Formula (Chain) Business Ordinance Since 2007 in Ojai

Since December 2007, the City of Ojai has had what’s called a Formula Business ordinance which bans new retail establishments that have over a designated number of locations with similar features such as standard menus, merchandise, decor, signage, facade, etc. Basically it’s ban of large chains (e.g. Starbucks, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, etc.) to ensure the city maintains its small town charm.

Initially the ordinance defined a Formula Business as over 10 locations; it has since been changed to five or more locations. For more information, review City of Ojai municipal code section 10-2.1713.

This ordinance covers the 4.37 square mile City of Ojai. It does not cover other communities in the greater Ojai Valley.

Mira Monte (Spanish for “mountain view”) is an unincorporated community of approximately 6,800 residents in Ventura County that is located southwest of Ojai. Since Mira Monte does not have its own post office, addresses in this community use Ojai.

Several CVG social media followers brought up this interesting point because there are some chain establishments located in Mira Monte that have an Ojai address, such as the new drive-in Habit Burger (opened July 17, 2024), Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Taco Bell. Although these chain establishments have an Ojai address, they are not subject to the City of Ojai Formula Business ordinance. And there ya have it.

988 Is the Three Digit Dialing Code for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Is the new three-digit dialing code that connects directly to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline is now called the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a United States-wide suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline using the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

The Lifeline has received over 23 million calls from 2005 through 2021 from people in distress, looking for support when they needed it most.

Learn more at 988lifeline.org.

Wonderful Messages in Sidewalk Chart Art Posted by Thousand Oaks Resident

Now how cool would it be to be neighbors with sidewalk chart artist Dawn Wagner in Thousand Oaks. She tagged us on Instagram with these photos of her fantastic chalk work in Thousand Oaks.

Words of wisdom:

"Enjoy the little things in life."

"Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So, today is my new favorite day."

"Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."

Really strikes a chord today as we enter our third week of statewide “Stay at Home” orders.

Dawn’s work really resonated with folks on Facebook today at THIS LINK. Refreshing to see such positivity!

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers are Thankful for Many Things

As part of a drawing for tickets to the Reagan Library yesterday, we asked Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page followers to comment on something they are thankful for this holiday season. Over 300 folks commented in the span of eight hours. The word cloud below sums up what this great local crowd is thankful for as we approach Thanksgiving.

Word cloud courtesy of tool at www.jasondavies.com/wordcloud

For a compilation of community holiday season events and activities through the end of the year, visit THIS LINK.

2012 Flag Display at Pierce Brothers Memorial Park Westlake Village

Tomorrow, Memorial Day, Pierce Brothers Memorial Park in Westlake Village is hosting its 22nd Annual Memorial Day Service tomorrow morning starting with a musical prelude at 10:30 a.m. Over 2,500 are expected to attend this free service open to the public. American flags create a carpet of red, white and blue as they decorate the graves of more than 1,400 heroes buried in the Garden of Valor and throughout the memorial park. Flags will line the Avenue of Flags to honor the memory of all veterans. Local Boy Scouts placed these 1,400 flags yesterday.

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, Mortuary and Crematory is located at 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. www.piercebrothersvalleyoaks.com

We were able to drive through the park tonight to see the impressive display of flags and pay our respects to our fallen heroes.

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village, California hosts an annual Community Memorial Day Ceremony. We drove through the park the night before to see the 1,400 flags placed by the gravesite of each fallen hero. Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks is located at 5600 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village.