2019-2020

Connie Biggers

Category: 2019-2020

"Boots on the ground" is one of Connie Biggers' favorite expressions. This describes the way she likes to get a job done, whether it's helping homeless veterans or giving scholarships to local students.Her mentor, Kathy Doubleday, described her as a "whirlwind of energy". Beginning her teaching career in Nebraska and Colorado, tiring of the cold winters there she took a friend's suggestion and moved to Ojai.

She was hired as a PE teacher at Nordhoff HS, where she taught for more than 30 years. She believes that public schools and military veterans have been "put on the back burner". To that end, she has volunteered many hours to the American Legion Auxillary Unit, the Ventura County Stand Down (a 3 day event for homeless Veterans) ensuring the homeless vets are fed, clothed, and, if possible securing housing. She can be found around Memorial Day and Veterans day, at the Nordhoff Cemetery, leading a cadre of volunteers to clean up and put American flags on the graves of Veterans.

She served 2 terms as President of the Oak View Woman's Club, working on Adopt a Family programs, sponsoring poetry and short story writing contests for local high school students.

She also helps with a program called Penny Pines which assists the U. S. Forestry Service to restore areas devastated by wild fires.

Biggers used to tell her students, "We are all members of a community and we have a responsibility to safeguard, protect, and heal that community."

Glen Fout

Category: 2019-2020

Ojai native, Glen Fout, has always found his calling by showing up, rolling up his sleeves, and getting to work.A firm supporter of education, he served on the Ojai Education Board, chaired the Ojai Unified School District Measure J Committee, and the OUSD 7-11 Committee.

Glen has been a member of city committees and commissions as well: the Ojai Music Festival, Ojai Arts Commission, and Ojai Parks and Recreation Commision.

As a high school student, he volunteered for security at the Music Festival. He remembers falling asleep and being woken up by a police officer who wanted to know what he was doing there. "They could have stolen the entire bowl and I would have never woken up.", he joked. He went from serving at the Music Festival to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

He said: "It's nice to be pro-community, but it's a big payoff for myself, too, in terms of just quality of life."

John Mirk

Category: 2019-2020

Anyone who has seen a Nordhoff HS musical is familiar with the talents of Ojai Living Treasure, John Mirk. For the past 20 years, Mirk has volunteered to design, build, and paint the sets for musicals staged at Matilija Auditorium. His set design credits include, Crazy for You, Grease, West Side Story, Pirates of Penzance, and many more.

An architect by trade, John served on the Ojai Planning Commission. He retired after 21 years, the longest serving commissioner.

Originally from Connecticut, receiving his degree in architecture at Rice University, came out west and landed in Monterrey where he worked as an architect for 20 years. He and his family moved to Ojai in 1994. While working for local architect, David Bury, he got involved in local theater.

While building sets, he gets parents and kids involved in the construction. "It's a real opportunity for kids to get in there and make something."

His long list of volunteering includes Help of Ojai, where he built a computer lab and taught computer classes, the Ojai Art Center, and making exhibits for the Ojai Valley Museum.

An avid cyclist, he put in many volunteer hours with the Channel Islands Bicycle Club, creating new databases, editing the club's newsletter and organizing cycling events.

Dr. Richard Gould observed: "He's a silent force who has done a lot of good."

Katherine White

Category: 2019-2020

2019 Living Treasure Katherine White has now been the Mira Monte Elementary principal for two decares, but her passion for education in the Ojai Valley is as evident as the day she began.

Inspired by a teacher in junior high who helped her through a difficult time in her life. "He genuinely cared about my success and inspired me to want to be a teacher so I could make a difference in the lives of students who needed a caring adult."

She and her family fell in love with the natural beauty of Ojai and went straight to the OUSD office and took out an application for teaching.

Her daughters became involved with the Mira Monte 4H Club, leading her to 12 years of volunteer work for their projects. Her daughter became interested in the saxophone and later participated in the Nordhoff HS musicals. This led Katherine to 14 seasons, managing the cast, crew, and production team.

Her most rewarding part of her career is making connections with students, especially those who do not have a support system in place or have experienced trauma.

"I am fortunate to be part of a team of educators who share my goal of working with colleagues and our school community to strengthen relationships and programs that support our students."

She is a member of the Ojai Women's Club and hopes to join Rotary in the future.

Lanny Kaufer

Category: 2019-2020

Lanny Kaufer is a life long learner and educator. His 4 decades in the Ojai Valley have shaped his perspective on nature and life. Working for his mother and step-father at Wheeler Hot Springs, he started his Herb Walks while working at various positions on the property.

His walks focus on plants that are prominent at that particular time of year and what they are used for. He always begins his walks with acknowledging the Chumash people who were the original herbalists of this area. He supports the concept of sustainable harvesting. "I am what you call a lifetime learner. That always been a part of my philosophy. I like to say we are there to learn the language of the plants."

Kaufer taught full time at Happy Valley School in science, health, and drama. He also worked as librarian, bus driver, and P.E. instructor.

As a freshman at UC, Santa Barbara he traveled to Sussex County, Virginia for civil rights voter registration. As a member of SCOPE (Summer Community Organization and Political Education) he met Martin Luther King while there. His life was changed when he moved out of his middle class life to live in a poor black community in a Southern segregated community.

As an activist, he participated in the Stop Uranium Now group to block uranium mining in the Lake Casitis watershed area and opposed the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. He promoted solar energy.

He quoted Ernest Hemingway: "No man is an island". So anyone who is a Living Treasure has many people to thank for helping to put them in that position in the public's perception. "I have to mention my wife, Rondia, as well because she's mhy partner in everything."

Stephen Adams

Category: 2019-2020

If you have attended any events in the Ojai Valley, you would likely see Stephen Adams, camera in hand to document that event.

His mentor, Dr. Carl Gross, refers to Stephen as "A person who has given generously of this time and talents to provide a photographic history of Ojai's events and traditions."

Coming to Ojai, retiring from a career in satillite news broadcasting, covering everything from the O.J. Simpson trial to the LA riots, he "was in the middle of everything" and later retired to the East End.

He joined the Rotary Club of Ojai West and was introduced to the community through his photo documentaries of the Wine Festival, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Summer Band Concerts. What started as a hobby, has bloomed into documenting events like the Independence Day Parade, live streaming it for the first time and the Ojai Film Festival. He has garnered accolades for his efforts including Rotary Club Member of the Year and the Chamber of Commerce.

He is honored as a Living Treasure. Stephen quipped, "It is hard to say no."