via BHBPR.com: Attention listeners in Ojai, CA: Academy Award-winning director RON HOWARD will attend a special screening of his 2020 documentary REBUILDING PARADISE at the Matilija Auditorium in Ojai, CA on Sunday 10/16 beginning at 6pm. Rebuilding Paradise depicts the attempts of the community of Paradise, CA to rebuild their town after it was destroyed by devastating wildfires in 2018. Actor ANSON WILLIAMS will also be in attendance that night. Williams is presently running for mayor of Ojai; the dangers of wildfires is a major issue that he is bringing to the forefront of the campaign. Both Howard and Williams are scheduled to speak after the screening. Because of limited seating, however, only Ojai residents can be accommodated. See the flyer below for more information

WHERE: Matilija Auditorium – 703 El Paseo Rd, Ojai, CA 93023
Indoor and outdoor seating will be available on multiple screens. However, due to the limited size of the auditorium, only Ojai Valley residents can be accommodated.

WHAT: REBUILDING PARADISE: The community of Paradise, California, a town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, attempts to rebuild after devastating wildfires in 2018. For the residents of Paradise, California, this will forever be their worst nightmare: “Camp Fire,” the deadliest and most destructive fire in the state’s history. The film shows harrowing footage captured by dash cam, helmet cam, smart phones, news footage, and drones. One resident says, “Honey, there’s stuff falling out of the sky,” we hear a firefighter state “We are 100% surrounded by fire”, and experience car ride with a frantic family trying to escape. The aftermath can only be described as total destruction. Paradise is in ashes. We see the desperate attempt by first responders to ensure that all citizens are evacuated, and then we witness the search for bodies. Camp Fire killed 85 people and displaced 50,000 people, including all of Paradise (80 miles north of Sacramento). 

In 1973, George Lucas’ American Graffiti spawned the hit series Happy Days.  Among the original cast members were Ron Howard (Richie) and Anson Williams (Potsie).  Together and separately, Williams and Howard have a history of dedicating themselves to awareness raising and public service projects that a have and continue to save lives.

Today, Anson Williams is a celebrated and respected director and as a recognized philanthropist and business man who has been honored by Congress, the CA State Senate, the City of Los Angeles and the LAPD, as well as first responders across the country for his efforts saving lives and raising awareness with regard to the growing mortality rate of drowsy driving, not to mention his dedication to creating products within his own company that benefit the human race. As has been recently announced, Mr Williams intends to run for the office of Mayor of Ojai, taking that a same concern for the global community, by focusing locally on his own home town of Ojai, CA.

Howard’s award-winning documentary Rebuilding Paradise covers the worst wildfire ever in California’s history. On the morning of Nov. 8, 2018, the devastating firestorm engulfed the picturesque city of Paradise, California. By the time the Camp Fire was extinguished, it had killed 85 people, displaced 50,000 residents, and destroyed 95% of local structures. It was the deadliest U.S. fire in 100 years. Director Howard structures the film with visits every three months, and to make it personal, a handful of folks are selected. Mr. Howard ends the movie with clips and warnings, which may fit in a larger discussion, but here, are very effective segments in moments with folks simply trying to put their lives back together. That’s more powerful than anything else we can witness.

As concerns of fire prevention have increased dramatically in the last few years, as far after fire has devastated entire communities, this has made the issue of fire preparedness a major concern, especially for a community as ill-prepared as Ojai, due to previous administrations.  

Sponsored by Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council, Anson For Mayor 2022 Committee, and Let’s Green CA!