Shaking awake the neighborhood, a huge, centuries-old oak tree toppled in Canoga Park "barely missing the home that sat under its canopy," according to the Daily News. Estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old, the massive wood crashed to earth at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday at Chase Place and Ponce Street covering both the front and side yard of the house. more ›

The LAPD is once again sending a message to drivers across the city to not drink and drive. There will be at least one DUI checkpoint tonight, located in the San Fernando Valley on the border of North Hills and Van Nuys along Roscoe Blvd. between Woodley and Haskell. The LAPD does not have to announce all checkpoints, so there could be more out there. more ›

When it comes to farmers' markets, this is one of the behemoths of the Valley. Open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. off Laurel Canyon and Ventura Boulevard along Ventura Place (map), the Studio City Farmers' Market covers the basics thoroughly -- all the veggies and fruits, including from organic farms -- but also boasts a variety of extras -- think farm-to-freezer popsicles to vegetarian Korean food -- which makes this market a must for locals. more ›

Two young girls who apparently snuck out of their Pacoima homes to go the park last night never returned home, according to the LAPD. Anna Lopez and Ruby Zapata, both 11 years old, reportedly headed to Pacoima Park in the Northeast Valley at about 9 p.m. more ›

Hikers who stayed on trail at O'Melvany Park in Granada Hills may have never known, but just 300 yards off a main hiking trail about one mile and a half from the parking lot, $24 million worth of marijuana was being cultivated. more ›

L.A. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian who represents a large swath of the San Fernando Valley -- from Sherman Oaks to Shadow Hills -- has been in office for six months now. Today the Valley-based Daily News today gave him good ratings: "In City Hall, Krekorian has proven to be a thoughtful leader. He hasn't been a grandstander or a go-along voter. He was willing to buck the City Hall machine by voting against the DWP electrical rate increase..." more ›

A series of eight arson fires lit early this morning in the San Fernando Valley has investigators asking for the public's help and vigilance. Trash cans, grassy patches and even pine needles on a sidewalk were among the fires that took place between 3 and 4 a.m. in the Northridge area, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. more ›

Earlier plans for the California's High Speed Rail called for two stations in the San Fernando Valley -- one in Sylmar and another in Glendale or Burbank. At first, HSR planners were looking at station locations in downtown Burbank, but city officials there balked, wanting consideration of a station at Burbank Airport. Now it appears planners are all about that airport station as the only station in the Valley, reported the Burbank Leader last week. The news left HSR blogger Robert Cruickshank with many questions, including this one: "Is Burbank Airport equipped to handle the ridership that HSR might bring?" He also noted that the Valley, "with a population of 1.76 million, would seem capable of supporting two stations." more ›

It's an a relatively unknown event supporting an important grassroots city function that's garnered little attention, but at 2 p.m. today the polls will open to the public in 11 San Fernando Valley neighborhoods. Yes, it's election day for some neighborhood councils. Save for a Daily News editorial by Councilman Paul Krekorian, there hasn't been much buzz about them (but do neighborhood councils ever get that much buzz in the first place?). Neighborhoods involved in today's election are Reseda, Tarzana, Lake Balboa, Encino, Van Nuys, Mid-Town North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Valley Glen, Valley Village, and Toluca Lake. Polls close at 8 p.m. Locations are listed here. more ›

A man who is suspected of kidnapping and shooting a woman in Long Beach this morning, leaving her body in a parking structure, was shot during a standoff in front of a San Fernando Valley Best Buy a few hours later. more ›

In anticipation of today's City Council Transportation Committee meeting, last Friday we posted about a study of north-south transit corridors in the San Fernando Valley, which concluded that the city should further study a busway along Van Nuys Boulevard and more rail service, possibly linking the North Hollywood Station to the Sylmar Metrolink station. Readers had a lot say about this. more ›

Although the state said they would give $14.7 million in funding for the Orange Line extension in the West Valley, they've balked, forcing Metro to either delay the project or use their own money in the meantime. Last Thursday, the latter was chosen, in hope the state will honor the money in the future. more ›

It may seem like it, but parking enforcement officers are not everywhere. Who is everywhere, however, is the public. And in the Valley, one of the most complained about quality of life issues are mobile billboards, specifically ones sitting atop unhitched trailers. So why not educate the already-exasperated residents on how to spot illegal mobile advertisements and report them? more ›

On the heels of the long-awaited passage of an ordinance for medical marijuana dispensaries, the LAPD this afternoon released a press release seeking the public's help in a shooting and robbery at a facility in Northridge. more ›

When a City Council panel met last week met to discuss state legislation the city would like to sponsor or support, transportation staff said they were seeking the ability to boot vehicles after three unpaid tickets (or at least four) instead of current legal limit of five. Although that was approved, Councilmember Dennis Zine was disappointed to see one of his district issues not addressed: mobile billboards. more ›

One of the oldest neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, Northridge, is getting its due respect beginning tonight. Once the "horse capitol of the West," the neighborhood later transformed, becoming the quintessential example of America's suburb with its California ranch style homes and as home to one of the state's premiere Cal State colleges. more ›

The 2000 census report for the San Fernando Valley was recently updated and shows some interesting changes. At the request of Congressman Brad Sherman, the Census Bureau updated the report using detailed data from the 2008 American Community Survey (ACS) in order "to help community organizations, businesses, and government leaders make better-informed decisions affecting the Valley’s future... more ›

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Not to be confused with the "Left-Handed Eyeglass" Bandit on the Westside, a pair of bandits in the Valley have been dubbed the "Eyeglass Burglars." For eight months, the pair of men have burglarized optometry businesses throughout the Valley. Prescription eyeglasses, frames and sunglasses are likely a good commodity on the black market. In their last hit, back on November 25th in Van Nuys, they stole $75,000 worth of stolen goods. more ›

In a landslide, Assemblyman Paul Krekorian defeat former film executive Chris Essel in race for Los Angeles' Council District 2 seat, which covers a large portion of the San Fernando Valley. Outspent three to one--nearly $2 million was raised for Essel--Krekorian pulled a 13-point lead with all precincts reporting before midnight. more ›

Two young children were airlifted to children's hospital after a hit and run on the 7600 block of Corbin Avenue in the Winnetka area of the San Fernando Valley this morning. Both the 4 and 6-year-old are listed in serious but stable condition, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. more ›

If you get the sense a war between L.A. and SF is brewing over the weekend, here what's actually happening: "On November 8 and 9, 2009, military flight training exercises will occur in and around the greater Los Angeles area," the LAPD said a statement today. "The military operation will be routine proficiency flight training exercises. Training sites have been carefully selected so that activities will not interfere with the daily routines of the community. Training will occur after 5 p.m. each day and will be generally in Central and West Valley Areas." more ›

Yesterday was election day for those in Los Angeles' second district, spanning a slice of the Valley from Sherman Oaks to the Northeast Valley. Ten candidates put in a bid, but only two came out strong enough to turn the race into a runoff, which will take place on December 8th. Assemblyman Paul Krekorian and Businesswoman and City Commissioner Chris Essel dominated the results, something that was not too surprising, one bit. Here are the full results: more ›

After 16 years as a raw and vegan chef, producing meals in containers found in places like Whole Foods, catering and traveling, Chef Rawsheed launched his very own storefront last May. Ultra vegan bloggers tried it out early and gave their thumbs up. It left Quarrygirl dying to go back and Foodeater is glad the Valley is "no longer the dreaded no-mans land that it used to be" because SunPower does raw food the way it's supposed to be done. more ›

When Wendy Greuel became City Controller, her seat in the popular 2nd District of Los Angeles opened, leaving over 10 candidates vying for the spot. Before any debates have occurred, community organizers are bringing together the community this Saturday to "lay down a community based platform that will drive the issues that frame the upcoming election for the open CD2 City Council seat," according to an e-mail blast. "The CD2 Town Hall is designed to put the needs and desires of the community first, to frame the campaign with a real focus on the issues that matter, and to position the candidates so that the debates and forums start with a real foundation of vision and commitment to improving the quality of life in CD2." Greg Nelson, retired General Manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, will open the town hall. There is also a blog dedicated to the council district race. Info for Saturday's town hall is below: more ›

Three people have been arrested for posing as undercover police officers in order to rob homes and police believe there are more victims out there. Late last month, three suspects posing as LAPD undercover narcotics officers knocked on an apartment door in the 400 block of N. Normandie Avenue. more ›

Here's an interesting scam we heard via Jeff Berk of Watch2.org in Studio City. Last week, a resident of his neighborhood watch was on her way home from the grocery store and became the victim of an alleged car damage claim scam. From an e-mail to neighbors: [She] was returning home from Ralph's on Coldwater & Ventura when she was waved over to the side of the road at Dickens and Van Noord by 2 men in a car who claimed she had hit their car at Ralph's. more ›

It's 97 in Woodland Hills. Drive 12 miles over the Santa Monica Mountains to Malibu and you'll be in the low 70s. Head a little further south to the Southbay and welcome to the high 60s. Now take the 10 freeway to Downtown and you'll split the difference at 85 degrees. What's your pick? more ›

By law, if police want to use radar guns on streets, cities must measure the average speed cars are going, regardless of posted limits, every 7 to 10 years. If they find that 15% of vehicles are illegally going over the speed limit, the city must increase the limit to allow for radar use. That's what's been happening for nearly a year in the Valley, angering residents and activists who have brought the issue to City Councilmembers who in turn are beginning to show disapproval of the system, too. more ›

The Garden of the Gods is more about exploring than hiking. The 23-acre park, most known for once being a part of the famous Iverson Movie Ranch (it set the scene for the wild west, Africa and Asia), has one small official trail and a lot of rocks to scramble and climb (not with gear, though). more ›