My Daily Find Weekly Deals for the 818

BY KAREN YOUNG

It’s an eclectic mix of sales and deals this week  — from helping others, to helping yourself, to helping your house….to going for the gold. Partake.

Great American Bake Sale: Stop by M Street Coffee in Sherman Oaks’ Moorpark Village on Saturday, April 17 between 8 am and 11am for some delicious baked goods.  This cozy neighborhood coffeehouse/art gallery is participating in Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale — an organization that helps fight against childhood hunger in America.  100% of the proceeds will go back to the organization.  You’ll be helping to raise awareness and funds to make sure no child in America grows up hungry.  Please drop by and support this great cause…and don’t miss out on their most incredible coffee and tea drinks too! 13251 Moorpark (east of Fulton), Sherman Oak 818.907.1400

Cash for Gold: Two Tomatoes Gifts (Located behind M Street Coffee) is having a Gold Event on April 17 from 12-2pm.  Julie DuFine, The Golden Girl, is coming to this boutique for one day only. Bring in all your old, broken and outdated gold jewelry.  Julie will evaluate your gold pieces and write you a check on the spot.  There is no obligation. Just a fun way to make a little money.   If you have time, stop by VIVA Art Center a few doors down and check out their new exhibition.  818.788.7788

Thirsty Deal: Jamba Juice is celebrating its  20th anniversary with a special buy-one-get-one free-offer.  Visit www.jambajuice.com and print out an anniversary coupon. Choose from Classic or All Fruit Smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, or  Hot Blend beverages.

Cool Paper and Home Deal: Paper Goose Gifts and Stationary in Studio City is having its in-store Spring Sale  through the weekend. There’s an incredible 25%-75% off gifts, home accessories, stationary and invitations, blank or personalized for all occasions. Don’ t miss the spectacular chandeliers at 50% off.  There are quite some amazing finds! 4397 Tujunga Ave., Studio City (818) 760-0621.

MORE!

Lots of Stuff: Check out the Gigantic Sidewalk, Parking Lot, In-Shop Sale in Woodland Hills this weekend — Saturday 4/17 (10am-5:30), Sunday 4/18 (11am-4pm) with savings of 20%-75% Participating stores include:   Sharondipity (great gifts, jewelry, handbags and more), Past Perfect Resale Shop (upscale resale) and Native Spirit Lodge (one-stop-shop for Native American items).  22563-22565 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. 818.225.1018

No Tax Deal: Have a Spring Fling with a few new wardrobe pieces at Dari in Studio City through the end of April without being charged sales tax.  That’s a savings. 12184 Ventura Blvd.  Studio City 818. 762.3274

Home Fixes: Get your home spruced up for summer at a savings.  Family owned ( 818 resident Kenny Tashman) Tashman’s Screen and Hardware in West Hollywood is also offering no sales tax on all purchases through April 18, as well as 10% of screen orders and 30% off ceiling fans through May 2.  Mention My Daily Find email.  7769 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood 323.656.7028.

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find.  Got a deal to tell her about?  Email karen@mydailyfind.com

Sherman Oaks’ Moorpark Village: Small Town USA

BY KAREN YOUNG

It’s probably the closest thing to Mayberry R.F.D. in the San Fernando Valley. Okay, well maybe there is no Sheriff and the length of the whole place is a block long — actually, one and a half — if you count across the street.  Considering that there was only one stoplight in Mayberry, this actually seems about right.

The place is Moorpark Village in Sherman Oaks.  Never heard of it?  If so, that’s because the nine merchants on either side of the  block of Moorpark Avenue, just east of Fulton, simply coined the name in agreement as a symbol of group support.

Carolyn Uhri, who volunteers at the VIVA Art Center, and has been the organization’s president since May 2009, says that it’s “a unique group of businesses because everyone gets along.”  Uhri gives credit to Andrea McClain, owner of M Street Coffee and Photoflow Gallery, for coming up with the name “Moorpark Village.”

“It just reminds me of being in Italy,” says McClain, who’s been in the neighborhood almost two years, “you know, where you have the bakery, the gallery, the gift shop and businesses that support each other.”

The block is located in the midst of a rather eclectic residential area, which is a mix of apartments and single-family homes. In fact, M Street Coffee has become a kind of caffeinated (decaf and tea too), organic-leaning “Cheers” where neighbors walk, bike and congregate. Local artists and writers also contribute their art pieces and books for display and sale in the cafe.

VIVA Art Center is a collaborative cooperative art center in the fullest sense.  “It’s more than a gallery,” says Uhri, who explains that in addition to the gallery and exhibits, there is  VIVA Arts & Gifts that sells handmade artist wares, as well as  workshops, lectures and poetry readings. VIVA is community oriented and supports the arts in local schools by offering gallery showings of student work. Approximately 30 volunteers who are affectionately called “sitters,” staff the Center.

“They are all very talented people who act as docents,” says Uhri.

McClain explains that she first saw an opportunity to bring the group together through a block party in 2007 when they all agreed to set up tables with balloons and food at their respective businesses.

Uhri says that when anyone has an event on the block, the other businesses are there for support. “When VIVA has a poetry reading, Andrea will provide coffee and baked goods and we all stay open for each other.”

Diane Fonteboa, who opened her uniquely appointed gift shop, Two Tomatoes, nearly two years ago after a career in interior design, says that there is a lot of “cross-marketing…we just all get along. We all know the struggles of having a business and we are here to support each other.”  The sentiment is echoed by her husband, Rene Fonteboa, who runs his business, Blue Dart Digital (artistic digital retouching), out of an office behind her store.

Matt Schwartz, who owns the Golden Monkey Healing Center and frequents M Street Coffee regularly for  McClain’s organic goods, and has been on the block a year, says it is the most supportive environment he’s worked in, simply explaining, “it feels like a real neighborhood.”

Across the street is Copy Hub, a copy center, owned by affable Ray Kiorkof, who moved in nearly two and a half years ago. “I’ve been in this business for 20 years. I love the neighborhood, the location…I’ve never had a business that has grown so fast. I was fortunate to find a space here.”

Kelvin Jones, a businessman who lives nearby comes in often to use Kiorkof’s computer and fax. “He’s the best, hands on…Ray can help you solve anything.”  In fact, the businesses on the block use Copy Hub for their needs too.

Moorpark Village also boasts a few other businesses: Hygiea Health and Wellness, Proficiency Fitness,  and Finland Baths, a Valley mainstay that been at the same location for  51 years and is rich with Hollywood lore  (Sean Connery used to have his own locker in the men’s relaxation room labeled “007″).

Wonder if Andy Griffith ever had a locker labeled “Sheriff” in  Mayberry?  Hmmm.

Karen Young is the Publisher/Editor of My Daily Find

MOORPARK VILLAGE MERCHANTS

Blue Art Digital www.bluedartdigital.com

Copy Hubwww.copyhub.net

M Street Coffee and Photoflow Gallery www.mstreetcoffee.com

Two-Tomatoeswww.two-tomatoes.com

Finland Baths www.finlandbathsmassage.com

Proficiency Bathswww.proficiencyfitness.com

Golden Monkey Healing Centerwww.goldenmonkeyhealing.com

VIVA Art Center www.vivaartcenter.org

Hygiea Health and Wellness www.hygieahealth.com