2006-2007

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Category: 2006-2007

David's earliest memories of Ojai are with his mother visiting Krotona and the Oak Grove to listen to Krishnamurti speak. He attended Ojai Valley School in 1964 for a brief period. The town made a lasting impression on him and he moved here 20 years ago with his wife and two sons.

David has been architecture for 25 years and completed many award winning projects throughout Ojai, Ventura County, Santa Barbara, and the Southwestern United States.

David served this city for over 15 years, first as a Redevelopment Commisioner and then as a Planning Commisioner and Chair. In 1998, David was elected to the Ojai City Council where he has served for 8 years, including 2 years as Mayor.

Aside from his passion for architecture, David is an avid outdoorsman, with years of backpacking experience in the Ojai and Santa Barbara back country.

David is honored with the opportunity and responsibility of serving his community. David has mentored youth and emerging leaders and enjoys sharing his creativity, knowledge, and experience.

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Category: 2006-2007

Mr. Orser was born in Los Angeles and raised in Lancaster, Ca. His interest in music began in the 5th grade when he started playing the violin. He attended Antelope Valley Community College and California State University at Northridge. His first full-time music teaching position was at Lincoln High School in East L.A. While there, he took a handful of students and a program in shambles and turned it into an award winning organization. He returned to CSUN for graduate studies receiving his Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting.

Don Orser is currently director of the Matilija Junior High School Music Department. Since his arrival, he has expanded the musice department to include award winning choir, strings, jazz bands, intermediate, and advanced bands. This year, working with the Ojai Youth Symphony, he has introduced a strings class at Matilija.

In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Orser has enjoyed a wide variety of musical experiences. He has directed the Ojai Community Chorus. He has performed throughout Germany, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia as a member of the CSUN Symphony Orchestra. He currently is a vocalist and mandolin player in a bluegrass band called The Iron Mountain Boys.

This Ojai Treasure has made a lasting and positive impact on our youth through his music.

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Category: 2006-2007

Jane McClenahan is the Director of the Ojai Valley Museum. Under her directorship, the museum has been greatly modernized in keeping the archives of the Ojai Valley and continues to get grants to improve the museum.

She is a very active member of the Rotary Club of Ojai West, serving as Past-President. Under her leadership, the started planning on what is now the Rotary Community Park. She will be District Governor of our Rotary District 5240 for the year 2007-2008.

Jane is a Ventura County Area Housing Commissioner. In the past, she has worked many years at Ojai Valley School in various capacities. She is past-president of the American Legion Auxilliary.

Her efforts in and out of this community are a perfect example of the Rotary Four-Way Test and even more so "Service Above Self".

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Category: 2006-2007

Joan was born in Chicago, IL and received her education in Illinois and Virginia. Joan was married and is divorced and has 4 children, 7 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Her professional work involved marketing and promotion in the airline industry and the performing arts fields.

A long time resident of the Ojai Valley, Joan has been involved in many volunteer activities. An early member of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Joan was the leader of several fund raising events that lead to the purchase of key parcels of land. A long-time volunteer leader of the Ojai Music Festival, Joan guided the organization through critical times.

Joan continues her volunteer activities and active fund raising today for the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation Guild and leadership in raising funds for building a performing art center on the Nordhoff campus.

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Category: 2006-2007

Born and raised in North Dakota, Ms. Spencer came to California in 1960. She taught at Monica Ros School for 9 years before starting with Help of Ojai.

Marlene Spencer has been the Executive Director of Help of Ojai for more than 30 years. Due to her outstanding labor of love, Help has been labeled as the organization with a heart. Help of Ojai mission statement is to combine community and individual resources to respond to the identified, unmet, basic human needs of the Ojai Valley residents, including seniors, families, and youth.

Due to Marlene Spencer's outstanding leadership, our untiring volunteers and dedicated staff, more than 90 percent of Help's income goes directly into services to clients. This is an extraordinary ratio among nonprofit organizations. She is truly a Living Treasure.

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Category: 2006-2007

In the 1970's Nan Tolbert drew a large percentage of pregnant women from Ventura County to Ojai Hospital with her expertise and progressive birthing techniques. She was part of a remarkable group, along with Dr. Robert Skankey, who practiced innovative and healthy birthing techniques that are more mainstream today.

When the hospital closed its doors in 2000, Ms. Tolbert found new ways to help the same group of women and their families. Along with friend, Marilyn Ryan, she founded The Ojai Valley Birth Resource and Family Center, which helped countless moms and families, both English and Spanish speaking, through the birth process and early education. These classes are available to all, regardless of income. She brought families together, tapping into the experiences and knowledge of fellow mothers, creating a network of friends to help.

Sadly, Nan succumbed to a brain cancer this past year. During her illness, her former students, patients, and friends responded with offers of help, support, food, and gifts. Nan left this world as she lived it: with grace and patience. We will miss you.