My latest: a shitshow (I think it’s fair to say) at the City of Ojai. Connecting the stories of the City's former Transit Operations Supervisor, Financial Director and Recreation Manager, two of whom are suing the City. Don’t forget: Councilwoman Leslie Rule also has a pending lawsuit against the City.
As always: subscribing, donating, and sharing is the best way to support this work! 💛 Link in bio.
And by "notes" I mean 2,700 artfully arranged words :) Link in bio.
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Important discussion re: the future of Ojai’s Permanent Supportive Housing Project (the former “Cabin Village”) tonight (March 24) at Ojai City Council. Plus: updates on conditions at Ojai Tent Town, new data re: homelessness in Ventura County, and reporting updates.
I put down one of my big projects to bring you this update :) now: back to my writing hole.
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New on Local Hero: an interview with George Retes, the Ventura veteran seeking justice after being held for three days by federal immigration agents. Including: new images disproving DHS’ narrative of Retes’ arrest, and his experience testifying before Congress.
Note: about half of this story is behind a paywall — please send me your email address for a free trial subscription. Thanks to @blake.fagan for allowing me to publish your photos, and for being there.
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It’s very confusing to me, how this world is so beautiful, and so freaking dark at the same time. I get caught up in the darkness sometimes, these are the things that brought me joy in 2025...
☀ Being in nature (the beach, the ocean, lakes, kayaking, swimming, climbing cool rocks, finding cool rocks, etc.)
☀ Doggies,
☀ Community and community service,
☀ Reading,
☀ Baking/cooking with/for friends and loved ones,
☀ Local food and foraged food,
☀ Random acts of kindness,
☀ General silliness :)
New on Local Hero: ICE in Ojai. 😢
Much of what I’ve written this year is pretty freaking dark, and this one is no exception.
It’s critically important that we all understand what’s happening in our community and in our country.
If you have feelings about all this, I suggest voting about in in November.
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Well, I’ve officially been at this Substack thing for two years! 👩💻 🎉 Thank you to my subscribers, readers, and interviewees — this work would not be possible without you.
Today, I’d like to invite folks to do two things. First, save the date for my third Subscriber Happy Hour, October 20th at the @ojaivalleybrewery (you do not have to be a paying subscriber to attend).
Second, consider subscribing to Local Hero today. Again, I respect that everyone has a different financial situation. I do ask that all readers join my mailing list as a “free subscriber.” If you appreciate the work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. If that's not possible for you — send me a message! I love giving out free trial subscriptions.
Paid subscribers help me pay for a number of tools that I use to do this work, including Rev (interview transcription), Canva (graphics — lol), the domain name, and various news subscriptions. Paid subscribers also help cover the cost of gas for reporting trips, records requests, and my own time.
Read more or subscribe to Local Hero by following the link in my bio, or head to ojailocalhero.com/subscribe 💛
For folks who have followed Ojai's state-funded permanent supportive housing project for chronically homeless community members: the City is hosting an informational workshop Tuesday, 9/30 regarding the latest project plans. No decisions will be made during this session. (See image for more info.)
There has been considerable (continued) chatter as of late regarding moving the project to the Ojai Valley's "Honor Farm" property. (Located outside of the City — the "Honor Farm" was once a jail facility where inmates grew and raised food to feed the larger county's incarcerated population.) Source: /p/BbSIDLHFEIC/
Today, the space houses a number of local non-profits and a local farm.
Ojai Councilwoman Leslie Rule has signalled support for exploring this concept, and it may come up. The project's planned location (the City's current maintenance yard near lower Libbey Park) comes up just about every time this project is discussed, typically via displeased neighbors.
This meeting will be a great opportunity to get the latest info on the project. I will certainly be there.
Also: it appears the City is no longer referring to the project as "Cabin Village," which makes sense — the project plans do not include cabins. It's a custom building with 30 + individual rooms.
Here’s a collection of photos from a recent visit to Ojai Tent Town. I periodically serve dinner with a group of volunteers — it’s a great way to get to know residents — regular people who have fallen on hard times.
🔴 One man showed me his tomato plants and the inside of his tent.
🔴 Another resident talked to me about how he’s due for surgery and is raising funds to help him prepare for and recover from the procedure.
🔴 One resident told me about how 20-year-old expired food was donated to Tent Town — and how he almost consumed it.
🔴 Another OTT resident was celebrating her birthday yesterday. She spent the day making salsa with her mother and gifted me a jar. 🙏🥰😭
There’s gratitude and frustration here. I do notice that many folks’ mental health is degraded — I’d say it’s a combination of the weather, the length of time they’ve lived in tents, sharing a port-a-potties and a makeshift shower, the way sound carries between tents, and social stigma (one reason many residents don't want their photos taken). It’s not an easy way to live.
This video is from Allison Stillman, an Ojai woman who observed ICE take a Latino man off the street on Maricopa Highway yesterday morning. It’s happening here. Link in bio.
Something a little different today. I started writing this when the truly grotesque "Big Beautiful Bill" passed the House. All Americans need to recognize that the values written down in our Declaration of Independence are under a vicious, authoritarian attack. Today is a great day to review our founding documents. Link in bio.
