We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving filled with delicious food and warm memories!
Claim Jumper: Casual American Dining Nearby
November 20, 2012 by
Originally launched in 1977, Claim Jumper has become one of the most successful homegrown casual dining chains in the Southwest. With an old-school mining town presentation coupled with huge portions, it’s no wonder that the franchise has expanded to 45 restaurants. The Santa Clarita outpost is a typical Claim Jumper experience—specializing in solid American food, including steak, chicken, and pot pies. The interior is decorated with rough-hewn logs of Douglas fir, raw stone, and large fireplaces. Visitors can opt for table service or drinks and appetizers at the bar. In addition to a variety of cocktails, a surprisingly robust wine list and a selection of national microbrews, Claim Jumper also produces a variety of its own well-received beers. The place is often full, so there are some complaints about the speed of table service, but it’s not a fast food restaurant. In general, the meat is well prepared and seasoned, but side dishes and vegetables fare less well.
Claim Jumper
25740 The Old Rd
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 254-2628
www.claimjumper.com
Closed On Thanksgiving
November 19, 2012 by
We will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Should you experience an emergency please contact us at 661-296-6458. Happy Holidays!
Maru: From France to Japan and Points In Between
November 13, 2012 by
Great sushi isn’t hard to find in California, as fresh fish is abundant and there’s a sizable Japanese population to teach traditional methods of preparation and recipes. But there are few restaurants that take Japanese cooking and fuse it with traditional French methods like Santa Clarita’s Maru. Executive chef Jason Park flies fish in from Tokyo daily, picks produce from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, and creates dishes that please every sense. Regulars go gaga over Park’s fried chicken, a cunning take on the classic fast food that is juicy, perfectly breaded, and piping hot. Soy braised short ribs are also excellent, and their sushi preparation is delicate and fresh, with flavorful, firm nigiri and innovative rolls. When you’re there, order a Mexican Coca-Cola (made with real cane sugars) to wash down your meal. Service is attentive and helpful, but prices can be a little high.
Maru
24250 Town Center Drive, Suite 180
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 290-2595
www.maruvalencia.com
Happy Veterans Day!
November 11, 2012 by
Today we honor and pay tribute to the men and women who have bravely fought for our country and say thank you for your service.
We are hosting our Annual Can Drive thru 11/19
November 7, 2012 by
Don’t forget only 13 days left to help this amazing cause! This is a great chance to make a difference in our community. I encourage you to join us in our efforts to help our less fortunate neighbors. Thank you so much for your efforts and your fight against hunger.
Find a Whole New Kind of Miniature Golf at Fin’s GlowZone
November 6, 2012 by
So you think you’ve seen it all in the world of miniature golf, huh? You’ve putted through windmills and Abraham Lincoln’s head and the jaws of a dinosaur and you’re about ready to hang up your clubs. Well belay that, matey, because Fin’s GlowZone has a new trick up its sleeve: black light. Yes indeed, Valencia’s GlowZone is one of the world’s only 18-hole miniature golf courses illuminated only by black lights, or UV lights. It’s like you’re playing mini golf in Tron! Unfortunately, due to the size of the building, most holes are a par 2 and don’t involve a large amount of challenge. If you’re not a golfer, there are plenty of other things to amuse you, including a video arcade, a black light illluminated dance floor playing the day’s hottest tunes, and even black light bumper cars. Fin’s also offers a variety of specials, including unlimited golf on Wednesday nights and a student discount on Tuesdays. The GlowZone is also available for private parties.
Fin’s GlowZone
23460 Cinema Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 284-2489
www.finsglowzone.com
Don’t Forget to Vote!
November 6, 2012 by
Today is Election Day! Don't forget to visit your local polling place to cast your vote and make your voice heard.
Sports Buzz: Best Quarterbacks of All Time
October 31, 2012 by
If there’s one man that serves as the face of the football team, it’s the quarterback. The locus of every offensive play, it’s his job to get the ball down the field however he can. A legendary quarterback needs to be gifted with not just a powerful arm and agile legs but also a keen strategic mind, able to assess the situation on the field and adapt to it in a fraction of a second. Here are five men who can be considered the best of all time.
Joe Montana
Known as the Golden Great, Montana spent fourteen years with the San Francisco 49ers, leading them to many victories with his cool, collected playstyle. After being traded to Kansas City, he ended his career two years later. Montana started in and won four Super Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2000.
Bart Starr
One of the most famous players to ever wear the uniform of the Green Bay Packers, Bart Starr led that team to NFL dominance throughout the 50s and 60s before retiring in 1971. Two-time Super Bowl champion, two-time Super Bowl MVP, five-time NFL champion – these are just a few of his accolades.
Johnny Unitas
The man known as the Golden Arm, Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to numerous victories during his tenure as quarterback. He set many records during his professional career, but one that remains unbroken was his run of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games. He also won the NFL’s Man of the Year award in 1970.
Troy Aikman
Starting in 1989, Troy Aikman built the Dallas Cowboys into one of the most powerful forces in the NFL. Aikman’s playstyle was aggressive and high-scoring, winning him six Pro Bowl nominations and taking the team to a trio of Super Bowl victories. Since retirement, he’s gone on to commentate games for Fox.
John Elway
Still considered one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, John Elway recorded the most victories of any starting quarterback in history upon his retirement. He played for the Denver Broncos for the entirety of his pro career, taking the team to six AFC championships and five Super Bowls.
Fun Film History Facts
October 23, 2012 by
Movies have given us so much entertainment and education, but did you know the long and convoluted road they had to travel to get where they are today? Here are some interesting facts about the torrid history of motion pictures.
The earliest ancestor to what we consider modern film is the photography of Edweard Muybridge, who rigged a special array of cameras to take multiple still pictures of a galloping horse. The images were then developed and put into a rotating drum that, when spun, caused the illusion of motion.
The motion picture camera was invented in the 1880s. Early silent films shocked and amazed audiences, who had never experienced anything like it before. Producers like Georges Melies created incredible narratives with early special effects that still dazzle to this day.
A number of people experimented with adding sound to movies, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that a soundtrack was directly attached to the film itself, opening a whole new world to artists.
The introduction of digital technology in the 1990s has radically changed the way people produce and view film, with new 3D projection methods being the latest example. Who knows what the future will bring?
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