Heather Black

Last night my boyfriend and I went to a going away party for our girlfriend, Elenor, at Medusa Bar on Beverly in L.A. Located about 12 mins no-traf* from North Hollywood, 8 mins no-traf from Downtown, and pretty darn close to Silverlake, Medusa Bar and lounge is an architectual must-see. A mix of class and style make this place a modern and detailed establishment.

Enter the bar through a large door guarded by two lions and you will see many chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. My favorite chandelier encompasses the majority of the main bar, while others hang around - complete with antlers. As you walk through the lounge prepare to be "floored" by the high cathedral ceilings. Unusual in the L.A. area, to stand under these is worth the trip alone. Conversation and enjoyable music - spun by a live D.J. - play throughout the Medusa Lounge.

And if you don't think this place sounds great already, get this. The beers are tasty. Huge. And affordable. $12 buys you a liter (over 32 ounces) of beer. To quote Elenor's boyfriend, Dennis Carlin, who was drinking the German Dinkelaker Dark Beer, "It is big, tasty and smooth." And who doesn't like a tasty smooth beer. I know I did, and I'm traditionally a wine drinker.

So if you get a chance, drop on by the Medusa Lounge in Los Angeles California. Located at 3211 Beverly Blvd, L.A., CA, 90057 (213) 382.5723. Their Web site is www.medusaloungela.com

(*no-traf = no traffic)

With the market stabilizing after years of ridiculous appreciation, buyer's are finally getting the upper-hand again. And with California home prices still far above the rest of the country's average, first-time home-buyers and investors are falling in love with Van Nuys, CA.

Located right off the 405 freeway, just north of the 101, Van Nuys is a melting pot of activity. If the price you're looking to pay is less than 600,000, Van Nuys is a gold mine.

With houses priced from 330K and up, even the young can snag up a cool property here.

The Best Little City in the Valley

Residents all over Los Angeles are talking about North Hollywood, California
and the artistic nature with which it's community is growing. Pockets of
theatre groups, dance studios and coffee shops are drawing a new type of
culture to the community. A dozen spring up every year and it's bringing
a multi-generational and hip crowd to the area.

Affectionately called NOHO, North Hollywood plays a role far more
concerned with affordable, but still very-well-lived lifestyles, than neighboring valley-hoods. Close to
Hollywood, Burbank and Studio City, NOHO provides nightly to-do's while
still giving off a small town feel.

The metro red line starts in NOHO and goes through Hollywood all the way to downtown L.A. It's great having convinient and fun transportation coming to this area. Downtown commuters can buy a home in North Hollywood and take the train to work everyday. Because we can definately use less gas guzzlers on the streets.