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TO FLY L.A.
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818.373.1EEG (1334)
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Valley Custom Styles
By Jonathon Freeman-Anderson

The Valley style is world-renowned and frequently mocked in films, TV, and media, but the fact is that citizens of this part of the world consider themselves trendsetters. There is something truly laid-back about being from the Valley. Many people may find this place too relaxed, but then those people can go to L.A. or to N.Y. In the Valley, people do work with pride and leisure. See the evidence in people from all interests, and lifestyles who call the valley home that have businesses here. Whether it is the near-perfect weather or the variety of landscapes to enjoy, the Valley has people from around the world designing, creating, and mass-producing their own unique products. To those who do not know the truth, the Valley style is a poor stereotype of a mallrat surfer bohemian type who works hard at doing nothing but to say 'dude' as much as possible. Ask anyone that truly, hypes the Valley as home, there is no one style or concept, the lazy dude idea is not only cliché, but also wrong. If anything, the cultural diversity of the Valley and general congenial respect for one another on a surreal chill level separates the Valley Scene from other stereotyped scenes like Orange County or Nor Cal.

Individuals who have opened their doors and creativity to Valley-ites have graced the community access to unique, custom manufactured products including bicycles, motorcycles, cars, skateboards, swimming pools, fireplaces, window treatments, food/catering, BBQs, travel arrangements, picture frames, aquariums, and more.

Custom Bicycle Sales Inc., located at 18424 Ventura Blvd, in Tarzana, has good service, prompt, and friendly. Big-name toy stores have nothing on a custom bicycle shop where they can design, repair, and create a bicycle to anyone's specifications. Their staff is professional, courteous, knowledgeable, fast, and have integrity. One local customer said, "It's like my own little bike heaven on Ventura blvd. If they don't have it in the store, they can find it and get it to you." Their products and services not only include bicycles, but also electric mobility scooters, wheelchairs and lifts/ramps. For more information, call (818) 344-2806.

Micah McCloskey's Custom Cycles located at 21425 Sherman Way, in Canoga Park, has been building, selling, and servicing American made motorcycles for over thirty years. Maintenance is essential to keep a bike running at top performance and McCloskey's can not only help keep regularly scheduled maintenance for local road warriors, but can also make any modifications on site as well. Servicing American Ironhorse, Big Bear Choppers, Big Dog, and Swift, McCloskey's can fix mechanical work like engines, transmission, drive line, and chassis, or do cosmetic work like elaborate exhaust pipes, handlebars, or chrome and paint jobs; "making your bike yours," as well as restoration. Go to micahscustomcycles.com/services to see a restored 1940 Indian Chief, featured in the May 2009 issue of Easy Rider. Open from 9am-6pm, Tuesday through Saturday, bike aficionados can call (818) 348-8967 or email info@micahscustomcycles.com for more information.

L.A. Exotic Motor Cars is located in the heart of Canoga Park and for more than twelve years specializes in street-rods, customs, exotics, vintage cars, Cadillacs, Harley Davidson, and custom motorcycles. They also buy unique vehicles or vehicle collections, offer studio rentals, picture cars, and location rental for use on films or photo shoots. L.A. Exotic Motor Cars has outstanding customer service. Located at 21515 Roscoe Blvd. in Canoga Park, have over 100 cars available as well as the ability to design and create custom cars on location. For more information call (818) 347-3200, or visit their website at laexoticmotorcars.com.

Surfer Surplus is an aggregator of overstock and closeout items from dozens of top name brands in the Surf, Skate, Snow, and Wakeboard industries. Surfer Surplus has extremely competitive pricing. However, they try not to be a direct competitor to a local retailer. If wanting to touch, feel a new product, or need to be the first one on the block with something, visit the local shop, but if in need of the same top quality products at the absolute lowest prices, Surfer Surplus can hook it up. One of their sports professionals will be glad to actually talk or exchange emails with the customer to ensure that the customer chooses the right equipment for the right conditions, skill level, and budget. Located at 7821 Alabama Ave #12, in Canoga Park, call Surfer Surplus at 1-310-600-6453 or email anytime at mike@SurferSurplus.com (tech questions) or sales@SurferSurplus.com (sales questions).

Surfer Surplus offers a constantly changing inventory of new and used Surfboards, Bodyboards, Skimboards, Skateboards, Snowboards, Wakeboards, as well as Wetsuits, clothing and all support accessories, such as Leashes, Traction, Fins, Board Bags, etc. Yes, this does mean that they buy used equipment. In addition, if you are a manufacturer or a retailer in these industries with products call, or email them.

The Green Scene's award winning and innovative residential landscape design and construction firm, run by Designer Scott Cohen, is located at 19431 Londelius St. in Northridge, and is regularly featured on HGTV. They are an amazing custom swimming pool contractor, landscape contractor, and general contractor who design and build custom swimming pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, barbecue counters, outdoor fireplaces, firepits, ponds, waterfalls, and fountains. Mr. Cohen is a certified construction expert witness for the CSLB. They install outdoor lighting, sprinklers, and all other aspects of the landscape as part of a remodel or new construction project. Turn outdated landscapes or brand new yards into a luxurious and unique environment designed by Scott Cohen and The Green Scene.

Browse their photo gallery at greenscenelandscape.com to see their gorgeous and innovative swimming pools and spas, some of which have been featured on HGTV shows such as Get Out, Way Out! They incorporate vanishing edges, slot overflows, sheer descents, popup fountains, Baja shelves. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits provide comfort, warmth, and beauty, especially when situated next to a spa or pool. Scott Cohen and The Green Scene design and build gorgeous custom fireplaces and fire pits and sell portable chimineas, and fire pits (through their web site only). Scott Cohen designs the most innovative and eye-catching hardscape features. Scott creates custom ceramic tile, concrete faux-wood bridges and patios, stone pilasters, paver patios, colored and stamped concrete walkways and patios, poured-in-place stepping stones, tile and stone swimming pool coping, flagstone highlights, custom ironwork, and much more.

Scott Cohen uses many different outdoor lighting techniques in his landscape designs including fiber optics. Outdoor lighting is an essential part of the landscape design process, and it can be used in a dramatic or subtle way. Read "Nightscaping: Award Winning Outdoor Designer Shares the Magic and Mystery of Outdoor Lighting", published in Architectural West, for Scott Cohen's tips on specific outdoor lighting techniques.

The Green Scene designs and builds custom and unique ponds, water gardens, and fountains, as well as incorporating pre-cast fountains into their gorgeous landscape designs. Their award winning ponds and waterfalls are unique and beautiful. In today's economy, many people are choosing to vacation at home, or take a "staycation." Scott Cohen's designs are perfect for creating the perfect resort-style backyard perfect for staycationing.

At Burbank Fireplace and BBQ, the satisfaction of the customers is their number one priority. Though, this has become a cliché in the retail industry, they strive to be the best at what they do which is installing and servicing fireplaces, BBQs and mailbox needs throughout the Los Angeles area. Most of their business comes from referrals from satisfied customers. One customer said, "By far the best fireplace installer in Los Angeles. Remolding a house is the most strenuous project one can do in their life, dealing with Burbank Fireplace and BBQ and their professional staff meant I had one less thing to worry about. My fireplace and outside BBQ Island came out great." Although located in Burbank, they sell and service fireplaces and BBQ grills in all of Los Angeles. They will visit with you or your general contractor and present the best fireplaces, grills, mailboxes, and accessories available in the market at affordable prices. So, if trying to keep warm this winter, or grill out this summer, or the post office can't deliver mail because no mailbox, or if the chimney is just not working the way it is supposed to, then give them a call and they will do their best to help.

They have been building and installing custom fireplaces in and around the Los Angeles area for over 15 years. Artisanship and attention to detail are their trademarks; taking pride in knowing that the quality and lasting beauty of their work will be enjoyed for many years to come. By adding the charm of a fireplace to one's home, not only increases the value of the property, but it creates a warm and inviting focal point for any room.
In the world of custom travel arrangements, Elite Aviation based near the Van Nuys

Airport goes far beyond any ticket agency to provide a unique transportation experience. Elite Aviation has been operating for nearly two decades as a full service aviation company providing excellent service and guidance in aircraft charter, aircraft management, maintenance, and sales. In the past two decades, they have flown nearly 70 million miles, equivalent to 150 trips to the moon and back. A group of highly skilled and professional individuals working as a team makes this possible. With a diverse fleet of nearly 20 jet aircraft, they are sure to have the perfect aircraft to suit any particular needs at the most economical rates available in the industry. Their current fleet includes Citation, Lear, Hawker, Challenger, Falcon, and Gulfstream aircraft based in Van Nuys, Santa Ana, and Denver. In addition to their own fleet, they have access to thousands of additional aircraft based worldwide through associations they have developed with fellow aircraft operators.

Elite's experienced flight crews have all been trained using the latest state of the art flight simulators. Their flight crews are dedicated to provide clients with safe operations and the highest level of customer service available in the industry. Their commitment to provide excellent customer service to clients separates them from competitors. Book a charter with Elite and let them exceed travel expectations. For more information, call (818) 988-5387, or go to eliteaviation.com.

Located at 7235 Owensmouth Ave., in Canoga Park, Henri's Exquisite Catering is a full service caterer that can arrange for rentals, music, flower arrangements, entertainment, photographer, or whatever is needed to make an event truly special. Henri's is a family owned and operated business that has been at the same location for over 30 years. Instead of settling for the usual, call Henri's for a look that pleasures the eyes and tastes that tease the palate with outrageous joy. Delight guests with service and food that will titillate taste buds without paying a kings ransom. They have caterers liquor license, professional staff, hosted and cash bars, fully insured reasonable rates, any size event, all major credit cards accepted, special requests, and will cater any type of party or event. Customers, Brian and Natalie said, "thank you Henri's and their wonderful staff for the most beautiful, incredible reception anyone has ever attended. We feel very blessed to have had Henri's and their staff cater our wedding. It was the most special day of our lives. We would recommend Henri's in a heart beat."

Henri's coordinators can arrange for all aspects of a wedding day from providing the Minister, Music, Photographer, flowers etc. to delicious food, and rentals. No detail is left undone. Put together a budget and let Henri's Exquisite Catering do the rest to make a wedding the most enjoyable day in the couple's life. For more information, call (818) 348-3141. Call with any questions to make an appointment for any party/corporate/ wedding/event consultation or go to henriscatering.com.

Based in Woodland Hills, California Aquatic Creations Award Winning Design has been in business since 1980, and they pride themselves on providing customers with the best-quality products and custom aquarium designs. Please feel free to contact them for a free consultation to discuss which aquarium would be best. California aquatics founder, Howard Stone is well known for his ability to provide any customer with exactly what they are looking for, whether it be a simple aquarium for a home or office to creative, elaborate designs. Their services include weekly, bi-monthly, and monthly aquarium service, aquarium sales and leasing, custom tanks and stands. For more information, call: (818) 884-9797
monsteraquariums.com

Jacoby Co. Inc. are one of the few window treatment companies that have a Contractor's License (#89857), one million dollar liability insurance policy, and a qualified installer is covered by workman's compensation insurance. The Jacoby Company is the husband and wife team of Cory and Gary Jacoby, a family company that treat their customers with care. Located at 23616 Strathern St. in Canoga Park, they serve greater Southern California, and are in the business of creating fabulous window treatments, luxurious draperies, sensible shades and scintillating shutters; Cory designs and Gary installs. Gary started in the drapery design business with his first company, A-1Window Trim. Over the years, he has worked with dozens of the best designers in Los Angeles and Southern California. He really knows the window coverings business from floor to ceiling. He is brilliant at installation and has a solution for everything. One customer said, "Cory and her husband did window treatments for our entire house, helping us choose the type and style that was right for each room. They installed everything ... even made an upholstered headboard for the master bedroom and coordinated screen doors. It all looks great.?" For more information, go to jacobycompany.com or call (818) 999-3468.

Located at 2389 Tapo St. in Simi Valley, Holmes Custom Picture Framing has a great selection, from original art to gifts for the art lover. They are Simi Valley's oldest and largest picture framer, with many years of experience in their field. They have a state-of-the-art Digital Imaging Center in-house; utilizing the most innovative products to ensure that quality is unsurpassed. George Holmes started Holmes Custom Picture Framing in 1979 on a ranch in Newbury Park and worked in a 30' X 40' garage. Holmes opened his first store on Erringer Road. It was only 850 square feet, so he had to do the actual framing at the workshop at the ranch in Newbury Park. Holmes purchased Nora's Art Gallery located on Valley Fair and soon closed the store on Erringer Road and moved the inventory to the new location. Holmes has added more services over the last few years and dedicated the gallery to show original artwork by local artists. Holmes has also added equipment such as a large flatbed scanner, and other computer equipment. His focus will remain what it has been since the beginning: to be the best custom picture framer that he can be, and to offer the best service to his clients. Come in and visit Holmes Custom Picture Framing, they really are the Custom Picture Framer's Picture Framer. For more information, call (805) 584-0072, store hours are Tue-Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat 9AM-5PM, and Sunday 12PM-5PM. Check out their work at holmesartcenter.com.

So, whether looking for unique, custom manufactured products like bicycles, motorcycles, cars, skateboards, swimming pools, fireplaces, window treatments, food/catering, BBQs, travel arrangements, picture frames, or aquariums, the Valley includes that and so much more. Define your style as a local trendsetter, establish long-lasting roots with this sweet community, and appreciate this phenomenal Valley for what it really is: a beautiful place to live. Valley residents are not a poor stereotype of a mallrat surfer bohemian type, dude, and you should not let it become one. Please keep this community clean, beautiful, unique, and fascinating. Take the time and do something unique for the community today. Classic aficionados or recent tastemakers with new eyes know the Valley or are about to know the Valley and ensconce themselves with glee into our gorgeous Valley scene.

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