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Ojai’s shops and spas keep city afloat in tougher times

A trolley rumbles down Ojai Avenue in downtown Ojai. The city’s $8.3 million budget covers part-time trolley service.

The city of Ojai is not immune to the recession, but as a small public agency in a low-foreclosure area, it is better prepared than some to weather the storm.

“Right now, we are right on budget,” City Manager Jere Kersnar said.

With few foreclosures, property values have largely held up in Ojai, he said. And sales tax receipts through September are holding steady, even showing modest gains when many cities are way below projections.

The rosy picture can be traced to Ojai’s unique collection of shops — free of auto dealerships or now-bankrupt retailers such as Linens ’n Things and Mervyns that are bleeding money and jobs in bigger cities.

“Overall, we have relatively low sales tax collections,” he said. Most are fueled by everyday purchases like groceries that people continue to make even in tough economic times.

“We don’t have auto dealers or big-box home improvement centers. On the flip side, when a recession hits, we don’t take that big of a hit.”

The city’s $8.3 million budget pays for 25 full-time employees as well as part-time trolley drivers and recreation staff.

Perhaps the best news is that the world-class Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is open and offering Zen-filled getaways to customers.

“We get 30 percent of our revenues from bed taxes,” Kersnar said. “What I’ve heard from hoteliers is that October was OK but November was terrible. So we’re going to have to watch closely to see if that trend continues.”

The city is committed, Kersnar said, to setting aside $500,000 to boost its reserves to $3.7 million by July 1. The eventual goal is $4.2 million. “That surplus,” he said, “creates a cushion that gives us time and options”

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Spas in Ojai California

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Rocklin esthetician out to save your skin

Ann Nguyen, owner of Avalon Day Spa & Salon in Rocklin, recently launched Infinite Skin, a skincare regimen to achieve flawless skin.

The secret to unleashing flawless skin may be right here in Rocklin.

Licensed esthetician Ann Nguyen and owner of Avalon Day Spa & Salon in Rocklin and Lincoln recently launched a new skincare regimen that she promises will give results.

Equipped with a bioscience and genetics degree from UC Davis, Nguyen set out to help people achieve confidence through their skin.

Growing up, Nguyen said she was always fascinated with ingredients. That, combined with teenage acne-prone skin, she wanted to help others with a problem she was familiar with and she said she sees a lot of frustration with bad skin in her salons.

“Rarely will you see someone with flawless skin,” Nguyen said.

Typically people have skin concerns that others may never notice, she said.

Through almost 12 months of research and experimentation, Nguyen and a team of chemists created Infinite Skin, a regimen working around three principles – rejuvenation, replenishment and restoration – through three different types of cleansers.

Nguyen said the regiment reduces wrinkles, fine lines and other skin problems and customers see results after the initial use.

“A lot of clients love to see results,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen said part of the success of her product is the combination of medical and over the counter products and that her cleansers improve the appearance in regards to color, acne and scars.

“I always wanted to formulate something,” Nguyen said. “I want them to feel confident in their own skin.”

Jeannie Tarr, a Roseville resident, has been an Avalon and Infinite Skin customer for six months and has nothing but positive comments.

“I needed a spa that had state of the art equipment,” she said.

And she found Avalon to fit her needs. Tarr previously working in the skincare industry, training others with Estee Lauder, and knows skin care.

She uses Infinite Skin products and said she saw results immediately.

“This line, for the price, is so good,” she said.

The regimen is available at both spa locations and also available online at www.infiniteskinco.com. But in addition to skincare, the Rocklin spa also makes it easier for people to pamper themselves, even in this tough economy.

Heather Gregory of Folsom has taken full advantage of the membership Avalon has – $59 a month for either a monthly massage or facial – and sees the savings. Gregory said she’s done her research and priced salons for the same services in Folsom and found them to cost more than $200, and says she sees better results at Avalon.

“It’s very clean, professional, nice looking and the gals are very friendly,” she said.

While her children are at school, Gregory takes about an hour for some monthly pampering.

“It’s my get-away. I get an hour that’s mine,” she said.

Coupled with the location on Lonetree Boulevard, close to the Galleria at Roseville, Gregory indulges in shopping and her microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

Within the 4000-square-foot day spa, there are 10 hair stations for cutting, coloring and styling, retreat rooms, a room for body wraps, steam rooms, single-sex locker rooms and calming music playing throughout the space.

The location is full of cool, tranquil colors that give off a fusion of the old and new, Nguyen said.

The spa offers specialty massages including pregnancy massages, sports massages and the use of hot stones for added pampering. Every customer receives complimentary champagne or wine, as well as time in the steam room, Nguyen said.

But for Nguyen, it’s not only about pampering her clients.

“I’m very results-oriented,” she said. “It definitely drives me to see people very happy. Smiles, always smiles.”

What: Avalon Day Spa & Salon

Where: 6684 Lonetree Blvd. Ste. 100 in Rocklin and 825 Twelve Bridges Dr., Ste. 50 in Lincoln, CA

Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays

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