Life + Culture

Mesa Invests in Young Adults

Mesa is on a mission to end youth homelessness in Ventura County. Article and Photography by Through its innovative transitional tiny-home community and trauma-informed support, Mesa helps young adults (age 18-24) secure employment, pursue education, prioritize health, create healthy relationships and transition into permanent housing. Mesa is situated on 10-acres in the Ojai Valley, the 10 tiny homes wrapping around a main house that hosts staff offices, two additional rooms for participants...

Food + Beverage

Marcello Ristorante

The Real Italian Deal! It’s Italian, not Italian American Article by Ben Malkin | Photography by Jon Osumi Nestled in the heart of Thousand Oaks, Marcello Ristorante is a 35-year-old “hidden gem” that offers a remarkable dining experience. Rather than the standard chicken piccata, chicken parm or alfredo this or that, Marcello offers Italian dishes that take you back to your recent trip to Italy. What is even better is that the new owners, the brother team of Edwin and Anthony Khaziran, have...

Life + Culture

The Bank of Life:

Everyday Investments Yield the Highest Returns Article by Kim Pagano When most people think of the word investment , they think of money. While it’s true that in order to live the life you desire, it’s important to make wise investments, save and receive returns on your choices, today I’m talking about the bank of life.  To me, investment refers to the life-changing choices that can improve your total life experience. People make investments everyday when making choices like where to live...

Arts + Culture

Investing in Art:

A Creative Asset for Financial and Cultural Growth Article and Photography by John Hanley Traditional assets such as stocks, real estate and commodities often take center stage in investments. However, there is a compelling case for investing in art and creativity—not just as a financial decision but as a means of cultural enrichment and personal fulfillment. Art is a historical reflection of societal evolution and an asset that can appreciate in value over time. In recent years, more...