Mar 27

Mar 27 Maps

Jules Weissman

Letters

WINTER 2025

JANUARY 1 - MARCH 31

Holy cats, VORTEX is entering its fifth year! We’re still here (for better or worse), but let’s be honest: Jules was getting a little cranky, so we shipped her off for a “working vacation.” While she’s gone, we’ll begin this season which is all about maps.

Here's a map of where Jules WAs all January. Can you ID this city?
It's also a valley but SIX times BIGGER and over 100 times more populated THAN THE OJAI VALLEY.

OJAI, MAPPED!

Get ready to navigate the Ojai Valley like never before with Metes & Bounds: Mapping the Ojai Valley at the Ojai Valley Museum. This interactive exhibition takes you on a journey through 150 years of cartographic history, blending maps, art, and local lore. From a sprawling topographic watershed map to playful scent mapping and reimagined landscapes, discover how maps shape our understanding of place, past, and possibility. Dive into this captivating, must-see exhibit on view now and uncover the stories hidden in every line and landmark.

MAP APPS FOR FIRE TRACKING

What a week. As wildfires remind us just how unpredictable life can be, our gratitude extends beyond the firefighters on the front lines — let’s save some applause for the folks behind the scenes, too. This significantly expanded version of last week’s story, which is now much more sanely titled Map Apps for Fire Tracking, dives into the innovative tools that are reshaping how we prepare and respond to wildfires. With added historical context, broader insights, and a roundup of resources, it’s a look at how much technology has evolved in the seven years since the Thomas Fire.… READ ON

CURATOR CASSANDRA C. JONES WATCHES SHANA MOULTON

THE ANXIOUS OBJECT

VORTEX is excited to share an extraordinary piece by Tom Pazderka, with striking photography by Mikael Jorgensen, exploring the fascinating "Listen to the Gradient" exhibition at the Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation. Featuring works by Cassandra C. Jones, Shana Moulton, and Joel Fox, the exhibition weaves a narrative that examines self-improvement culture, existential tension, and the colorful yet complex state of modern life.

With Pazderka’s keen eye and engaging perspective, you’ll journey into Jones’ House of 300 Affirmation Cards, Moulton’s playful yet satirical video and installation work, and Fox’s whimsical self-portraits — each offering a unique commentary on the human condition.

READ IT

Mapping the Newest OSA Artists!

Second Saturdays are back in March, and Ojai Studio Artists just welcomed nine incredible new members! From hyperreal portraiture to abstract explorations, these artists bring fresh energy and diverse perspectives to Ojai’s creative scene. Get to know them, see their work, and plan your next studio tour.

MEET THE NEW CREW

Promoted!

Bystander to Cub Master

It started with a simple idea — get the kid into Cub Scouts. But as Drew Mashburn quickly learned, no good deed goes unpunished. In this week’s feature, he recounts how an innocent attempt to involve his son in Ojai Pack 3502 turned into a years-long stint as Cub Master.

What followed? A Fourth of July parade meltdown (complete with an overheating truck and well-timed barf) and an ill-fated attempt to keep the Cubs from pocketing half the Matilija frog population. It’s a story of reluctant leadership, teamwork, and chaos.

Ojai’s Own Michaela Watkins Stars in Suze

Ojai Playhouse is rolling out a must-see this weekend: Suze, an indie gem starring local legend Michaela Watkins. This sharp, heartfelt dramedy follows a newly single mom (Watkins) navigating empty nest life, menopause, and an unexpected friendship with her daughter’s ex. It’s funny, it’s tender, and it hits all the right notes.

VORTEX contributor Cassandra C. Jones caught up with Michaela to talk about making the film — including how real life collided with her on-screen journey — plus cuddle parties, spaghetti solos, and the joys of indie film chaos.

M.O. STUFF 2025

It’s that time of year! A bunch of Meiners Oaks folks are clearing out their treasures (or, let’s be real, their junk) for a multi-family yard sale extravaganza.

Learn more

OLO Members-Only:

EVENTS CALENDAR

A curated list of regular and special events from Ojai, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara.

OLO TEA PARTY

Around Town, Real Estate, Food Scene, City Council Recaps, Quick Takes 🤦🏻♥️🤡😻and more!

New Year, New Laws

As we welcome 2025, California is rolling out a fresh batch of laws that aim to tackle everything from artificial intelligence in Hollywood to cannabis retail regulations. The changes span nearly every aspect of life in the Golden State, offering plenty to celebrate — and maybe a few things to gripe about. Here's a rundown of what you need to know, with a little perspective for local business owners, residents, and anyone who’s ever parked too close to a crosswalk.

Hail Satan?

VORTEX dives into the controversy surrounding the After School Satan Club (ASSC) at Topa Topa Elementary, where its provocative name has sparked community debate. While the ASSC, run by the Satanic Temple, aims to promote critical thinking and rational inquiry rather than Satanism, its arrival challenges the presence of proselytizing religious clubs in public schools. The story raises bigger questions about religious favoritism, the separation of church and state, and how the ASSC caught wind of the situation at Topa Topa. VORTEX is investigating allegations that a local church accessed students without parental consent and is calling for community tips as this story develops.

Discover Medellín with VORTEX

Earlier this month, we put up a map and asked, “Where’s Jules hiding all month? If you guessed Medellín, well done. The city is electric — lush, noisy, sprawling, and staggeringly beautiful, even in the rain (especially in the rain). Some things felt completely foreign, others comfortably familiar.

What reminded us of home? The kindness. People there don’t just nod as they pass — they look you in the eye, offer a full-throated buenas, and mean it. What surprised us? The sheer scale of it all.

We ate well, of course. Shopped a little. Wandered a lot. There was a skatepark under a massive bridge, ancient streams still running through the City, wild Christmas decor, a Patti Smith show in a grand concert hall, and so much weird fruit.

One Month of Trump

Just over a month into Trump’s second term, Ventura County is already feeling the effects — through protests, funding freezes, and shifts in local law enforcement. Demonstrations have erupted across the region, from student walkouts in Oxnard to the “No Kings” rally on Presidents Day. Meanwhile, federal budget cuts have begun disrupting local projects, with over $22 million in funding for infrastructure, clean energy, and small businesses left in limbo.

As uncertainty grows, local resistance continues — activists, nonprofits, and community leaders are organizing, and a general strike is planned for May 1. VORTEX is tracking these developments and invites the community to share their experiences.

KOJY 99.3 FM is Coming to Ojai – Join the Kickoff Fundraiser!

Ojai’s getting a new community radio station! KOJY 99.3 FM is launching soon, and we need your support. Meet the founders, learn how to get involved, and help bring independent, ad-free radio to Ojai. Join us this Saturday, March 1st, from 3-6 PM at Ojai Valley Brewery for a kickoff fundraiser. Can't make it? Visit ojairadio.org to donate or submit your show idea!