Chainey Kenneth S PE

Kenneth Chainey is an amiable, trustworthy & longstanding Civil Engineer who specializes in residential properties. He does not use a lot of pretense, goofy gadgetry or high tech toys. He relies on the same skills guys like Archimedes did and turns out results often far for more accurate than the gadget geeks ever will, He is laid back, yet full of knowledge, experienced at recognizing drainage and structural problems, and can be of much use when drawing plans. Ken speaks in layman's terms, promptly hand drafts and delivers you the property elevation survey documents you'll need, I highly recommend State License No. 41887.

Wings Pizza N Things Sports Bar & Grill

Finally a spot offering various styles of Hot & Spicy Buffalo Style Chicken Wings with a cold brewski,in the Valencia area. You'll find it tucked away in a newly developed mall/office park that also has a few other businesses open. You order at the counter, but for a fast food kinda joint, once ya sit down, the atmosphere ain't half bad either. Obviously the family that opened this place loves sports, offering lotsa TVs to watch games, including some at the booths with their own remotes. There's also outdoor patio seating, and a kitschy collection of signage & sports memorabilia all over the place, ranging from old football & baseball cards embedded into the bar, to Dick Vitale signed basketballs. While calling itself a sports bar might be a stretch, they do have a beer & wine license and offer suds on tap (and in the bottle) including a Hefeweizen. The Chicken Wings are the specialty with multiple sauces offered, and the menu ain't fancy, but features kid faves like chicken fingers, and mini pizzas, along with a selection of grilled burgers, shrimp items and basic salads too. The place is reasonably priced, turns pretty busy at lunch on weekdays, and tapers down a bit in the late afternoon and early evenings. It's just a mile off the i-5 (a few minutes north of Magic Mountain) at the intersection at the crossroads of Hasley Canyon Road and Commerce Center Drive.

Zante Pizza

What's that coming out of the big pizza ovens at the front? Could it be the uniquely spicy treat known as Indian Pizza, without the usual tomato-based pizza sauce. Spinach is the base for Zante's spicy toppings which also include choices of lamb, ginger, green onions, and of course garlic. Plenty vegetarian dishes, and an abundance of other Indian specialities are available. Perhaps you'd like a slice and a bowl of Muill Igatawny Soup or some Dal. Maybe deep fried Samosa's and then wash it all down with several refreshing and reasonably priced beers both Indian and domestic.

PROS: tasty, unique
CONS: atmosphere could use a splash of color, slightly bleak

Event Magic

Unique set design for events & stage productions. Custom Scenic offers FILM SETS, lighting and various rentals. Friendly staff, that hustle when needed. They've got skilled artisans and film pros creating dramatic event sets since 1993. They have been featured in Special Events magazine numerous times and can design, build, and construct terrific sets. They offer Photo Backdrops, 3D Props and set design services for producutions etc.

PROS: Friendly, Efficient
CONS:

The Randall Museum

The Department of Rec & Park currently runs this community resource atop Corona Heights. They specialize in programming for children, have a small animal exhibit and also offer tours. Officially known as the Josephine P. Randall museum, the place is actually an old elementary school. Once you are up there, enjoy the breathtaking views atop the old red rock hillside above the Cstro District and Market St below. Saturdays are crowded with activities including Family Ceramics classes, wild animal feeding, performances and other hands on activities that cost $5 or less. Annual attendance reaches over 85,000 visitors a year, but staff and city budgets are strapped in era of tight budgets for this sort of non profit activiy..

Darlenes Fabrics

Thrifty seamstresses have heard of Discount Fabrics with locations all over town, but Darlene's is the nook for outsider buys and occasional specials & personal deals. According to one local chick in the know ruminates "It would suck if everyone knew about Darlene's Fabrics in the Mission". The bins are overflowing with the best of the discarded designer remnants and are yours for the picking at prices anyone can afford including as low as $4 a yard. Textile and clothing labels unload their extras and samples through her, allowing new designers room to experiment and work with. As long as the owner isn't giving you her full on gotta save ya, born again spiel, you are out the door with bargains galore.

Port Lite Cocktails

The Port Lite is gone since i reviewed it in 2005

was at 299 Brush Street @ 3rd (Oakland)

Club Hotline: 510.451.0600

Shows were on Thurs - Sat Nites generally start at around 9:00pm at Port Lite and there is usually a $5 cover. The place is true old school dive bar with wood veneer paneling on the far crusty waterfront edges of Jack London Square. The surrounding atmosphere features railroad tracks, razor wire, big rigs, beer sign decor & burly drunks but the joint has hosted live music from all yer fave local bands including everyone from AC/Dshe to Drunk Horse.

Support the real dive bar deal. except it's gone...

Old Weang Ping

An amazingly affordable & quirky little spot run by a Thai couple in an otherwise cuisine-less void on MacArthur Ave in Oakland. Tasty "country style" specials like Barbarian Soup and appetizers, occasional imported ingredients and atmosphere. Good beers and other drinks complement your meals. uh, other than the weird reed based music that sounds like crickets battling a casiotone keyboard, I'd eat here all the time.

Bissap Baobab

West African fare from Marco Senghor, whose lively ginger & tamarind cocktail blends tend to enliven the meal more than the chef's concoctions. Food is pretty good and flavorful, but not spicy. Some like the selection of African beers; entrees run $9-$15, and there are vegetarian options. The Aloko (plaintains)and Pastelles (fried pockets with various fillings) are popular appetizers. After dinner try your luck on the dancefloor at Little Baobob up the street is the orignal location in the Mission, the lively dive a half block behind the Beauty Bar.

Kaleva Vegetarian Indian

It was an oasis on the unruly 6th street strip, a relatively clean and quiet spot compared to say Tu Lan across the way, or the hopping discos now operating in the former old man bars along this strip.

Last i looked , some kind of Soul Food/Bar BQ spot was moving in...

They served spiritually motivated vegetarian & vegan Indianfood, expect no goofy fusion concepts or chicken or fish tainted crowd pleasers here. The neighborhood near 6th & Market is pretty sketchy and likely keeps crowds away, but lunch is busy when they have cheap lunch specials ( avail to go) starting at $4.99. The dinner menu entrees include full meal combos, and are priced between 7 to 12 dollars. The chefs will also let the customer hoose the level of spiciness. The place has beer ( except the day i was there and local thugs had broken in overnight and stolen it) and is closed on sundays, but they offer saturday brunch . Depending on the day, I've been there by myself except for the two staff on hand and maybe one other table, and other times it's been crowded with large parties and I was unable to find