Alright folks, time for a confession. I'm a Valley girl. *Gasp*

So now that I've said that, let's discuss what that means. It means, that I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley (namely Sherman Oaks) in Los Angeles County. It also was a movie from 1983, starring Nicholas Cage. If anyone asks, I just say L.A. and yes, the Valley IS considered a part of Los Angeles, so if you too are from here, don't ever let a West Sider, a Transplant or one of your own, tell you otherwise.

The Valley is typically considered to extend all the way from Calabasas, where the rich and famous hide-away in "Hidden Hills", to Burbank and Glendale on the cusp of San Gabriel Valley, where Pasadena + the amazing Huntington Library Botanical Gardens are located.

Q: Is Simi Valley a part of the San Fernando Valley?

A: Nope, that's a part of Ventura County.

Q: What about the Hollywood Hills?

A. Depends on what side of the hill you are on, northern part could be considered Studio City, but don't worry, you'll see the sign on the twisted narrow road that tells you, you've hit West Hollywood.

As for the "Like", "Oh my G-d", and "Dude" vernacular, I'm sorry I can't take credit for that one. Since much of the studio system, including ABC/Disney, NBC, Universal, CBS and others are in the Valley, including those who work, write, produce and perform, it is no wonder, that by means of television, film and simply pop culture, that this has become everyone's vernacular, particularly Generation Y, which extends to people in their 30's, as well as their 20's. I just heard a member of Generation Z say "OMG" verbally, over the phone in the Oakland Airport, as the acronym. I think we can attribute that to mobile. Your hypothesis is as good as mine.

Now that we have addressed the stigma, I'd like to tell you what the Valley is to me.

It's home. 

It's the first home I ever knew. And it's changing a lot.

First off, global warming. It has to be. When I walked off the tarmac in Burbank, I think it was literally 108 degrees. Not kidding.

Secondly, more cool stuff. Like artisanal ice cream.

I love Portland and I love Salt & Straw, they even have a Farmer's Market series of flavors this month! So guess what my fellow Valley peoples, they have a location in Studio City.

Crazy? Crazy good.

Where were they when I worked on the CBS Radford Lot? Not there.

Even more unique to the scene, is Wanderlust Creamery in, wait for it... Tarzana?! It's near the center where my childhood dentist was located. Ironic, isn't it? 

Inspired by travel, born in L.A. (but based in the Valley :P). I mean "ABUELITA MALTED CRUNCH" sourcing chocolate, cinnamon and chili? I have an Abuela, go Hispanic heritage! "PRETZEL + RÚGBRAUÐ" originating from Iceland and using pretzel-inflused ice cream and carmelized rye crumbs? I LOVE Iceland. "SMOKY ROAD" named for the Pacific Northwest, laden with housemade marshmallows and smoked sea salt? Wow. They took all my favorite things and put it in an ice cream cone.

I can't talk about the new, without talking about the old. In this case, that would be Sushi.

Everyone who is from the Valley knows that Ventura Blvd. is Sushi Row. Period. Dot.

Now the sexy executive or "Biz" dinner might take place at a Katsu-ya or a Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa. Or good ole' All-You-Can-Eat Midori. This is all good stuff. I may kick myself later for telling you about this... but Chiba. It's like a little secret tucked away in the industrial part of North Hollywood and it has been there for YEARS. They recently moved their location to allow for more parking because they were constantly crowded, they could never accommodate. They have a hard close for lunch at 2:30 and re-open for dinner around 5 or 5:30pm. They don't even have a website.

Yet, their sushi is serious. So... shhhhhhh.

There is definitely more to come here. In the Valley, Venice, Silver Lake, DTLA, you name it. As I discover things, I'll be sharing along the way.