By: Michelle Jeanest

Get ready to ShakeOut!

With the purpose of practicing how to protect ourselves during earthquakes, and to get prepared at work, school, and home, California is hosting state wide earthquake drill on October, 15 2009. At 10:15 AM join millions of Californians DROP, COVER, and HOLD!

To register, visit www.shakeout.org

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.

Michelle Jeannest

Michelle Jeannest, Estate Agent at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty in Sherman Oaks, California has a respected reputation within the industry based on experience, education, and personality.

Website - More Posts

Unless you are one of the fortunate few to live on the border of the lake or lucky enough to view it from the banks of Lakeside Golf Club, you would never know the lake in Toluca Lake really exists.

Toluca Lake, contained within the cities of Los Angeles and Burbank was established almost a decade ago by Hollywood investors and developers.

Two scenic and peaceful lakes, one on the Los Angeles side and the other on the Burbank side, are surrounded by Lakeside Golf Club and beautiful estates. Owned by the homes which border it, the Toluca Lake Property Owners Association, a non-profit corporation, assists with maintaining and keeping the lake clean.

Originally, the springs from the outcropping of the Valley’s water table supplied the lake with water. At present, wells from the lake’s edges supply water and the entire bottom of the lake is surfaced with concrete to stop the water from seeping.

The lake covers approximately 6 acres and varies in depth from 18 inches to 10 feet. Supplied with fish and used as a recreation site for boating and swimming, the lake is a hidden oasis which really does exist!

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

From NoHo to Encino, you can find it on sidewalks, street signs and walls.

By Linda Cardoso

Spray Paint Expressionism, and no area is immune. It’s annoying, it’s disappointing, it is disrespectful and even when it’s clever, it’s still vandalism. The one thing most experts agree on is the importance of swift removal.

The City of L.A. has just set up an easy to use website for citizens to report and request removal of graffiti in their neighborhoods. Go to http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org and follow the instructions. Within 48 to 72 hours the graffiti removal should be complete.

Whether you are in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Tujunga Village, Valley Village, or my two favorite locales, No-Mor-Cold-Tofu (that’s North of Moorpark, Coldwater to Fulton) and Sherman Village, the City of L.A. will act quickly to keep our Valley neighborhoods beautiful.

The Graffiti Removal website was developed by the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, Office of Community Beautification. Check out their website at http://lacity.org/bpw/ocb and learn about other City of L.A. beautification efforts including neighborhood Grants and Grant Workshops held at library branches throughout the city.

Let’s keep it pretty out there people – this is L.A. and the World has certain expectations. We are the citizens of the Dream Factory and we share responsibility for keeping safe the image of Los Angeles known throughout the world. Do your part, be a conscientious neighbor and a good citizen keeping our city beautiful. Do not litter, pick-up after your dog, and report graffiti. The World is counting on us.

Please forward this information to your neighbors and friends and ask them to Bookmark the website addresses and Keep L.A. Beautiful.

Linda Cardoso

Linda Cardoso, Estate Agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing single family and condominiums residences in the $500,000 - $3,000,000 price range throughout Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Valley Village, Toluca Lake, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz and Burbank.

Website - More Posts

A car show with a cause.

By: Shelley Rizzotti

On Sunday, October 4th, 2009 from 9am – 3pm, the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce, The Great Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council and The Toluca Lake Homeowner’s Association are presenting the 2nd annual Toluca Lake Charity Car Show.  The street will be blocked off on Riverside Drive between Forman Avenue & Clybourn Street.

This should be loads of fun and will support a good cause.  Proceeds to benefit the Los Angeles Police Department/East Valley Pals Program.

More information can be found at www.tolucacarshow.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.

Shelley Rizzotti

By: Shelley Rizzotti

Vine ripened tomatoes, humus, fresh cut flowers, fried pita bread (addicting to even the most sophisticated palate), honey, nuts, herbs and much more are offered at Burbank’s weekly farmer’s market.

The famer’s market is held in the parking lot behind City Hall (Third Street and Orange Grove) every Saturday from 8am-12:30pm.  There is tons of free parking, but be sure to get there early for the best selection of food and produce!

For more information visit:farmers-market.php

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

By: Shelley Rizzotti

Henry’s Farmers Market is opening in the old Vons location at 1011 N.  San Fernando Boulevard.  Henry’s was established by Henry Boney in 1943 and prides itself on offering natural, locally grown organic produce as well as a plethora of diverse foods.  Many people say it is a cross between Trader Joes and Whole Foods.  Janet Little, Henry’s spokesperson, describes shopping at Henry’s as “reminiscent of produce stands and corner butcher shops of the 1950s.”  The grand opening ceremonies are on September 30th, 2009 at 8:45am.  If you can prove your first name is Henry, you will get a free deli sandwich that day.

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

Safe Pet Adoption

By: Michelle Tepper

Usually I am showing properties on Saturday throughout the day, however, this weekend is Rosh Hashanah and “I am not working” (yea, right). After services at Valley Beth Shalom, I took the kids to Encino Park and there was an Animal Adoption Fair in progress, so we decided to check it out. There were several non-profit adoption organizations with tents to shade furry kittens and excitable puppies. Some pets were on leashes with prospective adoptees taking them for “test drives”. After my children begged for 35 minutes to adopt a new furry family member, I decided that our cats would not be happy about such a decision so we left for the tricycle section of the park for some Razor riding.

I thought I would share this information because the animals were pretty impressive, clean, cute and friendly to each other as well as the people who were petting them. The animals had their shots and some of them have been tested for diseases. If you are looking for a great pet to adopt, this is the perfect place to visit because the potential pet can be walked and played with in a more natural setting.

On the 3rd Saturday of every month, the Best Friends Animal Society and the East Valley Animal Shelter set-up an outside adoption center at the entrance of Encino Park at the corner of Genesta Avenue and Ventura Blvd. (the edge of Amestoy Estates in Encino). Molly’s Mutts & Meows was also there and had a great selection of kittens and smaller dogs this weekend. If you would like more information on any of these organizations, click on the link below and you will be taken to their websites. Happy Tails!  www.mollysmuttsandmeows.org

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.

Michelle Tepper

What you may not know about holding a garage sale in Burbank

By: Shelley Rizzotti

Normally, any person having a garage sale in the city of Burbank is limited to 2 garage sales within any 12 month period. A person wishing to have a garage sale must apply for a permit. If you don’t, the city can shut you down. This, of course, is NOT a good thing after finally pulling out the tables, pricing the items, getting the change for the cash box, and waking up at an ungodly hour to set up.

Save yourself a headache by following these simple rules:

1. The garage sales cannot exceed 2 consecutive days

2. Garage sales may not be within 60 days of each other

The exception to this rule is that any person may conduct an additional Garage Sale in conjunction with the “California Second Chance Week” without having to apply for a permit.

You can find more information on Garage Sale Permits in Burbank at the city’s website: http://www.burbankca.org/license/garagesale.htm

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

The size of this market is small, but ample to find fresh and healthy delicacies.

By Shelley Rizzotti

While many farmer’s markets are only open on Saturdays, Toluca Lake Farmer’s Market  offers shopping for fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables, flowers, art, crafts, and more on Sunday’s year round (unless bad weather or some holidays).

Its located on a cul-de-sac street adjacent to Wells Fargo-between Sancola and Forman. (You can park behind the Wells Fargo. )  The nearest address is 4500 N. Sancola Avenue, Toluca Lake, CA 91602.  Hours are 9:30am to 2:30pm.

The Toluca Lake Farmer’s Market has their own website which is updated to reflect days when it will not be open as well as contains a list of regular vendors.  www.TolucaLakeFarmersMarket.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.

Shelley Rizzotti

As a little girl, Cinderella was one of my favorite stories.

By Shelley Rizzotti

I was always fascinated by the glass slipper…like was that really the smartest type of material to make a pair of shoes out of…?

Well, next to my fascination of the glass slipper as a child, I have begun reflecting on the fairy godmother as an adult, especially after having met the beautiful porcelain skinned woman in whose image Disney’s Fairy Godmother was envisioned.  Kendall O’Connor, a layout artist for Disney in the mid 1950′s,  envisioned that the Fairy Godmother, one so smart, witty, wise and magical, must somehow look like his lovely wife Mary Alice.  So, he imagined what Mary Alice would look like when she got older (as she was still young at the time)…and there you have it!

The adult reflecting is of how when Cinderella is running late returning to the coach, the fairy godmother is not only there to help her get away before the spell wears off, but also to gently admonishing her for cutting it so close.  Lesson learned from Fairy Godmother: procrastination causes stress.

Recently, I had the honor of meeting Mary Alice O’Connor.  Prior to this time, the only thing I knew about the name is that it is the name on the Burbank’s new Family Center on the corner of Buena Vista and Verdugo.   Well, little did I know what a powerhouse she continues to be even at 93!  Mary Alice is known by Burbank leadership and citizenry as a woman who has been involved in volunteer work her entire life, always striving to make everything she touches better and encouraging others to get involved even when times are tough.  She emanates this even as she is confined to a bed in her home.  She still loves visitors and has a piece of advice for all.  Like the Fairy Godmother, Mary Alice gently urges people to show up on time and put their best foot forward…even if it is in a glass slipper:).

Lesson learned from Mary Alice: get involved in the betterment of society!

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.

Shelley Rizzotti