GIGA GRANADA HILLS

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." —George Santayana Think you know what the weather is going to be like in Granada Hills, just because you saw it on the local news? Think again. "What a lot of people don't realize is that the weather that you see on television and radio stations, it's not really Granada Hills weather. It's taken from Van Nuys Airport," explains Tom Tcimpidis, Granada Hills' chief weather guru — or weather geek — take your pick. "As you can tell he's really into the weather. He loves it!" says Tom's wife, Linda. Google "Granada Hills weather," and you'll find The Tom and Linda Tcimpidis Weather Page , a pet project of Tom's that's been online since 2001, providing data so accurate it's used to verify the integrity of other stations. "Basically, it's a hobby," Tom says. "I've been int...

Remember the old, frantic, gleefully loopy TV commercials for The Federated Group? Those were made by filmmaker and Granada Hills resident Chuck Cirino. Cinefamily is hosting A Tribute To Shadoe Stevens tomorrow night, June 15, and you can relive the speed-freaky memories in all their glory. Shadoe Stevens, director Chuck Cirino and the rest of the "Fred Rated"/ Shadoevision brain trust will all be here at the Cinefamily for a Q&A after the screening! 6/15 @ 8:00pm TV Tuesday: A Tribute To Shadoe Stevens (feat. "Federated Group" Commercials Best-Of & Shadoevision !) Who knew that commercials could be this much fun?! One of the most berserk, outrageous and unforgettable TV comedies of the 1980s, doled out thirty seconds at a time, was the unending series of wacky, ultra-fast-paced commercial spots for the So Cal electronics chain The Federated Group that starred "Fred Rated", the half-insane "Bass-O-Matic"-style spokesman with a smoo...

Tonight at OhGrady's, hear some good old fashioned American punk rock from The Ignorant. For a sample, check out the band's MySpace music page , which contains this enchanting description: Despite being a group of drunks who barely have enough sense to tie their own shoes, they somehow manage to wrap some chords together and give it all they got. OhGrady's is located at 17633 Chatsworth Street.

From North Valley Aikikai: Reiki Healing Circle Sunday, June 13 Energize and balance yourself with an afternoon retreat full of peace, music and energy. Led by Reiki Master Julie Roberts, and musician and composer Regan Remy. The energy builds in the circle, forming different patterns from heat to circulatory energy formations. Each circle produces a different energy based upon its participants. Stories of inspiration, courage, promotions, cures and opportunities appearing from now-here have made this a favorite event for many. Suggested donation: $15 Tea and refreshments will be served. North Valley Aikikai is located at 16901 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344 telephone 818 652.5025

A message from Councilman Greig Smith's Office: Our 5th Annual Citrus Sunday is coming up on Sunday, June 13. You can be part of this annual fresh fruit drive that brings tens of thousands of pounds of citrus fruit to needy families. You don't have to sign up as a volunteer - just pick oranges, grapefruits or other citrus from trees in your yard, rinse them off with water, put them in plastic bags. Drop off the bags of fruit at Fire Station 87 at 10124 Balboa Blvd. in Granada Hills on Sunday, June 13. Our partner in Citrus Sunday, Valley Interfaith Council, collects the fruit and distributes it to struggling families served at their food banks in the San Fernando Valley. To offer your home as a picking location please call (818) 756-8501.

If you were thinking of overlooking the fact that today is election day, don't. The Los Angeles Times offers a succinct and pointed explanation as to why today's election is so important: The June 8 primary does more than any in recent memory to illustrate the degree to which money, wielded by business interests and political parties, has usurped voter power by co-opting Progressive-era reforms. Californians should be wary of having their buttons pushed by corporations trying to amend the state Constitution to safeguard their profits, and by political parties that demonstrate less interest in the good of the state than in the good of the interests that keep them in power. So vote, dammit.