The third Monday in January is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday to honor the life and legacy of the foremost figure of the American civil rights movement. The National Civil Rights Museum, adjacent to and encompassing the…
Signage for the Lorraine Motel at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee against a gray sky
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week… Today is Veterans Day. Thank you to all the men and women who have served in our armed forces.  Election Results Announced With Varying Timelines  Gavin Newsom’s reelection as…
Are you an arachnophobe? Do creepy black spider Halloween decorations freak you out far more than any witch, bat, ghost or thing that goes bump in the night? Perhaps some factual information about our arachnid neighbors here in California could…
A closeup of a spider against a blurry yellow and brown background
Moab, Utah is a very cool city. It has a trendy vibe, but in a timeless, not-actually-trying sort of way. Moab is also very good looking, with low-slung buildings and artsy accents that don’t bother trying to compete with the…
Arches National Park scenery near Moab, Utah
It’s always fun to imagine living full-time in a destination you’re only visiting, no matter how realistic or far-fetched the idea might be. The fantasy feels especially real when you find a place to stay that evokes the feeling of…
the flower-filled courtyard of the Beach House Inn in Santa Barbara, California
Green goddess dressing might seem like a contemporary creation, given trending desires for photogenic fresh foods packed with a full herb garden’s worth of greenery. It’s actually almost 100 years since the sauce was invented and given its evocative name…
a plate with fresh herbs, mayonnaise, tarragon vinegar and anchovies, ingredients fora green goddess dressing recipe
As a destination blessed by an abundance of loveliness, it’s no surprise that Santa Barbara has a superb zoo. The AZA-accredited Santa Barbara Zoo covers 30 acres and is home to more than 500 animals. Among them are giraffes, western…
Giraffes at the Santa Barbara Zoo, one of the best attractions for kids in Santa Barbara
By J.C. Thomas Much like San Diego itself, every element of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar golf resort and spa is eminently appealing. In any season, for every kind of vacation – family fun, a romantic weekend or getaway with…
Fairmont Grand Del Mar exterior entrance fountain San Diego resort
— OPINION — By Rachel Melikian A landmarked historical map carrying the Great Seal of the United States of America, affixed with the signature of the U.S. President, is 100 years old as of November 22, 2020. It was created…
Official Presidential portrait of Woodrow Wilson, 1913 Frank Graham Cootes / Public domain
A Review of Yosemite Dreams: Rustic and Refined Lodging Near Oakhurst By J.C. Thomas In 2020, visiting Yosemite National Park in the peak of summer feels like a dream. Weird and lovely, almost eerily serene in the absence of big…
By Rachel Melikian Something can stand on three pillars, but a house needs four. In the home, the father represents all four pillars, without which the home would collapse. Fathers often work silently and without expectation of praise for their…
Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay
By Rachel Melikian The night before the Armenian Genocide commemoration on April 24 there is a candlelight vigil, but this year, 2020, the commemoration of the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was different. It was virtual, without any marches…