2009-2010

Anne Shrage

Category: 2009-2010

Anne Shrage has always been politically active. She has been deeply rooted in the Civil Rights Movement. She served as housing chairperson for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), ferriting out racially biased and discriminatory landlords and took on businesses for racial and religious discrimination.

She worked in the Department of Social Services and Office of the District Attorney for Santa Clara County. She launched and served as Producer for "People Productions", a theater company in San Jose, producing 12 plays from The Emperor Jones to Streetcar Named Desire.

In the 1980's and 90's, she moved to New York and helped with affordable housing and managed site construction and sales of condos.

She moved to Ojai in 1996 and is presently employed part-time by Ventura County at the Ojai Library as coordinator for "Schoolinks", an after-school homework center since 1997. She volunteers at the Ojai Museum where she is a docent and children's tour director. She volunteers at the Ojai Music Festival and Ojai Film Festival and is a Board Member of the Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation.

Jim Bailey

Category: 2009-2010

Jim Bailey grew up in Southern California and his mother was a school secretary for 20 years. "I don't think she could be any prouder of my choice of profession even I were a doctor or a lawyer." Jim joined Ojai Unified School District in 2001. He teaches science to Matilija Jr. High students and, through the support of the Ojai Education Foundation, he has been able to teach science in local elementary schools. He loves working with the students, putting emphasis on the "learn by doing" approach, nurturing that philosophy with entertaining and instructive projects. "Of course, teaching in this community is far more than I could have ever imagined. The students are curious and well-prepared, the families care about education, and the support in the community is always there. Ojai Educational Foundation, the Ojai Rotary Club, Food for Thought, and individual families have supported our programs very generously over the years." This has resulted in a recent boost to its science scores in standardized test performance by students since fostering collaboration between elementary teachers, Mr. Bailey and local organizations.

Kit Willis

Category: 2009-2010

Kit Willis was introduced to the library at an early age, spending her childhood years in Ojai and returning with her husband in 1975.

With a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters in Library and Information Science, she was hired by the Oak View Library. While there, she doubled the size of the library, tripled the circulation, and added many new programs for children and their families.

In 1995, she returned to the Ojai Library as Youth Librarian, working with Head Librarian, Ann Crozier, and on her retirement in 1998, was hired as Ojai Library's City Librarian.

In her career, she has participated and spearheaded many worthwhile projects, weathered several financial crises, helped refurbish the old Libbey Land Office, created Twice-Sold Tales Bookstore, expanded and beautified Ojai Library's Secret Garden, and established homework centers at the three Valley libraries with the help and support of local volunteers.

After 26 years of service, she retired in 2009, finding new ways to contribute to this wonderful communtiy.

Larry and Judie Beckett

Category: 2009-2010

Larry Beckett has a Master's Degree in psychology from Pepperdine University. Larry worked for the Oxnard School District for 30 years as an Educational Psychologist and Manager of Special Education. He has won awards for Educator of the Year and Psychologist of the Year. He has served in the Ventura County Search and Rescue for 35 years and was awarded the Ventura Peace Officer's "Citizen's Medal of Valor". He has served in Ojai Rotary and was named Rotarian of the Year.

Judie has a BS in Liberal Studies from Antioch University and has worked as a real estate loan officer, administrative assistant, optometric assistant, and is the owner of a local botique. Her passion for service was realized as a Girl Scout Leader, Jr. Woman's Club member, Children's Home Society member, and was one of the original founders of the Ojai Youth Employment Services in the 70's.

Larry and Judie moved to Ojai 39 years ago to raise their family in a "small town environment". Together they have served in Citizens to Preserve the Ojai, 4H, School parent-teacher organizations and projects, supported the Ojai Youth Foundation, and many other chairitable projects.

Scott Smith

Category: 2009-2010

Scott "Smitty West" Smith describes himself as a Musician, Farmer, and Humanitarian Activist. He is currently the President of the Ojai Rotary Club.

His songwriting has produced two full-length albums. His song, Lady of the Aisle, recently was selected 2008 Song of the Year by the MAVRIC music awards. He is active in community music programs including a local songwriters' group, theater musical productions, and churches.

In 2003, he became active in landmine awareness and has spearheaded efforts to rid war-torn nations of the scourge of mines and unexploded ordnance in Bosnia, Lebanon, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. He does this work through the Marshall Legacy Institue.

Scott and his wife, Betsy live on and operate Euterpe Farms, a native plant farm located on the Ventura River in Meiners Oaks, dedicated to establishing and maintaining sustainable horticulture and faming.

With a BS in geology, he worked in New Orleans in the 80's. Scott observes, "I learned of a custom practiced by a family at a village in the Holy Valley of Lebanon: The men were expected to put aside their careers when they reached their 40's...the prime of their life...and dedicate at least a decade to the pursuit of creative, artistic, and humanitarian activites. Perhaps this will change your life and the lives of those around you. If not, you can always go back to your traditional career. It is changing mine."

Susana Arce

Category: 2009-2010

Susana Arce is a 7th generation (Tico and Rodriguez Families) Californian, raised in Ojai. She has devoted her life to serving the youth of Ojai. She left her job at San Jose State to teach at Nordhoff HS in 1967. She serves as Assistant Principal at Nordhoff and currently donates most of her salary to the Ojai Unified School District to fund the position of Resource Officer at Nordhoff. "It is a fundamental right for the students at Nordhoff to feel safe." She has been a member of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section since 1981 and currently serves on the Executive Committee which makes decisions on rules and regulations of high school sports. "The best part of being a Living Treasure is, the living part of it."