by katie | Jan 17, 2020 | Newspaper
United Technologies Corp., the owners of the Rocketdyne property in Warner Center, have asked the state to change the cleanup requirements of the property from residential to commercial standards. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, which is in... Read more 
by katie | Jan 16, 2020 | Media
Encino residents were seemingly blindsided to hear that Ralph’s at Hayvenhurst and Ventura will soon be shutting its doors. During the first week of January, employees were told just days before customers that the Encino Ralph’s location is officially closing on... Read more 
by katie | Jan 7, 2020 | Newspaper
Westfield Topanga & The Village announced today that it will begin work this month on the transformation of a long-vacated 160,000-square-foot former Sears department store into a new dining and entertainment district.Slated to be unveiled in late 2021, the... Read more 
by katie | Jan 2, 2020 | Media
LAPD’s hazmat team was called to the Extended Stay hotel on Ventura Boulevard near Winnetka on Tuesday after four guests used drugs laced with fentanyl. Paramedics responded at 6:45 am to the hotel and found three people alert and responsive and one in critical... Read more 
by katie | Jan 2, 2020 | Media
An iconic institution whose storefront was easily recognizable to Valley residents is closing its doors. After 40 years in business, Aah’s! The Ultimate Gift Store in Encino is shutting down. A novelty shop with a myriad of gag gifts, costumes, decorations and more... Read more 
by katie | Dec 20, 2019 | Media
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is seeking suspects in rampant vandalism Tuesday night. At least 29 cars were spray painted and had tires slashed in Calabasas. Five vehicles along Freedom Drive were hit on Monday, and then on Tuesday another 12 on Eddingham... Read more 
by katie | Dec 20, 2019 | Media
If you’re not a dog lover, you may not connect. Flip to the articles about the local business bootcamps or the myriad of entertainment options happening around town. However, need I remind you that isn’t this the season of Hallmark happy endings, Chicken Soup for the... Read more 
by katie | Dec 12, 2019 | Media
It was the brainchild of just two women meeting for a “coffee klatch.” The year was 1950, and Mooie Harrington and June Ashen lived on Lubao Avenue in Woodland Hills and decided to “spruce up the neighborhood for the holidays.”Ashen was the first resident on Lubao,... Read more 
by katie | Dec 5, 2019 | Media
For the first time, CicLAvia is coming to the valley! Walk, roll, dance, or bike down Sherman Way on Sunday, December 8 from 9 am to 3 pm. The entire street from Lindley Avenue in Tarzana to Shop Avenue in Woodland Hills will be closed for this community event. ... Read more 
by katie | Dec 5, 2019 | Media
Certain topics bring pause to a conversation, change the mood of a dialogue and frankly are outright difficult to talk about. And yet, they must be addressed because only in confronting the issue and discussing the ramifications, can action thus be taken. One... Read more 
by katie | Nov 21, 2019 | Media
In the late summer of 1789, Spanish Conquistador Gaspar De Portola led an expedition of 64 men and 100 mules over what is now the Sepulveda Pass into a grassy valley bordered by gently rolling foothills and shaded by age-old oak trees. As Portola stopped just west of... Read more 
by katie | Nov 15, 2019 | Media
They came from all branches of the military. Every war from WWII to Desert Storm.Dozens of veterans took part in the dedication of the new Calabasas Veterans Garden Tuesday. The garden sits among rose bushes behind city hall and features five plaques to represent... Read more 
by katie | Nov 15, 2019 | Media
The City of Calabasas has announced a $4 million settlement with Southern California Edison to resolve wildfire claims resulting from the 2018 Woolsey Fire.Calabasas’ $4 million settlement is part of a larger $360 million settlement for a group of 23 public entities,... Read more 
by katie | Nov 8, 2019 | Newspaper
The LA Cultural Heritage Commission approved the historic designation of the Bothwell Ranch, the last major orange grove in the San Fernando Valley. Led by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, this effort has galvanized community members and neighbors around saving this... Read more by katie | Oct 31, 2019 | Media
It was a typical Saturday morning, but the meeting at Agoura High School was anything but typical. The people in attendance were there to hear the draft report about the Woolsey Fire. For some, it was an opportunity to air their frustrations about how things were... Read more 
by katie | Oct 24, 2019 | Newspaper
After months of working with Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles Community College District, local activists from the West Valley Resistance (WVR) and Councilmember Bob Blumenfield helped secure passage of the “Real Deal,” a comprehensive school... Read more by katie | Oct 24, 2019 | Newspaper
According to a draft comprehensive review of the Woolsey Fire released this week, LA County was prepared for a ‘typical to serious emergency’, but not for a fire with the unprecedented dynamics and scale of the Woolsey Fire. Even some of the largest, most experienced... Read more 
by katie | Oct 17, 2019 | Media
‘Tis the season when retailers are prepping for the holiday season and need extra sets of helping hands! Are you looking for part-time, full-time or seasonal employment? Westfield Topanga invites you to their Holiday Job Fair on Saturday, October 19 from 1 to 4 pm.... Read more 
by katie | Oct 17, 2019 | Media
We almost made it to the first anniversary of the Woolsey Fire.Eleven months after one of the most destructive fires in our state’s history, we are hit again with another devastating blaze, the Saddleridge Fire. This fire destroyed 30 structures, resulted in a mass... Read more 
by katie | Oct 11, 2019 | Media
For 12 years Jim’s Fallbrook Market has been serving up barbecue hot from their parking lot grills every weekend with no issues. A neighborhood favorite until now, a new resident on Califa Street behind the market has complained about the smoke for months, and... Read more 
by katie | Oct 3, 2019 | Newspaper
There are 30 stadiums used by teams in Major League Baseball. Fred Gaines has been to them all, and more.At the beginning of the 2019 baseball season Fred was seven stadiums away from his goal of having seen a game played in all 30 stadiums. A few weeks ago he saw a... Read more 
by katie | Oct 3, 2019 | Newspaper
The highlight of October comes on a special night, Thursday the 31st, Halloween Night! A great “conjunction” occurs when the planet Jupiter and the crescent Moon appear to be touching in the southwest night sky. Make sure to show this to your trick and treaters!A... Read more 
by katie | Sep 26, 2019 | Media
Agoura resident and Blue Dog Beer Tavern owner Paul Scrivano didn’t think anything was wrong. He was tired, but chalked it up to riding herd on one restaurant and opening another.He worked a long day, then showed vendors the progress at the new restaurant in Little... Read more 
by katie | Sep 26, 2019 | Media
A man who physically assaulted a real estate agent at an open house in Encino has been arrested and identified. Alen Karaboghosian, 45, was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon, specifically bodily force. Since his arrest,... Read more 
by katie | Sep 20, 2019 | Media
With the recent trend of homeowners installing Ring cameras to amp up their personal security, thieves are starting to get smart to the idea…The cops are warning the community that in order to not have their movements captured on camera, burglars have started... Read more 
by katie | Sep 20, 2019 | Media
Okay San Fernando Valley, tell me you haven’t seen “IT 2” yet? IT (pun intended) fails in many ways; the pace lags, the dialogue at times seems forced and the plot takes you places I personally didn’t care to go.“IT 2” shines in the one scene Stephen King makes a... Read more 
by katie | Sep 13, 2019 | Media
A two-day search for “Teddy,” who was stolen, along with his owners’ truck, last Sunday, had a happy ending. The truck was stolen from Whole Foods Market in Woodland Hills with the dog inside. His owner, a Topanga woman, pleaded on television that she “just wanted to... Read more 
by katie | Sep 13, 2019 | Newspaper
Since the closing of Toys “R” Us at 6245 Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Warner Center, rumors have circulated that the property would become a grocery store.According to the Los Angeles City Planning website, a year after the toy store closing, property owner Erwin Bucy,... Read more 
by katie | Sep 1, 2019 | Newspaper
A “smash and grab” robbery at Neiman Marcus on Sunday, August 25, at Westfield Topanga led many shoppers and employees to believe there was an active shooter. CHP West Valley, above, arrived on scene and coordinated evacuation from the mall. Officers will called to... Read more 
by katie | Aug 31, 2019 | Newspaper
Multiple reports of “urban coyotes” being killed by bow and arrow in the last few months have been recorded by L.A. County Animal Care. An unknown person has been killing the coyotes in the vicinity of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Topanga Summit Motorway. If you have any... Read more 
by katie | Aug 31, 2019 | Newspaper
The Fernando Award Foundation has announced the finalists for the 2019 Fernando Award. The annual award is given out to a person who exemplifies the best in volunteerism and service to the communities of the San Fernando Valley.Finalist Steve Fazio is the head of... Read more 
by katie | Aug 15, 2019 | Media
Several online magazines, including L.A. Magazine and The Knock, have published exposés this week about the West Valley social media groups “Crimebusters of West Hills and Woodland Hills” and “Homeless Transient Encampments of Our West Valley.”Both sites were founded... Read more 
by katie | Aug 8, 2019 | Newspaper
Westfield is appealing the City of Los Angeles Planning Department’s ruling on their Promenade 2035 project. The city approved the majority of the plan but modified the specifications for the proposed sports/entertainment arena that would sit at the corner of Topanga... Read more 
by katie | Aug 2, 2019 | Newspaper
Rapper and Hidden Hills resident Kanye West has embarked on a new venture with his Yeezy empire. He is building a dome-like housing community for the homeless on 300 acres in L.A. County just north of Calabasas. West has hopes of “breaking the typical classist divide... Read more 
by katie | Aug 2, 2019 | Newspaper
The Los Angeles City Council this week reinstated a temporary ordinance that restricts people from living in their cars in residential areas – or next to parks, schools and day care centers.The ban (85.02) expired at the end of June, just as City Council went on... Read more 
by katie | Aug 2, 2019 | Media
Countless homeless have shown up at a Tarzana mansion looking for shelter only to be turned away by the residents who are becoming increasingly frustrated that their home is listed as a safe haven for transients. Turns out, it’s all a cruel prank.Listed on Google Maps... Read more 
by katie | Jul 25, 2019 | Newspaper
Westfield’s proposed Promenade 2035 Plan got a nod of approval from the city’s Planning Department – with one major modification.The plan as submitted to the city included a 15,000-seat stadium, which the Zoning Administrator cut in half to 7,500. The city also... Read more 
by katie | Jul 18, 2019 | Media
Oh rats! Major cities, including Los Angeles, have shown a recent spike in rat infestations fueled by the ever-increasing presence of homeless encampments as well as government restrictions on select pesticides. Pest-control company Orkin named Los Angeles as the... Read more 
by katie | Jul 18, 2019 | Media
A City of Los Angeles law barring people from sleeping in cars parked on residential streets expired at the end of June.The City Council is in the middle of their annual summer recess and won’t meet until the end of July – so Los Angeles Police Department... Read more 
by katie | Jul 4, 2019 | Media
In the valley, there is a proliferation of pot shops. Some are legal, many more are unlicensed.Legal dispensaries, such as Atrium, So Cal Co-op and DC Collective, have gone through the city’s permitting process to get licensed and pay taxes and fees to the city of Los... Read more 
by katie | Jul 3, 2019 | Newspaper
Those who reside in Southern California, or have simply driven on its freeways, are well aware of the fact that the smog is simply an unavoidable factor in living in this area. After decades of proposed improvements to clear the air, the effort to reduce carbon... Read more 
by katie | Jun 28, 2019 | Newspaper
State Senator Henry Stern, along with several other legislators, submitted a request to The Joint Legislative Audit Committee to examine county practices and make recommendations for treating the gravely disabled. Submitted by Senators Stern, John Moorlach and Scott... Read more 
by katie | Jun 21, 2019 | Newspaper
Cherries. Corn. Stone Fruit. Tomatoes. Oh the tomatoes! Summer, in all sense of the word, is ripe with a plethora of refreshing fruits and vegetables. Days of dining al fresco and enjoying the warmer weather usually mean tables laden with fresh... Read more 
by katie | Jun 7, 2019 | Newspaper
I’m a strong proponent of civil liberties and individual rights. You’ll hear me loud and clear on the issues of freedom on the press and freedom of speech.But when do we, as a society, a group of people, have rights as well? I have argued for and against ways to deal... Read more 
by katie | Jun 7, 2019 | Media
Tap…tap…tap…tap. Five minutes ago, you were doing paperwork or talking on the phone in your secure office building in Haiti, and then in the next 30 seconds, after a monster earthquake, you are buried. You are alive and breathing, but unable to move,... Read more 
by katie | May 30, 2019 | Media
The highlight of June comes on Tuesday night, June 18. There will be a double conjunction. Look west after sunset. The red planet, Mars, and the fastest planet, Mercury, will meet low in the west. We can see this great event with the naked eye, but it will look... Read more 
by katie | May 30, 2019 | Media
Valley Cultural Center’s “Concerts on the Green” summer concert series will kick off next Sunday, June 9, with Ambrosia, with special guest Peter Beckette and Bill Champlin.A musical showdown hits the stage on June 16 with Beatles vs. Stones, followed by Hollywood U2,... Read more 
by katie | May 24, 2019 | Media
This year, the Canoga Park Memorial Parade will be honoring fallen veterans from all military campaigns, including the Civil War. Dubbed “A big-city event with a small-town vibe,” the parade is celebrating its 30 year anniversary. The Canoga Park-West Hills Chamber... Read more 
by katie | May 17, 2019 | Media
The California Supreme Court upheld the prior ruling in the case of drug dealer John Creech, who was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Gavin Smith in 2017. Smith was a West Hills resident and 20th Century Fox executive who disappeared. He was... Read more 
by katie | May 17, 2019 | Newspaper
Two people were killed Wednesday evening in Encino when the Lamborghini they were speeding in violently crashed. The accident occurred near the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area at Burbank Boulevard near Hayvenhurst Avenue at about 7:20 pm when the speeding Lamborghini... Read more 
