Categories
Arts & Crafts Business

Printer Problems: My Hurdles Starting an At-Home Print Farm

Ever since I began diving into the complex hobby of 3D-printing at the beginning of 2025, I had the idea of starting a small scale print farm as a side hustle. It seemed easy enough; I already had all I needed to start: a printer, filament, and access to the best marketing tool in history – social media. Despite apparent ease of entry, I was seemingly met with hurdles each step of the way, and although these issues are shared by just about everyone in the hobby space, I hope to share my own experiences dealing with them.

1. Setup

The first, and in my case, easiest, challenge that needed tackling is actually setting up the printer. The out-of-box experience can differ wildly depending on the brand, but one of the reasons I ended up buying the Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus was its ease of setup. The printer came almost complete when it arrived, with the base plate (housing its power supply, printing bed, and microcontroller) and gantry (the part responsible for vertical, or Z axis, movement with the hot-end attached) needing to be screwed together with braces attached to keep everything rigid. In all, assembly took about 30 minutes when following the included instruction booklet. Easy. The real challenge began once it was powered on for the first time: leveling. Almost all modern 3D printers have some system of auto-leveling baked in, where the hot-end, the bit that actually heats and extrudes the filament, moves up and down over a set number of points along the printing bed to measure something called the Z-offset. This offset tells the printer how much vertical movement to add or subtract from its determined path depending on where it is on the bed, and this is usually enough to ensure quality print layers. However, this can only compensate for so much, and to ensure it isn’t overcompensating, manual leveling of the bed must be done. This was the biggest challenge for me as a newbie to the hobby, as it required multiple cycles of heating and cooling the bed, all while adjusting the level with screws under the bed to ensure it was as level as possible. This step was easily the longest, taking several hours over a few days to ensure things were right before I could even do a test print, but once things looked good I was off to the races.

2. Slicers

Or at least I thought I was. The next hurdle I needed to pass was choosing a slicer to use. A slicer is a program for your computer that takes a 3D model and “slices” it into hundreds or thousands of layers and converts those to instructions for the printer to read. This is how the printer knows what paths to take, how much filament to extrude and at what temperature to make the model you want. Each slicer, no matter who it’s made by, works in the same way, but there are some that are better than others. The one that was recommended for my printer was programmed by Elegoo, called Cura Slicer, and was made to be as user friendly as possible, which sounded great for me. But, as I browsed through forums for my printer I kept coming across people saying the print quality with Cura isn’t as good as another called Orca. As I didn’t want to be wasting time and filament on prints I wouldn’t be happy with, I ended up going with Orca at first. But my word, is Orca a nightmare for beginners. From selecting which printer you have to the endless, meaningless adjustments you can make to the print, this program gave no information to help you if you didn’t already know what you were doing. It was so overwhelming and poorly designed that I ended up having to take its quality at other’s words, and scurried back to Cura where I at least was walked through its initial setup. The one thing I took away from that debacle was it’s okay to get your toes wet in the kiddie pool before taking a high-dive into the deep end. And when I did finally get a test print made, I was more than happy with its quality, and it showed my leveling gauntlet from earlier had paid off.

Prints for my businesses first customer, hanger clips for ceiling fan remotes, sliced on Cura

3. Mishaps and Maintenance

There’s no doubt that 3D printers are complicated machines. Their precision comes at the cost of tight tolerances and smooth turning motors to make each layer as even as possible, and constant check-ups are required to make sure you don’t end up with a smeared mess of plastic dangling off the nozzle. I learned that there were numerous steps to take before setting off on a print to make sure things went smoothly, from ensuring bolts that held that hot-end onto the gantry were tight to lubricating the stepper motors on the Z-axis to help keep layers consistent. The two biggest steps I failed to take at first, though, were making sure the nozzle was clear of clogs and keeping the PEI bed-sheet clean.

The hot-end nozzles are small, threaded brass with a 0.4 mm opening for the filament to flow out of, and one of the most common issues to have with them is a small metal flake left over from manufacturing coming lose and clogging the opening. When this happened to me, I only noticed when molten filament began flowing out of the cooling fan before solidifying, creating an enormous blob that clogged up the entire hot-end. Thankfully, a teardown and an hour of scraping bits away saved me from a costly replacement. The other issue that left me with ruined prints (on numerous occasions) was failing to clean the PEI bed-sheet clean. PEI, or polyetherimide, bed-sheets are useful 3D printer accessories as their texture is grippy when hot, and then smooth once they cool allowing for easy removal of a printed piece. However, they’re useful only as long as they’re maintained, as they’re really vulnerable to dust and fingerprints that compromise their adhesive qualities. I failed to properly clean mine with soapy warm water on several prints, resulting in the print breaking loose from the bed and smearing hot plastic all over, wasting meters of material. I thought I had learned my lesson the first time…

My Lessons Learned

If there is any single takeaway from all the issues I’ve had getting into 3D printing, it’s this: go slow. There isn’t any rush, as with any hobby, and there’s no expectation to get things perfect right away. I feel as though I was disillusioned by online guides and self-proclaimed gurus into thinking things would be smooth as butter once I got the printer up and running, and getting dragged through the mud of issues and setbacks only solidified what I ended up learning. 3D printing isn’t an easy hobby to jump into, and it takes patience and some technical know-how to navigate the deluge of information and come out sane. I do really hope that in time it becomes more simplified; closer to a true plug-and-play experience. There are some products out there that have been tailored to new hobbyists, such as the printers from Bambu Labs, but the cost of those is still a prohibitive barrier for some.

In closing, I hope my experiences can be taken not as a cautionary tale for those wanting to get into 3D printing, but as valuable information on what to expect that is seldom mentioned openly online. 3D printing is a wonderful, satisfying hobby for those inclined to tinker and create, and one that no-one will ever truly master. There will always be a new technique, new thing to print, new modification to mess with, and plenty of screwups to learn from. And that’s why I love it.

Categories
Food & Dining Local Business

The Best Dining In The 805

In today’s day and age, we as people are so accustomed to the food we eat being fast, industrialized, machine made and lacking any soul. Fast food chains litter towns and cities as the easy, on-the-go spot to grab a bite to eat. Dining culture in the United States made that shift in the 1960’s when places like McDonalds opened their doors and the world was first exposed to how cheap, quick and reliable food could be. It seems that since that time, real dining experiences and food culture have been lost to some extent and everyplace must feel as streamlined as possible. In this article, We will discuss some of the best dining experiences in Ventura County that bring food and experience to the forefront and offer guests with meals that’ll have them returning over and over. 

The first restaurant on this list is Azafran. A family owned Spanish-Peruvian Fusion restaurant located in Camarillo’s old town. Azafran offers a cozy ambiance and stunning menu with dishes ranging from blackened octopus, prosciutto toast, Shrimp tacos, Peruvian ceviche, and French press coffee to go along with it all.

Photo Via Visit Camarillo

The spot offers a breakfast/brunch service as well as dinner with a small menu that is perfected by the chef. Even with the smaller sized menu, there are still options for everyone with dietary restrictions in mind.

Plenty of satisfying vegetarian options like Chaufa, a vegetable fried rice or the Pulpo, a confit potato dish with white bean puree and cherry tomatoes. Pictures of their dishes, although plated marvelously, still can’t express how flavorful, and delicious the dishes are. The cozy atmosphere mixed with the open kitchen design and almost home-interior like layout, Azafran truly makes you feel like you’re at home with some of the best food you could possibly imagine.

The next restaurant is Am Noodle, located off telephone road in Ventura. Thai restaurants are in no shortage in the area, but few offer the more traditional style of dishes as Am Noodle does.

What brought the restaurant to my attention initially was people raving about how a dish they grew up with was finally done right again, which soon after, prompted a visit with some friends. The place is small, only seating around 20 people, but the food and overall atmosphere makes up for it. Thai food is easily accommodated to almost anyone’s food needs whether that be vegetarian, vegan, or any allergies. I’ve tried many different Thai curries at various places but almost nothing compares to their Panang Curry. A thick, red curry with much more citrus and zest than it’s counterparts. Served steaming hot with a heart shaped mound of white rice on the side, every bite is as good as the last one and will keep you wanting more.

A place I find to have had a redemption from an earlier time, The Greek, located at the Ventura harbor had had its ups and downs but has seen itself still thriving to this day and remains a place that stands out in the city.

The Greek opened its doors in 1994, making it the oldest location on this list. In 2011 the restaurant was featured on Gordan Ramsey’s “Kitchen Nightmares” where he went around the country to various struggling restaurants and helped lift them out of the chaos. The Greek, which has been family run, was in turmoil and the food was poorly rated at the time, but since that time, the restaurant has been one of the few from the show to survive the test of time and flourish since then. When dining here you are greeted with the scenic view of the Ventura Harbor which radiates in the sun during the day time, and glows with the lights of boats and the harbor walkway at night. The restaurant features a large outdoor patio, perfectly suited for its environment as well as a cozy interior that shimmers with the blues and white that resemble the Greek flag. The food is some of the best Greek and Mediterranean cuisine in town and offers authentic flavors as well as globally known delights like Souvlaki and Moussaka. If you are looking for fresh caught seafood or great quality steak, The Greek is for you. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as supplying guests with a full bar, the restaurant also offers live music and dancing at nights, taking advantage of their location size and setting by the water. The Greek is one of those places you could take a date, or a group of your friends and enjoy a great meal, great atmosphere and a great view.

The last place, while not in Ventura County proper, but still within the boundaries of the “805” is The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. Tucked away in a small cove a few miles from Santa Barbara’s State Street, the Boathouse is an upscale seafood spot that although bustling, is still loungy in nature.

This is the most expensive and upscale place on this list, and although it’s not a family owned restaurant like that others, it is still a place that serves tremendous food that is perfect for a special occasion type of meal. They boast a menu that ranges from eggs benedict for breakfast to a seared mahi mahi and lobster risotto for dinner as well as a raw bar that brings oysters, clams, mussels and anything else you could want. Similar to The Greek, the view and setting of this restaurant makes it stand out against other places. Tucked away in a quiet cove, the restaurant has a massive gallery window looking out towards the ocean. Upon my visit here, it was a clear evening with a bit of swell in the water which provided the view of a few surfers out in the water, with the backdrop of the setting sun. The view alone is enough to make you enjoy your experience, but the food will keep you wanting to come back every chance you get.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/godspeedyou_zachemperor/

Categories
Beauty & Wellness

The Benefits of Getting a Facial

We all love our self care/ love days after a long week of stress, but sometimes we don’t know where to start. Well let me tell you that getting a facial is the best thing to try for you and your skin.  A facial is a skin treatment that improves your skin health and overall well being. Facials are also known for relaxation which everyone needs, due to the gentle massages they incorporate to target facial muscles and help to release tension.  It also increases blood flow to the skin which brings nutrients and oxygen to reduce stress and promote a healthy, radiant complexion. Stress damages our skin by acne outbreaks, as well as dehydration. 

What’s include in a Facial

There are 5 steps that a facial includes in your appointment

  • Cleansing: Helps remove dirt and makeup away from your skin before starting the process of your treatment 
  • Exfoliation: Exfoliants are used with scrubs or gloves to exfoliate your skin with circle motion. To help remove dead skin cells and unclogging pores.
  • Extract: Extraction is for blackheads, white heads, and other dirtiness of pores. In my opinion this is my least favorite part of a facial but it is worth the pain. 
  • Massage: Warm body wraps, rubbing tools in your head, massage in your neck, arms, and back help reduce stress and relax tense facial muscles.
  •   Hydrate: At the end of the treatment they finish it up with serums and moisturizers to deeply hydrate your skin. As well sunscreen to prevent any damage after exfoliating or hyperpigmentation. 

Types of facials 

Hydrafacial- One of the most popular treatments there is in esthetician. It’s very helpful for those who suffer from dry skin, this treatment is a deep cleanse that hydrates your skin and gives the glow right away. It reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and clears clogged prove, lastly it improves skin tones.

Chemical Peel- A way to exfoliate the skin and promotes a new skin growth which by the ways this helps remove dead skin cells, plus it leads you for a smooth and more even tone skin

Microneedling- A procedure that is more a medical service that includes a pen with multiple mini needles which helps with the appearance of line, wrinkles, and acne scars. This facial boosts your collagen system which helps your skin look smooth. 

Dermaplaning- Removes the outermost layer of dead skin which allows better product penetration especially when applying active ingredients and moisturizers 

Addressing Specific Skin Concerns:

Estheticians recommend getting a facial every 4-6 weeks for better results. This may depend on your skin concerns, type, and goals. I personally usually get it once done every month, so it helps me stay within my budget. Oily, Acne-prone, and dry skin is recommended to receive a facial every 4 weeks to manage any type of concerns and stay consistent with the progress. It’s totally normal that after receiving your facial treatment, your skin will be red and become inflamed due to removing all the toxins & bacteria from your skin. It is key to prevent sun exposure after your treatment. It is a must to have a hat to block the sun and depending on the treatment received to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.

Results

As you can see I’m a girl that suffers from acne, I completely understand how that might feel. From my experience, it was really hard at first to find a solution, but after having that door open where it lead me to a new beginning for my skin. I discovered the treatments of facials and took it as a beautiful opportunity to instead in my skincare. Hydrafacial is one of my favorite treatment at the moment which completely improved and restored my skin hydration while helping me control and prevents future breakouts. So don’t put off getting a facial, Trust me you and your skin will thank me later !:)



Categories
Arts & Entertainment Books & Literature

Can’t get enough of these shows or movies? Read these books!

Have you ever finished a show or movie and wished you could experience something like it again? If you have, this is for you. Keep reading to find books similar to some movies/shows you love! Whatever genre you’re looking for, there is a book that can replicate that feeling.

Romance 🩷

Gossip Girl → Magnolia Parks

Both the series and the novel have similar themes—high society, “whodunit” mysteries, Drama, and huge parties—that follow wealthy friends as they navigate their lives. Much like Gossip Girl, Magnolia Parks dives into relationships, betrayals, and scandals that come with growing up in a world where reputation is everything.

Where to watch: Netflix, Max, and Hulu
Buy the Book: Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

Gilmore Girls → The Pumpkin Spice Café

Both the series and the novel have similar themes, like small towns, tight-knit bonds, and cafés. Both are cozy and comforting, with not a lot of drama. If you love the warm, familiar feeling of Gilmore Girls, this novel will be the perfect escape.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+
Buy the Book: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

Mystery/Crime 🔍

Criminal Minds → The Naturals

Both the series and the novel are about FBI agents solving crimes. They’re both quick and easy to get through, keeping your attention the entire way through, and have a psychological thriller aspect. Criminal Minds focuses more on skilled agents, while The Naturals is about teenagers who were picked by the FBI to help solve crimes.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Paramount+, Sling TV,
Buy the Book: The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Knives Out → The Inheritance Games

The movie and the novel involve wealthy, dysfunctional families, games, twists, and secrets. They will do whatever it takes to get the inheritance. Both are high-stakes and fast-paced. Knives Out is about solving a murder, while The Inheritance Games is about a series of games a girl has to go through to claim her fortune.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube
Buy the Book: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Pretty Little Liars → One of Us Is Lying

The show and the novel are similar because both focus on a murder where the main characters try to figure out who did it. In both, the characters are being watched and blackmailed into doing whatever the unknown person wants. Pretty Little Liars and One of Us Is Lying follow groups of teens whose lives change when their darkest secrets are threatened to be revealed.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Max
Buy the Book: One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Fantasy 🔮

Divergent → Shatter Me

The movie and the novel have similar aspects that follow a fight for freedom, dystopian settings, and different economic statuses. Both have strong female leads and are fighting against a controlling Government. In Divergent, Tris uncovers secrets while navigating a world divided into factions. In Shatter Me, Juliette fights against the cruel reestablishment with her lethal powers.

Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime
Buy the Book: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

The Witcher → Throne of Glass

Both the show and the novel follow skilled fighters on missions, in magical worlds, with intense action. The novel leans more towards young adults, while the show is for a more mature audience. While The Witcher has more mature themes like politics and tough life choices, Throne of Glass has thrilling battles with personal growth.

Where to Watch: Netflix
Buy the book: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

———————————————————————————–

Whether you need some romance, mystery, or fantasy, these books will capture that same feeling. My personal favorites would have to be Magnolia Parks or The Naturals. If I have missed any that you would like to share, be sure to comment. I hope this helped you find your next read!

Categories
Sports & Leisure

The Best Golf Courses in Ventura County

Best Public Golf Course

Soule Park

Nestled in the Ojai Valley, Soule Park Golf Course designed in 1962 by William F. Bell was renovated in 2005 by famous golf course architect Gil Hanse. This transformation led to Soule Park becoming one of the best public golf courses in California because of its beautiful scenic views surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains, high quality maintenance all with affordable green fees. 

Covering over 300 acres of land, this 18 hole, 6,800 yard, par 72 course is a perfect spot for golfers to enjoy a peaceful and scenic round of golf in the heart of Ojai Valley.

Best Private Golf Course

The Saticoy Club

Tucked in the hillsides of Somis, The Saticoy Club is the first private members only club in Ventura County. Designed in 1921 by architect William F. Bell, The Saticoy Country Club is regarded as “one of the most respected and elite golf courses in Southern California”. 

It has hosted many USGA Championship Qualifiers and Amateur Championships. This 18 hole, par 72 championship golf course is known for its pristine conditions and challenging layout, making it one of the best private courses in Southern California.  

Best Overall Golf Course

Sherwood Country Club

The Sherwood Country Club, a Jack Nicklaus designed signature golf course in Lake Sherwood in the Santa Monica Mountains. This PGA Tour course is no secret to fame, Tiger Woods has won 5 times on this course during the “World Challenge” Tournaments.

Tiger Woods playing at Sherwood Country Club

Tiger Woods Playing at Sherwood Country Club

Opened in 1989, Sherwood Country Club has around 375 golf memberships, this members only golf course is the best golf course in Ventura County with its perfect conditions, beautiful scenery surrounded by luxury homes, and has a great history from PGA events. 

Best Affordable Golf Course

Camarillo Springs Golf Course

If you want affordability, peace and quiet, Camarillo Springs is your go to. This scenic course pays for itself just from the breathtaking views of the mountains and peacefulness. If you want to have a nice round of golf with your friends, drink some beers and have a good time then you will definitely enjoy playing this course. Though it is not maintained too well, you have to try out this course if you want some peace and quiet. Located right off the 101 in Camarillo, this 18 hole, par 72 course is a great bang for your buck. 

Hidden Gem

Sterling Hills Golf Club

Sterling Hills, a hidden gem in Ventura County. This 18 hole, 6,800 yard, 71 par course was designed in 1999 by Damian Pascuzzo and Robert M. Graves. In between the Camarillo hills and avocado trees lies Sterling Hills golf course, the first and only public golf course in Ventura County when it opened in 1999. Surrounded by tall Eucalyptus trees, this course is in great condition, has a lot of elevation changes, and has a feel of a private golf course. If you want a peaceful round of golf surrounded by great landscapes, Sterling Hills is the place for you.

Categories
Nature & Outdoors

Explore Your Local Outdoors: 5 Hiking Trails in Ventura County

As a college student, I find that I spend a lot of time sitting down; whether it’s in front of my computer or in class, I don’t really give my body the movement it requires on a daily basis. I enjoy scrolling and watching countless hours of media on my phone as much as the next person. Recently I realized the negative impact all of this lack of movement was having on me both mentally and physically, so I decided to act. I conducted some research on various hiking trails in Ventura County, and I’ve been tackling them one by one, feeling incredibly motivated as each week passes by. The moment I reach the highest point of elevation in a trail truly feels liberating, and the scenery is unlike anything else. The fresh breeze is genuinely the best de-stress tool out there. As we enter the last month of this spring semester and stress levels increase with final projects, assignment due dates, and exams, I thought of sharing some of these hiking trails with everyone in hopes that someone finds it beneficial.

I currently own zero hiking equipment. I’ve used my Hoka running shoes up until now because they’re incredibly lightweight and comfortable (not an ad), except for the previous two falls in which those features didn’t help much. But in all seriousness, for my future safety, I will be purchasing some highly recommended slip-resistant hiking shoes. Now I’m not saying everyone should purchase some quality shoes because that comes down to individual opinion; I’m simply sharing my experiences.

Preparation Suggestions:

While indulging in some vitamin D brought to you by the sunny California weather, it’s crucial to take sun-protective measures seriously. Apply your sunscreen, wear a hat, and protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses. Personally, I try to embark on these trails in the mornings to avoid the midday heat. I highly encourage everyone to carry water at all times to avoid heat exhaustion. Preparation is the key to enjoying the outdoors.

Remember to respect the park rangers and the signs; please do not litter. In simple words, respect nature at all times.

Now let’s get to these hiking recommendations! PSA: These trails are not arranged in any order of difficulty.

  1. Mugu Peak

Located: Pt. Mugu State Park (off the PCH)

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 2.0 miles

Time to Complete: 2 hrs. approx.

Pet Friendly: No

Trail Route Type: Out & Back, or you can take this 0.8-mile longer loop trail.

2. Ray Miller Backbone Trail

Located: Pt. Mugu State Park (off the PCH)

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 5.4 miles

Time to Complete: 2 hrs. 40 min. approx.

Pet Friendly: No

Trail Route Type: Out & Back

3. Arroyo Verde Trail

Located: Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 2.3 miles

Time to Complete: 1 hr. approx.

Pet Friendly: Dogs on a leash

Trail Route Type: Loop

4. Paradise Falls

Located: Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 4.1 miles

Time to Complete: 1 hr. 50 min. approx.

Pet Friendly: Yes. Dogs must be on a leash.

Trail Route Type: Loop

5. The 102 Trail and Price Family Loop

Located: Harmon Canyon Preserve in Ventura

(Offers many paths, but some aren’t currently accessible; this one is!)

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 4.3 miles

Time to Complete: 2 hrs. approx.

Pet Friendly: Yes. Dogs must be on a leash; they’re not allowed past the 1.8-mile mark.

Trail Route Type: Loop

Overall, whether I’m out there by myself or with others, hiking truly gets rid of every ounce of anxiety and stress in my body. There are numerous trails out there to embark on rather than simply sit around and worry about what can go wrong. I hope this article has sparked some interest in you; don’t be afraid to take some time to create some memorable outdoor moments.

Any hiking trail recommendations are welcomed. Thank you!

Categories
Beauty & Wellness Local Business

Small Business Spotlight – Ventura Pilates Lab

Ventura Pilates Lab

With summer quickly approaching, it is the perfect time to begin prioritizing health, fitness, and most importantly… YOU. With this in mind, I took my first-ever Pilates class at the Pilates Lab in Ventura.

The studio, located at 2415 E Main St in Ventura, is nestled above an OBGYN office. Pilates Lab is a woman-owned business that opened its doors in February of 2024 by owner Shannon Barbaro.

Let’s be honest, the hashtag # PilatesPrincess circulating on my Instagram feed inspired me to take a Pilates class. After careful research on the Pilates studios Ventura has to offer, I finalized my decision on Pilates Lab.

With this in mind, I reached out to my cousin Cheri Hays, who is an instructor at the studio. This studio has all glowing 5-star reviews from customers who rave about the offered classes, amenities, and instructors.

My cousin Cheri and I took Jaime’s 8:30am class on Saturday, and let me tell you, the reviews were right! After my 50-minute class, thanks to the controlled movements and deep body alignment my body felt powerful. Mentally, I felt a sense of calmness and mindfulness.

Pictured on the left is Jaime Clark, in the middle is Cheri Hays, and on the right is owner, Shannon Barbaro.

I’d like to point out that I am not the kind of girl who is ready to slay the day at 8:30am. However, afterwards I felt uplifted inside and out, feeling good about myself. You know what they say, look good, feel good.

How my 8:30AM class looked

The studio is beautifully decorated with greenery and fosters a relaxing environment as soon as you step through the doors. In the picture above is an iconic piece of Pilates equipment known as the Reformer. During our class, we used the reformers to engage our quads, core, and arms. It was unlike any workout I have experienced before.

What sets Pilates Lab apart from other studios in Ventura? Shannon Barbaro focuses on biohacking, which she describes as the “full body, anything done to improve the qualities and capabilities of a living organism” (Barbaro). The studio uses “Theralight 360 whole-body light therapy, NuCalm sound healing, and Power Plate to help you achieve your best possible results” (Barbaro). Follow this link to their website to learn more about their class offerings and how these therapeutic machines transform your body.

For anyone like me, who was curious to learn more about Pilates or even take their first class, I recommend trying Pilates Lab in Ventura! Click here to find Pilates Lab via Instagram, or click this to visit instructor Cheri’s Instagram page. Now, stop pilating around and book a class!

Categories
Books & Literature Local Business

A Great Big Beautiful Night at Smitten Bookstore

There’s something incredibly magical about being in a room with people who love the same things you do. That’s exactly how it felt walking into Smitten Bookstore for the release party of Emily Henry’s new novel, Great Big Beautiful Life. 

I went with three of my friends and honestly, just being surrounded by a bunch of other Em Hen fans felt like its own kind of celebration. It wasn’t just about the book (even though obviously, we were all really hyped for it). It was about being around people who know the feeling of falling headfirst into a story you love.

Smitten is not just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill bookstore. It’s a romance and women’s literature store, and let me tell you, the vibe is unmatched. The owner, May, has curated every book on the shelf with so much care, and it shows; you can see it reflected in everything that is offered at Smitten. The store isn’t just a place to buy books; whether it’s your first time there or you’re one of The Regulars, it feels like home — warm, inviting, and familiar. You can feel how much love and passion May has poured into this store.

Not only do you get to connect with other Emily Henry fans (or just romance fans in general), but Smitten runs a seriously great trivia night. Like, stump-even-the-biggest-Em-Hen-fans kind of great. Some of the questions had us second-guessing everything we thought we knew! A huge bonus: yours truly won a signed copy of the book for scoring 16/30 😎

One of my favorite parts of the night was just hanging out with my friends and chatting with other book lovers (iykyk!) There’s something so easy and fun about meeting people who instantly get why you’re so excited.

I left Smitten that night with my brand new book, and that giddy, can’t-wait-to-read feeling.

Events like this remind me why local bookstores matter so much. They’re not just places to buy books; they’re places to celebrate them — and to find the kind of connection that reminds you life is, indeed, a great big beautiful thing.

You can check out Smitten on Instagram here!

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Categories
Arts & Entertainment Podcasts

For Your Review – Future Stars Podcast

Listen Now

In this episode of the VC Social podcast, three friends, ⁠Raya⁠, ⁠Cristian⁠, and ⁠Devonte⁠, share music with each other, spotlighting artists with under 500,000 monthly listeners. From musicians in the community to musicians worldwide, there is so much undiscovered talent and, together, they are here to share it with you. Hopefully, you can find some new music and new favorite artists over the next 45 minutes.

Interested in the songs played? Here is the playlist, which is not in order of discussion, but it’s all there for your listening enjoyment!

If you want to see more from this trio, you can check out their socials!

⁠Raya’s Instagram⁠

⁠Cristian’s Instagram⁠

⁠Devonte’s Instagram

Categories
Food & Beverage Local Business

Snapper Jack’s

This beloved family-owned taco shack has been delighting the community of Ventura County with its mouthwatering food since the year 2000! Snapper Jack’s is joyfully celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. They proudly offer a delightful blend of Mexican and seafood dishes at their three fantastic locations in Ventura, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks. With an exciting array of items on their menu, plus special offerings from time to time, and nine different savory salsas to elevate any dish, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Among the nine salsas, their Secret Shack Sauce and Yolandas stand out as the fan favorites!

Legendary Salsa Bar

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Cinthya, the incredible store manager at the Ventura location. She embarked on her journey with Snapper Jacks at just 19 years old back in 2016, starting at their original location in Ventura. Later that same year, she transitioned to the dearly missed Downtown Ventura location to lend a hand, showcasing her dedication. Cinthya truly enjoys the vibrant environment, appreciating how Snapper Jacks genuinely cares for and values its employees. The company offers great growth opportunities, promoting employees from assistant manager to a possible store manager. Snapper Jacks has flourished within the community by hosting fundraisers and providing support and donations in various ways. Even during COVID, they continued to serve the community through DoorDash and online orders. Cinthya describes the atmosphere as beachy, infused with 60’s and 70’s surfing and skating vibes. She values bravery, outgoing personalities, charisma, and teamwork in potential new employees, taking her time to get to know them and ensuring they prioritize customer service. From her perspective, the best-selling item is the Jacks Combo, featuring a choice of any two tacos (grilled or battered fish, chicken, steak, or potato) accompanied by rice and beans. For newcomers, Cinthya is the go-to person for recommendations, providing informative answers to any questions. Her favorite menu item is the Cancun burrito, which she describes as “like fireworks in your mouth, bursting with flavors and a perfect mix of seafood and Mexican food.” The Cancun burrito includes sautéed shrimp, real crab, rice, jack cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, and avocado slices. When I asked her to encapsulate Snapper Jacks in a single sentence, she joyfully replied, “Overall welcoming, warm, and eye-catching.”

Snapper Jacks is brimming with hardworking staff who bring positivity and dedication to their roles. The kitchen team arrives bright and early each morning to craft everything fresh from scratch, ensuring quality and flavor. Complementing them is a wonderful group of devoted cashiers and managers, all eager to serve the community. Their warm, caring, and attentive nature creates a friendly atmosphere, always greeting customers with a bright smile. Snapper Jacks has recently introduced delicious Chile Relleno items, and I highly recommend heading over to give these delightful dishes a try!

Nestor is a senior manager thriving at all three locations of Snapper Jacks, a company he absolutely loves being part of, thanks to their fantastic flexibility with his schedule. He proudly joined the team through his father, who was a chef for Snapper Jacks, and since 2011, he has witnessed remarkable growth over the years. The working environment radiates warmth and camaraderie, with everyone collaborating joyfully. Nestor has seen Snapper Jacks blossom within the community, understanding that this vibrant spirit is the heart and soul of the business. It’s uplifting to watch people come and go, sharing their delightful stories of frequent visits over generations and recounting how Snapper Jacks has been their treasured first stop in town. New customers often walk in, excited for their first adventure and eagerly seeking recommendations. Nestor happily suggests the nachos with chicken and also recommends the Mahi tacos, filled with cabbage, cheese, and Shack sauce, while they’re still available. His personal favorite is the scrumptious Chicken Caesar burrito, packed with chicken, caesar, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and tortilla strips. When asked to describe Snapper Jacks in one sentence, he beamed, “Very welcoming, a great place for some delicious food!”

I had the fantastic opportunity of speaking with Jarrid, the general manager of Snapper Jacks, who has been a beloved part of the Snapper Jacks family since 2000, just three months after the opening. He truly enjoys working for Jack and Laura, as they are incredibly gracious and appreciative of their entire team. Across all their locations, there’s a joyful commitment to maintaining the original vibe and environment. With the lively 60’s music, charming decor, vintage Schwinn bicycles, classic longboards, and nostalgic surf movies from the 50’s and 60’s, guests can feel that they’re stepping into a space where the timeless surfer spirit thrives. Snapper Jacks has joyfully expanded through Ventura County, opening a location in Camarillo in 2006, followed by another vibrant spot in Thousand Oaks in 2011. Laura’s philosophy centers on the power of word-of-mouth, allowing Snapper Jacks to flourish through the loyalty of delighted customers. If a visitor truly enjoys their experience, they’re eager to share it with others. Described as a “great family atmosphere with excellent service and delicious food at a reasonable price,” Snapper Jacks offers a delightful fusion of Mexican American flavors, famous for its amazing fish tacos.