Aqua Adventures Unlimited
Jul 30, 2011
In 1988, when Greg Tash opened up his Burbank dive shop, Aqua Adventures Unlimited, there were a total of seven shops ranging all around the San Fernando Valley. Although there were a number of shops in the area, they were spread out and one didn’t overlap the other. The saying use to be, “Support Your Local Dive Shop.”
Today, Aqua Adventures is the last remaining dive shop in the SFV. With the mass spread of Sport Chalet’s around the country, it is nice to see specialty shops like AAU doing the same thing they did since they opened in 1988.
Most new comers to the store are skeptical of the sport and when they come in to finally take the initiative to learn, Tash would say “Congratulations on making a step.” People have a lot of misconceptions about scuba diving and once they try it they always wonder why it took them so long. Although diving isn’t a cheap sport, it is a safe sport, and with the right training, can be for just about anyone.
Aqua Adventures Unlimited offers their customers much more then what meets the eye. This one-stop diving shop offers group classes, private classes, training charters, trips both tropical and local, full rentals, retail, and in-house repair including a fill station. Along with that comes a friendly and knowledgeable staff always ready to answer any questions you may have about diving.
Although AAU has their regulars, most that come in are entry level adults in their 20s-30s. This summer they have seen a large increase in young teens wanting to venture into the sport, and can take kids as young as 11 years old. As a P.A.D.I (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified dive center, Aqua Adventures prides itself on being a part of the world’s leading diving training organization.
For open water certification at $599, trainees spend two weekends learning and practicing with hands on experience which is broken into three phases. 1.) Academics 2.) Pool time 3.) Open water.
The first weekend consists of simple and easy academic training done at home through a study workbook which is given to the students prior to the class meeting. The academics is followed by a ten question multiple choice quiz and then the students head over to Tash’s pool at his North Hollywood home.
Hand dug by Greg Tash himself, the pool is set up and built to help students learn to dive. On Sunday, the second day of the first weekend, more pool time is done and then the final. Monday through Friday, AAU offers make-up work and extra pool time for those who need more practice.
Once ready, students take a trip, which is included in the certification package, to Catalina Island where they will do 3 dives the first day in open water, with academic training in between, and the second day, there is a 4th dive which officially certifies you for open water. Finally, two more recreation dives are done, and you are home by 4pm as a certified scuba diver.
The total $599 package includes the kit, rentals, class, pool time, ferry to and from Catalina, hotel weekend stay, training, PIC card and all primary gear. Not included are all personal items like mask, snorkel, fins, booties, and gloves. During classes, students receive 20% off their purchases, and once certified they will receive the discount forever. AAU carried brands like Atomic, Scuba Pro, and Oceanic.
As well as a dive shop, Greg Tash also works in Hollywood doing water safety and stunts. He has worked on Titanic, as well as with other actors like Kurt Russel, Mel Gibson and Ben Stiller. If an actor is certified, a dive master is needed, and if they are not certified they need an instructor. That’s where Tash comes in. He works at all levels and is certified as both.
With more than 35 years of experience, Tash has the knowledge to offer his clients, and answer all questions at all levels. Learn to dive before the summer is over, or surprise a close family member with a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s never too late to start, so don’t wait any longer!
Location: 2120 W. Magnolia Blvd
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm
(818)848-2163
www.aquaadventuresunlimited.com
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Headlines Salon
Jul 16, 2011
Although Headlines Salon has been up and running for close to 30 years, a new owner has stepped up to the plate within the last couple of months, bringing along a family of females with style flowing in their veins.
Owner, Stacie Rickell, recently took over Headlines in May 2011, bringing along sister, Stephanie Sartuche, hair stylist for 23 years, and Stephanie’s daughter, Tori Quiroz, stylist for 3 years. Since the arrival of Stacie, Stephanie, and Tori, the salon has slowly been repainted, along with the addition of a new TV and furniture.
The salon is immaculately clean and lavished in warm earth tones, making for a relaxing experience without overwhelming the senses. Headlines prides themselves on their use of all organic certified colors as well as their use of some of best hair products on the market.
The salon is extremely flexible in their hours and affordable in their prices. While the store is open Tuesday through Saturday, the hours vary per stylist, and most are known to stay late at client’s requests. Cuts run for $45, color for $50, partial weaves for $75 and a full for $95, while a blow dry or style starts at $35.
Stephanie and Stacie’s father also works with hair and runs So Cap USA Hair Extensions. With fourteen locations nationwide, this private extension manufacturer is located just blocks up the street from Headlines, landing on the one and only Magnolia Blvd. So Cap extensions are 100% human hair pre-bonded with 100% keratin protein tips to ensure a healthy and strong bond.
The Burbank location serves the entire California and Nevada area, and Stephanie teaches classes at So Cap where she gives lessons to stylists in order to make them So Cap USA hair extension certified. Headlines also offers the very popular feather extensions for only $25 for a bundle of 7, tinsel, blink strings, and extensives.
Other services provided are the keratin treatment by De Fabulous. Keratin is a natural protein found in hair, nails and skin that acts as an external protective layer that smooths and repairs. For the treatment keratin is applied to repair and control the flaws of the hair, increasing shine and reducing frizz. The De Fabulous treatment used at Headlines contains no formaldehyde and restructures the most fragile and chemically treated hair.
Also popular right now is the Brazilian blowout. This treatment improves the health of the hair by creating a protective layer, eliminating frizz and smoothing the cuticles to create healthy, radiant, shiny, hair.
Other products used and sold at the salon are the Moroccanoil line: rich in Argan oil, vitamins F,A, and E, as well as other natural elements, DS Laboratories: the innovator of the liposome technology which drastically enhances the performance of active ingredients, and Obliphica: a line of products that contain Hippophae oil, the most effective anti-oxidant known, which regenerates and restores damaged hair.
Location: 2819 Magnolia Blvd.
Hours: Tues-Sat (hours vary per stylist)
(818)841-9881
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Pinnochio Restaurant and Monte Carlo Deli
Jul 3, 2011
Close your eyes and take in the sweet aroma of Dulce De Leche Gelato dancing in the air, taste the salt from the finely cut Prosciutto nipping at your taste buds, and listen to the hustle and flow of buyers calling out for fresh baked breadsticks. This is Pinnochio Restaurant and Monte Carlo Deli, a fusion of Italian cuisine and imported Italian groceries, wines, meats and cheeses.
The moment you enter the sliding doors you will be saying “Toto, we’re not in the San Fernando Valley anymore!” Take a waltz down the market aisles for some Italian pastas and seasonings or head to the counter for some sliced Pastrami, finally stroll next door to Pinocchios and order up some of the best Italian food you will ever taste.
After the deli opened in the 1960’s, this family owned business expanded by opening Pinnochio Italian Restaurant in 1971. Unlike a restaurant, here customers can order at the counter from either the menu, or the specials on display.
Choose from sandwiches like the Meat Balls and Meat sauce, or an entrée plate like the Tortellini and Sauce, served with garlic bread, or you can even order a pizza for the whole family. All sandwiches are served with two salads when eaten in the restaurant, like the potato, macaroni, or green bean salad.
After choosing your meal, you slide your tray to the cashier and then choose a table. You can choose to dine on the outside patio and enjoy the fresh Magnolia air, or you can venture inside and become enveloped in the pristine Italian atmosphere. With red checkered tables, painted wall murals, dim lighting, and bottles of wine, suddenly Venice doesn’t seem so far away.
Location: 3103 W. Magnolia
Hours: 11am-9pm daily
818-845-3516
www.montecarlodeli.com
catering and pick up available
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Alexa's It's New to You
Jul 2, 2011
Is it an antique store? Yes! Is it a thrift store? Yes! Is it a vintage store? Yes. Alexa’s It’s New to You is all of the above in one, creating a unique and fun thrif-tique shop with affordable prices and friendly service. From collectibles to furniture, this family owned business has a little bit of everything.
Owners Jeff and Genia Jarred and daughter Alexa in which the store was named after, work at the store and hand buy all items that you see inside. Unlike a thrift store, Alexa’s It’s New to You does not take donations, instead every item is hand picked from estate sales, privates sales, and storages to find just the right items that the Jarreds think buyers would like.
With 20% off any item over $10 and new stuff coming in every week, exploring Alexa’s It’s New to You is an exciting adventure. Although their biggest sellers are type writers and cameras, the store also carries items like: fine china, framed artwork, historic magazines, table books, old photographs, jewelry, vintage furniture, ash trays, server ware, and used and mint condition CDs and LDs. Used LDs are only $2! The store also carries one of a kind original paintings from local artist Jennifer Williams.
Everything has a story and a history in this thrif-tique haven, including the 1943 Taylor Tot base model stroller which originally sold for $1.75. Although it looks likes a metal torture device for babies, this stroller is a historic figure of the furniture used in the 1940’s and would make a great addition for antique collectors.
Also in the store is a gorgeous, 1955 two-sided desk with a matching chair, both in fantastic condition. But what has Jeff Jarred puzzled is the back side of the desk, which slides open revealing a two shelf hidden cabinet not accessible from the front. Jarred has never seen a desk like this and the entire piece with the chair runs for only $449.
Just because you don’t see an item in the store, doesn’t mean they can’t find it. It never hurts to ask. Jeff Jarred has found incredible items for buyers and customers including a navy government issued compass and a 1944 bedroom set complete with two twin headboards and a vanity. After calling surpluses and pickers, the compass was found at a store 70 miles away, and Jarred traveled to get what the customer had asked for. He calls these items his wish list.
Friend to Alexa’s It’s New to You is America’s favorite little person, Jerry Maren, best known for his part as the lollipop kid in the Wizard of Oz. At 92, Maren has a book titled Short and Sweet: The Life and Times of the Lollipop Munchkin, which can be bought for $35 at Alexa’s and each copy is hand signed by Maren himself. Also in the store are signed lollipops with Maren’s face on them.
Being located in the beautiful Magnolia Park district the store is always a big participant in the monthly Ladies Night Out, which is an event that happens on the last Friday of the month. Stores stay open late, food trucks line the streets, and sales, raffles, and wine and cheese can be found in the boutiques. At the Jarred’s family business, their very own Alexa makes her debut out front, performing music for the L.N.O. crowd.
Location: 3416 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun:12-6pm
818-588-3688
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