Celebrating 26 Years of Storytelling & Cinema Magic
Ojai Film Festival | Nov 6-10 | See Ad on Page 9
Real estate / home / Visitors MICHAEL SHANAHAN’S STAGES OF LIFE SMALL-TOWN GIRL FOREVER! 10 FALL HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS & TACTICS
SWEEPING VIEWS ON FAIRVIEW RD
Perched on over 7 acres on a private hilltop with sweeping 360-degree views, 534 Fairview Road is being offered for the first time since its construction in 1984. This Spanish-style retreat spans approximately 1,800 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, all designed to bring the outdoors in. From sunrise to sunset, every room is framed by the dramatic mountain views, orchards, and valleys that define the beauty of Ojai.
534FairviewRdOjai.com
Offered at $2,675,000
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
BRET BRADIGAN
WOUNDED, BUT WHOLE
“Without your wound, where would your power be?
It is your melancholy that makes your low voice tremble in the hearts of men.
The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on earth as can one human being broken on the wheels of living.
In Love’s service, only wounded soldiers can serve.”
— Thornton Wilder
Thornton Wilder spent just one year in Ojai, as a student at Thacher, 1912 to 1913, but the traces of Ojai never quite left him. It was here, in a wooden dormitory tucked among the oaks, that he wrote his first play, "The Russian Princess."
Decades later, in "Our Town," he would capture the fragile perfection of ordinary life — birth, love, and death — set against a small town’s rhythms that could just as easily have been ours. The mountains might be New Hampshire’s, but the light, I swear, is Ojai’s.
Wilder understood that beauty and suffering are inseparable. The same fracture that lets the light in also gives form to compassion. It’s an idea that feels right at home here — because Ojai’s greatness is not its perfection, but our tenderness. We live close enough to one another to notice the cracks, and, when we’re at our best, to help fill them. I was inspired to write this editor's note by Therese Hartmann's litany of Ojai's attributes on page 28. As a small-town boy myself, I recognized the truth of it in a way that Thornton Wilder must have discovered for himself all those years ago.
This October showed us what that care and compassion looks like. The Ojai Storytelling Festival reminded us that the most ancient healing art is to share our stories — to laugh, cry, and listen until empathy dissolves the boundaries between “us” and “them.” At Taste of Ojai, Rotary volunteers poured wine and goodwill in equal measure, turning an afternoon in the park into scholarships and service. And as the days shorten, November brings more of that communal grace — the Ojai Film Festival (Nov. 6-10) shining light on other lives, and the Ojai Music Festival’s Holiday Home Look In (Nov. 14-15) opening doors, both literal and metaphorical, to support young musicians.
These gatherings matter because they stitch together what the world so easily tears apart. We are not exempt from division, nor from loss, nor from the slow bruising of change. But Ojai’s alchemy — the thing that makes this valley hum with meaning — is our instinct to transmute those wounds into care. To say, as Wilder might have, “This too is part of the play.”
Maybe that’s why people who come here tend to stay, or at least to dream of returning. Not because everything works smoothly — it rarely does — but because there’s an unspoken covenant here: that to live in Ojai is to look after Ojai, and each other.
Our flaws don’t diminish that promise; they deepen it. As Wilder put it, they are the trembling in the voice that makes the song true.
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.”
November 15 & 16 2025 10am - 4pm
Tickets:
$45 advance
$50 tour weekend
Discounts for groups of 6+ are available.
Hosted by the Ojai Festival Women’s Committee with proceeds benefiting the Ojai Music Festival and its BRAVO music education and community programs.
TOUR distinctive homes adorned with festive holiday inspirations.
SHOP at the Holiday Market in Libbey Park featuring more than 60 vendors. Market admission is free, and open to the public.
Ticket outlets: Attitude Adjustment in Ojai and Fox Fine Jewelers in downtown Ventura. Get more information at OjaiFestival.org
PhotosbyLoganHall/Sideways8Creative
NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
EVENTS
NOVEMBER 6 - 10TH
Ojai Film Festival’s 26th Anniversary
Dates: Wednesday to Sunday Times: Varied
Locations: Varied
Contact: Info@OjaiFilmFestival.com
805-640-1947
Since 2000, the Ojai Film Festival has celebrated cinema with dozens of screenings and special events. Where indie filmmakers feel seen.
NOVEMBER 15-16
Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace
Dates: Saturday & Sunday Times: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Locations: Varied
Contact: Info@OjaiFestival.org
805-640-2094
The Ojai Music Festival has hosted tours of Ojai’s most distinctive, and distinguished, homes for 26 years.
NOVEMBER 15
The Expandards Live at Hotel El Roblar
Date: Saturday
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: 122 East Ojai Avenue
Contact: Expandards.net
Ojai Valley Music & Hotel El Roblar are
proud to present these fresh takes on the Great American Songbook with Mikael Jurgensen and Isaac Koren.
NOVEMBER 22
Ojai Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Date: Saturday Times: Evening (lights up before Thanksgiving)
Location: Downtown Ojai Contact: 805-646-5581
Get in the holiday spirit with the lighting of the town’s festive display, music and family atmosphere.
NOVEMBER 22
Delicate Steve Concert
Dates: Saturday
Times: Doors at 7 pm, music at 8 pm
Location: Deer Lodge, 2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai CA 93023
Contact: Via Eventbrite listing
A live performance by Delicate Steve in Ojai’s intimate Deer Lodge venue.
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
podcast
by Connie Woodson, presents its holiday concert 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.”
— RECURRING EVENTS— THROUGH OCTOBER 31
Boccali’s Hayrides & Pumpkin Patch
Dates: Saturdays & Sundays Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Boccali’s Pizza & Pasta 3277 East Ojai Avenue Contact: 805-646-6616
Boccalis.com
The Pumpkin Patch is open seven days a week. An Ojai tradition since 1976.
THURSDAYS
Ojai: Talk of the Town Podcast
New episodes come out Thursdays and are available wherever you get your podcast. 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 260 episodes and counting. Sign up at OjaiVortex.com for the weekly newsletter with podcast highlights, events, news & much more.
'STUPID COURAGE' & SECOND ACTS
From Sacramento altar boy to Ojai theater director, Michael Shanahan has built a life of reinvention, resilience, and love — with plenty of angels and ladybugs along the way.
BY BRET BRADIGAN
“Have faith in your dreams, and someday Your rainbow will come smiling through... ...If you keep on believing The dream that you wish will come true” From “CINDERELLA”
Michael Shanahan, born and raised in Sacramento, California, is the son of hard-working Irish and Italian immigrants. His father, Bill Shanahan, followed in his own father’s footsteps — first as a laborer, then as a heavy equipment operator shaping concrete and wood, or digging trenches with a backhoe for new drainage and sewer systems. His mother, Angie, worked for the State of California, mostly in the Unemployment Office.
A self-described good Catholic altar boy, Michael grew up under the stern gaze — and switch — of nuns “fresh off the boat. Being a mouthy kid, I got spanked a lot,” he laughs. Still, in that strict setting, something unexpected happened. Cast in an elementary school play singing “Happy Wanderer” in lederhosen, Michael was bitten by the performing bug.
At Christian Brothers, an all-boys high school, he washed dishes in the cafeteria, tended the gardens, and answered phones at the Brothers’ residence to help pay his tuition. He became yearbook editor, speech team winner, and ran for student council president. His platform called for students to have a say in school policy. His opponent ran on having two bands
MICHAEL SHANAHAN
for homecoming. His opponent won: Michael’s first lesson in politics.
After graduation, he enrolled at California State University, Sacramento and worked part-time for the State while immersing himself in the theater department. There, Michael got his first chance to act and direct, winning an award for his role in “The Browning Version.” He also became the first student to direct a full mainstage production at the school. Notably, Tom Hanks, a fellow student at the time, won an acting award for a one-act play Michael directed. Shanahan had found his life’s calling.
When school ended, it was time to chase his dream. Michael chose Los Angeles over New York. He worked as an office temp while getting headshots, attending open casting calls, and enrolling in acting classes, cold reading workshops, and scene studies. “Lots of money going out, precious little coming in,” he recalls. Performing demanded resources he didn’t yet have. “Then there was the gay thing. I already struggled with self-consciousness, but worrying about looking too gay or not masculine enough just added to the stress. It’s amazing how different it is today.”
He was sustained, however, by what he calls his “angels”: a nun in grammar school who shielded him from bullies, a Christian Brother who built his fragile ego through the speech team, and the quiet kindness of others. When he decided to come out in high school, he began with the nun who supervised CCD (religion classes) where Michael taught. “She looked at me seriously and asked, ‘Does this change how you will teach?’ When I said no, she thanked me for telling her and it was never mentioned again. My heart overflowed with love at that moment.”
When his mother finally divorced his abusive, alcoholic father and remarried a Baptist, Michael decided to tell her and move out. Her husband later came to his room and asked him not to. “I love your mother, and she loves you. You are part of the family.” Michael has never forgotten that caring acceptance.
In 1980, at a party with an unremarkable date who soon lost interest in him, Michael noticed a tall, lean, handsome man — Micheal (“eal”) Frances Smith — mingling with the guests. When Micheal Frances asked if anyone wanted to dance, Michael volunteered. They danced all night, moved in together, and have been together ever since.
ABOVE: MICHAEL SHANAHAN’S HEAD SHOT FROM HIS EARLIER LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD; RIGHT: FROM THE ART CENTER’S PRODUCTION OF “THE CRUCIBLE.”
Micheal Frances, raised Mormon in Rockford, Illinois, eventually landed in Los Angeles working in music clearances for Paramount Pictures before joining Peter Guber and Jon Peters at Sony. He also moonlighted in musical theater, playing Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and performing a nightclub act around L.A.
Since gay marriage was verboten then, they held their own commitment ceremony. Climbing a hill, they exchanged vows of faith, and as they finished their toast, the hillside erupted — not with the sound of music, but with clouds of ladybugs. Those
ladybugs were their witnesses.
The starving artist life wasn’t for Michael, so he launched a tech consulting business that led him into corporate Human Resources. Stuck in middle management at age 45, his theatrical dreams on hold, Michael reinvented himself again — enrolling in law school. “Loyola Law, Los Angeles, like a good Catholic boy,” he says. His talent for argument won him the National American Bar Association moot court competition his senior year. Though he hadn’t planned to practice, his professors convinced him to try. He
became a union lawyer for SEIU (Service Employees International Union), and later crossed over into “management” in the community college system, where he found HR work had a deeper human impact.
Meanwhile, Micheal Frances pursued a new path in psychology, earning his degree and opening a psychotherapy practice.
When the position of Vice Chancellor for the Ventura Community College District opened, Michael applied and got the job. He commuted for a few months, but in 2013 he and Micheal Frances
MICHAEL AND HIS HUSBAND MICHEAL FRANCES SMITH ON THEIR WEDDING DAY IN 2015
decided to move. Initially, Michael leaned toward Ventura. “It seemed to me like a poor man’s Santa Monica,” he says. “But somehow, one blazing hot afternoon we took a break from looking at houses in Ventura, and found ourselves moseying up the 33.” They ended up in Ojai and fell in love with its small-town charm. “We knew nothing about Ojai, just a feeling.”
Once settled, they met their neighbors across the street and fell in love again. “And it kept happening ... I got used to pulling over my car to chat with neighbors on the way to work.” They’d left “busy, dirty Los Angeles behind” and never looked back. In 2015, they finally tied the knot in their Ojai backyard, this time surrounded
MICHAEL IN TWO RECENT ROLES — LEFT: THE BUTLER IN “MARY SHELLEY: THE YEAR WITH NO SUMMER,” AND ABOVE: THE ANNOUNCER IN “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.”
by family and friends.
When a school board seat opened, Michael ran and was elected.
“Through budget concerns, embezzlement scandals, pool size arguments, and worst of all — COVID — I got to work with the great folks who educate the children of the valley.”
Both men had promised themselves they’d return to their creative roots after retirement, so they launched Stupid Courage Productions — “because at our age it takes stupid courage to begin a production company.” When Michael heard “The Crucible” was being cast at the Ojai Art Center, he jumped at the audition and was thrilled to land a part. He followed that with “It’s A Wonderful Life,” a staged radio play where he could use different voices “without pesky memorization!”
Seeing a casting call from the Ojai Performing Arts Theater for a new play, “Mary Shelley – Year With No Summer,” he auditioned, thinking it was a small role. It wasn’t. “It needed a great deal of memorization,” he says, “but I soldiered through and enjoyed every minute.” After three stage roles, “I can say, my toe has been officially dipped in the local theater scene.”
Under Stupid Courage Productions, Michael and Micheal Frances plan to produce “Morning Sun,” which Michael will direct at Ojai’s Veritas Theater in January 2026. He also hopes to keep directing, acting, writing, and producing long into the future — and is toying with starting a diction workshop for local actors.
“I worked hard for many years, and when I finally stopped to breathe, I looked up and found myself here in Ojai, with my future open to whatever I chose to make it. That’s pretty cool.”
There's no place like home.
MOUNTAIN MODERN
Views, views, views. This private, gated home tucked among trees and mountains blends modern style with abundant light and indoor-outdoor flow. The vaulted living room features beamed ceilings, a fireplace, and picture windows framing mountain vistas. An open dining area connects to the remodeled kitchen with high-end appliances and custom cabinetry. Step out onto the expansive deck—perfect for entertaining under the sky. The three-bedroom, two-bath home includes hardwood floors throughout and a detached guest studio for visitors. Relax on the patio beneath the oaks and savor the stunning views. With smooth Santa Barbara stucco and space for horses, this retreat has it all.
HIDDEN HAVEN
Tucked inside the prestigious gated enclave of Rancho Matilija, this two-story estate captures the tranquil, enchanting spirit of Ojai. Bordered by the Ojai Land Conservancy to the north and the Ventura River to the east, the property offers rare privacy and direct access to nature. Residents enjoy private equestrian and walking trails connecting to the Los Padres National Forest, the Ventura River, and scenic neighborhood paths. From its elevated perch, the home commands sweeping views of the Ojai Valley and the iconic Topa Topa Mountains—famed for the “Pink Moment,” when sunset casts a rosy glow across the peaks and valley below. The residence includes five large bedrooms and five bathrooms. Upstairs, new all-wool carpeting adds warmth and natural elegance. The master suite is a peaceful sanctuary with panoramic views, a spa-like en-suite bath, and a generous walk-in closet.
Whitman Architectural Design
Unlike traditional facial treatments that focus solely on surface-level improvements, skin revision targets the deeper layers of the skin, addressing the root causes of various skin issues to not only improve the skin’s appearance, but to enhance its biological function, bringing it closer to its youthful, optimal state.
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.
10 Fall Home Maintenance
— By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela —
Fall is here, which means sweater weather, evenings around the fire pit, switching from iced to hot lattes, and maybe finally getting some rain. It also means it is time for some seasonal home maintenance tasks to keep your home safe, functioning properly, and well maintained. To help you make your to-do list for this season, here are 10 fall home maintenance tasks to consider adding.
1. Service your HVAC system: It is just about time to start using our heaters, which means it is time to at least change the air filters in your HVAC system. If your air filters are accessible, this is an easy task you can do yourself. If not, you may need to call in a professional. You might also want to schedule a local HVAC professional to clean your ducts or service your furnace if you have not checked these off your home maintenance list recently.
2. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected:
Annual chimney inspections are important to keep indoor fireplaces functioning properly and safely. The easiest way to accomplish this task is to schedule a local chimney cleaning company, but some handy homeowners might want to take this task on themselves. If so, be sure to look for damage or wear on the chimney, flashing, crown, cap, adjacent walls, and
firebox. You also need to check for creosote buildup and make sure the flue is free from obstructions.
3. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors:
Testing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors is usually as easy as the push of a button, so this is an easy home maintenance task that you can do yourself. If you do not have five- or 10-year batteries in your detectors, you should also change the batteries.
4. Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps:
Improve energy efficiency and save money by adding or replacing weatherstripping and door sweeps around drafty doors and windows. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this can save between 5 percent and 30 percent on annual energy costs. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a handy page (energy.gov/energysaver/
weatherstripping) with everything you need to know about different types of weatherstripping and how to apply it.
5. Inspect and upgrade your irrigation system: Critters love to chew through irrigation lines to get to the water inside, so regularly inspecting your irrigation system is an important part of reducing leaks and conserving water. This is also a good time to make sure sprinkler heads are aligned with your watering needs and that your drip system is free of clogs. If you do not already have a rain sensor, consider upgrading your system with one to make conserving water even easier.
6. Inspect fire features:
You will likely start using outdoor fire features more often now that the weather is cooling off, so this is a good time to make sure your fire pit or patio fireplace is clean and functioning properly.
7. Inspect your roof:
Check your roof for missing shingles, nails that are sticking up and no longer flush with the surface, and any other type of damage. If you find damage that is beyond your skill level, hire a local roofing company to complete the repairs or do a tune-up on your roof. As part of your roof inspection, you should also look for tree
Maintenance Tasks
limbs that could become an issue if there are heavy winds, rain, or fire.
8. Exclude rodents:
Rodent populations are often at their highest in late summer and early fall, which is when many people will notice an increase in activity. This can become even more evident when they start looking for cozy places to live as the weather gets colder, since those cozy places might be in your attic, walls, or kitchen. To keep rats and mice at bay, inspect the exterior of your home for any holes, gaps, uncovered vents, or missing door sweeps where they can squeeze in.
9. Test your home for radon:
We are more likely to keep our windows and doors closed in fall and winter, which makes this a good time to test radon levels in our homes. Radon is a clear, odorless gas, so there is no way to know if the levels in your home are unsafe except by testing for it. If your budget allows, you can hire a professional to test for radon and other air quality issues. California residents can also purchase a low-cost, DIY radon test kit. Information is available on the California Department of Public Health website. (CDPH.ca.gov)
10. Clean your gutters:
You didn’t really think I was going to forget to mention cleaning your gutters, did you? I think this might be the single-most recommended home maintenance task in this column, but it is for good reason. It is one of the simplest ways we can reduce fire risk – which is why I mention is so much – but it is also important for fall home maintenance, since we might finally start getting some rain. One of my clients just had to repair the eaves at three corners of their house because of leaking gutters, which was a good reminder that it was about time I mention this to you again. So, clear any leaves and debris, make sure your downspouts are clog free, and make sure your rain barrels are ready for action.
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
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
PARMESAN PULL-APART BREAD
With the cooler temperatures and plentiful sunshine, it's time to heat up that oven and bring the fresh smells of baked bread back into our lives. This simple yet elevated recipe turns out yeasty, buttery delights in which half the fun is tearing them apart from the pan and buttering them up even further.
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: (Serves 4-6)
3½ to 4½ cups flour (divided)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1¼ cups warm milk
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
1 egg
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated fine)
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
½ teaspoon paprika
5 tablespoons butter (melted)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a cookie sheet or a baguette pan with cooking spray.
Stir two cups of the flour and all of the sugar, salt and yeast in large bowl. Mix until well blended. Add milk and oil. Beat with mixer on low speed until moistened. Blend in egg, mixing thoroughly.
Stir in an additional 1½ cups flour until dough pulls cleanly away from sides of bowl. Knead the dough in the bowl until it is smooth and elastic, adding additional flour if necessary.
Add olive oil to a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat it all over with the oil. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let
rise in warm place until doubled in size — about 30 minutes.
Combine cheese, garlic salt, oregano, and paprika in small bowl. Set aside.
Punch the dough down and divide into 16 equal pieces. Roll pieces into balls. Dip each ball in butter to coat. Roll in cheese mixture to coat then arrange in prepared pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm place until doubled in size — about 30 to 40 minutes.
Uncover and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely before pulling the bread apart and bringing it to the table.
Ojai Living
SMALL TOWN GIRL FOREVER!
The fall weather is here, and I can’t help but wake up each morning and thank my lucky stars for being raised in this corner of the world.
The thing of it is, I’ve truly traveled enough to be able to compare. My previous career paths took me all over the United States while spiritual pursuits led me to live in India for a year. My need for adventure had me trekking the Inca Trail and the Himalayas, river rafting in Canada and South America, riding my bike over the Rocky Mountains along with many other escapades. I’ve lived among the poorest of the poor in India and had opportunities such as staying in the Mayor of St. Moritz’ flat in Switzerland where I learned to cross- country ski. I definitely haven’t seen it all but have experienced enough to know what a charmed life we all lead here in Ojai, regardless of status.
We are always in a warm embrace of the local Topa Topa mountains but there is so much more to this lifestyle. Besides the unmatched natural beauty of the mountain ranges with it’s famous “Pink Moment” and the easy access to hiking trails in the Los Padres National Forest, there is the addition of biking routes to the beaches, equestrian trails, boating in Lake Casitas.
But wait, there is more … especially when you consider the following:
• Mediterranean Climate: While definitely hot in the Summer (Ojaians will tell you it’s a dry heat and you can always go to the local beaches), our climate is ideal for outdoor living. Heck, I’m almost always barefooted these days! We can garden year-round, take
By Therese A. Hartmann
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.
leisurely walks from early morning — my brother is out walking at 4:30 in the morning — through late at night. With over 270 sunny days, the area really is perfect for anyone prioritizing an outdoor-centric lifestyle.
Internationally Renowned Art/Culture Scene: Despite its small size, Ojai boasts a remarkably rich artistic culture with many, many art galleries, boutique stores, live theater, world-class events like the Ojai Music Festival and Ojai Tennis Tournament. The upcoming Holiday Home Tour is a good example of local tradition that offers a rare view of four special homes that are decorated for the holidays and always a delightful weekend for the guests as well as the docents.
Strong Sense of Community: Foks that move here are in for a treat. It’s always surprising how easy it is to make friends here. Joining any one of the many local non-profits ensures
it but it’s also as simple as showing up at any of the local coffee shops and striking up a conversation. And I’ve been through enough natural catastrophes here to understand how neighbors help neighbors in times of need. It’s the sort of thing that makes you feel safe and protected like nowhere else.
Wellness and Spiritual Living: So many pundits have come through this area. Krishnamurti, Aldous Huxley, Joan Halifax, Annie Besant and Mother Teresa who gave the commencement speech one year at St. Thomas Aquinas College. I was at their chapel recently to pay homage to the bones of St. Therese of Liseux, my grandmother’s patron saint while she was a nun from age 16 to 26. Meeting my fabulously handsome grandfather is a whole other story but suffice it to say that I’m grateful she did. The point is, you’ll find a rich brocade of spiritual pursuits in this little town … really something to suit everyone even if your jam is just being in Nature.
Culinary Delights: With fabulous restaurants stretching from al fresco dining at Boccali’s to a five-star experience at Nocciola, The Dutchess, The Ranch House or The Ojai Valley Inn (too many extraordinary establishments to mention), you’ll always leave wanting more. Small venues like Radio Roma for drinks and tapas that offer chill music can’t be beat here in the heart of town. You can also visit Meiners Oaks to have a meal at Farmer & The Cook or enjoy a farm-to-table experience at the very special Chris Bakes. Consider heading up the hill to The Summit for what most say are the best burgers, fries and shakes you’ve ever had and if you bring your dog, Rachel and staff
staff are quick to pass out a piece of bacon! There really is something for everyone’s palate in our small town.
Shopping: Whether you are window-shopping or looking to add a new wardrobe, buy one-ofa-kind souvenirs or find items to add to your pantry, you really will find the most unique items in our local shops. The store owners are quick to assist, and many have been here for decades. Rains in the Arcade has been here since 1914! We have specialty grocery stores right along with national hardware stores but they are generally grandfathered in as Ojai has a restriction on big box stores, a regulation that has helped it keep its charm. You’ll also notice there are no neon signs allowed, to keep to the ethos of Ojai. We are a “dark-sky” community!
Townfolk: We most certainly have always
had our share of quirky individuals (ask any local). It’s always been OK to be eccentric and maybe even celebrated. It’s typically not the many famous actors, musicians and/or authors but the self-styled independent thinkers who are adored. In the past, it’s been people like Beatrice Wood, the Dada-esque potter, or Charles Butler who built the Ojai Art Center. It’s been folks like Roy Patton who lived in a house he built from remnants and who made all of the wooden street signs in Ojai. There were people like Mark who might have been called homeless and who stood
in town like a fixture but who you could have the most interesting conversations with. After his passing, I learned that he was a bit of a savant and had gone to Julliard! It’s true that you can be who you want to be today and then do an 180-degree turn and try on yet another persona. We don’t mind at all ... we will love you for it!
Living here, having grown up here — and working on our fifth generation of Hartmann’s — has given me so much to be thankful for. While locals might not appreciate it when someone stops in the middle of a crosswalk to take pictures, trust me, we get it! We really don’t mind sharing and will definitely embrace those lucky enough to get to reside here. But please do expect that you will be invited to join a volunteer organization and know that you will love it!
Stephen Huyler has been documenting women’s ephemeral art in India for over half a century. Read his compelling new memoir to discover the underlying stories of these artists he came to know.
“With an insider’s percipience and an outsider’s appraisal, Huyler tells the story of Indian folk arts and rituals, predominantly stemming from rural women’s worldview. Its soul-stirring anecdotal narrative takes the reader along on his journeys - and once you begin, you cannot leave it halfway.”
Dr. Jyotindra Jain
$4,950,000
Royal Oaks - 5 Bedrooms, Upscale Finishes Throughout, Media Room, Wine Cellar, Tasting Room, Gym/Massage Room, Pool & Spa, Putting
Well, Six-Car Garage, Bocce Court, Views, and So Much More RoyalOaksRanchOjai.com
Lot in East End
Bordered by
to
$950,000
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,
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
Ojai
Seasonal Creek with Topa Topa Mountain Views, Paved Road
Property, One Share of Senior Canyon Water, and Room for Horses or Hobbies
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, it’s a rare chance to own a piece of Ojai history.
