July 2026 OM for web

OJAI 07 26 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY

Real estate / home / Visitors

Cover: Donna Sallen, Re/Max Gold Coast Realtors | 805-798-0516 | See Page 17

FEATURED PROS: JON & LINDA LAMBERT BE A TOURIST IN YOUR HOMETOWN CURB APPEAL FOR SUMMER SALES Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

EAST END SPANISH BEAUTY

On nearly 8 usable acres in Ojai’s coveted East End, this exceptional Spanish Revival estate offers privacy, craftsmanship, and panoramic mountain views. Designed by architect Gary Heathcote, the 5,444-square-foot single-level home features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, soaring ceilings, a dramatic central courtyard, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Amenities include water purification, spa, detached studio, healing garden, glamping tent, private hiking trail access, professionally designed Mediterranean landscaping and a three-car garage.

5180ReevesRdOjai.com Offered at $7,499,000 LesterCookRealEstate.com lester@lestercookrealestate.com @lestercookrealestate (818) 642-7412 DRE# 01991090 ©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.

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 $1,725,000 www.pattywaltcher.com pattywaltcher@mac.com @pattywaltcherrealestate (805) 340-3774 DRE# 01176473 ©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.

Where Ojai Gets Growing AnnuAls • PerenniAls • shrubs • Trees • housePlAnTs • PoTTery • CACTi & suCCulenTs • CAliforniA nATives & WATer-Wise PlAnTs • non-GMo veGeTAbles • berries & CiTrus PlAnTs • CerTified orGAniC soil & ferTilizers

Start Your Garden Now!

Flora Gardens Nursery & Garden Shop 245 Old Baldwin Rd. • Ojai, CA 93023 Open Daily 9 - 5 Monday-Saturday, 10 to 5 Sunday (805) 640-0055 FOLLOW US AT FLORAGARDENSOJAI 4

OM — July 2026

ESCAPE IN A MOMENT Getaway to a rare place where you can truly slow down. Where 220 acres surround our iconic Inn, offering space to unplug, cool off, and explore to your heart’s content. Dine al fresco under starlit skies, soak in the views from a dreamy poolside cabana, or pedal the trails with an artisan picnic in tow. Reset, recharge, and return to what matters. Your idyllic Ojai escape awaits.

(866) 976-3538 OjaiValleyInn.com

OM — July 2026 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS JULY 2026

7

Editor’s Note

8

Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers

11

Calendar of Events

12

Featured Pros: Jon & Linda Lambert

19

Ojai’s Top Ten Hikes

22

Selling Your Ojai Family Home

24

Who’s Who in Real Estate

28

Playing Tourist in Your Hometown

Editor & Publisher / Bret Bradigan AJ Davis / Home & Garden Design Cover: Listed by Donna Sallen, REMAX Gold Coast 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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OM — July 2026

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OJAI 07 26 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY

Real estate / home / Visitors

Cover: Donna Sallen, Re/Max Gold Coast Realtors | 805-798-0516 | See Page 21

FEATURED PRO: KIM BARNES OJAI’S FAVOR-BASED ECONOMY HOME PREP FOR QUICK SPRING SALE Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

12 14

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — March 2026

22 19

DISCOVER

OJAI MONTHLY

THE SCHOOL OF TASTE "There's something fascinating about seeing something you don't like at first but directly know you will love — in time."

— Philip Roth

BRET BRADIGAN

There is a revealing story about Vincent Price that many people don't know.

Long before he became the instantly recognizable voice of gothic horror films, Price was one of America's great art collectors and advocates. He believed that most people don't actually know what they like. They think they do, but what they really know is what they're already been exposed to. That's where the familiar refrain of "I know what I like," comes from. From familiarity itself.

His mission was to introduce ordinary people to painting, sculpture, architecture and design — not to tell them what they ought to admire, but to give them enough exposure that their own tastes could develop. His 1959 memoir was titled "I Like What I Know," a phrase that sounds almost obvious until you stop to think about it.

We don't automatically appreciate great art. We learn to. The same is true of literature. Of food. Of history. Of places.

Of music (It took me about three years before I realized what an enormous treasure Ojai presents to the world with the Ojai Music Festival.) And certainly of Ojai itself.

Many people come here for a weekend and leave believing they know the valley because they visited a few shops, had lunch at one of our incredible restaurants, and snapped a few Instagrammable photographs of the Pink Moment.

But Ojai doesn't work that way. It reveals itself slowly.

You begin to understand why Edward Drummond Libbey still shapes this town more than a century later. Why Annie Besant and Krishnamurti made this unlikely valley an international crossroads of philosophy. Why Beatrice Wood mattered. Why Sherman Day Thacher's influence extends far beyond a school campus.

Check out this issue and you'll see that invitation to learn across all 32 pages. You hike Shelf Road, then Pratt Trail, then Cozy Dell, and one day find yourself standing on a ridge looking across a valley you've somehow never really seen before. You meet people like Jon and Linda Lambert in Ilona Saari's Featured Pros profile, whose lives remind us that teaching isn't simply passing along information — it's enlarging another person's world.

You discover a play at the Art Center, a lecture at Krotona, a concert in Libbey Bowl, a hidden gallery, a pottery studio, or a trail you've driven past a hundred times without noticing.

That is among the reasons why we publish this magazine. Not merely to tell you what's happening. To help you discover what you didn't know you would enjoy.

Taste isn't fixed. And curiosity is a muscle. Communities become richer when their citizens know more about them.

Vincent Price understood that education doesn't narrow our interests — it multiplies and expands them.

The more we know, the more there is to love. And there are very few places where is that truer than here in Ojai.

OM — July 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°

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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.”

ESCAPE IN A MOMENT Getaway to a rare place where you can truly slow down. Where 220 acres surround our iconic Inn, offering space to unplug, cool off, and explore to your heart’s content. Dine al fresco under starlit skies, soak in the views from a dreamy poolside cabana, or pedal the trails with an artisan picnic in tow. Reset, recharge, and return to what matters. Your idyllic Ojai escape awaits.

(866) 976-3538 OjaiValleyInn.com

OM — July 2026 9

$895,000 2bed/2bath. Tucked away along a peaceful creek, this charming home offers a rare opportunity to embrace nature and tranquility. Surrounded by a serene, forest-like setting, the property features a beautiful deck overlooking the water.

Jessica McCrea 805-699-8645

221 E. Matilija St jessica@ojaivalleyrealestate.com Located across from the Sunday Farmers Market behind the Arcade

$950,000 3 bed/2 bath- 910 Mercer St, Ojai This home offers a wonderful setting for everyday living, with a welcoming community feel and incredible mountain views. Home needs work, but will be well worth it.

410 Bryant Circle - Unit A - 1,868 sq ft $995K.Purchase or $4KNN Lease This unit boasts convenient roll-up doors and dramatic vaulted ceilings, offering expansive, flexible space perfect for a wide range of uses.

To see all available properties in the Ojai Valley see our website:

www.ojaivalleyrealestate.com

DRE#01193756

1 source for events in Ojai

#

The

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.

Our motto says it best: You will never miss another event!

NO MORE TEDIOUS SEARCHING! Find an event by your interest:

ART

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SPECIAL EVENT

OJAINOW LIVE You will never miss another event! www.ojainow.live 10

OM — July 2026

JULY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

“COMPANY” | TO JULY 21 | OJAIARTCENTER.ORG

JULY 4 Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks Times: Parade at 10 a.m., Fireworks at dusk, gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Ojai Avenue for the Parade, Nordhoff High School for the Fireworks.

Contact: 4thofJulyinOjai.com Kicks off July 3 with a free concert in Libbey Bowl. Considered one of America’s finest small-town Independence Day celebrations. The Fireworks show includes food trucks and live music.

THROUGH JULY 12 “Company” Dates: Fridays and Saturdays through July 11; Sundays through July 12 Times: Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. (No performance July 4.)

Location: Ojai Art Center Contact: 805-640-8797 • OjaiACT.org Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical explores modern relationships through the eyes of Bobby, a lifelong bachelor surrounded by married friends. Filled with wit, heart and unforgettable songs including “Being Alive,” this acclaimed production is directed by David Henderson.

JULY 30 Santigold Date: Thursday Time: 7 p.m.

4TH OF JULY PARADE | JULY 4 | 4THOFJULYINOJAI.COM

Contact: 805-646-5581, ext. 120 Concerts@OjaiValleyMusic.org Santigold is a genre-defying musician, style renegade, and visionary artist across multiple platforms, celebrated for her fearless ability to fuse unexpected elements into bold new work. She sings about the multidimensionality of being — transformation, transcendence, and evolution.”

AUGUST 1 The Grateful Shred Date: Saturday Time: 6 p.m.

Contact: 805-646-5581, ext. 120 Concerts@OjaiValleyMusic.org A Jerry Garcia birthday celebration with the literal best Grateful Dead tribute band on the planet. Grateful Shred manages to channel that elusive Dead vibe uniquely, with wide-open guitar tones, effortless three-part vocal harmonies, choogling beats, and yes, plenty of tripped out, Shredded solos. The look, the sound, the atmosphere is uncanny. Far from being a historical re-enactment, Grateful Shred’s laissez faire flow infuses the band with a gentle spirit, warmth, and (dare we say it) authenticity.

JULY 30-AUG 2 Ojai Playwrights Conference, New Works Festival

OJAI PODCAST | EVERY THURSDAY | OJAIQUARTERLY.COM

Times: Varies Location: The Thacher School Contact: OjaiPlays.org Playwrights will spend the first week in community with other writers, directors, and dramaturgs, reading and discussing the work and a second week in workshop (with actors) to develop their new plays, culminating in public performances.

— RECURRING EVENTS—

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.

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 weekly newsletter.

OM — July 2026 11

JOHN & LINDA LAMBERT

BY ILONA SAARI

COFFEE & COINCIDENCE Linda and Jon Lambert's remarkable journeys — from New York classrooms and international programs to Peru, London and finally Ojai — prove that life's most important lessons sometimes begin with a simple conversation.

LADIES FIRST: When Linda Lambert entered this world in 1947 at the Brady Maternity Hospital in Albany, N.Y., “Old Glory” unfurled as the sky burst with fireworks. Granted, this was happening all over America because it was the 4th of July, but it was a joyful beginning for William and Grace Goosman’s daughter, whose life would be filled with achievement, adventure and teaching.

Grace, a medical secretary at the Albany, Virginia, and William, a railroad postal clerk, watched as Linda blossomed in school. At Cardinal McCloskey High School she sang in the Glee Club, which joined other diocesan choruses to form a 500-student choir for the Diocesan Music Festival. (“And that’s where I met my first 12

OM — July 2026

boyfriend,” she recalls with a smile.) But, singing was only part of her student life. She loved writing the tongue-in-cheek “Cardinal Capers” column for the school paper, “a monthly report on what silly antics occurred in our classes.”

On her second try, Linda won the Yankee Doodle Dandy Oratorical Contest, representing New York State at the Freedom Week celebrations in Philadelphia ( July 1–4, 1962). Entrants had to be born on the 4th in a capital city of one of the original 13 colonies. Linda placed second. Contestants shared a stage in front of Independence Hall with 50 governors and President JFK before a crowd of 125,000. “It was the thrill of a lifetime for this 14-yearold girl!”

To fulfill graduation foreign language requirements, Linda was assigned Spanish. “To say that I took to Spanish like a duck to water says it all.” Others dreamed of being on stage or exploring Alaska, but teaching Spanish became her goal, so she enrolled at the College of St. Rose of Lima in Albany.

GENTLEMEN NEXT: Two days before Pearl Harbor, Jon Lambert’s life began in Parkchester, N.Y., with far different “fireworks” from Linda’s debut.

His father, Barnett (Barney) Lambert, was exempt from World War II service because of his work with East Bronx street gangs. Later he directed a Bronx YM-YWHA and developed senior trips for the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies. Together with Jon’s mother, Evelyn, an educator and homemaker, they created and ran a sleepaway camp in New England for inner-city kids, and managed a Federation of Jewish Philanthropies sleepaway camp for seniors in the Poconos Mountains.

When Jon was 10, the family moved to Eastchester, N.Y. “I was a true example of a nebbish,” he says of his days in high school. His guidance counselor advised him not to apply to college, warning he wouldn’t get in. Jon ignored him and was accepted at the College of Oswego in N.Y. “Getting 350 miles away from home worked!” He made Dean’s List every semester, became fraternity president and student body president. “Truly a late bloomer,” he says about himself.

Jon and his younger brother Howard, who later earned a Ph.D in clinical psychology, spent summers at sleepaway camp, crafting, swimming, fishing, hiking and leading songs as they played their guitars and banjos. In college, Jon led hootenannies and still hosts them in his backyard today.

After receiving a fellowship to the

ANNIVERSARY DINNER AT THE RANCH HOUSE

Columbia School of Social Work, Jon quickly realized it wasn’t for him and dropped out (no, he didn’t ‘turn-on’) to teach sixth grade in Purchase, N.Y. In 1969 he married Susan Applebaum and moved to Chicago, where he completed his Master’s and Ph.D in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology.

Returning to New York, Jon joined Rockland Community College’s Counseling Department and taught psychology. He and Susan settled in Westchester, N.Y. where sons Eric (1971) and Scott (1972) were born. Through his involvement with the college’s United Kingdom program, the family moved to London and lived there from 1975–1977.

“A divorce in 1981 renewed my solo status and I changed employment, becoming the University Director for International Programs at Pace University.”

MEANWHILE, LINDA: In college, Linda befriended Berta, a fellow Spanish student from Peru. During her sophomore year she accepted Berta’s invitation to visit during the summer. It was 1967 and the beginning of Peru’s winter ... it was cold, damp and without

hot water. In true western movie tradition, bath water was heated in saucepans, and as in pioneer days, there was no phone to call home when homesick.

Though warmly welcomed, the poverty she witnessed left a lasting impression.

“It was a real learning experience and had a profound impact on the way I saw the world.”

In her senior year Linda expected a Spanish teaching job would be easypeasy. Wrong. French, German and Latin positions were aplenty, but none in Spanish. Considering a job with Ma Bell in desperation, she was finally contacted to interview for a Spanish position in the Ramapo Central School District (now the Suffern District) and aced it. On Labor Day 1969 she rented a room in Suffern, N.Y. and began a 31year teaching career.

Five years later, a Master’s degree was required to continue teaching. She enrolled in NYU’s Master’s program in language education, spending two summers at the University of Madrid and another at NYU. Linda loved teaching and fortunately her off-beat, humorous teaching style worked well with seventh

OM — July 2026 13

ABOVE RIGHT: LINDA LAMBERT TEACHING ENGLISH, SHE WAS NOMINATED FOR NEW YORK STATE’S TEACHER OF THE YEAR. ABOVE RIGHT, JON LAMBERT SHARES THE STAGE WITH DIRECTOR CHLOE ZHAO AT AN OJAI FILM FESTIVAL EVENT, WHICH HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT FOR 12 YEARS.

and eighth graders, whom she described as “silly, rowdy, sensitive, moody, rebellious, enthusiastic and, as I like to describe them, hormones with feet.”

In 1977 Linda married Ron Di Marco. The marriage didn’t last, and she moved on and bought “my own sweet little casa in Spring Valley.”

In 1984 she attended a colloquium in Albany. “That’s when my life took a very unexpected turn. I met Jon Lambert.”

HE SAID – SHE SAID: Jon says he attended the conference only because he owed the dean of the language department a favor. The dean wanted Pace represented and no one else could go, so “I was nominated.” Fate intervened. “Linda and I met over a cup of coffee.” Forty years later they still enjoy morning coffee together.

Linda remembers it differently. In that coffee line she realized she hadn’t a clue where the next session was, and “turned to the person behind me to ask directions — and there was Jon. “He gave me directions, looked me in the eye, offered his hand, smiled and said, ‘Hi, I’m Jon Lambert.’” A coffee connection.

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They dated for two years. Prompted by Jon’s son’s questions about their future plans, Linda “took the bull by the horns” on a beach in the Dominican Republic during another conference and said, “You know, this would be a great time for you to ask me to marry you.” Jon replied, “Oh, so you want to?” She answered, “OK.” Who says romance is dead?

When Jon told his sons, “the first words out of my older son’s mouth were, ‘Oh good! Now we don’t have to eat Dad’s cooking anymore.’” Ba-da-boom.

The wedding was a potluck party in Jon’s aunt’s backyard. The honeymoon included Linda, Jon, his two sons and his brother at a camp in New Hampshire — a true family affair.

Jon left Pace in 1987 but continued as an adjunct professor, created an experimental science program in Yonkers and taught in a gifted-and-talented elementary magnet school before retiring 14 years later.

Linda continued teaching in Suffern and was nominated for New York State Teacher of the Year and Disney Teacher of the Year, and was named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers three times. “I

figured that I must have been doing something right.”

Coincidence or fate? Jon’s aunt Ziporah, a Theosophist (an esoteric belief and philosophical movement established in 1875), retired to Ojai because of its Theosophist community. After her death, Jon’s mother lived in her house until she died in 1999.

Soon afterward, Jon and Linda who had visited his mom often, decided to leave the east coast and retire in Ojai.

Approached by Tibetan neighbors, they helped create the Tibetan Aid Foundation, which builds and supports educational and health centers in Tibet. Linda also taught Spanish for seniors through HELP of Ojai and Jon served on the board of the Ojai Library Friends. Since 2010 Linda has worked with Laubach Literacy of Ventura County and now serves as vice president, tutor trainer and Ojai coordinator while teaching two English classes weekly. Both have served on the board of the Taormina Community organization.

Jon also became involved with the Ojai Film Festival in 2009, serving as board president from 2012–2024. He still enjoys hiking, camping, boating and continues to

LAMBERTS’ WEDDING IN 1986.THE WELL-TRAVELED COUPLE, CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW, IN TELLURIDE, CAYUMA VALLEY, CHILE AND IN THE ANDES AT PERU’S MACHU PICCHU

hootenanny.

“How fortunate we are to have been blessed with a wonderful life and dear friends in Ojai,” Linda says with a full heart.

Viva la Buena Vida!

OM — July 2026 15

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

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DONNA SALLEN

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CHARM & QUIET

Welcome to this charming cottage in the Historic neighborhood of Taormina. Hidden on a cul-de-sac this three bedroom, three bathroom home oozes with charm at the same time offers modern amenities throughout. Lovely living room with large fireplace opens to the dining room. Updated kitchen and bathrooms, light-filled rooms with views from nearly every window. You will enjoy spending time in the enchanting gardens while listening to the birds in this private sanctuary. This neighborhood has direct access to wonderful trails and Ojai’s nature preserve; yet minutes to downtown Ojai. Private and peaceful.

PROPERTY DETAIL MOUNTAIN 3 BEDROOMS

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Whitman Architectural Design

Calamity Jane with Ghost Writer (Recreation)

www.whitman-architect.com Providing the highest quality custom residential & commercial Architectural Design and Construction Services.

805-646-8485 “We Shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”

Winston Churchill

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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 — July 2026 19

FIRESTICK POTTERY Creative Workspace Open to Public OPEN 10-6 DAILY 1804 E. OJAI AVE 805 - 272 - 8760

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

An international center dedicated to understanding, harmony, and peace among all peoples, comparative studies in religion, philosophy and science, altruism and the ideals of a spiritual life.

GALLERY

"Everything will give up its secrets if one loves it enough."

WORKSHOPS

--George Washington Carver

POTTERY PARTIES FREE TOURS

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

firestickpottery.com

School of Theosophy: 46 Krotona St., Ojai CA 93023

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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

SUMMER CURB APPEAL TIPS — By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela —

Making a Great First Impression in Hot, Dry, and Rural Areas Summer is one of the most beautiful times of year in Ojai.

The hills glow golden, lavender blooms in gardens, and long evenings invite people outdoors.

It’s also a season when many homeowners begin thinking about selling and when buyers from Los Angeles, Orange County, and beyond are here on the weekends getting a taste of the Ojai Valley lifestyle.

If you’re preparing to sell your home, curb appeal matters. First impressions begin before a buyer ever walks through the front door. Fortunately, creating great curb appeal in Ojai isn’t about spending a fortune on landscaping or dramatic renovations. Instead, it’s about highlighting the natural beauty of your property while showing that it has been thoughtfully designed and maintained.

• Front door • House numbers • Exterior lighting • Welcome mat • Porch or entry seating areas A freshly painted front door, clean hardware, and a tidy entry can make a home feel inviting before buyers even step inside.

For country homes in more rural areas, make sure entry gates, fences, and driveways are also well maintained since buyers will see these features long before they see the house itself.

Pay Attention to Driveways and Access Roads: Many homes in Ojai and the surrounding to Southern California. Native plants, foothill communities sit on larger lots or ornamental grasses, lavender, sage, rosemary, succulents, and well-maintained mulch can private roads.

Buyers notice: create a beautiful, welcoming appearance while reflecting the natural character of the • Cracked pavement • Overgrown vegetation Ojai Valley.

• Potholes • Untrimmed tree branches Rather than trying to make your property Clearing access routes and ensuring look like a lush oasis transplanted from Here are some practical summer curb somewhere with far more rainfall, embrace driveways feel safe and well-maintained appeal tips for homes in Ojai and helps buyers feel confident about the what makes this area unique. A landscape surrounding communities, including Oak property from the moment they arrive. that feels at home in Ojai often appeals View, Meiners Oaks, Upper Ojai, Ventura, more to buyers than one that requires Rose Valley, and Santa Paula.

Create Defensible Space Without Sacrificing constant watering and maintenance.

Beauty: Fire safety has become an Work With Ojai’s Natural Landscape: Today’s important consideration throughout Freshen Up the Entryway: The front buyers increasingly appreciate droughtVentura County. entrance creates an immediate impression. conscious landscaping that feels authentic Summer is an excellent time to: Take a close look at your:

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• Remove dead vegetation • Trim overgrown brush • Prune tree limbs • Clear debris from around structures Not only does this improve safety and support local fire-prevention efforts, but it also helps buyers see the property more clearly.

A well-maintained landscape communicates responsible ownership and can help buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a rural, canyon, or hillside property.

Showcase Outdoor Living Areas: Many people move to Ojai because they want to spend more time outdoors.

Whether your property features: • A shaded patio

• A front porch • A pool • A garden • A covered deck • Mountain views Make these spaces feel usable and inviting.

Simple touches such as clean outdoor furniture, potted plants, new cushions, or a neatly staged dining table can help buyers imagine enjoying Ojai’s coveted indooroutdoor lifestyle.

Don’t Forget the Little Things Small details have a big impact: Before listing your home: • Wash exterior windows • Clean gutters • Pressure wash walkways • Touch up peeling paint • Replace burned-out light bulbs • Repair loose fence boards

• Remove cobwebs These inexpensive improvements can make a property feel well maintained, cared for, and move-in ready.

Highlight What Makes Your Property Special: Every Ojai-area property has its own story.

Maybe it’s the mature oak tree that provides afternoon shade. Perhaps it’s the mountain views, the orchard, the horse facilities, the artist’s studio, the centuryold stone walls, or the peaceful backyard retreat.

The goal of curb appeal isn’t perfection.

The goal is helping buyers notice and appreciate the features that make your property unique.

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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

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

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REDISCOVERING OJAI

PLAYING TOURIST IN MY HOMETOWN

By Therese A. Hartmann

There’s a funny thing about growing up in Ojai: you can spend your whole life here, volunteer for half the organizations in town, know the history better than most tour guides… and still forget to actually experience Ojai the way visitors do.

I’ve lived here for generations — Ojai is in my bones — and over the years I’ve poured my time into the Ojai Women’s Fund, the Ojai Music Festival, the Ojai Education Foundation, the Ojai Tennis Tournament (yes, I was one of those teenagers squeezing oranges at sunrise), and countless other local efforts. I’ve helped behind the scenes, set up tables, poured juice, organized volunteers, and cheered on the community.

But I didn’t always pause long enough to actually enjoy the events themselves.

Then one day it hit me: people travel from all over the world to experience what I walk past every day.

So, I decided to become a tourist in my own hometown.

I hit the trails — Shelf Road, Pratt, Cozy Dell Trail — places I’d hiked before I became so busy but hadn’t revisited lately. The views were just as breathtaking as I remembered, maybe even more so now that I was paying attention. Hiking Pratt the other day put a smile on my face so big that I wondered why the heck I’d stopped taking the time for it.

I have been treating myself to dinners out, savoring the farm-to-table dishes that vis28

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In my walking reveries, I realized that one of the biggest surprises was how much I’d missed by always being the volunteer behind the curtain. The concerts in the park? Pure joy.

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.

itors rave about. I sat on patios under string lights, listening to conversations drifting by in accents from all over the country while enjoying a cold drink. I’ve brought friends along to participate … trying out restaurants that I generally recommend to others.

And like local historian Mark Tovar, I have been walking. A lot. Through Libbey Park, down Ojai Avenue, past the fountains and the murals and the citrus-scented breezes that make this valley feel like a world of its own.

I walk through the Arbolada where I’ve made friends with a dog named Nala. We have a “thing.” I give her a treat at the first gate to the property and then tell her “Let’s go” which has her running to the second gate to get another treat and some extra petting. It’s a highlight for both of us.

In June, I had offered my studio to house one of the musicians during the recent Ojai Music Festival and was given tickets to attend.

Knowing this is really a musician’s festival, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was AMAZING! I had the good fortune to sit right next to one of the composers, a gal from Washington who was enjoying Ojai for the first time.

Through her eyes, I looked at our little valley and instantly felt filled with pride.

During intermission, I ran into so many locals I knew, waving from picnic blankets and promising we would get together soon. It wasn’t just the music, world-class as it was, it was the sharing of something special and this time, I finally let myself enjoy it as the complete gift it was.

What I’ve learned is this: Ojai isn’t just a place you live. It’s a place you experience.

And sometimes the best way to appreciate your hometown is to borrow the eyes of the people who travel so far to see it. I’ve discovered this through talking to some of my guests at my three short-term rentals in Upper Ojai.

Most recently, it was via a couple escaping the Boyle Heights fire in Los Angeles with their three dogs who were struggling with the

smoky air. I met Angela and her husband and pups as I was finishing up getting ready for their early arrival. As soon as they parked and opened their car door, it was as though they breathed a collective sigh of relief. Being in an area where you can just let your guard down has a way of making you feel alive again.

And whether you meditate, or hike, or sit on the porch and watch the world go by while drinking a steaming cup of coffee or go to the many events Ojai has, I know from experiencing it anew, it what life is all about.

Offering expert project management services in the field of real estate development.

Specializing in affordable housing, community-benefit projects, and multigenerational living options.

I’ll still keep being a volunteer, I still love the work — but I also will plan to make time to soak in the music, the laughter, the scenery, and the community spirit that makes Ojai unforgettable. I’ll enjoy slowing enough to find out more about the stories we all carry with us…and create more memories of my own.

Because being a tourist in Ojai isn’t about checking off attractions.

It’s about remembering why this valley has held my family for generations—and why people from around the world keep coming back for more. So please forgive us if we locals aggressively protect the beauty of Ojai and push back against “progress” that just isn’t. We are keeping it special, working to retain its small-town charm. But hey, if you ever need a reminder of JUST how special Ojai is, just take a walk through the Arcade or one of the local trails as dusk approaches. Trust me, it works every time.

accessory dwelling units (ADUs) affordable housing finance construction administration entitlements & land use approvals meeting facilitation permit expediting site analysis & due diligence stakeholder management

Serving Ventura, SB, and SLO counties

Lauren Nichols, Owner 805-252-8706 lauren@nicholspd.com www.nicholspd.com

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 — July 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

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.

29443hwy33.com $4,250,000

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

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 $795,000

Nora Davis

BRE License #01046067

805.207.6177

nora@ojaivalleyestates.com

We’re lifelong residents.

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.

CasaVistaLindaOjai.com $9,850,000

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

Hitching Post Hideway - Three-bedroom, two-bathroom condo with large primary suite with two closets and dual-sink vanity, two private patios, fireplace, wood floors, and community pool and clubhouse. $924,000

The Davis Group ojaivalleyestates.com

THE GLASS HOUSE 1465 FOOTHILL ROAD, OJAI • PRICE UPON REQUEST 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.

520 FOOTHILL ROAD • OJAI • $5,300,000

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

©2026BerkshireHathawayHomeServicesCaliforniaProperties(BHHSCP)isamemberofthefranchise systemofBHHAffiliatesLLC.BHHSandtheBHHSsymbolareregisteredservicemarksofColumbiaInsurance Company,aBerkshireHathawayaffiliate.BHHAffiliatesLLCandBHHSCPdonotguaranteeaccuracyofall dataincludingmeasurements,conditions,andfeaturesofproperty.Informationisobtainedfromvarious sourcesandwillnotbeverifiedbybrokerorMLS.Buyerisadvisedtoindependentlyverifytheaccuracyofthat information.Ifyourhomeiscurrentlylisted,thisisnotasolicitationforyourlisting.Awardsbasedon2024 productionofapproximately50,000salesassociatesintheBerkshireHathawayHomeServicesGlobalNetwork.

OJAI, CA 1213 SAN RAMON WAY SOLD | $2,000,000