Ojai Peace Coalition: Action Blog

Let The Sunshine In! (Feb Actions)

2009-02-13T11:37:00.000-08:00

DON'T FORCE DIVORCE rally today!
Marriage Equality Rally
When: Friday February 13, 2009 11:30a - 1:30p
Where: Ventura County Government Center 800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA (Meet at the fountain)
What: Join the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance, Stonewall Democrats of Ventura County, and COLOR for a rally to show our resolve to overturn Prop 8 and to show support for the 18,000+ same-sex couples who were legally married in 2008

Season for Nonviolence continues!
The Season for Nonviolence continues with daily mantras designed to increase our awareness of ourselves, each other, and our planet! Here is a handful of current ones, and you can check in each day on the Ojai Post:
Feb 13: Today, I will speak with kindness, respect, and patience to every person that I talk with on the telephone.
Feb 14: Today, I will affirm my value and worth with positive "self talk" and refuse to put myself down.
Feb 15: Today, I will tell the truth and speak honestly from the heart.
Feb 16: Today, I will cause a ripple effect of good by an act of kindness toward another.
Feb 17: Today, I will choose to use my talents to serve others by volunteering a portion of my time.

Be A Citizen Diplomat for Iran
I believe in a peaceful solution to conflict with Iran, and elsewhere.
I believe that our country's leadership must seek those solutions, but that citizens like me have a role to play too.
I pledge to be a citizen diplomat, so I will:
... Stay informed and learn about Iran.
... Talk to friends and family, and ask for their help.
... Take action to support the new administration in pursuing diplomacy.

Sound good? Sign on with Peace Action West HERE.

I ♥ You, Our Planet, & Other Humans!
copied from The Ojai Post, by author Raymond Powers:
I want to encourage everyone to start thinking now , if you are going to give gifts, about buying fairtrade/organic chocolate for Valentines day, cards from recycled materials and organically grown flowers.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/valentines/index.cfm

Over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), where the International Labor Organization (ILO) and US State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Exploitation of cacao farmers and farm workers is the global norm in the chocolate industry, rather than the exception.

Meanwhile organizations such as the Pesticide Action Network point out that commercial flowers, produced in countries such as Colombia, are the most toxic and heavily sprayed agricultural crops on Earth. The high profits of the transnational flower exporters are derived from poisoning the land and farmers, while forcing workers in the flower industry, often young women, to work 18 hour days for poverty wages during peak flower buying times such as Valentine's Day.

Aquarians, Arise!
You know the song (even if you know it best from the end credits of The 40-Year-Old Virgin), and now it's here! According to its Wikipedia entry, the Age of Aquarius begins tomorrow and is marked by "electricity, computers, flight, democracy, freedom, humanitarianism, idealists, modernization, rebels and rebellion, mental diseases, nervous disorders, and astrology. Other keywords and ideas believed associated with Aquarius are nonconformity, philanthropy, veracity, perseverence, mankind and irresolution."

Sounds fun, huh? Most of us are probably more familiar with The Fifth Dimension's 1969 lyrics:
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

Green Coalition's "Solar Night"
The Ojai Valley Green Coalition presents this presentation is designed for Ojai Valley residents to learn about solar electric systems. Members of the Energy Committee will show a comprehensive slide show about the solar electric industry, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with solar specialist on the committee. Attendees will learn about utility power, solar power, costs and financing, and how to determine if you're a good candidate for solar power.
Wednesday February 25, 2009 * 7:00 - 8:30pm * $2 donation appreciated

Nonviolent Communication in March
It's not too early to think about putting another tool in your Peace belt (or sharpening it if you've already got it) by attending Marshall Rosenberg's annual Nonviolent Communication training in Santa Barbara!This year it'll be on March 28-29 at Santa Barbara City College's Schott Center. HERE is a contact form for more info, or you can contact me and i'll see about setting up a carpool!You can learn more about this life-affirming language model at The Center for Nonviolent Communication's website.

2009-01-09T00:53:00.000-08:00

Carpool to Gaza Protest, Saturday January 10

Ventura County Caravan to
National Day of Emergency Mass Action
in LA at Westwood Federal Building
(11000 Wilshire Blvd)

Ojai, 9:30 am at Full of Beans parking lot on 11534 N Ventura Ave Ojai. RSVPhola2tanya@yahoo.com or call 805-421-9708

Ventura, 10 am at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 4360 E. Main St. corner with Telephone Rd.
Call 805-641-1789 if you are interested. No calls, no ride! (Go to TO instead.)

Thousand Oaks, 10:30 am at TO Trans Center, Rancho & Hwy 101

Contact organizers at 805-241-0708 or answervc@riseup.net

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Gaza: Two More (Online) Actions
1. Sign this email letter to our Senators and Representatives urging support for immediate ceasefire, ending the blockade on Gaza, and diplomatic efforts in the region.
Sponsored by Peace Action West.

2. The Network of Spiritual Progressives is planning to run a full-page ad in some major newspapers, appealing to President-Elect Obama to get involved in the Middle East peace process. Read the proposed ad's text HERE, and sign onto it (with an option to donate) HERE.
Sponsored by Network of Spiritual Progressives.

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Push YOUR Issues to the Top!
There are TONS of vital issues scrambling for priority on Obama's desk, all asking for supportive votes to make it into the coveted "Top Ten". Whatever YOUR favorite issues are, find them and support them at Change.org so that the new Administration takes them to heart!

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E-Waste Recycling Event, 402 W. Ojai Ave
January 10, 2009 9:00am-1:00pm

In partnership with Ojai Community Bank, Ojai Valley Directory and Gold Coast Recycling & Tranfer, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition will hold a recycling event Saturday, January 10 in the bank parking lot located at 402 W. Ojai Avenue from 9am to 1pm. Gold Coast will be accepting for recycling most types of electronics including computers, monitors and all accessories, TVs, radios, stereos and small appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. The Coalition will be accepting household batteries (limit 5 pounds), ink and toner cartridges, cds and dvds, ipods, cell phones and incandescent holiday lights. The event is open to all Ojai Valley residents and businesses.
from ojaievents.com

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Annual MLK Day Celebration - Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 in Libbey Park fountain area (rain location Matilija Jr. Hi auditorium). Sponsored by the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation. Youth lead a celebration of Dr. King's life with music, art and activities..all for Free!

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The Truth: Still Inconvenient, but now Updated and Revised!
The Ojai Valley Green Coalition welcomes Al Gore-trained Climate Jedi Gretchen Lewotsky to our Ecology and Community series Wednesday January 28, 2009 · 7:00 pm $5 donation.

Download the PDF event flyer HERE.

Inconvenient Truth slideshow and discussion with Gretchen Lewotsky Currently VP of State & Local Government Affairs and Environmental Operations for the Fox Entertainment Group, in January 2007 Gretchen was chosen by Al Gore's The Climate Project to be one of the 1000 persons selected world-wide to be trained by Al Gore to present his An Inconvenient Truth slideshow.
from the Ojai Valley Green Coalition.

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Season for Nonviolence begins January 30th
January 30th is the memorial date of Gandhi's assassination (this year is the 61st), and the Season for Nonviolence runs the 64 days between this date and Martin Luther King Jr's assassination date, April 4th.

One practice of this national campaign has been to dedicate each of the 64 days to a different mantra, committing oneself to nonviolence in thought, feeling, and action. Beginning on January 30, the first handful of mantras that i've traditionally used follows:

Jan 30: Today, I will reflect on what peace means to me.
Jan 31: Today, I will look at opportunities to be a peacemaker.
Feb 01: Today, I will practice nonviolence and respect for Mother Earth by making good use of her resources.
Feb 02: Today, I will take time to admire and appreciate nature.
Feb 03: Today, I will plant seeds--plants or constructive ideas.
Feb 04: Today, I will hold a vision of plenty for all the world's hungry and be open to guidance as to how I can help alleviate some of that hunger.
Feb 05: Today, I will acknowledge every human being's fundamental right to justice, equity, and equality.
Feb 06: Today, I will appreciate the earth's bounty and all of those who work to make my food available (i.e., grower, trucker, grocery clerk, cook, waitress, etc.)
Feb 07: Today, I will work to understand and respect another culture.
Feb 08: Today, I will oppose injustice, not people.
Feb 09: Today, I will look beyond stereotypes and prejudices.

2009-01-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

You can download/print a pdf of this flyer HERE.

Happy International Human Rights Day!

2008-12-09T23:30:00.000-08:00

OPC on Radio Ojai!
i wrote a song to celebrate the Unitarian Universalist holiday called Chalica, and it got me invited to appear on Radio Ojai, where i got to plug the Ojai Peace Coalition!

Listen to the song and interview HERE. Thanks again, Lisa!!

Marriage Equality: Invalid8!
Two Equality California-sponsored resolutions will make it official state policy, when they are approved by the Legislature, that Prop 8 should be overturned. Write your legislators now to urge them to support the invalidation of Prop 8 and vote for SR 7 (Leno) and AR 5 (Ammiano). Prop 8 eliminates the fundamental right to marry and allows a slim majority to take away the equal protections of a minority, which violates one of the founding principles of our Constitution. The resolutions state the measure should have been approved by a two-thirds vote in the Legislature before going to voters. Urge your representatives to support these resolutions by taking action HERE.

Today is also "Day Without A Gay", where supporters of marriage equality are organizing to take the day off from work and do community service instead. Can't get off work or hearing about this too late? They've got a page of suggestions of other supportive actions to take!

Some important links:
Equality California
Join The Impact
Courage Campaign's petition to repeal Prop 8

Int'l Human Rights Day!
Today is the 60th anniversary of the UN's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We've come so far, and clearly have so much more to do. Stay connected with the Day's happenings and read the Declaration at the official UN Human Rights Day site!

Green Coalition's "Day Without A Bag"
When you go to the store to shop for groceries on Saturday, Dec. 20, you will be offered a free reusable shopping bag, compliments of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition and its partners. Ojai's first Day Without A Bag is being staged to encourage the use of reusable bags, which will save landfill space, clean up our waterways, and reduce the amount of oil consumed and the amount of global greenhouse gases emitted in the manufacture of throw-away plastic bags.

Partners who helped underwrite the cost of the reusable bags include the City of Ojai, Ojai Certified Farmers' Market, Ken Wright & Sons, Harrison Industries, Consolidated Disposal Services, Water Conservation Technologies Inc., and Showerminder.

The Green Coalition tables offering the bags will be located at Vons, Starr, Rite Aid, Rainbow Bridge and Westridge Markets.

Wanna Work for Obama?
"Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today."
President-Elect Barack Obama

The transition team for the President-Elect is already working hard to enter the White House smoothly and efficiently, and they're using front-edge web technologies and presence to provide transparency and involve the American people in a way never before seen!

Visit Change.gov to learn about the Transition Team's progress and plans, make suggestions to the new administration, and even apply for a job!

(and for fun, check out Super Obama World, a web-based video game featuring our 44th president!)

Website Improvement Survey!
i've received some great feedback about what's important to you in a peace action website.

Well, from eleven of you.

Please take a moment to take the new survey (just four questions!) so you can help me decide what's valuable! There are nearly 400 addresses on this list! Please make your voice heard...i'd love to launch the new Action Blog at the beginning of the new year!

Happy Peacemas!
The HolyDays are upon us, and Peace is always in style! Visit The Official OPC Store and the PeaceHand Store for great holiday goodies that support the Ojai Peace Coalition!

(there's also a giant list of other peace-themed online retailers in the right-side column of this very page!)

Equality, Thanksgiving, and Federal Jobs

2008-11-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

The election was bittersweet for me, as we in a single evening advanced civil rights nationally and denied them here in California. Nevertheless, HOPE seems to be the prevalent attitude among those who continue to struggle for justice and equality!

As has been my custom, i'll go on OPC-lite during the holidays, meaning that i'll likely send out just one email in December. In fact, i'll continue in that vein for several months, until my wife finishes nursing school, in order to budget more of my energy for family and home. i already know that you support me in that, so i thank you.

Peace,
-evan

Marriage Equality: Join the Impact!
Ever since Proposition 8's passage, rallies and protests have been held each day at various locations not only here in California, but across our nation! While the violence and vandalism that makes good news fodder does not reflect the Ojai Peace Coalition's values, there are plenty of opportunities to create meaningful protest that does.

TOMORROW, Saturday November 15th, is a national day of protest for people to march in support of marriage equality and civil rights. Ojai residents are being asked to join the Ventura march, beginning at 12:00 noon from Mission Park.

Some important links:
Join The Impact, official site
Ventura's event page, with map
Courage Campaign's petition to repeal Prop 8

AIR at Ojai Theatre, November 15th
The Ojai Valley Green Coalition will show the film 'Air' on November 15 at 4:30pm at the Ojai Theatre. The film was produced by the US EPA and the Ventura County Air Pollution District, among others. It presents the biography of air, current issues and solutions to problems in a 41-minute high definition format. It includes state-of-the-art film techniques that blend animation with footage of atmospheric phenomena and live-action re-creations. The program flyer is HERE.

(make note of their LED Holiday Light Strand Exchange on November 23rd, too!)

one day. one meal. one city.
"at the very foundations of our american story is a day of pause and of thanks where one shared a table with another. a day when color, class, and religion were laid down for the cause of solidarity. a day to embrace our neighbors, young and old, rich and poor, housed or not. ventura remembers this day with a one city thanksgiving day family celebration."

The City of Ventura is hosting a FREE Thanksgiving Day celebration from 11am to 2pm with live music, jolly jumps, crafts, and food! Meal is served at Knights of Columbus and activities are at Figueroa Plaza and Mission Park. More details HERE.

Wanna Work for Obama?
"Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today."

President-Elect Barack Obama

The transition team for the President-Elect is already working hard to enter the White House smoothly and efficiently, and they're using front-edge web technologies and presence to provide transparency and involve the American people in a way never before seen!

Visit Change.gov to learn about the Transition Team's progress and plans, make suggestions to the new administration, and even apply for a job!

(and for fun, check out Super Obama World, a web-based video game featuring our 44th president!)

Happy Peacemas!
The HolyDays are upon us, and Peace is always in style! Visit The Official OPC Store and the PeaceHand Store for great holiday goodies that support the Ojai Peace Coalition!

Write To Marry Day!

2008-10-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Whaddaya say, Ojai Peace Coalition? What are the connections between Prop 8 and Peace?

In With The New!

2008-10-28T00:42:00.000-07:00

The end of the year approaches, bringing all things NEW! New members, new survey to build a new website, and new leadership and laws after the election!

Prop 8: Peaceful Protest This Thursday
If you're passionate about democracy, equal rights, and separation of church and state, please join us for a peaceful protest in opposition to Proposition 8 (same-sex marriage ban) on Thursday October 30th from 4:30 to 6:00pm at the Y intersection in Ojai. You may arrive and leave whenever you like and there will be signs available for you, but you may also make and bring your own!

The Obama office on Matilija Street and Montgomery has yard signs if you need one (or a dozen!).

Ojai Day Report-Out
Ojai Day was on Saturday the 18th, and the Ojai Peace Coalition had a nice presence inside Libbey Park. THANK YOU to all the volunteers who staffed the table throughout the day with smiles, information, and grace! THANK YOU as well to the 17 new members who signed up, and for whom this is your first OPC email! WELCOME!

Our main action was dramatically successful, with 70 new signatures gathered on our petition to the Ojai City Council to adopt a Resolution to End the War. i don't have a total signature count right now, but it's a LOT! After we see who our new councilmembers are (after the election) we'll be figuring out when a strategic time to present them our campaign might be. Meanwhile, you can sign it and share it via this link:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ojai_iraq/index.html

finally, participation in Ojai Day cost us $95 (plus a refunded $50 cleaning deposit), and we brought in $54 in donations. That means we invested $41 in being a part of our community's cultural event! Money well spent, methinks.

Happy Peacemas!
The HolyDays are upon us, and Peace is always in style! Visit The Official OPC Store and the PeaceHand Store for great holiday goodies that support the Ojai Peace Coalition!

(there's also a giant list of other peace-themed online retailers on our Action Blog)

Website Improvement Survey!
i've become familiar with some powerful new web tools that could improve our website tremendously. So, i've created a new survey so you can help me decide what's valuable! there are just four questions...please take a moment!

OPC 2008 Voting Guide
You can download our 2008 voting guide as a pdf HERE. My strongest recommendations are for Suza Francina for Ojai City Council, YES on Proposition 2, and NO on Proposition 8.

You can read about Suza Francina HERE.

You can read about Prop 2 HERE, and spk's insightful challenge of our Prop 11 recommendation HERE.

You can read a lengthy and enlightening discussion about Prop 8 HERE.

Ojai Day for Peace!

2008-10-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

Ojai Day is this Saturday October 18th, and the Ojai Peace Coalition has a space in Libbey Park! This message is all about volunteering to make Peace a visible part of our culture!
Peace,
-evan

In This Message:
Ojai Peace Vigil: New Hour
Ojai Day mandala
Ojai Day, Oct 18
OPC Voting Guide

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Ojai Peace Vigil: New Hour

The Ojai Peace Vigil, held every Friday evening under the Pergola in front of Libbey Park, will change to winter hours - 5:00 to 6:00pm - starting this Friday October 17th.

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Ojai Day Mandala, Friday 17th

If you live in Ojai, you are probably familiar with the huge mandala that's painted in the main intersection of Ojai Ave and Signal Street every year for Ojai Day. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP CREATE IT??

Creation of the actual mandala itself will take place on Friday, October 17th at 10:30pm at Ojai Avenue and Signal Street! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Ojai Day, October 18th!!

Ojai Day is Saturday October 18th, and the Ojai Peace Coalition will be tabling in the Non-Profit section inside Libbey Park! We'll have some of our unique peace-goodies for sale, some materials to give away, and a petition or two to sign.
Please volunteer some time to staff the table, as it's required to be up all day long! We are in space #635 inside Libbey Park, and are required to set up between 8 and 9am. The event begins at 10am and ends at 5pm, and we are not allowed to break down before 5.
Here are the shifts that need filling, requiring at least two people each:

Setup: 8:30-9:30am
Shift 1: 9:30-11:30am
Shift 2: 11:30am-1:30pm
Shift 3: 1:30-3:30pm
Shift 4: 3:30-5:30pm
Breakdown: 5:00-6:00pm

Please email me right away with the shift(s) that you can fill...this is only a few days away, and i cannot be there all day! This job will require sitting, talking, and being peaceful. :)
If you can't do that, please consider sending a little cash our way to help defray the cost of participating!

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OPC 2008 Voting Guide...coming NOW!

THANK YOU to the few who've let me know what you think about some of the persons and propositions that we'll be voting on soon!
After input from you and review of over a dozen sources that we commonly feature the actions of because we share values, here's the breakdown:

President and Vice President
Barack Obama & Joe Biden

State Assembly
Ferial Masry

United States Representative
Marta Ann Jorgensen

State Senator
Hannah-Beth Jackson

Ojai City Council (choose two)
Suza Francina

Propositions:
1 - High Speed Rail Bonds:NO
2 - Standards for Confining Farm Animals:YES
3 - Children's Hospital Bond Act:NO
4 - Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy:NO
5 - Nonviolent Drug Offenses, Sentencing, Parole, and Rehabilitation:YES
6 - Police and Law Enforcement Funding:NO
7 - Renewable Energy Generation:NO
8 - Eliminates Rights of Same-Sex Couples to Marry:NO
9 - Criminal Justice System, Victims' Rights, Parole:NO
10 - Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy:NO
11 - Redistricting:YES
12 - Veterans' Bond Act of 2008:YES

For those of you going to the polls on November 4th (as opposed to voting from home, which you can do now if you received your absentee ballot in the mail), i'll try to attach a printable pdf of these recommendations in my next message, so you can take it with you!

Sources include The Santa Barbara Independent, League of Women Voters, Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry Action Network, Friends Committee on Legislation, Church IMPACT, American Civil Liberties Union, California Labor Federation, Sierra Club California, California Chamber of Commerce, and the League of Conservation Voters.

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Peace!
evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

Live and Garden Peace!

2008-08-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

Today is the 63rd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan by the United States. In this Nuclear-Free Future Month, please find what you can do to rid our world of nuclear weapons. One idea is HERE.

in Peace,
-evan

IN THIS POST:
A Public Space for Peace
Living Peace in Ojai event!
Volunteers needed for Fair tabling!
Farmer's Market petitioning
Radio: Play "One Love" for Peace Day

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Weekly Peace Vigil Time Change

From Clive and Marion Leeman:
Because of the summer heat, the Ojai Peace Vigil, which is now in its fifth year, will start at 6 pm (6-7 pm) next Friday, August 8. We will change back to 5 pm at the end of the Fall.

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A Public Space for Peace

Ventura's Beyond War team, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, the Peace Coalition of Greater Ventura, and Ventura County Veterans for Peace will dedicate Ventura's first public peace garden and peace pole at the site of the city's historic rallies and marches to end war, as well as hold a commemoration and vigil on the anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

SATURDAY AUGUST 9 (NAGASAKI DAY), 1:00PM, PLAZA PARK - VENTURA

BACKGROUND:
In order to create a public space for peace, honor our culture of nonviolence and beautify our community, the City of Ventura has approved two peace gardens and peace poles. The first one in Plaza Park is a circular garden with perennial flowers whose centerpiece is an 8-foot cedar peace pole, inscribed with "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in braille and eight languages: Hindi, English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Persian, the Venturan variant of Chumash, and Japanese.

The dedication of the peace garden coincides with CPR's annual observation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki days. August 9 is the 63rd anniversary of the use of nuclear weapons against a civilian population. CPR supports the abolition of nuclear weapons worldwide.

The event will include speakers, a white dove release, silent vigil, and a bell ceremony.

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Living Peace In Ojai event!

The second-annual "Living Peace in Ojai" event is hot and heavy in the planning stages, and is scheduled for the weekend of September 19th through 21st, the last day being the actual International Day of Peace. There are lots of offerings this year that are new from last year, and this promises to be a great weekend!

The Ojai Peace Coalition has secured a traditional role as the keepers of the Friday-night opening ceremonies (last year we recieved a Proclamation from the City, awarded our first-ever Noble Peace Prize, and screened the film Peace One Day), and we're honored to be filling that role again this year. i have a vision for creating that evening, but i'd like more input and volunteers to help, particularly the Noble Peace Prize Action Team, whom i will email separately (if you wanna be on that Team, let me know!). IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE RESPOND AND WE'LL SET UP A MEETING.
What i DO know is that we'll again recieve a Proclamation from the City, award our second annual Noble Peace Prize, and screen either a film or some student videos.
THERE IS ALSO A GENERAL NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR AD SPACE IN THE PROGRAM BOOK!
· if you want to help put on this community event, please email Elizabeth or call her at 805-798-0626
· if you want to buy an ad, contact Diane at Soul Centered at 640-8222 or email
me for rates.

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Volunteers needed for Fair tabling!

Just outside the County Fair's main entrance gates is a "free speech zone" of sorts, where community groups are allowed to table for their various pursuits. Our local Veterans for Peace have been there for several years, and they are joined this year by two new friends: VC Stop the War and the Ventura Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War...and they need our help!

The Ventura County Committee to Stop the War, of which the OPC is a member organization, currently has a petition campaign underway to end military recruitment in Ventura County, and more specifically to CLOSE the Oxnard recruiting center. If this is a key issue to you, contact John to find out when you're needed!

Iraq Veterans Against the War has a small and relatively new chapter here in Ventura County, led by my good friend Cherish. i spent some time with them recently handing out informational material in downtown Ventura, and wrote about it on the Ojai Post. IVAW's three goals are:
· Immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq;
· Reparations for the human and structural damages Iraq has suffered, and stopping the corporate pillaging of Iraq so that their people can control their own lives and future; and
· Full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other supports for returning servicemen and women.
They will be tabling at the fair this coming Friday and Saturday to gather support and to raise funds to send one or more of their members to the upcoming IVAW Conference in Colorado. If you are supportive of their goals, contact Cherish to find out when you're needed!

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Farmer's Market petitioning

We still have an open campaign to gather signatures to petition the City of Ojai to adopt a resolution calling for an end to the War in Iraq. My goal is to present the gathered signatures sometime around International Peace Day, so we need to up the ante a little in terms of signature-gathering.

The petition exists online HERE, and you're welcome and encouraged to sign it there. In addition, i'd like to have some folks positioned at the Farmer's Market each Sunday until Peace Day to gather signatures from folks there (i'm open to more locations too, if there are volunteers at least in pairs). If this is something you have energy for, please let me know so i can schedule it!
email me
call: 805-746-3750

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Radio: Play "One Love" for Peace Day

A few folks from all over the planet have an idea: let's get radio stations around the world to all play Bob Marley's song "One Love" at the SAME TIME (9:21 GMT) on International Peace Day, Sunday September 21st!
SO...call or write your favorite radio station and ask them to get on board with this campaign! i wrote to KJEE, a rock station in Santa Barbara that plays Marley and has a reggae radio show on Sundays anyway!
here are your resources:
· write to KJEE 92.9
· the official campaign website
· the official petition
· the MySpace group
· the Facebook group

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Peace!
evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

2008-07-25T01:19:00.000-07:00

In This Post:
Another Great Parade!
Dear Army: Please Stop Shooting Pigs
Radio: Play "One Love" for Peace Day
Volunteers needed for Fair tabling!
Living Peace in Ojai needs volunteers!
Peace Pole update!!
Farmer's Market petitioning

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Another Great Parade!

Our entry felt really good to me and was well-received by the parade-watchers.
There's a clean, attractive energy to the whole "local food" thing, and the connections to Peace become more and more clear. For more photos, try THIS.
Of course, it takes many hands to make something like this happen! BIG THANKS and BIG LOVE go out to:
David for the use of the tractor
Ashly Piano Crafts for the use of the trailer
Kris for the inspiration, good energy, and hard work
Donna, Dallas, and Callie for painting the signs
MoveOn Ojai for financial support
Renee for the use of her Earth flag
McGrath Family Farms and Mud Creek Ranch for the cornstalks
ALL who carried signs, banners, and flags, helped construct and paint on the morning-of, made crafts and decorated bikes, and showed up with smiling faces for Peace!
Thanks also to Sue and Noel for hosting the peace-lovers' potluck that evening.
Brilliant community-building!

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Dear Army: Please Stop Shooting Pigs

As reported on the Ojai Post, the U.S. Army got approval from the Department of Agriculture to conduct medic training at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii by shooting live, anesthetized pigs with M4 and M16 rifles in order to train for managing traumatic battlefield wounds.

PETA and i wonder why other alternatives - such as sophisticated non-animal simulators or live training in inner-city hospitals - are not being used, and you can read a little more about the issue and send a message to some Army decision-makers HERE. If you're a Facebook user, you can also join this Group.

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Radio: Play "One Love" for Peace Day

A few folks from all over the planet have an idea: let's get radio stations around the world to all play Bob Marley's song "One Love" at the SAME TIME (9:21 GMT) on International Peace Day, Sunday September 21st!

SO...call or write your favorite radio station and ask them to get on board with this campaign! i wrote to KJEE, a rock station in Santa Barbara that plays Marley and has a reggae radio show on Sundays anyway!

here are your resources:
· write to KJEE 92.9
· the official campaign website
· the official petition
· the MySpace group
· the Facebook group

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Volunteers needed for Fair tabling!

Just outside the County Fair's main entrance gates is a "free speech zone" of sorts, where community groups are allowed to table for their various pursuits. Our local Veterans for Peace have been there for several years, and they are joined this year by two new friends: VC Stop the War and the Ventura Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War...and they need our help!

The Ventura County Committee to Stop the War, of which the OPC is a member organization, currently has a petition campaign underway to end military recruitment in Ventura County, and more specifically to CLOSE the Oxnard recruiting center. If this is a key issue to you, contact John to find out when you're needed!

Iraq Veterans Against the War has a small and relatively new chapter here in Ventura County, led by my good friend Cherish. i spent some time with them recently handing out informational material in downtown Ventura, and wrote
about it on the Ojai Post. IVAW's three goals are:
· Immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq;
· Reparations for the human and structural damages Iraq has suffered, and stopping the corporate pillaging of Iraq so that their people can control their own lives and future; and
· Full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other supports for returning servicemen and women.
They will be tabling at the fair to gather support and to raise funds to send one or more of their members to the upcoming IVAW Conference in Colorado. If you are supportive of their goals, contact Cherish to find out when you're needed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Living Peace in Ojai needs volunteers!

Last year's first-ever "Living Peace in Ojai" event was a success by all measures, rain and all. For our part, the OPC held the first screening of the inspiring film "Peace One Day" and awarded our first Noble Peace Prize (we'll award our second this year...more to come!)

The peace energy and support for this event has been building ever since, and this year promises to offer more than last year. Consequently, it's going to require more! It takes a community to build Peace, and it'll take a community to build a Peace event. We have offerings planned for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 19-21, with the last day being the actual date of this year's International Peace Day. If you have ANY time, talent, or treasure that you can share in support of local Peace, please contact the Living Peace volunteer coordinator Elizabeth at 805-798-0626.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace Pole update!!

It's been slow going, but i'm excited to report that our Peace Pole is very nearly ready to be passed into the hands of the local artists who have generously volunteered to grace it with their craft. My new goal is to plant this pole at its new home - Ojai House, on Montgomery Street - on Friday September 19th as part of the opening afternoon/evening of the Living Peace in Ojai weekend! i want it to be a big deal, not only because i feel personally invested in this project, but because it's a tremendous gift to our community and has been specifically funded by some of you. It's also sparking new ideas for additional poles throughout the valley! You'll hear much more about it as the Living Peace weekend approaches.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Farmer's Market petitioning

We still have an open campaign to gather signatures to petition the City of Ojai to adopt a resolution calling for an end to the War in Iraq. My goal is to present the gathered signatures sometime around International Peace Day, so we need to up the ante a little in terms of signature-gathering.

The petition exists online HERE, and you're welcome and encouraged to sign it there. In addition, i'd like to have some folks positioned at the Farmer's Market each Sunday until Peace Day to gather signatures from folks there (i'm open to more locations too, if there are volunteers at least in pairs). If this is something have energy for, please let me know so i can schedule it!

email me
call: 805-746-3750

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace!
evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

Final Parade Prep!

2008-06-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

Many people have emailed to let me know why they would not be available to help with the parade, as well as to express some heartfelt appreciation for the Ojai Peace Coalition's presence and role in the parade and in our community. One of the elements of culture is our holidays and celebrations, and so of course i agree that making Peace a part of this holiday is very much about culture-building and is a worthwhile pursuit.
My tremendous thanks go out right now to Kris Young, who has stepped forward this year as inspiration and energy and who i consider almost entirely responsible for our entry this year so far. When you see him on the 4th (probably driving our tractor!), please say thanks.
Below you will find all the details i can manage right now for our presence downtown on Independence Day. Enjoy!
in Peace,
-evan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday: Poster-Making!

We have a relatively low signage need this year, but we would still benefit from a time to get together and make them. Primarily our signs will consist of some of the advantages or issues that local eating brings along with it, such as greater security, energy conservation, and strengthened communities through personal relationships with our food providers.
If you can invest some time in making some of these signs, please meet at my home on Wednesday July 2 from 10am to noon. i live at 210 Grand Avenue, which is the apartment complex at the curve where Signal becomes Grand. i'll be there with posterboard, paints, markers, stapleguns, tape, and wood slats.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FRIDAY is Independence Day!

This Friday is July 4th, and the parade begins at 10am. We will gather where we always have: at the eastern end of the Matilija Junior High School campus, at 9am.

By that time, our float - a flatbed trailer pulled by a farm tractor - should be all put together and decorated. We will have a need for a few sign- and banner-carriers.

We still need an Earth Flag!! If you have one you can lend for that day, please let me know NOW.

I will have cold, distilled water for walkers, along with cups that i can collect afterwards for re-use.

In solidarity with our theme of local agriculture, please dress as you might to work in the garden or on the farm (keeping in mind that it will be HOT that day!), including actual produce and gardening tools!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace-Lover's Potluck after parade!

Sue Williamson is hosting a potluck party for all Peace and Freedom Lovers after the parade on Friday, complete with a spectacular view of the fireworks show!
The gathering is at 47 Taormina Lane at 6:30pm, and you're welcome to park on the Theosophical Community's Mesa so that the roads aren't too congested.
There will be a security guard at the entrance to Taormina, so give them Sue Williamson's name and the address: #47. Fireworks usually begin at 9pm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

See you soon,
evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

2008-06-24T01:15:00.000-07:00

It looks as though i have something like 6-8 confirmed volunteers with which to pull off this year's Independence Day parade entry from the OPC, and i'm related to 90% of them. i want to build a local culture of peace, and this was a good centerpiece for that at one time, but perhaps that time has passed.
We'll still do it this year, but then it's up for serious review. PLEASE, if you intend to be there and can help, let me know. i need to be reassured that we'll have what we need on the day of the parade...i'm not interested in being pleasantly surprised by a good turnout if it means days of worry and frustration beforehand. HOWEVER, i'm also not interested in poisoning our planet with guilt or fear...if you can help from a genuine place of solidarity, please do!!

in Peace,
-evan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Peace One Day" at Ojai Retreat

This inspiring and very popular film was screened last year as part of the opening ceremonies of the valley's first Living Peace in Ojai weekend, which also included the awarding of the Ojai Peace Coalition's first-ever Noble Peace Prize (nominations still being accepted for this year's prize...see below!).
The film is being screened tomorrow, Wednesday June 25 at 7pm at the Ojai Retreat, 160 Besant Road, as a fundraiser and pre-publicity for this year's Living Peace event in September.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Independence Day Parade Entry

Under the official parade theme of "Fourth of July Memories", this year the OPC will urge our community to remember America's small family farms and the fresh, local produce that came/comes from them. We will use the opportunity to promote the "Eat Local One Year" project that's slated for 2009, and we will connect local eating to larger issues of peace and security.

immediately, i'm aware of a few needs:
· two people to bear the OPC banner
· one vibrant Earth flag
· 4-8 strong people to keep our "float" (a trailer) moving, since our environmental
values don't include an idling tow vehicle.
· 6-10 people to walk behind the float carrying signs representing the related issues.

remember: this is our peace community's most ready-made public opportunity to express our values in a patriotic setting, and our past appearances have been very well received! one or even a handful of people cannot do it alone...it requires a community, just like Peace itself.
watch for another email very soon about working parties to prepare our entry!
if you can help, please contact me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Noble Peace Prize Nominations!

The Noble Peace Prize is awarded each year to an individual or entity that is working primarily within the Ojai Valley to create and promote cultural Peace.
MAKE YOUR NOMINATIONS HERE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CPR: Eat Local One Year

CITIZENS FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTIONS Monthly Meeting

WHAT: EAT LOCAL ONE YEAR: A 2009 Locavore Project
Could you live for an entire year eating only food that was grown within 100 miles of your home? A spunky group of Ventura County residents are going to give it a try in 2009!
Ojai residents, Kristofer and Joanne Young, will speak about "EAT LOCAL ONE YEAR", the Ojai-centered, countywide, and nationwide locavore project they founded. They will discuss their inspiration in Barbara Kinsolver's book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle," the groundrules for participation in EAT LOCAL ONE YEAR, and how you can be a part of this movement.
Local organic vegetable farmer Phil McGrath of McGrath Family Farms will discuss the importance and availability of local food.
Participants in the EAT LOCAL ONE YEAR project will share their motivation for committing to local eating for all of 2009.
Join us to help grow a safer, healthier and sustainable food system for our community and our nation!
WHEN: Sunday, July 6, 2008 - 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Foster Library's Topping Room, 651 E. Main St., Ventura, CA

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Integrity Now meets July 6

The local movement that grew out of Dennis Kucinich's presidential campaign continues to meet on the first Sunday of each month from 10am to 12pm at 207 North Ventura St. (former site of Ojai Creates!)

The next meeting is on Sunday July 6, 2008 and is open to all!

2008-06-17T00:55:00.000-07:00

Only two weeks left until Independence Day! We're forging ahead with our theme of remembering America's small family farms, connecting that to the effort to reclaim local eating, and connecting that to peace and security. i'll describe our remaining needs as i know and see them below.
in Peace,
-evan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Independence Day Parade Entry

Under the official parade theme of "Fourth of July Memories", this year the OPC will urge our community to remember America's small family farms and the fresh, local produce that came/comes from them. We will use the opportunity to promote the "Eat Local One Year" project that's slated for 2009, and we will connect local eating to larger issues of peace and security. immediately, i'm aware of a few needs:

· two people to bear the OPC banner
· one vibrant Earth flag
· 4-8 strong people to keep our "float" (a trailer) moving, since our environmental
values don't include an idling tow vehicle.
· 6-10 people to walk behind the float carrying signs representing the related issues.

i know that more finely-tuned needs will surface in the coming days, but the core need for bodies to staff the key positions is primary in my mind. remember: this is our peace community's most ready-made public opportunity to express our values in a patriotic setting, and our past appearances have been very well received! one or even a handful of people cannot do it alone...it requires a community, just like Peace itself.
if you can help, please contact me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hungry for Change" Bake Sale

22 Jun, 10:00 AM
Von's Market at the "Y"
1125 Maricopa Hwy

Everyone loves a bake sale! Bring your yummiest offerings to our table at Von's and help MoveOn.org raise money to support Barack Obama's candidacy. Let's face it, we are all VERY hungry for change!

Address: 1125 Maricopa Hwy (Map)
Location: Ojai, CA 93023
Directions: Corner of Maricopa Hwy 150 and Hwy 33 in Ojai. Take 101 to the 33 East,
stay on that road and you can't miss it.
Host: Wendy Stroud

**REGISTER TO ATTEND BY CLICKING HERE**

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Integrity Now meets July 6

The local movement that grew out of Dennis Kucinich's presidential campaign continues to meet on the first Sunday of each month from 10am to 12pm at 207 North Ventura St. (former site of Ojai Creates!)
The next meeting is on Sunday July 6, 2008 and is open to all!

Independence Day Prep + Films

2008-05-29T02:01:00.000-07:00

Noble Peace Prize Nominations!

Thank you to those who have signed up for the Selection Team and who have sent in nominations! We could still use a couple more Team members and we could certainly use more nominations, so keep 'em comin'!

For Team members, i envision a live meeting sometime in early August to review the nominations, make a selection, and plan the ceremony. The celebration is being planned again on the weekend of International Peace Day, September 21.
The Noble Peace Prize is awarded each year to an individual or entity that is working primarily within the Ojai Valley to create and promote cultural Peace.

MAKE YOUR NOMINATIONS HERE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Action Teams Still Need Members!

We have plenty of space for more members on our new Action Teams...please review
the list below and let me know which one(s) you'd like to be on!

Noble Peace Prize Selection Team
Independence Day Parade Team
Phone Contact Team
Peacenic Team
Voices Of Peace Book Team
Cooperative Toy and Game Fair Team

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Independence Day Parade Theme

It's official: this year's Independence Day parade theme is....

"Fourth of July Memories"

...frankly i'm far less than impressed and quite uninspired by this theme.  i've
had one suggestion that we make local eating - specifically, the 2009 locavore
project - our theme, with all of its connections to peace, environmentalism, independence,
security, etc.  however, it has been my own challenge and desire to incorporate
the official theme in SOME way, even though we often add to and reframe it.
SO, i'm open to suggestions (and I-Day Team Members!) as to how we can represent
the official theme, choose one of our own, or incorporate the two.
Please send feedback HERE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FILM: Soldiers Speak Out

The Ventura County Committee to Stop the War presents a 28-minute film on Friday
May 30 at 7pm at the Sunset iCafé, 2096 East Main Street in Ventura.

Soldiers Speak Out is a powerful, first-hand testament to the reality of the military
experience, told entirely in the words of American veterans who have been ot war
and are now opposing it.  We hear how they came to join the military, about their
experiences in training and in war, and what let to the turning point when they
decided they could no longer, in good conscience, participate in the war, or keep
silent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FILM: Body of War

presented as a fundraiser for the Congressional campaign of Mary Pallant, who is
running for the seat currently held by Elton Gallgely!
at 4:30 pm on Saturday May 31 at the Ojai Playhouse

$10 dontation at the door

Body of War is an intimate and transformational feature documentary about the true
face of war today. Meet Tomas Young, 25 years old, paralyzed from a bullet to his
spine - wounded after serving in Iraq for less than a week.
Body of War is Tomas' coming home story as he evolves into a new person, coming
to terms with his disability and finding his own unique and passionate voice against
the war. The film is produced and directed by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, and
features two original songs by Eddie Vedder. Body of War is a naked and honest portrayal
of what it's like inside the body, heart and soul of this extraordinary and heroic
young man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CPR: Men As Peacemakers

WHAT: "Men As Peacemakers ~ Through the Ages." In the month of Fathers Day, a
five-member, male panel ranging in age from 14 to 99 will discuss aspects of the male
experience in making peace, followed by general discussion. We will also celebrate Camarillo
peacemaker Bill Hammaker's 100th birthday!

WHEN: Sunday, June 1st, 2008, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Foster Library's Topping Room, 651 E. Main St., Ventura, CA

BACKGROUND: Fathers Day was created as a compliment to Mothers Day, and was initiated
by the daughter of a Civil War veteran who raised his six children alone after their
mother's death. As we recognize the heavy hand that men have in our society and
world in operating governments and perpetrating wars, CPR honors men who use their
power to create a safer, healthier and more peaceful world.
Bill Hammaker, recipient of CPR's 2006 Earth Charter award for Respect and Care
for the Community of Life, has been in the service of Peace for most of his nearly
100 years on the planet.  Most recently as a champion of the Fellowship of Reconciliation,
Bill's personal goal has been to secure 100 new members by his 100th birthday (in
addition to the 99 new members he committed to gathering last year before his 99th
birthday!).

Learn more about CPR and find out how you can get involved at www.c-p-r.net
PHONE: 805-850-5849
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Integrity Now meets June 1

The local movement that grew out of Dennis Kucinich's presidential campaign continues
to meet on the first Sunday of each month from 10am to 12pm at 207 North Ventura St.
(former site of Ojai Creates!)
The next meeting is on Sunday June 1, 2008 and is open to all!

New Action Teams!

2008-05-13T01:18:00.000-07:00

This message concerns growing our group and crafting it into an organization. We have a wonderful spirit of volunteerism here, but it's mostly reactionary in my experience: i post an action or event, and you show up, help, etc. i'd like to spread the wealth a little, both to invest us all more in the shared responsibility of Peace and to make this effort sustainable by taking some of the joyful burden off of a single point (me). Thank you in advance for your support!
in Peace,
-evan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Noble Peace Prize Nominations!

The Ojai Post has graciously agreed to host the nomination form for this year's Noble Peace Prize! Last year the Ojai Peace Coalition awarded our first-ever prize to Clive and Marion Leeman of the Ojai Peace Vigil (still happening each and every Friday evening at 6pm under the Pergola downtown!) during the opening ceremonies of Living Peace in Ojai. The celebration is being planned again for this year - again on the weekend of International Peace Day, September 21 - and we're looking for your nominations for the award!
The Noble Peace Prize is awarded each year to an individual or entity that is working primarily within the Ojai Valley to create and promote cultural Peace.

MAKE YOUR NOMINATIONS HERE!

...which leads to the first Action Team opportunity:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Noble Peace Prize Selection Team

To make the awarding of the Noble Peace Prize an official, valid, and fair process, i'd like to create an odd-numbered panel (prefereably 5, but as few as 3 persons) to review submitted NPP nominations and choose the awaredee based on a rubric we will create. The deadline for submissions is August 15, and i would like for us to have selected the recipient(s) by August 31. This team is also responsible for helping to create the ceremony/presentation of the award.
This team activates once per year, during August and September.
if you can donate your energy to this task, please LET ME KNOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Independence Day Parade Team

The annual parade is our defining event...it's what we were organized around originally, and has become a great tradition. it is a fantastic opportunity to make Peace visible and to claim it publicly as a patriotic endeavor! This team can be of any size, and is responsible for finding out the parade theme as early as possible (it is usually decided in April, though i have had no luck
finding it yet this year), helping to craft an entry based on the theme, and making community contacts to support creation of and participation in parade entry. This Team is active from April to July.
if you can donate your energy to this Team, please LET ME KNOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phone Contact Team

Two-person team acts as stewards of the OPC telephone contact list, makes calls twice monthly to inform telephone contacts of upcoming actions and events per the regular OPC emails.
This Team is active twice monthly and is currently responsible for just 30-40 contacts.
if you can donate your energy to this Team, please LET ME KNOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peacenic Team

This Team plans two annual social gatherings for local peace activists: secures location, coordinates food and music, publicizes gathering. This Team is active for two months in the Spring and two months in the Fall.
If you can donate your energy to this Team, please LET ME KNOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Voices of Peace Book Team

This is a new project that i'm VERY excited about, which will probably span a nice long time. Inspired by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter's two publications, Ojai Valley Veterans' Stories and Veterans' Stories of Ventura County, i have decided to try publishing a book of our own to reflect the rich living history of peace work that we have here in our own
community! the tentative title of this book is Voices of Peace: Ventura County, and phase one is to begin collecting interviews to comprise the text. my first interview will be with Bill Hammaker, who will turn 100 years old next month and is still active with the Fellowship of Reconciliation.

This Team requires some specialized skills, including doing research for publication of a book, exploring funding if necessary, suggesting peacemakers for interview, doing editing and formatting of book, and making marketing/retail connections. This Team activates now and will remain so until the book is published.
if you can donate your energy to this Team, please LET ME KNOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cooperative Toy & Game Fair Team

The marketing of violent toys and games to parents and children is of great concern to me, and in terms of nipping militaristic and violent play in the proverbial bud, it seems critically important to encourage other choices. i have long been enamored of the concept of "toy exchanges" and fairs that collect violent toys, distribute cooperative ones, and provide a cooperative (non-competitive) play space to practice being children and parents in a culture of Peace. This Team plans an end-of-year fair by soliciting advertisers, participants, donors, and staff, creating a program, securing venue/location, and putting on the event. This Team is active for one year, from December to December.
if you can donate your energy to this Team, please LET ME KNOW.

Activism Grab-Bag

2008-04-29T00:19:00.000-07:00

Wow, we seem to have a grab-bag of activism right now, with everything from immigration to healthcare to the environment. it's all Peace, baby..and it's all love.

Gratitude to the Ventura County Committee to Stop the War for tabling on our behalf at Ventura's ArtWalk and gathering petition signatures for our resolution to the Ojai City Council. if you haven't seen or signed it yet, please do so HERE. (i'll be asking for help to gather more signatures at the Farmer's Market in coming weeks, so look out for that opportunity!)
in Peace,
-evan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mother's Day for Peace! (May 4th)

Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions/CPR presents a celebration, discussion, and reaffirmation of Julia Ward Howe's 1870 Mother's Day Peace Proclamation:
"As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel. . . to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interest of peace."
WHEN: Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Foster Library's Topping Room, 651 E. Main St., Ventura, CA
WHO: All people who wish to celebrate their work of nurturing and peacemaking are invited to "take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace."
BACKGROUND: Julia Ward Howe, having seen some of the worst effects of the U.S. Civil War and the onset of the Franco-Prussian war, called in 1870 for women to rise up and oppose war in all its forms. Her idea for a Mother's Day for Peace was influenced by Anna Jarvis who worked to reconcile Union and Confederate neighbors. Although she failed to get official recognition for a Mother's Day for Peace, we will reclaim and honor her intent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Future of Transportation (May 10th)

Join CAUSE, COAST and PUEBLO for their second in a series of transportation forums:

The Future of the Central Coast Regional Transportation System
Saturday, May 10, 2008 (National Train Day)

2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Ruby's Café of Oxnard
348 South Oxnard Blvd.
Oxnard , California
(Just steps from the train station at the Oxnard Transportation Center )

Guest Speakers:
Rick Cole, City Manager, Ventura
Grant House, Councilmember, Santa Barbara
Katherine Perez, Transportation Planner, Southern California Transportation &
Land Use Coalition (SCTLC)
Ron Botoroff, Ventura County Civic Alliance
To RSVP and for more information contact Carmen Ramirez at (805) 658-0810 ext. 213, or at carmen@coastalalliance.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Imagine Whirled Peace (and $10,000!)

Ben and Jerry's is on a quest for Peace Pioneers who are "working to create positive change, inspire others and further the cause of peace and justice", and there's $10,000 involved for the winner's org of choice! Our region is full of talented and passionate leaders of Peace...visit the Peace Pioneer websiteto nominate your favorite! (and consider it a primer for the upcoming OPC Noble Peace Prize nominations, to be awarded in September!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clean Cars on Day One!

from Environment California:
The clean cars program - which would cut global warming pollution from new cars and trucks by 30 percent - would go a long way toward reducing global climate change and saving what's left of the ice shelf. In fact, California and the 12 other states that have adopted the program would combine to cut 400 million tons of global warming pollution from our cars and trucks. With the Bush administration blocking progress at every turn, we're counting on the next president to remove the EPA's roadblock to cleaner cars.
Tell the Presidential candidates to declare clean cars a priority for their potential
administrations HERE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

McCain: Pay Gap Okay, Women to Blame

from MomsRising.org:
Last week, the Senate failed to pass the Fair Pay Act. What was almost worse than that defeat were the out-of-touch, old-fashioned--and downright insulting--statements about women. Senator McCain, who didn't even come to vote, said that instead of legislation allowing women to demand equal pay, they simply need "education and training."

Lilly Ledbetter, whose Supreme Court case led to the creation of the Fair Pay Act, didn't need "training". She needed Fair Pay. Women today make up 56% of college graduates and nearly half of the labor force in this country. Yet women make only 73 cents to a man's dollar, and
mothers only make 60 cents, for the exact same job.

Sign the petition in support of the Fair Pay Act.And for good measure, send Senator McCain your resume. Our goal is to send him 100,000.

(you can also sign THIS PETITION on the same topic by the Committee for a Democratic Majority if you're feeling especially energetic!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace and Impeachment: DVDs coming

The Ojai Peace Coalition partnered with Citizens for Impeachment, Integrity Now, VC Stop the War, and others to present

ARE PEACE AND IMPEACHMENT POSSIBLE?
Strategies for Saving our Constitution, Economy, and Environment

featuring Phil Cohen of IVAW and David Swanson of afterdowningstreet.org a couple weeks ago, and it was a dramatic success by all reports! My role was to attend the Ojai City Council meeting held the same evening to inform them of the gathering and that they'd be receiving dvd's of it soon. As soon as said recordings are available, i'll let you know.
email me if you'd like a copy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No Match" Letters Hurt All Workers

from Change to Win:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wants to start using the Social Security database as a tool for identifying illegal immigrants.

The problem is that the rule will hurt workers and employers who play by the rules -- the Social Security database is full of errors, and more than 70% of them are in records belonging to legal, native-born American workers!

Tell DHS that the Social Security database is not an appropriate tool for enforcing the immigration laws.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Want Better Healthcare? Tell Your Story.

from MomsRising.org:
Share your story or commentsabout how important it is to provide healthcare coverage for all kids in California. We will share your comments and pictures to California lawmakers to show them that real families are impacted and care about this issue.

Eat Local, Impeach, and End the War

2008-04-15T00:18:00.000-07:00

It's TAX DAY! Do you know how your taxes are being used? Do you know you have options? (Read on!)

Of course, we're always trying to stop this war and prevent the next one, and we understand that it takes a sustained effort to do so. The Administration is about to demand more money for war, so there's a lot of actions about that.

Plus, there's some local stuff to check out. There's a lot to do here, so i'll reiterate my mantra:
Do only what you can. Do only what moves you.
And use the links below this paragraph to jump there without scrolling.

Enjoy!
in Peace,
-evan austin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CPR presents Nuclear Taxes tonight!

Every April, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions/CPR calculates Ventura County's tax contribution to the military budget devoted exclusively to nuclear weapons. As the midnight deadline for 2007 IRS income tax returns approaches, we will meet at the Main Post Office in Oxnard to suggest better uses for our tax dollars.

Join us as we consider how we can work toward the abolition of nuclear weapons and spend our hard-earned money for peaceful and productive purposes.

WHERE: Main Post Office, 1961 North C Street, Oxnard

WHEN: Tuesday April 15th from 9pm to the midnight IRS fiing deadline

(our recent war tax resistance & counter-recruitment presentation/discussion went very well! i have educational materials on these topics if you're interested.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stop Wal-Mart, Support Local Businesses!

There is an urgent meeting of Ventura's "Stop Wal-Mart Coalition" on Wednesday April 16th at 7:00pm at Poinsettia Elementary School cafetorium, 350 N. Victoria Ave in Ventura.

Come to learn about the campaign's progress and what you can do to help!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ending the War (Requires Constant Pressure!)

With generals admitting there are no solutions in Iraq and the President demanding more money for it, there are plenty of ways to call for an end to this (and future) war:

· Sign on to an open letter to Rep. John Murtha urging Congress to STOP PAYING FOR THE MILITARY OCCUPATION OF IRAQ!

· Become a Citizen-cosponsor of True Majority's "Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq" [Download the full plan HERE]

· Call Elton Gallegly's office at 1-202-225-5811 and urge him to vote NO on additional war funding and YES on funding of domestic needs.

· Become a regularly-donating Peace Partner to the Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace!

· Sign the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation's appeal to the next U.S. president, calling for a U.S.-led end to nuclear weapons! [i've already signed us on as an org, but we can still all sign as individuals!]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congressional Report Card

How do our representatives in Congress stack up with the values expressed by Citizens for Global Solutions? According to their newest report card, Senators Feinstein and Boxer both received grades of A+, while Representative Gallegly came in with a D.
Check out the report HERE, where you can also download the whole thing as a pdf.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Senate: Go Digital!

Did you know that the inefficiencies and redundancies of our government - specifically the campaign finance report system - costs taxpayers $250,000 annually...and it can be MONTHS before the public even sees the campaign disclosures!

The "Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act" (S. 223) seeks to bring senators into the digital era, save paper and money, and get campaign finance information to the public faster. But someone's trying to block it, of course.

· CALL DIANNE FEINSTEIN at 1-202-224-3841 and urge her to support this bill.
· CALL BARBARA BOXER at 1-202-224-3553 and urge her to support this bill.
· REGISTER YOUR CALLS with Public Citizen so that our Senators' positions can be known!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace and Impeachment

The Ojai Peace Coalition has partnered with Citizens for Impeachment, Integrity Now, VC Stop the War, and others to present

ARE PEACE AND IMPEACHMENT POSSIBLE?
Strategies for Saving our Constitution, Economy, and Environment

WHEN: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 5:30pm
WHERE: Ojai Retreat, 160 Besant Road
WHO: David Swanson, co-founder of afterdowningstreet.org and a leading Constitutional Advocate from Washington, D.C.
and
Phil Cohen, local member of Iraq Veterans Against the War
WHAT: Reception begins at 5:30pm with food and drinks, followed by lecture promptly at 7:00pm, and a town-hall open mike beginning at 8:00pm

OUR OPPORTUNITIES:
If you have the energy to support a gathering like this, there are a few ways to contribute:
· prepare a potluck-style dish to bring and share (cookies, salad, etc)
· bring drinks to share
· spread the word to friends, family, coworkers, etc
· come early to help set up
· stay or come late to help clean up
if you can help in any of these ways, PLEASE LET ME KNOW NOW so that i can connect you to the right organizer! THANKS!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Put Your Activism Where Your Mouth Is

Kristofer and Joanne Young, of Ojai, are planning a locavore project in the Ojai Valley for the entire year of 2009.

A locavore is a person who pays attention to where her/his food comes from and commits to eating local food as much as possible.

We are looking for 100, or more, folks to join us in this adventure.
Our project is called EAT LOCAL ONE YEAR ~ BE THE CHANGE OJAI .
This year-long project will be the subject of a documentary film by Quarter Mile Films, Inc.

Learn more about the project, and see if it rings your bell, at our introductory and discussion meeting on Saturday, May 10th at 7:00 PM at the Young's house in Ojai. This meeting will be filmed.

Register to attend this meeting at: http://groups.google.com/group/eat-local-one-year
by joining the group, or call us at 640-7629.
We look forward to your joyful and cooperative energy!!!
Kris and Jo

Tax Resistance, Counter-Recruitment, and WELCOME!

2008-04-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

If this is the first time you've visited the OPC Action Blog, WELCOME! We added 56 new contactsthrough our Not One More! event in Libbey Park a few weekends ago, so there are lots of new friends connected with us now. There is only one action notification today, but usually there are around half a dozen. You never have to do them all, just pick something that resonates with you and go for it!

As a reminder to all: i am VERY protective of your information, and will not give your email address to anyone without your permission. You will receive one email message from me every two weeks on Tuesday, unless we need to stay especially well-connected due to a flurry of action and/or a sense of urgency. i also desire to maintain an openness and sense of personal connection with you, so if you have questions, concerns, ideas, offers to help, warnings, etc...please do email or call to share them. my cell phone number is 805-746-3750.

in Peace,
-evan austin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

War Tax Resistance forum on Saturday!

Up to 54 cents of every dollaryou send to Uncle Sam this tax season will go to the United States military in some way, and yet even as militarism is touted as a solution to the world's ills, we live in a time of unprecedented global unrest. The Ojai Peace Coalition invites you to spend an evening discovering the connections - both personal and collective - between the world's violence and our own hard work, and what nonviolent means are available for resistance.

Joseph Maizlish of Southern California War Tax Resisters and Norman Bauer of the Ventura County Committee to Stop the War will co-present about protesting war through tax resistance and counter-recruitment at a private home in Ojai on Saturday, April 5th, 2008.

Contact me for exact location and time.
This event is FREE, with donations accepted.

(this blurb is posted on the Ojai Post, so if you have public comments or questions about this topic, put 'em there!)

Not One More! wrap up + M19

2008-03-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Not One More! is finished, and if you weren't able to come and see or participate i'd like to tell you how amazing it was to see a community come together to create something...the variety of energies and talents and perspectives that collaborated within a common experience was not only inspiring and made for a successful event; it was Peace at work.
Please enjoy this brief report-out + three more end-the-war actions tomorrow!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not One More!: Wrap-Up

· Dialogue on the Ojai Post
· Event photos
As i said in the intro, this project was Peace and community-building at work. It was the OPC's biggest - and therefore my personal biggest - action yet, and i am VERY gratified by its success. To secure facilities, sponsors, and participant groups; to plan out the logistics; to invite and reinvite the media and local officials; to put together a program book; to solicit donations; to coordinate persons; and then to actually carry out the writing in three days of nearly 4,000 names was quite a feat, and it was accomplished only through an energetic community effort.
if i may make some huge THANK-YOU's (in no particular order, and you know what you did):
Coleen Ashly
Dennis Ashly
Jessie Austin
Cody Stephens & James
Brooke
Frank Peterson
Tom Erickson
Sophie Whitney
Dolores
Ruth & Celeste
Liz Tavis
Donna Stephens
Peggy La Cerra
Tom & Erin McNerney
Kris Young
Noel Douglas
Cheri Mason
Karen Kennedy
Grant Marcus
Teresa Meehan
All our Volunteers and Signers
All of our sponsors, particularly our three major ones:
The Ojai Post
Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions
The Ojai Valley Democratic Club
You can read my opening remarks from Saturday morning's flag ceremony and view the event photos on flickr
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Petition to City: End the War!

As you know, half of our Not One More! action was a petition to the City of Ojai, urging them to adopt a resolution that i've drafted based on the successful resolutions passed in both Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, among other cities. i've customized it for our community using data compiled at my request by the National
Priorities Project.
We collectecd 189 signatures in support of our resolution to:
· End the war
· Withdraw our troops, contractors, and bases
· Redirect war funds to domestic needs
· Provide non-military aid to rebuild Iraq
If you didn't make it to the park this past weekend, you can READ THE RESOLUTION AND SIGN THE PETITION HERE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

M19: MoveOn's New Priorities Vigil

On March 19th, tens of thousands of people across the country will gather to observe the fifth anniversary of the war with candlelight vigils.We'll commemorate the sacrifices too many families have made, and the billions of dollars wasted in Iraq that could have been better invested at home.
Locally, three choices!
· Ojai, 7pm at the Y
· Ventura, 7pm at City Hall
· Ventura, 5pm at Ventura High School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

M19: Protest Military Recruitment

From ANSWER VC and VC Stop the War:
Wednesday, March 19, 12 Noon - 2pm
Ventura Military Recruitment Center
4009 E Main St, Ventura (Main & Telephone)
Initiated by ANSWER Ventura County. For more info call 805-367-6481 or email answervc@riseup.net.
We will then carpool to Los Angeles to carry out the same action at the Hollywood Recruitment Center at 4pm!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

M19: Winter Soldier fundraiser

Almost forty years ago, veterans of the Vietnam War gave public testimony to the war crimes and atrocities committed on behalf of the U.S. government. Now, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are repeating Winter Soldier for this war. In order to raise funds for this historic event, Ventura is joining with thousands of other communities to host a benefit event for soldiers against the war.

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
6-9pm @ Sunset Cafe, 2069 E. Main St, Ventura (across from Ventura High)
Tickets: $20
Sponsored by Ventura County Committee to Stop the War.
[The Winter Soldier testimonies finished during the weekend, so complete audio archives are being compiled. If you missed any of the powerful voices, there is audio at
WarComesHome.org and IVAW.org]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not One More! is next week!

2008-03-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

This has already been a tremendous learning and organizing experience for me, and by all accounts we're going to make quite the splash in our community with this action. If you haven't already pledged your support, there is still room for volunteers and of course you're encouraged to come and sign names. Thanks to so many of you for your generosity with your time, talent, and treasure!
-evan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You know what this is about by now. Help us humanize and personalize the real women and men whose lives have been taken in this war by bringing their names home to our community and calling for an end to the violence.

FRIDAY MARCH 14 from 9AM to 3PM
SATURDAY MARCH 15 from 9AM to 3PM
SUNDAY MARCH 15 from 1PM to 7PM

There is some very enthusiastic support for this project (including among some local youth!), and i appreciate the valuable volunteers that have already stepped forward. We continue to have three significant needs:

· WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to work two-hour shifts while the event is open, which entails
helping people sign names, looking out for the security of the area, answering visitors' questions, and facilitating signing of the resolution petition. It may also include talking to the press. If you can help, please call Coleen at 805-640-8478.
· WE NEED SIGNERS to help create the memorial. We're scheduling individuals and groups to sign because that helps us know whom to expect, and when, and how many people (as opposed to simply waiting for people to trickle in randomly). If you want to come as an individual, please let us know. If you want to come as a group, please let us know. If you know of a group who might be interested, please let us - and them - know!
· WE NEED SPONSORS to offset the costs of renting the park, event insurance, printing, etc...as well as to swell the OPC coffers for future peacebuilding! Donations will be accepted at the event, right now from the right-side column donation button, from our website, or from our Chipin page, and there are sponsorships available at the following levels:

$25 - Chalk
Includes a business-card size ad and message in the event program book.

$50 - Petition
Includes a quarter page (2.75" x 4.25") ad and
message in the event program book.

$125 - Resolution
Includes a half-page (5.5" x 4.25") ad and message in the event program book
AND
a postcard-size logo decal displayed during the event, yours to keep after it's over!

$250 - Blue Ribbon
Includes a full-page (8.5" x 5.5") ad and message in the event program book
AND
a 2' x 5' banner displayed during the event, yours to keep after it's over!

If you can support this community action with a gift of your time, talents, or treasure: please call Coleen at 640-8478to volunteer. You can also forward this message to friends and family!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace Pole Project

This project is stalled because i haven't had time to work on preparing the pole for painting, and there are apparently no artists among us and none in this Valley who look at posted flyers or answer personal emails.

Once i'm finished preparing it, our next step is still to paint it. To that end, WE NEED FOUR ARTISTS who would be willing to be responsible for creating one "panel" of the four-sided pole. If you are an artist or you know one who might be interested, please call me at 805.746.3750 so we can keep this project moving. i want this pole in the ground by June!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

War Tax Resistance forum in April

will be presented by Joseph Maizlish of Southern California War Tax Resisters and Norman Bauer of the Ventura County Committee to Stop the War

on Saturday April 5th...but WHEN and WHERE?
· WE NEED A VENUE to accommodate...i dunno, 20 people? if you are connected to any such place and/or have a suggestion, please let me know: 805-746-3750

Come to explore our individual and collective connections to the war machine, strategies for resistance, history of action, and risks. Empowerment materials available, and donations will be accepted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Praising you for being mindful and heartful toward the rest of us on this beautiful planet,
evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

OPC to host "Not One More!"

2008-02-26T11:17:00.001-08:00

For Immediate Release:
Contact: evan austin: 746-3750 day/eve
Coleen Ashly: 890-7813 day/640-8478 eve

Ojai Peace Coalition to Host
“Not One More!”

As the 5th anniversary of the war rapidly approaches many community members are feeling astonished at how long the war has gone on. Remember Donald Rumsfeld’s famous prediction in February 2003 of how long the war might last? “It is unknowable how long that conflict [the war in Iraq] will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.”

Now five years later and as Americans continue to die, many members of the Ojai Peace Coalition are feeling frustrated at their lack of success in bringing our kids home. “We’ve tried every option open to us as citizens”, said Coleen Ashly, a working single mom and activist residing in Ojai. “We’ve written letters to the editor, continuously contacted our elected officials, joined and formed groups, signed endless petitions, attended demonstrations, vigils, protests, donated money to organizations to try to change the political actions of our leaders and nothing has worked”.

The group’s Director, evan austin, has felt the same frustration. On the first anniversary of the war, he decided to take a bold step and added hash marks for every American Soldier’s death to his Ojai car to serve as a visual testament to the loss of life every day. He thought his protest would be short lived. Now almost four years later, there is no room left on his car, and he has also come to realize that a hash mark does not properly reflect the loss of nearly 4,000 American citizens.

So the group has decided to move forward with an event to honor each and every person who has died In Iraq by creating a living memorial at the fountain in Ojai’s Libbey Park on Friday, March 14th to Sunday, March 16th. During that weekend members of the community will be offered the opportunity to write the names of each Solider who has lost their life in the Iraq war in chalk, on the sidewalk. “We feel this visual action will remind people that the war is still going on and people are still dying every day”, says austin. “It’s important for our group to recognize the human loss and stop looking at body counts. We have lost real people, with real families and they deserve the honor and respect of all communities all over this country. The least we can do is speak their names”.

Individuals are encouraged to attend the event Friday and Saturday from 9am to 3pm and Sunday from 1pm to 7pm. Flag ceremonies conducted by local groups will be held at 9:30am Friday and Saturday and on Sunday at 1:30pm. Groups and Coalitions are encouraged to co-sponsor the event and attend at scheduled times, as groups, to sign names. Public officials and elected office holders are also invited to attend. The event will close Sunday evening with a Candlelight Vigil from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Every person signing will receive a Blue Ribbon for Peace to wear and will have an opportunity to sign a petition to the City of Ojai urging them to adopt a resolution calling for an end to the Iraq War. For more information or to schedule a time for your organization, group, or coalition to attend, please contact evan austin, 746-3750, or Coleen Ashly, 640-8478.

You may also visit www.ojaipeace.blogspot.com for more information.

The press is invited to attend.

Not One More!: Easy to Donate To!

2008-02-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

Not One More!, Peace Pole, and War Taxes

2008-02-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

i'm very excited to be sharing some upcoming new projects with you that give us opportunities to create a culture of Peace, and i look forward to your feedback and participation.

Not One More! is our biggest project yet, and mine personally as well. It's requiring applications and permits and money and LOTS of networking, so it's a good thing i don't have to do it alone: i've got YOU! PLEASE look over the event info and help where/when you can. Look for THIS COLOR!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not One More!
As of now, there have been 3,963 U.S. military members killed in Iraq. As this number approaches 4,000, most groups and individuals calling for an end to the war will use that as a "milestone" date on which to protest. Locally, we're wondering why we should passively wait for a specific number to react to, and instead will stand together whatever the number and be heard: Not One More!

· Our action will take place on the weekend of March 14-15-16 in the fountain area of Libbey Park. Volunteers will staff the area in two-hour shifts during the day. Sunday evening the action will close with a candlelight vigil after the last name is written. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO COVER THESE SHIFTS.

· It will be a community-created memorial to those already killed in Iraq by providing opportunity for specific high-profile guests as well as volunteers and passers-by to write one or more names on the concrete in chalk.

· It will be paired with a petition to the Ojai City Council to urge drafting and adoption of a resolution to end the war and bring the troops home, built on the example and model of the resolutions recently passed by the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara city councils.

· Signers will also recieve a blue ribbon to wear, signifying their desire for and commitment to Peace.

This is BIG, and EXCITING! There is certainly a desire and need for volunteers, primarily to sign up for any of the several two-hour shifts that will comprise the days of our action. The action will take place from 9am - 3pm on Fri and Sat, and 1-7pm on Sunday. i also need a volunteer to call through the OPC Phone List and alert those non-email folks about this (as well as our other exciting projects!). WE ALSO NEED SPONSORS: the costs involved primarily include rental of the park and event insurance. We are offering event sponsorships at four different levels, so if you personally or as a business owner would like to explore a sponsorship, please let me know. If you can support this community action with a gift of your time, talents, or resources: please contact me to volunteer. You can also forward this message to friends and family!

Not One More!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace Pole Project

This project got jump-started with a donation designated for it, so i've purchased a beautiful 8-foot 4x4 and have begun preparing it for painting. My hope is to have it ready by this week.

Our next step is to paint it. To that end, WE NEED THREE ARTISTS who would be willing to be responsible for creating one "panel" of the four-sided pole (i already have contact for one artist). If you are an artist or you know one who might be interested, please call me at 805.746.3750 so we can keep this project moving. i want this pole in the ground by June!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

War Taxes: Why Pay 'Em?

Tax Day is coming, and we're certainly all aware of the role we play in financing the violence and destruction that we deplore. i'm in contact with the Los Angeles team of the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee, and they'd be willing to come to Ojai to give a presentation on protesting war through nonviolent tax resistance. There are many ways to do it, and a responsible action means understanding the history, risks, and benefits. This is likely to take place the first week of April.

WE NEED A VENUE! i like to think big, but frankly i don't envision tax resistance as a huge crowd-maker. i'm thinking that the Chaparral Auditorium is too big, so we need something moderately-sized. If you have connections to a meeting-space that we can pursue, please let me know right away.

-evan austin, 805.746.3750

Happy Freedom-To-Marry Week!

2008-02-11T00:36:00.000-08:00

This year the California Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legal right for gay and lesbian couples to marry. Join millions of like-minded Californians and sign this open letter asking the Governor to tell the court that the current law is unconstitutional and that all loving couples deserve the freedom to marry.

By adding your name, you’re taking a stand and showing that you’re someone who supports the freedom to marry and the honor, dignity and respect that come along with it. Make your voice heard by February 14, in this critical year for LGBT Californians. The time is now.

Happy Freedom To Marry Week, my LGBT friends. I DO support your freedom to marry if you choose to.

Happy Democracy Day!

2008-02-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

Silly, sure...but it gets the point across and is no more complex than it needs to be:

Can we do this?
There has been energy in the halls of our supposed democracy for quite some time to join many many nations around the world (you know, those crazy bastards with socialized medicine and commitments to things like disarmament and climate change) and declare Democracy Day to be the Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even numbered year. This very idea was introduced in Congress by Representative John Conyers and Senator Debbie Stabenow in 2005, where the bill (then H.R. 63 in the House and S.1130 in the Senate) had 112 cosponsors. The bill was referred in the House to the Committee on Government Reform, and in the Senate to the Committee on the Judiciary, where it died. As this is a new session of Congress, it would have to be reintroduced and receive new numbers.

In a nation that extols the virtues of democracy so much that we're willing to export it at gunpoint, a 60% voter turnout (and that's a record high) is barely a majority, especially when compared to other democracies generating 75%, 85%, and higher turnouts for elections. The idea is to improve our democracy - that is, our government by The People - by increasing civic participation and getting The People excited and off their asses. Conservative ideology has traditionally blocked such efforts with a claim that a day off for voting would hurt our economy and industry, which fully backs the critique that our corpocracy is alive and well and favored over our democracy. So can we do this? In the words of local favorite Barack Obama, "Yes we can!". i've already begun by declaring voting day a national holiday for myself and staying home from school and work, and i already have one friend joining me. i might even barbeque and drink some beer. Next i've called the offices of Representative Conyers and Senator Stabenow and asked them to reintroduce their legislation to create a federal Democracy Day holiday. Maybe we can even get the ball rolling by creating one here first.

Rep. John Conyers: (202) 225-5126
Sen. Debbie Stabenow: (202) 224-4822

cross-posted on the Ojai Post

Voting, Peace Pole, War Taxes, and Not One More!

2008-02-05T00:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Voting Day! i hope you're excited and empowered to cast your votes today, and that you'll make it a priority. Although i've already sent in my absentee ballot, i'm looking forward to what is currently a one-person national holiday. Perhaps next election you'll join me...
i'm very excited to be sharing some upcoming new projects with you that give us opportunities to create a culture of Peace, and i look forward to your feedback and participation.
Find your polling place here.
~~~~~~~~~~

Proposition 93(Term Limits): NO

Thank goddess for Citizen education! A letter from Carol Smith, President of the
Ojai Valley Democrats:

Dear Editor,

I am writing to urge Ojai citizens to vote "NO" on Proposition 93. Please consider the following arguments before you cast your vote for an initiative that is simply bad public policy.

The backers of this proposition would have us believe that it will further limit the number of years someone can serve in the legislature. But if passed, it would give current officeholders who would be "termed out" in 2008, the ability to remain in office for 6 more years if in the Assembly and 4 more years if in the State Senate. This would only apply to current officeholders; legislators termed out in previous years would not be eligible to run for their old seats.

Those pushing for the passage of this initiative are not thinking of what is best for California. This proposition will only make a bad situation worse and we should all be opposed to this blatantly self-serving proposition. In our own Senate District, we have an opportunity to finally lose Tom McClintock, who has never voted with Ojai Valley interests in mind and is due to be termed out this year. Former Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson is a strong favorite for this seat, if it becomes an open race between her and probably Tony Strickland. Because of a strong voter registration effort being led by Vote Blue in Ventura County, we hope to have a Democratic majority of registered voters by July 4th - an excellent prospect for Democrats to gain another State Senate seat.

Because of existing term limits, we lost in 2004 and 2006 some excellent legislators who, under the terms of this proposition, would not be eligible to run for office again. These include Jackie Speier, Liz Figueroa, Helen Thomson, Rebecca Cohn and Hannah-Beth Jackson, to name a few. Further, if someone who had served 6 years in the Assembly and was elected to the State Senate, he or she would only be able to serve one term if this proposition passes. While current and future legislators would be able to serve a total of 12 years, former termed out members of the Assembly who are elected to the State Senate would only be able to serve a total of 10 years, or 1 term in the State Senate.

I have studied this measure and feel strongly that it is bad public policy, is detrimental to the democratic process, does nothing to increase the number of Democrats in the legislature and will only make a bad system worse. It is time Ojai was represented by a legislator of the caliber of Hannah-Beth Jackson. I urge you to vote NO on Prop. 93.

Carol Smith, President Ojai Valley Democrats
~~~~~~~~~~

Peace Pole Project

With a goal of having the pole planted at Ojai House by June, this project is under way! The pole has been basically designed, and i'm very close to contacting a few local artists to create it. Much more to tell by our next message, i'm sure.
~~~~~~~~~~

War Taxes: Why Pay 'Em?

Tax Day is coming, and we're certainly all aware of the role we play in financing the violence and destruction that we deplore. i'm in contact with the Los Angeles team of the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee, and they'd be willing to come to Ojai to give a presentation on protesting war through nonviolent tax resistance. There are many ways to do it, and a responsible action means understanding the history, risks, and benefits. This is likely to take place in either early or late March...more details to come!
~~~~~~~~~~

As of now, there have been 3,945 U.S. military members killed in Iraq. As this number approaches 4,000, most groups and individuals calling for an end to the war will use that as a "milestone" date on which to protest. Locally, we're wondering why we should passively wait for a specific number to react to, and instead will stand together whatever the number and be heard: Not One More!

We are in communication with the City and a few other entities in order to commit dates and resources, but here are is the preliminary plan:

· Our action will take place on the weekend of March 14-15-16 in the fountain area of Libbey Park. Volunteers will staff the area in two-hour shifts during the day. Sunday evening the action will close with a candlelight vigil after the last name is written.

· It will be a community-created memorial to those already killed in Iraq by providing opportunity for specific high-profile guests as well as volunteers and passers-by to write one or more names on the concrete in chalk.

· It will be paired with a petition to the Ojai City Council to urge drafting and adoption of a resolution to end the war and bring the troops home, built on the example and model of the resolutions recently passed by the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara city councils.

· Signers will also recieve a blue ribbon to wear, signifying their desire for and commitment to Peace.

This is BIG, and EXCITING! There is certainly a desire and need for volunteers, primarily to sign up for any of the several two-hour shifts that will comprise the days of our action. This is subject to slight tweaking, but we're thinking 9am - 3pm on Fri and Sat, and 1-7pm on Sunday. i could also use a volunteer to call through the OPC Phone List and alert those non-email folks about this (as well as our other exciting projects!). If you can support this community action with a gift of your time and/or talents, please contact me to volunteer. You can also forward this message to friends and family!

Not One More!

My Economic Stimulus Package : End the F#*%ing War!

2008-02-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

i don't pretend to know a whole lot about economics or all the troubles that the housing market is in right now, but i'm comfortable enough to know that certain frivolities of society (schools, roads, health care, etc) are feeling a pinch. i also tend to believe educated economists when they say that a declining housing market and general loss of net jobs are sure signs of what they call "recession".

i get a little bit worried when, despite January's unemployment rate being higher than December's, President Bush claims that "for the first time in 52 months, we didn't create jobs." i become alarmed when he says that our economy is in a "rough patch", as though the financial standings of the world's only superpower are a neglected corner of his ranch.

what i DO know is that the occupation of and war on Iraq is costing the United States $720 Million every day of the tax money we're about to send more of. locally, that amounts to $487 Million from Ventura County alone to pay for fiscal year 2007, with FY2008 estimated to cost OUR COUNTY $550 Million. that's a lot of money. how much?

225,932 People with Health Care OR
980,187 Homes with Renewable Electricity OR
10,235 Public Safety Officers OR
8,203 Music and Arts Teachers OR
84,479 Scholarships for University Students OR
42 New Elementary Schools OR
1,647 Affordable Housing Units OR
205,194 Children with Health Care OR
65,285 Head Start Places for Children OR
8,299 Elementary School Teachers OR
7,353 Port Container Inspectors

so President Bush thinks that sending us a little tax rebate in June will help. maybe it will...like i said, i'm no expert. but good thing there ARE experts, and a lot of them seem to be saying that it won't help. or worse, that it amounts to a corporate tax break with little effect where it's intended: among The People.

so i say "End the War", and keep millions of dollars in local economies from the start. maybe we need to act locally and adopt a City resolution against the war like Los Angeles and Santa Barbara have. it might take some convincing that $4,100 per household of war costs and the 15 killed soldiers from Ventura County really are local issues, and that we have both the power and responsibility to do something about it.

Voting Guide RETRACTION, + Season for Nonviolence

2008-01-31T12:03:00.000-08:00

i got a lot of responses to the Voting Guide message i put out a couple days ago, which is great! A key feature of the feedback was some very strong and intelligent arguments AGAINST the Indian Gaming propositions (94-97). in light of what was shared (detailed below), i'm changing my own vote to NO on 94-97 and am recommending the same (although with some hesitation...am i a flip-flopper?) of course i urge you to vote your conscience...and to VOTE at all!
Find your polling place here.
-evan
ps: i'm being very mindful of not abusing your Inbox...i just thought that this was important and time-sensitive. Your next action email will be on Voting Day, Feb 05 and will have some exciting stuff in it!

President of the United States
Although i personally am continuing my support for Dennis Kucinich with the commentary
that even when he's not running he's the clear choice of conscience for me above all the other candidates, the following letter in support of Barack Obama comes from Clive Leeman:

Hello Everybody,
I've been supporting Barack Obama since his announcement of candidacy a year ago on the steps of the Springfield Capitol before 30,000 people standing in freezing rain. I realized then that he is the kind of gifted leader who only comes along perhaps once in every 50 years.
He has a superb creative intelligence and gift for empathy. Each one of his major speeches is different from his other speeches--always original, graceful, and philosophically challenging, rather like Martin Luther King's.
The best piece on Obama I've read is "Barack Obama's unlikely political education. The Agitator." by Ryan Lizza, The New Republic, Issue date: 03.19.07. It explores his years as a community organizer in Chicago's South Side, a job he took instead of one of the $500,000 corporate positions offered top Harvard Law School graduates.
I came away from reading that article in a state of awe about the man. It concentrates on his years as a community organizer when he excelled at inspiring demoralized communities and became the best local grassroots organizer in living memory. During his successful run for the state senate, he demonstrated that he had a spine of steel and unerring political instincts.
The South Carolina primary has shown that, in a groundswell, more and more Americans are recognizing his presidential capacities, even his authority. I hope and pray he stays safe for our sake and the sake of history.
During the campaign, Obama, a strong supporter of Israel, has spoken sympathetically about the Palestinians, running the risk of antagonizing the pro-Israeli lobby.
He has even more directly defied another powerful lobby (anti-Castro Cubans) to say he will meet with Castro once he's President.
Obama is the only one of the candidates except Kucinich to have spoken out against the war before the occupation of Iraq. I support him partly because of my own antiwar principles.
Some of hls more recent statements on the Iraq war and on the Middle East in general, however, have disappointed me and his health insurance plan is not as strong as I would like it to be (single payer). And, although he has refused to take money from corporate lobbyists, raising millions of dollars from ordinary people online, he does not seem to recognize the criminal nature of U.S. corporate foreign policy (see John Perkins's Confesssions of an Economic Hit Man).
But my policy disagreements with Obama have not prevented me from understanding that he has become an extraordinary presence on the political landscape, a force for good; that he has come to us in the midst of MLK's "fierce urgency of now"; that his transformative gifts are just what we desperately need after the dreadful desolation of the Bush years; that, in journalist Laura Flander's words, he has the capacity to be a "charismatic optimist" as president, just like
FDR, who began as a moderate but, through his sympathetic connection with the people, was able to carry out the most radically significant legislation in U.S. history.

Blessings,
Clive

Measures 94, 95, 96, 97 - Indian Gaming
NO
While some people close to the Native community see the casinos as the only life-blood that has provided them with hospitals and schools, many of you cited very intelligent and relevant concerns over the compensations of casino and hotel workers, environmental impact of huge new facilities, and social concerns over increase gambling as among the reasons NOT to approve these new gaming compacts (a NO vote simply allows gaming to continue under the existing compacts). One great resource/analysis is the San Francisco Bay Guardian, with thanks to Kenley for sending it!
in addition, i originally cited my concern over putting so many of our State's economic eggs in the single basket of indian gaming facilities, as well as it seeming like a cheap and easy "fix" to the problems of poverty in the Native community. Even if these compacts DID address workers' rights and the local environment in satisfactory ways, i'd STILL think we collectively are not being very sustainable or creative in our economic and social solutions. i'm not into settling for mediocre incremental legislation...if it can be done right the first time, let's go ahead and force that to be written.

Vote In Peace!
evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

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A Season for Nonviolence
Jan 30 - Apr 04

Yesterday was January 30th, 2008. It was on this day in 1948 that Mohandas K. Gandhi was shot and killed in Delhi, and it is on this date that we begin the Season for Nonviolence. This 64-day period between the memorial dates of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4th) and is used globally as a time for personal and community reflection on the healing and transforming power ofnonviolence and the contributions towards Peace made by these two greatleaders.

In this spirit the Ojai Peace Coalition presents our handy, consolidated, easily-printable, wallet-fittable, fun-to-foldable 64 Daily Reflections Card to keep with you so your commitments to Peace and Compassion are never more than a glance away. Enjoy!

Our first week of reflections are:
Jan 30: Today, I will reflect on what peace means to me.

Jan 31: Today, I will look at opportunities to be a peacemaker.

Feb 01: Today, I will practice nonviolence and respect for Mother Earth by making good use of her resources.

Feb 02: Today, I will take time to admire and appreciate nature.

Feb 03: Today, I will plant seeds--plants or constructive ideas.

Feb 04: Today, I will hold a vision of plenty for all the world's hungry and be open to guidance as to how I can help alleviate some of that hunger.

Feb 05: Today, I will acknowledge every human being's fundamental right to justice, equity, and equality.

One Day = $720 Million

2008-01-30T07:43:00.000-08:00

OPC Voting Guide

2008-01-29T18:39:00.000-08:00

This is just a very brief message in anticipation of Voting Day, which is in one week and will be the date of my next full-length OPC email. By this time you hopefully have yourself educated enough to have your mind made up about your Presidential choice, but there are also a bunch of initiatives on the ballot which you might feel unprepared for. What follows is my read of them and my voting recommendations (guess my ballot isnt so secret now, huh?)
Find your polling place here.
-evan

President of the United States
Dennis Kucinich
(doesn't that just feel good to say?)
Visit the OPC Action Blog to learn what Dennis and his supporters are up to, and why many of us are still voting for him. If you want to vote for someone who's actually still running, there are a couple of good resources on our Action Blog page at the top of the right-hand column.

Measure 91 - Transportation funds
NO
Proposition 1A was passed in 2006 and accomplished what 91 set out to do.

Measure 92 - Community College funding
YES
Separates funding formulas for K-12 and Community Colleges, lowers per-unit tuition. Sounds like better funding math, better accessibility, and higher enrollment to me.

Measure 93 - Term Limits
YES
Members of the State Assembly could serve a maximum of 12 years, not 14. This legislation does not start the clock over for current lawmakers. If nothing else, the "NO" campaign's website is all about negativity and againstness ("fight the politicians!) while the "YES" campaign seems very open and positive.

Measures 94, 95, 96, 97 - Indian Gaming
YES?
It's a tough call...i'd RATHER see our Native people treated better without relying on a gambling industry, and i'd RATHER see our State find better-rounded and creative ways to boost and sustain our economy, but this seems to do no harm and provides a benefit. Our next challenge will be to responsibly and sustainably direct theses revenues as they pour in.

Vote In Peace!

Clones, Nukes, and Endless War

2008-01-22T18:52:00.000-08:00

Plenty to do and some fun stuff on the horizon! Please be mindful of the requests for help and feedback in this issue (and thanks to those few who have provided it already!). i'll also take this opportunity to remind you to simply do those actions that move you or that you have the time and energy for. We can't all always do everything, but we can all always do SOMEthing.
Peace,
-evan

LOCAL HAPPENINGS
· Ojai Peace Vigil - every friday evening from 5-6pm under the Pergola in front of Libbey Park. Bring a candle and a sign, and dress warmly!
· WE ARE ALL RELATED, A Concert For The Earth
Saturday, January 26, 2008, 7:30 pm at EARTHPLAY ECO STORE. 501 east, Ojai Ave , Ojai.
Featuring:
JOE REILLY - Critically Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter on West Coast Tour
&
JUDY PIAZZA - Internationally known Singer/Songwriter & Percussionist Extraordinaire ... weaving dulcimer, vocals, native flute, didgeridoo, and drums from around the world ... Bring your own drums/percussion for community rhythm circle following performance!
Partial Proceeds to Benefit OJAI VALLEY BIRTH RESOURCE & FAMILY SUPPORT
Purchase tickets at EarthPlay Eco-Store, 501 E. Ojai Ave, SE corner of Fox & Ojai Ave, Ojai. $10 Presale, $12 at the door. (More if you can, less if you can't!)
Or call Judy at 248-563-0049 ... EarthPlay at 805-640-6844

Peace Pole for Ojai House
i've had precisely ONE idea/design submitted for a Peace Pole, which i'm moving ahead with in combination with my own. i'll still accept ideas at the link below:
Submit your environmentally-friendly designs or ideas (meaning both that we'd like to minimize the use of chemicals AND that it needs to withstand being outdoors in the elements) to me via email to get this ball rolling! As this progresses we'll likely have a face-to-face meeting for those who'd like to contribute.

February: Nuclear-Free Valentines!
Last year we participated in celebrating the 40th anniversary of Latin America's greatest gift to the world: a treaty which designated it Planet Earth's first nuclear-weapon-free zone. The Atomic Mirror is again helping us recognize this milestone in Peace history by sending our hand-made valentines to Mexico City as part of the celebration of the Treaty of Tlatelolco.
WE STILL NEED A HOST for a valentine-making party! If you have some space to share, please let me know so we can plan this OPC-exclusive event! we need to have the Valentines made and sent before February 14!

4,000 US soldier deaths commemoration
As of now, there have been 3,931 U.S. soldier deaths in Iraq. interest has been expressed in creating our own commemoration here in Ojai (rather than joining with the Ventura action), but i'm frankly frustrated and indecisive as to what kind of action would be most appropriate or meaningful. it seems that a vigil to mourn and honor the deaths only goes part of the way toward our real goal: to stop the war and prevent the 4,001st death. So, what action do we pair with a vigil? Are we willing to seriously write some letters, make some phone calls, get arrested? As this drags on and on, it seems we must change and improve our opposition and resistance lest we find ourselves operating on the exact logic that's failed this war in the first place: don't change anything, and expect different results. i'm very open to suggestions and offers of help/support/energy to create an action that would up the ante and put us closer to ending the war.

Stop Endless War in Iraq
President Bush is quietly negotiating an agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to keep our troops there indefinitely--an agreement that could include permanent bases and a massive military presence for years.
Congress can stop the president from setting up permanent bases in Iraq and block an indefinite occupation--but it's not clear that they will. They need to feel a groundswell of pressure from voters immediately and loudly so they act on this quickly.
CLICK HERE to sign the petition. A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to your Senators and Representative.

Cloned Meat Should Be Labeled!
The FDA recently declared that meat from cloned animals is safe for human consumption. Write to Congress and urge them to pass a law that requires that all meat from cloned animals be clearly labeled.

Tell the DOE: No More Nukes!
The Department of Energy is required to review public comment for the next 3 months on the proposed plan for New Nuclear Weapons and Complex Transformation. Peace Action hopes to rally 10,000 citizens to speak out against this wasteful and dangerous program. Submit your comment, and ask your friends to do the same. Together, we can unite the Peace Majority.

Congress: We Need Transportation Reform!
We need a major overhaul to promote smarter, more efficient and innovative new approaches for dealing with traffic congestion. This starts with establishing a clear national goal for transportation efficiency tied to objective performance metrics.
Take Action! Tell your members of Congress to support radical reform of our transportation system to improve efficiency and reduce congestion.

Celebrate Voting Day, February 5th!
Is Election Day a National Holiday for you yet? California's primary election is February 5, and you can participate in your Democracy by becoming an Election Officer or sponsoring a Polling Place! Individuals and organizations are welcome: call 805-654-2784
Also, make sure you're registered to vote by visiting RockTheVote.com....it's fast and easy!

Peace Pole, Vigil, and Valentines

2008-01-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

Good morning and happy new year! 2008 looks exciting already...the peace symbol turns 50, America chooses a new president, and more! Locally, the Ojai Valley continues to embrace Peace as a cultural value thanks to the tremendous efforts of many in a variety of endeavors.
i look forward to working with you in this coming year to create the world we want for ourselves and for our children: one that's safe, green, sane, smart, empowered, and actively compassionate.
Let's start here, with our own minds and bodies and community, then work our way outward.
Peace,
-evan

PEACE VIGIL EVERY FRIDAY
· Ojai Peace Vigil - every friday evening from 5-6pm under the Pergola in front of Libbey Park. Bring a candle and a sign, and dress warmly!

PROJECT #1: PEACE POLE FOR OJAI HOUSE
You know Ojai House as THE local place for an eclectic collection of peace-justice-environment themed treasures, gifts, resources, and outright liberal propaganda (featuring unique work by local artists and a sanity-saving dose of wit and humor!)

With the help of the Ojai Peace Coalition, it'll also be the site of our valley's newest Peace Pole! In the spirit of the custom-made pole at the Ojai Art Center, and in keeping with the zany nature of its location, i am proposing that we design and create our own unique pole to be planted in the first half of this year!

Submit your environmentally-friendly designs or ideas (meaning both that we'd like to minimize the use of chemicals AND that it needs to withstand being outdoors in the elements) to me via email to get this ball rolling! As this progresses we'll likely have a face-to-face meeting for those who'd like to contribute.

FEBRUARY: NUCLEAR-FREE VALENTINES!
Last year we participated in celebrating the 40th anniversary of Latin America's greatest gift to the world: a treaty which designated it Planet Earth's first nuclear-weapon-free zone. The Atomic Mirror is again helping us recognize this milestone in Peace history by sending our hand-made valentines to Mexico City as part of the celebration of the Treaty of Tlatelolco.

Obviously we need to have these valentines made and sent before Valentine's Day (Feb 14), so WE NEED A HOST for a valentine-making party! If you have some space to share, please let me know so we can plan this OPC-exclusive event!

4,000 U.S. SOLDIER DEATHS IN IRAQ COMMEMORATION
As of now, there have been 3,911 U.S. soldier deaths in Iraq. The following are from the minutes of the VC Stop the War meeting held Saturday January 5th:

Proposal: 1. Produce flyer for commemoration plans 2. set-up website and cellphone text messaging, and put information on the flyer 3. outreach in Oxnard (friendly suggestion: flea market/swap meet on a Wednesday)
Passed 7 in favor

Proposal: Mario appointed to interface with other organizations
Passed 7 in favor

Discussion included plans to date: The evening after the day 4,000 soldier deaths in Iraq are announced, we'll hold a rally at Ventura City Hall, march through downtown, and vigil on the beach with candlelight. Reiterated: We must commemorate the Iraqi and Afghan dead, and other recent veteran deaths. March with two coffins, one with US flag, the other with Iraqi flag.
John T. reported that only ANSWER confirmed forwarding the email announcement about the event to its list: No other groups confirmed alerting their members. Groups mentioned to seek participation: Cafe on A, groups Francisco is in, Veterans For Peace, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, MEChA, Catholic church.

The Ojai Peace Coalition is a member of VCStopTheWar, and we need to decide whether we'd like to strengthen this Ventura-based commemoration OR hold one of our own more locally. i have no specific plans for a local vigil, but it's relatively easy to do. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE - VENTURA OR OJAI! (IF YOU VOTE FOR OJAI, PLEASE CONSIDER INCLUDING COMMEMORATION IDEAS)

DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING, JANUARY 12
The California Democratic Council and the Democratic Party of Ventura County present a Democratic Leadership Training on Saturday January 12 2008 from 8am to 6pm in the EP Foster Library's Topping Room in Ventura.
The training will include such topics as The California Democratic Party Structure, How to Run a Meeting: Robert's Rules of Order, Club Finances, Increasing your Membership, Reaching Out to Youth, Technology, and The Progressive Challenge.
The Training is FREE ($10 suggested donation to cover food and materials costs)
Please RSVP by January 10 to training@cdc-ca.org or 1-800-446-9709.

GREEN COALITION BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MTG: TUES JAN 15
The following is the proposed agenda for the upcoming meeting on 1/15/08 at Chaparral School Rm. 6, 7PM. If you have any input or changes for the agenda please contact Jon Cotham

Agenda
Ojai Valley Green Coalition
Building and Construction Committee Meeting
1/15/08, 7-8:30 PM
Ojai Chaparral School Rm. 6
Chair of meeting- Jon Cotham
1. Jon Cotham: Welcome, circulate sign in sheet, overview of agenda, and recap highlights from the last meetings minutes.
2. Carolyn Hernandez: Update on the status of the lecture series and what our group needs to do to support this event.
3. Reggie Wood: Ambassador to the City of Ojai about the status of a Green building program.
4. Aaron Clapp: Alternative building codes, straw bale, in the City and County.
5. Wayne Pendrey: Recycling of Sheet rock in the deconstruction process.
6. Carolyn Hernandez: Establish benchmarks to measure the future progress in promoting Green building in the Valley.
7. Open discussion and comments.
8. Confirm next 2 meetings for Feb. 5 & 19
9. Adjourn meeting at 8:30 PM

CELEBRATE VOTING DAY, FEBRUARY 5TH!
Is Election Day a National Holiday for you yet? California's primary election is February 5, and you can participate in your Democracy by becoming an Election Officer or sponsoring a Polling Place! Individuals and organizations are welcome: call 805-654-2784

Please remember to provide the requested feedback, either as a comment right here or via email!

evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

TODAY IN PEACE HISTORY
January 8, 1961
The people of France - in a 75% majority - voted to grant Algeria its independence in a referendum after more than 130 years of French colonial control of the north African country.
More from This Week in Peace History

Planning Meeting for 4,000th Soldier Commemoration

2008-01-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

Ventura County Committee to Stop the War
Organizing meeting to discuss upcoming actions
1 pm Saturday, Jan. 5
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
4360 E. Main St. (corner of Telephone Rd.)

Proposed topics:

* 4,000 US soldier death commemoration
* Free speech at Pacific View Mall follow-up caroling
* Movie theater counter recruitment poll and informational leafleting

For more information, email VCStoptheWar@gmail.com.

Lumono Kuelede Kutolela Munyika!

2007-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

This blog post's title comes from my sister Tatiana, who is serving in the Peace Corps in Zambia, Africa. It is the phrase "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in the language of Citonga.

ACTIONS:
SUNDAY DECEMBER 23 - HELP VETERANS SET UP ARLINGTON WEST IN SANTA BARBARA
Veterans for Peace in SB will be setting up their Arlington West memorial just as they have every Sunday for several years now, honoring the fallen in our current wars. They anticipate being critically short of volunteers tomorrow and would like some help from 7-9am for setup and after 3pm for take-down. Arlington West takes place on the beach next to the pier.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 23 - GREET THE KUCINICH PEACE TRAIN IN VENTURA
Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich's Peace Train has been traveling the California coast and making key stops along the way. Although Dennis' brother Perry died earlier this week (which puts the Kucinich's at funeral services in Ohio), the Peace Train rolls on with veteran campaign organizer, activist, and key aide Amy Vossbrinck filling in. The train arrives at the Ventura station at 9:58am...be there by 9:30 to join other supporters in greeting its arrival!

NOW - BLANKET AND COAT COLLECTION FOR LOCAL FARM WORKERS
Tanner and Michael Akseven of Ventura are collecting gently used and recently washed, cleaned and dry-cleaned blankets and coats for local farm workers. If you bring them to me, i'll get them to the Aksevens. Contact me for drop-off availability: evan austin at superher0@sbcglobal.net or 805-746-3750

Cross-posted at ojaipost.com

Contractor Accountability, Milk Labeling, and Peace Caroling

2007-12-18T01:42:00.000-08:00

"I think the American people - I hope the American - I don't think, let me - I hope the American people trust me."
President George W. Bush
Washington D.C., 2002

This may well be my last Action Blog entry for 2007!
i hope your holy-days are green and meaningful, and i'll reconnect in 2008! (aka
the year we restore democracy, the year we end war, and Year
of the Planet Earth)
Peace,
-evan

In This Issue

Local Happenings
Nader: An Unreasonable Man
Hold Contractors Accountable in Iraq!
Protect "rBGH-free" Labeling of Milk!
Reject Bad Healthcare Bill

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LOCAL HAPPENINGS

· Ojai Peace Vigil - every friday evening from 5-6pm under the Pergola in front
of Libbey Park. bring a candle and a sign, and dress warmly!
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Documentary: "An Unreasonable Man"

Ever wonder how Public Citizen got started?
Now is your chance to find out. Check out "An Unreasonable Man," a documentary about
Ralph Nader and the launch of the modern consumer movement, to be broadcast nationwide on PBS Channel 28 (KCET) today, Dec. 18 at 9:00pm.
The film traces consumer activism back to 1968, when a young bunch of "Nader's Raiders" began working on issues ranging from abuses involving public health and safety to nursing homes to economic concentration. Soon after, in 1971, Ralph Nader founded Public Citizen, and we've been fighting for health, safety and democracy ever since. The film also documents Nader's campaign for president in 2000, outlining both the pros and cons of his run.

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Hold Contractors Accountable!

Jamie Leigh Jones was a 20-year-old woman working in Iraq for a subsidiary of Halliburton when she was drugged and brutally gang-raped by several co-workers.
The next day, Halliburton told her that if she left Iraq to get medical treatment,
she could lose her job.
Jamie's story gets even more horrific: For the last two years, she's been asking
the US government to hold the perpetrators accountable. But the men who raped her
may never be brought to justice because Halliburton and other contractors in Iraq
aren't subject to US or Iraqi laws. They can't be tried for a crime in any court.
Call on Congress to investigate Jamie's case, hold those involved accountable, and
bring US contractors under the jurisdiction of US law so this can't happen again:
CLICK HERE to sign the petition.

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Protect "rBGH-free" Labeling!

Ohio and New Jersey are both trying to make it illegal for dairies to label
their milk as "hormone-free." A recent poll conducted for Food & Water Watchindicates that 80 percent of consumers want milk from cows not treated with rBGH to be labeled "rBGH-free." Consumers have a right to know what's in their milk, and dairies have a right to tell them.

Contact the Governors of Ohio and New Jersey today!

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Reject bad healthcare bill ABX1 1

The legislature is about to vote on healthcare reform bill ABX1 1.

Unfortunately, ABX1 1 will neither provide universal coverage nor
will it control costs because it funnels most healthcare dollars
through the inefficient private health industry, which is the main
obstacle to real healthcare reform. Reject ABX1 1 as an impediment to
real universal healthcare reform - SB 840(private health care, public
insurance).

TAKE ACTIONby sending an email to our State representatives. Be sure to add your
own personal message or story for maximum impact!

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Democratic Leadership Training in January

The California Democratic Council and the Democratic Party of Ventura County present
a Democratic Leadership Training on Saturday January 12 2008 from 8am to 6pm in
the EP Foster Library's Topping Room in Ventura.
The training will include such topics as The California Democratic Party Structure,
How to Run a Meeting: Robert's Rules of Order, Club Finances, Increasing your Membership, Reaching Out to Youth, Technology, and The Progressive Challenge.
The Training is FREE ($10 suggested donation to cover food and materials costs)
Please RSVP by January 10 to training@cdc-ca.orgor 1-800-446-9709.

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Caroling for Peace at the Mall this Friday

Join the Ventura County Committee to Stop the War this Friday December 21st at the
Pacific View Mall at Main and Mills in Ventura for a Candlelight Vigil from 5:30-6:30pm, followed by caroling for peace from 6:30-7:30pm.
For more information, contact VCCSW or the Peace Coalition of Greater
Ventura.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry Everything!,
evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

Climate Change, Kucinich, and Impeachment...Oh My!

2007-12-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

Ack! i THOUGHT that this morning's email felt kind of light, and then a bunch of new actions poured in! i hope you're thrilled that i'm sharing them with you!

i neglected to mention Bodhi Day (Buddhism) last Saturday, Eid Al-Adha (Islam) on the 20th, and Yule (Wicca and Pagan) on the 23rd. Happy Winter!

Peace,
-evan

In This Addendum
Local Happenings
Citizens for Impeachment Meeting
House: Take Torture Off The Table!
George Won't Address Climate Change, But Al Will
December 15: Contribute to Dennis' Campaign!

LOCAL HAPPENINGS
· Ojai Peace Vigil - every friday evening from 5-6pm under the Pergola in front of Libbey Park. bring a candle and a sign, and dress warmly!

Citizens for Impeachment meets tomorrow (Weds)
Citizens for Impeachment meets tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 6:30 at Rusty's Pizza, 1413 S. Victoria Ave in the meeting room.

House: Take Torture Off The Table!
On Wednesday, December 12, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on legislation that would establish one humane standard of treatment for all detainees in U.S. custody.

This is our chance to eliminate the CIA double standard created by President Bush's executive order in July. If this legislation passes, U.S. intelligence agencies would have to comply with the U.S. military's clear interrogation standards. Tell your Representative you're counting on their vote on Wednesday.

CLICK HERE to take action!

George Won't Address Climate Change, But Al Will

Dear Friend,

As I head off to Bali, I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have worked so hard and so long to bring the issue of climate change to prominence. I want to especially thank MoveOn members, and Wes, Joan, Eli and the whole MoveOn team, for the years of support and encouragement. To all of you who have written, emailed, called and organized, thank you.

In Bali, Indonesia thousands of delegates from nearly 190 countries have gathered at the UN Conference on Climate Change. In a few days, I will address the conference to urge the adoption of a visionary new treaty to address global warming and I want to bring your voices with me.

So, I need your help again.

Sign my petition today by clicking this link and I will bring your signatures on stage with me as a clear demonstration of our resolve.

Together, we will call on the U.S. government to assume a new leadership role in solving the climate crisis.

World leaders including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and newly elected Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have all agreed to aggressively battle the climate crisis-yet our country still lags behind.

Over the next few days, I would like to ask you to help me get people from across the country to sign our message to the global community. We can demonstrate that the American people understand the immediacy of the climate crisis and want to work with the nations of the world to solve it. Time is short-we need to mobilize everyone to bring this message to Bali. Click here to add your name to my petition.

The American people want a visionary treaty to address climate change and for the U.S. government to play a positive leadership role in its development.

Together, we can make it happen.

Thank you,

Al Gore

P.S. After signing the petition, please urge your friends and family to sign the petition and join the movement.

December 15: Contribute to Dennis' Campaign!
On December 15th, 1791, the Bill of Rights took effect.

On December 15th, 2007, the biggest gathering of new Dennis Kucinich contributors and supporters will happen in living rooms across the country - with your help.

You already know that as president Dennis will be the strongest defender of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution - ready to lay down his life to defend them. Now Dennis needs you to bring that message to your neighbors, friends and family.

On the 15th, you can join supporters from around the nation by hosting a house party in your home and bringing new contributors to the campaign.

how to help?
· HOST A HOUSE PARTY ON SATURDAY

· PLEDGE TO DONATE ON THE 15TH

· DONATE!

Stop the Wars, Shop for Peace!

2007-12-11T12:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning, and happy December 11th! Last Friday was Pearl Harbor Day (on which the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to support the creation of a Department of Peace), and yesterday was International Human Rights Day. Two days ago was the last day of Chalica, and tomorrow is the last day of Hanukkah. Saturday the 22nd is Winter Solstice, Tuesday the 25th is Christmas, and Wednesday the 26th is the first day of Kwanzaa. So much to celebrate!!!

In This Issue
Local Happenings
Call the Senate: No More Blank Checks for War!
Hey Elton: No War With Iran!
Kucinich: The OPC's Candidate of Choice!
Shop in (and for) Peace!

LOCAL HAPPENINGS
· Ojai Peace Vigil - every friday evening from 5-6pm under the Pergola in front of Libbey Park. bring a candle and a sign, and dress warmly!

Call the Senate: No More Blank Checks for War!
from MoveOn:

Last month, Majority Leader Reid and other Democratic leaders drew a line in the sand. They said there would be no more funding for the war in Iraq unless it was attached to a timeline for withdrawal.1 And they told President Bush that they were standing firm.

Well, now it looks like they're poised to cave in and give the president another blank check. Can you call Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein right away and tell them to oppose any deal that does not include a firm timeline to end the war?

Senator Barbara Boxer
Phone: 202-224-3553

Senator Dianne Feinstein
Phone: 202-224-3841

Afterward, report your call by clicking here.

Hey Elton: No War With Iran!
Please join local organizer Kris Young in this MoveOn-sponsored action to deliver petitions to Elton Gallegly's office in Thousand Oaks, making clear our strong opposition to war with Iran.

2829 Townsgate Road, Suite 315
THURSDAY 13 Dec, 12:00 PM

SIGN UP HERE

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Kucinich: The OPC's Candidate of Choice!
After 7 days of voting, the preference is very clear: when asked "Which Democratic presidential candidate best represents the OPC values of Peace, Justice, Environment, and Democracy", 82% of you voted for Dennis Kucinich!

Hillary Clinton and Bill Richarson each garnered 7% of the vote, with "No Democrat" receiving 3%.

Look for a dedicated Dennis section in the right-side column of this page, where you can follow our candidate's campaign and find ways to contribute. i'll also be putting up new polls...check in often!

Shop for Peace!
There's a section in the right-side column with links to progressive and Peace-themed gift ideas. what would you add? what would you remove?

This February and next November, Vote for Peace!

2007-12-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

Dear family and friends,

As is the case in most presidential elections, our upcoming one is marked by serious and complex issues that We, The People are tasked with deciding the course of. More often than not, these issues are about our common humanity and morality and NOT as shallow as partisan politics, as the media and political machines would have us believe. The most urgent issues facing me this election cycle are
• Iraq – a strategy for ending the war and bringing every soldier home.
• Iran – preventing another unnecessary war by exercising creative and intelligent diplomacy
• Nuclear Weapons – halting the development of a new generation of U.S. nukes, and leading the international community in disarmament.

Some very brief facts about each of these topics:
• Iraq - as of NOW – Saturday December 8th at 9am – there have been 3,886 U.S. troop deaths in Iraq, coupled with tens of thousands of injuries and estimates of up to a MILLION killed Iraqis, and all at a cost to our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of more than $475 BILLION.
• Iran - a recent intelligence report reveals that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program as long as FOUR YEARS AGO, and yet the Bush Administration continues to try to scare us with the threat of a nuclear Iran. Reports are showing that President Bush knew about the cessation of nuclear activities, and yet his administration is currently spinning that data as reinforcement for their belief in imminent danger and fear.
• Nukes - this administration has been pursuing production of new nuclear weapons during its entire term, even though we already have a stockpile of nearly 10,000 Earth-destroying weapons (approx. 1/3 of the entire nuclear stock on this planet, and most of them are armed.) each ONE of them carries about 30 times the destructive power of the Hiroshima bomb, and it would take no more than a few hundred of them to destroy a major portion of the world.

Most of our choices for President have a position on these issues, which makes it fairly clear what kind of world we can expect with them in office. Here’s my simplified rundown:

> if your value system and religious morals and American dream include more illegal war, indefinite deployment of troops, military action against Iran, and the production of more weapons of mass destruction capable of destroying all life, then vote for
Sam Brownback
Rudy Giuliani
Mike Huckabee
Duncan Hunter
John McCain
Mitt Romney
Tom Tancredo
Fred Thompson

> if your values include Peace, Justice, and Democracy; if your religion tells you to honor life and creation; if your America is one that leads the way toward Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for all, then vote for
Joe Biden
Chris Dodd
John Edwards
Dennis Kucinich
Mike Gravel
Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama
Ron Paul
Bill Richardson

Of course it’s slightly more complex than that; there are other issues, and variations within my either-or analysis. However, on these three major issues – Iraq, Iran, and Nuclear Weapons – it really is pretty clear who would go in with proverbial and literal guns blazing and who would exercise intelligence and compassion. It is my belief that we vote not for our selves so much as for generations just beginning and yet to come. With them in mind, i refuse to be programmed for fear and a twisted sense of “justice” that amounts to no more than bestial vengeance. I refuse to continue to leave this world less healthy, less just, and less peaceful than when i found it when all the tools and opportunities to do the opposite lay right before me.

If you want to be an active participant in your political community (a Citizen):
1. REGISTER TO VOTE! One super-easy way is to go to rockthevote.com and fill in the form. You print it, sign it, and mail it. Done! You have until 15 days before an election to register or change your party. The Primaries are on February 5, 2008. You have until January 22 to get your registration in their hands.

2. EDUCATE YOURSELF. It’s nothing less than your responsibility. All of the candidates have websites, and many organizations make voting guides and catalogue the candidates’ positions. One that i really like is from Peace Action West.

3. VOTE! The United States is one of the only democracies to place the burden of voting on the Citizens (many other places make it a holiday so you don’t have work or school to contend with). Please make voting a priority! If you’re crazy and believe in being the change you wish to see in the world like i am/do, you can declare it a personal holiday...skip work and school, volunteer at a polling station, and vote!

Peace,
-evan

Immigration, Birth Control, and Diplomacy

2007-11-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

Dear friend,

i hope your Thanksgiving celebration was gratifying...we truly have so much to be thankful for, including our right and responsibility to dissent and create positive change!

right now you're reading the NEW OJAI PEACE COALITION BLOG, which will serve mostly as an online home for these action alerts (although you can comment on them as well). it's an easy way to archive our actions, and it's simple to direct friends and relatives to, or to check on when you're away from your own email! Sweet!

(look to the right for links to organizations that contribute actions to us, places to get peace-themed and progressive gifts for the holydays, and content not available in action emails!)

Peace,
-evan

In This Issue:
Local Happenings
Immigration and War
Save Mississippi Wetlands
Call for a Department of Peace
Restore Affordable Birth Control
Support Diplomacy with Iran

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LOCAL HAPPENINGS

· The Environmental Health Committee of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition is meeting
Wednesday November 28 at 1030 Dominion (take left or right at Vons, go down to Fairview past The Deer Lodge and make a Left at Fairview, a Left on Rice and a Left at Dominion). For time and with questions, call 646-4792.

· Support Dennis Kucinich! Meet on Thursday morning at 10 at John Azevedo's place (former site of Ojai Creates!) at 207 N. Ventura. The initial plan is to brainstorm ideas on how we might support Dennis, maybe as individuals, maybe as a group, maybe doing a fundraiser or concert, or maybe all of that and more. Time is of the essence; the primaries are coming up fast. Whatever we can do to support Dennis's voice being heard counts.

· PEACE VIGIL every friday evening from 5-6pm under the Pergola in front of Libbey
Park. Dress warmly!

· Sacred Space Yoga Studio presents a community film screening of YYoga Movie on Saturday December 1 at 8pm. The studio is at 410 Bryant Circle, Suite A. 646-6761
These screenings are supported by your generous donations.

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DOES ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PAY FOR ILLEGAL WAR?

AN ISSUE TO WATCH:
The following comes to us from OPC-member Connie Lowry, in response to an Editorial Page entry in the Ventura County Star on 11/26/07:

Dear Representative Kucinich,
I support your candidacy for President and loved seeing you and your wife here in Ojai, California.
Today in our local Ventura County Star Newspaper is an article titled "Is illegal immigration at the heart of the Iraq war?" written by Jose De La Isia of Houston.
He wrote The Rise of Hispanic Political Power and writes a weekly commentary for Hispanic Link News Services. Today he wrote that after the Treasury collects the money, it allows the SSA to carry the amount as a receivable for bookkeeping purposes. Then Treasury uses the funds to pay other government expenses. The biggest one is the war in Iraq. Right now it is running, coincidentally, at $500 billion, according to the National Priorities Project. If no one claims this Social Security windfall, it's free money to pay for war.
This is shocking to me as a senior citizen and patriot and peace worker.
Please investigate this and bring it to the light of correction.
Kind regards,
Connie Lowry

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SAVE MISSISSIPPI WETLANDS

FROM ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE:
Some of the richest natural resources in the nation are in the heart of the Mississippi River flyway. The Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) wants to spend $211 million of your tax dollars on a project that could drain and damage more than 200,000 acres of the wetlands in this area.
In one of the most sparsely populated regions in the state of Mississippi, the Corps would like to build the world's largest hydraulic pumping plant.
In a throwback to another era - and contrary to federal policy - the Yazoo Pumps would be used to drain wetlands so agribusiness can intensify production to reap more farm subsidy payments.

SEND AN EMAIL to the Corps of Engineers, the EPA, and Department of the Interior requesting that they dump the pumps and protect the wetlands.

BE SURE TO ALTER THE PRE-SCRIPTED MESSAGE WITH YOUR OWN WORDS FOR EXTRA IMPACT!

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CALL FOR A DEPARTMENT OF PEACE!

FROM THE PEACE ALLIANCE:
From Monday, December 3rd through Friday, December 7th, Americans of all generations
will unite to telephone the offices of our Federal House of Representatives every 30 minutes to "Call for a Department of Peace!"
We must act now. The impact of violence on Americans of all ages is too painful and costly, and the opportunities for peace are too great. We must make it known that all of us, from all generations, Call for a Department of Peace!
By calling every 30 minutes for a week, we make it known that the Department of Peace is of importance to our congressional districts. See below to sign up for one time slot, and how to organize your friends, family, and network to do the same!
Simply visit the website, follow the instructions to sign up for a timeslot, then make your call!

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RESTORE AFFORDABLE BIRTH CONTROL

FROM NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA:
Students and low-income women around the country have seen a dramatic increase in the price of their birth-control prescriptions. It's the result of a 2005 bill that wasn't even supposed to do what it did.

Thanks to efforts by students on college campuses across the country Congress has finally introduced a fix. We need this bill to move quickly before more women are impacted by high prescription birth-control prices.

Send an urgent message to your members of Congress about the need to restore affordable birth control immediately.

evan's note:
Radio host Thom Hartmann explained this week on his Air America program that one of the biggest contributors to global warming is sheer unsustainable population. Population, he went on, is directly related to the empowerment of women, as seen in cultures and regions where empowered women keep the population at zero or negative growth. So take this double action: work for gender equality and climate crisis at the same time!

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SENATE: SUPPORT DIPLOMACY WITH IRAN!

FROM PEACE ACTION WEST:
In the wake of the Senate vote on the Kyl-Lieberman Iran amendment and continuous pressure from the peace movement, many senators have become more proactive in pushing for diplomacy with Iran. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) has offered a new resolution stating that the president needs Congress's approval before conducting offensive military action against Iran.

We cannot afford another mistake like the tragic war in Iraq. Write your Senators and urge them to stand up to the Bush administration and support Durbin's resolution:

BE SURE TO ADD YOUR OWN PERSONAL MESSAGE TO THE PRE-GENERATED SCRIPT, FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT!

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Mas Paz! (More Peace!),

evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

Interfaith, Impeachment, and Culture-Building!

2007-11-08T23:35:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon, friend!

My current operating goal for the Ojai Peace Coalition email alerts is to put one out every other Tuesday (predictable for you and me both!), unless there’s something hot that needs to be known!

Well, now is one of those times:

TONIGHT: OJAI INTERFAITH ALLIANCE MTG:
At Glen Muse, 815 Libbey Ave at 7pm
If you’re connecting your own spirituality with a healthy value of the diversity of other spiritual traditions with Peace and activism, come check it out! Topics for discussion will include:
- Organizational name and status
- Jerusalem Women coming next week.
- Next year's Living Peace
- Other activities and initiatives we might want consider in the future

NOW: IMPEACHMENT!
This past Tuesday, Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced via personal privilege H.Res.333 charging Vice President Richard Cheney with high crimes and misdemeanors and calling for his impeachment. A motion was made to table (kill) the resolution, for which Dennis required a full electronic vote. It lasted over an hour, and included two key exclamation points:
!: the vast majority of House Democrats voted to kill the resolution, preventing further debate.
!: House Republicans’ strategy was to vote AGAINST tabling, which they did en masse at the end of the voting period.

At the end of that vote, more Republicans had voted in favor of keeping the resolution alive than had Democrats...shocking and dismaying! A motion was then made to refer the resolution to the Judiciary Committee, where it is speculated that the Republicans hope it will die. The Judiciary Committee is lead by Democrat John Conyers and has a majority of Democrats, but they had just shown that they don’t want to talk about impeachment despite support of the American people.

At any rate, the resolution – H.Res.799 – is in the Judiciary Committee. Many actions are being suggested in this Open Thread on the Ojai Post.

I’ll copy some here:
• Actions from democrats.com
• Which include emailing the entire Judiciary Committee (make sure to include a personal comment!)
• Find out who’s on the Judiciary Committee
• Hint: Elton Gallegly’s ON the Committee! Email him!
• Call Elton’s office and request that the Committee begin hearings and that he support impeachment: 1-202-225-5811
• Email Dennis Kucinich and let him know you support impeachment of Dick Cheney. DK will compile all the messages and deliver them to the Judiciary.

Why impeachment? For me, it’s about justice, accountability, and upholding the Constitution. As Dennis said during a call to C-SPAN during the voting, it’s not about him or his campaign for President, and it’s not even so much about Dick Cheney. It’s about whether anyone’s going to stand up for and with the American people and our Constitution. It matters not to me how much more time they have in office....crimes have been committed, and our founding documents give us the power and responsibility to pursue accountability. There is no timetable for justice.

SUNDAY NOV 11: BUILDING A CULTURE OF PEACE
The Buddhist association, Soka Gakkai International (Society for the Creation of Value), is a grassroots movement promoting a Cultural, Educational, and Humanistic Network pursuing nonviolence & dialogue. They will be hosting a free community event entitled “Creating a Culture of Peace” this coming Sunday the 11th from 1-3pm at the Ojai Retreat (160 Besant Road, Meiner’s Oaks), and I’LL BE SPEAKING as part of a panel that also includes OPC-member Peggy LaCerra! I’m thrilled to have been invited to share my thoughts on Peace and Culture, and invite you to join us for music, food, entertainment, and discussion!

Peace!
-evan