Massages: health benefits and getting insurance to pay
Note: This article is compiled from several online sources, and all attributions are linked within. Per Mayo Clinic and the experience of many people, the culture around massage has changed in recent years. Previously, massages were thought of as a luxury for the rich, or for special occasions only. Thankfully, times have changed and “now massage is widely available and viewed as an important tool in promoting mental and physical health.”
Read full storyNo end in sight for street takeovers in California
Note: This article is compiled from several online sources, and all attributions are linked within. A search of “street car takeover” on Google first yields Street Car Takeover, a happy, prescheduled, safe event where cars drag race. They sell tickets, give prizes, coordinate events throughout the country, and require that all rules be followed.
Read full storyLocal wildlife doing cute things: recent stories to warm your heart
During the pandemic, animals became more comfortable wandering the streets. People stayed in their homes, and in many cases, wildlife seemed to enjoy taking back nature. In early 2020, abcnewsgo reported, “Packs of jackals have taken over a park in the heart of Tel Aviv in Israel. Wild boars have been spotted in the Israeli city of Haifa.” A puma was seen in Santiago, and baby foxes roamed the streets of Toronto.
Read full storyIn California, can a squatter legally take possession of your property?
Note, all information contained in this article is drawn from ipropertymangement and summarized for ease of reading and length. There have been a lot of stories in the news lately around squatters moving into vacant homes and refusing to leave. These stories show, time and again, that the police refuse to take action and instead say it’s a civil matter. So why aren’t these “trespassers” arrested? Is trespassing still against the law?
Read full storyBubbler or drinking fountain? Depends where you live
Coming from Massachusetts, I’ve always referred to drinking fountains as bubblers. Or, before I worked on toning down my accent, a “bubblah.” Moving to California, this brought no end of amusement to my SoCal native husband.
Read full storySherbert versus sherbet and other words you may be getting wrong
A few months ago, after buying rainbow sherbert I noticed the spelling was wrong. I mentioned it to others in my house who agreed that the manufacturer had incorrectly left off the second R. The label read “Sherbet.” Looking it up online we realized we were not the only ones who had the “wrong” spelling the whole time. Per Merriam Webster “On a hot summer day, there's nothing like sweet, cold sherbet on your tongue to make you feel cooler. Or maybe you call it ‘sherbert.’ Or maybe you get all hot under the collar when people call it that. Maybe in your mind the confection can only be called ‘sherbet’ (SHER-but) and people who call it (and spell it) ‘sherbert’ (SHER-bert) are bumbling Neanderthals.”
Read full storyAubergine emporium in Simi Valley: antique and home decor store celebrates 15 years in business
Owner Pat was kind enough to take time to chat with me during a very busy Saturday. She relayed that the store has been in business for 15 years and has a whopping 40 vendors. Surprisingly, 7 of those 40 have been along for the ride the since she opened. Maybe not a surprise given the happy atmosphere and the friendly vibe between the owner and several of the vendors who were in the store to share in the anniversary celebration.
Read full storyShopping for vintage treasures in Ventura County: Spotlight on Shop Around the Corner in Simi Valley
If you’ve ever seen the 1940 film Shop Around the Corner or the 1998 remake You’ve Got Mail, you’ll agree watching them will make you smile. Though the focus of both movies was romance, another main “character” in each was the retail store, because of the close-knit bond of the employees.
Read full storyCrime in Simi Valley is rising, but it’s still one of the safest cities in the nation
Simi Valley, California has consistently been hailed as a safer city than most others of similar size in the state and the country. A report from April, 2022 from KTLU stated based on Safewise’s “data from FBI crime statistics, demographic data and other research” that Simi Valley is rated the 21st safest city in California. For comparison, Santa Barbara was 171st.
Read full storyShopping for vintage treasures in Ventura County: Spotlight on The Vintage Peddler in Simi Valley
There are several good antique stores in Ventura County but you have to know where to look. Penny Pinchers in Simi Valley was open over fifty years before it closed up shop a few years ago, marking a sad day in the city for collectors. Thankfully there are others to visit throughout the area, with three thriving ones right here in Simi Valley. This article will focus on one, The Vintage Peddler, with an upcoming article to highlight Shop Around the Corner and Aubergine Emporium.
Read full storyWhat Prop 12 means to California and the Pork Industry
Many news outlets, including ABC News reported this week that, “The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a challenge to California's Proposition 12, a statewide ban on the sale of pork from pigs housed in cages or crowded group pens that prevent them from turning around freely.” But what does that mean for California?
Read full storyWhimsy and a delicious meal at Simi Valley's hidden gem, The Junkyard
If you live in Simi Valley, California you have likely been to be quirkiest restaurant in town, The Junkyard. Located at 2585 Cochran street behind Cupid’s Hot Dogs this hidden gem is popular with locals and out of towners. If you haven’t been, read on. You’re in for a treat. If you have been, there may be some new features since your last fun experience.
Read full storyGray is the new blonde: the long-overdue trend toward natural hair
Back in 2016, The Guardian posted an article about the struggle of women to accept their natural hair color, specifically the white or gray that comes with aging. At this time, not too many years ago, this was true. Anne Kreamer, who wrote the book Going Gray: How to Embrace Your Authentic Self With Grace and Style initially believed the dire warnings of what would happen if she let her hair go gray, such as, “you’ll look old…you’ll look as if you’ve let yourself go…you can never have long hair again.” Instead, she found them to be “hogwash,” simply not true. She felt liberated. But even so, she was in the minority at that time and often struggled with being the only one in the room with uncolored, white hair.
Read full storyThe science of memory: dreams and false events
Ever had a dream that felt so real that years later you were convinced it must have really happened? Or do you remember a childhood event with perfect clarity only to discover later you had all the facts wrong? Wherever your memories come from: dreams, actual events, or false memories deliberately planted in your mind, your brain treats them the same, as fact.
Read full storyDon’t miss it! Simi Valley annual street fair, Saturday May 6
Simi Valley has great events throughout the year, including free concerts, festivals, fireworks, circuses and carnivals. But one of the most fun each year is the Simi Valley Street Fair. Open from 9am-4pm this Saturday, May 6th, at Simi Town Center Way (the mall) there’s something for visitors of any age.
Read full storyThe Origin of superstitions: don't step on a crack, itchy palms mean money, and wishbones
Superstitions are a fun concept. You may think they’re silly, but you’re afraid to go against them. This article explores three popular ones: Don’t step on the crack or you’ll break your mother’s back, · itchy palms means you’ll get money, and breaking wishbones to get your wish.
Read full storyHappy ending: after 60 years, sisters find each other through DNA site
Robin was the youngest of four children, the only child of her father. She shared a mother with her siblings but always wished for a sister on her father’s side. Her father, Bob, spent most of his life in Massachusetts but spoke often of his dream to run away and live in Montana. He’d spent some time there when he was in the military and longed to go back. He never did, but when he passed away after a brief illness in 2001, the family commented that his soul surely found its way to the state he’d talked about for years.
Read full storyCraigslist's rehoming ads skirt the rules on selling pets
When California changed the law in 2019 to ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits from mass-breeding operations, backyard breeders lost the opportunity to sell their animals. Ideally, this would have significantly cut down on those breeding animals. Though breeders can still advertise online on puppy sites, these are mostly for AKC or other registered animals, where one would hope they are better cared for, given the high price tags.
Read full storyWalking a peaceful path: the history of Arroyo Simi Valley
There’s an awful lot to like about Simi Valley, California, but one thing every resident is familiar with is the Arroyo Simi (Spanish for "small stream of Simi"). Per Wikipedia, the arroyo is also known as the Simi Creek, channel, waterway, river, drain, wash, and stream. Most people I know call it the wash.
Read full storyThe Mission Inn: a family-owned, haunted paradise in downtown Riverside
Coming from New England originally, I’m no stranger to old buildings with long histories, and stories about the ghosts who inhabit them. Longing for an adventure, it seemed a fun idea to stay at the Mission Inn in Riverside California. There are rumors of hauntings at this location all over the Internet.
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