The San Francisco Story of Green Goddess Dressing
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 by a chef at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel. The original recipe is quite straightforward, blending […]
Places to Play: Santa Barbara Zoo
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 lowland gorillas, a flock of flamingos, and this year’s new arrivals (and brand-new parents!), African […]
Escape to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, a Glorious San Diego Golf Resort and Spa
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 friends – the luxury resort and its spectacular surroundings promise perfection. Top among the resort’s […]
A Historical Glimpse on the Centennial of Wilsonian Armenia
— 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 under the Treaty of Sèvres, signed on August 10, 1920. President Woodrow Wilson arbitrated the […]
Yosemite in Summer 2020, a Dreamlike Experience
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 crowds, experiencing the park in this way is a privilege offered only by the extraordinary […]
The Four Unseen Pillars of Father’s Day
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 sacrifices. This is the work that sustains the pillars and goes unseen on the shoulders […]
For 2020, a Virtual Vigil for Armenia’s 1.5 million Sanctified Martyrs
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 in Little Armenia, or publicly held candlelight vigil nights, due to the novel Coronavirus global […]
Three Amazing Marine Life Attractions in SoCal
By J.C. Thomas There are two ways to witness the stunning diversity of marine life of our planet’s oceans, seas and waterways: embark upon diving excursions all over the world; or visit amazing aquariums and other marine life exhibits. In Southern California, three such destinations draw crowds of locals and visitors with their dazzling aquatic […]
The Magic of Mumbai
By Roger Allnutt Located on the west coast of the country facing the Arabian Sea, Mumbai, formerly called Bombay, is India’s most vibrant city. It’s the financial capital of India, the country’s busiest port, a thriving center for film production (Bollywood) and a dynamic and cosmopolitan city whirling with color and activity. The city is […]
Traveling Near and Far: The Kenai Peninsula
By Joann Deutch Most road warriors who set off for an Alaskan adventure head off to the Denali. My mission – to see the Bering Sea and the Aleutians Islands – took me in the other direction. My route took me from Anchorage to Homer by car, then the Alaska Marine Highway’s passenger ferry to […]
Experience Endless Summer at Newport Dunes
By J.C. Thomas Newport Beach, one in a string of glorious beach towns along the coast of Orange County, has a reputation for being fancy. There’s no denying it’s a gilded playground of sorts, profuse with country clubs and yachts, high-end boutiques and such natural beauty to command an arm and a leg of anyone […]
There’s Still Time for Pre-Snow Fun in Big Bear
By J.C. Thomas Many SoCal residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of snow in Big Bear, whether it’s by nature or machine. But with temperatures across California still on the warmer side, we’ll all just have to be patient. Real winter will soon hit the mountains, but there’s plenty of outdoor action to experience in […]