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2023
January
5
Arroyo Simi Greenway at Rancho Park – Simi Valley

Simi In Pictures

Arroyo Simi Greenway at Rancho Park – Simi Valley

Justin Bell January 5, 2023

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Hidden Tar Pits Found in Simi Valley Hills — You

Hidden Tar Pits Found in Simi Valley Hills — You Won’t Believe What’s Bubbling Up

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Not far from the strip malls and neighborhoods of Simi Valley, the land gets quiet. If you head north into Tapo Canyon and follow a dusty trail for a couple of miles, you’ll stumble onto something strange—something that doesn’t belong in the middle of a suburban hiking route.

It’s not marked with fanfare. There are no crowds. But the tar is there, black and sticky, bubbling out of the ground like it’s been doing for thousands of years.

This is the Tapo Canyon Tar Pits. Not many people in Simi Valley even know they exist. But they’ve been part of the land long before the city had a name.

The tar comes from deep underground. Millions of years ago, this whole area was under the ocean. When the sea pulled back, it left behind layers of organic muck. That muck turned into oil, and that oil still pushes its way up through cracks in the earth. What reaches the surface thickens in the sun. You can smell it before you see it—something like hot asphalt after a summer rain.

Locals who’ve found it often mistake it for a spill at first. One hiker wrote online, “That’s not a spill. That’s a natural seepage of oil.” Another said, “It’s my first time seeing one. I had no idea.”

The tar isn’t new, and it isn’t dangerous. It’s part of California’s history. In fact, oil seeps like this helped inspire the petroleum industry here. But before all that, the Chumash people used this tar to waterproof baskets and line canoes. Their village, Ta’apu, once sat near this very site.

Today, the pits sit quietly along a five-mile trail behind Tapo Canyon Regional Park. It’s a simple walk. Nothing fancy. But at the end, the land speaks—if you’re listening.

Online, people share photos and crack jokes. Some say it needs a “Prop 65 warning sign” or ask if it’s “Rocketdyne juice.” A few reference movie lines like, “I drink your milkshake,” or “Black gold. Simi tea.”

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

State of the City recap: Mayor Cavanaugh Talks Saf

State of the City recap: Mayor Cavanaugh Talks Safety, Housing, and a City in Motion

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Rooted in Community, Building Our Future.

That was the theme Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh carried throughout her 2025 State of the City address at the Cultural Arts Center. She opened with a brief tribute to former Mayor Fred Thomas, then moved quickly into a wide-ranging update that touched on public safety, housing, education, and long-requested amenities—like a BMX track finally moving forward at the Sinaloa Golf Course property.

Public safety remains top of mind. Despite the perception of rising crime on social media, Cavanaugh noted that crime overall continues to decline in Simi Valley. Property and drug-related crimes dropped in 2024, and response times improved. Officers handled nearly 100,000 calls, and the city’s expanded motor unit—now with four full-time motorcycle officers—tripled traffic enforcement. “They’re wonderful officers,” she said. “You just don’t want to see them in your rearview mirror.”

Launched in October, the drone program has flown over 300 missions with eight drones and 15 trained pilots. Police used them for everything from missing persons to crash investigations. The CERT program, started in 1994, has trained more than 1,600 residents to prepare for disasters.

The city’s total budget is $264 million, but the General Fund—which covers day-to-day operations—is approximately $88 million. That translates to $310 per resident for police, $144 for public works and $72 for environmental services. The Environmental Services department goes well beyond environmental programs—it handles permitting, building inspections, code enforcement and planning.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

Plant a Boot, Grow a Garden: The Simi Valley Class

Plant a Boot, Grow a Garden: The Simi Valley Class You Didn’t Know You Needed

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Got Old Boots? Turn Them Into Living Art with Dr. P. If you’ve got an old pair of rain boots lying around, don’t toss them—plant them!

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., the Simi Valley Senior Center will host a hands-on succulent workshop that turns those forgotten boots into living planters.

Those forgotten boots are about to become the stars of a hands-on workshop all about succulents. It’s led by Dr. Stephen Pietrolungo, better known as “Dr. P.” A retired school principal with a science degree and a dry sense of humor, he now spends his time growing plants that hardly need water and teaching others how to do the same.

“I like plants that don’t panic when you forget about them,” he says.

That’s the magic of succulents. Their name comes from the Latin sucus, meaning sap. These plants store water in their thick, juicy leaves so they can survive long dry spells—perfect for our Simi Valley climate.

At this workshop, you’ll learn how to create your own succulent planter using an old rain boot (or use the one provided). You’ll also learn how to keep your succulents happy with the least amount of effort. It’s true: most succulents only need to be watered when the soil is completely dry—and they only need fertilizer once a year.

Want more weird plant facts? Here’s a few Dr. P. loves to share:

Some succulents grow tiny leaves because they’re used to high mountain air.
Many have their own built-in sunscreen (a powdery coating called farina).
You can grow new plants just by snipping a leaf and letting it sit in a sunny spot.
And yep, cactus are succulents—but not all succulents are cactus.
Best of all? These plants are tough. They don’t attract many pests and they live for years. That’s why succulents show up in wedding bouquets, cake decorations, and even jewelry. (Yes, succulent earrings are a real thing.)

(continue reading: https://clair.id/2025/06/03/plant-a-boot-grow-a-garden-the-simi-valley-class-you-didnt-know-you-needed/)

How One Simi Valley Teacher Is Turning Struggles I

How One Simi Valley Teacher Is Turning Struggles Into Success Stories

(CLAIR – Simi Valley, CA) — At Atherwood Elementary School, students know they’re in good hands—whether they need extra support or just a spark to keep learning exciting.

Kelley Hess teaches third through fifth grades, where she’s known for creating a classroom that lifts up every student. She provides targeted support for kids with learning challenges while delivering high-quality instruction that engages and benefits the whole class.

This month, the Simi Valley Education Foundation named Hess the June Teacher of the Month, recognizing her ability to reach students where they are and help them grow.

It’s the final Teacher of the Month award of the 2024–25 school year, arriving just before about 1,300 SVUSD students cross the stage for graduation. It’s a fitting reminder of the teachers who helped make those milestone moments possible.

The Teacher of the Month program is a true community effort. Local businesses and civic leaders team up each month to celebrate one SVUSD educator, offering $20+ gifts and heartfelt recognition. This month’s contributors include Chick-fil-A, Grand Canyon University, Harley’s Bowl, Iverson Construction, Logix Federal Credit Union, Schools Federal Credit Union, Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, Simi Valley YMCA, State Farm agent Eric Little and Ventura County Credit Union.

Teachers like Hess do more than follow lesson plans—they build confidence, spark curiosity, and make kids believe they can succeed. As the National Education Association puts it, educators who teach with heart and high expectations are essential to thriving schools and strong communities.

Simi Valley Unified serves about 15,900 students across 28 schools, offering a range of programs including dual-language immersion and career technical education. The district’s approach reflects a belief in meeting students’ diverse needs and preparing them for life beyond the classroom.

(continue reading: https://clair.id/2025/06/02/how-one-simi-valley-teacher-is-turning-struggles-into-success-stories/

After 50 Years, Simi Valley’s Favorite Hardware

After 50 Years, Simi Valley’s Favorite Hardware Store Is Now Gone

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — After Nearly 50 Years, Simi Hardware & Rock Depot Closes — Community Says Goodbye to a Local Institution

Simi Hardware & Rock Depot, one of Simi Valley’s last independent hardware stores, closed its doors on March 28, 2025. For many residents, it wasn’t just a store — it was a part of their lives.

The family-run business started in 1975 when Dave and Charlotte Rives opened a small shop called Discount Home Center. It later became True Value Home Center and, in 2019, broke off as an independent store under the name Simi Hardware & Rock Depot. Even after the founders passed away, their daughter Cindy and granddaughter Christina carried on the family legacy. They ran the business together until its final day.

More Than Just Hardware
The store became known for its unmatched selection of nuts, bolts, fasteners, and specialty hardware. It catered to both experienced builders and weekend DIYers. The bolt bins weren’t pre-bagged or shrink-wrapped. You could pick up a single nut, test the fit on a bolt, and buy only what you needed.

“You can find anything you need here — from landscaping materials to fasteners and tools,” one Yelp reviewer wrote. “It’s nice to have an old-school hardware store to rely on.”

The store’s rock and landscaping yard also drew in customers looking to replace lawns with drought-friendly alternatives. “Stan helped us choose rocks for our yard,” one customer shared. “He explained everything — the weed stopper, the borders. Great customer service is rare these days.”

For another local customer, the appeal was simple: “This is where you go when the big box stores don’t have what you need. They always did.”

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

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