By: Karen Lee

Join The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise in the 23rd Annual Cajun and Blues Music Festival. The event will take place over Memorial Day Weekend and benefit both Cajun people and residents of the Simi Valley. The Festival began in 1988 when it started as a Clambake to fundraise for the Rotary Club. After two years of a New England themed festival, the Cajun concept was adopted and has continued ever since. From 1988 onward, the festival has raised over $1,500,000 in donations.

This year’s festival will feature four different types of music, Cajun, Creole, Zydeco, and Blues across multiple stages during the event. Along with the music, there will be over 150 booths providing food, music and crafts. Each day, visitors are encouraged to join the Mardi Gras Parade with festival performers who will be sporting stilts or other Cajun inspired costumers. During music breaks, Cajun and Zydeco dance lessons will be taught by AJ Gibbs; something are great for the whole family to partake in.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the box office between 9am-6pm during the Festival. They may also be bought online at TicketWeb. General Admission is $20, Kids (5-12 years old) are $15 and Kids 5 years old and under are free. Tickets are currently available online and will be sold through May 25th. After the 25th, all other tickets will be sold at the box office during the festival.

I attended this event last year and had a blast. I highly recommend going!

By: Karen Lee

Over the past few weeks, animal control workers in the Conejo Valley have noticed a large increase in the population of baby rattlesnakes. Owner of a snake catching business and self proclaimed “Rattlesnake Wrangler”, Bo Slyapich stated that ninety percent of his company’s call in the past few weeks have been in regards to rattlesnakes. In one week, Slypich removed 25 rattlesnakes from homes throughout the area. He warns residents to be conscious of these snakes as the weather warms because they are drawn to heat.

There are several ways you can protect your family against rattlesnakes. Slypich advises homeowners to keep garage and house doors closed as well as insure that plants in your yard are trimmed down to 6 inches in order to spot snakes. Residents should also clear any clutter near their house that snakes could easily hide in. Lastly, keep your dogs inside to prevent rattlesnake attacks.

Modern DST was first proposed in 1895 by George Vernon Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist. Since it’s origin, it has been adopted in much of the world. However, adding daylight to afternoons benefits retailing, sports, and other activities that exploit sunlight after working hours but causes problems for farming, evening entertainment and other occupations tied to the sun.

Whether it’s a good thing for our economy is debatable, however, one thing is sure. On March 11th at 2am, we will move the time one hour forward. Make sure to change your clocks and go to bed an hour early so you’re alarm doesn’t startle you too much in the morning. I know an hour less of sleep may be unpleasant but just remember, it means that summer is near!

By: Cindy Libonati

Shared by the KCM blog

John R. Talbott, previously a Goldman Sachs investment banker, is a bestselling author and economic consultant. When it comes to the housing market he is also a prophet. When housing prices started to skyrocket in 2003, he published The Coming Crash in the Housing Market correctly warning us that a real estate bubble was forming. Then in January 2006, he called the absolute peak of home prices in the US by releasing a new book, Sell Now! The End of the Housing Bubble.

Mr. Talbott, the person who accurately predicted the housing bubble and its bust, now has a new prediction – IT IS THE TIME TO BUY A HOME! In a recent article, Homes – Buy Now!, Talbott simply explains:

“I have been waiting for more than five years to offer this advice. It is now time in most cities across the country to buy a new home or refinance your existing home with thirty-year fixed rate mortgage debt.”
He goes on to explain that his conclusion is based on four different metrics, all of which favor buying today:

• Home Prices Relative to Peak Prices During the Bubble
• Home Prices Relative to Construction Costs or Replacement Costs
• Home Prices Relative to Incomes and Rents
• Home Prices in Real Terms, Not US Dollar Terms

Bottom Line
If the person who called the real estate bubble and its bust says now is the time to buy, we believe it is time to buy.

By: Karen Lee

Need something delivered to your house but don’t have time to get it? That’s what the Calabasas Delivery Service is for. Just give them a call and they will place any local order for roughly $11 and deliver it to your door. Owner Chad Krauland says they will deliver anything except for human cargo. At this point, they don’t have a license to transport children to and from school or sports events. <!–more–>

Chad got his start in Malibu where he began delivering to a tight group of customers. Today, the business does about 40 daily deliveries in Malibu and eight in Calabasas. They also deliver free to senior citizens if they need a prescription, one way the company gives back to the community.

To order from your favorite establishment that doesn’t deliver, call 818.457.6867 or check them out online at http://www.calabasasdeliveryservice.com/.

So you think you have an antique or piece of art that might be of value and you wish Antique Roadshow was in your neighborhood? John Moran Auctioneers is the answer. In business since 1969, this family owned business has walk in appraisal day on Wednesdays from 9-noon. (Call to verify) For no charge, their experts will give you a verbal estimate of value. If you are lucky enough to possess a true gem, they will take it on consignment for a reasonable commission for their next auction.

John Moran Auctioneers will also come in and give appraisals on estate possessions and offer them at auction. Auctions are open to the public.

Located at 735 W. Woodbury Rd. Altadena, 91001, their phone number is 626.793.1833.  Visit their website at www.JohnMoran.com.

Simi Valley Hosts the Blues and Cajun Festival

By: Karen Lee

The 22nd annual Cajun and Blues Music Festival in Simi Valley will be held this Memorial Day weekend, May 28th & 29th. 2011 promises. The Cajun and Blues festival will continue its tradition of bringing nonstop music, spicy food and activities to keep the kids going all day.

Stage one will have 9 hours of continuous music each day with international and award winning Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music acts. The second stage will be pumping with Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue on Saturday and world-class blues and roots acts on Sunday.

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.

Haircut Haven

By: Tammy Sue Roberts

We all need haircuts so why not let your haircut benefit a local girl in need? Isabella, a 3 year old, was recently hospitalized for 8 months as she received 6 consecutive rounds of chemotherapy to treat AML leukemia.

To support the Talbert foundation, Blush Salon will be offering ALL haircuts for $20 haircuts from 11am – 3pm. Haircuts are by appointment only so please call 818.225.1709.

100% of the proceeds go to Isabella and her family. For more information about Isabella: go to http://ewingsir.com/tag/the-talbert-family-foundation/.

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.

Back at Wing’s Over Wendy’s

Elmo Maiden at Wings over Wendy's

By: Cindy Libonati

This weeks meeting kick off with Elmo Maiden, one of WWII most decorated veterans, announcing a group activity coming up and as always, benefitting the community. This old group of Veterans still give their time at local schools to relay their stories to our youth and other venues.

Last week, for example, this group led by Gen. Leo Keligian and volunteer Michele Croson, assembled approximately 600 volunteers to pack boxes at Operation Gratitude last week!

These ladies and gentlemen make any of us proud to be an American. Come out and see them as they participate in the Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade. Wave and cheer as their Float passes by. We owe these Veterans a debt of gratitude.

For veteran resources, download the pdf.

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.

Topanga Westfield supports breast cancer donations

By: Karen Lee

Westfield Topanga shopping center teams up with Susan G. Komen to host a “Buy it for Breast Cancer,” fundraising event going on now through May 15th. Receive 20% discounts at participating stores when you donate $50 to Susan G. Komen. The kickoff, Friday, May 6 from 4 – 6pm at the Westfield, will honor five breast cancer survivors by hosting a “Celebration of Life” event. The five survivors will be treated to a pampered day at Carlton Hair International, The Body Shop, Napoleon Perdis and Ziba Beauty.

All donations made will be matched by Westfield Topanga. Participating retailers offer the 20% discounts include: The Body Shop, California Pizza Kitchen, Charles David, Coach, GAP, Lucky Brand Jeans, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sketchers, and many more. For more information go to http://westfield.com/topanga/offers/.

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.