Editor’s Note

DISCOVER OJAI MONTHLY

Bret Bradigan

SHOOTING FOR THE STARS

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.” — Richard Feynman

Horn Canyon looks like the aftermath of a giant infant’s play party, boulders strewn like a messy box of blocks. Rugged and ancient, the canyon holds layers of secrets. On the northside ridge, a ridged metal dome stands out like an anachronistic thumb. That would be the Thacher School Observatory, where its 16-inch reflector telescope reveals the secrets that loom above us in the vastness of space.

Dr. Jon Swift has been heading up the prestigious school’s astrophysics program for ten years now, and in doing, has helped the young students earn professional credentials, co-authoring dozens of scientific papers, discovering and studying exoplanets especially, the earth-sized globes that orbit distant stars. From the first confirmed discovery in 1992 of two planets by radio astronomers Aleksander Wolszczan and Dale Frail, now more than 4,000 exoplanets have been discovered, many earth-sized at an earth-equivalent distance from their suns, the so-called ‘‘Goldilocks’’ range, where it is most likely that life as we know it might exist or even flourish.

Swift was interviewed on the Ojai: Talk of the Town’’ podcast. Check it out wherever you catch your podcasts. He talked about the program’s importance to the increasingly-connected world of astrophysics, where it is difficult to book time on major observatories to test or confirm studies and observations, and how the science that goes on in Ojai is just as important to the larger picture of our understanding as any other observatory.

The observatory’s history goes back much further, to the days of cosmologist Edwin Hubble, who gave the school’s commencement address in 1942. Caltech’s Richard Feynman gave 9 lectures at Thacher’s Summer Science Program between 1960 and 1980. Feynman’s genius, or one of them at least, was bringing complicated and theoretical physics to vivid understanding with sometimes nothing more than an orange and a pencil. He was also quite a character. Besides bringing scientific rigor to the calculating of quantum electrodynamics (for which he won the Nobel Prize) and inventing the concept of nano-particles (‘‘There’s always plenty of room at the bottom,’’), he was, at age 21, the Manhattan Project’s youngest scientist.

One of the great advantages of living in Ojai is that we have so many truly outstanding private schools. I believe our public schools benefit, not only because of the competition, but because of the opportunities for collaboration. I’d love to see some cross-hybridization that brings in Ojai’s best and brightest Nordhoff science-oriented kids to work with their Thacher peers. Not only would it be a chance for broadening exposure for students who would not ordinarily meet each other, but it could launch stellar careers.

There’s probably a lot of reasons why it wouldn’t work, but at the moment I can’t think of a one.

PROVIDING HOME LOANS FOR OVER 25 YEARS!

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

“This is my third loan through Therese Hartmann. I was informed of the loan status as it went through the various stages right through to the end. Therese was always available for questions or concerns. Highly recommend!”

— R Nason

(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 Estelle, 24x12”

EELLS

Gallery: OVA Arts, 238 Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA

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

Back to Top

PEACEFUL OJAI OASIS

On a 2½ acre lot with spectacular views, this completely renovated luxury home is a peaceful oasis ideal for family, entertaining or retreat. The light-filled interior features wide-plank wood floors, French doors, high-ceilings, designer lighting and a modern palette. The completely remodeled chef’s kitchen opens to a dining room/living area with a large fireplace. The master bath includes a steam shower, jacuzzi and an infrared sauna. A pergola covered porch takes full advantage of the view and a pool complex includes a spa, a cabana, and a covered outdoor kitchen/dining area. There is an attached one-bedroom guest suite with kitchenette. The grounds feature mature oaks, citrus, rose and lavender gardens. Only minutes from downtown Ojai, this unique property offers Ojai living at its best. 11089EncinoDrOjai.com Offered at $3,100,000