Southern California

Summer break is a time for ambitious social plans and tons of fun, especially if you’re vacationing in Orange County.

California’s current La Niña period, characterized by highly unpredictable rainfall patterns, might mean the end of the statewide drought, according to UC Berkeley environmental experts.

After 14 years as mayor of Berkeley — the longest tenure in the city’s history — and 38 years of public office, Tom Bates, age 78, has decided to retire. It marks the end of a long career of public service that was punctuated with significant accomplishments that benefited many, from people with disabilities to Berkeley youth to local breweries and sports fanatics.

Upon returning home to Los Angeles, it can be easy to get used to the laid-back, slow-paced life which is the antithesis to our time spent at UC Berkeley. And we in Southern California will continue this lazy existence shamelessly till the end of the summer. Maybe it really is the laid-back SoCal vibe or maybe we're just burnt out and have lost all willpower to do anything even remotely productive. While we all in SoCal may have readjusted without falling victim to jet lag or facing the return of any allergy, Northern California natives might expect a culture shock. A lot of the most popular expectations of SoCal certainly are true, but some are complete myths.

After opening the acceptance letter plastered with the face of Amy Jarich, the woman who holds a mysterious allure surpassing even Chancellor Dirks’, my sense of self worth soared. It'll be marked in my life history as my most monumental validation. It was perhaps the only time in my life where I felt as on top of the world as Oprah Winfrey does daily.