Billionaire David Geffen is giving UCLA more money  - $100 million more - to build a private school in Westwood that will serve children of UCLA faculty and staff as well as children from the wider Los Angeles area.

The reported goal is an economically and ethnically diverse student body reflecting the city.…

Last weekend my family, along with many of our Rancho Park friends and neighbors, braved the rain and headed north up Westwood Blvd. to attend the UCLA women's soccer game versus USC.

Kids got in free if they wore their own soccer uniforms and we all had…

Get Shaking Rancho Park and Westwood!

The Westside Neighborhood Council, along with several city departments, is sponsoring an Emergency Prepareness Expo today at the Westwood Public Library. No need to put off getting prepared. There will be reps from DWP, the Fire Department and…

Even before the current route for Phase Two of the Expo Line had been selected, Rancho Park area resident Johnathan Weiss proposed turning the existing right of way between Overland Ave. and Westwood Blvd. into a greenway. His plan includes details about how to filter runoff and provide a parklike setting for recreation and education, including bike and pedestrian pathways. 

Now all it needs is…

Laduree Hair Salon is so close to my house, I can walk there. But if that doesn't work out, they have parking in the back. I first discoved this Rancho Park hair salon because I was heading north up Westwood Blvd on a Friday evening and needed to find somewhere that would blow dry my hair for an event I was on my way to attend. Owner Rayn fit me in and has contined to do so even though I have never made an appointment more than a…

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…

This is a post from last year, but I am reposting it today as I have gotten reports of coyote sightings and heard about several neighborhood cats who may have been killed by coyotes in recent weeks.

I've been getting a lot of emails about coyotes attacking cats and dogs in and around Rancho Park. Here are some safety tips courtesty of the Westwood South of Santa Monica Homeowners…

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…

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…