Cajun and Blues Festival a perfect memorial day activity

By: Karen Lee

Complete with Clydesdales pulling the Budweiser wagon with dalmatians sitting atop, the Simi Cajun Festival was a hit. For those who missed the amazing event, the event hosted fabulous music such as John Nemeth, Maria Buldaur and unbelievable choices of food. The jambalaya was killer and I hear the crawfish wasn’t bad either.

Mark your calendars for next years celebration on Memorial Day weekend!

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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2011 Spring Forward

By: Karen Lee

Modern DST was first proposed in 1895 by George Vernon Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist. Since it’s origin, it has been adopted in much of the world. However, adding daylight to afternoons benefits retailing, sports, and other activities that exploit sunlight after working hours but causes problems for farming, evening entertainment and other occupations tied to the sun. Whether it’s a good thing for our economy is debatable, however, one thing is sure. On March 13th at 2am, we will move the time one hour forward. So don’t forget!

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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Can you really fake a Granite counter?

By: Karen Lee

The old adage ‘fake it till you make it’ maintains some relevance on the topic of fake granite tops. For just a fraction of the price, you can mimic the solid granite countertop look and few people will notice the difference.

Here are 3 options for your next counter:

1. Countertop Paint Kit
You may have wondered, is it possible to paint your laminate countertops? The answer is yes, and to fabulous effect. If you want to paint your laminate countertops with a faux finish that looks eerily identical to granite, check out this video. It demonstrates the results of the Giani Granite paint kit, which includes several types of paints, tools for applying the finish (including a textured sponge), and a high-gloss finishing coat that mimic granite countertop.

2. Granite Tile
Tile installation is a pretty doable project for DIYers of all levels. So if the idea of installing solid granite countertop seems a bit daunting, consider installing granite tile over your existing surface — as long as you’re okay with the grout lines, that is. Granite tiles are usually about 12″ square and because they’re thinner than a stone slab, they’re also lighter and easier to handle. Watch this video to learn more about granite tiles.

3. Plastic Laminate with Granite Look
We know what you’re probably thinking: There’s no way plastic laminate can look or feel like real granite. But quality plastic laminate post form tops are actually produced with both matte and glossy finishes plus subtle grooves that mimic the texture of real granite countertop, to both the eye and the touch — at about 50% less than natural stone slabs. Watch as DIYer Danny Lipford explains the ins and outs of stone-look plastic laminate countertops.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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By: Karen Lee

On Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time ends in Calabasas. Each Fall we move our clocks back one hour and “gain” and extra hour. So, it gets lighter earlier and darker earlier. We “Fall back” at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November by setting our clock back one hour and thus returning to Standard Time. Don’t forget.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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By: Karen Lee

A non-profit organization, Save the Ta-Tas is dedicated to battling cancer at every stage by supporting breakthrough breast cancer research. Save the Ta-Tas sells shirts, shorts, bags, hats and boob lube (body soap and lotion). Owner Julia Fikse approaches her philanthropic business in a somewhat jovial manner – lightheartedly refering to breasts as “ta-tas.” But despite the joke, Fiske founded the business after watching both her aunt and grandmother loose their breasts.

So far the business has raised $427,000 and is funding a researcher base in Barcelona, Spain. Fiske prides herself on the success and benevolence of Save the Ta-Tas. “Ta-tas brand is unique in that it guarantees a percentage of no less than 25% of net profits, or 5% of gross sales,” she explained. Ta-tas guarantees a donation regardless of whether the company is profitable or not.

That’s pretty generous. It’s refreshing to see such great things being done for breast cancer.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

By: Karen Lee

For a lovely West Hills family event, come by the West Hills Fall Fest to enjoy live entertainment and diverse international dishes. This Fall Fest is a free event featuring rides and games for the children.

Experience a variety of products presented by merchants and don’t forget the Chili. For the first time, West Hills Fall fest is having a Chili Cookoff Contest.

For the adults, the Fall Fest offers wine, brew and food from Trader Joes. This is a great fall event for West Hills Residences.

West Hills Center
23233 Saticoy Ave
West Hills, Ca 91304

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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By: Karen Lee

Fresh Brothers is opening in October in the Calabasas Commons. They recently opened a restaurant in the Westlake Promenade. They offer all types of pizza, pasta, salads and buffalo wings. Fresh Brothers also has a gluten free section on the menu.

Come check it out this October.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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Septemberfest in Los Angeles

By: Karen Lee

DJ’s and bands will be present for this year Septemberfest-  America’s answer to Oktoberfest. Having felt shorted for years by German food, Polka music, and Lederhosen, America finally claimed its own tradition of BBQ and Daisy Dukes. The one constant? Beer.

Septemberfest will feature over 200 beers, bbq, music, and all in all, a celebration of everything that’s great about American culture. Admission is $50 and includes unlimited pours for four hours. If you don’t purchase your tickets, you’re letting the terrorists win.

Saturday, 25 September 2010Event starts at 3pm and ends at 7pm

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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By: Steve Tipp

I am a road cyclist. I’m one of those guys that wear those goofy spandex shorts and shirt & a helmet and hit it on my bike.  I ride 3 days per week – about 75 total.  Usually I ride up in the Mulholland Corridor here in Calabasas.  The roads are not too traffic-y and the scenery is beautiful.  This is world class road cycling country.

Yesterday I got a call in the morning from my sister and one in the evening from a good friend, asking if I was alright.  They had heard a news report that a cyclist had been hit on Mulholland Hwy and they were concerned about me.  Actually 4 cyclist were hit by an 81 year old driver (according to the LA Times http://tinyurl.com/2a8nd68 ) and 3 were airlifted to UCLA.  A tragic situation.

Cycling to me is absolutely the greatest sport and I am really hopeful I can continue to do it as long as I can walk.  Are cyclists sometimes rude?  Yes.  Do they sometimes ignore traffic laws?  Yes.  Probably like the rest of us perfect 90% of the time, not so perfect the other 10%.

There has been a lot of talk lately about making laws and roads more bicycling friendly.  After Mayor Villaraigosa got bumped off his bicycle a few weeks ago he convened  a Los Angeles bicycling summit: http://tinyurl.com/2f29hlo The one law that seems to be getting the most talk on a very broad level (nationally and internationally) is a 3 feet passing law, suggesting automobiles passing bicycles with at least 3 feet of space between.

Keep your eyes on the road and off your phone (ok this applies to me too!), and please give your fellow man a bit of space especially if he is on a bike!

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Steve Tipp

By: Cindy Libonati

Leo Keligan

Just to keep my audience updated on Wings over Wendy’s, I wanted to tip my readers off to a Daily News article written by Dennis McCarthy:

“The party starts at about 9 every Monday morning at Wendy’s restaurant in West Hills, and ends around 11 a.m. The vets finish their last cup of coffee, tell their last joke, and head for the exits to make room for the lunch crowd starting to wander in.

“See you next week,” they say, shaking hands. Drive safe.

No one passing them in the parking lot seems to have any idea who these men are, because if they did they’d probably stop and thank them.

They certainly deserve it. When this country asked them to leave their families and help us out of some tight spots around the world, they did.

World War II, Korea, Vietnam.

Most of them were pilots, navigators and bombardiers. They call themselves “Wings Over Wendy’s” and a more colorful, down-to-earth bunch of people you’re not going to find.

When I walked in to talk to them Monday, the raffle winners were just being announced. The prizes included a pack of 10 ballpoint pens, two small sacks of oranges from somebody’s backyard tree, and a videotape of “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

Beautiful.

“Crash” Blechman, Ed Figueroa, Mickey Epstein and a handful of other aviation veterans came up with the idea of a weekly Monday morning get together at Wendy’s about nine years ago. Today, the group has 140 members.

Crash, who died last year, earned his dubious nickname after crashing five Navy fighter planes during his military career.

He always joked that the Japanese acknowledged him as one of their aces.Laughs are a big part of this exclusive club. War grudges are hard to keep when one of your former members flew for the German Luftwaffe.

He told Figueroa he knew the war in Europe was almost over when he took off one day with 40 other Luftwaffe pilots and were met by 1,200 American planes.

“We never imagined when we started Wings Over Wendy’s that it would grow this big,” Figueroa said Monday, looking around the packed room.

Sitting a few feet away from the former B-26 gunner, 89-year-old Clyde East – the most decorated combat pilot in the room – sat with his young granddaughter.

He felt it was important that she have the chance to be here with him and meet some of these men, said East, a quiet, unassuming man.

The great ones usually are. East flew more than 200 combat missions in World War II and another 100 combat missions in Korea during his 25 years of service.

He was awarded dozens of war medals, including the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross, and that was just from our government.

He was also decorated by the governments of England, France, and Belgium. In 1955, Col. East made the Guiness Book of World Records for the highest number of combat medals up to that time.

And on Monday morning – holding his granddaughter’s hand – this incredible old war hero walked to his parked car without getting a second look.

Across town, Lindsay Lohan walked out of jail and back into the headlines.”

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Cindy Libonati

Since 1976, Cindy Royall Libonati's years of dedication to her loyal clients is legendary in the community and her success is matched only by her sincerity, caring and knowledge. As an estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, she specializes in residential properties in the Greater San Fernando and Conejo Valleys.

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