New Coffee Shop In Studio City

Today I was visiting Beeman Park and the Studio City Library. I have been taking Joe to Beeman Park since before he could walk and I often bemoaned the fact that there was not a coffee shop, Starbucks or otherwise, anywhere within walking distance. As of 4 days ago, this is on longer true.

As I was leaving the Library today, I saw a new place across the street. Here is the pertinent info:

Coffee Fix
[Map]
12508 Moorpark Street
Studio City, CA 91604
818-762-0181

I stopped in, picked up a Latte to go and chatted quickly with Alex (I believe that was her name). I recommended that she post some flyers over by Beeman Park, as I could imagine there are more caffeine addicts like me that visit that park. I think their location, directly across from the library, should bring them some good foot traffic, as well.

My double latte was tasty and cheaper than any of the other places I frequent.

If you are in the area, I highly recommend you check them out.

Closing a public park on the 4th of July?

I was visiting one of the nicer parks in are area yesterday, Lake Balboa in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, when I noticed a banner announcing that the park will be closed on the 4th of July. The City of LA Parks and Recreation is going to take over the entire park for a paid admittance event at $6/person.

It seems odd to me that you would close off one of the nicest parks in the area, on what is arguably the busiest holiday of the summer, to those that can't afford $6 a head. It angers me that on a holiday dedicated to celebrating our "freedom" we are telling a large part of the Valley populous, "you have the 'freedom' to celebrate elsewhere."

I am distressed at the trend of closing access to public places in order to make a buck. It seems that every holiday and every event in Southern California is quickly being turned into soem form of money-making operation. Our public parks are one of the few opportunities to enjoy the outdoors for hundreds of thousands of citizens. Removing this option, especially on the 4th of July, seems capricious and cruel.

As you might guess, I will not be attending this "celebration." Being charged to use a public park on a national holiday goes against my grain. I think it is time that the city realizes that access to public parks should not be revoked whever they find it convenient.

Career-Op: Willfully Ignored
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine

Recent news stories have questioned the leadership of the FBI and analyzed their handling of intelligence reports prior to the September 11th attacks. It seems that information provided by various FBI field offices was never passed on to those in charge and then to the decision makers in Washington, DC. In reading these news stories I had the strange feeling that I had heard it all before. In fact, I had. Every employee, especially those in high-tech fields, knows that management is not always receptive to their new ideas. Sometimes they willfully ignore the information and talent they have in their own backyard.

Latest America Online (AOL) OS X Beta

You can get the latest Beta of AOL for OS X by visiting keyword, "MacBeta" when connected to AOL.

Link above is for discussion of upate only.

Via Versiontracker

Apple Security Update

This is the latest update from Apple to plug some recently discovered security holes. The link is only for discussion. Use Software Update to download and install.

From the site...

Security Update July 2002 includes the updated components, Apache v1.3.26, mod_ssl v2.8.9 and OpenSSH v3.4p1, which provide increased security to prevent unauthorized access to applications, servers, and the operating system.

The Friday Five

The Friday Five is an interesting concept. The creator of the "Five" posts 5 questions each Friday (hence the name) and you can use these questions as fodder for your weblog. (or journal, or family discussion, whatever) This week I am joining in so you can learn a little more about me.

When was the last time you...

1. ...sent a handwritten letter?

I don't think I have sent a handwritten letter in years, possibily even a decade. The bulk of my communications is by email. Even my parents, well into their 60's have a computer and are capable of both email and instant messaging.

2. ...baked something from scratch or made something by hand?

I don't bake a lot during the rest of the year, but each year, in December, I bake between 70 and 80 dozen cookies for our annual open house. That said, I helped to make Pasta alla telefono last night for the family.

3. ...camped in a tent?

It has been years since we camped, but we still have the equipment in the closet. My son is now old enough to go camping, I think, so this may be back on the agenda very soon. We used to volunteer at a visitor's center in the Angeles National Forest and would often camp out after working our 8 hour shift. It is funny that this is one of today's questions, as I have been actively thinking about camping recently. Maybe this will be the push I need to get back out into the forest.

4. ...volunteered your time to church, school, or community?

I haven't done any volunteer work lately, but I was giving free Internet classes at my local library until it was closed for remodeling. I hope to restart the classes when the branch re-opens later this year.

5. ...helped a stranger?

This seems to happen quite frequently to me. I must look like I know where I am going as I am always being asked for directions. Whenever I hear someone who is confused or unsure of something I will often ask if I can help them. I can't remember anything recently, but it seems to happen almost every time we go out, whether we are far away from home or walking through the neighborhood.

Cat House (EFBC/FCC)

This organization has one of the largest collection of exotic cats in the nation. We have been wanting to visit, and now that I have found this web site, I am planning on going as soon as I can.

From the site...

EFBC's Feline Conservation Center (FCC), also known as the Cat House, is located in Rosamond, California. Cat lovers of all ages who discover this desert zoo north of Los Angeles are surprised and amazed at the variety of wild cat species found here. We are dedicated to the protection and preservation of the world's endangered felines.

Open House at the Hollywood Bowl

Starts July 8, 2002

Open House at the Hollywood Bowl concert series is back this summer for its 34th season. This six-week festival is packed with quality music, storytelling and workshops from July 8 through Aug. 16.

This year the theme, “From Sea to Shining Sea: A Celebration of American Music,” brings performers that will take children on a journey through American music, frompatriotic and folk songs to jazz and classical music. Each performance includes three age-appropriate sessions. For ages 3 and 4, Open House begins at 9:30 a.m. with a Parent-and-Me Music Making interactive performance that includes a short concert by the week’s scheduled musical ensemble. For ages 5 to 10, the sessions begin at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. with host David Prather and the performers giving a 45-minute show. (Monday performances are translated in American Sign Language).

Art workshops are held at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., and are conducted by mime, artist and teacher Judy Garratt. New this year is a “musical petting zoo” that allows children to meet the artists and play instruments. Following the shows, kids can watch the morning’s orchestra rehearsal for that evening’s concert.

July 8 –12: traditional American music with Mappamundi.
July 15 – 19: spirituals and songs with Cedric Berry and the Albert McNeilJubilee Singers.
July 22 – 26: jazz with the Miles Mosley Trio featuring John Cody.
July 29 – Aug. 2: American classical music with the Lontano Music Group andJohn Pennington Dance Group.
Aug. 5 – 9: American musical theater performed by the Open House Summer Stock Players.
Aug. 12 – 16: L.A. fusion music with Natural Afrodisiac.

For children ages 3 to 10 and their families. 9:30 a.m. (ages 3 to 4), 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. (ages 5 to 10). Mon. through Fri. July 8 through Aug. 16.

$5 per person or $30 for series, free for ages 2 and under, but ticket required. Workshops (ages 3 and older): $2 per child.

Open Rehearsals: 9:30 a.m. to noon most weekday mornings. Free. 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A. 323-850-2000.

THE BUNNY MUSEUM!

Ok, this is was just too weird and precious not to share. I came across the Bunny Museum while I was looking for events to post to my WelchEvents mailing list.

The museum is in a private home, open only by appointment or on major holidays. They are holders of a Guiness Book of Word Records title with over 12,000 bunny collectibles in their home.

July 4th is there next open house and I might just have to stop by to see it with my own eyes.

Idyllwild Town Crier Online

A quick link to information on our favorite small town in the mountains.

Every Thursday the Town Crier serves up the news in Idyllwild. We have looked at cabins in the area, thinking of a time when we might be able to live there -- at least part time. This web site helps me to stay in touch with what is happening "up on the mountain."

There is also lots of information on lodging, food, shopping and activities, should you want to visit yourself.

Recipes - Pasta with Radicchio, Bacon, and Spinach

As some of you may know, I love to cook. Although neither of my parents cooked a great deal, they gave me a basic understanding of cooking techniques at a very early age. This was very useful when my four siblings and I entered school and often had to throw together our own meals to match our "out-of-sync" schedules.

These days I love to find neat recipes and try them out, especially those recipes that fit within my fairly finicky food habits. I am a fussy eater, so when I find a recipe like this, it is wonderful. The Food Network is a great source of recipes and food information. This dish comes from an episode of Gordon Elliott's Door Knock Dinners.

There are several great things about this dish. My wife is part Sicilian, so pasta is a big part of my repertoire. Since we took our first trip to Sicily to meet her relatives I have been heavily immersed in Italian foods. This is yet another way of making pasta so our meals don't get boring. Second, it contains some meat, which I love, but not enough to make it too fatty. Third, I don't like vegetables at all, but this pasta allows me to get radicchio, basil and spinach in a form that I will eat them.

I am hoping to throw this dish together in the next few weeks. I have already added to my personal recipe binder that always sits on the kitchen counter. This is where I collect all the neat recipes I come across on television and on the web. In the past, when we have been called away on business for a week or more, I take this binder with me so I can bring a little bit of home along with us. You might consider making one of your own.

What I'm Reading...

While I may have these books "in hand", I have only just started reading them. I have no idea whether any of them will be good, but they caught my eye in some fashion. I usually check out the "New Books" shelf at the library whenever I am in to pick up books I have specifically requested. I try to write longer reviews of those books I find enjoyable. -- Douglas

Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures... I just finished listening to Reichl's first book Tender at the Bone, on tape. It was interesting and enjoyable, so I requested this latest book, which continues her memoir.	Death of a Hired Man A mystery series out of Canada.
Recipes from Home I am always looking for new recipes, so whenever I see a new cookbook I tend to bring it home.	Medieval Panorama This large format book is a review of Medieval history using the art of the period as a main source.

City of Los Angeles

This web site links you to a major source of information about the city government of Los Angeles. The best features is the 'My Neighborhood" search that quickly provides links to all your representatives and city offices for your area.

You can also use the ENS (Early Notification System) to receive information and agendas for upcoming meetings.

If you ever had a question about who is responsible for the public works in your neighborhood, this is the place to find out.

Macintosh AppleScript Update

Just another reminder to run Software Update regularly on your Mac. This Applescript update for OS X was made available overnight. There have been several other updates in the last few weeks. Keep your Mac current.

This link is only for comments on the update. Use Software Update to download.

From VersionTracker