2012-2013

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Category: 2012-2013

Our most senior Living Treasure "is Ojai". She was born in 1911 in Cleveland and moved to Los Angeles to attend USC and, subsequently a trade school for fashion.

Her love for the arts and music led her to move to Ojai when a position at one of the private schools became available. In the 1960s, the Ojai Music Festival was looking for its first secretary. It was a job she knew nothing about, but that did not stop her from getting the job, reading a book on the subject beforehand.

She worked for the Ojai Music Festival for many years and became a highly revered and loved member. As she approaches her 101st year this April, she still treasures her independence and focus.

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Category: 2012-2013

Like most of our Living Treasures, Jane has had the time to serve our community in many ways. "I have been fortunate to have the time to volunteer in many areas in Ojai. Helping non-profits gives me a great deal of satisfaction and I have made lasting friendships."

Moving to Ojai in the 1980s from Houston, she taught High School History for 10 years. Her civic duties include participation in the Ojai Festivals, Ojai Valley Museum, Ojai Valley Garden Club, and the Ojai Valley Hospital Guild, which has been instrumental in raising the funds for much-needed equipment and support for our local hospital.

Your satisfaction with civic service has benefitted us all.

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Category: 2012-2013

Ojai locals know Joe by different names. He is "Mayor Joe", former Ojai Mayor, "Mr. D" to students from the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades he taught at San Antonio School and was the Principal, and just Joe to his friends alike.

He served on the Ojai City Council from 1989 to 2009 where he was mayor of the city five separate times. He has been involved for the past 20 years with the American Heart Association as a board member. He has been on the Boards of the Ojai Tennis Tournament, Ojai Valley Museum, Gold Coast Transit, and the Ventura County Transportation Committee.

In his spare time, he travels with his wife of 60 years, skis, and cherishes the time he spends with his children and grandchildren.

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Category: 2012-2013

Music soothes the soul of the savage beast--or so they say. Local music teacher, Laura Denne, believes that music can soothe the soul of anyone willing to embrace it. She has dedicated more than 20 years of her life educating local youngsters in music. She is best known for her musical contributions to the valley. She has taught children the art of making music, started the Ojai Valley Youth Band, and helped form the Ojai Band where she plays bass clarinet during the summer concert series at Libby Park. Laura taught at Summit School and, during that time, revised the curriculum for the Ojai Unified School District music program to incorporate an independant study program for home schooled students. In 1998, she was recognized as Independent Studies Teacher of the Year for these accomplishments. She retired this past year and plans to travel with her husband, Bob (a Living Treasure as well). She said, "I'm truly honored to be a Living Treasure, although my living treasures are my family and students."

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Category: 2012-2013

Sharon Cline was raised in Azuza California and came to Ojai and became involved in a myriad of roles as a Librarian, Parent Guild officer, Junior Girl Scout leader, Senior Scout Advisor, Boy Scout Advisor, and Badge Cordinator. Upon her husband, Austin's retirement, they traveled extensively and always returned to Ojai with the willingness to serve. She is currently on the Ojai Independence Day Committee as a Board Member and Christmas Wreath Chairman for the Ojai Valley Garden Club. Through the Rotary Club of Ojai West she had worked extensively for their premier fundraiser, the Wine Festival, at Lake Casitas and the Floating Classroom, a boat that takes local students onto Lake Castias for teaching about the local ecology and biodiversity Sharon's sums it up by saying, "Most of the things I have done have been the small things nothing really big or important to life or death. They were fun doing them and being involved with the Youth and helping where I could to make their progression to adulthood al little easy and fun."

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Category: 2012-2013

When Tom Jamison retired in 1977, he told himself that he was going to get involved in community activities. He had seen too many people retire and sit home and do nothing, ending their lives.

He has not sat still. In his parish he has been past chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, BBQ chef and more. His involvement ranges from the Municipal Advisory Council to HELP of Ojai, where he has served on the Board of Directors for the past 5 years as Treasurer and Vice-President and a member of the Finance Committee. He was on the board of his local sanitary district helping bring together the districts into one body. He was President of the Municipal Advisory Council, reporting to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and, for 13 years, planned, organized, and developed support for St. Joseph's BBQs fundraisers. With all this, he has found time for leadership positions on the Board of the FAA Western Federal Credit Union, Ventura Elks Lodge, Ojai Optimist Club, Ojai Valley Moose Lodge, and the Ojai Valley Retired Professional and Businessmen's Club. He has volunteered for Food Share and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Ventura River County Water District. The list goes on and on. He is always willing to help when it comes to the needy and the Senior population of Ojai.