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Carrie Underwood’s fourth album, Blown Away, debuted on the Billboard Top 200 album chart this week at number one, with sales of more than 267,000. Released last week (May 1), Blown Away is Carrie’s fourth album, and it’s setting new records for the country star. It marks Carrie’s third album to debut at Number One [...]

A deranged looking Adam Levine is shown at the start of Maroon 5‘s latest video “Payphone.” Portrayed as a Jekyll & Hyde character, the video paints the picture of Levine as a man on the run and a sophisticated bank employee. At the start of “Payphone” Levine is seen torching a car and then making [...]

On May 8, 2012, the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners and the Chula Vista City Council unanimously approved the financing agreement for the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP).

Following a decade-long community participation and planning process, the actions taken by both governing bodies are the first steps in implementing a plan designed to transform 556 acres of Chula Vista's underused industrial bayfront landscape into a thriving residential and resort destination on San Diego Bay.

•  Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan Fact Sheet (68.4 kB)

"The terms of the financing agreement reinforce the feasibility of this important project," said Port of San Diego Commissioner Ann Moore. "The unanimous votes underscore the Port of San Diego and City of Chula Vista's alignment and focus on our end goal – a world-class bayfront."

The financing agreement formalizes the ongoing partnership between the Port and City, and identifies revenues necessary for infrastructure improvements that will provide public access to Chula Vista's waterfront, and protect key habitat areas. Following approval of the CVBMP by the California Coastal Commission, the Port and the City will collaborate on the preparation of an updated market study, which will be used to create a future Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select a developer for the project.

"The agreement by the Port and the City of Chula Vista is another milestone in what has been a deliberate and thoughtful process to establish a sustainable plan for our bayfront, which is in great need of improvement," said Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. "The goal has been to balance economic development with environmental preservation, and now we have taken another significant step."

The CVBMP is expected to create and sustain thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investment and revenues for the South Bay region and it will provide a much-needed economic benefit to the businesses located on the two existing yacht marinas. In the project's first 20 years, the plan should generate approximately $1.3 billion for the regional economy, including more than $11.5 million in annual tax revenues. It also will create more than 2,200 permanent jobs, nearly 7,000 construction jobs and numerous indirect jobs.

Approximately 230 acres (more than 40 percent) of the project's total acreage is dedicated to parks, open space and habitat restoration/preservation; with 130 acres identified for new publicly accessible parks and open space. These areas will include promenades, bike trails and other public access areas linking the entire bayfront. A 46-acre "Signature Park," also is a major element of the plan.

The financing agreement announcement follows the recent news that Dynegy South Bay, Inc. selected a contractor to demolish the above-ground structures of the non-operating South Bay Power Plant, which is currently located on Port of San Diego tidelands and located inside the boundaries of the CVBMP site. Additionally, during the closed session portion of the Board of Port Commissioner's meeting on May 8, the Board directed staff to negotiate an amendment to the Marine Group Boat Works, LLC (Marine Group) lease, provided that the amendment to the lease is brought back to the Board for approval by its July 12, 2012 meeting.

About the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan:

At 556 acres, the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP) will transform Chula Vista's underused industrial bayfront landscape into a thriving residential and world-class waterfront resort destination. The Plan will establish thousands of new jobs, create new public parks, protect natural coastal resources, provide conference and visitor-serving amenities and build an important asset for the San Diego region, the South Bay, Chula Vista residents and coastal visitors. The CVBMP is the result of a decade-long joint planning effort by a broad coalition of stakeholders, the Port of San Diego, the City of Chula Vista and Pacifica Companies. The Plan represents the last significant development opportunity in Southern California and is anticipated to be considered by the California Coastal Commission in summer 2012.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

About the City of Chula Vista:

The City of Chula Vista is located at the center of one of the richest cultural, economic and environmentally diverse zones in the United States. It is the second-largest City in San Diego County with a population of nearly 250,000. Chula Vista boasts more than 50 square miles of coastal landscape, canyons, rolling hills, mountains, and a variety of natural resources and quality infrastructure.

Established neighborhoods, contemporary communities, start-up firms, corporations, nationally recognized entertainment venues, the nation's only warm-weather Olympic Training Center, an award winning nature center and a historic downtown all contribute to Chula Vista's attraction for both families and businesses.

The Port of San Diego will be launching a new service this summer along San Diego's Embarcadero: the Big Bay Bayfront shuttle.

The Board of Port Commissioners unanimously approved the implementation of shuttle on a 14-week trial run during its annual monthly meeting on May 8.

Four shuttles, carrying 12 to 15 passengers each, will begin operation on Monday, May 28, in time for Memorial Day weekend.

The Big Bay shuttle will make it more convenient for visitors to San Diego Bay to park their cars once and spend the entire day on the Embarcadero. Rides on the shuttle are included in the cost of parking at the public parking facilities at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, the San Diego Convention Center, and Navy Pier.

Pedestrians may ride for $1 per passenger, per day. Shuttles will be clearly marked.

The shuttle will also serve the following locations on an average of every 10-15 minutes along the proposed route:

• Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina (Harbor Island)
• Maritime Museum of San Diego
• Broadway/Navy Pier (outside of USS Midway Museum)
• Seaport Village
• Marriott Marquis Hotel & Marina/San Diego Convention Center
• Hilton Bayfront San Diego

The shuttle will be operated in partnership with Ace Parking. At least one shuttle will a CNG vehicle and one will be ADA compatible.

The shuttle will be funded through a combination of Port parking revenues and shuttle riders.

Following this summer's trial run, Port staff will evaluate the program's success and plans for a long-term service to commence operations in the summer of 2013.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

Beginning Monday, May 14, 2012, the Port of San Diego will be making improvements to the Shelter Island Boat Launch facility, located on Shelter Island Drive in San Diego.

Improvements include resurfacing the boat trailer parking lot, replacing damaged sections of concrete in the lot, re-striping parking stalls and traffic flow lanes and sealing areas of the boat launch ramp to minimize development of potholes.

Work will be conducted during the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• On Monday, May 14, beginning at 7 a.m., the parking lot at the boat launch ramp will be closed to allow for paving repairs. The boat launch ramp will remain open.
• On Friday, May 18, the parking lot will reopen, but the launch ramp will be closed from 7 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. to allow for repairs.
• On Monday, May 21, beginning at 7 a.m., about half of the lower parking lot area at the boat launch ramp will be closed to allow for parking stalls to be re-striped.
• On Tuesday, May 22, beginning at 7 a.m., the remaining half of the lower lot will be closed for re-striping.

Work will be completed by 7 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, and the entire parking lot will reopen.

The Shelter Island boat launch facility improvements are part of a $1 million Port of San Diego major maintenance project that will make improvements to seven locations throughout the tidelands. These are: the U.S. Coast Guard parking lot on Harbor Drive, the embarcadero wharf parking lots, the parking lot near the former Harbor Seafood Mart, just north of Seaport Village, the parking lot at Coronado Tidelands Park, a parking lot on Port Tidelands in Imperial Beach, and a parking lot at the National City Marine Terminal.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

The Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department is requesting the public's help in obtaining information on a laser pointing incident that injured two police officers, one seriously.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2012. Two Harbor Police officers were on routine patrol in San Diego Bay near the Shelter Island Fishing Pier when someone pointed a green laser at them. The officers described the laser as coming from a hill between Canon and Talbot Streets, below Catalina Boulevard in the Point Loma neighborhood.

Green lasers can harm delicate human eye tissue and can cause lasting injuries. One of the injured Harbor Police officers was temporarily blinded and was taken off duty for several days to recover.

Recently there have been a number of incidents in which lasers have been pointed at aircraft. There is a great danger of a collision, injury and death if the operator of a vessel or an aircraft is blinded by a laser.

The Harbor Police would appreciate any information on the location or identity of the individual responsible for the May 4 incident. Please call (619) 686-8000 with any tips.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

Dynegy South Bay, Inc. has selected a contractor to demolish the above-ground structures of the non-operating South Bay Power Plant in the city of Chula Vista.

Silverado Contractors, Inc., an Oakland, California-based demolition contractor, was selected by Dynegy South Bay, Inc., based on its qualifications, favorable pricing and the overall merits of its proposal. The company has performed many large-scale, complex demolition projects and has a reputation for safely completing projects on time and within budget.

The bidding process was open to local, state and national contractors. Dynegy South Bay, Inc. received 11 proposals for the project. Because of the complexity of the project, it was necessary to select a contractor that had expertise in power plant demolition. Among its many power plant demolitions, Silverado Contractors, Inc., has demolished the Humboldt Bay Nuclear Power Plant in Eureka, California, removed six fuel storage tanks that supplied the Morro Bay Power Plant on California's central coast and demolished a nuclear reactor test tower at a General Electric Nuclear Facility in San Jose.

"As we look forward to a new and economically vibrant future for our waterfront under the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, our residents are eager to see the power plant removed," said Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. "I appreciate the Port of San Diego's diligence on the demolition."

The South Bay Power Plant is located on Port of San Diego tidelands on the waterfront of Chula Vista. The Port has been working with the City of Chula Vista on the expedited removal of the power plant. In November 2011, Dynegy South Bay, Inc., submitted a Coastal Development Permit application to the California Coastal Commission. The Coastal Development Permit is a precursor to the City of Chula Vista issuing a demolition permit for the above-ground structures.

"The Port of San Diego is pleased that Dynegy South Bay, Inc., has selected a demolition contractor," said Ann Moore, Vice Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners and the City of Chula Vista's representative on the Board. "We are confident that the selection of Silverado Contractors, Inc., will assist us with our commitment to getting the South Bay Power Plant dismantled swiftly and safely."

Currently, Dynegy South Bay, Inc., continues with asbestos removal of the plant. It is estimated that asbestos removal will be completed in June 2012.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

The Port of San Diego is an economic engine, an environmental steward of San Diego Bay and the surrounding tidelands, and a provider of community services and public safety.

About the City of Chula Vista:

The City of Chula Vista is located at the center of one of the richest cultural, economic and environmentally diverse zones in the United States. It is the second-largest City in San Diego County with a population of nearly 250,000.

Chula Vista boasts more than 50 square miles of coastal landscape, canyons, rolling hills, mountains, and a variety of natural resources and quality infrastructure. Established neighborhoods, contemporary communities, start-up firms, corporations, nationally recognized entertainment venues, the nation's only warm weather Olympic Training Center, an award winning nature center and a historic downtown all contribute to Chula Vista's attraction for both families and businesses.

A draft environmental document for a pier replacement project at a San Diego Bay ship repair facility is ready for public review and comment.

The draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed replacement of Pier 4 at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair facility located at 2205 E. Belt Street, San Diego is available for 45-day public review period, beginning today, Monday, May 7 through Wednesday, June 20, 2012.

•  Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) 

The proposed project includes the following activities at the BAE Systems facility:

• Demolition of Piers 4 and 5
• Removal of five mooring dolphins (structures built in the water for vessels to tie to for stability at berth)
• Construction of new bulkhead sections (a shoreline wall dividing the land and the water)
• Relocation of shoreline infrastructure
• Dredging
• Construction of a new Pier 4, and
• Construction of a new mooring dolphin.

The project will replace and modernize deteriorated facilities and help to service commercial and Navy vessels.

BAE Systems is the applicant for the project and the Port of San Diego will be the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Environmental Impact Report.

The draft Environmental Impact Report can be reviewed:

• Online 
• In person at the Port of San Diego's District Clerk's Office, 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA. 92101-1128.
• A CD copy of the draft EIR may be obtained by contacting the Port District's Environmental and Land Use Management Department at (619) 686-6283.

Comments on the Draft EIR will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, and should be addressed to:

• San Diego Unified Port District
• Environmental and Land Use Management
• 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101

Comments can also be e-mailed to c-emunoz@portofsandiego.org.

Following the public review, the Port staff will prepare responses to all comments. The public input will be incorporated into the final Environmental Impact Report, anticipated for action by the Board of Port Commissioners later this year.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

Construction updates for the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I and nearby projects will be circulated regularly to keep the community informed about construction activities and progress.

•  NEVP Phase I Construction Update: May 4, 2012 (294.51 kB)

The public can also be notified of construction updates via email subscription.

The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I project broke ground on January 5, 2012. The project will make improvements along the San Diego bayfront from the former Navy Pier north to the B Street Pier and along West Broadway, from the railroad tracks west to North Harbor Drive.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

North Harbor Drive along San Diego's Embarcadero may experience traffic congestion on Tuesday, May 8, due to cruise ship activity at the Port of San Diego.

On that day, three cruise ships will be in port. Holland America's Zuiderdam, will berth at the south side of the B Street Pier with 2,029 passengers. The Holland America Westerdam will berth at the north side of the B Street Pier, with about 1,658 passengers. Celebrity Cruises' Infinity will berth at the north side of the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier with about 2,170 passengers. All three ships will arrive between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

Several hundred passengers from the Zuiderdam and Westerdam will begin disembarking the vessels between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. The ships will also have passengers embarking throughout the day. Additionally, several trucks are expected to deliver supplies for restocking.

The Infinity will be berthed at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. This will be a visitation stop for the ship and there will be no passengers embarking or disembarking in San Diego.

The Port of San Diego is in the midst of a project that will make several improvements to the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal. The two largest components include a roof replacement and installation of a new canopy on the building's south side.

Because of this construction activity, some ships scheduled to berth at B Street will be berthed at Broadway Pier. On May 2 and 3, the MV Explorer, used by the Semester at Sea program, will be berthed there. Holland America's Statendam will be berthed there on May 13.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

The Port of San Diego has scheduled a second public outreach meeting on Pond 20, the 95 acres of undeveloped land on the shore of south San Diego Bay.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dempsey Holder Safety Center, 950 Ocean Lane, Imperial Beach (map). Port District staff will provide information on previous studies regarding the Pond 20 parcel, as well as public comments and suggestions that have been submitted to the Port.

During the second phase of the public outreach process, the Port will be asking members of the public to submit project ideas for Pond 20. The purpose of this workshop is to provide information to facilitate the development of a project proposal.

The Pond 20 parcel, which fronts the 1400 block of Palm Avenue, is called "the front porch" of Imperial Beach.

The area was purchased by the Port about 14 years ago as part of an 836-acre land acquisition.

Most of the land was acquired as an environmental offset for the expansion of San Diego International Airport, when the airport was under the jurisdiction of the Port. The majority of the land was transferred to the State of California, which led to the creation of the South San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Some of the land was set aside for future development.

The Port District retained ownership of Pond 20, when the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority became a separate agency.

Earlier this year, the Board of Port Commissioners and the cities of San Diego and Imperial Beach approved an agreement to explore possible uses for Pond 20. The land is located in the City of San Diego but is included as part of the City of Imperial Beach's Redevelopment Area.

• Port of San Diego Pond 20 website

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth-largest of 11 deep water ports in California and the top port in the state for the movement of break-bulk cargo. The Port was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, and San Diego.

The Port District oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

Charity: Part III of A Mexican Trilogy Written by Evelina Fernández Directed by José Luis Valenzuela Produced by the Latino Theater Company Starring Ofelia Medina  May 11 – June 3 Previews May 5, 6, 10     Set before the backdrop of the death of Pope John Paul II and the Papal conclave in 2005, [...]

Writing the Score of The Vault: Bankrupt in Three Days by JASMINE ORPILLA  |  March 28, 2012 The cast of “The Vault: Bankrupt” There it is. The adrenaline rush. The sudden spike of energy jolting up from my stomach, then sounding off the following urgent message to my brain — OK babe, you have 72 hours to compose a [...]

THE LATINO THEATER COMPANY presents a CORNERSTONE THEATER COMPANY production created in partnership with HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES and HOMEGIRL CAFE CAFÉ VIDA WRITTEN BY LISA LOOMER         DIRECTED BY MICHAEL JOHN GARCÉS  APRIL 26 – MAY 20, 2012 Acclaimed playwright Lisa Loomer pens the first production in Cornerstone Theater Company’s Hunger Cycle with an original work, Café [...]

The Girl Most Likely To – EXTENDED until May 20th!  World Premiere! Written by Michael Premsrirat Directed by – Jon Lawrence Rivera Produced by Playwrights’ Arena and The Latino Theater Company in association with PAE Live April 20 – May 20! Thursday – Saturday 8pm and Sundays at 3pm General: $30 | Students, Seniors & [...]

          Performances at the Los Angeles Theater Center 514 South Spring St., Los Angels, CA 90013. Wednesday February 29th, 2012,   8:00 pm Saturday March 3rd                       8:00 pm Sunday March 4th                         6:00 pm Saturday March 10th                     8:00 pm Sunday March 11th               [...]

Camp Logan West Coast Premiere! Written by Celeste Bedford Walker Directed by Alex Morris Produced by The Robey Theatre Company, Sparkling City Entertainment and Juvee Productions in association with The Latino Theater Company April 28 – May 27 LATC – Theater 4 Previews: April 26 -27 Thursday – Saturday 8pm, Sunday 3pm General: $30 | [...]

LACHSA Live! All-day Visual and Performing Arts Festival Saturday, February 25 from 3 pm – 11 pm LACHSA Live! – an all-day festival of visual and performing arts — is coming to Los Angeles Theatre Center Saturday, February 25 from 3 pm – 11 pm. Showcasing LA’s most talented emerging young artists – the award-winning students of the [...]

FREE PLAYREADING – Wed. 2/29 | 7:30pm | Theater 2 Wild in Wichita by Lina Gallegos Directed by Denise Blasor Featuring Denise Blasor & Sal Lopez Produced by The Latino Theater Company An elegant Puerto Rican woman and an irreverent Mexican man fall in love when they meet at an assisted living center in Wichita Kansas. Despite their children’s disapproval, the couple embarks on their [...]

Image from IamKoreAm.com

I can't believe that it's been 20 years since the LA Riots, but then again, I was 13 years old and in eighth grade when it happened.

It's one of those flashbulb memories in that I remember the feeling of anxiety when the school announced to our parents that we could go home, if we could go home. The air smelled of heat and ash, as looters rioted the city and burned our local community businesses. And my beloved city seemed to be in an unrecognizable, chaotic war zone.

I remember my mom picked me up from school and we headed to a family friend's house in Silverlake. Because to get home, we'd have to drive through and into some of the red dots shown on the above map. And for a single parent of an only child, I can't even imagine what was going through my mom's head and heart.

At the time, I didn't understand what was happening but my family and school communities began to talk about those with and those without, and what we needed to do to help.

It's why I loved taking multicultural studies courses as an undergraduate and graduate student - reading Anna Deavere Smith's Twilight and Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed... and probably why I ended up in the field of education.

As I reflect on how I've tried to live my life - as someone who wants to make a positive contribution - I know that there's still so much to be done. I also look at my own son, Chase, and wonder what kind of man he will grow up to be and how I can help instill in him the values of love, honesty, respect and justice.

Beef in Sweet & Savory Marinade

She actually taught me the recipe while I was an undergraduate student, and I distinctly remember the first time I made this dish... I was visiting a friend in Berkeley and did my grocery shopping at Andronico's. The year was 1999.

I marinated small cut pieces of flank steak in 1/2 cup of soy sauce, 1/3 cup of sugar, two stalks of chopped green onions, and four garlic cloves in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, I walked around the city - visiting the shops, galleries, and museums by the university while picking up some fresh flowers and handcrafted stationary.

Dredging the Beef

What I remember most about that meal was the feeling of domestication. Perhaps I was channeling my mom while in an unfamiliar kitchen. Perhaps it was my hope of making something delicious as a 20-year-old coed, trying to impress more than just my mother.

When ready to cook, I dredged the meat in flour. The garlic cloves were also dredged. But because the green onions in the marinade were more for flavor and didn't stick to the meat, I chopped another three stalks of green onion. Two stalks for the egg mix and one set aside to use as a garnish.

The amount of meat determines how many eggs to use to coat the meat. In this case, I needed two eggs. In a separate bowl, I whipped two eggs and poured the mix on top of my dredged meat along with the chopped green onions. With my chopsticks, I stirred the whole thing up so that the flour soaked in the egg mixture and the onions were well distributed.

Meanwhile, I heated some vegetable oil that coated the bottom of a frying pan. Then I deep-fried the meat for a few minutes on both sides until golden brown. To serve, I topped the meat with the remaining chopped green onions and plated it with rice, sauteed asparagus, and caramelized onions.

I don't remember how the meal was received back in 1999, but I'm happy to report that 13 years later, this dish is a family favorite and one that I hope Chase will enjoy as well!

Happy cooking!

"Sukui Tofu"

The tofu we bought was a Japanese Extra Soft Tofu from Nijiya Market mixed with some breast milk and pureed until silky smooth. It's the same tofu used for the tofu chocolate brownies made some years ago - which reminds me that I should make another batch soon!

Nijiya Market
street: 2130 Sawtelle Boulevard #105 | West LA, CA 90025
tel: 1.310.575.3300
url: www.nijiya.com

Three ingredients: avocados, canned pineapple chunks, ice

Because of the heat last weekend, the smoothie sample was a welcome refreshment at the Avocado booth. The marketing team sold me on the creamy, dairy-free treat, and I knew that I'd try the recipe at home.

The recipe card included tips and more information about Mexican avocados, such as this interesting factoid:

Because of the year-round availability of the fruit, Mexican growers leave their avocados on the tree for up to a year, allowing the fruit to fully mature and develop a higher oil content.

Never knew that about avocados before, but then again, I'm still not sure if an avocado is a fruit or a vegetable.

Sweet avocado pineapple treat

So yesterday I walked to the grocery store to pick up a ripe avocado and can of pineapple chunks, looking forward to an afternoon smoothie. Unfortunately, much to my dismay, I came home to empty ice trays! After washing them, I completely forgot to replace them back in the freezer. My afternoon drink turned out to be this morning's breakfast instead.

I halved the recipe by cutting up half an avocado, using half a can of pineapple chunks with half of its juice, and measuring out one cup of ice (4 cubes). Using my hand blender for the first time, I underestimated its weight and half the contents spilled on to the counter. I was left with one cup instead of two, but the amount ended up being perfect as I don't think I could have finished the full two cups.

Happy to learn another way to use an avocado!

I grabbed the Baby Bjorn bouncer and placed it in the kitchen so that I could be within his sight while I finished the recipe. (I fear that he will have major separation anxiety when I have to go back to work in a few more weeks. But truth be told, I'm more fearful of my own anxieties leaving him.)

Once I picked him up, he stopped crying as if to say, "Mommy, why were you not with me when I woke up? What are you doing???"

I then mixed in the eggs and vanilla; then gradually added the dry ingredients to the wet. Mixed the batter on low until fully combined. Finally, the chocolate chips were stirred in while Chase watched me pop the pan into the oven.

It took about 25-27 minutes until the toothpicks placed in the middle came out clean.

Thankfully, MS likes the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. I'm not a huge fan, but this recipe was easy, straightforward and the brownie was of a cookie cake consistency - something that I prefer over gooey, dense fudge-like brownies.

I'm hoping that Chase won't have any food allergies (as so many children seem to have peanut allergies). Here's hoping that he'll love all kinds of food growing up!

City Reflections > LA truly is a "heavenly place"
05/09/2012

LA Love with a Cheerful Rainbow

I took this photo on my iPhone a year ago driving down Ohio and Centinela, and on a gray day like today... this rainbow reminds me of why I love Los Angeles.

After a rainy or windy day, the city is always so beautiful. The sky is generally clear and on really nice days if you know the special vantage points, you can see the snowcapped mountains, the downtown skyline and the blue ocean waters off of Santa Monica. I love those days and wish we had more of them.

Jennifer Wolfe of CNN got it right in her article, New York vs. Los Angeles: L.A. is a 'heavenly place'. She reflects on the values of our great city... of the diversity found in LA, the year-round temperate weather, the delicious foods, the beautiful people - inside and out, and the endless amount of adventures one can find in Los Angeles.

I love that she writes, "The City of Angels is a heavenly place, and even though it's not for everybody, we're sort of happy to keep it that way."

The blue background pattern reminded me of Japanese roof tiles and of my trip to the Motherland with my grandma 10 years ago. She's turning 88 this year and I'm in charge of birthday invitations. I'm thinking that this pattern and the color combination of blue, orange and green may serve as an inspiration for more than just this blog.

We'll see how it goes...

My girlfriend JT emailed me the recipe inspired by Philippe's sandwiches and told me that I had to make it. She was absolutely right! Cooking the meat in the slow cooker made it tender, the crusty French bread was toasted, dipped in the jus - just like at Philippe's, and tasted of butter... and the spicy homemade mustard made the sandwich!

Here's what she sent me:

In a crock pot, add 2-3 chuck roast steaks (cut fat off) that are salt and peppered. Add 1 can of French Onion soup and 2 cans of beef broth. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. The meat will shred as it cooks so no need to cut! Toast some french rolls in the oven and add the meat and you can add provolone or swiss cheese. Use the sauce in the crock pot for dipping the sandwich and enjoy!

No cheese was used, and I made this dish with three steaks so that we'd have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. I also confirmed with my girlfriend that she used Campbell's condensed French onion soup, and instead of two cans of beef broth - I used two beef bouillon cubes and water since I already had that in the cupboard. Finally, I cooked it on low for 3 hours, then high for another 3 hours so that we could eat dinner earlier as opposed to later.

French Dip Sandwich Mustard:
4 Tablespoons Dry mustard powder
1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Flat beer
1 Clove Garlic
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric
1 Tablespoon Olive oil -- optional

Seriously, the mustard is what made the dish so delicious! Unfortunately, I didn't have any turmeric so I just left that ingredient out. I don't think it made much of a difference.

So glad to add another meal into our rotation of quick and easy dinners!

Happy cooking!

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