OJAI D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY
FEATURED PR0: SUNDAY HENDRICKSON BRING YOUR KIDS TO WORK DAY TOP TEN OJAI HIKES’ VISITOR INFORMATION I EVENTS I ACTIVITIES I LIFESTYLE TIPS & TACTICS. SEE MORE AT THE OJAIHUB.COM
MID-CENTURY RANCH IN THE ARBOLADA
Seize this rare opportunity to reimagine this light, airy Mid-century ranch style home on one acre in one of Ojai’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Surrounded by majestic oaks, the 3,597 sqft 4br/4ba home features vaulted beam ceilings, stone fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a converted flex space. The expansive grounds include a pool, spa, level lawns, and room for a studio or ADU—ideal for creating a private retreat that embraces Ojai’s celebrated indoor-outdoor lifestyle and enduring natural beauty. 918ElToroRdOjai.com Offered at $2,775,000 BanduraHome.com serge@bandurahome.com @bandurahome (323)251-1204 DRE #02147030 ©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.
SULPHUR MOUNTAIN MAGIC
Discover a private Ojai Valley retreat on desirable Encino Drive. Perched on approximately 2 usable acres with sweeping mountain views, this 2,792 sqft 3br/3.5ba home features abundant natural light, spacious gathering areas, and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere throughout. Seamless access to outdoor entertaining spaces invites year-round enjoyment in a private, peaceful setting, while easy access to downtown creates the perfect balance of seclusion and convenience. 10622EncinoDrOjai.com Offered at $2,250,000 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.
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OM — October 2026
OJAI STORY FEST October 22-25, 2026 OJAI ART CENTER
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Thursday, October 22
Saturday, October 24
Meet The Tellers 6:00PM Story Slam 8:00PM Stories on the Streets at Sam's Place
All Day
Story Shop Boutique 9:00am Story Swap 10:00am Morning Medley 12:00pm Lunchtime Tales 2:00pm Two O'Clock Tales 4:00pm Sunset Stories 7:00pm Taboo Show 9:00pm Naughty Tales
3:30pm
Friday, October 23
Family Shows TGIF! Noa Baum Workshop Kissing Frogs Laughing Night Spooky Stories
9:30 & 11:15AM 2:15PM 3:45PM 5:30pm 7:00pm 9:30PM
OjaiStoryFest.org
SCAN FOR TICKETS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
(805)272-0072
Sunday, October 25 10:30am 10:30am 11:00am
Workshop Madrigali Happy Trails
Kevin Kling
info@ojaistoryfest.org
OM — October 2026 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS OCTOBER 2026
9
Editor’s Note
8
Ojai Founding Fathers & Mothers
11
Calendar of Events
12
Featured Pro: Sunday Hendrickson
19
Ojai’s Top Ten Hikes
22
What Does “Good Bones” Mean?
24
Who’s Who in Real Estate
28
Choosing Your Hometown Wisely
Editor & Publisher / Bret Bradigan AJ Davis / Home & Garden Design Cover: Listed by Nora Davis, LIV Sotheby’s Realty 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 — October 2026
OJAI D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY
FEATURED PR0: SUNDAY HENDRICKSON BRING YOUR KIDS TO WORK DAY TOP TEN OJAI HIKES’ VISITOR INFORMATION I EVENTS I ACTIVITIES I LIFESTYLE TIPS & TACTICS. SEE MORE AT THE OJAIHUB.COM
12 14
8
22 19
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.”
DISCOVER
OJAI MONTHLY THE WORK OF CHILDHOOD "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. — James Baldwin They must, they have no other models."
Some of my favorite childhood memories would probably violate several modern workplace regulations.
BRET BRADIGAN
Among his other hustles, my father was a rural mail carrier in western New York, and on snow days while my peers sledded and built snow forts, he brought me along on his route. I clambered over snowdrifts carrying bundles of mail, getting cold, then wet, then cold and wet again as the snow melted against my clothes and froze once more. By the end of the day I was exhausted, half-frozen and thoroughly happy.
Halfway through his mail route, we usually dropped into the butcher shop and gas station in Smith Mills, where my father would fill up and reminisce with his friends while I drank an ice-cold Hires root beer. I listened to men talk about weather, work, women, neighbors, money and the accumulating comedy and sorrow of small-town life. Then we would occasionally stop at a nearby creek and catch a couple brook trout for lunch. As the local cemetery director, my father also buried our small town's dead, and I went along for that, too. While we dug the graves, he would tell me about mortality and the debt the living owe the dead. These were not conversations arranged for my enrichment. There was no lesson plan. They arose naturally from the work in front of us: the earth opening, the shovel biting down, the knowledge that someone would soon be laid to rest there — one final service, impeccably performed, for their mortal remains. I was learning how the adult world worked without anyone announcing that a lesson was underway. Years later, I brought my own children to work whenever I could — which was often. I would tell myself this reflected a considered philosophy of parenthood. Though, in truth, it reflected the fact that I couldn’t often afford child care. Necessity has a way of disguising itself as principle until, looking backward, you realize it may have been both. My children saw deadlines, negotiations and disappointments. They saw adults solving problems and occasionally creating new ones. They learned that work was not some mysterious destination parents disappeared into each morning. It was part of life: sometimes absorbing, sometimes aggravating, sometimes noble and sometimes merely necessary. Not to mention often boring. We hear a great deal about giving children “quality time.” I’ve come to distrust the phrase. It suggests that parenthood can be concentrated into scheduled servings — that an efficiently planned hour can replace a long, unremarkable afternoon together. But children do not disclose themselves on command. The important question comes from the back seat somewhere between the post office and the next stop. The shared confidence arrives while folding papers, pushing a wheelbarrow or waiting for a customer. Intimacy accumulates in the margins. And quantity time beats quality time almost every time. That idea feels especially at home in an artistic community like Ojai, where the boundary between work and play is unusually porous. Painters paint, musicians play, gardeners cultivate, cooks feed people, writers tell stories and naturalists walk the trails they might have chosen for their day off. There may be very few forms of work that someone else does not gladly pursue as a hobby. That does not make the work easy. It makes it visible. And visibility matters. When children accompany us, they see more than what we do for money. They see how we inhabit a community: whom we greet, how we treat people who offer us nothing but an opportunity to serve, whether we finish what we start and whether our labor leaves the place a little richer or merely extracts something from it. My father probably thought he was simply delivering mail, digging graves or taking his son fishing between obligations. I thought I was tagging along. Only later did I realize that he was showing me how to live my life.
OM — October 2026 9
Whitman Architectural Design
$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
www.whitman-architect.com Providing the highest quality custom residential & commercial Architectural Design and Construction Services.
$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.
805-646-8485 “We Shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”
Winston Churchill
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OM — October 2026
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:
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OCTOBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
OJAI STUDIO ARTISTS TOUR | OCT 10-12 | OJAISTUDIOARTISTS.ORG
OJAI STORYTELLING FESTIVAL | OCT 17 | OJAISTORYFEST.ORG
OCTOBER 10-NOVEMBER 15 “The Best Medicine” Dates: Saturday to Monday Times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Odyssey Theatre Ensemble 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles Contact: 310-477-2055 ext. 2 In this laugh-out-loud open-hearted solo show, Caroline Aaron (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) dives headfirst into the whiplash experience of what it is to live, love, and lament. Written by Ojai playwright and best-selling author Robin Gerber and directed by Jane E. Unger.
aries of what’s creatively possible, with the mission of uniting and inspiring human beings in a language beyond words.
OCTOBER 10-12 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. 9 at the museum from 5 to 7 p.m. OCTOBER 14 Jacob Collier — The Light For Days Tour Date: Wednesday Time: 8 p.m. Contact: 805-646-5581, ext. 120 Concerts@OjaiValleyMusic.org Jacob Collier continues to push the bound-
OCTOBER 17 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 22-25
Ojai Storytelling 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 25
Taste of Ojai Date: Sunday Time: 2 to 5:30 p.m. Location: Libbey Park Contact: TasteofOjai.org More than 30 of Ojai’s finest restaurants
OJAI PODCAST | EVERY THURSDAY | OJAIQUARTERLY.COM
and wineries will be featured. “Come hungry. Feast well. Do good.” THROUGH OCTOBER 31 SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
Boccali’s Pumpkin Patch Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: Boccali’s Pizza & Pasta 3277 East Ojai Avenue Contact: 805-646-6616 Boccalis.com. Seven days a week. An Ojai tradition since 1976. NOVEMBER 5 - 9
Ojai Film Festival’s 26th Anniversary Dates: Thursday to Monday 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. — RECURRING EVENTS— 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 300 episodes and counting. Sign up at OjaiVortex.com for a free weekly newsletter.
OM — October 2026 11
SUNDAY HENDRICKSON BY ILONA SAARI
SUNDAY 'S BEST
After a Globe-Trotting Career in Magazines, Design and Photography, Sunday Hendrickson Came to Ojai & Found Her Picture-Perfect Life
To paraphrase The Monkees, “... just another Ojai Valley Sunday” Sunday Hendrickson, however, is not “just another,” anything ... but a gust of cool fresh air blowing through the valley and beyond. Domenica Barbagallo was born and raised on the Main Line in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia. Domenica is Italian for Sunday. Barbagallo is Sicilian for “the beard of a rooster.” Domenica became Sunday, but refrained from choosing “the beard of a rooster” as her maiden name. After arriving steerage in America, Grandpop Barbagallo became the personal tailor for John B. Kelly (yes Grace’s dad — and fellow Main Liner), and for Eugene Ormandy of the Philadelphia Orchestra, plus various mafia “Dons.” While dancing the night away at the Philadelphia Hatmakers Ball, he met Elena Falcucci. 12
OM — October 2026
They married and soon became the parents of Giuseppe Antonio, Sunday’s dad. Grandpop on her mother’s side, Giacomo Ficca, worked for the railroad, and his wife, Domenica Del Duca (Sunday’s namesake) lived in South Philly. Their daughter Rosa Maria became Sunday’s mom. Sunday’s dad worked his way through Drexel University in Pennsylvania, earning his degree in electrical engineering, but soon became fascinated in the latest “new thing” – computers. He joined Remington Rand Univac and built one of their very first computers. She remembers visiting her dad’s office on “family day” and saw that the computer filled an entire room.
“Daddy stayed with Univac his entire career earning many patents for the company while mother raised her ‘three girls of quality’ (sisters Joyce, June & me) of whom I am the youngest.” Her mom enrolled the girls in every lesson or class available to girls at that time. Her goal — to give her daughters the education and advantages she never had as an immigrant. They were taught to ride a horse, water and snow ski, and paddle a canoe. They learned to swim and dive competitively and earned Red Cross lifeguard and water safety badges. There were classes in water ballet, scuba diving, tennis, acting, art, bowling, ice skating and lessons playing clarinet, violin, guitar and ten years of piano. They tapped and toed in dance class. And, Sunday became a cheerleader and Girl Scout. Sunday and her two sisters would travel on the Main Line train to the Franklin Institute in downtown Philadelphia for classes in computer programming, elementary radio and electronics, how to solder transistor radios, and send and receive Morse code. Sunday became the youngest girl in Pennsylvania to earn the general class Ham Radio license. Years later, after moving to NYC, Sunday continued taking classes ... this time in pole and belly dancing. Maybe not her mom’s idea of the lessons a girl of “quality” should be taking, but certainly a lot of fun. After graduating Notre Dame de Namur high school in Villanova, PA, Sunday entered Penn State where she majored in journalism/broadcast news. She met and married Paul Hendrickson (later nominated five times for a Pulitzer as a Washington Post reporter, and National Book Critics award winner), but they were young and the marriage was short-lived. Having fallen in love with beatniks and Broadway as a child while visiting her Aunt Alfie who lived on Washington Square, Sunday spread her wings and took flight to Manhattan, determined to set the TV networks on fire with her “shiny, new” broadcast degree at a time when women need not apply. Undeterred, she landed a job at LOOK magazine. Her office overlooked Saks Fifth Ave. and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Three weeks later LOOK closed shop after 34 years and Sunday never got the chance to work with illustrators and photographers such as Norman Rockwell and Stanley Kubrick.
ABOVE: SUNDAY HENDRICKSON AS A YOUNG GIRL. BELOW: DURING HER LONG AND VARIED CAREER AS A PHOTOGRAPHER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR FOR MAJOR MAGAZINES.
the School of Visual Arts which enabled her to become the art director of Modern Bride magazine... “best job I ever had.” She traveled the world on location back when first-class airfare and fancy hotel stays were comped. But her favorite shoot was back in New York with the great George Balanchine at his School of American Ballet, using his dancers as models. Perfect, “because a diva on point was the exact height I needed for our full-length bridal gowns.” Sunday landed next at Ladies Home Journal as the Design Director and worked with master photographers and illustrators
Hearst’s Good Housekeeping magazine was Sunday’s next port-ofcall just when Patty Hearst, daughter of Randolph Hearst, CEO of the magazine, was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army “which meant I couldn’t ever get to my office without being thoroughly searched — what drama,” she remembers. At Good Housekeeping, however, Sunday discovered the art department which seemed way more fun than she was having as a copywriter. At night she studied with Milton Glaser at OM — October 2026 13
LEFT & BELOW: SUNDAY HENDRICKSON WORKED BOTH BEHIND AND IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA DURING HER CAREER IN LOS ANGELES, DENVER AND NEW YORK CITY
dozen years later. Kismet. Settled in Los Angeles, son Madison started modeling and became a Gerber baby. McCabe, their sheepdog, signed with Animal Talent Scouts and appeared in Purina dog Chow and Miller Lite commercials, among others. “This was a wonderful time when everybody in our house who ate, worked.”
such as Horst P. Horst and David Byrd “all the while slurping those ‘80s style three martini lunches. The world was my oyster.” Sunday’s world became a whirlwind ... living in Milan for six months, marrying George Becker, a Newsweek photographer, moving to Denver, then another divorce, becoming creative director of a Denver magazine group, meeting and marrying an advertising art director from New York, Lou Marek, creating their own advertising and design agency, Hendrickson & Marek ... “and creating our son Madison.” When an LA ad agency called to recruit Lou, he decided to answer the call. He and Sunday packed up a 20-foot U-Haul, traveled across the mountains with their seven-month-old baby boy, a sheepdog, and their MG convertible (with their cat inside), in tow... “looking like the Joads in ‘The Grapes of Wrath.’” As soon as they reached Los Angeles Sunday opened the MG’s door and the cat immediately jumped out and ran away — never to be seen again. She landed a job art directing the Neutrogena account at Eisamen, Johns & Law (EJL) — with an office in the iconic Motown building. But it wasn’t long before Sunday left the agency to give birth to her daughter, Manhattan Rose. A side note: The reason for her children’s New York City names? Both she and Lou had worked in the same building on Madison Avenue at the same time — and they both lived on West 74th Street in Manhattan, though they didn’t meet ‘til Denver, a 14
OM — October 2026
Feeling the pull of the editorial world, Sunday freelanced for national magazines “reinventing myself as a photographer and stylist, as well as the art director I had been,” she says. “It helped that most of the gals that I had started out with in New York as lowly editorial assistants were now the editors-in-chief of the magazines.” And for the next 25 years she staged shoots for magazines such as House Beautiful, InStyle, People, and Family Living. A favorite gig was as fashion editor for Islands magazine, flying to different Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands for each issue. During this time, however, Sunday and Lou’s eight-year marriage ended. Still addicted to experiencing new challenges, Sunday took lessons as she traveled ... she zip lined, paddle boarded, whitewater rafted, paraglided and swam with manta rays in Hawaii and was followed by baby gray whales in the Baja lagoons. When Covid-19 hit, photo shoots were shut down. So, after living in Brentwood for three decades, Sunday downsized and rented a
LEFT: SUNDAY WITH HUSBAND LOU AND SON MADISON AND DAUGHTER MANHATTAN ROSE. ABOVE: WITH GRANDSON MASON IN OJAI.
small guest house in Venice. But since her kids were now grown with careers of their own, she decided to leave the hustle and bustle of LA when her lease was up. She remembered a cottage shoot she had done in Ojai and called the woman who lived there and asked if she still loved being in Ojai. Her answer was “a resounding yes.” Soon after, Sunday became an Ojaian.
photo house, SundayStock, and helps out by photographing fundraising events for Ojai Performing Arts Theater (OPAT). She’s also a member of the Ojai Women’s Fund, does some real estate photography and volunteers at the Humane Center. And since Manhattan’s career is in Ojai, she gets to spend quality time with her grandson, Mason, Manhattan’s son.
Settled in town, she manages her stock
“After five years here, I’m still amazed that
I can walk out my door and hike to my heart’s content... …still amazed that I hardly ever have to get in my car... …still amazed there are no parking meters and that shops are locally owned... …and restaurants are locally sourced.” Sunday, after working and traveling the globe, has found her picture-perfect life in Shangri La.
LEFT: SUNDAY ASTRIDE A BACTRIAN CAMEL NEAR THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. ABOVE: WITH A EUCALYPTUS-MUNCHING KOALA IN AUSTRALIA. OM — October 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.
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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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OM — October 2026
Chisum’s Floor Covering Contractors License # 242944
118 Bryant St Ojai (805) 646-2440 chisumsfloorcovering.com
OQ | HI KI NG MA P 1
SHELF ROAD 3.5mi EASY | Elev. Gain: 200 ft | Overlooks downtown Ojai.
2
3
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RIVER PRESERVE 0-7mi VARIES | Elev. Gain: ≤ 520 ft Wills-Rice Loop is the longest trail.
PRATT TRAIL 8.8mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 3300 ft | Goes to Nordhoff Peak.
GRIDLEY TRAIL 6-12mi MODERATE | 3 mi to Gridley Springs (Elev. Gain: 1200 ft) 6 mi to Nordhoff Peak.
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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.
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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 — October 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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OM — October 2026
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
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN A HOUSE HAS GOOD BONES? — By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela — How many times have you heard someone on a home renovation show comment about a house having good bones? Or maybe your Realtor has prepped you to see a fixer upper in poor condition by assuring you it has good bones. Or you might have heard this phrase as a caveat prefacing an invitation to see your friend’s new fixer. “Good bones” is a colloquial real estate phrase that gets thrown around quite a bit – usually in reference to a home that might need new flooring, fresh paint, kitchen and bath remodels, or other obvious updates – but what does it actually mean? Let’s start with the structure: When someone says that a house has good bones, structurally, this often means that the home is well built with a solid foundation, sound roof, good framing, and major systems that appear to be in good shape. This doesn’t mean that a house with good bones will never need new plumbing or electrical, but it generally means that the home appears to be structurally sound. When shopping for a home, this often translates into needing lots of updates but hopefully not having any major systems in dire need of repair or replacement. Then there is the floor plan: Having good bones does not only refer to what is behind the walls; it often also refers to how the house lives.
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Are there spacious rooms, a well-positioned kitchen, and good flow between indoor and outdoor living spaces? If the home needs paint, flooring, popcorn ceiling removal, and updated windows, but you don’t have to move the kitchen, knock down half of the walls, or relocate plumbing to make it work, it probably has good bones.
sense, comfortable ceiling heights, hallways that aren’t weird and awkward, well-placed windows, and finding the room you expect to find when you open a door. Natural light is also part of it. A house with good natural light has a major advantage.
Paint, flooring, fixtures, and furniture can Proportion and balance also matter: Good all be changed fairly easily. The orientation bones can refer to a home that just makes of the home, placement of its windows, sursense. The rooms don’t have to be huge for rounding structures, mature trees, and the a home to feel workable. Proportion and path of the sun are much harder to alter. balance are central to how it feels to live in In the Ojai Valley, where indoor-outdoor a home. living and the surrounding landscape are such an important part of many homes, Think: rooms that feel welcoming and make light can have an enormous impact on how
a property feels. A dated room filled with beautiful afternoon light may have far more potential than a newly remodeled room that always feels dark. Original character – and even quirks – can be part of the good bones: Older homes often have details that are not easy to replicate or would not feel authentic if you tried to reproduce them. Things like original woodwork, built-ins, unique windows, original fireplaces, vintage tile, plaster walls, and interesting architectural details give a house its unique charm and personality. Not every bit of original character is going to be appealing or functional today, but don’t be too quick to dismiss quirks or add replacing original details to the remodel list without at least considering what they are adding to the home.
For example, if you are preparing to sell a home that might be referred to as having good bones, keep in mind that buyers looking in Ojai are often drawn to homes that feel connected to their setting and history. Good bones do not mean the house doesn’t need work: Quite the opposite: “Good bones” is not a phrase that is used to describe turnkey homes. It can sometimes mean you could move into the home and live in it while you update it, but it rarely would be used to describe a home that doesn’t need at least some work. In most cases, it means that most folks would think the home needs a decent amount of work but that the underlying qualities of the home make that work worth doing. Minimally, a home that is described as
having good bones probably needs walls painted, floors refinished, kitchen and bath updates, and upgrades like replacing old light fixtures or single-pane windows. If you are trying to determine if a home has good bones, separate the things you just don’t like from the things that would be difficult or expensive to change. If you hate the kitchen counters but the layout works, you can’t stand the paint color but the rooms are well proportioned, the carpet is threadbare but the natural light is on point, and every room has a popcorn ceiling but the foundation is in good shape, then you are very likely looking at a home that has good bones. If you can see past the shag carpeting, questionable décor choices, and overgrown landscaping, you might just find some good bones with a lot of potential under there.
Ojai’s premier food festival 30+ restaurants vineyards gourmet foods Proceeds support Ojai valley charities Come hungry Feast well Do good
October 25th 2026 Sunday 2 pm - 5.30pm Ojai
www.tasteofojai.org
OM — October 2026 23
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
iwaplan.com
LOCAL & INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARIES
Financial Planning Built Around People, Not Products. Independent fiduciary guidance tailored to your goals and your future. Schedule your complimentary consultation today:
(805) 646-3729
OFFICES IN DOWNTOWN OJAI & VENTURA OJAI
VENTURA
205 S Signal St, Ojai, CA 93023
196 S Fir St, Ste 140 Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 646-3729
(805) 339-0760
Integrity Wealth Advisors. is a Registered Investment Adviser. This material is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Integrity Wealth Advisors and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. OM — October 2026 25
Ojai
Celebrating 40 Years
Serving the Ojai Valley since 1986 3277 E. OJAI AVENUE
Monday–Tuesday: Open at 4 PM Wednesday–Sunday: Open at 11:45 AM 805.646.6116 boccalis.com
BOCCALI VINEYARD WINE TASTING
Saturdays & Sundays | 12–5 PM boccalivineyards.com
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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HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HOMETOWN
WHY PLACE MATTERS! By Therese A. Hartmann My family’s Ojai story started way back in the 1940s, when my German grandfather came here to run the meat lockers inside what was the old Locker Market, now Westridge Midtown Market. He brought my dad, who was just a teenager at the time, to help during summer vacations. Those summers were everything to my father. The mountains, the orchards, the slow pace … it all sank in deep. So deep that when he received his teaching degree, he moved our small, but growing, family here around 1959. One choice, one town — and it shaped all of us. And that’s the thing: choosing a town is never just choosing a town. It’s choosing a life. We pretend it’s about practical stuff — schools, weather, environmental policies, grocery stores — but really, it’s emotional. A town becomes the backdrop of your days. It decides what you wake up to, who you bump into, what you complain about (and boy, do some people like to complain!), what you celebrate, and what you dream about next. Place Is a Mirror: The place you choose quietly reveals what you value. If you pick a walkable town, you’re saying you want connection. If you choose something quiet, you’re craving calm. If you go for lively, you want energy. And if you choose somewhere scenic, beauty clearly matters to you. Your town ends up reflecting your priorities, even the ones you didn’t realize you had. And Place Shapes You, Too: Where you live 28
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full-time artists. (and they are GOOD!) Choosing a place that allows you to morph into a new, better version of yourself is more important than anyone can relay.
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.
nudges you into a certain version of yourself. Live near trails and you’ll probably hike more. Live near water and you’ll breathe deeper. Live around artists and you’ll feel more inspired. Live in chaos and, well … you’ll feel it. It’s like a soundtrack playing in the background of your life — you don’t notice it until you move and suddenly think, “Wow, I feel different here.” Through the years, I’ve moved away (L.A., India, Phoenix) and then moved back. Each time I’ve returned, I realize I can be whomever I want to be and have done a few minor adjustments to my character as suits the circumstances and desire. We are like that here. You can basically reinvent yourself and you won’t get ridiculed; you will be celebrated! I just now came back from an art show over at Bert Collin’s home and met two former mortgage brokers there who had both blossomed into
So How Do You Choose?: It really comes down to imagining the kind of days you want. The pace, the people, the beauty you want to see without effort, and the possibilities you want your life to open up to. Choosing a town is choosing a rhythm, a community, and a future version of yourself. And hey, we all want a place that feels doable — somewhere the mortgage, or rent, isn’t breathing down our necks. Lately I’ve had to say goodbye to friends leaving the area for just that reason. They couldn’t afford to be here and/or found other places (like Franklin, TN, Bend, OR Sedona, AZ) that felt close enough to the feel here but at a third of the price. As sad as it is to say farewell, it feels like they are off on their next adventure, something I admire in the same breadth and width as I feel my heart breaking. The truth is, we want people around us, whether that’s family, old friends, or just folks who feel like our kind of weird. Depending on where we are in life, we either want a town that gives us opportunity or one that gives us room to breathe. Nature matters too — mountains, ocean, trees, open sky — whatever fills your tank. And every town has its own vibe, whether it’s potlucks and parades or a friendly wave from across the street. And when you land in the right place — like my dad did all those years ago — life just clicks.
ABOUT VILLANOVA An Augustinian Catholic school rooted in the v a l u e s o f Tr u t h , U n i t y , a n d L o v e . V i l l a n o v a i s a ‘ To p 1 0 0 ’ b o a r d i n g s c h o o l , o f f e r i n g a j o y f u l education to students for more than a centur y.
INFORMATION NIGHT Thursday, October 22, 2026 OPEN HOUSE Saturday, November 14, 2026 APPLICATION DEADLINE Sunday, January 31, 2027 ADMISSION DECISIONS Friday, March 5, 2027 Bus transportation for students in grades 6 - 12 Five and seven day boarding Financial aid and scholarships offered Co n t a c t u s t o s c h e d u l e yo u r TO U R , S H A DO W DAY , o r I N T E R V I E W
A P P LY ONLINE villanovaprep.org/admission admissions@villanovaprep.org OM — October 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 $3,950,000
Porchlight Cottage - This Ventura home offers three bedrooms, two baths, approximately 1,240 square feet, open living and dining areas, a remodeled primary bath, mature landscaping, a covered front porch, and a backyard designed for relaxing, gardening, or entertaining. $799,000
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
The Davis Group ojaivalleyestates.com
THE ESTELLE CLARK ESTATE 520 FOOTHILL RD, OJAI • $4,750,000 Gracefully situated along Ojai’s prestigious Foothill Road, The Estelle Clark Estate is a designated Historic Landmark commissioned in 1929 by silent screen star Estelle Clark and designed by renowned architect Austin Pierpont. Lovingly restored, this 4-bedroom, 3.5bath Tudor Revival residence sits on 1.17 ± acres with soaring barrel ceilings, original parquet floors, leaded glass windows, pool, spa, enchanting barn, yoga studio, and breathtaking views of the Topa Topa Mountains. Mills Act property — reduced property taxes.
1465 FOOTHILL RD • OJAI SOLD • $6,200,000
GABRIELA & ELIAS CESEÑA 805.236.3814 | 805.640.5904 THE NEXT LEVEL OF REAL ESTATE SERVICES
liveinojai.com TRUST • INTEGRITY • RESULTS
DRE 01983530 | 02228705
© 2026 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for your listing. Awards based on 2024 production of approximately 50,000 sales associates in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Global Network.
1104 FOOTHILL RD • OJAI SOLD • $5,200,000