Today my son found this mystery flower in our garden. Does anyone know what it is? We think it may be a weed, but it sure is interesting.

What is growing in your yard? If the answer is lemons, please let me know. I know some kids who are looking for locally-grown lemons for their summer lemonade stand. They may be willing to make you a…

One of the highlights of visiting Cheviot Hills park on a weekend is seeing dogs and their owners get their exercise doing doggie obstacle courses like this one, held at the back of the park, next to the Rancho Park and Hillcrest golf courses.

Courses are run by the West Los Angeles…

I first discovered Norms when I was a food server at Islands Restaurant on Pico (another post, coming soon) back in the early 90's. We used to lock up the restaurant and then head over to Norms, which as they say on the sign...never closes.

Now that I live right here in the neigborhood,  Norms has become our go to…

In the midst of planning train lines, widening the 405 and other ongoing  transit projects in and around Rancho Park and West LA, the city is also undertaking a comprehensive study of transportation issues on the Westside to form the basis of  what they are calliing the Westside Mobility Plan, a forward-looking blueprint that will offer strategies addressing issues like how to get across town and where to park over the next…

A man was stabbed just before 3 p.m. today outside the Apple Pan restaurant on Pico Blvd, according to a police officer on the scene. 

The officer reported that two men, who began arguing on a bus, continued fighting on Pico Blvd., just east of Westwood Blvd.

"One man injured the other with a knife and then fled," confirmed LAPD Officer Gregory Baek of the media relations office.

Police are still looking for the…

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…

If you missed yesterday's Expo Construction Authority's community planning meeting in Santa Monica, fear not. There is another meeting for folks at our end of the line tomorrow evening in the Vista del Mar gymnasium. The formal presentation begins at 6:30 pm , followed by breakout sessions from 7:00 - 8:00.

The community meetings are billed as a time to learn about the project design and…

The Pico Playhouse, Rancho Park's 99-seat theater is currently staging the classic courtroom drama Twelve Angry Men. The LA Theater Review gave the Mechanicals Theater Group production a largely positive review. If you are looking for…

Children's Book World on Pico Blvd. has been a Rancho Park fixture for almost a quarter century. From its beginings when owner Sharon Hearn sold books out of a garage, the store has grown in size several times over the years, making it possibly the largest children's book store on the West Coast. Yet is has never strayed from its core audience, newborns to eighteen-year-olds.

Visit  on…

My husband and I finally had dinner at The Six, on Pico Blvd, just east of Overland. I had a hard time getting my spouse to try the place because seeing the air fries on their menu convinced him that it was actually still Jack Sprats, the previous restaurant at that location which was well  known…

The Expo Construction Authority has scheduled two upcoming meetings for Phase 2 of the Expo Light Rail. The meetings will be an opportunity for community members to meet the construction team and learn about the design process and timeline.

The first meeting will be held May 9 at the Santa Moncia and the second here in our Rancho Park/Cheviot Hills neighborhood on May 11.

According to the…

April is National Earthquake Preparedness Month (just in case March didn't scare you into action) and so I am going to do my best to list some local and city resources to help get you and your family as ready as you can be. And hopefully after writing this, I will finish working on our family's disaster plan as well.

 …

As part of my efforts to stay local and get back in shape, I have been attending a morning bootcamp in Rancho Park for the last week or so. It is called Boot Camp 90210 but don't let the name fool you, the classes are held behind the baseball fields, near where the dogs run their obstacle courses, in the back of Rancho Park. Trainer Chuck leads this ladies-only class with no yelling and screaming…

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…

Big decisions affecting Rancho Park, Cheviot Hills and the entire Westside are slated for Friday, March 18. They involve the Expo Line, and its two Rancho Park stations. Up for consideration is whether to use city funds to elevate the Sepulveda Blvd station and whether a park or parking lot will be built at the Westwood Blvd. station.…

Big decisions affecting Rancho Park, Cheviot Hills and the entire Westside are slated for Friday, March 18, involving  the Expo Line and its two Rancho Park stations. Up for consideration  -- whether to use city funds to elevate the Sepulveda Blvd station and whether a park or parking lot will be built at the Westwood Blvd. station…

Great Indian food at this Pico dining spot and they don't bat an eye or tack on a fee when you bring your own wine. I'll drink to that!…

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…

There aren’t 99 bottles of beer on the wall at Steingarten LA, which just opened March 1 here in Rancho Park, West LA,…