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
1950’S COTTAGE
On Ojai’s prestigious Foothill Road, this charming home, filled with light and character, captures the essence of California living. With 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a garage and a versatile flex space ideal for a home office or studio, this thoughtfully refreshed home offers both timeless appeal and modern convenience. Original hardwood floors exude warmth and authenticity, the kitchen has been tastefully updated and a 1,256 square foot deck offers the perfect environment for alfresco dining or quiet morning coffee. Only minutes from downtown, this property has infinite potential, including room for a pool or an ADU. Offered at $1,950,000
Comprehensive Compassionate
Expert care you can count on.
Hospital Facility & Emergency Department
Our Ojai hospital is a nonprofit, community-based, acute care facility serving the residents of Ojai Valley. This 25-bed acute-care facility serves residents with a variety of critical services:
• 24/7 emergency care
• Inpatient care
• Imaging (MRI, x-ray, 3-D mammography & more)
• Laboratory services
• Transitional care (nursing & rehabiliation after hospitalization)
Community Memorial Hospital – Ojai 1306 Maricopa Highway | 805-948-1401
Continuing Care Center
As the only skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Ventura County located on a hospital campus, our 75-bed Continuing Care Center offers short-term and long-term care.
• Post-surgical care
• Short-term skilled nursing & rehabilitation
• Long-term, custodial care
• Hospice & palliative care
• Physical, occupational & speech therapy
• On-site imaging, phlebotomy & lab services
Phone: 805-948-2000
BRET BRADIGAN
STILL LIFE, STILL OJAI
"Art either excites, instructs, or arrests." — Joseph Campbell
James Joyce organized works of art into three categories: kinetic, didactic, and static. The kinetic stirs us to act — a spectacle, like a Las Vegas show, is one example, or advertising, grabbing at appetite or desire. The didactic instructs — it is propaganda, hammering home a message in which the truth is beside the point. And the static? It simply invites us to be. A painting by Vermeer or a Pink Moment dusk holds us still, lets us breathe.
I've been thinking of Ojai through that prism lately. It is a useful frame of reference. Our struggles — housing that even doctors can’t afford, an aging population lost in solitude, a tourist economy that gilds some lives while hollowing out others, the sharp edge of homelessness against all our abundance — can each be seen in those terms.
Kinetic Ojai is the glossy Instagram post, the come-hither boutique hotel ad promising “sanctuary” for $800 a night, or the beautiful homes listed for sale. Kinetic Ojai sells itself relentlessly, and with such effectiveness that a one-bedroom bungalow fetches north of a million dollars. The energy is undeniable — Ojai has become a brand. But kinetic art, by definition, is manipulative. It is meant to leave us craving, but never satisfied. For the young family searching for a starter home, or the teacher hoping to live near her students, the kinetic pull of Ojai is a locked door.
Didactic Ojai is more subtle, but just as insistent. It’s the narrative that homelessness is a failure of individual morality rather than a tangle of bad luck, high rents and untreated trauma. It’s the story that tourism is the only way we can survive, that our elders should accept their isolation because it's inevitable, caused by the distancing of social media and the decline of volunteering and civic engagement. Didactic art always insists on one reading, one meaning, one official truth. Propaganda, even when dressed in civility, flattens complexity. In Ojai, our didactic voice tells us that we cannot change the trajectory of a resort economy because “the market decides.”
But Ojai has always thrived in its static moments. Those reveries — the way light settles into the Topa Topas at dusk, or the quiet dignity of elders gathering at the park, or the hush of Libbey Bowl as a note hangs in the air — remind us that our town is more than transaction or slick slogan. Static art doesn’t push or pull; it lets us contemplate. And in contemplation lies the seed of possibility.
What if, though, we imagine housing not just as an investment vehicle but a community covenant? We might imagine tourism that contributes to our commons instead of devouring it. We might imagine growing older here not as an exile but as belonging and a valuing of life experience, a meeting ground for mentoring and apprenticeship. And we might imagine that those without homes are not outcasts but neighbors in need of a roof over their heads. None of these imaginings will come from a billboard or a political mailer. They come from sitting still long enough to see each other.
Ojai doesn’t need more kinetic selling points — we already have proved how successful they can be. Nor do we need more didactic finger-wagging about what can’t be changed. What we need are the static reveries that slow us down enough to see what matters, to recall why people came here in the first place. Not for investment returns, not for weekend-home bragging rights, but for beauty, for quiet, for community.
The paradox, of course, is that static art does not demand change, yet it is the only thing that makes real change possible. If we allow ourselves to stop long enough — really stop — we might just discover the courage to shift Ojai’s story. From kinetic frenzy, from didactic certainty, into a more contemplative, human, livable place.
And that might create a masterpiece worth hanging our lives on.
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.”
Ojai Studio Artists Tour
OCTOBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
EVENTS ARTS
OCTOBER 11-13
Ojai Studio Artists Tour
Dates: Saturday to Monday Times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Locations: More than 60 artist studios in the Ojai Valley. The event is headquartered at the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 West Ojai Avenue
Contact: OjaiStudioArtists.org
Kickoff event Friday, Oct. 10 at the museum from 5 to 7 p.m.
OCTOBER 18
Ojai Day
Date: Saturday
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Libbey Park
Contact: OjaiDay.com
805-646-5581
Activities include bounce houses, face painting, cultural activities, animal education, live music, car and trailer shows, food trucks and more.
OCTOBER 23-26
Ojai Storytellers Festival
Dates: Thursday to Sunday
Times: Multiple Events
Locations: Ojai Art Center & Libbey Bowl
Contact: OjaiStoryFest.org
This decades-old Ojai tradition begins with
a Meet the Tellers reception Thursday, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Ojai Art Center.
OCTOBER 26
Taste of Ojai
Date: Sunday Time: 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Location:
Libbey Park
Contact: TasteofOjai.org
More than 25 local restaurants, breweries and wineries participate in Ojai’s premier food event to raise funds for the Rotary Club of Ojai’s projects and programs.
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 11-12
Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace
Dates: Saturday & Sunday Times: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Locations: Varied
podcast
OJAI PODCAST | THURSDAYS |
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.
— 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 newsletter.
OJAI STUDIO ARTISTS TOUR OCTOBER 11-13 OJAISTUDIOARTISTS.ORG
BY BRET BRADIGAN
ROOTS OF RENEWAL
Parziale’s bold new vision in Ojai gives vulnerable young adults not just shelter, but roots, skills, and community
When Dan Parziale left Ojai to attend Notre Dame, he wasn’t thinking he’d end up back in the valley — with a vision that is transforming lives on the edge.
After college, he spent more than 15 years in Los Angeles, with half of those years working deep inside the world of homelessness services. The work was grueling, inspiring, and at times dispiriting. Hundreds of millions of dollars were flowing into shelters and permanent supportive housing, yet the numbers on the street only seemed to rise.
“We were prioritizing those with the highest needs, which made sense,” Parziale said. “But it shifted resources away from young
people we knew would be chronically homeless in the future — kids aging out of foster care, kids coming out of juvenile justice, kids who had lived with trauma their whole lives.”
The statistics were discouraging — more than half of the kids aging out of the foster care system would end up homeless within a year.
By 2018, he and his wife had returned to Ojai to raise their daughters. For two years Parziale commuted back and forth to Los Angeles, still immersed in the nonprofit sector but increasingly restless.
Then a chance backyard conversation with longtime friend Kyle Thompson, co-founder of Topa Topa Brewing, changed everything.
Thompson was contemplating life after Topa Topa and curious about homelessness. Parziale laid out his conviction: unless communities moved upstream and focused on prevention, they would never truly solve homelessness.
Together, they sketched the blueprint for what became Mesa. The timing proved serendipitous. In 2020 they secured nonprofit status, then partnered with Ventura County to apply for California’s Homekey initiative, a massive infusion of pandemic-era state funds.
In early 2022 Mesa received more than $6 million to purchase a 10-acre citrus property on Ojai’s East End, renovate the existing farmhouse, and install 10 modular tiny homes.
“We’ve heard people call Homekey the New Deal for homelessness,” Parziale said. “For us, it was the spark that made Mesa possible.”
A NEW KIND OF SAFETY NET:
Mesa welcomed its first cohort of young adults in August 2024. Today it houses 13 residents ages 18 to 24, all of whom were experiencing homelessness or at extremely high risk of homelessness in Ventura County.
Unlike programs that impose rigid requirements, Mesa embraces flexibility. “We really have the full spectrum,” Parziale said. “Some participants arrive without a diploma or job history, maybe never having lived in the same place for six months. Others are finishing associate’s degrees. They may share similar life experiences, but they’re at very different points on the path. Our job is to meet them where they are.”
The program is as much about space and time as it is about shelter. At Mesa, young people can learn skills often taken for granted — how to write a résumé, prep for an interview or manage a bank account — without the pressure to immediately perform or be out on the streets. It’s a place to stabilize, grow, and try again.
Parziale said that creating Mesa meant assembling best practices from many corners of the nonprofit world, putting them together into a program and selling it to government agencies, service clubs, private donors and the community at large. “Our approach is based on looking at the whole person and not simply at raising income and putting a roof over someone’s head, and our incredible team is pivotal at getting that done … What makes us unique is our team.”
That team includes house manager Sheila Piala, with three decades
ABOVE: DAN PARZIALE WITH HIS MESA STAFF: LEFT TO RIGHT — ELAYNA MAQUINALES, REBECCA BENARD, SHEILA PAULA, DAN PARZIALE, HETHER LUSKY, DR. GINA PETRUS, BRI SKELLIE & MARITZA CEJA.
of experience in behavioral health and youth services; Maritza Ceja, a case manager with more than decade of work supporting developmentally disabled and housinginsecure populations; and Dr. Gina Petrus, a clinical psychologist with decades of experience working with young adults on and off the street. “We’re paving a new course,” Parziale said, “but we’re not doing it alone.”
COMMUNITY ON THE LAND:
The land itself has become part of Mesa’s healing framework. “Five acres of Valencia oranges remain and a food forest with 35 different varieties of fruit and nut trees
has been added,” while three more are being “rewilded” into pollinator gardens in partnership with volunteer local landscape designer April Palmer through grants from the Community Environmental Council and Resource Conservation District. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, as well as Growing Works, have supplied plants and seeds, tying Mesa’s mission into the valley’s broader conservation efforts.
Residents harvested Pixie tangerines for Farm Cart, earning wages and job experience. Others helped build a pizza oven with local earthbuilder Sage Stoneman. “These projects
are incredibly meaningful,” Parziale said. “They connect our participants to the land, to skills, and to each other.”
LESSONS AND TRANSITIONS:
Mesa’s first year saw six residents transition out, some into jobs and housing, others redirected to more specialized programs. Severe mental illness or intensive support needs sometimes exceed Mesa’s scope, but Ventura County’s Continuum of Care helps coordinate alternatives. It all ties in to a coordinated approach to some of society’s most intractable problems.
THE PARZIALE FAMILY ON A TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: DAN, WIFE MOLLY, OLDER DAUGHTER ISLA, YOUNGER DAUGHTER RUTHIE.
Q&A WITH DAN PARZIALE
Q: What led you from working with homelessness in Los Angeles to founding Mesa in Ojai?
A: Ultimately I knew that unless we focused more time, attention, and resources on prevention, we would always be playing catch-up. I wanted to give these kids coming from trauma a chance. Unless we moved upstream, we’d always be playing catch-up.
Q: How did Mesa get started?
For those who remain, the lessons are profound. Weekly house dinners provide familystyle connection. Case management supports residents through false starts. And the safety net allows for what Parziale calls “failing safely.” “We all stumble as young adults,” he said. “The difference is our participants can stumble without it ruining their lives.”
The dream continues to evolve: a vegetable garden, staff trained in horticultural therapy, perhaps even perhaps even equine therapy. Each initiative, Parziale insists, must grow from resident interest. “It’s pointless to chase grants for programs nobody wants. The participants have to buy in.”
From Notre Dame to Los Angeles shelters, from citrus groves to tiny homes, Parziale’s journey has been about moving upstream — addressing causes, not just symptoms. With Mesa, he and his team are offering Ojai’s most vulnerable young adults not only housing, but dignity, community, and a chance at a future.
BELOW: NORDHOFF HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PROM PRE-GAME PHOTO, DAN IS THE BACK ROW, MIDDLE
A: It really began with a backyard conversation with my friend Kyle Thompson. He was thinking about what to do after Topa Topa Brewing, and we started talking about prevention. We launched Mesa in 2020, applied for California’s Homekey program, and by 2022 we had the funding to buy the property and build out housing.
Q: What kind of young people come to Mesa?
A: The full spectrum. Some arrive never having held a job or finished high school. Others are working toward college degrees. The common thread is instability in their early lives. At Mesa, they get a chance to stabilize, learn life skills, and move forward at their own pace.
Q: What do you consider success?
A: Success looks different for each person. Success looks different for each person, but it means progress towards becoming a happy, healthy, and whole human with the relationships and tools necessary to pursue the life they want for themselves.
FROM LEFT: ISLA, MOLLIE, RUTHIE & DAN
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.
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
Prepare to Sell in the Fall
— By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela —
Spring and summer are the best seasons for selling a home, but that does not mean you cannot have a successful sale in fall or winter. This is particularly true in areas like Ventura County where we enjoy pleasant weather and outdoor entertaining throughout the year. You may even have an advantage with fewer homes on the market and buyers looking to close before the winter holidays.
There are some things that remain the same no matter when you are putting your home on the market. Clearing clutter, depersonalizing, deep cleaning, completing repairs and maintenance, and enhancing curb appeal are important parts of preparing your home to sell any time of year.
There are also some autumn-specific home selling tips that can help position your home for a successful sale, which we will go over here.
If your landscaping includes deciduous trees, regular raking should be at the top of your list when preparing for showings. You do not want potential buyers to see work they will have to do when they look at your house, so stay on top of leaf removal.
There may also be fall-related clutter to keep under control, including rain boots, umbrellas, and jackets that can overwhelm porches and entries. Set out a boot tray and umbrella rack to keep rain gear corralled if it is too wet to put away in your coat closet. It is also a good idea to put out doormats for guests and potential buyers to use when they come to your home on rainy days. You might also consider plac-
ing a basket of disposable shoe covers by the door to keep your floors clean without asking buyers to take their shoes off.
Enhanced Lighting – natural and otherwise – is important when the days are shorter and the dark settles in earlier. You can enhance natural light by cleaning your windows, opening curtains and blinds before showings, and trimming trees near windows. Make sure all the lights in your home are on before showings and open houses and make outdoor spaces more welcoming and festive by adding string lights.
Adding fall décor can make your home feel warmer and more inviting, but don’t overdo it. Keep it simple and elegant, such as a seasonal wreath on the door or pumpkins on the porch. It is always a good idea to freshen and add a bit of color to living areas and entertaining spaces with new throw pillows or rugs, so, if you are selling your home in fall, consider autumn colors to update these spaces and make them feel cozy.
You can also bring the feeling of fall into your living spaces with aromas reminiscent of fresh-baked cookies or hot cider. You
can achieve this with a simmer pot, wax warmer, or by actually baking cookies before showings. Think cinnamon, cardamom, pumpkin, persimmon, vanilla, and warm spices for your scent profile. Be sure to keep it on the subtle side, since some folks are sensitive to fragrances.
While we are on the topic of smells, if you have not yet run your heater this year, now is a good time to do that. If your ductwork has been sitting dormant for months, you may need to change the filters and run the system so that it will not smell dusty when you turn it on for a showing or open house.
If you have fire features inside or outside, make them a focal point. Fall is all about being cozy, so now is the time for your fireplaces and fire pit to shine. While your swimming pool is always going to be a selling point, now is the time to put away the pool toys and replace them with baskets of cozy throw blankets and seating vignettes that make potential buyers want to curl up on your patio sofa with hot chocolate and a good book.
And, finally, if you have an outdoor living space with a fire feature and outdoor lighting, talk to your real estate agent about hosting a twilight caravan or open house with mulled cider or a hot chocolate bar complete with marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and toffee bits.
Mostly, focus on making your home feel warm, inviting, and cozy, since coziness and comfort is what most folks associate with home in the fall.
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
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
OPEN-FACED TOMATO SANDWICHES
With the cooler temperatures and plentiful sunshine, this has been a banner year for tomatoes. Before they're gone, why not look for something different to do with all of those tomatoes in your vegetable garden? Look no further. Here’s a fresh way to enjoy them. I love the combination of feta, tomatoes, and chives. If you can’t find or don’t like sunflower sprouts, substitute whatever type you like — or change the cheese. I like these equally well with sharp cheddar.
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.
DRESSING INGREDIENTS:
(Serves 4-6)
3 ounces feta cheese (crumbled)
½ cup Vegenaise or Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chives (minced)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 thick slices focaccia bread (toasted or grilled)
2 pounds mixed heirloom tomatoes (sliced)
Extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
Sunflower sprouts (for garnish)
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, mix the feta with the Vegenaise and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread this mixture on the bread and top with the tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and season with a touch more salt and pepper. Garnish with sprouts and serve immediately.
(with substitutions)
LIVING THE GOOD LIFE & Attending A 50th High School Reunion
Going to my 50th high school reunion for the Nordhoff class of 1975 this last weekend left me feeling a lot of emotions. The sadness of looking at far too many photos of friends and classmates on the memorial board offset by the sweetness of seeing all the alumni that made it to our magnificent three-day event.
Yes, you read that right, we did three full days, being a class of overachievers. When you reach this kind of benchmark, it’s probably pretty normal to compare lives, defined by the qualities that are most important to each of us.
The husband and wife traveling the longest distance — and they drove — was a couple from Mississippi. The wife pointed out that they were from the Gulfport area of Mississippi, which I understood meant to convey that it was a more upscale area. There were classmates that were still married after 50 years and those who were on their 2nd and 3rd marriages and those of us who embrace being single. There were some who looked like they hadn’t aged at all and others who you had to really congratulate on making it to the event at all.
It kind of got me thinking about what most folks consider success and what would define a middle to upper class lifestyle here in California.
As you might imagine, the first indicator usually has to do with income. It is generally the most immediate and measurable way to distinguish classes.
Households earning between around $65k to around $150k are considered middle class these days. Upper middle class to upper
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class is defined as those households pulling in $150k to over $190k, although in some really costly areas like San Francisco or San Jose, even that is a stretch. A classmate we fondly refer to as “Daddy Warbucks” is likely in this category and to his credit, he most generously helped cover a lot of the expenses over the weekend.
Another determinant is wealth and savings. Middle-class folks might own a home and have modest retirement savings but lack any significant investment portfolios. Someone in the upper-class realm would typically have substantial assets, multiple properties and generational wealth with a net worth often exceeding $1 million.
Differing lifestyle and social capital will also come into play beyond money and/ or credentials. Lifestyle choices and access
to groups play a subtle but significant role. Beyond the fun of having the rich and famous to hobnob with, middle class folks might enjoy some traveling but prioritize stability and owning a home, for example. Their social circles include peers with similar financial constraints.
The upper class, on the other hand, tend to travel internationally, invest in luxury experiences and have better access to folks that are well-connected. One of our classmates is married to a video editor who is so wellknown that they get calls on their home phone from people like Mick Jagger!
Honestly though, if you live in this town, you might just end up at a casual dinner party where everyone is listed in Wikipedia, as I did recently. The stories and adventures are always fun to hear.
But I was raised here in Ojai and grew up on a small ranch with five brothers. For me, wealth was always about earning enough to explore the world. It was about being curious enough to ask good questions, compassionate enough to connect with any class of people and generous enough to help those who weren’t doing so well.
And you could argue that peace of mind is real wealth with perhaps the most important marker of all being good health.
So, to heck with the class wars and for all of those students who were shown on our memorial board, we owe it to you to live our best lives and not allow any social differentiation to determine our outcomes. Let’s GO!
Stephen Huyler’s New Memoir Now Available.
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. Info & Order At www.StephenHuyler.com
“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
Rose Valley Land - Create
views, trails,
natural spring in Rose Valley in the Los Padres
Forest
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,
Creek with Topa Topa Mountain Views, Paved
Canyon
$4,950,000
Four-bedroom Oak View home with gas fireplace, wood-burning stove, RV parking, two-car garage, covered patio, large closets, and large family room in walkable neighborhood
$919,000
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.
Golden Oaks Glen - 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, Spacious Primary Suite with Two Vanities, Media Room, Two Fireplaces, Walk-In Pantry, Two Laundry Rooms, Over-Sized Two-Car Garage, Swimming Pool & Spa, Patio Fireplace, Built-in Grill with Bar, Family Orchard, RV Hookup & Much More
$3,795,000
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.
