Check out the flier for my latest four writing workshops!…

Important decisions affecting the design and construction of the Expo Line Light Rail are coming up fast. This month, the Expo Board may vote on whether or not to incorporate a parking lot as part of the Westwood Station, which is expected to one of the busiest on the line. The current plan calls for building 170 parking spaces with an additional option to forgo the parking, and use it for park space. Sepulveda Blvd, about half a mile away, will have a parking lot.

You can…

My Rancho Park hyperlocal year continues with my first-ever visit to Matteo's Hoboken on Westwood. We went on a cold February evening and the hearty Italian (East-Coast Italian) fare hit the spot. On a warmer evening, we would have opted for one of the sidewalk tables. Nice touch  - and not something we have enough of here on the Westside.

Matteo's Hoboken

2323 Westwood Blvd, LA 90064

310 474…

Superior Court Judge Thomas McKnew issued a ruling yesterday to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Neighbors for Smart Rail, challenging aspects of the final envirnomental impact report for Phase 2 of the Expo Line, which travels from Culver City through Cheviot Hills and Rancho Park to Santa Monica. You can read the whole decision…

It seems billboard battles are still brewing here in the Rancho Park and Westwood areas. The latest blow is a lawsuit filed by billboard companies seeking to overturn restrictions on digital billboards. I recently got this background and update from the folks over at the Westwood South of Santa…

My Rancho Park hyperlocal  year kicked off with drinks at The Wellesbourne on Pico Blvd. First off, thanks to my friends and family who have been troopers when I inform them we can only go out in our West Los Angeles neighborhood of Rancho Park this year. Lucky for us, it really has not felt like a sacrifice. I imagine I will eventually include some of our north of Olympic neighbors, like Westwood and Sawtelle, but for now, I'm enjoying keeping my explorations…

Here in Rancho Park and Cheviot Hills, we are hearing quite a bit of spin  about the proposed bike path to run along Phase 2 of the Expo Line light rail route, which travels through the Westside, from from Culver City to Santa Monica.

At issue is an assertion in the Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association's Winter newsletter (not online yet) that federal funding has been suspended for this project due to a lawsuit filed by…

Does anyone know what has become of the Rancho Park neighborhood signs that I could swear used to be posted. The only one I can find these days is this in-need of-attention sign located on Overland Ave. just south of Olympic Blvd. Are there more around and where are they? If they are gone, who took them down and why?

Stay tuned for…

First The Wellesbourne and now Steingarten LA! Rancho Park is making up for lost nightlife with some high-concept themed bars and restaurants. Steingarten LA, which is taking over the old Kay n Dave's location on Pico Blvd., describes itself as a German inspired restaurant and biergarten in West Los Angeles. When they…

If your kids attend one of the public or private schools in and around Rancho Park, then you may already be familiar with the Westside Pavillion's School Cents Program, which gives area schools from $350 to $3000 in prize money based on which school collects the most points during the school  year, from Sept 15, 2010 to May 15, 2011.

No surprise that you earn points by spending money…

Now it is official. For the portion of the Expo Line that starts in Culver City and runs through Cheviot Hills, Rancho Park, West LA to Santa Monica, the MTA's Expo Authority will award the design-build contract to  Skanska/Rados a joint venture involving Skanska USA Civil West, a subsidiary of Skanska USA, and Steve P. Rados Inc., based in Santa Ana. The contract is expected to be officially awarded at the March 18 Expo Authority board meeting.

An initial review had raised…

Gyu-Kaku West LA on Pico is officially my kids' new favorite restaurant and I'm not just saying that because it is right here in Rancho Park.  They were so excited at the prospect of making smores right at our table, they gobbled down all their steak, shrimp, chicken, broccoli, sweet potatoes and zucchini…

I stopped by Sew Modern's Grand Opening yesterday and am really excited about this bright, sunny store in our neighborhood.  I do hope we will all soon be crafting our own quilts, bags, coats and more here. Debra and I hope to take the handbag making class from 1 - 4 on Sunday, Feb 20. Anyone want to join…

With Phase 2 of the Expo Light Rail crossing through Rancho Park's main thoroughfares of Overland, Westwood, Sepulveda and Sawtelle, we are keenly following any development developments. So thanks to Karen Leonard and Sarah Hays of Light Rail for Cheviot, for this heads-up about the Expo Authority being close to selecting construction joint venture Skanska/Rados for the  Phase 2 design-build contract.

You can…

Ever since I filled out my Rancho Park profile, I've been thinking of more fun facts I could have listed for Rancho Park's Best Kept Secrets. So from time to time, I'll be spilling the beans on my favorite Rancho Park finds.

Today's Secret...

Karen Dudley's Parent and Me Classes at Palms Park Recreation Center

There are certainly pricier classes in town but none…

Since I am spending so much time researching what is going on in Rancho Park these days, I've decided to make 2011 my hyperlocal year, literally. My plan is to have Rancho Park be my one stop locale for as much of my shopping, eating, entertainment, education, health and wellness as is practically possible. For groceries, you'll find me at Trader Joe's on Westwood and National. For exercise, I'll try out some of the many boot camps held in the early mornings at Rancho Park, post some of my…

Rancho Park is divided. Literally.

Train tracks cut through the neighborhood along Exposition Blvd. These tracks used to be part of the Red Car trolley line. And now this MTA-owned land is once again slated to have trains as part of Phase Two of the MTA's new Expo Line. Some residents are excited about the prospect of living close to public transportation, seeing benefits and exciting opportunites. Others see cause for alarm, citing concerns about traffic, safety and the…

The space that used to be Anna's Italian Restaurant has now become The Wellesbourne, an old-English syle pub that is open from 5:00 pm - 2:00 am. The Los Angeles Times' Jessica Gelt was at the "private opening party" last week for the new bar and had…

Los Angeles ended the year with less than 300 killings – something that hasn't happened since 1967, when the population was almost 30% smaller.

Imagine in 1992, there were more than 3 homicides a day. In 2001 there were two every day. Last year there was less than one. (Great graphics from the LATimes.com below.)…