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Archive for the 'Fryman Estates' Category

Engage Your Teen in Behind the Wheel Safety

Ensure your teen buckles up every trip, whether driving or riding.

By: Tina Stern

Ensure your teen buckles up every trip, whether driving or riding.
Law or no law limit the number of passengers they are allowed to transport.
(With every added passenger the crash risk of your young driver increases significantly)
Restrict the use of any type of cell phone and discuss the dangers of other distractions.
Encourage them to go to www.oprah.com and sign up for a no texting contract. It’s a great program and gaining huge support.

Be a good role model and show your teen that you follow safe driving rules too.

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.

Tags: Buckle up, oprah, Tina Stern

Teach your children to save and invest

How many times have you looked back on life and wished that you had started investing earlier?

By: Tina Stern

Talk to your children or grandchildren about the value of saving money for specific purposes. Simple lesson: if you want something, you have to save your money for it.
Once they’ve learned to save to achieve their goals, it’s time to teach them how to earn money through interest accumulation. Learning the benefits of compound interest will help to encourage them to invest their money in income producing instruments.

It’s important to stay involved with them as they learn to build a secure financial future. Most children consider a parent or grandparent a primary source of financial information.

Be a good role model by demonstrating good financial habits yourself.

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.

Tags: invest in your future

Top 10 Highest-Paid Cities in the World

By: Tina Stern

Swiss bank UBS recently released its tri-annual Prices and Earnings report revealing which of the 73 surveyed cities in the world had the most purchasing power (in terms of the local costs of goods) after taxes were deducted from the average hourly pay. Forbes Magazine further analyzed the data and listed the top 100 highest-Paid cities in the world. While this data isn’t all that useful in practical terms, it’s always interesting to see the facts and figures and how we fit into the global picture. Here are the top ten cities according to this data.

1. Zurich, Switzerland: Net pay per hour: $22.60 (Gross pay per hour: $30.30).
2. Geneva, Switzerland: Net pay per hour: $20.40 (Gross pay per hour: $29.20).
3. New York City: Net pay per hour: $19 (Gross pay per hour: $26.10).
4. Dublin, Ireland: Net pay per hour: $18.70 (Gross pay per hour: $22).
5. Luxembourg City: Net pay per hour: $18.20 (Gross pay per hour: $22.40).
6. Copenhagen, Denmark: Net pay per hour: $17.70 (Gross pay per hour: $32.80).
7. Los Angeles: Net pay per hour: $17.40 (Gross pay per hour: $23.90).
8. Oslo, Norway: Net pay per hour: $15.80 (Gross pay per hour: $24.40).
9. Helsinki, Finland: Net pay per hour: $15.70 (Gross pay per hour: $21.30).
10. Miami: Net pay per hour: $15.70 (Gross pay per hour: $21.10).

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.

Tags: highest paid cities, Tina Stern

California’s Rebate Program

Great News! The appliance stores are all having great Spring sales on appliances and now you can get even more savings with rebates from the government and the utility companies.

By: Tina Stern

The California Appliance Rebate program will begin April 22, 2010. The Energy Commission submitted its proposed Appliance Rebate Program design to the U.S. Department of Energy on October 14, 2009, and it was accepted by the DOE. Three residential appliance categories were selected to be eligible to receive rebates: clothes washers (rebate $100), refrigerators (rebate $200), and room/window air conditioners (rebate $50). These rebates are in addition to existing rebates offered by California’s utilities or appliance manufacturers. The Energy Commission used the list of “pre-screened” appliances from the DOE. To qualify, the appliances must be ENERGY STAR-listed, meet CEE tier standards, and certified to the Energy Commission as meeting all state and federal appliance efficiency standards.

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.

Tags: California Appliance Rebate, The Energy Commission, U.S. Department of Energy

Sidewalk Gourmets

By: Tina Stern

If you are one of the only people in Los Angeles who hasn’t noticed yet, there’s a new craze hitting the streets.. They’re rolling food trucks. Below are a few that I think are great.

You can track multiple trucks at: Mobile Cravings, Find LA Food Trucks, Road Stoves

Pastrami on Wheels

The Canter’s Food Truck Is Here

Follow this one on twitter @canterstruck

Canter’s—the classic 24/7 Fairfax deli that for decades has been home to drunk hipsters, retirees and celebs from Monroe to Ali—has gone and joined the 21st century
It’s launching with six sandwiches and a few soups and salads. To dial down your sodium intake, try the Lunch Box, with a half-sandwich, side, pickles, chips and an old-fashioned soda, like a Dr. Brown’s root beer.

Border Grill Truck

Street food twists on its Latino eats. Try the Peruvian Ceviche with lime and ginger.

Kogi BBQ

The Korean fusion tacos are fabulous. Try the short rib taco, wow!

The Gastrobus

Gentrified pub food with farmers’ market ingredients. Try the sweet-potato fries and daily specials like wild mushroom soup.

Dosatruck

Try the crisp lentils crepes with south Indian fillings or the Slumdog, with potato and paneer (cheese), wash it down with a ginger limeade – the truck has a great Sgt. pepper style paint job.

HAPPY EATING, these trucks are fun!

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.

Tags: Border Grill Truck, Dosatruck, Kogi BBQ, Pastrami on Wheels, The Gastrobus

A Follow Up to the Home Buyer Tax Credit

As I talked about this on Monday March 22, here is a follow up to the California home buyer tax credit…

By: Tina Stern

On Monday, the legislature passed AB 183 (Caballero & Ashburn) which would provide $200 million for home buyer tax credits. The Governor is expected to sign AB 183 into law before the end of the week.

AB 183 is designed to help stimulate the economy and create jobs.  The bill allocates $100 million for qualified first time home buyers of existing homes and $100 million for purchasers of new, or previously unoccupied, homes. The eligible taxpayer who closes escrow on a qualified principal residence between May 1, 2010 and December, 31, 2010, or who closes escrow on a qualified principal residence on and after December 31, 2010 and before August 1, 2011, pursuant to an enforceable contract executed on or before December 31, 2010, will be able to take the allowed tax credit. This credit is equal to the lesser of 5% of the purchase price or $10,000, taken in equal installments over three consecutive years. Under AB 183 purchasers will be required to live in the home as their principal residence for at least two years or forfeit the credit (i.e. repay it to the state).

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.

Tags: California home buyer tax credit, Sherman Oaks Homes, Tina Stern

Tax Breaks for Home Buyers and Green Tech Companies

By: Tina Stern

As many of us were concerned that the federal tax credit for first time home buyers would expire at the end of April, here’s some encouraging news for home buyers and green technology companies. After weeks of bickering over how to cut the deficit-ridden budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers agreed today to give new tax breaks to home buyers and green-technology companies.

Taking effect on May 1, the linchpin of the legislation is the tax credit of up to $10,000 for first-time home buyers and those purchasing newly built homes. For listings in your area visit Sotheby’s Listings.

I will post again when all the details of the program are made available.

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.

Tags: green technology companies, tax breaks for sherman oaks home buyers

Ringo Starr Walk of Fame Star Event

MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2010

By: Tina Stern

Hundreds of guests and press gathered at 7pm on Monday, February 8th as streets closed to see Ringo Starr receive his star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. It coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Walk of Fame.

Gathered beneath the towering Capital Records building on Vine, this Walk of Fame Ceremony was the first ever to be held at night.  Ringo commented, “It’s cool to get one at night. I don’t know about you, but where I live, the stars come out at night.”

With speeches from Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Mayor Villaraigosa, Don Was and Ben Harper, the ceremony was spectacular. The star was unveiled adjacent to George Harrison’s and John Lennon’s stars, in front of the Capitol Records building. Paul McCartney’s star will soon be added.

“I want to thank Capitol Records” Starr said to cheers, glancing up at the tower. “It’s nice to look at a building that you helped pay for.” As always, he passed on his message of peace and love to the crowd.

After the ceremony, Ringo’s guests were invited to a buffet dinner catered by the Hard Rock Cafe in Capitol’s Studio A. I had a fabulous time with my husband Keith Allison (formerly of Paul Revere and the Raiders).  It was a fun filled, happy and loving event and Ringo seemed genuinely moved.

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.

Tags: 50th Walk of Fame, Capitol Records, Ringo Starr, Walk of Fame Star

Du-Par’s Restaurant in Studio City

Studio City: (818) 766-4437
12036 Ventura Blvd.

By: Tina Stern

Since 1938, Dupar’s has been is the only real landmark left on this part of Ventura Boulevard in Studio City.

With no preservatives in their food and everything cooked fresh, Du-Par’s Restaurant and bakery makes some fabulous pies.  With a huge assortment of whole pies that are baked everyday, this is just the spot to grab a pie 24 hours a day. They also serve breakfast, lunch and dinner so drop by to your local Du-Par’s in Studio City when you have a hankering.

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.

Tags: Du-Par's Restaurant, Tina Stern

Hiking in Fryman Canyon

By: Tina Stern

If you’re looking for a light hike in Fryman Canyon, here’s a suitable option.  A brief 3 miles loop in the Hollywood Hills will allow some fire roads and trail paths with plenty of vista points and benches.  You have access to Tree Peoples’ Coldwater Canyon Pavilion.  Although it is an urban trail, it’s not crowded.

The Basics:
- Distance: Just under 3 miles round trip.
- Elevation Gain: 463 feet
- Time: An easy 90 minutes.
- Trail Condition: Excellent. Well-maintained fire road for the majority of the trail, with clear signs and landmarks. The use-trails that parallel the fire road are not marked or maintained, but are heavily traveled and easy to spot.

Directions: From the Valley, head south on Laurel Canyon Blvd. from Studio City. 0.8 miles south of Ventura Blvd., turn right onto Fryman Road. The parking area is immediately visible. From the south, at Laurel Canyon (Crescent Heights) and Sunset in West Hollywood, head north on Laurel Canyon for 3.5 miles. Take a left onto Fryman Road and park in the lot. There is a $1 fee for parking.

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.

Tags: Coldwater Canyon Pavilion, Hiking in Fryman Canyon, Tina Stern