The Story of Melissa Matthews

By: Denise Arledge

A good friend of mine, Melissa Matthews, recently partnered with a few dermatologists. These dermatologists happened to be the creators of Proactiv. This is what Melissa recently said:

I never thought of myself as the entrepreneurial type of person until I was given the opportunity to join a business in its beginning stages. A good friend of mine shared with me an opportunity to partner with the dermatologists that created Proactiv. What doctors Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields have done for the acne market they are now doing for anti-aging market through independent business ownership.

Aside from a phenomenal business opportunity; the award winning, clinically proven skin care products will give you the best skin of your life… guaranteed! Rodan + Fields has brought dermatological solutions for common skin concerns to the masses, there is something for everyone.

I was an Oak Park resident just about my whole life before I met and married my husband, Eric. We are now thrilled to be happy homeowners raising our family in Westlake Village. When I found out I was pregnant with our first child my husband and I started preparing for me to stay home with our children. We faced the ultimate question – “how will we live on one income?” Rodan + Fields has been a helpful solution to that question. I am thoroughly enjoying the discovery of personal & professional life balance and am more than happy to discuss the opportunity with anyone to see if it is right for them.

For information about products visit https://blushbrush.myrandf.com/
For information about how to join my team visit https://blushbrush.myrandf.biz/
To learn more about our cornerstone product visit http://www.bestspentminute.com/
To contact me by email

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.

Valentine’s in Westlake Village

By: Sher Hann

Gentlemen, it’s February and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. What to do? Remember the old adage, Diamonds are a girl’s best friend? Or, in the current economy, let’s say, Jewelry is a girl’s best friend. So here’s an idea for you: Stella & Dot. Enter Jessica Dreyfus, Stella & Dot stylist in Thousand Oaks. Stella & Dot is sold primarily through in-home parties – groups of friends enjoying a glass of wine, munchies and, of course, jewelry. You can also purtchase it directly from Dreyfus (see contact info below). According to Dreyfus, more than half the line sells for less than $50 – a great price point for the quality. For the little Valentine princess in your life, a little girls’ line debuted last year. Says Dreyfus, “I love the versatility of Stella & Dot. I can find one piece that works at the park with my son, out with the girls, and at a spring wedding.” So, gentlemen, perhaps you can get by this Valentine’s Day with only one purchase for less than $50! Contact Jessica Dreyfus (310.351.9652) to make your selection!

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.

The China Flat Trail in Cheeseboro Park

By: Denise Arledge

One the fabulous perks of living in Agoura Hills and Oak Park is the close proximity to the Cheeseboro trails. China Flat, one my favorite trails in the area, is the newest addition to the Cheeseboro Canyon/Palo Comado Canyon Site. It sits beneath the 3,000ft Simi Peak, the highest peak in the Simi Hills.

The China Flat Trail, which can be accessed from Old Agoura or Oak Park, is a steep hike with expansive, panoramic views of Simi Valley, Oak Park, and Agoura Hills. From the top, the trail follows the southern perimeter of China Flat.

By: Steve Tipp

In honor of the Santos FC Academy Club, headed by JR Lobo, I wanted to point out a recent article that was written on this great young team.

“The Academy has one team which is composed of players from various teams ranging from silver to gold.  The team entered the CSL 2010 Spring League where they took first place. The team’s success continued as they then took on the CSL Spring Cup where they also earned the titled of champions. The team then finished in first place in the 2010 CVU Tournament of Champions.

During regular league play, the team got off to a slow start, still working on positioning, and lost their first two games. The dedicated players returned to the soccer fields to win seven straight and a total of ten of the last twelve games to clinch first place honors in the final match. The soccer players worked very hard to pull together as a team.  They lived out their coach’s philosophy which is; ‘hard work and team play’.

Coach Lobo believes in letting the kids play, and play a lot, creating the fluid style of soccer Brazilians are known for and fostering creativity.  Each game begins with the cheer “What wins games?  Hard work.  What wins games?  Team.”

The team consists of sixteen players including one girl.  As Media Representative Eric Newberg told SN, the team has probably one of the few girls to ever to play BU14 silver elite, next year.

According to Newberg, “The team is very diverse, with kids from Africa, Europe, Israel, Latin America, and home grown Angelinos. We invite individuals and teams of all levels and areas to come play or practice with us.”

“We just want the kids to play and have fun as much as possible, whether it’s a tournament or pick-up games, just enjoy and be creative, the success will come,” says Newberg.

Newberg suggests that we all viisit them at www.santosfcacademy.com – SN did and we liked what we saw! Congratulations Santos FC for following your championship path to success.

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.

Bed bugs are creepin’

By: Sher Hann

As we all march into the malls buying gifts and throwing them in our closets until the special day, here is a word to the wise. Bed bugs are on the move!

Two years ago year my son suffered an infestation in his apartment in San Francisco. “There’s one on the dust ruffle!” he screamed into the phone at 11:30 one night. Thus began an expensive ordeal and two months of his sleeping in his living room.

The advice below came across my desk from a friend, and even if you don’t believe it, it offers an easy precaution:

“We have friends here in our community and one of their sons is an entomologist (insect expert) who travels all over the country as an advisor to many of stores. He is telling them that there is an epidemic of bed bugs now occurring in America. Recently,  several stores in New York City have had to close due to bed bug problems, as well as a complete mall in New Jersey.

“He says that since much of our clothing, sheets, towels, etc. now comes from companies outside of America, even the most expensive stores sell foreign clothing from China, Indonesia, etc. The bed bugs are coming in on the clothing as these countries do not consider them a problem. He recommends that if you buy any new clothing, even underwear and socks, sheets and towels, bring them into the house and put them in your clothes dryer for at least 20 minutes. The heat will kill them and their eggs.

“DO NOT PURCHASE CLOTHES AND HANG THEM IN THE CLOSET FIRST. It does not matter what the price range is of the clothing, or if the outfit comes from the most expensive store known in the U.S. They still get shipments from these countries and the bugs can come in a box of scarves or anything else for that matter. That is the reason so many stores, many of them clothing stores, have had to shut down in New York and other places. All you need is to bring one item into the house that has bugs or eggs and your live will change forever in an expensive way as you try to get rid of them.”

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

He walked a thousand miles on patrol, toting his pack on his back through terrain that can only be described as desolate. He is Stateside now, but not at home in the Conejo Valley. Rather, he is at a naval hospital undergoing treatment and observation for back injuries. He considers himself fortunate: he can stand upright.

This is just one of the thousands of stories emanating from Afghanistan and Iraq. Project Holiday Stockings, now in its eighth season, seeks to provide a bit of cheer at this time of year to our troops enduring brutal conditions, injuries, and death on our behalf.

The stockings are filled with items requested by our troops. The Project is a nonprofit organization, with  no salaries or expenses. Everyone involved donates their time and associated expenses.  To date the Project has shipped over 27,000 stockings to our troops.

To show your support, fill a holiday stocking not longer than 20 inches from top to heel with some of the items listed on the Project’s website. Be sure to include your personal holiday greeting and/or e-mail address, as well as a check for $10.70 to cover shipping for your stocking. Make checks payable to Denise Snavely.

All monies are deposited into a special account set up by the Westlake office of Merrill Lynch.  The checks drawn on that account are made payable to the United States Post Master of Thousand Oaks.

You can deliver your stocking to one of the local collection points listed on the website. The deadline is December 13.

This year Project Holiday Stockings is dedicated to U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Jordan “A.J.” Castro, who graduated from Westlake High School in 2008; he was killed August 28 in a land mine explosion in Afghanistan.

The photos above are courtesy of a serviceman from the Conejo Valley. His mother, who live in Westlake Village, asked that I not share his name.

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.

Expand your palate

By: Sher Hann

It’s a happening weekly event in Westlake Village. And no wonder! At $22.96 per two people, it’s a great deal. From 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Thursday nights, Bristol Farms in the Westlake Village Promenade offers several wines, each paired with a mini course of the chef’s specialties – and it’s sit-down style (no more balancing a glass of wine with a plate of food and trying to eat and drink at the same time)!

This month’s featured wines are from the Piedmont region of Italy. Last evening a merry group of eight ladies eschewed tennis, families and a teen-ager’s driving lesson for this delicious activity. The chef even prepared a special meal for one of us who was pork-shy.

At the end of the meal – no surprises here – all the featured wines are offered for sale at special pricing.

So for a wallet-friendly evening, grab a friend and head to Bristol Farms on any Thursday evening, where you can eat, drink, be merry, and buy your groceries 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.

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.

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: Sher Hann

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

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSSR1xRKEu0&feature=player_embedded#![/youtube]

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.