GIGA GRANADA HILLS

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...

A free workshop, open to the public: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 7-9pm URBAN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & SURVIVAL SKILLS WORKSHOP Earthquake, Flood, Extreme weather, Financial meltdown, and more... Led by world renowned British survivalist, Toby Cowern The workshop will cover the following: Introduction and preparedness concepts Threat assessment Basic preparedness concepts Thoughts on 'bugging out' vs 'stay in place' Basic preparedness equipment and supplies Resources and materials Further reading Q&A Session

via GraphJam.com

via Dangerous Minds

From Babble.com .

Tomorrow afternoon, Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council will host an informational meeting about the operation of Valley Region High School #4. Applicants to run the school have been asked to make brief presentations about their plans to run the school site. The meeting is Saturday, October 30 from 2-4:30pm at Granada Pavilion, 11128 Balboa Boulevard (in the Trader Joe's Center). My advice: whichever group is willing to acknowledge that Bo Diddley High, is a much cooler name than Valley Region High School No. 4 should run the school. Naming a school in honor of one of Granada Hills' most influential residents and supporting a commitment to arts in education, well, it just makes sense . Join the Facebook Group Related Posts: What Should The New High School Be Named?

Mike Spasoff is a tireless servant to this community -- at least for a few months out of the year -- and that's good enough for me. It's also more than good enough for the 600 trick-or-treaters he delights and terrifies with the elaborate, Disney-rivaling, pirate-themed yard display at his house on San Fernando Mission Boulevard (near Shoshone). When I was a kid, I used to always wish someone in the neighborhood would do something beyond carving a pumpkin. Fortunately, kids in Mike's neighborhood will never have to cope with that same unfulfilled sense of longing that I always had. Read more about Mike Spasoff, Master of Pirates

I've put together a Granada Hills YouTube Channel , where you can see video of Granada Hills' most committed Halloween decorator, Will Raxon. Click on the picture at left, and enjoy! Related Posts: Mike Spasoff, Master of Pirates

A large eucalyptus tree toppled during high winds Monday and fell onto house near Chatsworth and Louise, injuring one person. Full story at, and aerial photo at left lifted from, KTLA.com . Updated, 10:58pm: I'm pretty sure a tree this big makes a sound when it falls, whether or not anyone is around to hear it. More better LAFD photos here .

Spooky Story Time Saturday, October 30, 4pm Granada Hills Branch Library Pre-schoolers and their parents, come in your Hallowe'en costume, make crafts, and hear spooky stories by Children's Librarian Heather. Granada Hills Recrecation Center Hallowe'en Carnival Sunday, October 31, 2010, 1pm-5pm Granada Hills Recreation Center Hallowe'en Carnival . Lots of fun for the whole family including costume contests, prizes, entertainment and candy for the kids. For more info call 818-363-3556. Hallowe'en Festival And Costume Contest Saturday, October 30th 2010, 12pm-3pm North Hills Shopping Center , SE Corner Devonshire and Balboa All stores will be giving out FREE samples, Coupons, Candy, and more. The event features face Painting, a costume contest, music, games, and a picture booth. The Odyssey's Haunted Hill Hallowe'en Saturday October 30th, 7pm- Midnight The Odyssey Restaurant Ticket are $35.95 per person. There will be a Hallowe'en costume contest, l...

Sometimes the weather can be a real dick. via Gizmodo.com

Darby Elementary School in Northridge won! They won! They're going to get a $500,000 grant from Kohl's!!! Oh wait — no they're not. In a contest called "Kohl's Cares," the Kohl's department store chain -- a name that already evokes bitter memories for many Granada Hills residents -- promised to grant $500,000 to each of twenty schools, for a total of $10 million, who could propel themselves to the top of a vote-getting contest at the Kohl's website. Back in late August, someone posted a note to my Facebook wall imploring readers to vote for Darby Elementary School in the "Kohl's Cares" grant contest. My grouchy reply: "Encapsulated in this post is everything I most dislike about (a) America and (b) Internet contests that are really only tests of who can muster the highest number of votes. Tearing boxtops, snipping soup can labels, visiting the Kohl's website -- why must we constantly go begging to the corporate sector ...

As much as the idea of children stopping to check their smartphones during their Trick-or-Treat rounds gives me pause, I'm generally in favor of anything that increases kids' opportunities for (controlled doses of) freedom and independence, especially in a low-crime neighborhood like Granada Hills. Parents who are ready to give their kids this sort of experience, in a tethered, 2010 sort of way might want to check out the app "TrickorTracker," which is free of charge for Halloween (and can be purchased for $9.99 afterwards). The app installs on both the parent’s phone and the child’s own phone, but if your kid is too young to use a Smartphone, maybe they're not ready to trick-or-treat without an adult escort. The child’s phone has a special “Where Am I?” and “Where’s My Parent?” button, and the parent’s phone has a corresponding “Where’s My Child?” button. Messages can be sent to the child’s phone using a special code that is picked up and responded to via pre...

Reports of the farmer's market's death have been greatly exaggerated. The Granada Hills Farmer's market is in fact still going — well, not strong exactly — but still going. The excitement of a new farmer's market in town has decreased with the temperatures, and the number of vendors at the market, held at the Masonic temple on Rinaldi between Hayvenhurst and Woodley, has dwindled precipitously. The good news is that you can still buy fresh, organic, locally grown produce at the market, it's still right here in Granada Hills, and it's still at better than Whole Foods prices. And with the fair-weather Northridge Farmer's market about to go dark (it's last day will be October 28), and in this time of fall produce, it's nice to have a year-round option. Ric, the market's manager, said that space rental prices for vendors have remained the same since the market's opening, but groused that impatient vendors hadn't given the fledgling market a ...

Tomorrow, October 23, from 9am to 1pm, visit the Community Health And Safety Fair at The Japanese Garden to get a flu shot for free (while supplies last). If you've never been to the garden, this is a good excuse to head over and see one of our area's most easy-to-reach treasures. The Japanese Garden is located at 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys.

Librarian + Hottie = Lottie! The Friends Of The Granada Hills Library are setting up a used book sale, and they need your help at 3pm on Thursday, October 21. Usually, book sales are set up on Saturday mornings, with the assistance of Boy Scouts, but this sale is scheduled on a weekday afternoon, and so most scouts will be in school. This could be a good opportunity for a service effort for a youth group, a student government/leadership class, or simply some volunteers from the community. Lottie Van Emden, GH Library volunteer (pictured at left) says, "We need strong guys who have just a little time to get the job done. Contact me at lottivan@socal.rr.com." P.S. Okay, that's not really a picture of Lottie. It's her older sister.

The following is a guest article written by Joseph M. Berrellez, best friend of Zachary Nathan Champommier. Champommier, an honors student, marching band member, and Granada Hills Charter High School class of 2010 graduate, was shot and killed by police officers last July in an incident that prompted questions about officers' decision to use of deadly force against the teen and left many of Champommier's fellow students' faith in police shaken. Champommier's shooting was covered by The Los Angeles Times , LAist , and other outlets linked below. Joseph Berellez, left, with Zac Champommier. Zachary Nathan Champommier By Joseph M. Berrellez Finally eighteen years old, finally out of high school, finally have a car, finally starting life—until June 24, 2010, when all that was taken from my best friend, Zachary Nathan Champommier. Zac (no “k” at the end because Zachary doesn’t have a “k,” as Zac would say), born January 21 st , 1992, wa...