Teacher Plans Bash for Ojai’s 70th

An Ojai teacher has offered to spend his summer vacation coordinating a 70th birthday party for the city.

Craig Walker, who teaches world history, psychology and computer studies at Nordhoff High School, proposed Tuesday to coordinate an October celebration of Ojai’s 70th year as an incorporated city.

City Manager Andrew Belknap supported Walker’s offer before the Ojai City Council. “Even for a city, 70 years is worthy of note and an event such as this would be a good way to build community awareness and spirit,” Belknap said.

Council members agreed to support the concept of Ojai Day on Oct. 12, provided Walker musters a volunteer committee to do all the work. If the plan gains support, the council said it will consider allocating $4,000 for the festivities.

Walker said he envisions a street fair to dedicate the newly renovated Arcade along Ojai Avenue. The fair would feature history and art exhibits, food booths, street performers and stage presentations in Libbey Bowl.

He said other events could include store window displays from museum collections, docent-led walking tours of the downtown area, an Ojai trivia contest, simulated newscasts from the past, a talent show and a celebration of the “pink moment” when the sunset shrouds the Topa Topa Mountains in their distinctive rosy glow.

Ojai Day could cost as much as $16,000, but Walker said that up to $8,000 could be recovered from fair booth revenues, according to figures he received from the city of Ventura.