A few days ago a commenter noted that s/he would like to see more talk on SCVTalk about interesting and perhaps not-well-known things and activities in the SCV. I aim to please and I’m always open to new ideas, so after a few days of thinking, here’s my list.
But first, a word about how the list is organized. The way I see it, if you read SCVTalk, you’re already invested in this place more highly than people who simply rest their heads here at night. So I’m going to list activities and things that elite SCVers know about but that normal, run-of-the-mill SCVers might be ignorant of. Enough of that, let’s get to the list (and I encourage you to add your own items:)
Elite SCVers go to CalArts Library: A lot of my readers think libraries are a thing of yesteryear, a by-gone institution that has no place in our modern, always-connected world. Not me. I really love libraries and in the SCV, you’ll find no better library than the one in the 2nd sub-floor on the CalArts campus. Not only does it have a decent collection, but it’s probably the quietest library in all of the SCV. People here just don’t talk. It’s whisper quiet, a great place for study, reflection and even a stolen nap. During the school year, it’s opened late, later than anything in the SCV except the Saugus Cafe: midnight on some days. And what’s more, you can come in your jammies because that’s how most of the students come. Hell you probably don’t even have to shower. No one will notice. And they don’t check for parking permits. A win all the way around.
Normal SCVers go to: Barnes & Noble: If you’re just a normal, run of the mill SCVer and you want to read or study, you’ll probably end up at Barnes & Noble in Valencia with all the other sheeple. It’s loud and bustling, but at least they offer coffee and wifi and are open late. Ho hum.
Elite SCVers go to Do It Center: In years past, the obvious elite choice for SCV do-it-yourselfers would have been Newhall or Holiday Hardware, but since those two institutions went the way of the do-do (peace be upon them), I’ve found Do It Center on Valencia Blvd to be a worthy stand-in. Most of the men who work there have leathery skin from long hours working construction projects outdoors; their hands are rough and ragged from working with them all their lives. They are friendly and offer real, down-to-earth advice about your project. They have personally saved me time and money. Talking to one of their knowledgeable workers is like talking to my dad about DIY: it’s reassuring, funny, and a bit humiliating all at once.
Normal SCVers go to Lowes or Home Depot: Hey, if you’re happy with the advice you’re getting from some tweenager about 90 degree elbow plumbing pipes, go to Lowes or Home Depot. If you consider dodging fork lifts with huge pallets fun, go here. They’re not all bad, of course -who hasn’t needed to go to Home Depot late on a Sunday night- but we’re after an elite, SCV-insider only experience here, not some generic big box experience you can have anywhere. Right?
Elite SCVers go to Video Depot: Ahhh, Video Depot. The last of the old privately-run video rental stores. Yes, I’m tragically behind the curve on movie rentals; though I do love Netflix streaming, it doesn’t offer everything, so when my wife and I need a movie to watch, we head over to Gina at Newhall’s Video Depot. Gina is a petite Korean woman who has run Video Depot since before I moved here. No one knows her age, but everyone knows she will outlive all of us, so healthy is her constitution and so athletic is her lifestyle. She’s always inappropriately nosy (“Why you no have baby yet, Jeff?”) but that’s part of the charm of Video Depot. She’s also very forgiving with late fees, which, you know what? I don’t even mind paying so long as Gina is still renting videos at Video Depot.
Normal SCVers go to Blockbuster: You poor souls.
Elite SCVers go to Hart or Summit Parks: We’re justifiably proud of our park system here in the SCV, but there are two parks in particular that stand out and that, from my own park-going experience, are under-appreciated. That would be Hart Park in Newhall and Summit Park in Valencia. These parks offer the quintessential American park-going experience, with huge shade trees you can just doze off under, lots of open space and things to explore, and even little trails you and your family can hike on. At Hart Park, for instance, you can walk uphill a bit and see William S. Hart’s mansion, plus some great views of Newhall. And in Summit Park (behind the YMCA on McBean), there’s a trail system that goes way back in the hills through a beautiful meadow where I’ve snapped many pictures. Do be aware that you are in the elite Valencia Summit neighborhood, where crazy open warfare between neighbors has been known to occur over things like children’s swim teams.
Normal SCVers go to Central Park: Not that there’s anything wrong with Central Park, of course, but I need fully grown, leafy trees to scratch my park itch. And the little saplings dotting Central Park offer no protection from the sun. Give it 20 years and I’m sure it’ll be the jewel in the SCV’s park system.
Elite SCVers go to Newhall Bikes: If you’re in need of a new bike or a simple tune-up of your old one, Roger at Newhall Bikes will take care of you in his quirky little shop on Main Street. An SCV-native and former bike racer, Roger enjoys blasting reggae -a distinctively un-SCV sound- in his shop, and he’s been known to host summer reggae parties with free beer. Yes, open air keggers in the SCV.
Normal SCVers go to WalMart: Don’t do it. Please. Buy your kid’s bike from one of the fine local bike stores, not Walmart. Not only will you be supporting local business, but you’ll get a bike that was put together by someone who actually knows how to work on bicycles.
Elite SCVers go to Mexican Taquerias: Want some real carne asada? Are you courageous enough to see what real Mexican food is all about? Then you owe it to yourself amigo to check out some of those hole-in-the-wall taquerias around town. Places like Las Lomas or Tortas Ahogadas in Newhall, or the taco place on Soledad & Sierra Highway, where you can find delicious meals for a good price, while watching some Mexican futbol coverage.Bonus points if you shop from the back of one of those produce trucks or cruise the narrow aisles of Tresierras in Newhall.
Normal SCVers go to Baja Fresh or Taco Bell: I admit, I partake regularly.
These are just a sample of under-appreciated activities and places in the SCV. Missing from this list is an authentic SCV coffee shop. So what say you? What are some under-appreciated activities or places in the SCV you enjoy?
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You are sooooo Elite, how proud you must be of yourself. I prefer hip or cool, it has less of an Elitist connotation.
JMHO
This needs to be a regular feature…the possibilities are endless…yes, regular. Feature.
Seconded. Also, “Newhall Forever” isn’t just a charming chest tattoo anymore- with this post, it’s a movement!
The original owners of Video Depot are my neighbors
I think the core concept here is pretty simple, try local first. Mom and Pop before chain. You’ll be surprised by the personal attention. Need a tux? Tuxedo Review in Newhall. Cup of joe? Walk past the 7-eleven (although it’s a nice 7-eleven) and stop by the Newhall Coffee Shop. You’ll be getting great service, and supporting the local economy. I’m mostly familiar with the Newhall area, but I’m sure you find similar pockets of Mom and Pop stores all throughout the valley. Drive past the chains and big box stores, and keep your eyes open.
I think there’s a little more to it than that. Tux Revue is better than the place in the mall, sure, but it’s no hidden gem. The Coffee Shop by 7-11 might be better than 7-11, but it’s nothing special. Finding something truly awesome, like those things mentioned here, is hard to do in Awesometown.
Without getting into a debate on what qualifies as a “hidden gem” you certainly won’t find one unless you’re willing to drive past the chains and take a little risk. And I agree with the lack of awesome in Awesometown, but Newhall isn’t part of Awesometown, it’s Awesomertown. Awesomesttown, even.
We only have 2 off-leash dog parks in town so pick one. I prefer Central Bark. Fifi and Marmaduke can both have a ball…..literally.
All interesting points, however I disagree with the Video Depot item. There is no way in heck the Elite would make a drive to a brick and mortar store for a movie or TV show when everything is available online for dirt cheap or free. I personally use Netflix (all you can stream for $10) and then BitTorrent everything else. BitTorrent saves my favorite shows, movies to my Mac, which then streams everything on demand to TVs using xbox and PS3.
This leads to another point. There’s no reason to pay for cable tv AND high speed internet. It’s redundant and a waste of money!
Speaking of….
Elite SCVers have AT&T Uverse High Speed Data/Television/VoIP: Truly the cream of the crop, AT&T Uverse offers hundreds of channels (including all the premuim movie, sports, and foreign language you could want) and has more high definition channels than I could ever have any possible use for. Dozens and dozens of HD on demand feeds are avialable on top of the standard definition feeds. Crystal clear picture all the time! Tons of bonus add ons like Fantasy Football stats, weather and traffic updates. And thats all on TV. Download speeds up to 24 megabit/second…. any download you could want, you’ll have in seconds. Not hours, not minutes… SECONDS! And unlimited crystal clear calling to North America…. How can you go wrong? Sure you pay a pretty price for all of this, but it acutally comes out a bit cheaper (after the promotional pricing) than what you might pay for inferior services. Alas! You’d better be in a neighborhood served by one of those giant beige boxes sitting on the curbe with the fan whirring constantly. Because if you’re not close (within 3000 or so linear feet), then none for you!
Normal SCVers have Time Warner Cable/AT&T Phone: Fuzzy sound quality, fuzzy picture. Limited choices in HD channels, and no NFL Network!!!! (Not to mention the constant threat of losing ABC/Disney/NBC/Fox/etc.) High prices and poor customer service. But dammit, its all we can get right? No hastle, no mess, no installation, no fuss. Its alright by me. Right?
Not a fair point since U Verse isn’t available in the 91387.
The Do-It Center building is up for sale I think…Is it going by the wayside also?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The building is up for sale, Do-It Center lease expires 1-31-12 but they have another 5 year option.
I hadn’t considered Cal Arts library, but then with the Kindle, it has been unnecessary. I agree with all of these but have to admit it has been years since I rented a video. I would add that the Elite go to the COC farmers market on Sunday morning for a peaceful walk through all of the vegi-goodness that is offered up by friendly vendors. Non-Elite go to Trader Joes for produce (eeeek)
true
How does the Kindle obviate the need for a quiet place to study or read?
I have a house?
Be careful at the Summit Park- you never know which middle aged man will be videotaping your children while sitting in an old beat up car with out of state licenses. Should you choose to brave the trails of the Summit Park with children- be careful as those trails go along the back side of the Stratfords. We all know how they feel about children doing something productive like swimming or going for a walk.
You use SCV and elite in the same sentence? How very sad for you. You need to get out more. Here’s a start. For the ultimate library experience there is none better in the state, possibly in the country then the Los Angeles City Pubic Library in downtown LA. Frontier Building Supply in North Hollywood leaves anything up here in the dust. Someone else has mentioned Netfiix. How do you beat that? As to parks, Griffith Park is almost too obvious to mention. People come from all over Southern California to visit the Icycle Bicycle shop in Pasadena. There are hundreds of Mexican restaurants in LA better then anything up here, but Taqueria Chihuahua in Santa Monica springs to mind. Then it’s back Downtown for a great Pastrami at Langers, one of the many things you can’t find up here at all (and don’t tell me about Dinks or I’ll get violently ill).
Another self-loathing SCVer. How original! I hear Proxart is looking for writers.
Best thing I’ve ever read on SCVTalk right there. LOL.
It’s not myself that I loath. It’s the Awesome town bigots. I’m actually pretty cool.
“Los Angeles City Pubic Library ” and “Netfiix”??????
Late in the day, a Google Alert popped up for an article on LSSI. Apparently they are still trying to win a multi-library contract for Stockton/San Joaquin County. The owner of LSSI appears to be offering to “hire back” those library employees in order to seal the deal. See:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/887000-264/lssi_controversy_still_brewing_in.html.csp
Could it be that Santa Clarita’s bean counters are trying to squeeze more money out of library operations costs than the San Joaquin County staffers who are crunching the LSSI contract numbers for that county?
From what I can see, all other LSSI takeovers are of library systems. In Santa Clarita, they are buying (with our money) about 5% of a system and then going into competition with the other 95%. This is a whole new level of “wadayakidnme?”.
Add the Video Store and Sand Canyon Hardware to the elite list!
The lady at Video Depot yelled at my teen son in the parking lot about late movies that I had forgotten to return. She’s certifiably nuts, I mean, she followed him out of her store…I guess you just can’t get that level of personal service at Blockbuster.
I like Lily’s Cafe when I am in the mood for a greasy spoon with a singing hostess who likes to water her plants.
I adore Towsley Canyon and San Fransquito Dam for hikes (except for the snakes!!). Also, the “Beast” hike at the Park&Ride at the 14 fwy/Newhall Rd.exit is nicknamed the “butt buster”.
We like Eddie and the crew at Valley Cycles on San Fernando Rd, oh Excuse me, Main Street.
I love to go the thrift stores on Main Street in Old Town Newhall and the herbal remedy shop across from Take Two Thrift Store is very cool.
The cheese enchiladas and an ice cold jamaica from the Vallarta Cocina are always a treat.
Real Gardeners go to Green Thumb and Pueblo building supply.
Thanks, Jeff.