Toys for Tots

Helping Children this Holiday Season

By: Roger Ewing

Our three Ewing & Associates offices have again placed Toys for Tots collection boxes in Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Sherman Oaks.  The collection boxes will remain in place through December 22, 2011. Toys of all monetary value will be distributed to needy children. Often, there are few gifts for children over the age of 10 so a special consideration for these children is always appreciated.

To find our offices, visit the links below:

Agoura Hills Office
Calabasas Office
Sherman Oaks Office

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Rosti in Calabasas

Welcome to our new neighbors

By: Barbara Lipkin

Our new neighbors, Rosti in Calabasas opened on November 10th in The Courtyard at the Commons in the space that was once Cosmos. Known for an extensive Tuscan menu ranging from small bites like a classic Minestrone to traditional style entrees like Penne All’Arrabbiata and Linguini Vongole, Rosti seems to fill a need in the Calabasas restaurant scene.

Every time I walk by the restaurant it seems to be bustling. Some friends of mine have mentioned that service is slow, but the management assures this will not remain the case as they are still working out the kinks. The servers are professional and friendly and I proudly welcome them to the community.

The Rosti Tuscan Kitchen has three locations; Calabasas, Encino and Santa Monica.

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Barbara Lipkin

Knowledgeable, caring and successful are words that best describe Barbara Lipkin, a Hidden Hills resident and top producing realtor with over 28 years experience. Barbara combines personal concern for her clients with professional expertise to achieve outstanding results in her field.

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7 Things to Know about Calabasas

A few Calabasas facts you probably did not know

By: Mickey Nathans

  1. Calabasas has approximately 23,000 residents
  2. Calabasas offers free Trolley rides: Dial a ride for $2.50/trip; and 5 shuttle buses for only $.50/per ride or $50 for one year unlimited use
  3. “No drugs down the drain”. You can drop off all unused or expired pharmaceutical medications, syringes, needles, etc. at the Sheriff Station on Agoura Road.
  4. Electronic waste disposal is available at Vons on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10am-3pm;or Albertsons on the 1st Saturday of the month 10am-3pm (batteries, computers, laptops, TV etc)
  5. Water Based paints and oil can be dropped off @City Hall 10 am-2pm on the 2nd Saturday of every other month
  6. Exciting New Programs for Senior Citizens: The City of Calabasas is offering exciting new programs just for senior citizens like knitting, line dancing, arts & crafts, computer classes, bingo and more at the Calabasas Library.
  7. If you are interested in having an event at the Civic Center, there are four rentable spaces available for events or meetings at the Founders Hall.

Hope these facts will help people be informed with some of the many benefits the City of Calabasas has to offers!!

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Mickey Nathans

I’ve loved opening doors and making dreams come true since 1978. I am an experienced, consistent, top producer as well as a preview specialist. I am a certified relocation specialist. My clients benefit from my memberships on the Valley Board of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, and several other local organizations. I have experience in negotiating, expertise in working with appraisers, lenders, and title companies; and knowledgeable in all areas of real estate.

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Award Winning British Artist

Award Winning British Artist offers drawing and painting for adults

By: Serena Scott Thomas

Winter 2011 with Sarah Stitt

The artist teaches an introduction to the language of drawing and painting, while providing guidance on how to express one’s vision on paper and canvas.

The course is an introduction to:
• Overcoming the fear of creativity
• Measuring, perspective, and learning to look dimensionally
• Using pencil, charcoal, and ink
• Learning composition and color theory
• Understanding depth and space
• Experimenting with tone
• Utilizing various surfaces and tools

Suitable for all levels:
This six-week course is designed to inspire confidence in students who want to learn art history and the traditional methods of drawing and painting.

Location
Paradiso Arts
by courtesy of Laura Alvarez, MFA
2918 Santa Monica Blvd #2
Santa Monica CA 90404

Class is limited to a maximum of 12 people per class. Each class is 3 hours.

Tuition
$410
Saturdays: 10am to 1pm
From Nov 5th to Dec 17th, 2011
(date of last class TBD)

Contact
For questions about the class,
Emaill sarahstitt@me.com
Phone: Sarah’s Studio 323 571 2344
Website: www.sarahstitt.com

For questions about Paradiso Arts
Email: paradisoarts@gmail.com,
Phone: Laura at 310 592 5879
Website www.paradisoarts.com

Hunter Drohojowska-Philp on Sarah’s work:

“Her landscapes rarely include people yet she excels at portraiture especially when
painting her own three children Grace, Gabriel, and Esther. As they change each year, gaining the attributes of adolescence and young adulthood, she paints the loss of youth, the growth of knowledge, and she does so without sentimentality. As with her landscapes, these are paintings not documents, and recall the similarly rigorous stance of American artist Alice Neel. Yet, like her landscapes, these paintings do measure time as it is passed in Los Angeles.”

Hunter Drohojowska-Philp is a journalist and art critic living in Los Angeles.
Her most recent book, Rebels in Paradise: The Los Angeles Art Scene and the 1960s is published by Henry Holt in July 2011

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My life less-tech

Learning to turn it off

By: Steve Tipp

Tuesday morning I was sitting in a big meeting listening, checking my phone, slipping it into my pants pocket, listening a little… and the next thing i heard was glub, glub, glub the sound of my phone slipping from my pocket, landing in my coffee cup and the case filling with coffee. I had pre-ordered a new iPhone 4S, so i smiled and remained calm. Little did I know I would remain calm!

Now my email would remain at my office, and at our home, so would my twitter and
facebook. Because the tiny motorola phone I pulled from the drawer, heck I couldn’t
event figure out how to turn it off in my pocket, I didn’t have a blue tooth, I was having to
actually pull over to make a phone call from my car! Texting? brb: takes a few minutes
to peck out! Things started to fall into their old places.

But the one thing that was a big change is there was space in my day. That space
occurred all over the places where I would pull out the phone and fill in the gaps with
bits of info, social network, news, filler, filler, filler. Now space. And it was nice. And
calming. I was more present. I am more present!

We went to dinner with a couple of great dear old friend couples, the guys busy
entertainment exec’s were checking their phones, getting a call from a boss, an email
confirming a tv show being picked up, sharing SIRI. My little motorola was sitting there
blank. I was paying attention to them, not my own world. I was in the moment, not
being touched and buzzed by bits of info coming at me from all over the universe, not
really relevant to dinner at all…

Every day I call AT&T and ask when is it coming?

My calendar, I don’t want to miss an appointment, where is the soccer game, how
do i phone in the score, i have the phone in app too! My music, I went for a bike ride
yesterday, I couldn’t listen to the new Ryan Adams. It was quiet. I could hear how quiet
my bike was, i could hear myself breath. Then i started hearing a little creak. Oh well.

I know I can’t stay here in the dark ages, we can’t go back. But maybe I can learn to
turn it off…

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Be My Guest: Art, Wine & Jazz

Calabasas Art Show

By: Patte Gilbert

On October 21st at 5pm, stop by our office at 23647 Calabasas Road to look at fine art, taste local wine, listen to live jazz and take a look at some of the hottest Ferrari’s & Masserati’s from the Calabasas Auto Gallery.

The art show will host 5 artists that are well known for their plein air paintings. Perhaps most notable is David Gallup who recently won the California’s Art Club’s gold medal for painting of the year. Below, find a brief biography and one notable artwork of David Gallup, Lynn Gertenbach and Karl Dempwolf.



David Gallup:

David Gallup is an explorer. Not just of nature but of the introspective and spiritual connection man has with his environment. His life’s passion has become a quest for new interpretations of the natural world without leaving his roots in Plein-Air Observation-Based painting. Working in the style of the impressionist masters, David’s works are created on location in some of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating places. They often depict moments when natural elements obscure solid forms, such as fog, rain, glare, or darkness. These elements are used in Gallup’s work to visually represent the sense of awe and mystery he feels for the natural world. For more go to: http://www.dgallup.com/bio.htm

 

Lynn Gertenbach:

During her nearly 40 years as a professional painter, Lynn has traveled around the world five times to paint and exhibit. She has made numerous trips to Europe and South America. In 1980 The Instituto Cultural Norte Americano sponsored a traveling exhibition of Lynn’s paintings to three cities in Peru. For more than two decades Lynn has traveled to Japan to appear at her perennial one woman shows there.

Lynn has painted portraits of many noted persons such as Maestro Zubin Mehta, the Maharaja of Navanagar, Maestro Ravi Shankar, many actors and corporate CEO’s.

She has received numerous gold medal awards and received the Life Achievement Award (Hall of Fame Inductee) from the Colorado Institute of Art. In addition, Lynn also won First Prize in the Landscape Category of the 2002 Autumn Salon Show held at Edenhurst Gallery in Beverly Hills, CA. For more go to: http://lynngertenbachart.com/3/miscellaneous6.htm

Karl Dempwolf:

Karl Dempwolf spent his childhood growing up in the picturesque Bavarian countryside but at the age of fourteen he and his family immigrated to the US on the Steam ship America. Dempwolf received his BA from California State University Northridge CA, where he will always be recognized as that institution’s first All American Athlete.

Over the years Dempwolf has participated in exhibitions at the Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles, the Frederick R. Weisman Museum at Pepperdine University in Malibu, the Phippen Museum in Prescott AZ, the Carnegie Art Museum in Ventura County, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana CA. California, and the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

Dempwolf’s work can be found in publications from North Light Books, entitled Art from the Parks. His paintings are in the permanent collections of large corporations, among them McGraw-Hill Publishers, and the National Park Foundation. Dempwolf’s newly published book “A Painter’s Journey” is available here.

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Patte Gilbert

Patte Gilbert is one of our community's premiere real estate agents. She has been an agent for over 20 years and has represented over 3,000 clients. She has received countless industry awards and has been a Top Producer, nationwide, for Sotheby's International Real Estate.

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Art, Wine & Jazz

Calabasas Art Show

By: Patte Gilbert

On October 21st at 5pm, stop by our office at 23647 Calabasas Road to look at fine art, taste local wine, listen to live jazz and take a look at some of the hottest Ferrari’s & Masserati’s from the Calabasas Auto Gallery.

The art show will host 5 artists that are well known for their plein air paintings. Perhaps most notable is David Gallup who recently won the California’s Art Club’s gold medal for painting of the year. Below, find a brief biography and one notable artwork of David Gallup, Lynn Gertenbach and Karl Dempwolf.



David Gallup:

David Gallup is an explorer. Not just of nature but of the introspective and spiritual connection man has with his environment. His life’s passion has become a quest for new interpretations of the natural world without leaving his roots in Plein-Air Observation-Based painting. Working in the style of the impressionist masters, David’s works are created on location in some of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating places. They often depict moments when natural elements obscure solid forms, such as fog, rain, glare, or darkness. These elements are used in Gallup’s work to visually represent the sense of awe and mystery he feels for the natural world. For more go to: http://www.dgallup.com/bio.htm

 

Lynn Gertenbach:

During her nearly 40 years as a professional painter, Lynn has traveled around the world five times to paint and exhibit. She has made numerous trips to Europe and South America. In 1980 The Instituto Cultural Norte Americano sponsored a traveling exhibition of Lynn’s paintings to three cities in Peru. For more than two decades Lynn has traveled to Japan to appear at her perennial one woman shows there.

Lynn has painted portraits of many noted persons such as Maestro Zubin Mehta, the Maharaja of Navanagar, Maestro Ravi Shankar, many actors and corporate CEO’s.

She has received numerous gold medal awards and received the Life Achievement Award (Hall of Fame Inductee) from the Colorado Institute of Art. In addition, Lynn also won First Prize in the Landscape Category of the 2002 Autumn Salon Show held at Edenhurst Gallery in Beverly Hills, CA. For more go to: http://lynngertenbachart.com/3/miscellaneous6.htm

Karl Dempwolf:

Karl Dempwolf spent his childhood growing up in the picturesque Bavarian countryside but at the age of fourteen he and his family immigrated to the US on the Steam ship America. Dempwolf received his BA from California State University Northridge CA, where he will always be recognized as that institution’s first All American Athlete.

Over the years Dempwolf has participated in exhibitions at the Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles, the Frederick R. Weisman Museum at Pepperdine University in Malibu, the Phippen Museum in Prescott AZ, the Carnegie Art Museum in Ventura County, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana CA. California, and the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

Dempwolf’s work can be found in publications from North Light Books, entitled Art from the Parks. His paintings are in the permanent collections of large corporations, among them McGraw-Hill Publishers, and the National Park Foundation. Dempwolf’s newly published book “A Painter’s Journey” is available here.

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Patte Gilbert

Patte Gilbert is one of our community's premiere real estate agents. She has been an agent for over 20 years and has represented over 3,000 clients. She has received countless industry awards and has been a Top Producer, nationwide, for Sotheby's International Real Estate.

Website - More Posts

Green Living with Lauren

With the hot weather still upon us here are some tips to reduce your water bill:

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

With sustainable landscaping practices:

  • Reduce your water use
  • Use native & drought-tolerant plants
  • Attract birds & butterflies
  • Use–Don’t lose your rainwater
  • Use non-toxic pest & weed control
  • Reduce your fire risk ecologically
  • Learn to grow food

Contact the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains at 818.597.8627 or Email Keep Your Green .

The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCD) is now providing on-site consultations for home and business owners on how to save water, money and improve water quality by initiating sustainable landscaping solutions on their property. “Keep Your Green” refers to the money (“green”) saved through a reduced water bill and (green) climate-appropriate plants.   The home consultation model is a perfect fit with the RCD’s long-term commitment toward soil and water conservation, water quality protection, erosion control, oak health, fire-safe landscaping and native habitat restoration.

RCD Conservation Biologists, trained in Sustainable Landscaping, Habitat Restoration and Permaculture Design are currently conducting these timely consultations. The idea for RCD home consultations arose from the many site-specific questions and concerns from local residents who needed to meet their reduced water budget allocations from local jurisdictions. Many folks also felt the need for a site-specific evaluation of what sustainable landscape solutions work best for their yard, slope, soil, shade/sun, trees etc. These practices may include planting native and climate-appropriate plants for water conservation and habitat value, downspout re-directs, rain gardens, and rainwater storage with cisterns and rain barrels. Some of these solutions can be implemented by homeowners or their gardeners. For professional assistance, the RCD can provide a list of Sustainable Landscape Professionals.

The RCD is not funded to provide this service, so there is a fee of $175 for a 90 minute consultation.

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Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

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Nestle Ad for Our Dog’s

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Can you believe this?

By: Barbara Lipkin

There are so many ways that companies try to sell their products to us – cookies on our computer, commercials on TV and the internet; even sponsors for blogs. Now they are after our dogs. My dogs, Charly & Teddy, do seem interested when they see other dogs on TV. But this is above and beyond. Nestle has designed a TV ad for dogs. They are one of the world’s biggest makers of pet food. They have launched the 1st TV commercial designed especially for dogs using a high-frequency tone to grab their attention. Dog’s hearing is twice as sharp as humans.

The commercial will be screened on Austrian TV this week & features a tone similar to a dog whistle that humans can barely hear as well as an audible squeak like a dog’s toy including a high pitched pink. The dog is shown pricking his ears. Next thing you know your dog will tear out a page from you magazine that shows a dog food that smells like steak so you buy him what he smells.

Barbara Lipkin

Knowledgeable, caring and successful are words that best describe Barbara Lipkin, a Hidden Hills resident and top producing realtor with over 28 years experience. Barbara combines personal concern for her clients with professional expertise to achieve outstanding results in her field.

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Right in our Backyard

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The Santa Barbara Zoo

By: Barbara Lipkin

Just one hour away is the delightful Santa Barbara Zoo, formerly A Child’s Estate.

Compact & easy to get around, it is the perfect place to take young children or just stroll around & enjoy the grounds & the animals. When you enter, the baby otters are delightful.
They are playing & tumbling. My little granddaughter, Emma, could not get over their antics. On our way out, they had crashed & were sleeping in a ball of fur.  The giraffes are fun to feed as you watch their long tongues grap the lettuce. The grounds are beautiful & well maintained & a train takes you on a short ride.  In addition, the weather is perfect – our own Riviera. There are special events on the weekends.  Sometimes we forget that such wonderful places are right in our backyard.

Barbara Lipkin

Knowledgeable, caring and successful are words that best describe Barbara Lipkin, a Hidden Hills resident and top producing realtor with over 28 years experience. Barbara combines personal concern for her clients with professional expertise to achieve outstanding results in her field.

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