GIGA GRANADA HILLS

The collapsing economy finally doomed the plan to put in a Kohl's -- complete with several code variances -- in the Regency Center, at the corner of Zelzah and Chatsworth, in the space formerly occupied by Granada Brunswick Lanes, and then by a Ralph's -- you know, the one across the street from Ralph's. They gave up a few months ago, when when Mervyn's went belly up and Kohl's started belt-tightening. The rumor now is that the space is being eyed by down-home flavored, yokel- and trucker-friendly grocery chain Stater Brothers . At least that's how they like to bill themselves in their commercials. So Granada Hills counts as "The Heartland"?!? "Where the girl next door can become your wife?" Eeew. Then again, perhaps the arrival of Stater Brothers will bring us more quality entertainment such as this:

But it was only a 1.5. Details here . View Larger Map

"Summer, summer fruits It wouldn't be summer without 'em..." The watermelon is usually considered the emblematic fruit of summer, but to me, nothing tastes more summery than a fresh, local, in-season plum in full ripeness. You're just not going to get that at Albertson's. The fruit at Forneris Farms isn't organic, but it isn't flown in from Chile, either -- most of it is grown in Simi Valley or other nearby locations. You'll pay more, and you'll get more. The plums I bought there this week were a little piece of heaven, the strawberries plump and firm, and the peaches all drippy succulence. There's a the line in the About The Farmer page of Forneris Farms' website where Farmer John's bio says, "He grew up when farming was considered an important and valuable profession." Do I detect a hint of bitterness? Maybe a little. Maybe he's frustrated at having to become to an agritainment venture just to stay alive...

Verizon Wireless proudly announced today that they've finally done what they should have done years ago: given the Knollwood area decent cell coverage. Yup, we've got those newfangled mo-bile phones workin' up here just like they do in big city Los Angle-eez! Complete press release here .

Lesson #1: If you're going to interrupt a Trader Joe's employee with pesky interview requests, don't intrude on valuable smoke break time. Wait until they're busy working. Lesson #2: Not everybody is as obsessed with municipal boundaries as you are. Most people are willing to live a more fluid, cosmopolitan existence. See below. Name: Ricky Occupation: Trader Joe's cashier Do you live in Granada Hills, or just work here? Just work here. Technically, I guess I live in Northridge. Can you tell me something you like about Granada Hills? I'm not really sure where Northridge ends and Granada Hills begins -- I'm not really sure where the borders are. So I don't know what to say. Can you think of anything you like about Granada Hills? I'm glad that I have a job here. And what's your least favorite thing about it? You know that parade they have? It blocks the traffic. But that's only once a year. You're right.

"We are a people defined by memory -- not to dwell in the past, but as a foundation for the future. We look back not to mourn, but to see how far we have come, and how far we need to go." Friday evening at Temple Ahavat Shalom, Rabbi Barry Lutz began Shabbat service with this meditation on the importance of memory as the congregation gathered on the eve of the tenth anniversary of the shootings at North Valley Jewish Community Center "to share the joys and comforts of coming together as a community." There will be larger commemorative events on Monday -- the actual anniversary of the event -- with city officials, press coverage, and TV cameras, but Friday night's Shabbat service in Northridge felt intimate -- more like a gathering of extended family than a civic event. In attendance were Mindy Finkelstein and Josh Stepakoff, two survivors of Buford Furrow's August 10, 1999 rampage. Furrow shot a total of six people that day, creating pain and outrage...

If you belong at Family Fun Arcade, you probably know it already. Less-than-hardcore gamers might enjoy the air hockey table or Dance Dance Revolution, but you won't find any vintage games here -- no Ms. Pac Man, no Galaga, no DigDug. Family Fun Arcade is all about fighting games -- Street Fighter, 3rd Strike, Marvel vs. Capcom. The family-owned arcade has been in its Granada Hills location for decades, and it's been described as the number one fighting game mecca in Southern California (they even had a Street Fighter IV before it was released in the U.S.). Family Fun also hosts tournaments that draw high-level players to its dark and soda-stained confines, and the convenient proximity to Asahi Sushi, Pizza Cookery, and Golden State Collective can't hurt either. Nathan, Family Fun employee: How long have you worked here? I've worked here for two years. How did you get the job? I used to work at the Simi Valley location, which they closed down, so I came over here...