Thanks go to Bill Prather for stepping in as Official Greeter!  His question of the day: “What do you think about Zoom?  There was a full spectrum of responses:

 

“It’s not as good as meeting in person but gives us an opportunity to gather and extend our fellowship.”

 

“It gives us an opportunity to meet, where it may be challenging to attend a live meeting.”

 

“It is an opportunity be creative.”  We have been serenaded, had scavenger hunts, and craft talks worthy of an Oscar nod.

 

It seems that Zoom is here to stay and may be an alternative, when we cannot make the live meetings, but nothing takes the place of the hugs, and personal aspects of a live meeting.

 

Don Reed led the Pledge of Allegiance to this great Country.

 

Bryant Huber’s Invocation was a quote from Jimi Hendrix: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. “

 

Thank you, Don for leading the pledge and Bryant for the invocation, Betsy for facilitating our Zoom meeting, Bill for being our greeter today and Dr. Carl Gross serving as our Reminder Editor.

 

 

Larry Beckett introduced Judy Beckett.

There were no Rotarian Guests.

 

 

Tara Saylor was at Azu, putting the final touches on her video for Taste of Ojai.  If you have not, buy your tickets now.  See if you can be a sponsor. Get someone else to be a sponsor.  Tara and her crew have done a fantastic job in putting together this virtual event. For more details go to our website at tasteofojai.org. Tara recognized Andy Gilman’s efforts on social media in promoting the event. Go on the site.

 

 

$40 Local Restaurant Gift Certificate OR Ojai Box of Local Goodies

 

Taste of Ojai Music Playlist

 

Virtual Beer Tasting w/Ojai Valley Brewery

 

Virtual Wine Tasting w/Majestic Oak and Topa Mountain Winery

 

Online Access to Videos and the Live Auction

 

Downloadable Recipe Book

 

 

Christine Golden went over some of the fabulous auction items including a weekend at Faria Beach, tutorials, and many more items.

 

Deirdre Daly happily announced that the “pass the hat” netted $446 for Greg Webster’s new baby.

 

Mike Weaver reported on the activities of the Peace Committee. Local Ojai students were recognized for their efforts as Peace Ambassadors.

 

 

Therese Brown told us about upcoming programs.

 

10/23/2020-Bret Bradigan—Ghost Stories of the Underground Railroad.

 

10/30/2020—Fifth Friday at Boccali’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were a few confessions:

 

 

Judy Gabriel’s son, Zander is a world class skateboarder and has had his competitions cancelled due to the CoVid issues.  He was invited to submit a video of his skateboarding and won the event, banking 2,500 Euros.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janet Mahon celebrated her 39^th birthday at Morro Bay

 

 

 

 

Pradeep Kapadia dropped in from his Seattle encampment to share with us his work on CoVid medications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Reed shared with the Club that the astrophysics class at Thacher made a significant recovery and was published in the Astrophysics Journal.  Dr. Swift and his students are doing phenomenal work with their telescope.

 

Sue Gilbreth hiked on the Allan Jacobs trail and crossed the Allan Jacobs Bridge.  She reports the trail is complete and a joy to walk.

The fining portion centered around the Supreme Court.  Cheree, Marty Pops, and others were grilled on the finer points of the Supremes.

 

 

 

 

Therese Brown introduced our own Jennifer Berry.

 

Jennifer joined the CREW in 2019 after serving over 10 years as director of wilderness-based residential camps for children, teens, and young adults.  Her lifelong commitment to experiential education and environmental stewardship has bound a home among the staff and community of the CREW.  Jennifer earned an MA in Global Studies & Nonprofit Leadership at UC Santa Barbara and a BA in Global Studies from Long Island University.

 

 

Stewart Canyon Creek winds through Ojai, in the upper reaches of the Ventura River Watershed.  This waterway is a vital lifeline for local wildlife and a source of beauty and joy for residents.

 

Why Restoration?  Over the past 30 years, invasive and water-intensive trees have taken hold in many parts of our waterways.  In their abundant growth, they reduce flow in the creek down to a trickle and restrict the health and biodiversity of the plants and animals that would normally live here.  The non-native vegetation is also far more flammable than native oaks and other types – and every effort to reduce wildfire danger is potentially life-saving.

 

About the Project: In spring 2020, the City of Ojai, in partnership with The CREW and Pax Environmental, was awarded a large restoration grant from CA Department of Fish & Wildlife.  Restoration will take place along ½ mile of the creek and its banks, covering 10 acres altogether.  Over the next four years we will replace hundreds of eucalyptus and palm trees with oaks, willows, and over a dozen different types of native plants.  The restoration includes pathways and seating areas for visitors to enjoy, while also providing protection for wildlife.

 

What Are the Benefits?  We will remove trash and flammable debris from the entire 10-acre area.  Without the water-intensive invasive trees, flow and volume in the creek will increase and provide more abundant habitat for plants and animals.  The restoration area is already home to hundreds of native trees that will remain in place and protected during non-native removal.  Together with the newly planted vegetation, these trees will ultimately provide more shade and maintain the privacy of homeowners living along the waterway.  Educational workshops for community members, and field trips for school children are included as an essential part of this project.

 

Want to Know More?  Contact The CREW at 805-649-8847 or jberry@thecrew.org.  We’ll answer any questions and get you connected with sources for updates as the project progresses.  Keep an eye out for opportunities to participate in planting events, educational workshops, and more!

 

 

Jennifer, Thank-You for a great program!