AgShed to Replace Garage/Farmhouse Destroyed in the 1985 New Life Fire

THE ORIGINAL GARAGE/FARMHOUSE was one of the outbuildings on the property when it was purchased in 1946 by the New Life Foundation, as instructed by Avatar Meher Baba. The garage was used until it burned in the October 16, 1985 "New Life Fire." (Archive photo.)

On October 16, 1985, a fire swept through the Upper Ojai Valley destroying all the buildings, equipment, and vehicles at Meher Mount.  The date of this fire - October 16 - coincided with the start date of Avatar Meher Baba's New Life in India in 1949.  Hence, it has come to be known as the "New Life Fire."

After the fire, the then-owner Agnes Baron asked a volunteer to build a garage/ agricultural shed to replace the garage/farmhouse that had burned to the ground.  Agnes requested that the volunteer use scrap lumber and other materials available on the property.  With the understanding that financial resources were nearly non-existent for Agnes, the carpenter agreed to her conditions and completed the project, expecting the building to last two to five years.

"TEMPORARY" SHED STILL IN USE

Almost 25 years later, that shed is still standing and serves as the only workshop/storage area for the 173-acre property.  This building houses Meher Mount's tools, supplies, tractor, and ride-on mower.  

In 2007, in response to the physically demanding and continuous need to maintain the property and to help with fire abatement, a generous supporter donated $20,000 for a tractor with implements and $20,000 for the building of a fire-proof garage.

THE 1985 "NEW LIFE FIRE" destroyed everything on Meher Mount leaving only debris and foundations. This is a picture of the garage/farmhouse after the fire. (Archive photo.)The need for the fire-proof garage sparked a series of discussions which led directly to discussions of a long-range master plan for Meher Mount.  The foundations of that Master Plan have been laid for land and building use, and building locations and materials.

A NEW AG/SHED IS PART OF THE MASTER PLAN

During the AgShed discussions, it became very clear that $20,000 would not be sufficient to build a substantial, long-lasting, and fire-proof structure.  Donors have added to the AgShed fund over the years and with the addition of interest earned, there is a little more than $100,000 for the project.

THE CURRENT GARAGE/SHED was built with scrap lumber and other materials as a "temporary" measure soon after the 1985 New Life Fire. It is still in use today and is to be replaced. (Margaret Magnus photo.)At the beginning of 2010, plans were submitted to Ventura County for approval so that construction could begin on the AgShed.  The plans are currently working their way through the various government departments gathering the necessary approvals.

And the carpenter who built the current structure is immensely relieved to know that the old "temporary" structure will finally be removed by workers, and not by accident!

DONATIONS WELCOME FOR THE AG/SHED

Those wishing to donate to the Ag/Shed fund can make a contribution to:

Meher Mount/Master Plan, 9902 Sulphur Mountain Road, Ojai, CA 93023.  For more information call: 805-640-0000 or email at info@mehermount.org

Meher Mount Implements Sophisticated Database Software

Salesforce.com Foundation made a software product donation to Meher Mount, valued at $15,000 per year, to support Meher Mount's communications and fund raising actiities. Infrastructure takes on many forms.  Typically we think of water, electricity, roads, and buildings.

But another infrastructure requirement is computer software — for finance, for communications, and for an array of other tasks necessary for successfully managing a non-profit organization.

At Meher Mount, communications is an important part of staying connected to those who have an ongoing interest in this place visited by Avatar Meher Baba. 

Thus, maintaining Meher Mount’s “contact database” is a crucial part of the communications infrastructure.  This task got easier with a product donation from the Salesforce.com Foundation.

SALESFORCE.COM SOFTWARE PRODUCTION DONATION

Salesforce.com is a for-profit organization that sells customer relationship management (CRM) software accessible via the Internet.  The Salesforce.com Foundation adapted the CRM software for use by non-profit organizations for database management, fund raising, and volunteer tracking.

The Foundation makes ongoing software product donations to qualified non-profits.  Meher Mount applied for and received a software product donation — valued at $15,000 per year — from the foundation on February 18, 2010.  After a three-day training course, donated by a supporter, the new software was quickly implemented.

BENEFITS OF THE DATABASE SOFTWARE

Some of the benefits of the new database software include: increased file security and protection of the database; increased functionality and flexibility; and the ability to interface with other online programs. 

In addition, the software provides Meher Mount with the ability to access password-protected data remotely, thus enabling more frequent database updates; greater confidentiality at the record and individual field levels; and extensive reporting options. 

Finally, the Foundation provides free software updates at no extra cost along with free help and support.

MEHER MOUNT DATABASE POLICIES

Meher Mount’s database policies are designed for confidentiality and Meher Mount use only.

All names and contact information are permission-based only, meaning only those who request or give permission to be on the list are included.  Conversely, “unsubscribe” requests are to be honored in a timely manner.

All information in the database is confidential and is not shared with any other group, including other Meher Baba organizations.

All communications from Meher Mount are about Meher Mount and its activities, policies, programs, and fundraising activities.  In addition, the Meher Mount database is not to be used for any communications on behalf of other organizations and individuals.  

Trailer Removal Opens up the Views

DEMOLITION BEGINS on the temporary trailer that founder and lifetime caretaker Agnes Baron lived in after the 1985 fire destroyed all the buildings on the property. (Ray Johnston photo.)When Meher Baba visited Meher Mount in 1956, He gestured toward the out-of-doors and said, “Now, go out and see the view and try to love Baba through nature.  This is all due to my love.  This whole creation, this nature, all the beauty you see, all came out of me.”

After the October 1985 fire at Meher Mount destroyed all the buildings, new living quarters were needed for Agnes Baron, the then owner and caretaker.  As an interim solution, a trailer was brought on the property for her residence.

When the trailer was situated on the property, it was placed so that Agnes could see the view out of her windows across the Ojai Valley to Topa Topa Mountain. 

After the current building/house was constructed in 1994 for her residence, that trailer was used for overnight guests, storage and as an office.  However, with time, pests and use, the trailer deteriorated. In September 2007, the trailer was removed before it became a safety hazard.  Now that the trailer is gone, all can easily see Agnes’ view of Topa Topa when they visit.  

An Answer to Meher Baba's Question

FORMER MANAGER/CARETAKER Ray Johnston (center) points out the corner boundary to Margaret Magnus (left) and Elizabeth Arnold (right) that Meher Baba had asked about. (Sam Ervin photo.)

When Avatar Meher Baba visited Meher Mount on August 2, 1956,  Agnes Baron, the then owner and caretaker, drove Meher Baba and the mandali (close disciples) in her station wagon from Los Angeles. 

Along the way, Meher Baba admired the rich agricultural land. 

MEHER BABA ACTS LIKE A REAL ESTATE AGENT

And He asked many questions, such as “What was being grown, how was the land irrigated, are there orchards?”   “Meher Baba was talking as if He were a real estate agent,” Agnes cracked.

Later on that visit, Agnes took Meher Baba on a tour of the land.  He was very particular to be shown all the boundary lines and fence posts, asking where the north-south and east-west lines were.  Agnes herself was not sure, and Meher Baba looked playfully put out with her.

Agnes Baron told that story many times and wondered about it.  As part of long-range planning, a boundary survey and aerial topographical map of Meher Mount was completed in 2008.

On March 31, 2008, Ventura County formally recorded Meher Mount’s boundary survey.  The surveyors then returned to Meher Mount to place markers at all the corners of the property.

MINOR LANDSLIDE MARKS THE SPOT

The area where Meher Baba pointed when He asked about the boundaries proved to be more challenging.  In trying to put the new marker in the rock, one of the surveyors started a small landslide.  The surveyor below him took shelter as boulders the size of soccer balls and several tons of debris flew over his head.

Manager/Caretaker Ray Johnston, who joined the surveyors on this project, said he was amazed to see the landslide funneling exactly to the point where they were trying to put in the marker.  He marveled at the amount of energy that was focused on that one point that Meher Baba had asked about. 

In the end, the surveying party succeeded and placed a monument pin exactly at the boundary corner and answered Meher Baba’s 52-year-old question.