San Fernando Valley Sunset over the Sepulveda Basin
Apologies again to my loyal readers! Sorry, we’ve been busy. Haven’t written a new blog since mid-July and it’s August 6th already. Real life has intervened in our internet fantasy.
First, the bills from June’s midnight Emergency Room visit are coming in and they’re BIG BILLS! Even with good insurance, the 8 hours in the hospital is running about $400 per hour right now…. and all I did was lay there. (And we didn’t even get kissed along with the screwing) I’m not a charity case, but we might have to start a “GoFundMe” page!
Second, it’s summertime in Los Angeles and we have to care for 3 dogs. And it’s been really hot, so the little beasties are inside most of the day and we are responsible for keeping them safe, happy and entertained. It takes a lot of time and is very distracting from important things we have to do, including writing new stuff for the Blog.
Dog Days of Summer in Los Angeles
And Third, we have BIG NEWS! JoshWillTravel is going traveling soon. We aren’t going to tell you about our next adventure yet, so be sure to FOLLOW us here, on Twitter, on Periscope, on Instagram and Snapchat, LIKE us on facebook, and be sure to watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The JoshWillTravel AdventureScope!
The beauty of Tuesday Afternoon: “I’ve got a Golden Ticket!” (and vehicle pass)
No, really, we aren’t going to tell you yet. Stay tuned!
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It was the Summer Solstice and a Strawberry Moon last week and it’s been HOT in the city of Los Angeles since then. And even HOTTER in the beautiful San Fernando Valley!
We’re having a heat wave and it’s not a tropical heatwave.
So, Hats Off to WILLIS HAVILAND CARRIER inventor of the Air Conditioner!
July 17, 1902 – Willis Carrier designed the first modern air-conditioning system to solve a production problem at the Sackett & Wilhelms printing plant in Brooklyn, New York.
1904 – Willis Carrier applied for a patent on his invention, an “Apparatus for Treating Air,” which became patent No. 808897 and was issued on January 2, 1906. Carrier had invented the world’s first spray-type air conditioning equipment, able to both wash and humidify or dehumidify air.
1913 – Willis Carrier developed the Carrier Air Humidifier designed to humidify the air in one room, such as an office or laboratory. It was the first self-contained unit with the fan and motor, eliminator, and sprays all combined into a single, packaged product.
July 1, 1915 – The first offices of Carrier Engineering Corporation open in New York, Buffalo, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston.
On October 7, 1950, shortly before his 74th birthday, Willis Carrier died while on a trip to New York City.
December 1998 – Willis Carrier named in Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of the Century.”
Stay Cool!
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It’s Friday, June 3rd, 2016! We thought we might try to “live blog” the day.
My dogs and a couple guests Friday morning chillin’ on the backyard patio:
What time does the poker game start?
Woke up and got out of bed. We had bacon, grapefruit, a glass of orange-pineapple juice and an iced espresso for breakfast, and then a dill pickle, some tortilla chips and another iced espresso later on.
BACON
Social Media Time! Set up this Blog and worked on our other Social Media platforms, went through the emails and did other stuff in the Home Office until lunchtime.
We made a cheese quesadilla for lunch. It was quick and filling.
Dropped one of the dogs off at the pet groomer and then ran some local errands.
It’s National Donut Day 2016 in the USA! (see our previous Blog)
We went to get some donuts…
Dunkin’ Donuts at Ventura Blvd and Balboa Blvd
We stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts and there was a parking spot in front, but then when we got out of the car and walked over, the line was out the door!
LUNCHTIME RUSH! No Progress after 10 Minutes! Time to Bail!
We waited for about ten minutes without making progress or getting inside the doorway of the donut shop, so we bailed! Not very well managed if you ask me, offering a free donut with beverage purchase, and knowing there would be a rush at lunchtime…
So we drove a few blocks north on Balboa Blvd to Stop In Donuts at Victory Blvd. There was a parking spot in front and a pan handler in the lot.
Stop In Donuts at Victory Blvd and Balboa Blvd in Encino, California
There wasn’t a line (in fact it was us and the owner and her daughter alone in the shop) and so we bought a bag of donuts! Five donuts: Cinnamon Roll, Apple Fritter, 2 cake with chocolate frosting and a chocolate glazed with sprinkles for $6.30 cash and then they gave us a half dozen donut holes for free! (but we had to ask) And in tribute to Mitch Hedberg…THEY DIDN’T GIVE US A RECEIPT! (and we didn’t ask for one) Thanks Stop In Donuts!
Bag of Donuts from Stop In Donuts in Encino, California
We went to the local Post Office. Then instead of running our other errands we returned home because the temperature was 100 degrees in the San Fernando Valley and we wanted to bring the other four dogs inside the house and out of the afternoon heat.
Time to EAT the Donuts! Five donuts: Cinnamon Roll, Apple Fritter, 2 cake with chocolate frosting and a chocolate glazed with sprinkles for $6.30 cash and then they gave me a half dozen donut holes for free (not pictured)
Siesta! Afternoon nap time! Too hot for humans or dogs outside!
We woke up from our nap and it was still hot outside. The other dog was returned home from the pet groomer looking pretty and smelling nice.
Temperature at 6pm: 95 degrees! Hot in the San Fernando Valley Tonight!
Hot in the San Fernando Valley Tonight!
We fed the dogs, got ready to go out and then drove to NoHo. When we arrived there was food cooking on the grill! We drank a beer (Pabst Blue Ribbon) and waited for dinner time!
Texas BBQ Dinner in North Hollywood at a friend’s house:
Dry Rubbed Ribs Smoking on the BBQ Grill
Ribs in Tinfoil w/Beer&Sauce
Beans on the Stove
Dinner is Served! Texas/NoHo BBQ: Ribs, Beans, Bread & a Dr Pepper
On The Menu: Texas BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Beans, Bread and Butter with a Dr Pepper!
Dinner was a total surprise, and we weren’t expecting to eat so well. We didn’t eat until late, and then after a little post dinner digesting, we drove home.
And then we logged on to the internet around midnight and got the BAD NEWS:
Muhammed Ali RIP 1942-2016
He was The Greatest! Float like a Butterfly!
May the Four Winds Blow Him Safely Home.
This Pic Was Tweeted By The Family
Growing up, Muhammed Ali was THE SPORTS HERO! He was a black man in a white world who stood up for what he believed in. He was a great boxer! An Olympic Gold Medal Winner! The Heavyweight Champion of the World! He was a victim of Parkinson’s Disease. He changed the United States and the world!
Muhammed Ali lights the torch at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta:
All photos copyright 2014-2016 JoshWillTravel (unless otherwise noted)
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A Collection of Posts, Pics, Good Memes & Cartoons!
Jeb Bush had a good breakdown of everything that was wrong with Trump’s tweet: “It’s like eating a watermelon and saying ‘I love African-Americans”
Trump said this today at a rally in San Jose: “We had a case where we had an African-American guy who was a fan of mine….Look at my African-American over here. Look at him. Are you the greatest? You know what I’m talking about?”
Trump is a “Cheap Fraud!”
And federal judge Gonzalo Curiel, who Trump called “A Hater” and “we believe, Mexican” ordered the release of internal Trump University documents and also ordered that Trump will go to trial starting Nov. 28 in a civil case in which he is accused of defrauding students who attended. Former managers of the for-profit school portray it as an unscrupulous business that relied on high-pressure sales tactics, employed unqualified instructors, made deceptive claims and exploited vulnerable students willing to pay.
“I believe that Trump University was a fraudulent scheme,” Mr. Schnackenberg wrote in his testimony, “and that it preyed upon the elderly and uneducated to separate them from their money.”
Trump is a Liar and a Con Man who uses “Veterans as Props to Get Votes”
“For four months, Donald Trump didn’t cut the check to veterans groups that he claimed he had, and had not raised the money he said he did. And he never would have, unless investigations by multiple outlets had exposed him.” Former US Marine Alexander McCoy organized a protest outside of Trump Tower, demanding that the billionaire “apologize for using Veterans as props to get votes while failing to keep his promises.” After weeks of media scrutiny about donations he promised to veterans groups, Trump held a news conference Tuesday. The Washington Post and the Associated Press reported Trump sent many of the checks after reporters began asking the campaign questions about the fate of the donations. The total also fell far short of the $6 million Trump had been bragging about.
First Amendment and The Constitution?
Trump insulted the Press during the news conference and ABC News’ Tom Llamas was branded a “sleaze” for asking about the gap between the $5.6 million and the $6 million in donations. His question: “You said you had raised $6 million. Clearly you had not. Your critics say you tend to exaggerate and have a problem with the truth.”
And a Trump campaign staffer and private security guard removed a Politico reporter from the San Jose rally on Thursday for reporting on the event without permission as violent demonstrations and protests erupted outside the venue.
Birthday Dinner at the “Old School” Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks
Serving the San Fernando Valley since 1947! This place is “Old School” 1950’s era dining at it’s finest and the restaurant’s atmosphere, decor and menu all follow this directive.
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks
No valet parking here. Street parking is available, the meters run 8am-8pm everyday, except Sunday. Ready yourself for a “TIME WARP” dining experience!
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Welcome to the Valley Inn!
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Wall of Autographed Headshots!
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Chick Hearn & John Wooden Memorabilia!
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Tweety Bird (& the WB Animators)
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Antique Machine!
The Saloon Bar (order a martini or classic cocktail):
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – The “Old School” Saloon Bar (have a cocktail!)
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – The “Old School” Saloon Bar (have a martini!)
There are two public dining rooms, the John Wooden Board Room and the Main Dining Room, and there’s a private dining room in the back available for small parties.
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – John Wooden & Main Dining Rooms
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – John Wooden Board Room (Dining Room)
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Main Dining Room
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Fine Wine!
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Private Dining Room & Fine Wine Reserve
On The Menu: Fried calamari with marinara sauce, Boston clam chowder with soup crackers, Caesar salad, BBQ baby back ribs with wedge fries & coleslaw, bread & butter, a glass of red wine (Artesa Pinot Noir 2013), a coke and a hot fudge sundae for dessert.
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Red Wine! Artesa Pinot Noir 2013
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Fried Calamari with marinara sauce
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Boston Clam Chowder
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Caesar Salad
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – BBQ Baby Back Ribs w/Wedge Potatoes & Coleslaw
Dessert: Happy Birthday to me! A classic Hot Fudge Sundae!
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks – Hot Fudge Sundae
NOTE: The coffee machine was broken, so they could only offer us decaf…NO COFFEE! We were told they were having it fixed “tomorrow” but that didn’t help us at dinner.
Dinner at the Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks
The food is good, not great. The atmosphere is good if you like the “retro” dining experience. It’s not a cheap meal, market price for lobster here was $39 per pound.
I would not order the ribs again (they were lacking seasoning and not very good), instead I would have steak and/or lobster.
THE SERVICE NEEDS WORK!!!!! Our server didn’t smile once and seemed totally overworked, which is impossible for a restaurant this size, it was early, and it wasn’t very busy. The service was slow and her attention to detail and our needs while dining was lacking (to put it nicely). There’s a regular crowd that eats and drinks here, and they seem to get better attention/service.
We had a fun party and ate a lot of food. It was a nice dinner, but could have been so much better! Good service and proper attention to the service makes a big difference!
I won’t patronize establishments with poor service where I’m treated as a 2nd class citizen, especially at their prices.
All photos copyright 2015 JoshWillTravel
Valley Inn Restaurant – 4557 Sherman Oaks Ave. Sherman Oaks 91403 (818)784-1163
Next time we’ll go back to Le Sanglier! Read the Blog> http://wp.me/p3dhVM-XM
UPDATED November 25, 2018: Another Old School Steak Dinner at the Valley Inn!
We have been back and the experience was pretty much the same. We even sat in the same booth. It’s a big meal and a San Fernando Valley experience.
ON THE MENU: Ribeye steak (medium rare) with fries & veggies, fried calamari, salad with ranch dressing, bread & butter, a coke and a vanilla chocolate fudge sundae.
Hot Sunday Afternoon. Let’s drive to the “Bu”, Malibu!
This probably looks familiar to my local peeps.
Kanan Road to the Beach (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
More pics and a story too:
A very hot Sunday Afternoon in Los Angeles. An invitation to a food and wine event at an estate and winery in Malibu. A beautiful day for a drive…
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Except that there was a lot of traffic on the freeway heading for the beach. And if you waited in the long half-mile line to exit the freeway at Kanan Road, you probably added at least a half hour in wait time…
They’re doing construction/maintenance on the tunnels on Kanan, so they have one lane in each direction through one of the tunnels. Growing up in Los Angeles, these tunnels represented the border between the valley and the beach.
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
NOTE: Don’t try this at home!
NOW HERE’S WHERE THE DAY WENT WRONG:
We arrived at the event and the parking was at the ranch next door. The parking was far away, along the unpaved road, next to the horse corrals. They invited a lot of people and most brought a guest along, then they made them walk in the heat and dust to wait for a shuttle into the winery.
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Here’s a pic of lots of luxury cars (three Mercedes front to back) parked along the dirt road. The shuttle stop is somewhere past all these cars and then up a hill. Oh yeah, it’s 105 degrees!!!
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Every time a car drives by you, you get dusted, and you’re dripping wet before you get to the shuttle stop. Then you find out they only have two 8 passenger vans running the 200+ people up the hill, and there are a hundred people waiting ahead of you…
(copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
Oh yeah, no shade and it’s 105 degrees!!! ABORT MISSION! I bailed immediately once I realized it was going to be an hour waiting in the heat and dust. Unbelievable bad planning! And truly less than impressive.
Here’s the thing. I’m young compared to many of the guests that were invited and I knew it would be hot. I put on the sunscreen, dressed for the hot weather, and brought a bottle of water and a hat for the sun. Most of the guests did not! Asking elderly people to hike in the dust and stand in the sun without shade on a dangerously hot day is a recipe for disaster.
And I can’t even imagine how long it took them to get out of the event. After food and wine, having to be shuttled down the hill, walking in the heat and dust, trying to turn their luxury cars around, and then trying to turn out of the ranch’s driveway onto Kanan Road, with traffic returning from a day at the beach. And then of course you have the freeway traffic to contend with too. What a nightmare!
