Everything Glendale

Filed Under: Barnes and Noble, Blockbuster, Borders Books, CVS, Downtown Glendale, Glendale Exchange, Glendale Fashion Center, Ice Cream, Longs Drugs, Mervyn's, News, Shopping, The Americana, Thrifty Ice Cream

The closing of all Circuit City stores across the nation, including the one on Maryland and Broadway, is the latest big news of the worsening economy. (I'm generally an optimist, but 34,000 lost jobs can't be good.) This leaves downtown Glendale looking a bit bleaker—witness the gutted space where the Mervyn's used to be, and the Exchange shopping area is becoming a dead zone. Now, Glendale Avenue is going to take a couple of hits.

The Longs Drugs on the lower level of the Glendale Fashion Center across from Ralphs will be permanently closing its doors on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. CVS bought Longs last year, but decided to shut down this location rather than changing the name. This sucks for me because Longs is within walking distance of my house, and the Rite Aid up the street is not (though the siren song sung by Thrifty Ice Cream may be enough to entice me to walk the few extra blocks).

As if that weren't enough to dampen my neighborhood spirit, the Blockbuster on Glendale and California is closing on February 15, 2009. (Last day to rent is February 8; last day to return is February 19.) Which means I have to drive to the Pacific location or Colorado location for DVDs or stay home and read—I don't like any of those choices.

What will become of you, Glendale Avenue? As much as I love The Americana, I thought it was a pretty crappy move to close the Barnes & Noble in the Glendale Fashion Center and move it to The Americana, especially since there's a Borders just a block away. It's good planning for The Americana, but bad planning for the structure of a city. I live between downtown Glendale and Glendale Avenue, and things seem a bit off-balance. I don't like that feeling.


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Filed Under: Downtown Glendale, Food, Japanese Cuisine, Restaurant Reviews, Sushi

On the largest wall, behind a line of bamboo stalks, is a fresco depicting a picnic scene: three Japanese men and two women dressed in traditional kimonos are seated on a red blanket under a cherry blossom tree. From the high ceiling hang paper lanterns that hover over hungry patrons. The room is dimly lit, with the sushi bar the restaurant's brightest area.

Glendale is home to quite a few Japanese restaurants, and sitting in a prime location at the Glendale Marketplace, in a spot formerly occupied by a shoe store, is Ichiban. "Ichiban," in Japanese, quite simply translates to "number one" or "best," and with a wide selection of combination dinners and an even wider array of sushi selections, the restaurant's name is not far off.

I am no sushi connoisseur. I was well into my early twenties before I could down a bite of food that wasn't either fried, grilled, baked, or broiled. Growing up, sushi always translated into "raw fish." Thanks to the Food Network, however (and Wikipedia, of course), I learned that the term "sushi" refers to the vinegared rice used in this type of Japanese cuisine, not to the fish sitting on top or wrapped in it.

You are in for an affordable (50% off rolls!), well-prepared meal here, not to mention friendly and efficient service. Whether you are craving a hot meal (in the form of a combination lunch or dinner plate with chicken, beef, or salmon teriyaki, salad, miso soup, and a bowl of rice) or are in the mood for a roll or two (the lobster and B.S.C.R. rolls are tasty, the sashimi is refreshing), Ichiban is there for you!

Ichiban
120 S. Brand Boulevard #120
Glendale, CA 91203
818.242.9966
www.sporq.com/glendale/ichiban/120sbrandblvd

Entree Price Range:
$7-$11

Sushi Price Range:
$3-$13

Hours:
Monday–Thursday:. 11:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m
Friday–Saturday: 11:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

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Filed Under: Celebrities, Downtown Glendale, Kitson, News, Shopping, The Americana, Vanessa Anne Hudgens

What the hell is going on this month at The Americana that's drawing the Hollywood elite? Not allowing Britney Spears to hog up the Celebrities-Shopping-in-Glendale spotlight, High School Musical's Vanessa Anne Hudgens was also spotted at Kitson yesterday, looking, shall we say, a little underwhelmed. Maybe she didn't stay around for the fabulous fountain show? That would've put a smile on her face! (Or is she already jaded at 19?)

I have never been in Kitson. I don't know what it is. I don't even know where at The Americana it's located. But if Hollywood keeps this up (and perhaps sends a smiling Zac Efron to shop and pose), I might have to investigate further.

The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
818.637.8982
www.americanaatbrand.com

[Source: Just Jared Jr.]


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Filed Under: Britney Spears, Celebrities, Downtown Glendale, Food, Kitson, News, Shopping, The Americana

We don't typically get many celebrity sightings this far east of Hollywood, but The Americana at Brand is enough of a glittery paradise to draw the likes of Britney Spears, perhaps the mother of paparazzi bait. She was seen buying some toys and pajamas for her boys and jeans for herself at Kitson last week. Earlier that day, surrounded by security, she ate at Katsuya, a Japanese restaurant. No news on her chopstick-wielding abilities. (Why don't journalists observe the things I want to know?)

And that's about as Hollywood as this blog is going to get. Unless Britney Spears returns to Glendale. And shops at Ross. And eats at Panda Express. Now that I'd like to see—her digging into a big plate of orange chicken. While admiring her marked-down skirt.

The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
818.637.8982
www.americanaatbrand.com

[Sources: E! Online and People.]


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Filed Under: Alex Theatre, Downtown Glendale, Events, Music

The announcement on Tropico Station about Merry Tuba Christmas at the Alex Theatre on December 14, 2008, caught my eye because, well, it's free! Hundreds of tuba players will grace the stage to perform holiday tunes, and the audience will be handed song sheets and encouraged to sing along. (Honestly, this sounds like it could be a potential ear sore for me, but, hey, I don't have to go to these things to share them with you.)

I also found a video clip online of last year's concert, so you can decide for yourself if this kind of thing floats your boat:



If you go, let me know how it is.

Merry Tuba Christmas

Sunday, December 14, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Alex Theatre
216 N. Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91203
818.243.2539
http://www.alextheatre.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=179&year=2008&month=12

Tickets:
Free

The annual Merry Tuba Christmas event at the Alex Theatre features hundreds of tuba and euphonium players of all ages from throughout Southern California. Special guests include the Tubadours, comprised of professional musicians from Los Angeles, and a special visit by Santa Claus.

Running time is approximately one hour with no intermission, and the performance is suitable for all ages. Photo/video recording by patrons is allowed.

I had to look up "euphonium." It's "a brass musical instrument similar to the baritone tuba but somewhat smaller, with a wider bore and mellower tone, and often having a second bell." So now I know. And so do you. We're learning together!


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Filed Under: Downtown Glendale, Events, Farmers' Market, Food, Green Living, Montrose, Shopping

[Editor's Note: Hot off the heels of Olivia's terrific post about everything Montrose has to offer comes Kathy's write-up about the farmers' markets in Downtown Glendale and Montrose. Great minds think alike!]

When was the last time you ate an apple? And not a grocery store apple, those tasteless fruits flown in from New Zealand and China. I'm talking about a farm-fresh apple, one that has been picked mere days, if not hours before, one that is so ripe, so sweet, taste buds secrete fountains of approval. What's that? You don't live on a farm? Either do I, but I eat farm fresh produce at every meal, and I gather my harvest right here in Glendale on Thursdays and Sundays at our very own certified farmers' markets.

The Thursday market takes place on Brand Boulevard, right north of Borders. Compared to other markets, this one is not the best, but it is certainly respectable, with a good amount of vendors. You will find mounds of beautiful produce, a local baker selling fresh bread and cakes, and a representative from CSUN supplying heirloom vegetables and potted plants. Unfortunately, the sidewalk is a tight squeeze, and the umbrellas catch the cigarette smoke of passersby (how is this healthy living?), but hopefully that will change after the recent smoking ban. You'll find free parking in the building behind the market—just tell the cashier as you are leaving and they won't charge you.

Montrose's Sunday market is a favorite of mine—they have a beautiful selection of vendors, many who are certified organic or grow without pesticides. One vendor in particular sells fresh goat cheese from Soledad that is truly out of this world; they offer amazing flavors like garlic-dill and lavender. The market also includes hot-food vendors, pony rides, a live brass band, and games for kids. It makes for a lovely Sunday morning. The one warning I would give is to make sure that another festival (like Octoberfest or Halloween) isn't taking place on the Saturday before; twice over the past six months, we have arrived only to find no market (and left practically in tears).

I started shopping the farmers' markets exclusively after reading Michael Pollan. In his book, In Defense of Food, he argues for the benefits of eating real food: food your great-great-grandmother would recognize, and food that is local and fresh. Pollan explains that the widespread use of industrial fertilizers and the fact that food is picked when it is not yet ripe and then shipped overseas means that grocery-store produce is lacking in both taste and nutritional quality. He notes, "You now have to eat three apples to get the same amount of iron as you have gotten from a single 1940 apple."

Walk yourself down to Brand Boulevard, pick up an apple—or an orange or a tomato or plum—and take a big bite, knowing that you're supporting a local farmer and living the good life.

Glendale Certified Farmers' Market
100 Block of N. Brand Boulevard
Between Broadway and Wilson
http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=808

Hours:
Thursday
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Montrose Harvest Market
Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard
http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=614

Hours:
Sunday
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

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Filed Under: Baja Fresh, Downtown Glendale, Food, Mexican Cuisine, Restaurant Reviews

I'm going to risk what little street cred I have by writing about a chain restaurant. What's more, it's a fast food chain restaurant. The horror, the horror! But I'm willing to face alienation and ridicule because I have to tell you about the best salsa I have ever had. Ever. And I have to tell you that it's at Baja Fresh. Seriously.

Look, I don't know anything about Baja Fresh's corporate history or if its company uniforms are made in sweatshops in Borneo or what, but last summer they introduced, for a limited time, Molcajete Salsa, which is hands down the most delicious, flavorful salsa that has ever touched my tongue. Ever.

According to a press release I found online, it's "made of smoky char-grilled tomatoes, fresh and spicy charred jalapenos, and cilantro all crushed together into a bold and spicy chunky textured bite." That's exactly what it is, and, hot damn, does it deliver.

I'm sure it's good on different foods there, but I'm a simple guy. I love it with tortilla chips, and that's it.

When the summer was over last year, they pulled the Molcajete Salsa and replaced it with the inferior Mango Salsa. I was devastated. I asked a manager about bringing the Molcajete back, and I e-mailed corporate headquarters, both to no avail.

Well, my favorite salsa returned this past summer, much to my surprise and delight. We're well into December now, and guess what? The Molcajete Salsa is still there! I honestly hope it's become a permanent member of the salsa bar.

If you ever see me at Baja Fresh looking dejected, you'll know that the company has decided to inexplicably punish my loyalty. But for now I weep—tears of joy and tears of spiciness.

Baja Fresh
Glendale Marketplace
114 S. Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91205
818.549.9835
www.bajafresh.com

Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

Average Entree:
$5-$10

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Filed Under: Clancy's Crab Broiler, Downtown Glendale, Food, Restaurant Reviews, Seafood

My friends accuse me of having undiscerning taste buds, so you're not going to see me doing many restaurant reviews here. (In other words, I'll eat anything.)

But I must say a few words about Clancy's Crab Broiler because I've been there for Thanksgiving dinner two years in a row now. And no matter how unsophisticated I may be when it comes to food, may I entice you with the appropriately named "Bucket o' Crab," a bunch of Alaskan snow crab legs served to you in a big gray pail?

But that's not really what I wanted to tell you about. If you eat at Clancy's on Christmas Eve (they're closed Christmas Day), they'll give you a gift certificate in the amount of whatever you spend on your meal that day and you can use the gift certificate up to six months later. Can you believe that?! They'll match your bill dollar for dollar!

Reservations for Christmas Eve fill up fast (I missed out last year), so call now if you're interested. I booked my table already, and, for someone with crappy taste buds, my mouth is already watering.

Clancy's Crab Broiler
219 N. Central Avenue
Glendale, CA 91204
818.242.2722
www.clancyscrabbroiler.com

Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Average Entree:
$15-$25

Oh my god, their website is an eyesore, but I guess it's okay because they're known for their seafood, not their tech skills.


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Filed Under: Downtown Glendale, Events, Pacific Theatres, The Americana

Last month, I was but one of the thousands lucky enough to get into The Americana at Brand to witness its first Christmas tree lighting. It's amazing how they were able to close the "doors" to an outdoor event, but they did—and without any riots.

The Americana was packed full of people, so I squeezed my way to the front of Pacific Theatres, which was relatively empty, given how there was a line of Glendale's Finest nearby. I staked out my piece of wall, plugged in my earbuds, and settled down to wait for my husband.

Unbeknownst to me, he was on the other side of a line of security guards, unable to get in. So I waited for more than an hour, getting thirstier and thirstier. But I was hesitant to move from my plum spot—not only because this was where I told my husband I would meet him, but also because I didn't want to lose my piece of wall.

So, unwilling to venture forth through the crowd in a quest for icy cold water, I got thirstier and thirstier. By this time, I had been there for an hour and a half.

But then, what did I see? Angels coming forth from the theater, bearing gifts of bottled water!

Theater employees came out and passed water out to several of us and didn't even charge us! Which they could have, because by this time I was willing to pay up to $10 for a bottle. An employee also let me borrow his cell phone so I could call my husband and let him know where I was.

These simple, kind, and generous gestures inspired me to admit something I rarely do: I guess all people don't suck! Thank you, Pacific Theatres at The Americana. You have won a loyal fan.

The fact that Santa later floated down to light the Christmas Tree while harnessed to a giant white balloon was just icing on the cake. Santa's all right, but the real Christmas Spirit was at Pacific Theatres.


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Filed Under: Downtown Glendale, News, Shopping, The Americana

I'm going to kick off another week with yet another post about The Americana at Brand (I know, I know!) because I just read an article on a U.K. news site that covers the rise and fall of "lifestyle centers" and focuses on Glendale's $400 million complex. It amuses me to no end that U.K. readers would be interested in my little corner of the globe, but I suppose The Americana is such a lavish display of American consumerist showboating that everyone's probably heard about it by now.

Anyway, the article gives a short history of The Americana, criticizes developments such as this, and gets into the recent fireworks controversy. The most interesting stuff, though, is a side story that has to do with a man who lived in the Providence Place Mall in Rhode Island for four years!:

There are cheaper ways to live in a mall than spending $2 million on a condominium at The Americana. Take Michael Townsend, 37, an artist from Providence, Rhode Island. He used breeze blocks to build a fully furnished 750 sq. ft. apartment in the parking garage of the Providence Place Mall - using the public lavatories to get running water. He managed to live in the place rent-free for four years before the security guards noticed. “I was surprised at what he was able to accomplish,” admitted the local police chief, referring to Townsend's sofa, TV and PlayStation. “But what he did was clearly criminal. The mall is private property.”

To me, this sounds like an invitation by the Times Online for people to squat at The Americana. If I were younger and less paranoid, this is something that I would definitely do because how fun would it be to shower in that fountain?

Read the entire article here.



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Filed Under: Downtown Glendale, Pacific Theatres, Shopping, The Americana

[Read Part 1 if you haven't done so already. The following post continues my fascination with The Americana, and was originally posted on Bamboo Nation, right after the shopping complex's grand opening in May 2008.]

As you know, The Americana at Brand, that bastion of America's consumer hopes and dreams, just opened in my backyard this past weekend. I am happy (or sad?) to report that I have already visited there five times—count 'em, FIVE TIMES!

My second trip was Friday night with Loren, Gabriel, and Donovan, and we could barely walk through the complex because EVERYBODY IN THE ENTIRE SAN FERNANDO AND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WAS THERE! It was insane. But we did get to watch the awe-inspiring fountain show, choreographed to Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea."

"You know," Donovan remarked, "that's someone's job. Fountain Choreographer."

I had never really thought about that before, but whoever it is deserves to make ONE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR!

On Saturday, I took my mom. She looked through the windows of all the fancy shops and declared, "Everything's so expensive! I'm scared just looking! Is there a Ross here?!" THERE IS NO ROSS THERE, MOM!

We went to the multiplex to see Young @ Heart, a funny and moving documentary about seniors singing rock songs, but the best part of it all was that popcorn only cost a dollar. It was a special week-long promotion. Did you hear me?! POPCORN WAS ONE DOLLAR! I said to the concessions guy, "THAT'S AMAZING!"

On Sunday afternoon, I took Brent, and he was fascinated by the idea of the trolley running though The Americana. But I don't really think anything like this could really impress him—after all, the man works at Disneyland and gets to shoot hippos on the Jungle Cruise. A little train that takes you to The Cheesecake Factory must seem petty by comparison.

You know what did have an impact though? A slight breeze during the fountain show blew several gallons of water directly above our heads. We got so completely soaking wet that it was pointless to even move out of the way—we couldn't have gotten any wetter. So we just stood there to let the show run its course and to allow the world to witness our idiocy.

Sunday evening, it was Loren, Gabriel, and Brent again, this time for Iron Man and MORE ONE DOLLAR POPCORN!

Anybody who's been around me during the past few days knows that The Americana is ALL I WANT TO TALK ABOUT! Be warned.




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Filed Under: Downtown Glendale, Shopping, The Americana

[The opinions about The Americana at Brand are as diverse as this city. I definitely come down on the "love it" side because I'm able to give into its grandeur and cheesiness. Others are not so generous. Here's a post I wrote on my Bamboo Nation blog on May 2, 2008, right after The Americana's grand opening earlier this year.]

The moment I stepped onto the premises of The Americana at Brand this afternoon, a $400 million upscale outdoor shopping center and residential development, I started to cry. I immediately called up Loren and declared, "It's like heaven exists, and they decided to put it my backyard!" You see, The Americana is a scant four blocks away from my apartment, and, although I am by no means a spend-happy consumer (I rarely shop), I have a deep appreciation for what this decadent display of mass consumerism and excess represents—it's like America's hopes and dreams in physical form. Seriously. So that's why I cried. Seriously.

"I have to get off the phone now," I told Loren, "so I can wipe away my tears." And I also wanted to give The Americana, which had its grand opening on Thursday night, the full attention that it deserved. As I took it all in, I thought to myself, "I now know how all those immigrants felt when they passed through Ellis Island."

Aside from the 70+ shops and restaurants, 100 luxury condos, and 238 apartments, The Americana boasts an 18-screen movie theater (I just squealed in delight), a lavish fountain and waterfall (complete with a ridiculous fountain show every half hour), tacky bronze sculptures (public art—gotta love it), and trolleys (just in case you don't want walk around the 15.5 acre development). (And why would you want to? This is L.A.! The Los Angeles Times described it as "The Grove on steroids.")

What's even more ridiculous (and lovable) about it all is that The Americana opened up right next to the Glendale Galleria, one of the biggest indoor malls in the Southland. Out of all the people I've talked to so far, only Loren has truly displayed the excitement necessary to match the cheesy awesomeness of The Americana. So tomorrow I'm bringing my mother. And when her jaw drops at the sight of it all, I will ask her, "Is this how you felt when you first came to America?"

[This post continues at "Ooh, Heaven Is a Place on Earth, Part 2; or: Visiting The Americana at Brand, Part 2."]





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