This was the celebration of the new L.A. magazine GOOD and the launch of GOOD LA, a new local…read morecommunity for Los Angeles residents. The event allowed us to check out the new cultural complex in Atwater Village. It was truly an impressive warehouse full of artsy businesses including a business for writing workshops, a yoga place, art galleries and many more. Right when you walk in, they give you several choices of designs that you could put on your shirt. If you brought a shirt, they printed cool designs on it with their screen printing equipment. This was provided by the Eagle Rock Yacht Club. CRASH Space held a craft center where you could craft, make electronic projects with soldering and sew some cool stuff. It was definitely interesting to watch people make electronic do it yourself projects. This included a DIY battery operated ipod or Mp3 charger with a usb. The Brazilian Yoga center was absolutely amazing. The ambience of the studio with its chinese lanterns, candles and meditation music made the experience unique and really helped you get into a meditative spirit. Afterwards Slate magazine held a live reading of their publication by the writers. This event was interesting and was held in a nice courtyard. Overall, this event shows that the arts, crafts, and creative spirit of L.A. is getting bigger and better every year.

Public art in Downtown Los Angeles…read more.. When Alana said that she had tried to find this art installation, "In the Eye of the Storm", in the past and couldn't find it, I wanted to REALLY look for it. The most challenging part was parking. It's LA... haha... and the police were out and about, so we had to park legally ...lol! Alana had an idea of where to look, so, that helped a lot. Located next to the communication center for LAPD, it looks like an assortment of tall silver dowels surrounding a cylindrical compartment with a sliding curved door. There are many police codes for violations of the law on the ground and the surrounding walls have messages, too. It's a visual representation of the 911 system, showing an anonymous connection with The System which results in an empathic response. There was an eerie feeling as we wandered amongst the exhibit. I also felt more reassured that our police have a way to communicate efficiently with these codes and the 911 system.

"Art is an evolutionary act. The shape of art and its role in society is constantly changing. At no…read morepoint is art static. There are no rules." --Raymond Salvatore Harmon There is a plaque at the entrance of the art installation that reads: "To symbolize the processes and human dimensions of the 911 system, this public art program is comprised of the following elements: Origins/Dilemmas-caller location codes and police incident codes inscribed on the plaza; The Vortex-a seemingly chaotic array of elliptical columns with dark polished surfaces to reflect the city in malevolent manner; The Connection-a glass cylinder, with inscriptions suggesting the interface between an operator and community resources via technology; Outcomes-words inscribed on the outer wall, which suggest the police department's role as a community resource. The interactive space in The Connection symbolizes that fragile moment when the person in distress calls the 911 system, to make an empathic yet anonymous connection. People on either side of the panel can talk to each other an cooperatively interact and revolve the panel, but not see each other." In the Eye of the Storm is a thought provoking 360 degree experience that walks you through the heart of urban crisis management. As you walk through the installation, various police codes for issues such as "Missing", "Theft", "Mental", "Indecent Exp" and many others line marble tiles under your feet. A vortex with excerpts from 911 calls makes you feel as though you are hearing echo's of past emergencies. None of them are complete sentences. Shiny metal columns seem to pierce the pavement like barbs, adding to the feeling of anxiety the artist is trying to convey. Along the walls, words such as "Rescue" and "Capture" are etched into the cinder blocks like memories that can never fade. Adding to the even greater impact of this piece, it is adjacent to L.A.'s Parker Center, the LAPD's HQ from 1954 until 2009. The artists, B. J. Krivanek and Joel Breaux installed this in 2002. I had no idea it was there until I happened by it walking to Little Tokyo from Union Station. For a listing of more public art in L.A. there is a very helpful website: http://www.publicartinla.com/

This city turned out to be sort of a super fun Upscale city aside from Burbank and North Hollywood…read more(NOHO), CA., to explore around Los Angeles, CA border again. I had thematic rounds of local biz I have been Yelping to support here. I was in town in the 'City of Studio City,' was because I have been on a transfer mode for work for a short while, so I had some vacation time which is coming to a close soon. Any ways, the two businesses I located to support from the 'City of Studio City,' was 'Muse House Retreat,' where I met store owner, Lana and on-site counselor Leo who both helped me stay aligned, extremely calmed, and 400% confident everything was going to turn out more than I can ask or think of my life's 'next steps.' The other was '7-Eleven,' to locate free parking. The day I visited, I actually located free parking off the curb, but it was a block down the street. That was super fortunate for me, and was definitely my super lucky day. I'll be back again soon supporting more local biz here in the 'City of Studio City.' Cya again soon!!!!

Bestie and I lost a friend back in high school and we've made it an annual tradition to visit him…read moreat the nearby Forest Lawn. That said, that's when we usually find ourselves roaming around this beautiful and sorta quaint town of Studio City. I found myself here for an appointment and got to do a little more exploring. Lots of businesses along Ventura Blvd alone - I even spotted Jinya, one of the spots Bestie and I grubbed at before going to one of those aforementioned visits we make. I also noticed tons of people doing errands accompanied by their dogs - what a dog-friendly town this is! I also got the chance to drive around a few blocks' worth of residential neighborhood. There must be some speedsters running around these quiet blocks because there were "slow down" and "15 MPH ONLY" signs... Such clean neighborhoods, from what I saw. My favorite thing is that although Los Angeles County have eased up on the mask mandate, people till took caution and kept their masks on as well as distanced socially. Good lookin' out! And street parking was more than reasonable: $1/hr is a bargain! I already found a few possible places Bestie and I will be eating at when that annual visit come around... looking forward to more exploring!

Great parks, walkable sidewalks, parking manageable, pocket neighborhoods, good vibes and lavish…read morespots... Don't mind if I do Mr. Oaks. Bordering the LA Valley's cities of Encino, Van Nuys and Studio City with a sprinkle of Valley Glen and Valley Village.... Sherman Oaks is a melting spot of culture, cuisine, comics and cocktails. The Oaks Tavern is an amazing dive bar, On the Thirty is a fun mid-upscale step in the opposite direction, Mr Furley's is a solid modern sports bar, Anejo Cantina has the best happy hour hands down (Taisho is a close runner-up), Elevation bar changes it's aesthetic often and the One Up is a barcade/throwback spot you'll fall head over heel for with it's cool nom noms, signature cocktails, spot on beers or wines (try the Playtime Red and White), free arcade play or all the great movies of the 80s, 90s and everything before (as well as after and in-between) it offers. The Sherman Oaks library just up the street from probably one of the best Ralph's Fresh Fare grocery stores you'll find off Hazeltine Ave and Ventura Blvd... is also one of the best public libraries in Los Angeles County. Sherman Oaks is always improving and thriving, hosting a ton of seasonal and annual events including the Sherman Oaks street fair. Like a lot of cities this side of the hill, the Oaks is a big filming location for tv shows, movies and even music videos including a few from the musical stylings of Haim. "I'll take the fall and the fault in us. I'll give you all the love I never gave I never gave before I left you. " S. Oaks is a city and place I'm proud to know and explore more of... as a hub for the SFV life... Housing the Sherman Oaks Galleria, a bevy of some of my favorite places like O'cado (my all plant based vegan food & wine bar), Pineapple Saloon (dive bar cousin to Maui Sugar Mill in Tarzana), MidiCi (primo quality pizza), more than one Whole Foods Market (newer location on Ventura Blvd is amazing), a vintage Cadillac dealer, Sugar Taco (try everything), Standard Design Group #LetsGetPlanty... 2nd Street Wear #VintageIsIn... 24hr Fitness... I appreciate you, though not my gym I have been a few times... Yelp as my witness. As far as getting around... Streets are super drivable with solid public transportation (more frequency would be better) and excellent housing off many side/residential streets you never knew were there... Dickens Street is a hidden gem for apartments. My biggest hope is for them to do something with the old Pacific Theater across from Best Buy on Van Nuys Blvd & Milbank Street since I can walk there lol... However you can enjoy films at the local Regal at the Galleria that seems to still be thriving... Like the rest of this little big city along the 101 and 405 freeways. I dig you Sherman Oaks! Go Knights!

I've enjoyed my drives out here as a LA Native/Local tourist lately on current job's super long…read moretransfer case time off. But, I've utilized my time off to the Max. Having taken mini road trips as such to the 'City of Sherman Oaks,' I've loved sight-seeing the super upscale neighborhoods aka condos, apartment complexes, and houses alike. This is another upscale city within the vicinities of 'Los Angeles,' CA. I also love watching how all tree lights switch and shine into the dark of the night as I have taken some fun pics to go along with this review. A couple of local businesses I supported were: 'Tamashii Ramen House,' on Ventura Blvd. and 'Panda Express,' also on Ventura Blvd. I'll be back to explore more in this area soon. Thanks for give generous on providing meter parking. That makes visiting this city super convenient.

Van Nuys High School is the home of the Wolves, which is most appropriate as you kind of need to be…read morea wolf to live in Van Nuys. Wolves are resourceful, adaptable, intelligent, playful and fiercely loyal/protective of family. Van Nuys has a strong sense of community and looking out for one another. Hot heads might prevail sometimes, but for the most part everyone tends to avoid any fighting/aggression. Don't make the colossal mistake of thinking we're weak though - when push comes to shove, the inner animals come out to display hierarchy in the most primal of ways. Basic rule of the jungle - don't start none, there won't be none! The ground sparkles like a concrete beach filled with broken glass, debris, trash and homeless people. The streets are lined up with traffic in every direction you go. Smoke permeates the air from countless people and businesses grilling various meats. Street vendors are set up on most streets from people hustling flowers and food. Sepulveda Blvd has other types of people on the street selling things late at night so keep your windows up (if you know, you know). Van Nuys Blvd has cruise nights for car enthusiasts. There's always something happening somewhere so keep your eyes peeled. Overall, Van Nuys is just like any other city in the Valley, just a little rougher around the edges. It's centrally located so pretty much everything is reasonably drivable. Keep your head on a swivel, be aware of your surroundings, have fun and don't act a fool!

The City of Van Nuys is a magical place. After relaxing in a hot soup of skin and bandaids, I…read morecleaned off my body and made some friends. I will always come back because friends are forever I think Thank you

It is nice to be on a bridge…read more This one is particularly nice. At least when compared to the bridges I have been on. Like 8 of them. I imagine Shakespeare telling me secrets on his bridge here about things he used to do here growing up. He was so famous. Good for him. I hear his plays were pretty good. So good that he built a bridge that I get to walk on. Hopefully I get to make a bridge too, but I would Probably use my first name because Roberts' Bridge sounds like it belings to Robert and not Roberts' because most people don't know possessive apostrophes on words and names that end with S so they would have to be reading it instead of hearing it and even when people are reading since they don't know about the apostrophe thing they might assume it's some kind of umlat or something. Thank you

The Shakespeare Bridge, built in 1926, is in the Franklin Hills neighborhood, which was made of…read moreconcrete and decorated in a Gothic style. It was named after William Shakespeare obviously, which was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument in LA later. I think it's an interesting neighborhood to check out if you happen to be in this area.

This section of twisting roadway on the north end of Moorpark Road connects Thousand Oaks with the…read moreSanta Rosa Valley / Camarillo. Its twists and turns and elevation change, with a craggy ravine to one side, call for alert driving. Improvements to the lane markings took place a few years ago, which make it easier to stay in your lane. It seems to be as safe as the road designers can make it, without spending countless millions to widen it. Thankfully, a guardrail's in place. During daylight hours, dropping down into the area of Joel McCrea's ranch, rural vistas still afford a glimpse into bygone days in Ventura County. The geography is dramatic. Its especially beautiful in the aftermath of winter rains. The hillsides are covered in a fresh coat of thick green grasses, with abundant mustard plants offering bright yellow cheesiness. Poppies, lupines, and other wildflowers join the mix. We often take this route when headed for Camarillo, versus the more traffic-laden 101. It sets a mood for a relaxed drive for the day's getaway.

We were out and about explore. The town came across this Venice Beach. Mural thought it was pretty…read morecool to see. Have a good design not want to color but it still cool.