Ojai’s first new residential development in 10 years leads the way with innovative work-live housing
Photo submitted
California Commercial Investment Group, Inc., a Ventura County-based national housing management and development firm and Raven Ridge Development, a Los Angeles based development firm, are proud to announce the grand opening of Craftsman Village in Ojai.
Santa gets lost in Camarillo
Photos by Pamela Newman
Cast members of Sorry! Wrong Chimney!” are, front row, from left, Amy Hagler, Scott Blanchard (lying on floor), Cassie Kelso, Anthony Baldonado; standing, from left, Christopher Rubin, Stan McConnell and Tessa Parker.
Camarillo Skyway Playhouse production of Jack Sharkey and Leo W. Shears” comedy, “Sorry! Wrong Chimney!” runs through Nov. 24 at 330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo, 805-388-5716, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tickets for the holiday comedy are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, students and military, $10 for children. Performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.
By Rita Moran, Theater critic
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, at least on Ventura County stages . Camarillo Skyway Playhouse has just opened its “Sorry! Wrong Chimney!” production, becoming one of the first to get its holiday-themed show in the spotlight.
Holiday concert to benefit Nordhoff musicians
Photo submitted
Peter Fox
With our warm weather right now, it’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving and the winter holidays are almost upon us. What ushers in that magical spirit than music — the songs and tunes that dance through our heads as we shop, bake, and attend parties with friends.
Make a reindeer
Poppies Art and Gifts will hold a Second Sunday Art Market on Sunday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the shop at 323 E. Matilija St., Ojai.
Artists will demonstrate their craft. Visitors can create a holiday reindeer with Colleen McDougal.
Krishnamurti exhibit reception Nov. 15
Photo submitted
Jiddu Krishnamurti
The Ojai Valley Museum invites the community to view its newest exhibition at a free public reception Nov. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, part of the free Third Friday in Ojai. “Legacy: Krishnamurti and Ojai” explores the life of Jiddu Krishnamurti and especially the profound effect he had on the Ojai Valley.
Community invited to Ojai Art Center party Nov. 16
Photo by Stephen Adams
Visitors admire works in 80th Birthday “Celebration and Joy” exhibit at the Ojai Art Center.
By Maureen Volland, Special to the Ojai Valley News
Ojai's Art Center — the oldest multipurpose, nonprofit art center in California — invites the community to help celebrate its 80th year at a birthday bash emceed by Art Center Board President Leonard Klaif and live-streamed on YouTube on Nov. 16 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 113 S. Montgomery St.
From the Fire and Chabad of Ojai celebrate life and creativity after the Thomas Fire on Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St.
Chabad of Ojai and From the Fire are hosting an evening of film, conversation and auction for the public, to benefit those still struggling from the effects of the Thomas Fire. It will be held Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St. A $15 donation is suggested.
“The purpose of this evening is to celebrate the inspiration and creativity that rises out of moments of tragedy and devastation,” organizers said in a press release. From “an artist who lost their life's work, to a family who lost their home, to a parent who lost their job, we all continue to have the inner strength and passion to create something new out of loss.”
“The Light of Fire,” a 30-minute film, will be screened at the event, with the message that “with resolve, courage and faith, great loss can be transformed into a new, more profound beginning,” organizers said. It is the story of Yoram Raanan, an American-Israeli artist, who rebuilds from a fire that destroyed 40 years of work.
Also, attending will be invited members of the local community who were inspired to create something new during and after the fire.
Speakers include:
— Lisa Casoni of the Porch Gallery, sharing the inspiration behind Beato Chocolates.
— Karal Gregory, sharing the inspiration behind Ojai Spirit.
— Ray Powers, sharing an excerpt from his book “Simple Brilliance.”
— Artists Alice and Richard Matzkin sharing their experience of the fire and the loss of years of their work.
Auction items include:
— An assortment of Beato Chocolate.
— Four Ojai Spirit wine classes.
— Two signed copies of “From the Fire.” These are the last two copies available in this single run of the “From the Fire” book.
All proceeds will benefit the Greater Goods Relief Fund, which has served the Ojai community since its inception immediately after the Thomas Fire. The distribution this December will be the last distribution the Relief Fund will be making. “Our hope is to be able to contribute a substantial amount to help those members of our community still struggling,” organizers said.
For more information about the event, visit https://www.fromthefirebook.com/the-light-of-fire.html
‘The Perfect Firestorm - The Thomas Fire Story’ to be shown at Ojai Film Festival Friday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m., at 316 E. Matilija St., Ojai
“The Perfect Firestorm — The Thomas Fire Story” about the Dec. 4, 2017 Thomas Fire that started near Thomas Aquinas College on Highway 150 and threatened Ojai will screen Friday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. at the Sane Living Center at 316 E. Matilija St., Ojai, as part of the Ojai Film Festival.
To see the trailer for “The Perfect Firestorm — The Thomas Fire Story,” visit
Single tickets cost $12; tickets for seniors, students and military are $8. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at https://ojaifilmfestival.com/tickets-2019/.
“The Perfect Firestorm” was produced by the nonprofit Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura (CAPS). It is based on dozens of first-person interviews with firefighters, first-responders, residents and others impacted by the tragedy. Film collaborators included Museum of Ventura County, KEYT, Ventura City Fire and Police departments, Ventura County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services, Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies.
In addition to sharing their stories, Ventura County residents sent hundreds of photos and videos recorded during and after the fire to help tell the story.
Included in the film are interviews with John McNeil of Ojai, assistant chief with the Ventura County Fire Department, who has played a major role in fighting the latest Maria Fire in Ventura County; and Trevor Quirk of Ojai. Clark Tulberg, an employee at Thomas Aquinas College, tells how he, Ben Coughlin, Pierre Rioux and Andrew Carey helped firefighters save Thomas Aquinas College and shepherd people in Upper Ojai and Santa Paula fleeing the fire to the center of the college soccer field. Throughout the night, they turned on sprinklers and stamped out hundreds of hot spots, risking their health as they stood guard all night long, outside in the thick smoke, protecting the college and evacuees.
Others include Jake and Jenny Dilbeck, on Wheeler Canyon Road; Debbie Jackson, an owner of the Brokaw ranches; and heroic ranch manager Jose Alcaraz. Also included are interviews with Tony Gomez and Jose Gomez who braved flames to help save the Leavens Ranch west of Santa Paula.
The voice of Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Tony Salas is also heard in the film responding to one of the first reports of the Thomas Fire. Salas was in the first engine of thousands that responded to what was then the largest fire in modern California history. With him were Capt. Steve Swindle and firefighter Steve Buckles.
To see individual footage of people telling about the Thomas Fire, including locals McNeil and Quirk, visit the CAPS site:
Since the Thomas Fire, there have been many more fires in California, including the latest Easy Fire in the Simi Valley area, and the Maria Fire that broke out on South Mountain between Santa Paula and Somis on Oct. 31 and is due to be contained this week.
CAPS Media Executive Director and documentary Executive Producer Patrick Davidson described the documentary as “our gift to the community,” explaining how he and his team collected images of the fire and videotaped about 50 people. The film is described for the festival as featuring “personal stories of survival and healing following this historic wildfire.”
Other producers of the 77-minute film are Evan Carpenter, Donald McConnell, Elizabeth Rodeno, and Gary Roll.
Attendees are asked to get to the screenings 15 minutes before the film starts and to allow about 10 minutes to find parking.
The Ojai Film Festival continues through Nov. 10. For more information about other films screening throughout the week, visit www.ojaifilmfestival.com.
Changes in 2020 for the Ojai Art Center Theater
Photo by Cindy Pitou Burton
Kathleen Kaiser
Photo by John Bortolussi
Richard Camp
The Ojai Art Center Theater announces that as of Dec. 31, Artistic Director Richard Camp, and Head of Marketing Kathleen Kaiser will be leaving.
Huck Finn adventures on stage
Photo by Loren Haar
David Aron Damane, Larry Cedar, Richard Hebert and Josey Montana McCoy star in the Rubicon Theater Company’s production of “Big River,” directed by Kirby Ward and now playing in Ventura.
Rubicon Theatre Company’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical based on Mark Twain’s tale, through Nov. 10 on the Rubicon stage, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura, at 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets cost $39 to $74. Discounts for seniors 65 and over, students, teachers and active military available. A limited number of on-stage seats are available for $20. For more information call 805-667-2900.
By Rita Moran, Theater critic
When Mark Twain offered his readers a trip down the river, he dipped into a past that began in the tiny town of Florida, Missouri, his home until the family moved to minimally larger Hannibal.
Four floral designers selected for the 23rd annual Ojai Holiday Home Tour
By Laurel Crary, Special to the Ojai Valley News
We know Ojai to be a magical place with wonderful creative forces at work in the natural beauty and the amazing talents of the various artists living in the valley. The tradition of the annual Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace — Nov. 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days — brings to the spotlight the collaborative talents of designers, retailers, florists and gardeners who will be unleashing their creative gifts on four of Ojai's architectural show pieces. Each of the homes will be dressed for the holidays, but will stay true to the design of the home, honoring the lifestyle of the people living in the homes as well as the homes' history.