Ojai Monthly - April 2022

OJAI 04 22 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

FEATURED PRO: AMBER YOUNG-GAY GETS ENERGIZED HAPPY RETURNS FOR PATRICK MCENROE SAVING WATER FOR YOUR FOOD GARDEN TAPPING INTO EQUITY: WHEN IT MAKES SENSE Cover Photo: Emily Wilson, Broker Owner (center) with team members Tennay Anderson and Hanna Lair, Heritage Financial. Photo by Teresa Smith. See Page 18 For More Information

Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — April 2022

1

D

S L

O

L

O

S

D

Offered at $3,150,000

2100 Maricopa Hwy

Offered at $2,490,000

Offered at $2,150,000

1571 Kenewa Street

Offered at $3,950,000

909 Del Oro Drive

Offered at $2,575,000

465 Gridley Road

D

S

L

O

O

L

S

D

701 Del Oro Drive

S

I match people and property. My goal is always to creatively solve problems so that everyone in a transaction is happy. I am proud to represent some of the grandest properties in Ojai and I specialize in unique architectural homes.

I am equally enthusiastic to represent family homes, commercial property and buildable lots. Building positive and lasting relationships is the secret to my success.

O L D

PAT T Y WALTCHER

25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

D

S L

O

L

O

S

D

8190 Sulphur Mtn Road

Offered at $2,650,000

Offered at $2,400,000

2350 Ladera Road

Offered at $6,700,000

Bu

Offered at $2,450,000

S

e Ag ’s

O

L

r ye

D

Azu Restaurant

nt I love working with buyers. One of the most satisfying aspects of my job is supporting the vision of my clients. If the property is out there that is a perfect fit, I will find it; then we will work through the process of connecting the dots so that the vision becomes a reality. Every transaction is unique and I do everything in my power to ensure that a transaction will be smooth and successful.

Bu

ye r

’s Ag e

nt

161 Oak Glen Avenue

PAT T Y WALTCHER

175 Miramar Ave, Montecito

$5,850,000

(805) 340-3774

pattywaltcher.com

IN ESCROW

Beautifully renovated 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home in an extremely desirable Ojai neighborhood. $1,095,000.

JUST LISTED

Owned by the same family since its construction in 1965, this charming home carries with it decades of history and fond memories. This rare, yet highly desirable property has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and sits in the heart of beautiful Downtown Ojai. With new flooring throughout, updated fixtures, remodeled bathrooms, and tasteful landscaping, this home is ready to be taken to the next level. The 4th bedroom and home office space has private access to an open and refreshing yard with gorgeous mountain views, giving it great potential to be converted into an ADU. The office space would also make a wonderful 5th bedroom if so desired. On the other side of this spacious lot sits a large covered patio area, with potential for a peaceful outdoor dining/entertainment or yoga space. This home is just a short distance away from Westridge Market and all of the restaurants and attractions that Ojai has to offer. You do not want to miss out on this truly rare opportunity!

JUST SOLD

Charming Spanish bungalow located on approximately 1.14 acres. Large backyard with mountain views and outdoor entertainment areas.

THE GOLD STANDARD FOR CENTRAL COAST REAL ESTATE Steeped in a rich foundation of over 40 years-experience, Kerry Mormann & Associates is the gold standard for Ranch and Lifestyle properties along the Central Coast of California. Our team encompasses decades of experience in not only real estate, but the highest level of hospitality, community relations, and environmental conservation.

RANCHO MONTE ALEGRE 2,862±AC | CARPINTERIA | $35M • 8 Buildable Lots • Miles of Trails + Many Waterfalls • Ag & Building Envelopes • Just Sold Lot 12 & Lot 16

RANCHO CANADA LARGA 6,500AC | VENTURA | $27.65M • Rolling Hills, Streams, Pastures • Current Used for Cattle Grazing • 18 Legal Parcels • Possible Conservation Tax Benefits

HORSE | CATTLE RANCH • • • •

425±AC | LOMPOC | $5.7M 6bed/5.5bath/8,216sf Main Home Six Stall Horse Barn + Hay Barn Cattle Facility + Cattle Squeeze Zoned AG-II-100

TORO CANYON PARK 121AC | SANTA BARBARA | $5.5M • • • •

Currently In Escrow Year-Round Creek & Pools Multiple Possible Building Areas Multiple Lot Split Possible

Kerry Mormann & Associates DRE #00598625

coastalranch.com

RANCHO MONTE ALEGRE LOT 18 160±AC | CARPINTERIA | $8M • Ag & Building Envelopes • Access to Miles of Trails + More • Stunning Ocean/Mountain Views

LOT CASITAS PASS RD

1.64±AC | CARPINTERIA | $550K • Conveniently Located • Multiple Possibilities • Zoned AG-I-10 • Water Meter Installed

(805) 682-3242 Office info@coastalranch.com

©2022 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the OM — April 2022 5 accuracy of that information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS APRIL 2022

7

Editor’s Note

11

Calendar of Events

12

Featured Pro: Amber Gay-Young’s Big Ojai Adventures

20

Water-Saving Tips for Gardeners

21

Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers

22

Who’s Who in Real Estate

24

Dine Ojai — Restaurant Guide

25

Chef Randy: Panzanello Salad

27

Sold In Ojai

27

How & When to Use Your Equity

29

Ojai’s Top Ten Hikes

Editor & Publisher / Bret Bradigan Uta Ritke / Creative Director David Taylor / Sales Manager Ross Falvo / Distribution Manager Cover: Donna Sallen, RE/MAX Realty, 805-798-0516 Contact Us: 805.798.0177 editor@ojaiquarterly.com The contents of the Ojai Monthly may not be used, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher.

6

12

25

OJAI 03 22 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

FEATURED PRO: AMBER YOUNG-GAY GETS ENERGIZED HAPPY RETURNS FOR PATRICK MCENROE SAVING WATER FOR YOUR FOOD GARDEN TAPPING INTO EQUITY: WHEN IT MAKES SENSE Cover Photo: Emily Wilson, Broker Owner (center) with team members Tennay Anderson and Hanna Lair, Heritage Financial, See Page 18 For More Information

Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — April 2022

1

OM — April 2022

29

21

DISCOVER

OJAI MONTHLY GEORGE, WE HARDLY KNEW YE ''Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”— Aristotle

Bret Bradigan

In his farewell address George Washington said, ‘‘The very idea of power and right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.’’ He was most likely making an allusion to the Whiskey Tax Rebellion, in which people of the western frontier got so rowdy that Washington himself rode out at the head of an army whose general was his Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.

There’s a strain of the Whiskey Rebellion and Shay’s Army in the ether now. It’s that ‘‘You can’t tell me what to do’’ posturing that has characterized the American experiment since its inception.

It is definitely part of Ojai’s nature, as you can see from the lively debates on Facebook, the cadres of ‘‘Let’s go Brandon’’ T-shirts and bumper stickers, Instagram meme accounts and vaccine hesitancy. Nearby Ventura hosted a Q-Anon event last year, for example.

There’s a limit to our freedom that happens when your neighbor’s house is on fire. You are free to ignore it, blame the government or rail against the infelicity of fate. But the best option would be to do what you could to put it out. For me, that was illustrated by Covid-19. But also about the perils that we face in this age of drought and wildfires.

For some much-needed perspective, we are still rising from the ashes of the Thomas Fire, which scorched 281,893 acres in December 2017. At that time, it was the largest wildlife in California history. Less than three years later, it has been bumped to 9th! The August Complex fire in northern California in August 2020, with 1,032,648 acres, stands as the largest, nearly four times as large. That’s alarming. And the once-promising rains that graced us with nearly 15 inches of gentle mercies this past December, boding well for a thirst-quenching, lake-filling spring, have since evaporated like a mirage as we come closer to another hot summer.

If we think that solutions to these problems can be won by ‘‘you can’t tell me what to do’’ attitudes, you are posing an existential danger not only to your house-on-fire community, but to your own house. That defiant attitude served us well on the frontier when the risks were individual, but serve us ill when the risks are global. But that’s the beauty of the system our founders created, the very open-ended vagueness of it allows, even demands, for the balance of creativity and self-reliance that built great railroad and water projects, won world wars, and put a man on the moon.

Because when it comes to looking past ourselves to our relationship to each other, Ojai has a head start. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of our approaches to permaculture, public art, green-based initiatives and ordinances become widely adopted and scaled up. As Orwell said, ‘‘To see what’s in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.’’ Especially when blinded by smoke.

OM — April 2022

7

NEW LOCAL FAVORITE

CREATIVE SPACE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

GALLERY

WORKSHOPS

POTTERY PARTIES

"I was shocked at how good the BLT was.

Even if you aren't vegan you will enjoy this sandwich. This little café is a great addition to Ojai!"

"We've eaten here 3 times since they opened and everything is delicious! The Boku bowl is my favorite. I also love that they have homemade gluten free bread - I hadn't had French toast in years and it was super yummy.

The staff is incredibly friendly and upbeat and the patio is funky and cute."

FREE TOURS

805 272 8760 www.firestickpottery.com Open Daily 10 - 6 Gallery Open to the Public 1804 East Ojai Avenue

Dale Hanson

Ojai Valley Real Estate (805)646-7229

B.R.E. 01229522 Notary Public

dale@ojaivalleyrealestate.com Call me for your real estate needs.

Residential, commercial, or business opportunity.

Lynn Rollé Boku Founder & CEO

Open 7 Days A Week Scan for a special deal!

www.cafeboku.com | @cafebokuojai

8

OM — April 2022

Great location for commercial business or restaurant. Large parking in back. The building is updated and very clean. Forced air and heating, 3 private offices. A bath room and small wet kitchen. Separate attached unit with 3/4 bath and private entrance and address. $775,000

Whitman Architectural Design Now available at

frontier paint www.whitman-architect.com Providing the highest quality custom residential & commercial Architectural Design and Construction Services.

227 Baldwin Rd., Ojai 805-646-0459

805-646-8485 “We Shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”

Winston Churchill

www.frontierpaint.biz

THERESE HARTMANN PROVIDING HOME LOANS FOR OVER 25 YEARS!

C2 FINANCIAL CORPORATION IS THE # 1 BROKER IN THE NATION! MORTGAGE EXECUTIVE April 2019

MAGAZINE

“Therese Hartmann and team helped my client with a difficult refinance recently. They definitely went above and beyond from what I was expecting. My New York-based company will use them in the future for my California clients.”

— Brandon Garza, Financial Advisor

(805) 798-2158 | HEARTLOANS@SBCGLOBAL.NET | HEARTLOANS.COM 236 W. OJAI AVE., SUITE 105, OJAI CA 93023 This licensee is performing acts for which a real estate license is required. C2 Financial Corporation is licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate, Broker # 01821025; NMLS # 135622. Loan approval is not guaranteed and is subject to lender review of information. All loan approvals are conditional and all conditions must be met by borrower. Loan is only approved when lender has issued approval in writing and is subject to the Lender conditions. Specified rates may not be available for all borrowers.

Rate subject to change with market conditions. C2 Financial Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Mortgage Broker/Lender. BRE #01048403 NMLS #298981

OM — April 2022

9

McENROE ON 'THE OJAI': Many Happy Returns for Former Champ with our readers your perspective on the state of the game, both domestically and internationally. Maybe give us a couple examples of who you think we should keep an eye on over the next few years.

Organizers have brought back former winner Patrick McEnroe as its Ojai Tennis Tournament 2022 Honoree, after the 2020 tournament was cancelled because of Covid-19. We have edited an earlier interview from March 2020 with Jesse Phelps and OVTT PR Director Steve Pratt for length.

McEnroe is tennis royalty. In Ojai, he won what was then the PAC-10 men’s singles title in 1987 in a memorable third-settiebreaker against his good friend, USC’s Luke Jensen, before going on to become a decorated pro, including a singles title and one Grand Slam title as doubles champion at the 1989 French Open.

Since then, McEnroe has overseen the nationwide development of youth tennis, captained the U.S. Davis Cup team, and become one of the leading voices of his sport, calling high profile matches and providing analysis for ESPN, oftentime alongside his older brother, John.

OQ: You won here as a collegiate player at Stanford in 1987. What are your memories of that victory and of coming to the Ojai initially? And have you been back here since? (McEnroe won against his good friend Luke Jensen, of USC, in a third-set tiebreaker).

PM: My memories are all extremely fond of Ojai and the event, whether I won the tournament or not ... So coming to Ojai, where all the teams came together, even though it was tournament play, etcetera, it has a more relaxed environment and feel to it — I remember that orange juice every day which was put out there, which was amazing.

OQ: Your brother, John, couldn’t play the Ojai because he had a pro tourney that week. It must be pretty cool to have a trophy he never won.

PM: (Laughs) There’s not many, I’ll tell you.

But it was pretty cool, and as I said, we looked forward to that event because it was a very well-run event. Do they still have all 10

the other types of events that go on there?

SP: They still do, yes, 27 different divisions, junior college state championship, all the juniors, the men’s and women’s opens. It’s like the whole town turns into kind of like a festival.

OQ: You really have a well-rounded tennis life, as does your brother. Not only were you and John both quality pro players, but you now often share a booth announcing the game. You also do in-studio analysis.

You have become a prominent voice of tennis. Does it make it a little extra special to get to do that with your brother?

PM: Yes, yes and yes. I mean, I’m incredibly lucky and incredibly privileged to still make a living out of the tennis world ... But I feel like I’ve worked pretty hard to expand my skill set, that I could do different things. So that’s enabled me to really have the dream job at ESPN and to work with my brother, to do matches with him. So, the answer is yes. I still really love the game and I’m still around it every day. I’ve transitioned from working at the USTA to working with kids in a private sector, at our McEnroe Academy in New York.

OQ: One of the things that makes “The Ojai” special is the opportunity to watch some of the best up-and-coming talent the U.S. has to offer. As we see not just here but in the pro ranks. I’d love if you’d share OM — April 2022

PM: I marvel at the athleticism of the game. It’s amazing to me how much variety these top players have now. These guys have just taken the game to another level, I think, with their technical prowess and obviously the physicality of what they bring to the game, with their athleticism and how they’ve taken care of their bodies. As far as the American angle, it’s sort of complicated and sort of simple at the same time, so I’ll put it to you this way. If you have a young child that’s five or six or seven years old and your child seems to be a good athlete or has an interest in sports or has good hand-eye coordination — you know, they’re running around the house and trying to hit things and run, etcetera — if they’re a boy, it’s unlikely that tennis is going to be the first thing that comes to the mind of the parent.

Now, take the same situation for a girl.

OQ: Right.

PM: Which sport do you think the parent would pick if they want their girl to make a lot of money playing a sport? There’s really not that many options for women. The reason I’m telling it in this way is because we have amazing athletes that are females playing tennis, you know, from the time they started playing when they were kids.

Obviously, Venus and Serena (Williams), even people like Madison Keys and Sloan Stevens and Coco Vandeweghe and Coco Gauff, and (World no. 4 and reigning Australian Open champ) Sonia Kenin. You know, if they were all boys, how many of them would be playing tennis?

Patrick McEnroe will headline an Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament Fundraiser at the Ojai Museum, 130 West Ojai Avenue, on Friday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. with special guest Tracy Austin. Tickets are $140 and available at theojai.net/tournament-info/ special-events.

APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS galleries

WEEKLY

theater

Certified Farmers Market

(Image credit: Ivon Hitchens, Algerian Woman No. 1, 1948, oil on canvas © 2021 Artists Rights Society (ARS) New York / DACS, London)

Taste of Ojai - April 10 in Libbey Park

APRIL 1 “Tomatomania!”

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Wachter’s Hay & Grain, 114 South Montgomery Street Contact: tomatomania.com Get expert advice, find rare heirlooms, classic hybrids and all you need for a successful season.

APRIL 1 -3, APRIL 8-10 OPAT’s “Harvey” Location: Matilija Middle School Auditorium, 703 El Paseo Road Contact: ojaitheater.org 805-640-5814 “Harvey” will run at Matilija Auditorium April 1, 2, 3 and April 8, 9, 10: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

Following county guidelines, all audience members will need to show proof they are fully vaccinated. Ojai Performing Arts Theater is producing this show, postponed for two years because of the pandemic. All reserved seating with the chart on website.

APRIL 10 Rotary Club of Ojai’s “Taste of Ojai” Times: 1 to 5 p.m.

Location: Libbey Park Contact: 805-620-7589 tasteofojai.com Taste of Ojai, the region’s finest food-related event, is back with a different approach this year; a walking tour of Ojai’s amazing restaurants and art venues.

Dr. Jim Halvorsen as Elwood Dowd in the OPAT production of "Harvey."

APRIL 20-24 The 116th “The Ojai” Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament Times: Varies Location: Libbey Park & Elsewhere Contact: 805-646-7421 theojai.net The country’s oldest amateur tournament resumes after a two-year pandemic-related hiatus, with the PAC-12 championships and many other top matchups. ESPN commentator and former Ojai champion Patrick McEnroe will be the featured guest.

TO APRIL 30 Thomas Hardcastle’s “Car Culture” Time: Opening Reception March 5 at 6 p.m.

Tuesdays through Saturdays, 12 to 4 p.m.

Location: Ojai Art Center Contact: 805-646-0117 Original automobile paintings by fthe amed Ojai artist.

APRIL 10 & 24

Every Sunday Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Contact: 805-698-5555 Location: Matilija Street city parking lot behind the Arcade.

Open air market featuring locally grown produce, as well as plants, musicians and handmade items.

Ojai Community Farmers Market Every Thursday Time: 3-7 p.m.

Location: Chaparral High School Courtyard

Ojai Cars & Coffee Times: 8 to 10 a.m.

Location: Westridge Midtown Market 131 West Ojai Avenue Contact: IDriveSoCal.com Ojai Cars And Coffee events take place in a gorgeous setting in the parking lot of the Westridge Midtown Market. Come see beautiful collector and vintage cars and talk with their proud owners.

THURSDAYS “Ojai: Talk of the Town” Podcast New episodes come out Thursday evenings through OjaiHub.com newsletter. Sign up at OjaiHub.com

MARCH 3 to MAY 8 canvas & paper present Cornelis Kick, William Scott & Louis Valtat Location: 311 North Montgomery Street Times: Thursday to Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.

Contact: canvasandpaper.org Free admission — canvas and paper is a non-profit exhibition space showing paintings and drawings from the 20th century and earlier in thematic and single artist exhibits.

OM — April 2022

11

BY ILONA SAARI

Amber Young-Gay was aptly named, since her golden presence defines the word “energy.” Her early childhood was spent in the hustle and bustle of Sacramento, California’s state capital. Her mom, Glenda Young (a/k/a Bodhi, now a retired teacher), worked as a bartender/waitress at a restaurant in Old Sacramento owned by Amber’s aunt.

12

OM — April 2022

AMBER & SAM’S WEDDING DAY

AMBER & SAM AT A CELEBRATION AT THE VINE

Lyric by Nicholas Hexum of 311

In the basement was a light-up dance floor with mirrors by the bar. After-hours, before her mom would take her home, Amber played whatever she wanted on the jukebox and danced her “little girl, Shirley Temple-fueled heart out.”

When Amber was ten, she and Glenda moved to the East Bay area of San Francisco when Glenda took a job with Amber’s father, Wes Berg, at his playground building business. Soon, Amber began marching with the Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps and Winterguard program where her golden energy was on full display. She dreamed of being in the world-class “A” Corps, and auditioned for the Blue Devils “A” Corps six times, only to be rejected each time. But, like a golden energizer bunny, Amber persisted and finally was accepted in the Corps.

During her middle-school years she lived with her mom in San Leandro and commuted 45 minutes to school so she could continue her education in the same school district.

“After school, I would take the public bus to the end of the line at the Pleasanton BART station, where I would catch a second bus that would drop me at the end of the street where my mom worked and we would drive home,” she recalls. It may not be the harrowing stories parents tell

their kids about trudging six miles through rain and snow to get to school, but it was a trek for a young kid to do five days a week.

After attending several community colleges, Amber worked and continued her education (that energy thing) online at Union Institute and University, where she could work with the faculty to design an independent studies program and achieve her Bachelors of Arts degree. “During my time there, I did a comprehensive study of the Beat Generation, Children’s Literature and Women and Food,” she says. Her career goal was to become a high school English teacher. “But, after graduation in 2008, the economy was tanking and the thought of taking on my debt for a job that pays so little didn’t make sense to me.”

While growing up in Northern California, Amber spent a great deal of time in Ojai visiting her Aunt Lori and Uncle Cam Schryver, who ran the horse department at Thacher School. She fell in love with the Valley and, at age 22, moved to Ojai to live with her aunt, uncle and cousins.

“Aunt Lori can throw together a meal for twenty people at the drop of a hat and I always wanted to be able to do that.

Through high school I would ‘entertain’ by throwing sitdown dinner parties for my friends,” she remembers OM — April 2022

13

Moving back to California, he spent three months in LA working as a film editor, but soon decided that Hollywood wasn’t for him. He returned to Ojai and began his bartending career, first at the Blue Orchid in Ventura and eventually becoming the bartender at Jimmy’s Pub at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. When the Wallace Neff Heritage lounge opened at the Inn, Sam was “kicked” upstairs to help open it and became its bartender/mixologist. He’s now been at the Inn for over a decade.

AMBER & SAM BEHIND THE BAR AT THE VINE

(a skill that would be needed when she became a saloon/ restaurant co-owner). It wasn’t long before she was out on her own. Through a “temp” employment agency, she got a job at City Hall, starting as the office specialist in the City Manager’s Office, then moved on to run the yearly Ojai Day event, manage the Libbey Bowl and act as the Deputy City Clerk. She was eventually wooed by the Ojai Music Festival to be the operations and events manager. That golden energy thing was fully radiating.

At the popular Village Jester pub, owned by Nigel Chisholm, Amber first met Sam Gay. Though both were in other relationships, they’d see each other around town from time-to-time, and when they became single again, they reconnected and began dating. After the Jester closed, Nigel bought The Vine and turned it into another popular tavern/saloon with good drinks and great music. One Sunday night during a date at The Vine, Sam proposed to Amber “with Danny McGaw and the 33 playing our song with Nigel singing.” They married “on a budget” in 2019 in Twain Harte, California where Sam’s parents have a cabin.

That Vine-woven kismet continued when Nigel put the tavern/saloon on the market and Sam and Amber decided to buy it.

A native Ojaian, Sam graduated from Nordhoff high school, but left Ojai to attend Penn State. During his college years, he worked as a line-cook in a go-to breakfast restaurant for college kids, often serving more than 200 breakfasts over a weekend to “hung over” students. He learned to prep and cook at a fast pace — a skill that became an asset a few years later when he and Amber opened The Vine.

14

OM — April 2022

Not long after Amber and Sam took possession of The Vine, the pandemic shuttered its doors. Not wanting to close completely, they joined California’s Great Plates program which provided three meals a day to Ojai shut-ins in need, coordinating their deliveries to those folks with Help of Ojai. Call it a gourmet “meals on wheels.” They also provided takeout meals, cocktails and wine and continued serving food and drink on its extended “European-style” patio when outdoor dining was allowed. Music soon returned outside as well.

As the pandemic seems to be entering an endemic stage, music has also now returned inside at The Vine with the doors reopened for indoor dining, complementing the dining on the outdoor patio. The miniscule kitchen is a real culinary challenge since it contains just an oven and a hot plate in lieu of a stove top. But together, Amber and Sam continue to invent and revise what they call “American Classics with a twist.”

As Amber continues her work at the Ojai Music Festival and her volunteer involvement which has included serving on the Boards of the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation and the Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio, she and Sam are building on their dream of turning The Vine into a “don’t miss” destination for food, drink and music. Join her as she greets her customers, newbies and regulars, and moves around the tavern beaming with pride and joy, her megawatt smile helping to light up the room with an amber glow.

Ojai’s own golden energizer bunny.

ESCAPE IN A MOMENT

Escape in a moment and enrich your wellness journey at Spa Ojai. Surrounded by the inspiring Topatopa Mountains, this 31,000-square-foot luxury spa features two pools, a fully-equipped gym, Mind & Body classes, Spa Boutique, Artist Cottage & Apothecary, and Spa Café offering a menu of fresh, healthy indulgences. Explore your creative consciousness, nourish your body, inspire mindful renewal, and challenge your physical endurance amidst an inspired natural setting of oak trees, fresh lavender, and idyllic vistas—all just a short drive away.

866.976.3538 OjaiValleyInn.com

OM — April 2022

15

Donna Sallen

You will not want to miss this little gem. Tucked away on a cul-de-sac in the charming town of Meiners Oaks, just minutes to downtown Ojai, this home has many sweet features. From the bead board on the ceiling and the hardwood floors in the living room to the hand painted olive branches on the kitchen cupboards; you will be pleasantly surprised by the details. There is a den that could be used as a third bedroom. The big living room windows not only let the light in but also showcases the vibrant flowers in the garden and the mountains in the background. You will love being so close to the hiking trails, shops and restaurants. Very quiet and private.

There’s no place like home ...

Let me find yours.

Welcome Home to this wonderful Ranch style-VIEW home. Located behind the gates of Rancho Matilija, this home has some of the most magnificent views. Enter into the home and you enjoy the light-filled living room showcasing the mountains. The great room opens to the kitchen and leads out to the backyard. The views are breathtaking with pink sunsets and early morning sunrises. You won’t want to miss this home. Bring your creative touches and make this charmer your home for life. With the trail right outside your door, you can walk your dogs, take a hike or ride your horses. Horses are welcome on this equestrian property. Private and gated.

Donna Sallen

805-798-0516

w w w. D o n n a S a l l e n . c o m D o n n a 4 re m a x @ a o l .c o m

18

OM — April 2022

Donna Sallen

Gated and private, this beautiful Mediterranean-style estate is sitting perfectly on 2 acres in Rancho Matilija. Designed by local renowned architect, Marc Whitman, the special attention to detail can’t be overlooked. With a dramatic entry which leads you to the open spacious great room you notice the perfect mix of indoor/outdoor living where light-filled rooms blend with the lush landscaping.

Perfect for entertaining with two outdoor kitchens, saltwater pool and spa and a private pool house or art studio. Back inside you will love the gourmet kitchen with commercial grade appliances. Vaulted ceilings, three fireplaces, a media room. You will love the sweeping staircase leading you to an exquisite room which can be used as an office or family room. There is a gentlemen’s orchard, an oversized three-car garage along with lovely mountain views. This home is one-of-a-kind and a must see.

Donna Sallen 805-798-0516 w w w. D o n n a S a l l e n . c o m D o n n a 4 re m a x @ a o l . c o m

There’s no place like home ...

Let me find yours.

Five Water-Saving Tips for Your Food Garden

By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela

If you haven’t already, it is time to get your vegetable garden going. You can plant seeds directly in the ground now that we are not worried about freezes, so you don’t even have to start your seeds indoors. Just get out there in the sunshine and fresh air and get some food plants planted.

Of course, there is the issue of water and how we really do need to be conserving it everywhere we can. Since we are not in an area where we can rely on April showers to bring those May flowers, this means best practices for gardening here include water-saving measures. Fortunately, small changes in how we plan and irrigate our gardens can make a big difference.

Let’s go over some options that will allow us to save water while enjoying the benefits of growing our own food.

1. Replace your lawn: I know this sounds like it has nothing to do with your vegetable garden, but if you remove or reduce your natural grass lawn, you will save so much water that it will offset your water usage elsewhere on your property.

Water usage studies on community gardens in Denver showed that traditional bluegrass lawns used up to 18 gallons of water per square foot per year, whereas, the community gardens used just 11 gallons. (denverwater.org) California Farm & Garden found that an edible garden in the same space as a lawn reduced water usage by up to 75 percent (cafarmandgarden.com) 20

2. Choose lower-water food plants: There are lots of food plants that are drought-resistant and thrive with less irrigation, including black-eyed peas, summer squashes, tomatoes, sunflowers, pole beans, fava beans, eggplants, peppers, mustard greens, Swiss chard, pomegranates, and grapes. Also, most herbs, as well as some legumes and grains, require less water than other choices.

3. Install ollas: Sometimes it amazes me that we continue to jump on the latest, high-tech trends when our ancestors have been using elegant, effective solutions for centuries. Ollas are a great example of this and show how looking to the past just might help save our future. These lowtech, low-cost irrigation systems are used around the world in dry climates to help gardeners successfully grow bountiful crops in areas where wasting water is not an option.

Ollas are large, porous, non-glazed pots that are buried among your fruit and vegetable plants with their necks above the soil. Once in place, these water-conserving pots are filled with water about once per week. Plant roots grow towards this water source, and water seeps into the soil only as needed, making this an incredibly efficient irrigation system.

Delivering the water directly to the roots beneath the surface also helps you avoid runoff, evaporation, soil compaction and weed growth.

OM — April 2022

4. Install a drip system — or upgrade the one you have: If you are currently watering your garden by hand, you can save time and water by installing a drip system. This is a far more efficient way to deliver water directly to the roots of your plants. If you already have a drip system, check for leaks, make sure your emitters are working and watering the right spots, and install a smart controller that automatically adjusts your irrigation system according to weather conditions.

Using an automated drip system also allows you to more easily adjust timers to save water by irrigating your garden in the early morning or late evening and allows you to water your plants more when they are young, and then reduce water once they are established. Keep in mind that it is best to water food plants in the morning. This helps fortify them to get through hot days while avoiding the diseases and pests that sometimes come with evening watering.

5. Add mulch: A layer of mulch around your food plants will help retain soil moisture and keep soil temperatures cooler. It has the added benefit of limiting weed growth and breaking down over time to add nutrients to the soil.

If you pull back on water too much, your plants may wilt, bolt, produce little or no fruit, or die, so be sure to keep an eye on them and adjust the watering schedule accordingly.

FOUNDING FATHERS & MOTHERS While Edward Drummond Libbey is rightfully regarded among Ojai’s chief benefactors — having been behind the building of such Ojai landmarks as the Ojai Valley Inn, St. Thomas Aquinas Church (now the Museum), Post Office Tower and the Arcade — others have been very influential in shaping Ojai’s identity. Here’s a few: Annie Besant. Free-thinker, feminist and noted Theosophist. Though she only spent a few days in Ojai, she brought Krishnamurti to Ojai, and helped buy hundreds of acres of property in Ojai, (now the sites of Besant Hill School and, along with A.P. Warrington, the Krotona Center) which she called “the smiling vale.” She is considered one of the pioneers of introducing Eastern mystical thought to the West, and was an early advocate of India’s independence. and the labor movement.

Jiddhu Krishnamurti. The spiritual teacher and writer, came to Ojai in 1922, sponsored by the Theosophical Society, though he later broke with that group (“The Leaderless Path.”) He gave talks to many thousands of people each year, in the Star Camps in the oak groves west of Ojai (now the site of Oak Grove School. He once held the Guinness Book of World Records for having spoken to the greatest number of people.

Weather in Ojai Precip.

5.04 5.24 3.35 1.22 .47 .12 .04 .005 .2 .98 1.69 2.95

Average Annual Rainfall:

21.3

Record High 115°

Year 2018

Population: Valley: (est.)

21,300

Record Low 16°

Year 1990

Households::

3,176

Elevation:

Sherman Day Thacher. After coming West to farm and care for an ailing brother, the Yale-educated Thacher realized that he was going to need another source of income. So he founded The Thacher School in 1887. Now one of the most prestigious preparatory academies in the country, its founding creed was “teach a boy to ride, shoot and tell the truth.” Also, in 1896, his brother William founded “The Ojai,” the country’s oldest amateur tennis tournament. Among Thacher’s more illustrious students were industrialist, aviator and film producer Howard Hughes and three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist Thornton Wilder, who wrote his first play while a Thacher student.

OJAI QUICK FACTS:

Ave. Low 36 38 41 43 48 51 56 55 53 47 40 35

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug. Sept.

Oct. Nov. Dec.

Ave. High (°F) 67 67 70 74 78 83 89 91 87 80 73 66

Beatrice Wood. The famed ceramicist’s (“The Mama of Dada”) greatest work of art may well have been her life. The irreverent, avant-garde Wood lived and worked in Ojai for decades until her death in 1998 at age 105. She inspired two classic movies, Francois Truffaut’s “Jules et Jim,” and James Cameron’s “Titanic.” She attributed her longevity to “chocolate and young men.” Her autobiography was appropriately titled, “I Shock Myself.” Many of her distinctive, whimsical, luminous luster-glazed pieces are on display at her former home, now the Beatrice Wood Center, in upper Ojai.

7,461

745

The name “Ojai” is believed to be derived from the Ventureño Chumash word ‘awhaý, meaning “moon.” In 1837, Fernando Tico received a land grant and established a cattle ranch. Thomas A. Scott, who had financial success with oil and railroads, bought the Ojai Valley in 1864 for oil exploration. By 1868, Scott, through his agent Thomas Bard, began selling properties to homesteaders. By 1874, R.G. Surdam plotted out the town he would call Nordhoff, renamed Ojai in 1917.

Ojai is about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 30 miles east of Santa Barbara. The valley is about 10 miles long by 3 miles wide, surrounded by hills and mountains; the rare east-west orientation with a slight southward tilt gives the valley an extraordinary sun exposure; Ojai’s citrus and avocado crops are highly prized. This orientation also gives rise to Ojai as a spiritual destination.

It was due to the resources and organizing energy of Ohio glass manufacturer Edward Drummond Libbey that Nordhoff was rebuilt and renamed Ojai, inspired by the City Beautiful Movement. By 1917, with the construction of the Arcade and Post Office Tower, the town took its present shape.

The city’s self-styled nickname is “Shangri-La,” based on the story that Ojai was the backdrop (later left on the editing room floor) from the 1937 movie as the mystical sanctuary of James Hilton’s novel “Lost Horizon.”

OM — April 2022

21

WHO’S WHO

IN OJAI REAL ESTATE?

TO BE LISTED HERE, PLEASE CALL BRET @ 805-798-0177

22

Logan Hall Logan Hall Photography 805-798-0337 loganhallphotos. com

Clinton Haugan LIV | Sotheby’s International Realty 727 W. Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023 C: (805) 760-2092 O: (805) 646-7288 chaugan@livsothebysrealtyca.com DRE# 02019604

Therese A. Hartmann is a local loan consultant affiliated with C2 Financial Corporation, and is a Licensed Broker, California BRE #01048403.

NMLS # 298291. Call Therese today at (805) 798-2158.

Vivienne Moody LIV Sotheby’s International Realty 805-798-1099 vmoody10@ sbcglobal.net OjaiLifestyle.net

Larry Wilde LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Wilde-Wilde. com 805-640-5734

Kristen Currier LIV Sotheby’s International Realty 805-798-3757 thehoffgroup. com

Donna Sallen Remax Gold Coast Realtors Donna4Remax@aol.com DonnaSallen. com 805-798-0516

Amanda Stanworth LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Phone: 805-2188117 • E-mail: amandastanworth77@gmail. com Web: Rooney-Stanworth.com

Patty Waltcher LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Call me for your Real Estate needs.

805-340-3774

Team Deckert Keller Williams Realty Ray Deckert, Broker Associate ContactUs@ TeamDeckert. com 805-272-5218

Ross Falvo Keller Williams Realty “The Ojai Real Estate Guy” RossFalvo.com 805-207-5094

Dennis Guernsey LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

Nora Davis LIV Sotheby’s International Realty OjaiValleyEstates. com 805-207-6177

805-798-1998

OM — April 2022

Dale Hanson Ojai Valley Real Estate 211 E. Matilija Street, Ste. J, 206 E. Ojai Ave. 805-646-7229 dale@ovhl.com

Erik Wilde LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Wilde-Wilde.com 805-830-3254

Don & Cheree Edwards RE/MAX Gold Coast Ojai’s Top Selling Team LivinginOjai.com 805.340.3192 805.350.7575

Kirk Ellison LIV Sotheby’s International Realty KirkEllison@ me.com 805-340-5905

Ojai’s

Hildegard Tallent CalBRE# 02047013 Keller Williams Realty, 109 N. Blanche Street Tel: 805-7981872 email: hildegard.tallent@ kw.com

locally owned and operated magazines.

By nationally award-winning writers and photographers.

OjaiHub.com 805.798.0177 OM — April 2022

23

AGAVE MARIA Fresh, wholesome Mexican food & drink 106 South Montgomery Street (805) 646-6353 agavemarias.com AJ’S EXPRESS CHINESE EXPRESS Gourmet Chinese food to eat in or to go 11566 North Ventura Avenue (805) 646-1177 ajchinesecuisine.com BOCCALI’S Pizza & Pasta, from our farm to our tables 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road (805) 646-6116 boccalis.com

hipvegancafe.com (805) 669-6363 HOME KITCHEN OF OJAI Breakfast and lunch in a warm space 1103 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-5346 HomeKitchenofOjai.com MANDALA Pan-Asian Cuisine 11400 North Ventura Road (805) 613-3048 THE NEST 401 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9035 thenestojai.com

BONNIE LU’S COUNTRY CAFE Traditional American breakfast & brunch 328 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-0207

L>OVE SOCIAL CAFE 205 North Signal Street (805) 646-1540 nosovita.com

THE DEER LODGE An Ojai legend since 1932 2261 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-4256 deerlodgeojai.com

OAK GRILL @ THE INN Al fresco dining under vine-covered pergola 905 Country Club Road (805) 646-1111 ojairesort.com

FARMER & THE COOK The best of organic Ojai 339 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-9608 farmerandcook.com YUME JAPANESE BURGER 254 East Ojai Avenue (Arcade) (805) 646-1700 JIM & ROB’S FRESH GRILL Mexican-American & regional favorites 214 West Ojai Avenue #100 (805) 640-1301 jimandrobsojai.com

HIP VEGAN Vegan sandwiches, salads & bowls 201 North Montgomery Street

24

OJAI COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY Salads, sandwiches & superb service 337 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-4478 OJAI PIZZA COMPANY 331 Ojai Avenue (Downtown Ojai) 545-7878 TheOnlyGoodPizza.com OJAI PIZZA COMPANY (Oak View) The go-to place for food & sports 820 North Ventura Avenue OJAI ROTIE Rotisserie, sourdough, winebox 469 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9227 ojairotie.com

OM — April 2022

OSTERIA MONTE GRAPPA Rustic menu of Northern Italian fare & seafood dishes.

242 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 640-6767 omgojai.com PAPA LENNON’S Family owned, original & cuisine 515 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-7388 papalennons.com

traditional Italian

RAINBOW BRIDGE A community gathering place 211 East Matilija Street (805) 646-6623 rainbowbridgeojai.com THE RANCH HOUSE An Ojai culinary destination for more than 60 years 102 Besant Road (805) 646-2360 theranchhouse.com SAKURA OJAI A locals’ favorite for Japanese food 219 East Matilija Street (805) 646-8777 sakuraojai.wix.com SEA FRESH Serving Ojai for 30 years 533 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-7747 seafreshseafood.com SOULE PARK GOLF COURSE BAR & GRILL Patio & indoor dining with Ojai’s most tranquil views 1033 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-5685 soulepark.com

CHEF RANDY’S LIFE OF SPICE

Panzanella Salad When Robin made this salad for niece Annie, Annie dug into it and said, “Aunt Robin…this is the best salad I’ve ever had!” Although it is a traditional Italian Panzanella salad, we call it Annie’s Salad when we make it for her. I don’t know if this will be the best salad you’ve ever had, but I can promise it will be different. What’s more, this recipe makes a bunch of salad so it’s a good dish to bring to potlucks and other large gatherings. We enjoy it as an entire meal, lunch, or dinner! You can use any French bread (baguette, sourdough, Randy Graham is a noted chef and writer whole wheat, etc.), but I like the texture and flavor of Ciabatta. In America, Ciabatta and has been a lacto-ovo vegetarian is often made with a sourdough starter (“biga” in Italy). It is the bread of choice for for over 38 years. Chef Randy has Panini sandwiches, which may be another reason I like it so much. Whichever bread written and published a series of you use, be sure to use one with a firm crust. Makes six servings. seven cookbooks with original recipes developed over the period 1975 through 2020. He writes for the Ojai Quarterly, the Ojai Monthly, and the California 101 Travelers Guide. His vegetarian recipes are published in newspapers throughout Central California under the header, Chef Randy. He and his wife, Robin, live in Ojai, California, with their dog Cooper. Robin and Cooper are not vegetarians.

INGREDIENTS Loaf of Ciabatta bread (cut into 1-inch cubes) Olive oil cooking spray 4 cloves garlic (sliced thinly) 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 9 ripe Roma tomatoes 1/3 cup Kalamata olives (chopped) 1/3 cup green bell pepper (chopped) Quick + Easy

2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves (chopped) 1/3 cup red onion (chopped) 1 tablespoon capers (drained)

Vegetarian

Spring / Summer

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar Asiago cheese (shaved) INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Lightly spray Ciabatta cubes with cooking spray and bake, turning each cube once or twice, until brown — approximately 12 to 15 minutes.

Remove from oven to cool.

OM — April 2022

Sauté garlic in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

Trim the top off the tomatoes and then, using a sharp paring knife, cut tomatoes into quarters. Scoop out the core and seeds of each tomato slice, cut slices into 1-inch pieces, and set aside.

Using a large bowl, combine tomatoes with olives, bell pepper, basil, onion, and capers. Add garlic to this mixture along with red wine vinegar. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill.

At this time, place six salad plates in the refrigerator to chill as well.

Just prior to serving, toss bread mixture with tomato mixture. Divide salad among the chilled plates and garnish with a shaving of Asiago cheese.

25

Gorgeous townhouse in Ventura. Great location near mall and freeway access. The home is a spacious 1,550 sq. ft., has lots of light, and is multilevel. There are 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. Two of the recently remodeled bathrooms are located upstairs with the bedrooms. Great master suite with walk-in closet, full bath with his and her sinks, and built-ins. The living room is cozy and inviting and features a gas fireplace. Two lovely outdoor living spaces add to this bright and airy home. Lots of storage space and an attached 2 car garage. Sports and leisure facilities include two tennis courts and a swimming pool/spa.

ROSARIO FALVO W W W. O J A I R E . C O M

805.207-5094 DRE # E 01504988

26

OM — April 2022

Nantucket® Window Shadings

His curiosity: limitless.

Your window fashions: cordless.

Discover innovative window fashions from Hunter Douglas that enhance safety at the window.

Ask today about a wide array of cordless operating systems including the ultimate in operating convenience, PowerView® Motorization.

Chisum's Floor Covering 118 Bryant St Ojai, CA ~B

~B

M-F: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat: By Appointment Only Sun: Closed (805) 646-2440 www.chisumsfloor.com Contractors License #242944 ~B

~B

~B

~B

Ask us about special savings on select Hunter Douglas operating systems.

~C

~C

©2022 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners. 16CSMAGNAC2

Five Reasons Tapping Into Your Equity Makes Sense The Benefits of a Home Equity Loan

By Therese A. Hartmann

A dentist came into my office today to see about getting a $400k home equity line of credit. He is a savvy investor and a perfect candidate for one.

What exactly is home equity? It’s the difference between what the home is worth and how much is still owed on your mortgage. For many, using this equity from homeownership is a key way to build personal wealth. A home equity loan is, simply put, borrowing against the equity in your home. While you should NEVER use your home as your personal ATM, there are some great reasons to establish a HELOC (as they are referred to in our industry). Here is a sampling of appropriate reasons to apply for one: • Home improvements – this is one of the most common reasons people will take out a HELOC. Sometimes clients need a new roof or want a new pool or are looking to convert a garage into an ADU. I would consider all of these reasons to be some of the BEST reasons to access equity in a home. These will increase value in your home.

• College costs – because interest rates are now starting to climb, it sometimes makes more sense to leave your existing mortgage alone and look into a separate, stand-alone loan. Paying for college in advance – using the line of credit as you need it, is a solid approach. An investment in education, yours or your children’s makes sense.

• Debt consolidation – as long as 28

this isn’t a pattern of reckless spending, paying off a car loan, credit card debt, student loans, delinquent taxes, etc., can certainly give borrowers a fresh start. In light of the chaos caused by the pandemic, sometimes all you need is a helping hand and HELOC’s can provide that.

• Emergency expenses — if you have an emergency and there isn’t another way to come up with funds, HELOC’s can be a godsend. Having a HELOC as a backup in case there is a medical emergency or you lose a job, is often prudent.

• Business expenses – applying for a small business loan is often timeconsuming and more costly than a HELOC. You should only take this route if you’ve thoroughly looked at the numbers and tested your business in advance. There should be a solid return on investment.

A line of credit differs from an equity loan in that when you establish a line, say $300k, you use the funds as you need them. You only get charged interest on the amount that you are using and most HELOC’s. A key feature of most HELOCs is the interest-only feature where you only pay for the interest on funds you’ve used for the first 10 years.

It’s a bit like having a checking account that you can draw on when you need it.

Another advantage is that you are able to deduct the interest paid on your taxes up to $100,000. (Check with your tax expert and IRS rules are known to change).

OM — April 2022

To tap into your home’s equity, you’ll need to go through a process similar to applying for any home loan. Lenders consider many factors including a person’s debt load, income, credit score and amount of equity in the home. Your best bet, if a HELOC sounds right for you, is to call a qualified loan officer to run scenarios. And don’t forget, “brokers are better!”

Therese A. Hartmann has more than 20 years’ lending experience. She is a Licensed Broker, California Dept. of Real Estate #01048403, NMLS # 298291, affiliated with C2 Financial Corporation. For a free consultation, call Therese today at (805) 798-2158.

OQ | HI K I NG M AP 1

SHELF ROAD 3.5mi EASY | Elev. Gain: 200 ft | Overlooks downtown Ojai.

2 VENTURA RIVER PRESERVE | 7mi EASY TO MODERATE | Elev. Gain:

520 ft (Wills-Rice). Trailheads at end of Meyer Road, South Rice Road and Baldwin Road. Great for birding.

5 HORN CANYON 5.5mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 1,600 ft.

Trailhead near Thacher School’s gymkhana field. Goes to shady stand of 80-foot tall pines.

8 ROSE VALLEY 1mi EASY | Elev. Gain: 100 ft

Trailhead at Rose Valley Campground. Leads to a spectacular 300-foot, two-tiered fall.

3

4

PRATT TRAIL 8.8mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 3,300

GRIDLEY TRAIL 6-12mi MODERATE | 3 mi to Gridley Springs

6

7

COZY DELL 2.2mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 740 ft |

MATILIJA CANYON 12mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 1,200 ft |

ft | Trailhead off North Signal Street. Goes to Nordhoff Peak. Clear day? See forever.

(Elev. Gain: 1,200 ft) 6 mi to Nordhoff Peak.

Trailhead at north end of Gridley Road.

Trailhead 8 miles north of Ojai on Maricopa Highway.

Short, intense hike that also connects to trail network.

Middle Fork. Trailhead at end of Matilija Road. First 1.5 miles of trail well-maintained, the rest a scramble.

9

10

SISAR CANYON 22mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 4,800 ft to

SULPHUR MTN. 22mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 2,300 ft |

Topa Topa Bluffs. Trailhead at end of Sisar Road. Trailhead on eastern side of Sulphur Mountain Road.

Only for experienced, f it hikers.

Views are unsurpassed.

OM — April 2022

29

We know Ojai.

33+ acre Live Oak Retreat in Wheeler Canyon with amazing views, private pond, five wells, fruit trees, chicken coop, multiple outdoor living areas, jetted soaking tub, stone fireplace, and vaulted, exposed-beam ceilings. $2,495,000 www.8577LiveOakAvenue.com

20 Acres with Mountain and Ocean Views, Gated Entry, Avocados, Citrus, Well, Two Water Storage Tanks, House Pad, and Parking Structure $1,000,000

The Davis Group ojaivalleyestates.com

Nora Davis

BRE License #01046067

805.207.6177

nora@ojaivalleyestates.com

We’re lifelong residents.

Seven-bedroom main house with pool house in resort setting on app. 10 acres with amazing views, pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, three-car garage + twocar garage, artist’s loft, lighted tennis court, family orchard, barns, and more. $6,200,000 www.RocaVistaRanchOjai.com

2020 Remodel on 17 acres with gated entry, lighted tennis court, approximately 15 acres of avocado orchards, multiple outdoor living areas, outdoor kitchen, 3,000-square-foot shop, two fireplaces, multi-room master suite, amazing views, and much more. $4,999,000 www.2871MaricopaHwy.com

Kellye Lynn

BRE License #01962469

805.798.0322

G a b r i e l a Ce s e ñ a T H E N E X T L E V E L O F R E A L E S TAT E S E R V I C E S Re a l t o r ® | L u x u r y S p e c i a l i s t Unwavering commitment to my clients’ satisfaction.

D R I V E N B Y PA S S I O N F O R T H E W O R K I D O !

805.236.3814 | gabrielacesena@bhhscal.com LIC# 01983530

Gabrielacesena.bhhscalifornia.com © 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. 32

OM — April 2022