Dining, Arts & Entertainment

Q: I heard that this year Sisley will be turning 22!  Operating for over two decades must have given you a lot to reflect upon.
A: Yes!  We have seen many changes in eating habits, in family dinning and of course economics during our two plus decades.  We are very proud of our past 22 years, and even more excited about the directions we are taking today for many tomorrows.
Q: What’s the biggest difference between today and when you first opened the Italian Eatery?

Sierra Crest Center (SCC), A 70,000 square foot, 4.3-acre strip center is more dynamic and vibrant than any strip center in Santa Clarita. Despite its inspiring energy, some businesses folded or relocated out of state due to the harsh economic environment. Therefore, SCC has space available for lease.
We are 97 percent leased but would like to be 100 percent. SCC is a strong proponent of Community Support. We encourage our tenants to conduct business with each other. We look at the center as a microcosm of our city, our county our state our country.

There’s a new sound in town.  KCSN FM and HD1 launched a new Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) music format on March 1, 2010.  The station began its classical format in 1989 to meet a community need when Classical KFAC went off the air.  Now this public radio station from California State University Northridge is serving a new audience.

The College of the Canyons theatre department will hold auditions for its second spring semester production — Aristophanes’ classic anti-war comedy “Lysistrata”— in search of more than 30 actors aged 15 to 60 to round out the large ensemble cast.
A bawdy, sexy political comedy that glorifies the power of fertility in the face of destruction, “Lysistrata” takes place in Athena during the 20th year of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta.

Open since December, the idea of bringing Big City dining the Santa Clarita Valley was conceived in 2007. Tired of driving to the West side for great restaurants, long time Santa Clarita Valley residents and business owners, Mark Oliver, Jae Seo, James and Janus Tanner, Dr. Chace Unruh, and Dr. Michael Corben wanted to create a first class fine dining experience combined with a fun place for adults to hang out with friends and enjoy a drink, without being inundated with the “club scene” crowd or listening to the same music from the same band.

Being healthy means eating a good diet and exercising.  We all know this should be our way of life. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t splurge once in a while and treat yourself to something sweet.  You absolutely should.  My motto is that we only have one life to live, so live well and enjoy yourself... be good most of the time, so that you can be bad some of the time... everything in moderation.
Take a look at me: I’m not only the owner of Kupcake Kitchen, I’m also an aerobics instructor!  A total oxymoron? 

Who knew that while dining at Numero Uno Pizza in Valencia as a young boy, Danny would eventually own the restaurant and bring his own family?   
Bringing 20 years of experience to the table, owner Danny is pleased to provide the best pizza in town in a casual and fun dining location.  Bring the family, bring your friends and enjoy a fun afternoon or evening at Numero Uno Pizza.  

Homayoun and Mandana Daryani owners of Persia Restaurant and Mom & Pop’s Market have dedicated their skills and time to serve Santa Clarita Valley for over eight years.  This little Market carries more than what you can imagine.  From Middle-Eastern groceries to fresh produce and hard to find fresh herbs and dried herbs to freshly ground Armenian Coffee, Halal Deli meats, Italian cold cut and Feta chesses with a variety of cookies, fresh pastries, bulk nuts and seeds. 

Norooz indicates the first day of Spring and the start of a new Persian year.  This is normally on the 21 of March.  This year Norooz is on March 20.  This holiday has been seen recorded in Persian records as early as the second century A.D.  A huge part of this holiday is also the “Haft Seen” or the Seven S’s.  The Haft Seen consists of Sabzeh (grass), Sekkeh (coins), Samanu (a special pudding), Senjed (a dried tree fruit), seer (garlic), serkeh (vinegar), Seeb (apples), and sumac.

I have had a few girlfriends in my life, but not until after my divorce have I encountered what I am going to share.  It actually started a couple years ago.  I started dating this very nice “fortyish” lady.  We hit it off right away.  Our first date was great; yes a coffee date that lasted a couple hours.  There was even a quick kiss when it ended.  Things were looking good.  We talked and texted daily and went out every weekend for a month.  Everything was perfect; okay here it comes, except for one little thing.  It happened on our fifth date. 

My memory of dating in my 20s is that I had so much in common with so many more men than I do now.  Maybe it’s because I was still trying to define myself, my interests, my priorities, etc. and everything was a possibility.  Lately, however, I’m feeling more defined, more empowered than ever, and less willing to give up my accomplishments for “True Love,”
I “met” a man online last month.  I use the term “met” loosely, because it’s just as unclear to me as the term my friend uses when speaking to a new man on the phone.  She calls it a phone date.  Again, we would need to define the term “date”, but in my view, arranging to speak on the phone wouldn’t qualify.

Come visit one of Santa Clarita Valley’s favorite eateries-Zapp Simply Asian.  Located in the heart of Valencia, Zapp is one of the newest and coolest Asian cuisines.  A favorite among locals, its colorful, contemporary and vibrant atmosphere coupled with delicious Southeast Asian cuisines makes Zapp Simply Asian, the happening place to be. 

According to Real Simple Magazine, February 2011 issue, these are the 30 most healthiest foods: skim milk, mushrooms, whole-grain pasta, walnuts, peanut and almond butters, oatmeal, barley, quinoa, lentils, bulgur, almonds, eggs, nonfat Greek yogurt, chicken breasts, wild salmon, sardines, kale, kiwi, blueberries, broccoli, avocados, black beans, sweet potatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, edamame, chard, kidney beans, oranges, spinach and pumpkin.
When I first tried Weight Watchers, it was back in 1992.  If I remember correctly, probably three-fourths of this list would have been prohibited on WW back then.  It was all about eliminating fat.

Forever Geisha Japanese Fusion Restaurant boasts all the delights of cultural Japanese cuisine as well as new and exciting dishes that will keep you palette singing praises for days.  Somewhat familiar with Forever Geisha, I was especially looking forward to this particular review to see what new items they had in store for me.  Beginning with something I truly enjoy, the Miso Soup was bursting with flavor… and tons of fluffy tofu, which I simply love!  Warm and delightful, this was the perfect way to begin my dining experience.

Hey Everyone!  We here at J.R.’s Comedy Club are off to a furious start to the new year.  We always love the month of February because it means we get to bring you our fabulous Valentine shows.
We start the month on February 4 and 5 with Peter Berman, who has his own special in heavy rotation on Comedy Central.  Peter does some hilarious observational comedy material that is uniquely his own.  Also appearing with Peter is Dana Eagle, who was just featured on Last Comic Standing, and on The Craig Ferguson Show.

The perfect date that almost was.
Let me start by asking if you are familiar with the saying, “This never happens to me.”  Well that’s how I felt until just recently.  It was a cold day in January.  I had just finished a long day at work and decided to pick up a few things at the store on my way home.  Little did I realize what was about to happen? 

This past October, I turned 50.  There.  I’ve said it out loud.  Fifty.  I can’t tell you what a relief it was to finally be 50.  For the last five years, when asked my age, I would reply with a countdown to 50.  “How old are you?”  “I’ll be 50 in five years… I’ll be 50 in a year… I’ll be 50 in a few months.”  I stopped stating my exact age.  Now, however, I’m relieved of the burden of the mathematical conundrum and, consequently, life has become more enjoyable.
It’s not that I’ve ever dreaded 50.  I’m very lucky to state that I have never been an adult age I didn’t love.  I love being 50.  I mean, really, what’s the alternative?  I’m guessing – dead.  Fifty, regardless of the societal implications for a woman, is far more preferable than dead.

Your favorite neighborhood restaurant has taken big steps to ensure this is not only a new year, but our best to date.  We’ve continued our popular kids eat free program, from Sunday to Wednesday with the purchase of an adult entrée.  Much needed break after work – our happy hour drink and menu specials are the perfect reward.