Trust your pets with a professional

When her cat Charlie became asthmatic and needed inhaled medicine several times a day, Beth Martin knew she needed a professional pet sitter. “My other cats were much younger, and

Downtown Adventures with Aunt Gigi

My Aunt Gisela, aka “Gigi,” always took me to the coolest places when I was a kid. During my obsession with old movies around age 11, we hopped on her

Best Breakfasts in Town

It’s often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yet so many people rush through it with an uninspiring bowl of cereal or worse, skip it

Soul-satisfying Asian fusion at My Hot Pot

Back in 1999, I was living in Shanghai, China, a Southern California girl trying to find her way in a very foreign land. What I enjoyed exploring most there was

Things to Do: Oh yes to Ojai!

By Michelle Sathe For a quick getaway, Ojai has a lot to offer. It’s just an hour from Santa Clarita, yet once you’re driving along the rolling hills of highway

Fun, fresh, fabulous: Pho Ha 888

By Michelle Sathe Good things come to those who wait, but you won’t have to wait long for good things at Pho Ha 888. Sure, the restaurant spends 16 hours

“Mom” Sure Can Cook

From the outside it’s just part of a modest strip mall, but step into Mom Can Cook Thai Kitchen in Canyon Country and you’re immediately transported to another world. A

Homeopathy provides alternative for pets

Vanessa Brookman was scared. Her beloved six year old pit bull terrier, Jack, had suffered a rare allergic reaction to a medication prescribed for an ear infection, causing him to

Seniors hear presentation about Frederick Douglass

More than 100 years after his death, Frederick Douglass is still making news. The revered author, abolitionist, social reformer, and orator was cited as “somebody who’s done an amazing job”

“A Miracle Worker”

As a child in India, Bijula Yusin had a soft spot for the stray pets in her community, often taking them home. “I always wanted to care for animals,” Yusin

Tapping their way to health and happiness

“5, 6, 7, 8!” Click, clack, click, clack, click, clack. The hardwood floors at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center come alive with sound every Thursday morning during a weekly

Heart disease in pets

When Heather Mohr took her dog Max for a veterinary visit at one year old, it was revealed the Lhaso Apso mix had a grade 1 heart murmur. Nothing came

Never too late for laughs

Richard Myers had slight nerves before taking the stage as a stand-up comic for the first time last December, but they quickly went away. “Once I heard the first laugh,

Bringing history to life

With little more than a construction paper kitchen set as a backdrop, Julia Child was brought back to life for a rapt audience at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center

‘I don’t see a downside’

Five times a week for the last five years, Royce Smith stands ready at 5 a.m. to start his day at Results Fitness in Newhall. Sometimes, he even gets there

Cannabis, the hottest new pet supplement

It all started with her parent’s dog, Toby. The 140 pound Akita and Great Dane mix had been adopted as a puppy and quickly developed stomach issues ranging from diarrhea

Seniors for seniors

Meet three senior dogs from Castaic Animal Care and Control that are looking for homes. Double the love with Diego and PJ, 10 year old Yorkshire terriers. These low-key sweeties

‘This is real purpose’

Joy Anderson is a strong woman. She spent decades working in law enforcement for the Los Angeles Police Department and the United States Marshals before retiring four years ago. At

Connecting with Wolves

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a wolf pack? Mingling with the majestic creatures is the highlight of an educational tour at the Shadowland Foundation