5July2010
Posted by Lelah under: Activities; Events; Ojai; Photos.
Ojai’s Independence Day parade was held on July 3rd this year. The parade was in good form, the weather was lovely and a good time was had by all! Here are some pictures.
2July2010
Posted by Lelah under: Activities; Events; Ojai.
The city of Ojai celebrates Independence Day every year with a spate of activities, including the highly attended parade down Ojai Avenue, a party in the park, and a concert and fireworks show at Nordhoff High School. This year, because the fourth of July falls on a Sunday, the parade will be on Saturday, July 3rd, at 10 am, and the fireworks show will be on Sunday, July 4th. You can read more about the controversial parade date at the Ojai Post.
If you decide to watch the parade on Saturday, here are some tips to make it a fun experience:
Happy Independence Day!
4April2010
Posted by Lelah under: Activities; Arts; Ojai.
Theater 150 has existed as a place for intimate theater experiences and outreach to the Ojai community, including classes for people of all ages, since 1996. They just wrapped up a popular solo series, and are prepping for the next leg of the season, which starts June 25 with the West-coast premiere of Melissa Arctic by Craig Wright. Also to look forward to are two summertime Shakespeare plays. In the meantime, you can watch every new episode of Lost with other superfans for free on Tuesday nights. If you are an Ojai regular and haven’t yet experienced a show at Theater 150, you must make it a top priority.
Theater 150
316 E. Matilija Street
Ojai, CA 93023
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Theater150
E-Mail: theater150@theater150.org
Phone: 805-646-4300
28October2009
Posted by Lelah under: Activities; Events; Ojai; Photos.
Ojai Day was another success this year. It was pretty darn hot, but there was a great turnout and a lot of fun going on downtown. I really enjoyed watching the hoopers and belly dancers and keeping cool with some nice lemonade. Here are a few photos of the big day.
8September2009
Posted by Lelah under: Activities; Events; Ojai.
I can’t believe almost a year has gone by since the last Ojai Day, which was documented on this blog here. This year’s festivities will take place on Saturday, October 17 starting at 10 am. Don’t forget to stop by downtown Ojai for a plethora of food, arts and crafts, music and games. Last year it was very warm and sunny, so plan on bringing a hat and a bag for any goodies you might find. I accumulated a lot of free stuff last year so a reusable bag is a useful thing. I’m looking forward to seeing the Mandala that will appear at the intersection of Signal and Ojai Avenue as if by magic! See you there!
17August2009
Posted by Lelah under: Events; Ojai.
Sometimes the organizational skills and community spirit of Ojai’s residents blows me away. I recently became aware of a new group in Ojai. The Ojai Women’s Business Social is a monthly or every-other-monthly meeting of over a hundred local businesswomen. They meet to network and discuss topics related to running a business in and around Ojai. This event was started by Jodi Womack, an Ojai resident who owns The Womack Company with her husband, Jason Womack, which is a cutting-edge business consulting firm.
In an email correspondence with Jodi, she told me that the event really proves her motto that “We’re smarter together.” By getting lots of women who are all tackling their business and life dreams in the same place but with different perspectives together, a lot can be gleaned from all of that collective knowledge. I think it is a fantastic resource for women in and around Ojai.
Each meet-up is held somewhere with food and space for mingling and conversation. The next Ojai Women’s Business Social is Wednesday, September 9, 2009, from 8 to 9:30 am at Papa Lennon’s cafe (515 West El Roblar, Ojai, CA 93023). You can become a fan of the group on Facebook, or to see photos, get more info and sign up for the newsletter go to the website: www.nomorenylons.com.
It’s free to come, but you are encourage to purchase food or a beverage from the hosting business. Don’t forget your business cards!
Image from www.nomorenylons.com
30July2009
Posted by Lelah under: Activities; Arts; Events; Ojai.
This year marks the 12th annual Ojai Playwrights Conference, a very special week in which playwrights from all over the country come to Ojai to work on new plays and have them read by professional actors for an audience at the end of the conference. I’ve attended several times in the past and have always been impressed with the level of immediacy you get from these works that have been revised and rewritten sometimes up to the minute before the actors take thier seats on stage. Usually all of the plays are read at the Zalk Theater at Besant Hill School. This year, the readings will be held there and some events will take place at the larger capacity Matilija Auditorium.
Part of the fun of going is being exposed to brand-new theater in such a beautiful setting, as well as getting to see world-class actors doing what they do best from only a few feet away. In addition to wonderful local actors, Hollywood types like Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ron Rifkin and Victor Garber often make appearances.
The conference runs from August 11 through 16, 2009.
28May2009
Posted by Lelah under: Activities; Events; Food; Ojai.
On the last day of the music festival, another festival will be in town: the 23rd annual Ojai Wine Festival. This one-day festival, which is a fund raiser for the Ojai Rotary-West, will be held on Sunday, June 14, from noon to five. The event is held each year at the Lake Casitas rec area, off of Highway 150. A $40 admission at the door gets you 10 tastings of wines and a souvenir tasting glass. Beer tastings are also available, and wine will be present from over forty local wineries. You can save $10 by buying your ticket in advance. Parking is $5 more.
The Ojai area is home to several wineries, and the region has several more. These wineries aren’t as old or distinguished as those in the Central Valley or Northern California, but they hold their own. Wineries from Solvang and Paso Robles will be in attendance at the festival this year, in addition to ones from Oxnard, Camarillo and Santa Paula.
In addition to the wine and beer tastings, food vendors, live music and crafts will round out the day’s festivities.
Ojai Wine Festival. Sunday, June 14, 2009, noon to 5 p.m. Lake Casistas Recreation Area. More event information: http://www.ojaiwinefestival.com/Info.htm Buy tickets: http://www.ojaiwinefestival.com/buynow.htm
Image from the Ojai Wine Festival website.
20May2009
Posted by Lelah under: Activities; Arts; Events; Ojai.
The 63rd Ojai Music Festival is coming on June 11-14, 2009. This year’s music director is an entire group, called eighth blackbird. I have never heard of them, but the group approach is certainly interesting. Each year the festival committee does an excellent job blending the new and the old at the festival, so there is something everyone of any age can enjoy. Check out the festival schedule here.
Single tickets are still available.
Libby Bowl is a truly special place to see music performed, and Ojai is lucky to have this distinguished festival the kick off summer each year.
Ojai Music Festival: http://www.ojaifestival.org/
31March2009
Posted by Lelah under: Food; Ojai; Ojai Restaurants.
There are many place to get good food in Ojai, including several devoted to pizza. One local favorite is Boccali’s, an Italian restaurant with a family atmosphere and a gorgeous setting in the East End of Ojai. I’ve been going there since I was a kid (they’ve been operating since 1986), and it is a popular destination for groups. They have inside and outside dining. On a weekend evening, you’ll probably have to wait for an outside table if the weather is fine, or an inside one if it is chilly.
My favorite thing to order is the pizza. They’re on the big side, with delicious homemade crust and a salty tomato sauce that can’t be found anywhere else. (I always order a size up from what I want to eat so I’ll have leftovers for breakfast the next day.) They have a beautiful tomato salad made with their own tomatoes when they are in season, and no meal there is complete without at least one massive strawberry shortcake for the table ($6.95-also seasonal).
Boccali’s. http://www.boccalis.com/ 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd. Ojai, California 93023 805.646.6116
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday 11:45 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Oak View location: 840 Ventura Ave. Oak View, California 93022 805.649.1057