Ojai Monthly - February 2023

PALATIAL PERSIMMON HILL ESTATE

This magnificent 12,000 sqft, three-level, Mediterranean-style home, designed by Marc Whitman, has flowing curves, arched doorways, cathedral ceilings and 11,000 sqft of balconies, terraces and decks. Perfectly appointed on the 4-acre lot, it takes full advantage of the pristine natural setting and sweeping views. Every detail has been custom-designed and sourced with an emphasis on craftsmanship and quality.

561SaddleLaneOjai.com

Price Upon Request

Over 25 years of experience matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

THE GOLD STANDARD FOR CENTRAL COAST REAL ESTATE

Steeped in a rich foundation of over 45 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 | $29,000,000

8 Buildable Lots Ranging from 40-160 Acres Miles of Hiking + Horseback Riding Trails

Ag & Building Envelopes In Place

Panoramic Ocean/Island Views

BIG BEND RANCH

108±AC | LOMPOC | $3,250,000

Classic Country Ranch with Seasonal Stream

3Bed 1Ba 1,400± SqFt Ranch Home

20 Acres of Flat Land and Rolling Hills

Potential for Diversified Agriculture

RANCHO CANADA LARGA

6,500AC | VENTURA | $27,650,000

Rolling Hills, Streams, Pastures

Currently Used for Cattle Grazing

18 Legal Parcels (17 Certificates of Compliance) Possible Conservation Tax Benefits

ESTELLE RANCH LOT 9

48±AC | SANTA YNEZ | $3,000,000

12 AC of Mature Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes

One of Multiple Legal Parcels with Building Envelope Access Roads Laid Out and Shared 500GPM Well Completely Private and 10 Min Drive to Los Olivos

Bret Bradigan

LOSING SIGHT OF THE PAST

"Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory as the wish to forget it." —

Michel de Montaigne

Memories are not discrete and concrete, they are imbued with our emotional needs at the moment of remembering. We peer into them as though they were gemstones, each facet revealing a different detail, brought into the light. It is a fascinating fact about memory that no two memories are ever the same. William James called it a "stream of consciousness" for a reason.

In a personal history essay in the New Yorker magazine about her father, Rivka Galchen remembered him “saying to me that the first 18 years of life are the most meaningful, and the years after that, even considered all together, can’t really compare.” I don’t disagree.

For me, whenever I imagine the future, I first retreat to the past, seeking context and meaning. When I was of the age Mr. Galchen considered crucial, abundance was represented by our duck boat full of potatoes in the cellar. It was our granary, our calorie bank, sustenance, survival.

It was a small boat, barely enough for two men to sit athwart, which I remembered with Chesapeake or Labrador retrievers in the front, noses twitching with anticipation, the boat patched with layers of dark tar like a Rothko painting.

Ducks and other waterfowl were a frequent secondary food source for us, mostly because in the Fall the mallards, teals, Canada geese, the occasional snow goose, passing south through the Mississippi Flyway, fattened with grain and low-flying easy targets, stored up the delicious fat that my mother canned with shredded pieces of their meat — the confit. Duck fat was an important constituent of many potato dishes. It was fitting that those versatile starch lumps were stored in the decommissioned duck boat.

Duck hunting was among my most-dreaded activities. I remember the aching cold of crouching in a blind or hidden in the boat among the cattails on West Mud Lake or the upper reservoir in the pre-dawn darkness waiting for first light, the quacking of the duck calls, the way my father could cup his hands and make a credible call without the wooden device with its thin wooden reed. His friend Max Huff’s dogs quivering with anticipation. The ducks arriving at the cluster of decoys, wings tucked as they came in low for a landing, silhouetted against the low winter morning sun. Then before they could alight, 12-gauge shots barked out, muzzles flashed, the dogs yelped with joy as they plunged into the ice-chunked lake, their confident strokes as they soft-mouthed the limp ducks.

Ok, come to think of it, aside from the bone-rattling chills there was a certain charm to it.

The reason I bring it up is that Ojai seems wracked by a moment of immediacy bias — we succumb to the outrages of the moment, the moral fevers and panics, and forget the long-term conditions that got us to this point. In the case of the Ojai Unified School District, we kept putting off that moment of reckoning. As the school enrollment continued to decline, no one had the courage to close the schools that have led us to the budget deficit. It's a political hot potato — every school has its constituency who will protest long and loudly to save it from the chopping block. And the fevered mobs with recalls and "off with their heads" — (in this case our estimable superintendent) — miss the point. If there is any point to democracy (the jury is still out, that's how democracy works), then it is that we all share in the blame when things go wrong. And share the responsibility to set them right. It is painful to see Ojai so inflamed, so willfully blinkered to each other's sense of mutual obligation. Both the city and schools are suffering from structural forces beyond our capacity, (Ojai growing older, richer and fewer) but we've been through worse (fires and floods). And that is why we need the past. If you don't know where you've been, how can you know where you're going?

Grown in Birmingham, aged in Ojai, wine producer Nigel Chisholm has always treated the community like family. First, with his celebratory dining and entertainment experiences and now with Feros Ferio Winery; wines so fine they bear the ancient Chisholm motto…

“I am fierce with the fierce.” ferosferiowine.com

Photo by Stephe Johnsom

FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

galleries

recurring events tours

DECEMBER 15 – FEBRUARY 5

“Paintings by Keith Vaughan”

Times: Thursdays through Sundays, Noon to 5 p.m.

Location: canvas and paper

311 North Montgomery Street

Contact: canvasandpaper.org

A non-profit exhibition space showing paintings and drawings from the 20th century and earlier in thematic and single artist exhibits.Free admission.

FEBRUARY 8

Bitchin’ Baja

Time: 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Location: Deer Lodge

2261 Maricopa Highway

Contact: Deerlodgeojai.com

805-646-4256

Presented by ((((folkyeah!)))) and Tierra del Sol

RECURRING EVENTS

Historical Walking Tours of Ojai

Date: Every Saturday

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Departs from the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 West Ojai Avenue. Contact: 640-1390

Meet Becky, a middle-aged woman in a middle-aged marriage with a humdrum job and a humdrum adult son living at home. She meets a mixed-up millionaire who makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Or can she? The audience becomes her new best friends on this quirky comic adventure. It’s definitely worth the ride.

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 19

“Becky’s New Car”

Time: 8 to 10 a.m.

Location: Ojai Art Center

113 South Montgomery Street

Contact: OjaiAct.org, (805) 640-8797

Performances are Friday & Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. For tickets call 805 6408797 or go to ojaiact.org.

Becky Foster is caught in middle age, middle management and in a middling marriage— with no prospects for change on the horizon. Witty and droll, with delicious deadpan humor and U-turn plot twists.

FEBRUARY 12

“Ojai Cars & Coffee”

Time: 8 to 10 a.m.

Location: Westridge Midtown Market

131 West Ojai Avenue

Ojai Cars & Coffee events take place in the parking lot of the Westridge Midtown Market. The public is welcome to enjoy the mix of vintage classics, old muscle cars and luxury vehicles, and to talk with the proud owners.

Ojai Valley Improv’s Classes on Saturdays

Times: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturdays and Mondays

Location: The Raymund Room at The Ojai Art Center, 113 South Montgomery Street Contact: 818-648-9540

Learn to own your power, embrace your feear, develop better listening skills, value collaboration, adapt and be agile.Build a great ensemble troupe.

Beginner’s Improv Classes are also available Mondays at Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio. Cost is $10 per session, first class is free.

Shakespeare Reading Salon — every 1st and 3rd Monday

Times: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: Ojai Main Library, 111 East Ojai Avenue

Contact: Laurie at 805-646-3733

ojaibard@gmail.com

Join our lively reading and discussion. Whether you like to read aloud or just listen, everyone is welcome! Drop in and join the fun. We read and discuss Shakespeare’s plays.

THURSDAYS

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

SIMON PHILLIPS

BY ILONA SAARI

Rolling Stone Magazine — January 21, 2021.

Born in London, or “more precisely Bushey Heath in Hertfordshire, a London suburb,” as Simon describes it, he became a professional musician at age 12. Was it in his DNA? Perhaps. His father, Sid Phillips, was a well-known clarinet musician and band leader in the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. After writing for and playing with

various bands in the ‘30s, then serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II, Sid formed his own quartet in 1946 and wrote several pieces for the BBC Symphony Orchestra, then in 1949, started and led a Dixieland jazz band with various revolving sidemen, including legendary George Shearing, and a young Simon on drums.

When musicians talk about great drummers, Simon Phillips’ name is always in the mix, be it rock’n’roll or jazz, his talent is immense.

“It is in no way hyperbole to say that he’s one of the most accomplished studio and touring drummers in rock history.”

Simon’s mum, Judy, was a private recording archivist, mainly archiving Simon’s father’s recordings. Again, DNA?

Except for harboring a passion for playing cricket, Simon always knew that his goal in life was to be a musician — specifically, a drummer, after seeing his first set

of drums as a young boy. “Being exposed to my father’s band at such an early age left me no choice than to follow in his footsteps — which, by the way, he absolutely did not want me to do. It was my mum who persuaded him to have me in his band at a time where most drummers in the U.K. did not want to play old-fashioned Dixieland music. I grew up listening to his music and even

SIMON PHILLIPS

play that music.”

Simon’s formal education “started off in the very posh private English education system,” he explains, and was supposed to continue at Harrow, but because at the ripe old age of 12 he had already become a professional musician, touring the country playing gigs with Sid’s band, there was no way he could go to boarding school. Instead, he went to a technical high school and later to a secondary modern state school. “I never studied (music) — I was self-taught! I learned from all the records I listened to…” “I did go to a drum teacher, Max Abrams, who used to play in my father’s band, to learn to read music. I was sent by my mum on the London Underground into central London on my own at age 8!”

Simon played on his first recording session for Sid when he was barely out of knickers, and from then on he played on all Sid’s recording sessions as well as his father’s gigs until Sid died in 1973. Simon’s first music “love” was “big band” jazz, which progressed to modern jazz to jazz rock and finally rock music. At age 16, Simon became the on-stage drummer in the band for the new London theatrical sensation, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Simon’s passion and talent led him to play with some of the rock’n’roll greats: The Who, Mick Jagger, Mike Oldfield, Judas Priest, Jimmy Page, and Jack Bruce to name a few, and to play in countless recording sessions from 1973 on with musicians such as Robert Palmer, Frank Zappa, Peter Gabriel and Andrew Lloyd Webber. He cowrote four tunes with Tony Hymas and recorded music for and with the recently deceased Jeff Beck, including “The Pump” and “Space Boogie, ”and played on Pete Townsend’s “Let My Love Open The Door.”

At a charity event, Simon’s love for playing cricket put him on Mike Oldfield’s team. “I had the enormous pleasure of blowing out Richard Branson (Virgin Atlantic Records) who refused to leave the wicket saying it was ‘no ball.’ The umpire disagreed. The next batsman was John Hurt, the actor, and he did look splendid in his

cricket whites. Unfortunately, he was not as good a player as he looked and he was bowled out on the first ball I unleashed upon him. He didn’t even lift his bat — I felt terrible!”

Between touring with rock bands and playing on recording sessions Simon lived in and around London until he moved to the countryside in 1982, where he stayed for 10 years. But he dreamed of living in America so, in 1992, he settled in Studio City, California, then moved to Sherman Oaks where he lived for 22 years and had a commercial recording studio. Shortly after Simon settled in the States, the drummer for the band, Toto, died and Simon was invited to be its new drummer. He agreed and was part of Toto until 2013.

In 1983 Simon formed “Ph.D,” a pop band, but left before the first LP was released as he wanted to move in a different musical direction. In 2003, he was inducted into the Modern Drummer magazine Hall of Fame. In 2015 he won a Jazz Instrumental Album of the year award for “Protocol II,” a band Simon had started years earlier. In 2019 the “Protocol 4” album was nominated for a Grammy in the Contemporary International Album category. He has also released several solo albums.

Meanwhile, in 2017, Simon sold his studio and moved

JEFF, SIMON

to Ojai. “I was introduced to Ojai by Toto’s then-sound engineer, Dirk Schubert, who invited me up here. I would sometimes visit for the day but never thought about moving here until after I sold my studio in Sherman Oaks. Frankly, I didn’t know of any other place besides Santa Barbara that I wished to move to. It’s also closer to LA and I prefer the more rural aspect here.”

Thus, Simon got into his car, drove to Ojai and stopped at the first real estate agent he encountered, who drove him around the Valley to look at houses, eventually finding a property he loved in Upper Ojai. He moved into his new home in July, 2017 … five months later the Thomas fire swept the area and destroyed everything.

“Of course, anyone who had been the victim of such devastation will know the feeling of having lost personal possessions. The sore point is the loss of letters, photos, diaries.” Furniture, etc. can be replaced … “it’s the irreplaceable items that sting the most.” And, “thanks to having good insurance my (recording) equipment was replaced within months. That was my livelihood. Thankfully all my drums were stored elsewhere apart from a couple pieces of vintage gear.” Jason Mariani of Carbonite Studios made his studio available to Simon when he could, allowing Simon to work. After the fire, Simon continued to love his property and in 2019, he broke ground and rebuilt his house, adding a separate studio.

While his home was being rebuilt, Simon needed a place to live. “People were so kind here and I must make mention of John Adair and his wife, Lisa, who were so kind to let me use their studio and even put me up in their guest house for a few weeks until I found a place to live.” On his own on Valentine’s Day, Simon decided to grab dinner at The Deer Lodge where a band was playing. He knew the bass player and asked if he could sit in with them. When the set was over, he met the tavern’s owner, Sophia Miles, and pitched the idea of doing a jazz series at Deer Lodge where he would invite great Los Angeles

musicians to come up and play with him. Each concert had a different theme, and, although it proved to be a lot of work to organize dates around the musicians’ schedules, it was a lot of fun and, “at that time very necessary for me to play to get away from the daily routine of insurance companies, lawyers and all the other stuff post-fire.”

Simon has also “played it forward” by donating equipment and helping put together a recording studio at Rock Tree Sky Learning Center, which offers an experimental education to kids from five through 18.

When asked what he misses about living in England, he says: “I miss playing cricket and motor racing. I used to race (with a huge lack of talent) in Formula Ford 1600 (single seater chassis), I did learn so much from that experience which helped with my playing — believe it or not.” He also confesses he misses real Brit bangers-andmash suppers, and bacon, “proper bacon — not what we call ‘streaky bacon.’ Apparently, the pigs here are different. I asked at Watkins butchery” (in Meiners Oaks). Who knew?

Simon Phillips talent and passion for music led him to be a songwriter, recording engineer, record producer, and, of course, a brilliant drummer. Can’t beat that!

Available Simon recordings — Protocol 1, 4 and V on Amazon, and Studio Live Session (Little Big Beat Records) — Vinyl only

Previously released titles available on download and CD Baby: Protocol II and III as well as Out Of The Blue —Another Lifetime - Symbiosis — Vantage Point Force Majeure (all on Phantom)

(Also check out Phillips on episode 118 of Ojai Talk of the Town podcast).

$1,675,000

805.798.0516

www.donnasallen.com

Beautifully remodeled condo just steps from restaurants, farmers market, and shops in downtown Ojai. This celebrity owned home has a spacious open floor plan with Saltillo tiles, vaulted ceilings, two fireplaces, cook's dream kitchen, and an elevator. Enjoy reading your favorite book or watching a movie in the cozy library. Plenty of room for entertaining with family and friends in this three bedroom, three bathroom home. Take a stroll downtown or just relax outside on your private patio. Don't miss this charming home. Most furniture included in sale.

donna4remax@aol.com

$3,550,000

ABOUT THE PROPERTY

Welcome to a rare find in Ojai. This lovely four-bedroom, three-bath home has vaulted ceilings and a spacious open floor plan. There is a fireplace in the living room which is open to the kitchen and dining room with French doors leading to magical gardens. A large library is off the living room with two offices upstairs. Perfect blend of indoor/outdoor living as there are many windows and plenty of light. There is a 2 bedroom,1 bath guest house and an artist studio on the property as well. All of this is sitting on 7.5 flat usable acres with some of the most incredible views of the majestic mountains.

GATED PROPERTY

805.798.0516

donna4remax@aol.com

www.donnasallen.com

4 ACRES, PERFECTLY SITUATED $4,920,000

Perfectly situated on just under four acres lies the historic and unique Casa de La Luna compound. More than 8,000 sq. ft, with 11 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, this magnificent estate is likely the best value estate compound available anywhere in California. The approximate 5,000 sq. ft. main house has three bedrooms and six bathrooms. Limestone and hand-scraped wood floors, magnificent wrought-iron doors, huge new gourmet kitchen, and numerous other upgrades make this residence the focal point of the estate. Guests and visitors can stay in the two-bedroom, two-bath guest house or any of the four other residences making this property perfect for a large family or an individual with an entourage. Massive outdoor patios and cooking areas, two large fountains, indoor pool with gym and recreation center make this property feel like a mini Hearst Castle.

Ojai’s newest female owned boutique offering Ladies Clothing, Hats, Shoes, Jewelry, Candles & Home Goods. A curated Collective of small female led business brands featuring Cleobella, Port Sandz, Reset by Jane and more.

OPEN DAILY 10AM-6PM

305 E Mati lija Unit 101B Ojai , CA

Seven Ways to Make the Most of Your Side Yard

Ojai’s favorable climate allows residents to enjoy outdoor living in every season, which we have all been taking advantage of even more over the last few years. This has led to a trend towards improving outdoor living areas and maximizing space to get the most out of our backyards. If you have done all you can to expand your patio, repurpose your lawn area, and take advantage of every inch of your backyard but still have more you would like to add or upgrade, it might be time to take a look at those long, narrow side yards on either side of your house.

Side yards are often considered too small to use for much more than storing waste bins or yard tools, but, with a little inspiration, you can transform one or both of your side yards into usable space to serve you or your family better.

Here are seven ways to make your side yards more functional and maximize your home’s outdoor space.

Toy Storage: Pool toys, dog toys, backyard games, and children’s toys all need to be stored somewhere when not in use. Adding some outdoor shelving units or deck boxes to your side yard is an easy, affordable way to create out-of-the-way

By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela

storage for items frequently used in your backyard. This will clean up your pool area, patio, or wherever you are currently storing them and allow that space to be put to better use.

Horseshoe Pit: If your side yard is long enough for a horseshoe pit, this is a great spot to tuck one away, since this type of backyard feature is usually used only infrequently during social gatherings. This way, you have a permanent horseshoe pit that is always ready for action but is not taking up valuable space in your main outdoor living areas.

Bocce Court: Most side yards are not large enough to accommodate a 90-footlong and 13-foot-wide regulation bocce court or even the 60 feet by 12 feet recommended for backyard options, but you can go as small as 20 feet by six feet and still have a functional court.

Play Area: If your kitchen, office, or another room where you spend lots of time has a window overlooking the side yard, this extra space might make a good play area.

Dog Run: If it is not an ideal area for your kids to play, it still might work nicely for your dogs. Side yards are perfect for out-of-the-way dog runs where your dogs can safely be outside when you are at work or entertaining guests in your outdoor living areas.

Cutting Garden or Shade Garden: If your side yard gets good sun, you can beautify this space and make it functional by planting a cutting garden to create fresh flower bouquets for your home. If it does not receive good sun, consider planting a shade garden filled with colorful plants that thrive in the narrow space between your house and your fence.

Seating Area: Create a cozy seating area in your side yard for reading, enjoying your morning coffee, or providing a spot to find some peace and quiet during social gatherings.

If your side yard transformation requires plants, patio furniture, flowerpots, or professional installation, support the local economy by using local contractors and buying from locally owned shops.

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

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.

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:

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.”

Ross Falvo Keller Williams Realty

“The Ojai Real Estate Guy” RossFalvo.com 805-207-5094

WHO’S WHO IN OJAI REAL ESTATE?

Dennis Guernsey LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

805-798-1998

Nora Davis LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

OjaiValleyEstates. com

805-207-6177

Kristen Currier LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

805-798-3757 thehoffgroup. com

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.

Donna Sallen Remax Gold Coast Realtors

Donna4Remax@aol.com DonnaSallen. com 805-798-0516

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

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

Vivienne Moody LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

805-798-1099 vmoody10@ sbcglobal.net OjaiLifestyle.net

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

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

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

Web: Rooney-Stanworth.com

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

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

Anne Williamson Keller Williams Realty

Anneshomesinojai.com 805-320-3314

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

Kathy Hoff LIV Sotheby’s International Realty (805) 290-6907 thehoffgroup.com

Marsha Kaye Home Mortgage Consultant

Phone: 805640-0654 Cell: 805-7469055

marsha.kaye@ homebridge. com

Joe Davis Full service property management, residential • Commercial • Industrial JoeTheRentalGuy.com. 805-574-9774

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

BONNIE LU’S COUNTRY CAFE

Traditional American breakfast & brunch

328 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-0207

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

HIP VGN

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

THE NEST

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

LO>E SOCIAL CAFE

205 North Signal Street (805) 646-1540 nosovita.com

OAK GRILL @ THE INN

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

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

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 & traditional Italian cuisine

515 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-7388 papalennons.com

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

ZAIDEE’S 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 Bessara, Party Pleasing

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.

Traditional hummus is made with garbanzo beans and tahini. This Moroccan version, called bessara, substitutes fava beans for the garbanzo and tahini and is a little thinner than hummus. It is a staple in Tangier and other cities of northwest Morocco and is thought to have originated as part of Berber cuisine. If you like traditional hummus, you will like this, too.

INGREDIENTS: BESSARA

1.5 cups dried fava beans

2 cloves garlic

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid

1 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika

1/2 teaspoon hot paprika

For garnish: cumin, sweet paprika, olive oil, and chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS:

Soak the dried fava beans overnight in a large bowl of water. The next day, drain the beans and peel them (if necessary). Place the fava beans in a pot and cover with a generous amount of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer the beans until tender (about one hour).

Drain the beans, reserving the liquid. Transfer beans to a food processor and add the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, two tablespoons of the reserved liquid, and spices. Process on high speed until smooth, adding additional liquid if necessary to thin the bessara. It should be thin enough to pour or spread out on a plate. Taste the bessara, and adjust the seasoning if desired.

Garnish with any of the following: ground cumin, paprika, olive oil, and chopped parsley.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RECENT HOME SALES

97 Wild Oak Street, 4 bed, 1.75 bath 1,555 square feet, $759,500

11291 Oakcrest Avenue, 4 bed, 2 bath, 1,910 sf, $830,000

322 South Padre Juan Avenue, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,236 sf, $880,000

1190 Camille Drive, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,311 sf, $920,000

302 South Montgomery Street, 1 bed, 1 bath, 520 sf, $950,000

1198 Woodland Avenue 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,311 sf, $992,023

851 Loma Drive, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1,505 sf, $1,130,000

120 Alto Drive, Oak View, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1,652 sf, $1,250,000

1214 Ayers Avenue, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,204 sf, $1,300,000

510 Pleasant Avenue, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1,912 sf, $1,375,000

227 South Montgomery Street, 3 bed, 3 bath, 2,850 sf, $1,420,000

237 South Lomita Avenue, 4 bed, 3 bath, 2,374 sf, $1,749,000

254 South Pueblo Avenue, 3 bed, 3 bath, 2,095 sf, $1,850,000

1105 North Montgomery Street, 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 3,374 sf, $1,900,000

405 Palomar Road, 3 bed, 3 bath, 2,582 sf, $2,025,000

What First-Timers Should Know Make Your First Stop Your Loan Officer

By Therese A. Hartmann

I’m meeting with a couple at noon today to run through my version of Homebuying 101 and to answer questions and alleviate concerns. In most cases, the client(s) have no idea of what they can afford and whether they will qualify for a loan.

Mostly, clients seem to underestimate their buying power. In the midst of higher interest rates, they are typically happily surprised that they can become a homeowner. Just as true, there are times where I advise a client to wait a while and, in those cases, I give them a plan to follow. This usually will require them to pay off debt and save for a larger down payment and/or clear up some issues on a credit report.

While there are many “creative” ways of putting a client into position to buy a home, it’s more important to have them understand what it will take to do so without having them incur financial stress in their lives. In that instance, owning a home would be a burden and likely would cause chaos. Patience and a clear objective are the best panacea and give the potential homeowner an opportunity to educate themselves while getting in financial fitness to move ahead.

First-time home buyers usually have questions that revolve on how much they can afford, what the down payment should be and if there are any perks for buying their first home. So let me quickly cover some of these issues:

n Affordability — how much you can afford is based on your usable income, less liabilities and then what the new debt to include principal and interest, property taxes and insurance. Calculations are based on a percentage and total debt typically should be between 36-49% of income.

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.

n Down Payment — With an FHA loan, you would only need to come in with 3.5 percent but then you will have an up-front mortgage insurance fee charged and monthly mortgage insurance as well.

On conventional loan, anything less than 20 percent down will require a mortgage insurance premium tagged on to your payment. This is why we generally push clients to come in with this amount and many times, a family member is willing to invest in their future and gift them the difference between what has been saved and the 20% down

n Credit Score – I can’t tell you how many times someone will tout their high credit score as the reason they should be approved for a loan. Of course, it’s only one aspect of qualifying but is very important. The lender will look at all

three bureaus and the middle score is the one that defines your standing. Anything over 720 is considered the best and while you can qualify for an FHA with less, it’s always good to have options.

There are ways to pop your score up and generally it doesn’t take much time to get into a better position. You can pull your own credit report but generally it’s a good policy to have a loan consultant run it for you and explain the remarks and, as needed, help you raise your score.

n Buying The Right Home — real estate agents are a great resource for helping you find a started home that you can grow into without it being a total fixer. A loan consultant can also help you by providing a property profile. I often do this for my clients and we find out many things about a home, good and bad. I can’t tell you how often this has made the difference in someone feeling confident enough to move forward. The better educated the buyer, the better it is for everyone.

n First-time Homebuyer Advantages — there are, with many lenders, some exclusive offers that will benefit a first-time buyer.

These have to do with relaxed fees, special programs and incentives like free appraisals in some cases.

With over 45 percent of the homebuyers being first-timers, it’s important to make sure that the financing part is clear before heading out to shop. You don’t have to do it alone, that’s why loan consultants are available at no charge. We work on your behalf, not the sellers, to make sure your best interest is at the forefront as you purchase a home. We are always only a phone call away!

1 SHELF ROAD 3.5mi

EASY | Elev. Gain: 200 ft | Overlooks downtown Ojai.

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.

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.

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

COZY DELL 2.2mi

MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 740 ft | Trailhead 8 miles north of Ojai on Maricopa Highway. Short, intense hike that also connects to trail network.

SISAR CANYON 22mi

STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 4,800 ft to Topa Topa Bluffs. Trailhead at end of Sisar Road. Only for experienced, fit hikers.

GRIDLEY TRAIL 6-12mi

MODERATE | 3 mi to Gridley Springs (Elev. Gain: 1,200 ft) 6 mi to Nordhoff Peak. Trailhead at north end of Gridley Road.

MATILIJA CANYON 12mi

MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 1,200 ft | Middle Fork. Trailhead at end of Matilija Road. First 1.5 miles of trail well-maintained, the rest a scramble.

SULPHUR MTN. 22mi

MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 2,300 ft | Trailhead on eastern side of Sulphur Mountain Road. Views are unsurpassed.

Seven-Bedroom Main House on Approximately 10 Acres with Pool House, Pool, Spa, Outdoor Kitchen, Three-Car Garage, Two-Car Garage, Artist’s Loft, Lighted Tennis Court, Family Orchard, and Horse Facilities $4,995,000 — www.RocaVistaRanchOjai.com

Five Bedrooms, Media Room, Wine Cellar, Tasting Room, Gym/Massage Room, Pool & Spa, Indoor and Outdoor Putting Greens, Well, Six-Car Garages, Bocce Court, Views, and So Much More Price Upon Request — RoyalOaksRanchOjai.com

East End Retreat — Remodeled 3-bedroom with sunroom, stone fireplace, wood floors, one-bedroom studio, barn, chicken coop, fruit trees and amazing views, close to trails and downtown

$2,475,000

Three-bedroom, two-bathroom home near the Ojai Valley Trail and Lake Casitas with two-car garage, ceiling fans, breakfast bar, dog run, fruit trees and mountain views $697,500

Davis

Create an off-grid, country retreat on 40 acres with mountain views, trails, and a natural spring in Rose Valley in the Los Padres National Forest $1,200,000

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