THE SIGNAL & THE NOISE

“Nothing is so aggravating as calmness.” — Mahatma Gandhi

According to Arthur Schopenhauer, the more sensitive to noise you are, the more intelligent. And if the inverse is true, I must be a raging idiot, which I’m sure some of you have already confirmed. I find that I often work best with noise and distraction. It was a talent developed during my years working in the clamor of a busy newsroom. Cradling the phone with my neck, holding the notepad with my right hand while scribbling notes with my left for an important comment from a wary cop or grandstanding politician minutes before the issue was supposed to be put to bed, amid the relentless chatter of my colleagues and clatter of their keyboards, I would do some of my best work. It’s a version of Hemingway’s dictum: “Write drunk, edit sober.” Write noisy, edit in silence.

Given the public noise and clamor around town lately, I wonder if our collective IQ is dropping the more contentious we become. Ironic then that so many seek Ojai for its peace and quiet. We’d like to think the Ojai Quarterly contributes to that reputation as a calm, reflective place to learn about and appreciate this place, and what it means for the hundreds of thousands of guests we host each year. Light, not heat. If heat is what you seek, there are plenty of places that cater to you. Nextdoor, I’m looking at you. We at the OQ seek to provide more signal than noise.

This issue in particular, written and edited amid the vibrant emerald hillsides and cool morning breezes, speaks to that sense of place. Mark Lewis’ incredible article on Franklin Lacey and Aldous Huxley puts Ojai at the swirling center of an international culture that spanned some of the most formative decades in American life. Lacey, a child prodigy and formidable talent, not only collaborated with Huxley on “Brave New World: The Musical” but wrote the book for “Music Man,” one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Revenues from that intellectual property still benefit Besant Hill School, the place he taught and led for years. This story is one of the most important ever written about Ojai.

Looking toward the future, we’ve got our cover profile on Cameron Jones, a local product who is already staking a claim in the highly competitive world of modeling. Don’t be surprised if her level, blue-gray-eyed gaze starts turning up everywhere. We want you to be able to say that you saw it here first. More than just the next fresh face, she is the granddaughter of Gloria Jones, the designer and community stalwart, so you know she will have a solid grounded approach to her future success. Speaking of which, Kit Stolz brings author Norman Ollestad into focus, and his remarkable life of vibrant adventure. Ilona Saari’s profile on AIR Pizza’s Tere Karabatos demonstrates he and his wife helping others along their own roads to recovery.

It is our frequent pleasure to have Chuck Graham’s work grace our pages. His story about the elusive badgers of our magnificent backcountry puts his writing and superb photography skills in clear focus. Jerry Dunn’s profile of Heath Perry is case in point on Ojai’s allure as a wellness destination. This issue ends as always with our Sami Zahringer. She is one of the funniest writers in America, her manic cleverness and absurdity reveal a highly attuned intelligence at work. To have her work grace our pages is a privilege we gratefully extend to you. So here is your Spring OQ, Ojai’s premier magazine. Enjoy responsibly.

BRANDI CROCKETT is an Ojai pixie tangerine peelin’ native and an editorial and destination wedding photographer. Check out her work at fancyfreephotography. com

JERRY DUNN worked with the National Geographic Society for 35 years and has won three Lowell Thomas Awards, the “Oscars” of the field, from the Society of American Travel Writers.

CHUCK GRAHAM’S work has appeared in Outdoor Photographer, Canoe & Kayak, Trail Runner, Men’s Journal, The Surfer’s Journal and Backpacker.

MARK LEWIS is a writer and editor based in Ojai. He can be contacted at mark lewis1898@gmail.com. is an independent artist, designer and curator. She is a member of Ojai Studio Artists and runs utaculemann.design.

ILONA SAARI is a writer who’s worked in TV/film, rock’n’roll and political press, and as an op-ed columnist, mystery novelist and consultant for HGTV. She blogs for food: mydinnerswithrichard. blogspot.com.

KIT STOLZ is an award-winning journalist who has written for newspapers, magazines, literary journals, and online sites. He lives in Upper Ojai and blogs at achangeinthewind.com

JESSE PHELPS grew up in Ojai and has written extensively for and about the town. He enjoys freelance projects and throwing things. He can be reached at jessephelps@ outlook.com

SAMI ZAHRINGER is an Ojai writer and award-winning breeder of domestic American long-haired children. She has more forcedmeat recipes than you.

Ojai was first developed in the early 1870s by Royce Surdam, after purchasing the land from railroad baron Tom Scott. Surdam relentlessly promoted the town sites, naming it Nordhoff, after Charles Nordhoff, author of 1873’s “California: For Health, Pleasure and Residence,” which extolled California for its salubrious climate and natural wonders.

Award-winning travel writer (and frequent OQ contributor) Jerry Camarillo Dunn Jr. talked about his peripatetic career. A Stanford grad, he left law school to travel the world, a vagabond with a backpack. Jerry worked with the National Geographic Society for 35 years and has written hundreds of articles in major publications. His 11 books include “My Favorite Place On Earth.”

Steve Bennett, former Nordhoff High School history teacher and present State Assemblyman from the 38th District, talked about growing up in small-town Indiana, his many years organizing the S.O.A.R. initiative and serving on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. Bennett also talked about political heroes FDR and California legend Gary K. Hart.

Zhena Muyzka joined the podcast to talk about her latest venture, Magic Hour, and for a lively discussion about her book, “Life By the Cup,” publishing an imprint for Simon & Shuster, selling tea off a cart at Nutmeg’s Ojai House as a single mom, and building up the multimillion dollar enterprise, Zhena’s Magic Tea, losing it, then starting over with new purpose and hard-won experience. She also talked about her love of Ojai and how it has changed during her more than quarter century in the village.

Filmmaker Kevin Breslin grew up in the thick of every major issue to confront New York City during his youth — from the Stonewall and Crown Heights Riots to Son of Sam. His father, Jimmy Breslin, was the Pulitzer Prize-winning