It's devastating what happened to many of the residents during the massive fires in 2024. I'm glad…read morethey are coming together to rebuild. On this visit we came to see the ceremony of the Christmas Lane Tree lighting and it packed so much that it was difficult to walk around.

North of Pasadena, the Eaton wildfire started in the town of Altadena on January 7th 2025 and…read morespread explosively across over 14,000 acres due to extreme windy conditions with gusts up to 80 mph the past week! There are apparently five fatalities on record. As of today January 13th, 2025, the entire town is evacuated. Over 7,000 structures and homes were destroyed, including the Andrew McNally House, Altadena Community Church, Scripps Hall, Bunny Museum, stores, shops, the entire downtown area. Altadena is historic for being the first middle class Black community in LA County. It is also home to many middle class Artists of many cultures. The people have now lost their only homes and livelyhoods. It is going to take a lot to rebuild their lives! Praying for the many people of southern California as the fires are continuing as I write this. It is devastating. It is heartbreaking.

It took a couple of seconds to register in my mind, but I had seen a gate, behind which something…read morehad sparkled. This warranted a second look. I turned heel and headed back a few paces to the formidable black steel gate. Through the bars of the gate lay a kind of alleyway formed by two buildings. Hung by pegs and anchors onto the stucco walls of the buildings was an assortment of symbolic curios; mirrors adorned with colorful frames, bells, birdcages, and trinkets. Below them were brightly painted clay statues similar to Hindu deities, topless sirens reminiscent of mermaids, and one resembling Kuan Yin the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion. (Ironically, I was later to find her description plaque intact but the statue itself missing). Before trying the doorknob on the gate I glanced to my left to see an article framed behind glass and hanging from one of the walls of the entryway. Apparently I wasn't the first to discover this curiosity, Los Angeles Times writer David A. Keeps found it first back in 2006. I skimmed the article to learn that Pilates instructor Mary-Ascension Saulnier wrote a love story at some point and founded this place in 2002 as a physical manifestation of it. Also Mr. Keeps pointed out that this "breezeway" is officially known as the Meditation Water Garden, (although I found that it's popularly known as "The Garden Of Believing"), and it contains "39 hand-painted wishing well fountains paired with 72 affirmations" from Kaballa scholar Rabbi Yehuda Berg's Kaballa interpretation "The 72 names of God". After glancing at the garden's posted hours, I determined that the gate must be unlocked: with hesitant hope and anticipatory excitement I reached for the knob. It turned a full 180 degrees and with an easy pull, the door opened. I stepped through the archway and into a sort of mystical place. However, on closer inspection it was clear that the place was in a state of disrepair. The water fountains were all dry save one located in the back that gave off a soft burbling sound. Playing in the base of the fountain's pool were two clay children, one holding a wire mesh purse filled with marbles and another chatting in her ear. A small blond sprite clad in a toga and playing a pan flute hides behind a plant next to them. Neglected extension cords splay out over a couple of statues like snakes in the garden of Eden and hang in knots from the wire skeleton of a Christmas tree. A couple of phone books occupy the seat of one of the meditational chairs, and the place feels a bit cramped because of the clutter. However there is still much beauty to be found here. I found Osirus, a statue representing Intuition. He sits on a pedestal cross legged gazing down into an empty bowl. His green eyelids are mostly closed while he ponders his inner reflection. A plant grows near his feet, and red Christmas ornament balls dangle randomly over his shoulder. Earth Prana, our vital life energy, makes an appearance in a wood carving of womans head; her sun colored hair flows in the wind, and a sullen expression covers her face as she casts a glance down toward terra firma. Colorful birdcages made of cast iron jut out from the walls in the back, and hummingbird feeders hang from trees framed by a mission tiled roof. Yes, there is still much beauty to be found here, and I'm sure that once the goddess of compassion returns to the garden, things will undergo a substantial improvement. **Please see pics and take a tour of the garden** PS another yelp review of this place can be found under the unofficial name at http://www.yelp.com/biz/garden-of-believing-eagle-rock

This is awesome public art display of a special tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter that…read moreunfortunately passed away in a plane crash in 2020. There are plenty of murals dedicated to them throughout the United States that are popping up over the years. I thought this was a wonderful display that pays tribute to them

A MUST DO! A FREE EVENT & FREE PARKING! The Elvis, Marilyn & Schwarzenegger Icons Wall Mural is one…read moreof LA's Secret Hidden Gems. It stands some 80 feet tall. It is located on Santa Monica Blvd & Wilton Pl. in Hollywood. Many people pass by here all the time & have never seen it because it is hidden on the back side of The Derby apartments. Elvis the King, Marilyn the Blonde Bombshell & Schwarzenegger Mural were painted by Hector Ponce. There is strip mall in front where you can partially see the mural. Park your car on the street & cross the street, you'll be able to see the strip mall & a partial view of the mural. Then cross the street & walk around & go to the back side of the building. There is a fence & you will be able to see the Mural in its entirety from there. You can't get closer because the fence is closed except for residents who live here. It is a really Cool Picture of Elvis from the 68 Comeback Special, Norma Jeane Mortenson aka Marilyn Monroe & I'll Be Back Arnold Schwarzenegger The Terminator Mural. Now next to that mural is another cool 80 foot mural & that's of The Fab Four The Beatles. Just around the corner is another mural The Marlon Brando Mural that's near the strip mall. It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

I came across the Laker fan mural on the Hollywood walk of fame. We are walking around and there…read morewere many different public art displays and this was one of them.

The city of Chatsworth is a surprising one. It's got some great hidden gems like Chatsworth Park…read moreSouth (North needs some love), Artvanta Art Museum (which needs some Yelp love ;) #AddABusiness if you've been) and Hand-Brewed Beer (just refreshing for craft brew enthusiasts). And a lot of familiar chains like Ralph's, Dollar Tree, Vons, Trader Joe's, Grocery Outlet (my fav), Del Taco (fast food taco king in the SFV) and one of the cleanest Burger Kings I've set foot inside more than once. The Anytime Fitness (so nice, clean and full of wonderful people) is just above the Chatsworth Metrolink station where you can also connect with several city and local busses as well as the Metro G Orange Line for the San Fernando Valley. Like all cities there is some grime, grit, graffiti (though not as much) and interesting characters, but also some charm and history. They have several public and private schools (almost 50/50) including Chatsworth High School which has a ton of notable alumni including Alex Borstein, Kirk Cameron, Lori Beth Denberg, basketball player Dwight Evans... and even Mr. CrossFit himself Greg Glassman. In terms of living and housing it's a little more on the secluded side in parts as most residences are in small neighborhoods and communities. It's not as cost affordable though you can possible find a nice spacious studio under $2K, but you're looking at much more for a 1 bedroom and up for an apartment, condo or townhome.... though Northridge, which borders Chatsworth has some more reasonable property being a college city (CSUN). I had a friend who lived up near the Garden of the Gods (trails and additional local flavor) and the old infamous Iverson Movie Ranch I'd visit a lot and got to see a lot of this city I never knew with some beautiful views. It's easy to drive, cruise and take it all in. You can enjoy some good cuisines including Indian, Vegan, Thai, Japanese, Comfort, American, Mexican and numerous others. Vegan My Thai is a must, Woodlands on Topanga Canyon Blvd has an incredible Indian Buffet and Paint with A Twist (a paint and sip creative space) is high up on my must try list. Topanga Nursery is great for plant enthusiast as well as Paradise Nursery, which lives up to its name and known more so for it's incredible fruit trues (planting + delivery services are available). For entertainment you have the California Conservatory of Performing Arts, Harley's Valley Bowl in Simi Valley... not to far away from the Santa Susana Depot/Railroad Museum plus local Magician and DJs for your party bliss or pop-up events pleasure. The closest movie theaters are the AMC Northridge, AMC Porter Ranch or Regency Granada Hills, but non directly in the city itself... for night/barlife you have more laidback or niche fun like the Cowboy Palace Saloon, The Rabbit Hole (technically in West Hills), 818 Brewery (Canoga Park), Olive & Fig (which borders West Hills, Canoga Park and Chatsworth) and a few others including several dive bar and venues, which can sometimes surprise you much like the city of Chatsworth itself.

Our second Lakeside Lounge visit wasn't quite as successful as the first one. It was quite warm,…read moreso the DJ's had moved down under the old oak trees for more shade. That shifted to picnic tables versus the bistro tables. The air was still, and almost uncomfortable. Which is not the venue's fault. But it made it hard to sit and enjoy the music. Which leads to the second point. "The Flashdance DJ's" were too much into their own vibe for us. Their selections were so eclectic and rambling that it was hard to get integrated into their groove. There was a taste of that the first time we went. It seemed worse the second time. Have you ever been with an audiophile when they are immersed in their own world of music? Felt left out because you weren't in the same mood space? If so, you might understand what we felt that evening. Moving more to sets that complement each style of music, then segueing to another type instead of jumping around might be more satisfying and engaging. It appeared that most of the crowd wasn't very engaged with the tunes that the DJ's themselves were rocking out to. ;-) Still, the idea of being in glorious Descanso Gardens on a warm summer evening is a great way to go.

Who doesn't need luck?…read more The one review by Eric F. said to touch this tree for good luck... I'm in! All in! Since this tree has been around for a long time (when this town began), it's very special...and sacred! It has spirit because it's a living thing! That's awesome! If you're in the Sierra Madre are, stop by and pay a visit! It won't hurt and may do you some good! Aloha and mahalo to the Green-man Tree! A hui hou!

This is a great old tree from when the village was first founded. It has since been referred to by…read moremany locals as The Green-man Tree. .. for obvious reasons. It is a local and iconic symbol for love, romance, and fertility. Touch it for luck. Or stick a note on it for love. Do not deface the tree or carve anything on it. The Green-man Tree has been known to work wonders.