Give the gift of Spirithood this Christmas!

By: Serena Scott Thomas

These delightful hoods are the new ‘Must Have’ this Christmas amongst the cognoscenti of Eco-Chic, or so my 13 yr old daughter announced.  So in the name of dutiful motherhood I scrambled feverishly to find one for her for Christmas and was so taken with them that I bought one for myself too!  ‘Mutton dressed as lamb’ you cry ( and you are  right), but I don’t care!  Made from faux fur to resemble various endangered species, they are utterly irresistible. Soft, warm and practical with little mittens and a zippered pocket on the inside for your money etc, they make the perfect gear for this insane winter storm that’s blasting us right now. But best of all, when  you buy one, a portion of the money  goes to various non-profit organizations  that protect the species that you bought.

Check out they’re website at http://spirithoods.com/

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.

Katherine Jackson and grandchildren move to the Oaks

By: Tomer and Isidora Fridman

Calabasas is known for celebrity’s that enjoy getting away from the spot light. Lots of high profile people move out this way from the city to live a quieter life where people will leave them alone. Case in point, Katherine Jackson has signed a $26,000-a-month lease in Calabasas near Britney Spears’ home. According to TMZ, the Jackson’s are posting up in Calabasas while their Encino home is being remodeled. The Calabasas home is characterized by TMZ.com as a “12670 square-foot mansion” complete with a game room and movie theater.

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.

Tomer Isidora Fridman

Jordan Rapp (Courtesy of Kerry Yndestad)

Rapp comes back strong after near fatal accident

By: Tammy Sue Roberts

Triathletes all understand the risk of the sport. Barreling down highways on a rail thin tire with cars buzzing by at speeds of over 60 MPH sometimes results in deadly accidents. Jordan Rapp, however, was lucky.

Rapp was found in pool of his own blood, left for dead by a hit and run driver near CSU on March 23rd. That’s when Chief Petty Office Thomas Sanchez likely saved Rapp’s life by applying pressure to his severed jugular vein. Seabee stayed with him until  paramedics arrived. Just weeks after the accident, Sanchez was deployed to Afghanistan, but kept in touch with Rapp through Facebook.

Rapp recovered and raced on the Nov. 21 Tempe, Arizona. Rapp said the emotion crept up on him near the end of the more than 8-hour race – and he had broken down into a full fledged sob when he finished, a mere three minutes behind his time for the previous year.

Rapp is in the top tier of triathletes who compete at the Ironman distance and continues his strenuous training for next years 140.6 miles profession race. This is one amazing story.

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.

tammysueroberts

Tipp’s Top Picks of the Year

By: Steve Tipp

Despite what felt like a really great year for music, it might have been a better time for songs than for albums as I could only come up with 7 albums that I really liked. Probably the statement here is that the album length format is on its way out and shorter formats of music may well could and should become the norm.  Let’s not get started about the woes of the music biz and let’s take it straight to the top 10’s…

Top Albums:

·         The XX – XX – this is such a cool minimalist album.  Simple, beautiful, conceptual.  (Resourceful music seekers may want to find the Biggie vs. Tupac vs. The xx song Runnin With The xx; actually lots of bands even ‘80’s electronic popsters OMD are covering the xx).  Top 2010 Single Contender: Crystalized

·         The Black Keys – Brothers – this is another album that feels conceptual in its design and execution.  My first exposure to this group, rockin’, contemporary & BLUESY…

·         LCD Soundsystem – Early in the year this was clearly my #1 and I was completely convinced Dance Yrself Clean was going to be a hit at alternative radio.  I still love this adventurous electronic album but my prediction for radio-hit-dom, not so accurate. (You might also want to dig up an earlier nugget Daft Punk Is Playing At My House, it seriously reminds me of the parties we would throw at my parent’s house long, long ago).

·         Broken Bells – Broken Bells; this collaboration of producer Dangermouse and Shins James Mercer is another one of the few beautiful indie pop albums this year I never tired of.  Light, melodic and hook-ey.  Top 2010 Single Contenders: The High Road & Ghost Inside

·         Fitz & The Tantrums – Pickin’ Up The Pieces – This is a contemporary, blue eyed soul group from Los Angeles (and the hip/successful LA indie label Dangerbird Records).  Rockin’ new millennium Hall & Oates.  This is the kind of artist I would get passionate about getting on the radio because I believed it would stand out and make a positive difference for the station and the audience would really respond to it.  Ah I am getting nostalgic again… Top 2010 Single Contenders: Money Grabber, frankly nearly every song on this album is a winner!

·         Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy -  Who is nutty as a fruit cake and yet made one of the great albums of the year?  These are strange times indeed.  But if he can use King Crimson’s 21st Century Schizoid Man and make it work in a hip hop hit, he has got talent hidden beneath his batsh!t persona.  Really an eclectic listenable record from end to end. Single Contenders: Power, Gorgeous

·         Arcade Fire – The Suburbs – It was support an indie record shop day this summer and I was drawn to Albums on the Hill in Boulder Colorado and I picked this up.  An independent album release debuting at #1 on Billboard is a big deal in any decade.  This might not be everyone cup of tea but it is super, quirky, English, indie rock.  Their appearance on SNL was polarizing but I love the album their awkward performance reminded me of one of my favorite indie UK artists: New Order.  The real estate themes work for me too!  Top 2010 Single Contenders: Sprawl II, Ready To Start, We Used To Wait

Other Top 2010 Single Contenders: Mark Ronson – Bang Bang Bang; Jason Derulo – Ridin’ Solo, Alicia Keys/Jay Z – Empire State Of Mind, Avett Brothers  – Head Full Of Doubt, The Decemberists – Down By The Water

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

Another side effect of the depressed housing market

By: Barbara Lipkin

A lifelong criminal was ordered by an English court to sell his home to repay about $79,000 to his victims. He asked for an extension because the housing market has dropped so much he couldn’t sell his home for his judgment. He said his Manchester home had been worth about $151,000 a few years ago, but since he has tried selling his house, the offers have been for around $63,000. The judge gave him an extra 3 months and cut the judgment to $60,000 believing the real estate market may improve.”

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.

What not to do as a real estate agent!

By: Barbara Lipkin

A newby real estate agent, licensed for about two weeks, is in trouble in New Zealand because he was apparently too eager to get a listing.  He was fined the equivalent of $1100 by real estate licensing officials & ordered to extend an ethics course after he had put his own “for sale” sign directly in front of the owners “for sale by owner sign.” The family whose home is in Otaki near Wellington filed a complaint. They do not live on the property and thought it odd that they stopped get phone calls about the house. The then found the agent’s sign in the yard. The agent thought the homeowners had agreed to list with him but they neglected to sign the listing agreement.

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.

Announcing the Most Exclusive Real Estate Brokerage in Calabasas

By: Roger Ewing

Welcoming all residents of Calabasas, Hidden Hills and the West San Fernando Valley, Ewing and Associates Sotheby’s International Realty is hosting a wine and cheese party Saturday, December 11th from 2pm – 5pm. We are excited about the recent opening of our corporate headquarters located in the Calabasas Court Yard at 23647 Calabasas Road. Please stop by for live music and plenty of wine.

Warm wishes and Happy Holidays!

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.

PLUM Meeting Gets Ugly

By: Barbara Lipkin

Westfield’s John Alderson’s, “I don’t want to come here anymore.”

Costco is building at the intersection of Topanga, Victory & Owensmouth.  The plan for the area had been for retail, office & housing- a village.  Westfield owns the property.  The big objection, as I understand it, is that there will be a blank warehouse wall facing Victory. The site is not being used as expected or as it should be. When Costco built in Westlake Village, there were objections but they ended up building a suitable Spanish style set off from the street. Costco & Westfield’s attitudes on this project seems to be different-they do not want to hear from the residents or listen to suggestions. Although Councilman Dennis Zine, says the project will be jobs from construction through completion & operating. However, the issue is:
1.  This was not what was proposed.
2.  The architectural result will be an imposing big box with no redeeming value.

In addition, there is a concern that the nearby Canoga Park Costco store will close after a while, leading to a net loss on job creation.

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.

Welcoming friends and families of Calabasas

By: Dana Olmes

From November 19th – 29th, drop by the Calabasas Coffee bean in the Calabasas courtyard and tell them Bay Laurel Elementary sent you. Not only will you receive a small discount, but 10% of funds will go to Bay Laurel Elementary. Stop by the local Coffee Bean next to Ewing and Associates – just a skip away from Hidden Hills.

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.