One Year Later

A new name, an anniversary, and a special invitation.

Greetings readers!

First, the obvious. I’ve changed the name of this publication. What was once This Little Valley is now Local Hero.

Readers who enjoyed the nineties in Ojai will recognize the name as that of a bookstore formerly located in the downtown arcade. It was the location from which I purchased multiple new editions in the Harry Potter series. (What a time.)

There’s another reason the name Local Hero appeals to me. When I began reporting for the Ojai Valley News in 2016, I quickly realized that my job involved telling the stories of quiet, local heroes. People like the dedicated volunteers who sustain countless community events. The retiree who pledges to do City Hall oversight until he is dead. The Ojai woman who pulled herself out of addiction and homelessness and dedicated her life to helping others do the same.

If you watch the work of community in action — I mean, really watch — there’s a tremendous human drama on display, one that is endlessly interesting to document.

That…