Spotlight

Back to the Kitchen: A Valentine’s Day menu mixed in with romantic tidbits

BY GWEN KENNEALLY “There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” ~ George Bernard Shaw I know a lot of people want to be wined and dined on Valentine’s Day, however,  I am not one of them. Aside from the fact that many restaurants are over-crowded and over-priced, I believe that cooking for that special someone is one of the most sensual and giving... (more)

Local Heroes: Sherman Oaks residents Lee and Patty Kagan help to save lives in Haiti

BY JO PERRY For the past two years, Sherman Oaks internist Lee Kagan and his wife Patty, a critical care nurse and nurse educator at Providence Tarzana Medical Center, have visited the Dominican Republic with teams of medical students and faculty from the Mayo Clinic medical school. They haven’t gone to attend a medical convention at one of the Dominican Republic’s... (more)

The Sweet Cookie and Brownie Madness of Xtreme Desserts

BY KAREN YOUNG Have you ever bitten into a dessert that instantly made you smile? Well, that’s what happened when I tasted Xtreme Desserts’ Red Velvet Cookie. My face just lit up. To be honest, the perfectly sweet taste of the cookie/cream cheese combination that embraced my palate was a surprise because I’m really not a fan of Red Velvet anything. Xtreme... (more)

Nick Jonas surprises fans at Mark’s Garden in Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks — Pop star Nick Jonas did an impromptu concert and gave fans roses at Mark’s Garden in  Sherman Oaks on February 2.  Jonas, who just released his new solo album “Who I Am,” performed several songs including “Rose Garden” in front of the store, whose owner is Mark Held, is known as “florist to the stars.”  Jonas  used... (more)

My Four-Legged Finds: Won’t You Adopt Me?

BY RACHEL WEIL It’s raining dogs and cats…literally. Please adopt or foster and save a life! There are pure breds, mutts and puppies awaiting adoption. Unfortunately, there are not enough people coming to their rescue. If you’d like to foster, please email raweil@aol.com for more information. East Valley Animal Care, 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys, CA 91405, 818-756-9323 Everest Impound... (more)

The Weekend Cocktail: Super Bowl Cheers

BY GWEN KENNEALLY Here are some fun cocktails for the Super Bowl. Even if you are not really into the game you can enjoy a Sunday evening with friends and family. Quarterback Sack Drink Recipe 2 oz Gin 2 oz Vodka 1 oz Triple Sec 4 oz Bloody Mary Mix Splash tonic water Suueez of limejuice Fill a mixing glass with ice combine all ingredients except tonic water, shake and... (more)

For Valentine’s Day or Any Day: Spice it Up as an Iconic Pin Up Girl

BY CAROLE ROSNER “We’re reviving the American tradition of pin-up photography,” exclaimed Stacy Lande. As co-owner of Iconic Pinups with partner Carol Sheridan, these two friends can “transform any woman into a femme fatale.” Think Bette Paige, Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and you! Lande is the make-up expert and Sheridan is the photographer for this year-old... (more)

Kids’ Book Corner: Celebrating love and animals

BY JO PERRY Think back to your first love and most likely you’ll remember the profound and generous affection you felt for an animal or a pet, and the love that animal returned to you.  My Valentine’s Day-themed picks, two classics and one new, celebrate this love: Our Farm by The Animals of Farm Sanctuary, poems by Maya Gottfried, paintings by Robert Rahway Zakanitch... (more)

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