Back In The Saddle
Hey everyone! I was out of town for a few days and will begin catching things up on the site tonight. Thanks, and I hope you are all just about done with your holiday shopping!
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Daily News Does Big Story On Car Show Lawsuit With Some Commentary
This morning the Daily News published a pretty big article on the hoopla surrounding the lawsuit and circumstances that have ended the ritualistic car show/gathering that used to occur in the parking lot of Valley Roasters on Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and speak my mind about this. In this article, and with this story in general, there are a lot of people associated with the car show that are blowing their own horn – excuse the pun. Let’s face it, the relationship between landlord and tenant is always a very tenuous one. It’s even worse when one tenant causes strain between the landlord and the other tenants.
Dustin Troyan, operator of Valley Roasters, seems like a really great guy. He does charity work at as scale that is so impressive that it almost unbelievable. That’s great stuff. He’s an asset to the community.
But, also, he is a businessman. In a way, I admire him because he got away with having this event in that parking lot on Sunday mornings without any real compensation to his neighbors for the disproportionate use of the parking lot (besides some increased business) for a very long time.
But, both he and the people who brought their cars there need to realize that the other businesses there pay rent, too. So, if they don’t exactly like the situation, it’s completely within their rights to raise objections about it. In these articles, I see a lot of people acting as though they are entitled to something that they aren’t.
In addition, most of their quotes are full of red herrings, designed to throw people off the real issues of the situation which is really a lanlord/tenant dispute. Saying things along the lines of “They just hate me because I drive a classic car” is really not useful or constructive. Throw money at the people, that usually solves these problems. If you want to inconvenience me, make it worth my while. That is how people think, and rightly so.
One particularly stupid quote from Troyan’s attorney in the article:
“They are discriminating against people they don’t like by the looks of the cars they drive,” Arden said. “They are also discriminating against their own tenants.”
Clearly some tenants want it, and some don’t. It’s the property owners’ job to make sure they don’t get sued by the tenants that don’t. Troyan’s failure was to not make any real attempt before things got out of control to appease all of the tenants. I also find it frustrating that the way that Troyan and company attempt to make this story and situation about the car lovers, and brush aside any notion that his promotion of the event may be unfair to other tenants, shoppers, and the property owners.
“We used to have regular customers here on Sunday and they’re gone,” Troyan said. “If you pull up in your Ferrari, you’re told to get out. They will intimidate the hell out of you. But if you pull up in a minivan, you can stay.”
Troyan makes quotes like the one above all the time. It’s designed to manipulate the weak minded. You see, it’s an attempt to set up the notion that if Jay Leno, a Ferrari owner, or people in their 60s and 70s are involved, then it must be okay, legal, within his lease, or not annoying to others not directly involved with the event. It’s a distraction from the real issue.
The Daily News article reads a little bit more like a press release for the event and Valley Roasters than an objective news story. Granted, it seems that everyone on the other side of the issue refused to give a statement.
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What Woodland Hills Businesses Offer Kickbacks For Buying Gift Cards?
This practice recently caught my attention, and I must say I’ve very excited about it. Apparently, some company’s are offering perks, kickbacks, and incentives to buyers of gift cards. I was hoping my readers my help me put together a list. I found a couple on my own.
From The Cheesecake Factory’s Twitter account (@cheesecake):
For every $25 Gift Card u purchase in our restaurants, u receive a card redeemable 4 a FREE slice of chzcake! Details: http://bit.ly/8VCQzq
Maggiano’s is also offering a great kickback:
Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? Receive a $20 Bonus Card for every $100 in Maggiano’s Gift Cards purchased!
Also, in a separate special Maggiano’s (@maggianos on Twitter) is offering a $10 coupon to those who join their ‘e-club’ – here’s the link to that.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, is offering the same deal as Maggiano’s, $20 for every $100 spent. See details here.
Given that Outback Steakhouse owns both Fleming’s and adjacent Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion in Woodland Hills, Roy’s is also offering the same deal.
Corner Bakery Cafe advertises a $5 bonus gift card for every $25 in gift card purchases on their website.
Ruth’s Chris is offering a significantly less financially enticing kickback:
With the holiday season just around the corner, Ruth’s Chris can help make gift giving even more rewarding. For a limited time, you’ll receive 10% back in bonus cards* for every gift purchase of $250 or more. An unforgettable experience is the perfect gift for friends, family, and colleagues. Accepted at Ruth’s Chris restaurants throughout the United States and Canada.
If you’d like to get these cards in time for your holiday gift giving deadlines, I suggest stopping into the store or restaurant and purchasing them there (when possible). E-mail me, or post a comment if you know of others.
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Woodland Hills Ice Ribbon Cutting Today At 5PM – Free Skating 3 to 5, Toy Drive, and Much Wackiness!
Woodland Hills Ice Ribbon Cutting Today
Wow, the day is finally here. Woodland Hills Ice is having its official ribbon cutting ceremony today, hosted by the Woodland Hills – Tarzana Chamber of Commerce. They are also collecting toys for West Valley PALS (learn about them on Facebook) and if they reach certain benchmarks all sorts of wacky mayhem will happen including Laura Levinsky ice skating in a sumo outfit, and West Valley PALS President Leslie Kaz shaving off his beard and mustache!
There will be free skating from 3pm to 5pm with the ribbon cutting at 5pm sharp!
Jen Svejda from the Chamber kindly sent me the full details:
MEDIA ADVISORY
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber of Commerce has been very active this season with Valleywide Toy Drives. Spark of Love, West Valley PALS and Toys for Tots are recipients of a very generous Woodland Hills ~Tarzana Community.
WHO & WHAT: Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber of Commerce Ribbon cutting celebrating the Grand Opening of Woodland Hills Ice– Councilman Dennis P. Zine expected.
Prior to the official Ribbon cutting, the West Valley PALS has challenged the members of the Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber to raise 100 toys. Join Woodland Hills Ice as they launch their Grand Opening with Free Skating from 3-5.
WHEN: Free Skating today from 3pm – 5pm
4:00pm Toy Drive
4:30pm Laura Levinsky skating & Leslie Kaz ~clean shaven (100 toys)
5:00pm Sharp – Ribbon Cutting
WHERE: Woodland Hills Ice 6100 Topanga Cyn. Blvd. Woodland Hills , CA 91306
tel: 818-854-4151 Whitney Kennedy, owner
The Challenge that was presented by Chamber Members, West Valley PALS, to fellow Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber Members is as follows:
Laura Levinsky, an active chamber member and LA area director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, has issued a challenge to our community to assist Leslie Kaz, the new President of West Valley PALS (Police Activity League Supporters), with a toy drive to benefit the children of West Valley PALS. If we can collect 80 toys Laura will dress in an inflatable sumo wrestler outfit and ice skate with Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber Staff. If we are able to collect 100 toys, Leslie Kaz will shave off his beard & mustache at 4:30 pm.
Expected Attendance: Councilmen Dennis P. Zine will be attending the formal ribbon cutting at 5pm.
For more information contact:
Leslie M Kaz President, West Valley Pals 818-332-1566 x102 Or for Ribbon Cutting Information The Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber of Commerce Website http://www.woodlandhillscc.net/
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Dinner At The Cheesecake Factory With Peppermint Bark Cheesecake For Dessert :) Yay
I had the opportunity tonight to hit up The Cheesecake Factory in Warner Center with a good friend for dinner and as always it was a pleasure! I actually branched out and tried a few things that I haven’t had before, so I figured I’d post some pictures and comments here on the blog.
Fresh Vegetable Salad
The Fresh Vegetable Salad (Asparagus, Green Beans, Tomato, Cucumber, Roasted Beets, Apple, Edamame, Radicchio, Romaine and White Cheddar with Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Available with Chicken) We decided to go with a healthy appetizer, and at first I was a little skeptical that the Fresh Vegetable Salad would be a little too healthy or boring. But, my worries were unfounded because this salad actually presents quite a few great flavors in a pretty unique combination. You never know what you’re going to get in any given bite. I was particularly fond of the apple, edamame, the very fresh and sweet tomatoes, and the roasted beats were quite a hit with my friend. A very smart and healthy choice!
Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd’s Pie (Ground Beef, Mushrooms, Carrots, Peas, Zucchini and Onions in a Delicious Sauce Covered with a Mashed Potato-Parmesan Cheese Crust) In a surprising move, my friend was in the mood for the delicious and decadent classic – Shepherd’s Pie. In a health conscious move, she elected to forego the cheese crust. Personally, I would have gone for broke and gotten the cheese crust, after all she wasn’t driving. Sorry, only die hard fans of Home Alone 2 will get that reference. Honestly, this dish was awesome. The meat and sauce in the Shepherd’s Pie has an amazing, and almost spicy, zing to it. I was definitely impressed.
Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp
Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp (Sautéed Shrimp with a Very Spicy Jamaican Black Pepper Sauce. Served with Rice, Black Beans, Plantains and Cool Mango Salsa. Available with Chicken or Chicken and Shrimp) I’ve always had great luck with shrimp dishes at The Cheesecake Factory. In fact, one of my favorite items there is the Bang – Bang Chicken and Shrimp. In an effort to be adventurous and try new dishes, I opted tonight for the Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp. This, my friends, is an awesome dish! First, the sauce that the shrimp are bathed in his flavorful and spicy, just the way I like it. And plantains, well, I never met a plantain I didn’t like. As you can see the shrimp are plentiful, and the mango salsa is a nice sweet complement to the spiciness of the dish and is great when mixed into bites of shrimp and rice. Good stuff!
Peppermint Bark Cheesecake
Peppermint Bark Cheesecake – Seasonal (White chocolate cheesecake swirled with chunks of chocolate peppermint bark and topped with white chocolate mousse and finished with chopped peppermint) Seasonal cheesecakes at The Cheesecake Factory are something that I look forward to during the holiday season every year. Particularly the Pumpkin Cheesecake and the Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake. I love them both, although I haven’t had a chance to have the Pumpkin Pecan slice this year, I will certainly do so before it’s gone. Recently, I also had the special edition Stefanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake, and it was awesome. Now, I can admit that Stefanie’s cheesecake is very, very sweet. Probably the richest, sweetest piece of cheesecake you I or anyone will ever eat.
Now, the Peppermint Bark Cheesecake is definitely rich, but this slice is not quite as sweet as Stefanie’s, so I can see it definitely being more appealing to those trying to avoid a sugar overdose. 
That being said, I love the texture and flavor of the white chocolate cheesecake in this slice. The chunks of chopped peppermint are actually a really neat and creative touch for this cheesecake – it’s like eating a slice of cheesecake covered in crushed candy canes. Now, nothing ushers in the holidays quite like that!
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Corner Bakery Cafe Has Free Wi-Fi And Pretty Good Salads
Corner Bakery Cafe, Woodland Hills
The Corner Bakery Cafe is a pretty convenient place to get a quick meal, and I’ve been taking full advantage of their free Wi-Fi as of late. I recently had a great Grilled Ham and Swiss on Sourdough Panini (Thinly sliced smoked ham with melted Swiss cheese, plum tomatoes, and Dijon mustard-mayo) – sorry, forgot to get a picture on that one – and on another occasion got take-out of the Chopped Salad (Romaine lettuce, shredded Parmesan and Romano cheeses, and spicy croutons with Caesar dressing) – both were excellent. The Chopped Salad was very Cobb Salad like, which of course is one of my all time favorite salads. (See my review of the Cobb Salad at JFD for more on that.)
At peak hours it can be a very busy place, but they have overflow seating at Maggiano’s and a pretty sizeable patio area. I’m a pretty big fan of the place, and it’s good if you want good food that is both fast and affordable. They also have a pretty good (and very inexpensive) breakfast menu, which I’ve hit up numerous times. I’ll try to get a few more pictures of their cuisine up soon.
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LAPD Needs Your Help To Capture The “Sunglass Bandits”
LAPD sent out a Nixle alert yesterday soliciting help from the public in capturing a robbery team that has been targeting San Fernando Valley eyeglass shops.
Los Angeles Police Department detectives are investigating a rash of burglaries that have occurred at optometry businesses throughout the Valley and are asking for the public’s help in identifying a pair of thieves whose images were caught on surveillance tape.
Since April 2009, the pair has hit over a dozen optical outlets. The most recent burglary happened on November 25, 2009, at the New York Style optometry business located in the 17600 block of Sherman Way in Van Nuys. Surveillance video showed two men wearing black bandanas covering their faces, force entry by using a crowbar to smash a glass front door. Once inside, the suspects took about $75.000 worth of expensive prescription eyeglasses, eyeglass frames and sunglasses from display cases and left the scene. Investigators have not been able to identify the suspects.
Images of the suspects involved in the incident were captured by surveillance camera and are available at www.lapdtv.org.
Anyone with information or who recognizes the suspects is urged to call Commercial Crimes Division, Burglary Special Detectives at (213) 486-6940. During off-hours, calls may be directed to 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.
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