Author: Loni Kenton

In a world where it is possible to surgically alter our bodies and faces to eliminate perceived flaws or signs of aging, the prospect of improving our physical selves can often overshadow the severity of the risks that such surgeries pose. The increasing popularity of cosmetic procedures and breast implant surgery in particular demonstrate just how much people are willing to pay, literally and figuratively, to attain a certain body type. In 2016 alone, statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons showed that nearly 300 thousand people underwent some form of breast augmentation surgery, making it the most sought…

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The Copper Q Hot coffee and a veggie panini on squaw bread marked the beginning of a successful weekend in Big Bear Lake. Waking up at sunrise to make it up the mountain by noon had its perks and an early lunch at The Copper Q was one of them. I could feel my hands thawing in my jacket pockets, stomach growling as my eyes darted from the baked goods case, to the list of sandwich specials on the counter, to the extensive holiday drink menu beside it. Overwhelmed with options, I ordered the first thing that came to mind…

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Tucked between a laundromat, a liquor store and a Mexican food joint, locals gather in a dimly lit restaurant to fill themselves to the brim with fresh fish and sake. Judging from it’s outside appearances, it might seem questionable to claim that this little hole-in-the-wall serves up the seriously addictive, high-quality food that brings the customers coming back for more. Everyone inside can assure the skeptics, though: Nine Style knows sushi, and they do it very, very well. After moving from Japan and working for years as a sushi chef in Long Beach, Kyuma Komatsu decided to open up a…

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