Lots of people travel out of the Ojai Valley on business or pleasure, and we sometimes are the beneficiaries of the insights that they gain upon their returns. Since i live, work, and - to a large extent - shop here, i seldom need to leave the nest, and when i do it's not for very long or far. But i've been away from the Goddess Moon for nearly a week as my wife and i gave birth to our beautiful daughter Noa at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, connected to Ojai only by the ash that rained gently down onto both places. We're glad to be home, and i noticed a few things upon our return:
• Someone (presumably the City) painted nearly all our sewer covers white. When i suggested that it might help City workers find them better, Jessie countered that it simply might have helped them find something to do.
• The new development going in at Ojai Avenue between Cañada and Blanche Streets has been named E' Bello, which my state-of-the-art language translating widget says means "Beautiful E'", whatever that means. At any rate, the current list of businesses who've staked out spots in the new building is as follows:
- Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill
- Curves Fitness for Women
- Troop Real Estate
- Tobi Redlich, DC (currently the resident Chiropractor at the Day Spa of Ojai)
- John Maggio, Allstate Insurance (also sits on the Advisory Council of the Ojai Valley FireSafe Council)
- Noah's Apothecary
- Body Essentials
- Ojai Business Center
- Ojai Valley Directory
i'd heard some time ago that Jim & Rob's wanted to move so that Sea Fresh could expand into that adjacent spot, and i spoke with the folks at OBC yesterday who confirmed the move not for a bigger space, but for better location (specifically, according to one young copyist, next door to Jim & Rob's). The phone-answerer at Curves also confirmed a move, not an additional location. Putting all of these diverse services and products into one building sounds convenient, but i'm left wondering if it's very "Ojai", and just what may fill all the vacancies left by the businesses that move there. Check out my map to see where the holes will be. be mindful also that Ojai Creates! is moving into the former location of Cardinali Brothers Music, and the Brothers are moving into the Smart Start building in Meiners Oaks.
• The Zaca Fire continues to rage, although the Valley doesn't appear to be in imminent danger as such. even so, an Ojai Community Meeting will be held this Friday the 10th to discuss the particulars. There's also a kiosk outside Starr Market with maps and in-your-hands info printed on actual paper.
* More after the jump! *
• The County's approved a new traffic signal to be built by Caltrans on Highway 33 at Villanova Road, with a price tag of $750,000, up from the $175,000 that it would have cost if it'd been approved when originally proposed in 2004. This increase is being attributed to sharp rises in the costs of building materials above all else, especially as related to tougher federal construction standards that mandate the signals withstand 100 mph winds. Come the apocalypse, at least our traffic signals will still be standing.
• The Planning Commission is still delayed in deciding on just how far to take the proposed and popularly-supported restrictions on formula retail businesses, although the Commissioners seems responsive to public opinion and are considering the issue very responsibly, if slowly. Kenley Neufeld, author of the 600+ signature citizens' initiative featuring a City-wide ban on chain stores, plans to turn his ordinance in as a ballot initiative by October 13th if the City hasnt drafted one of their own by then.
• Ojai Playwright's Conference runs August 7-12, overlapping the Shakespeare Festival at Libbey Bowl from August 9-12, this year featuring "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Glenn would have loved it.
• the Ojai Post hashes out firefighting, censorship, and public breastfeeding, all of which seem to have deep connections to partisan politics on the national (and even international) level. Who knew?
• The Ojai Valley Dog Park Fund, aimed at creating a canine-friendly area at Soule Park near the tennis courts, will have a fundraiser and raffle at Soule on Saturday August 18 at 4pm. they're looking to raise $20,000, and are challenging every dog owner to donate $5 per dog to the fund. EMAIL NANCY for more info.
This article also available for public comment on the Ojai Post.
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