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534FairviewRdOjai.com
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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. Offered at $1,950,000
DISCOVER OJAI
BRET BRADIGAN
FROM VERSUS OF: HOLIDAY EDITION
"Storytelling is what happens in the warm, gray fabric of boredom." — 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).
FOUNDING FATHERS & MOTHERS
While Edward Drummond Libbey is rightfully regarded among Ojai’s chief benefactors — having been behind the building of such Ojai landmarks as the Ojai Valley Inn, St. Thomas Aquinas Church (now the Museum), Post Office Tower and the Arcade — others have been very influential in shaping Ojai’s identity. Here’s a few:
Annie Besant. Free-thinker, feminist and noted Theosophist. Though she only spent a few days in Ojai, she brought Krishnamurti to Ojai, and helped buy hundreds of acres of property in Ojai, (now the sites of Besant Hill School and, along with A.P. Warrington, the Krotona Center) which she called “the smiling vale.” She is considered one of the pioneers of introducing Eastern mystical thought to the West, and was an early advocate of India’s independence. and the labor movement.
Jiddhu Krishnamurti. The spiritual teacher and writer, came to Ojai in 1922, sponsored by the Theosophical Society, though he later broke with that group (“The Leaderless Path.”) He gave talks to many thousands of people each year, in the Star Camps in the oak groves west of Ojai (now the site of Oak Grove School. He once held the Guinness Book of World Records for having spoken to the greatest number of people.
Weather in Ojai
Beatrice Wood. The famed ceramicist’s (“The Mama of Dada”) greatest work of art may well have been her life. The irreverent, avant-garde Wood lived and worked in Ojai for decades until her death in 1998 at age 105. She inspired two classic movies, Francois Truffaut’s “Jules et Jim,” and James Cameron’s “Titanic.” She attributed her longevity to “chocolate and young men.” Her autobiography was appropriately titled, “I Shock Myself.” Many of her distinctive, whimsical, luminous luster-glazed pieces are on display at her former home, now the Beatrice Wood Center, in upper Ojai.
Sherman Day Thacher. After coming West to farm and care for an ailing brother, the Yale-educated Thacher realized that he was going to need another source of income. So he founded The Thacher School in 1887. Now one of the most prestigious preparatory academies in the country, its founding creed was “teach a boy to ride, shoot and tell the truth.” Also, in 1896, his brother William founded “The Ojai,” the country’s oldest amateur tennis tournament. Among Thacher’s more illustrious students were industrialist, aviator and film producer Howard Hughes and three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist Thornton Wilder, who wrote his first play while a Thacher student.
OJAI QUICK FACTS:
The name “Ojai” is believed to be derived from the Ventureño Chumash word ‘awhaý, meaning “moon.” In 1837, Fernando Tico received a land grant and established a cattle ranch. Thomas A. Scott, who had financial success with oil and railroads, bought the Ojai Valley in 1864 for oil exploration. By 1868, Scott, through his agent Thomas Bard, began selling properties to homesteaders. By 1874, R.G. Surdam plotted out the town he would call Nordhoff, renamed Ojai in 1917.
Ojai is about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 30 miles east of Santa Barbara. The valley is about 10 miles long by 3 miles wide, surrounded by hills and mountains; the rare east-west orientation with a slight southward tilt gives the valley an extraordinary sun exposure; Ojai’s citrus and avocado crops are highly prized. This orientation also gives rise to Ojai as a spiritual destination.
It was due to the resources and organizing energy of Ohio glass manufacturer Edward Drummond Libbey that Nordhoff was rebuilt and renamed Ojai, inspired by the City Beautiful Movement. By 1917, with the construction of the Arcade and Post Office Tower, the town took its present shape.
The city’s self-styled nickname is “Shangri-La,” based on the story that Ojai was the backdrop (later left on the editing room floor) from the 1937 movie as the mystical sanctuary of James Hilton’s novel “Lost Horizon.”
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.
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
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.
BY BRET BRADIGAN
A DARK & STORMY ALBUM DROP MIKAEL JORGENSEN
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
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
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.”
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.
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.
“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.
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:
“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:
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
“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:
“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.
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 good enough to release, and whether there was some big-picture mistake I couldn’t see, and whether we should find a proper engineer to mix it rather than me, came up again and again."
The turning point arrived when he encountered a quote by filmmaker Mark Duplass: “‘The cavalry is not coming. YOU are the cavalry,’ which was an incredibly liberating framework to consider. I finally and mercifully abandoned this deficit mindset and came up with a vinyl-friendly running order, and that’s when it all clicked.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
"The cavalry is not coming. YOU are the cavalry." - Mark Duplass
With Arling’s help, they reached out to Marko Shafer and the team at Ojai Valley Music, landing the El Roblar date. To bring the album to life onstage, Jorgensen assembled a new ensemble that he refers to as “a new version of the band”: Ojai’s Joshua Moreau on bass, Rebecca Comerford, Sophie Holt, Jeni Ivey, and Erin Yee on vocals with Jon Steinmeier on second keys and Elias Vasquez on drums.
A Life in Music: From New Jersey to Chicago to Wilco to Ojai
For readers less familiar with Jorgensen’s
In other words: stop waiting for permission. Finish the thing. Put it into the world.
“Brendan Willing James took some fun photos of us at Bart’s Books for our website, featuring my very short-lived second mustache.Tickets sold out 24 hours before the show, and it was very meaningful to have our community show up and go out on a very rainy Saturday evening. It was very great,” he said.
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
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.
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.
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.
If anything, the storm helped.
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.
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.
“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. "Making preparations and executing a really good plan is a very specific kind of satisfaction."
You can listen to "Cycling" at Expandards.net.
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
There's no place like home. Let me find yours.
ROOM
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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
TIMELESS OASIS
Discover a quiet East End compound offering nearly 5,000 square feet across three private homes. Originally crafted by Mr. Shippee for his family, the main house welcomes you with a walled courtyard, covered veranda, sparkling pool, and lush landscaping. Inside, acacia wood floors, an open cook’s kitchen, and a dramatic double-sided fireplace anchor the living spaces. Three bedrooms with French doors open to the gardens. A 1,400-square-foot guest house adds two bedrooms, a bath, a private courtyard, and a two-car garage — ideal for visitors or extended family. The third home features modern concrete floors, a spacious living room, kitchenette, bedroom, bath, and two secluded patios. The landscaped grounds mix drought-tolerant plantings with fruit trees — apple, citrus, fig, pomegranate — and olive trees lining the drive. A fenced paddock and turnout area make the property horse-friendly. Altogether, this rare compound blends versa-
1 SHELF ROAD 3.5mi
EASY | Elev. Gain: 200 ft | Overlooks downtown Ojai.
2
RIVER PRESERVE 0-7mi
VARIES | Elev. Gain: ≤ 520 ft Wills-Rice Loop is the longest trail.
5
HORN CANYON 5.5mi
STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 1600 ft | Goes to the Pines.
8
ROSE VALLEY 1mi
EASY | Elev. Gain: 100 ft Rose Valley Falls.
3
PRATT TRAIL 8.8mi
STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 3300 ft | Goes to Nordhoff Peak.
6
COZY DELL 2.2mi
MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 740 ft | Cozy Dell Creek & Ridge.
9
SISAR CANYON 22mi
STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 4800 ft |Topa Topa Bluffs.
4
GRIDLEY TRAIL 6-12mi
MODERATE | 3 mi to Gridley Springs (Elev. Gain: 1200 ft) 6 mi to Nordhoff Peak.
7
MATILIJA CANYON 12mi
MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 1200ft | North Fork.
10
SULPHUR MTN. 22mi
MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 2300 ft | Sulphur Mountain Road.
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
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.
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
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.
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,
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.
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
five tips for hosts
setting out cozy slippers and mittens, which could even be party favors.
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.
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.
Ross Falvo
Keller Williams Realty “The Ojai Real Estate Guy” RossFalvo.com 805-207-5094
Dennis Guernsey LIV Sotheby’s International Realty
805-798-1998
Nora Davis LIV Sotheby’s International Realty
OjaiValleyEstates. com 805-207-6177
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
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.
Donna Sallen Remax Gold Coast Realtors
Donna4Remax@aol.com
DonnaSallen.com 805-798-0516
Logan Hall Logan Hall Photography 805-798-0337 loganhallphotos. com
Vivienne Moody LIV Sotheby’s International Realty 805-798-1099 vmoody10@ sbcglobal.net OjaiLifestyle.net
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
Bob Kemper Broker, MBA Kemper Realty of LIV Sotheby’s International Realty
Larry Wilde LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Wilde-Wilde. com 805-640-5734
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
GIFT GUIDE
Curated with Love from Ojai’s Makers & Merchants
LARK ELLEN FARMS
ORGANIC GRANOLA
Sprouted nuts and seeds in Snack Lovers
Gift Box, $34.99 www.purelysprouted.com
MUD LOTUS
305 E. MATILIJA ST. SUITE G
805- 252-5882
Handmade embroidered silk crepe kimono, under $175
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
PURELY SPROUTED SPROUTED SNACKS
212-A E. OJAI AVE • 805-798-0177
The Gift Variety Pack for $47 - Sprouted With Love in Ojai www.larkellenfarm.com
MUD LOTUS
305 E. MATILIJA ST. SUITE G
805- 252-5882
Travel toiletry pouch under $25. Hand-block-printed cotton
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
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
305 E. MATILIJA ST. SUITE G
805- 252-5882
Cashmere shawls under $150, made in Nepal with a fair trade designation.
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
(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 & traditional Italian cuisine 515 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-7388 papalennons.com
RAINBOW BRIDGE
A community gathering place 211 East Matilija Street (805) 646-6623 rainbowbridgeojai.com
THE RANCH HOUSE
An Ojai culinary destination for more than 60 years 102 Besant Road (805) 646-2360 theranchhouse.com
SAKURA OJAI
A locals’ favorite for Japanese food 219 East Matilija Street (805) 646-8777 sakuraojai.wix.com
SEA FRESH
Serving Ojai for 30 years
533 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-7747 seafreshseafood.com
ZAIDEE’S BAR & GRILL
Patio & indoor dining with Ojai’s most tranquil views 1033 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-5685 soulepark.com
CHEF RANDY’S LIFE OF SPICE 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 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, carrot, and zucchini.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.”
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
was human and NOT a robot …
• 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?
mixed media
Pamela Grau jewelry
Sharon Curtis painting James Petrucci painting + books
Heidi Bradbury ceramics
Nancy Currey jewelry
Jennifer Grasmere sculpture
Ted Gall painting
Susan Guy charcoal Sandy Treadwell woodworking
David Blackburn mosaics
Yolanda Bergman mosaics
Sherri Sanchez leather Don Earl rock sculpture
Martha Moran
$4,950,000
Royal Oaks - 5 Bedrooms, Upscale Finishes Throughout, Media Room, Wine Cellar, Tasting Room, Gym/Massage Room, Pool & Spa, Putting
Six-Car Garage, Bocce Court, Views, and So Much More RoyalOaksRanchOjai.com
Lot in
End
by
$895,000
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
Green, Well,
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.
1.25-Acre
East
Ojai Bordered
Seasonal Creek with Topa Topa Mountain Views, Paved Road to Property, One Share of Senior Canyon Water, and Room for Horses or Hobbies
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
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
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.
