This past Friday September 10th, Westfield Topanga held their “Fashion Night Out.”  Sadly I didn’t know about it until after it happened, or I would have posted about it.  There is a recap of it on Fashion Isn’t Rocket Science.

Liz writes:

Although it wasn’t very well advertised, the events sounded like fun.  Unfortunately, due to the meager amount of advertisements, it was super SLOW.  The stores were almost empty.  It was kind of sad.

The only place I saw this promoted was in Dennis Zine’s weekly newsletter, which went out an hour or two before the event.

Councilman Zine is proud to announce that Westfield Topanga is the official San Fernando Valley location for 2010 Fashion’s Night Out, the biggest fashion celebration in history taking place today, Friday, September 10^th. Westfield Topanga, and over 50 of its major retailers, are planning an evening of luxurious events, upscale giveaways, and of course, incredible shopping deals that will make it the Valley destination for the night. Some of the retailers participating in the evening’s events are AIX Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Bare Escentuals, BCBG Max Azria, BeautiFeel, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Betsey Johnson, Carlton Hair International, charles david, Chinese Laundry, Coldwater Creek, Cole Haan, Dermalogica, Elli, Flip Flop Shops, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Free People, Gap, Guess, Guess by Marciano, Jimmy Choo, Journeys, Kate Spade, Kay Jewelers, Lucky Brand Jeans, Madison, MAXSTUDIO.COM, Metropark, and Napoleon. For more information, please visit http://www.fno.lacity.org/index.htm.

Just a remind that tonight is the community meeting with Westfield regarding the revised The Village Project.  The gather will be from 5 to 8pm between the dining terrace and Nordstrom in the former Ruehl store at Topanga Plaza mall.  Technically, the letter says you should RSVP via e-mail to TheVillage@Westfield.com.

At the July 14th Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council meeting, which I attended, the council’s chairperson Karen Koe recounted a disturbing encounter she had with LA City Councilman Dennis Zine.  It was a meeting, I believe, of NC chairs of the various Neighborhood Council’s in his district.  Zine had posed the question to them of what were the major concerns of constituents in their neighborhoods.  Koe mentioned to Zine that there was some concern regarding Westfield’s revised The Village plan, ergo Costco.

Zine said to Koe, in her words not mine, “Let me stop you right there.  Costco is a done deal.  There’s no way I am going to refuse a huge tax base like  that for the city.”

People in the room were visibly and audibly disturbed by that recount of Zine’s comment.  For me, it’s not even about the Costco any more.  Matters like this simply require community consensus and feedback.  What Zine essentially said is that the community’s input here in unimportant.  He has made the decision and deal for everyone.  It is important that our elected representatives represent our interests, not their own.

That’s not good, folks.  Several people, including one at the meeting, remarked that Zine is planning to run for City Controller, and he needs the developers on his side.  But you know what, he needs the community, too.

It was also noted by others with knowledge of the plan at the meeting that Costco has said the deal would be dead without the gas station.  This gas station will probably not be a slam dunk for them, as there is technically a creek in the corner of the property where it is to be placed.  See the attached Daily News article for some detail about that.

Tip-A-Cop at Friday's in Woodland Hills 'til 10pm.

LAPD’s Tip-A-Cop charity fundraiser is going on now at TGI Friday’s in Woodland Hills until 10pm.  Proceeds benefit the Special Olympics.

LAPD Topanga Station writes:

The Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Division police officers will be participating jointly with the West Valley California Highway Patrol in a “TIP-A-COP” fundraiser event to benefit the Special Olympics. It will be held at the TGI Friday’s at 5919 Canoga Avenue tonight (May 27th) between 6 pm and 10 pm. Bring the whole family and be “waited” on by uniformed LAPD and CHP officers and help raise money for this worthy cause! You might even be waited on by the Commanding Officer of Topanga Division, Captain John Sherman!!

Ok, now this is something I can definitely see myself attending.

LAPD writes:

“Tip a cop” fundraiser-May 27 6-10 pm,to benefit the Special Olympics-Captian John Sherman may serve you, Please come

LAPD/TOPANGA AREA has an important message for the community!

The Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Division Police Officers will be participating jointly with the West Valley California Highway Patrol in a “TIP-A-COP” fundraiser event to benefit Special Olympics.  It will be at the TGI Fridays at 5919 Canoga Avenue on May 27th between 6pm and 10pm.  Bring the kids and come by to be “waited on” by uniformed LAPD and CHP officers and help raise money for this worthy cause.  You might even be waited on by the Commanding Officer of Topanga Division, Captain John Sherman!

Food, Wine, and Micro-Brew Fest Tent

For the past couple of days I’ve been wondering what that huge tent going up in the Topanga Promenade parking lot was.  Turns out it’s for the Valley Cultural Center’s 2010 Food, Wine, and Micro-Brew Fest which is tonight.  I’m not particularly dialed into the VCC, but I will try to provide more timely information in the future.  Especially with their concerts in the park about to begin in a few weeks.  I signed up to their e-mail list so hopefully I won’t be in the dark next time around.

From their site:

Food, Wine and Micro-Brew Festival
May 13, 2010 from 5 PM – 8:30 PM
at Westfield Promenade at the corner of Erwin and Topanga Canyon Boulevards.

Over 1,000 connoisseurs from all over the Valley will gather to experience the ultimate in dining indulgence from local restaurants, wineries, and microbreweries.

Purchase Tickets

Tickets for the event are $50 each for individual tickets or $45 each for groups of 10 or more.

VCC Event Tonight

It seems like tickets are still available for this event at $50 each, and I’m assuming this includes food and drink.  Visit ValleyCultural.org for details and to order tickets for Will Call pickup and check out the PDF brochure here.  I didn’t get any tickets this year, so if I’m getting drunk tonight it will have to be at Morton’s.

See the list of food, wine, and beer providers at this event after the jump.

Coffee/Smoothies/Soft Drinks/Water
Aha Chocolate
CocaCola
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Deserts
Costco
Dandy Don’s Homemade Ice Cream
Hilton, Woodland Hills/Los Angeles
SusieCakes
Micro Brews
Anheuser Busch
Fireman’s Brew
FirestoneWalker
Brewing Co.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
The Great Beer Co., Inc.
Restaurants
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery
Bleecker Street Bar & Grill Restaurant
BreezeAn
American Grill at Warner Center Marriott
Cavaretta’s Italian Deli
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Follow Your Heart
Henry’s Farmers Market
Holiday Inn, Woodland Hills
Il Tramezzino
Kate Mantilini
Kravings World Fusion Steak House & Lounge
Maggiano’s “Little Italy”
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Nicola’s Kitchen
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Poquito Mas
Red Ginger Sushi & Thai
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant
Ruby’s Diner
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
The Rack, Woodland Hills Promenade
Trader Joe’s West Hills/Woodland Hills
Wineries
Duke of Bourbon
Duckhorn Vineyards
Folio Wine Partners
Four Vines Winery
Giessinger Winery
Jorge Ordonez Selections
Krupp Brothers Estates
La Marca Prosecco
Louis M. Martini Winery
Maddalena Vineyards Brands
Merryvale Vineyards
Robert Talbott Vineyards
Schramsberg Vineyards
Silver Oaks Cellars
Silver Stag Winery
Stone House Vineyards
Winebow Wines

Mustangs In The Park - May 2, 2010

About an hour or so ago I drove by Warner Ranch Park and saw that the Mustang Owner’s Club of California and Vista Woodland Hills Ford are holding a Mustangs In The Park event.  I saw quite a few vintage ’stangs and of course a Ford promotional trailer and spread of the new models.  Seems like this will be going on into the afternoon.

Mustangs In The Park - May 2, 2010 - View From Owensmouth Ave

If you’re looking for some last minute plans for Earth Day, the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council is hosting a town hall tonight with a guest speaker from Heal the Bay.  I will also be celebrating our oceans as I down some oysters at Morton’s tonight.

They write on Facebook:

Join Us for an Earth Day Town Hall – The Conditions of Our Oceans

Please Join us on Thursday, April 22nd at 7pm

EARTH DAY 2010 – Town Hall Meeting

The Conditions of Our Oceans
How San Fernando Valley Residents Can Help Protect our Rivers, Oceans and Watersheds

Featuring Guest Speaker Dave Weeshoff from Heal the Bay, a local environmental organization dedicated to improving water quality off the California coast. (http://www.healthebay.org/)

Presented by the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council

*Light refreshments will be served*

Special thanks to the Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce

LOCATION:  Woodland Hills Academy Multi-Purpose Room

20800 Burbank Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

* Overflow parking (if needed) is available across the street in the Kaiser parking lot.

I’ve been spending a lot of time at the Morton’s Power Hour recently (more posts and pictures are coming soon), and it has come to my attention that they are hosting a special Glenlivet Scotch Tasting event tomorrow evening (4/8/10) at 6pm.  You need reservations, and space is limited (but still available), so if you’re interested give them a call at 818-703-7272,

The Glenlivet Scotch Tasting

Happening on April 8 (Thursday) – 6:00pm

Join us as The Glenlivet Ambassador leads you through a proper tasting with four of The Glenlivet’s critically acclaimed single malts. The whiskies will be paired with selections from Morton’s classic hors d’oeuvres menu.

Whether you’re new to single malt or an experienced connoisseur, this tasting will be appropriate for all knowledge levels.

$49 per guest
Inclusive of tax and gratuity

Scotches Served:
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old
The Glenlivet 16 Year Old
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old

Hors d’oeuvres Served:
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Sliced Tenderloin on Crostini, Whipped Horseradish
Broiled Sea Scallops, Apricot Chutney
Petite Filet Mignon Sandwiches, Mustard Mayonnaise

Check out Relay For Life’s site (linked below) for more information about this important event.

TheAcorn.com writes:

Relay for Life is set for Pierce College

The Woodland Hills’ Relay For Life will take place from 9 a.m. Sat. April 17 through 9 a.m. Sun., April 18 at Pierce College. The 24-hour event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

The relay opens with cancer survivors walking the first lap and continues with participants walking in teams relay-style for 24 hours.

Highlighting the evening is the luminaria ceremony at sunset to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have died from the disease.

For information about forming a team or volunteering, visit http://www.RelayForLife.org/woodlandhillsca or call (800) ACS-2345.

Don’t forget about the tree planting on Ventura Blvd tomorrow, Saturday March 27th at 8am.  I did a drive-by of the general area the other day, and it is interesting to see all the voids in the sidewalk where there should be trees.  Makes me wonder how or why they were removed over the years.   It will be nice to see them restored.

Dennis Zine writes:

Dear Community Member,

For many years, Ventura Boulevard has been experiencing a decline in the number of healthy trees on its sidewalks due to aging trees or their illegal removal. Community activists have decided to take action by coming together to form the Woodland Hills Community Coalition and together address this issue. Thanks to the generous financial support of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Chamber of Commerce and the Million Trees LA initiative, 22 large young trees will be planted and cared for on Ventura Blvd. between De Soto Ave. and Canoga Ave. on March 27, 2010 at 8am. (Please see attached flyer for more details).

We would like to request your most enthusiastic support toward this project and invite you to come out with your family, friends, and co-workers to plant trees and have an overall great time with the neighborhood. These will be your trees and we want you to be a part of this great project.

If you have any specific questions about this project, please contact any of the following coordinators:

Diana Williams, Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce at (818) 347-4737

Lisa Sarno, Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at Lisa.Sarno@lacity.org

Octaviano Rios, Office of Councilman Dennis P. Zine at (818) 756-8848

Thank you for your care of the community and we look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

DENNIS P. ZINE

Councilman, Third District