What was Ojai’s most notorious shoot-out? Where did the old Ventura and Ojai railroad engineers stop for rest and relaxation? What giant Washington lobby got its start on Grand Avenue and Montgomery Street? Where did Meditation Mount get its name?

It’s true that few local residents, and even fewer visitors, could answer most of these questions. All that will soon change with the release of “Ojai á la Car,” an audio driving tour of the Ojai Valley on compact disc that takes tourists and locals to the nooks and crannies of our valley that folks almost never see.

The disc was created and produced by Ojai resident Don Anderson to benefit the Ojai Valley Museum. It features professional narrations by actors Peter Bellwood and Laurie Walters. Anderson, a museum supporter, paid for all costs associated with producing the disc.

“Ojai á la Car” will be available at the Ojai Valley Museum Store, as well as local retail venues in time for Christmas. The disc is competitively priced at $15, tax included. Proceeds from its sale will go to the museum.

The guided audio tour gives visitors and locals some new and entertaining insights into the qualities that make Ojai unique. Ann Scanlin, President of Ojai Valley Museum’s Board of Trustees, said, “I’ve lived here for more than 30 years, and I was not aware of many of these places and their history. I think everyone will find something new.”

“Ojai á la Car” takes the listener to fifteen local venues in the Ojai Valley and Upper Ojai, with Bellwood giving descriptions at each stop and Walters providing logistical support. Included with the disc is a colorful tour map that will give specific driving directions to the fifteen locations.

Anderson, a former Los Angeles Times and Sports Illustrated writer and editor, developed the concept and wrote the narration based on historical records and local lore. “I am indebted to the writers and amateur historians like David Mason who have captured Ojai’s past in books, articles and oral recordings,” Anderson said. “They left rich and often amusing accounts of our valley over the last 150 years. I was fortunate to draw upon those.”

Anderson credits several local film and recording professionals who assisted in the production of the disc. Foremost among these were Steve Grumette of the Ojai Film Festival, television producer-director Stuart Crowner, and film sound engineer Paul Massey. All involved provided their time and expertise without charge.

Call the Ojai Valley Museum at (805) 640-1390, ext. 203, for additional information, purchase and distribution opportunities for “Ojai á la Car.”

The Ojai Valley Museum, established in 1967, is generously supported in part by museum members, private donors, business sponsors and underwriters, the Smith-Hobson Foundation, Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, City of Ojai, Ojai Community Bank, Rotary Club of Ojai, Ojai Civic Association and a grant from the Heritage Fund of Ventura County Community Foundation.

The museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA. Admission: free for current 2013 members, adults - $5.00, children 6–18 - $1.00 and children 5 and under – free. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday, noon to 4 pm. Tours are available by appointment. Free parking is available off Blanche Street at back of museum.

For more information, call the museum at (805) 640-1390, ext. 203, e-mail ojaimuseum@sbcglobal.net or visit the museum website at: Ojai Valley Museum.org Find us on Facebook Ojai Valley Museum.