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2025
April
8

Day: April 8, 2025

Heroes Among Us, Simi Valley Champions the Power of Organ Donation

3 min read

Community

Heroes Among Us, Simi Valley Champions the Power of Organ Donation

Sylvie Belmond April 8, 2025 374

image credit: Jill Abele

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Your favorite Simi Valley News Stories of the 70's, 80's, 90's and today. -- Contact Us: tothemoon@celsermedia.com

How This Royal High Student Got the Mayor Reading

How This Royal High Student Got the Mayor Reading to Second Graders
Layla Salinas has always loved stepping into the world of a good book. Whether it was fairy tales, mysteries, or graphic novels, she was drawn to adventures bigger than herself. But she started to wonder—what about the kids who hadn’t yet discovered that kind of magic?

As a student in the civics action program at Royal High School, developed in partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Layla set out to change that. She focused on something close to her heart: showing kids that reading can be a source of joy, curiosity, and connection.

To mark Read Across America Week in March, Layla organized a reading day at Hollow Hills Elementary School and invited local community leaders to join in. Simi Valley Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh was among them, reading I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! to a second-grade and When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left to fourth graders. Layla made sure the readers knew: don’t forget to show the pictures.

Cavanaugh was impressed with Layla’s kindness and initiative. Layla had reached out to her to ask if she’d come to Hollow Hills—a school the mayor herself once attended—to read to students. “She was all prepared and professional,” Cavanaugh said. “We met with the librarian, and then the students came.”

Cavanaugh, a lifelong book lover, said that while screens have become a big part of how people read today, there’s something about holding a real book that can’t be replaced. “Personally, I think reading is very important,” she said. “Reading on a screen is not the same as having a book in your hands and turning the pages. To me, there is a peace to it.”

Throughout the school, Layla had created a festive and welcoming atmosphere. She decorated the halls with handmade posters and set up interactive displays—including a “What Genre Should You Read?” quiz where students could discover whether they might enjoy fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, or nonfiction.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

Simi Teens Take Over Library Plaza for a Night of

Simi Teens Take Over Library Plaza for a Night of Food, Fitness, and Fun!

Teens across the city are about to get a major boost to their wellness journeys — and it’s all happening right here, at the Simi Library. On Friday, May 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the plaza outside the Simi Valley Public Library will transform into a hub of health, connection, and celebration as the Simi Valley Youth Council and the Simi Valley Unified School District’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program present the 3rd Annual Teen Wellness Night.

This free, family-friendly event isn’t just another evening out; it’s a promotion of everything that supports teens in living their best lives. Picture an outdoor festival where booths brim with colorful displays, hands-on activities, and a contagious spirit of positivity.

Local businesses, nonprofits, clubs, and service organizations are stepping up to make it happen — and there’s still room for more. Vendors are invited to create booths focusing on the wellness themes that matter most to teens today: healthy eating, physical fitness, mental health, social connection through hobbies, volunteer opportunities, team sports, and more. It’s about building relationships, encouraging growth, and offering real pathways to healthier, happier futures.

Representatives at the booths are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and host on-site service projects that foster volunteerism and deepen community engagement. Think teens painting kindness rocks, signing up for service clubs, or pledging to take a mental health break.

Organizations interested in becoming part of this night of empowerment can register for a free booth space at www.bit.ly/2025teenwellness. The Youth Council envisions lively, hands-on experiences where every booth inspires action, wellness, and community pride.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

From Swiss Village to Simi Valley: A Journey by La

From Swiss Village to Simi Valley: A Journey by Land, Sea, and Heart

Sylvie Belmond, a longtime Ventura County journalist with strong ties to Simi Valley, shares her personal story of risk, change, and resilience. Her journey spans continents, careers, and communities — and reminds us that the path forward often starts with one simple decision: to keep moving.

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Every life is a collection of turning points. Some arrive quietly, disguised as chance encounters. Others call out with undeniable urgency. My story—like yours, perhaps—is a long thread of answered calls, steps into the unknown, and the quiet trust that the next chapter would reveal itself when I moved toward it.

It all began in a small Swiss village, where life was supposed to follow a clear path: school, apprenticeship, career. By sixteen, most of my classmates knew what was next. I wasn’t so sure.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

“Prom Closet” Brings Glamour, Generosity, and

“Prom Closet” Brings Glamour, Generosity, and Joy to Hundreds of Teens in Simi Valley

On Sunday, March 23 (and again on April 27), Soroptimist International of Simi Valley in partnership with the YMCA, hosted an event that transformed lives one outfit at a time. Known simply as the Prom Closet, the event offered more than 700 dresses, suits, ties, shoes, accessories, and makeup—all free to any high school student in need.

Held at the Simi Valley Family YMCA, this celebration of self-expression and support welcomed over 500 guests, including students from Simi Valley, the broader Ventura County region, and as far as the Malibu School District. Teens streamed through the doors, many of them with shy smiles that blossomed into excitement as they browsed through racks of prom-ready attire.

“This isn’t just about the clothes,” said event chair Terri Staszak, whose leadership was the heart of the initiative. “It’s about making sure every young person feels like they belong—like they matter. Everyone deserves to feel confident walking into their prom or graduation.”

And that message resonated. One student, who recently lost her home in a devastating fire, showed up with quiet courage and left with more than a gown—she left with a community that had her back.

Inside the YMCA, the atmosphere buzzed with energy and joy. Volunteers guided students through rows of donated items, offered fitting room assistance, and helped pair perfect accessories to match each look. Racks brimmed with every color and style imaginable, from flowing floor-length gowns to sharp suits with coordinating ties. Sizes ranged from petite to plus, ensuring that every teen—regardless of body type—found something that made them feel amazing.

Fox 11 News was on the scene to capture the magic. In the segment, photojournalist James Wolfe highlighted not only the incredible selection of attire, but also the heartfelt mission driving the event. “Honestly, I think it’s like a nice little act of love,” one parent shared. “As someone who is low income, it’s just really nice to have these donations come over. I think it’s great to give back to the community.”

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

Royal High Students Launch Bold Campaign to Help S

Royal High Students Launch Bold Campaign to Help Simi Valley Police Dogs

Royal High School students are stepping up with purpose and a shared commitment to keeping their community safe in a campaign to support the Simi Valley Police Department’s K-9 Unit. As part of a civic engagement initiative, juniors Elizabeth Rakowski and Katherine Kim have partnered with SVPD to raise both awareness and funds for the department’s hardworking canine officers and their handlers.

Their project grew out of Royal’s partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which encourages students to participate in public service. Inspired by that mission, Elizabeth and Katherine began organizing school-based outreach, meeting with K-9 handlers, and creating online content to educate others about SVPD’s K-9 Unit. Their goal isn’t just to raise money—it’s to build understanding and appreciation for the work these dogs and their partners do every day.

SVPD’s K-9 Unit is a key part of the department’s Operations Division. These specially trained dogs assist in searching for missing persons, tracking suspects, detecting narcotics and explosives, conducting building searches, and supporting officers in potentially dangerous situations. The dogs—Maui, Zeus, Maxx, Ranger, and Johnny—work closely with their human partners in the field, offering skills that technology alone can’t replace. Their presence also serves as a deterrent to crime, reinforcing safety during patrols and public events.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

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