GIGA GRANADA HILLS

I've been spending a lot of time of late crowing about the Food Truck Fest, which, fortunately, was far from doomed by its September 11 scheduling. But it would be foolish not to acknowledge the more significant events of that date, especially given the recent cultural temperature. In 2001, just a few months after the Sept. 11 tragedy, we had an unusual entry in the Granada Hills Holiday Parade. Amid the mylar and spray snow festooned boy scout troops, drill teams, and church groups marching and riding down Chatsworth, there was one smaller and quieter entry in the parade. A group of about six to eight men and women walked down the street, all of them cocoa-skinned, with Indian features and attire. All wore turbans, and they carried a banner that said, "Happy Holidays From Your Sikh Neighbors." Or something along those lines; it was almost a decade ago, so I don't remember the exact wording of the sign. But the message was essentially, "Please don't att...

Sound editing is an occasional hobby of mine. This (NSFW!) Tron Lebowski Mashup is dedicated to all of the lovely readers whom I met at last night's SUPER DUPER FUN Movie Night And Food Truck Fest. Enjoy your Sunday.

If you're heading to the Food Truck Fest and Movie Night tonight and you want to get a GigaGranadaHills bumpersticker, find me and say this secret passphrase: "Hey, bitch, gimme one of those." And if you're a foreigner who's wondering, "Where in the hell is Granada Hills Recreation Center?" then here's a map, ya heathen. View Larger Map Related posts: Lineup For Saturday's Movie Night And Food Truck Fest!

Movie: The Incredibles! "Mr. Incredible (A.K.A. Bob Parr), and his wife Helen (A.K.A. Elastigirl), are the world's greatest famous crime-fighting superheroes in Metroville. Always saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. But fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs where they have no choice but to retire of being a superhero and force to live a "normal life" with their three children Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack (who were secretly born with superpowers). Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction. " Food Trucks: Vizzi Truck "The menu was inspired & crafted by taking French cooking techniques and mixing it with coastal flavors from around the globe, and finishing each bite with s...

An announcement from North Valley Aikikai: Energize and balance yourself with an afternoon retreat full of peace, music and energy. Led by Reiki Master Julie Roberts, and musician Ed Wing. The first half of the circle contains a guided meditation beautifully facilitated to place calm and peace in the heart of the circle. This is an energetic precursor to individual healing attunements to clear blockages, form clarity, increase empowerment & creative inspiration, release t ... oxins that no longer serve you or just gently balance your body's energy system. The second half of the circle includes sending Reiki energy to our families, friends, our projects, our dreams, our business, our aspirations. Exquisite musician Ed Wing will be playing enchanting music, adding to the sacred vibration of the circle. The energy builds in the circle, forming different patterns from heat to circulatory energy formations. Each circle produces a different energy based upon its participa...

"Dangerously Good Food" is the tagline for the Komodo Truck, and food blogger Arianna of Food Truck Times agrees: My Blazin’ Shrimp set my mouth on fire (in a good way). There must’ve been about a billion perfectly cooked shrimp tucked inside a large flour tortilla, coated with just the right amount of scorching hot sauce (roasted chilis maybe, and black pepper?). Cuddled in with the crustaceans was lettuce, julienne-sliced red bell pepper, and a light dousing of “sour cream salad” (I don’t really know what that means, either). It was so huge I couldn’t finish it all (although I tried – I really did). Granada Hills Movie Night And Food Truck Fest is this Saturday, Sept. 11 at Granada Hills Recreation Center, 16730 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. Admission is free. Food Trucks start serving at 6pm, a screening of The Incredibles begins at dusk.

Like Mediterranean food? Definitely hit up the Gourmet Genie Truck at this Saturday's Granada Hills Food Truck Fest. Your Next Bite says: I was pleasantly surprised by the Gourmet Genie, not just for the healthy Mediterranean food they serve, but for the enormous portions and great value that comes along with the magic food truck ride. For $14.50 I split Jasmine's Feast Entree, a hefty Chicken Kabob Pita Wrap & Dessert, and left feeling full with leftovers to boot. The Jasmine's Feast ($8) definitely is! The 2 Falafel Patties are crunchy on the outside, yet still buttery moist on the inside, and have a thick creamy, slightly bitter citrus sauce that I can't quite put my lamp-rubbing finger on. The Grape Leaves have a bit of crunch on the outside, are stuffed with Lemony Rice, and are oh-so-good. The dollop of Olive Oil and Paprika on the Hummus make it extra dip-worthy. The Baba Ghanoush is kind of unexpected with a thick yogurt, even cream cheese tast...