Get your coffee on: SoCal Edition
So from one addict to another; News/Life Editor, Taylor Moore breaks down my favorite coffee spots from pricing, atmosphere and drink options.
#SupportIndependentJournalism
Enjoy our freelance work below!
News/Life
Trinket nostalgia goes viral in Whittier
Trinket boxes went viral online as local residents lined up to trade their trinkets for new ones. With the lack of third spaces, Gen Z is creating an interactive and community bonding opportunity to meet new people or hang out with your friends while trading small, impractical toys that bring lots of joy.
Know Your Rights Against Ice
Following the January 2025 rescission of sensitive location policies, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can now legally conduct enforcement actions on U.S. college campuses, public and private institutions alike. Agents may enter public areas without a warrant to detain students or staff, while non-public areas, such as dorms or offices, require a judicial warrant.
2026? 2016? No, 1960!
Blue eyeshadow, big sunglasses and the youth’s rebellion against the government shows patterns of the 1960s that XSTSY MEDIA believes is making a comeback. Or we hope so!
A walk down slasher lane: Where “Halloween” was born
If you haven’t seen “Halloween” (1978), pause this article, turn it on with some popcorn and a blanket, then come back so you can enjoy its horror supremacy as you read on, since there might be some spoilers ahead.
Gen Z: The Generation of Despair
Political violence, climate change, economic struggles, mental health crisis and an A.I.-led job market are all contributors to this impending doom Gen Z carries, as half of them are college graduates, starting their adult lives.
Witches and Slashers and Clowns, OH MY: Halloween Horror Nights is Back to Terrify Hollywood
Featuring big headlining mazes like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Poltergeist, Jason’s Universe (from the Friday the 13th Franchise) and Terrifier, as well as a handful of Universal’s original concepts, Universal truly elevated the horror level.
Bling It Nails: How a lifelong passion for art turned into a thriving salon
Rodriguez grew up with a love for art. In her childhood, she was spending her time drawing, painting and doing arts and crafts. That artistic love only grew the older she got.
Need help finding a spot for your next beach day?
News/Life Editor, Taylor Moore, put together a list of some of the best beaches to visit in SoCal based on her own personal experiences. As a self-proclaimed “beach bum,” she can assure you she is highly qualified to share tips for beach going.
La Verne celebrates train station opening while Pomona demonstrator protests ICE
The city of La Verne and city of Pomona came together to celebrate the La Verne/Fairplex station completion on June 21, between White Avenue and E Street, while an Anti-ICE protester utilized his first amendment.
Alexandria Hotel captures history while embracing adaptability
Like many other historic hotels in Downtown Los Angeles today, the Alexandria stands as an affordable and supported housing complex. If someone is experiencing homelessness they have the opportunity to apply and live at the Alexandria Hotel under Section 8.
Can Summer 2025 compete with last year’s ‘Brat Summer” phenomenon?
The craze that was ‘Brat Summer’ sparked something inside the younger generations to normalize letting go of the harshness of the world and dancing with your friends all night long. But will it roll over into this summer while still providing an uniquity to Summer 2025: the quarter summer of the century?
It’s Complicated. Or is it? An Inside Look to Dating in Your 20’s
Dating can be a fun experience or an incredibly awkward and painful one. If you start adding factors like dating apps, social media, finances and careers, it becomes more complicated.
A scent that tells a story: Pisces Midheaven transports reality through perfumery
For Effie Alaia, that scent is ‘Fallen Angel’ from Pisces Midheaven. The brand Alaia launched years ago showcasing her art, such as clothes, handmade jewelry and phone cases, has now solidified into a perfume brand.
Harsh Exterior: An outlet for grief transforms into a sustainable business
Cassidy Thompson, creator of Harsh Exterior, utilizes her self-care outlets and profits them into a sustainable, small business, all while finding herself within a supportive and uplifting community that is rave culture.
Music
In Spotify we *don’t* trust?
Now, both of the top competitors are revealing new features to their systems that consumers are uninterested in, leaving the service for an alternative platform that is more transparent and fair. Spotify is just taking a few more punches.
Rave Against the Machine
Raving’s political roots of rebellion and its ability to help escape from the day to day horrors in a non-violent way, makes sound in the present day with collectives speaking out about America’s injustices through peaceful protests.
Andrew Made
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Red Room Collective Vol. 2:
The anniversary held on a Friday and Saturday featured 28 DJs in total, spinning house tracks in honor of another year of accomplishments and trying new things.
Alexandria Hotel captures history while embracing adaptability
Like many other historic hotels in Downtown Los Angeles today, the Alexandria stands as an affordable and supported housing complex. If someone is experiencing homelessness they have the opportunity to apply and live at the Alexandria Hotel under Section 8.
Can Summer 2025 compete with last year’s ‘Brat Summer” phenomenon?
The craze that was ‘Brat Summer’ sparked something inside the younger generations to normalize letting go of the harshness of the world and dancing with your friends all night long. But will it roll over into this summer while still providing an uniquity to Summer 2025: the quarter summer of the century?
The event without an ego: Symbiosis presses play
People nurture music as it nurtures them back and Eddie Wonders wants to provide an event where the dancing and music are simultaneously generating welcoming energy the dance music scene used to radiate.
Fashion
Creative Wear Ideas for this Festival Season
Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Van Buskirk takes her scarf…necklaces… cardigan…long sleeve… and belts to prove consumerism is not necessary.
New Year, Same Clothes & New Outfits
Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Van Buskirk, styles pieces in her closet she has not worn in a while or has never worn at all!
5 Fall accessories fitted for forever
One thing that never goes out of trend, is personal style, but it has always been tough developing just that, while having to keep this question in mind, “will these be back ‘in’ eventually, or is this trend over forever?”
James Thomas
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Runway for charity supports local non-profits
Ten percent of sales from the Maison Garrison pop-up boutique and gift certificate sales after the show, were donated to two non-profit, whose founders are also a part of the Upland Boss Ladies.
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
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California closet transition from Summer to Fall
Buying an entire new wardrobe may not be in the budget nor sustainable. However, I can almost bet there is something from your summer wardrobe that you can bring into fall by styling differently or pairing it with a piece you would not typically combine it with.
Harsh Exterior: An outlet for grief transforms into a sustainable business
Cassidy Thompson, creator of Harsh Exterior, utilizes her self-care outlets and profits them into a sustainable, small business, all while finding herself within a supportive and uplifting community that is rave culture.
Raveival challenges fast-fashion narrative with PLUR
Raveival, an online marketplace where ravers can buy, sell and trade second-hand festival fashion, is changing the narrative of fast-fashion and ultra consumerism at festivals through whimsy and education.
How-To
Slasher Summer sets up for the season
Horror fans who suffer from Halloween withdrawals have clung to the Summerween to get their spooky fix in the middle of the year.
How-To: have a screen-less summer
XSTSY MEDIA compiled a list of screen-less activities to partake in that can help with the detachment to our everyday stressors.
Spring Closet Clean Out = UPCYCLING
Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Van Buskirk filtered through her closet to find clothes she needs to fix or up cycle in order to wear instead of getting rid of pieces with potential.
Presence in a time of chaos
Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, Lindsey Pacela, offers us an audio with a short breathing and drawing exercise to help ground one's self if anxiety begins infiltrating your mind and life.
Taylor's Guide to the Top Holiday Light Displays in Southern California
Maybe you have no idea where to go to see Christmas lights, or maybe you have too many TikToks or Instagram reels of places to choose from that you’re feeling overwhelmed. Never fear, that’s why this article is here.
Ho, Ho, How-to embrace an anti-consumerism Christmas
XSTSY MEDIA praises sustainability, as well as “balling on a budget.” The holiday season is already flooded with single-use products like wrapping paper, bows and plastic ribbons. So we compiled a list of gifts and decorations that aid toward the environment and protest against the support of big corporations.
Taylor’s creamy pesto pasta topped with honey glazed salmon
This honey-glazed salmon on top of creamy pesto pasta will be the perfect meal to warm you up not just in the fall, but all year-round.
Halloween Costume Couture: 3+ ideas you can pull from your closet!
I compiled three costumes that you can tailor to your own personal style in whatever ever way you please while still being recognizable and feeling #SWAG or #SEXY hehe.
Getting into the spooky season spirit with Taylor!
I’m not calling myself a spooky expert by no means, but I’ve managed to put together quite the fall itinerary over the years. From outings on a budget to going all out, here are the best ways for you to get into the spooky spirit this year.
Photo by Jb Jorge Barreto on Pexels
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Lindsey's Gluten Free Brownie Recipe
Even with food allergies or diet changes, you can still enjoy a moist and sweet treat!
The Perfect Mac-n-Cheese for Your Summer Barbecue
Summer is just around the corner, and so are the sizzlin’ summer barbecues with grilled steaks, ribs, burgers or hotdogs. Of course, no barbecue is complete with some killer sides.
