Jun 14, 2016

We had dinner at one of the big Chinese chains last month, and boy were we disappointed. The food was poor, as was the service. I’d been thinking we definitely needed to change the flavor. So when SFV Granny was in Reseda, she popped into the Great Wall on Sherman Way for a big take- out order. We can always count on delicious flavors and gracious service...

Jun 6, 2016

This next weekend — June 12 — is the third Sunday of the month. That means you can visit a little piece of the Magic Kingdom! Or where some of the ideas for model trains in the kingdom were being worked out by Walt Disney in this little studio. The barn was moved to Griffith Park from Disney’s home in Holmby Hills. As one author has dubbed it,...

Jun 5, 2016

The dogs and SFV Granny headed to the little remnant lake of what used to be a huge lake in front of Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace (generations learned to sail here). We wanted to see how much water was left before the hot weather evaporates it. The basin is crisscrossed with miles of trails through the riparian environment. Sunday afternoon brings out...

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,...

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...