August 2026 OM for web

OJAI 08 26 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY

Real estate / home / Visitors

Cover: Nora Davis, LIV Sotheby’s Realty | 805-207-6177 | See Page 31

FEATURED PROS: JOAN VIRGINIA ALLEN THE CHARACTERS THAT DEFINE OJAI BIG POSSIBILITIES FOR SMALL SPACES Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

MID-CENTURY RANCH IN THE ARBOLADA

Seize this rare opportunity to reimagine this light, airy Mid-century ranch style home on one acre in one of Ojai’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Surrounded by majestic oaks, the 3,597 sqft 4br/4ba home features vaulted beam ceilings, stone fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a converted flex space. The expansive grounds include a pool, spa, level lawns, and room for a studio or ADU—ideal for creating a private retreat that embraces Ojai’s celebrated indoor-outdoor lifestyle and enduring natural beauty.

918ElToroRdOjai.com Offered at $2,775,000 BanduraHome.com serge@bandurahome.com @bandurahome (323)251-1204 DRE #02147030 ©2026 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

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OM — August 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS AUGUST 2026

7

Editor’s Note

8

Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers

11

Calendar of Events

12

Featured Pro: Joan Virginia Allen

19

Ojai’s Top Ten Hikes

22

Small Spaces, Huge Possibilities

24

Who’s Who in Real Estate

28

The Characters Among Us

Editor & Publisher / Bret Bradigan AJ Davis / Home & Garden Design Cover: Listed by Nora Davis, LIV Sotheby’s Realty Contact Us: 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.

6

OM — August 2026

12 14

8 OJAI

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

08 26 Real estate / home / Visitors

Cover: Nora Davis, LIV Sotheby’s Realty | 805-207-6177 | See Page 30

FEATURED PROS: JOAN VIRGINIA ALLEN BE A TOURIST IN YOUR HOMETOWN CURB APPEAL FOR SUMMER SALES Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

22 19

DISCOVER

OJAI MONTHLY LOOKING BACK & AHEAD "Civilization began with the first broken bone that was mended."

BRET BRADIGAN

— Margaret Mead

It's been a rough summer in Ojai as we came together to remember a few of the most important people in Ojai's pantheon. First there was the gracious gathering at the El Roblar Hotel for Don and Sheila Cluff, longtime owners of the erstwhile Oaks at Ojai, then for tennis teacher and community builder Helen Allen, then the hilarious and heartbreaking sendoff for Peter "Badger" Bellwood, writer, performer and one of the founding spirits of Ojai Quarterly.

It felt like the closing of a chapter, if not a book, of Ojai as it used to be. Each memorial was different. Each life was unique. Yet as I sat listening to friends tell stories, I found myself struck by what they shared. These were people who belonged to an older Ojai. Not an idealized Ojai. Not a perfect Ojai. But a more personal one.

It was an Ojai where conversations happened on sidewalks instead of comment threads. Where disagreements were settled face-to-face rather than performed for strangers online. Where your reputation was built over decades of showing up — for Rotary meetings, Pony League baseball games, church suppers, volunteer projects, neighborhood gatherings and the thousand small acts that knit a community together.

You couldn't edit yourself. You couldn't curate your life through carefully chosen photographs or polished social media posts. People knew you as you actually were: generous on your best days, stubborn and cranky on your worst, flawed, funny, dependable, exasperating and wonderfully human.

Your word mattered. Your handshake meant something. Your presence was your profile.

Ojai has always attracted dreamers, seekers, artists and free spirits. That's part of our magic. But beneath all that has always been another current: ordinary people quietly building a community, one relationship at a time. They coached youth sports. They served on nonprofit boards. They attended fundraisers they couldn't really afford. They remembered birthdays. They visited neighbors in the hospital. They brought casseroles when tragedy struck and laughter when it was needed most.

They understood something that can be difficult to remember in our hyperconnected age: a community isn't built by algorithms. It's built by accumulated acts of kindness, repeated over years, until they become the invisible architecture holding a town together.

We are, inevitably, becoming a different Ojai. New families arrive. New businesses open. Technology changes how we meet, work and communicate. That's neither good nor bad. I'm not — or at least trying not to become — that old man yelling at the kids to get off the lawn. This is simply the way of the world, and to stand against it is no different than King Cnut ordering the waves to stop.

But every so often we're reminded that progress should never require amnesia. And that the generation we're losing leaves behind more than memories. It leaves behind a blueprint.

Know your neighbors. Show up. Volunteer. Laugh often. Argue honestly. Forgive quickly. Leave the place a little better than you found it. That's the inheritance Don and Sheila, Peter, and Helen with her epically awful jokes, and so many others have entrusted to us.

The weather will cool soon enough. Another season will come, as it always does. But if we're wise, we'll carry forward something more enduring than stories about another blistering Ojai summer. We'll carry forward the example of the people who showed us what it means to belong here. To be of this place, not merely in it.

And perhaps, years from now, someone will remember us the same way.

OM — August 2026 7

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 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

Ave. Low Precip.

36 5.04 38 5.24 41 3.35 43 1.22 48 .47 51 .12 56 .04 55 .005 53 .2 47 .98 40 1.69 35 2.95 21.3

Year 2018

Population:

7,461

Valley: (est.)

21,300

Year 1990

Households::

3,176

Elevation:

745

Record Low 16°

8

OM — August 2026

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:

Average Annual Rainfall: Record High 115°

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.

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.”

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OJAINOW LIVE was born out of necessity. Our research showed that even longtime locals were missing out on great events happening right here in Ojai. So we built a better way to stay connected.

OJAINOW LIVE is your all-in-one calendar for what’s happening in town — from concerts and shows to fundraisers and festivals. You can search by date or category, map venues and directions, and even buy tickets — all in one seamless experience.

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OM — August 2026

AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CAT POWER | AUGUST 18 | OJAIVALLEYMUSIC.ORG

AUGUST 1–9

Seussical the Musical Jr. Dates: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays through Aug. 9 Times: Fridays & Saturdays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, 2 p.m.

Location: Ojai Art Center Contact: 805-646-0117 • OjaiArtCenter.org The Ojai Art Center Youth Theater presents this lively musical based on the beloved Dr. Seuss stories. Packed with colorful characters, memorable songs, and impressive young local talent, it’s an ideal family outing.

AUGUST 4

Modest Mouse Date: Tuesday Time: 7 p.m.

Contact: 805-646-5581, ext. 120 Concerts@OjaiValleyMusic.org One of indie rock’s defining bands, Modest Mouse brings its angular guitars, literate lyrics and unmistakable sound to Libbey Bowl.

Expect favorites spanning three decades alongside newer material from one of alternative rock’s most influential groups.

AUGUST 12

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes Date: Wednesday Time: 7 p.m.

Contact: 805-646-5581, ext. 120 Concerts@OjaiValleyMusic.org

MAVIS STAPLES | AUGUST 29 | OJAIVALLEYMUSIC.ORG

OJAI PODCAST | EVERY THURSDAY | OJAIQUARTERLY.COM

The Grammy Award-winning Gipsy Kings return with founder Nicolas Reyes, delivering fiery flamenco guitars, infectious rhythms, and international hits like “Bamboléo” and “Volare.” A joyful evening of world music and dance.

Contact: 805-646-558, ext. 120 Concerts@OjaiValleyMusic.org Cat Power delivers intimate, smoky vocals and stripped-down indie-folk, blending melancholy, soul, and quietly powerful emotional depth.

AUGUST 29 Mavis Staples Date: Saturday Time: 6:30 p.m.

Contact: 805-646-5581, ext. 120 Concerts@OjaiValleyMusic.org A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Mavis Staples has spent more than six decades blending gospel, soul and civil rights activism into one of America’s most inspiring musical careers.

— RECURRING EVENTS—

AUGUST 14

THURSDAYS

Ani DiFranco with Valerie June Date: Friday Time: 6:30 p.m.

Contact: 805-646-558, ext. 120 Concerts@OjaiValleyMusic.org Folk icon Ani DiFranco and soulful innovator Valerie June blend roots, blues, and fierce, genre-defying songwriting.

AUGUST 18

Cat Power — The Greatest Tour Date: Tuesday Time: 8 p.m.

Historical Walking Tours of Ojai Date: Every Saturday Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Ojai Valley Museum 130 West Ojai Avenue Contact: 640-1390 Come see why there’s so much historical hullabaloo about this “smiling vale.” The tour, led by long-time locals, takes about an hour, and brings you into a deeper understanding of Ojai’s rich roots and heritage.

Ojai Podcast: Talk of the Town New episodes come out Thursday evenings through the 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.

More than 280 episodes and counting.

Sign up at OjaiVortex.com for a free weekly newsletter.

OM — August 2026 11

JOAN VIRGINIA ALLEN

BY BRET BRADIGAN

THE ARCHITECTURE OF VITALITY: Joan Virginia Allen's Masterclass in Dynamic Aging

At 88, Allen still hikes mountain trails, coaches clients, manages a ten-acre ranch in Upper Ojai and continues writing books Joan Virginia Allen isn’t simply growing older — she’s redefining what aging can look like. Spend an hour with the Upper Ojai resident, author, and life coach and you’ll quickly discover someone who rejects the familiar narrative of slowing down. Instead, Allen champions “Dynamic Aging,” an approach that combines purposeful movement, lifelong curiosity, and intentional living.

“If you look up the word dynamic, it’s real simple,” Allen says with the sharp clarity of the attorney she once was. “It means movement.”

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OM — August 2026

For Allen, movement marks the difference between simply getting by and fully engaging with life. It’s a philosophy she has refined over decades, from courtrooms in Orange County to a ten-acre ranch in Upper Ojai, and eventually to the granite steps of Yosemite’s Mist Trail. As Ojai Monthly’s Featured Professional for August, Allen embodies a growing generation of older adults who continue to create, contribute, and challenge expectations.

The Biomechanical Pivot Allen traces the beginning of her current journey to age 71.

Like many people, she noticed increasing stiffness, relied on

JOAN VIRGINIA ALLEN’S QUICK TIPS FOR DYNAMIC ALIGNMENT Ramp the Chin: Keep your chin down and gently slide it back to align your head over your spine.

Drop the Ribs: Align your bottom ribs

with your hip bones to bring your center of mass over your heels.

The Half-Dome Stretch: Use a foam

roller to stretch your calf muscles daily and help prevent the “senior shuffle.”

Find Your “Why”: Purpose provides the lasting motivation needed to pursue meaningful goals.

JOAN VIRGINIA ALLEN CLIMBING A BEACHSIDE TREE IN MAUI

orthotics, and found herself moving less comfortably. Then she met biomechanist Katy Bowman.

three other women in their seventies — a group they affectionately called the “savvy, sassy septuagenarians.”

“Katy has an amazing program,” Allen explains. “It’s exercise, yes, but it’s more about integrating movement into your daily life and learning to align your body so that muscles, tendons, and ligaments are in the right position biomechanically to optimize.”

The book went on to sell more than 50,000 copies and was translated into five languages. For Allen, however, improved mobility was only the beginning.

HER TWENT Y-YEAR JOURNEY TO LAW Persistence has shaped Allen’s life from the beginning.

She started law school at 22, but raising four children interrupted her education. Twenty years later, she returned to finish what she had started, graduating at the top of her class and passing the California Bar Exam on her first attempt at age 44.

“My father said I was stubborn,” she laughs, recalling the “argumentative” streak that led her toward law.

The results surprised her.

After two decades of being unable to walk barefoot, Allen transitioned to zero-drop footwear. Within months, she was walking five miles barefoot on the beaches of Maui.

That experience inspired the 2017 bestseller “Dynamic Aging: Simple Exercises for Whole Body Mobility,” which Allen co-authored with Bowman and

JOAN VIRGINIA WITH THE ORIGINAL “SAVVY, SASSY SEPTUAGENARIANS,” SHELAH WILGUS, LORA WOODS, JOAN AND JOYCE FABER.

She eventually found her calling in the then-emerging field of elder law. Allen helped develop guidelines that later became part of the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) and founded Orange County’s Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST), bringing together the FBI, local law

OM — August 2026 13

JOAN, 88, WITH HUSBAND WILLIS, 90, ON THE BRIDGE AT THE TOP OF VERNAL FALLS IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

THE YOSEMITE TEST Allen’s latest memoir, “Navigating Dynamic Aging,” grew out of a goal Willis set after recovering from hip replacement surgery during the COVID-19 lockdowns. During his rehabilitation, he told Joan he wanted to hike Yosemite’s demanding Vernal and Nevada Falls Trail one more time.

“I thought, ‘Holy mackerel, that’s a tough hike,’” Allen recalls.

“It’s straight up — 600 granite steps to the top of Vernal alone.”

For a full year, the couple trained on Ojai’s trails and the higher elevations of Mt. Piños to prepare.

When motivation faded, Allen leaned on another chapter of her own life. At age 80, she became a certified life coach.

enforcement, and other professionals to protect older adults from financial exploitation.

“I think I stopped before it became a grind,” she says of retiring from law. “I switched into becoming a fitness specialist.”

BUILDING ON AN “ANCIENT LANDSLIDE” When Allen and her husband, Willis — who recently turned 90 — purchased 10 undeveloped acres in Upper Ojai, they expected hard work. They didn’t expect the county to declare the property unbuildable because of an “ancient landslide” identified on the early-1900s Dibley Map. Many buyers would have walked away. Allen drew on her legal background, hired a forensic geologist, and commissioned 300foot borings into the mountainside to challenge the finding.

“It took us 11 years,” she says of the permitting process. “But boy, are we happy.”

That same determination resurfaced during the Thomas Fire, when Allen was photographed hauling fire hoses across a ditch to help protect their property. The experience reinforced something she already believed: dynamic aging is about resilience as much as physical strength.

14

OM — August 2026

“Motivation comes from knowing why you want to do something,” she explains. “When you lose motivation, it’s your ‘why’ that keeps you going. Willis was curious: at his age, after a hip replacement, was he still capable? That curiosity held him.”

The couple completed the hike in May 2021 — a month ahead of schedule.

THREE PILLARS: CURIOSIT Y, COURAGE, COMMITMENT Today, Allen serves as a guest coach for McLaren Transformative Coaching Essentials, the coaching school founded by her daughter, Camilla. Her philosophy centers on three principles: curiosity, courage, and commitment.

Curiosity: “Genuine curiosity is not about being a nosy neighbor,” Allen says. “It’s asking, ‘What else is possible?’

When my husband and I were injured, we didn’t ask, ‘Can we do it?’ but ‘Why do we want to?’”

Courage: The willingness to face setbacks, push through motivation slumps, and keep moving despite life’s inevitable challenges.

Commitment: Allen measures commitment on a scale of one to 10. “A 10 means you’ll do whatever it takes. Six weeks before our Yosemite hike, I pulled my trapezius muscle and couldn’t wear a backpack. So I found a waist-pack and kept

JOAN WITH HER BOOKS, AND ON SET WITH MARIA SHRIVER ON THE TODAY SHOW

going. There was no way around it.”

CONTRIBUTING TO OJAI Allen believes Ojai attracts people who value both wellness and creativity, but what stands out most to her is how many continue giving back.

“I see so many role models here,” she says.

“People who are becoming a contribution to their community. That is the secret. You

have a choice between dwelling on what you can’t do anymore or being genuinely curious about what is still out there.”

As she approaches her 88th birthday, Allen continues planning new projects, including an Audible edition of her memoir, while managing the couple’s ten-acre ranch alongside Willis.

“What keeps me excited?” she says. “Waking

up every morning and thinking, ‘Oh, wow, I have another one? That’s very cool.’ Especially when my husband wakes up alongside me. At 52 years of marriage, we’re beginning to think it might get serious.”

On a quiet afternoon in Upper Ojai, Joan Virginia Allen isn’t slowing down. She’s moving forward — with intention, resilience, and the kind of curiosity that keeps opening new chapters.

JOAN, HAULING HOSE TO DEFEND HER OJAI PROPERTY DURING THE THOMAS FIRE IN DECEMBER 2017, AND CLIMBING TREES, AMONG THE BENEFITS OF KEEPING HEALTHY IN LATER LIFE

OM — August 2026 15

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

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OM — August 2026

DevoFoto Arts Portraiture as narrative.

Portrait commissions & inquiries: DevoFoto Arts 323 E Matilija Street – Suite 202 Ojai, CA 93023 devocoaching@gmail.com (310) 498-8619

OQ | HI KI NG MA P 1

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

2

3

4

RIVER PRESERVE 0-7mi VARIES | Elev. Gain: ≤ 520 ft Wills-Rice Loop is the longest trail.

PRATT TRAIL 8.8mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 3300 ft | Goes to Nordhoff Peak.

GRIDLEY TRAIL 6-12mi MODERATE | 3 mi to Gridley Springs (Elev. Gain: 1200 ft) 6 mi to Nordhoff Peak.

5

6

7

HORN CANYON 5.5mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 1600 ft | Goes to the Pines.

COZY DELL 2.2mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 740 ft | Cozy Dell Creek & Ridge.

MATILIJA CANYON 12mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 1200ft | North Fork.

8

9

10

ROSE VALLEY 1mi EASY | Elev. Gain: 100 ft Rose Valley Falls.

SISAR CANYON 22mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 4800 ft |Topa Topa Bluffs.

SULPHUR MTN. 22mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 2300 ft | Sulphur Mountain Road.

OM — August 2026 19

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Krotona Institute of Theosophy Serving the Ojai Valley and beyond for over 100 years.

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Library and Research Center: 2 Krotona St, Ojai CA 93023 Quest Bookshop: 47 Krotona St., Ojai CA 93023

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OM — August 2026

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Views, Views, Views. This private, gated, home nestled amidst the trees and the mountains, radiates modern elegance with its thoughtful upgrades, abundant natural light, and seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living spaces. You are welcomed into the large living room with vaulted beamed ceilings, a fireplace and picture windows showcasing the mountains perfectly. Flowing into the dining room and open to the modern, remodeled kitchen with top of the line appliances and gorgeous cabinetry. Open and spacious, you and your guests will love to gather onto the large deck off the kitchen. This three bedroom, two bath home has gleaming hardwood floors throughout and brilliant light in all the rooms. There is plenty of room for your guests with the detached, guest studio. You will enjoy relaxing on the patio amongst the trees and the breathtaking views. The Santa Barbara smooth stucco finish adds to the modern elegance of the home. Bring your family

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donna4remax@aol.com OM — August 2026 21

SMALL SPACES, BIG POSSIBILITIES — By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela — Spend enough time touring homes in the Ojai Valley, and you begin to notice a pattern: Some of the homes that buyers remember long after a showing aren’t the biggest ones; they’re the ones that feel good to be in.

at all.

That’s because square footage is only part of the story.

Some of my favorite homes in the valley would never win a contest for the largest floor plan.

Many were built decades ago — when homes were designed for families that lived a bit differently than we do today. Yet buyers continue to fall in love with these cottages, bungalows, and ranch homes because they make wonderful use of the space they have. Their rooms feel comfortable, their layouts make sense, and they often have a warmth and character that’s hard to replicate.

If you’re preparing to sell a smaller home, this is good news.

One of the easiest ways to make a room feel larger isn’t to renovate — it’s to edit.

Walk through your home as though you’re seeing it for the first time. Is there an oversized chair that dominates the room?

A side table that doesn’t really serve a purpose? Furniture pushed against every wall? Sometimes removing just one or two

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pieces creates breathing room that allows buyers to appreciate the space itself.

Natural light also works wonders. Here in Ojai, we’re fortunate to enjoy plenty of sunshine, so open the curtains, clean the windows, and let the light in. A bright room pretty much always feels more open and inviting than a dark one.

Another common temptation is to fill every empty corner with furniture or every wall with artwork. While your home should certainly feel lived in, buyers also need room to imagine themselves there.

A little open space can be surprisingly powerful.

Of course, one of the biggest advantages many Ojai homes have isn’t found inside

A welcoming front porch, a peaceful courtyard, a shaded patio, or a backyard with mountain views can make a home live much larger than its square footage suggests. For many buyers relocating from Los Angeles or elsewhere in Southern California, that’s part of the appeal. They’re not looking for the biggest house they can afford. They’re looking for a home that offers a different way of living, where opening the back door feels like gaining another room.

I’ve also learned that buyers rarely walk out of a showing talking about exact dimensions. Instead, they say things like, “The living room felt so inviting,” or “I loved how bright the kitchen was,” or “I could picture myself having coffee on that patio.”

Those are emotional reactions, and they’re often what people remember.

In the end, helping a home feel more spacious isn’t really about creating the illusion of extra square footage. It’s about helping buyers experience how comfortably life can unfold there.

Sometimes the homes with the smallest footprints leave the biggest impressions.

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THE BOCCALI FAMILY INVITES YOU TO DINE WITH US DINE-IN I TAKE-OUT I RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED “Italian Homestyle Cooking in the Ojai Countryside” 2 Miles East of Downtown Ojai

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WHO’S WHO

IN OJAI REAL ESTATE?

TO BE LISTED HERE, PLEASE CALL BRET @ 805-798-0177

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

Dennis Guernsey LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

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.

Jessica McRae Ojai Valley Real Estate 221 E. Matilija St., Ste J (805) 699-8645 jessica@ojaivalleyrealestate. com

Patty Waltcher Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California, Call me for your Real Estate needs.

805-340-3774

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805-798-1998

Logan Hall Logan Hall Photography 805-798-0337 loganhallphotos. com

Amy Hall | Realtor® LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Amy.Hall@SothebysRealty.com direct+1 805.444.7874 554 E Main Street | Ventura, California 93001 Cal DRE 01957427

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

Donna Sallen Remax Gold Coast Realtors Donna4Remax@aol.com DonnaSallen.com 805-798-0516

Bob Kemper Broker, MBA Kemper Realty of LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Bob.Kemper@ sothebysrealty.com DRE# 01356802 (805) 551-5121

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

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

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

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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 THE DUTCHESS 457 East Matilija Street (805) 640-7987 thedutchessojai.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 JOPLIN’S Classic Barbecue with Sides 715 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9053 JoplinsOjai.com MANDALA Pan-Asian Cuisine 11400 North Ventura Road (805) 613-3048 THE NEST 401 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9035 thenestojai.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 PAPA LENNON’S Family owned, original & Italian cuisine 515 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-7388 papalennons.com

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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

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HOW TO ENRICH COMMUNITY

THE CHARACTERS AMONG US!

By Therese A. Hartmann

Every community has its landmarks — the old oak tree, the downtown coffee shops, the annual parade — but its true color comes from its people. Not just any people, but characters: the ones who bring flavor, friction, humor, heart, and sometimes a little chaos. They are the personalities who make a place feel livedin, textured, and unforgettable.

This was brought to mind when I directed a guest to Zaidee’s, a local favorite restaurant (I know…shhhhh!) named after Zaidee Soule.

Below are just a few of the archetypes that appear in almost every town or neighborhood. Some are admirable, some exasperating, all essential. Together, they create the social ecosystem that gives a community its soul. Zaidee, for example, was not only a local librarian but was quite a philanthropist and gifted the land that is now Soule Park and Soule Park Golf Course with stipulations to always keep the restaurant open.

The Patriot – Some patriots wave flags.

Others simply live their gratitude. Hank — our neighbor, our friend, and a man whose booming voice could silence a room — was the kind of patriot forged not from slogans or protest signs, but from survival.

Hank grew up in Amsterdam during World War II. When he was just seven years old, the Nazis stormed his home and ordered his family out the front door.

One relative, thinking quickly, hid young 28

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house, though “owned” might be too tame a word for what he did with it. He was known to drink a little too much, and on more than one occasion, in the middle of a film, he’d simply stand up, shout for everyone to get out, and shut the place down on the spot. No refunds, no explanations — just pure Rascal energy.

Therese A. Hartmann has more than 25 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.

Hank under the staircase. From that cramped, dark space, he witnessed the unimaginable: the slaughter of his entire family. It was a moment that carved itself into his bones and shaped the man he would become.

Decades later, at a neighborhood gathering — after a couple glasses of wine and overhearing someone complain about the United States — Hank’s voice thundered through the room. He reminded everyone how lucky we truly are, how fragile freedom can be, and how deeply he cherished the safety and opportunity he found here. His words weren’t political; they were personal.

The Rascal - Wayne Glasgow, a man whose antics from roughly 60 years ago still give me a chuckle, owned the local movie

But Wayne’s reputation didn’t stop at the theater. He had a property out in the East End where he regularly hosted Hell’s Angels and grew marijuana long before it was legal! It was the kind of place people whispered about — half scandal, half admiration for his audacity. And one of the more fun Wayne stories comes from a teller at the local bank. After being denied a loan for “lack of collateral,” Wayne returned with his goats, let them loose inside the bank, and declared, “There’s your collateral.” The goats, of course, did what goats do — and the teller never forgot it.

The Spiritualist - Some spiritual figures stand on stages. Others move through the world quietly, shaping it from behind the veil. D. Rajagopal — “Raja” to those fortunate enough to be welcomed into his orbit — was the latter. Raja had been closely connected to J. Krishnamurti, serving as a kind of guardian and steward of his work — a role originally entrusted to him by Annie Besant, a leader in the Theosophical movement. Behind the scenes, Raja worked tirelessly to turn Krishnamurti’s talks into books, sending them to libraries across the United States as part of his

mission. But to say that Raja’s purpose was simply editorial would miss the essence of who he was.

spearheaded the “Bravo” program that brought music to schoolchildren. Wherever there was a need, Joan appeared.

Raja lived for decades in near seclusion, allowing only a small handful of people into his home — those he felt carried a certain purity of energy. His barber and dentist were called for, but only on an outdoor patio, where even the mundane act of a haircut or dental check seemed to occur within a field of quiet reverence.

While she sometimes described herself as “the corpse,” and laughing heartily, others described her as someone who made them feel valued and included. She had a charming habit of saying, “You know, I’m basically a hundred years old,” a lighthearted nod to her long, active life — though even at that age, she was still outpacing people half her years.

Raja loved country music — which, I admit, surprised me. When I asked him why (and I’m fairly certain I pestered him with far too many questions), he explained that country music held the full spectrum of human emotion: the joy, the heartbreak, the longing, etc. To understand people, he said, you must study what moves them. He also told me that I should always be as peaceful as a dove but ready to strike like the cobra. To this day, I listen to country music.

The Visionary – Joan Kemper was widely regarded as a driving force and community treasure, most cherished for her boundless energy (even as a centenarian!), generosity and deep commitment to the arts and local causes. Her involvement spanned an astonishing range of organizations: the Ojai Film Society, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Ojai Museum, Thacher School, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, the Ojai Land Conservancy, and the Ojai Music Festival. She helped create Cluff Vista Park, led fundraising for land purchases that preserved Ojai’s natural beauty, and

This past year, while I was serving as a hostess for one of the homes on the Holiday Home Tour, Joan called to say she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t volunteer. It was the first time she’d stepped back — and only because she truly had to. The year before, she had replaced two volunteers, and she was already over 100 years old. That was Joan: completely over the top wonderful! She was a Visionary not because she dreamed big, but because she turned those dreams into reality for decades. I’ll remember her that way.

Over the years, our community has been home to far more characters than anyone could ever list — the unforgettable, the unpredictable, and the ones who made us shake your head and laugh later. They’ve kept life interesting, lively, and occasionally a little wild. As new personalities step forward, may we all embrace our quirks and add our own flavor to the mix, ensuring people will someday say, “Well now… there’s a character.”

3rd Fridays Join us for Live Music, Community, Wine and Nibbles | Mon 10-5 | Tues-Thurs 11 - 5 | Fri 10-7 | Sat-Sun 10 - 6

Margo Lande CERAMICS

Rose Rabinov GLASS

Ted Gall

SCULPTURE

Leah Messina PAINTING

Vera Maguire CERAMICS

WOODWORKING

Julie Wellings CERAMICS

JEWELRY

Susan Florence PAINTING

40+ Local Juried Artists 20+ Mediums

Handmade One-of-a-kind Bespoke Unique Orginal

David Blackburn

Sharon Curtis

GIFTS

Don Earl LEATHER

Susan Dunbar JEWELRY

Yolanda Bergman MOSAICS

Joan Sharron MIXED MEDIA

Rae Taney JEWELRY

Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties’ Artists | 238 East Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023 | (805) 646-5682 | OVAArtsgallery.com OM — August 2026 29

We know Ojai.

Royal Oaks - 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

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Casa Vista Linda - Set amid serene grounds, this Marc Whitman-designed home blends Old-World charm with modern comfort. Custom fireplaces, walnut finishes, expansive terraces, and resort-style amenities only begin to describe this beautiful Ojai retreat just minutes from the village.

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Ferrara Oaks - Oaks West 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home with vaulted ceilings, natural light, mountain views, large primary suite, Saltillo tile, guest bedroom with en suite, and large patio minutes from downtown Ojai, Lake Casitas, and hiking trails. $1,259,000 FerraraOaks.com

This downtown triplex with two units completed in 2024 offers a rare opportunity for an investment property, sharing the property with family or friends, or living in one unit and renting the others for rental income. $1,695,000 509NorthBlancheStreet.com

Three-bedroom Cape Cod-inspired home one block from Ojai Avenue close to farmers markets, shops, restaurants, wine tasting, spas, hiking trails and more. $1,100,000

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THE GLASS HOUSE 1465 FOOTHILL ROAD, OJAI • $6,500,000 Perched along Ojai’s iconic Foothill Road, this glass-walled architectural sanctuary is defined by light, serenity, and expansive 270° views. Built in 2017 and thoughtfully re-imagined in 2022, the 3,154 ± sqft single-level home pairs minimalist design with seamless indoor-outdoor living. A 1,117 ± sqft pavilion with showcase parking, wellness studio, and sauna—along with additional creative retreats—completes a private compound set on 1.87 ± acres with pool, spa, and unforgettable Pink Moment sunsets.

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© 2026 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for your listing. Awards based on 2024 production of approximately 50,000 sales associates in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Global Network.

1104 FOOTHILL RD • OJAI • SOLD — $5,200,000