Smart Meters Update

Until July 9 you can now Opt-Out of receiving a Smart Meter. You must call 1-800-810-2369 (English) or 1-800-477-4455 (Spanish) and ask to be placed on the Opt-Out list, even if you already called and were placed on the Delay List. Residents who now have the Digital Meters can have them removed and replaced back with Analog Meters.
**Please note** Edison will bill you a one time charge of $75 and a monthly fee of $10 for this option.
The Coalition strongly supports educating ourselves and making an informed decision. Here are some sites from both sides of the fence that might help .
Learn More: Edison SmartConnect – Ventura District Overview
Other links:
www.stopsmartmetersnow.com
www.cpuc.ca.gov
www.smartmeters.com
www.stopsmartmeters.org

See Earlier “Smart Meter” Article/Event from last year, for more details:
Oct 25th – What Is a Smart Meter? Come Join Us

Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance Update

At the February 28 city council meeting Executive Director Deborah Pendrey gave a heartfelt presentation and several individuals along with representatives from the Surfrider Foundation and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper gave further testimony as to the importance of passing the ordinance (some support conditional on changes to the ordinance). Council members requested several changes, but with a vote 5 to 0, supported the ordinance, and on March 13 a final reading will be done and the ordinance is expected to officially become law! Now, the ordinance is a ban on plastic bags (state law does not allow a fee on them) with a fee on paper bags because the point is to reduce all single-use point of sale bags.

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From the GMO Labeling Initiative Front

“The goal of the ballot initiative is simply that GE (genetically engineered) food be labeled” – Jan Dietrick and Ron Whitehurst
Thank you Jan and Ron for your tireless leadership, time, and effort!
If you agree we have a right to know and are a registered voter, but have not signed yet, please make a point of doing so at one of these locations before April 22. For sites outside of Ojai go to www.labelgmos.org/ventura.
– Ojai Farmers’ Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays
Businesses hosting tables with petitions for Ventura County registered voters only:
– Rainbow Bridge, 211 E. Matilija St., Ojai
– Ojai House, 304 N. Montgomery St., Ojai
– Farmer and the Cook, 339 W. El Roblar Dr., Ojai

Continue reading “From the GMO Labeling Initiative Front”

Anyone Out There Want to Save Money and Conserve Energy?

If you want to save money and lighten your ecological footprint, read on. At the last community gathering we announced the roll-out of our Ojai Energy Efficiency Initiative with the long term goal of a “Net Zero” valley. The initiative is an educational outreach program to connect energy consumers to the newest technologies and funding resources to help lessen our overall energy consumption.

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Mar. 3rd – THE WORLD OF CITRUS, PRESERVING OUR HARVEST

On Saturday, March 3, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., the OVGC Food Council is hosting Master Food Preserver, Laurie Dill at Casa de Luna (710 S. La Luna, Meiners Oaks) who will present the many uses for a variety of citrus fruit.
From facial scrubs to chutneys, flavored salts and sugars, to jams and marmalades, lemons, blood oranges, tangerines and grapefruits will be the celebrities of the day. Whether you just want to surprise your family or think about starting a small business in citrus condiments, this presentation is bound to please. Tastings, recipes, demos and discussion from an animated presenter, Laurie promises to delight and tantalize your senses.

Most of us have heard about the Master Gardener program through the University of California, but who knew that there is a complementary program, the Master Food Preservers? These programs began as a result of World War II food insecurity when all the farmers went off to war and the kitchen “Victory” garden movement began to feed American families.
While the gardening program continued to modern day, the food preserving program faded into history as easy cash, fast food and microwaves ruled the day. Well, the Master Food Preserver program has been found, dusted off, and is ramping back up through the University of California, as communities like the Ojai Valley strive to grow more of our own food and stretch the harvest. Think peaches in December. Actually, think WAY beyond canning. Canning fruits and vegetables is just one method of preserving food; add freezing, drying, fermenting and non-food products to the list.
$30 OVGC members, $35 non-members payable at the door. RSVPs requested since there’s food being prepared ahead to ojaiculinaryclub@gmail.com. For more information email or call (805) 669-8445.
DOWNLOAD FLYER
DIRECTIONS TO: Casa de la Luna:
Easiest way to get here from downtown Ojai:
Head back out of town as if you are going to Ventura on 150/33 (go west on Ojai Avenue past Vons. The street name will change to Ventura Avenue).
Turn right at the light on Baldwin.
At the second street, turn right. This is S. La Luna Avenue.
Continue on La Luna for nearly a mile. The road will be pretty much straight until you see a yellow 30 mph curve warning sign on the right.
Turn right into the first driveway after the yellow sign.
The address 710 is painted white on a rock, and also is on the wall as you enter. There is also a sign painted on the wall (“Casa de La Luna”).
Drive past the horses, past the first house (guest house), past the greenhouse and apartments, until you reach the large main house. The event will be in the main house.
From Ventura, people would come up the hill (Highway 33) and turn left on Baldwin.

March E-News 2012

Check out the Ojai Valley Green Coalition’s monthly E-news:

* Anyone Out There Want to Save Money and Conserve Energy?
* Creek Habitat Restoration Work Has Resumed in Libbey Park
* From the GMO Labeling Initiative Front
* Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance Update
Read E-News Here…

Feb. 25th – Join Us for Ojai’s Own First Annual Community Seed Swap!

Spring is coming, and what better time to gather in the beautiful Ojai Valley to share seeds! All gardeners and farmers – both current and aspiring – are invited to join in the fun on Saturday, February 25, at 1:00 p.m. Bring your seeds, bring your stories, and bring your passion for growing food to the Chaparral Auditorium located at 414 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai.
Ojai’s First Annual Community Seed Swap will begin with a short talk by Justin Huhn, co-founder of All Good Things Organic Seeds – southern California’s bioregional seed company. Justin will share the basic “how-to’s” for beginner seed-savers and delve into the importance of seed saving to our community.

If you have a substantial offering of seeds to share and would like table space for your seeds, please arrive no later than 12:45. This event is hosted by All Good Things Organic Seeds and the Ojai Valley Green Coalition. We hope to see you February 25 at Chaparral. For more information, please contact Justin Huhn at 805-758-3184 or agtoseeds@gmail.com. To learn more about All Good Things Organic Seeds go to www.agtoseeds.com.

Continue reading “Feb. 25th – Join Us for Ojai’s Own First Annual Community Seed Swap!”

Feb. 28th – Tell Ojai City Council What You Think

Coming before the Ojai City Council is a single-use carryout bag ban/fee ordinance. At its basis, the ordinance bans plastic bags and places a fee on recycled content paper bags (state law does not allow a fee to be placed on plastic bags). The council will do its first reading of the ordinance on February 28, at 7:30pm, at which time the Coalition will give a five minute presentation. The council is tentatively slated to vote on the ordinance March 13. We encourage you to attend these meetings and voice your support for the ordinance. At the same time, letters to the editor and online conversations at the Ojai Valley News and Ojai Post help the cause.
To read the ordinance go to the Ojai city website and read the Bag Ordinance .pdf.
City of Ojai: website.
Public Meetings will take place in the Council Chambers at the Ojai City Hall unless otherwise noted. City Hall is located at 401 S Ventura St, Ojai CA.