On Sunday evening, October 13, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., I’ll lead another Herb Walk up to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where we can watch the simultaneous sunset and moonrise. 

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution on September 24, 2019, proclaiming the Second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Ventura County, joining over 130 other cities, counties and states who have taken that action.

In honor of this walk occurring on the eve of Indigenous Peoples' Day (Monday, October 14), I have invited a special guest, Chumash elder Patrick Tumamait, to join us and begin the walk with the Ojai Chumash Welcoming Song passed on to him by his father Vincent Tumamait.

Also, I will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the walk to the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians.

Following the walk is an optional “after-party” at Azu Restaurant and Ojai Valley Brewery for delicious food and native plant infused beers and non-alcoholic beverages.

Read more and sign up at this link. No prepayment required.

Join me and special guest author and forager Christopher Nyerges for an Acorn Processing Workshop in Ojai to learn all aspects of foraging, processing and preparing acorns. Participants will learn to identify oaks and other useful plants, make cordage from yucca, see an introductory demonstration of primitive firemaking, and practice other activities.

Christopher has authored nearly two dozen books, including  Guide to Wild Foods, Foraging California, Nuts and Berries of California, How to Survive Anywhere, Extreme Simplicity, and many many. He also serves as a consultant to the “Naked and Afraid” TV show among others.

No pre-payment required. Read more and register at this link.

This year's theme is “The Wisdom of the Body,” borrowed from the title of Walter Cannon’s classic 1932 physiology textbook on homeostasis. Our stellar lineup of presenters represent the fields of medicine, pharmacology, naturopathy, acupuncture and, of course, herbology. They will bring verifiable science and years of clinical experience to the discussion of medicinal herbs for use in helping our bodies maintain a healthy balance.

In addition to two full days of talks at beautiful Krotona Hall, the weekend will feature three satellite events: the all-weekend Herbal Marketplace at Chaparral Auditorium in downtown Ojai, the Saturday night PhytoPhunk Dance and Herbal Elixir Bar at Greater Goods, and “The Forest Table: A Wild Food Dining Experience" with Jess Starwood
at Fisher Hall in Ojai on Saturday evening.

Volunteer positions are available in exchange for full or partial admission. Vendor applications are welcome for the Herbal Marketplace. And we're happy to announce we're approved by the CA Acupuncture Board to offer 12.5 Category 1 and 2 Category 2 CEUs for Licensed Acupuncturists.

Find out all the details and get your early-bird tickets at this link.