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.

Several of my friends and I had dinner recently at a mutual friend’s home in Lake Sherwood. She was using Teflon cookware to prepare the meal.  A few of the guests admonished her for being irresponsible because she was using Teflon cookware. My friend, who is a Chef had no idea that the Teflon surface had possible health hazards. She stated that she used it because the non-stick surface was convenient. We educated her about possible risks involved.

Teflon has been linked to a flu-like illness, coined the “Teflon Flu“. This flu is caused by using Teflon ware at temperatures that are higher than the cookware is meant for. It is safe to assume burning a Teflon product is an indication of utilizing too high of temperatures, thus unsafe, but an unsafe temperature can be reached before burning the products. Currently, the Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) is investigating the chemicals used to make Teflon products. The chemical compounds have caused cancer in animals so it is only a matter of time before a link is found to cancer in humans.

Despite all of this, it may be unnecessary to throw your best Teflon ware away. Instead, research safe practices of your Teflon products to insure that you are not putting your family or yourself at risk.

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

I keep my horses in Bell Canyon and tried, had fitted and bought my two latest saddles while there. Danielle Greco with CWD came to the Bell Canyon Equestrian Center to fit my Stallion Constant and I.   CWD is known for its innovative saddles and advanced technology used to create a variety of saddle options for horse owners.  More so than that, it is one of my favorite saddle brands.  I bought a wide tree CWD saddle for Constant and I love it.   Along with that, I also purchased a Devoucoux saddle for young Jumper Cambrio and a CWD wide tree saddle for my Jumper Luka.

Finding the right saddle can be a daunting process. With so many English Saddles to choose from and the uniqueness of horses how do you properly fit a saddle to a horse?  This is important because horses must be comfortable to perform at their peak.   If the saddle doesn’t fit your horse properly it can lead to injury as well.

After years of fitting saddles to my own horses, I have a few tips and tricks for other horse owners. When initially fitting a horse, first try on the saddle without the saddle pad.  This is important because riding without the saddle pad will more readily show any issues with the saddle.  Once you have fitted your horse with the saddle, take him or her for a ride. There are four key items that you need to look for during this ride: if the saddle is resting flat on your horse’s back, how the saddle flaps are resting against your horse’s shoulders, insuring there is 3-4 fingers-width between the pommel and your horse’s withers and if there is clearance along the length of the gullet.  If all of these factors seem to be in line, then this saddle is most likely a good fit for your horse. Lastly, insure that this saddle is comfortable for you! Having a properly fitted saddle will provide you with the right amount of grip as well as security. This process can be long, but it is well worth it for the sake of you and your horse while riding.

With the recent financial crisis, many home buyers have been turning to untraditional avenues in order to finance a home. One of these options is a 50 year mortgage. This concept was introduced to California a few years ago as a means to decrease monthly payments for new homeowners. Like the name states, these loans are set up to be paid off over the course of half a century. There is a set introductory interest rate for the first five years and for the remainder of the loan, the interest rate will be determined by the London Interbank Offered Rate.

The majority of loans in California range from 30 to 40 years which makes the lower payments on this loan particularly enticing but don’t jump too soon. When comparing a 30 year loan and 50 year loan side by side, the total payment is much higher because the homeowner is paying for two decades longer. According to calculations done by Bankrate.com, interest paid on a 50 year mortgage versus a 30 year is nearly double. Dave Ramsey, author of “The Total Money Makeover,” and host of a nationally syndicated radio show on finances commented that “The family is still not building net worth,” he says. “It’s still just keeping the family in debt.” This mortgage may seem appealing up front, but as with all finances, it is important to keep the bottom line in mind.

For Mom.
You were always the one.
Who helped me dry my tears.
Who chased away my fears.
The one who was always on my side.
You taught me to fight for what was right.
You never let me need.
Not for anything.
Your love will always be my strength.
With you, I am truly blessed.
Mom, you will always be the best.
And I thank you, on this Mother’s Day

There are very few places in the US that capture the essence of good Italian food. It is that mouth watering sensation of feeling as though you could be sitting in a restaurant in Milan or wandering the streets of Venice. The sheer impossibility of this task can be daunting to some but Tonino’s restaurant does just that, conquers the impossible and transports you to another place. Recently voted, “The Best Crust in America” by Gourmet Magazine, Tonino’s Place in Woodland Hills is an Italian wonder. Reviews from Yelp boast “this is the real deal” and “still in love with this place”. Previous patrons also commend the restaurant for its amazing staff and customer service.

Tonino’s Place is run by two Toninos, Tonino “Toto” Morra and Tonino Boniovanni who both add their own special recipes to the menu. Morra is known for his homemade thin pizza crust, hand tossed Napolitana style. Boniovanni has not only added his “Roman-style” dishes but also brought his wife and son into the business. Son, Jonathon Lakatos created a low-carb section of the menu that includes items such as grilled chicken and Insalata di Pollo, a delectable salad full of veggies and chicken breast. Boniovanni’s wife, Linda is well known for her incredible customer service whether it be on the phone or in the restaurant.

The restaurant is located in El Camino Shopping Center, at 23351 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills. Call (818) 591-0600 to make a reservation, order take-out or ask for delivery. Tonino’s delicious menu can be found online at their website: http://www.toninosplacepizzeria.com/

By: Lori Einhorn

This year, the Four Seasons in Westlake Village is giving moms around the country a way to celebrate Mother’s Day in absolute relaxation. The hotel spa is offering a multitude of giveaways that include a grand prize valued at over $2,700 and two smaller gifts valued around $400. Mother’s who win the second place prize will be given a gift basket full of Episencial goodies such as body butter, sunscreen, a hydrating mask, body scrub and much more. For the lucky winner of the grand prize, she will be awarded a two night’s stay for two adults and two children, a deluxe Episencial amenities basket, a Farmer’s Market breakfast, a spa treatment and up to $500.00 in airfare. There are also daily giveaways of the spa’s brand of sunscreen as well as a French Lavender Handbag Essential Trio by Epicuren valued at $50.

The Four Seasons Westlake Spa prides itself on the ability to provide a relaxing retreat for all of its guests and was voted one of the top spas by Conde Nast Traveler. CEO of the spa, Kim Walls discussed her reasoning for the giveaway, “Mother’s Day is that one special opportunity every year to honor the work of motherhood. Being a mom with a young family myself, I was immediately attracted by the serenity and sumptuousness of the Four Seasons Westlake. It is an experience I want other new and expecting moms’ to have.” The sweepstakes will be open for entry through May 13. Moms may enter the sweepstakes on the Episencial Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/Episencial where all rules and prize details are listed.

Cancer has affected nearly everyone in some shape or form so Calabasas beckons everyone in the community to come participate in Relay for Life. The event details state, “Your reasons for walking in the Relay For Life are as unique and special as the story that motivates you. This is your opportunity to not only honor cancer survivors and remember people we have lost, but also to raise funds and awareness to help save lives.” The Relay for Life Calabasas Event will be held at A.E. Wright Middle School from May 19-20, 2012 for a full 24-hours from 9:00 AM – 9:00 AM.

Top fundraisers in the Calabasas Relay for Life include one of our own, Steve Tip who ranks as number one in individual donations for the American Cancer society in Calabasas. Vice President and General Counsel of Ewing and Associates, Ernie Wish is also partaking in Relay for Life by speaking during the opening ceremony at 10am the day of the event. If you would like to sign up to participate or donate towards an individual or team, go to the Calabasas relay for life site at relayforlife.org/calabasasca

Recently, the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas began an initiative to encourage members of the community to visit local museums. The museum has created a “passport” that visitors can fill by going to selected museums in the area. The amount of stamps earned correlate to a certain prize. At 25 stamps, the passport holder receives one, get one free lunch or dinner at the Sagebrush Cantina and at 40 stamps, a free Sunday brunch for two at the Cantina. As of now, the prize for the full 50 stamps has yet to be announced.

A representative from Leonis Adobe stated, “this is a wonderful way for families and all residents to journey through California’s rich history.” Other employees at the museum expressed that the true prize for visiting the museums is learning more about the history of California. This initiative is a great activity for Calabasas residents to partake in while also enriching their cultural knowledge of the state. To see the full list of museums visit the official “Passport2History” website and pick up your passport at the Leonis Adobe Museum.