Dining, Arts & Entertainment

Many weeks have passed and I have not read any news or information about the “Master Plan for the Arts in Santa Clarita”. What is happening? Has the city decided not to support the idea of an art center to be created in SCV?  An art center is the creation of getting the ‘arts’ into people’s lives… To provide an environment where all of the arts can be enjoyed in one building for seven days of the week.

Let’s see a show of hands, for everyone who missed me over the last couple of months. Thank you so much, that’s a lot of hands. I missed you all, too. The New Year has brought so much. I have so much to talk about, and want to start by asking, what’s important to you?

To make a really great, juicy burger, first you must start with the best meat.  This is the most crucial part to achieve a flavorful burger.  The key is to stay away from the slim ground beef and go for a little fat with your beef.  The fat offers the meat much more juice and taste.  Ground sirloin or ground chuck sirloin are excellent choices.

It’s not a matter of if, but when, our community will face a natural disaster. That is why it is so important to be prepared and why our City provides preparedness trainings and special events for you and your family.
It’s easy to put off tasks such as preparing emergency kits for the office, home and vehicle, and organizing water and food supplies for a minimum of 72 hours for you and your family. 

Bibimbap is a signature Korean dish. The word literally means “mixed rice”. Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm rice topped with sautéed and seasoned vegetables and chili sauce (gochujang) or soy sauce. An egg and thin sliced meat are common additions.

The City of Santa Clarita is encouraging local residents and organizations to provide valuable input for the City’s Arts Master Plan. Community members can help shape the plan and the future of the arts in Santa Clarita by completing an online Arts and Entertainment Survey or by attending a public Arts and Entertainment Summit at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6 at the Santa Clarita Activities Center.

Castaic Elementary School PTA is holding their 6th Annual Earth Day Carnival and Talent Show Fundraiser on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Castaic Elementary School at 30455 Park Vista Drive in Castaic.

The 2015 Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival will be held Saturday April 25, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the picturesque Reyes Winery at 10262 Sierra Hwy in Agua Dulce, The benefitting charity for the 2015 event is The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of the Santa Clarita Valley.  Last year’s festival attracted more than 1,100 guests to one of the most popular wine festivals in Los Angeles County.

Eating out is a part of most Americans diets.  While some do it more than others, there are many options to keep choices healthy.  Here are a few great tips to help guide you as you dine out.
• As a beverage choice, ask for water or order fat-free or low-fat milk,unsweetened tea, or other drinks without added sugars.

What began as a simple idea to serve good ol’ fashioned hamburgers has quickly developed into one of the most craved menus in Southern California.  Established in 1996, Phat and Juicy Burgers founder, Chris Champion, has built a steadily growing niche by serving all burgers fresh and “handcrafted”.

Olive Terrace Bar & Grill offers a wide range of exceptional cuisine. A restaurant fit to cater to families and large groups; Olive Terrace has introduced a new happy hour and extensive appetizer menu that has guests craving more.
Happy hour is from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. every day with domestic bottles and draft beers ranging from $3.75 to $4.75.

Irresistible.  Mouth watering. Pleasing to the eye and satisfying to the taste buds. 
It’s how you would describe the decadent desserts at Salt Creek Grille, and after spending some time with their pastry chef, it’s no surprise why.

A trip to the Napa Valley is the perfect getaway for wine-loving couples.  But that doesn’t have to mean mud baths and hot air balloon rides:
PURE CRU: Long-time Napa winemaker Mitch Cosentino may have started making wine in his own kitchen, but over the years he has taught, worked alongside others, and all before opening his own Napa winery in the 90s.  His current venture is his “Pure Cru Experience” – a new tasting room that is also open at night for couples to appreciate! 

There is nothing more enticing than cooling off those hot summer days with a mouthwatering frozen concoction.  Thanks to Santa Clarita resident Jenny Broderick, we can enjoy these adult delights in the comfort of our own home.

Ramen is a staple in Japanese Cuisine, and a dish I have been eating my whole life. I always say that ramen is Japanese soul food because there is so much tradition within this dish.
Throughout my travels in Japan, I was amazed by the heart and soul that went into each bowl and the ramen masters that had been perfecting their craft for years. I aimed to learn as much as I could, and I have the upmost respect for these chefs.

The emergency road service guy showed up in record time to recover the keys you left in your locked running car. Your first instinct is to graciously shake his hand, then pull him in for a bear hug, but a tip would be far less embarrassing. But, wait. Do you tip road service folks? If you do, how much?
Tipping is a very old practice, but it remains a source of debate and confusion for many.

Norooz marks the first day of spring or Equinox and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. The moment the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year and families gather together to observe the rituals.

You know fish is a great source of lean protein and nutrients, but a slew of new research has uncovered more amazing reasons to go fish.
Fish has a reputation for being low calorie, high protein “brain food,” thanks to the long strands of polyunsaturated essential omega-3 fatty acids (popularly referred to as “omega-3s”) found in fish oil. The human body can’t naturally produce omega-3s, but yet they’re needed for a healthy body, inside and out. Although the link between omega-3s and heart health has long been known, several new studies present even more evidence that fish high in fatty acids is essential for total-body wellness.