May 15, 2016

The San Fernando Valley was the location of the biggest transfer of territory to the United States after the Louisiana Purchase. In 1846, the Mexican Californios found themselves deserted by the central government in Mexico City. They were ordered to fight off the invading U.S. army, but did not have a trained militia. They armed their own cowboys, servants,...

May 14, 2016

In SFV Granny’s opinion, this hidden site is one of the most important places in CA history. Campo de Cahuenga’s importance to US history can’t be ignored either! Tucked under the shadow of the NBC skyscraper at the edge of the Universal Studios property is this relic from 1847. This is the birthplace of American CA! It was here that the...

May 14, 2016

When you visit Campo de Cahuenga at the base of Universal hill and the 101 (which has changed drastically from the historic drawing), you meet all the characters who were involved in the U.S. takeover of California from Mexico.  The names Pico and Fremont are familiar to us, if for nothing else than towns and streets are named after them. But forgotten to most...

Apr 27, 2016

Just another reason to love SFV: since we didn’t have a freeze this winter, two of my tomato plants from last summer hung in there! They had grown into a neglected tangle by the time I got to them in late March. I’ve been able to harvest a few tomatoes along the way. But with the spell of warm sunshine we’ve enjoyed here in the Valley for the...

Apr 23, 2016

Well, it’s sushi for me. O goodness, I love this place. It’s one of the tiny gazillion hole-in-the-wall eateries in the SFV. I’ve gone here since it opened in Reseda, even though I live 25 minutes away in the northeast part of the Valley. It’s a tiny two-person operation. But the flavor is big. I think it’s the rice. It’s the...