Betsy Watson, President of Rotary Club of Ojai, welcomed club members.
Larry Beckett lead the flag salute and Christine Golden led the invocation.
Betsy Watson thanked the following people:
Greeter: Terry Beckett
Pledge - Larry Beckett
Invocation - Christine Golden
Front desk - Deirdre Daly
Fining - Bret Bradigan
Roving Mic - Mike Malone
Reminder Editor - Haady Lashkari
Room setup - Bill Prather and Andy Gilman
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
The following Guests were welcomed:
Judy Gabriel, Klaus Peter Fleishman, Mark Lewis, Bob Ornstein, Kendra Rotaret, Jaide Whitman, and Fred Coleman.
On This Date in History
1949 The Ojai, as we called the Ojai Valley News back then, reported there had been exactly no accidents during the recent 50th anniversary tennis tournament Despite unprecedented traffic in Ojai during the 3 days of the 50th annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, there were no accidents. “The movement of traffic in general was smooth and orderly and I haven’t heard that there was even so much as a scratch on a fender” Officer Earl Ingram said.
Most pedestrians took care to use the sidewalks, as suggested in this newspaper last week. All in one paragraph we see not much has changed wrt weekend traffic, attitude toward festivals and the tendency of the media to pat itself on the back.
Announcements:
-Upcoming meetings:
May 13th Pradeep Kapadia, Kapadia Educational Foundation
May 20 Boccali’s for the Rotary Club of Ojai Educational Scholarship awards $15 lunch
FREE: 5 David Sedaris tickets tonight 7:30 Granada Theater – Taken!
On May 26th and May 27th at 8:30 AM we be having the Matilija Portfolio Review. Students from Matilija dress up for a mock interview and present their work for the year. This is a rare opportunity to meet and interact with these students. All who have participated describe it as a profoundly positive experience. Please contact Larry Beckett and volunteer for this special program. Keep an eye out for the email that was sent out.
Diaper Bank - May 18 9:30am volunteers needed
Mike Weaver: RI Refugee Resettlement webinar May 11 noon informational webinar about the welcoming process for people who are coming to the United States from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Let me know if you would like the registration link.
Nomination committee for RI President: We vote as a club for eligible directors to serve on the nominating committee for Rotary International President. The election closes June 30. Three nominee profiles are here, write your name on the ballot of your choice.
Deirdre Daily shared that the Ojai Music Festival is looking for guest homes to house their artists for the festival June 5-13th!
Paul Harris Award
Sean McDermott was presented a Paul Harris Award in recognition of his exemplary service above Self on the Taste of Ojai Committee. He put himself out in front on a novel and difficult task. His leadership on the intricacies of our new location was inspired, and we are grateful!
Confessions and Fining
Bret Bradigan led Fining and Confessions. Terry celebrated his grandson’s admission to Oxford. Bob shared it would have been Greta’s 80th Birthday. Bill confessed it was his phone that rang!
Program: Marc Whitman
Our very own Marc Whitman introduced the proposal for the Ojai Institute for the Arts Ojai Unified School District site.
Initial Concept:
“A mixed-use property that included a hotel. The 200 number represents a maximum, with the intention to develop details on a specific number of rooms after conducting traffic and environmental studies. Based upon community feedback, the hotel concept will have to be revisited or possibly eliminated.”
The ”Why” of this Proposal:
Offering an enriched and unique environment; fostering and supporting the arts in all its dimensions and forms through inspiring, educating, mentoring, cultivating and nurturing artists of the future
Premises:
1. The OUSD downtown property should remain as an educational entity.
2. The OUSD downtown property can be a hub of creative activities that benefit the entire Ojai Community including its schools and its students while also serving as an artistic Mecca that would reach beyond Ojai.
3. Any proposed project should generate income to support itself.
4. A non-profit should be formed to create the highest and best use for the community and the school districts---keeping in mind that what will enhance the community as an artistic Mecca will also enhance the schools.
This Project is a Kanaloa Opportunity:
Doing the right thing,
in the right place,
at the right time,
with the right intention,
for the right reasons,
with the right people.
History leading us to this point:
1979- The OUHSD began to research to relocate, upgrade the educational programs and admin office from 414 E. Ojai Ave.
2008- “Request for Qualification" for relocation begins
2011- Committee forms and recommends to surplus the property & move district offices
2016- Board discussions, RFP is approved
2020- Were asked by the board to find the highest and best use; Board grants exclusive right to negotiate with playground Design LLC; Proposal for 200 room hotel + shops + parking structure
2021- Concept review is held; public outcry follows; the community rallies against the proposal
2021 continued…
A meeting is held by Playground LLC where they asked for public input.
Marc submitted the concept for the Ojai Institute for the Arts as an alternative proposal.
Laura from the Newspaper got a hold of the proposal and published it.
Marc have received overwhelming support from the community on the proposal.
What’s next?
A community meeting is planned for May 18 at 5:30 PM at the Ojai retreat with the intent of hearing out the community and getting their feedback.
Upcoming election in November
-We would like to support candidates who are in alignment with our goals.
President Watson finished the meeting with a quote:
One can compare art education to the solid foundation for a house - once it's built properly, it will hold any shape or form you will place on it.
Igor Babailov
