San Fernando Valley Blog

Remembering the Movie Poster Art of Robert Tanenbaum

2024-08-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Robert Tanenbaum might not be a household name but you will definitely connect his work to the movie and TV classics of the 80's and 90's like:

Steven Spielberg's Jaws
The Color of Money with a young Tom Cruise
The killer canine from Cujo
And the hilarious Meet the Fockers starring Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller

And the list goes on and on with many memorable classics from more than 200 illustrations which also spanned into sports (Nolan Ryan, Larry Bird, & Dale Earnhardt to name a few) to advertising (Toyota, Levi's, & Hallmark to name a few) to contemporary art.

When I came across Robert Tanenbaum's work, I was never aware of his work before and surprisingly also learned he was a fellow San Fernando Valley resident living and working in Tarzana where his home had a detached art studio. So this is another testament to the great and talented residents that work and live in the SFV.

Now you have the opportunity to view his movie poster art work in a newly released hardcover book that is 208 pages, features over 200 illustrations that have never been seen before in its original state, and is also signed by the artist himself. Robert tells hilarious, honest, and compelling anecdotes about the extensive creative process and you will be blown away by the range of styles he mastered in his illustrious career for the silver screen.

You can learn more about the book and Robert at https://www.tanenbaummovieposterbook.com/ as well as purchase movie posters at http://www.tanenbaumart.com/.

St. John Eudes Parish Invites Community to Annual Memorial Day Multicultural Carnival

2024-05-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

[Note: this is a press release to support a local community event.]

St. John Eudes Parish Invites Community to Annual Memorial Day Multicultural Carnival
- Enjoy Cultural Entertainment All Weekend, Food, Games, Rides and More -

Chatsworth, CA, April 24, 2024 — St. John Eudes parish located at 9901 Mason Avenue in Chatsworth presents its annual summer carnival featuring multicultural performances, carnival rides, games for prizes and a variety of ethnic food from American to Filipino and Hispanic. Carnival hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, May 24; 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, May 25; and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 26.

For information and sponsorship, go to https://www.sjeparish.net/summercarnival.

A cultural mass and celebration will be held on Sunday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. At the big tent on stage, featured entertainment throughout the weekend include Aztec Indian Dance Group, Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca, Cleary Irish Dance Group, Captain Cardiac & The Coronaries, DJ Ceasar Flores, Green Central Station Band, Grupo Folklorico, Hollywood Princess Parties, Malaya Filipino Dance Arts, Melodia Versatil Salsa/Cumbia Band, Rosas Del Valle Ballet Folklorico, Sampul Dance Academy, Soul Mates Band and West Valley Dance Academy.

About St. John Eudes Parish and School

St. John Eudes Parish was founded on May 1963, by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to serve the needs of the growing Roman Catholic community in the northwest San Fernando Valley. St. John Eudes School opened the following year with the Sisters of the Pious Schools and serves families with students in grades TK to 8 th grade. St. John Eudes warmly welcomes the community and visitors to the holy Catholic mass, community events and celebrations supported by our many ministries. Daily mass offered Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (Thurs. Spanish), Saturday at 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. 1 p.m. (Spanish) and 5 p.m. For more information, visit sjeparish.net or call (818) 341-3680.

Celebrity Ranch Bus Tour Rescheduled for Saturday May 5th at 1 PM

2018-04-25T09:36:00.002-07:00

This event was originally scheduled for March 10th but cancelled due to heavy rains. This tour is back on schedule for May 5th.

Take a journey on a bus tour of the Old Hollywood Celebrity Ranches of Chatsworth / Northridge on March 10 at 10 AM (SOLD OUT) or 1 PM to benefit the "Friends of Oakridge" restoration of the Jack Oakie House in Northridge.

The 1 PM slot has many seats available with tickets for purchase at the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/old-hollywood-celebrity-ranch-bus-tour-of-chatsworth-northridge-area-1pm-tickets-43080170951

Answers to many of your questions can be found below:

Date/Time: Saturday May 5th, 2018, 10:00 AM (sold out) & 1:00 PM
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Tour includes:

Hear Linda Montana, daughter of Montie Montana, speak near her family’s stable
Step inside Richard Arlen’s home, star of the first Oscar winning film, designed by Paul R. Williams
Tour the Oakridge Estate grounds, former home of Barbara Stanwyck and Jack Oakie
Navigated and visual aid bus tour of Lucille Ball, Roy Rogers, Robert Taylor, and many other former ranch homes in the Chatsworth / Northridge area

ONE – TIME EVENT with limited seating in an air-conditioned 15 passenger van
All proceeds donated to the “Friends of Oakridge” for restoration of Jack Oakie house (18650 Devonshire St)
Cost: $40 + $2.63 fee, ticket purchase available through Eventbrite.com
Meet and end at Valley Relics, 21630 Marilla St Chatsworth

Old Hollywood Celebrity Ranch Bus Tour of Chatsworth / Northridge Area....1 PM Available

2018-02-28T19:24:00.002-08:00

Take a journey on a bus tour of the Old Hollywood Celebrity Ranches of Chatsworth / Northridge on March 10 at 10 AM or 1 PM to benefit the "Friends of Oakridge" restoration of the Jack Oakie House in Northridge.

The 10 AM slot is almost sold out with 1 ticket left at the time of this writing with ticket for purchase at the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/old-hollywood-celebrity-ranch-bus-tour-of-chatsworth-northridge-area-10am-tickets-42606626567

However, the 1 PM slot has many seats available with tickets for purchase at the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/old-hollywood-celebrity-ranch-bus-tour-of-chatsworth-northridge-area-1pm-tickets-43080170951

Answers to many of your questions can be found below:

Date/Time: Saturday March 10, 2018, 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Tour includes:

Hear Linda Montana, daughter of Montie Montana, speak near her family’s stable
Step inside Richard Arlen’s home, star of the first Oscar winning film, designed by Paul R. Williams
Tour the Oakridge Estate grounds, former home of Barbara Stanwyck and Jack Oakie
Navigated and visual aid bus tour of Lucille Ball, Roy Rogers, Robert Taylor, and many other former ranch homes in the Chatsworth / Northridge area

ONE – TIME EVENT with limited seating in an air-conditioned 15 passenger van
All proceeds donated to the “Friends of Oakridge” for restoration of Jack Oakie house (18650 Devonshire St)
Cost: $40 + $2.63 fee, ticket purchase will be available on Sunday February 25th at 5:00 PM PST through Eventbrite.com
Meet and end at Valley Relics, 21630 Marilla St Chatsworth

Celeb R.E Everybody Loves Ray Romano Lists Woodland Hills Gated Home at a Loss

2016-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy Teles Properties/Romano pic courtesy Wikipedia/SAMHSA

Everybody Loves Raymond star, Ray Romano has quietly listed his Woodland Hills gated home for $975,000 on March 2, 2016. The use of this home is not known but must be for family or an investment property as Romano lives in Encino and Malibu discussed below. At the time of writing this post, this home went into a pending status about 6 days later after being listed.

The home measures 4 Beds/3 Baths on 2,682 sqft on a total lot size of 21,778 sqft built in 1997. The listing description states:

Fantastic single story located in the Gated Community of Penfield Estates. Open floor plan leads to a spectacular almost 22,000 Sq Ft lot with a beautiful pool, waterfall, Spa, Fire Pit and Pergola. Built-in BBQ area and covered patio perfect for entertaining. Cooks kitchen is open to family room with fireplace. Area is a convenient location to the new Village on Topanga Cyn, which is home to many restaurants and stores. Close proximity to the Orange Line Station, freeways and Pierce College.

Romano purchased this home at the height of the housing bubble on Mary 24, 2005 for $1.1 million which if sold at the asking price translates into $120,500 loss not including expenses. But that's like pocket change for Romano who has a net worth north of $130 million.

Image courtesy Bing Maps

In addition to the Woodland Hills home, Romano's main home is located in Encino (shown above) which was purchased on November 5, 1999 which was probably a land or tear down purchase as a new home was built in 2002.

Image courtesy Berkshire Hathaway HomeService

In addition to the main Encino home, Romano owned another smaller Encino home (shown above) that must have been an investment that was purchased for $655,000 on October 20, 2009 and sold a year later for $990,000 on July 2, 2010 translating into $335K gain less than a years time.

Image courtesy Bing Maps

And when Romano needs to get out of the suburbs, he hides at his Malibu Broad Beach home (shown above) that was purchased on February 12, 2004 for $8,395,000.

You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here.

Karate Kid's Empty Field in Reseda to be Developed into 16 SFH's

2016-03-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Image courtesy Google Maps

Remember that time in Karate Kid when "Daniel-son" played by Ralph Macchio was at the high school Halloween dance and to get revenge on the bully kids led by "Johnny Lawrence," "Daniel-son" quietly placed a garden hose above Lawrence's head while he was sitting on the toilet getting him soaking wet when he cranked the faucet on. Afterwards, "Daniel-son" ran as fast as he could back home towards an empty field where he was about one step from scaling the fence to the South Seas apartment to make it home. At that point, Lawrence and his cronies caught up with "Daniel-son" and beat the crap out of him before "Mr.Miyagi" saved the day and then proceeded to beat the crap out of Lawrence and his gang.

Well, that location which has long remained an empty field since at least the making of this movie back in 1984 will soon be developed. I am actually quite late on this story as a public hearing was held back on September 15, 2015 to build 16 single family home with a minimum of 2 covered parking spaces (see below). I am assuming this project will be fully approved but as of today, I have not seen any development activity.

The project will take place at 19141 - 19215 Saticoy Street and 19140 - 19200 Lull Street in beautiful Reseda. The property is broken down into 6 parcels which consist of:

19215 Saticoy St; 22,643 sqft vacant lot owned by Bagstad Group One LP based in Seal Beach.
No Address (Parcel ID# 2104012026): 21,673 sqft vacant lot owned by WH Saticoy 16 LLC which acquired the property on December 26, 2014 for $1,680,000 from the Jakobovits Living Trust and Grossman Living Trust which also includes parcels #3 - #6 (more on the buying and selling parties below).
19201 Saticoy St: 21,652 sqft vacant lot owned and acquired by the same entity as in #2.
19155 Saticoy St: 21,662 sqft vacant lot owned and acquired by the same entity as in #2.
19149 Saticoy St: 21,663 sqft vacant lot owned and acquired by the same entity as in #2.
19141 Saticoy St: 21,667 sqft vacant lot owned and acquired by the same entity as in #2.

The LLC links back to Williams Homes based in Santa Clarita. Another surprise during my research is that the previous owners of this land were the Harry Grossman and Jakobovits Trust who also owned that other massive open land on Winnetka and Parthenia that was sold to and is currently being developed by.....wait for it....Williams Homes that was discussed on this blog.

On a historical note, it looks like there was at least one home on this propertywhere parcels #4, 5, and 6 are located. Dont know the history here but the property remained until 2005. Parcels #1, #2, and #3 appeared to always be empty.

And on a related note, the South Seas Apartments sold last year for $4,250,000 on June 5, 2015 which was also discussed on this blog. Lastly, you can read about the filming locations for this awesome movie here.

And the actual movie clip from that location:

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

Karate Kid Empty Field

Another Mixed-Use Project Planned for Warner Center Behind Fry's Electronic's

2016-03-26T19:36:00.001-07:00

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Image courtesy Google Maps

The always first to know folks at Urbanize.LA first blogged about this project on January 13, 2016 which calls for the construction of a five-story, 328,000 sqft building containing about 275 residential units in the first phase. The second phase would consist of a 12-story, 180 ft tower with 80,000 sqft of commerical space. Also included are 480 parking spaces with 401 spaces for residents and 79 spaces for office tenants. This project will be located at 6041 - 6045 Variel Ave just behind Fry's Electronics and the Panavision Offices near Oxnard St.

This project was initially presented to the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council back on January 7, 2016 with plans for filing to the City's Planning department in February. I have not seen or heard anything since so I am assuming that this project is too going through iterations. One thing to keep in mind is that this project is inline with the Warner Center 2035 Plan so it will most likely get approved. The timeline for the project and the developer are unknown at this time. However, the number of mixed-use projects in this area is staggering and by 2035, this area will truly be unrecognizable.

The current property measures 53,320 sqft on a total lot size of 130,781 sqft built in 1973 which is owned by Selective 6041 Variel LLC. The LLC purchased this property from Toluca Moorpark LTD on May 9, 2007 for $11,575,000.

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

Warner Center Mixed-Use Development Project

Luxury Apts. Planned for Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse Formerly Tower Records in Warner Center

2016-03-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy Google Maps

Image courtesy Bing Maps

I am about a month late reporting this one but the SFVBJ revealed back on Feb 18, 2016 that California Home Builders of Canoga Park purchased the property at 6263 Topanga Canyon Blvd (currently the home of Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse) for $27,880,000 on February 9, 2016 from PCQ Woodland Hills Topanga LLC which links back to El Segundo's Paragon Commercial Group.

There are no specific details about the apartments aside for the planning of 300 units and common areas including a pool, barbeque pits, a rooftop lounge, and co-working office space. The new apartment building is in a prime location with walking distance to the new Village, the Topanga Plaza, the Orange Line, and other nearby shopping centers.

The property also has addresses of 6325 and 6323 Topanga Canyon Blvd and 22010 Victory Blvd. I believe the property records include the office building next door but I dont believe this was part of this transaction. The building measures 28,433 sqft on a total lot size of 118,927 sqft built in 1966.

Long time residents will remember this location as being the home of The Good Guys! (an electronics store before Best Buy) where I purchased many audio equipment and later became a Tower Records where I also purchased many records. I posted the only pics I could find below of these former sites including one postcard I own.

Tower Records can be seen on the left. Image courtesy Superpages.com

You can see back of postcard here.

Some may recognize the name California Home Builders who are active developers in the area who are currently building 90 homes at the former Rocketdyne Fitness Center at Roscoe and Fallbrook (which I blogged about here), 200 apartments at the former Panavision Office on De Soto, and a number of smaller projects throughout the SFV which can be seen here.

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

14 Small Lot Home Planned for NoHo's Art District

2016-03-25T17:16:00.001-07:00

Above image courtesy Bing Maps

11027 Morrison St

11035, 11037, or 11037.5 Morrison St

11035, 11037, or 11037.5 Morrison St. Above images courtesy Google Maps

This latest development proposal is located at 11027 - 11037.5 Morrison Ave in North Hollywood in between Lankershim Blvd and Vineland Ave within prime walking distance to the Red Line and NoHo Arts District. The proposal is the construction of 14 small lot homes with an attached 2 car garage and a laughable three guest parking spaces. I apologize for posting this late as the hearing was held on March 15, 2016. My guess is that everything was approved.

11027 Morrison St is a 7,509 vacant lot. 11035 Morrison St (including addresses 11037 and 11037.5) is a 2 Bed/1 Bath on 894 sqft on a total lot size of 8,912 sqft built in 1939. There are multiple buildings on this property not included in the above details. All buildings and trees will be demolished. Both properties were acquired by Noho Morrison LLC on September 11, 2015 for $1.4 million.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

14 Small Lot Home Development

12 Unit Apartment Building Planned for Canoga Park's Owensmouth Ave

2016-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Image courtesy Google Maps

This latest development proposal is located at 6936 Owensmouth Ave in Canoga Park near CP high school, LA River Headwaters, and Vanowen St. The proposal is a 3 level 12 unit apartment building with 24 automobile parking spaces in a subterranean level and 14 bicycle parking spaces.

One single family home exists on the property which will be demolished. That home measures 3 Beds/2 Baths on 1,070 sqft on a total lot size of 8,000 sqft built in 1952. The property was acquired by Owensmouth Properties LLC on August 18, 2010 for $250K. The LLC links back to Shahriar and Souzan Rostami of Calabasas.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

12 Unit Apartment Building on Owensmouth

28 SFH's Planned Near Marilyn Monroe's Demolished Valley Village Home

2016-03-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Image courtesy Google Maps

I talked about this before when this project surfaced back on August 28, 2015 so this might be old news for some. But for others, this project is getting some serious legs as a hearing (see below) is scheduled for March 29, 2016.

The project will demolish the following buildings in order to construct 28 single family homes and 63 parking spaces with very little details on the size of the homes.

12302 Weddington St. Built in 1931 on 10,540 sqft lot with 4 beds/2 baths on 2,182 sqft (2 units). Last sold by Christopher Barrett to UB Valley Village LLC on May 15, 2015 for $1,125,000.
12301 Weddington St. (also known as 5303 Hermitage & 5305 Hermitage). Built in 1934 on 15,930 sqft lot with 2 Beds/1 Bath on 1,738 sqft. Currently owned by the Edwards Living Trust.
5261 Hermitage Ave (also known as 5263 Hermitage Ave). Built in 1935 on 7,804 sqft lot with 5 Beds/5 Baths on 5,103 sqft (3 units). Last sold by Barry and Dinah Gres to UB Valley Village LLC on May 15, 2015. (This property may or may not be included with this project; not entirely sure).

Currently there is a fight underway to stop this development being led by Jennifer Getz who filed a lawsuit on February 25, 2016 on the 12301 Weddington St property. Jennifer was also active in trying to save the Marilyn Monroe property across the street which was days away from being evaluated for historical designation before the owner decided to demolish over the weekend. There is also the activist website, http://www.savevalleyvillage.com/home. It will be interesting to see what happens with this fight as it could possibly set new precedents for SFV development.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

28 SFH Planned for Valley Village

10 SFH Planned for North Hills Near the "Onion" Building and 405 Freeway

2016-03-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy Bing Maps

15717 Tupper St. Image courtesy Google Maps

15727 Tupper St. Image courtesy Google Maps

This latest development proposal is located at 15727 & 15717 Tupper St in North Hills near the VA Hospital, the Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society which is well known for the "Onion" shaped building, and the 405 Freeway. The proposal is a 10 unit single family home subdivision with 20 parking spaces but very little else on the details.

The property at 15727 is a 54,250 sqft lot with a 1,689 sqft home measuring 2 beds/2 baths while the property at 15717 is a 62,376 sqft lot with a 3 bed/2 bath 2,240 sqft home built in 1955. The combined property area is 2.6 acres. To put things into perspective, this plan is more than double the size of the previous plan mentioned today in Van Nuys for 9 homes. Coincidentally, that project is also next to the 405 like this one which makes it less desirable.

These two properties were sold at different times with 15727 acquired on November 14, 2014 for $825,000 from the Marilyn Fields trust by the Tupper Estates LLC. The property at 15717 was acquired by Smadar Herskowitz on November 5, 2003 for $622,000 and was later transferred to the Tupper Estates LLC on March 19, 2015.

The Tupper Estates LLC links back to the Dot Graphics printing company in Chatsworth which is run by Brian Whiteman who is best known for appearing on CNBC's Shark Tank and creating the Groovebook photo app that was partnered with Kevin O'Leary. Later on this concept was purchased by Shutterfly for $14.5 million making it the first idea on Shark Tank to be acquired by a public company.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

10 SFH Planned for North Hills

9 Single Family Homes Planned for Van Nuys Near 405 Freeway

2016-03-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Image courtesy Google Maps

This latest development proposal is located at 7051 & 7061 Firmament Ave in Van Nuys near Sherman Way which literally backs up to the 405 Freeway. The proposal is a 9 unit single family home subdivision with 18 parking spaces but very little else on the details.

The property at 7051 is a 22,991 sqft vacant lot while the property at 7061 is a 21,810 sqft lot with a 2 bed/1 bath 855 sqft home built in 1950. The combined property area is 1 acre which makes you wonder how are they going to fit 9 homes here and who wants to live next to the 405.

At any rate, these two properties were sold on December 31, 2013 for $900,000 combined from Thomas Rainville to Firmament Village LLC. Thomas Rainville operates a Rain Gutter cleaning operation based in Sun Valley and also owns other properties in the SFV. Firmament Village LLC links back to Aaron Mensch of Granada Hills who is a real estate agent and also owns many properties in the SFV.

I always like to look at the historical side of these properties that managed to remain empty for so long from my favorite website, historicalaerials.com (images shown below). It appears that I am wrong and a property used to exist on the vacant site going all the way up to 2005. Not sure what happened here but maybe a fire, termites, or something else took the fate of this location. And going back to 1947 before the 405 Freeway was built shows a wide open Van Nuys.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

9 SFH Development in Van Nuys

My 2nd Presentation to the Canoga-Owensmouth Historical Society

2016-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

On March 9, 2016, I delivered my second presentation to the Canoga-Owensmouth Historical Society titled Reflectin on Canoga Park's Past through the Los Angeles Public Library's Photo Collection.

The presentation consists of my efforts to scan through the Library's photo collection pertaining to Canoga Park only and selecting images from the Valley Times Collection and others that demonstrate the growth and development of Canoga Park for the past 100 years or so. The presentation does not include the verbal portion so some of it might be hard to understand as it just the visual portion.

If you like the pictures, the Library is scanning and uploading on a constant basis but only through the help of others. So if you would like to make a donation, you can do so at http://www.valleytimes.org/

This is my second presentation with the first delivered in October 2015 detailing posts I wrote about Canoga Park on my blog. You can view that presentation here.

Hope you enjoy it. The presentation is shown below but depending on where you receive this post, your viewer might not support Scribd and you might need to visit the blog page to view it.

You can view more SFV History here.

Canoga-Owensmouth Historical Society Presentation

Celeb R.E.: Eazy-E's Former Playhouse Hits the Market in Calabasas

2016-03-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Eazy-E image courtesy Wikipedia/Edward Paul Reyes. Listing images courtesy Keller Williams

What a better time to capitalize on the success of 2015's blockbuster film, Straight Outta Compton, then to list Eazy-E's Calabasas home known as the Playhouse where all kinds of activity took place. Imagine if these walls could talk or maybe not. The party house can be purchased for $2,550,000 which hit the market on March 6, 2016. However, the realtor didnt mention it probably because it was never a well known location but my awesome research skills tracked down this location.

The home is located in the Mountain View Estates which is also home to many celebrities. Surprisingly or not, Jerry Heller (NWA Manager) lives two doors down and Dr. Dre continues to own a home that is one block west which were all purchased in 1991 on the heels of the NWA success.

The home measures 5 Beds/6 Baths on 6,250 sqft on a total lot size of 15,502 sqft built in 1990. The listing description states:

Breathtaking view home located in the prestigious guard gated community of Mountain View Estates. This spectacular estate commands unobstructed views of rolling hills and open space, as well as being luxurious, warm, and uniquely charming. Enter through exquisite wrought iron double doors that feature soaring ceilings and marble flooring. This 6,250 home sits on 0.36 acre of beautiful scenery with a pool, spa, waterfall, built in fire pit, BBQ, and bar - wonderful for entertaining outdoors during the day or in the evening. Hardwood flooring throughout second floor. 5 bedrooms (4 up, 1 down), 5.5 bathrooms. Bright and spacious chefs dream kitchen with a huge island, office nook, walk in pantry, and Viking and Sub Zero appliances. Family room boasts a full entertainer’s bar and dramatic fireplace. The luxurious master suite includes an oversized deck overlooking canyon views. Formal dining room and formal family room equipped with yet another fireplace and large picture windows looking out to the beautiful backyard. A must see!!

Eazy-E purchased this home back on January 8, 1991 for $1,175,000 which was lost to foreclosure on December 27, 1995 for $810,000 after his death on March 26 of that year. The home was sold again in 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, and finally in 2007 for $2,290,000 to a non-famous couple that operate a welding repair shop in Northridge.

Back in 2013, TMZ incorrectly stated that Eazy's wife, Tomica Woods-Wright, lost the Calabasas home to foreclosure but that was a different home and not the infamous playhouse which TMZ quickly retracted. That home as well as other homes owned by Eazy-E can be read here.

Interested in more West Coast Gangsta Rap, you can also read about Tupac Shakur's home, Dr.Dre's homes, Ice Cube's homes, and Suge Knight's home in the SFV in addition to an article about Death Row's Can-Am Recorders in Tarzana and the influence of the West SFV in part A and B.

You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here.

CSUN College Book Store Postcard

2016-02-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

You can view more CSUN Postcards here.

You can view more SFV Postcards here.

Empty NoHo Lot Used in Pulp Fiction to Become 26 Unit Apartment

2016-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Bruce Willis who plays "Butch" in Pulp Fiction walking through empty lot.

Image courtesy Bing Maps

This latest hearing proposal calls for the construction of a 26 unit apartment building measuring 3 stories at a maximum height of 40 feet. The project takes place at 11818 (single family home) and 11828 (vacant lot) Runnymede St in North Hollywood.

Image courtesy Google Maps

The single family home will be demolished which measures 4 Beds/3 Baths on 2,257 sqft on a total lot size of 10,383 sqft built in 1947. This home was purchased on March 31, 2015 for $440K by 11282 Runnymede LLC.

Image courtesy Google Maps

The vacant lot measures 19,320 sqft which was purchased by the same LLC on December 19, 2014 for $650k. This lot was actually featured in 1994's cult classic, Pulp Fiction (other SFV locations can be viewed here), directed by Quentin Tarantino. At this location, Bruce Willis, who plays "Butch," walks to his apartment using the empty lot as a shortcut after parking his car one block south to avoid being seen from anyone. Suprsingly, this lot has remained vacant since 1994 but it wasnt always that way. Using historicalaerials.com, this land appeared to be the main location for possibly a ranch home going back to the last available year 1952. Sometime in between 1980 and 1989, the home was destroyed. [Update Feb 15, 2016]: An online search revealed that the home on this property was abandoned and became the location for a murder of a 16 year old who had killed a rookie police officer. The home was later demolished sometime in 1988 or 1989 where the lot has been empty ever since. You can read more detail at the LA Times: Rookie Office Dies in Struggle for Gun; Suspect, 16, Killed published on June 8, 1988. [End Update].

Above images courtesy Historicaerials.com

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

Runnymede Apartment Building

85 Unit Condo Planned to Replace 1908 Home and 1962 Apartment in Studio City

2016-01-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

4215 Vineland Ave. Image courtesy Citywalk Apartments

11015 Aqua Vista Street. Image courtesy LA Conservancy

This latest hearing scheduled for next Tuesday is the demolition of a 1962 era 32 unit apartment as well as a 1908 Studio City home (that was discussed on this blog back in August) planned for demolition to build a new 4-story 85 unit condo with 7 units reserved for low income. The project also calls for 192 parking spaces on a total 49,357 sqft property.

The apartment is known as Citywalk located directly across the street from the Garland Hotel while the 1908 home is possibly known as the "oldest extant residence in Studio City." The apartment was purchased by Joseph & Clara Hurley Trust back on July 22, 1988 for $2 million who later sold it to Citywalk Apartments LLC on September 14, 2010 for $4,650,046.

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

Citywalk Studio City Apartments

Images courtesy Citywalk Apartments

Home Rental Price Gouging in the West SFV?

2016-01-15T16:57:00.000-08:00

So this is either capitalism working the free market or people taking advantage of others in desperate times amid the damage caused by the Aliso Canyon gas leak above the hills in Porter Ranch. Below are homes for rent in the West SFV pulled on January 15, 2015 from the MLS. Is this a smart move by the owners to realize the supply/demand imbalance or simply price gouging?

So you can either purchase or rent this lovely brand new built home with a guest house in Sherwood Forest for $1,596,000 or a $16,500 rent. To put this into perspective, a mortgage with 20% down payment at $319,200 paid over a 30 year period at 4.5% interest including property tax at $17,000 and insurance at $1,500 would cost you $8,011.02 or half the rental cost. Property owned by Patti Ann Bilbro.

According to Zillow, this ranch style home on Soup should rent around $3,100 although comes fully furnished at $8,500. Owned by Mia Shomer.

1978 built Chatsworth home in a cul-de-sac walking distance to the high school but minus the garage. Rent is $7500 with a Zillow estimate of $3600. Home owned by the Susan Guldbeck Trust.

Large ranch style Northridge home at 3,269 sqft within walking distance to CSUN. Home owned by Gloria Feldman.

1989 built Winnetka home with plenty of space at 2,932 sqft. This was listed at $7,500 but doesnt appear to be available. Not sure if someone actually rented at this price or owner changed mind. Owned by Jen and Melinda Seto.

Canoga Park home near the old Costco in one of the few remaining neighborhoods that is zoned for equestrian use. Owned by Hayley Silvers.

Typical Northridge home with 3 Beds/2 Baths, 1,568 sqft on a sometimes busy Lassen but this will get you into the highly coveted Nobel Middle School and Granada Hills High School. Owned by Fereydoon and Soheila Family.

Canoga Park home near Roscoe and Fallbrook built in 1973 with 4 Beds/2 Baths on 1,850 sqft. Owned by Tigran Galstian and Lusine Arutyunyan.

Lastly, West Hills home in the Highland Tract area near Sherman Way and Platt Ave. This one is actually the cheapest of the more inflated rentals so this might be a bargain. Owned by Patricia L Vaughn Trust.

Lastly, if you are going to be spending $5k - $7K, might as well go for a mansion although "short term options will be at a premium" according to the listing. The 6,500 sqft mansion in the Summit Ridge gated community has plenty of amenities and breathtaking views of the SFV. Owned by George Mortensen and Karen and Chong Kim (I think).

Original 1952 Reseda Home Planned for 27 Unit Apartment Complex

2016-01-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

Listing image courtesy Rodeo Realty

This latest hearing notice calls for a 27 unit apartment complex replacing an original 1952 Reseda home (7008 Baird Ave) that appears to need major upgrading. The home measured 2 Beds/2.25 Baths over 2,291 sqft on a total lot size of 0.38 acres that was sold on June 12, 2014 for $540K to Alko Reseda LLC which is linked to a Kobi and Yacov Serazi of Calabasas.

The apartment will be 4 stories with one level of subterranean parking which includes 41 parking spots. I feel sorry for the nearby neighbors as any available street parking will be non-existent although being next to Reseda Blvd might bring some options. Also, one has to wonder if this will start a domino effect where other nearby large lots are also converted to apartments.

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

Above images courtesy Google Maps

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Baird Ave Reseda Apartments

Canoga Park's Polynesia Apartments Sold

2016-01-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy Google Maps

I didnt even notice this hitting the market back on July 21, 2015 for $3,850,000 which sold on December 15, 2015 for $4,070,000 or $220K above asking price located at 7314 Variel Ave.

The Tiki themed apartment complex was built in 1962 by Mr. Max Resnick which is a rare example of Tiki architecture in SoCal that are unfortunately slowing disappearing (LA Curbed documented other Tiki structures including one in Granada Hills) The surprising thing is that most of the apartment looks original with the monster tiki face staring at you. I believe there were some minor changes like tiki pillars holding up a canopy on the east side that were possibly damaged from the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

The property measures 25,840 sqft on a total lot size of 29,992 sqft with 27 units with a total of 49 Beds and 28 Baths. The property was last owned by the Score Rio and Dorothy Trust based in Desert Hot Springs but not sure who the buyer was. The listing description is below:

Deadline for offers will be 5:00 PM on Monday 7/27/2015. Well maintained building. Lots of recent capital improvements including copper plumbing; new windows; refurbished pool and decking, barbecue; driveway resurfaced; landscaping. Building has 25,840 sq. ft at $149 per sq. ft. Rents are averaging $1.03 sq. ft. Spacious units with 23(2+1); 1(3+3)and 3(0+1). The 3+3 unit has a private backyard. Leased laundry machines, Tuck-under parking with storagePlease do not enter property and speak with tenants.

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

Above images courtesy AOA Apartment Brokerage

Above images courtesy Tiki Architecture Blog

Above image courtesy Tiki Central Forum

Remembering 2015's Places and People Lost in the SFV

2016-01-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the later publication of this post as I normally release it on December 31st but this past year was a hectic year. So please enjoy 2015 for one last time.

With the 2015 year in the history books, below is a list of notable sites and people in the SFV that were lost in the past 365 days (you can review 2012, 2013, and 2014). Its possible I missed something, so please share anything that I missed and I will update accordingly. The list below is generally in chronological order but might have one or two out of place.

Places
1. Macy's at Westfield Promenade

The Cincinnati-based department store chain announcing the closure of 14 stores across the nation to focus more on online operations. Two of those closures affects the Promenade in Woodland Hills for the Macy's main and furniture gallery stores resulting in the displacement of 131 employees and 270,000 square feet. The Topanga Plaza Macy's is not affected. The infamous bells were removed as well. I believe one is located at the Valley Relics museum and not sure about the others.

2. Sears at Westfield Topanga

Closed on May 3rd which measures two stories, 160,000 sqft affecting 122 people that opened in 1996 taking over Broadway. The close comes as part of a corporate restructuring due to ongoing company losses.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

3. Stengel Field

Located in Glendale demolished because it became uninhabitable which also includes hazardous-material abatement. The stadium was damaged from water intrusion which worsened over the years. Future plans for the site is in progress which was home to Crescenta Valley High School, Glendale Community College, and various Little Leagues and Bath Ruth programs.

Image courtesy LA Times

4. Radio Shack

As part of ongoing losses, 95-year-old Radio Shack shuttered 1800 stores across the nation including Sherman Oaks and Chatsworth but kept 2200 stores that were sold to Sprint Wireless and a hedge fund.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

5. Western Studio Services (formerly Menasco Aerospace)

19 buildings at the former Western Studio Services (originally Menasco Aerospace) building on San Fernando Rd in Burbank was demolished to make way for a new Ikea store that will measure 456,000 sqft with 1,700 parking spaces on 22 acres of land.

Images courtesy LA Times and here

6. Technicolor Olive Ave Burbank Office

After consolidating six core functions into one location in 2014, Technicolor closed their Olive Ave facility.

Image courtesy Google Maps

7. Hooper Camera

Woodland Hills based story is closing after 40 years in the El Camino Shopping Center on Mulholland Drive. Jack Williams started the company in 1953 with a store in North Hollywood. The company has been in a number of locations due to rising rents and will now operate out of a Chatsworth and Thousand Oaks location.

Image courtesy LA Hot List

8. Pennysaver

50 year old company shut down with very little notice to employees. If you havent noticed the Pennysaver missing your weekly mail, now you know.

Image courtesy Sacramento CBS

9. Billy's Deli

After 67 years, Billy's restaurant in Glendale closed which first opened in 1948 on Orange Ave. The closing was a result of higher food costs after the recession.

Images courtesy LA Times

10. Heinz Chatsworth Plant

H.J. Heinz Co. closed its Chatsworth condiment plant laying off 145 workers in anticipation of cost cutting measures for the merger with Kraft. Heinz took over the plant in 1994 from Borden Foodservice group which sits on eight acres.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

11. Stanley's

Stanley's restaurant in Sherman Oaks closed after 32 years of service which was known as "like eating at your friend's place." The restaurant was closed after being temporarily shut down by the Department of Public Health for several food and safety violations.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

12. Sun Valley U-Pick Parts

Popular location for more than 50 years for local auto enthusiasts to find difficult replacement parts closed at the end of the year. Was also a popular location for filming and home to Hollywood's props like the Jaws shark. Can read more here.

13. Solley's Deli & Bakery

After operating in Van Nuys for 50 years, closed down as a result of a decline in the economy and shift to healthier foods.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

14. Superior Industries

Although not closing, moved its headquarters from Van Nuys to Michigan. The aluminum wheel manufactured made the decision to be closer to its Detroit customers. Founded in 1957 grew to become one of the largest aluminum wheel manufacturer. The Van Nuys locations used to manufacture wheels but was closed down after the 2008 recession.

Image courtesy Google Maps

15. Mission Hills Bowl

The popular bowling alley closed in May with rumors circulating of a demolition coming with a new shopping mall. However, a recent hearing notice shows that the bowling alley will be saved and incorporated into the new shopping mall design which can be read here.

16. Twain's Restaurants

Longtime Studio City diner closed early in the year that emodies the mid century modern era across the street from the other SFV landmark, The Sportsmen's Lodge. Although the restaurant is closed, the building might be saved with the next restaurant that takes over which is expected to be a Sharkey's.

Image courtesy Google Maps

17. St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church

The 1950's era Van Nuys church filed for demo permits during the year with plans to build a larger church. The history is not known.

Image courtesy Google Maps

18. Easton Baseball

The company that started in 1922 iniitally with archery equipment and later expanded into baseball, softball, cycling, and hockey gear moved from its HQ from Van Nuys to Thousand Oaks. The Easton company was sold by the family in 2006 for $400 million to a private equity firm from NY who began dismantling the company during the recession. The Van Nuys HQ buildings were sold for $12.3 million in November 2013.

Image courtesy Google Maps

18. Marilyn Monroe's Valley Village Home

Known as the Dougherty house where Marilyn Monroe lived with her sailor husband in 1944. A year later she divorced her husband and her career took off. This location had significance since it was linked to the great Marilyn Monroe whose name and look is still known today to new generations. The property was quickly bulldozed over the weekend by a developer ahead of a historical review that following Monday.

Top image courtesy Jennifer Getz. Bottom image courtesy LA Daily News

People

1. Joseph D. Morigi
Passed away on December 25, 2014 (death was published in 2015) at the age of 82. Morigi was a longtime SFV resident first starting in North Hollywood where he later attended North Hollywood High School. He owned 4 restaurants and a construction business with his most famous restaurant being Morigi's House of Pizza in Northridge. He sold the restaurants in 1992 to focus on construction and his family. He was the type of person that befriended everyone he met. On a related note, Morigi also owns the Cowboy Palace Saloon property since at least 1989 and possibly longer.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

2.Henry "Hank" Fardel

Passed away on December 25, 2014 (death was published in 2015) at the age of 77 from a rare disease called sarcoidosis that led to heart failure. Fardel was born in Glendale and attended North Hollywood High School. He became a plumber and opened "Handlebar Hank Plumbing" from his Van Nuys home for more than 4 decades. He was known for his elaborate mustache and his fair and honest work. His reputation was stellar and customers would always call him back even if they had moved.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

3.Andrae Crouch

Passed away on January 8, 2015 at the age of 72 from a heart attack at Northridge Hospital. Crouch was a gospel singer, songwriter, producer, and pastor who won 7 Grammy Awards. He worked with Michael Jackson, Madonna, Diana Ross, Elton John, and Quincy Jones to name a few. Croch was also the pastor for the Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ located in San Fernando that was founded by his parents. Crouch owns a home in Northridge as well as an apartment in Pacoima.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

4. Shigeru "Shig" Honda
State archery champion and Hall of Fame coach whose Pacoima gardening business grew with the post war SFV growth. Celebrities from Patrick Swayze to cosmetic mogul J.B. Nethercutt would learn from Honda. In June, Easton Foundations of Van Nuys (baseball bats mfg.) dedicated a public plaque in his honor at the Woodley Park Archery Range in the Sepulveda Basin. Passed away on January 8, 2015 at the age of 87. Family pictured below after dedication.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

5. Taylor Negron

Passed away on January 10, 2015 at the age of 57 from liver cancer. Negron is an actor, playwright, comedian, and painter best known for his roles in Fast Times at Ridgement High, Easy Money, Hill Street Blues, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Last Boy Scout. Negron was born in Glendale.

Image courtesy LA Times

6.Al Martinez

Passed away on January 12, 2015 at the age of 85 from congestive heart failure. Martinez was an LA columnist writer who last worked for the Daily News and was previously a long time columnist for the LA Times. Martinez was a fellow for the Society of Professional Journalists which is the highest honor bestowed on journalists. Martinez's career spanned 65 years, 14 books, recipient of three team Pulitzer Prizes for his LA Times columns, and the prestigious Headliner award for Best Feature Column in the United States.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

7. Irma Ziff

Passed away at 99 on January 8, 2015 who was the founder of Westward HO Markets with 5 locations throughout LA with the SFV location at Sepulveda Blvd in Sherman Oaks.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

8. Rodney E. Cook
Granada Hills resident passed away at age of 76 on January 14, 2015 and was a longtime baseball and soccer coach for local leagues at Petit Park.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

9. Charles "Andy" Anderson
Passed away on January 20, 2015 at the age of 73 after a year long battle with prostate cancer. The Mission Hills resident was a 50 year employee at Warner Bros working in maintenance and electrical work. No picture available , you can read more at the LA Daily News.

10. Rick Orlov
Veteran Daily News City Hall reporter, passed away on February 2, 2015 at the age of 66 from complications from diabetes.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

11. Zane Musa
A world class saxophonist who performed alongside at jazz clubs and international festivals with Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. Musa also performed with actor Jeff Goldblum, Christina Aguilera, Macy Gray, and Lupe Fiasco. Musa was born and raised in Arleta (where his family still resides) and attended the performing arts magnet program at Van Nuys High School. Musa passed away due to an accidental fall from an airport parking structure on February 2, 2015 at the age of 36. The exact cause for the fall is not known.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

12. Claudia Carolina Mejia
Calabasas resident and leasing manager at Malibu Canyon Apartments (Calabasas) passed at the age of 40 on February 4, 2015 due to a rear-end collission on the 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills while going to pick up her daughter from Calabasas High School.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

13. Jim Di Giuseppe
Tarzana resident, LA County Judge, attorney, business leader, land commissioner, and SFV advocate and seccisionist passed away at the age of 86 on February 8, 2015. "He loved the Valley."

Image courtesy LA Daily News

14. Jon Jerde
Shopping mall architect that designed many recognizable malls including the Mall of America in MN, Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, and the Universal Studios CityWalk in 1993 in addition to numerous other designs. Passed away at the age of 75 on February 9, 2015 due to a battle with cancer and Alzheimer's disease. He described himself not as an architect but as a "place maker."

Image courtesy Architect Magazine

15. Gary Owens
Announcer for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (early 1970's sketch comedy TV) passed away on February 12, 2015 at the age of 80 due to complications from diabetes at his home in Encino. He was known for holding his hand to his ear while serving as an announcer on the Rowan TV show. He also coined the phrase "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" that eventually was used on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show."

Image courtesy LA Daily News

16. Jack Hirsh

Longtime Woodland Hills resident known for selflessness and charity made life for those living in nursing homes better. He formed the Hirsh Chapter-City of Hope to collect donations to further cancer research and became an ombudsman mediating disputes and filing claims for elderly residents. Hirsh passed away at the age of 87 on February 24, 2015.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

17. Leonard Nimoy
Forever known as "Spock" from Star Trek surprisingly had connections to the SFV although not born or lived there. He owned apartment complexes as well as a pet store in Canoga Park for a brief time in 1969 which is discussed here. Passed away on February 27, 2015 at the age of 83 due to complications from COPD.

Image courtesy Wikipedia

18. Edward Zeier
Longtime Granada Hills resident who moved to Van Nuys before his death (also owns a home in Chatsworth) was head of Knowllwood Realty in Granada Hills. He was also an avid golfer that helped found Knowllwood Golf Course. He was very generous and became known as the "Bank of Knowllwood." Passed away on March 5, 2015 at the age of 84 who was known as "Big Ed."

Image courtesy LA Daily News

19. Windell Middlebrooks
Actor known for "delivery guy" in Miller High Life beer commercials, Body of Proof (TV Drama), and Ace in the Hole (Adam Carolla TV series). Passed at the age of 36 on March 9, 2015 at his apartment in Valley Village.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

20. Michael Graves
Architect with numerous designs around the world is known for designing Disney buildings including the HQ in Burbank built in 1986. Passed away at the age of 80 on March 12, 2015 who became paralyzed from the waist down due to a spinal cord infection in 2003. You can read more at the LA Times.

Image courtesy Winespectator.com

21. Mike Porcaro
Bass player for 70s/80s rock'n'roll band, Toto, which originated in the SFV. Passed away on March 15, 2015 at the age of 59 due to his long battle with ALS. You can also read more about Toto and their start in Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks here.

Image courtesy Wikipedia/Norro

22. Hilda Emilie Gurney
Woodland Hills pilot for more than 30 years loved to tell stories about her switcheroo involving aviator Charles Lindbergh at the Van Nuys airport. Passed away on March 18, 2015 at the age of 98.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

23. George Fischbeck
Local weatherman appearing on ABC from 1972 to retirement in 1990. Had a brief stint on CBS from 1994 to 1997. Passed away on March 25, 2015 at the age of 92 from natural causes in his Woodland Hills home (also owned a home in Calabasas).

Image courtesy ABC7.com

24. Andrew Getty
J. Paul Getty grandson who was an heir to the family oil business, businessman, film director, and philanthropist. Passed away on March 31, 2015 at age of 47 at his Studio City home due to an ulcer related hemorrhage but also had a toxic level of methamphetamine.

Image courtesy NY Daily News

25. Geoffrey Lewis
Actor known for frequently working with Clint Eastwood in films like Pink Cadillac and Every Which Way but Loose to name a couple. Also acted in TV shows Law & Order and My Name is Earl. Father of actress, Juliette Lewis. Passed away on April 7, 2015 at the age of 79 due to natural causes in Woodland Hills home.

Image courtesy Wikipedia/Metal121

26. Michael "Mayor of Sam" Higby"
Blogger and SFV activist at Mayor Sam's Sister City. Passed on April 15, 2015 at the age of 50 due to a long battle with a serious illness.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

27. Scott Mason
KROQ host and chief enginer at the station once located in Burbank. Passed away on April 19, 2015 at the age of 55 who required two kidney transplants, one in 1999 and the other in 2012. Known as "Spacin' Scott Mason."

Image courtesy Allaccess.com

28. Jayne Meadows
Stage, film, and television actress with a long and accomplished career. Was the wife to the late Steve Allen who was known for radio, acting, music, and writer. Longtime resident of Encino which became available this year and was sold discussed on this site. Passed away on April 26, 2015 of natural causes at the age of 95 in her Encino home.

Image courtesy Wikipedia/Wikiwatcher1

29. Ellen Albertini Dow
Will forever be remembered as the rapping grandmother in 1998's The Wedding Singer starring Adam Sandler but also had other roles from a career that started in 1985. She passed away on May 4, 2015 at the age of 101 due to pneumonia in her Woodland Hills home (near Pierce College) which later sold in August 2015. You can read more at the LA Daily News.

Image courtesy Wikipedia/Dman41689

30. John Farrell
Longtime theater, opera, and classical music critic for the Los Angeles News Group passed away in Sherman Oaks on May 7, 2015 at the age of 63 possibly from diabetes.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

31. Bess Moerschbacher
Longtime Panorama City resident for 55 years and 25 year LAUSD employee passed away on May 14, 2015 at the age of 91.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

32. John Stephenson
Voice-over actor and actor best known for "Mr. Slate," "Fred Flinstone's" boss was rarely seen in public nor did he provide any interviews. Passed away at the age of 91 on May 15, 2015 due to Alzheimer's disease in a Woodland Hills assisted living facility.

Image courtesy Behind the Voice Actors

33. John Ulrick
Raised in Encino electrical engineer who worked for Litton Industries in Woodland Hills designing servo circuits. He would later use his skills to build stereo amplifiers starting Infinity Systems with Arnie Nudell in Chatsworth. Passed away on May 20, 2015 at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer. Image below at the Chatsworth offices.

Image courtesy Stereophile

34. Patricia Hollingsworth-Howell
Granada Hills resident that volunteered with the LAPD Devonshire and Mission Hills divisions producing National Night Out events for families and was a certified first responder with the LAFD. Passed away on June 5, 2015 of cancer at the age of 63.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

35. Rafik Thorossian
Standout running back at Glendale High (1989) and Glendale Community College (1990, 1991) who went to coach two seasons at Glendale High (2007, 2008). Passed away at the age of 44 due to a heart attack on June 9, 2015.

Image courtesy LA Times.

36. Dick Van Patten
Actor best known for patriarch "Tom Bradford" on late 70's TV Show, Eight is Enough who was also a businessman and animal welfare advocate. Passed away on June 23, 2015 at the age of 86 due to complications from diabetes. Longtime Sherman Oaks resident who also owns two apartment buildings in Sherman Oaks. You can read more at the LA Daily News.

Image courtesy Entertainment Weekly

37. Mike Torres

Burbank born who graduated from Chatsworth High School and served in the Vietnam war passed away on June 24, 2015 at the age of 67.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

38. Diana Douglas

Actress appearing in more than 50 films was best known as being the ex-wife of Kirk Douglas (1943-1951) and mother of Michael (actor) and Joel Douglas (producer). Passed away at the age of 92 on July 3, 2015 due to cancer in Woodland Hills.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

39. Jerry Weintraub
Although not born or lived in the SFV, was the film producer for The Karate Kid which speaks for itself (also produced Ocean's Eleven films). Passed away on July 6, 2015 at the age of 77 due to a heart attack.

Image courtesy LA Times

40. Alex Rocco
Actor often cast as a villain best known for playing "Moe Green" in The Godfather. Passed away at the of 79 on July 18, 2015 at his Studio City home. You can read more at The Hollywood Reporter.

Image courtesy Wikipedia/FlickreviewR

41. Father Raul Cortes

Catholic priest who pioneered church services in Spanish and founded a music school out of his pocket who was the associate pastor at St. Catherine of Siena in Reseda and St. Bridget of Sweden in Lake Balboa. He passed away on July 30, 2015 at the age of 82.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

42. Harry Strickland

Retired Burbank Police detective who busted up illegal gambling operations by gangster Mickey Cohen (Van Nuys resident) in the 40's and 50's who also founded the Burbank Historical Society and helped restored the 1887 Mentzer House. Passed away on August 3, 2015 at the age of 100.

Image courtesy LA Times.

43. Robert Garcin

Former Glendale City Councilman, two-time mayor, and retired lawyer. Passed away on August 13, 2015 at the age of 86.

Image courtesy LA Times

44. Robert "Bob" Farrell
Founder of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor with a store in Woodland Hills. Farrell sold the chaing to Marriott in 1972 who later sold to a San Francisco investment group that eventually killed the operation in the late 80's. Passed away on August 15, 2015 at the age of 87 due to complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Image courtesy Farrell's Facebook Page

45. Glenn Ebert

West Hills resident who was a WWII Veteran and retired Culver City firefighter passed away on August 21, 2015 at the age of 93 due to congestive heart failure. You can read more at the LA Daily News.

Image courtesy Dignity Memorial

46. Martin Milner

Actor best known for his performances in Route 66 (early 60's) and Adam-12 (1968 - 1975) which were filmed in the SFV. Milner graduated from North Hollywood HS (1949) and San Fernando Valley State College. Passed away on September 6, 2015 at the age of 83 due to heart failure.

Image courtesy Variety

47. Alan Purwin

Veteran pilot that was the founder of Helinet based out of Van Nuys Airport that flew for film studios. He worked on more than 100 films including Transformers, Pearl Harbor, and Tropic Thunder. Passed away on September 11, 2015 at the age of 54. in Colombia working on a Tom Cruise film where a small plane carrying crews crashed. You can read more at the LA Times.

Image courtesy Deadline Hollywood

48. Yevnige Salibian

Armenian Genocide survivor who shared her story at various events from Mayor Eric Garcetti to Kim Kardashian passed away on August 29, 2015 at the age of 101 at the Ararat Home of Los Angeles in Mission Hills.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

49. Jim Dunn
Founder of Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys and served on the board of the Valley Economic Alliance and as co-chair of the Aviation Policy Committee for the Valley Industry & Commerce Association. He also integrated a reconstruction of the hangar form the film Casablanca into his hotel. Passed away On September 14, 2015 at the age of 70 due to health care complications.

Image courtesy PHPA.org

50. Virgina Liotta
Longtime West Hills resident who rose up the ranks of the Aerospace industry at Litton Industries, and Teledyne Technologies. Passed away on September 15, 2015 at the age of 81.

Image courtesy LA Daily News.

51. Cathriona White
Actor Jim Carrey's on-again,off-again girlfriend died of a suicide in Sherman Oaks. Passed away on September 28, 2015 at the age of 30.

Image courtesy Hollywood Life

52.James L. Lawrence Jr.
West Hills resident was an electrical engineer and aerospace industry pioneer working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Passed away on October 17, 2015 at the age of 85 after a 4 year battle with stage 4 lung cancer.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

53. Marty Ingels
Actor best known for his co-star role in the 1960's TV series, I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, and also the voice of many cartoon characters and commercials. His wife is Shirley Jones of "The Partridge Family" who once had her Encino home listed on the market discussed here. Passed away on October 21, 2015 at teh age of 79 from a massive stroke at Tarzana Medical Center.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

54. Mel Kohn
Prominent Woodland Hills CPA who served on the board of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association and as board chairman of the Valley Economic Development Center and Film LA. Also member of the City of LA Business Tax Advisory Committee. Passed away on October 25, 2015 at the age 74.

Image courtesy Market Wired

55. Carmen Miceli

Opened Hollywood's first Italian restaurant that captivated generations of diners. Later added a Universal City location and was a longtime Toluca Lake resident. Passed away on October 29, 2015 at the age of 92 due to natural causes.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

56. Al Molinaro

Actor best known for playing "Murray" the cop on The Odd Couple and malt shop owner "Al Delvecchio on Happy Days. Passed away on October 30, 2015 at the age of 96 from complications of gallstone problems at Verdugo Hills hospital in Glendale.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

57. Melissa Mathison
Screenwriter best known for writing E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. No real connection to the SFV aside from E.T. which helped put Granada Hills on the map. Also married to Harrison Ford from 1983 - 2004. Passed away on November 4, 2015 at the age of 65 due to Neuroendocrine cancer.

Image courtesy Lion's Roar

58. George Barris

Legendary custom car builder for TV shows and Film created the Batmobile, The Munster Koach, Knight Rider's KITT, and Dukes of Hazard's General Lee to name a few based out of his Riverside Dr shop in North Hollywood. Passed away on November 5, 2015 at the age of 89 at his Encino home.

Image courtesy sixpacktech.com

59. Delores Rhoads

Founded Musonia School of Music in North Hollywood in 1949 and mother of Randy Rhoads, guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. Passed away on November 11, 2015 at the age of 95.

Image courtesy GuitarPlayer

60. Wilma Malloy

Granada Hills resident who taught throughout the SFV including Sylvan Park, Granada Elementary, and Prairie Street Elemenatary School. Passed away on November 29, 2015 at the age 102.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

61. Anne Elizabeth Hall

Granada Hills resident who retired as a LAUSD schools secretary . Passed away on December 7, 2015 at the age of 75.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

62. Jonathan Michaels
Extraordinary Events, a corporate event management firm based in Sherman Oaks lost its co-partner which produces major events for global brands like Go Daddy, Samsung, Siemens, BMW, and the Venetian Casino. Michaels also attended CSUN. Passed away on December 14, 2015 at the age of 45 from intestinal complications.

Image courtesy Extraordinary Events

63. Jason Wingreen

Actor known for voicing "Boba Fett" in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and played "Harry the bartender" in All In the Family. Passes away on December 25, 2015 at the of 95 in his Studio City home.

Image courtesy TMZ

64. Murray Weissman
Hollywood publicist and awards consultant that promoted numerous films and stars and also co-founded North Hollywood's Weissman/Markovitz Communications. Passed away on December 28, 2015 at the age of 90 due to pancreatic cancer.

Image courtesy Variety

65. Wayne Rogers

Actor best known for playing "Captain "Trapper" John McIntyre in 70's TV show, M*A*S*H. Possibly lived in the SFV but cannot confirm. Passed away at the age of 82 on December 31, 2015 from complications from pneumonia.

Image courtesy LA Daily News

66. Kim Fowley

I missed this one for the original publication but never too late to add. Thanks to comment from Karen. Kim passed away on January 15, 2015 from bladder cancer at the age of 75. Kim was a record producer, singer, and musician who managed the Runaways who were from the San Fernando Valley. According to the comment, Fowley also spent his last days at Cherie Currie's home in West Hills.

Image courtesy Wikipedia/Robman94

Costco Distribution Center Coming to North Hollywood?

2015-12-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

[Update 5/6/2017]: This will be a Costco Business center which is like the regular wholesale stores but cater more to businesses with restaurant supplies and expanded food and drink selections. This will be the first in the SFV so this is exciting considering I am a huge Costco fan. The other nearest Business Center is in Commerce.

[Original Post]:

Image courtesy CBRE

This latest hearing notice application (at bottom of the post) from Costco Wholesale appears to be for a new distribution center in North Hollywood just west of the Bob Hope Burbank airport. The hearing notice calls for demolition of 65,720 sqft and the remodel of the remaining 242,120 sqft of an existing 310,991 sqft warehouse built in 1969 located at 11428 Sherman Way.

There are also some other changes with the request for new retail and warehouse space. The final design is not known but I doubt there is a new Costco Wholesale store coming to North Hollywood with the Burbank and Van Nuys stores being so close so we will have to wait and see for the final outcome.

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

Costco Distribution Warehouse

Mission Hills Bowl Building Saved with New Commercial Development

2015-12-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

Two single family homes to be demolished on San Jose St with the bowling alley on the left possibly being saved and the former Ralphs supermarket on the right being developed and the remainder of the shopping complex possibly staying the same.

I had to read this hearing notice several times as I was surprised to learn that the Googie designed Mission Hills Bowling Alley by LA architect Martin Stern Jr. will be saved as part of a new commercial development that will include a mix of retail, restaurants, medical office, gym, warehouse, and bank uses spread over one and two story buildings. Readers may recall that the bowling alley announced their closing in April 2015 which officially closed on May 31st.

Original concept circa 1957 courtesy the UNLV digital library.

The hearing notice doesnt go into great detail (notice at the bottom of the post) about the final design at the shopping center located at 10310 Sepulveda Blvd sandwiched in between the 118 Freeway and Devonshire Blvd. However there are some clues including the fact that the bowling alley and next door Ralphs supermarket are both empty while the other stores on the property are still operating. The hearing notice also states that two single family homes near the bowling alley will be demolished which I will go into detail later. And there is a small graphic at the developer's website shown below which might possibly show where the current bowling alley and Ralphs supermarket stand.

Image courtesy Google Maps

Another surprise is that this development has been long in the making since 2007 where the property including the single family homes were purchased by Primestor Mission Hills LLC on December 19, 2007 for $29,250,000 from the Pond Family Trust, Isla Jane Frantz, Dorothy J. Bollard Trust, and Ann M. Quinn. The property was later transferred to Prime/CRDF Mission Hills LLC on January 16, 2013 for $21,500,000 which might be a joint ownership with Primestor and another interest but not sure.

Primestor has been around since 1992 developing properties throughout the LA area who recently purchased the Panorama Mall in an off-market deal earlier this month.

The two single family homes included in this development are nearly identical mirror image 3 Bed/2 Baths at slightly under 1500 sqft built in 1956 located 15348 and 15342 San Jose Street. There is also a separate parking lot entrance at 15354 San Jose St that measures 7,067 sqft and was built in 1966.

15342 San Jose Street, image courtesy Google Maps.

15348 San Jose Street, image courtesy Google Maps.

15354 San Jose Street, image courtesy Google Maps.

One of Primestor's beliefs is that "Community Stakeholders and area residents are integral partners to designing and planning for its regional and neighborhood shopping centers." So lets hope that stays true and the Mission Hills Bowl is preserved as it sounds like it will be.

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

Mission Hills Bowling Alley Development

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2015-12-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

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