Apr 1

Apr 1 Pride

Jules Weissman

Letters

SPRING 2025

APRIL 1 - JUNE 30

What makes me feel pride? America? My god, not right now. But I got pride: pride in our small town, in the weird and wonderful people who show up for each other, in the art that refuses to disappear. I’m proud that VORTEX is stubbornly entering its fifth year. Proud of Ojai — not because it’s perfect, but because it keeps trying. And yes, Ojai does have a Pride celebration in June, because queer joy deserves a stage and Ojai's Pride is one of the best. That’s something to be proud of.

But we’re also interested in the quieter versions: pride in surviving, in building something small and beautiful, in finally telling the truth. For Spring, we want your stories, photos, rants, and revelations. What are you proud of — even if it’s messy? Especially if it’s messy.

SUBMISSIONS

NEW THING: If you’re asking…

Welcome to our new advice column from Katie McQuillen. She is absolutely not your therapist, your best friend, or your moral compass, but she is extremely good at telling it like it is.

CHECK OUT THE FIRST SUBMISSION:

SOLICIT ADVICE

VORTEX AT THE MOVIES

A Supa Review by Supa Fans

Dog Man screened at Ojai Playhouse on Saturday, April 5, at noon, and Peter Hastings, the film’s writer and director (also behind Captain Underpants, Kung Fu Panda, Animaniacs, and Pinky and the Brain), introduced it in person.

VORTEX contributor and longtime Dog Man fan Cassandra C. Jones sat down with her sons, of whom she is very proud: Kaj (13) and Milo (11), for a post-movie chat. Their full review is both heartwarming and hilarious — from robot butts to disco battle buildings, these supa-fans have thoughts.

The Figures

A jazz kissed portrait of the underground art life, The Figures, screened at Ojai Playhouse on April 13. Director Nadia Szold and composer Daniel Wright conjure a tender, unruly reverie in this intimate documentary about poet, curator, and artist Geoffrey Young. With a shape-shifting score and appearances by figures from the worlds of jazz, poetry, and painting, the film captures the quiet persistence of a life devoted to art.

Writer Evan Louison, a longtime collaborator of Szold’s, interviews Szold and Wright about the film’s thoughtful musical score for VORTEX.

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!

Did Becker Illegally Culvert a Whole-Ass Stream?

The developer behind the Mallory Way project has reportedly culverted a seasonal creek — and plans to build on top of it — without any record of permits filed with Fish & Wildlife. A recent public records request came back empty, raising serious questions about compliance with state stream protection laws. Is this just a paperwork oversight, or something bigger? The creek might qualify as a Blue Line Stream, which would trigger stricter protections — and possibly halt the project. With stagnant water, mystery filings, and a Planning Commission showdown looming May 21, this story is just getting started.