GIGA GRANADA HILLS

The stereotype of Valley residents is that once you drive over the hill, everyone is over the hill — if not numerically, then philosophically. However, since work began on the new Valley Performing Arts Center at Cal State Northridge, San Fernando Valley residents have had hope that the spectacular new structure could undo a million cultural-wasteland jokes, providing the locals with not only outstanding local shows but a sense of pride. The building is indeed everything the Valley hoped for: soaring walls of glass enveloping an acoustically tuned, 1,700-seat theater, a smaller theater and a lecture hall and classrooms. The center opens with a gala on Jan. 29, followed by the first season of programming. Unfortunately, it's at that point — the programming — where the Valley Performing Arts Center's ambitions run aground. Read More at L.A. Weekly

Granada Hills needs a book to get us through the coming winter months. A book to curl up with on a rainy night by the fireplace, a book to be seen with as you sip your Pumpkin Spice Latte (tm) at the Starbucks over by OSH, a book to fight for the last copy of at the Granada Hills Branch Library, so conveniently located next to Petit Park, a great place for a read during a break in the clouds. The first time I heard of the concept of a "One Book" program, it seemed to have a fascist ring to it --"Ein Buch! Ein Reich! Ein Führer!" But once I heard that Vancouver's version of the program, One Vancouver, One Book , chose perennial geeklarity favorite The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, I realized that I might have been all turned around on the subject -- of One Book , and of Vancouverites, whom I'd always previously thought of as far less nerdy. But the nerds are my people, and I embrace their ideas wholeheartedly, for I am one of them. Chime in wi