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 Rancho Simi (California Historical Landmark #979) 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 Simi Valley, 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.
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one.”
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can attest that he strives to provide the best quality care for his clients and a positive work environment for his employees. Great agency! Highly recommend!”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset to our hospital. Families don't know where to start and David gets the ball rolling and smooths the way. What a blessing to these families.”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers are wonderful and helpful and willing to go the extra mile. I am so happy to have their team a part of our lives! Thank you!”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n boss , overall great company for work for , great communication from supervisors ,n always a pleasure to work with wonderful clients”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been phenomenal. The professionalism.and respect they show to us caregivers makes me feel appreciated as well as giving me opportunity to learn and grow in my services I provide to my clients with the workshops they provide every month.”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations that provide senior care services but the Always Best Care Thousand Oaks location has been a wonderful place to work. The working relationship between staff, client and ownership/management is that it's important for us all to be happy. I've been placed with so many wonderful people that I can say are not only my clients but also my friends. They really try to provide the right client with the right caregiver and with me it has been a wonderful experience and a great place to work.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and treated him like family. It was reassuring to us to know he was looked after by a loving and caring person. She was always available to us and she was able to adjust her schedule to his needs. Nisa allowed my father to stay in his home longer and provided him new freedom he had not had previously.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s doing, was great with my mom. We all felt very comfortable when she was caring for mom.”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care and was extremely pleased with the decision I made. Always Best Care checked every box on my list and was the absolute best choice for my post-surgery needs. Start to finish, the entire organization was professional, responsive, and provided the services I was in need of. Caregivers were exceptional in responding to my needs in addition to providing warm companionship that aided in a worry free recovery. Always Best Care delivered as promised and I highly recommend them for Home Health Care needs. MMD”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always Best Care Senior Services. The services provided by Always Best are both personal and professional. All of my calls were always answered by Tom ( the owner). Never was I left to wonder if I was going to get assistance for my mother and her significant other. From the top down I found everyone to be patient, kind, attentive, accessible, problem solvers, with an “I can get it done” attitude. The services provided by Always Best, required end of life care. The care givers worked seamlessly with Hospice. Every step of the way I could see both my mother and the patient were lovingly cared for. I look forward to using this agency as needed for my mother. Thank you, Tom and all of your care angels!”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have been with them for two weeks now. They were great, and we have had a good experience so far. The caregiver is great. She has been like a lifeline for us; she has been nice. The scheduling has been fine, and everything has been working great.”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always Best Care of Thousand Oaks.”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She is comforting, empathetic, and very knowledgeable. Thanks again Erin! Natalie Schauwecker, RN”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect they give us caregivers and employees. We are a team as they say welcome to the team and it truly is a team more like a family here. They take our schedules and work with us and don't pay us low as all other places. You get what you pay for. I've worked for Disneyland Resorts and this is much like the atmosphere there very friendly and non judgemental and truly caring understanding team. Tom the owner is one of us he doesn't put himself above us neither does Erin. They are both friendly. Moving up in the company is possible as i have already and my kids are much happier because mommy actually loves her job. No one is paying me to write this i don't do reviews typically because the time it takes but i believe in our team amd if you want great care and affordable care please try us for a week and I personally guarantee you, you'll be the next to write a review.”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your family!”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one. It is obvious, Tom and his team have a passion for the work they do. They are so patient and kind and treated us and our loved one like one of their own members of the family. We are forever grateful.”
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 Vista Del Arroyo 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 Larsen's Grill or visit Ulmer's Castle, 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 Simi Valley, 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 Simi Valley, 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 Simi Valley, 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.
The BriefA volunteer crew recently uncovered more than half a dozen stolen safes that had been cracked open and dumped in a ravine off the side of a Simi Valley road.Safes found dumpedWhat we know:David Weisberg found the safes while checking out cleanup spots for the non-profit...
A volunteer crew recently uncovered more than half a dozen stolen safes that had been cracked open and dumped in a ravine off the side of a Simi Valley road.
What we know:
David Weisberg found the safes while checking out cleanup spots for the non-profit Volunteers Cleaning Communities, which does regular events in the area.
Images from SkyFOX showed several of the safes off the side of State Route 118 near Rocky Peak Road.
Weisberg and his girlfriend took as much as they could and tried to track down the people on the documents. One of those people was Ken Ramage.
Ramage had a safe stolen from his Glendora home back in August. Security footage from the home showed three people lifting the massive safe into the back of a car.
What they're saying:
Ramage said that when he heard the safe had been found he was shocked. He said that Weisberg and his girlfriend actually got in contact with his daughter, who lives in Munich now, and his daughter told him.
"Our daughter sends us a message on WhatsApp, you know, middle of the night because it's Munich, and she goes, ‘You’re not going to believe this. This gal sent me a message that says, I've got your passport and your Social Security cards,'" Ramage said. "I'm like, ‘You got to be kidding.’"
Inside his family's safe there were his and his sister's birth certificates, his children's passports, and his daughter's wedding album. Some of the items were even still in "pristine" condition, he said.
While Weisberg said that finding the safes on the side of the road was "crazy," this isn't the first time the group has found things like this during a cleanup. During past cleanups, they've found things like ATMs and even other safes. But still, he's never found something like this.
Ramage said most of the documents in the safe had been replaced, since the robbery was months ago. But still, Ramage said, "We were so grateful to David and his girlfriend for what they did. We appreciate them so much and what they did. We could never repay them for doing the right thing."
The Source: Information in this story is from interviews with David Weisberg and Ken Ramage.
New facility offers outdoor parking, valet service, onsite washes, and premium amenities for RV and boat ownersSIMI VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Outrig, a leading provider of RV and boat storage, has expanded its footprint in California with the acquisition of ...
New facility offers outdoor parking, valet service, onsite washes, and premium amenities for RV and boat owners
SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Outrig, a leading provider of RV and boat storage, has expanded its footprint in California with the acquisition of a new facility in Simi Valley, CA. The new location, formerly All Valley's RV Storage, offers secure vehicle parking, valet service, onsite washes, and premium amenities designed to reinforce Outrig's mission to make RV ownership easy.
Outrig is proud of its customer-first approach, and this site's many amenities ensure a stress-free experience for RV owners including security cameras, wash station and service, dump station, tire air and vacuum station, and propane refill.
The facility is conveniently located to serve Simi Valley and the surrounding areas of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Newbury Park, and Fillmore with easy access from Freeway 118. As part of its commitment to the local community, Outrig has made a donation to the American Red Cross to support wildfire relief efforts in the region.
"We're excited to bring Outrig's trusted storage solutions to the Simi Valley community," said Dennis King, President, Outrig Storage. "This location is a perfect example of what we strive to offer at Outrig—convenient, well-equipped storage with thoughtful services so customers can spend less time worrying about their RV and more time enjoying it."
For more details about the new Simi Valley facility and its services visit Outrig's website.
About Outrig
Outrig, formerly goHomePort, was launched in 2020 by a highly seasoned team of investors and operators with a mission to make RV ownership easy. Our storage locations offer everything you need in one place: amenities that make it easier to get out on the road, and on-site repairs you can rely on. As we've grown, we've also expanded into commercial & self-storage. Whether you're storing your rig, your business assets, or your personal belongings, our mission remains the same: to make your storage and maintenance experience seamless and stress-free. We are rapidly expanding our portfolio across the country and innovating new ways to deliver a best-in-class experience for our customers.
Contact:
Zach Johnson Vice President, Strategy & Integration [email protected]
SOURCE Outrig
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.LOCALVentura County Star0:000:59(This story was updated to correct the spel...
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.
Ventura County Star
(This story was updated to correct the spelling of Luis Garibay's name.)
The parent company of Milgard Windows and Doors plans to close its Simi Valley manufacturing plant and lay off all 400 or so people who work there, the company announced Tuesday.
Milgard is one of Simi Valley's biggest employers and has been for decades. Last year, only three private-sector businesses in the city employed more people, according to a survey of businesses included in the city's annual comprehensive fiscal report.
Milgard will start to slow down its Simi Valley operations in late May, and by June 10, it will have shut down the facility and laid off all 397 local employees, according to a written notice of the layoffs the company sent to the city of Simi Valley, the county of Ventura and the state of California.
The employees in Simi Valley were told of the pending closure at a staff meeting on Tuesday, said Nick Board, the marketing manager for Miter Brands, Milgard's Pennsylvania-based parent company.
Miter has about 9,500 employees nationwide. It has job openings at other facilities around the country, and it has encouraged its workers in Simi Valley to apply for those jobs, Broad said. The company will also help them with job training and placement, along with the city, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County and the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce.
"We were shocked" to learn of the closure, said Kathi Van Etten, the chamber's president and CEO. "Those are good manufacturing jobs, and they were a big supporter of the community, as well. It will be sad to see them go."
Miter Brands was formed when MI Windows acquired Milgard in 2019. About a year ago, Miter bought another window and door manufacturer, PGT Innovations, in a $3.1 billion deal.
That made Miter one of the three largest U.S. window manufacturers, Board said. It also gave Miter more manufacturing capacity than it needed in the western United States, with a former PGT facility in Phoenix joining existing Milgard operations in Simi Valley, Temecula, Sacramento and Prescott Valley, Arizona.
The company has updated its other facilities in California and Arizona in recent years, and Simi Valley was next in line, Broad said. But the former PGT facility in Phoenix is already up-to-date, and its acquisition made the Simi Valley plant expendable.
"We were able to spread the production load out at the other facilities out west to offset Simi," Broad said. "This is all part of integrating PGT into our business, and it's also a result of our multi-year capital investment into our other facilities."
The Milgard plant in Simi Valley is on Easy Street, a little east of Madera Road. According to Ventura County property records, it's owned by a limited liability company controlled by Gene Haas, the founder and owner of Haas Automation, a machine tool manufacturer in Oxnard.
In the 1990s, the Easy Street building was a warehouse and distribution center for the now-defunct apparel company Bugle Boy, which had its corporate headquarters nearby, said Joe Jusko, a principal with Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate in Westlake Village.
The building is about 220,000 square feet. Jusko said he doesn't think it will stay empty. Industrial vacancy rates in Simi Valley are at or below 4%, he said, so there should be plenty of demand to fill the Milgard space.
"There are a couple of companies that have toured 200,000-square-foot buildings in Simi Valley in the past month or so," Jusko said. "That's a quality building, with good parking, good power, good location, has all the amenities you'd want. ... I can't say how long it will take, I don't have a crystal ball, but eventually it will lease."
Van Etten said the chamber is aware of multiple businesses in Simi Valley that want to expand and haven't been able to find enough space. Companies from the San Fernando Valley are also often looking to move to Simi Valley; for example, in 2022 the IT products manufacturer Chatsworth Products moved its headquarters from Chatsworth to Simi Valley.
Luis Garibay, Simi Valley's assistant city manager, said the city is "still processing and trying to understand the full impact" of the Milgard closure, but it's committed to helping any laid off workers find new jobs.
He said he was heartened to hear that Milgard is closing due to the redundancies created by its recent acquisition, and not because of any difficulties doing business in Simi Valley.
"Simi Valley as a whole has a very business-friendly reputation," Garibay said. "I personally have been involved in many conversations with businesses and brokers who are looking to come to Simi Valley, so I'm optimistic that someone will move in there."
Tony Biasotti is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at [email protected]. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism.
A couple ran a “work for smuggling” scheme in Southern California, forcing migrants to work without pay at their home and stealing wages they earned at a local McDonald’s, federal prosecutors said.Carolina Rojas, 50, and Jairo John Gastelo, 45, recruited and abused asylum-seeking migrants from Latin America between November 2021 and at least March 2024...
A couple ran a “work for smuggling” scheme in Southern California, forcing migrants to work without pay at their home and stealing wages they earned at a local McDonald’s, federal prosecutors said.
Carolina Rojas, 50, and Jairo John Gastelo, 45, recruited and abused asylum-seeking migrants from Latin America between November 2021 and at least March 2024, according to prosecutors.
They forced migrants into labor under “threats of serious harm,” prosecutors wrote in an indictment filed Feb. 19.
Rojas and Gastelo, both of Simi Valley, were each arrested Feb. 26 on charges of conspiracy to commit forced labor and four counts of forced labor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said in a news release.
“The defendants smuggled individuals into the United States and exploited them for their own financial gain,” U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally said in a statement.
Rojas also faces four counts of trafficking with respect to forced labor, three counts of giving immigration documents to unauthorized persons, one count of encouraging and inducing illegal entry, and one count of witness tampering, according to prosecutors.
Attorney information for Rojas and Gastelo wasn’t immediately available Feb. 27.
Rojas and Gastelo, with the help of others, recruited individuals from Latin American countries to benefit from unpaid labor, prosecutors said.
They coordinated their travels to the U.S., covering initial associated costs and their transportation to their Simi Valley home, according to prosecutors.
Rojas is a naturalized citizen from Peru, according to the indictment, and her husband is a Peruvian immigrant who lives in the U.S.
When the migrants made it to their house, they were forced into “around-the-clock” childcare and other domestic duties, prosecutors said.
Rojas and Gastelo had the migrants live at their home and sleep in the same room as their child with special needs, according to the indictment, which says they made them care for this child.
The couple told them “their work was performed in exchange for rent,” prosecutors said.
If they encountered U.S. immigration authorities, Rojas told them to lie about being forced to work for housing at their home, the indictment says.
Rojas lured one woman from Peru in November 2021 by promising she could live with her and attend school in the U.S., according to the indictment. Rojas paid for her flight to the U.S., prosecutors wrote.
After the woman flew to California, Rojas required her to care for her child with special needs and had her “cook, clean, and do laundry” for her, Gastelo and their other children, the indictment says.
According to prosecutors, Rojas arranged for some migrants, including the Peruvian woman, to work at a local McDonald’s in Simi Valley. The city is about a 40-mile drive northwest from Los Angeles.
Rojas and her husband would collect the cash migrants made while working at the restaurant, prosecutors said.
At the McDonald’s, “Rojas had an arrangement with the manager to hire individuals she brought to work there,” prosecutors wrote.
There are a few McDonald’s located in Simi Valley. Prosecutors did not reveal the address of the McDonald’s referenced in the indictment.
In response to McClatchy News’ request for comment, McDonald’s shared a statement from the owner and operator of the franchise’s Simi Valley restaurant Feb. 27.
“These are incredibly serious allegations that we will further investigate,” the owner said. “If true, this conduct goes against the core values of my organization and we will take appropriate action.”
After the migrants were paid by McDonald’s, Rojas had them cash their paychecks at a check-cashing business, according to the indictment.
Then she demanded the cash from the migrants as their “smuggling” fees, the indictment says.
To have the McDonald’s manager hire them, Rojas showed the manager fraudulent immigration documents she obtained for the migrants, according to the indictment.
The documents included fake social security cards and permanent resident cards, prosecutors said.
On Feb. 26, Rojas and Gastelo made their initial appearances in Los Angeles federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
They were ordered detained by a judge, who scheduled their trial for April 8, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.
To report potential trafficking situations, you can contact the national hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or chat with the online hotline.
January 9, 2025 5:25 AM
September 30, 2024 9:29 AM
This story was originally published February 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM.
Simi Valley’s Cork & Batter Roadhouse is an accumulation of Chef Jimmy Weathersbee’s San Gabriel upbringing.“My dad has nine brothers and two sisters. So all of my uncles, all the time, would be barbecuing,” the executive chef and pitmaster explained. Everyone stole a little bit from this one, little bit from this one. And, you know, of course, my two aunties would pass down the sides that my grandmother used to make. So taking a little bit from everyone is how I landed where I am today.”Weathe...
Simi Valley’s Cork & Batter Roadhouse is an accumulation of Chef Jimmy Weathersbee’s San Gabriel upbringing.
“My dad has nine brothers and two sisters. So all of my uncles, all the time, would be barbecuing,” the executive chef and pitmaster explained. Everyone stole a little bit from this one, little bit from this one. And, you know, of course, my two aunties would pass down the sides that my grandmother used to make. So taking a little bit from everyone is how I landed where I am today.”
Weathersbee was at a stage in his life where he wanted to do something that made him happy.
“I love barbecuing. I love being around the grill. I like being around people. I feel like it’s the most social form of cooking,” he continued. “That’s when I felt like, this is what I want to do for for the rest of my career.”
He started with a small place in Van Nuys where he worked on his barbecuing techniques and later worked with legendary pitmaster Kevin Bludso of L.A.’s Bludso’s BBQ, the Texas-style barbecue restaurant.
“He really showed me what Texas barbecue was all about. (He) took me to Texas. We did a couple of barbecue tours out there, and (he) really showed me the ins and outs of what Texas barbecue is all about,” he said. “So being under his expertise really, really took my pit game to the next level.”
Weathersbee said he prefers Texas-style barbecue because it’s “low and slow.”
“It’s cooked with a mixture of woods,” he explained. “You really want to taste the meat. You let the wood do the work. You let the pit do the work. You get good cuts of meat so that they stand out and you don’t have to drown it in sauce.”
The Cork & Batter name may sound familiar as its sister restaurant, which is a sports bar, is in Inglewood next door to the Intuit Dome.
“We try to bring some cross items over, but here at Roadhouse, we also have an extensive barbecue menu, and that’s what kind of sets the two locations apart,” he said. “When I describe this restaurant, I describe it as a modern Texas Roadhouse. It’s like it’s got that old jukejoint vibe, but with a modern twist, we have something for everyone. There’s definitely something for everyone.”
As for the menu, it’s definitely a family affair.
“Some of the recipes that we have here came from my family: my grandmother, my two aunties. Our mac and cheese, our cornbread, and all of the meats came from just trial and error, doing all this stuff with my uncles. Everything is a part of my family legacy and part of my family history.”
Weathersbee even demonstrated his technique for baby back ribs.
His preparations include a dry rub seasoning along with the use of pecan and red oak wood for smoking.
Check out the recipe below.
This segment aired on the California Cooking on episode 185.
Chef Jimmy Weathersbee’s Baby Back Rib Rub:
1/2 cup seasoning salt
1/4 cup granulated garlic
1/4 cup granulated onion
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons mustard powder
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
16 oz light brown sugar
805-563-6440
