No Explanation Given On Lamplighter's Closure

There is still no word from Matt Giamela or the local media on why Giamela's Lamplighter restaurant in Chatsworth was suddenly closed without warning.

Giamela's Twitter account has not been used since last year.

Plenty of people have a lot to say about the closing at the Facebook My Chatsworth page. Some are speculating that the recent raise in the minimum wage led to the restaurant's closure (which wouldn't surprise me at all).

Here's a photo of yours truly from last year at the Lamplighter:

Above, at the Lamplighter in September 2016. Photo by Jess.

Here's the Lamplighter's sign today. The photo was posted by My Chatsworth Facebook page:

Giamela's Lamplighter Chatsworth Closed

Another San Fernando food institution is now closed permanently.

I found this out on Facebook in a discussion in the Valley Relics group. The above photo was posted in the group.

Above, Giamela's Lamplighter. Mapquest photo.

The restaurant was always packed. The reason for its closure is not known at present.

Jess and I used to go there for breakfast pretty regularly when she lived down the street a few blocks away. I'm going to miss their chorizo and eggs breakfasts!

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UPDATE (1/8/17):

This was posted at Yelp (don't know if this is true and the reason for the closure still is not known):

What A Day

Above, smoke from the Creek Fire as seen from Chatsworth.

Tarzana may be about 20 miles from Sylmar, but the Creek Fire in Sylmar had affected the entire San Fernando Valley today with smoke, ash and soot.

We had to run to the market and PetSmart today and that was a mistake.

I came down with a headcold the other day and when we went outside, the headcold mixed with the smoky and windy air made it very difficult for me to breathe. This gave me a very good idea about how people with emphysema suffer each day. I was virtually gasping for air. I came close to having to go to an emergency room, it was that bad.

After getting back home, I stayed indoors for the rest of the day.

According to the latest Facebook posting by XSNGH Glenn Thornhill, his house seemed to have survived the Creek Fire, while others in his neighborhood lost theirs.

"Stagecoach" (1939) and Monument Valley

Above, The Mittens and Merrick Butte in 1939 in Stagecoach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was spent with my cousin Ralph rummaging around at Amoeba Music on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

I picked up the John Ford-directed movie that brought stardom to John Wayne: Stagecoach (1939). It was also one of the first, if not the first, movie to make use of Monument Valley as a backdrop. Other locations included areas near Kernville, Chatsworth, Iverson Movie Ranch, Calabasas, Kern River, Newhall and more.

Above, The Mittens and Merrick Butte in Monument Valley in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Stagecoach is also noted for the final shootout between the Ringo Kid (Wayne) and Luke Plummer (Tom Tyler). Tyler first played the Mummy Kharis in The Mummy's Hand (1940). Along with the Mummy, Stagecoach also featured Count Dracula, John Carradine.

Scored A Trump Campaign Button

While at breakfast at The Lamplighter Restaurant in Chatsworth this morning with my former roomie Jes, a nice lady from the Federation of Republican Woman was just leaving. Jes motioned to me about the Trump t-shirt she was wearing. I turned around and complimented the lady on her shirt.

We started talking about campaign materials such as t-shirts, buttons, Trump hats (she was also wearing one) and bumper stickers. She gave me her card. She was Pegy Ann Schubert, Representative of the Woodland Hills Republican Women Federated. I also gave her one of my cards.

On the Trump buttons, I mentioned that I have some, mainly "Gun Owners For Trump" buttons. She had a nice 3" Trump button on her shirt and said she had an extra one for sale for $5.00.

I checked my wallet, and I happened to have $6.00 on me. I rarely carry cash in these days of debit cards. So, I took out $5.00 and bought the button.

The photo at top was taken by Jes several minutes later.

Another for my campaign button collection!

Meanwhile, At The Odyssey...

Above, the main entrance to The Odyssey Restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was spent taking care of business in Van Nuys and in Chatsworth.

I met with the catering manager at the Odyssey Restaurant to see about holding the portrait unveiling party/get-together there.

Above, a view of the room from the entry. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The room I selected is a nice, small room with access to the patio area with fine views of the San Fernando Valley. The Odyssey is perched on a hilltop near the I-405 freeway. The room is ideal as it is bright for guests to view paintings.

Above, inside looking towards the patio that is part of the room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We reviewed the party packages they have to offer. The one I have in mind is well within the budget I've set. They will also have easels available for artist Asya to display some of her paintings.

Above, looking towards the patio with the I-405 freeway at left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I discussed all this with Asya and she is very impressed with the room and the views (I sent her photos of the room).

Above, the room has its own bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

She has some sponsors who would donate sake, vodka and tequila for the party. As the Odyssey won't allow outside food or drinks to be served there, we would likely make these door prizes. Also, she has a friend who is willing to give a few boxes of fine Nicaragua cigars as well.

Above, the room's dining area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am looking to hold this near the end of September. I just have to decide on the package, etc. to go with and pick the date.

Stay tuned!

Laborious Day

Above, The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Labor Day was just that, full of labor.

First, I got two new Goodyear tires for the Mustang. The left front developed a leak (it was completly flat when I went to work, so I drove the motorhome to work) and the tread was getting pretty worn. The right front was about the same. So I replaced them both. The back tires are still okay.

The second thing was to get The Beast washed, especially the roof. I had to go to two different coin-operated car washes as the brush head broke off from the handle at the first car wash, located in Northridge. The manager was there and I notified him. He was grateful that someone was honest enough to tell him.

So, I went to Chatsworth (almost near the former Iverson Movie Ranch) to another coin operated car wash. Not too many of them have clearance high enough to accommodate big vehicles (the RV is around 12 feet high). That's why I went from Northridge to Chatsworth.

There, I finished scrubbing the roof (it needed it) and the rest of the RV. After rinsing and applying protective car wax, I was finally done. I got on the 118 Freeway to "blow dry" the RV. By the time I got home, it was completely dry.

I spent the rest of the day relaxing at home and went out to dinner with Amber at Crazy Tokyo Sushi.

After coming home and kicking back, I decided that I would mop the RV floor. I got tired at looking at the spots on the floor left over from the Lake Havasu trip. So I mopped the floor. It was hot outside, even at seven in the evening. That, plus running the generator and RV air conditioner, dried the floor pretty fast.

Now I am done for the day.

Superman At The Iverson Movie Ranch

Above, an old Iverson Movie Ranch sign at the Valley Relics Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the heyday of Hollywood, much exterior filming took place at the old Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth.

The movie ranch was located in the northwestern section of the San Fernando Valley in the area where the Ronald Reagan Freeway (California S.R.118) and Topanga Canyon Blvd. intersect.

The producers of the Adventures of Superman also made use of the movie ranch and Jim Nolt posted some clips from the show that featured exteriors filmed at the ranch. Episodes include "The Man Who Could Read Minds", "Panic In The Sky" and "The Big Squeeze" from 1953.

Steve Born ECV Necrology Ceremony

Funeral services for Steve Born, XNGH of Peter Lebeck Chapter of E Clampus Vitus were held today at Oakwood Cemetery in Chatsworth.

Oakwood Cemetery is where the final resting places for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are located.

Attendees of the services included around 35 members of E Clampus Vitus. The Clampers held a necrology ceremony in Born's honor following the services. The pictures below were taken with my cell phone of the necrology ceremony.

Services For Steve Born

Funeral services for Steve Born have been announced:

Services for Steve Born will be held Saturday, October 29, at 10 AM
at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery
22601 Lassen Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311

Go to Topanga Canyon Blvd. from either the 101 or 118 (Ronald Reagan) Freeways and then go WEST on Lassen Street until it ends right at the cemetery entrance.)

Clamper attire for the Brothers!

Fire At Valley School

A late afternoon fire broke out in a kitchen adjacent to the Dean's office of Chaminade College Preparatory School in Chatsworth, California today.

The fire was caused by an electrical stove that was left on in the 300 Building of the school. The fire started at about 5:00 PM. I was there for training and the photos I took are from my cell phone.

Below are photos of the fire:

Above, a plume of smoke coming out of the Dean's office.

Above and below, Los Angeles City Fire Dept. at the fire scene.





The school will be open for classes tomorrow.