Ojai Monthly — September 2020

OJAI 09 20 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

OJAI’S SISTER ACT GREEN GARDENING LEVERAGED DEBT Cover Photo: NORA DAVIS LIV Sotheby’s Realty • 805-340-3774 See Pages 30-31

TOP OJAI HIKES Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — September 2020

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CONTEMPO HAIR SALON This beautiful downtown building is Contempo Hair Salon, an Ojai business for over 40 years. The property is zoned mixed use, so it can ser ve as a business/retail location as well as a residence. With large windows, high ceilings and an open oor plan, the interior feels light, spacious and elegant.

The ex terior has beautiful landscaping with mature trees, a patio with a pergola, a covered porch and ample parking. It could be used as a turnkey salon with eight spacious stations or re-imagined as something entirely new. It could easily convert to many types of uses: a family residence, a mixed living/office space, an art studio or gallery, a retail space, a restaurant or a day spa.

205SouthSignalStOjai.com

$1,295,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

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OM — September 2020

MIRA MONTE MEDITERRANEAN This light-filled Mediterranean-style home has large windows and multiple decks/patios for true indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. The spacious living room has an elegant fireplace and there are wood floors throughout.

Featuring t wo master suites, one upstairs and one downstairs, for a total of four bedrooms and three bathrooms, there is ample space for family. The second floor, which has a wrap-around deck, offers western views of the Ojai Valley. The lush grounds include a lovely garden with a brick path that connect s multiple seating areas as well as a variety of avocado and citrus trees.

920ElCentroOjai.com Offered at $1,160,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

(805) 340-3774

pattywaltcher.com OM — September 2020

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OM — September 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SEPTEMBER 2020

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Editor’s Note

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Calendar of Events

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Featured Pros: Amy Lynn & Jessi May Stevenson’s Sister Act

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Debt: The Good & The Bad

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Gardening For Greens

20 Who’s Who in Real Estate 22

Dine Ojai — Restaurant Guide

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Chef Randy — Parmesan Pull-Apart Rolls

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Top 10 Hikes Into Ojai’s Backcountry

Editor & Publisher, Bret Bradigan Realtor/Partner, Ross Falvo Contact Us: Ross Falvo, 805.207.5094 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.

OJAI 09 20 D I S C O V E R M O N T H LY Real Estate & Visitors Guide

CROWNER’S ACHIEVEMENTS TOP OJAI HIKES

Cover: Patty Waltcher/LIV Sotheby’s Realty 6

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Cover Photo: NORA DAVIS LIV Sotheby’s Realty • 805-340-3774 See Pages 30-31

EIGHT WAYS TO STAY GREEN IN A PANDEMIC Visitor Information

Events

Activities

Lifestyle

Tips & Tactics. See more at the OJAIHUB.COM

OM — September 2020

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OM — September 2020

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DISCOVER

OJAI MONTHLY THE CENTURY OF FORGETTING

Bret Bradigan

The election of 1920 has interesting parallels with this Fall’s election. We had just disentangled ourselves from World War I-torn Europe, had slowly recovered from a pandemic that killed 675,000 Americans, and the seeds of authoritarianism were sprouting around the world as people rejected Progressive-era reforms.

The results were one of the biggest repudiations of the status quo in our history — Republican Warren Harding won more than 60 percent of the vote and his party won 303 seats in Congress. There’s a similar sense in the air. Business as usual just isn’t cutting it. A YouGov survey bears this out, with only 6 percent of us wishing a return to the same economy we had pre-pandemic, with its widening gulf of inequality and inequity.

Of course, there’s a lot of difference in the context. One hundred years of history will do that. But Q-Anon has a lot in common with the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” (Henry Ford reprinted it in the Dearborn Independent, a newspaper he owned, and distributed through his hundreds of Ford dealerships) The anti-globalism behind Brexit is reminiscent of the opposition to Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points and the League of Nations, while anti-Communism never goes out of style. Economic inequality promoted populist appeals to anti-elitism and conspiracies flourished in the murk and mire of demagoguery.

Ojai was then, as now, a quiet town out of the fray, a place of reflection and orange blossoms with the full moon rising over the Topa Topa bluffs. Even back then, people worried about it being taken over by tourists. My friend Patricia Clark Doerner’s trove of family correspondence included a letter from Alice B. Chase of Lynn, Massachusetts who was upset that Ojai was now reachable from Ventura in one day. One day. Because of a bridge being built over San Antonio Creek. “We are so conservative we hate to have the charming simplicity of the place changed,” she wrote. In 1916. Imagine how she’d feel that Los Angeleños can now live out their Ojai dreams amid those East End orange blossoms and still commute daily to the west side of LA. I think Alice B. Chase can rest easy, knowing that the bridge did not ruin Ojai. In fact, it hasn’t even made it to the present day, being swept away in the floods of 1969. But that attitude, of winching up the drawbridge to protect what we’ve got, is an old impulse, one that has defined the “Little Orange” since our beginning. The tension between those who want Ojai to be preserved in amber, and those who want to see it brought into the modern age, is the anvil on which our future is hammered out.

This will be a noisy election season, and a lot is at stake, in our country and in our community. As Faulkner said, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

OM — September 2020

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Rate subject to change with market conditions. C2 Financial Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Mortgage Broker/Lender. BRE #01048403 NMLS #298981

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OM — September 2020

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SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

VIRTUAL PUBLIC ART TOUR UP AND RUNNING

By Sami Zahringer Ojai art-lovers! The City of Ojai Arts Commission website has now published its virtual tour of the town’s collection of public art. This is your art and now there is a comprehensive guide to take you through it.

Conceived as four separate walking tours, members of the public may stroll at their leisure around town following the guide, or peruse it all from home.

At present we cannot offer docent-led tours but they will be available by appointment for groups and individuals in due course.

Myriad surprises await you on these tours; little facts, fancies, curiosities, and tidbits that enrich our Ojai life and community. Did you know, for instance, the story behind that the cast-bronze sculpture near the rear entrance to the plaza behind the arcade, made by iconic Ojai artist, Sylvia Raz? “Early-Bird

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Shopper” is the playful interpretation of an eagle that honors the bird-life in the valley. The eagle’s traditionally styled clothes reflect the Chumash Native Americans. A chocolate kiss serves as a hat, representing the sweet richness of Ojai. The artist tells us that, if you rub the little gold button on her purse, it will bring you good shopping luck!

“Early-Bird Shopper” disappeared from her plaza position early in 2008 only to be discovered, months later, glued to a lonesome, high rock on Shelf Road, overlooking the valley.

To the relief of all, she was rescued and bolted (now thief-proof !) back on her proper perch.

Take the tour via the following link. Ojai is a magical town for artists and our city is extraordinary in its support of public art. We have a public art collection we can be proud of and now it is configured in such a way as to make it accessible to all.

Have fun! http://www.artsojai.org/self-guided-tour/

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SEPTEMBER 3 TO OCTOBER 25 “Resurrection:” New Works by Dennis Mukai Times: Monday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Wednesday, Closed; Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Porch Gallery, 310 East Matilija Street Contact: porchgalleryojai.com 805-620-7589 Opening Reception on September 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Dennis Mukai is an internationally renowned artist, known for his distinctive illustrations of beautiful women. This show, however, was created from the ashes of the Thomas Fire, as Mukai noticed the first shoots of green from the charred landscape.

OCTOBER 25 “Taste of Ojai” Ojai’s premier culinary event is adjusting with the times, organizing virtually with the participation of dozens of local restaurants and wineries to raise money for the Rotary Club of Ojai Education Foundation’s scholarships and community grants.

This fundraiser also supports local restaurants, many of which have supported this event for more than 20 years. The event will feature cooking demonstrations, auctions, music and

OPPOSITE PAGE: Virtual public art tours of Ojai are available at artsojai.org. The Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

THIS PAGE: The Rotary Club of Ojai’s “Taste of Ojai” fund-raising event

will take place this year (virtually) on October 25th, tickets available at tasteofojai.com. The Agora Foundation’s weekly seminars offer lifelong learning about philosophy and

more. Tickets $80.

Contact: ojairotary.org or TasteofOjai.org

email support@somaticsanctuary Phone: 805-633-9230

REOCCURING EVENTS WEEKLY Monday, Wednesday & Friday “Somatic Stretch for Self Healing”

THURSDAYS

Instructor: Meredith Sands Keator Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Location: Anywhere you can find a sturdy internet connection.

Contact: somaticsanctuary.com email support@somaticsanctuary Phone: 805-633-9230

MONDAY & THURSDAYS

“Introduction to Somatic Stretch” Instructor: Sultana Parvanka Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Contact: somaticsanctuary.com email support@somaticsanctuary Phone: 805-633-9230

WEDNESDAYS “Offerings with Sarah Grace” — Somatic

Satsang, free community gathering and tools for resiliency Instructor: Sarah Grace Time: 7 p.m.

Contact: somaticsanctuary.com

“Ojai: Talk of the Town” Podcast New episodes come out Thursday evenings through OjaiHub.com newsletter. Sign up at OjaiHub.com “Awareness Through Movement” Instructor: Mary Jo Healy Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Contact: somaticsanctuary.com email support@somaticsanctuary Phone: 805-633-9230

FRIDAYS Farmer & The Cook Location: 339 West El Roblar Avenue, Meiners Oaks Times: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This popular farm-to-kitchen destination has reopened, with usual precautions in place to reduce exposure to coronavirus.

SATURDAYS Agora Foundation’s Saturday Seminars Time: 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Location: agorafoundation.org Learn, discuss and challenge the wisdom of OM — September 2020

Beckett, Aristophanes, Montaigne, Proust or Seneca with experienced tutors. Cost of a subscription is $25 per month, with scholarships available.

Contact: agorafoundation.org Phone: 805-231-5974

SUNDAYS

Certified Farmer’s Market Date: Every Sunday Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Contact: 698-5555 Location: Matilija Street city parking lot behind the Arcade.

Open air market featuring locally grown produce, plants, musicians and handmade items, including soaps, baskets, beeswax candles and olive oil.

Again, with proper social distancing and vendor spacing, the Farmers Market will stay open through the duration of the stay-athome order.

MONDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS

“Storytime Live” at the Ventura County Library Contact: vencolibrary.org (805) 677-7150 Visit the Library’s Facebook page for a schedule of live readings for stories, including bedtime and bilingual.

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BY ILONA SAARI

AMY LYNN

& JESSI MAY STEVENSON

SISTERS, SISTERS

THERE WERE NEVER SUCH DEVOTED SISTERS

All kinds of weather, we stick together. The same in the rain or sun. Two different faces, but in tight places. We think and we act as one.

PAINTING BY AMY LYNN STEVENSON

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OM — September 2020

Raised by educators amid the corn fields in Holdrege, Nebraska, a town with 5,000 residents if you don’t count the cows, Amy Lynn and Jessi May Stevenson learned early on about the arts. Mom, Patricia Sheffield, was an art teacher and painter with exhibits in galleries and art shows, while Dad, Charles Stevenson, coached basketball, taught school and served as a principal and superintendent of schools.

Though 4-1/2 years apart, the sisters were BFFs from the start. They went everywhere together and, if Amy Lynn’s friends complained about having a “little kid” tag along, they soon learned that the girls were a package deal. Amy Lynn took after her mother with a natural ability to draw, and loved to paint. Jessi knew from the first time she stepped on stage as a child in a school play that acting and all things related to theater would be the foundation of her future.

After graduation, Amy Lynn went to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she earned her BFA. A few

years later, Jessi followed and secured her degree in acting, with a minor in art, then received the Chancellor’s Full Ride Scholarship Award to the University of California, Irvine where she earned her MFA. Jessi also studied at Harvard University with the Moscow Art Theater and the American Repertory Theater in Boston.

Amy Lynn moved to Minneapolis after college where her distinct style, influenced by the 1920s Jazz Age paintings in festive settings … all that “philandering, seducing and dancing while musicians play into the night” as she described it, catapulted her career.

One critic noted that when viewing her paintings you get the feeling of having crashed a party at Jay Gatsby’s mansion.

After settling in Los Angeles, Jessi hit the boards running, starring as “Ophelia” in “Hamlet” in Hollywood, and in

AMY LYNN & JESSI MAY STEVENSON

OM — September 2020

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“Cubicle” in downtown L.A., directed by friend, actorwriter-director, Richard Kuhlman, whom she had met at the John Steinbeck Festival in Salinas, California while in graduate school. She appeared in independent films, and was featured in various commercials, such as ones for Stolichnaya and Ameritrade, and was in a film promotion for the movie “Chocolat.”

She also did music videos, including ones for the Pussy Cat Dolls and Timbaland, and found herself on the set for a bit part in the sitcom, “Cougar Town.”

Whenever Jessi appeared in a play, Amy Lynn flew in from Minneapolis to see her perform. And, Jessi would fly into Minneapolis to see Amy Lynn’s exhibits. Eventually, after 10 years in wintery Minnesota, Amy Lynn relocated to sunny L.A. Upon her arrival, Jessi asked Richard to show her sister around. It wasn’t long before Amy Lynn and Richard fell in love and became a couple.

The sisters became roommates as they built their careers in Tinseltown. Amy Lynn was soon touted as “one to watch” and was a Featured Artist of Disney. Her paintings began to appear in publications such as Art Collectors Magazine and Elle Décor and her work was featured on TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” and in the gallery aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to Alaska. Her work also hangs permanently in the Kyoto Grand Hotel in LA. As Amy Lynn and Richard’s relationship grew, they decided they wanted to put down roots and buy a house. Richard had directed at Theater 150 in Ojai for some time. They loved Ojai and its thriving artistic community, which also allowed them to commute to Los Angeles when opportunities arose.

They found a lovely cottage and moved to Meiners Oaks in January, 2012. Two years later, they made it “legal” and married. Jessi visited often and first saw Ron Feltner on stage in “The Skin of Our Teeth,” directed by Richard. She ‘visited’ that play four more times. Soon after, Jessi and Ron starred in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” at the Ojai Art Center Theater and quickly became a couple. In 2013, she 14

OM — September 2020

moved to Ojai. (They now have appeared in eleven plays together and Jessi has directed him once in Sam Shepard’s “True West.”)

Amy Lynn became a member of OVA Gallery and is a long-time member of Ojai Studio Artists. While continuing to exhibit her paintings in Ojai and elsewhere (her works now hang in galleries and private collections worldwide), Amy Lynn created her own signature-style jigsaw puzzles and coloring books, and completed her third book, “Sera Toujours” (available through Barnes & Noble). In 2018 she won first prize in the “Art of the Egg” Competition, hosted by the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. (To see her work, check out amylynnstevenson.com). She’s also taught a children’s art class at the Beatrice Woods Center and was the art instructor at the Besant Hill School of Happy Valley’s international summer program, and hosts fundraiser paint parties that raise money for local schools.

While working as a bartender at The Vine, Jessi continued to appear on stage at the Ojai Art Center Theater (OACT) and Santa Paula Theater Center, where she’s also a resident director. Among her many acting roles are “Curly’s Wife” in “Of Mice & Men,” “Marianne” in “The Miser” and “May” in “Fool For Love,” co-starring Ron. She appeared as “Honey” in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” and was riveting as “Lady Macbeth” in OACT/OPAT’s production, and “Bella” in Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers.” Among the various plays she’s directed are “The Humans” and “The Revolutionists.” Jessi has won five Four Star Alliance Awards (Ventura County’s Tony Award) for acting, directing and one for sound design.

She’s also been an instructor/director for Muse of Fire-Teen Acting Conservatory.

Nebraska, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Ojai — these talented sisters and best friends, who’ve been devoted and supportive of each other since childhood, have enriched every community in which they’ve lived. Ojai is proud that they’ve not only put down roots, but blossomed beautifully in our artistically vibrant valley.

Donna Sallen

Fabulous and charmingly inviting, this two-story Victorian estate is nestled in the magical East End of Ojai. Surrounded by organic orchards and meticulous landscaping, this home is filled with Southern Charm. The wrap-around porch looks out to the gardens, as the country kitchen and breakfast nook looks out to the pool and tennis court. Perfectly situated nearby are the spacious guesthouse, separate cottages, and a writer’s studio creating plenty of living space for friends and family. This relaxing and inviting estate is truly elegant.

There’s no place like home ...

Let me find yours.

This cute charmer is just waiting for you. There is a nice, tiled entry which leads you into the spacious, light-filled living room, with a fireplace. There are four bedrooms and two recently remodeled bathrooms.

Beautiful, flat useable lot, just under an acre located in the City of Ojai. great views from this lot. Zoned commercial — come build your dream! Desirable location, close to Soule Park Golf Course, so you have plenty of visibility for your business.

El Viaje was inspired by architectural design of an Italian Luxury Villa where Old World Charm and the modern conveniences of every day life come together perfectly. As you enter through the gates to a private, secluded yard you will love the mix of mature trees, the rose gardens, and the cozy seating areas.

Donna Sallen

805-798-0516

w w w. D o n n a S a l l e n . c o m D o n n a 4 re m a x @ a o l .c o m

Weighing In Think About Leveraging While Interest Rates Are Low

By Therese A. Hartmann

If you’re like 73 percent of Americans, you might be experiencing some sleepless nights worrying about your financial future. It’s caused many of us to modify our spending habits and that, in my opinion, isn’t a bad thing.

Recently, I had a client come in to get prequalified to buy a home.

Disappointingly, even though mortgages rates are in the 2 percent range, he was limited to what he could afford.

He had good credit, great income and a reasonable down payment but his monthly payments on his monster truck AND Harley stopped him cold. In his mind, these vehicles are assets but it begs the question, are they good investments?

And just what constitutes good debt?

An easy way to determine whether it’s good debt or bad is to ask if buying something will increase your net worth and have future value, or not.

A new car, for example, loses thousands as soon as you drive it off the lot. And we can all agree that using credit cards — and not paying them off — accessing pay day loans, “investing” in timeshares, etc., are not great plans for enhancing your financial standing. Likewise, out-ofcontrol consumerism eats away at a solid footing for your future.

So how do we win? I might be tooting my own horn here but, by far, there is probably no better debt than a mortgage.

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After all, you need to live somewhere and with housing prices going up over 6 percentannually, if you put 20 percentdown on a $600k home, you would be earning around $36k on an initial investment of $120k. All things being equal (considering what you might have paid for rent, tax benefits of homeownership, etc.), you would have earned 30 percent ROI on your down payment.

Borrowing money for an appreciating asset is called leveraging and this one strategy has enabled many blue-collar workers to become millionaires by the time they retire. And it’s why I have clients who could, but don’t, pay their mortgages off. When you consider you can borrow money at under 3 percent and could turn around and invest in the average mutual fund at 8-12 percent or get a targeted education that will ensure a steady future salary, why would you?

Do yourself a favor during this pandemic — look at your spending habits — cut back on anything that you don’t really need and invest in your future.

And if you have a loan amount that is $250k-$713k that is over 3.5 percent, it’s time to get on the phone with a trusted mortgage broker and see if you qualify for some of the lowest rates we’ve seen in history. Doing so might just be the single best financial decision of your life!

OM — September 2020

Therese A. Hartmann has 20 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.

Donna Sallen

Sitting on nearly half an acre surrounded by mature trees, this charming home has a lot to offer. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with a nice, bright living room with a fireplace. The dining room opens out to a covered porch when you can sit and just relax. This home is very private and quiet. So come and see this cozy little gem.

Donna Sallen 805-798-0516 w w w. D o n n a S a l l e n . c o m D o n n a 4 re m a x @ a o l . c o m

There’s no place like home ...

Let me find yours.

Eight Herbs & Vegetables for Your Juicing Garden

By Aimee Jo Davis-Varela

Growing your own food is a rewarding experience that allows you to spend more time outdoors, save money on your grocery bill, and know exactly where your food is coming from. It is also a great way to have fresh, organic produce conveniently available right in your backyard and a fun activity you can do with your family.

Eating healthy is more important than ever and limiting trips to the grocery store is not a bad idea right now. So, if we can grow some of our own food at home and use these ingredients to make healthy juices filled with antioxidants and immune-boosting nutrients, that sounds like a pretty good quarantine project to me.

To help inspire you, here are eight of my favorite juicing ingredients I grow in my vegetable garden and that will be super easy for you to grow in yours.

1. Spinach: This dark, leafy green provides magnesium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and more, which

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plant in three-week intervals.

Photo by Truong Dat

makes this easy-to-grow vegetable a good choice for your juicing garden. Spinach thrives in containers or in the ground, is easy to grow from seed, and allows you to harvest on demand as it continues to produce leaves. To make sure you have a steady supply, plant your crop in twoweek intervals.

2. Kale: Generally considered a superfood, kale is a nutrient-dense, leafy green providing an array of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, and calcium. You can grow kale in containers or in the ground and can start from seeds or seedlings. If you juice often, you will likely go through a lot of kale, so, if possible, dedicate a good amount of space for your kale plants and

OM — September 2020

3. Cucumbers: Cucumber juice is a refreshing treat on a hot day and provides potassium, magnesium, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, and B vitamins. You can grow your plants in containers or in the ground, but keep in mind that you will need to support your cucumbers with a large tomato cage or a trellis. Consider growing more than one variety for different purposes. For example, this year, I’m growing Persian cucumbers for juicing and snacking and Nationals for pickling.

4. Tomatoes: Add tomatoes to your garden for juicing, salsas, soups, stews, and sauces. Tomatoes are incredibly easy to grow in this area and can be grown in the ground or in containers. They provide lutein, lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and potassium. If you are planning on using them for different purposes, consider growing different varieties. For example, San Marzanos are

higher in pectin, which makes them better for stews and sauces; whereas, Better Boys or Celebrities have a higher juice content, which makes them better for juicing.

5. Carrots: While they don’t actually make you see better at night, carrots are high in beta carotene, which is essential to eye health, as well as your overall wellness. They are incredibly easy to grow and can be grown in the ground or in containers — as long as the containers are deep enough to accommodate their growth. Carrots are a popular juicing ingredient, so they are a great addition to your juicing garden. However, if you are short on space, skip the carrots. Organic carrots are readily available and less expensive than other organic produce options, so keep buying these at the store or farmers market, and save your garden space for other veggies.

6. Parsley: Parsley takes patience. You may not see any signs of life for up to three weeks after planting your seeds, but once it finally gets going, just one or two plants will probably provide as much as you need for juicing. Often used for detoxing

the liver, parsley is not going to add a lot of flavor to your juices, but it does add iron, folate, vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C. 7. Basil : If you find green juices bland, basil may be just the herb you need to up your juicing game. Providing magnesium, zinc, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, this easy-to-grow herb is packed with nutrition, as well as flavor. Basil grows well in the ground or in containers, and you can dry it or freeze it for later use if you harvest more than you need.

8. Celery: Adding celery to your juices provides potassium, folate, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, and polyphenols. It grows well in containers or in the ground and is so easy to grow.

Whenever you buy a bunch of organic celery, cut off the root end and place it in a small bowl of water. You will start seeing growth almost immediately. Once you have significant growth and it has sprouted new roots, transfer it to your garden or to a container with soil. Before you know it, you will have your very own celery patch.

CAFE EMPORIUM Ojai’s Cafe Emporium is a turnkey, wellestablished breakfast and lunch restaurant, located in the heart of downtown Ojai. Prime location steps away from all of Ojai’s events and attractions. Ojai Cafe’ Emporium has for over 34 years addressed the need in the community for a warm and friendly dining experience for family, friends and business.

A family tradition for every generation serving high quality, fresh and healthy food. And if you crave something sweet, there is an adjoining bakery producing fresh baked goods every morning. Take advantage of this prime piece of commercial real estate with a fully operational up-and-running business. $2,099,000

TOM WEBER Broker CalDre # 00805061

805-320-2004 TomWeber@OjaiTom.com

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WHO’S WHO

IN OJAI REAL ESTATE?

TO BE LISTED HERE, PLEASE CALL ROSS @ 805-207-5094

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Logan Hall Logan Hall Photography 805-798-0337 loganhallphotos. com

Clinton Haugan LIV | Sotheby’s International Realty 727 W. Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023 C: (805) 760-2092 O: (805) 646-7288 chaugan@livsothebysrealtyca.com DRE# 02019604

Joe Davis Full service property management, residential • Commercial • Industrial JoeTheRentalGuy.com.

805-574-9774

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

Anne Williamson Keller Williams Realty Anneshomesinojai.com 805-320-3314

Donna Sallen Remax Gold Coast Realtors Donna4Remax@aol.com DonnaSallen. com 805-798-0516

Amanda Stanworth LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Phone: 805-2188117 • E-mail: amandastanworth77@gmail. com Web: Rooney-Stanworth.com

Erik Wilde LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Wilde-Wilde.com 805-830-3254

Patty Waltcher LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Call me for your Real Estate needs.

805-340-3774

Marsha Kaye Home Mortgage Consultant Phone: 805640-0654 Cell: 805-7469055 marsha.kaye@ homebridge. com

Stephen Adelman Broker Associate “Your Family Man Realtor” LIV Sotheby’s realestateojai@ gmail.com ojailuxuryrealestate.com 805-640-5563

Kristen Currier LIV Sotheby’s International Realty 805-798-3757 thehoffgroup. com

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

805-798-1998

OM — September 2020

your vote counts!

Dawn E. Shook - Executive Officer, Ojai Valley Board of REALTORS Since I was a younger gal, I have always voted on Election Day. I understand the freedom we have in the U.S., and the need to vote on issues and candidates. It is a freedom not everyone has in the world; and we are fortunate to have this right.

Dale Hanson Ojai Valley Real Estate 211 E. Matilija Street, Ste. J, 206 E. Ojai Ave. 805-646-7229 dale@ovhl.com

Kathy Hoff LIV Sotheby’s International Realty (805) 290-6907 thehoffgroup. com

Kirk Ellison LIV Sotheby’s International Realty KirkEllison@ me.com 805-340-5905

Don & Cheree Edwards RE/MAX Gold Coast Ojai’s Top Selling Team LivinginOjai.com 805.340.3192 805.350.7575

Therese A. Hartmann is a local loan consultant affiliated with C2 Financial Corporation, and is a Licensed Broker, California BRE #01048403. NMLS # 298291. For a free consultation, call Therese today at (805) 798-2158.

Hildegard Tallent CalBRE# 02047013 Keller Williams Realty, 109 N. Blanche Street Tel: 805-798-1872 email: hildegard. tallent@kw.com

Deckert / DePaola Keller Williams Realty Cheryl Deckert, Broker Associate Ray Deckert, Broker Associate Maria DePaola, Realtor Associate Team@DeckertDePaola.com 805-272-5221

We can vote for whomever we feel is the right person for the job or for whatever we feel is the right way to proceed via issues.

In our town this year there will be candidates to choose for City Council, our Mayor, Ojai Unified School District Board members, and other upcoming issues. And, this is a presidential year, so the top job will be chosen, hopefully by your vote.

Your vote counts, as my vote counts, and everyone’s vote counts.

When my son was of the age to vote, he chose not to, as he felt one vote was “only one vote.” I encouraged him to vote the next time, and it seemed his one vote helped to get a candidate to win. It was a close vote, and I believe 50 votes were the difference between two candidates! He has since voted every Election Day. When he married, his wife felt the same as he did years ago, and he encouraged her to vote based on what he had experienced.

Hopefully, our new voters will read this and understand the real need to vote, choosing who or what you believe in. It will make a difference in how you view the outcome, knowing you participated. However you vote, please vote on Election Day, November 3, 2020.

See you about town in my mask, and hopefully you will have one on too!

Someday, hopefully soon, we won’t have to wear masks.

OM — September 2020

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AGAVE MARIA Fresh, wholesome Mexican food & drink 106 South Montgomery Street (805) 646-6353 agavemarias.com

JIM & ROB’S FRESH GRILL Mexican-American & regional favorites 214 West Ojai Avenue #100 (805) 640-1301 jimandrobsojai.com

AJ EXPRESS CHINESE EXPRESS Gourmet Chinese food to eat in or to go 11566 North Ventura Avenue (805) 646-1177 ajchinesecuisine.com

JJ’S SPORTS ZONE The go-to place for food & sports 820 North Ventura Avenue (805) 649-4655 jjssportszone.com

OJAI PIZZA COMPANY 331 Ojai Ave. (Downtown Ojai) 545-7878 TheOnlyGoodPizza.com OJAI ROTIE Rotisserie, sourdough, winebox 469 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9227 ojairotie.com

AZU Spanish & Mediterranean comfort food 457 East Ojai Avenue (805) 640-7987, azuojai.com

HIP VEGAN Vegan sandwiches, salads & bowls 201 North Montgomery Street hipvegancafe.com (805) 669-6363

PAPA LENNON’S Family owned, original & Italian cuisine 515 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-7388 papalennons.com

BOCCALI’S Pizza & Pasta, from our farm to our tables 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road (805) 646-6116 boccalis.com

HOME KITCHEN OF OJAI Breakfast and lunch in a warm space 1103 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-5346 HomeKitchenofOjai.com

RAINBOW BRIDGE A community gathering place 211 East Matilija Street (805) 646-6623 rainbowbridgeojai.com

BONNIE LU’S COUNTRY CAFE Traditional American breakfast & brunch 328 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-0207

KNEAD BAKING COMPANY An artisanal family bakery 469 East Ojai Avenue (310) 770-3282 kneadbakingcompany.com

THE RANCH HOUSE An Ojai culinary destination for more than 60 years 102 Besant Road (805) 646-2360 theranchhouse.com

CAFE EMPORIUM Locals’ favorite breakfast and lunch 108 South Montgomery Street (805) 646-2723 ojaicafeemporium.com CASA DEL LAGO Ojai’s original Mexican restaurant 715 E Ojai Avenue (805) 640-1577 THE DEER LODGE An Ojai legend since 1932 2261 Maricopa Highway (805) 646-4256 deerlodgeojai.com

MANDALA Pan-Asian Cuisine 11400 North Ventura Road (805) 613-3048 THE NEST 401 East Ojai Avenue (805) 798-9035 thenestojai.com NO SO VITA Ojai’s social cafe 205 North Signal Street (805) 646-1540 nosovita.com

FARMER & THE COOK The best of organic Ojai 339 West El Roblar Drive (805) 640-9608 farmerandcook.com

OAK GRILL @ THE INN Al fresco dining under vine-covered pergola 905 Country Club Road (805) 646-1111 ojairesort.com

FOOD HARMONICS Nutritional Love 254 East Ojai Avenue (Arcade) (805) 798-9253

OJAI COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY Salads, sandwiches & superb service 337 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-4478

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traditional

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 SOULE PARK GOLF COURSE BAR & GRILL Patio & indoor dining with Ojai’s most tranquil views 1033 East Ojai Avenue (805) 646-5685 soulepark.com Check websites for specific information, due to the pandemic, hours, offerings and on-site dining options may change frequently.

CHEF RANDY

Parmesan pull-apart bread This recipe, found on the back of an old Pillsbury flour sack, has been modified a little to meet my needs.

INGREDIENTS: 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 1/2 teaspoon paprika 5 tablespoons butter (melted)

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 Discover 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.

Healthy

Summer/Fall

Quick + Easy

Vegetarian

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.

See Chef Randy’s website for more recipes at: valley-vegetarian.com OM — September 2020

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Design and Supply for Your Living Spaces

26

OM — September 2020

Whitman Architectural Design

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

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

Winston Churchill

Dale Hanson

Come Home To

Ojai Valley Real Estate (805)646-7229

B.R.E. 01229522 Notary Public

dale@ojaivalleyrealestate.com Call me for your real estate needs.

Residential, commercial, or business opportunity.

Great location for commercial business or restaurant. Large parking in back. The building is updated and very clean. Forced air and heating, 3 private offices. A bath room and small wet kitchen. Separate attached unit with 3/4 bath and private entrance and address. $775,000

Available at Frontier Paint 227 Baldwin Rd, Ojai 646-0459 • Frontierpaintca.com Selling quality in Ojai for over 37 years

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4424 THACHER ROAD, OJAI

Upon entering 4424 Thacher you are tucked away in your own private sanctuary amidst 6-acres of organic olive and citrus trees. The main residence was built in 1895 and now shares the land with a 3bd/2ba guest house, 2bd/2ba guest casita, studio guest quarters, detached yoga/art studio, detached library, amazing views of the Ojai Valley, two private gated entrances, bocce ball court, space for horses and much more. Come visit the most exclusive property in Ojai Offered for $14,000,000

Lester Cook

DRE 01991090 818.642.7412 lcook@livsothebysrealty.com Lester@LesterCookRealEstate.com © 2020 LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. All rights reserved. All data, including all measurements and calculations are obtained from various sources and has not and will not be verified by Broker. All information shall be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. LIV Sotheby’s International Realty is independently owned and operated and supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

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OM — September 2020

OQ | HI K I NG MAP 1

SHELF ROAD 3.5mi EASY | Elev. Gain: 200 ft | Overlooks downtown Ojai.

2 VENTURA RIVER PRESERVE | 7mi EASY TO MODERATE | Elev. Gain:

520 ft (Wills-Rice). Trailheads at end of Meyer Road, South Rice Road and Baldwin Road. Great for birding.

5 HORN CANYON 5.5mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 1,600 ft.

Trailhead near Thacher School’s gymkhana field. Goes to shady stand of 80-foot tall pines.

8 ROSE VALLEY 1mi EASY | Elev. Gain: 100 ft

Trailhead at Rose Valley Campground. Leads to a spectacular 300-foot, two-tiered fall.

3

4

PRATT TRAIL 8.8mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 3,300

GRIDLEY TRAIL 6-12mi MODERATE | 3 mi to Gridley Springs

6

7

COZY DELL 2.2mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 740 ft |

MATILIJA CANYON 12mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 1,200 ft |

ft | Trailhead off North Signal Street. Goes to Nordhoff Peak. Clear day? See forever.

(Elev. Gain: 1,200 ft) 6 mi to Nordhoff Peak.

Trailhead at north end of Gridley Road.

Trailhead 8 miles north of Ojai on Maricopa Highway.

Short, intense hike that also connects to trail network.

Middle Fork. Trailhead at end of Matilija Road. First 1.5 miles of trail well-maintained, the rest a scramble.

9

10

SISAR CANYON 22mi STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 4,800 ft to

SULPHUR MTN. 22mi MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 2,300 ft |

Topa Topa Bluffs. Trailhead at end of Sisar Road. Trailhead on eastern side of Sulphur Mountain Road.

Only for experienced, f it hikers.

Views are unsurpassed.

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We know Ojai.

Lucky Q Ranch is a 106+ acre, one-of-a-kind property with mountain and lake views perfect for a weekend escape or private retreat to live the simpler, country lifestyle you have always dreamed of. The custom, stone house features unique touches throughout, such as reclaimed doors made from 150-year-old oak, century-old tin tiles, circa 1900 light fixtures, and a Luke French-inspired fireplace. Also enjoy easy access to the shops, cafĂŠs, golf courses, and more in Ojai, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and beyond. www.LuckyQRanchOjai.com Price Upon Request

6-Acre Horse Property with 5-Bedroom Main House, 2-Bedroom Guest House, Pool, Horse Facilities, Solar and Views www.1577KenewaStreet.com $2,199,000

Four-bedroom, three-bath home on 1+acre with dual-sink vanity, jetted soaking tub, large deck, several recent upgrades and mountain views. www.1744CountryDrive.com $1,275,000

The Davis Group ojaivalleyestates.com

Nora Davis

BRE License #01046067

805.207.6177

nora@ojaivalleyestates.com

We’re lifelong residents.

277+ Acre ranch with five recently renovated houses, equestrian facilities, pastures, hay fields, stunning views and so much more. $6,250,000

Three-bedroom, 2.5 Golden West home remodeled in 2020 with two fireplaces, swimming pool, fruit trees, flexible spaces for home office or hobbies. www.1116DelNidoCourt.com $1,250,000

Charming, remodeled cottage with quartz counters, fireplace in master bedroom, covered deck, two patios with pergolas, and many upgrades throughout. $649,000

Kellye Lynn

BRE License #01962469

805.798.0322

G a b r i e l a Ce s e ñ a T H E N E X T L E V E L O F R E A L E S TAT E S E R V I C E S Re a l t o r ® | L u x u r y S p e c i a l i s t Unwavering commitment to my clients’ satisfaction.

D R I V E N B Y PA S S I O N F O R T H E W O R K I D O !

805.236.3814 | gabrielacesena@bhhscal.com LIC# 01983530

Gabrielacesena.bhhscalifornia.com © 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. 32

OM — September 2020