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May 13, 2025
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Simi Valley News, Food, Entertainment & Community

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Why 2025 Feels Like a Deadline We’re Not Ready For
2 min read
  • Community

Why 2025 Feels Like a Deadline We’re Not Ready For

Clair.ID December 29, 2024 768
(CLAIR | Simi Valley) — Can we just stop and take in the fact that 2025 is already here? For so many people, it’s not just another new year...
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Festive Christmas Trees From Around Simi Valley
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  • Community

Festive Christmas Trees From Around Simi Valley

Clair.ID December 25, 2024 347
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Christmas has arrived, and with it comes all of the bright and colorful trees lighting up living rooms and public spaces across town....
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The Heartbreaking Reality of Imperfect Christmas Trees
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The Heartbreaking Reality of Imperfect Christmas Trees

Clair.ID December 24, 2024 158
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — For most people, the holiday season is all about joy, beauty, and the twinkling glow of a perfectly adorned Christmas tree. But not...
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Share Your Christmas Tree Photo With All Of Simi Valley
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  • Community

Share Your Christmas Tree Photo With All Of Simi Valley

Clair.ID December 21, 2024 589
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) – Christmas is a season of magic, laughter, and those memories we capture year after year—the ones that showcase the spirit of the holidays...
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The Wildest, Weirdest Restaurant You’ll Ever Visit (Wait Until You See the Barbies!)
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  • Dining

The Wildest, Weirdest Restaurant You’ll Ever Visit (Wait Until You See the Barbies!)

Clair.ID December 19, 2024 478
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Have you heard of The Junkyard Cafe? Perhaps, during a visit to Simi Valley, you’ve driven by and wondered what’s inside. Or maybe...
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His GoFundMe Is Now Online – Help Travis Replace His Mobility Van
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  • Community

His GoFundMe Is Now Online – Help Travis Replace His Mobility Van

Clair.ID December 19, 2024 1294
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) – You may remember hearing about Travis Goldberg. Travis is the 29-year-old from Simi Valley who lost his wheelchair-accessible van when it was hit...
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How This 16-Year-Old Scout is Changing Wildlife Conservation in Simi Valley
2 min read
  • Editor's Pick

How This 16-Year-Old Scout is Changing Wildlife Conservation in Simi Valley

Clair.ID December 19, 2024 580
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Sixteen-year-old Gage Oxley, a member of Boy Scout Troop 622 in Simi Valley, is taking a big step toward earning his Eagle Scout...
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The Story Behind the Beard: Simi Valley’s Santa Robert
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  • Community

The Story Behind the Beard: Simi Valley’s Santa Robert

Clair.ID December 18, 2024 617
(CLAIR | SIMI VALLEY, CA) — As the holiday season settles over Simi Valley, one man has become a beacon of Christmas cheer. For over 40 years, Robert Tatangelo—known...
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The Secret Beauty of Simi Valley Captured in One Interesting Snapshot
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  • Community

The Secret Beauty of Simi Valley Captured in One Interesting Snapshot

Clair.ID December 18, 2024 427
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — If you’ve lived in Simi Valley for any amount of time, you know how lucky we are to call this place home. From...
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Simi 360 Releases The ‘2024 Christmas Lights Tour Guide’ Everyone Has Been Waiting For
2 min read
  • Community

Simi 360 Releases The ‘2024 Christmas Lights Tour Guide’ Everyone Has Been Waiting For

Clair.ID December 12, 2024 1543
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The wait is over. Simi 360’s Christmas Lights Tour Guide is back, better and brighter than ever. Now in its eighth year, this...
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clairid_simivalley

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

After 40 Years, Simi’s Golden Cross Shines Again After 40 Years, Simi’s Golden Cross Shines Again—Rust, Scaffolding, and a Whole Lot of Faith

The cross is shining again.

After nearly four decades of weather and rust, the cross atop Simi Valley United Methodist Church has been restored to a brilliant gold.

Perched high above the sanctuary, the cross had gone untouched since it was first installed in 1987, according to Erin Newman, Communications Specialist at the church. In early April, a team of volunteers set out to change that.

Located at the corner of Cochran and Erringer, right across from Toppers Pizza, the church is a familiar sight in the valley. Its roots stretch back to 1889, when Methodist worshippers gathered in a local colony home. They later built a grand Neo-Classical church on Los Angeles Avenue before establishing their current campus about 40 years ago.

To reach the cross, volunteers brought in a boom lift, but it didn’t quite make it. Scaffolding went up for about a week while painters carefully coated the metal in “Olympic gold.” Spotlights were added to make the cross glow through the night. The job was completed just in time for Easter Sunday, April 20.

A photo from the day shows Pastor Stacy Brooks and longtime church member Paul Witman smiling from the boom lift, high above the roofline, watching the transformation unfold.

But Simi Valley United Methodist Church is more than a landmark—it’s an active, welcoming community. Members strive to live out their faith through “practical divinity,” a tradition rooted in the teachings of John Wesley, who believed Christian life is about putting faith and love into action. At SVUMC, that commitment is expressed through five core values: prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Their theology emphasizes balance—drawing on Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience to understand God’s purpose.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)
Big Hair, Bigger Laughs: Simi Valley’s ‘Hairsp Big Hair, Bigger Laughs: Simi Valley’s ‘Hairspray’ Is the Must-See Musical Event of the Season!

The music is pumping. The hairspray is flying. And the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is buzzing with excitement. The Broadway smash Hairspray lights up the stage through June 1. With bold moves, big laughs, and an even bigger heart, the production has already launched its run with high energy and heartfelt performances—and there’s still time for audiences to catch the fun.

Set in 1962 Baltimore, Hairspray follows the irrepressible Tracy Turnblad, a plus-sized teen who dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show. When her wish comes true, Tracy rockets into the public eye—but rather than settle into stardom, she takes on a much bigger mission: integrating the television show and changing the conversation about who gets to be seen and celebrated. Fueled by a vibrant score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, including showstoppers like “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Hairspray delivers a joyful, high-powered musical that encourages everyone to dance to their own rhythm.

Whether you’re a fan of dazzling choreography, socially conscious storytelling, or just looking for a feel-good night at the theater, Hairspray offers something for all generations. The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center’s intimate venue makes for an up-close experience where every seat feels like a front row. For those who haven’t yet attended, this is a show worth making time for—full of laughter, relevance, and the kind of live performance magic that stays with you.

The celebration continues on Saturday, May 31, when the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation hosts the 2025 Spotlight Awards, its signature community fundraiser. Guests will be treated to 1960s diner-style fare prepared fresh on-site by Rock N Roll Cafe, followed by desserts and a silent auction. After a brief awards ceremony, the night concludes with a special performance of Hairspray, offering a full evening of recognition, reflection, and entertainment.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)
Simi Valley’s Future Leaders Just Planted Roots—Literally

They came to learn about Simi Valley. They leave having helped shape it.

The Leadership Simi Valley Class of 2025 unveiled their community project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Simi Valley Free Clinic on Friday, May 3. The event showcased a landscaping upgrade that brings beauty and shade to the clinic’s front entrance. The planted two Sycamore trees and installed an improved sprinkler system to support long-term growth.

“We hope these trees will offer shade and a sense of calm to everyone who visits. That’s what this space—and this clinic—deserves,” member Earle Okamoto said in a statement.

Four additional Sycamore trees were donated and will be planted at Hollow Hills Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary School.

Project Chair Jessica Getchius said she entered the program hoping to deepen her community involvement and develop both personally and professionally.
“This program has exceeded my expectations. I’ve made incredible connections, gained new skills, and learned so much about how our city works. Leading the project was an honor, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished together,” she said.

The project was made possible through donations from Leadership alumni, community members, the Rotary Clubs of Simi Sunrise, Simi Valley, and Simi Sunset, Liberty RX, Ventura County Credit Union, Green Thumb Nursery, and Performance Nursery.

(continue reading: https://clair.id/2025/05/08/simi-valleys-future-leaders-just-planted-roots-literally/
Simi Valley Police Step Up for Mental Health Aware Simi Valley Police Step Up for Mental Health Awareness

Everyone knows someone who’s struggled with their mental health—maybe it’s someone close, maybe it’s yourself. Whether the struggle is recent or ongoing, visible or hidden, one thing is clear: no one should face it alone.

On May 17, people will walk together in support of that truth. NAMIWalks Ventura County is more than a fundraiser—it’s a moment of connection. It’s where families, neighbors and local heroes like first responders come together to break stigma and offer hope.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year. For children, the numbers are just as sobering—about half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. Treatment is available, but it isn’t always a straight path. Finding the right support can take time, trial and error and, above all, the steady presence of loved ones who care.

This year’s event will be supported by the Simi Valley Police Department, whose visible involvement reflects a broader commitment to behavioral health. According to a statement from the department, NAMIWalks Ventura County 2025 aims to raise $100,000 to help sustain NAMI’s free education, peer support and advocacy services throughout the region.

Officers complete a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) academy hosted by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Ventura County Behavioral Health and NAMI Ventura County. SVPD Detective Jeff Takeda said the training is designed to give officers the skills they need to respond to mental health crises with safety, compassion and a focus on connecting individuals to care.

Takeda, who serves on the NAMI Ventura County board, will be at the May 17 event at Royal High School to support the organization’s mission. “I’m working to help bring more of NAMI’s services here to Simi Valley,” he said. “These are more than public safety goals—they’re public health priorities.”

SVPD will also host a recruitment booth at the walk.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)
Puppy Eyes or Rosie’s Calm Gaze? Meet the Dogs T Puppy Eyes or Rosie’s Calm Gaze? Meet the Dogs That Need You Now More Than Ever

The Camarillo Animal Shelter is bursting at the seams—138% kennel capacity and counting. That means dogs are doubling up, resources are stretched, and staff are working overtime to make sure every tail still gets a wag and every pup still feels seen. To help ease the pressure and give these animals the second chance they deserve, the shelter is waiving all dog adoption fees through Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11.

It’s a great time to open your home—and your heart—to a dog in need. This week, two faces stand out.

The first is just eight weeks old, a tiny mix of French Bulldog and Pit Bull Terrier with big brown eyes and a whole lot of curiosity. She was found in Oxnard with five siblings and brought in on Saturday. Right now, she weighs about eight pounds and fits easily in your arms—but give her a little time and love, and she’s going to grow into a loyal companion. She’ll be available for adoption starting Friday, May 9, and she’s waiting in kennel 132.

Then there’s Rosie. At 16, she’s already given the best years of her life to someone—maybe a family, maybe a person living alone—and now she finds herself back at square one. Rosie is an American Staffordshire Terrier, gentle and calm, with soft eyes and a sweet demeanor. She came in on April 25, also found in Oxnard, and she’s been waiting patiently in kennel 102. She’s ready to go home today.

Rosie and the puppy are at opposite ends of life’s arc—one just beginning, the other hoping for comfort and love in her final chapter. But they’ve got the same wish: a safe place to land, someone to love them, and a shot at something better than a concrete kennel.

The Camarillo Animal Shelter is located at 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with the last adoption showing at 5:30 p.m. The shelter is closed on Mondays, but open all weekend—including Mother’s Day.

(continue reading: follow link in bio)
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