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Arts & Entertainment

Top 5 Must Watch Recent Horror Movies

“What’s your favorite scary movie?” This iconic line was obviously delivered by none other than the infamous horror icon Ghostface in Scream. However, seriously ask yourself what’s your favorite scary movie? What made it stand out from the others? How did it make you feel? The genre of horror has received backlash since the very beginning, all the way back to 1896 with Le Manoir du Diable. As a horror lover myself, I had to see what it was people wanted out of horror movies, and what they dislike.

I surveyed about 60 people and found 43% wanted suspense with a good plot twist, 33% wanted a strong story line, 12% wanted jump scares, and 12% wanted gore. I also asked what turns them away, and ruins a horror movie for them. I found 45% find the cheesy over the top gore off putting, 27% struggle with it not being realistic enough, 25% hate when it doesn’t have a real story behind it, and 4% dislike when it feels too real.

I also asked them to list their favorite and least favorite horror movies. Naturally, there was overlap on the lists, as some people’s favorites were other’s least favorites.

I’ll be the first to admit the genre is not for everyone although, I do believe horror could be enjoyed by many more if they only knew about the different sub genres. The misconception that all horror movies are bloody and violent is simply not true. There are several sub genres in horror, all are unique, and posses different qualities. Some of the most common and recognizable sub genres of horror are slasher, psychological, paranormal, monster, Sci-fi, and comedy. Slasher is the most well known and typically incorporates elements like gore, jump scares, and usually a storyline behind the antagonist. Psychological generally does not include much or any gore, instead incorporating elements like plot twists, suspense, a strong storyline, and occasional jump scares. Paranormal, monster, and Sci-fi often include the elements of jump scares, suspense, a strong storyline, and usually some gore/violence. Comedy can incorporate all of these elements as well, but they do it in more of a comical way.

Now that we’ve established all these sub genres, I’ll offer some suggestions based on these elements. So, without further a due lets get into my top 5 must watch recent horror movies.:

  • The Substance (2024)- By director Coralie Fargeat. The Substance could be categorized best as Sci-fi horror, and is perfect for those who look for more depth and a strong storyline in a horror film. It has a lot of suspense, and leaves you wondering what’s coming next. The film stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, and demonstrates the pressures women feel from society to constantly fit the beauty standard. Showing how ugly things can get by going to extreme lengths. It’s the perfect amount of dramatization, while still sticking with a core meaningful story. The way this film is shot pays homage to many classics (The Shining, Psycho, etc). The most unbelievable thing about it is that Demi Moore is supposed to look “old” and unattractive. The movie overall doesn’t have much gore until about the third act, and then it does get bloody so be warned! This film will have you stunned and at a loss for words throughout it, and after. Definitely recommend watching it with someone else so that you have someone to talk to about it after the fact!
  • Smile 2 (2024)- by director Parker Finn . Smile 2 could best be categorized as paranormal horror. It truly impressed me. Not to say Smile wasn’t good, but this one was far better in my opinion. The movie picks up at the end of the first movie and quickly introduces us to the newest victim of the demon. Skye Riley played by Naomi Scott, is a pop star on the rise who begins experiencing very bizarre things. This movie does have some gore and violence so beware, although other than a couple scenes I didn’t think it was too bad. This film has a very solid storyline filled with suspense, and an incredible twist you don’t see coming. Another thing I loved about this movie is that it belongs to a sub genre that has hundreds of hundreds of movies, yet manages to stand out and not fall into being played out. Totally, a must!
  • Companion (2025)- by director Drew Hancock. Companion could best be described as a few sub genres kind of Sci-fi horror, mixed with some horror comedy, and thriller. The movie centers around Iris played by Sophie Thatcher who is a programmed robot owned by her “boyfriend” Josh. Due to some glitches in her system some things occur and she’s able to see how her “relationship” really is, and gets her revenge. This movie reminded me of The Stepford Wives in all the right way, and some Black Mirror inspiration as well. This movie inspires you to maybe think of how much we rely on technology, and how with technology constantly advancing that your morals and ethics can be questioned. Additionally, it also showed subtle digs at the misogyny and sexism that still exists today. A great movie to watch for date night lol! Still in theaters: Companion Showtimes
  • Heretic (2024)- by directors Scott Beck, and Bryan Woods. Heretic could best be described as a psychological horror thriller. It centers on two young missionaries trying to spread the word of God, sister Barnes played by Sophie Thatcher and sister Paxton played by Chloe East. All is well until they come to the door of Mr. Reed, and get invited in to talk to him about their faith. Where they end up trapped and forced to rely on their faith to make it out alive. It’s a very suspenseful thriller as you are eager to see what happens to the girls, and if they make it home. This movie is very fascinating because although the two young girls are Mormon it’s not as though he’s directly targeting Mormons in the movie, or that the message of the movie is directed at them. It’s much larger than that. This is about religion as a whole, and one’s ability to have faith in a higher power. Since Mr. Reeds essentially punishes those who he thinks has too much faith. As a person of faith, I had a unique view on it, but I’m sure regardless on your view too, you can see how interesting it is to see different views being addressed. All in the same time of it being a horror movie. So, for those who wanted a movie with a strong storyline, this is the movie for you!
  • The First Omen (2024)- by director Arkasha Stevenson. The First Omen is the prequel to the classic Omen movie series of the 1970’s and 80’s. It can best be described as paranormal/supernatural religious horror. There is some violence but not much, I’d say it’s got more jumpscares, and slow burn horror appeal. It centers around Margaret played by Nell Tiger Free who is an aspiring Nun who’s sent to Rome to work in an orphanage, where she uncovers chilling information about the church’s mission on creating the anti-Christ. Without giving away too much through a twist she comes to find out this plan goes back farther than she thought. If you’ve ever seen the Omen, or enjoy the 70’s style religious horror sub genre, this is the perfect movie for you. As someone who’s seen all the other movies in this series, this is one you definitely don’t want to miss and connects parts together that you’ll know if you watch the others as well. If you’ve seen the movie Immaculate that came out around the same time with Sydney Sweeney it’s fairly similar but slightly better in my opinion!

Thanks for reading! I hope this was insightful, and that now you have some movies to check out!

Categories
Food & Beverage

That’s How The Cookie Crumbles

We all love a good sweet treat, whether it be a craving or impulse we all tend to reach for a cookie. They come in different shapes, sizes, colors and flavors, but have you thought about everything that goes into a cookie. Yes, sugar, flour and eggs, but have you ever thought about what goes into owning your own brand, brick & mortar and creating your own recipes? What inspires someone to continue on a journey of baking?

I myself am curious because I have done two out of these three. I own my own cookie brand, Comatose Treats, Visit Them Here! My inspiration sprang from my mom. She is a self-proclaimed master of sweets, but her favorite thing to make is cheesecake. She would take me to get a haircut, and end up walking out of there with a decent stack of cash, by selling cheesecake slices. This sparked my interest in not only baking, but business. Watching each barber and customer’s eyes light up after taking a bite out of her creamy rich Reese’s Pieces cheesecake made my eyes open and brain start to think. If they liked it, I could only imagine what would happen if she rolled out a line of top 3 flavors them hit the farmer and vendor markets. Now that I am 27 venturing on this journey I branched out to speak with Craig Hurlbut, the Owner of Clemente Bakery.

Craig’s is more than cookies, he is a genuine lover of making dough rise. His day begins at 4am where he starts off with baking bread, this process takes two hours to prep and one hour to cook, he repeats this for two rounds to ensure the bakery is stocked for the day. The next person comes in at 9am to help with the baking of the sweet treats. When asking Craig what inspires him he explained how he has two decades in the restaurant industry where he was an actual line cook as well as a pastry chef. This brought him joy, but what really brought him into his own light was during the pandemic. His wife started to fall in love with the process of adding yeast to sourdough and watching it rise. She then approached him for help, like any good husband, he agrees. This projected him into going after his own brick and mortar. Another question I asked Craig was how does he differentiates himself when making different flavors of cookies and bread. Craig’s response was he got himself educated on flavonoids and how they work together to not only create an endless chain of new possibilities, but it also helps our overall health. An article published by Healthline broke it down so simply by saying, “they help your body function more efficiently while protecting it against everyday toxins and stressors.”

Another thing that separates him is his sourcing of ingredients. He goes the extra mile to source Einkorn flour. Einkorn flour is oldest flour ever created, it was cultivated 9 thousand years ago but the best thing about this type of flour is the benefits it provides to your body. Keeping it simple this baking ingredient is a cheat code! Einkorn is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than modern wheat. It has about 30% more protein and 30% less starch than flour made from modern wheat. For the people that are gluten intolerant this could be for you. When baking the mixing process of flour and wet ingredients is what brings the gluten alive which also helps what you’re baking rise. Einkorn flour doesn’t really do this, you should only expect about a 20% rise so gluten won’t be a demise for you. The final question I got to ask Craig was about the adversity he faced when getting Clemente Bakery up and running. He chuckled and responded, “You can’t pre-think everything.” Craig ran into a bit of cat and mouse game with having to get licensing and permits. He highly recommends getting acquainted with your local chamber of commerce they are life savers and tend to know all the answer on how to make mountains move when it comes to that side of business. The other adversity is staffing. It becomes difficult at times to find the right personality pieces to complete your puzzle, but when everything falls into place you get to really admire the beauty of what you built as well as the smiles of satisfaction from your customers. If you’re ever in Ventura head over to Clemente Bakery to get educated and have your taste buds dance with joy.

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Beauty & Wellness

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭?

Fashion is a form of self-expression through clothing, accessories, makeup, etc. It isn’t only important because of the fact you express yourself through it, but because it could show something cultural/ historical which could include an iconic piece from the 1800s, a traditional costume, or even a way to express your beliefs. Most importantly, it can help politically when awareness needs to be brought to an issue or situation happening worldwide. An amazing example of this could be the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. Ukranian model Ilona Chernobai attended the event wearing a dress with both colors of the Ukraian flag (blue & yellow), and then she poured herself with fake blood to protest the devastating continuing war happening between Ukraine and Russia.

As the world continues to evolve in every aspect of fashion, these are a couple of the trends I believe will be coming this summer. From high-end luxury to everyday affordable wear, the upcoming trends for the hot, fresh, and tropical weather. Get ready to meet the next big things this summer season!

𝐁𝐨𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜

This style combines bohemian and hippie fashion influences. It’s a relaxed and free vibe with a mixture of dramatic flowing fabrics with neutral & earth tones. This includes vintage pieces, chunky belts, and cowboy boots. The main staple pieces that play a huge role in this style are the chunky, layered statement jewelry and silk scarves to add a touch to it. This style is seen the most in musical festivals like Coachella and EDC.

SHOP HERE:

Freepeople
zara
zhenabia

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬

For women, polka dots are back! No matter how big or small, this pattern can be styled in many ways. From playful or sophisticated, it depends on the variety of the occasion. Polka dots are considered classy, fresh, and modern but at the same time retro, depending on the style. They are timeless, and they are back to stay!

Floral prints are the moment for men this spring & summer! They are styled in many ways, as shown in the image above. It could be the whole outfit, or it could be a statement piece to add that bold touch to any outfit. You can find floral prints for everyday wear or more formal, you name it! Shirts, Shorts, Blazers, and etc, floral is ready to give you that boost of confidence.

SHOP HERE :

Shein
Francecas
CEline

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

Capri pants are the perfect option for the warm weather while still offering more coverage than shorts for those who appreciate it. They can be used as casual wear or made more formal with some kitten heels and a blouse. Capris are great when you still want to be comfortable because they are often made of breathable fabrics in every color!

Short shorts for men are in! Thank Mr. Paul Pascal for bringing them back. These shorts are perfect for everyday wear; you can use them for sports, casual days, formal evenings- you name it. This summer staple is great for staying cool on hot summer days and staying cool since they are made with lightweight fabrics for comfort.

SHOP HERE :

URban
Ash & Erie
Society

𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐦

The classic look from the 2000s is back! It’s ready to make a comeback and create stylish and unique looks. This must be basic for many, but it’s a staple piece for every day when you want to run errands or just want to be a bit more stylish with a mix and match of different shades of denim. Denim is the best way to stay comfortable but still look fashionable and make a statement.

SHOP HERE:

levis
True religion
guess

𝙎𝙋𝙊𝙍𝙏𝙎 𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙔𝙒𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀

How can we forget about sports?! Sports jerseys are absolutely everywhere, you can find them not only when watching your favorite sports game but also on the runaway. Vintage and retro jerseys are back and ready to be celebrate or to be upgraded in a more fashionable way! Look at Georgina Rodriguez for a example, she is wearing a custom VETEMENTS jersey gown signed by her partner, Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2024-25 fall/winter show. Wearing sports jerseys are not only for fashion trends, but they are conversation starters and the perfect staple piece to style your outfit from with jeans, skirts or even over layering it for a more creative look! Its a great way to blend streetwear into high fashion by making it a personal and meaningful choice when it comes to choosing your favorite team or player. Say yes to being comfortable, supportive, and fashionable all in one!

SHOP HERE:

Fanatics
sporting goods

ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀᴄᴛ ᴍᴇ

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Arts & Entertainment Local Business Spotlight

Record Store Roundup

In the age of digital streaming, independent record stores are an important facet in keeping physical music, local scenes, and community alive. Record stores offer music fans a place to browse music of all genres, new, used, and perhaps discover something great they’ve never heard. Ventura County has a vibrant array of independent shops, each with their own purpose and variety of music. 

Salzer’s Records is the music and physical media powerhouse of the county. The Ventura location, started by Jim Salzer, has been in business since 1972 after a slow start in South Oxnard in the mid-60s. After his passing in recent years, the company is still owned and operated by his son, James, to this day. Salzer’s has become an icon of the county as its two-story location stands overlooking the 101 freeway. Many people who have lived in the county know of Salzer’s. Whether they’ve heard the name or have passed by the building on their commute, it’s always the first look inside that people really realize what a special place it is.

Institution is the word I would use to describe Salzer’s. An institution through and through is a place that has stood in its community for decades, offers a sense of community, and truly makes the place it’s located that much more special. Taking a walk inside is like stepping into a time capsule. You find the style and architecture of the place to bring back memories of something you may have once known. T-shirts, stickers, books, memorabilia all line the walls and the paths are paved with bins upon bins of any music you could imagine. CDs and vinyl are both mainstays of Salzer’s with people from all over coming to sell or trade their own collectibles here. The second level is almost like a completely different store. All sorts of holistic accouterments, socks with your favorite cartoon character or a witty joke perhaps, incense, candles, any sort of smoking device that may suit your needs, and a room near the back that definitely draws eyes. Perhaps the biggest draw of Salzer’s comes from the (bi)annual event called Record Store Day. RSD as its frequently called is an event in which independent record stores receive special releases, reissues, represses and specific vinyl only available on these days. Smaller record stores may only get a few of these very special releases so trying to seek out something you’re looking for can be difficult. But Salzer’s is known for getting many of them each year, garnering lines out the door and around the building of people trying to get their hands on something rare. It becomes a destination for many each year for this reason and It’s beyond just being for music lovers to congregate but truly a stand out part of the community as a longstanding business that really has something for everyone.

Grady’s Record Refuge, located in midtown Ventura, opened its doors in 2003. Grady Runyan is a music enthusiast who sought to bring collectible vinyl, fair prices and a wide array of genres, media and equipment. Some record store visits can feel like you’re searching for a diamond in the rough. Flipping endlessly through bins of artists trying to find something eye-catching or maybe something you’ve been searching for; Grady’s is anything but. Coming here is like walking into a goldmine. The store has an incredibly diverse catalog of genres and artists from anything like 60’s hard-bop jazz, traditional English folk, psychedelic rock, no-wave, obscure punk compilations, garage, hip-hop, you name it.

Flipping through the various bins can be almost too rewarding and if you’re trying to not break the bank, you’ll have to force yourself to just stop looking, otherwise you’ll  end up spending all your time and cash in your wallet rounding off your collection.  It’s a place where you walk in and feel like you’re transported back in time to when you didn’t have all the music at your fingertips and finding something new was just a matter of looking hard enough. Grady’s is the record store for true collectors and music fans alike. 

American Pie Records is the newest edition to the county’s music paradises. Located in old town Camarillo, the business opened back in 2022. Although it’s still new to the area, it filled a gap in what was missing from this part of town. Specializing is rare and used LPs, American Pie is another store that makes you feel connected to. The music playing through the speakers might be an ultra rare Rolling Stones record where you can hear all the pops and static in the wax. The bins are lined with jazz galore and psychedelic deeps-cuts from the 60’s onwards.

American Pie Records proves that a new record store can make waves in the community and really become a place for people to sit around, talk about, listen to, buy, and sell music. In the past year the store added a second location, just 2 doors down from the original.

This not only expanded the music inventory but doubles as a coffee house in the afternoons and a jazz club on the weekends. Styled and decorated as the sort of coffeehouse feel of the 50’s the drink menu still connects the store to its music roots with drink names referencing iconic records or artists, such as a milkshake called “The birth of the cool”. The new location offers customers “the 45 lounge”, a separate lounge room in the back of the store that lets people relax, play records, and hangout with any drinks or desserts ordered at the store. It’s a fantastic inclusion to an already very unique store. Having a “hangout” area is something that is absolutely needed in a community space such as his. It drives people to talk to others about common interests which is something that is so needed in today’s world.

Each of these stores holds their own purpose in the community. Whether it be a one stop shop for all your music memorabilia, t-shirts, albums, patches etc. Or a spot to go sip coffee, flip through record bins and hear live music. Or even dig for some real gems you can’t seem to find anywhere else, all record stores are important for keeping people’s love of music alive.

Categories
Beauty & Wellness

How to Build Your Gym Journey With Training supplements?

Do you ever wonder how others have their bodies toned up? Or even think on how to start your journey with the correct supplements? I completely understand because that’s how my thinking is always like. I wanted to change my body by gaining muscle into my lower body. By doing this, I did some research for details in order for me to do the correct steps. My mind was completely empty and I didn’t know how to start my journey. I watched TikToks, Youtube Videos, and talked to some friends about their supplement experience and hear what I found.

  • Start looking for information about supplements

It’s very important to see the ingredients you are giving to your body and the benefits they have, to make sure they are the correct ones for the results you want to achieve. There’s many proteins and creatines out there. I totally recommend to look at the reviews and ingredients each supplement have. Maltodextrin and corn syrup solids contains high sugar levels which are some additives that are bad for your health. They can lead you to have diabetes which anybody wants since we are in our healthy journey. A protein I totally recommend is called OWYN flavor nut butter cup which is 100% Vegan and Plant Based. A creatine I’m currently taking is Beast Bites Gummies, this creatine is changing my life because I’m seeing results fast and they taste like candy.

  • Look For High Protein Food

Food could be another supplement that could help our gym journey. Looking at TikTok videos has teach me how to prepare high protein foods that can help me benefit my muscles to repair after a workouts. Some examples of high protein food are salmon, eggs, chicken, lentils, and etc. As well as they can help with your bloodstream carrying oxygen. According to UCLA Health “people focus on improving their fitness faster with food to keep them healthy and mortality, since it has fiber and vitamins”. What I do is every weekend I try to buy groceries and prepare my food for the whole week, by adding vegetables and meat to the side.


-Here are some of my favorite plates-

Corn, White Rice, Avocado, Chicken, Black Beans, and a side of greens
Tuna, two boil eggs, pico de Gallo
ground beef, white rice, 1/2 avocado, drizzle of sweet honey BBQ
  • Hydrate

Of course working out makes you feel thirsty and that’s normal, its important to stay hydrated. Meanwhile we work out our sweat evaporates from our skin which makes remove heat from our body. Drinking water 24/7 makes your supplements more effective and helps burn fat. While drinking creatine is very important to drink at least 4 to 5 litters of water if not you can experience muscle cramps and digestive uses such as nausea or bloating.

  • Listen to your Body

Pay attention to your body on how supplements affect you! “The most important skill that any athlete can develop is a sense of how their body is responding to exercise,”(christie) says. You don’t want any pain or injury to your body, what we really want is see better result. Our body is a very intelligent machine that’s tell us what’s wrong and what’s good, it gives us a sign which is good to know. The main key to figure out if the supplements we take are great based on reading the labels of the ingredients and by recommend supplements by others.

  • Conclusion

These are the main facts I enjoy doing to build my gym journey with supplements. Although there’s a lot of proteins and creatine, we have to read the directions on how to take them and the type of ingredients they both have. Not just because we want to see results fast will make us drink whatever we find, NO! We can’t have consequences in our body which can makes us become ill or go to a doctor. Reading these articles has been great tools that I highly recommend, they are label with a link so you guys can check them up! Start your gym experience, I’ll promise you’ll feel happy!:)))

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Nature & Outdoors Student Life at VC

Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo? A travelers guide to Baja California Sur

Have you ever wondered which coastal destination is next on your vacation list? Sometimes deciding can feel overwhelming when two destinations are fairly close to each other. Baja California Sur is home to a number of Mexico’s well-known, lovely beach destinations, two of them being Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo—these locations are separated by an estimate of 30 minutes, and they offer travelers completely distinct atmospheres. Cabo San Lucas is prominent for its energetic atmosphere, active nightlife, and luxury resorts. On the contrary, San José del Cabo offers a serene atmosphere, cultural richness, and local artistry. This blog post will provide informative details gathered through personal experience where I compare these coastal towns in hopes that an interested traveler finds it convenient.

Atmospheres, Aesthetics, and Tourist Popularity

San José del Cabo’s center offers colorful cobblestone streets made up of numerous restaurants, boutique shops, drinking bars, and cafés, all within walking distance. You will spot small numbers of tourists walking these streets during the day and only increase slightly towards the night. The town presents an Instagram-worthy aesthetic with its marvelous and vibrant wall art. As someone who loves to capture moments, I was constantly mesmerized by all of the story-telling art I encountered in this town.

Having said that, sky-high luxury hotel buildings cram the town of Cabo San Lucas. The powerful beach waves send an ocean breeze scent that fills the air. Music-filled streets add to the lively atmosphere. Both high-end restaurants and food stalls fill their cobblestone streets. This town is perfect for the socializers out there because it is often busy with a diverse mix of visitors. Peak seasons might feel overwhelming when trying to book reservations of any type.

Things to do

San Jose del Cabo offers a variety of activities, from beach clubs to art galleries; here are just some personal recommendations: 

  • For art lovers out there, here are some art galleries recommended by other travelers.
  • Veleros Beach Club is located at La Playa, and it is one of the very few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos. Its low tourist population contributes to its relaxing atmosphere.
  • San Jose Del Cabo Art Walk is an open air even that’s free to attend every Thursday from 5pm to 9pm, from November to June. Indulge in art galleries, food, and live music.

Cabo San Lucas offers an assortment of activities, from outdoor water ventures to laying beachside; here are some recommendations: 

  • The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, or “El Arco,” is a captivating natural wonder carved by wind, waves, and erosion millions of years ago. I suggest walking through the harbor if you prefer booking a boat tour in person.
  • Corazón Beach Club is located at Medano Beach, and it offers delicious food and drinks, but I will say the multitude of tourists can become overwhelming if your intention is to relax or catch an unobstructed view of the ocean.
  • Book a whale watching tour from January to March (abundant in early March) for a spectacular experience.

Check out this seasonal calendar that may influence your decision on the timing of your visit!

Restaurants and Nightlife

Cabo has a mix of affordable and pricey restaurants; it simply depends on your cuisine interests. As previously mentioned, you will have fun anywhere you decide to go, as Cabo’s energetic and active nightlife is alluring. But please take precautionary actions if you’re planning a night out. 

Here are the top 3 personal recommendations on lovely dining and nightlife attractions:

  • The Office is an unforgettable beachside restaurant that offers scrumptious food at a reasonable price. Highly recommend making a reservation around sunset to enjoy a beautiful view.
  • Edith is an astonishing restaurant with savory dishes. Their prices are considerably high, but their service is impeccable.
  • La Vaquita—if you’re a fan of old school R&B, reggaeton, and Latin music, it’s safe to say you’ll enjoy your time here.
  • El Squid Roe is party-central. Enjoy your time here as you order a rib eye with a side of bottle service.

Just as Cabo, San José offers a variety of cuisines for a multitude of palate interests. Prices range from high to low. I suggest searching through Yelp, as many restaurants include their prices on their online menus. Opposite of Cabo, San José’s nightlife is mellow and typically involves going out for some drinks and ending the night right after.

Here are the top 3 personal recommendations on lovely dining and nightlife attractions:

  • Visit Jazmin’s Restaurant for some delicious authentic Mexican food. Though it is on the pricier side, I loved my breakfast chilaquiles and thought the restaurant interior was beautiful.
  • Osteria 107—Visit this Italian kitchen for some flavorful pasta, fresh seafood, a glass of wine, and a picture-perfect interior.
  • Nomada Bar De Origen—this bar offers a mellow atmosphere where you can grab a drink during the nighttime. Imagine catching up with someone else on a warm night and house music playing lightly in the background. I don’t know…it seems pleasant to me!

Top 5 Accommodation Options:

Now, I think this will be the section that will conclude your decision-making. Price rates vary by season; expect higher prices during high season. Below you will find rates for 1 room, 1 night.

Located in San José del Cabo:

  1. Marquis Los Cabos— all-inclusive and adults-only hotel; from $593
  2. Hotel El Ganzo— adults-only hotel; from $489
  3. Villa del Faro— secluded hotel; from $395
  4. Drift San José del Cabo— boutique hideaway; from $271
  5. Casa Natalia— boutique hotel; from $133

Located in Cabo San Lucas:

  1. Hard Rock Hotel— all-inclusive; from $660
  2. Riu Palace—all-inclusive resort; from $334
  3. Corazón Resort and Spa— luxury resort; from $419
  4. Villa del Palmar— optional all-inclusive; from $147
  5. Fairfield Inn Marriott Los Cabos— modern hotel; from $89

Essential Safety Tips: 

  • Avoid back alleyways late at night or in general.
  • Only take car rides from licensed taxi drivers or Ubers (I used Uber during my entire stay and had no issue with the service).
  • Watch for pickpockets in the nightlife areas.
  • It is crucially important to not beach walk at the water’s edge on the Pacific side, as huge waves may come ashore with little to no notice!

In short, both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo welcome multitudes of diverse travelers every day. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a couple, or as a family, I hope this has helped you finalize a decision by now. If you are still undecided, do not worry, as their accessible distance makes it simple for everyone to get a glimpse of both. Lastly, I invite you to visit these coastal towns and create your own memories.

Feel free to contact me for any further questions.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment

Are Books Better Than Their Movie Adaptations? Settling the Debate

The debate over whether books or their movie adaptations are better has been ongoing for years. To get a better understanding of both sides, I asked people around campus about their favorite and least favorite book-to-film adaptations. The responses varied, but a few stood out as clear favorites (and disappointments).

Books Are Better: The Case for Harry Potter

One of the most popular responses I received was that the Harry Potter books are far better then the movies. Many fans felt that the films left out too many details that made the books special. J.K. Rowling’s writing brings the wizarding world to life in a way that the movies, despite their visual magic, simply couldn’t capture. The inner thoughts of characters, side plots, and deeper lore of the wizarding world were often cut or altered for the sake of time, leaving book fans feeling like the films, while enjoyable, didn’t do the books justice.

Movies Are Better: The Case for The Hunger Games

On the other hand, many people I spoke to preferred The Hunger Games movies over the books. Interestingly, some admitted they had never read the books, which might explain their preference for the films. However, even those who had read Suzanne Collins’ novels still found the movies more compelling. They praised the way the films were put together, from the performances of the actors, particularly Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. The films managed to capture the intensity of the story while streamlining certain elements to make it more visually impactful.

Final Verdict: It’s All About Perspective

So, are books always better than their movie adaptations? Based on my conversations, the answer isn’t so simple. It largely depends on what you value more in a story, depth and detail, or visual storytelling and performances. While books allow readers to immerse themselves in the author’s world, movies have the power to bring those stories to life in ways that can be just as powerful, if not more so.

At the end of the day, whether a book or its adaptation is better is entirely subjective. Some stories work better on the page, while others shine on the screen. Maybe the real takeaway is this, instead of choosing one over the other, why not enjoy both?

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Student Life at VC

The Most Analytical Love Letter to Theater Ever

Dear Audience…

We all have our own areas of expertise, and to my parents’ playful displeasure (they always joked about me becoming a lawyer), my area of expertise is theater. I have spent most of my life being involved in some sort of way, though it’s only recently that I’ve gotten to be properly involved in theater projects, from earning more substantial acting parts to even directing a short play. And with my extensive love for all things performing arts, I could gush and rant about every theater show I see. Being in shows as a full time student are difficult and opportunities are rare, so I have found solace in simply watching shows as I fantasized about my future career paths. Sitting in the audience, I would often think, theater is so wonderful, there’s nothing like a live performance to connect an audience to a story, this show could be so impactful to others my age or younger, and other wistfully naïve thoughts that made me reflect: what made theater so wonderful to me? Do others see it the same way? After hearing from the community, I have decided to try to see why those matinees I’ve been going to have had more and more open seats.

A young, naïve version of myself, performing in two different shows in high school. Apparently, I had some range back then.

The Data

I sent out a survey trying to make sense of the theater community in Ventura County and the biggest reason people go to the theater is to support people they know working in/on the show. That makes sense. I’m sure that along the way of seeing high school shows for younger siblings or community shows for friends, there was something to be gleaned from the techniques, the story, the art of live theater. But sadly (and obviously), I am alone as I wax poetic about the artistic impact of theater shows. Once an outcast, I suppose. Still, I found solace in the fact that the majority of people who saw shows were able to appreciate them, regardless of the reason they bought a ticket. Their reasoning for seeing a show and their takeaways were different than my own. But when we’re in the moment, the only thing we need have in common are the wonder and fantasy we feel as the audience is thrown into a story.

Samantha still remembers the “great actors and an amazing set” from Mamma Mia! at the Pantages. Leila remarked on the music and lighting from A-Train at the Rubicon (lighting is always the unsung hero of any show). Brooke talked about the “vibrant community, theatrics, and comedic effects in [The Book of Mormon]” at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Theater is impacting and shaping our community not because of profound stories with insightful metaphors. I had forgotten about the fun of theater; entertainment is an art! I cannot impart a deeper understanding of society or some high concept idea to anyone from any show. Art is what the audience makes of it. And I’m just thankful that others could enjoy it alongside me, even if not in my analytic ways.

Hurray, I’ve proven people enjoy theater! Now what? Well, I wish I could say that my job here is done, having evidence of theater’s impact as a source of community engagement and entertainment. But the survey brought up a problem with theater bigger than just the impression of a show. Over half of the survey respondents had only see between one and three shows in the past year, with 15% having seen none recently. And with the price of some theater tickets, that is very fair. I’ve seen shows cost upwards of $180 for some seats. Theaters, especially professional ones, have always been advertised as an old-world luxury, a place for the wealthy older generation to go on weekends (this is evident enough by the amount of octogenarians I see at matinees in LA). Though, I’ll admit that local doesn’t always equal cheap. But do you know the one thing Ventura County has that LA doesn’t? Free parking at their theaters.

More analytics from the survey.

The Love

This is to say, I have seen shows in LA that have left me wanting and I have seen local shows that have blown me away. The area, price of tickets, and level of the company have nothing to do with a good show. SO GO TO THE SHOW. See that local high school’s rendition of The Addams Family. Support your friends’ siblings in The Nutcracker. Go to the premiere of a brand new play at the local theater written by a local playwright, no matter how odd the plot may sound to you. Go for date night, go for family, for friends, for yourself. Go to support art programs in schools. Go to meet people in your community. Go for a night out of silly stories. If you are able to, then go and enjoy what you can. Some local theater companies may surprise you.

A show I saw recently that I absolutely loved: American Idiot at the Mark Taper Forum. No thoroughly studied critique to be shared, just the love of a good rock opera.

I’ve always considered myself lucky to be able to see professional shows in LA, whether at the grand Pantages, the intimate Mark Taper Forum, or the surprisingly huge Ahmanson. But anyone who can go see any show at any level is lucky to be apart of both the art and its audience. Live theater is special because it’s fleeting. When was the last time that character that pulled you in was physically right in front of you? Can you say that a main character tossed you a handkerchief stained with their makeup, for you to keep? Has a character roasted you on your choice of clothes? Have they walked past you, brushing your shoulder, blowing you a kiss? Not a camera like a POV shot in a film, but you, physically you.

The audience is a part of every show, a part of every theater experience. Sure, sometimes you sit next to a family with young kids who are a little too enthusiastic. But sometimes you sit next to a stranger, shedding tears alongside them at the bittersweet climax of the play. Sometimes you go with your friend and discover they have a soft spot for criminally misunderstood (and chaotic) characters. Sometimes you just discover something small about yourself, a new insight unlocked. But that discovery is shared live with actors, crew, ushers, and audience. Each laugh, gasp, and clap has an impact on how the show plays out. That collaboration between art and audience is what makes live theater such a unique event. But that’s simply how I see it, the view of a theater major, slightly pessimistic but still painfully hopeful for my (and many others’) future theater career. May we all keep telling and hearing each others stories.

Become a Part of the Art

To help you on your way of discovering art, stories, people, and any enjoyment one may get from theater, here are just a few of the theater companies local to Ventura County (and some that are a bit father away, just for good measure).

Ventura County:

Los Angeles County:

Santa Barbara County:

And as a special treat for those who have made it this far, here are some super secret special programs for students to get free or discounted tickets!

Categories
Nature & Outdoors Student Life at VC

Do You Think You Got What It Takes to Solo Travel?

Have you ever wanted to travel but felt like something was holding you back? Maybe you want to go with friends or significant other, but there is always an excuse. Do you want to prove that you can be independent? Or maybe you want to take a break from people and the drama. Well, how about I share what I have learned from my time abroad? Within the last seven years, I have completed twelve countries alone. I will share the pros and cons, smart and dumb choices and decisions that I have made, and finally, some tips and tricks. Traveling by yourself is not easy and can be very stressful, but it can be very rewarding and exciting. But this is why you have me, and in this article, I’m going to share the nitty and grittiness of solo adventures. Now, let’s see if you got what it takes to be a solo traveler! 

Let’s start with the pros and cons of solo traveling: 

For the pros, individuals can go at their own pace. Maybe you want to do something relaxing and lounge at the beach, or you might want to go sightseeing and see as much as possible while being fast and efficient. This can help you realize what is important to you personally and do what you want. Continuing to gain more insight about yourself, if you do your research and figure out the logistics, you can get more of a feel of what it can be like to be a local. 

Now, to move on to the stressors of traveling, AKA the cons:

I want to point out or remind you that things do not always go to plan, so be prepared to have a backup plan or two! An example might be how you thought about the logistics of how to get from one place to another. What if you missed that train, or what if your phone is not working because your phone is not covered in that location? The moral of the point is that things can be very stressful, so be open-minded and try to think ahead! This is something that I have learned the hard way. Another lesson I learned is that not every situation is black and white. If you only focus on the negative outcomes, you’ll miss out on many things. Maybe you might get distracted and get lost, or maybe you might miss an opportunity to do something unique. 

To help you change your mind frame, think about the moral of the story. Try to see if there is a lesson that can be learned, that way you can prevent it from happening again. I know this is easier said than done, but it is possible, you just need to be patient with yourself. Try to think that something can always be learned from any stressful situation. I now tend to think about what opportunity this frustrating event created in a positive manner. 

Here, let me give you an example!

I went to Europe for the first time by myself. The first place I went to in Europe was Paris, France. Things went smoothly until there was an issue with the plane, and the flight landed at Heathrow Airport in London, England. I had no idea what to do or where to go. I had to figure out how to get from Heathrow Airport to London St Pancras International Station to take a high-speed train to Paris Gare du Nord station within four hours! 

I dealt with two additional issues I did not expect. First, my phone was not working, so I considered it a “paperweight” because it did nothing. I knew my cellphone provider worked there, but I had no idea what was wrong with it. But I made due by asking employees how to get to the next place. My second issue was that I had to make the last train from London to Paris, or I would have to wait until morning to get the next train. To make things even more stressful, the only tickets left were for business class seats and I had to run to make that train. Along the way, my backpack somehow got unzipped while running to make the train, so I lost half of my things on the train track. Luckily, an employee saw this and delayed the train since objects were on the track. I ended up getting all of my things back and making the train.   

Although this was very stressful, and to be honest, I cried a lot once I got to my seat and sipped on my complimentary business class champagne… But this is where I realized I needed to find the positive out of the negative moments. Without this event, I would never have gone through the English Chunnel. Yes, “Chunnel,” not “channel.” This is because the channel is the water above, and the “chunnel” is the tunnel under the channel. Here’s a diagram of the tunnel!

Now, going back to other cons, I learned how traveling alone can be lonely. I knew this going in, but I knew I needed it. This might sound odd, but I needed to learn how to not depend on others, and I also needed to have some self-discovery. If solitude is not something that might not phase you, you need to remember that being alone can make you a target. What I mean by being a target is not just about taking the risk of being kidnapped, but even things such as scams. So don’t wear your earbuds when you’re bored, you will seem distracted and honestly will be with the loud music. Knowing this, you must always be careful and “stay on your toes” even if you are bored. 

It is easy to make a bad choice when making decisions abroad. So, let me tell you what I learned about decision-making. To start, here are some smart choices to make and why. 

It should be safe to say that not every place will be the same. So, it’s good to do your research to determine the local scams and crimes. Let’s use Europe again as an example. It is well-known that in Europe, there is a lot of pickpocketing and people stealing purses. Some not so well known scams are when locals try to give you, whether that be a bracelet or flowers, trick you into thinking that is a kind gift they are giving you, but once you take the object, they demand that you give them money for it or they will get the police.

Another example is when you mind your own business walking in the city, and you have to be careful of where you walk, or you might step on someone’s artwork; this is another cause of scam because if you step on the artwork, you then have to pay for it.

Here’s one last example: have you ever heard of throwing the baby? This scam is a common scam among gypsies in Europe. What they will do is they will literally throw their child at you in hopes that your reaction is to catch the baby to prevent them from falling onto the floor. If you do have that reaction of grabbing the child, this is when another person will pickpocket you because you got distracted saving the baby. 

Moving onto dumb decisions, One of the dumbest things I did and immediately learned from was not looking at what was going on at the place I was planning to travel to. This can include different things such as holidays, religious events, sports, political conflicts, Etc. 

My example is when I was in  Brussels, Belgium, in 2022. I did not consider if any significant events were going on, such as when Belgium was against Morocco for the World Cup for football, AKA soccer. The day this tournament was held was my first day in the city. Morocco won the game, and anyone celebrating this victory got way out of hand. There were many riots and many different types of violent behavior. The city became very scary as people were driving on the sidewalks, throwing bottles, shooting fireworks, and many other behaviors that ended up resulting in a gas line blowing up. This crazy behavior obviously needed local law enforcement and their K9s to be deployed. It got to a point where the police ended up using teargas and water cannons to break up the violence. 

So please learn from this scary and dumb mistake and research what is going on before going.

Now moving on to some tips and tricks to make your adventures easier. Let’s start by having apps pre-downloaded and set up so you’re good to go. Some beneficial ones I constantly use are Google Maps, Google Translate, Currency Exchange, Uber, Expedia or Viator, the airlines I would be using, and Fountain Finder.

Here’s a fun tip for you to stay safe: lie. Yes, lie. Growing up, you get told that lying is bad, but not this time. For me being a young solo female traveler, people have asked me where my group is. Lying that you are meeting up with someone means you are to be expected soon, and if you don’t show up, people get involved. More than likely, these people don’t need to know your business. So, in this case, lying can keep you safe. So, the trick to making lying work is to have a loose story planned out in advance. I do not like to give out my first and last name when traveling, so I come up with a different last name and use my middle name as my first name. Then, to top it off, I changed how I talk by using an accent and changing my terminology and phrasing. You might wonder why I would do this and make things even more complicated versus just telling the straightforward truth because I do not want to sound American. I do not want to sound like a tourist and have others use stereotypes against me, like being naive and stupid, and so on. Not every culture likes Americans. I learned it is best not to act and look like an American. You can end up being perceived as naive or be targeted for a list of many reasons.  So this trick is not to look so American. So smile rarely, have a stern and confident demeanor, be careful of what you say and how you say it, respect customs, and finally, don’t wear your athletic wear and flip-flops everywhere.  

Now, let’s move to the fun stuff, shall we? Why is going traveling alone actually awesome!

Well,I love how I get to customize my adventures. I greatly enjoy history, nature, interacting with different customs, seeing museums with all the art, and trying different food. You can say that I like to do a lot of everything. I like to learn, which sometimes means I must get out of my comfort zone. The empowerment I have gained has helped me immensely because of the unforgettable memories and valuable life lessons I learned. One goal of mine is to improve myself constantly. I change myself for myself, not for others. I want to create my happiness and realize that solo traveling has helped me. When I am alone, I do not have to deal with the drama in my life, and I can gain peace. I love staying in a state of “aw” and “wow”!

For example, last September, I was in Europe. Who would have thought that I would be back in Europe? Isn’t this so shocking?! Moving on. So the plan I had made with friends ended up getting canceled when I was already there in Europe. Instead of being mad, I went into a rapid brainstorming session about what I could do. So I decided to do a “holiday within a holiday,” one might say. I learned in that research binge that the Aurora borealis season had just started, and I knew right away that I had to go to Norway to see them. So I did just that and saw them!

I felt like I was in heaven because this whole experience happened because of canceled plans. If it weren’t for the change of plans, I would never have gotten to check another thing off of my bucket list. I am so grateful for the cancellation because I would never have gotten this! Never did I think that I would get this beautiful opportunity. 

I can easily keep going and share more experiences with all of you, but I will save them for another time. I hope this was helpful and made you consider if this is something you want to explore! The world is exciting and oh-so beautiful because of all the many cultures and what makes them. So don’t let anything hold you back if it is something you really want, just remember to be smart and stay safe! 

If you have any comments, questions, or just want to hear more. You can contact me at:

sara_bowman1@my.vcccd.edu
Categories
Local Business Spotlight

Where Do These Ventura County Thrift Stores Donate?

In recent years, secondhand shopping has become increasingly popular. Whether it’s thrift, consignment or vintage stores, there are multiple options for anyone trying explore second hand style or cut back on their carbon footprint. Many people use the term “thrifting” interchangeably, however there are some key differences. One of these differences is whether or not they donate. Here are some of my favorite local thrift stores and what cause they choose to donate to.

Super Thrift

This thrift store is Located on 815 N Oxnard Blvd and is a Christian non-profit organization. It is a part of a larger group of thrift stores that make up the Rescue Mission Alliance family. Super Thrift focuses on donating to the Lighthouse for Women and Children. The Lighthouse has a capacity of 112 beds. Besides providing shelter, the Lighthouse also offers services such as life skills education, substance abuse counseling, Christian discipleship, and even transitional housing.

At Super Thrift, you can expect to have a wide variety of clothing options whether you’re shopping in the men’s, women’s, or even the children’s section. You can also find yourself browsing the electronics and home goods sections for a great find. You can even find your new favorite accessory or buy a bike to carry you home.

Avenue Thrift

Avenue Thrift is located on 22 N Ventura Avenue in Ventura, California. This thrift store has been staple in the secondhand community for 15 years. It was started by JD and Amber Drury, who felt passionate about helping children in their community. Due to this passion, the two decided to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Ventura.

Avenue Thrift has a multitude of departments to shop in. From clothing for everyone, home decor, or even furniture, just about anyone can find something they like. They have deals almost every day of the week! Check out their location and website for more information! Avenue Thrift accepts drop off donations and will pick up donations for free!

CAAN

The CAAN, which stands for The Child Abuse and Neglect thrift store is located on 340 E Main Street. The CAAN is a family owned business that has been serving the city of Ventura since 1985. The business donates its proceeds to the C.A.A.N division of Interface Children and Family Services. This particular organization aims to protect those who are vulnerable to domestic violence and seeks to end this cycle. As a part of their efforts, Interface Children and Family Services offers 24/7 advocacy and response, as well as an emergency shelter and a transitional shelter.

CAAN accepts and sales the usual thrift. departments such as men, women, and children’s clothes. They also accept records, books, accessories, and more! While they do not do pick ups at this moment, you can drop off donations at the allotted times.

Consignment and Vintage Stores

It is not uncommon for people to call a consignment store, or even a vintage one, a thrift store. These stores may share similarities, but there is a key difference. Consignment and Vintage stores are for profit, unlike thrift stores, which are non-profit. The formers get their inventory from sellers, unlike thrift stores who rely on donations. These stores allow the sellers to gain a profit from their items. Also, the cheap prices that are expected to be found at thrift stores, may not be present at a consignment or vintage shop. Even though these stores may not a non-profit, they are still second hand stores and are worth checking out.