October 28, 2026
Quote of the Day
Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.
~ Albert Einstein
This Day in History
October 28, 1787: Mozart finishes and premieres “Don Giovanni” in Prague. For a good many music lovers, Mozart’s Don Giovanni might well be the finest opera ever composed. The composer described it as a comedy, but the comic elements are basically driven by Giovanni’s devious schemes. Nevertheless, through Da Ponte’s libretto and Mozart’s music we are always aware that these schemes will have some rather dire consequence. This brilliant combination of human tragedy and comedy establishes a disturbing ambiguity that stands at the core of this operatic masterpiece.
The Don Juan subject had a long history of operatic treatment in Prague, and Lorenzo Da Ponte closely modelled his libretto – some would say copied the text – from a libretto by Giovanni Bertati for the opera Don Giovanni Tenorio, first performed in Venice in early 1787. The opera was originally scheduled for performance on October 14, 1787 for the Prague visit of the Archduchess Maria Therese of Austria and her new husband Prince Anthony of Saxony. However, the production was not ready in time, with the score likely completed on October 28, 1787. At least that’s the day Mozart himself recorded as having completed the opera.
The premiere was a resounding success, and a critic reported, “Connoisseurs and musicians say that Prague has never heard the like.” Clearly, audiences in Prague had heard something exceptional, and they immediately knew it. Probably the most musically literate city in Europe, music education for both boys and girls was a normal part of elementary education. Described as “naturally musically talented as Italians,” Bohemian composers had the reputation of being better trained in notation and the technical aspects of making music. As such, it comes as no surprise that the musical public of Prague had great appreciation for Mozart’s late musical style. Mozart might well have had a tentative offer to stay in the city and write another opera, but he decided to return to Vienna. The reasons are not entirely clear, but it has been suggested that Mozart returned home to lobby for a position at the Imperial Court left vacant by the death of Christoph Willibald Gluck in November, 1787. Mozart actually did get the appointment, but at a much reduced salary.
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Ojai Weather
Mostly sunny – High 74 / Low 46
Total rainfall for the season – 2.16 inches
Lake Casitas water capacity – 94.6%
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
11:05 a.m.
There is a new listing on the market:
159 La Plaza Way – $215,000
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
9:45 a.m.
One new listing has come to the market since Saturday:
12271 Sisar Road – $1,095,000
Recently cancelled, withdrawn or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 883 Moreno Drive – $1,375,000 (this had been recently cancelled on 10/24).
Pic of the Day
Saturday, October 24, 2026
8:25 a.m.
There are four new listings on the market:
190 Fairway Lane – $1,550,000
189 Grapevine Road – $1,200,000
166 Feliz Drive – $1,125,000
309 Grand Avenue – $850,000
Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 10681 Encino Drive – $1,900,000 (this had recently expired on 9/30).
Have a great weekend!
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
11:25 a.m.
There are no new listings for today.
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
10:15 a.m.
Two new listings have come to the market since Friday:
190 Fairway Lane – $1,550,000
1 Barbara Street (land parcel) – $249,900
Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 305 S. Ventura Street – $1,650,000 (this had recently been cancelled on 10/2).
Pic of the Day
Friday, October 16, 2026
8:10 a.m.
There are two new listings on the market:
1420 Arundale Access – $2,999,000
205 Verde Oak Drive – $850,000
Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 10681 Encino Drive – $1,900,000 (this had recently expired on 9/30).
Have a great weekend!
Pic of the Day
♫ She’s got Betty Davis vibes… ♫
Thursday, October 15, 2026
9:30 a.m.
There is one new listing on the market:
1303 Sunset Place – $1,325,000
Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 561 Saddle Lane – $9,850,000 (this had recently expired on 10/2).
- 741 Saddle Lane – $8,230,000 (this had recently expired on 10/13).
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
9:55 a.m.
There is one new listing on the market:
11195 N. Ventura Avenue #24 – $339,000
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
11:15 a.m.
Six new or “coming soon” listings have come to the market since last Friday:
1303 Cruzero Street – $949,000
950 Woodland Avenue #38 – $299,000
0 Barbara Street (land) – $300,000
1273 S. Rice Road #11 – $330,000
412 N. Fulton Street – $1,398,000 (coming soon, 10/31)
610 W. Eucalyptus Street – $3,300,000 (coming soon, 10/15)
Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 96 Kunkle Street – $1,195,000 (this was recently cancelled on 10/7).
- 205 S. Lomita Avenue – $3,350,000 (this had recently expired on 9/19).
Pic of the Day
Friday, October 9, 2026
10:20 a.m.
There are seven new or “coming soon” listings on the market:
402 S. Montgomery Street – $3,100,000
242 Prospect Street – $995,000
484 S. Rice Road – $1,695,000
1202 Loma Drive #107 – $250,000
1125 Spring Street – $2,295,000
950 Woodland Avenue #34 – $322,000
309 Grand Avenue – $850,000 (coming soon, 10/10)
I’d like to take a moment to recognize one of my most respected “go-to” people in this industry. At times, Brokers and Realtors – in addition to the duties involved in helping people buy or sell homes – also dabble in other professions while in the course of a sale: Marriage counselor, referee, landscaper, septic location service, escrow officer, loan consultant, interior decorator, stager, koi pond maintenance, document delivery service, security service, all are amongst the many “services” I’ve rendered in my 20 years in business.
Obviously, we can’t be all things to all people. When the time comes that we need to lean on someone who possesses skills that we aren’t experts in (that is, something we do 40-50 hours a week) – these people help people on my side of the business shine.
I can think of no other person who deserves more accolades than Emily Wilson with Heritage Financial – right here in Ojai. I’ve often reached out to Emily for assistance, and she’s always been there for me. In the middle of a recent escrow where we had some loan issues, specifically with lender requirements which made the parties in the contract extremely nervous – Emily took the time to spend a half-hour on the phone with my clients – even though she isn’t procuring the loan for the buyers herself (the buyers went with their own lender). She patiently explained their options, as well as the thought-process behind why and what their lender was asking for.
In her authoritative, knowledgeable, yet calm and gentle way – she walked my clients through the issues they were experiencing. She eased their fears and concerns in a way that only a true knowledgeable professional – and more importantly – someone who absolutely cares about the people they service AND the people they work with in the real estate industry – can accomplish. Thank you, Em – you are a true gem!
Enjoy the cooler weekend – looks like rain’s a comin’!
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
10:00 a.m.
One new listing has come to the market since last Friday:
501 N. Montgomery Street – $1,300,000
Pic of the Day
Friday, October 2, 2026
11:00 a.m.
There are three new listings on the market:
1108 McNell Road – $4,250,000
1708 Orchard Drive – $1,479,000
11020 Rodeo Road – $4,300,000
Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 386 Larmier Avenue – $989,000 (this had recently expired on 9/30).
Have a great weekend!
Pic of the Day
Thursday, October 1, 2026
10:55 a.m.
There are no new listings for today. Here are a couple of market updates, one of which is depressing:
MORTGAGE RATES
30-yr fixed: 7.54%
15-yr fixed: 7.18%
30-yr Jumbo: 7.66%
30-yr FHA: 7.15%
30-yr VA: 7.17%
We’ve seen interest rates increase more than 1% since this time last year. On the other hand, the Ojai housing market has been decent and still seems to be a level playing field between seller and buyers:
Pic of the Day
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