Ojai Monthly - August 2021 by Ojai Quarterly

OJAI o8 21 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

HAMANN’S LIFE OF SONG & DANCE HOUSE AND HOME WITH AJ DAVIS HIKING PATHS TO OJAI GLORY Cover: Nora Davis, LIV Sotheby’s Realty • 805.207.6177 • See Page 31 For More Information Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — August 2021

DEL ORO ARCHITECTURAL This architectural gem was designed by Zelma Wilson, a trailblazing Ojai architect. The park-like lot is extremely quiet, private, and walking distance from town. The house was designed to rest organically among the majestic oak trees and native boulders, where expansive windows draw light and the beautiful natural surroundings into every room. High ceilings and an open, flowing floorplan create an inviting spaciousness throughout the house. An enclosed porch with large operable windows, has spectacular views of the garden and creates an additional 200sqft of indoor/outdoor living. The oversize garage has windows, a surf shower and a bathroom. A separate studio space could easily be converted into an ADU. The property includes a chicken coop, gardening shed, and a whole house water softening/filter system. 909DelOroDrOjai.com

Offered at $2,750,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

BRILLIANT CONTEMPORARY This completely renovated, contemporary home on nearly 3 gated acres has fabulous 360 degree views and is totally refined in every detail. From the organic interior layout to the cultivated surrounding environment, everything has been finished with the highest quality materials. High ceilings, windows, and open, connected spaces create a light, airy atmosphere while extensive use of natural materials makes the home feal earthy and warm. The kitchen is a chef’s dream, with amazing views, gorgeous marble counters and wood cabinets. A covered outdoor entertainment area features a fabulous fireplace and a finished garage could easily be converted into an ADU. The beautifully landscaped grounds include a stone labyrinth, cobblestone driveway, and mature avocado, citrus and olive trees. 2100MaricopaOjai.com

Offered at $3,150,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

(805) 340-3774

pattywaltcher.com

DRE#01768956

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NextHome 307 A East Matilija Street

Jeri Becker 805.340.2846

4 4

— July 2021 2021 OMOM — August

Lynn Goodman 805.573.5927

Ojai

Heather Erickson

805.798.3358

Riley Becker

805.646.6768

96 E. Short Street, Oak View - $699,000 Newly renovated 2 bedroom/1 bathroom, 858 sq. ft. home (with attached bonus room) on a large corner lot. Improvements include resurfaced wood flooring, paint inside and out, newer A/C, remodeled kitchen and bathroom, and even space for RV parking - with hookups. Nicely spaced between Ojai and Ventura - come take a look!

607 N. Mill Street, Santa Paula - $825,000

5 bed/4 bath, 2,030 sq. ft. on .48 acres with pool! Claim your own slice of paradise with this lovely hillside home, located in one of Santa Paula's coveted neighborhoods. Spend days soaking in the sunshine by the swimming pool or sitting under the shade of the beautiful oak tree. The sizable patio is perfect for indoor-outdoor entertaining, enjoying meals al fresco, or simply relaxing and taking in the expansive views of the Santa Paula valley and mountains. Once inside you'll enjoy the warmth and character of this lovingly cared for home. Unique and appealing architectural details include corner windows, a claw foot tub, travertine floors, and vintage lighting fixtures. This home was clearly loved and is now ready for you to make it your own!

Sold for $805,000

Sold for $925,000

12251 Linda Flora Drive, Ojai - $525,000 Check out this gorgeous 2.03 acre parcel in Rancho Matilija. Build your custom home, bring your horses, and enjoy direct access to the horse/biking/hiking trails. You’ll enjoy gorgeous sunsets, and if you’re up early in the day, stunning sunrises as well!

P: 805.272.5218 E: ContactUs@TeamDeckert.com VenturaAndSantaBarbaraHomes.com

DRE# 01761150, 01859199 OM — August 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS AUGUST 2021

Editor’s Note

Calendar of Events

Featured Pro: Julie Hamann, On Stage & Off

Homebuyers’ Common Mistakes

20 Seven Ways to Wise Up on Water Use 21

Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers

Who’s Who in Real Estate

Dine Ojai — Restaurant Guide

Chef Randy: Broccoli Sandwiches? Yes!

Self-Propelled Into Ojai’s Backcountry

Editor & Publisher / Bret Bradigan Uta Ritke / Creative Director David Taylor / Sales Manager Liz Spiller / Social Media Manager Ross Falvo / Distribution Manager Cover: Nora Davis, Coldwell Banker Property Shoppe 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

OJAI o8 21 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — August 2021

Photo

Michael Chiabaudo

DISCOVER

OJAI MONTHLY

DOWN AND OUT IN OJAI Bret Bradigan

The most recent count of homeless population in Los Angeles County was 66,436 in January — which accounted for 11 percent of the homeless in the entire United States. That was a 13 percent rise from 2019, and there hasn’t been an updated number since because of the pandemic. It is almost certainly higher, likely much higher. Skid Row’s tent city has expanded block-by-block into some of downtown’s Los Angeles’ nicest precincts, where the throngs of destitute are cheek-to-jowl with some of the city’s most prosperous citizens, bringing into sharp relief this apparently intractable problem. Ojai has its own homeless problem. Clustered up behind the Arcade or along the bike trail, you see the shuffling disheveled downtrodden making their way from place to place, eyes bleary and legs weary. They have no place to go, and yet often seem to be in a hurry to get there. They are usually quite well behaved, known to each other in the camaraderie of shared sorrows, and only occasionally do they present problems when their mental illnesses and drug addictions get the better of them. The cops have an easy, first-name-basis rapport with them, and they seem to police each other with the spirit of mutual self-aid. It’s a hard life, and while it may be the inevitable path of a road paved by bad choices, it is foolish to think that bad luck doesn’t play its part. Each bad choice makes the next bad choice that much more likely, until the downward spiral swirls toward the gutter like human flotsam. It reminds me of Orwell’s ‘‘Down and Out in London and Paris,’’ and how he describes his straitened circumstances as a dishwasher, working 17 hours a day until he has nothing left but misery relieved by scant hours of sleep. It gets to such a state that he witnesses a murder beneath his window: ‘‘The thing that strikes me in looking back,’’ he says, ‘‘is that I was in bed and asleep within three minutes of the murder [....] where was the sense of wasting sleep over a murder?’’ It’s an easy subject for moralizing and stern judgments — that is so much easier than working toward solutions. Perhaps the best we can do is take a step back and allow empathy to flow in under the transom of revulsion, the judgments, the withering glances. Even if it only gives us a chance to feel gratitude, the sense of ‘there but the grace of God go I,’’ it will be worth it. The worst part I believe is the precarious nature of not having any place to call your own, to make a stand, to be at home. Just by existing, you are breaking the law, several laws most likely. Anatole France vividly captured this state of permanent delinquency: ‘‘The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal loaves of bread.’’ If someone has solutions that come from a place of compassion and understanding, don’t keep them yourself. We need to hear them. Because it’s not getting better and it’s a blot that puts to shame our city’s identity as a prosperous and caring place. Ojai is known as a welcoming place, at least to some. Maybe by remembering that, as my dad used to say, ‘‘we’ve all got a long row to hoe,’’ we can keep it that way.

OM — August 2021

Dale Hanson

Ojai Valley Real Estate (805)646-7229

Now available at

dale@ojaivalleyrealestate.com

frontier paint

227 Baldwin Rd., Ojai 805-646-0459

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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

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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 — August 2021

BYRON K ATIE & THE WORK AT FLOURISH OJAI

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

OM — August 2021

MARC ALT Photographer @marcaltphoto Ojai, CA | marcalt.com

Alt

AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS WEEKLY

exhibits

Henri Matisse @ canvas and paper

concerts

John Ford Coley

AUGUST 5 to OCTOBER 3 “Drawings by Henri Matisse” at canvas and paper gallery Time: Noon to 5 p.m., Thursday to Sunday Location: 311 North Montgomery Street Contact: canvasandpaper.org 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. Admission is free

day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: 310 E. Matilija Street Contact: Porchgalleryojai.com 805-620-7589 Millei has exhibited at galleries both nationally and internationally. A Southern California native, his works have been reviewed in the Los Angeles Times, Modern Painters, ARTnews, Tema Celeste and Artforum to name a few.

AUGUST 7 “Little River Band at Libbey Bowl” Time: Gates open at 5 p.m., headliner at 7 p.m. Location: 210 South Signal Street Contact: Libbeybowl.org By incorporating good songwriting, powerful vocals and guitar harmonies, Little River Band immediately claimed their place as one of the great vocal bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s. 80s. Between 1976 and 1983, the band hit the American charts with “Reminiscing,” “It’s A Long Way There,” “Help Is On Its Way,” “Happy Anniversary, “Lady,” “Cool Change, “Lonesome Loser,” “The Night Owls,” “Take It Easy On Me,” “Man On Your Mind,” “We Two,” and “The Other Guy.”

AUGUST 22 “Byron Katie & The Work” at Flourish Ojai Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: via Zoom Contact: team@flourishojai.com 805-707-0070 Registration is $22 per person, zoom link will be sent to your email after registering, or by logging into FlourishOjai.com. If cost is prohibitive, reach out to us at team@flourishojai.com

TO SEPTEMBER 20 “John Millei - Works on Paper” at Porch Gallery Time: Thursday, Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Satur-

AUGUST 22 “Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, Peter Beckett of Player” Time: Gates open at 5 p.m. Location: 210 South Signal Street Contact: Libbeybowl.org Three Yacht Rock Legends in one evening! Some of Ambrosia’s hits include: “Holdin’ OM — August 2021

Certified Farmers Market

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. EVERY DAY Farmer & The Cook Location: 339 West El Roblar Avenue, Meiners Oaks Times: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This popular farm-to-kitchen destination has reopened, with usual precautions in place to reduce exposure to coronavirus.

On To Yesterday,” “Nice, Nice, Very Nice,” a cover of The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour,” “How Much I Feel,” “Biggest Part Of Me” and “You’re The Only Woman.” John Ford Coley’s big hits include “Nights Are Forever,” “Love Is The Answer,” “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight,” “We’ll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again,” and more! Peter Beckett of Player rounds out the show with hits like “Baby Come Back,” “This Time I’m In It For Love,” “How Long,” and “Night Owls.” THURSDAYS “Ojai: Talk of the Town” Podcast New episodes come out Thursday evenings through OjaiHub.com newsletter. Sign up at OjaiHub.com. Recent interviews include Rhiannon Giddens on her life work and first appearance coming up at the Ojai Music Festival, and Sergio Aragonés of Mad Magazine fame. Available wherever you catch your podcasts. STAY TUNED Tierra Sol Institute’s “Muses on the Mount” The institute is curating shows for the benefit of Meditation Mount, which recently re-opened its doors after the Thomas Fire. Recent Muses on the Mount performances included RyX, Orpheo and Rachel McCord, and also painter Vera Long and sound bowl artists Trinity of Sound.

BY ILONA SAARI

JULIE HAMANN

Beau

OM — August 2021

JULIE DANCING IN “SWAN LAKE”

EPCOT CENTER CREW

Everything is

utiful at the Ballet Julie Denney Hamann was only a little girl when her father, Reginald Denney, taught her how to dance, setting her on her life’s path. Born in McComb, Mississippi, Reginald joined the Navy at age 17, spending most of his service working on a minesweeper in the Marshall Islands. While on leave in San Diego, he saw a performance of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and his life changed forever. After the Navy, Reginald moved to New York City to study ballet at Carnegie Hall on the G.I. Bill. His teachers thought he was too old to have a ballet career, so they encouraged him to study musical comedy instead (he had a beautiful tenor voice). But, “everything is beautiful at the ballet,” so, when his G.I. Bill expired, Reginald moved to New Orleans to further study ballet with renowned ballet coach, Lelia Haller. As his training continued, he became a dancer for the New Orleans Opera and performed with local ballet companies. Julie’s mom, Lois Bisechoff Denney, a native of New Orleans, was an only child but was raised in a small shotgun house with her parents, her dad’s two brothers and their families, including six cousins. Lois dreamed of becoming a switchboard operator and fulfilled that dream right after high school. Three years OM — August 2021

later in 1957, friends in her office wanted to fix Lois up with Reginald. Lois was not a believer in blind dates, so a member of her bowling team planned a “meet cute” at the bowling alley. Two weeks after they met, Reginald and Lois were engaged … four months later they were married … and ten months after, Julie’s older brother, Randy was born.

Julie entered the world three years later in Alexandria, Louisiana, where the young family had relocated after South Central Bell transferred Reginald (his “day job”). In Pineville, a religiously conservative suburb of Alexandria, he opened his first home ballet studio. Lois became the studio’s business manager, made costumes and even performed cameos

REGINALD DENNEY AS THE PRINCE IN A PHOTO CENSORED BY THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER

in recitals while being a full-time mom. When Lois played an evil sorceress in an excerpt of “Swan Lake” to her husband’s Prince, two-year old Julie, engrossed in the ballet, cried out from the audience, “My mama’s killin’ my daddy!” The Christian Baptist community supported the ballet school and recitals, as it considered ballet “art.” However, the local newspaper refused to publish a picture of Reginald’s “Prince” and a student playing “Odette,” as too suggestive. And, when a few doctors in town wanted to learned “ballroom,” so they could dance at out-of-town conventions, Reginald taught them secretly. Social dancing was verboten. By 1965, the family was living in New Orleans and Julie’s younger brother, Chris, was born. Reginald opened a new studio in their home. Finally, at age six, after watching from the sidelines, Julie was deemed old enough to take her father’s ballet classes. She continued to study dance through elementary and middle school, but when she saw a production of “Godspell” at her high school she broke out in tears. Though she had been taken to many professional musicals, it was the experience of seeing her peers perform together that made her realize she wanted to be in that world. Battling her fear of auditioning, she was cast as “Maria” in “West Side Story” and “Abigail” in “The Crucible” in her high school productions. The theater bug had bitten. 14

OM — August 2021

WALTER, LUKE AND JULIE HAMMAN

Inheriting her father’s beautiful singing voice, Julie studied vocal performance for two years at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she also began choreographing all the Opera Workshop productions. A theater mentor encouraged her to audition as a musical theater student at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She was admitted the next fall. But her life was about to take a sharp turn. On a lark, Julie decided to audition for the Walt Disney Company. Two weeks later, she received a one-year offer to perform as a “Kid of the Kingdom.” At 21, she knew her time playing a “kid” was short, and the paycheck would help pay for her student loans. She signed on the dotted line. As she continued to learn and grow as a performer, her one-year contract turned into two as she became a featured performer at the EPCOT Opening Ceremonies. After earning her Equity card doing dinner theater in Sarasota, Florida, Julie’s next stop: the Big Apple. Her first paying TV acting job was a small part on the popular soap opera, “As The World Turns.” She played one-half of a newlywed couple. “My first moment on camera, no lines to recite … no rehearsal … was to be the two of us embracing in a passionate kiss. I had only met the other actor moments before.” Young and inexperienced, Julie was horrified. But she persevered. However, after a year in New York ity, she was offered another contract with Disney, this time as a spe-

cial events performer at Tokyo Disneyland. In addition to performing in the shows and special events, she performed in television commercials, on recordings, and ended her contract with a promotional tour for Japan Airlines, which included performing at Budokan in Tokyo.

owned and operated Rincon Consultants, Inc., an environmental consulting firm. This past May, he retired from the company and has had more time to play guitar, paint, swim/body surf, hike and do some mountain biking, with a little yoga thrown in. Born in 1998, son Luke completed the family. When Luke began school, Julie’s desire to volunteer in the school system blossomed, and she eventually became President of the PTO. While there, she also began volunteering as a choreographer for the acclaimed Nordhoff High School musical productions. Luke would come with her to rehearsals and loved watching the whole creative process. When he entered Nordhoff his sophomore year, he followed his mom’s footsteps and began performing on stage as a member of the school’s Dance Program and landed roles in the musical productions. After choregraphing the musicals 10 ten years, the icing on the cake for Julie was working with her son as he performed in “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Guy & Dolls,” and “Grease.”

JULIE HAMANN AS LUCILLE IN “BLESS YOUR HEART”

In 1992, back in the States, environmental lawyers and mutual friends (Julie was their personal trainer) wanted to introduce her to Walt Hamann, an expert witness in their various cases. Like her mother, Julie was not a fan of blind dates, but the lawyers would not take ‘no’ for an answer. “We’ve met the man of your dreams,” they insisted and, before she could protest, they phoned him, put him on speaker and introduced them. Julie and Walt met in person the next day, and it wasn’t long after that that they began a long-distance romance (well, sort of – Julie was in L.A., Walt in Ojai). But, after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Julie packed her bags and followed her future to Ojai. In 1996, they married in a magical garden Walt had planted, surrounded by family and friends. Walt, born in Caracas, Venezuela, was the sixth of eight children. His dad, Siegfried Hamann, was originally from Lima, Peru. His mom, Elsa Ortega Hamann, was from Caracas. When Walt was born, the family had already settled in Ventura, California. Siegfried earned a Masters degree from Stanford and worked as a geologist. Walt, following in his father’s footsteps, earned his BA in Geology from UCSB and his Masters from UCLA. Fluent in Spanish, his first job was with Exxon’s South America division in Houston, Texas. In 1988, he accepted a job in Ventura and bought his first home in Ojai. For the past 25 years, Walt, with his four partners,

“It was truly a family affair, as Walt volunteered as House Manager during Luke’s three years and continued in that role until the pandemic lockdown,” remembers Julie. After Luke graduated and was off to college, Julie decided it was time to pass the torch and stepped down as Nordhoff’s in-house choreographer. She was chosen as one of Ojai Rotary Clubs’ 2017 Living Treasures and learned about this honor as she held the hand of her older brother, Randy, in hospice care. Being named a Living Treasure as she held her dying brother’s hand was a bittersweet moment, indeed. Through the years, Julie has worked on fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity, the Ojai Film Festival, Nordhoff Dance, the Ojai Museum and, even performed in a “friend-raiser” titled “Ojai Strong” for the Ojai Women’s Fund. But, her love of dance, and of acting, and performing in musical theater led her to appear on various Ojai stages, including choreographing and performing the role of “Ilona” in Ojai Performing Arts Theater production of “She Loves Me,” and originating the role of “Lucille” in the world premiere of Richard Camp’s play, “Bless Your Heart” at the Ojai Art Center Theater. Throughout her career, Julie has never forgotten that her father planted the seed that has kept her dancing, literally and figuratively, throughout her life. Indeed, everything is beautiful at the ballet. OM — August 2021

Donna Sallen

Welcome to this nearly 10-acre working farm which is abuzz with bees making sweet honey, delicious duck eggs from nearly 40 beautiful ducks, and plenty of fruit trees and vegetables. There are two houses, a hay barn with a loft, plenty of stalls, an arena and hiking trails. The main house which was built somewhere around 1936 but maybe earlier, has a massive stone fireplace in the living room which is a show stopper and was used many many years ago as the ol’ dance hall for the oil workers. The main house is three bedrooms and two baths with a big dining room also with a fireplace. The second house has three bedrooms and one and three quarter baths and was originally built as the caretakers cottage. The views from nearly every window showcase the mountains surrounding the property. There are plenty of fruit trees including apple, pear, apricot, grapefruit, lemon just to mention a few.

There’s no place like home ... Let me find yours.

Welcome to downtown Ojai. Nestled in the hills, yet within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and Libbey Park; this home blends the perfect mix of indoor/outdoor living. As you enter through the courtyard you are welcomed into the home with lovely glass doors and windows which lure you to the outside. It has an open floor plan with vaulted and beamed ceilings, large windows and three fireplaces. This spacious home still feels cozy as it is surrounded by trees and has a nearly 1,000 square-foot veranda for outdoor living. There are five bedrooms, a nanny quarters, amazingly large garages and parking — all gated and private. The land is just over an acre with mature trees, majestic oaks, and a variety of fruit trees. Once you are here you won’t want to leave. You will love the grown-up tree house for those hot summer nights. Don’t miss this home!

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

SEAVING SRNTR RA RRA & VENTURA COUNTIES

Joe Ramos | Graham Goodfield | Mary Mormann | Kerry Mormann | Brad Berch

LOCAL

Kerry Mormann & Associates is the Gold Standard for Ranch and Lifestyle properties along the Central Coast of California. With over 75 years of experience, our team holds the highest level of hospitality, community relations and expertise in Ranch, Land, Agriculture, Residential and Luxury Real Estate. We are steadfast in our commitment to our clients with decades of regional knowledge and care.

LISTINGS

LEGACY PROPERTY | 6,500 AC RANCHO CAÑADA LARGA | $27,650,000

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Buying or Selling? Contact us today: (805) 682-3242 | www.CoastalRanch.com DRE: 00598625

©2021 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 accuracy of that information. 18 OM — August 2021

Donna Sallen

Views! Views! Views! Located on a quiet cul-de-sac in Skyline Estates, this lovely home is waiting for you. The great room has a double sided fireplace, vaulted wood ceilings and is open and spacious with plenty of windows to enjoy the majestic mountains. The kitchen has lovely granite countertops, a large island and an eat-in bar area. There are french doors that lead out to a private backyard with stunning mountain views where you will enjoy the evening sunsets. Watch the early morning sunrises out by the pool in the front yard. Private and quiet you will feel like you are on top of the world.

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.

Helping Your Chickens Beat the Heat By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela

Backyard chickens have always been popular in Ojai, but even more folks got small flocks during the pandemic. Some folks finally had time to build a coop and start the flock they had always wanted. Some were looking for a fun, family-friendly, outdoor hobby with the added benefit of fresh eggs. And some set up their henhouse as part of the simpler, small-town lifestyle they sought when they fled the city to join us in our little village. Your hens give you fresh eggs, help keep the insect population down, provide manure to spread in your garden, till the soil, and offer hours of entertainment. In return, it is our responsibility to take care of them the best we can and to keep them healthy, well, and comfortable. Chickens cannot handle heat well, so one of the biggest challenges you may face as steward of your flock is keeping them safe and comfortable when the temperature is regularly in the 80s and 90s — or over 100. Some of the signs that your ladies may be too hot include reduced appetite, reduced egg production, standing or laying with their wings spread out, panting with their beaks open, and signs of general stress. If you do not take measures to keep your chickens cool, things can go bad quickly. To try to avoid getting to that point, here are nine ways you can help your chicken beat the heat this summer. 1. Provide shade: First and foremost, your coop and run should be at least 20

partially in the shade. If you did not build your coop under a tree, consider adding shade sails to provide plenty of shade for your girls.

vide cooling stations in their coop, but you can also just freeze water bottles or jugs and set them around the coop for them to stand or lay near.

2. Build a bigger run: Crowding is not helpful when the temperature rises. Your hens need to be able to spread out and there needs to be plenty of airflow to help keep the run cooler. If your flock is a bit big for the run, build them a bigger one.

7. Create puddles or get a pool: Your girls might take advantage of a kiddie pool or a shallow pan with a couple of inches of cold water in the bottom. Some chickens are fine with wading to cool off, but others will want nothing to do with it. For those hens, you can make some puddles in their run (but don’t flood it) so that they have an option to walk in water and cool off.

3. Bring them inside: If you have the space, let your ladies ride out the heat in a dog crate or playpen in the house or some other climate-controlled structure on your property. 4. Improve ventilation: Create a breeze by setting up a fan near the coop to keep the air moving. Be sure your fan and its cord are a safe distance from the chickens. 5. Make sure they always have cool water: Cool water plays an important role in keeping chickens safe when it is hot. You can add ice cubes to their water to keep it cool longer, put a frozen water bottle in their waterer, or simply refill their waterer with cool water throughout the day. 6. Place frozen water bottles or jars of ice in their coop or run: When I was younger, we filled mason jars with ice cubes to help keep chickens and rabbits cool on hot days. This is one way to proOM — August 2021

8. Install misters: A gentle mist of water can make a big difference in your hens’ comfort. One of my clients had their caretaker install a misting system similar to what you might see in line at an amusement park. This has been great and her hens love it. If you are not quite ready to install this type of mister, you can also use the mist setting on your hose nozzle or you can get a plastic mister that attaches to your hose. I found these at Home Depot for about $10 when I was looking for options to cool off some clients’ chickens during the first heatwave this year. 9. Give them frozen treats: Just like humans, chickens love a cool treat on a hot day. Freeze chopped fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, strawberries, peas, or corn, and keep them on hand to give your hens throughout the summer.

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 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

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

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 Year 115° 2018

Population:

7,461

Valley: (est.)

21,300

Record Low Year 16° 1990

Households::

3,176

Elevation:

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.

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 — August 2021

WHO’S WHO

IN OJAI REAL ESTATE?

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

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

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

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 — August 2021

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 — August 2021

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 AZU Spanish & Mediterranean comfort food 457 East Ojai Avenue (805) 640-7987, azuojai.com BOCCALI’S Pizza & Pasta, from our farm to our tables 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road (805) 646-6116 boccalis.com BONNIE LU’S COUNTRY CAFE Traditional American breakfast & brunch 328 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-0207 CAFE´ EMPORIUM Locals’ favorite breakfast and lunch 108 South Montgomery Street (805) 646-2723 ojaicafeemporium.com CASA DEL LAGO Ojai’s original Mexican restaurant 715 East Ojai Avenue (805) 640-1577 THE DEER LODGE An Ojai legend since 1932 2261 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-4256 deerlodgeojai.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 JJ’S SPORTS ZONE The go-to place for food & sports 820 North Ventura Avenue (805) 649-4655 jjssportszone.com HIP VEGAN Vegan sandwiches, salads & bowls 201 North Montgomery Street 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

OJAI PIZZA COMPANY 331 Ojai Avenue (Downtown Ojai) 545-7878 TheOnlyGoodPizza.com OJAI ROTIE Rotisserie, sourdough, winebox 469 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9227 ojairotie.com PAPA LENNON’S Family owned, original & Italian cuisine 515 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-7388 papalennons.com

traditional

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

THE NEST 401 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9035 thenestojai.com

SAKURA OJAI A locals’ favorite for Japanese food 219 East Matilija Street (805) 646-8777 sakuraojai.wix.com

NO SO VITA Ojai’s social cafe 205 North Signal Street (805) 646-1540 nosovita.com

SEA FRESH Serving Ojai for 30 years 533 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-7747 seafreshseafood.com

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

OJAI COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY Salads, sandwiches & superb service 337 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-4478 OM — August 2021

CHEF RANDY’S LIFE OF SPICE

Broccoli Melt Sandwiches Broccoli sandwiches!? I thought the same as I made this Bon Appetit recipe. Then I took a bite and the combination of crusty baguette, melty cheese, and a simple vinaigrette made me smile and take a second bite. Then a third bite. Before I knew it there was no more (but I wished there was). Here’s how to eat your veggies and smile at the same time.

Randy Graham is a noted chef and writer and has been a lactoovo vegetarian for over 38 years. Chef Randy has written and published a series of 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.

Healthy(ish)

Summer / Fall

Quick + Easy

Vegetarian

INGREDIENTS Ingredients: 2 tablespoons red onion (chopped fine) 5 teaspoons red wine vinegar Pinch of sugar Pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 small head of broccoli (florets only - chopped) 1 clove garlic (minced) 4 tablespoons Vegenaise (or mayonnaise) 1.5 teaspoons Sriracha sauce 1 baguette 3 deli slices sharp cheddar cheese (cut in half for 6 slices)

D I R EC T I O N S : Mix cheese, basil, and mustard in a small bowl. Season with pepper to taste. Set aside. Cut 2 to 3 slices from the baguette. Brush one side of each slice with olive oil. Broil in the oven, olive oil side up, for one to two minutes or until toasty. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a minute or two. Spread cheese mixture on the toasted side of each baguette slice. Garnish with a small leaf of fresh basil if desired. OM — August 2021

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OM — August 2021

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.

Whitman Architectural Design

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

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

Winston Churchill

OM — August 2021

Why Your Score Matters! New Credit & How It Affects Your Score By Therese A. Hartmann

A sweet couple, first-time home buyers, just came in to see what they could afford. After reviewing their tax returns, I ran credit to check the score and to see what liabilities are showing up. In this case, the main borrower had good credit with only one small ding for some late pays on her student loan. The question is, how much does your score matter and why does it matter? Lenders use your credit score as a sort of barometer for your financial credibility. The higher your score is, the more credible you are in the eyes of lenders. There are five areas they look at: • Whether you pay your bills on time. • The amount of credit you’re using, considering what’s available. • The age of the earliest available credit. • Type of credit you have such as mortgages, student loans, and credit cards. • Your ability to get new credit. Types of Credit Pulls: There are two types of inquiries made when applying for new credit, soft and hard, and each of these 28

impacts your credit in different ways. Soft Inquiry: (sometimes called a soft pull) is primarily for educational purposes, such as when an employer conducts a background check, or you’re getting preapproved for a home loan. This type of inquiry has no impact on your credit score. Hard Inquiry (or hard pull) happens when you’re attempting to establish new credit, such as getting a mortgage, credit card, student loan, or car loan. A hard inquiry does impact your credit score and lowers it temporarily by around five points. Hard inquiries will influence your credit score but not by an amount significant enough to disqualify you from getting approved for a home loan. If you’ve been on time with the rest of your bills and have been limiting your credit utilization, then the chances are excellent that you’ll be approved for a low-interest-rate home loan. Unsure if there are steps you need to take before applying for a home loan? My team and I can help! After a free consultation and a 360-degree view of your financial health, OM — August 2021

Therese A. Hartmann has 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.

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

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

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.

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 — August 2021

We know Ojai.

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. www.2871MaricopaHwy.com $5,900,000

Corral Canyon Ranch in Cuyama Valley is a 277+ acre ranch with five recently renovated houses, equestrian facilities, pastures, hay fields, beautiful views set against the stunning Sierra Madres Mountains. www.29443hwy33.com Price Upon Request

2 BR + 1 BA private mountain retreat on approximately one acre with fireplace, vaulted ceilings and views just minutes from downtown Ojai. $529,500

The Davis Group ojaivalleyestates.com

Nora Davis

BRE License #01046067

805.207.6177

nora@ojaivalleyestates.com

We’re lifelong residents.

Marc Whitman design on approximately 7 acres with two master suites, five fireplaces, pool, outdoor kitchen, avocado orchard, RV parking, amazing views, and much more. www.1911MeinersRoad.com $3,199,000

33+ acre retreat in Wheeler Canyon with amazing views, private pond, fruit trees, chicken coop, multiple outdoor living areas, jetted soaking tub, stone fireplace, and vaulted, exposed-beam ceilings. $2,495,000

SOLD

Rancho Palo Verde - Contemporary four-bedroom home on 3.75 acres with security gate, privacy fencing, beautiful views, two master suites, avocado trees, fruit trees, chicken coop, great outdoor living areas. 1330SouthLaLunaAvenue.com $2,100,000

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

Ojai Monthly - August 2021

Articles inside

Calendar of Events

Seven Ways to Wise Up on Water Use

Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers

Editor’s Note

Homebuyers’ Common Mistakes