. The highly successful event raised over $7,000 for the Conservancy and will be repeated next year with a new theme. “People loved the chance to taste the over 40 dishes, chat with friends and experience a different culture,” said Carole Cascio,Events Coordinator for The Conservancy.
New Way To Contact Staff
I
n addition to a phone call or dropping by our office, each Conservancy staff member now has an email address where they can be contacted. Events and Volunteers: Carole Cascio ovlcevents@ojai.net Membership Services: Jill Greene ovlcmembership@ojai.net. Education and Preserve Management: Pete Johnson ovlceducation@ojai.net. Fundraising and Land Protection: Jim Engel ovlc@ojai.net.
New Hiking Group Formed
I
n response to requests from our members, the Conservancy has formed an Ojai Valley Hiking Group. Please join us! These easy to moderate hikes occur at least one morning per month. It’s a great way to get out and meet new friends. The hikes start at 8:00 am and usually last 1-2 hours. If you’d like to learn more about the times and location of each month’s trip, please e-mail Kathy Broesamle at broesamk@vcss.k12.ca.us. or call the Conservancy office at 646-0251.
Reptile Rap Brings Out Community
n May 23, 2001, thirty-five people enjoyed the latest Environmental Learning Series (ELS)Program, Snakes of Coastal Southern California, by Cris Hagan, Curator of Reptiles at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Cris brought along a few live guests and enthralled the audience with a colorful slide show and personable talk about the seventeen species of snakes found in our area. We have invited Cris back to do a future ELS program and hope you can be present at his next program.
REAPAwards Education Grant
O T
he Ojai based, REAPFoundation has awarded the Conservancy $1,000 for sound equipment for the Quilly and Crew marionette stage. Quilly’s Crew will be used for children’s programs and the Wild About Ojai Program. “We are very grateful to the REAPboard for their support of this program, said Pete Johnson, the Conservancy’s Education Coordinator. The marionettes are currently under construction at the Olde World Puppet Theatre in Portland and will be finished for our annual fundraiser in September.
Upcoming Events
C ONSERVANCY C ALENDAR
Wild About Ojai Education Series
Location • Matilija Canyon
Saturday, August 4 • 9am-noon
Family Environmental Education Program. Cost: $18/individual and $30/family for a three-session program or $8/person; $12/family for one session. Advanced reservation required and space is limited.
Environmental Learning Series Moonlight Walk of the Ilvento Preserve
Saturday, August 4 • 7-10pm
The only guided nature walk of our East End Preserve in the year 2001. Advance Registration Required. Free
Wild About Ojai Education Series
Location • Matilija Canyon
Saturday, September 8 • 9am-noon
Family Environmental Education Program. Cost: $18/individual and $30/family for a three-session program or $8/person; $12/family for one session. Advanced reservation required and space is limited.
Moonlight On The Meadows Fundraising Event
Saturday, September 8 • 5-8:30pm
Popular Dinner and auction fundraiser Ojai Meadows Preserve. Advanced registration. $60/person
Ojai Meadows Preserve Clean-up
Sunday, September 23 • 7-8:30pm Volunteer Clean-up of Preserve Next to Nordhoff High School
Wild About Ojai Education Series
Ilevento Preserve
Saturday, October 6 • 9am-noon
Family Environmental Education Program Ilvento Preserve.Cost: $18/individual and $30/family for a
three-session program or $8/person; $12/family for one session. Advanced registration required.
Song Dog Ranch Campout
October 13-14 • Starting at noon
Conservancy member’s campout with nature walks, story telling and fine food in the Cuyama Valley Cost: $30/adult and $20/child. Advanced registration required.
Newest Park Ground Breaking Ceremony
Friday, October 19 • 5pm-7pm
Come see the start of the Community’s conversion of a blighted site to a place of beauty and valley wide pride.
ON GOING ACTIVITIES
Bird Walk At The Ojai Meadows Preserve
Conservancy Campout at Song Dog Ranch
Saturday & Sunday October 13-14
Come Enjoy the Wide Open Spaces With Us
The Conservancy is sponsoring its second annual campout at Song Dog Ranch in the Cuyama Valley for Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14. Ideal for both the new and experienced camper, this fun event is an opportunity to meet friends, relax, explore hiking trails, enjoy evening entertainment, and eat a lot of great food. All this for only $30 per adult and $20 for children 12 and under. Tents, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags are also available at an additional cost.
Join Susan Tallyn, OVLC volunteer, for our new, twice a month, early morning bird walk. So far this new program has been a great success, with a total of sixty people attending the first six walks. The walks are held on two Saturdays a month and information on times and dates is available at the events hotline at 646-0251 or in the Ojai Valley News on the Friday before the walk.
We will also offer walking tours of natural areas, star gazing, and story telling around the campfire. The campground is located on a juniper covered mesa with far reaching views of the beautiful San Rafael Wilderness and Cuyama Valley.
This special trip will be limited to the first 50 people who register. Please call our office today to reserve your space.
Enjoying last year’s Campout at Song Dog Ranch.
Volunteer Opportunities
GIS Coordinator
AGlobal Information System (GIS) is a way of computer mapping important resources and being able to visually show relationships between these resources i.e.-development and the loss of agricultural lands or barn owls and mature live oak forests. We need someone who is willing to be trained and will work with us to develop the system to meet our needs. This resource will help the Conservancy and the community to better plan for the protection of critical natural and agricultural lands. We need a person with some computer skills and who will be available to work weekly on this project, but you will be able to set your own schedule for accomplishing the tasks.
Office Assistants
Experience the ‘pulse’of the Conservancy by working at our office. Meet our great staff and volunteers, while working on mailings, special projects and other office duties. We would prefer a weekly
Thanks and Ways to Help
commitment of a few hours, but once a month would work too.
Preserve Clean-up
Volunteers are needed for monthly meadow clean-ups. If you are interested in helping us keep the Ojai Meadows Preserve clean and beautiful, please join us for one and one-half hours each month. Dates for clean-ups will be posted on the OVLC hotline at 646-0251.
Wild About Ojai Assistants
Come experience our new and exciting education program. It’s a chance to be outside, learn about the natural world of the Ventura River Watershed and help families better understand the importance of protecting open space for future generations. An ideal commitment is three hours, once a month.
Events Assistants
During the year OVLC sponsors serveral fund raising events. Each event has a special theme that requires unique talents.
G REAT R ECIPES
from members & friends of the OVLC
Hot off the Press! The Conservancy’s cookbook, The Bounty of Ojai will make it’s much anticipated debut on September 8th, at our Moonlight on the Meadow Fundraiser. Filled with scrumptious unique and traditional recipes contributed by members and friends of the Conservancy, the cookbook will highlight the abundance of tastes and treasures of our valley, including beautiful illustrations from local artists.
Pre-orders are being taken now for what is anticipated as a very popular holiday gift and a beautiful addition to anyone’s kitchen. Call 646-0251 or email at ovlcevents@ojai.net. Payment may be made by credit card or check. Preordered cookbooks are $17 before September 8th. Orders after September 8th are $20.
Thanks
All the volunteers who worked on the Fourth of July to keep the Ojai Meadows safe for everyone. Bob and Marqui Bury for providing food and drink for all our volunteers and staff on July Fourth. Kathy Broesamle, Pat Essick, Norbert Furnee, Patsy Glenn, Gretchen Greenberg and Barbara Washburn for their assistance in making the Moroccan Dinner a great success. Etheric Tribe Belly Dancing Troupe for the evening’s entertainment at the Moroccan Dinner. Alan and Dana Raz for the use of their tent, lighting and the serving of refreshing beverages at the Moroccan Dinner. Extra big thanks to Sylvia and Shlomo Raz for hosting and preparing the Moroccan Dinner Eventand working so hard to make the fundraiser such a great success. Cris Hagan of the Santa Barbara Museum for his wonder reptile presentation. All the artists who generously donated to the Moroccan Nights auction. Susan Tallyn and Susan Bee for leading the bird walks at the Meadows Preserve. Robert Trentham who helped set up QuickBooks on our computer.
Gretchen Greenberg for the “works of art.” Rainbow Bridge and Ojai Café Emporium for providing the delicious food. Jan Sanchez for the “road signs” at the Newest Park Event. David Trudeau for providing “the landscape.”
Welcome To Our New Members
Thank you to our new members for their exceptional support. The Conservancy’s successes in the last year are due to the generous financial and volunteer support of our members.
Arnaz Properties
George and Amanda Ball
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Bell
Dick and Marilyn Bernacchi
Katharine and Murray Bowes
Claire Clark
Bain and Evelyn Dayman
Ann Crozier and James Duke
EAndrew and Sharon Engel
Ms. Alberta Fins
Joanne Gordon
Mr. and Mrs. Grinberg
Grove Care, Inc.
Arthur and Carol Kornhaber
Jordan and Sandra Laby
Elizabeth McMahan
Mr. and Mrs. Saperstein
Paula Suddes
Twila Tate
Pauletta Walsh and Michael Arkush
Mark and Jane Weil
John and Nancy Whitman
Gift Membership given by Vivienne Moody
Adelle Chabelsky by Wendy Lockwood: Iris Willams and Kirk Lowry
Andy and Wendy Welling
Ron and Julie Graves
Local Supporters Help Us To Grow Stronger
very year, hundreds of our members choose to renew their membership. Thanks for your exceptional support!We are happy to recognize the following individuals and businesses who have renewed their membership since early July. Your loyalty is greatly appreciated.
Sheila and Lincoln Anderson
Annonymous
Alan Bandoli and Pamela Phillips
Andy Belknap and Michelle Thomas
Bart’s Books
Randi and Michael Bennett
Chris and Karen Birbeck
Alex and Kris Brodie
David and Joanne Bury
David and Vickie Byrne
Gordon and Kristen Clawson
Darrel & Barbara Crowder
Rita De Puydt
Sanford and Christine Drucker
Bob and Marilyn Essick
Jim and Kim Exon
Lloyd and Katie Fellows
Neal Filer
Carol Garramone and Charles Massaro
Dean and Cheryl Geiser
Donn Gladstone and Kelly Newman
Seabury and Patty Gould
Frank and Linda Granat
Trina and Jesse Grantham
Rod and Joyce Greene
Mark Halvorsen
Priscilla Hickman
Doug and Barbara Hoff
Toetie Hogenboom
Rikki Horne and Rudy Petersdorf
Cal and Dot Houston
Bernie and Trudy Huberman
Connie and Tom Hunt
Carl and Carolyn Huntsinger
Thad Hyland
Biff and Catherine Johnson
Willoughby Johnson and Victoria Matthews
Anne and Jerry Kaplan
Ed and Julie Kopta
Nancy and Mike Krumpschmidt
Kenneth and Carole Lakes
Rev. Coryl Lassen
Lorraine Lim and Glenn Fout
Len and Judy Linton
David and Lisa Luckenbach
William Lucking, Jr.
Drew and Claudia Lurie
Robert and Linda MacNeal
Joe and Betty McAllister
Wally and Mary Jane McCall
Janice and Tom McCormick
Gene Miller and Susan Speer
Robert and Denise Miller
Heather Mobarak
Vivienne Moody
Laurel Moore and Arne Schmidt
Bill and Maggie Mors
Joy and Michael Mulligan
John and Andrea Nelson
Chris and Tracy Oakland
Jo O’Connell and Byron Cox
Steve and Sara Olsen
Joan Peters and Peter Passell
Nancy Pepper
Sonia Nordenson and Jim Piekarski
Chuck and Joyce Queen
Lois Rice
Ronald Rowe
Dietrich and Valerie Schmidt
Dave Selby
Dan and Olga Singer
Jan Smithers
Mansfield and Chilant Sprague
Anne and Tony Thacher
Margaret Thomas
Glenn True and Kathleen McCann
Barbara Uniker
Milton VanWinkle
Eve Venturi
Village Park Orchards Association
Carole Wade and Bill Hak
Pat Weinberger
Brian and Chris Zeiner
David and Danielle Zucker
Annual Fund Gifts
Stan and Eleanor Brown
Harold and Patsy Glenn
Frank and Linda Granat
Jill Greene
Wes and Beth Kent
New Member Form
David and Muriel Lavender
Gerhard and Monika Miehle
Alice and Bob Rene
Dietrich and Valerie Schmidt
In Memory of Donette Lee from Carol Langford
Conservancy Will Move Forward With Your Help
As the Conservancy grows, so does our need for additional resources. One way you can help is through the donation of new or used stewardship tools, reference books, and office equipment. Please call us if you can donate any of the items below or if you know of anyone who might like to contribute to the needs of the Conservancy.
•Copy Machine
•Shovels and other trail maintenance tools
•Electric Pencil Sharpner - Donated!
• 3 Tripods
• Folding Card Table
• Baskets, Serving Bowls & Utensils etc. for OVLC Events - Donated!
•Electric Typewriter - Donated!
Other items that you think would be useful? Please, let us know call • 646-7930 or email • ovlcmembers@ojai.net