December 2025 OM for web

OJAI 12 25 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY

Real estate / home / Visitors

Cover: Season’s Greetings! Ojai Trail Riding Co. | OjaiValleyTrailRidingCompany.com | 805-890-9340 | See Page 9

‘CYCLING’ WITH MIKAEL JORGENSEN 5 TIPS FOR BACKYARD MOVIE NIGHT SKIP THE CLICK: OJAI GIFT GUIDE Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — December 2025

SWEEPING VIEWS ON FAIRVIEW RD Perched on over 7 acres on a private hilltop with sweeping 360-degree views, 534 Fairview Road is being offered for the first time since its construction in 1984. This Spanish-style retreat spans approximately 1,800 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, all designed to bring the outdoors in. From sunrise to sunset, every room is framed by the dramatic mountain views, orchards, and valleys that define the beauty of Ojai.

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© 2025 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.

ENCHANTING 1950’S COTTAGE

On Ojai’s prestigious Foothill Road, this charming home, filled with light and character, captures the essence of California living. With 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a garage and a versatile flex space ideal for a home office or studio, this thoughtfully refreshed home offers both timeless appeal and modern convenience. Original hardwood floors exude warmth and authenticity, the kitchen has been tastefully updated and a 1,256 square foot deck offers the perfect environment for alfresco dining or quiet morning coffee. Only minutes from downtown, this property has infinite potential, including room for a pool or an ADU. 212FoothillRdOjai.com Offered at $1,950,000

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© 2025 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.

OM — December 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS DECEMBER 2025

7

Editor’s Note

8

Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers

11

Calendar of Events

12

Featured Pro: Mikael Jorgensen

19

Ojai’s Top Ten Hikes

22

Five Tips for Backyard Movies

24

Who’s Who in Real Estate

26

Dine Ojai — Restaurant Guide

27

Chef Randy: Latkes

28

Why Ojai? Here’s A Few Reasons

Editor & Publisher / Bret Bradigan AJ Davis / Home & Garden Design Cover: Ojai Valley Trail Riding Co. OjaiValleyTrailRidingCompany.com 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.

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12 14

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OJAI 12 25 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY

Real estate / home / Visitors

Cover: Ojai Trail Riding Co. | OjaiValleyTrailRidingCompany.com | 805-890-9340 | See Page 9

‘CYCLING’ WITH MIKAEL JORGENSEN 5 TIPS FOR BACKYARD MOVIE NIGHT SKIP THE CLICK: OJAI GIFT GUIDE Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — December 2025

OM — December 2025

27 20

DISCOVER

OJAI MONTHLY FROM VERSUS OF: HOLIDAY EDITION "Storytelling is what happens in the warm, gray fabric of boredom."

BRET BRADIGAN

— Walter Benjamin

This season has a way of sharpening certain feelings — the warmth of gathering, the tug of memory, the quiet inventory of choices made. And it’s hard to miss that familiar gleam in the eyes of people who never left home when they talk with those of us who bolted early. There’s a holiday-season curiosity about our wanderings, the reinventions, the roads not taken.

I saw that gleam again around a campfire by a small lake in western New York — the small lake where my cousins and I caught our first bluegill and largemouth bass, as our kids do now, squealing at every bobber’s twitch.

The summer evening air held that first promise of season's end as we talked about how our scattered paths had circled back to this place at the same moment. Maybe that’s what this time of year does best: it draws us home in one form or another.

“You all were so brave,” one cousin said, poking at the fire, watching the flames flicker higher, sending embers wafting into the night sky, where they become lost among the stars. But beneath the praise was a familiar whisper of regret.

There’s no need for it. And no reason to look at us wanderers with wonder. You stayed. You built your lives in the same soil your grandparents turned. It takes far more courage to face the familiar, season after season, than to sprint into the unknown.

People say we “escaped,” but often we were running — from restlessness, from expectations, from the stranger in the mirror. You stayed and made peace with that stranger. If our lives look adventurous, it’s only because distance flatters. From here, your lives look richer, steadier, more deeply rooted.

Victor Hugo once wrote about climbing a series of Alpine peaks that all looked the same height from the summits — until he looked back from the carriage ride home and saw their true proportions. That’s perspective. From a distance, I see the heights of your lives far more clearly than you can from the ground where you live them.

And while we brag about the places we’ve been, our voices always carry a faint thread of longing. If we were so satisfied, why do we keep returning every holiday season? Because there is something in your eyes — a belonging — that eludes us. One neighbor told me he could never leave because “the bones of my ancestors are buried here.” He meant it. He lived inside a story larger than himself.

Emily Dickinson found as much wonder in a neighbor's meadow as Conrad did in the dark heart of the Congo.

Meaning doesn’t require distance — only attention.

The ironies are abundant. We who roam praise freedom, yet you who stay often live larger, more expansive lives.

What we search for far from home is most often found right where we began. The closer you stay to home, the more chances you have to enlarge your world in quiet, lasting ways.

For those many of my kinfolk tied to the rhythm of the land, this metaphor feels right: the deeper the roots, the higher the branches rise.

Everyone is from somewhere. But the fortunate few — the ones who stay, who weather the seasons, who keep tradition alive — are of a place. And in the short light of December, that distinction feels especially clear, and especially precious. (This was inspired by a similar editor's note I wrote more than 20 years ago).

OM — December 2025

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

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.

OM — December 2025

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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ojaihub.com

1 source for events in Ojai

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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 — December 2025

DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OJAI COMMUNITY CHORUS | DECEMBER 6 & 7 | Ojai United Methodist Church

DECEMBER 6-7

Ojai Community Chorus Time: 3 p.m. Saturday & Sunday Location: Ojai Methodist Church 120 Church Road Contact: 805-640-0468 The Ojai Community Chorus, directed

by Connie Woodson, presents its holiday concerts on Saturday, December 6 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, December 7 at 3 p.m. at the Ojai United Methodist Church, 120 Church Road. The program is “A Christmas to Remember.”

DECEMBER 9

Jonathan Richman in Concert Location: Ojai Women’s Club, 441 East Ojai Avenue Time: Doors open at 7 p.m.

Show at 8 p.m.

Contact: EventBrite.com or (((FolkYeah!)))

Legendary musician and Modern Lovers founder Jonathan Richman performs in the club’s historic venue.

DECEMBER 13

City of Ojai Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony Location: Libbey Park, 205 East Ojai Avenue Times: All Day

JONATHAN RICHMAN | DECEMBER 9 | Ojai Women’s Club

TO DECEMBER 21

Ojai Art Center’s “Annie the Musical” Times: Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays, 2 p.m.

Location: Ojai Art Center 113 South Montgomery Street Contact: OjaiArtCenter.org 805-646-0117 “Annie” follows an optimistic orphan who leaves the harsh Miss Hannigan’s orphanage after being chosen to spend Christmas with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. As Annie searches for her real parents, she melts Warbucks’ heart, exposes villains, and finally finds a loving family. Plus, a cute dog.

DECEMBER 31

Ojai Valley Museum’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular Location: Ojai Valley Museum 130 West Ojai Avenue Times: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

An evening event to ring in the New Year — perfect for families or adults looking for local festivities.

— RECURRING EVENTS—

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

Location: Ojai Valley Museum OM — December 2025

OJAI PODCAST | EVERY THURSDAY | OjaiQuarterly.com

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.

DECEMBER 8

Coffee & Cars Dates: Second Sundays of the month Times: 8 to 10 a.m.

Location: Westridge Market parking lot Come check out classic and luxury cars from the area’s proudest collectors. Have a chance to learn from the owners about the history and importance of some of the world’s most incredible automobiles.

THURSDAYS

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 newsletter of Ojai events, news, arts, entertainment, history and culture. And podcasts.

MIKAEL JORGENSEN

BY BRET BRADIGAN

A DARK & STORMY ALBUM DROP It was, as the cliché demands, a dark and stormy night. Rain sheeted down the stucco walls of the newly reopened El Roblar Hotel on November 15, Ojai Avenue was a wet-glossed mirror of headlights and puddle-splashes.

Inside, though, it was all “hygge” — warm lights, warm people, warm anticipation — even before the first notes of the new Expandards album, “Cycling,” unfurled into the room.The crowd packed tightly into the freshly restored lobby performance space, a place that already feels like it was meant for nights like this: intimate, communal, exploratory. As the storm outside grumbled, the music inside deepened. It felt less like a concert than a kind of invocation — Ojai weather meeting Ojai creativity on equal terms.

And at the center of it all was keyboardist, producer, and sonic tinkerer Mikael Jorgensen, making a quietly triumphant hometown return.

The Expandards story begins not on a stage but at a preschool drop-off. A few years back, Jorgensen and vocalist-composer Isaac Koren (The Kin) discovered a shared fascination with American Songbook standards. That curiosity produced their earliest collaborations, which Jorgensen describes: “This project started innocently enough when Isaac and I met at a kid’s birthday party, and confessed a shared interest in American 12

OM — December 2025

Songbook tunes. We got together and tried to play a sloweddown version of ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ … We played some shows in Ojai directly after the Thomas Fire with just me on synth and Isaac singing slowed-down versions of these songs.”

What began as musical play became a process — one that suited

THE LINEUP ON NOV. 15TH INCLUDED, FROM LEFT: REBECCA COMERFORD, SOPHIE HOLT, JON STEINMEIER, JENI IVEY, ISAAC KOREN, AND SEATED: MIKAEL AND ELIAS VASQUEZ. PHOTO BY DJ PIERCE

both the constraints and the inspirations of parenting life in Ojai: “We would get together for 30 minutes in the mornings after dropping our kids off at pre-school, then improvise and record five ideas until we had over 75 to choose from.”

“The creative challenge became how to honor the initial gesture and heighten them instead of ‘fixing’ whatever stray note or surprising choice made in the moment of creation.” It’s a philosophy that suits both the music and the man.

Those sessions happened in Jorgensen’s studio in Meiners Oaks, making the project quite literally rooted in the valley. Jorgensen is a keyboardist and key member of Wilco, the Grammywinning Chicago ensemble known for turning Americana and alt-country into its own art form of restless reinvention through its founder, Jeff Tweedy. This is where Mikael honed his deep listening and boundary-pushing instincts.

Loss, Silence & Returning to the Work The long shaping of “Cycling” was marked by personal challenges. Jorgensen writes movingly about a difficult stretch during the Covid-19 lockdowns:

And then, like many creative beginnings, things went dormant for Koren and Jorgensen.

“We forgot about them for a while, and then Isaac would listen through and send me one, saying, ‘Remember this one?’ And often I would have no recollection of it, but would marvel at how they sounded fresh and filled with possibilities.”

That rediscovery — fresh ears on forgotten ideas — became something like the Expandards signature: honoring the spark rather than smoothing it over.

“In the spring of 2020, I suddenly found myself with a lot of time on my hands to work on this music as well as myself.

Isaac’s family suffered a tragic loss while we were in progress on crafting these recordings, and that grief translated into these remarkably vulnerable and emotional performances.”

Part of the album’s depth comes from this mixture: improvisation and structure, grief and play, discipline and accident.

The layered soundscapes that define the finished record were built one collaboration at a time — many of them rooted in the local music community. Ventura drummer Mario Calire (Ozomatli) became an essential creative partner: OM — December 2025

“I asked Mario if he would be interested in playing on this music and he agreed …

His rhythmic contribution to these songs was vital and unlocked new pathways into the music.”

And from there, the circle grew:

On that stormy Saturday night in November, this expanded lineup proved not only musically adept but atmospherically perfect. The storm became part of the soundtrack, the room part of the band. Jorgensen calls it: “A great evening on all fronts.”

“We reached out to the local music community … Randy Tico on upright bass, Jeremy Turner on cello, Dave Cipriani on sitar, Kevin McCormick on electric bass, Jacob Scesny on saxophone, and Nicole Atkins for background vocals.”

Ojai musicians, Ojai sounds, Ojai textures.

What’s Next for Expandards?

Even with the album released and the show a success, the project is still unfolding. “We’re still searching for a proper home for the record in addition to getting some more shows on the books in 2026.”

Finishing the Album — A Creative Reckoning For all its communal energy, “Cycling” did not rush itself into existence. In fact, Jorgensen admits to long wrestling with the act of completing it: “Over the next

several years, I would earnestly agonize over

what this record's completion actually meant

— head in my palms and everything. Serious

stuff. Despite being madly in love with what

we had created, I worried over whether it was

Finding Their People, Finding Their Place Part of the album’s emergence into public life came through a serendipitous connection with an Ojai resident and music manager. “Earlier this year, we met Ojai resident and music manager Nate Arling … Nate loved the music, and we began working together on how to get this music out and begin booking shows while I put a new iteration of the band together.”

good enough to release, and whether there

With Arling’s help, they reached out to Marko Shafer and the team at Ojai Valley and whether we should find a proper engineer Music, landing the El Roblar date. To to mix it rather than me, came up again and bring the album to life onstage, Jorgensen again." assembled a new ensemble that he refers to as “a new version of the band”: The turning point arrived when he Ojai’s Joshua Moreau encountered a quote "The cavalry is not coming. on bass, Rebecca by filmmaker Mark Comerford, Sophie YOU are the cavalry."

Duplass: “‘The cavalry Holt, Jeni Ivey, and - Mark Duplass is not coming. YOU Erin Yee on vocals are the cavalry,’ which with Jon Steinmeier was an incredibly on second keys and Elias Vasquez on liberating framework to consider. I finally drums. and mercifully abandoned this deficit mindset and came up with a vinyl-friendly “Brendan Willing James took some fun running order, and that’s when it all photos of us at Bart’s Books for our clicked.” website, featuring my very short-lived second mustache.Tickets sold out 24 In other words: stop waiting for hours before the show, and it was very permission. Finish the thing. Put it into meaningful to have our community show the world. up and go out on a very rainy Saturday evening. It was very great,” he said. was some big-picture mistake I couldn’t see,

14

OM — December 2025

A label, in other words. A distribution pathway. A sustainable future for a project that began as improvisation and is now evolving into a coherent artistic identity.

And perhaps more importantly: more performances. The El Roblar show proved there is an audience here — hungry, engaged, and delighted to welcome Jorgensen’s expansive sonic curiosity into Ojai’s artistic landscape.

A Life in Music: From New Jersey to Chicago to Wilco to Ojai For readers less familiar with Jorgensen’s

ABOVE: MIKAEL IN 2025 AND MIKAEL IN 1988

THE “CYCLING” ALBUM RELEASE SHOW AT THE EL ROBLAR HOTEL NOV. 15TH SOLD OUT IN 24 HOURS. EXPANDARD’S MIKAEL JORGENSEN, RIGHT, AND ISAAC KOREN, CENTER, BROUGHT WARMTH TO THE FULL HOUSE. PHOTO BY DJ PIERCE

path, check out episode 120 of the Ojai Podcast. The biography is wide-ranging: • Born in New Jersey, raised around instruments and tape machines • Early fascination with analog and modular synthesis • Joined Wilco in 2002, eventually becoming an essential multiinstrumentalist and producer in the band’s evolving sound • Released solo and collaborative experimental projects • Contributed to film scores and multimedia installations • Longtime Ojai visitor; now a part-time local with family roots in the valley • Married to noted artist Cassandra Jones, featured in the Winter 2025 issue of Ojai

Quarterly for her new Mega Gallery

If anything, the storm helped.

That breadth shows up everywhere in “Cycling”: the synth geographies, the layered vocal textures, the architectural sense of sound shape. This is a musician who lives in multiple worlds — pop, experimental, ambient, cinematic — and doesn’t draw hard borders between them.

As the rain intensified, the room seemed to draw tighter — not constricted, but connected. The music swelled, Koren’s vocals sliced through, Jorgensen’s synths shimmered. It was a night of weather and warmth, sound and shelter, process and arrival. Much like Ojai.

Closing the Loop The night of November 15 felt like more than an album release. It felt like the opening of a new chapter — for Expandards, for Ojai’s music scene, and for the El Roblar Hotel, which seems destined to become one of the valley’s key cultural spaces.

When the last notes faded, people lingered, reluctant to step back out into the wet world. But art does that — it shelters us long enough to send us back out changed.

It also felt, in a way, like a homecoming for Jorgensen: the album that began here was celebrated here, with friends, local musicians, and a crowd unfazed by the storm outside.

"Making preparations and executing a

OM — December 2025

“Cycling” is out now. And its next cycle — shows, a record deal, new configurations — is already gathering its own momentum.

“It’s fun to put on a show," Jorgensen said. really good plan is a very specific kind of satisfaction."

You can listen to "Cycling" at Expandards.net.

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

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OQ | HI KI NG MA P 1

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

2

3

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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 — December 2025

DONNA SALLEN

805.798.0516

EAST END MASTERPIECE

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

PROPERTY DETAIL

MOUNTAIN 4 BEDROOMS

3 BATHROOMS

VIEWS

w ww.donnasallen.c o m

GUEST HOUSE

3-CAR GARAGE

donna4remax@aol.com

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

ROOM TO BUILD DREAM HOME

Hidden behind the gates of Rancho Matilija sits a stunning 3-acre lot with magnificent 360 degree mountain views. Surrounded by mature trees and wildlife, this lot offers a beautiful connection to nature while still being conveniently located near all the amenities, recreational parks, hiking trails, Lake Casitas, fishing and all the outdoor adventures you may be looking for as well as easy access to Ventura, LA and Santa Barbara. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your dream home with endless possibilities in this serene and picturesque setting. This gated, private community offers beauty, peace and vision to the person looking for a one-of-akind property.

PROPERTY DETAIL

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

www.donnasallen . co m

donna4remax@aol.com

backyard movie night: — By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela — As I write this, I have a holiday movie playing in the background. It is the 19th holiday movie I have watched so far this season, and that does not count the ones I watched for Christmas in July or just randomly throughout the year.

I love holiday movies.

If you are wondering how I know this is the 19th one I have watched this year, it is because I keep a spreadsheet with notes so that I can check off which movies I watch each year and can determine which movies are worth watching again in the future.

I mean, who doesn’t do that?

This year, my month-long movie marathon got me thinking about how much fun it would be to host a themed movie night in my backyard complete with a screen, projector, comfy seating, and party favors.

Because, as some of you know, I love to host a themed gathering just as much as I love holiday movies and spreadsheets.

So, I thought I would share my winter backyard movie night party plans with you in case you might also want to create a fun, cozy get-together this winter.

1. Set up an outdoor movie theater: The first step is to set up your backyard movie theater. My setup includes a pulldown movie screen on my covered porch and a portable projector that I bring out for movie nights and store in the garage when not in use. There are lots of options for both screens and projectors, so you could also install a drop-down projector 22

on the ceiling or have a permanent screen that is always ready to go. Test your system before your guests arrive to make sure it is set up correctly and that you know how to use it. Most projectors are easy to use, but some can be a little tricky.

outdoor floor cushions. If you plan on hosting your movie night on your lawn, be sure to turn off your irrigation system that day and check the forecast to make sure it is not going to rain, since mud and wet grass are not going to improve your party.

2. Consider seating: Next up will be considering seating. If it is a small group, which most of the best get-togethers are, then you might have enough comfortable patio furniture to accommodate your guests. If not, you can bring out furniture from inside, dust off your camping chairs, or invest in comfy,

3. Keep your guests warm: Outdoor movie nights need to take place after dark, which means it will likely be cold. Prepare to keep your guests warm with baskets of throw blankets, portable or permanent patio heaters, and setting up seating near fire features. To treat your guests even more, you might consider also

OM — December 2025

five tips for hosts setting out cozy slippers and mittens, which could even be party favors.

FIRESTICK POTTERY Creative Workspace Open to Public

4. Set up a hot beverage bar: My ideal hot beverage bar for a movie night would be a hot chocolate bar with cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, chocolate chips, marshmallows, toffee bits, peppermint chips, and chopped nuts.

OPEN 10-6 DAILY 1804 E. OJAI AVE 805 - 272 - 8760

Of course, you could also set up a hot adult beverage bar with hot toddies, mulled wine, mulled cider, or coffee and hot chocolate that can be spiked with vodka, tequila, whiskey, or kahlua.

You can set out an assortment of ceramic mugs, travel mugs, or thermoses for your guests to use or to use during the party, and then take home with them, which is my top choice for party favors for this soiree.

5. Set up a popcorn and candy bar: Nothing says movie night like popcorn and movie theater candy. You can either buy the small boxes of candy like those sold at theaters or fill bowls and baskets so that your guests can create their own movie candy mix. Depending on just how committed you are to being the most amazing party host ever, you can buy bags of pre-popped popcorn, pop and bag homemade popcorn before the party, or rent or buy a popcorn machine.

Winter home maintenance reminder: If you have not yet changed your HVAC filters and cleaned your gutters, now is the time. We can expect lower temperatures and more rain in the coming months. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, it is also a good idea to have your chimney cleaned and inspected before you start using it this winter.

GALLERY WORKSHOPS POTTERY PARTIES FREE TOURS

firestickpottery.com

OM — December 2025

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 LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Call me for your Real Estate needs.

805-340-3774

24

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

OM — December 2025

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

GIF T GUIDE Curated with Love from Ojai’s Makers & Merchants

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REVEL KOMBUCHA 307 E. MATILIJA ST. STE C • 805-272-0028 Bring locally crafted Revel to your holiday gatherings — delicious, festive, and enjoyable for all ages!

MUD LOTUS

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305 E. MATILIJA ST. SUITE G

305 E. MATILIJA ST. SUITE G

305 E. MATILIJA ST. SUITE G

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805-252-5882

805-252-5882

Handmade embroidered silk crepe kimo-

Travel toiletry pouch under $25.

Cashmere shawls under $150, made in Nepal

no, under $175

Hand-block-printed cotton

with a fair trade designation.

FRIENDS RANCH 15150 MARICOPA HWY • 805-646-2871 Mail order is available online; fruit ships in the New Year. FriendsRanches.com.

Local citrus sells at $5+ per 2 pound bag

SUNDAY’S

307 E. OJAI AVE • 805-766-1366 Sustainable Gift Boxes. Our approach is to create high-quality, unique gifts that support the community. Thoughtfully curated & free local delivery

HEY BINGO! PET FOOD & ACCESSORIES 305 E. OJAI AVE • 805-798-1355 Give your fur babies a little holiday magic!

Whether it’s a cuddly plush toy or a delicious treat, stop by and spoil them this holiday season

This Season, Skip the Click. Stroll, Browse & Discover the Spirit of Ojai

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

26

(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

OM — December 2025

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

traditional

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 LATKES Latke is a Yiddish word for an amazingly different pancake. According to the Internet, they originated in the Middle Ages. Some versions of latkes can be traced back to at least the Middle Ages. They were likely made with cheese fried in poppyseed oil or butter and served alongside fruit preserves. These cheese latkes were the most common type in Ashkenazi communities until the 19th century, when the potato was introduced in Eastern Europe. At that time, the most inexpensive and readily available cooking fat was schmaltz. As potatoes gained popularity in Eastern Europe, they were quickly embraced, and today, latkes are almost synonymous with potatoes.

Randy Graham is a noted chef and writer and has been a lacto-ovo 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: (Makes Two Dozen) 2 large Russet potatoes (scrubbed and cut lengthwise into quarters) 1 large onion (peeled and cut into quarters) 2 large eggs ½ cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Vegetable oil (for frying) Sour cream (as a condiment at the table)

DIRECTIONS: Grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dishtowel

and wring out as much liquid as possible. Transfer the potatoes and onions

to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper. Mix until the flour is absorbed.

Pour about ¼-inch of oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, drop a healing tablespoon of the batter into the

skillet for each latke (cook in batches.) Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. Cook for about five minutes, then carefully flip the latkes over. Cook the second side for five minutes. Transfer the latkes

to paper towels to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt while still Healthy

30 minutes

warm, and cover with more paper towels to keep the latkes warm.

Repeat the cooking process until all the batter is used. Serve with sour cream at the table.

Tip: Latkes can be made with additional ingredients such as cheese, onion, Fall/Winter

Vegetarian

carrot, and zucchini.

OM — December 2025

THE LAST WORD

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?

By Therese A. Hartmann

I decided to watch a movie on Netflix recently and settled on a comedy starring Shirley MacLaine. She played a very controlling businesswoman approaching the end of her life and wanted to make sure her obituary was just the way she wanted it. To this end, she hired a young writer to do the job, handing her a list of family and friends and co-workers to interview.

was human and NOT a robot …

The only problem was that they all GREATLY disliked her, so the plot has her making some big pivots in her final months. She redeems herself, in the end, after realizing her major character flaws, providing a heart-warming ending that leaves you a little teary-eyed.

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.

Of course, the movie made me think … I can relate to being a little controlling but with an intention of making friends and family and folks who I welcome to my property, Hartmann Country Cottages, enjoy themselves.

birthday it is today, could really have used the AI results for a beautiful obit as it had so many glowing remarks about her. I sent it to her, and she was overjoyed and couldn’t believe how accurate it was. And the editor of this magazine, you’d think he was the most likable, accomplished guy on the planet with what AI had to say about him. In his case, I would have to agree although he immediately told me not to believe everything you read on the internet and referred to it as a bunch of “flummery.”

Or so I tell myself.

It doesn’t always work out the way I’d hoped with plenty of times I’ve either misinterpreted others or they me. Still, I give it my best effort most of the time.

Going down yet another rabbit, hole, I wondered if I Googled my own name and then added the AI feature, what would be said about me? You should try it yourself.

And drilling deeper and deeper I started checking names of friends. One gal, whose 28

But here we are at the end of the year and for me, it’s always a time for reflection and renewal as well as a time for making changes. Since I was on an AI quest, I decided to ask what character traits were the most important in being well-liked (nod to Shirley MacLaine’s character).

Here is what it had to say after ensuring I OM — December 2025

• Authenticity: People are drawn to those who are genuine. Pretending to be someone else often backfires, while showing your true self builds trust and deeper connections.

• Kindness: Small acts of generosity and compassion go a long way. Being considerate and helpful makes others feel valued.

• Empathy: The ability to understand and share others’ feelings strengthens bonds and makes people feel heard.

• Integrity: Honesty and reliability are universally respected. People like those they can count on to keep their word.

• Sense of humor: Lightheartedness and the ability to laugh with others (not at them) make social interactions enjoyable.

• Vulnerability: Surprisingly, showing imperfections or admitting mistakes makes you more relatable and endearing.

• Respectfulness: Treating others with dignity, regardless of differences, earns admiration and goodwill.

• Optimism: A positive outlook uplifts those around you and makes people want to spend time with you.

I think I will spend this holiday season cultivating these qualities. It’s so easy to get consumed by the negative in life and maybe, just maybe, if we spent more time taking the log out of our own eye, we would create the kind of harmonious environment we all long to live in.

And hey, if not now, when?

805-640-7225

www.downhomefurnishings.com

HOME DECOR

ART

CUSTOM FURNITURE WINDOW COVERINGS

UPHOLSTERY INTERIOR DESIGN

3rd Fridays Join us for Live Music, Community, Wine and Nibbles | Mon 10-5 | Tues-Thurs 11 - 5 | Fri 10-8 | Sat-Sun 10 - 6

Pamela Grau mixed media

Sharon Curtis jewelry

James Petrucci painting

Heidi Bradbury painting + books

Nancy Currey ceramics

Sandy Treadwell charcoal

Ted Gall sculpture

40+ Local Juried Artists 20+ Mediums

Handmade One-of-a-kind Bespoke Unique Orginal

Susan Guy painting

Jennifer Grasmere jewelry

Gifts

David Blackburn woodworking

Yolanda Bergman mosaics

Sherri Sanchez mosaics

Don Earl leather

Martha Moran rock sculpture

Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties’ Artists | 238 East Ojai Avenue Ojai CA 93023 | (805) 646-5682 | OVAArtsgallery.com OM — December 2025

We know Ojai.

Corral Canyon Ranch - 277+ Acre Ranch in Cuyama Valley with 5 Recently Renovated Houses, Equestrian Facilities, Fenced Pastures, Hay Fields, Riding Trails, Stunning Views Surrounded by Los Padres National Forest. $4,950,000

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Rose Valley Land - Create an off-grid, country retreat on 40 acres with mountain views, trails, and a natural spring in Rose Valley in the Los Padres National Forest $1,200,000

1.25-Acre Lot in East End Ojai Bordered by Seasonal Creek with Topa Topa Mountain Views, Paved Road to Property, One Share of Senior Canyon Water, and Room for Horses or Hobbies $895,000

Nora Davis

BRE License #01046067

805.207.6177

nora@ojaivalleyestates.com

We’re lifelong residents.

Rancho Royale - 21-Acre Equestrian Estate with Main House + 8 Rentals, 7 Horse Barns, 20 Covered Corrals, 4 Arenas, 2 Round Pens, Hay & Equipment Barns, Panel Walker, Entertainment Barn, Archery Range, Mountain Views & More RanchoRoyaleOjai.com $6,500,000

Four-bedroom Oak View home with gas fireplace, wood-burning stove, RV parking, two-car garage, covered patio, large closets, and large family room in walkable neighborhood $889,000

The Davis Group ojaivalleyestates.com

ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR 520 FOOTHILL ROAD, OJAI • OFFERED AT $5,995,000 Set along Ojai’s coveted Foothill Road, this restored 1929 Tudor Revival estate blends historic charm with modern elegance. A designated Historic Landmark, the property features a 4-bed main house, barn, yoga studio, and enchanting gardens with mountain views. Moments from hiking trails, farmers markets, and the Ojai Valley Inn, its a rare chance to own a piece of Ojai history.

3541 THACHER ROAD • OJAI • $2,300,000

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GABRIELA & ELIAS CESEÑA 805.236.3814 | 805.640.5904 THE NEXT LEVEL OF REAL ESTATE SERVICES

gabrielacesena.bhhscalifornia.com

TRUST • INTEGRITY • RESULTS

DRE 01983530 | 02228705

© 2025 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.

CAMARILLO, CA 3108 CALLE DE MAREJADA $2,997,000