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…

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…

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…

As a neighborhood with two parks, Rancho Park and Palms Park, tonight's SoCal Connected is must-see-tv. It airs at 9:00 pm tonight on KCET and you can also watch online.

This heads-up comes from my good friend and former colleauge, Karen Foshay, who brings her award-winning investigative…

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…

My hyperlocal year continues with dinner with friends at La Serenata Gourmet, a Rancho Park institution serving up some of the city's best Mexican food. Who knew spinach sauce could taste so good! I am glad I can walk here from my house, but a meal here is worth the trip even if you have…

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…

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…