Jul 31

Jul 31 Summer Break!

SUMMER BREAK 2025

NEW THINGS:

VORTEX is returning in full October 1…

As we come up on the end of our fifth year, it’s become clear that a small seasonal pause is not just necessary; it’s overdue.

July is officially a quiet month. There will be no weekly e-blasts, no event listing updates, and no OLO goss (I don't care if Larry Steingold runs nekkid down Ojai Avenue during the July 4th parade). We’ll start easing back in come August or September — maybe the calendar, maybe some long-form — with sharper focus and a cleaned-up members area.

I’m calling this “caternity leave,” thanks to a charming (and very needy) cat we just adopted from the Humane Society. He is half velcro, half potato. You can read his adoption story here. This pause is partly about him, partly about me, and (he was someone’s lost cat — long story) now solely about making sure VORTEX finishes its fifth year strong without burning out in the process.

Instead of letting the homepage sit empty, we’ve loaded it with all eighteen issues from the past five years: the full archive of VORTEX editor letters and stories.

If you’re already a member, thank you. Your support is what allows us to take this breather without torching the whole thing.

Starting in October, our weekly e-blasts return. It’s “back to normal,” but with a new normal. Most of our stories will now be reserved for subscribers, with the occasional sponsored piece available outside the paywall, as we need that support to continue.

We’d also love to sell more ads, but our team is lean and focused on content. If you know a business that belongs in front of our readers, send them our way.