Have you every looked up into Ojai's night sky and been thankful you lived here? Then you may want to attend the October 22 presentation, "Dark Skies & Starry Nights" at Meditation Mount and find out how you can help keep it that way.

The educational event was the brain child of Ojai Valley eighth grader Erin Rush, who got together with Ojai Valley Green Coalition member Gail Topping and Nancy Emerson, local representative of the International Dark Sky Association to create the program.

Erin, who moved here from Park City, Utah a year ago fell in love with the Ojai night.

"When I arrived in Ojai, the first thing I noticed was how dark it is at night," says Erin. "I saw the beautiful twinkle of stars filling the summer night sky, right over my house. I thought about how lucky Ojai is to have such a beautiful night sky. Then it hit me: the night sky isn't any more beautiful in Ojai than in Park City, it's just easier to see!"

According to Erin, that's when she got the idea to get behind the light ordinance proposed by the OVGC, and promote it at a stargazing party, showing the film "The City Dark" about losing the visibility to see stars.  The film will explain some of the facts and reasoning behind the proposed ordinance. According to Gail, the ordinance is crafted to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare, including the quality of life and the ability to view the night sky, by establishing regulations and a process of review for exterior lighting. You can view the complete ordinance document here.

Erin and Gail would like the City Council to act on the ordinance and direct City staff to have a draft before the City Planning Commission as soon as possible. According to Gail, some of these concepts have already been included in revisions to the County's Ojai Valley Area Plan. The Green Coalition's Built Environment Council is willing to assist City staff in this effort by doing research, planning, and public outreach

Ms. Rush is no dilettante and organized the entire event; she is a teen trying to make a difference.

Despite her very full life as a student, who enjoys outdoor sports like rock climbing and mountain biking, as well as team sports like soccer and volleyball, she still has time for her "newest favorite thing, looking up at the night sky."

 "When I moved to Ojai I went on the OVGC website," says Erin, who attended her mother's stargazing parties in Park City. "I saw the event proposals on there and I thought wouldn't it be great to bring the star parties here.  I saw the light ordinance project that Gail had been working on for several years and asked if she would help with this project too." 

Please join Erin and the Ojai Valley Green Coalition for the event offering the latest information about nighttime illumination and how it affects living creatures, our environment, our own bodies, and our ability to see those lovely stars.

The evening includes the documentary about light pollution, a discussion with Q&A, and hands on stargazing with The Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit. The entire program is free and takes place at Meditation Mount, 10340 Reeves Rd., running from 5:45-9 p.m., Saturday, October 22. For more information on the event and Erin Rush, click here.