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SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

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/

SEPTEMBER 3 TO OCTOBER 25

“Resurrection:” New Works by Dennis Mukai Times: Monday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Wednesday, Closed; Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Location: Porch Gallery, 310 East Matilija Street Contact: porchgalleryojai.com 805-620-7589 Opening Reception on September 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Dennis Mukai is an internationally renowned artist, known for his distinctive illustrations of beautiful women. This show, however, was created from the ashes of the Thomas Fire, as Mukai noticed the first shoots of green from the charred landscape.

OCTOBER 25 “Taste of Ojai”

Ojai’s premier culinary event is adjusting with the times, organizing virtually with the participation of dozens of local restaurants and wineries to raise money for the Rotary Club of Ojai Education Foundation’s scholarships and community grants.

This fundraiser also supports local restaurants, many of which have supported this event for more than 20 years. The event will feature cooking demonstrations, auctions, music and

OPPOSITE PAGE: Virtual public art tours of Ojai are available at artsojai.org. The Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. THIS PAGE: The Rotary Club of Ojai’s “Taste of Ojai” fund-raising event

will take place this year (virtually) on October 25th, tickets available at tasteofojai.com. The Agora Foundation’s weekly seminars offer lifelong learning about philosophy and

more. Tickets $80. Contact: ojairotary.org or TasteofOjai.org

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

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

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

THURSDAYS “Ojai: Talk of the Town” Podcast

New episodes come out Thursday evenings through OjaiHub.com newsletter. Sign up at OjaiHub.com

“Awareness Through Movement”

Instructor: Mary Jo Healy Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contact: somaticsanctuary.com email support@somaticsanctuary Phone: 805-633-9230

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.

SATURDAYS Agora Foundation’s Saturday Seminars

Time: 12 noon to 2 p.m. Location: agorafoundation.org Learn, discuss and challenge the wisdom of Beckett, Aristophanes, Montaigne, Proust or Seneca with experienced tutors. Cost of a subscription is $25 per month, with scholarships available. Contact: agorafoundation.org Phone: 805-231-5974

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-athome order.

MONDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS

“Storytime Live” at the Ventura County Library Contact: vencolibrary.org (805) 677-7150 Visit the Library’s Facebook page for a schedule of live readings for stories, including bedtime and bilingual.