Ojai has been threatened by wildfires many times over the past century. Several were the largest wildfire in California history. The newest exhibition at the Ojai Valley Museum examines the Thomas Fire and other fires that impacted the valley.
The museum is housed in the former St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church. The original church on the site burnt in a 1917 wildfire. It, and other fires, give historical context to the Thomas Fire which began in Upper Ojai last December.
The December one-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire will no doubt be an important touchstone for everyone who lives in the valley. The free exhibition runs through January 27, 2019.
The Ojai Valley Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Ave. Free parking is available behind the museum, off Blanche Street.
For more information, call the museum at (805) 640-1390, ext. 201, email [email protected], or visit the museum website at OjaiValleyMuseum.org.
The holidays are on the way, which means that Santa Paws is coming to town! The Humane Society of Ventura County’s annual two-day holiday photo-shoot event will take place on Sundays, Dec. 2, at the HSVC’s shelter in Ojai, at 402 Bryant St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
Adults, children and pets are welcome to pose in photos with or without Santa. The shelter will have festive costumes available for attendees’ pets. Pocket pets, reptiles, rabbits and birds are all welcome!
In addition, during the Dec. 2 event, the HSVC will host its annual bake sale and Firefly Ceramics will once again be on hand with its special Tiles for Tails program. For a $25 donation benefiting the HSVC, attendees can design their own tile that will be permanently displayed on-site at the nonprofit shelter.
The main event both days will be the photo sessions, which include five to 10 images and start at $30.
Santa Paws is the HSVC’s largest community event of the year, bringing in some 300 families. All proceeds go directly toward the daily operations at the shelter.
For more on the event, contact Cooper at [email protected] or 805-646-6505, ext. 112.
On Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 3pm, Chamber On The Mountain will present the Amerigo Trio, with pianist Bernadene Blaha, at Logan House in Upper Ojai (adjacent to the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts at 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd.). The Amerigo Trio, made up of violinist Glenn Dicterow, violist Karen Dreyfus, and cellist Inbal Segev, Audience members are invited to stay and meet the artists at a reception following the performance. Tickets $25.00 at ChamberOnTheMountain.com.
The Holiday Vegetarian Soups with Chef Randy event will occur on Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Lavender Inn, located at 210 E Matilija Street. There’s something about these easy-to-make soups that are perfect for the holidays. Included in the $75 cost of this class is a copy of Randy’s new book, the Ojai Valley Make-Ahead Cookbook. Call 805-646-6635 for reservations.
Freelance writer, filmmaker, and animal advocate Petrine Day Mitchum will visit the Ojai Library on Sunday, December 9, at 1 p.m. for a book signing and meet and greet session for her book Snout About Town.
The Humane Society of Ventura County will be a joint host for this event, and will receive a portion of the proceeds from the day’s book sales.
This event is free and open to the public.
The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
