By: Irma Haldane

Urbane: polite, refined, sophisticated and courteous

If there is one word to describe the service at Urbane Cafe it’s efficient. With a brief glance into the kitchen you’ll quickly notice the well defined stations that enlist each employee to a designated task. Whether it’s rolling out dough to be cooked in the wood fire grill, seasoning the salad, flipping chicken or putting sandwiches together as high speeds, Urbane cafe knows how to handle the crowds. Good thing, because it’s packed.

Possessing the feeling of classic California fresh cuisine, Urbane offers surprisingly tasty choices under $7. The prices would seem to suggest a lower quality of food but in fact, the recipes are seasoned properly and offer a fusion of Italian and southwest flavors. This fresh new spot in Agoura Hills is just north of the new Trader Joes and south of the McDonalds. A perfect lunch spot for a tast, healthy and relatively inexpensive meal.

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.

Local Agoura Hills plant business booming

By: Sheri Karp

This Agoura Hills company specializes in manufacturing custom artificial trees. Although it may sound strange, Make Be-Leaves is a strong business that sells artificial trees, palm trees, silk plants, silk floral arrangements and plantscapes for commercial interior use. This national preferred supplier for hotels and restaurants is headed by founder, Susie Ameche. Ameche started her business from her own home and slowly expanded into an Agoura Hills office. The small business is increasingly popular as commercial interior designers opt for low maintenance, green options.

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.

By: Irma Haldane

Pitcher Robert Stock of Agoura High and catcher Chris Notti of Calabasas high are rising in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization. The two play for the Quad Cities River Bandits alongside former Agoura Hills teammate Jason Novak. Coincidentally, many other local sensations play in the Midwest League, a Single-A minor league with teams across the heartland.

Matt Magill of Royal, Cutter Dykstra of Westlake, Mike Gilmartin of Moorpark and Corey Jones of Camarillo all play in the same league. But, despite all the talent, Stock is considered one of the finest prospects in the St. Louis Cardinals’ farm system.

Novak and Stock used to play for the Agoura Chargers together and later competed against each other in college. Novak pitched for UCLA and Stock caught for USC. Last year they were roomies for the Johnson City Cardinals in Tennessee and now they live in the same apartment complex in Iowa.

As our local talent continues to play at a higher level, they all hope to play until they physically can’t play anymore. Notti explains, “There’s no timeline. You play until you can’t play anymore.”

We wish our fine local boys good health in the future!

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.

For healthy food in Agoura Hills

By: Roger Ewing

For those of us living by the high protein, low carb diet, The Tomato Patch in Agoura Hills is a perfect spot to try after a workout or for a casual lunch. Serving sandwiches, salads and soups, it is their Allstar Smoothies that set them apart. Operating somewhat of a Jamba Juice, Tomato Patch offers 25 different smoothies in 2 sizes, all named loosely around sports. The Tour De France, the Downhill, or the Corner Kick are all great choices. Add a nutritional boost as well.

The Tomato Patch is located on 5889 Kanan in the Agoura Hills City Mall. They also deliver: 818.889.7867.

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.

By: Irma Haldane

Right across the street from our Sotheby’s office in Agoura Hills, the Regency 8 movie theater will be hosting a Wednesday night series. Tomorrow, they will be showing Rear Window, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and staring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. The film is about an adventuresome free-lance photographer who ends up with broken legs, stuck in his wheelchair in a tiny new york apartment.

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.

Celebrate Fathers Day with Will Rogers

By: Irma Haldane

Say the word “Dad” and you will receive $20 adult/$10 kids tickets for the Glendale Centre Theatre’s to see “The Will Roger Follies.”

There are 3 showings, Friday June 18th and 19th, 8:00 p.m., June 20th at 3 p.m.

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.

Construction is set to begin at Sumac Park…

By: Rob Jordan

Located adjacent to Sumac Elementary School in the Fountainwood neighborhood of Agoura Hills. The existing playground areas and equipment are all being renovated or replaced. Plans for the park include new swings, adventurous playground equipment (read climbing stuff!), soft wood fiber surfacing that is fall-friendly, a sand play area, new benches and trashcans, and shade canopies.

Construction is planned to be swift, taking only 2 weeks from the middle to end of June 2010, during which time the existing playground will be closed.

Fountainwood is an established, popular family neighborhood in Agoura Hills consisting of some 700 or so one and two story homes. Sumac School is an award winning elementary school located in the middle of the tract. And Agoura High School is walking distance from Fountainwood homes.

Rob Jordan, successful realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty/Ewing and Associates, specializes in helping buyers and sellers in Fountainwood. He achieved the highest sale in 2009 and 2010, helping his Seller obtain $677,000 for a custom 3 bedroom 2 bath home. Rob can be reached at 818 237 4425.

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.

By: Sher Hann

So goes the ecological wisdom.

In fact, the concept of “wild gardens” is not new, dating back to the 1860’s when it was pioneered in England by William Robinson. It has evolved to what we commonly call today the English Cottage Garden. Robinson, taking his cue from the Arts and Crafts movement, strove for the practical, more natural, less formal garden that harmonized with the surrounding landscape. Wild gardens were to contain a large variety of plants, including edibles and natives all mixed together in a free design.

In eco-conscious Southern California, wild gardens showcase those plants that thrive in our dry environment. Some wild gardens also seek to attract wildlife. In the wild garden in the photo, surrounding a home in Wood Ranch, owner Agnes Faughnan says, “We focused on the abundance of birds in the area, putting in not only plants but also a water feature that would attract them. Definitely, this has been a success story.”

To maintain the pastoral environment, Faughnan’s garden uses natural stone for the patio, walkways and small retaining walls. The resulting setting, says Faughnan, is eco-friendly, with low-water-using plants irrigated by micro irrigation sprinklers. It offers variety, with an abundance of native plants, perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees, including lemon, lime, tangerines, blood orange, pear, Asian pears, persimmons, pomegranate, fig and black walnut, as well as many herbs and, of course, lavender.

“Our wild garden is also practical,” says Faughnan, “because of its low requirements for both water and maintenance. Like nature,” she says, “our garden is a work in progress.”

For more images of this tranquil paradise, see Starbright Gardens.

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.

Tattoos and all, Chef Asher breathes life into The Old Place.

By: Stephen Roesler

David Asher looks the part. Just over six feet with tattoos crawling out of shirt collar, you’ll likely find Chef Asher on his 69′ Harley or directing an amiable kitchen crew in the back of The Old Place. But that’s not to say he’s unsophisticated, just not ostentatious. With a vision to keep his restaurant rustic and a hint of inspiration from Dom Deluise, Asher aims to accentuate the undeniable antiquity that healthily lives at The Old Place.

“The Culinary world has gotten so hyped up in the past few years,” he says distastefully. “I think it has lost its simplicity, its palatability. Everything is so technical that its made people believe you have to be really, really good or you shouldn’t touch food.”

And that’s wrong, believes the CIA (Culinary Arts Institute) trained Asher. It’s about the company, conversation, and communion with family and friends.

With a humble background from central Florida, his fascinating road to the Old Place is entirely atypical. Growing up around a family who believed in traditional gender roles, cooking was left to the women. In his case, however, his mother was not a cook.

“If we wanted to eat, we had to make it ourselves,” he says with wide blue eyes. “I was taking egg noodles and putting paprika and butter in it and figuring out something good to eat.”

But the slender chef has come a long way from his childhood menu. After attending college for a short stent, Asher began a job as an EMT. Quickly deciding it wasn’t for him, he began working at the Hard Rock Café and later moved to the Blue Jazz Café as a Garmache. Dissatisfied, Asher pursued formal training. “I had to find a way to get that coat,” he insists.

Making a drastic move to New York City, he soon received a French culinary degree. He went on to work at Casa La Femme, Eros, and Tapas Bar and Lounge – all in mid-town Manhattan. Before long, the visibly composed chef began to feel pressure to leave town.

“I was in a relationship at the time and she really wanted to go to California,” he explained. “I made it in New York,” he thought. “I’m sure if I can make it there, I can make it anywhere.”

With a U haul and a few hundred dollars, they left town. “Long story short, we’re not together anymore,” he laughs. But that hasn’t affected his success. After literally transforming a Pasedena-based eatery into a white tablecloth restaurant, he moved north of Los Angeles to escape the traffic.

Since his arrival, The Old Place, known in the ’70s for its clams and sirloin steak, has undergone a substantial change. Asher has taken a fare of just two items and vastly expanded. They now offer a seasonal menu that varies weekly.

‘We have grown up and become a little more flexible. Now we have sour cream, now we have diet coke,” he says sarcastically. “We have chicken on our menu and salad. We’ve got it all.”

Although he preserved the classic bone in rib eye, sirloin and clams, the Old Place now boosts a full menu. A lot has changed. This week they’re serving a Novy Ranch filet mignon. Known for its grass fed, healthy cows, Novy Ranch produces some of the finest local beef.

“We want everything to be local Californian,” he says firmly. “We don’t want to get Maine lobsters. We want to get spiny lobsters out of the Pacific here.”

And the regulars don’t seem to mind. In fact, it’s difficult to get a reservation at the Old Place because their customers are so loyal.

“It’s a good story,” Asher comments sincerely. “Here at the Old Place, we love that story.”

Continuing to foster the Old Place, Asher’s job is literally 24-7. Making calls to purveyors in the middle of the night, researching potential menu items on his days off, and regularly working in the kitchen 5 days a week, Asher rarely gets time to himself. But when does, you may see him tinkering with his classic Chevy hard tail or removing some of his old tattoos.

His right hand has the letters L-O-S-T strewn across his fingers in fading ink. As for the other hand, “It used to say H-O-P-E, but I took that off with a Dremel tool,” he says casually. “A little crazy. I didn’t want it on anymore.”

If you happen to see him around town, don’t be afraid to ask him how many tattoos he has. He’ll likely tell you with a half-mooned smile, “Just one big one.” You’ll know it’s him.

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.

Selling Your Home? Conejo Valley Homeowners have less competition than in previous markets

By: Rob Jordan

Can it be possible? Despite the housing bust and high foreclosure rates, there aren’t enough homes to sell.In California, almost all cities have a short supply of single-family homes.

That’s especially true in the lower-priced categories, according to Leslie Appleton-Young, chief economist for the California Association of Realtors. As a local Agoura Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty/Ewing and Associates, I know of many homes priced under $600,000 that often sell in just a matter of days, and often with multiple offers. “My last listing sold in 4 days, and we had 5 offers, all above asking price, by the end of the first weekend.”

There are plenty of more expensive homes in California. In the higher price ranges, sales are slower than they would be because of continued problems in obtaining financing. Right now, most jumbo-mortgage lenders require down payments of 30% to 35%, but as that eases, sales of higher end homes should rise and supplies fall.

Shadow Inventory of Homes?

Prices go up, supply goes up

Ordinarily, rising prices are an indication of shrinking inventory. But these are far from ordinary times. Never have there been so many properties that could be for sale — but aren’t.
This so-called “shadow inventory” comes from two main sources: properties lenders have not yet repossessed or have not yet put back on the market; and homeowners who want to sell but who have refrained because of low prices.
Lenders are also holding back on foreclosing at all, either because they’re having trouble handling the volume of repossessions or because they want to sell off some of the inventory they already have.
“Notices of default are filed, but they’re not taking the properties back,” said one Realtor.

Zillow surveys indicate there’s a big pool of homeowners who have wanted to sell their homes during the past three years but market conditions either prevented sales or kept them from trying. The company estimates that 8% of homeowners are very likely to try to sell their homes in the next twelve months if they see signs of improvement in their local markets.”These sidelined sellers closely watch the market for signs of a possible turnaround and rush in if there’s a hint of good news,” said Stan Humphries, chief economist at Zillow.com.

Rob Jordan, Sotheby’s International Realty/Ewing and Associates, can inform you about your local market, and what your options are. He can be reached at 818.237.4425. This article originally printed in on the CAR (California Association of Realtors) website.

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.