Editor’s Note: Spring 2023

Editor's Note

The drama of Ojai’s winter rains, which were in fact floods this year, is giving way to the most glorious spring we’ve seen in years. Nature takes center stage as we see Casitas Lake and the aquifers recharge; the regrowth, the green, and the river flow remind us of what matters.

If you live in Ojai, you are likely taking in the expansive views from your veranda, or peeking out through the foggy window of your van’s new 72-hour location. The townspeople — lately divided by dogma, wealth disparity, and opportunity — share the bond of this place. The land, the view, the quiet … the peace we nurture inside ourselves in the pink moment.

Recently, there has been lots of aesthetic-building in our hard and softscapes. And while three new Teslas moved into freshly renovated houses in my hood this year, I’m unconcerned about what you drive, or how carefully uncontrived your style is — as is the Ojai Valley custom. Nor do we care what you did before; from grifters to movie stars … in Ojai everyone gets the same chance to earn respect and value as a neighbor and citizen. To become real and realized, that is the Ojai life we are interested in.

This Spring issue digs into the earth (cover story, Night Heron Farms); how we respect it (On Sacred Ground); how we explore our natural paths over it (Get it Done Trail Crew), and how we see it (Photographing our Land). We also take a look into our interactions: How we strive (The Ojai Tennis Tournament); how we love each other (Loveology Retreat), how we eat (Tesoro Mio Radicchio), and celebrate (Earth Day 2023).

We are lucky to live in, or have access to, an Ojai life. We at Ojai Magazine invite you beneath our cover, to connect you to our community through local stories. Bring an open heart. Sow, then share the blossom of your true self; listen to Spring inside our magnetic emerald Ojai Valley.

With affection,

Laura Rearwin Ward

Laura Rearwin Ward

Editor Ojai Magazine

MAGAZINE

EDITOR / PUBLISHER

Laura Rearwin Ward

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Karen Lindell

ART DIRECTOR

Paul Stanton

WRITERS

Karen Lindell

Perry Van Houten

Mimi Walker

Holly Roberts

Gregg Stewart

John Fonteyn

David LaBelle

Tiffany Paige

Catherine Miller

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

Georgia Schreiner, Tori Behar, Mimi Walker

ADVERTISING

Linda Snider, director of sales

Catherine Miller, sales

Ally Mills, advertising assistant

CONTACT

805-646-1476 team@ojaivalleynews.com www.www.ojaivalleynews.com/magazine

@ojaimag

Cover photo: Night Heron Farm

by Renee Faia reneefaia.pb.photography