"Allee Willis Museum of Kitsch" took over Ghettogloss Gallery Monday Sept 14th for a crazy opening…read morenight. The Grammy winner has had a lifelong affair with objects de kitsch, and brings forth a small portion of her ridiculous collection for all to see. If you like Black Pride Beer, Farah Faucett Shampoo, Sammy Davis Jr. currency, Mr. T. Piggy Banks .... and believe it or not one object that manages to squeeze both Michael Jackson and penguins into a single package, the Museum of Kitsch is for you. Miss Willis, who aside from her musical accomplishments, is a force of nature, passed among guests with a microphone, heavy-handedly directing the proceedings. Susan Feniger, of the nearby restaurant "Street" prepared special 'junkfood' for opening night. Full and happy, I could barely speak because my teeth were stuck together with an insane concoction of spicy peanut brittle-pork-popcorn. If you miss this exhibit which runs through 9.21.09, apparently Miss Willis also has a "Kitchenette" and a "Kitsch o' the Day" blog.

http://www.awmok.com is a great online Kitsch museum …read more I especially liked the Egg Chairs, Giant Shoes Made From Pots and Pans, and the Boob Washing Apparatus.

It's devastating what happened to many of the residents during the massive fires in 2024. I'm glad…read morethey are coming together to rebuild. On this visit we came to see the ceremony of the Christmas Lane Tree lighting and it packed so much that it was difficult to walk around.

North of Pasadena, the Eaton wildfire started in the town of Altadena on January 7th 2025 and…read morespread explosively across over 14,000 acres due to extreme windy conditions with gusts up to 80 mph the past week! There are apparently five fatalities on record. As of today January 13th, 2025, the entire town is evacuated. Over 7,000 structures and homes were destroyed, including the Andrew McNally House, Altadena Community Church, Scripps Hall, Bunny Museum, stores, shops, the entire downtown area. Altadena is historic for being the first middle class Black community in LA County. It is also home to many middle class Artists of many cultures. The people have now lost their only homes and livelyhoods. It is going to take a lot to rebuild their lives! Praying for the many people of southern California as the fires are continuing as I write this. It is devastating. It is heartbreaking.

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.

I came to this plaza today to pick up dinner from Kray Thai. That's the only place I go to when I'm…read morein this plaza. I saw they have a liquor store, donut place, dentist office and etc. Parking used to be bad because this plaza would get packed but now it seems like things got better.

The city of Chatsworth is a surprising one. It's got some great hidden gems like Chatsworth Park…read moreSouth (North needs some love), Artvanta Art Museum (which needs some Yelp love ;) #AddABusiness if you've been) and Hand-Brewed Beer (just refreshing for craft brew enthusiasts). And a lot of familiar chains like Ralph's, Dollar Tree, Vons, Trader Joe's, Grocery Outlet (my fav), Del Taco (fast food taco king in the SFV) and one of the cleanest Burger Kings I've set foot inside more than once. The Anytime Fitness (so nice, clean and full of wonderful people) is just above the Chatsworth Metrolink station where you can also connect with several city and local busses as well as the Metro G Orange Line for the San Fernando Valley. Like all cities there is some grime, grit, graffiti (though not as much) and interesting characters, but also some charm and history. They have several public and private schools (almost 50/50) including Chatsworth High School which has a ton of notable alumni including Alex Borstein, Kirk Cameron, Lori Beth Denberg, basketball player Dwight Evans... and even Mr. CrossFit himself Greg Glassman. In terms of living and housing it's a little more on the secluded side in parts as most residences are in small neighborhoods and communities. It's not as cost affordable though you can possible find a nice spacious studio under $2K, but you're looking at much more for a 1 bedroom and up for an apartment, condo or townhome.... though Northridge, which borders Chatsworth has some more reasonable property being a college city (CSUN). I had a friend who lived up near the Garden of the Gods (trails and additional local flavor) and the old infamous Iverson Movie Ranch I'd visit a lot and got to see a lot of this city I never knew with some beautiful views. It's easy to drive, cruise and take it all in. You can enjoy some good cuisines including Indian, Vegan, Thai, Japanese, Comfort, American, Mexican and numerous others. Vegan My Thai is a must, Woodlands on Topanga Canyon Blvd has an incredible Indian Buffet and Paint with A Twist (a paint and sip creative space) is high up on my must try list. Topanga Nursery is great for plant enthusiast as well as Paradise Nursery, which lives up to its name and known more so for it's incredible fruit trues (planting + delivery services are available). For entertainment you have the California Conservatory of Performing Arts, Harley's Valley Bowl in Simi Valley... not to far away from the Santa Susana Depot/Railroad Museum plus local Magician and DJs for your party bliss or pop-up events pleasure. The closest movie theaters are the AMC Northridge, AMC Porter Ranch or Regency Granada Hills, but non directly in the city itself... for night/barlife you have more laidback or niche fun like the Cowboy Palace Saloon, The Rabbit Hole (technically in West Hills), 818 Brewery (Canoga Park), Olive & Fig (which borders West Hills, Canoga Park and Chatsworth) and a few others including several dive bar and venues, which can sometimes surprise you much like the city of Chatsworth itself.

I lived in Reseda within the first year of moving to the San Fernando Valley and it's not half…read morebad... It definitely has it's 3 and 4 star moments as a city, but is a great melting pot of cultures and cuisines. Reseda Blvd alone offers an insanely spacious public park, vegan Chinese food (Garden Wok), ramen, pho in abundance, a great Denny's (the bad one is in NoHo... you know the one), Mexican, Thai, American, Peruvian, Greek, soooo much variety and of course tons of Fast Food. The best Vietnamese food (that happens to be 100% plant based) in Los Angeles via Vinh Loi Tofu off Sherman Way, an all inclusive lgbt+ bar/nightclub at C-frenz, a great music venue and sometimes dance spot at the V Lounge, some quality shops like the Tampa/Victory Blvd plaza with the best juice & acai bowl spot at Movita as well as a solid Dollar Tree, Starbucks, Party City, Sally's beauty Supply and misc others. I miss late nights out and trips to the Subway or Del Taco... both off Vanowen (still great quality, but Subway is not 24hrs anymore). The Salsa & Beer (technically in Lake Balboa)....is soooo good.... and they have real parking. If you need good car service or a great set of used tires in a pinch Reseda definitely has some of the best small business spots in SFV. Thank you Reseda Tires for coming through during my college years and even after! Public transportation is actually better than decent here as well... with routes running on all if not most West to Eastbound streets and vice versus... The LA Metro Rapid's are really efficient especially the 744 that passes through from Northridge to Van Nuys. The Orange line just on the outskirts of the city of Tarzana and Reseda is great and like most of LA parking is a mission, but Reseda definitely will surprise you depending on the time of day. I couldn't truly say where the heart or hub of Reseda is, but I think it has it's own comforts for each person, like a lot of the LA valley aka the SFV aka the 818.

I moved here when I was 5, and left when I was 12. In between, I have a lot of amazing memories of…read moreReseda. Things to do: 2/5 Safety: 3/5 Cleanliness: 2/5 Bertrand Avenue Elementary: dancing (square dancing "Do-si-do", The Hustle, Popcorn), "Berger that's #47" (number of tardies and not have to stay after school like everyone else since I was the top student in the class). Ms Abbazia, Ms Bliss, Mr Burns, Ms Kacindas were my favorite teachers. Nestle Ave: it's the street where we owned a home. With a big grass frontyard and an enormous backyard, we owned 3 dogs (2 big; 1 small), and I had tremendous fun here. Eating outside under our covered patio, definitely where my foodie adventures started. We had a lot of kids on our block, but my favorite was the Mexican family down with 5 girls. No, not for that, but the dad drove the delivery truck for Mission Tortillas. When he came home, we would race to greet him, grab a fresh package of tortillas, warm them up on the stove, then eat them with butter and sugar. Reseda Park: "hit a duck" became the hit phrase started by my Mom. Why? One year, I set the record for little league homeruns, 23 in 12 games. Played 3 seasons here, and loved every moment. Reseda Roller rink: "All skate", "Backwards Skate", "Couples Skate" with dim lights and holding sweaty hands. I came every Friday night, and at least one other day or night per week. LOVED. Arby's: before my tastes refined, this was my favorite place to eat. Arby's Roast Beef, certainly, but Jamocha shakes, potato cakes, and horsey sauce all became common orders. Reseda Drive-In: still a drive-in here or there, but back in the day, very common. The fee, by the carload. Coming here with my parent's was one of the best family outings you can ask for. Newberry's/Thrifty: this was the start of years worth of baseball card collecting. Last, but not least, =============== Friends: I still keep in-contact with (Thanks Facebook!) and had a reunion of about 10 of us about 3 years ago. Chance, was my first childhood best friend (but he moved away to Mt. Shasta), and Anthony was my 5th-6th grade best friend. Now: ===== Don't find myself too often in the ol' hood. It feels old and a bit dirty, and offers nothing outstanding.

What a dope addition to the neighborhood! They are at the corner of Fletcher and Estara, across…read moreFletcher Drive Elementary. Aside from being a gift shop, they also display art and host workshops. They have coffee pop-ups which is always so convenient. The place is a inviting, its organized and loved seeing art everywhere. I wanted to buy everything but opted in for a shirt for $6. They also sell restored, refurbished iPods. I highly recommend checking this place out especially if you're in the area! Shop small and shop local! p.s. Theres plenty of free street parking before Estara

What can I say about Granada Hills? A futures past blended in with futures present... A mostly laid…read morepark city with a fair amount of things to do and enjoy including the Regency Theater which sits on the borders of North Hills and Grenada Hills. There are great places to dine such as Good Pho You one of my favorite Pho spots in Los Angeles! Salavation Army massive, Target yes, Trarer Joe's sometimes... Despite being a location with a huge parking lot the Grenada Hills TJ will have you scratching your head at times, but the service will turn that confusion into a positive illusion until you leave. Granada Hills has good schools and nice parks and all the things you could need including vintage fashion, late night dinners via IHOP and Danny's, multiple shopping centers and tons of food not to mention some patches green pastures like a lot of the San Fernando Valley... Though sitting closer to the mountain side you definitely get more plant life and nature in G.H. There is an abundance of street parking compared to most cities as this city is a lot more residential in pockets and parts, while still having plenty to take in and enjoy. I definitely found myself passing through and shopping about here more before 2020 and even now... Especially in my college years near CSUN, only a few short minutes North West of this pleasantville.