Ojai Monthly - January 2022 by Ojai Quarterly

OJAI 01 22 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

Laurie Walters Slade: A Sense of Place 2022 Resolutions for Ojai Lincoln & Marx: Pen Pals Top 10 Hikes Cover: Patty Waltcher, LIV Sotheby’s Realty • 805-340-5774 • See Pages 2-3 For More Information Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

Co ve r on Fe at ur ed

CASA DE LOS ENCINOS

This grand, spa-like 5,931sqft 7br/5½ba Hacienda style estate on 2.35 acres in Rancho Matilija is walled and gated for maximum privacy. The main house has beamed ceilings, a grand foyer, a formal dining room, a spacious great room and multiple ﬁreplaces. The gourmet kitchen has Wolf appliances, an indoor barbeque, and a walk-in pantry. The primary bedroom suite has a covered patio, an adjoining office and spectacular views of the Topa Topas. The 400 sqft primary bath includes a sauna, steam shower, a jetted tub, 2 walk-in closets and a patio with an outdoor shower. A 4-car garage has a bedroom, a bathroom and a private theater with luxurious seating. There is a 2br/2ba guest house with full kitchen. The pool/jacuzzi area has a ﬁre pit, a covered patio with a cabana and BBQ. The beautifully landscaped grounds include an orchard and a private well for irrigation. 12147LindaFloraAveOjai.com $4,500,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

Icon i c Pa ul W i l l i a ms D e s ign Built in 1927, this Spanish Colonial Revival home has been lovingly restored in the spirit of its famous architect while upgrading all infrastructure, wiring and plumbing to modern standards. One of only two Paul Williams homes in Ojai, it perfectly encapsulates his values of balance, purpose and proportion to create an intimate family home that takes full advantage of its ideal location and natural environment, including views of the Topa Topa mountains. With 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, an office, a detached studio, a pool and an expansive veranda, it combines spaciousness, functionality and aesthetics in a rare blend. Custom original tiles decorate the many ﬁreplaces and bathrooms, designed to integrate with the architecture. The lushly landscaped, park-like grounds include a grape arbor, an orchard and a bocce court. The beauty and wholeness of this truly unique refuge will bring effortless peace to your heart. 906FoothillRoadOjai.com

PAT T Y WALTCHER

(805) 340-3774

pattywaltcher.com

$6,850,000

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.

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OM — January 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS JANUARY 2022

Editor’s Note

Calendar of Events

Featured Pro: Laurie Slade’s Life & Times, on Stage & Off

20 New Year’s Value Resolutions 21

Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers

Who’s Who in Real Estate

Dine Ojai — Restaurant Guide

Chef Randy: Tomato Soup with Fennel

Sold In Ojai

Mortgages? An Inflation Hedge?

Self-Propelled Into Ojai’s Backcountry

Editor & Publisher / Bret Bradigan Uta Ritke / Creative Director David Taylor / Sales Manager Ross Falvo / Distribution Manager Cover: Patty Waltcher, LIV Sotheby’s Realty, 805-340-5774 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 01 22 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

Events

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Lifestyle

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OM — January 2022

DISCOVER

OJAI MONTHLY LINCOLN & MARX, PEN PALS "The tradition of all dead generations weighs like a nightmare on the brains of the living," — Karl Marx

“Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” Who wrote these ringing sentences? Bret Bradigan

If you guessed Karl Marx you’d be close. It was Abraham Lincoln in his 1861 annual message before both houses of Congress, his first State of the Union speech. That he found it necessary to speak those words when the nation was embroiled in a perilous civil war is telling. The Republican party was brand new and finding its way. Led by New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley, it sought to fuse a coalition between the shreds of the Whig Party and abolitionists in the North, and the common cause, as promoted by Greeley, was the slaves in the South and the workers in the North. Toward that end he employed Karl Marx as a journalist, and he wrote more than 500 articles for the Tribune. Lincoln was an avid reader. They also corresponded on occasions through the end of Lincoln’s life. While Lincoln was hardly a socialist, he was deeply aware of the rising inequities that threatened the stability and continued prosperity of America. He’d take advice where he could find it, and enjoyed the intellectual parrying with his brilliant correspondent. The Gilded Age of robber barons and greed lurked around the corner. These strange bedfellows came to mind when I was discussing on the podcast recently that most of Ojai’s workforce is in service industry jobs. The pandemic really brought that into stark relief. Our prosperity, and yes, with housing prices soaring more than 20 percent during the pandemic, Ojai has become much more prosperous, is at stake. The divide between the people who serve us and the people who are served has become a chasm. How to breach this divide seems hopeless. During our recent podcast, Topa Talk’s Stephanie James proposed that everyone in the country spend two years in a service-industry job, like a restaurant draft. I agree. It would make people kinder and create shared understandings that the country needs more than ever. With something in the order of 2,000 workers in Ojai’s $190 million service economy ($72 million in hospitality, $120 million in retail sales - source 2020 census) this is the elephant in our living room. Affordable housing would go a long way to solving four intersecting problems. It would reduce the traffic snarls in the morning and out in the evening; lower air pollution from fewer vehicle trips, create a greater sense of community when people who teach us, protect us and serve us all share the same zip code, and most of all create an upward ladder of aspiration for our service industry folks. If Lincoln and Marx could find so much to agree on, what’s our excuse?

OM — January 2022

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coastalranch.com ©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.

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JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS galleries

WEEKLY

Forums & Salons

Certified Farmers Market

DECEMBER 23 – FEBRUARY 20 Barbara Hepworth Henry Moore Pablo Picasso Works on paper Times: Thursday – Sunday, noon – 5 p.m. Location: canvas and paper, 311 North Montgomery Street 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.

Whether you like to read aloud or just listen, everyone is welcome ! Drop in and join the fun. We read and discuss Shakespeare’s play. JANUARY 6 & 27

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, learn the value of collaboration, learn to 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.

Selections from Philosophical Investigations by Ludwig Wittgenstein Times: 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Location: Online Contact: agorafoundation.org 805-231-5974 “Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language.” Online Seminar Series - Now Enrolling Philosophical Investigations by Ludwig Wittgenstein was published posthumously in 1953. Within the analytic tradition, the book is considered by many as being one of the most important philosophical works of the 20th century. The book paved the way for philosophy in the middle of the twentieth century and continues to influence contemporary philosophers working in the philosophy of language and mind. We invite you join us as we explore this challenging and highly influential work.

JANUARY 3 &17

JANUARY 11 to FEBRUARY 15

JANUARY 8, 15, 22 & 29

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.

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.

material parts, Ojai Community Farmers or does life Market spring from Every Thursday something Time: 3-7 p.m. else? Is the Location: Chaparral High soul (psyche) School Courtyard the cause of life, and what are the nutritive, sensational, motional, and intellectual powers of the soul? Is the soul of a living being essentially its form, over the body? We invite you to join us for these six weekly Tuesday lunchtime meetings, beginning January 11, as we engage with this intriguing and challenging work. “For if the eye were an animal, the soul of it would be its sight…”

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

What is the Soul? Times: 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Location: Online Contact: agorafoundation.org 805-231-5974 What does it mean to be a natural living thing? Are plants, animals, and people alive simply because of an arrangement of their OM — January 2022

BY RICHARD CAMP

LAURIE AS JULIET

“I wanted to save the earth and/or become a respected actress.” That was the dream of the young girl born Laurie Walters in San Francisco, California, who moved with her family to Walnut Creek when she was two years old. That set her on a path toward half of her dream, because she loved to romp in a gully and open field behind her house. “That’s where I fell in love with nature,” she says, “and nature still casts a divine spell on me.” So did acting. When a child, she played Mary in an Easter pageant and was thrilled when adults praised her performance. “I thought that to be an actor you had to be the child of an actor

a group that eventually became the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. “I can say I was a founding member of BRT,” Laurie proudly says. After BRT she worked at the Marin Shakespeare Company where she played Rosalind in “As You Like It” and Hero in “Much Ado About Nothing,” sometimes hitchhiking across San Francisco Bay because she didn’t have a car. (A hitchhiking gene inherited from her mom?) More Shakespeare roles earned her an Equity card, and perhaps instilled a lifelong adoration of the works of Shakespeare. Later, a San Francisco audition led to a film job in Los Angeles, where, with SAG card now in hand, she studied at the Strasberg Institute and appeared in guest starring roles on television series before her big break came when she was cast as Joanie in the hugely popular TV dram/com, “Eight is Enough.” (Her father, from a family of eight, got a big laugh out of this.) Laurie was also very proud of her work at the Mark Taper Forum and at the South Coast Rep, where she won a Dramalogue Award for Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet” to add to her L.A. Critics Circle Award and Dramalogue Award for “Playboy of the Western World.”

LAURIE AS PRINCE EDWARD IN “RICHARD THE III” WITH RENE AUBERJONOIS.

… I didn’t realize regular people could do it. Suddenly, the world opened and I insisted on drama lessons.” Which her parents provided after they moved back to San Francisco when Laurie was seven. Her father, Lawrence Frederick Walters, had been born and raised in San Francisco into a family of eight children, and became a vice president in a construction company that built many iconic buildings in the city, including the Transamerica Pyramid. Her mom, Elsie Louise Ulbrich, was born into a poor family of nine children in South Dakota and left by hitchhiking to San Francisco, where she met Lawrence. Elsie became a full-time mom to Laurie and two sisters, Sharon Walters and Linda Cetrulo, both with whom Laurie is still very close. After high school, Laurie attended Humboldt State College to study conservation, but the acting bug kept drawing her to the school’s brand-new theater building. After two years, she transferred to UC Santa Barbara, and one night went to a party where superstar activist and singer Joan Baez was performing. This inspired Laurie to drop out and move to Berkeley where she lived on her own for the first time. There, she started working in every aspect of the theatre with 14

OM — January 2022

After “Eight is Enough” Laurie was chosen for the Mark Taper Forum’s repertory company where she played Prince Edward (a boy) in Richard III opposite one of her acting idols, Rene Auberjonois. “He was brilliant! It was acting at a level I hadn’t seen yet.” By early 1990s, she says, “It became clear I wasn’t making the transition from ingénue to leading lady.” So, she transitioned to her other passion and worked for the environmental group, TreePeople. “I’m proud to say I’ve planted many trees in the urban forest of Los Angeles!” But, the theatre never lost its seductive allure. Her life changed dramatically when she met her “soulmate” John Slade while performing together in Shakespeare’s “King John.” “It was fascination at first sight,” remembers Laurie, of John’s titular performance. They married in 1999 and in 2000 performed in “Julius Caesar” at the Ojai Shakespeare Festival, at the request of its then artistic director, Paul Backer. John and Laurie fell in love with Ojai and its people, and when John landed a job teaching drama and English at Nordhoff High School, they packed up their house in L.A. and moved to Ojai where John put his 40 years of work in theatre to good use. His passion lay in directing and writing, and he’d won a trunk full of prestigious awards in those fields. That passion blossomed in Ojai, where he honed his writing and performing skills while nurturing students at Nordhoff. He also encouraged Laurie to audition for “Sylvia,” with

WHITMAN AND LAURIE

LAURIE WALTERS

Joe Spano, at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura. She got the part, followed by roles in “Children of a Lesser God,” “Fools,” and “A Christmas Carol.” Always the nature girl, Laurie helped found the Ojai Church of the Wild, a group that meets in various parts of the valley, to commune with nature. And, she worked for many years for the Green Coalition where her proudest accomplishment was establishing an environmental lending library, as well as serving on its Board. With her stint on the Board of the Ojai Shakespeare Festival, she has served on two boards that represent her twin passions, Shakespeare and the environment. She also leads an ongoing Shakespeare Salon that meets regularly to deeply study the Bard’s plays. Meanwhile, John began to have success by acting and singing in a one-man show he’d written based on the writings of Walt Whitman, “an inspiring visit with America’s first evolutionary soul singer,” as John called it. He performed this piece in cities across the country, and was planning to enter it into the all-important university circuit. Sadly, that never happened. On July 6, 2017, as he was returning from a rehearsal for the Kingsman Shakespeare Company at Cal Lutheran, his car was struck by a speeding driver. He died the following morning. “I am still half myself,” says Laurie. “I lost my beautiful, beloved soulmate.” The care and support from her two sisters and from the Ojai community helped her survive this heartbreaking loss. The John C. Slade Memorial Theatre Scholarship was created in his name, managed by the Nordhoff Parents Association. Anyone wishing to donate can send a check

LAURIE AT OVGC ENVIRONMENTAL LIBRARY WHICH SHE ESTABLISHED

to the NPA, marking it for John’s scholarship. “John helped students believe in themselves, and believe that if they wanted to be theatre artists they could, and should pursue that dream.” It has taken Laurie a good deal of time to overcome her loss, but, she’s slowly beginning to re-emerge. She created another library, the Slade Collection, housed at the Ojai Art Center, consisting of hundreds of plays, theatre and film books that belonged to John and her. She is also starring in the wickedly funny “Vonya and Sonya and Masha and Spike,” slated to begin on January 21st at the Art Center Theater, a play that she and John once did at the old Theatre 150 in a group they’d started called “Potlucks and Play Readings.” And, on April 1st she will open in OPAT’s production of the hilarious and heartwarming play, “Harvey,” co-starring Dr. Jim Halverson, where she tries to match wits with an invisible rabbit. Environmentalist, actress and makeshift librarian, Laurie Walters Slade treasures her time in Ojai and loves its peace and its pace. “I’ve found a sense of place,” she feels. Still working to save the earth, and now very much a respected actress. The twin fulfillments of a young girl’s dream. OM — January 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.

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

Perfectly situated on just under four acres lies the historic and unique Casa de La Luna compound. Comprised of over 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. Private and gated, this property must be seen to be appreciated.

Donna Sallen

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Donna Sallen

Enter through the gates of Rancho Matilija and instantly feel the majestic beauty of the area. Surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest, Rancho Matilija is one of the best-hidden secrets in all of Ojai. This neighborhood features estate homes that appeal to those who appreciate the tranquility and privacy of a secluded, gated community, in a country setting. Sitting perfectly on over two acres with gardens, meandering walkways and mature trees. Once inside you will be delighted with the open, spacious floor plan, vaulted ceilings, three fireplaces, cooks dream kitchen all the while showcasing views from every room. This home features five bedrooms and a separate guest quarters. Cool off in the pool surrounded by nature. The gardens produce an abundance of fruits and vegetables; all watered with your own private well.

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What Are Your Intentions for 2022? By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela

The Omicron variant running rampant isn’t making it any easier to reintroduce old favorites like traveling more and hitting the gym, so we have to continue to get creative when making our list of resolutions this year. If you had any interest in trying a new hobby or learning new recipes, you probably pursued those interests during your time at home over the last couple of years, so those are also out of the running. But resolutions are all about enhancing our lives and improving the way we interact with the world, so there are still plenty of options left. If you need a bit of inspiration, here are four you might want to consider. 1. Increase your water-saving effort: Don’t let our recent rain fool you: We are still in a state of increasing drought and are looking at more mandatory water use restrictions in the coming year. If you need to level up your water-conservation skills, you can start with some water-saving resolutions I included in my New Year’s column a few years ago, including installing a rain barrel, participating in Meatless Mondays, insulating 20

your pipes, covering your pool, and installing a graywater system. If you already have these practices in place, take it a step further by installing an automatic drip system, saving your cooking water to use for irrigation, or using a bucket to collect water while your shower warms up. 2. Make time for self-care: We have all had a rough couple of years. Although we are settling into our new normal, managing mask mandates, figuring out who is and isn’t vaccinated, and having to weigh the risks and benefits of every dinner out with friends or trip to grandma’s house continues to take its toll. Commit to making time for selfcare this year. This might include COVID-friendly camping at Lake Casitas, scheduling hikes or outdoor dining with friends, treating yourself to an energy healing session, or having regular athome spa days. 3. Support local businesses and contractors: I know local contractors are booked OM — January 2022

solid and have been difficult to schedule throughout the pandemic and that Amazon is the most convenient way to buy pretty much everything you need. It can be tempting to take the easy way out, but we build a stronger community when we keep our money local and support local businesses. Make it one of your resolutions to continue using local contractors and supporting local businesses so that we can all come out of the pandemic stronger and more connected. One easy way to do this even if you are following pretty strict protocols is to head to the farmers market to support local farmers and makers. 4. Live in line with your values: One thing that many of us gained from the pandemic is a clearer list of priorities. We know what is important to us, know where we want to focus our energy, and have a better understanding of our life goals. This provides us with an opportunity to clarify our values and take steps to live by them. Create resolutions that help you define and live by your values.

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 — January 2022

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 — January 2022

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

Dawn E. Shook - Executive Officer, Ojai Valley Board of REALTORS

ojai’s season of giving & living Kirk Ellison LIV Sotheby’s International Realty KirkEllison@ me.com 805-340-5905

Hi! I do hope the Holidays were wonderful with your family, friends, and neighbors. As we are putting the decorations back into their boxes for next year, 2022 is upon us.

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

It always seems to be a new beginning for me, as I traditionally clean out my closets, donate items, and collect food for our local food pantry. What does a New Year mean to you? Let’s create a good-feeling attitude from whatever we are able to do for others... Lastly, it brings me to my birthday month, as I believe birthdays are a good celebration of one’s life. Whatever the New Year brings to you, hopefully it will be your thoughts for a better future, as the Ojai Valley is a special place for all of us to be together in 2022! See you around town!

OM — January 2022

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

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 — January 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

Fresh tomato soup with fennel This is a wonderfully hearty vegetarian soup for the remaining winter days of the year. Quick and easy to prepare, tomatoes and fennel pair nicely to make a tasty soup. Even better, this soup freezes well. Make a double batch and save some for a rainy day.

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons olive oil 1 large fennel bulb (diced) 3 Lightlife Italian Style sausage (sliced into 1/2-inchthick rounds) 1 tablespoon fennel seeds 2 tablespoons dry white wine 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes 1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon Vegetable Base 3 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley (chopped) DIRECTIONS

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

Fall / Winter

Quick + Easy

Heat oil in soup pot over medium heat. Add fennel, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in sausage and fennel seeds, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until fennel seeds are slightly softened and bits of sausage are stuck to bottom of pan. Add wine and and cook 5 to 10 seconds, scraping to deglaze pan. Add broth, tomatoes, vegetable base, and parsley. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to mediumlow and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve with a slice of fresh Ciabatta bread. Robin likes a grilled Havarti cheese sandwich with this soup. You might try that too!

Vegan

OM — January 2022

illage marketplace

OM — January 2022

SOLD IN OJAI

Dale Hanson

Homes Sold Last Month

Ojai Valley Real Estate

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RECENT HOME SALES

(805)646-7229

B.R.E. 01229522 Notary Public

dale@ojaivalleyrealestate.com Call me for your real estate needs. Residential, commercial, or business opportunity.

304 Park Road, 2 bed, 1 bath, 1,022 sf, $715,000 410 Vallerio Avenue, 3 bed, two bath, 1,201 f, $725,000 405 South Carrillo Road, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,401 sf, $740,000 80 Almond Avenue, Oak View, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,278 sf, $760,000 110 Descanso Avenue, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,129 sf, $800,000 143 North Encinal Avenue, 3 bed, 1.75 bath, 1,123 sf, $810,000 406 Crestview Drive, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,460 sf, $825,000 82 Arnaz Drive, Oak View, 3 bed, 1.75 bath, 2,637 sf, $830,000

bath, 1,279 sf, $991,000 569 Tico Road, 3 bed, 2.75 bath, 1,822 sf, $1,000,000 95 Pathelen Avenue, Oak View, 3 bed, 3 bath, 2,382 sf, $1,125,000 165 Canterbury Court, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,645 sf, $1,200,000

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

421 Los Alamos Drive, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,150 sf, $1,300,000x1370 Cuyama Road, 3 bed, 3 bath, 2,490 sf, $1,540,000 216 Del Norte Road, 4 bed, 2 bath, 1,741 sf, $2,000,000 810 Foothill Lane, 4 bed, 3 bath, 3,234 sf, $2,650,000 810 El Toro Road, 4 bed, 4 bath, 3,799 sf. $3,500,000

501 Crestview Drive, 3 bed, 1.5 bath, 1,476 sf, $895,000

4320 Thacher Road, 4 bed, 4 bath, 3,799 sf, $3,700,000

314 South Carrillo Road, 4 bed, 2 bath, 2,103 sf, $945,000

805 McAndrew Road, 3 bed, 3.5 bath, 2,443 sf, $4,100,000

554 South La Luna Road, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,584 sf, $965,000

YOUR OJAI MAGAZINES

8500 North Ventura Avenue, Casitas Springs, 8 bed, 5 bath, 4,306 sf, $985,000

S U B S C RI B E F O R O N LY $24.95 P ER Y E A R

216 Oriole Street, 3 bed, 2

W W W. OJA I H U B. C OM

EM A I L: ED I TO R @ O JA I Q UA RT ERLY.CO M

OM — January 2022

what you neeed to know! Mortgages as a Hedge Against Inflation?

By Therese A. Hartmann

As we are all painfully aware, the Fed has been printing vast sums of money over the last few years. It’s fairly obvious to most economists this will lead to higher levels of inflation. While we are currently at 9.6 percent wholesale inflation — according to government stats — financial gurus will tell you the actual number is likely much higher and might edge the U.S. into what they call “super inflation.” I get it, just thinking about this could send some of us into a major funk. Many will turn a blind eye and optimistically assume things will be back as they were soon. Still others, myself and quite a few of my clients who invest in real estate included, will proactively consider how best to protect assets. What exactly IS inflation anyway? Just to keep things simple, as inflation rises, the value of your dollars today will diminish tomorrow. Basically, if you have $100 in your bank account today, it won’t be worth the same next year as that $100 won’t buy you what it once could. Instead, it will lose value and purchasing power. Remember what your grandpa told you about how much a dime could buy way back when? Yep, that’s the definition of inflation. 28

Is a longer-term mortgage considered a hedge against inflation? Let’s use the following example as a way to understand why the answer to this question is a resounding yes: • A 30-year fixed mortgage payment never changes for the entire loan term of 360 months • If $1,000 today is worth only $750 in the future, you’ll effectively end up with a less expensive mortgage payment • It will be easier to make monthly payments as wages go up, as they naturally would during an inflationary period. Simply put, going crazy and trying to pay off your mortgage early might may not be as attractive as one would think, in this case. Of course, it also doesn’t mean you should carry balances forever, but with mortgage rates this low and inflation here to stay for a while, it does change the equation. Please note that this only really works for fixed mortgages. As inflation increases, interest rates will rise to combat it, and that means higher rates on adjustable-rate mortgages. In fact, the Fed’s have announced they will likely raise interest rates three times OM — January 2022

in 2022, so locking in a fixed rate mortgage as soon as possible is probably a wise move.

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

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.

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

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

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. Only for experienced, f it hikers.

Trailhead on eastern side of Sulphur Mountain Road. Views are unsurpassed.

We know Ojai.

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

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. $5,900,000

Three-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom Golden West home remodeled in 2020 with two fireplaces, swimming pool, fruit trees, flexible spaces for home office or hobbies. www.1116DelNidoCourt.com $1,250,000

The Davis Group ojaivalleyestates.com

Nora Davis

BRE License #01046067

805.207.6177

nora@ojaivalleyestates.com

We’re lifelong residents.

Rancho Tranquilo is located on 5+ acres in Upper Ojai with five bedrooms, flex rooms, two fireplaces, pool, tennis court, caretaker’s quarters, horse facilities, solar, RV garage, views and more. www.12605HighwindsRoad.com $3,375,000

Four-bedroom, two-bathroom, remodeled home with laundry room, two-car garage, gated RV parking, oval soaking tub, dual-sink vanity, and amazing mountain and river basin views. $885,000

Charming, updated Oak View cottage with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, gated parking, Jacuzzi spa, great outdoor living areas close to shops, restaurants, and the Ojai Valley Trail. $649,000

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 - January 2022

Articles inside

Self-Propelled Into Ojai’s Backcountry

Featured Pro: Laurie Slade’s Life & Times, on Stage & Off

Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers

New Year’s Value Resolutions

Chef Randy: Tomato Soup with Fennel

Calendar of Events