Twin Palms Sharlene is on left and Shannon on right. Or is it Shannon on the left and Sharlene on the right?
by Victoria Usher
Shannon and Sharlene Lenardson, the owners of Twin Palms Health and Beauty Boutique, have always been passionate about helping people heal. Having the ability to help people feel better both physically and mentally brings them the greatest joy. Shannon and Sharlene were born and raised in a small town in the San Fernando Valley known as Sunland/Tujunga, in the foothills above Burbank.
They attended California Healing Arts College where they became certified Massage Therapists ten years ago. After becoming certified/licensed, they began working for a day spa and a chiropractor. Their dream was to one day open their own Day Spa. In February 2013, they discovered the perfect location in Downtown Ventura to open their very own Day Spa, at 35 South Oak Street, and they made the move to Ventura, where they now call home.
May 3,2013 was the Grand Opening of Twin Palms Health and Beauty Boutique! This year marks the milestone of their Fifth-Year anniversary! The two of them both love what they do, and they both love everything about the Ventura community.
Over the years they have continued their education and are now licensed Estheticians, (including Skincare & Waxing), Microblading Artists, and Spray Tan Artists. Soon, they will be adding Eyelash Extensions to their services as well. Twin Palms Health and Beauty Boutique is open by appointment only Tuesday – Friday 12:00pm – 7:00pm and Saturday 11:00am – 2:00pm. Visit their website: Twinpalmshealthandbeauty.com. Call: 805-643-0100, or Email: [email protected].
Carolyn adds her special touches of natural ingredients.
by Mira Reverente
Not all soaps are made the same. There are some that are good for you and some that may do more harm than good. Soap entrepreneur and cancer survivor Carolyn Aranda can attest to this.
Lather is the best medicine
Since being diagnosed with stage 1 uterine cancer about 30 years ago, Aranda has been particular about what she puts in her body. “I do a lot of research on scents and chemicals like parabens and sulfates. They are typically found in cosmetics, shaving and hair care products, which are absorbed by the skin,” says the Camarillo resident and mother of two grown children.
She started experimenting and making her own soaps and laundry detergents three years ago. In the process, she learned about the three ways to make soap, settling on the melt and pour method which involves melting the soap base glycerin and pouring into molds or containers. She says, “It’s the simplest and least toxic way to make soap.”
Aranda adds her special touches of natural ingredients such as goat’s milk which is great for lathering. Sometimes, she’ll add olive oil or use it separately. To add natural color, she uses blueberry or turmeric. For packaging, she also tries to use as little plastic as possible.
Sudsational and soaptastic
For the holidays, Aranda has a few holiday-themed designs up her sleeves. Think gingerbread men, snowmen, snowflakes, snow crystals and Christmas trees.
In the past, she has churned out stars for the 4th of July, pumpkins for the beginning of fall, some Halloween designs and seashells for the summer. “Others just have regular bar soaps, but I can jazz up the soaps with various interesting designs and even two-toned ones,” she says of her unique sudsational and soaptastic products.
Prices range from $5 a piece to $4 for three or more soaps. Small soaps retail for $2. Custom orders are encouraged although there is a wide variety of designs and scent combinations like lavender, lemongrass and peppermint to choose from. There are no minimums.
Raising the bar
Variety is the spice of life, and soaps apparently. Aranda is currently concocting more soap varieties and promoting gift baskets for the holidays. Think corporate and party giveaways. She’ll help you come up with a theme and put together gift baskets to match your idea, drawing upon her years in corporate America.
She also looks up to her husband for his business acumen. “He inspired me to break away from the 9 to 5 grind, pursue my interests and set up my own business,” she says.
She’s also dabbling with the idea of widening her reach and shipping internationally. Also, adding more adult themes for bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Look for her at a farmer’s market or bazaar near you soon. Soap is the limit for this solo entrepreneur!
For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/Carolyns-Natural-Organic-Handmade-Soap or call 747.231.SOAP (7627) or email [email protected].
On Sept.19,with the help of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce Southeby’s International Realty had their official Ribbon Cutting. They are located at 554 E. Main St.
On Sept. 1, Arsenal Comics & Games had an official Ventura Chamber ribbon cutting. Located at 3431 Telegraph Rd. Arsenal is a place where comic books are created, published, and then passed along to the people. Photo by Michael Gordon
Heritage Honey has a unique collection of bee products, from honey to skin care products to beekeeping supplies
by Mira Reverente
Quaint, inviting and unpretentious, walking into Heritage Honey along Thompson Blvd. is akin to walking into a friend’s or family member’s home. Jars of honey and curio items adorn the neatly-arranged shelves. A swinging glass door filled with bees stand out. It is after all a business that is bee-focused.
Co-owner Marcelino Zavala asks, “Can you spot the queen bee?” To the untrained eye, it takes awhile to spot her so Zavala had to point out her majesty. There she was, lording over her hive.
A legacy of bees
Zavala’s bees have a long, interesting lineage, having inherited them from Wailen Bennett of Bennett’s Honey Farm in Piru Canyon. “He taught me everything about the beekeeping business,” says Zavala of his mentor and former employer.
Not everyone starts out like Zavala. “Usually, hobbyists start out with a hive or two then go from there,” says Suzanne Lamey, who is Zavala’s business partner.
Lamey’s expertise lies in honey production where she was a quality assurance manager for eight years. The two were employed by Bennett where they gained the knowledge about the honey industry in Ventura County.
The bee kingdom
Aside from the honey varieties, skin care products, candies, honey products and beekeeping supplies, it’s a coop for local beekeepers and the only place that’s a retail and packing facility in one, says Lamey.
“The beekeepers bring their honey here and we package and sell them. The retail side of Heritage Honey is just a bonus but the bulk of the business is in packing,” she says, showing us around the pristine room where all the packing takes place.
Zavala also sells Nuc boxes, also known as a small colony of bees, and sometimes lends his expertise to beekeepers on swarms and other issues, for free. “I’ll answer any question on the phone and If I’m free, I’ll go out and check on their bee issues,” he says.
Wasp are you talking about?
Good, ethical beekeeping practices are important. As an example, Zavala explains, “We don’t feed bees during a ‘honey flow.’ Doing so affects the integrity of the honey,” he says.
An all-terrain natural setting is also preferred, so the bees are exposed to less pesticides and parasites. Says Zavala, “Good honey is usually judged on color, taste and moisture.”
Looking bee-yond
Probably immune to bee stings at this point, but not to small business challenges. “A good rain year is key to a good honey production year,” says Lamey, citing a challenge that’s tough to control but not unusual.
Unknown to many in the area, honey is an agricultural product so just like everything else in this agricultural region, weather needs to be on the growers’ side. “Otherwise, we have great soil for pollination for crops like avocados,” says Lamey.
Springtime is “bee season” but October to December are usually considered peak months in the business. However, the Thomas Fire last December also brought an unexpected slump in sales.
The duo feels optimistic about growth and getting the word out about their good reputation. Lamey says, “We just want this to be a gathering place for hobbyists, beekeepers and locals alike from all over Ventura, Santa Barbara and LA counties.”
For more info: Heritage Honey is at 2031 E. Thompson Blvd.. Contact 805.641.0408, www.heritagehoney.org.
Tour new small animal specialty hospital in Ventura.
On Wednesday, August 1st Ventura County gained a new, life-saving, 24/7 small animal specialty hospital. Horizon Veterinary Specialists, located at 5280 Valentine Road in Ventura, invites the public to their Open House on Sunday, September 9th, from 1pm to 4pm.
The specialty hospital is focused on caring for patients throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and surrounding counties with 24/7 emergency and trauma services, critical care, internal medicine, ultrasound, digital radiography, endoscopy, surgery, and 24-hour ICU hospitalization when needed.
Meet the founders – Dr. Nancy Scott and Dr. Sarah Gray, both board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, are joined by Dr. Amy Rhoades, Dr. Melissa Herrera and Dr. Theresa Ortega, all board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. The five well respected board-certified veterinarians bring a collective 75+ years of internal medicine, emergency and critical care experience, much of that time spent right here in Ventura County.
Get to know our team – Working alongside the founders is highly experienced emergency veterinarian, Dr. Mary Ellen McLoughlin who has practiced emergency medicine exclusively for the past 12 years. She and the founders are joined by an experienced team of dedicated veterinary technicians, assistants, client service representatives, caretakers, and practice managers who are all committed to excellence.
Five local board-certified veterinary specialists have opened Horizon Veterinary Specialists, a newly established, 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week small animal specialty and emergency veterinary hospital serving Ventura, Santa Barbara, and surrounding counties. The new veterinary hospital is located at 5280 Valentine Road in Ventura on the corner of Valentine Road and Sperry Avenue with easy on and off 101 freeway access at Victoria Avenue.
Dr. Nancy Scott and Dr. Sarah Gray, both board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, have transitioned their Emergency Veterinary Care practice to Horizon Veterinary Specialists and are joined by Dr. Amy Rhoades, Dr. Melissa Herrera and Dr. Theresa Ortega, all board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. The five well respected board-certified veterinarians have been seeing patients in the Ventura community for many years and bring over 50 years of combined internal medicine, emergency and critical care experience.
“We have built a strong team of caring and experienced veterinary professionals and are dedicated to serving our community with progressive, collaborative, ethical, and compassionate care,” said Dr. Theresa Ortega. “We are passionate about the pets and their families in our community and look forward to working with our local primary veterinarians to provide an extension of specialty and emergency care for their patients,” added Dr. Nancy Scott.
Working alongside the owners is highly experienced emergency veterinarian, Dr. Mary Ellen McLoughlin who has practiced emergency medicine exclusively for the past 12 years. She and the founders are joined by a team of dedicated veterinary technicians, assistants, client service representatives, caretakers, and practice managers who are all committed to excellence.
Horizon Veterinary Specialists provides services including 24/7 emergency and trauma care, internal medicine, critical care, ultrasound, digital radiography and endoscopy, surgery and 24-hour ICU hospitalization. Learn more at www.HorizonVets.com.
Dr. Jennifer Vineyard, DO, is a board-certified Internist. Her interest in nutrition, immune function, and health led her to study microbiology at Arizona State University, where she graduated summa cum laude. At Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (Midwestern University), she studied medicine and treatment of the whole person, including additional training in manual medicine (osteopathic manipulative treatment or OMT). She completed a Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship at Cedars-Sinai/West Los Angeles VA.
