It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Bradbury Building gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Los Angeles, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Carrie is amazing. Very knowledgeable about Senior living, lifestyle, and care. Super responsive and phenomenal”
“Always Best Care was there for us after my wife's surgery. We had a caregiver”
“Loli demonstrated a level of professionalism that stood out, and her service and follow through”
“My dad came home from the hospital, then to hospice care for 4 months, then”
“Excellent service. Professional staff and wonderful caregivers.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of”
“Loli is very caring, worked with us to get the best caregiver match for my”
“We are deeply grateful to Loli and to two of the ABC caregivers in particular,”
“I needed to find an assisted living community for my dad in a hurry, and”
“Always Best Care was an excellent caregiving service for the short time they tended to”
“reliable with excellent oversight”
“We have had 24/7 care for my mother with ABC for over 2 years. The”
“Loli Ramezani and her staff are top notch when it comes to the service they”
“Loli was excellent to work with. She really took the time to understand my father”
“This was a wonderful experience. The care giver did a fantastic job taking care of”
“Loli and the staff at Always Best Care were very professional, compassionate, and resourceful in”
“Outstanding service. I would recommend Manhattan Beach Always Best Care to anyone who needs to”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my poor mom without being worried.”
“Loli truly cares about her clients and their families ! , She is compassionate professional”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my mom without being worried. When”
“Always Best Care and Carrie Bianco go above and beyond the call of duty to”
“I can't say enough good things about Always Best Care! Carrie is so professional.”
“What a pleasure to meet Carrie and be introduced to her at Always Best”
“Carrie truly cares about her clients and their families. She is compassionate professional”
“Carrie is amazing. Very knowledgeable about Senior living, lifestyle, and care. Super responsive and phenomenal follow up. An incredible resource for all things "Senior".”
“Always Best Care was there for us after my wife's surgery. We had a caregiver come each day for two weeks to help bath, feed, walk, and tidy the house during working hours so that my wife was not alone. Our caregiver Naomi was a God sent and so delightful. I often overheard my wife and Naomi singing together. What a joy! Thank you Loli and ABC Senior Services for making this service available to Beach Cities.”
“Loli demonstrated a level of professionalism that stood out, and her service and follow through made our experience with Always Best Care Senior Services stress free. We had a unique situation that required a specific type of caregiver and Loli was able to make a great match! Overall a great experience.”
“My dad came home from the hospital, then to hospice care for 4 months, then passed at home. Loli helped our family during multiple transitions of his care. She is professional and efficient, but also compassionate and empathic. She was a core contact for our family from in- and out-of town, and always responded quickly to calls, emails or txts. Dad's caregiver needs and schedules were ever-changing and Loli was always able to adjust, helping us to coordinate needs from hospice and family. We are so thankful Dad was able to spend his last months at home. We continue to use Loli's services for our mom. The caregivers are trained well and often became friends to my folks. I highly recommend Loli's services.”
“Excellent service. Professional staff and wonderful caregivers.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of your loved ones in their senior years of need. We called them when we found out my 92 year old mother in law was due to be released from the hospital but clearly not able to care for herself upon her release. It was a stressful situation but Loli new exactly the right questions to ask and heard our needs and pointed us in the right direction with all that needed to be done. She set up a call with hospice who arranged for all necessary equipment to be delivered in less than a 24 hour period. She also set up 3 very competent experienced care givers to be at the home in that same 24 hour period. The speed and professionalism in which this all happened could not have handled any better in my opinion. Working with Loli at Always Best Care Senior Services put our minds at ease and got everything set up for us to care for my mother in law. Loli was hands on in meeting with us and introducing the care givers and involved with speaking to doctors and hospice and everyone involved with my mother in laws care. She made a highly stressful time much more manageable and guided us every step of the way. She also followed up and made sure all that was supposed to be done was being taken care of. You are in good hands when calling on them for your loved ones care. I am happy to speak to anyone directly if you would like to ask any questions I give my permission for Always Best Care to give my personal phone number out to speak to anyone who is considering using their services.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of your loved ones in their senior years of need. We called them when we found out my 92 year old mother in law was due to be released from the hospital but clearly not able to care for herself upon her release. It was a stressful situation but Loli new exactly the right questions to ask and heard our needs and pointed us in the right direction with all that needed to be done. She set up a call with hospice who arranged for all necessary equipment to be delivered in less than a 24 hour period. She also set up 3 very competent experienced care givers to be at the home in that same 24 hour period. The speed and professionalism in which this all happened could not have handled any better in my opinion. Working with Loli at Always Best Care Senior Services put our minds at ease and got everything set up for us to care for my mother in law. Loli was hands on in meeting with us and introducing the care givers and involved with speaking to doctors and hospice and everyone involved with my mother in laws care. She made a highly stressful time much more manageable and guided us every step of the way. She also followed up and made sure all that was supposed to be done was being taken care of. You are in good hands when calling on them for your loved ones care. I am happy to speak to anyone directly if you would like to ask any questions I give my permission for Always Best Care to give my personal phone number out to speak to anyone who is considering using their services.”
“Loli is very caring, worked with us to get the best caregiver match for my parents, was able to schedule someone when we needed a caregiver on short notice and she always made suggestions to us to help make things better and more comfortable for my parents.”
“We are deeply grateful to Loli and to two of the ABC caregivers in particular, María Flores and Soledad, for their professionalism, dedication and superb service over the course of nearly two years. They provided coverage on evening shifts on weekends and some weekdays —as well as on occasional overnight shifts— for my mother who was in the early-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer’s. (We recently moved her into an assisted living facility.) Because our need for ABC's services was sporadic and variable, Loli and her staff often had to juggle quite a bit to accommodate us — for which we are grateful. Occasionally we’d be assigned a caregiver who wasn’t the best fit but Loli was always responsive to our concerns and would work with us to find a different caregiver. We also appreciate the “added value” that Loli brought to the table — her overall expertise on elder care, knowledge about related resources, and guidance on how to make our home safer for my mother. We are pleased to highly recommend Loli and ABC for your in-home eldercare needs.”
“I needed to find an assisted living community for my dad in a hurry, and knew that I didn't have as much time as I'd like to do all of the research on my own. I was very relieved when I found Loli to help us as a consultant for our search. She was very detail-oriented in acquiring the necessary info from us, and helped us to find a few places with availability that we could visit. I very much appreciated her knowledge of so many various communities, her professionalism, her efficiency, and the wide range of items that she suggested we consider, that we may not have thought of on our own. I would highly recommend her placement services.”
“Always Best Care was an excellent caregiving service for the short time they tended to my ailing mother, a late-stage pancreatic cancer patient. She passed away shortly after we began the caregiving service. In the short time that Always Best Care tended to my mother, the caregiver Maria demonstrated excellent experience. She tended well to my mother and assisted in any other way that she could. Thank you Maria and Always Best Care for your service. I wish you all the kindness and wellness in the world. Colin”
“reliable with excellent oversight”
“We have had 24/7 care for my mother with ABC for over 2 years. The care and compassion they showed for her really touched my heart. I have had to ask for last minute help when another caregiver (not from ABC) could not show up for a shift, Loli and staff always came through for me. She has always been available to work out problems and last minute requests, I can't say enough about how important that has been to me when I live out of state.I have really been able to rely on their judgement once they got to know my moms likes and needs, they always tried to match her with a caregiver that she would also feel comfortable with personally.The caregivers were long term, they did not come and go, mom really became attached and appreciated them. The caregivers speak highly about Loli as their employer, they have mentioned to me they really feel like she cares and looks after them as well. Touches like Loli dropping by for a visit to chat with mom, or remembering her birthday with a bunch of flowers was so great. I would definitely recommend!”
“Loli Ramezani and her staff are top notch when it comes to the service they provide. They are very accommodating on all levels from helping you think things through from start to finish, as well as remaining flexible through each process with the ultimate changes that always seem to arise. I highly recommend them and will be using them again if/when the need presents itself”
“Loli was excellent to work with. She really took the time to understand my father in-law and the family's needs. We had a wonderful caregiver for my father in-law and when it came time to move him from our home, Loli was instrumental in finding a Room and Board that was a great fit. We had used a different service and we can tell you Always Best Care is MUCH higher quality.”
“This was a wonderful experience. The care giver did a fantastic job taking care of my mother. I would recommend them to anyone. The care giver was kind, helpful, and provided all the help we needed. Their service was instrumental in my mother being able to get her independence.”
“Loli and the staff at Always Best Care were very professional, compassionate, and resourceful in providing in home care for my Mom. Loli was responsive when I needed to talk to her about changes or adjustments to my Mom’s care. With her experience and knowledge in the field of senior care she always had recommendations and resources to reach out to when we needed to consider options and alternatives for my Mom’s care. Loli was very compassionate and respectful of my Mom’s wants and needs. I would highly recommend Loli and Always Best Care for senior care services.”
“Outstanding service. I would recommend Manhattan Beach Always Best Care to anyone who needs to have care for a family member. I've had personal experience with Carrie’s organization and was very impressed with her and her caretakers.”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my poor mom without being worried. When I talked to Loli I got the feeling she understood and she went through A to Z on everything with me. Care and quality care is truly what she delivers.”
“Loli truly cares about her clients and their families ! , She is compassionate professional”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my mom without being worried. When I talked to Carrie I got the feeling she understood and she went through A to Z on everything with me. Care and quality care is truly what she delivers.”
“Always Best Care and Carrie Bianco go above and beyond the call of duty to really find the perfect fit for your loved one at a price that is affordable. Their customer service and attention to detail is unparalleled.”
“I can't say enough good things about Always Best Care! Carrie is so professional. She was able to find a great caregiver for my Grandmother on very short notice. The communication has been outstanding as well. When it comes to family, you want to know that they are being taken care of by someone that you can trust. We are so happy to have found Always Best Care.”
“What a pleasure to meet Carrie and be introduced to her at Always Best Care Senior Services. Rarely have a met someone that offered so much warmth, care, and genuine concern for the well-being and happiness of her clients. Carrie will be my first call when my family members need assistance.”
“Carrie truly cares about her clients and their families. She is compassionate professional”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Griffith Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar or visit Hollyhock House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Los Angeles, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Los Angeles, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Los Angeles, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Jim Harbaugh likes to run the football. He more than likes it, he loves it -- it's in his Bo Schembechler-infused blood. He's done it everywhere he's ever coached, even when smash-mouth football gave way to basketball-on-grass. Guessing Harbaugh was not one bit surprised when the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX running the football. Also guessing that's why he and Chargers' GM Joe Hortiz signed Phi...
Jim Harbaugh likes to run the football. He more than likes it, he loves it -- it's in his Bo Schembechler-infused blood. He's done it everywhere he's ever coached, even when smash-mouth football gave way to basketball-on-grass. Guessing Harbaugh was not one bit surprised when the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX running the football. Also guessing that's why he and Chargers' GM Joe Hortiz signed Philly's free agent guard, Mekhi Becton on Friday.
At 6'7", 363 pounds, the massive Becton helped the Eagles open huge holes for Saquon Barkley all last season, including on Super Bowl Sunday. After the Chargers signed ex-Pittsburgh Steeler RB Najee Harris it became clear they were leaning into Harbaugh's pound-the-rock mentality. Snagging Becton to fill an iOL need makes complete sense and recently garnered an 'A' grade from The Sporting News' Travis Wakeman.
"The Chargers — who already have Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt at the tackle spots — will presumably play Becton at guard as well, making this a fantastic move," Wakeman writes, "It's somewhat surprising to see the Eagles let him get away, but it gives the Chargers a chance to have one of the most physical lines in football next year."
Another grade that backs up the overwhelmingly positive reaction to Becton's signing, is his Pro Football Focus grade for 2024. Becton is a servicable pass blocker, grading out at 63.6. As a run blocker, however, he was a beast with a PFF grade of 74.7 -- good enough for the 14th best guard in the NFL. His overall mark of 75.2 puts him as the 16th best guard in football.
Harbaugh and Hortiz keep saying they have a plan, trust the plan. It's the same plan Harbaugh has always had -- dominate the line of scrimmage, field position and time of possession. Run the football well in order to open up options with the pass. A philosophy that Harbaugh has won with time and time again.
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This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Kids & Family ESL teacher, who is based in Cambodia, originally from the states, has written a creative reading book, which consists of 30 short stories. Lisa Pellegrene, Community Contributor|Updated Sun, Mar 16, 20...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Lisa Pellegrene, Community Contributor
|Updated Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 4:30 pm PT
Cotton Candy Dreamland is a book by an ESL teacher, Steven Johnson, to encourage young ESL readers, and all children to improve their reading and writing skills through his engaging short stories.
The book is beautifully illustrated by self-taught artist and educator, Timothy Johnson. The stories also contain elements within each of them to deepen empathy, compassion and moral values, to inspire children to make the right choices and to proceed with love and kindness for others, while improving reading and writing skills. This creative reading book, created to help students who are learning English as a Second Language is also helping children across the board (whether ESL students or not) to find interest in reading due to the very inspiring stories that the author has shared. Author Steven Johnson was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Cambodia where he currently resides with his family. Johnson’s children speak English, Khmer, and are at the beginning phases of learning Chinese. Johnson states, “Learning a language is accomplished over time in chunks. Learning a language to the fullest extent can only be accomplished if you are practicing and exposed to the language you wish to learn. Just like learning to ride a bicycle or play a musical instrument, learning to speak, read, and write a language can often be frustrating and difficult. Due to the challenges learners face while studying a language, the content used in developing language skills is vital. It needs to be interesting and thought provoking, not frustrating and boring, in order for the language to be learned at a faster pace.”
Author Steven Johnson was inspired to write his stories after seeing students throughout Asia who were unhappy and uninterested with the books used in traditional reading classes. Stating, “My young students did not find reading interesting due to the unstimulating content that was being used. Oftentimes, changing or adding additional books into a school curriculum in Southeast Asia is a slow process. Any type of creative change in a curriculum is usually approached with skepticism and rarely ever happens. With my young 2nd graders, I was thankfully allowed to create some of my own reading content and activities on top of the largely uninteresting reading books that were mandatory for me to finish each semester. I noticed how stimulating content within books was the biggest factor that decided if young children made reading a daily habit or not.”
Cotton Candy Dreamland is an extension of this, to provide young readers various stories that are filled with inspiration, and important life lessons such as a reminder to keep empathy, kindness, fairness and compassion in all aspects of life, while the author concurrently incorporates valuable methodology which is crucial for teaching reading and writing, something every student benefits greatly from mastering.
Discussing his father’s illustrations found within Cotton Candy Dreamland: “My father’s paintings and my writings fuse together in a magical way. He is a self-taught artist. I write without overthinking. His paintings are not like photos. My writing is not fine-tuned to artificial perfection. His art jump starts my motivation to write daily. Honestly, he is my favorite artist, past or present. I purposely don’t include too much art in my books. I want the reader to create their own mental images without being influenced by excessive art. Usually, I only include one to three paintings per story. Two techniques are used when combining my writings with my father's art. The first is "Idea First, Art Second." When I have an idea in my mind, I often write the story and share the story with my dad. We then discuss the painting to be used. Once we agree on the painting, he produces it within a few days. The second technique is "Art First, Idea Second." My father has many beautiful paintings. Each of his paintings gives me endless ideas for stories. When I look at his paintings of nature or animals, I get a rush of possible characters, settings, and events. I just filter my thoughts and let the best of my art-influenced ideas flow off the tip of my pen.” Johnson has incorporated this process in his book at the conclusion of the short stories so that the children can participate by writing their own short stories and drawing their own images, sometimes the image is provided first and the children write the story. Other times the children are encouraged to draw their own images as well.
One of the stories in Cotton Candy Dreamland was inspired during Johnson’s childhood. When he was 11 years old, he began to volunteer at an animal shelter. Johnson recalls, “Rain or shine, my mom would drop me off at the shelter. After a few hours, my mother would come back to pick me up. My dream was to have a pet dog, but my parents were allergic to dogs. I enjoyed being near and helping all the dogs at the shelter, which came in a variety such as healthy, unhealthy, happy, unhappy, abused, and neglected.”
Paraphrasing Johnson’s beautiful story from his own life, discussing a very precious life he decided to adopt as a child, it all started when he remembers being asked to spend time with a dog who was not willing to come near people or even eat, she was in her kennel shaking in the corner, until she met Steven Johnson.
Johnson remembers approaching her hoping to bring her out of her shell, so that she realized that loving people do exist in this world, stating, “I just sat down in front of the kennel’s gate and began to talk to her. She eventually raised her head. After continuing to talk to her for about fifteen minutes, she stood up still shaking,” but she eventually slowly found the courage to walk over to him. Steven continued, “Her tail fluttered quickly as she made her way over to me. When she was next to me, the gate separated us in close proximity. I stuck my hand through the chain-link fence and gave her a belly rub. She then stood up and stuck her nose through the fence with a big smile. I began to take Skeeter for walks around the shelter’s property. These outdoor walks became a daily routine. I knew I would one day adopt her.”
Steven discussed his desire to adopt Skeeter with his parents. His parents agreed that they could take her home on a trial basis in order to see if she caused his parents' allergies to act up or not.
“After a week, my parents decided we could adopt Skeeter permanently. Skeeter literally went everywhere with me during my years spent with her. She would go hiking with me and loved car rides. She was a true friend and was a great example of unconditional love. Skeeter cheered people up. You could not hide your feelings around Skeeter. She knew if you were sad or worried. She would comfort anyone who was lacking peace.” Saving Skeeter is a very special story in Steven Johnson’s book Cotton Candy Dreamland. He remembers as if it were yesterday that “she would put smiles on the faces of people who lacked happiness or felt pain. It seemed as if it was her mission in life to give others joy. Her mission of helping people really made me think about the importance of helping people regardless of who they were.”
The themes of respect, hope, love, gratitude and empathy in his writings were hugely influenced by Steven’s immensely precious dog, Skeeter.
Johnson concludes, “The story in my book, “Saving Skeeter” is a brief glimpse into my years spent with my beloved dog. This story is greatly enjoyed by the children here in Cambodia. Even parents of the young readers have commented positively about this touching story.”
Cotton Candy Dreamland is currently available to young readers everywhere on Amazon at the following link in both eBook, and paperback Cotton Candy Dreamland: Johnson, Steven, Pellegrene, Lisa J, Johnson, Timothy: 9798324940744: Amazon.com: Books, and will soon be available via Barnes and Nobles and other retailers. The book is edited by Lisa Pellegrene, and published through her company, Be Epic Media and Publishing, inspired after Ms. Pellegrene authored and published her book, "Be Epic, Choose Love - The Inspiration Continues."
Educators who would like to order multiple copies of Cotton Candy Dreamland, please contact the Publisher - Be Epic Media via the contact form.
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
When it comes to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, their style game is anything but accidental. Sure, their romance has most fans rooting, but ...
When it comes to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, their style game is anything but accidental. Sure, their romance has most fans rooting, but their coordinated outfits? That’s where things really get interesting. These two don’t just throw on whatever’s clean; their looks seem calculated, a sartorial wink to a fanbase who is all too game to look for Easter eggs and hidden clues in Swift’s style.
Case in point? Their latest date night at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City on March 14. Swift opted for a power suit moment with an oversized gray blazer paired with sleek burgundy heels. Match that with Kelce’s gray button-down and light jeans, and you’ve got a visual harmony that gives “twinning” without teetering into The Shining territory. This mutual minimalism isn’t about being extra; it’s about showing they’re in sync on the low. (See the photos on People HERE.)
Related story Bettina Anderson Shines Among A-List Elite Amid Romance With Donald Trump Jr.
But this coordinated magic didn’t happen overnight. Since stepping out as a couple in 2023, the Eras Tour star and Kansas City Chiefs tight end have evolved their style game big time. Take their twinning spree in New York City last December. One night they served bold accents; Swift in a black embellished wool coat and matching platforms, Kelce in a red denim jacket with jeans to match. The next, they pivoted to neutrals, with the “Blank Space” singer in a crystal-embroidered beige blazer and her NFL star beau in a camel-toned cardigan. The two even rocked matching pinky rings during her Eras Tour wrap party. Shared brands like Stella McCartney and coordinating color stories? It’s clear they’re communicating through design.
And let’s not forget their coordinated, preppy looks at the US Open in September 2024. Swift opted for a chic red-and-white gingham sundress from Reformation, while Kelce kept it preppy and polished in a Gucci cardigan and matching shorts, accented with red trim that tied their outfits together. Both looks featured subtle pops of red, a callback to Swift’s playful use of color coordination throughout her career.
Then there’s Kelce’s stylist, Tom Marchitelli, to thank. Marchitelli recently hinted that Travis “sneaks in” references to Swift’s world, calling it a playful inside joke between the couple. Whether it’s incorporating a Vivienne Westwood cardigan to blend seamlessly with Swift’s wardrobe or outfitting Kelce in a luxe red Nahmias denim set to complement Swift’s corset minidress, the pair is proving they’ve mastered the art of purposeful pairing.
And because we’re dealing with a Swift production, there are always Easter eggs. Remember their Grammy-adjacent looks? Swift in bold red and Kelce in gold, referencing her “Daylight” lyrics and the Kansas City Chiefs colors. Fans eat up these breadcrumbs, and it seems like the couple enjoys feeding the frenzy.
This isn’t just date-night dressing; it’s a flex. It’s branding. It’s mutual support embodied in Gucci and denim. One thing’s for sure: when it comes to Swift and Kelce, even their wardrobe works overtime to tell their story.
Before you go, click to see all of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s cutest PDA moments.
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Here’s what you need to know to start your weekend:NewsletterYou're reading the Essential California newsletterOur reporters guide you through the most important news, features and recommendations of the day.Enter email addressYou may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.Where to stop a...
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Here’s what you need to know to start your weekend:
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You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
The rain has subsided and it’s finally time to visit colorful wildflower displays across the region.
But uneven rain patterns across the state mean the wildflower situation will be inconsistent. Northern California, which got more rain than usual, will see big superblooms. In Southern California, not so much. But there are still flower-viewing options.
The flower fields need a good soaking in the winter to germinate, my colleague Jeanette Marantos wrote in her plants newsletter.
That’s not what happened this rainy season. Downtown L.A. has received 6.55 inches of rain since the water year began Oct. 1. That is below the average for this point in the water season, 11.88 inches.
That means we’re unlikely to see large-scale blooms.
“Wildflowers need three things to give us a copious spring bloom — seeds in the ground, plenty of moisture and a few weeks of mild, cool temperatures in the 60s and low 70s,” botanist Naomi Fraga told Jeanette.
Just because poppies won’t blanket our hills like in previous years, doesn’t mean there won’t be beautiful flowers to admire across the state.
Other perennial native plants such as monkey flowers, phlox, sages, buckwheats and manzanitas will be in bloom. Here’s how you can find them.
Call the Wild Flower Hotline, which provides free weekly updates on the best locations for viewing spring wildflowers in Southern and Central California.
Visit your local botanical garden. California Botanic Garden in Claremont, the state’s largest botanic garden devoted to California native plants, and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, the second largest, are great options.
California Botanic Garden is hosting a free Native Plant Festival on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to highlight the beauty, variety and resiliency of the state’s native ecosystems.
Drive to see the Turkish flower fields. Farther south near San Diego, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch boast 55 acres of ranunculus flowers that typically bloom for six to eight weeks.
Ranunculus flowers, also known as Persian buttercups, are native to Turkey but have been grown along the northern San Diego County coast for at least 90 years, Times reporter Christopher Reynolds wrote.
Through Mother’s Day, experience the magical ranunculus fields of bright pink, orange, yellow and white flowers at the ranch while also enjoying a 300-feet-by-170-feet American flag made from red, white and blue petunias; a 5-acre “sea of sunflowers;” and greenhouse displays of poinsettias and Cymbidium orchids.
The real superblooms, though, can be found in Northern California where rainfall has been above average all winter, setting the stage for a spring season of stunning wildflower superblooms.
California businesses are reeling from Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs
In Altadena and Pacific Palisades, burned lots are hitting the market
Tesla drivers are pushing back on Elon Musk
Federal lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to nix a plan to shoot 450,000 owls, citing cost
More big stories
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What do the dead have to say to the living?
The Life After Life Club in an Orange County retirement community explores trance channeling, the power of animal communication and near-death experiences. It recently hosted a psychic.
More great reads
How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to [email protected].
Going out
Staying in
Lady Gaga’s new album, “Mayhem,” comes just about a month before she’s set to headline which California desert music festival? Plus nine other questions from our weekly news quiz.
Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Pi Day is an annual national celebration of the mathematical concept, which is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and equals 3.14...March 14 is also reportedly the ...
Pi Day is an annual national celebration of the mathematical concept, which is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and equals 3.14...
March 14 is also reportedly the birthday of theoretical physicist Albert Einstein.
???? Los Angeles news 24/7: Watch NBC4 free wherever you are
On Friday, restaurants and businesses nationwide will be celebrating one of the "nerdiest" days of the year with deals on actual pie, pizza pie and other delights.
Here are some of the deals you can take advantage of this Pi Day:
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All Milk Bar locations will offer a “Pi à la Mode” deal: a slice of Milk Bar’s famed Milk Bar Pie alongside a cup of their signature Cereal Milk Soft Serve for $10 ($4 discount).
Halo Top
What goes better with pie than ice cream?
From now until March 20, Halo Top is giving away 80,000 free pints in celebration of their eight new flavors.
To claim a free pint, ice cream enthusiasts can head to HaloTop.com/firsttaste.
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is offering members of its loyalty programs a large pizza for $3.14 in 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores on Thursday, March 14. (Limit one per transaction, two per day.)
Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings
Get 31.4% off a large 16-inch pizza on Thursday, March 14, at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings. Valid for dine-in only.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Get a second Pizookie for $3.14 with the purchase of a regularly-priced Pizookie on Thursday, March 14, at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Valid for dine-in only.
Blaze Pizza
When you buy one 11-inch pizza, you can get a second 11-inch pizza of equal or lesser value for $3.14 at participating Blaze Pizza locations on March 14. The in-store-only offer is one per person and valid on any original dough pizza.
Customers will also get a code for a buy one, get one for $3.14 pizza that can be used in the Blaze app through the end of March.
California Pizza Kitchen
Sign up for California Pizza Kitchen's ?CPK Rewards loyalty program to get a $3.14 pizza (choose from Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Pepperoni, or Traditional Cheese), with a $25 minimum purchase for dine-in only.
Current rewards members will find this offer in their digital wallet on March 14.
Chuck E. Cheese
Get a medium build-your-own one-topping pizza for $3.14 with the purchase of any large pizza at participating Chuck E. Cheese locations on March. 14.
Cicis Pizza
On Pi Day, Cicis Pizza customers who buy one medium or large one-topping pizza with Cicis Original round crust can buy a second pizza of the same size for $3.14. The offer can be redeemed in store or online with the code PIDAY.
DIGIORNO
Starting on Pi Day, March 14, the brand will launch a giveaway and give fans the chance to win limited-edition merchandise from a DiGiorno and Hidden Valley Ranch collab collection.
To enter, visit the giveaway website at 12 p.m. ET on March 14 for the chance to score free items while supplies last.
'Doordash
The food delivery service is offering nationwide Pi Day deals from three popular pizza chains: Pizza Hut, Sbarro and Hungry Howies.
Pi Day Party by Mathnasium x CAMP
CAMP, the family activity center with locations in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, NYC, Philly and Washington D.C., is teaming up with Mathnasium for free Pi Day celebrations.
Families can book a Pi Day slime bar appointment, then enjoy free pizza and other hands-on activities like beaded bracelet crafting, face painting and temporary tattoos.
Mathnasium and CAMP are also hosting a national sweepstakes. Three lucky winners will receive a $3,140 educational scholarship and a $314 CAMP gift card.
Burger King
Members of Burger King's Royal Perks program can enjoy a free Hershey’s Sundae Pie with any purchase of $3.14 or more all day Thursday.
The offer must be activated in the “Offers” tab on the BK App or on bk.com before placing an order.
Keebler
Enter for a chance to win Keebler's ready-to-eat pie crusts by liking their Instagram post and tagging a friend. No purchase necessary.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is selling their Mexican Pizzas for $3.14 on Pi Day. The offer limited to one per customer, only in the app.
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