🏮 Simi Lights Up + Are You Ready for an Emergency?
Water Lantern Festival, free CERT training, local sports, El Patio & what’s happening around Simi this week.
| September 9|Issue #19|Simi Valley, Ca. |
Trivia Question❓The Santa Susana Mountains bordering Simi Valley were the site of a significant 1959 nuclear accident — at which research facility did a partial meltdown occur, predating Three Mile Island by two decades? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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A Little History Behind the Water Lantern Festival
Lantern traditions have been part of Asian cultures for centuries, often symbolizing hope, remembrance, renewal and connection. Water lantern ceremonies, in particular, have long been used as meaningful community gatherings centered around reflection and honoring loved ones.
The modern Water Lantern Festival touring the United States began in 2018, launching events in 34 cities and attracting more than 130,000 attendees in its first year. Since then, it has expanded to more than 175 cities worldwide, with millions of lanterns launched.
Today’s festival combines that spirit of reflection with a community celebration. Guests decorate lanterns with messages, hopes or memories before releasing them onto the water at sunset, accompanied by music, food and activities.
The biodegradable lanterns are later retrieved by event crews as part of the festival’s cleanup process. |
After a short cooldown Simi Valley is in for another short wave of searing heat.
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Catch up on local high school sports with this week’s varsity schedule, recent standout performances and alumni making news beyond Simi Valley. This weekly roundup covers Simi Valley High School, Royal High School and Grace Brethren across fall sports including football, volleyball, tennis, flag football, water polo, cross country and more. Read More... |
As National Preparedness Month continues, Simi Valley residents have a timely opportunity to learn practical skills that can help their families, neighbors and community during an emergency.
When a major earthquake, wildfire or other disaster strikes, police, firefighters and paramedics may have more calls than they can immediately reach.
That raises an impo
rtant preparedness question: Would you know what to do until help arrives?
This week, Simi Valley residents have an opportunity to learn.
The City of Simi Valley Office of Emergency Services begins its fall Community Emergency Response Team — or CERT — training program on Wednesday, September 9. The free program is taught by the Ventura County Fire Department and is designed to help ordinary residents become better prepared to respond during a disaster.
What Is CERT?
CERT is a nationwide emergency-preparedness program supported by FEMA, but the training is very hands-on and locally focused.
Participants learn practical skills including:
The goal isn't to turn residents into professional first responders.
It's to give people enough knowledge and training to take care of themselves, help family members and assist neighbors when professional emergency services may not be immediately available.
Simi Valley has offered CERT training for more than 20 years, and more than 1,600 residents have completed the program since it began locally following the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
Fall Classes Begin September 9The fall program consists of six consecutive Wednesday evening classes, running September 9 through October 14.
When: Wednesdays, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
The course concludes with a separate disaster simulation at the Ventura County Fire Department Regional Training Center in Camarillo.
Participants who complete the full course receive a workbook, certificate and CERT starter kit that includes a helmet, work gloves, safety vest, safety goggles and flashlight.
Who Can Participate?The program is open to people age 12 and older who live or work in Simi Valley. Participants ages 12–17 can attend with a parent or guardian, making CERT something families with teenagers could even consider doing together.
Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served. To register, email: Include your name, address, email address and phone number.
Learn more about Simi Valley CERT
Not Ready for CERT? Do One Thing This WeekPreparedness doesn't have to mean enrolling in a six-week course.
If CERT isn't practical for you right now, use this week's Ready Simi Challenge to make one small improvement at home.
Choose one: ✓ Find your home's main gas, water and electrical shutoffs ✓ Make sure everyone in your household knows where your emergency supplies are ✓ Put sturdy shoes and a flashlight beside your bed ✓ Check the expiration dates on your first-aid supplies ✓ Talk with one neighbor about how you could help each other during an emergency
Those are simple steps, but during a real emergency, knowing what to do can matter just as much as what you've purchased. Read More... |
Joke Of The Day |
Why do Simi Valley residents never get lost on road trips? Because they've spent years navigating between "almost LA" and "not quite Ventura" — they've mastered the art of being confidently in between. |
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With Hispanic Heritage Month starting September 15 The Simi Signal would like to feature El Patio Mexican Restaurant. El Patio has been a beloved Simi Valley institution since 1988, and it's easy to see why. This family-owned gem serves up authentic Mexican food in a warm, welcoming environment — the kind of place where memories are made over great margaritas and even better company. With two convenient locations, there's something for everyone. The Township Ave restaurant features an extended outdoor patio and a popular Sunday Brunch, while the Tapo Street Cantina is the go-to spot for catching a game with an impressive selection of tequilas and liquors. Don't miss Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 3–6pm. Whether you're stopping in for a casual meal or celebrating a milestone, El Patio delivers the quality and hospitality that has kept the community coming back for nearly four decades. |
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Quote Of The Day |
"The history of a place is not written only in monuments — it lives in the ordinary moments of those who call it home." — Ronald Reagan |
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Wednesday September 9
Simi CERT | Community Emergency Response Team 6 concecutive weeks 6-9 pm More information | Registration
Garden Design Seminar6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Thursday September 10
Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Running thru September 10
7 pm Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center |
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💡 AI Made SimpleWhat Does This Actually Mean?Ever receive a letter, notice, estimate or set of instructions and think, “I have no idea what they're actually telling me”? AI can help. Upload the document—or take a clear photo of it—and ask AI to translate the complicated language into something you can actually understand. ✨ Copy & Paste This Prompt
⭐ The Simi Signal Bonus PromptOnce AI has explained the document, ask:
🔒 Before You UploadTake a moment to remove or cover sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords, financial information or other private details you don't need AI to see. And remember: for legal, medical or financial matters, AI can be useful for understanding what a document says, but important decisions should still be verified with an appropriate professional. AI Made Simple Tip: Don't stop at “summarize this.” Asking AI to identify deadlines, required actions and questions you should ask can make the answer considerably more useful. Text Section |
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Wednesday September 16
Spotlight on the City State of the City presented by Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center |
Tip of The Day |
Beat the Heat at Simi Valley's Hidden Gem: Chumash Indian Museum Trails If you're looking for a morning activity that's genuinely off the tourist radar, head to the Chumash Indian Museum on Madera Road before 9 a.m. The surrounding natural area sits at a slightly higher elevation than the valley floor, which means noticeably cooler temperatures during summer mornings — often five to eight degrees less than downtown Simi. The short nature trails wind through native oak and sage, and the rocky outcroppings offer shaded rest spots that locals rarely mention in "best of" lists. Bring a water bottle, wear closed-toe shoes for the uneven terrain, and take a moment to read the interpretive signage near the trailhead — it gives genuine context about the Chumash people who lived in this exact landscape for thousands of years, making the walk feel far more grounded than a typical morning stroll. Arrive early on weekdays for the quietest experience. |
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| 💬 21 Comments |
24 - Hour Emergency Veterinary Hospitals Simi Valley Urgent Veterinary Care Poison Emergencies Local Shelters and Companion-Animal Rescue Injured or Orphaned Wildlife Quick Wildlife Guidance Read More... |
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| ★★★★☆ |
Theresa's Country Feed and Pet has been serving Ventura County pet owners for over 50 years, and it shows. With three locations across Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Westlake Village, they carry the largest inventories of brand-name pet foods and supplies in the area — all at very competitive prices. Beyond great products, they offer hands-on services like nail trims and non-invasive teeth cleaning to keep your pets healthy and comfortable. Their staff are genuinely trained to know their stuff, so you'll always get honest, knowledgeable help. Whether you have dogs, cats, reptiles, fish, small animals, or backyard flocks, Theresa's has you covered. Loyal shoppers can also join their Frequent Buyer Program through Astro Loyalty for even more value. |
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This newsletter sponsored by |
Chase Plumbing Inc. |
| ★★★★☆ |
Reliable, top-rated plumbing services for Simi Valley homes and businesses.
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Claw Success Network helps local businesses grow with AI, automation, and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) visibility reports.
From AI-powered workflows to improving how your business appears in ChatGPT and other AI search tools, CSN helps businesses stay ahead in a changing digital world. |
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AI Made Simple Sponsored by Claw Success Network
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Confusing letters, notices, or estimates don't have to stay confusing.
AI tools can break down complicated documents into plain, everyday language — just upload a file or photo and ask the right questions.
A well-crafted prompt can get AI to explain what a document is about, highlight the five most important things to know, flag deadlines or fees, define confusing terms, and suggest questions to ask the sender.
Finishing with a "Bottom Line" request keeps the response focused and actionable.
Before uploading, remove sensitive details like Social Security numbers, account numbers, or financial information AI doesn't need to see.
For legal, medical, or financial matters, AI is helpful for understanding a document — but always verify important decisions with a qualified professional.
The real power comes from asking AI not just to summarize, but to tell you what you might not have thought to ask. Read More... |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The Santa Susana Field Laboratory (Sodium Reactor Experiment) |