I'm in Santa Monica, pretty close to Westwood. The air quality AFAIK is normal - smoggy, but not smelly and full of ash or anything.

Thanks, Amy.

I'm in San Diego. There are fires to the North East and fires to the South East. The air is full of soot, ashes and it is dark. It is difficult to breathe. All the schools have been evacuated. My daughter is scared. :(

The air has been absolutely terrible here. I don't even want to leave the house. My lungs are filled with sand and smoke :( My sisters ex-hubby was evacuated from his home in Big Bear. I feel horrible for everyone who has to leave their homes. I hope their pets are safe.

Does everyone remember the fires of... I believe it was 2003? It was the worst ever. I worked at In-n-out in San Bernadino and after work, my car would be covered in ash. THAT was scary. It was gloomy and smokey for weeks.

Dana, Ahimsa, Amy and the rest of you Californians! :hug: We've got you in our thoughts!!!

Thanks!

Thank You!

i heard one of these fires was caused by a little kid with a match! I haven't found the story yet but thats so sad. I'll have to look it up to get the full details. i remember waking up and the sun was red, it was so weird, reminded me of the movies, i don't know why and i guess a week ago, for one day the sky was all orange and stuff, but it looked beautiful in a way, strange. I don't really live near the fires but i still saw effects. But i guess they're winding down now?

I just heard that too! Now where were the parents when their young child was playing with matches? I never had access to matches, let alone was I alone long enough to climb on the counter to get them without being spotted.

I'm so glad the fires have calmed. I'm still dying of asthma though. I think I may have bronchitis now.

I took a picture from my window (http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d13/danakscully64/neighborhood-fires.jpg) during the fires. The sky looks pinkish-red. Yuck.

I'm glad the fires are calming down. from where i live, the sky from that one day looked pretty, but i guess thats different for you.

The sky is pretty now. The picture was taken on the 25th. There must be particles in the air still.

I hope nobody minds that I moved three posts about the boy who started one of the fires into a separate thread in the Compost Heap b/c I thought it merited further discussion beyond this thread.

So, NOW, let's talk about a SoCal meetup! We haven't had one since February of 2006, I believe, and another one is due. I want to meet y'all! :whip:

Anybody out there?

Hmmm, I suppose posting in the California thread is the next-best thing for indulging in nostalgia :p.

So Californians.. here's why I love your state:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jasperdijkmanpct/PCT07CentralCalifornia/photo#5083508924766274306

Hmmm, I suppose posting in the California thread is the next-best thing for indulging in nostalgia :p.

So Californians.. here's why I love your state:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jasperdijkmanpct/PCT07CentralCalifornia/photo#5083508924766274306

Cool pictures, thank you for sharing. I loved the one of the very green meadow with the mountains rising sharply behind it.

Ew, why would I want to meet any of YOU guys? *hehe* Especially after you moved my post to a new thread *shakes head* :lol: Just kidding. I would LOVE to have a meet up.

Lets not SoCal have all the fun. Would anyone in be interested in a bay area get together?

Have you guys heard of a place called Orean? It's an all vegan fast food restaurant near where I live. It's delecious!

Have you guys heard of a place called Orean? It's an all vegan fast food restaurant near where I live. It's delecious!

I don't think so. Where exactly do you live? Your profile only says California.

Have you guys heard of a place called Orean? It's an all vegan fast food restaurant near where I live. It's delecious!

there's one in pasadena, have been there 3x -- is that it?

I'm sure that's it. I have a copy of VegOut Vegetarian Guide to Southern California, and this is what it says about Orean Health Express:

***/$ (meaning excellent/inexpensive (under $10)

Orean Health Express
817 North Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91104
626.794.0861

Multiethnic

Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Payment: Cash Only
Alcohol: No
Parking: Lot
Atmosphere: Fast Food

It would be easy to drive by Orean - surrounded by McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, and other national chains - and assume it was just another local burger joint. Upon closer inspection, diners recognize that this little drive-through with a few picnic tables is a one-of-a-kind vegan fast-food stand. It offers veggie dogs with chili and soy "cheese", scrambled-tofu breakfast burritos, barbecue, curry falafel pitas, spirulina ginseng slushes, "air-fried" french fries, and nondairy, fat-free root beer floats. It's not fancy, and it's certainly not haute cuisine, but sometimes even vegetarians need lunch on-the-run. Fast food from $2 to $5. Vegan.

It's also listed in my Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Foods Restaurants in the US and Canada, 4th edition, copyright 2005.

Now I want to drive all the way to Pasadena just for lunch. :drool:

yeah the one in pasadena! Whenever my dad calls to pick up fast food, when we're to lazy to cook, i always suggest orean. Sometimes he'll get it sometimes he won't. Once i can drive i'm gonna go like every week! i give it 5 stars

I'm sure that's it. I have a copy of VegOut Vegetarian Guide to Southern California, and this is what it says about Orean Health Express:

***/$ (meaning excellent/inexpensive (under $10)

Orean Health Express
817 North Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91104
626.794.0861

Multiethnic

Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Payment: Cash Only
Alcohol: No
Parking: Lot
Atmosphere: Fast Food

It would be easy to drive by Orean - surrounded by McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, and other national chains - and assume it was just another local burger joint. Upon closer inspection, diners recognize that this little drive-through with a few picnic tables is a one-of-a-kind vegan fast-food stand. It offers veggie dogs with chili and soy "cheese", scrambled-tofu breakfast burritos, barbecue, curry falafel pitas, spirulina ginseng slushes, "air-fried" french fries, and nondairy, fat-free root beer floats. It's not fancy, and it's certainly not haute cuisine, but sometimes even vegetarians need lunch on-the-run. Fast food from $2 to $5. Vegan.

It's also listed in my Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Foods Restaurants in the US and Canada, 4th edition, copyright 2005.

Now I want to drive all the way to Pasadena just for lunch. :drool:

Man...my husband and I have been talking about opening a veg*n fast food joint for years! I didn't know there was one in So Cal!! I might have to make the 1hr 30min drive to Pasadena...just to try it out.

[QUOTE=Amy SF;1754352] ...Fast food from $2 to $5. Vegan...."

actually i believe they're vegetarian. i asked about the soy cheese, its the one with casein. just double check with them when you order. i live about 45 minutes from pasadena -- if i lived closer, this would be one of my staple places.

i always order the fries! they're air cooked, or something like that. :lick:

So, NOW, let's talk about a SoCal meetup! We haven't had one since February of 2006, I believe, and another one is due. I want to meet y'all! :whip:

Anybody out there?

I'll mention this again in case anybody missed it or somebody new pops in. It doesn't have to be right now; we can wait until after the holidays if it's more convenient for people.