Year: 2021

Pros and cons of COVID pandemic California desert life

Pros and cons of COVID pandemic California desert life

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. — Tyler Gaul strode across the sprawling backyard of his Yucca Valley home and surveyed the rocky hillside a few steps away from the pool and basketball court that sit atop his 2-acre property. When he first moved to the desert from Los Angeles last fall, this jagged landscape granted him a sense of serenity as the crowded city he left behind grappled with a pandemic. Gaul, who runs his own skin care company, knew it was time to move when he could no longer exercise outside his Echo Park apartment — his respite from stay-at-home orders — because of wildfire smoke polluting the air. Constant and worsening wildfires, paired with a public health crisis, proved to be too much. Classic stories from the Los Angeles Times’ 143-year archive “I have a lung condition, and I was like, ‘No, I can’t do this anymore,’” he recalled. So he set out for the desert. Like many other city dwellers who have fled urban sprawl over the last year and a half, Gaul sought shelter in …

13 L.A. parking tips for valet, garages, and more

13 L.A. parking tips for valet, garages, and more

When I was growing up, many a family outing was ruined when my dad, in a fit of frustration, would turn the car around and drive us all home when he couldn’t find a place to park. As fate would have it, parking emerged as my superpower in adulthood. Prime spots materialize as soon as I pull up, and I rarely have to pay much for them. It is a potent gift to have, especially in Los Angeles, and one so foolproof and legendary that I have become the default driver any time I go out with friends and family (much to the relief of my perpetually parking-challenged dad). But here’s a secret: Parking, like poker, is not solely a matter of luck. With patience and skill, you can improve your odds and game the system. Take it from a pro. Classic stories from the Los Angeles Times’ 143-year archive 1. Make plans with yellow loading zones in mind This is the most basic parking hack in L.A.: In yellow loading zones, parking is free, …

The Best Lip Balms with SPF of 2026, According to Derms

The Best Lip Balms with SPF of 2026, According to Derms

You probably already know the importance of applying sunscreen daily to protect your skin. But many people overlook how important it is to protect their lips, too. In addition to skin cancer, exposure to harmful rays can cause a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis, colloquially known as “sailor’s lip,” that causes rough, scaly patches, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eileen Deignan. Chronic sun exposure can also damage the skin barrier around the lips and make your lips look aged and discolored, she says. Given these potential risks, experts I spoke to recommend using an SPF lip balm daily. To help guide you on your search, I spoke to dermatologists about how to shop for one and rounded up options that NBC Select editors use and love. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best SPF lip balms of 2026 Best overall Type: mineral | SPF: 30 | Active ingredient: zinc oxide | Water-resistant: no | Applicator: stick Sun Bum’s mineral lip balm is made with zinc oxide, an ingredient that physically …

Best L.A. hikes that offer shade from hot weather

Best L.A. hikes that offer shade from hot weather

Limekiln Canyon Park is an unexpected delight in an unlikely place: a raw, natural, open space in the midst of highly manicured gated housing developments in Northridge. Shady, lush and likely to have running water much of the year, it feels surprisingly remote for a location so close to civilization. Though it’s naturally shaded, go early in the day, especially in summer before the heat picks up. Start near the intersection of Rinaldi Street and Tampa Avenue near the park entrance and begin walking downhill on a broad path, past a grassy field and under the shade of oak, pine and even a few redwood trees. (Note the warning about rattlesnakes: another reason to keep your dog on a leash.) At the first Y intersection, just before you reach a creek on your left, leave the wide trail for a narrower one heading up to the right. Walk on, keeping the creek on your left. In the streambed, note the sycamore and willow trees, interrupted by the occasional incongruous fan palm. At the next Y, …

Matt Damon reveals hilarious reason why his daughter refuses to watch Good Will Hunting

Matt Damon reveals hilarious reason why his daughter refuses to watch Good Will Hunting

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Matt Damon has revealed the reason why his daughter refuses to watch Good Will Hunting. Damon was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the 1997 film, starring as a mathematical genius undergoing an emotional crisis. Ben Affleck, Robin Williams and Minnie Driver also star in the critically-acclaimed drama. During a recent appearance on CBS This Morning, Damon told the host Seth Doane that his daughter has held out on watching the film because she fears it “might be good”. The 50-year-old continued: “She doesn’t want to see any moves that I’m in that she thinks might be good. She just likes to give me s***.” Damon is the father of four daughters – Alexia, Gia, Stella and Isabella – who he shares with his wife, Luciana Barroso. Speaking about his critically-panned 2016 film The Great Wall, Damon recalled: “My …

Best Sunburn Treatments To Heal Skin Quickly, According to Dermatologists

Best Sunburn Treatments To Heal Skin Quickly, According to Dermatologists

Even when you wear sunscreen and UPF clothing, sunburns happen. It’s tempting to start itching at pink skin, peel off flakes or pop blisters, but try to prevent yourself from doing so. The best way to treat sunburns is by using over-the-counter products like aloe vera gel, moisturizer and anti-itch cream, which soothe skin, address symptoms and encourage fast healing. Below, I talked to dermatologists about the best sunburn treatments you can buy and rounded up their favorite options. Experts also shared how to know when to see a doctor, and their advice for preventing sunburns in the first place. Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. What are the best sunburn treatments? To recommend the best sunburn treatments, I curated a list of over-the-counter products that align with expert guidance (read more here). In addition to using some of the treatments below, dermatologists say it’s crucial to stay hydrated while recovering from a sunburn, so be sure to drink plenty of water. If your sunburn is …

Princess Diana’s 65th birthday: 9 iconic moments that defined her life

Princess Diana’s 65th birthday: 9 iconic moments that defined her life

Diana was 36 when she was killed in car crash in Paris on August 31 1997 when she was being pursued by the paparazzi. Nicknamed the People’s Princess for her caring, open approach, Diana was known for her devotion to her two children, Princes William and Harry, the breakdown of her marriage to the Prince of Wales, her personal struggles, and her charity work. And for special mention, that revenge dress. Key moments in Princess Diana’s life From shy teenage to royal superstar Diana’s appeal began almost from the moment she appeared on the world stage as an awkward, shy teenager in the early 1980s. Before becoming a global royal superstar, she was living in a London flat with her girlfriends and working in a kindergarten. Although hailed as a “commoner” when she began dating Charles, Lady Diana Spencer was a member of the aristocracy, born into a privileged family that had close connections to the royals. Diana’s wedding to Charles was billed as a true life fairy tale. Amid pomp and circumstance, shy 20-year-old …

This Juneteenth, “Atlanta” will give you all the insights you need on how America co-opts a holiday

This Juneteenth, “Atlanta” will give you all the insights you need on how America co-opts a holiday

On Thursday President Biden officially established Juneteenth as a federal holiday, an achievement born of rare unanimous support in the Senate and an overwhelming majority of votes in favor in the House of Representatives.  Juneteenth is already recognized in 47 states and celebrated in communities nationwide, and was examined on episodes named after the holiday on “Atlanta” and “Black-ish.” Each is extraordinary. But to truly understand why the initialy response to the bill passing the Senate was mixed, to put it mildly, it’s best to revisit the “Atlanta” take on “Juneteenth,” which stands among the series’ best. The show’s interpretation of how this holiday may translate to the masses turns out to be more accurate, psychologically speaking. That it premiered in 2016 matters little, because the surreal mental and spiritual contortions shaping the episode’s comedy are inspired by the same political and social reality in which we currently exist. Biden called this year’s observance “the first that our nation will celebrate all together, as one nation,” a hopeful assessment given the circumstances. Getting Juneteenth to be a federally recognized day of observance …

The Best Perks & How To Sign Up For Free

The Best Perks & How To Sign Up For Free

Access to Prime Day is one of the most notable benefits of Amazon’s loyalty program, but that just scratches the surface of what perks a Prime membership offers. You also get fast, free shipping, an included Grubhub+ membership, Whole Foods grocery delivery and more. And while Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, which runs from Mar. 25 to 31, is open to everyone, Prime members can unlock exclusive deals during the event, helping them save even more. Below, I break down everything that’s included in an Amazon Prime membership to help you decide whether to sign up. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. What is Amazon Prime? Much like Walmart Plus and Target Circle, Amazon Prime is Amazon’s paid loyalty program, which originally launched in 2005. Shoppers in various countries can join, and it gives members access to perks across shopping, streaming, entertainment and more. Amazon also offers loyalty programs in the form of a store credit card and anAmazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. Prime members with …