Ojai Monthly — July 2020

OJAI 07 20 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY

Cover Photo by Anshu A

Real Estate & Visitors Guide

KATHLEEN KAISER: ROCK-IT WOMAN TOP 10 OJAI HIKES

SHANGRI LA CARE CENTERS

PARTY HOSTING IN THE SOCIALLY DISTANT ERA Visitor Information

Events

Activities

“Come Find Your Shangri-La & Your New Normal” 408 Bryant Circle, Suite G (805) 640-6464

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — July 2020

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SIGNAL STREET COMPOUND On nearly 8 acres at the top of North Signal Street, this compound has boundless potential for multiple uses. The main house is perched on a hill, with amazing views of the entire valley, from sensational sunrises to famous pink moment sunsets. The property has multiple structures, including two finished guest houses and a third waiting for your magic touch. With a little love, two of the other buildings could serve in a myriad of ways: a yoga or recording studio, RV storage, a workshop or a secret getaway for writing that masterpiece! It is filled with gorgeous pepper, bottle brush and fruit trees and it is a short walking distance from town, Shelf Road and Pratt Trail.

1203NorthSignalStOjai.com

$2,945,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

PRIVATE DOWNTOWN OASIS Situated on a private road in downtown Ojai, this elegant oasis is graced by ancient oak trees and stunning views of the Topa Topas. The 5 bedroom, 4½ bath home features a great room with a standalone double fireplace, skylights, vaulted ceilings and a chef ’s k itchen. The floors are reclaimed oak and the bathrooms feel like spas. Amenities include solar panels, a 3-zone HVAC system, double paned windows, a circulating hot water system, and a mud room. On over an acre, the proper ty includes more than 40 organic fruit trees, a double car por t, a chicken coop and an organic vegetable garden. A grapevine covered pergola offers spectacular outdoor dining and some of the best hik ing trails in Ojai are only minutes from the door.

815CanadaStOjai.com

Offered at $1,840,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

(805) 340-3774

pattywaltcher.com

DRE#01768956

YOU DON’T HAVE TO PUT YOUR HOME SELLING PLANS ON HOLD unless you want to. People are actively buying homes from a distance.

We are open for business and here to help you!

LET’S TALK.

805.646.6768

NextHome 307 A East Matilija Street

Jeri Becker 805.340.2846

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Lynn Goodman 805.573.5927

Ojai

Heather Erickson

805.798.3358

CA

Riley Becker

805.646.6768

Serving Ojai since 2007 New look, continued excellence in client service Stay safe

Stay healthy

Find joy!

Phone: 805.272.5221 Email: ContactUs@TeamDeckert.com Website: www.BestBuysInOjai.com DRE# 01761150, 00780642, 01962884, 02019595, 02018091

Cheryl & Ray Deckert

Sheryl Whipple

Robert Perron

Paul Johnsen

Ojai, We’re Here For You.

No matter whether there’s a fire threatening our town or a pandemic sweeping the ® globe, Ojai Valley REALTORS are here when you need us. And right now, we’re taking extra precautions to keep home buyers and sellers safe. Real estate has been designated as an essential business. People need homes no matter what’s happening in the world. But we encourage you to shop for your home online, taking advantage of the 3D floor plans, videos, and virtual tours that help you narrow your choices. When you’re ready, your REALTOR ® can arrange a live showing, making sure you have masks, gloves, and booties to cover your shoes. This is a comfort to both buyers and sellers. And it’s just one of the ways we are keeping the Ojai Valley safe and sound.

We hope you and your family are staying safe and well.

The REALTORS

®

of Ojai Valley

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

10

JULY 2020

7

Editor’s Note

10

Calendar of Events

12

Featured Pro: Kathleen Kaiser

16

All-Cash Offer? Think Twice

18

Parties in the Era of Social Distancing

12

20 Who’s Who in Real Estate 22

Dine Ojai — Restaurant Guide

23

Chef Randy — Chimichurri Kebabs

28

Ojai Facts & Founders

29

Top 10 Hikes Into Ojai’s Backcountry

23 OJAI 07 20 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

Cover Photo by Anshu A

Editor & Publisher, Bret Bradigan Realtor/Partner, Ross Falvo Contact Us: Ross Falvo, 805.207.5094 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.

KATHLEEN KAISER: ROCK-IT WOMAN TOP 10 OJAI HIKES

SHANGRI LA CARE CENTERS

PARTY HOSTING IN THE SOCIALLY DISTANT ERA

Cover: Shangri La Care Center 6

Visitor Information

Events

Activities

“Come Find Your Shangri-La & Your New Normal” 408 Bryant Circle, Suite G (805) 640-6464

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — July 2020

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DISCOVER

OJAI MONTHLY OUR LONG, HOT SUMMER

Bret Bradigan

As with many places of astounding natural beauty within easy driving reach of Los Angeles, Ojai has been inundated with partiers lately. They come to have a good time, and we’re happy to provide that, because who except the scrooges and grinches aren’t happy to see people being happy? But this new breed of visitor is not “taking only pictures, leaving only memories.” They are leaving the dark triad of graffiti tags, trash and broken beer bottles.

Between the Punch Bowls and the swimming holes on the Ventura River, the crowds once numbered in a single dozen on weekends have swelled into the hundreds on weekdays. Tempers seem amped up, tinder-dry and volatile. I know several locals who were abused for telling people that they weren’t allowed to drag their portable parties onto Ojai Valley Land Conservancy preserves. One encounter over a leashless dog rooting through the underbrush, threatening a clutch of baby quail, turned into a disturbing twist on the Central Park Karen debacle. People who should know better are flaunting their masklessness, as if daring you to say something.

It puts Ojai locals in a precarious position of being unwilling enforcers of social norms. It all begins with leadership, and when the country is led by people who have politicized public health precautions like wearing face masks, this is what we get. Confrontation. Frayed tempers. People at odds with each other over the very things that should be bringing us together.

A big part of the purpose at Ojai Monthly and Ojai Quarterly magazines, along with our online community website, Ojai Hub, is to fight against the fraying of the social infrastructure, to tell those stories of this community that bring us back together, to build and shape our narrative as inclusively and empathetically as possible. The pandemic is not making that easy, but signs point to better days ahead.

There is a new sense of unity emerging from the ashes of isolation and protest. We cannot deny that the world that comes out of the global pandemic will be different than the one that went into it. Whether it’s better, or worse, is much more in our control than you might think. If you are willing to do the hard, and often boring and tiring, work of making it better, then you will have an ally with Team OQ/OM.

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Cozy 2 bed 2 bath Mobile Home with a den open to the living area that can have mul�ple purpose. A spacious layout and lots of natural light. Newer laminate floors in the living/dining area and bedrooms. Bright Master bedroom with corner window and nice large walk‐in closet. Some features include a spacious kitchen with lots of storage, screen porch, large tuff shed with electricity, ar�ficial turf, water so�ener, RO system.

For more informa�on go to OjaiRe.com

Rosario Falvo 805-207-5094 ROSARIOFALVO@KW.COM

OjaiRe.com DRE # 01504988

THERESE HARTMANN PROVIDING HOME LOANS FOR OVER 25 YEARS!

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

MAGAZINE

““Therese Hartmann is absolutely phenomenal! Warm, caring, incredibly competent and amazingly able to walk one through (and demystify) the sometimes overwhelming barrage of paperwork involved in a re-fi.

Her capacity to find ways around seeming road blocks – that might have stymied a less knowledgeable/creative problem-solver – was stunning and delightful.”

—R. Posin

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

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

Stephen Adelman “Your Family Man Realtor”

805.640.5563 | www.ojailuxuryrealestate.com | DRE# 01786486

OM — July 2020

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JULY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JULY 11 Agora Foundation: “Tolstoy, The Forged Coupon and Dostoyevsky: The Honest Thief.”

Time: 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Location: Agorafoundation.com, register to receive the link, click on the titles to download the readings.

Tutors: Kevin Walker and Andy Gilman Contact: 805-231-5974 JULY 18 Agora Foundation’s Series on Love: Nicomachean Ethics: Books 8 and 9 edited)

by Aristotle” Time: 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Location: Agorafoundation.com, register to receive the link, click on the titles to download the readings.

Othello said about himself that he “loved not wisely but too well.” It seems that one can love things too much, but can one really love someone too much? Perhaps more fundamentally: are there different kinds of love?

This series will devote itself to a discussion of the mystery and majesty of love.

JULY 19 Agora Foundation’s Series on Marcel Proust: “Swann’s Way.” 10

Time: 12 to 2 p.m.

Location: Agorafoundation.com, register to receive the link, click on the titles to download the readings.

internet connection.

Contact: somaticsanctuary.com email support@somaticsanctuary Phone: 805-633-9230

JULY 25 Agora Foundation’s Series on “The Book of Jonah” Time: 12 to 2 p.m.

Location: Agorafoundation.com, register to receive the link, click on the titles to download the readings.

MONDAY & THURSDAYS “Introduction to Somatic Stretch” Instructor: Sultana Parvanka Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Contact: somaticsanctuary.com email support@somaticsanctuary Phone: 805-633-9230

Future Readings in the Series: Augustine, Sermon on Love Dostoevsky, A Gentle Creature Ibsen, A Doll’s House Shakespeare, Othello Sigrid Unset, Gunnar’s Daughter Flannery O’Connor, The Lame Shall Enter First C.S. Lewis, Four Loves

WEDNESDAYS “Offerings with Sarah Grace” — Somatic Satsang, free community gathering and tools for resiliency Instructor: Sarah Grace Time: 7 p.m.

Contact: somaticsanctuary.com email support@somaticsanctuary Phone: 805-633-9230

REOCCURING EVENTS WEEKLY Monday, Wednesday & Friday “Somatic Stretch for Self Healing” Instructor: Meredith Sands Keator Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Location: Anywhere you can find a sturdy

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

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“Awareness Through Movement” Instructor: Mary Jo Healy

OPPOSITE PAGE: Somatic Sanctuary is hosting online events with instructors every week. The Ojai Music Festival will take place online, with Matthias Pintscher, this year’s music director. The Ojai Film Festival

FRIDAYS 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.

SUNDAYS Certified Farmer’s Market Date: Every Sunday Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

Open air market featuring locally grown produce, plants, musicians and handmade items, including soaps, baskets, beeswax candles and olive oil.

Again, with proper social distancing and vendor spacing, the Farmers Market will stay open through the duration of the stay-at-home order.

is hosting Friday free screening of highlight films from prior years. The Ojai Farmers Market and Farmer & The Cook are open and providing outlets for local farmers and fresh-food seekers.

VIRTUAL PUBLIC ART TOUR UP AND RUNNING

By Sami Zahringer Ojai art-lovers! The City of Ojai Arts Commission website has now published its virtual tour of the town’s collection of public art. This is your art and now there is a comprehensive guide to take you through it.

Conceived as four separate walking tours, members of the public may stroll at their leisure around town following the guide, or peruse it all from home.

At present we cannot offer docent-led tours but they will be available by appointment for groups and individuals in due course.

Myriad surprises await you on these tours; little facts, fancies, curiosities, and tidbits that enrich our Ojai life and community. Did you know, for instance, the story behind that the cast-bronze sculpture near the rear entrance to the plaza behind the arcade, made by iconic Ojai artist, Sylvia Raz? “Early-Bird

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Shopper” is the playful interpretation of an eagle that honors the bird-life in the valley. The eagle’s traditionally styled clothes reflect the Chumash Native Americans. A chocolate kiss serves as a hat, representing the sweet richness of Ojai. The artist tells us that, if you rub the little gold button on her purse, it will bring you good shopping luck!

“Early-Bird Shopper” disappeared from her plaza position early in 2008 only to be discovered, months later, glued to a lonesome, high rock on Shelf Road, overlooking the valley.

To the relief of all, she was rescued and bolted (now thief-proof !) back on her proper perch.

Take the tour via the following link. Ojai is a magical town for artists and our city is extraordinary in its support of public art. We have a public art collection we can be proud of and now it is configured in such a way as to make it accessible to all.

Have fun! http://www.artsojai.org/self-guided-tour/

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BY ILONA SAARI

Kathleen Kaiser with Burton Cummings getting his gold record..

“UP IN THE MORNIN’ AND OUT TO SCHOOL THE TEACHER IS TEACHIN’ THE GOLDEN RULE AMERICAN HISTORY AND

KATHLEEN

PRACTICAL MATH YOU

KAISER

TO PASS…”

STUDYIN’ HARD AND HOPIN’ … “HAIL, HAIL ROCK’N’ROLL.”

ROCK-IT WOMAN! For many of us growing up, we dutifully followed that Chuck Berry lyric as we headed off to school. For Kathleen Kaiser, however, the important part was “hail, hail rock ‘n’ roll.”

She loved school, but rock ‘n’ roll music was her passion.

By age eleven, she was devouring teen music and movie magazines and became a pen pal through the pen pal page in “Teen Screen.” Her “pals” were British who introduced her to the Beatles long before anyone in America had ever heard the name. They would send her articles and early records which hadn’t been released across “the pond,” while she sent them “surf” music by Jan & Dean, et al.

When her local DJ at KDEO radio station in San Diego became stymied about this British group’s “bug” name, she called in to explain how John and Paul were influenced

by Buddy Holly & The Crickets (another “bug” name) and named themselves “The Beatles” in their honor. She was fifteen. Soon after, Kathleen was given a two-minute teen talk show, five days a week on the station. She never looked back, eventually convincing the British Beatles Fan Club that San Diego needed its own branch. She became its president and marketed the branch tirelessly. When she failed to get them to include San Diego in its American tour, she staged a publicity stunt at Balboa Park Bridge that culminated with her being driven home in a police car. This taught her the first rule of life and PR: there are consequences to one’s actions.

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Anxious to be on her own, Kathleen yearned to move to Los Angeles where the action was. But she was only 17 and her parents were adamant that she go to college. She enrolled in San Diego State, but dropped out at the “legal” age of 18 and moved to West Hollywood (she did go back to college some years later, getting a degree in fashion design). She had a bushel of odd jobs, including a working/living stint in Manhattan in 1967. But her life took a dramatic turn when she returned to Hollywood and was hired by “Teen Screen,” the very magazine she had devoured at age 11. In ‘68, she met publicist Michael Goldstein who had created the first national rock’n’roll PR firm. He hired her to run his west coast office. Kathleen’s PR career was about to take root.

In the early ‘70s, she traveled the world for Japanese music publisher Shinko Music with acts such as the Rolling Stones, but also had time to write three books on rock’n’roll in America, plus monthly columns in music publications.

She worked on publicity for artists such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, The Who and CSN&Y. She also worked for the Japanese music industry, living part-time in Japan. But like a GPS on acid trips, her career took her down more roads than Abbey as she embraced the new digital revolution.

By 1993, Kathleen opened Kathleen Kaiser & Associates (KKA), a trade show marketing and production firm which, for the past 25 years, has focused on cutting-edge digital technologies. It has launched new products, international

Kathleen Kaiser with Pete Townsend

Kathleen Kaiser

trade shows, even developed and managed the first US Pavilion at Expo Argo in Santiago, Chile for the US Department of Commerce.

In 2002, while living in Fillmore, Kathleen wanted to dip her toe into the nonprofit arena. She saw a request for volunteers for the renowned Ojai Shakespeare Festival.

Having been introduced to Ojai years earlier at parties held at Jenny and Jim Messina’s ranch in the Ojai Valley, she decided to go for it. It wasn’t long before she was on the Festival’s Board, then served as President, expanding its Youth Intern Program to include backstage/production internships. Now living in Camarillo, Kathleen became more involved in Ojai, orchestrating the marketing/ sponsorship sales for the Ojai Art Stroll, and marketing communication for the Ojai Studio Artists.

However, she was still deeply ensconced in the digital world, and in 2004, KKA created and marketed Digital Marketing Symposium in partnership with Digital Marketing Corporation at the Jacob Javits Center in New York.

In 2008, Kathleen booked herself a future in the publishing field, taking on a small number of select authors of nonfiction books/memoirs as clients, and specializing in setting up radio interviews, press/blog stories and book reviews. In 2010, after moving to Ojai, she also handled sponsorship sales for the Rotary Club of Ojai-West Wine Festival charity.

A year later, Kathleen expanded her publishing interests

by helping create the Pacific Institute for Professional Writing, and managed the first Ventura County Book & Author Fair which eventually morphed into the 805 Writers Conference for which she’s the conference director and producer. It features seminars, workshops and guest writer lecturers. In 2014, Kathleen became President of the Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network, now known as Writers & Publishers Network, a nonprofit national literary organization in the U.S., Canada, Australia and several European countries. Member benefits include website, market updates, and a bi-monthly newsletter featuring members’ latest book releases. In 2016 Kathleen was named Publicist of the Year by Book Publicists of Southern California.

When she joined the Board of the Ojai Film Festival in 2017, she managed its marketing for more than two years.

She also became the marketing director for the Ojai Art Center Theater, helping to launch two very successful play seasons with its Artistic Director, Richard Camp. She is now a Board member of the Ojai Performing Arts Theater (OPAT).

Kathleen started in rock and has rolled her way through a long, successful career in public relations and marketing, creating a playlist of marketing opportunities for government, corporate and nonprofit clients, exhibitors, and authors… plus a slew of rock’n’roll artists along the way. Elton and Bernie might call her Rock-et Woman!

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Donna Sallen

Fabulous and charmingly inviting, this two-story Victorian estate is nestled in the magical East End of Ojai.

Surrounded by organic orchards and meticulous landscaping, this home is filled with Southern Charm. The wraparound porch looks out to the gardens, as the country kitchen and breakfast nook looks out to the pool and tennis court. Perfectly situated nearby are the spacious guesthouse, separate cottages, and a writer’s studio creating plenty of living space for friends and family. This relaxing and inviting estate is truly elegant.

There’s no place like home ...

Let me find yours.

El Viaje was inspired by architectural design of an Italian Luxury Villa where Old World Charm and the modern conveniences of every day life come together perfectly. As you enter through the gates to a private, secluded yard you will love the mix of mature trees, the rose gardens, and the cozy seating areas.

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

Rethinking All-Cash Offers Buying in a Hot Real Estate Market?

By Therese A. Hartmann

A friend called this morning to go over two offers for her home. Mind you, her house hadn’t been on the market so these were unsolicited offers! One offer was non-contingent (they didn’t have to sell anything first) and all cash. The other was a great offer but they needed a loan.

Which offer should she accept?

It’s never, ever completely straightforward. Depending on the motivation of the seller, something a good agent will know, you’ll find many reasons for someone selling.If there is a Notice of Default, for example, the motivation might be stronger than if an owner died and heirs were selling it. Or, it could be that the sellers have put in an offer on another home. In that instance, there would be an urgency to getting the house sold quickly. In this case, they might appreciate a fast escrow which could come from getting a loan from an experienced loan officer or taking an allcash offer. So, is an all-cash offer always the best offer from the seller’s point of view?I’m here to tell you that having an all-cash offer means nothing if the buyer doesn’t follow through. If you have motivated buyers who will be borrowing money to buy the home — who are 16

preapproved with a reputable lender — this could be your best buyer.

The Conquest program recently rolled out by United Wholesale Mortgage — one of the lenders I personally use the most — is known for getting files turned around in 2-3 weeks. This is generally shorter than most escrow periods! Either way, the end result is exactly the same. The seller sells and the buyer buys. On target, on time!

From a buyer’s point of view, write a letter to the owners to let them know how much you love their home. Include a picture of your family. Get pre-approved and place the pre-approval with the offer. And don’t be afraid to offer fullprice to cinch the deal. There will be opportunities to negotiate once the physical inspection is completed.

And frankly, with rates under 3 percent for many Fannie/Freddie loans, your interest rate can be more meaningful than getting another $20k off the purchase price.

A final suggestion is to stick with one agent. If they see you are loyal, you’ll get the royal treatment and they will come to you first with any rare gems that come on the market.

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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.

Donna Sallen

Sitting on nearly half an acre surrounded by mature trees, this charming home has a lot to offer. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with a nice, bright living room with a fireplace. The dining room opens out to a covered porch when you can sit and just relax. This home is very private and quiet. So come and see this cozy little gem.

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.

OM — July 2020

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Ten Tips For Hosting A Socially Distant Party

Photo by Adi Goldstein

By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela

The best way to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus is to stay home as much as possible and do our socializing online and over the phone.

While virtual gatherings are still the safest, I know that summer is here and that many of you are looking forward to hosting your first barbecue of the season or finally hanging out with friends.

So, since we all know that backyard gatherings are happening more these days, let’s go over 10 ways you can practice risk reduction and make your next social gathering as safe as possible.

1. Keep the guest list small: Virtual events are still the safest, but if you really need some in-person socializing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider “smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear cloth face coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area (e.g., community, 18

town, city, or county)” as less risky than larger gatherings.

2. Send invitations: Invitations have always set the tone for a party and let your guests know what to expect, but they serve an even more important purpose now. Sending a paper or email invitation is the perfect opportunity to spell out exactly how the gathering will work and what precautions everyone will be expected to follow. This will help invitees know what to expect and to determine if they feel comfortable enough to attend. Invitations are also crucial for a social distancing party where you might be asking folks to bring their own chairs, utensils, or drinks. Give your invitees all of the information they need for your party to be a success and for everyone to feel comfortable and prepared.

3. Host the gathering outdoors: The risk of airborne transmission is lower outdoors, so that is definitely where you should host your gatherOM — July 2020

ing. This does not bring the risk to zero, but it is much better than sharing stagnant air indoors.

4. Designate a single entrance and exit: One option is to host the gathering in your driveway or in your front yard, which will likely mean no one needs to touch doors or gates to get to the party. If you will be hosting it in your backyard, it is better to have your guests go through an open gate than to go through the house.

5. Prepare your bathroom: Make a clear line to the bathroom to guide traffic and reduce folks touching things on their way in and out. Make sure you are well stocked on hand soap, and consider disposable guest towels. These are not the greatest option for the environment, but they may reduce the chance of exposure.

Equip your bathroom with a trash can with a bag but no lid or with a no-touch trash can, which is a good thing for us all to be considering investing in at this point anyways.

8. Make it a theme party to make mask wearing more fun: It is absolutely essential that you and your guests wear masks at all times when you are not eating or drinking. To make this more fun, consider making it a themed mask party or asking your guests to wear masks that are funny, ugly, or fancy.

6. Consider making it a BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic) party: The less you have multiple people touching surfaces and utensils the better. One way to do this is to have everyone bring their own picnic basket or cooler with their food, drinks, utensils, napkins, and plates. You can even have them bring their own blanket or lawn chairs to set up at least six feet apart from other guests.

Most importantly, do not share food or utensils. Do not serve food buffet style or family style. If you are serving food or drinks, designate one person wearing a mask and gloves to do all of the cooking, grilling, and serving.

This will help avoid multiple people touching utensils or bottles.

9. Have hand sanitizer readily available: Make sure you have hand sanitizer at the entrance so that your guests can sanitize their hands before entering the party space. If they might be going inside your house to use the restroom, keep hand sanitizer at that entrance as well, and ask your guests to use it before entering.

7. Choose activities that allow for social distancing: Chatting from your respective picnic blankets is a good way to stay six feet apart at all times, but if you want to include some activities, consider those that still allow for social distancing. Horseshoes, cornhole, and bocce are examples of activities that allow you to be social while keeping your distance. Keep in mind that you will still be touching the same bean bags or horseshoes, so keep hand sanitizer on hand and wash your hands after the game.

10. Make the space as safe as possible: Sanitize all surfaces, doorknobs, chairs, gate latches, handles, faucets, toilets, trash cans, and anything else your guests might touch both before the party and after your guests leave.

Make signs to remind your guests to wash their hands often. Have a no-touch trash can or a trash can with a bag and no lid in the party space so that your guests can easily throw things away and you can safely dump the trash after the party.

CAFE EMPORIUM Ojai’s Cafe Emporium is a turnkey, well-established breakfast and lunch restaurant, located in the heart of downtown Ojai. Prime location steps away from all of Ojai’s events and attractions. Ojai Cafe’ Emporium has for more than 34 years addressed the need in the community for a warm and friendly dining experience for family, friends and business. A family tradition for every generation serving high-quality, fresh and healthy food. And if you crave something sweet, there is an adjoining bakery producing fresh baked goods every morning.

Take advantage of this prime piece of commercial real estate with a fully operational up-and-running business.

RARE PRIME LOCATION

CAFE EMPORIUM: $2,099,000

In Ojai’s downtown Arcade.

Originally the Bank of Ojai.

Bank vault still in place. 16’x 32’ front room16’x36’ rear room with access from Ojai Arcade plaza 1/2 bath and storage room. High ceilings. $799,000

OM — July 2020

TOM WEBER

805-320-2004

Broker | CalDre # DRE#00805061

TomWeber@OjaiTom.com

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WHO’S WHO

IN OJAI REAL ESTATE?

TO BE LISTED HERE, PLEASE CALL ROSS @ 805-207-5094

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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

Sharon MaHarry Keller Williams Realty, 109 North Blanche Street, Ojai.

805) 766-7889

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

Anne Williamson Keller Williams Realty Anneshomesinojai.com 805-320-3314

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

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

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

805-340-3774

Marsha Kaye Home Mortgage Consultant Phone: 805640-0654 Cell: 805-7469055 marsha.kaye@ homebridge. com

Stephen Adelman Broker Associate “Your Family Man Realtor” LIV Sotheby’s realestateojai@ gmail.com ojailuxuryrealestate.com 805-640-5563

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

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

Dennis Guernsey LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

Stacy Cadenasso Keller Williams Realty, 109 North Blanche Street, Ojai.

805-217-2676

805-798-1998

OM — July 2020

The Masked

men and women of ojai Nora Davis LIV Sotheby’s International Realty OjaiValleyEstates. com 805-207-6177

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

Joe Davis Full service property management, residential • Commercial • Industrial JoeTheRentalGuy.com.

805-574-9774

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

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

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

Therese A. Hartmann is a local loan consultant affiliated with C2 Financial Corporation, and is a Licensed Broker, California BRE #01048403. NMLS # 298291. For a free consultation, call Therese today at (805) 798-2158.

Hildegard Tallent CalBRE# 02047013 Keller Williams Realty, 109 N. Blanche Street Tel: 805-798-1872 email: hildegard. tallent@kw.com

Deckert / DePaola Keller Williams Realty Cheryl Deckert, Broker Associate Ray Deckert, Broker Associate Maria DePaola, Realtor Associate Team@DeckertDePaola.com 805-272-5221

OM — July 2020

Dawn E. Shook - Executive Officer, Ojai Valley Board of REALTORS Hi! We are doing our best to keep all around us safe!

The Governor of California has recently mandated masks for everyone! (except for age two and under) when inside any building or walking outside if six-feet separation cannot be accomplished.

None of us want to wear a mask, however, it seems it keeps all of us safer than we realiz ... and it is “almost normal” to see most of us in a mask.

Now it is a look we see daily, and is becoming more acceptable to us all. Now, I am used to wearing a mask of some kind when I go grocery or retail shopping, walking in a crowded outdoor area, and definitely within a closed door atmosphere. I find myself looking at people’s masks so see what kind they are wearing, whether it be a neck gater, elastic over-the-ear mask, or a kerchief-style one.

We have gotten creative making masks of all designs and styles, and it is actually interesting to see what colors, sizes, and shapes masks can be!

Mark that down as one of the good things we can garner through these uncertain times…. Cooking and Cleaning are up there, too!

Hope to see you all soon, when we are able, and do try to keep the good thoughts around us, until then!

21

AGAVE MARIA Fresh, wholesome Mexican food & drink 106 South Montgomery Street (805) 646-6353 agavemarias.com

JIM & ROB’S FRESH GRILL Mexican-American & regional favorites 214 West Ojai Avenue #100 (805) 640-1301 jimandrobsojai.com

AJ EXPRESS CHINESE EXPRESS Gourmet Chinese food to eat in or to go 11566 North Ventura Avenue (805) 646-1177 ajchinesecuisine.com

JJ’S SPORTS ZONE The go-to place for food & sports 820 North Ventura Avenue (805) 649-4655 jjssportszone.com

OJAI PIZZA COMPANY 331 Ojai Ave. (Downtown Ojai) 545-7878 TheOnlyGoodPizza.com OJAI ROTIE Rotisserie, sourdough, winebox 469 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9227 ojairotie.com

AZU Spanish & Mediterranean comfort food 457 East Ojai Avenue (805) 640-7987, azuojai.com

HIP VEGAN Vegan sandwiches, salads & bowls 201 North Montgomery Street hipvegancafe.com (805) 669-6363

PAPA LENNON’S Family owned, original & Italian cuisine 515 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-7388 papalennons.com

BOCCALI’S Pizza & Pasta, from our farm to our tables 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road (805) 646-6116 boccalis.com

HOME KITCHEN OF OJAI Breakfast and lunch in a warm space 1103 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-5346 HomeKitchenofOjai.com

RAINBOW BRIDGE A community gathering place 211 East Matilija Street (805) 646-6623 rainbowbridgeojai.com

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

KNEAD BAKING COMPANY An artisanal family bakery 469 East Ojai Avenue (310) 770-3282 kneadbakingcompany.com

THE RANCH HOUSE An Ojai culinary destination for more than 60 years 102 Besant Road (805) 646-2360 theranchhouse.com

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 E Ojai Avenue (805) 640-1577 THE DEER LODGE An Ojai legend since 1932 2261 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-4256 deerlodgeojai.com

MANDALA Pan-Asian Cuisine 11400 North Ventura Road (805) 613-3048 THE NEST 401 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9035 thenestojai.com NO SO VITA Ojai’s social cafe 205 North Signal Street (805) 646-1540 nosovita.com

FARMER & THE COOK The best of organic Ojai 339 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-9608 farmerandcook.com

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

FOOD HARMONICS Nutritional Love 254 East Ojai Avenue (Arcade) (805) 798-9253

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

22

OM — July 2020

traditional

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

Chimichurri Tofu kabobs I looked up chimichurri on the Internet the other night. One website says that it is “a piquant sauce or marinade traditionally used in South American and Mexican cooking.” Another definition says that it is used as a “marinade for or topping on grilled meat.” There was nothing in any of the definitions that indicated it was used in vegetarian cooking. I took that as a challenge. Why can’t a sauce, I thought, that is made with fresh ingredients such as parsley, garlic, oregano leaves, red pepper flakes, olive oil and red wine vinegar be used on barbecued tofu? I decided that there was no reason at all that it can’t. Even meat lovers will like this vegan recipe for tofu kabobs with chimichurri sauce. Make the sauce the day before you barbecue for maximum flavor.

INGREDIENTS: Chimichurri: 2 cups packed flat leave parsley leaves (no stems) 4 medium garlic cloves (minced) 4 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano ¼ cup red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes ½ teaspoon kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil Kabobs: 14 ounces extra-firm organic tofu (cut into 1-1/2 inch cubes)

Randy Graham is a writer, author, and private chef. He enjoys cooking for friends and family using ingredients from backyard vegetable and herb gardens. His food is often called “vegetarian comfort food.” He and his wife, Robin, live in Ojai, California, with their dog, Willow. Robin and Willow are not vegetarians. For additional recipes see Chef Randy’s website at valley-vegetarian.com

Healthy

Summer/Fall

Quick + Easy

Vegan

DIRECTIONS: Chimichurri: Place parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. I use a Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus. Process for about 60 seconds or until finely chopped.

Tofu Kabobs: Preheat grill to high heat (about 600 degrees).

Place tofu cubes in a large baggie and add 4 tablespoons Chimichurri sauce. Shake cubes to cover with sauce and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Allow tofu to marinate in the baggie for about 20 minutes.

Thread marinated tofu cubes onto bamboo skewers. Grill for two to three minutes on one side. Turn over and grill for two minutes more. The tofu should be slightly charred and beginning to crisp.

Remove skewers to a serving platter and drizzle a little more sauce on each skewer. Transfer remaining sauce to a small bowl and bring to the table as a condiment.

OM — July 2020

23

Taylor 20” x 16”

Design and Supply for Your Living Spaces

DUANE EELLS Mar. 12-July 5: BOUNDLESS • DUANE EELLS AND JAMES PETRUCCI Fox Fine Jewelry, Ventura • Receception: 3/14, 6-8 PM Gallery:

OVA Arts, 238 Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA

Collect Online at eells.com Studio visits by appointment. • duane@eells.com 24

OM — July 2020

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

Dale Hanson

Come Home To

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.

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

Available at Frontier Paint 227 Baldwin Rd, Ojai 646-0459 • Frontierpaintca.com Selling quality in Ojai for over 37 years

OM — July 2020

25

Pr ic e ffe ri n g O Ne w

AZU RESTAURANT AND BAR A zu has been a central downtown gathering place for nearly 20 years. Ojai’s original California tapas bar, A zu is a place where foodies and families can enjoy casual sophistication and local flavors. The lovingly restored 1910 building has over 5600 sq. ft. of indoor space. An historical building in a prime location, it could easily be conver ted to offices, a wellness center, or a retail space.

Currently, A zu has multiple dining areas with 160 seats. In front is a full bar with family tables, front sidewalk dining, and an intimate fireplace dining room. In back is a private dining room with a second full bar and a garden patio. There are two full k itchens, one for regular dining and one for private events and catering.

AzuRestaurantOjai.com Offered at $2,450,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

26

OM — July 2020

LET US HELP YOU GET IT OUT. Full Service Publishing House

Photo by Andraz Lazic

DO YOU HAVE A BOOK IN YOU?

Award-winning writers & editors

We can help you with everything from first draft to first sale (writing coaches • editors • designers • publishing)

editor@ojaiquarterly.com

805-798-0177 OM — July 2020

ojaihub.com 27

FOUNDING FATHERS & MOTHERS While Edward Drummond Libbey is rightfully regarded among Ojai’s chief benefactors — having been behind the buildbing 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

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

28

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

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 OM — July 2020

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.”

OQ | HI K I NG M AP 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3

4

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

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

6

7

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

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

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

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

Trailhead at north end of Gridley Road.

Trailhead 8 miles north of Ojai on Maricopa Highway.

Short, intense hike that also connects to trail network.

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

9

10

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

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

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

Only for experienced, f it hikers.

Views are unsurpassed.

OM — July 2020

29

We know Ojai.

106+ Acre Country Retreat with Mountain and Lake Views, Horse Facilities & Exquisite, Custom, Stone House www.LuckyQRanchOjai.com Price Upon Request

Four-Bedroom Arbolada Home with Guest House, Pool, Four Fireplaces & Mountain Views. www.407TicoRoad.com $2,199,000

SOLD

Custom Four-Bedroom Home on 5.43 acres near Downtown with Formal Living & Dining, Butler’s Pantry and More.

1436NorthMontgomeryStreet.com $1,595,000

6-Acre Horse Property with 5-Bedroom Main House, 2-Bedroom Guest House, Pool, Horse Facilities, Solar and Views www.1577KenewaStreet.com $2,199,000

SOLD

SOLD

Custom Spanish Revival Home in the East End on 7.5 Acres with Gated Entry, MultiRoom Master Suite. www.5180ReevesRoad.com $3,450,000

The Davis Group ojaivalleyestates.com

Three-bedroom, two-bathroom with covered porch, fireplace, breakfast bar, gated parking, barn, corral, and shared well. $795,000

Nora Davis

BRE License #01046067

805.207.6177

nora@ojaivalleyestates.com

We’re lifelong residents.

277+Acre ranch with five recently renovated houses, equestrian facilities, pastures, hay fields, stunning views and so much more. www.29443hwy33.com $6,250,000

Four-bedroom, three-bathroom home on over an acre with formal living and dining rooms, spacious master suite with dual-sink vanity and jetted soaking tub, several recent updates and amazing mountain views. $1,320,000

Three-bedroom Creek Road home on large lot with electric gate, workshop, studio/office over two-car garage, pool and spa, upstairs laundry, wood floors, RV parking, fruit trees, river rock walkways and many recent upgrades. $1,350,000

ESCROW

2 BR, 1 BA with detached garage, RV parking, recent upgrades within walking distance of shops and restaurants. $519,000

Kellye Lynn

BRE License #01962469

805.798.0322

SOLD

Meticulously renovated three-bedroom, two-bathroom oasis with pool, cabana and views on large lot one block from downtown and adjacent to Ojai Valley Trail. $1,879,000

SOLD

Remodeled 1918 cottage with lots of charm and character. Walking distance to downtown shops and restaurants. $774,000

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

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

805.236.3814 | gabrielacesena@bhhscal.com LIC# 01983530

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