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June 15, 2025

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Berylwood Park

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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

Simi Valley Honors 13 Unsung Legends Who Quietly K

Simi Valley Honors 13 Unsung Legends Who Quietly Keep the City Alive

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Years ago, Jeff Konkle walked into the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley looking for a hot shower. Now he walks in to volunteer. His story is one of many. On June 7, the Simi Valley Community Council honored 13 people with its 2025 Community Service Recognition Award—an annual acknowledgment of residents who feed the hungry, preserve history and mentor the next generation, not for recognition, but because they believe in community.

The President’s Breakfast, held at the Best Western Posada Royale, brings together civic leaders and volunteers each year to spotlight those whose steady contributions help Simi Valley thrive.

Konkle, once without stable housing for more than 20 years, found help through the Samaritan Center. He now gives back four days a week, helping with grocery deliveries and unloading supplies. “The Samaritan Center gave me a reason to be here,” Konkle said in a story published by the center on Feb. 29.

Lorraine Erickson, a longtime member of the American Association of University Women’s Simi Valley branch, hosted the group’s annual chili cook-off fundraiser in 2013. She also serves on the board of the Simi Valley Community Council, according to the council’s website.

Salvator Almanza volunteers with The Arc of Ventura County, which supports more than 700 individuals with developmental disabilities through job training and life skills programs, according to the organization’s website.

Salwa Scarpone joined the board of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation in 2022. Her appointment was confirmed by the Simi Valley City Council, according to meeting records.

Wendy Sengpiehl helps organize Wreaths Across America events through the Rancho Simi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her work ensures that local veterans are honored during the holiday season, according to the group’s website.

(continue reading: https://clair.id/2025/06/13/simi-valley-honors-13-unsung-legends-who-quietly-keep-the-city-alive/)

Masked Wrestlers and Chrome Cars Unite to Fight Ch

Masked Wrestlers and Chrome Cars Unite to Fight Child Abduction in Simi Valley

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — “Simi Lucha Libre 2” is more than just a night of masked wrestlers, roaring fans and chrome-detailed cars. For the Ortiz family and Kid Gloves Boxing Foundation, it’s a mission to bring attention—and help—to families impacted by child abduction and trauma.

Ortiz Sr. said the event is about raising awareness of what families go through during traumatic situations involving their children—whether it’s separation, emotional crisis or the aftermath of a frightening experience. “It takes a big toll on the whole family,” he said. “We just want to help others going through something like this.”

This year’s fundraiser was sparked by what happened to Ortiz Sr.’s 7-year-old grandson, Bane, who was taken late last year by his mother, described by the family as a noncustodial parent. According to a February post by AV News Crew, U.S. Marshals located Bane in Imperial County and took his mother into custody. The boy was released to his father and brought safely home after more than three months.

Bane now attends therapy to help him process what happened.

“We’re very blessed to have the means to do that,” Ortiz Sr. said. “But if families don’t have money for flyers, or they need to see a psychiatrist, those are the kinds of things this fundraiser can help with.”

Set for Saturday, June 14, at the Simi Valley Town Center, “Simi Lucha Libre 2” will feature live Lucha Libre wrestling in collaboration with the Pro Wrestling Alliance, a classic car show and family-friendly entertainment. All proceeds support Kid Gloves Boxing Foundation’s programs for youth, families and veterans.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

A young German Shepherd is Struggling to Survive i

Simi Valley Is Saying Goodbye to Old Glory — And

Simi Valley Is Saying Goodbye to Old Glory — And You Can Do It Without Leaving Your Car

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — If your old American flag is frayed, faded or tattered, it still deserves a final moment of respect.

On Friday, June 13, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is making it easy to do just that. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents can swing by the Chamber parking lot at 40 W. Cochran Street—just across from Costco—for a Drive-Thru Flag Retirement Event. No speeches, no fuss—just a drive-up and drop-off moment of gratitude.

American flags carry weight. They’ve flown over porches, patios and pickup trucks. They’ve been raised at sunrise, folded at dusk and held tightly in solemn moments. When they’ve done their time, they deserve more than a toss in the trash. That’s where this event comes in. Every flag collected will be handed off for proper, respectful retirement by the Simi Valley Elks Lodge during a Flag Day ceremony. In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code, the process involves burning—not in protest, but in reverence.

Thousands of American flags ripple in the breeze at Pepperdine University’s annual 9/11 memorial in Malibu, a striking tribute to the lives lost and the resilience that followed. Image credit: Sylvie Belmond
“This is about honoring a symbol that’s been part of our history, our homes and our lives,” said Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, one of the event sponsors. “Retiring a flag with dignity is a powerful way to show respect for the values it represents.”

Irwin joins the Chamber, Rose Family Funeral Home and Cremation, and the Elks Lodge in making this event happen—not just for tradition’s sake, but for the people who care about getting it right. It’s a collaboration that reflects Simi Valley’s civic pride, where honoring veterans and symbols of service isn’t reserved for big holidays. It’s built into the everyday.

No need to park or dress up. Just hand your flag to a volunteer and go. Whether you’re a veteran, a Scout parent or someone who found an old flag in the garage, this is your moment. Because how we retire a flag says just as much as how we raise it.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

Simi Valley Board Shakeup: President Steps Down Af

Simi Valley Board Shakeup: President Steps Down After Review

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — A Simi Valley Unified School District (SVUSD) Board of Education member has resigned after the district reviewed the employment of her spouse and its potential impact on board operations.

In a June 13 letter to families, staff, and community members, Superintendent Hani Youssef stated that the district had recently conducted an internal review related to a personnel matter involving a board member’s family. The review referenced California Government Code Section 1090, which generally prohibits elected officials from having a financial interest in contracts approved by the body they serve. The law aims to ensure decisions are made without even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

While the district’s letter did not name the board member, Kristina Pine, who joined the board in 2022 and served as its president, confirmed her resignation in a public Facebook post. She explained that in the spring of 2023, her spouse was hired by SVUSD to teach American Sign Language (ASL) at the high school level. Pine wrote that, before her spouse applied for the position, she reached out to district officials to ask whether his employment would be legally permissible during her term as a trustee.

“I was assured that this was legal and there were no concerns or issues,” she wrote.

Later, Pine said, the district’s legal counsel reviewed the situation and recommended that her resignation would be the best course of action under state guidelines. “Legal counsel has informed me that resignation from the Board is the appropriate course of action to take,” she wrote.

According to SVUSD, the teacher began employment in August 2023, about eight months after Pine took office in December 2022. While state law permits a trustee’s spouse to work for the district, that employment must typically begin at least 12 months before the trustee assumes their seat. This provision is in place to help avoid legal questions tied to board influence or decision-making.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)

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