Protect yourself this Halloween

By: Tim McLaughlin

Tim Mclaughlin

Because your candy should be as scary as your costume

By: Tim McLaughlin

Dracula Drool: This vile vial gets bonus gross-out points for its graphic name. It’s not just blood, it’s hemoglobin-stained saliva that dripped off the Count’s slobbering fangs.

Vampire Hair: Candy hair would have made this list on its own; so would candy vampires. The combination in a flossy candy that explodes on your tongue puts it at No. 2. Also noteworthy is the revelation that Marge Simpson is indeed a vampire.

Toxic Waste: There’s a classic trope of hazardous waste turning people into heinous mutants. This version turns kids into people who enjoy sucking on unpleasant, intensely sour candy. According to the barrel’s chart, keeping one of these in your mouth for a minute makes you a full toxie head. If you last only 45 seconds you’re just a toxie wannabe.

Blood Energy Potion: This sugary maroon liquid claims to have “similar nutritional content to natural blood.” A serving does provide 55% of recommended daily iron value and 880mg of amino acids. It even tastes like blood, but only Franken Berry’s blood. An impressive Web tie-in poses it as a synthetic blood substitute for vampires, an alternative to feasting on humans. With its microwave instructions to heat to 98.6°F and transfusion bag packaging, we give this an A(Rh)+ for commitment.

Body Parts Sushi: There’s something about eyeballs, fingers, and ears topping seaweed-wrapped rice that gives us an extra kick of queasiness. Associating hacked body parts with customary fare legitimizes cannibalism in a way that puts us ill at ease. Also, the list of ingredients includes the word “pork.” Wretch. Comes with chopsticks.

Tim Mclaughlin

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.

Website - More Posts

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.

Website - More Posts

Sunday, October 16, 2011; 10 to 6

By: Cynthia Sparagna

Sponsored by the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce, the 21st Annual Street Fair will include live performances, food vendors, artisans and local student performances on the community stage. For those looking to revive their German Heritage, the Beer Garden is coming back and will be set up near the main stage. Winos, fear not. They will be pouring to suit your needs as well.

The main stage will have a variety of music and perhaps, most enticing of all, I will be the Emcee. Come on out with your friends and family and enjoy the biggest annual block party in Los Angeles!

Please note: Ventura Boulevard will be closed from Van Nuys Boulevard going West to Kester Avenue.

Cynthia Sparagna

Cynthia Sparagna, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty specializes in representing buyers and sellers throughout the San Fernando Valley. Cynthia was raised on the East Coast and was the middle of seven children.

Website - More Posts

Hidden Hills is 50 years old!

By: Barbara Lipkin

The city of Hidden Hills celebrated its 50th anniversary as an incorporated city with its annual Fiesta. Beginning with an outside concert on Friday night, the celebration continued with the parade on Saturday morning.  Among the parade ‘s highlights were the firetrucks, marching bands from Calabasas H.S. & El Camino H. S. & the famous dog walkers headed ny Angel with their large assortment of Golden Retrievers,pugs, poodles & other assorted breeds. The day continued with games, pet contest, bake sale & Tommy’s hamburgers.  In the evening we had the big rides & barbecue. An art show, pancake breakfast & other events completed the weekend.

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.

Website - More Posts

New apartments in old town Calabasas

By: Karen Lee

Before you get too excited, to qualify, you must be over 62 and make no more than $41,400 annually. But, if you qualify, you’ll be in for quite a treat.

The 75-unit affordable housing complex, at 4803 El Canon Ave., will begin moving in as early as Oct. 17, according to a housing official. This 52,825-square-foot property, owned by Thomas Safran & Associates, have units that vary from 550 to 650 square feet. Residents at Canyon Creek Calabasas include a spa, a jacuzzi, a community room, a gym and underground parking.

The housing complex is located in the heart of Old Town Calabasas and was designed with an “old west” theme in keeping with the neighborhood.

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.

Website - More Posts

The newest bakery in Calabasas

By: Karen Lee

Le Pain Quotidien or, “the daily bread,” is a Belgian café-bakery chain with more than 160 locations worldwide. Lucky for us, their doors just opened a new eatery Monday at the Commons in Calabasas.

Le Pain Quotidien in Calabasas will, I assume, quickly become a hotspot for locals. With freshly baked organic goods, soups, salads, sandwiches and the tartine, this bakery has the perfect blend of European themes and local appeal.

Founded in 1990 by Alain Coumont in Brussels, Belgium, Alain still manages and directs the company’s commitment to organic ingredients and green building. Worldwide, the company has many locations in Los Angeles, New York City, Canada, Mexico, France, Russia and Kuwait.

Le Pain Quotidien will certainly receive the attention it deserves in the tightly knit Calabasas community.

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.

Website - More Posts

Miley Cirus buys home in Studio City, Ca

By: Tina Stern

As the listing agent of 11524 Amanda Dr., I recently sold this 5 bedroom, 7 bath home to Miley Cirus in Studio City. This home was featured by the Los Angeles Times as Home of the Week and the NBC show Open House LA. Take a look at this fabulous property below:

Drive up this quiet country lane and discover a one-of-a-kind rare offering nestled atop the hills of Studio City. This astonishingly beautiful setting with lush canyon vistas creates a unique opportunity to toast the sunset with breathtaking unobstructed panoramic views.

The Mid-century modern single story gated and walled compound has been re-imagined from studs to ceiling with meticulous attention to style and design. It combines the ultimate California indoor/outdoor living experience for entertaining and is the perfect celebrity hideaway.

Situated on a private promontory of approximately 1.15 level and useable acres, the home has been beautifully landscaped and features approximately 5173 square feet. An abundance of light floods the open and smart floor plan encompassing the living room, formal dining room and expansive family/media room and kitchen with walls of windows, rich dark stained oak floors and three fireplaces. Additional features include dual zoned HVAC, a 5.1 surround sound family room, iPod docking stations, security alarm system with multiple cameras and phone and data cable. There are speakers located throughout the interior and exterior of the home.

The huge spa inspired master wing includes a sitting room, fireplace, sky light, dual walk in closets, private viewing patio and luxury bath. Enjoy a steam shower, or relax in the Jacuzzi tub while enjoying complete privacy and the peaceful green canyon view.

The expansive professional style state of the art kitchen utilizes top of the line appliances including an imported Bertazzoni range, Rohr faucets, Walker Zanger tiles and Cesar Stone counter tops. The center island topped with exotic wood and the integrated dining peninsula are perfect for grand entertaining or an intimate dinner for two.

Enjoy your workout in the gym while looking out at commanding valley views and the serene saltwater solar heated pool and luxurious pavilion for al fresco dining.

A separate guest unit, 3 car garage and gated motor court with room for approximately 10 cars complete the property.

Close to many sought after schools and minutes from Mulholland, Universal and Warner Brothers Studios with easy access to the west side.

View Floorplan (click on the image to enlarge)

Sold at: $3.9 million

Tina Stern

Tina Stern’s Hollister Ranch Property Featured as LA Times Home of the Week

By: Tina Stern

My listing of 114 Hollister Ranch, Gaviota, California was featured in the Business Section of the Sunday Los Angeles Times on 9.4.2011 as their choice for “Home of the Week” (view here). This 108 acre property with 5 structures is nothing short of magnificent. To view the property, see the YouTube video below or view the property website at www.114hollister.com

The legendary Hollister Ranch. Full parcel Listing. Inaccessible to the public, guard gated 24 hours a day. The 14,400 acre Ranch has 8 ½ miles of private pristine beach frontage for the exclusive use of homeowners. Property includes 2 complete houses, 1 guest house, 1 barn-game room and 1 secluded hilltop hideaway. Located approx. 30 minutes up the coast from Southern California’s most charming city, Santa Barbara. Ranch consists of 136 one hundred acre, or larger parcels. Parcel 114 is nestled in its own private valley. Its approx. 108 acres lie on a private road winding through 100 year old oaks, spring-fed creeks & vistas from rolling hills to pastures & the Pacific Ocean. It offers privacy, security & beauty only minutes to the beach. Whether seeking solitude or staging a grand getaway for family & friends, this is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a virtually unspoiled piece of the California dream right on the most protected coastline in Southern California

Tina Stern