Ten things to love about the Valley

10. Ventura BLVD (most of it, at least)

9. Better customer service, compared to almost any other business south of the Hollywood Hills or the Santa Monicas

8. Valleyites are shameless flirts who flirt with you and not your money

7. Hole-in the wall hobby shops

6. More relaxed pace -- so what's the rush? Sit a while; sit

5. Purple mountains majesty, every time you look up

4. Easier traffic -- fewer pricks who think they're Mario Andretti

3. Waiters who sing opera

2. The vibrant celebration of the history of flight

1. Great old-style Italain, like Vitello's, Little Toni's and Villa Serrento on Magnolia