The Santa Susana Cantina, aka "Wallie's"

The Santa Susana Cantina, now owned by SRM Properties and used as office space, has had a long history in Simi Valley. John Wayne and other movie cowboys hung out here and Jay Leno paid a visit as well. It is even rumored that Charles Manson stopped by to "wet his whistle" once. It is mostly remembered as being a bar/saloon or restaurant by long time locals. Some have claimed that this building actually started out as a stagecoach stop in the 1800's, but records show it was built in 1930. This date could be wrong and it could have been built earlier. Many of the older buildings in the Knolls area have been given estimated build dates on official records because actual dates have been lost. In the early 1900's it supposedly served as a small church for a time, which would give it a build date of earlier than 1930. It was in the year 1932 that the first liquor license was issued for this building to be operated as a drinking establishment. Since then it has been known by many names, such as "Scotty's," "Irene's," "Jave's Reef," "Rod's," "Otto's Oasis," "Otto's Beer Bar," and even, in 1984, "Olde Susana Restaurant." But most seem to remember it as "Wallie's Hideout."

"Wallie" was Lottie W. Matthies, who bought "Otto's Beer Bar" in 1986 and renamed it "Wallie's Hideout." Lottie herself was quite an interesting character, who, at age 14 learned to be a butcher from an uncle. In 1944 she joined the Marines and became a drill sergeant. After leaving the service she headed for California, where she worked for 33 years as a butcher in various grocery stores. She finally retired from the trade and bought the bar, which she dedicated 18 more years of her life to. "Wallie passed away from cancer on January 30th, 2003. But, she saw a lot of life and colorful events at her little bar in "Santa Susana," including the filming of one of the "Terminator" movies in her parking lot, as well as scenes for the televison shows "The X-Files" and "Twin Peaks."

Here is "Wallie's Hideout" in the X-Files, season 9, Episode 10, about 30:35 minutes into the show. As you can see on the photo, this is supposed to be taking place in Canada, LOL! I have my friend Gary Wayne, of the Seeing Stars website to thank for finding this for me. If you want to find out about Simi Valley locations to be found in movies or television shows Gary is the man to contact.

This shot of "Wallie's Hideout" can be found in the old television series "Twin Peaks." This is from season 2, episode 18, called "Masked Ball." Apparently "Wallie's" also shows up in season 2, episode 22, "Slaves and Masters," but I haven't looked yet.

True Blood in Simi Valley

In early May of this year my sister Diane, our friend Jean and me decided to hike around the Tapo Canyon area of Simi Valley. Our purpose was to see if we could gain access to the Big Sky Movie Ranch in order to photograph the former "Little House on the Prairie" film location. We meandered up and down small roads, photographing wild peacocks, checking out the old ranches and talking about the history of our hometown. Finally, we headed up Bennett Road, where the Big Sky Movie Ranch is located. Unfortunately we were unable to access the road leading to the former "Little House" set, but we did stumble upon some scenes being filmed for HBO's popular vampire series, "True Blood." Never one to miss an opportunity, I turned on my camera and captured some shots of the house.

Naturally, being the curious type (some would say nosy!) I wanted to know more about this little old house, it's use in the "True Blood" series, as well as it's history.

To find out more about it's purpose in the "True Blood" series only one person came to mind, Gary Wayne, webmaster of the "Seeing Stars" website. I have often utilized his informative and interesting site when seeking information regarding filming in the area. Gary was more than happy to help and he didn't disappoint. Not only that, he was silver-bullet quick with his responses! According to Gary, who took the time to re-watch older episodes in his efforts to provide identification, this house appeared first in Episode 12 of Season 3, when Hoyt surprises Jessica with her new house. But instead of telling you all about his discovery here, I invite you to visit his website and read for yourself. Gary has done far more justice to describing the scene than I ever could. Besides, I wouldn't want to deny you the privilege of having a look through the rest of his superb website.
Hoyt & Jessica's House - True Blood - Seeing Stars Website

Regarding the history of this quaint little ranch house, I believe it was originally part of the Tapo Rancho, which in 1904 was purchased by the Patterson Ranch Company of Oxnard, who intended to use this land for raising horses and mules, as well as grains and hay for feeding them. A 1911 map drawn up by Dessery & West, Civil and Hydraulic Engineers, shows this area of Bennett Road with a number of buildings identified, including the cook house, bunk house, Superintendent's house and the blacksmith shop. It is my belief that this was the former Superintendent's house. While part of the Tapo Rancho this area was known as the Home Camp, which indicated that this house was built before 1904. Later, this property was purchased by the Tapo Mutual Water Company, and is now owned by the Big Sky Movie Ranch.

If you'd like to view or purchase digitally filtered prints of this house please visit my gallery at:
Hoyt & Jessica's House gallery

Matilija poppy (Romneya)

Article written by Diane

Who doesn't enjoy setting their eyes on an open field of wildflowers? When you stumble upon the Matilija Poppy your eyes get a delightful surprise!

Also known as tree poppies this wildflower is native to southern California and northern Mexico.

The name Matilija (pronounced ma-TIL-i-ha or ma-til-EE-ha) appears to be of Chumash origin, possibly deriving it's name from Chief Matilija of the Chumash Indians of Ventura County, Ca. The name is also noted in Matilija Canyon above the community of Ojai and Matilija Creek in the Los Padres National Forest.

First noted by the author of the 1897 book, “The Wildflowers of California" Mary Elizabeth wrote “The Matilija Poppy must be conceded the queen of all flowers.”

A photographers delight; this dazzling and defiant wildflower grows where she wants, when she wants defying weather conditions and it's environment. Usually the Matilija poppy inhabits dry washes and canyons below 4000' in coastal sage scrub and chaparral away from the immediate coast and blooms from May to July.

Towering as high as 8' tall the showy white flowers are the largest of any plant native to California. It's bright yellow stamens and a single large pistil is the centerpiece of six crinkled pure white petals. Bees, butterflies and birds busily feed on the pollen of the large centerpiece the flower provides.

A little history tells us that In 1832, Thomas Coulter collected this species, most likely in the San Luis Rey River valley. Later In 1845, William Harvey, who introduced many of Coulter's collected plants to botanists in Europe and America, wanted to name the genus after him. However, another plant already bore his name, so he gave the genus name, Romneya, in honor of Coulter's friend, Reverend T. Romney Robinson, an astronomer, and the species name, coulteri, to honor Coulter. The common name, Matilija poppy (pronounced ma-TIL-i-ha or ma-til-EE-ha) is said to be named after Chief Matilija of the Chumash Indian Tribe.

In the stalk of the flower, there is a clear to yellowish liquid substance that the Cahuilla Indians used to drink. The Native Chumash Indians valued the plant for its medicinal value as well. The plant was used medicinally for skin and gum problems and stomach upset. The folklore of the the Chumash people believed the petals of the flower were made from the soul of a maiden, who died of a broken heart. Their Chumash gods transformed her into the pure white petal.

If you’re thinking about planting Matilija Poppies in your garden, keep in mind that the plant is 'normally' difficult to grow, but when the poppies take root, they can take over your garden so give them space to flourish. They are not called defiant without reason.

According to homeopathic medical advisors today, the tea or diluted tincture, as a drug analgesia, works well as a wash for skin pain and inflammation caused by an allergic reaction, chemical irritation, heat rash, or mild burns or sunburns.

As an astringent, it is a quality antimicrobial, and can be used as a powder to help with more common skin fungi. Though the diluted tincture is not very palatable, it apparently inhibits microbial growth in the mouth, lessens gum sensitivity, and decreases plaque buildup.

Painful and debilitating but not serious bacterial gastroenteritis can be soothed with the tea or tincture, helping to inhibit the bug, lessen the pain and cramps, and act as a mild sedative.

Warning: information on the herbal properties of this flower have been gathered from the Internet and has not been validated by the author. Always do your own research before using any herbal remedy.

Unfortunately, the species is slowly declining in areas of California where development is taking place a may soon become an endangered species.

Slender Flowered Thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus)

Article written by Diane

This thistle has been spotted so far on two of the five trails we've been on, Wildwood and Hummingbird. Standing tall above woodland grass and low lying wildflowers this woody stalked thistle is not very attractive but it's delicate bright blooms have amazing 'curb appeal' and add to the beauty of the array of wildflowers.

More commonly known as the winged plumeless thistle, and also known as shore thistle. The thistle plant in general carries quite a tale.

Thistle is an old English name given for a large group of plants with a questionable reputation. According to ancient Greek folklore the thistle was apart part of the original curse put upon the earth and specifically on man. In Grecian history 'Earth' made the thistle in a moment of grief for the loss of Daphnis, shepherd and musician, poet and hunter. In Norse mythology Thor, the thunderer god, protected the plant, known as the 'lightning plant', and all those that wore it was protected from harm.

The common cotton thistle or Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium L.) has quite a noble stature. During the reign of Malcolm I of Scotland, Norsemen attempted to capture the Staines Castle by wading across the moat in their bare feet, only to find the moat dry and overgrown with thistle. The agonized cries of the warriors aroused the castle guards and the Norsemen were defeated. To memorialize this victory, the thistle flower became the emblem of Scotland. In some stories, thistle is also the basis of Hans Christian Anderson's tale The Wild Swans, where eleven princes were freed from their entrapment as swans when their sister made shirts from thistle and placed them on their backs.

Our common noxious thistle weed does not have such a majestic tale. Discovered and identified in 1991 in Thurston County, Washington, this thistle plant like all others are deadly to animals and livestock such as sheep due to it's crown of thorns and spiked stalks. This pretty slender flower thistle is an aggressive exotic weed that invades and infests grazing pastures and open ranges.

The thistle plant is in the asteraceae or compositae family, along with the aster, daisy, and sunflower. Slender flower is not native of America but made it's way here from Europe and Asia.

The delicate cluster of rosette leaves deeply lobed with numerous spines have the appearance of a pineapple and each lobe produces clusters of pink, purple and mauve blooms. Each "flower" is composed of many individual florets.

Many edible products come from 'composites', or thistle plants such as cooking oils, lettuce, sunflower seeds, artichokes, sweetening agents, and teas, but not so with this particular species - look but don't touch!

Santa Susana Monkey Flower (Diplacus rutilus)

Article written by Diane

During our hike through the Santa Susana brush-land at Corriganville, we spotted a rare variety of the Monkey Flower, known as the Santa Susana. Although the monkey flower is not in it's natural habitat in Pasadena, it has been known to grow there quite well when planted in full shade, thus the plant is also known as Pasadena Red Monkey Flower.

The monkey fower is in the Mimulus family. The generic name in Latin, mimus means "mimic actor", from the Greek mimos meaning "imitator."

The Santa Susana monkey flower is primarily found on the hillsides of Santa Susana and has velvety deep brick red flowers, fading to touches of yellow and glossy green foliage. You can look for this delicate flower hiding in shaded areas under the protection of trees, shrubs and large rock outcroppings. When this monkey flower thrives, it is stunning in all colors and varieties and several species produce a musky aroma.

Described as a 'knock your socks off flower' by one botanist. Filled with sweet nectar, the monkey flower is the perfect flower if you are planting a 'hummer garden', this flower attracts hummingbirds. Strange however, this plant does not attract butterflies.

It's a mixed bag as to if this plant is edible. While one source states: "Mimulus species tend to concentrate sodium chloride and other salts absorbed from the soils in which they grow in their leaves and stem tissues. Native Americans and early travelers in the American West used this plant as a 'salt substitute' to flavor wild game. The entire plant is edible, but reported to be very salty and bitter unless well cooked. The juice squeezed from the plant's foliage was used as a soothing poultice for minor burns and skin irritations."

Whereas another source states: "No medicinal properties, not edible and do not self-administer."

Tarantula Hawk

Article written by Cindy

This ugly critter is commonly known as a Tarantula Hawk, with the scientific name of Pepsis Formosa. We came across him/her while hiking the north trails at Corriganville in Santa Susana. They are in the spider wasp family.

Measuring up to 2 inches in length, these brightly colored insects are the prey of only a few predators, the roadrunner in particular. They are "nectivorous," meaning they live mosly on nectar, and have been known to become tipsy after feeding on fermented fruit.

The Tarantual Hawk preys on, as their name states, Tarantulas. The female of the species is able to find a tarantula through scent, and will then enter its burrow to chase it out. She will now attack the tarantula, stinging it, which causes paralysis. She will then drag her victim back into it's burrow and lay a single egg on its abdomen, seal it up and leave it to hatch. If a male tarantula is attacked the wasp will make a burrow and go through the same egg-laying and sealing procedure.

These wasps are generally mild-mannered towards humans and it is rare they will sting. However, one researcher who has been stung describes it like this... "To me, the pain is like an electric wand that hits you, inducing an immediate, excruciating pain that simply shuts down one’s ability to do anything, except, perhaps, scream. Mental discipline simply does not work in these situations. The pain for me lasted only about three minutes, during which time the sting area was insensitive to touch, i.e., a pencil point poked near the sting resulted only in a dull deep pressure pain."

Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla)

Written by Diane Beauton

We found this specimen on one of the trails at Wildwood Park, Thousand Oaks.

Purple Sage is a sturdy drought resistant plant belonging to the mint family.

This succulent looking plant is actually a shrub and one variety of sage plant native to California. It's woody stem blooms blue/purple flowers. The plant is sweetly aromatic and is a lover of bees, insects, and birds who feed on it's sweet nectar.

Native Americans used this plant during ceremonies for it's hallucinogenic powers to induce visions during healing rituals, much like the shamanic traditions use another well another known variety, Saliva Divinorium. And according to Mazatec legends, they believe the plant is an incarnation of the Virgin Mary. The seeds of this herbal were also a part of the diet of the Chumash Indians.

One source states, "Botanists generally agree that salvia divinorum is low in toxicity and has a pretty low potential for addiction. It is still legal in most states, but we don't recommend you run out and try it." Seeing how Salvia Leucophylla is in the same family I am assuming the toxicity is also low.

The only difference between the two is their strains of power.