M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R

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For Active Californians

March California Diners Love Greasy Chic

Falling For Food Trucks and Trendy Dives
You know value dining has come into vogue when critics and customers alike rave about food trucks and dive
restaurants. Go to an upscale butcher and ask for a premium hot dog, and he may sell you a Sabrett just like those offered by street
vendors in New York City. A trendy San Diego restaurant claims to have crafted its signature dish, the fish taco, by researching the
creations of street carts in Baja, Mexico. “Roach Coaches” no longer only produce greasy burgers and burritos, but fusion chic.
One restaurant even claims to offer the best of street fare - minus the salmonella.
Perhaps diners have lowered their standards. Or maybe people are appreciating food that is simple and good, particularly when the
owners take pride in their recipes and ingredients.
The age of social networking has helped spread the word about trendy dive dining, such as with Los Angeles’ acclaimed Kogi Food
Truck that serves up fusion Korean Mexican Tacos and informs fans of its location via Twitter. And television personality Guy
Fieri, with his Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” has created a buzz for non-descript gems.
In early February, thousands flocked to downtown Los Angels for the first annual LA Street Food Fest where more than thirty of the
city’s most popular food trucks dished out samples ranging from gourmet french fries to sushi.
Organizers in Santa Monica have been attempting to establish a permanent mobile food court at 14th and Santa Monica Avenues.
A downtown Los Angeles food court at Alameda and Traction is gaining popularity due to support from local police and businesses.
The phenomena is no stranger to Northern California. Not to be outdone, San Francisco boasts an arsenal of gourmet trucks to rival
its southern neighbor. A good place to find a gourmet food truck in Los Angeles is in Venice on Abbot Kinney Blvd. In San
Francisco, some frequent the Ferry Building Thursday Market. Otherwise, follow your favorites on Twitter.
So where can Californians find trendy trucks and delightful dives? Fab Hot Dog in Reseda, recognizable by the line extending
down Tampa Avenue during lunch and dinner, serves up its crunchy signature fried hot dog called “The Ripper” for under $3
(www.fabhotdogs.com). Another restaurant that Fieri calls “money” is Pescadero’s Duartes, known for its artichoke soup and
ollallieberry pie. I once drove four hours out of my way to enjoy a meal there. To find the best pizza in San Diego, simply type in
your search engine “best pizza in San Diego” to get directions to Filippi’s Pizza Grotto in Little Italy (www.realcheesepizza.com/
web/locations/SD.html). Or drive down India Street after 6 p.m. and find the line forming out the door... simple, good, and
plentiful.
Food Trucks - Los Angeles Food Trucks - San Francisco
Kogi http://kogibbq.com/ Kung Foo Tacos http://kungfutacos.com/
Frysmith www.eatfrysmith.com Let’s Be Frank www.letsbefrank.com
Grilled Cheese Truck http://thegrilledcheesetruck.com Spencer On The Go www.spenceronthego.com
Flying Pig http://flyingpigtruck.com/ Carte 415 www.carte415.com
Fishlips Sushi www.fishlips-sushi.com/ Chowdermobile http://twitter.com/chowdermobile
Coolhaus www.eatcoolhaus.com/main.html Leftcoastsmoke http://twitter.com/leftcoastsmoke
Barbie’s Q http://twitter.com/barbiesq LumpiaCart http://twitter.com/LumpiaCart
Dogzilla Follow on Facebook Cremebruleecart http://twitter.com/cremebruleecart
Dives: Mambo’s Cuban in Glendale, Oinkster in Eagle Rock, Blue Water Grill in San Diego, Grubstake Diner in San Francisco.

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1
 Activities / Events
Mar 1. Restoration of an Icon: The
Japanese Garden at 100. Founder’s Day
Lecture at 3:30 and 7:30 pm at the
Huntington Gardens. Free, but reservations
are required by calling (626) 405-2125. San
Marino. www.huntington.org/cal_event_detail.aspx?d=3/1/2010
Mar 5. Cheech and Chong. Arlington
Theatre @ 8 pm. Santa Barbara.
www.thearlingtontheatre.com
Mar 6. Planet Earth – Caves @ Cal Tech in
Pasadena. Ages 8 and older. http://events.caltech.edu
Mar 7. Malibu Creek Trail Runs – 10km,
25km & 50 km at 8:30 am. Entrants limited.
Calabasas. www.pctrailruns.com/Malibu_Creek.htm
Mar 7. Live Free Classical Concert Series.
Every Sunday from 6-7 pm in the Leo S.
Bing Theater in the L.A. County Museum of
Art featuring chamber music. Free..
www.sundayslive.org.
Mar 9. EAT: Los Angeles. Author discusses
book with local food writers and critics.
Vroman’s Pasadena. 7 pm
www.vromansbookstore.com/event
Mar 5 & 6 The Getty Villa Presents
Euripides’ Helen in its Villa Play-Reading
Series. 8 pm on Friday. 3 pm and 8 pm on
Saturday. Auditorium at the Getty Villa.
Admission free but tickets are required.
Malibu. www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/
playreading_series.html
Mar 12. Kettner Nights in San Diego’s
Little Italy. Art walk through studios on
Rate
APR
Kettner. Call Perry Meyer Fine Art at
619-358-9512. 6-9 pm. San Diego.
5.125
5.125
www.littleitalysd.com/Events.asp
4.375
4.375
Mar 12. Meshell Ndegeocello at the Largo
4.125
4.125
in Hollywood. Also appears the 18th and
25th, each time around 8 pm. www.largo-la.com/
largohome.html
Family Activities
Mar 1. Reserve Free Day at the
Huntington Library, Museum and Gardens
for April 1 on March 1 at 9 am. Tickets are
free, but reservations are required by calling
800-838-3006. The March 4 free day is sold
out. www.huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary_02.aspx?id=844
Mar 2. Free Family Night: Sounds of
Japan. Experience the sounds of Japan
through a music and drum performance at
6pm at Kidspace Museum in Pasadena. Free
admission. 4-8 pm. www.kidspacemuseum.org
Mar 6. Toyota Symphony for Youth
presents Beethoven’s in the House at the
Disney Music Hall. 11 am. www.laphil.com
Mar 7. Musical Circus Free for Children:
Mozart’s Effect. 2 – 3:30 pm at The
Americana at Brand in Glendale.
www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org
Southern California
Mar 12. Faces of the Frontier:
Photographic Portraits from the American
West, 1845-1924 opens at the Museum of
San Diego History in Balboa Park. Runs
through June 11. www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/
detail.php?OrgID=12
Mar 6 & 7. Broadway hit RENT at Santa
Clarita Performing Arts Center. Dates
include 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 19th, and 20th. 8
pm Saturdays. 2 pm Sundays. www.canyons.edu/
Offices/PIO/CanyonsPAC/calendar.html
Mar 13. Getty Museum Hosts Saturday
Nights at the Getty: The Living Sisters..
7:30 pm. Concert and parking is free.
Harold M. Williams Auditorium. Listen to
sample of the music @ www.getty.edu/museum/
programs/performances/saturday_nights.html
Mar 13. Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky
Thunder: Cal State Northridge Performing
Arts Center 8 pm. http://artsnorthridge.csun.com/
SEASON.html
Mar 13. Spoke(n)Art Ride. Free, once-a-
month, bicycle tour of art galleries in North
East Los Angeles that open their doors late
into the night as part of www.nelaart.com
"Gallery Night". Open to the public. 6 pm.
http://bikeoven.com/spokenart/
Mar 14. Santa Clarita Valley Blues
Society’s Monthly Pro Blues Jam: Free for
all ages. Bring an instrument and join in the
Jam. Roast House Restaurant and Bar at
Newhall Ranch Rd. www.scvblues.org
Mar 17. Zac Brown Band. Arlington
Theatre @ 8 pm. Santa Barbara.
www.thearlingtontheatre.com
Mar 19. Hal Holbrook Stars in Tony
Award-Winning One-Man Show: “Mark
Twain Tonight” at the Thousand Oaks Civic
Arts Plaza. 8 pm. www.toaks.org/cap/tickets/events/
event.asp?eventID=1397
Mar 20. Jazz Saxophonist and Songwriter
Boney Jones at Cerritos Center for the
Southern California
Mar 12. Friday Night Family Art: Picasso
All Mixed Up: Norton Simon Museum offers
free family program. Draw, cut and paste as
you make portrait collages inspired by the art
of Pablo Picasso. 6:30–7:30 at Gallery 38.
Pasadena. www.nortonsimon.org/events/freefamilyfun.php
Mar 13. Youth Orchestra Festival Day at
the Disney Musical Hall: Symphonies from
local high schools perform. 1 pm.
www.laphil.com
Mar 14. Happy Birthday to You, Vincent:
Learn about Vincent van Gogh at the Norton
Simon by making colorful textured drawings
in front of his Portrait of the Artist’s Mother.
2-3 pm on March 14 and 28. Free.
www.nortonsimon.org/events/freefamilyfun.php
Mar 14. Afternoon with Albert Einstein:
One-man show on the life and works of
Albert Einstein at the Valencia Library in
Santa Clarita. 2-3 pm. Contact Sue
Performing Arts: 8 pm. www.cerritoscenter.com/
tickets/production.aspx?productionSeasonId=3030
Mar 20. Pasadena Triathlon, Duathlon,
and 5k. Whole Foods Market @ 7:30 am.
www.pasadenatriathlon.com
Mar 21. Al Jarreau and Dee Dee
Bridgewater at Disney Music Hall: 7:30
pm. www.laphil.com
Mar 21. Hammer Museum Presents the
film Watership Down as part of Family
Flicks Free Series. 11 am. Los Angeles. http://
hammer.ucla.edu/programs/detail/program_id/424
Mar 21. Get Sum Dim Sum Ride: Meet
the Flying Pigeon bike shop in front of the
shop at 3714 N. Figueroa St. at 10 AM for a
slow, social ride to a local eatery. http://
flyingpigeon-la.com/calendar/
Mar 27. Getty Museum Hosts Saturday
Nights at the Getty: Rana Santacruz.
Mexican Bluegrass meets Irish Mariachi
inspired by rock and folk. 7:30 pm. Concert
and parking is free. Harold M. Williams
Auditorium. Listen to sample music @
www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/
saturday_nights.html.
Mar 20 & 21. Getty Museum Hosts
Sounds of L.A. Music Series: Featuring
Bassekou Kouyate &Ngoni Ba at 7:30 pm
Saturday and 3 pm Sunday, FREE.
Reservations required. @ Harold M. Williams
Auditorium. Parking free after 5 pm. Listen
to sample @ www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/
sounds_la.html
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Mar 19. Swallows Return to Mission San
Juan Capistrano. The little birds make their
way back amidst fiesta atmosphere.
Mar 28. Musical Circus Free for Children.
2 – 3:30 pm at The Americana at Brand in
Glendale. www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org
Mar 30. Spring Has Sprung at Norton
Simon. Free family program takes you on a
stroll through landscape paintings and the
sculpture garden, and then has you design a
collage with “green” materials.
www.nortonsimon.org/events/freefamilyfun.php
Sandlot Mortgage
“Bringing You Home”
2
 many types of plants, climate zones, soil
Conserve Water and Save types, and other variables to recommend
specific drought-tolerant plants.
Homeowners may consider replacing beautiful, large 5 gallon succulents for as Consider selecting from two types of
plants and grass that demand liberal little as $5. plants - native California plants that, due
watering, particularly in light of to adaptation, thrive without fertilizer or
You might wonder how the wholesale
rationing and increasing water rates. In watering, and Mediterranean plants that
nurseries survive when selling at such
spite of the need to change out thirsty adapt well to California’s dry climate.
low prices. It isn’t easy, admitted the
plants, local nurseries report a substantial manager at Alvarez. Times are very One of the best resources for California
reduction in landscaping expenditures. difficult, but they are committed to what natives is Sunland’s Theodore Payne
Particularly hurt by economic they know and love. By patronizing Nursery (www.theodorepayne.org). Not
contraction are local “wholesale” these establishments, you not only get a only does the nursery stock a diverse
nurseries that occupy otherwise unusable great deal, you will very likely help a array of native plants that are ably
land, as is the case under power lines. family business survive. represented by patient and passionate
These nurseries have depended upon volunteers and staff, but it also provides
March is an excellent time to plant.
homeowners and gardeners for their an online catalogue of native plants
Though drought-tolerant plants require
support. Many offer drought-tolerant organized by various categories. With
little to no watering once established,
plants at a fraction of the cost of a the assistance of the online tool, one can
they require watering the first year.
mainstream retail nursery. plan at home before heading out to buy.
Planting ahead of the spring rains isn’t
Alvarez Nursery on Woodley Avenue in necessary, but it is a sound approach Find both natives and other drought-
Granada Hills (between Kennedy High since it helps them become established. tolerant plants at wholesale nurseries.
School and Rinaldi) has great deals if Plant sparsely, and one can replace a Consider sage (salvia), a diversity of
you know what you want to buy. They traditional front lawn for under $500 by grasses including deer grass, lavender,
offer many 1 gallon plants for $1-$2 as buying at these wholesale outlets. lantana, roses, rosemary, thyme, creeping
compared to other nurseries that sell the barbery, California poppy, bougainvillia,
same plants for $6 to $15. They also sell Selecting Plants. There are too jasmine, and succulents.
Three Dots to California … Excited about the Tour of California Pro Bicycle Race May 16-23, particularly the last stage in Thousand Oaks that
features four laps up to Mullholland giving spectators a great view of the race (see the route and the “Rock Store Climb” @
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/route/stages/stage8.html) …. Amateurs can ride the course April 11 in one of two “Breakaway
Rides.” (www.breakawayride.com) … Many Nor Cal mountain bike trails are closed in winter to prevent trail damage. Learned that a violation at
Montebello Peak Trail near Big Basin cost $364… also be careful leaving the parking lot at “Top of Reseda” at the “Dirt Mulholland” trailhead in
Tarzana. Photo enforcement installed at a superfluous stop sign is nailing folks with fines over $250… Can vouch for reasonably priced, simple,
and good seafood in Santa Monica at BP Oysterette (http://blueplatesantamonica.com/bpo/home/). On Ocean near Santa Monica, it overlooks the
ocean and pier. Recommend the ceviche…. Now is the time to track down waterfalls that appear after winter rains. Track down Nojoqui Falls
outside of Solvang if passing through. Weekend Sherpa (www.weekendsherpa.com) recommends Cascade Falls in Marin. And in Southern
California, follow the Santa Inez Trail in Topanga State Park to a lovely canyon with a splendid winter gusher.

Although there are few
independent bookstores left
in California, the remaining
cadre often serve as a
cultural and community
centers. Out of necessity as
well as a good spirit, the
stores sponsor events to draw
in and serve the community.
Bird & Beckett’s, a hub of
music and books featured in
the Sandlot Press las month,
has subsequently appeared in
the NY Times’ “36 Hours in
San Francisco.”
Count on us to keep you in
touch with the likes of B&B,
Vroman’s in Pasadena, and
Kepler’s in Menlo Park -
whose rich March calendar
of speakers is featured here.
March Speakers @ K Support your local indie bookstore
ep ler’s and contact it about sponsored events.
Mar 1 @ 7 Jeff Stone,
Author of The Five An
Book #7: Dragon is cestors Mar 15 @ New York
featured in an event for Times bestselling aut
youths. 7:30 Post-Birthday World hor for The
Mar 2 @ Ana Homa , Lionel Shriver
7:30
youn on “Helping Dis
organized discus ses So Mu ch for That: A Novel
and Distracted Boys examines the health that
Life”
Succeed in School and
Mar 16 @ Roy Morris care system.
Mar 3 @ Eric Puchn discusses Lighting Ou
er, Author of Model 7:30 Territory: How Sam t for the
7:30 Novel Home” A uel Clemons Became
Mar 4 @ Pulitzer Pri Ma rk Tw ain
ze and National Book Mar 17 @ Anil Anant
7:30 nominee Timothy Fer Award haswamy presents Th
ris, Author of The 7:3 0 Physics: A Journey to e Edge of
Science of Liberty: De Earth’s Extremes to
mocracy, Reason, and Unlock the Secrets of
the Laws of Nature Mar 19 @ Blake Ch the Universe.
Mar 8 @ Raj Patel, arlton on Spellwright
author of The Value of 7:30
7:30 How to Reshape Ma Nothing: Mar 20 @ Anthony
rket Society and Brandt discusses The
Redefine Democracy 2 His Boots: The Tragic Man Who At
Mar 9 @ Elaine Be History of the Search
ale, author of Another for the No rth we
7:30 Altogether Life Mar 22 @ Carrie Ry st Passage.
Mar 11 @ Elif Bautm an leads a youth event
an on The Possessed: 7 Th e De on the book
7:30 Adventures ad-Tossed Waves
with Russian Books
and the People Who Mar 24 @ Frances Ma
yes
Read Them 7:30 on Ev ery Day in Tuscany:
Seasons of an
Mar 11 @ The Comm
onwealth Club presen Mar 25 @ Menlo Sch Italian Life
7:30 ts Seth ool teacher and
Shostak on Confessions
of an Alien Hunter: 7:30 Jack Bowen speaks abo water polo coach
A Scientist’s Search Th
ut If You Can Read
for Extraterrestrial is: The Philosophy of
Intelligence Mar 30 @ Paul McHu Bumper Stickers
gh on Deadlines: A No
7:30 Murder, Mystery, and vel of
the Media

3
Origins of Professional Baseball in Los Angeles
The War That Threatened Organized Baseball’s West Coast Stronghold
The Angels and Vernon Tigers baseball
clubs were two premier entrants in the
fledgling Pacific Coast League (PCL)
prior to 1910. Hen Berry, a Fresno native
who had foregone a baseball career to
secure a fortune in the Yukon Gold Rush
of 1898, purchased the Angels in 1906.
After the San Francisco earthquake,
previous Angels’ owner James Morley
fretted about investing in a season
fraught with financial uncertainty due to
the quake. When Morley wavered, Berry,
who had been promoting exhibition
games between major leaguers and
Californians, stepped in to purchase the
franchise and help save the PCL. As
owner, he walked the streets of Los
Angeles, pockets brimming with tickets
that he handed to passersby for free.
In 1909, Maier Brewery heir Ed Maier
assumed responsibility for the Vernon
entry into the PCL. Vernon had been
chosen as the home of the Tigers because
it was one of the only “wet” areas in Los
Angeles County. Maier annexed the
ballpark to Jack Doyle’s establishment,
with a world record 100-foot bar staffed
by thirty-seven imported Irish bartenders,
and a separate entrance into the ballpark.
Maier hired fiery manager Hap Hogan to
lead the team. The two worked together
splendidly. Maier was the consummate
host and Hogan relished the role of
master of ceremonies.
Hap Hogan was an entertainer who
found himself in a city fast becoming the
entertainment capital of the world. His
popularity would soon be unrivaled
among sports celebrities in the city.
Maier, ever the host, purchased a ranch in
Simi Valley, naming it Rancho Selecto and
building a home there for his widowed
mother. (At the western end of what is
now Tapo Canyon Road, the idyllic
property is currently owned by American
Jewish University).
Rancho Selecto eventually became
the venue for the team’s spring training
practices and large annual galas hosted by
Maier for the Elks Club. The ballplayers
and Elks members would catch a
chartered train downtown that
transported them through the tunnel
from Chatworth to the Santa Susanna
train station, where Maier provided
horse-drawn carriages to take the guests
another mile to his residence. The parties
accommodated over 7,000 people and
featured lavish Spanish style barbecue and
games. Local sportsmen, writers, city
officials, and politicians were invited to
participate in activities including jig-
dancing, sack races, and “fat man’s race,”
which in 1910 was won by car racer and
local celebrity Barney Oldfield.
In 1913, the ranch in Simi Valley would
serve as ground zero for a war that
threatened to tear apart baseball in
California.
Prompted by a recommendation from
Barney Oldfield, Ed Maier agreed to sign
former Chicago Cubs pitcher Orval
Overall to a contract. A California native
and graduate of Cal Berkeley, Overall had
been one of the most dominating pitchers
in baseball. He was the premier pitcher
on the Cubs team that won three
consecutive World Series from 1906 to
1908, the last time the Cubs won a World
Championship.
Orval Overall was the property of the
PCL’s San Francisco Seals team, which
had an option on Overall when he retired
from the Cubs. Unaware, Maier
proceeded naively into negotiations with
Overall. When challenged, however, he
considered standing up to the threats
directed at him from the northern team.
Since 1904, the PCL operated as part of
Organized Baseball and honored the
“reserve clause” in contracts that
prohibited players from negotiating with
other teams when under contract.
Unwilling to lose a star like Overall, Seals’
owner Cal Ewing declared war on Ed
Maier.
Ed Maier, Hap Hogan, Orval Overall,
and Barney Oldfield retreated to the
seclusion of Maier’s ranch under the guise
of a “stag” party. Rumors surfaced that
the group was actually coordinating the
formation of a competing “outlaw
league,” a league that disregarded the
rules of Organized Baseball, most
importantly the reserve clause.
Fearing the loss of a Los Angeles
franchise, PCL President Allen T. Baum
hurriedly took a room at the Hotel Van
Nuys where he remained for three days
anticipating a meeting with Maier. The
threat of a split was real. Hen Berry had
been upset with Organized Baseball for a
rule that allowed major league teams a
year to recall players sent to the minors.
If Berry joined Maier, the PCL could lose
both Los Angeles teams.
Maier attempted to recruit major league
superstars, including legendary Christy
Mathewson who was in town for a World
Tour, to create a league to compete not
only with the PCL, but with major league
baseball. Perhaps correspondence from
Mathewson was the reason Hap Hogan’s
wife, unable to reach her husband at the
ranch by phone, raced her automobile
over mountain passes to deliver an urgent
message.
The day after Hogan’s wife delivered
the message, Maier agreed to meet with
Commissioner Baum. He announced that
his “stag party” had been a success and
agreed to reconcile with San Francisco’s
Ewing. He decided to favor “Organized
Baseball” rather than sever the
relationship with it.
Any prospect of a super outlaw league
in California was likely undermined by
the emergence of the Federal League, a
short-lived competitor to the American
and National major leagues. At the same
time Maier and others considered
splintering from Organized Baseball, the
Feds were successfully courting stars from
both the California minor leagues and the
major leagues. Ironically, Vernon’s
manager Hap Hogan was criticized
because much of the recruiting on the
West Coast occurred at his billiard parlor
in downtown Los Angeles where
professional ballplayers were known to
gather. The threat to the minor leagues
from the competition posed by the Feds
was too daunting to overlook. The
businessman Maier decided that banding
together the PCL against the threat
would be more profitable for everyone
than splintering in the face of the
challenge. (California Baseball: From
the Pioneers to the Glory Years).
Sandlot Mortgage
www.sandlotmtg.com