New Program Launched to Encourage Museum Visits

By: Jeff Biebuyck

Recently, the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas began an initiative to encourage members of the community to visit local museums. The museum has created a “passport” that visitors can fill by going to selected museums in the area. The amount of stamps earned correlate to a certain prize. At 25 stamps, the passport holder receives one, get one free lunch or dinner at the Sagebrush Cantina and at 40 stamps, a free Sunday brunch for two at the Cantina. As of now, the prize for the full 50 stamps has yet to be announced.

A representative from Leonis Adobe stated, “this is a wonderful way for families and all residents to journey through California’s rich history.” Other employees at the museum expressed that the true prize for visiting the museums is learning more about the history of California. This initiative is a great activity for Calabasas residents to partake in while also enriching their cultural knowledge of the state. To see the full list of museums visit the official “Passport2History” website and pick up your passport at the Leonis Adobe Museum.

Jeff Biebuyck

Jeffery Biebuyck, Branch Manager of the Sherman Oaks Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty Office, oversees all office operations, expansions, and new agent recruitment. Jeff thrives on using his talented and creative mind to help agents focus on their business and achieve success.

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Outer Space, Land and Sea Themed Mural Unveiled

By: Jeff Biebuyck

Yesterday, the Calabasas Library revealed a mural in the Children’s Reading Room. Councilman, Fred Gaines once served on the Library Commission and was there for the Library opening in 2008. After the opening, he as well as other council members wanted to add something unique to the library. So in January, the City commissioned artist, Ricky Alvarez to paint a mural in order to add a “wow factor” to the Children’s Reading Room. Alvarez took a little over one month to create the awe inspiring art work.

The finished product has four tiers, each of which represents a different theme. The first layer depicts ocean and is filled with sea creatures and swimmers. The second layer’s theme is land accompanied by a painting of City Hall. The third tier is sky themed with a few birds and the last is of outer space featuring an astronaut. A mother from Agoura Hills said, “I think the depiction of City Hall and surrounding land is beautiful and amazing. My daughter loves it.” If you haven’t seen it yet, go check it out for yourself.

Jeff Biebuyck

Jeffery Biebuyck, Branch Manager of the Sherman Oaks Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty Office, oversees all office operations, expansions, and new agent recruitment. Jeff thrives on using his talented and creative mind to help agents focus on their business and achieve success.

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A Letter to Your Future Self

By: Barbara Lipkin

Sometimes we wonder how we may feel years from now when we review our life experiences or perhaps a moment in time. Having just lost a dear friend yesterday, I am having difficulty getting around the thought that a healthy 47 year old mother of four could die so suddenly. My thoughts are all over the place.

Low and behold, I found a web site that is extremely interesting. You write a letter to yourself now, and www.futureme.org will deliver it by email on a date you choose-in a day, a year, or many years. I am going to send myself an email with memories of her. When I receive my email, I am sure I will be glad to receive it.

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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This gorgeous modern California Ranch style architectural estate is in the exclusive community of Rolling Hills. Approximately 14,374 sq ft of luxurious living space designed by reowned Cliff May. The owner states that 2 million+ was spent to remodel/upgrade the home in 2010 while staying true to it’s modern “California Ranch” architectural heritage.

This rare and “one-of-a-kind” property is situated on 4.19 acres of park-like grounds with panoramic city and ocean views, the home features a unique indoor pool with retractable roof and wet bar for a year-round use, North/South tennis court with large cabana, this is an entertainer’s paradise with all amenities with an expansive living area that boasts distressed American walnut wood floors, dry sauna, gym, 5 fireplaces, skylight, cathedral ceilings with an oversized media room and full bar, wine cellar, and gaming area. Gourmet kitchen features a commercial grade Wolf range and built-in sub zero freezer/refrigeration units and built-in coolers. Second master suite has a private patio. Detached guest quarters with full bath maybe used as maid’s quarters. It also features a built-in closed circuit camera security system and ample paved driveways with parking for up to 30 vehicles.

This property is listed at $12,950,000 by Diana Kim. 27 Crest Road, Rolling Hills, CA

Roger Ewing

A Community Gives Back

By: Barbara Lipkin

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make you feel good. Having collected samples of toiletries and makeup for a while, I realized that the person to whom I dropped off items for Haven House, a haven for abused women and their children, was no longer accessible. I sent out an email to my office and the response was overwhelming. One of our marketing gurus, Randall, contacted me immediately. While a student at Pepperdine, he had done some work for the organization and was very impressed. One of my friends had just gone to Las Vegas and came back with great stuff. Bags appeared in my office. My daughter, Michele, sent out an email to friends and clients. Two enormous bags were dropped off today including one from a friend who is a hairdresser to the stars. Everyone pitched in.

When I dropped the bags off today, they were delighted. They need lots of things since women and their children leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their back. Thank you to all of you who contributed. You have made my day.

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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Protect Yourself Against the Most Recent Burglar MOs

By: Barbara Lipkin

According to the LAPD, burglaries have become more frequent in the West Valley area and 7-8 have been via doggie doors. Police stated that burglars often spray dogs with some form of mace when they break in. Home owners should consider investing in secure doggie doors that will prevent future burglaries.

Also, burglars have taken advantage of second story homes by using residents’ ladders to climb to an upstairs window. These windows are often not wired to set off alarms so a break-in will go undetected. In multiple cases, homeowners have not been setting their alarms which creates an even easier entry for potential burglars.

Please take precautions to keep your home safe.

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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Daylight Savings 2012

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 11th at 2am, we will move the time one hour forward. Make sure to change your clocks and go to bed an hour early so you’re alarm doesn’t startle you too much in the morning. I know an hour less of sleep may be unpleasant but just remember, it means that summer is near!

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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Real Estate has Changed Views

By: Jeff Biebuyck

In the past, drones have been most closely associated with their ability to gather intelligence in wars or even science-fiction. As of late though, real estate agents have taken advantage of drones for a completely different reason. Photographers like Daniel Gárate have been hired to use their camera drones for aerial shots and videos of homes. Gárate’s services are used primarily to help realtors sell luxury homes in the LA area.

A few weeks ago this practice was deemed illegal by police and Gárate’s career along with others was brought to an abrupt stop. The LAPD warned real estate agents not to hire photographers using drones because they believed it violated a few aviation laws. This past Tuesday though, the President signed a new aviation law permitting drones to take aerial shots within certain parameters. Fortunately for Gárate he will no longer need to fret over paying the bills but while he celebrates should we be concerned about our privacy? This new law potentially gives drone users the ability to capture virtually anything from the privacy of your own home. Definitely something to think about.

Jeff Biebuyck

Jeffery Biebuyck, Branch Manager of the Sherman Oaks Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty Office, oversees all office operations, expansions, and new agent recruitment. Jeff thrives on using his talented and creative mind to help agents focus on their business and achieve success.

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Victory for Calabasas Coyotes

By: Jeff Biebuyck

The Calabasas Coyotes’ men’s basketball won the Marmonte Championship last night, February 9, in overtime (65-61) against Westlake. Key players included Jeremy Lieberman who scored 26 points and Josh Cohan who scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds. The team has been the clear frontrunner in the league this season but these victories have meaning both on and off the court. On August 25, 2011 a car crashed into assistant varsity coach, Joseph Frazier in a hit-and-run accident. Since then, he has been in a coma in the Northridge hospital.

The team decided to dedicate their season in honor of his fight stay alive. This season also marked head coach, Jon Palarz’s 300th career win in double overtime against Simi Valley Royal. Having a strong season and ending the season on such a high note could not be a more perfect way for the team to show their appreciation for Frazier.

Jeff Biebuyck

Jeffery Biebuyck, Branch Manager of the Sherman Oaks Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty Office, oversees all office operations, expansions, and new agent recruitment. Jeff thrives on using his talented and creative mind to help agents focus on their business and achieve success.

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Relief From Costly Repair Bills for Calabasas Homeowners

By: Jeff Biebuyck

At the City Council meeting this past Wednesday, February 9, Calabasas Council members announced the repeal of the current septic-tank inspection process in the city. The current ordinance will be replaced with the inspection protocol used at the state level. Owners of homes in Calabasas have been inspected for faulty septic-systems and charged thousands of dollars in repairs to fix leaks. The state law though, only requires owners of failed septic-systems to make repairs if they are 600 feet from bodies of water impaired of nutrients or 100 feet from bodies of water that contain pathogens.

Because of this, if a leaky system is only found to be polluting someone’s backyard then there will be no order for repairs. This change will prevent many Calabasas homeowners from paying high fees to repair their systems. In the City Council meeting, Mayor James Bozajian apologized for any difficulties since the beginning of the ordinace in 2009. Now that the ordinance has been repealed, there will be no inspections until the law has been officially changed. As of now there are 31 homeowners who have citations but City Manager Tony Coroalles stated “We do not expect many properties to fit into this category”. Calabasas residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Jeff Biebuyck

Jeffery Biebuyck, Branch Manager of the Sherman Oaks Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty Office, oversees all office operations, expansions, and new agent recruitment. Jeff thrives on using his talented and creative mind to help agents focus on their business and achieve success.

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