A LIGHT UNTO OURSELVES
PUBLISHED SINCE 1982 BY THE OJAI VALLEY NEWS
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mall-town living, Ojai living — why do people come here? To breathe, to experience one day at a time, to live presently, to understand and be understood, to respect and listen, to parent, to live with intention. To get the chance to know our neighbors, with the promise of being surrounded by quiet beauty to experience ourselves — you know, the same reasons people live anywhere. One strand of Ojai’s rich DNA is philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, who came to Ojai in 1922. His influence continued in the generations that have come after. To understand the spiritual essence of Ojai — what makes this town special — an exploration of Krishnamurti’s ideas is essential. Rather than encourage followers, Krishnamurti taught that we must become “a light unto ourselves.” As the Krishnamurti Foundation of America celebrates 50 years in Ojai, it shares a timely sample of Krishnamurti’s writing. Noted American photojournalist Arthur Grace recently made Ojai his home. Please welcome our new neighbor and get the inside scoop behind the lens of some of his most famous photographs during historic political and social times in America. After winning Olympic silver in 1960, diver Paula Jean Pope and husband Karl moved to Ojai and established the Ojai Valley Athletic Club in 1976. What drove the four-time Olympic medalist and mother of five, Paula Jean, to accomplish so much? Learn from reporter Austin Widger. Ojai’s original mountain men were the forest rangers who rode, rescued, fought grizzlies, settled disputes and put out fires “when this country was a howling wilderness.” Who were these men? Reporter Perry Van Houten digs into Ojai’s backcountry legends, revealing the intertwined tales of three rangers from the days when Ojai was truly wild. Once you are ready for your own trek, Perry’s new spring wildflower and hiking guides will keep you informed on your own wilderness adventure. We welcome the new age of cannabis in California and Ojai is a part of that with three local dispensaries. Perhaps you are CBD curious? Writer Alicia Doyle helps navigate the local offerings for healing with the once-forbidden plant extract. The sounds of passion from worldrenowned soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan will ring through Libbey Bowl for the 79th Ojai Music Festival in June. Karen Lindell digs into what ignites her brilliant flame in OVG’s cover story.
L AURA REARWIN WARD publisher@ojaivalleynews.com 10
VOLUME 37 NUMBER 1 | SPRING 2019
While there are as many versions of the “real Ojai” as there are people in it, divisions and unnecessary attachments are sources of conflict. How may we live differently? That question leads to a journey, not a path, we few in Ojai travel in parallel. So, bring your Guide; read and discover what our locals have learned along their way.
EDITOR & PUBLISHER Laura Rearwin Ward
CONTRIBUTORS
Perry Van Houten • Austin Widger Arthur Grace • Karen Lindell • Alicia Doyle Richard Camp • Cynthia Grier Richard LaPlante • Elizabeth Memel Jim Churchill • Randy Graham Drew Mashburn • Fred Drennan
ART DIRECTOR Paul Stanton
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Marianne Ratcliff • Linda Griffin Georgia Schreiner
ADVERTISING
Linda Snider • Katrina MacLachlan
PRODUCTION Billy MacNeil
CIRCULATION Ally Mills
BUSINESS MANAGER Jodie Miller
CONTACT US
team@ojaivalleynews.com Phone: 805.646.1476 Fax: 805.646.4281 101 Vallerio Avenue Ojai, California 93023 © 2019 Downhome Publishing
This Edition: Barbara Hannigan directs the Ojai Music Festival.
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