This Personal Bio Includes this information:
*My current occupation at American Aquarium Products. *Previous work at Carys of Oregon English Toffee and American Aquarium Design from 1978-2002, *Graduation from Los Altos High- 1977.
*Thanks to Tommy Butler, Steven Wright, Misti King, Man and Mollusc and others for their help in this web site.
*Favorites Quotes/Verses
*Also a few videos I like (Styx, Journey, Boston, etc.).
FRIENDS OF THIS WEBSITE;
Sites to avoid;
city-data.com/forum; rude and condescending moderation
THANKS;
*I now have my friend and an honest employee; Steven Wright working with me. Steven is now helping me with shipping and blogging. Misti also has worked with me, however she had to move.
*Tommy Butler deserves the credit for our more professional logo and many professional suggestions and tech advice (he also helped design a “sister site” to this one even though he has a VERY business work schedule).
*My thanks to Paul of Globel of UK (home of Man and Mollusc, Free Counter UK, and Webpage Graphical Hit counter) for his tutorials and help as well as to Rachel Owen Oliveri for her initial help with this site.
*Thanks also go to my long time friend Bob Mendoza, and friends Bob Krause and Roger Stewart for their encouragement and support, often during the most difficult times.
*Tears of the Sun; great movie about doing what is right with a moving quote at the end of the movie (“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”) *Schindler’s List; An extremely moving movie (IMO) that shows that depths of evil and yet how good can rise above this evil. When I watch this movie is helps me put the evil in my life in perspective and also gives me hope for mankind that there are persons willing to risk all for what is right, something that seems all too rare today. *The Passion of the Christ; although graphic, probably the most “moving” portrayal of the ultimate sacrifice ever made. *Saving Private Ryan; Another excellent movie about sacrifice made for others.
*It's a Wonderful Life: this movie is often very uplifting to me (although it is hard to explain, it can also depress me further at times) *Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; just good funny light hearted movie. *Grease; My favorite musical with many fond memories of earlier days for me.
*LUKE 10: 25-37
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[c]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[d]"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
*Revelation 21:3-8
(3) I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them (as their God).
(4) He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away."
(5) The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Then he said, "Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true."
(6)He said to me, "They are accomplished. I (am) the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.
(7) The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.
(8) But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death." *Job 19: 25-27
(25) But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
(26) And from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.
(27) Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him, *Galatians 2
11When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
I like these verses from Galations as they show the importance of doing what is right, not what "image" dictates and goes well with Like 10:25-37
Spouse: Jodie (Joanne Middleton, Bishop Amat class of 1982) Children: Michelle, Danielle, Timothy.
The above picture is the Grants Pass street display for Christmas (2007) on 6th St.
The pictures below (reading left to right, top to bottom) is Danielle at Universal Studios Hollywood, Jan. 1, 2010
The second is Danielle and Timothy at a LA Dodgers Game in June 2009.
The third is from a camping trip in the summer of 2008 by a Geyser in the Fountain Paint Pots area of Yellowstone.
The forth is from the Winter 2008 with Jodie, Danielle and Timothy waiting for the School bus. The fifth is my son Timothy's 11th Birthday at Jan & Cary's home.
The sixth from Halloween 2008 with Michelle, Danielle, Timothy, plus friends Jessica J, Jessica M, and Amanda. The seventh is the family at my Sister Jan and brother in law Cary's home for Thanksgiving '08 (see video of my niece Annie playing the piano near the bottom of the page). The eight & ninth are Michelle (16) and Danielle’s (13) 2009 birthday.
(Click Pictures below to enlarge)
I also have a new pictures page (that will be added to) with MANY more pictures from vacations and more: My Pictures
Quick Overview
I currently live in Southern Oregon, and have been in the Aquarium and Pet related business since 1977. I owned a Pet store and aquarium maintenance and design business in the Los Angeles area from 1978 until 2002 when we move here. I designed some of my own equipment such as the 15 watt UV Sterilizer and Medicated Wonder Shells I sell here (as well as many custom aquarium and pond filter installations and designs). I have done contract maintenance for Disney, The Bahooka Restaurant (over 100 aquariums, mostly larger than 100 gallons), Coaster Co. (the largest furniture importer in North America, also based in the Los Angeles area), and many more. I also have made great business contacts over the years (especially in Asia) to purchase my products at great prices.
I have owned aquariums since I was 9 years old (1968), and at one time had a room with nothing but aquariums on racks two aquariums high, in addition to this I had literally 100s of aquariums in my care in my maintenance business as well.
My wife Jodie (Joanne) currently works at Bi-Mart in Grants Pass (a Northwest only Department store similar to Wal-Mart, but much smaller).
I went to high school at Los Altos High in Hacienda Heights, CA. and College at Cal Poly University, Pomona.
I was in the class of 1977 at Los Altos High School (Hacienda Heights). I went to Hillgrove Elementary (which I hated my years there due to horrible teacher I had for 4th and 6th grade and affected me the rest of my school years), and Orange Grove Jr. High.
MORE IN DEPTH BIO (I will add more to this as time permits)
I (Carl Strohmeyer) was born on February 9, 1959 at Hart Hospital in Baldwin Park, CA. My parents (& one older sibling, Janice) were living in an apartment over my Grandfather’s garage in Baldwin Park.
Around my first birthday we moved to a new home in a housing tract in the fast growing bedroom community of Hacienda Heights (a Suburb of Los Angeles). Hacienda Heights went from orange groves to a community of 35,000 in around 10 years (it is larger now).
School Years
I liked school in my early years, and in particular liked my Kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Wooton) whom I had again in 2nd grade. However this all came to a crashing end in the 4th grade with Mrs. Eckman whom I had the great misfortune to have again in the 6th grade. From this point on school was pure misery as even when I met new students such as Middle School or High School, others seemed to be “filled in” as to who I was and what I am in others views. I probably should have tried harder to set things right (but I do not have a time machine), however I did make some attempts including joining square dancing, but this ended in disaster for me as on the last day of the class the boys had to ask the girls to dance and not one would dance with me. This left me in tears for days where I withdrew to spending time with my pets/fish (I sucked in all my emotions as to where others could see them). This also resulted in my being hospitalized for an ulcer in the 6th grade.
A bright spot was my family camping trips to places like Utah and Yellowstone that my Dad and Mom would take us on. My Grandfather, along with my Dad took me on a trip to Panguitch Lake Utah the first week of 8th grade, that was especially memorable to me, not only for the beauty and the peace I felt, but for the negative revelations of what persons really thought of me when I returned to school only to find out how others “happily” thought I had moved.
A “flight lesson” with a friend of my Dad was a memorable birthday present when I was 9 that I will never forget.
One friend did truly stick by me and that was Greg Siegel, he often defended me emotionally and his friendship helped me feel less of failure.
My skinny build for which several persons labeled me as Gay, except not those words was also a struggle for me to deal with. My weight has haunted me to this day as persons still treat me this way or go to the other extreme and judge my motives of helping a friend (which may happen to be a girl) labeling me as skinny little pervert.
I also really enjoyed Jr. High (Middle School) band, especially my instructor there; Mrs. Duke. I also had good friends in Jeff Fournier and again Greg Siegel as well as Luke Camarillo.
Unfortunately high school band was much more miserable even though I loved music as I was made to feel an inch tall (again maybe I should have “fought back”, but I had such terrible self esteem by this time I simply did not have it in me), however even then I did enjoy the band tournaments and playing at the many football games (which I rarely missed even after leaving band to concentrate on studies that I hoped would one day redeem me).
Although I could not get a date, I finally met a nice girl in my senior year (she was a Junior) who set me up with her sister (who was a freshman) so that I could go to the senior prom. We later dated for a while, however her dad felt it was inappropriate for us to date after I graduated from High School.
Another bright spot in high school was meeting my friend Randy Viall to whom we are still good friends to this day.
Beginning years in Pet Business and the establishing of my Aquarium Business
After High School life really began looking up, I met new friends at work, I began skiing every other weekend which I had a natural talent for (unlike some other athletic endeavors), these were some of my most positive and “happy” years.
While in college at California Polytechnic University I got a job at Archie’s House of Pets and within about 6 months I was the manager of the three stores fish departments and an assistant manager at the West Covina Mall store. My original “boss” was Danny DiGiacamo who was great at tutoring me in many ways, although he later left to run his own stores and Debbie Galea took over running the West Covina store (Danny ran all three). She did not have the business knowledge of Danny, but still a good person to work under.
In 1978, during my time at Archie’s I started my Aquarium Maintenance business (Carl’s Aquarium Service at the time). This unfortunately caused some friction with Debbie’s father and owner (he was not actually active in running this business either), so I along with Tris Higa (whom I would later marry) left to start our own store in late 1979.
The aquarium service business really blossomed when an employee at the Bahooka restaurant called me to treat dying Arowana that she had been unsuccessful up to this point. I was able to save her prize fish and she recommended me to her boss (Jack) and I soon was maintaining the multiple aquariums at the two Polynesian restaurants. I would add MANY aquariums and re-worked the filter systems on the remainder of existing aquariums.
The Bahooka Restaurant would foster many other accounts such as the Lobster House (which fostered many itself in Pasadena), an account with Disney Studios and many more. Also during this time I picked up Coaster Co. (via my store though) which would eventually grow into my largest account up to the day I had to move to Oregon.
In 1989 following a painful divorce from Tris and the sale of my first LFS (I still had my maintenance business and as well, my brother in law Gregg continued with me and we are still good friends to this day and he owns my old service business to this day), I started training for a career that was my other passion (besides aquatics) and that was flying. I did well mostly due to management skills which I applied to cockpit management (at least my examiners and instructors told me this about my abilities, despite what rumors in Grants Pass say about these abilities). I got as far as my Multi-Engine license ($35,000 later) and was working on my commercial certificate when the loss of income due to my canceling my largest account due to sexual comments directed at my employees coupled with my first child being born with neural-sensory dysfunction (this began a very difficult slide down hill for my wife with more problems to come that so many judging persons did not see) forced me to drop out of flight school to take care of my children and spouse.
I still miss flying sooo much, in part because this was one of the few times in my life when I felt so accepted both by the flying community & by friends who saw this as a much more respectful endeavor than my aquarium work, either way I still have some good memories and would never give up/trade my family (wife and kids) for anything, even having this part of my life back!
We moved to So. Oregon in December 2002 (with Michelle sent ahead for her protection & mental health in early November) to be near my sister Jan (who along my brother in law Cary Cound also graduated from Los Altos High, Hacienda Heights; class of 1974) and to escape bad influences that took advantage of Jodie’s Postpartum depression resulting in $80,000 debt (of which we still owe $30,000 of this as the sale of our LA home could not pay off all this debt and I did not declare bankruptcy so as to protect my credit, keep jobs at my business and other personal reasons), and for more help with our special needs children, myself and wife.
What was so sad is that I said little (and still do) as to how much time I generally have to invest in taking care of my family as my wife was/is simply not able to (her family over time even realized this), yet others especially at our old Church (Bethany Baptist of West Covina) chose to not look below the surface as I never said a peep as to Jodie’s difficulties and constantly “picked up the pieces” so as to not drag her name through the gutter, they choose only to listen to untruths and half-truths that I did not do enough despite the fact that I fed, bought groceries, did ALL medical care of Timothy and in general performed 75% of most home care of my family all the while working long hours including recycling on the side to help pay for the constant bills that she and the bad influence ran up (so as to appease her depression). In most cases any other man would have taken the kids and left (of which I sought legal help that showed I could gain full custody if I desired), but this was and is not good enough for others that stood in judgment of me and CONTINUE to do so to this very day.
One positive note during this time were LA Sheriff deputies that DID see through the lies and regularly checked in on my family and business, this included an attempt to make me look controlling when all I was doing was to keep our family finances from totally going down the toilet. This attempt by a social worker resulted in one of the Sheriff Deputies calling on our home, where my well documented collection of credit card receipts and more (compiled over a few years via my calls to credit card issuers, banks, etc.) was presented to him. He immediately realized that these charges were bogus & made note of this for “future problems”.
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My son was very sick (Viral Meningitis, gastro-intestinal problems and more), now he has autism (which has caused us much rejection, even from our previous Church in West Covina, CA), and my daughter Michelle still suffers from depression, much due to what happened in LA. Jan has been a blessing beyond words in helping them and us including my wife Jodie who is also doing much better at coping with life and her family has also aided in this recovery as well.
Despite the ongoing difficulties, another light here in Grants Pass (besides my sister) has been my Church: Bethany Presbyterian , they have prayed, mentored, and helped with our children (especially Michelle).
We lived in our 27 foot Class C Motor Home for over a year in Jan & Cary’s driveway (for which I appreciate them allowing this) while Jan also home schooled the two older kids, which again was very kind of them.
Unfortunately during this time many rumors also circulated as to why we lived in their driveway, mostly stating that I had failed in business, was mooching off my sister/brother-in-law (not at all the case as this was probably the most humbling period in my life), and that could not take control of my family (in fact one source of the rumors claimed to be Christians!). I helped around their house by cutting wood and paying electric bills, etc.
Finally after getting some of Jodie’s credit in order, we were able to get a small (900 sq. ft.) home. We initially tried to rent, but know one would rent to us past 2 kids, the same problem was encountered with Mobile Home parks and space rental.
I went to work at Cary’s of Oregon English toffee as factory worker and later production manager for about 3 years before re-starting my aquarium business on the side which I now run full time.
I felt God had a purpose for me, to help my brother in law whom I loved very much and thought much of long before I moved here fulfill his dream, especially since one of his strengths is being dreamer of great ideas and making them a reality, while one of my strengths is managing (as many who have known me over the years professionally in LA have stated).
MORE CURRENT BIO
It has been difficult making a living here; I set up this internet business based on my experience in the Aquarium maintenance& design business (as well as the vast amount of research and tests I performed over the years). I was hopeful for more community support for my business/products (especially when you consider that much of what I sell is very unique and gets requests even internationally for a “local” store that sells these products), but sadly walking into a store in this town is like using a time machine back to the early ‘80s.
Thankfully between “Everything Aquatic Forum”, many articles that have garnered compliments from pHd researchers from as far away as Pakistan, dumping eBay, blogging & web site design improvements, and most of all I give credit to God for lifting business at a time when I had no choice but to let God take charge due to severe family issues once more; my Internet business has turned the corner and does not depend local support.
This was done with some initial help from Rachel Owen Oliveri and now even MUCH more help from Tommy Butler (who has helped me both professionally and with just being there as a friend), although though it is growing, the income is still somewhat marginal at less than $500 per month (partly because I sell products I know work, not just what have great mark ups).
I spend probably 40-60 hours per week just answering email questions and writing/re-writing (updating) articles, as well as SEO work (Search Engine Optimization). I have now even received questions from others (especially in my industry) about my success in SEO.
The remainder of my 70-80 hour weeks is spent in shipping and other more directly profitable endeavors.
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We are also concentrating on more profitable items such as our UV Sterilizer and UV replacement bulb lines, although some aquarium lights such as T2s are slow to catch on in the anecdotal aquarium hobby even though they are popular elsewhere. Hopefully as I will be better able to utilize my time better so as to “squeeze” some profit out of the higher gross sales numbers (which as noted earlier I am cutting back on forums, and trying to answer emails and phone calls more efficiently without being rude).
I currently only have a few aquariums (as compared to the literally hundreds under my care and the room of personal aquariums at my previous residence), however if space can be made (such as replacing my 60 year old rotting shed), and more income/time becomes available, I will add more (first I need to get out from this upside down mortgage).
Before I set up more aquariums, I need to improve our also 60 year old 900 sq. ft. “fire trap” home (no insulation, faulty wiring, and more), not to mention the needs of my 3 special needs children.
I also have set up a few local ponds for friends here in Grants Pass.
I am getting better at Web Site Optimization (from staying up late reading and going to SEO groups on the Web and asking and learning) and have achieved front page on many search engines for my keywords (who knows, maybe I will be able to make enough money & have the time to have outside hobbies again like skiing, fishing (I would love to go Salmon fishing in Alaska), watching sports such as NCAA football, & maybe someday flying again.
In fact as to the subject of SEO and other business issues, I am often sought out when I make my LA business trips to pick up supplies, this is both uplifting as often these individuals are presidents/owners of much larger companies than my own that always want to “Chew the Fat” (discuss business) during my limited time there, while it is also depressing when I realize have terribly disrespected professionally I am here in Grants Pass, Oregon
I do however find time (and money) to go camping, often with the Holy Rovers of Bethany Presbyterian. Besides my perennial favorites such as Yellowstone and much of Utah, I enjoy several spots here in Oregon including: Crater Lake, Newberry Volcanic Park, Wallowa State Park (one of my favorites), Diamond Lake, Indian Mary and Gold Beach, just to name a few.
Timothy still struggles in school especially socially however he takes great joy in the his video games and the computer in general.
Danielle is Dyslexic and has trouble learning (however she recently received a B average and was on her Middle School Honor Role), however she is very loving and charismatic, and often senses when others such as myself or Timmy are depressed and is quite the loving comforter.
Michelle is still often very withdrawn and will not communicate fully what is wrong or what happened in LA and is still has many anger issues.
On a positive note, Michelle’s intense personality has pushed her to very good grades (B+ to A- average) in school, even in subjects that are difficult for her
Events of Februrary, 2009
Although much of our families personal life was improving, in part from close friends and family which is the reason we moved in the first place (and unlike the misguided or downright Evil help that would not look below the surface or was more interested in enabling the spending and stealing $80,000 from us, for which as of 2010 we still owe $30,000), ghosts from the past once more came upon our family
Unfortunately an anxiety melt down by my oldest daughter (which has roots in the past) combined with dishonest rumors from the past caused our local DHS/DCS to once more get involved without any investigation (some extremely un-discerning members of Jodie’s family also played role as well). Sadly my younger two kids were literally told what to say by these people which caused them much mental stress as they knew the truth.
This situation where DHS got involved and moved my family out while away on a business trip, although 100% wrong and evil at its core, has been used by God for good as the outpouring of support from our Church was “emotionally moving” beyond description.
Many honest persons talked with the kids and quickly saw through the obvious lies that were being used to manipulate the kids and this came out in court with the many persons and testimonials that came out, this includes those who knew that I spend 0 time for myself, as 99% of my waking time is spent either caring for my family (taking them to events, making breakfast, lunch and dinner, etc.). Even this was used against me since I was often answering phone calls and emails at all hours attempting to answer customer (& mostly non customer) questions or similar by construing that I was more interested in other’s issues than my own family (so for those that since I have cut back on after hours phone calls to answer questions that I generally already have provided the answer to in my dozens of updated articles and have taken to leaving profane messages demanding more of my time, my answer is my family is more important and realize the world does not revolve around you!)
Finally the support from Jan & Cary in the early hours (for which I cannot speak of here) were truly God sent and my thanks cannot be expressed enough.
We have also learned who are friends really are and that unfortunately most government officials such as DHS/DCS simply are not interested in the truth(even when the court sees this and dozens of persons tell them the facts in testimonials, etc.), nor would the GPPD communicate even though they are well aware of our situation, the rather lazy (or possibly worse, corrupt) GPPD took the opposite approach of simply looking the other way when they could have helped prevent this.
May/June 2010; My health (which has not been real good since a serious staph infection in 2004), has been poor. I have had multiple heart arrhythmia events, numbness/ “pulsing” in the left side of my neck and left side in general, as well a halter monitor and other tests have shown a considerably elevated heart rate, even at rest. I am undergoing more nuclear stress tests and other tests to determine why. In the mean time, my availability to answer questions on line will be limited as the Doctor wants me to cut my hours in half
Personal Bio: Carl Strohmeyer, founder of American Aquarium, Grants Pass Oregon
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