Yogurt Wars in Encino

With the opening this month of both Menchie’s and Yogurtland across the street from each other at Encino Commons, this should make for an interesting battle. PureNaked Yogurt (by Coral Tree) is practically invisible so it doesn’t count, and Blizz (by the Sprint store) still hasn’t opened yet for some odd reason.

The new stores are generating lots of interest so we decided to check them out. First, I believe people go out for entertainment, not for yogurt. Yogurt is a means to an end.

In Menchie’s favor: streetside ambience that appeals to all generations and a service where customers draw their own yogurt (more fun). In Yogurtland’s favor: cheaper prices so far, more health-conscious, more exotic flavors and tastes and fewer crowds – partly explained since they literally just opened. Both stores provided good quality yogurt, both offer kosher (if that matters to you) and gluten-free (mostly anyway) and both seem to think pink and green are required colors. Both have adequate seating although Menchie’s has more.

But the main difference…

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West Nile Virus in Encino

This week Encino made the news when the first mosquito of the year infected with West Nile Virus was found here. The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District found it in 91436 in one of their traps (story here - in “Latest News” click on the 7/16/2010 press release). Local NBC picked up the story (here).

Is it anything to worry about really? Perhaps a little, now that the hot weather is here. Human cases have been reported in California in the Central Valley (more on this below).

There are many people eager to panic, which is why NBC backed off sensationalizing the story. They were content to run the usual warning message about paying attention to when mosquitoes are out (dusk and dawn), wearing insect repellent and appropriate clothes and eliminating pools of stagnant water. That means cleaning unused swimming pools, spas and jacuzzis and, if you have a pond, putting in some guppies (mosquitofish). They attack everything, even thirsty bees looking for a drink, but they eliminate the larvae and they live forever.

Mosquitoes spread the virus when they bite and infect birds, mostly crows. The birds “amplify” the virus so that when humans are bitten the virus packs enough punch to have an effect. To quote the LA County press release: “There is no cure for West Nile Virus. One in five persons with West Nile Virus will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms usually occur between 5 and 15 days and can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several weeks to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death.”

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Can you do without Air Conditioning?

Yes

Having done a few house exchanges in summer, one thing I noticed about the Europeans who stayed in our house – they didn’t turn the air conditioning on at all. I’m not sure about the car. But it poses a question: if they objected to using it, and they did so for ecological and health reasons, do we really need the AC on? It’s been a cool summer so far and I haven’t used it but, as the map shows, these temperatures have been an anomaly and they are going to go back up.

I think everybody kind of knows that AC use increases global warming and that increases temperatures, which increases AC use. It’s a vicious circle and most people prefer to ignore the fact that fossil fuels are being burnt to power their AC.

Homeowners can take steps to cut their electricity bills and keep the house cool. Some things are obvious: (1) grow deciduous trees to shade the house, (2) install ceiling fans or floor fans – these work better if a window is open to create circulation (closed doors and windows reduce their effectiveness), (3) only open windows away from the direct sun to create air circulation, while using curtains and shutters on the sunny side. Other changes can be more expensive: (4) when you change your roof or paint the house, switch to a lighter color, (5) improve your window insulation, (6) build a patio or porch with overhead grapevines and relax under there during the hottest hours.

In other words, learn to enjoy it. A little sweating and a few bugs are OK, right? I happened to be out mid afternoon yesterday and it was 88 degrees. The world was full of grumpy people shrieking at their kids. I think we should ban summer shopping during the hottest afternoons and encourage siestas. As a Washington Post writer once wisely put it: “Summer is God’s way of telling us not to dash about like headless chickens. It is not as necessary as some people think to see how many quarters of the city can be traversed between 2 and 3:30 p.m.” (article here)

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A Dream Job in Encino

If you were given the job of LA City Planning Director, what would you do for Encino?

I would create a walkable pedestrian retail district based around Genesta Park. Here is what I would do:

(1) Block off Genesta and Paso Robles at Ventura Blvd., pave over as far as the alleyways; (2) License ice cream, coffee and other semi-mobile vendors to sell on the Paso Robles side (with chairs and tables); (3) License out Encino Women’s Club for entertaining seniors; (4) Begin a debate about redevelopment of the alleyways to make use of those empty parking spaces; (5) License a new Farmer’s Market in the weekend; (6) Create a weekend community shuttle bus (electric vehicle funded by a local business) that loops to Newcastle and back; (7) Connect the Park to existing bike paths to the north; (8) If people really would prefer a parking structure instead of a shuttle bus, then cut a deal with First Presbyterian Church to build a low-level parking structure.
What’s not to like? Unfortunately it will never happen.

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