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Letters from Jordan

My Son’s letter from Amman, Jordan

By: Sher Hann

For every parent of a child in school, this is a busy and sometimes emotional time of year. My son, now in college, has chosen an unusual place to go back to school: Amman, Jordan. He left early on August 25. Soon he will move in with a host family. Until then, he is ensconced in a hotel that offers intermittent Internet access. Here is his first letter from Amman, complete with slide show: Picture Show 1 from Jordan,

This is the first email out of many that I hope to send. I arrived in Jordan two days ago and have so far been overwhelmed by all that I’ve seen/experienced. I don’t want to mislead you into thinking I’ve done a lot, since I haven’t. But just being in such a different locale is an experience in itself for one who has never been outside the United States.

My trip started out less than ideal when I used the ladies restroom by accident at the airport customs department, and being consequently directed out of the restroom by the maintenance crew, who no doubt were laughing at me in Arabic (I blame the jet lag and not my inability to understand the universal signs for male and female). From there things went a little more downhill. I spoke Arabic with my cab driver, whose cab was a modified truck with no visible taxi decals (not my best decision). My driver failed to understand what I said most of the time, and I failed to understand what he said in return. This I’ve read, from CIEE (the study abroad organization), is perfectly normal, since local Jordanians speak a fairly different version of Arabic than that spoken by business and government officials (what I’ve been learning). But, even though it is to be expected, it does put things in perspective. I have a long, long, long journey ahead of me that will most likely push me over the edge of my comfort zone, my greatest challenge.

My arrival coincides with Ramadan. This means that most businesses are closed during the day, or open for limited hours. I have been roaming around my neighborhood and have managed to find some places to buy food and water (pretty inexpensive for a huge bottle). I had Texas Chicken last night… yes, Texas Chicken.

Walking around Amman is different, to say the least. One moment I’ll be walking in a fairly nice area and then find myself in a section whose buildings could use a lot of renovation. I hope the attached slideshow will clarify what I mean. As I walk around Amman, I still find myself feeling like I’m walking in the US. I think it’s because I can still hardly believe that I am in Jordan and so far away from home. I still have to remind myself that I am in an environment like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

I still get nervous speaking Arabic with the locals, but it should pass with time as I learn more vocabulary and get used to hearing and speaking the language on a consistent basis (at least I hope it does).

I hope things are well with all of you back home.

Cheers,

David

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: letter from son, sher hann realtor, texas chicken in jordan

Make Be-Leaves in Agoura Hills

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.

Tags: agoura hills plants, plant stores agoura hills, susie ameche

The Conejo Valley

The beauty of Westlake Village

By: Sher Hann

As a Conejo Valley realtor, I thought it would be beneficial to share this short video on Westlake Village. Enjoy!

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: conejo valley homes, westlake village homes

Taking a Walk on the Bark Side

How a walk in the dog park turned into a walk on the wild side.

By: Sher Hann

The new Oak Canyon Dog Park, in Oak Park, has been the bark of the town, at least in canine circles. Friends have commented on how lovely it is, waxing so eloquently it would seem John Muir himself had scripted the comments.

Alas, a recent Sunday trip had to be aborted. The walk to the park is about 200 yards, uphill and down. Our aging Aussie, Murphy, couldn’t even get to the park! His back legs collapsed, and he lay immobile – his Ghandi routine. There is handicapped access parking, but is it for disable dogs?

For a second outing to the park, I arranged to have my son stay with Murphy so his feelings wouldn’t be hurt while I took Walter to meet his friend Prada. The scenery there as we emerged from the wooded path is truly spectacular – a great bowl of green lawn set against a backdrop of dark hills.

Little “Waltman” was very excited by the time we reached the entrance. So, it seemed, was a small black lab just inside the park. The two immediately set upon each other, attracting other dogs to the fray.

When we were finally able to extract our respective pooches, I carried my shaken 29-pound “Schnauchshund,” a rescue dog in more ways than one, out of the park and sat on a bench while he regained his composure. He looks defeated, said one passer-by as we ambled back to the car. That was an understatement! In fact, he is ok, just one small puncture wound.

Perhaps this weekend I’ll go to the park on my own, sans dogs, and enjoy the scenery.

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.

A Walk on the Wild Side: Wild Gardens

If green is the new black, then wild is the “au courant” look in gardens.

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.

Tags: starbright gardens, wild gardens

A Gift that Keeps on Giving: The Carpenter Family Theatre

The Carpenters: Top of the World

By: Sher Hann

When my son, now 20, was in middle school at Ascension Lutheran School, in Thousand Oaks, he came home one day after practice for the school production of “Charlie Brown” and in exasperation exclaimed, “It’s not going well. Mr. Carpenter says we’re not ready, and he’s a professional!” And then it dawned on me: Traci Carpenter was one of David’s classmates. Mr. Carpenter was Richard Carpenter, of the famed duo The Carpenters.

Richard and his wife, Mary, of Westlake Village, have long been supporters of the arts in the Conejo Valley. Now, their latest donation bears their name at Westlake High School: The Carpenter Family Theatre.

In a gala celebration last evening, a sold-out crowd thrilled to performances by students from the high school Drama Department, the Symphony Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, the Choir and, of course, members of the Carpenter family, including Richard himself.

The new theater features improved site lines and state-of-the art audio, lighting and video capabilities, plus enhanced acoustics and all-new interior surfaces and finishes. Other improvements in the new theater include the elimination of the multi-tiered cafeteria floor, which is the entry chamber to the theater, while excavating the old theater room to accommodate the new seating.

Outclassed by performing arts centers constructed at Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park High Schools in the late 90s, the 1970s-era black-box theater at Westlake High School was long overdue for a theatrical facelift. Richard and Mary Carpenter approached the staff at Westlake High School and the school district about expanding and renovating the theater, and offered a substantial contribution to jumpstart the project.

With a $4 million budget, construction began in June 2009, using the Carpenters’ donation and funds from the CVUSD Measure R Bond and the State Modernization Grant. The Carpenters’ donation came through the Conejo Schools Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising arm for school district.

Introducing the final number last evening, “Top of the World,” as a continual royalty maker, Richard Carpenter called the song “the gift that keeps on giving.” And so his family’s generous gift to Westlake High School will keep on giving for generations to come. He is, after all, “a professional” in the true spirit of the word.

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: Thousand Oaks

Conejo Valley Homeowners Have Less Competition

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.

Tags: Agoura Hills Homes, oak park homes

Conejo Valley Homeowners Beware

Get the facts before considering a short sale

By: Rob Jordan

According to the Los Angeles Business Journal, certain foreclosed California homeowners who refinanced their homes could owe thousands of dollars to lenders.

HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS

• Currently, if a homeowner defaults on a mortgage used to purchase his or her home — known as a purchase money mortgage — the homeowner’s liability on the mortgage is limited to the property itself. This means the lender CANNOT sue for the deficiency (the amount not paid back.) Unfortunately, the original law did not extend the purchase money protection to loans that refinance the original purchase debt, even if the refinance only was to obtain a lower interest rate.
• Californians who refinance a property currently do not have protection if they default on a mortgage greater than the property’s value. Called a deficiency liability, under current California law, the lender can sue the former homeowner for the amount of the deficiency even after taking back the property.
• Recent years of low interest rates and aggressive marketing campaigns by lenders have induced tens of thousands to refinance mortgages. Few homeowners realized that by refinancing their mortgage, they were forfeiting their protections and now are personally liable.
• Rob Jordan, Sotheby’s International Realty/Ewing and Associates, can inform you about how a short sale works, and what your options are. He can be reached at 818.237.4425. This article originally printed in the Los Angeles Business Journal.

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: Conejo Valley Homeowners, Rob Jordan

Bikram Yoga in Westlake Village

Bikram Yoga, commonly known as hot yoga is a system of yoga that Bikram Choudhury synthesized from traditional yoga techniques and popularized beginning in the early 1970’s

By: Kathy Bernal

Bikram Yoga is located at 31300 Via Colinas, Westlake Village, CA
91362 and is my favorite spot to practice Yoga. Bikram Yoga’s focuses
on creating an environment where you can reach your goals of physical
health and well-being, using proven methods that are safe and
effective. Bikram Yoga offers a great experience every time I go
there. The Staff at Bikram Yoga is very professional, the facilities
are clean, and the other patrons are very friendly.

Bikram Yoga is perfect for people of all fitness and experience
levels. If you are experienced, you will appreciate the manner in
which Bikram Yoga conducts their classes in a professional manner. If
you are a beginner, you will appreciate the level of commitment the
staff offers to get new patrons up to speed. Next time you are looking
to relax, increase fitness, or improve your overall well being through
Yoga, check out Bikram Yoga in Westlake Village.

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: yoga in westlake

Club Soccer with JR Lobo

California Stars Soccer Club of Oak Park joins forces with Santos FC Academy

By: Steve Tipp

Zoran Lomic President of The California Stars Soccer Club welcomes Santos FC Academy teams and Head Coach JR Lobo to his club.  JR Lobo hails from Brazil and has 7 years of professional soccer playing experience and over 15 years of coaching experience.  JR brings to the California Stars club his Under 13 Silver boys team and the Under 13 team Bronze boys, coached by Pablo Lastorta.

Santos FC Academy plans to further develop these existing teams and build the boys and girls under 11-14 teams with community players, and welcomes youth soccer players to Wednesday & Friday clinics at Oak View High School Field from 5:30-7:00, cost is $15 per person. Tryouts for the U13 Silver & Bronze teams are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30pm.

If you have children who are interested in Club level soccer play and/or conditioning training, please feel free to come to our clinics or contact Coach JR Lobo at jmglobo@yahoo.com or (818) 599-9158.

Teams interested in joining The California Stars Soccer Club for 2010-2011 club soccer season can find more information at www.CaliforniaStars.org or call (818) 754-2613.

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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: Santos FC Academy, The California Stars Soccer Club