tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826241564505435332024-03-13T00:14:24.458-07:00GIGA GRANADA HILLSThe Blog About Your TownL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.comBlogger600125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-88586780763358233402022-07-19T20:18:00.003-07:002022-07-19T20:18:28.682-07:00Roundup of existing news stories on Home Depot (will be updated)The Real Deal: San Fernando Valley cinema pegged for big-box makeoverBisnow: Regency Theatres' Granada Hills Location Slated To Become A Home DepotSan Fernando Valley Sun: Regency Theatre Purchase by Home Depot Parent CampanyReddit thread: Pretty sad we're losing the movie theater in Granada Hills for another Home DepotL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-28270281955388275702022-07-19T19:59:00.001-07:002022-07-19T20:09:23.111-07:00Town Hall On Proposed Home Depot at Devonshire and BalboaImage pilfered from https://thedcontinuum.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/the-home-despot/In case you haven't heard, Home Depot purchased the property at the SE corner of Devonshire and Balboa, and plans to demolish everything from Regency Theater to Ralphs, and replace it all with a Home Depot. But before you get mad at Home Depot for wiping out community-friendly storefronts with an L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-31607649338744679702020-06-03T11:47:00.004-07:002020-06-03T12:58:30.108-07:00Thoughts on Joe's Cafe and cancel cultureOn June 1, 2020, the date when people planned to gather in Granada Hills to protest George Floyd's killing, fearful rumors began flying early. The protest was certain to be violent. The claims that it was planned as a "peaceful" protest was certain to be cover for looters. Some started spreading the rumor that "the organizers have cancelled the event," presumably with the hope of making that comeL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-62727423510661707242020-03-27T11:50:00.002-07:002020-03-27T13:57:52.960-07:00Mitchell Englander Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Charge Related to Obstructing Public Corruption Investigationby L.J. Williamson
Former Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell "Mitch" Englander filed a plea agreement this morning in federal court, pleading guilty to one count of scheming to falsify material facts.
Federal criminal charges against Englander stem from obstruction of a public corruption investigation related to his acceptance of gifts from a businessman during trips to Las Vegas and Palm L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-24917657210641469132020-03-25T15:39:00.000-07:002020-03-25T19:24:22.902-07:00The Englander Indictment: What Next For John Lee?
John Lee's Facebook profile pic.
by L.J. Williamson
After the jarring arrest of former City Councilmember Mitchell Englander dropped jaws all over Los Angeles, heads swiveled next toward his successor and protégé, Councilmember John Lee.
Englander was arrested by federal agents on criminal charges that he obstructed an investigation into accepting cash, female escort services, hotelL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-22897518420145610762020-03-16T13:45:00.000-07:002020-03-16T13:57:30.932-07:00The Market Report, 7:30 a.m., Monday, March 16
The line at Smart & Final, 7:28 a.m.
Ralph's, Balboa & Devonshire, 7:34 a.m. "You think this is long, you should see Albertson's on Nordhoff!" one woman said.
Target, 7:38 a.m. Line goes all the way up the escalator.
Trader Joe's, 7:39 a.m. New later opening time to allow for restocking.
Sprouts, 7:45 a.m. Open, lines longish but not L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-79200385646974565552016-04-28T18:48:00.001-07:002016-04-28T18:55:51.221-07:00Organ Transplant Recipients Will Gather in Guinness World Records Title Attempt at the Donate Life Run/Walk & Family Festival14th Annual Run/Walk Honors Those Touched by Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation, Inspires Southland Residents to Donate Life
Elsa Arana, Granada Hills resident, made the decision to donate her
son Marco’s organs when he passed away suddenly at the age of 28 in a car accident.
In 2010, the Arana family had the rare opportunity to meet one of Marco’s organ
recipients: David Jones,L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-53618510332274127562014-10-19T10:26:00.004-07:002014-10-19T10:34:59.584-07:00I'm Still Doing This.
I’ve had a lot of support from the community for the plaza proposal. And not just from the peasants — whose opinions allegedly don’t matter — but from from property owners, from business owners, from the landed gentry.
But at the Granada Hills Street Faire, someone said to me, “I’m surprised you’re still doing this.”
Yeah, I’m still doing this. And here’s why:
I still believe attorney L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-60426748295562187912014-09-25T11:27:00.002-07:002014-10-19T17:14:02.804-07:00The New Kids In Town: Lola's Baja Tacos and Main Kitchen Cafe
Ceviche.
After food truck night, the corner of Balboa and Chatsworth
is on its way to becoming Granada Hills’ new favorite dining destination, with
two recently opened spots — breakfast and lunch joint Main Kitchen Café, and
ceviche specialists Lola’s Baja Tacos. Both are delightful in their own ways,
and both should serve as notice that the perpetually disappointing Pampas,
right next door, L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-49443851355059618122014-08-14T08:41:00.003-07:002014-08-14T16:41:18.167-07:00Interviews With Plaza-Adjacent Business Owners, Sunset Triangle Plaza
I wanted to do some research on the impact of plaza projects on fronting business owners, so I went to Silverlake's Sunset Triangle Plaza and interviewed Julie Choe, owner of Mornings Nights Cafe, Vivian Ku of the restaurant Pine and Crane, and Genelle LeVin of Silverlake Improvement Association.
Choe, who has owned her cafe for about ten years, said that once the plaza was installed, the L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-40147103735334784282014-07-15T22:13:00.000-07:002014-10-19T10:48:35.165-07:00The speech I gave at the last Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council meeting. I’m here to ask the Neighborhood Council for a letter of support for the plaza proposal. I’m not asking for money, I’m not asking you to become a community partner, because that’s not an option anyway. I’m just asking for a letter of support. Because the Neighborhood Council is the only organization that exists to act as a voice for the community.
Every other community organization that Granada L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-3006532839187808452014-05-17T07:28:00.001-07:002014-05-27T11:33:02.351-07:00Let's create a pedestrian and bike-friendly plaza at Chatsworth and Zelzah Streets in Granada Hills!
Illustration courtesy Solo Goodspeed
Petition: http://bit.ly/plazapetition Donation: http://bit.ly/plazadonation
Wouldn't it be great if Granada Hills had a town square? A place to sit down and eat on food truck nights? A place for public music performances? Free dance classes? Or a place for people to just come together and enjoy?
We L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-27325732698085102192014-04-05T10:31:00.000-07:002014-04-05T10:32:38.920-07:00New Granada Hills Neighborhood Council Members "Jumped" Into Board In Violent, Gang-Style Ritual
Granada Hills Charter High School's normally peaceful Rawley Hall erupted in terrifying violence last night as members of the Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council performed the annual ritual of beating new board members as a test of loyalty.
In the melee, pictured at left, board members were given their gang names and forced to swear allegiance to the L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-33282826798191732462014-04-03T16:08:00.002-07:002014-04-03T16:08:50.085-07:00Carnival!L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-83093884870958327862013-10-09T10:53:00.000-07:002013-10-09T10:53:10.624-07:00This Saturday: The Best Possible Reason To Get Drunk And Eat SausageL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-86271144202306987072013-10-02T07:00:00.000-07:002013-10-03T14:46:10.433-07:00Are You Ready To Rumble? Earthquake Prep, Demos, And Burgers This Saturday At The Disaster Preparedness FairGuest post by Bill Hopkins, GHNNC Emergency Preparedness Chair
Ever been curious to see the fire department dismantle a car with the Jaws of Life?
Visitors to this Saturday's Disaster Preparedness Fair can also go for a ride in the Shakey-Quakey Schoolhouse earthquake simulator, learn about preparing pets for disasters and emergencies, walk through the LAPD Command Vehicle, learn about freeL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-76730865778124175712013-09-23T16:17:00.002-07:002013-09-23T16:20:00.620-07:00Love Me, I'm Naked: Artist Nate Page Drops The Façade
California Living, by Nate Page (select raw footage) from machine project on Vimeo.
In a neighborhood not known for having a vibrant street life, or even particularly chatty neighbors, on Thursday night, artist Nate Page brought everyone out onto the sidewalks, feeling friendly, open, and proud.
"Felt almost like Halloween!" noted one resident on the lively, street-party-like atmosphere in L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-68198443074643316092013-08-12T18:03:00.000-07:002014-04-03T16:10:52.101-07:00Two Subs Enter, No Subs Leave: Giga Granada Hills Pits Togo's Against Jersey Mike's In A Sandwich Death Match
Balloons and streamers heralded the opening of a new Togo's restaurant in Granada Hills in the OSH shopping center last month -- right across the street from the Jersey Mike's opened in 2010.
But does new interloper Togo's pose a threat to Jersey Mike's sandwich supremacy? Giga Granada Hills pitted sandwiches from both stores against each other in a salami-to-salami face off to see L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-9916962363557473672013-08-06T16:52:00.002-07:002013-08-06T16:54:24.350-07:00New Album From Shoegaze Progenitors Medicine Out Today
Medicine, fronted by Granada Hills resident Brad Laner, is described by Anthony Gonzalez of M83 as "one of the most underrated bands from the 90's and also one of my favorite Shoegaze bands. They represent everything I love in music. Distorted and bendy guitar riffs mixed with beautiful airy vocal melodies."
The band's reunion album, "To The Happy Few," their first L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-16355040777490543522013-06-04T17:06:00.001-07:002013-06-04T17:08:27.601-07:00Threatdown: BEARS!More bear news! Lock your doors! Lock your honey jars! Lock your picanik baskets! Daily NewsL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-15253255495108005442013-04-10T07:33:00.001-07:002013-04-10T07:33:23.873-07:00Granada Hills Charter Buys Pinecrest CampusGranada Hills Charter High School has purchased the Northridge campus of the private Pinecrest Schools for $5.6 million, with an eye toward expanding its presence in the north San Fernando Valley, officials said Monday.Pinecrest will continue to operate the elementary school through 2014-15, when Granada Hills Charter will take control of the six-acre campus.
Read the rest at DailyNews.comL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-59612147421437016012013-03-11T15:15:00.007-07:002022-07-19T19:32:58.825-07:00The Best Scene in Fast Times At Ridgemont Highis the one here, filmed on Chatsworth Street in Granada Hills. L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-76967629472657779112013-01-22T17:21:00.000-08:002013-08-12T21:02:37.688-07:00Elementary School Student Who Has Attacked Teachers, Staff Members Remains In Class Despite Parent Complaints
Should a child prone to frequent violent outbursts be allowed to remain in a mainstream classroom?
At a Granada Hills elementary school, this is the question that parents and staff members are asking after a student who has physically attacked at least three staff members, fracturing the arm of one, has been allowed to remain in class despite the complaints of anxious parents.
But LAUSD L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-33188602544010117922013-01-22T08:35:00.000-08:002013-01-22T08:35:00.318-08:00E-Waste Benefit for Balboa Gifted MagnetL.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82624156450543533.post-83709509809595117232012-12-30T10:47:00.000-08:002012-12-30T10:47:12.319-08:00Family Fun Arcade To Close Doors After 39 Years
If you grew up in Granada Hills, you went to Family Fun Arcade. It's just that simple.
Here's my Los Angeles Times article on the GH institution's upcoming closure. Thanks for the memories, FFA.
Game over: Family Fun arcade is pulling the plug
The Granada Hills institution, where 'Street Fighter' fanatics would once gather from around the globe, has been KOd by home consoles and L.J. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349372355620916149noreply@blogger.com1