Cluffs celebrate 25th with renovation
by Kelly Feser Eells

If it seems like The Oaks' spa owner Sheila Cluff has energy to burn, it's because she does. And luckily for Ojai, she likes to burn it in ways that benefit the entire community.
Well before she and husband Don helped turn a blighted piece of land into another jewel in the valley's crown (Cluff Vista Park), the Cluffs have had Ojai's best interests at heart.
"To me, Ojai is a town that treasures what you do for the community, not what you have," she said.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Oaks at Ojai Spa, and Cluff has been celebrating in her customary, high-energy style.
"Don and I have a five-year plan," she enthuses. "And we're one year into it already."
The plan involves bringing "the entire property back to its original, California mission-style look, what it looked like in 1919, which fits well with the town" Cluff freely admits she loves.
"We've hired all these wonderfully talented people," including local architect and newly re-elected City Councilman David Bury; RTK Studios tile artisan Richard Keit; the husband-and-wife design and contracting team of Maraya and Tim Droney; and renowned woodworker Wesley Theis.
"We were very fortunate in getting David, RTK for the custom tile work, the Droneys - responsible for the overall concept of the redesign - and Theis," whose skills are on display in the spa's totally refurbished dining room.
In addition to Theis' handcrafted, alderwood beams, the dining room also boasts the "custom oil paintings of (Santa Barbara) artist Robert Larkin. All with food-related themes."
Chuckling, Cluff adds, "and David Bury, you know, he just moved into new office space adjoining the Droneys, so it's almost like we, indirectly, helped put together a local team of talent."
Indeed, the Cluffs' affection for Ojai's rich store of "human resources" goes back a long ways. "Our artists, merchants - all of our citizens, really - they're one of this community's most special aspects."
And for many a resident, The Oaks is one of the community's most "special aspects."
Not only is the world-famous spa one of the valley's top three employers, but its on-site gallery has been the place where a number of local artists have made their first public debut.
Indicating that it's long been her unofficial policy to help showcase the many talents of her neighbors, Cluff explains that, "every six to eight weeks or so, we'll feature an artist who, assuming they accept the invitation, may bring up to 100 guests to a reception The Oaks has in their honor. We provide the hors d'oeuvres," the fitness buff laughs; "and, of course, all of the non-alcoholic beverages."
Cluff is as excited to discuss recent program innovations as she is the spa's current renovations.
"Nancy Martinez, owner of Ojai's You Paint Pottery, has been coming down and giving our guests a chance to paint their own pottery. And art, as you probably know, is great therapy! After each session, Nancy takes the pots back to her studio and glazes them, then brings them back the next day. The guests really seem to love it."
While an ever-evolving selection of classes and treatments, including a "pedi-spa" and the just-added "body bronzing massage - soothing massage, exfoliation and instant suntan," keep The Oaks at the forefront of the fitness and health industry, its homey, nurturing ambiance is clearly what sets it apart from the rest.
"One comment I'm always getting from our guests," said Cluff, "is just how very nice people here are. They love shopping at Rains, Primavera Gallery, the weekly 'fashion education' classes Barbara Bowman provides, all our local merchants, really. Quite a few of our guests have made long-lasting, bosom-buddy relationships with the locals, some of them even moving here. Our merchants, our citizens," she grins; "we work very synergistically together."
Looking forward to The Oaks at Ojai being a prime source of "R and R, wellness and healthy living" for at least another 25 years, Cluff also looks back on "this very special community" she has called home for nearly as long.
"Ojai people are so real," she said. "When something wonderful happens to you, they're genuinely happy. When something important comes up, the citizens rally around."
But "one of our greatest experiences," said Cluff, referring to husband Don and herself, both of whom were born and raised in Canada, and became U.S. citizens six years ago, "was that this special place, Ojai, was the first place we ever voted."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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