Reseda, CA

When one drives by California Nursery Specialties in Reseda, the first thing one notices is the giant roadside dinosaurs.

During the week, the three-acre nursery, better known as the cactus ranch, focuses on its wholesale business. But on the weekends, it opens to the public and has become a sort of sanctuary for Los Angeles succulent lovers.

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Owner David Bernstein explained how there are enough varieties of cacti and succulents to fascinate guests for a lifetime.

"It's had that effect on me that I see something new all the time. And actually, I can walk through this nursery twice in the same day and see things differently," he said. "Cacti are unique. Cacti are all American plants. They're from North or South America, and succulents come from all over the world."

People often ask Bernstein how many varieties of plants they have at California Nursery Specialties, and he tells them he is not sure. But the type of plants is what continues to bring in more customers on weekends.

"I can say that there's probably about a million plants here in pots," Bernstein said. "They're all drought-tolerant. They're all succulents. They're all interesting. Just how many particular genus and species I've lost track of," he said. "The focus of this business is producing the plants. I need to be here on weekdays, producing the plants and working with accounts that I set up many years ago. They give us the space to maintain a display in their nursery and keep it full of products that sell. And then on weekends, I guess you could say for fun, I open the gates to the public because I enjoy being a part of the community and sharing it with the community."

Bernstein said many of the returning customers view the nursery as a safe space.

"There are greenhouses, there are outdoor areas, there are sunny areas or shady areas. And most of the time is that there's a lot of space here, even if there are a lot of people here, it doesn't seem that way because we're spread out over several acres. So generally speaking, it is quite peaceful here," he said.

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When it comes to the customers and visitors, Bernstein said it does not matter how much they sell. He wants people to enjoy the peace that comes with being around plants.

"That is not how I measure the success of the space on the weekends. It has to do with how much pleasure I can give to my community," he said. "And I enjoy being part of that."

The Cactus Ranch in Reseda is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Visit here for more information.

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In our coverage of the iconic restaurants of Sherman Oaks, we include mention of some of the snobbery of locals not wanting to have to put a Van Nuys address on their mail. This lead to rezoning a wealthier area of the neighborhood to make that happen. Lake Balboa is another area that was once Van Nuys, and a new neighborhood name was created to improve property values. Lake Balboa has only been legit since 2006. It’s a beautiful area, with bike paths, a park, and a serene Japanese garden. Though drought has severely affected the health of the once plentiful cherry blossom trees, the area is still lush compared to most neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley.

​Reseda, on the other hand, has its roots planted deeply in the history of Southern California and is a major player in the identity of the Valley. The neighborhood’s economy has gone through ups and downs, largely affected by two historic earthquakes, such as The Northridge Earthquake of 1994.

Today, there are many efforts and millions of dollars of bond money in place that aim to revitalize the area, from beautifying classic signs and community clean-ups, to the possible construction of an ice rink. Reseda may not be much to look at, but there are still some wonderful places to eat that make a trip into the Valley well worth it.

Millie’s Restaurant and Bakery

Both the exterior and interior of Millie’s Restaurant and Bakery look like a truck stop straight out of the Midwest. On every table you’ll find one of those wooden i.q. test toys you’d usually see at places like Cracker Barrel. The menu is what you would expect of an American diner in Southern California, with turkey melts, standard breakfasts, and burritos. Some years ago they added a healthier options portion to the menu, but if you’re going to Millie’s to eat, it’s probably not to improve your figure. The thing the locals seem to love best at Millie’s is the dessert case, with fresh baked pies and cakes, usually ordered a la mode for full effect.

Millie's: 16840 Vanowen St., Lake Baloba, CA 91406, (818) 785-3894

Zig’s

Yes, there are more than diners in Reseda. But, the differences between Zig's and Millie's are plentiful. Opened in 1954 by Arnold “Zig” Zigman and his wife, Mary, this classic American diner has changed hands four times and has managed to only change minimally outside and in. The latest owner, George, who boasts that he’s the first Polish owner (all previous being Greek), is dedicated to keeping everything on the menu fresh and homemade. Reseda is a decidedly blue collar neighborhood, and the prices at Zig’s (home of “The Bullet” and “Ton of a Bun”) remain reasonable enough that there are patrons who have been regulars since they were children who now bring in their grandchildren. There’s a cozy, familial atmosphere at Zig’s, with its plain exterior, horseshoe shaped counter and roomy booths, and a wait staff that won’t ever let your coffee mug go empty. There’s a “South of the Border” menu in addition to classic hamburgers, chicken-fried steak, and “wet fries” (fries smothered in sausage gravy).

Zig's: 6821 N White Oak Ave., Reseda, CA 91335, (818) 343-3679

Vinh Loi Tofu

There is nothing boring about Vinh Loi, from the story of owner/chef Kevin Tran, to the oddly shaped, cramped dining room, to the various triathlon medals adorning the teal and orange walls. Raised in the jungle of Vietnam, Tran arrived in Los Angeles at age 17, and he hasn’t slowed down since. Speaking to him is an intense but pleasant experience, and he has a knack for remembering his customers that brings the Angeleno crowds back for more. But it isn’t heart alone that inspires the restaurant and tofu factory to constantly be full of diners who feel like they’ve discovered a strip-mall secret deep in the Valley. Tran’s menu is nothing short of amazing. This is a perfect spot for hardcore vegans, health food enthusiasts, Thai food fans, children, meat lovers, and basically anyone with a mouth. The meatless meats are textured, colored, and flavored so masterfully that you’d question if you’re being lied to. With well over a thousand reviews on Yelp, Vin Loi still maintains a 4.5 star rating, which speaks volumes about the service, the experience, and the food.

Vinh Loi Tofu: 18625 Sherman Way #101, Reseda, CA 91335, (818) 996-9779

Miss Donuts

The people of Los Angeles deeply love their donuts, to the point that we even voted the Donut Man donut Los Angeles’s most iconic dish. Someone new to the city might marvel in the sheer amount of donut shops on any given street. Miss Donuts, somewhat famous for being the location of a particularly epic scene in Boogie Nights with Don Cheadle, doesn’t get overly ambitious with their donuts, featuring your standard glazed, jelly filled, and a much-hyped fresh fruit tart. But, like the majority of Valley donut shops, Miss Donuts serves more than just donuts. Their tamales and empanadas are a local favorite.

Miss Donuts: 18231 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335, (818) 609-0169

The Great Wall Chinese

It was a tough call between Tampa Garden Chinese Delight and The Great Wall. Both are iconic Chinese restaurants in the Valley, and while Tampa Garden wins people’s choice on overall flavor, The Great Wall, with its red double doors and ornate interior, has a stand-out quality in the neighborhood. The dining area is massive, they’ve got a full bar, and an impressive chandelier hangs from the gold-leaf embellished ceiling. Since opening their doors in 1984, the Mandarin and Szechwan style restaurant has amassed very loyal patrons who look forward to special nights out as well as the very affordable lunch specials.

The Great Wall Chinese: 18331 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335 (818) 996-8900

NORTHRIDGE, CA — Los Angeles Unified School District is handling two separate lawsuits over alleged sexual misconduct at two Northridge-area schools: Hart Street Elementary School in Canoga Park, and Grover Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda.

The first suit was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The plaintiff is a 17-year-old girl identified as Jane Doe who alleges that she was sexually abused by her fourth grade teacher at Hart Street Elementary School in Canoga Park.

According to the suit, Rene Tenas "sexually harassed, abused and molested Jane S.N. Doe on multiple occasions by willfully and unlawfully committing lewd and lascivious acts." The suit alleges that Tenas told the plaintiff he would help her with her homework, and kept her and other female students in his classroom during recess, lunch, and after school.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The suit further alleges that the LAUSD had "actual or constructive knowledge" that Tenas had been sexually abusing minors, but took steps to cover it up.

The LAUSD has not yet commented on this suit.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tenas pleaded no contest in Oct. 2018 to two felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, and was sentenced to five years in state prison.

Another lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court by a 29-year-old woman alleges that she was sexually abused during her senior year at the magnet program of the Grover Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda. According to the suit, the plaintiff had heard rumors that students were going to teachers' houses, where they discussed "heavy subject matters" that led to "emotional conversations." This led to a school culture the suit called "toxic and unprofessional," where some former teachers at Cleveland had sexual relationships with students, and the suit alleges that the school district knew about the behavior and tried to cover it up.

The suit alleges that a new teacher, Brett Shufelt, told the plaintiff that she could wait in his classrooms in the early mornings. There, he began having very personal discussions with the plaintiff, some of which were sexual. Shufelt allegedly told the plaintiff that a fellow teacher showed him a photo of her being intimate with someone.

Shufelt later invited the plaintiff to his home, where they had dinner, watch a movie, and Shufelt sexually abused her, according to the suit. The alleged abuse took place until December 2008.

Shufelt resigned in the spring of 2009, and told the administration he was leaving because he was dating a student and wanted to be with her. Fellow students blamed the plaintiff for Doe's departure, which resulted in ostracism and threats. According to the suit, teachers retaliated against her as well.

The suit alleges that the school failed to act, and Shufelt continued to abuse the plaintiff throughout her senior year and beyond, resulting in a deep stress and trauma.

— Michael Wittner and City News Service contributed to this report.

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

A family in Reseda says animal control officers have been harassing them, trying to remove their autistic son’s emotional support animal from their home after the dog got in a fight with another dog last year.

Hagit Hen has Ring doorbell video that she says shows Los Angeles Animal Services fourth attempt to remove the dog from her property.

Hen’s 13-year-old son Shiel has autism and “Max” is his emotional support animal.

“Max loves me, and he kisses me and he licks me. I know. He’s my best friend. And I don’t want animal control to take away Max, because I will be sad,” said Shiel, who has had the German shepherd for 7 years.

In 2020, Animal Control was notified after Max got into a fight with another dog.

“Max nipped another dog. So, you know, two dogs fighting animal control came over. They gave us a warning,” Hen said.

In August 2021, Max nipped at another dog, causing what they said were minor injuries.

That’s when Hen and her husband decided it was time for a muzzle and a double leash to make sure it didn’t happen again.

Animal Control officers showed up to take a report about a week later.

“The officer came, he was impressed that we got him on the muzzle and everything and he himself said, ‘you know, because it’s the second time I don’t think it will go for a hearing. Usually third time goes for a hearing,'” Hen said.

She said she didn’t hear another word about Max until they got home from vacation on the evening of Jan. 4. When she checked the mail, Hen saw a notice of a hearing about Max that had happened that morning.

After months of trying to get another hearing, the Hen family hired an attorney who says the city did not properly notify them of the hearing.

Attorney Jill Ryther says that although the hearing notice was dated November 29, it was postmarked on Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. which did not give the 10 days required by city ordinance to notify someone of a hearing date.

Henn says Animal Control officers continue to show up to try to take Max and their behavior is getting more threatening.

“I want them to stop harassing us, and I want a hearing. I want them to hear my story,” Hen said.

The family is now planning to sue the city.

Los Angeles Animal Services declined KTLA’s request for an on camera interview but issued the following statement:

“This is an active investigation to enforce a Notice of Order resulting from a Dangerous Animal Hearing. As the investigation is ongoing, we have no other information to share and, therefore, declining the interview request.”

The Discovery House (TDH), based in Reseda, CA, would like to reach out to California residents who may be in search of luxury rehab centers. TDH provides a comfortable space for patients to go through the process of beating addiction. Utilizing a combination of tried-and-tested methodologies as well as a warm, inviting and luxurious environment that is conducive to recovery, the center has helped many people get their lives back on track. They have a reputation for offering a level of luxury rarely matched by exclusive resorts while also providing all the resources a patient might need to beat addiction. Learn more here: Luxury Rehab California.

From their premises in Southern California, The Discovery House has grown into the number one rehab center in the area by providing a favorable environment for people who struggle with addiction to recover. They are Joint Commission accredited and serve a number of areas, including Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Woodland Hills and Santa Monica, but individuals from anywhere else in the country are always welcome. The Discovery House is known for high success rates, and they offer same-day placement in order to make it as easy as possible for people to get the help they need to beat addiction. Notably, they also accept insurance.

“At The Discovery House, we believe in treating the whole individual — mind, body and spirit — with our addiction treatment programs,” The Discovery House says. “We provide our residents with a specialized treatment plan that is designed to meet their individual needs, choices and concerns. Counselors at our long term luxury treatment center for addiction maintain a 3:1 client to counselor ratio, allowing them ample time to spend with each individual.”

The rehabilitation center is licensed by the State of California to provide integrated treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health issues like depression, anxiety and more. They provide intervention services, sober escorts and travel support along with a long list of other services, each aimed at ensuring every one of their patients is able to achieve their goals and do so in a space where they are afforded every comfort they could want.

As the best drug addiction treatment center in California, The Discovery House’s Joint Commission accreditation means that their rehab facilities meet the same quality control and inspection standards as a hospital. Each of those certifications means a patient can always be sure that they and their loved ones will get only the highest quality of care at The Discovery House. The rehabilitation center’s reputation has been built over years of helping many people address their addiction issues in an environment that has no equal. As a result of their work, they continue to grow rapidly with time.

Those who have spent time at The Discovery House tend to leave excellent reviews of the rehabilitation center online. Any interested party can find a number of client testimonials on The Discovery House’s website, for instance. As Jacob Ohare’s testimonial says, “The Discovery House is an awesome place to get clean and sober and learn the tools you need to stay in recovery when you get done with the residential part of it. All of the staff there are extremely helpful and genuinely care about you and will help you out in any way they can. The food there is also amazing: 3 meals a day with an assortment of snacks at night. I highly recommend TDH for anyone who is serious about getting clean and starting their road to recovery.”

Tiara Martinez also says, “I will always recommend this rehab as a place of hope and love and recovery. The staff is very loving and sweet. You have a personal chef, which is a bonus, and the staff there is very educated on who you are and what you need out of each group. Plus, they take you out to do things so you can learn to live life on life’s terms.”

The Discovery House acknowledges that many in the community will have more questions regarding patient treatment, how long a program may be and more. Many of these questions are answered on the official TDH website. However, the center also invites interested parties to contact their office directly to discuss their needs with a professional. See more here: .