Ojai Monthly - October 2023

in a magical, nearly hidden downtown location. The front house is a 5br/3.5ba 3500sqft Mediterranean with balconies, high ceilings, large windows and a guest suite with kitchenette. In back is a 2,123sqft 1920s cottage in an oak grove that could be potentially three separate rentals or a large secondary home for offices, studios or guests.

300WSantaAnaStOjai.com

Offered at $4,200,000

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

1068 CUYAMA ROAD

Exquisite upgrades throughout this Arbolada home. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths of approx. 2,350 sf on an almost 1/2-acre lot. Highly desirable area within easy walking distance to downtown and shopping. Peaceful mountain views. Attached guest studio with its own entrance and private rear deck. Every square foot of this property, inside and out has been upgraded with high end finishes. Custom cabinetry, granite counters, gleaming original wood floors and tile floors. Stone walkways and majestic oaks. Detached oversized two-car garage insulated and drywalled.

$2,200,000

1046 CUYAMA ROAD

805-320-2004

Ojai Valley Homes For

Wonderful lot in very desirable Ojai’s Arbolada. Nice mountain views from rear of property and a park-like setting. Sewer lateral at rear of property. 3’ and 2’ underground conduits to property corner. Casitas water allocation. Level lot with slight slope at rear. $799,000

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OCTOBER’S PET PROJECTS

“The poor dog, in life the firmest friend. The first to welcome, foremost to defend.” – Lord Byron

October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month, and in Ojai that's a big deal. There are more rescue dogs per capita than anywhere I've been. And yet the supply sadly continues to outstrip the demand. The Humane Society of Ventura County is raising awareness about the critical need for good homes for their wards. The Ojai facility is a hive of activity with volunteers, the busy crew, the yelps and yawps of their charges. It is no small part of what makes Ojai special.

For proof, check out our profile on Karen Terpstra, new shelter director, on pages 12-15 and the Ojai podcast, Talk of the Town, for a spirited conversation with Eric Knight, the executive director of the Humane Society of Ventura County.

I've seen first-hand the passion people have for pets. Not long after I returned to Kernville in the early 1990s as editor and publisher of the Kern Valley Sun, a horrific crime took place which captivated the valley for months. In a trailer in nearby Wofford Heights a late-night poker game got out of hand and the host was murdered by one of his guests, with several shots from a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.

What made it so much worse, what created so much outrage and fury, was that the man's dog, a pit bull, was also shot. The paper was inundated with letters to the editor, decrying this heinous act, many speculating that the dog died in the line of duty, trying to protect his master. Foolishly, I wrote a column referencing the imbalance of outcry between the murdered man and his murdered dog. It was as if the much greater crime was killing the dog, the man was a rarely mentioned afterthought. It was just an aside in the column summing up the news of the week, but you'd think I had killed that dog myself from the calls and letters.

Two women, one the shelter director, the other a key volunteer, visited my office, I assumed to give me a good scolding. Instead, though, they educated me, took me on a tour of the shelter which saved the lives of hundreds of dogs a year. It was not a no-kill shelter; they couldn't possible find enough adopters for their supply, but they did their darndest. It was a lot, for a facility with one paid employee and as many volunteers as they could entice, with only a small grant from Kern County with which to operate.

"What I would like you to understand, is that people who would kill a dog would also kill people. It's a sure sign of sociopathy," the shelter director told me. They also mentioned the correlations between abused dogs and abused children, how people take out their frustrations on their pets, then their spouse and children, how a healthy pet-owner relationship can set up kids for future success, that people with pets live longer and report greater satisfaction.

I have in my life written some thousands of editorials, and only a few do I wish I could take back. That was one. All I had to do was look at my own adopted dog to understand the passion.

Bret Bradigan

OCTOBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

events

OCTOBER 7-9

Ojai Studio Artists Tour

Dates: Saturday

Times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Locations: More than 70 artist studios in the Ojai Valley. The event is headquartered at the Ojai Valley Museum, 109 Blanche Street Contact: OjaiStudioArtists.org

OCTOBER 21

Ojai Day

Date: Saturday

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Libbey Park

Contact: OjaiDay.com

805-646-5581

The community comes together to celebrate each other. Activities include bounce houses, face painting, cultural activities, animal education, live music, car and trailer shows, food trucks and more.

OCTOBER 26-29

Ojai Storytellers Festival

Dates: Thursday to Sunday

Times: Multiple Events

Locations: Ojai Art Center

113 South Montgomery Street

Contact: OjaiStoryFest.org

This decades-old Ojai tradition begins

with a Meet the Tellers reception Thursday, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Ojai Art Center, with with Noa Baum, Reverend Robert Jones Jr., Peter Cook, Vijai Nathan, Niall de Burca, Carmen AgraDeedy and Tim Lowry.

OCTOBER 20 TO MARCH 4

“Ojai Mystique”

Location: Ojai Valley Museum, 130 West Ojai Avenue

Times: Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: 805-640-1390

OjaiValleyMuseum.org

This special exhibit features 21 nationally renowned artists with their interpretations of one place, Ojai.

NOVEMBER 2-6

VIRTUAL: NOV. 7-19

Ojai Film Festival

Dates: Thursday to Sunday

Times: Varied

Locations: Varied

Contact: Info@OjaiFilmFestival.com

805-640-1947

Since 2000, the Ojai Film Festival has celebrated cinema with dozens of screenings and special events.

podcast

NOVEMBER 11-12

Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace

Dates: Saturday & Sunday

Times: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Locations: Varied

Contact: Info@OjaiFestival.org

805-640-2094

The Ojai Music Festival has hosted tours of Ojai’s most distinctive, and distinguished, homes for 26 years.

THURSDAYS

“ Ojai: Talk of the Town” Podcast New episodes out Thursday evenings.

THURSDAYS

“ Ojai: Talk of the Town” Podcast

New episodes come out Thursday evenings through OjaiHub.com newsletter. Guests have included Malcolm McDowell on the 50th anniversary of “A Clockwork Orange,” and Sergio Aragonés on his 60 years as a cartoonist at Mad Magazine. With more than 160 hour-long episodes, the Ojai podcast is an important part of our community’s collective wisdom and insight. Sign up at OjaiHub.com for a free newsletter of Ojai events, news, arts, entertainment, history and culture.

OJAI STORYTELLERS FESTIVAL | OCTOBER 26-29 | OjaiStoryFest.org

OJAI DAY | OCTOBER 21 | OjaiDay.com

OJAI PODCAST, ‘TALK OF THE TOWN | OjaiHub.com | OjaiStoryFest.org

KAREN TERPSTRA

BY BRET BRADIGAN

give them shelter: karen terpstra's mission to ojai

Karen Terpstra’s career in animal welfare began inauspiciously. She was working in the entertainment industry as the Vice President of Operations, living in Pasadena when her company went out of business. As a lifelong animal lover, she was intrigued by an opening for assistant executive director at the shelter in Pasadena, “and they wanted someone with business experience. Although I adopted from and spent a lot of time at that shelter, I had not worked in animal welfare before,” Terpstra said.

Terpstra joined the Humane Society of Ventura County as Director of Shelter Operations in March.

“Once I started working in animal welfare, I knew that it would be a lifetime pursuit,” she said. “I learned a great deal on the job and from the executive director. I also became involved with several national organzations and the training and networking opportunities they offered. “I have pursued opportunities at shelters around the country,” helping them update and modernize their practices. This includes pet food pantries, low-cost vaccines, access to affordable spay-neuter and

TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) of community cats.

She walks the walk, having adopted close to 800 kittens. “I started fostering in 1998. At that time most shelters would euthanize underage animals (those under eight weeks). I get them as young as born that day to a couple days old, then bottle feed them, wean and litter train when they are old enough and socialize them,” she said. “Generally, they are ready for adoption when they reach eight weeks in age, or two pounds in weight.”

Working in shelters, it is a perk of the job that she can bring the kittens to work and feed them as required, generally every two to four hours. “In 25 years of fostering, I have only adopted and kept five of my fosters, and each of those had medical or behavioral issues that would have made them difficult to place.”

At present, she shares her home with five adopted animals: Mini, an English bulldog and four cats.

Karen Terpstra with Mimi, the shelter's official greeter.

Terpstra took a few questions from Ojai Monthly.

Where did you grow up? Can you tell us about your early life? What did you want to be when you grew up?

I grew up in Sacramento, the San Fernando Valley, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. My dad was a Presbyterian minister and moved a few times. We lived in Sacramento through my sixth-grade year. I have two older siblings. Sacramento was a wonderful place to grow up in the 1970s. We were free-range kids, rode our bikes everywhere and stayed out until dinner time. We had a dog we got as a puppy from someone giving them away at church (and he wasn’t neutered until he was eight years old!), two cats, and my sister had rabbits that she showed for 4H. I always loved animals and went to horse camp one summer. I was on the swim team from age six through high school. It probably doesn’t sound believable, but I wanted to manage a nonprofit when I grew up or be a veterinarian.

How’d you come to Ojai? Why?

I moved back to California to take a job at Santa Barbara Humane. That position was terminated as part of their pandemic restructuring of staff. I live in Ventura near the beach and really wanted to stay in the area since my parents are in Pasadena and I want to live near them. When the Humane Society of Ventura County posted the position for the Director of Shelter Operations, I was very excited. It is a job/ position that I love, I live in the area already, I knew some of the staff, and I had previously adopted a dog from HSVC and had fostered kittens for them. I knew that they were going through a process of growth and culture shift, and I wanted to be part of that process. I did not previously know much about Ojai previously, but I have enjoyed getting to know the community and people.

Can you describe a day in the life of the Shelter Manager?

One of the things I love most about this job is that it doesn’t involve sitting at a desk on a computer all day long. We start the day with a

morning huddle of staff who are able to attend where we share news, announcements, and anything planned for the day. As the Director of Shelter Operations, the areas to which I report directly include Volunteer Coordinator, Foster Coordinator, Client Services Manager (adoptions, intake, phone calls, etc.), Animal Care Manager and Assistant Manager, Behavior and Enrichment Manager, Equine Manager, and Facilities Coordinator. I also work closely with our veterinarians and clinic staff even though the Clinic is a separate department.

I usually walk around and check in with the various departments, see how the animals are doing, and find out if anyone has concerns or issues that I can help with. I make sure that we have the feed and supplies we need for the care of the animals and maintenance of the facility. A great deal of my day is spent answering questions, problemsolving and figuring how we can best help the animals and the community. When people have animals they can no longer keep, or have found an animal, or a litter of kittens, or want to adopt but it’s an unusual situation, the answers don’t always fit neatly into our SOPs or guidelines. One of the things I love most about HSVC’s culture shift is that our Executive Director Eric Knight promotes an approach of “How Can We?”

We do group rounds a few times a week with one of our veterinarians, our Animal Care Manager (or Assistant Manager), the Foster Coordinator, the Behavior Manager, and me. We look at all of the animals in our care, discuss any concerns or estimated availability for adoption, and if we need to do anything differently to provide better physical and emotional/mental care for the animal while it is at our shelter. There are various interdepartmental meetings throughout the week to make sure we are all aware of what we are working on how we can best support each other and work together.

Some of the time is spent on various employee issues including scheduling, interviewing/hiring, job descriptions and reviews, staff development, and SOPs.

We plan for a great part of the day, but because the work involves

Karen Terpstra at the Santa Barbara Humane Society.

Terpstra at the Cincinnati branch of the SPCA.

With one of the shelter's cats. Terpstra has fostered hundreds.

animals and people, we can always be surprised by who or what comes through the door needing our help.

What are specific needs and goals of the Ojai facility?

Our overall goal is to be one of the best animal welfare agencies in the area, in the state, and in the nation. I was hired to decrease length of stay for the shelter animals, increase adoptions, and bring our operations to best practices and highest standards for animal welfare. What we need most are volunteers, people willing to foster animals for us (not just kittens — but adult cats, dogs who need a break from the shelter, puppies), donors, and adopters. The greater the support from the community, the better able we are to help more animals and the people who care about them. We are updating our adoption process to make sure we get the right animals into the right homes without it feeling like a test you have to study for, and we are doing our best

to help people who are unable to keep their animals without them feeling shamed. We want to be the community resource for people with animals, providing low cost spay/neuter and vaccines, microchipping, pet food pantry, Humane Investigations, emergency evacuation temporary housing, behavior assistance before and after adoption or when considering relinquishment, and of course, helping people find a cat, dog, or horse that is a good fit for your family. We are in very early stages of planning for a new kennel building and will keep the community updated on this project.

What trends have you noticed over your career? The breeds of animals, moves away from euthanasia, how the pandemic impacted the shelter, veterinary practices, etc?

The trends tend to follow whatever animal is popular and there are regional differences. When I first started in animal welfare in the late 1990s, the shelter was full of Shepherd mixes, lab mixes, Chihuahuas, and Pit Bull

type dogs. Many dogs labeled as Pit Bulls are not even breeds when DNA testing is done. Breed bans and insurance exclusions based on the look of an animal (and not an individual animal’s behavior history or temperament), or the suspected breed and media reports focused on dog bites or attacks by certain breeds result in them ending up in shelters. Movies have a big impact too, resulting in Dalmatian (“101 Dalmations”) and Malinois dogs (“Dog” starring Channing Tatum) being popular. We are currently seeing a lot of German Shepherds and Huskies in our shelter and in the area. French Bulldogs are the currently the most popular dog breed in America. We have had them relinquished to the shelter because they had health problems that the owners could not afford to treat. If people are attracted to how a particular breed looks, we recommend researching the health and activity needs of that type of dog and making sure you have the resources to meet its needs. Hound breeds are quite common in rural areas and those where hunting is popular. We see a lot of Cattle Dogs

in our area because of the ranch properties.

When I started in animal welfare, euthanasia for time and space was common throughout the country. There was a very positive trend over the years that led to less overcrowding of shelters because animals were safely spayed and neutered before adoption and at younger ages, and more people were going to shelters to acquire pets instead of to breeders. The pandemic created a perfect storm that has led to overcrowding of shelters once again.

Many people wanted pets during the work from home phase. Shelters were running out of animals, so breeders were supplying animals for them. Many shelters and veterinarians were not performing spay neuter surgeries during the height of the pandemic, leading to many accidental litters. People who acquired dogs during the pandemic have returned to the office and they no longer have time for the dog, or the dog has developed behavior issues that they are unable to manage.

Many veterinarians have left the field in the past few years, making it more difficult to get vet care and the waiting list for spay neuter

surgeries can be lengthy at the clinics that are able to provide low cost or subsidized surgeries.

Although all shelters seem inundated with kittens during kitten season, there have been some positive trends for cats. Trap Neuter Return (TNR) and care and acceptance of community cats has become far more popular and accessible, helping to reduce cat overpopulation.

Can you tell us the origins of the Ventura County Humane Society shelter?

On the original articles of incorporation from June of 1932,there were 15 names on that document who came together as the original directors. Up until 1982, as we currently understand, the Society moved around with temporary locations (including one in Santa Paula in the 1970s), and out of people’s homes. In 1982, we moved into two buildings on our current 4.4 acres, which was donated by Sarah Bayless. The original buildings (still in use today) were an early design by Eric Lloyd Wright, grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright. In 2011, an additional office building was built.

The Humane Society of Ventura County does not have any association with the County of Ventura and receives no funding from the County. HSVC is an independent 501c3 which relies on the generosity of individual donors to maintain operations. HSVC does have a great working relationship with Ventura County Animal Services. We work together on cases of abuse and neglect, and we transfer animals in from VCAS for adoption whenever possible.

Can you describe what you’d like to see for the future?

We’re going to build a new kennel to replace the aging facility from 1982, and we’ll be providing an elevated level of care and housing for the animals. Before that building even goes up, we are increasing our capacity for care by adding an additional veterinarian. We are committed to being part of the overall solution to the crisis in animal welfare. Shelters are bursting at the seams, there is a veterinarian shortage, and an RVT shortage. When we increase our capacity, we relieve some of the burden in the region, state, and beyond. We’re taking care of our community, and we’re committed to being part of the overall solution. The future is extremely bright for HSVC. The organization has done amazing things, and we’re on the brink of so much more.

Above, left and right: Terpstra with a few of the 800 kittens she has adopted or fostered in her career, plus one dog.

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

EAST END MAGIC $5,200,000 FOR SALE PROPERTY DETAIL

Built in 1922, this iconic Spanish home is part of the original Whale Rock Ranch famous for its giant outcropping of whaleshaped rock, considered to be the largest Chumash carving in the west. Nestled in the prestigious East End of Ojai up a meandering road, this compound of three separate structures is situated perfectly on a two-acre private park-like setting inhabited by majestic oak trees, exotic cactus gardens, hand-crafted stone walls and views. The two story main house is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with Italian single stone carved marble sinks, AGA appliances, and loads of natural light. Vaulted beamed ceilings and massive rock fireplace complement the great room, a perfect mix of elegance and simplicity that creates a calming environment. A main house, pool house and a studio with bathroom and gas fireplace ready to become whatever you dream it to be.

OJAI COMPOUND

$4,250,000

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 3 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, with limestone and hand-scraped wood floors, magnificent wrought iron doors, huge new gourmet kitchen, and numerous other upgrades. Guests and visitors can stay in the 2-bedroom, 2-bath guest house or any of the four other residences making this property perfect for a large family or an individual with an entourage. Massive outdoor patios and cooking areas, two large fountains, indoor pool with gym and recreation center make this property feel like a mini Hearst Castle. Private and gated.

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

ITALIAN LUXURY VILLA

$2,075,000

2 BEDROOMS

El Viaje was inspired by the 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 flower lined barranca, and the romantic dining area.

2 BATHROOMS

Once inside, you will appreciate the elegant but simple lifestyle. With the polished concrete floors downstairs and Brazilian Cherry wood floors upstairs you will feel the warmth of this home. The cozy living room opens to the kitchen and dining room and is perfect for entertaining. There are Venetian plaster walls throughout, granite counter tops, top of the line kitchen appliances, and Smart Home’’ technology. The brilliant finishing touches and attention to detail cannot be ignored so don’t miss seeing this lovely Villa.

NEWLY REMODELED

$4,350,000

Gated and private, nestled on nearly 2.5 acres, this newly remodeled 4 bedroom home, 4 bathroom plus 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom guest house sits in a gorgeous setting on a stunning quiet street in west Ojai. With custom handmade steel and glass french doors, open spacious floor plan with plenty of room for friends and family, two-bedroom guest house, an art studio, plus an oversized finished garage, lush landscaping with a well, resurfaced pool, meandering pathways to many cozy entertaining. Located in the gated community of Rancho Matilija, just minutes from downtown Ojai.

THE OJAI LIFESTYLE

$1,425,000

Live the Ojai Lifestyle in this lovely, modern family home. You will love entertaining in this spacious, light-filled home. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom home has been tastefully updated with elegant finishes: living room with a large fireplace and bright windows; kitchen with quartz countertops and top of the line appliances for every cook’s dream; den with french doors leading to unobstructed views of Topa Topa Mountains; detached studio for a gym, office or kids playhouse.

PROPERTY DETAIL

Seven Steps to Organic Potatoes

By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela

I love growing food. I love talking about growing food. I really love sharing tips that show just how easy it is to grow at least a little food – even in tiny spaces. So, that is what I thought we would talk about this month.

Growing our own food, even if it is just a single tomato plant on a balcony, helps us stay more connected to the earth, teaches our kids where food comes from, and reminds us to appreciate the people who grow and harvest our food for us.

Gardening is time consuming, and most of us do not have room in our busy schedules to add growing food for ourselves or our families to the to-do list. In particular, most of us do not have the time or space to grow enough food to sustain us, but we can all grow something. There are plenty of easy options that probably come to mind, like radishes, carrots, tomatoes, and herbs. Today, let’s add potatoes to that list.

The experts, which I am not, will tell you that you must buy seed potatoes from a nursery, cut them into pieces, keep them in the refrigerator for a few days, and dust them with sulfur before finally planting them in either February or August. That is probably the right way to do it, but I have never done any of this, and I have grown up

to 20 potato plants at a time throughout the year. Now, it’s true that you don’t want to use conventional potatoes from the grocery store for this, because they have been treated with maleic hydrazide (a growth inhibitor), but whenever I have some organic potatoes around that I didn’t eat fast enough and have started to sprout, I plant them in the garden and watch them grow.

Here is the simplest way to grow organic potatoes in your backyard:

1. Find tall, well-draining containers in which to grow your potatoes. You can grow them in the ground, but it is much easier if you grow them in a container that you can dump out at harvest time. I use tall, fabric planters that I can fold and store in the shed when not in use.

2. Fill the bottom of the container with about four inches of soil.

3. Place your sprouted potatoes about four inches apart in the container with eyes pointed up. If your potatoes are large, you can cut them into chunks with a couple of eyes on each chunk.

4. Cover them with about four inches of soil.

5. Water regularly and watch for sprouts to begin poking through the soil in a

couple of weeks.

6. As the plants grow, continue to add soil to the container to cover most of the plant. Make sure to leave a few inches of the plant above the soil. This is going to feel wrong, since you will be covering up stems and leaves, but keep doing this until your container is full.

7. Once the plants have yellowed and withered, leave them for about a week or so, and then dump your container on a tarp or in a garden bed and sift through the soil to harvest your potatoes. You can brush off any big debris but keep them a little dirty for better longevity. Store them in a cool, dry, dark spot, and do not eat potatoes that are not firm or that have turned green. Green potatoes contain a toxic glycoalkaloid, solanine, that is toxic to us and our animal companions.

If you reuse the soil, which I usually do, you might find that you get some volunteer potato plants wherever you use it. I always seem to miss a tiny potato or two and end up with volunteer potatoes growing in other parts of the garden.

If you choose to purchase seed potatoes, check out one of our local nurseries to see if they are in stock.

FOUNDING FATHERS & MOTHERS

While Edward Drummond Libbey is rightfully regarded among Ojai’s chief benefactors — having been behind the building of such Ojai landmarks as the Ojai Valley Inn, St. Thomas Aquinas Church (now the Museum), Post Office Tower and the Arcade — others have been very influential in shaping Ojai’s identity. Here’s a few:

Annie Besant. Free-thinker, feminist and noted Theosophist. Though she only spent a few days in Ojai, she brought Krishnamurti to Ojai, and helped buy hundreds of acres of property in Ojai, (now the sites of Besant Hill School and, along with A.P. Warrington, the Krotona Center) which she called “the smiling vale.” She is considered one of the pioneers of introducing Eastern mystical thought to the West, and was an early advocate of India’s independence. and the labor movement.

Jiddhu Krishnamurti. The spiritual teacher and writer, came to Ojai in 1922, sponsored by the Theosophical Society, though he later broke with that group (“The Leaderless Path.”) He gave talks to many thousands of people each year, in the Star Camps in the oak groves west of Ojai (now the site of Oak Grove School. He once held the Guinness Book of World Records for having spoken to the greatest number of people.

Weather in Ojai

Beatrice Wood. The famed ceramicist’s (“The Mama of Dada”) greatest work of art may well have been her life. The irreverent, avant-garde Wood lived and worked in Ojai for decades until her death in 1998 at age 105. She inspired two classic movies, Francois Truffaut’s “Jules et Jim,” and James Cameron’s “Titanic.” She attributed her longevity to “chocolate and young men.” Her autobiography was appropriately titled, “I Shock Myself.” Many of her distinctive, whimsical, luminous luster-glazed pieces are on display at her former home, now the Beatrice Wood Center, in upper Ojai.

Sherman Day Thacher . After coming West to farm and care for an ailing brother, the Yale-educated Thacher realized that he was going to need another source of income. So he founded The Thacher School in 1887. Now one of the most prestigious preparatory academies in the country, its founding creed was “teach a boy to ride, shoot and tell the truth.” Also, in 1896, his brother William founded “The Ojai,” the country’s oldest amateur tennis tournament. Among Thacher’s more illustrious students were industrialist, aviator and film producer Howard Hughes and three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist Thornton Wilder, who wrote his first play while a Thacher student.

OJAI QUICK FACTS:

The name “Ojai” is believed to be derived from the Ventureño Chumash word ‘awhaý, meaning “moon.” In 1837, Fernando Tico received a land grant and established a cattle ranch. Thomas A. Scott, who had financial success with oil and railroads, bought the Ojai Valley in 1864 for oil exploration. By 1868, Scott, through his agent Thomas Bard, began selling properties to homesteaders. By 1874, R.G. Surdam plotted out the town he would call Nordhoff, renamed Ojai in 1917.

Ojai is about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 30 miles east of Santa Barbara. The valley is about 10 miles long by 3 miles wide, surrounded by hills and mountains; the rare east-west orientation with a slight southward tilt gives the valley an extraordinary sun exposure; Ojai’s citrus and avocado crops are highly prized. This orientation also gives rise to Ojai as a spiritual destination.

It was due to the resources and organizing energy of Ohio glass manufacturer Edward Drummond Libbey that Nordhoff was rebuilt and renamed Ojai, inspired by the City Beautiful Movement. By 1917, with the construction of the Arcade and Post Office Tower, the town took its present shape.

The city’s self-styled nickname is “Shangri-La,” based on the story that Ojai was the backdrop (later left on the editing room floor) from the 1937 movie as the mystical sanctuary of James Hilton’s novel “Lost Horizon.”

Ross Falvo Keller Williams Realty

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

WHO’S WHO IN OJAI REAL ESTATE?

Dennis Guernsey LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

805-798-1998

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

Nora Davis LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

OjaiValleyEstates. com

805-207-6177

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

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

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

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

Anne Williamson LIV Sotheby’s Anneshomesinojai.com 805-320-3314

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

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

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

Rachelle Giuliani Realtor 805-746-5188 DRE:02047608 Keller Williams Realty Rachelle@peraltateam.com

AGAVE MARIA

Fresh, wholesome Mexican food & drink

106 South Montgomery Street (805) 646-6353 agavemarias.com

AJ’S EXPRESS CHINESE EXPRESS

Gourmet Chinese food to eat in or to go

11566 North Ventura Avenue (805) 646-1177 ajchinesecuisine.com

BOCCALI’S

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

BONNIE LU’S COUNTRY CAFE

Traditional American breakfast & brunch

328 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-0207

THE DEER LODGE

An Ojai legend since 1932

2261 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-4256 deerlodgeojai.com

FARMER & THE COOK

The best of organic Ojai

339 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-9608 farmerandcook.com

YUME JAPANESE BURGER

254 East Ojai Avenue (Arcade) (805) 646-1700

JIM & ROB’S FRESH GRILL

Mexican-American & regional favorites

214 West Ojai Avenue #100 (805) 640-1301 jimandrobsojai.com

HIP VGN

Vegan sandwiches, salads & bowls

201 North Montgomery Street

hipvegancafe.com (805) 669-6363

HOME KITCHEN OF OJAI

Breakfast and lunch in a warm space

1103 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-5346

HomeKitchenofOjai.com

MANDALA

Pan-Asian Cuisine

11400 North Ventura Road (805) 613-3048

THE NEST

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

LO>E SOCIAL CAFE

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

OAK GRILL @ THE INN

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

OJAI COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY

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

OJAI PIZZA COMPANY 331 Ojai Avenue (Downtown Ojai) 545-7878

TheOnlyGoodPizza.com

OJAI PIZZA COMPANY (Oak View)

The go-to place for food & sports 820 North Ventura Avenue

OJAI ROTIE

Rotisserie, sourdough, winebox

469 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9227

ojairotie.com

OSTERIA MONTE GRAPPA

Rustic menu of Northern Italian fare & seafood dishes. 242 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 640-6767

omgojai.com

PAPA LENNON’S

Family owned, original & traditional Italian cuisine

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

RAINBOW BRIDGE

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

THE RANCH HOUSE

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

SAKURA OJAI

A locals’ favorite for Japanese food 219 East Matilija Street (805) 646-8777

sakuraojai.wix.com

SEA FRESH

Serving Ojai for 30 years 533 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-7747

seafreshseafood.com

ZAIDEE’S BAR & GRILL

Patio & indoor dining with Ojai’s most tranquil views 1033 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-5685

soulepark.com

CHEF RANDY’S LIFE OF SPICE

chickpea and fingerling potato soup

Chickpeas, commonly called garbanzo beans, have long been valued for their fiber content and are one of the world’s healthiest foods. If you like chickpeas, this vegan recipe is for you. This is a hearty vegan stew that takes advantage of canned chickpeas and quick-cooking fingerling potatoes to make prep quick and easy. Adding unsweetened coconut milk and the subtle heat of North African harissa spices make it tasty. I like to serve this with Naan or Bhatura bread on the side.

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.

INGREDIENTS :

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup onion (diced)

1 red bell pepper (large dice)

8 ounces fingerling potatoes (halved lengthwise)

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1 tablespoon fresh ginger (peeled and finely chopped)

2 teaspoons harissa

3 cups vegetable broth

2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base

15-ounce can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped for garnish)

2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base

15-ounce can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped for garnish)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over mediumhigh heat. Add the onions and bell pepper and stir until browned — about five minutes. Add the potatoes, garlic, ginger, and harissa and cook for two minutes more. Add the broth, bouillon, and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the potatoes are tender – about 15 minutes. Add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper (if needed). Sprinkle the stew with cilantro and serve while still hot.

Krotona Institute of Theosophy

Celebration

Apr il 2024

An inter national center dedicated to understanding, har mony, and peace among all peoples, comparative studies in religion, philosophy and science, altr uism and the ideals of a spir itual life.

We must tr y to understand our own nature, that we may see the path which leads to the realization of the Self. Annie Besant

Studio Open

OCT 7 – 9 • 10am – 5pm

Ojai Studio Artists annual tour info: ojaistudioartists.org

SANDYTREADWELL.COM

October 7, 8, 9 2023 the 40th Annual

Ojai Studio Artists Tour

10am - 5pm

One of California’s premier art eventswith painters, sculptors, jewelers, ceramicists, digital, glass, fiber, and woodworkers. Over 70 artists will be opening their studios across the Ojai Valley.

Get FREE tickets and neighborhood maps by scanning the QR code or going to the website below.

Stay tuned at www.ojaistudioartists.org

1 SHELF ROAD 3.5mi

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

VENTURA RIVER

PRESERVE | 7mi

EASY TO MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 520 ft (Wills-Rice). Trailheads at end of Meyer Road, South Rice Road and Baldwin Road. Great for birding.

HORN CANYON 5.5mi

STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 1,600 ft. Trailhead near Thacher School’s gymkhana field. Goes to shady stand of 80-foot tall pines.

ROSE VALLEY 1mi

EASY | Elev. Gain: 100 ft

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

PRATT TRAIL 8.8mi

STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 3,300 ft | Trailhead off North Signal Street. Goes to Nordhoff Peak. Clear day? See forever.

GRIDLEY TRAIL 6-12mi

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

COZY DELL 2.2mi

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

SISAR CANYON 22mi

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

MATILIJA CANYON 12mi

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

SULPHUR MTN. 22mi

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

Villanova Preparatory School

12096 N. Ventura Avenue | Ojai | CA | 93023 | Tel. 805.646.1464

UNITY LOVE TRUTH

Villanova is a Catholic, Augustinian Co-Ed and Boarding School serving students of all faiths in grades 6-12. In the Augustinian tradition, Villanova provides a well-rounded, challenging, values-based curriculum for all students that educates the mind, heart, and body.

villanovamiddleschool.org | villanovaprep.org

2023 - 2024

First Day of Middle School: August 16, 2023

First Day of High School: August 17, 2023

For more information, please visit our website to learn more about our well-rounded programming that includes excellent opportunities in academics, athletics, arts, and service to the community.

To schedule a tour of our beautiful campus, please contact admissions@villanovaprep.org

UPCOMING EVENTS: INFO NIGHT

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023

OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023

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

Royal Oaks Ranch - 5 Bedrooms, Upscale Finishes Throughout, Media Room, Wine Cellar, Tasting Room, Gym/Massage Room, Pool & Spa, Putting Green, Well, Six-Car Garage, Bocce Court, Views, and So Much More. RoyalOaksRanchOjai.com

Private country retreat in Live Oak Acres with river rock wall, iron gate, detached garage with bathroom, RV and toy parking, lots of room for pool or hobbies, and less than five minutes from shops and restaurants. $1,400,000

2022 New Build on Gated .79-Acre Lot Designed for Indoor-Outdoor Living with Three Bedrooms, Upscale Finishes, Incredible Attention to Detail, and Amazing Views Minutes from Downtown Ojai. 1458FoothillRoad.com $4,375,000

Commercial Property with Great Ojai Avenue Location, Private Parking Lot, Four Office Spaces, Kitchen, Two Bathrooms, Garage. 405WestOjaiAvenue.com

$1,395,000

Nora Davis BRE License #01046067

805.207.6177

nora@ojaivalleyestates.com

Ojai

Property with Parking Lot, Showroom, Workshop, Office, Breakroom or Storage Room, Two Bathrooms, and Great Location in Industrial Area Evolving into Hip Entertainment District 907BryantPlace.com

$1,950,000

Commercial