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Pink Lady of Malibu Canyon

Remember When? Pink Lady of Malibu Canyon

By: Deena Nissley

On the morning of October 29, 1966, commuters in Malibu Canyon were shocked by a vision that seemed to appear overnight on a shear rock face. Cavorting on the cliff was a 60-foot-high, brilliant-pink figure of a joyfully nude maiden, clutching flowers. The mysterious Pink Lady became a national media sensation. Crowds came to gawk and to wonder who painted her—and how. Throngs grew as the mystery deepened. County officials declared the Pink Lady a traffic hazard and attempted to remove her, but high-pressure water sprays only made her gleam more brightly. Paint remover didn’t work. On the ground, her admirers became protective, heckling the county crews and signing petitions that called efforts to erase the Pink Lady “prudish, inartistic, inhuman and apathetic.”

When the creator stepped forward, shock reigned again. Lynne Seemayer, a 31-year-old artist and mother who lived in Northridge, had spent nights for several months hanging from ropes in the dark drawing the outline. In one marathon session, she applied the paint then went home to make breakfast for her kids. Acclaim and proposals of marriage rolled in, plus offers to join nudist groups. She also got hate mail and a bill from the county. People read all kinds of meaning into the Pink Lady, but Seemayer explained, “I did it simply as an art piece, and that was all.” Fourteen gallons of drab gray paint ended the Pink Lady’s short life—although for a decade afterward a faint outline could be glimpsed over the tunnel mouth.

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: Lady in Malibu, Lady on Malibu Canyon, Pink Lady of Malibu Canyon

Cookie Munch Grand Opening – Free Ice Cream Sandwiches for the first 2 hours!!!

By: Michelle Tepper

There is a new sweet shop in town and it’s called Cookie Munch. You get to choose your own cookie and ice cream to create your own custom ice cream cookie sandwich. 20% of the sales on February 6th, the Grand Opening Day, will be donated to Encino Elementary.

Located at 18641 Ventura Blvd. in Tarzana, Cookie Munch offers homemade cookies, Dreyers ice cream, rootbeer floats, hot dogs, and more!

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: cookies, dessert, Encino, Tarzana

Protect Yourself During an Earthquake

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

By: Irma Haldane

Federal, state, and local emergency management experts in the United States, the Red Cross, and other official preparedness organizations all agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. This fact sheet contains important information that may save your life in the next earthquake.

The “Drop, Cover and Hold On” protocol, when performed correctly with an awareness of your surroundings, remains the most effective single piece of advice that you can follow when an earthquake occurs. More detailed information about what to do during an earthquake can be found at www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/step5.html.

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: and Hold On, Cover, Drop, Protect Yourself During an Earthquake

2010 Move Over Law in California

By: Irma Haldane

We’ve received ample attention in regards to the new Move Over Law in California and decided it would benefit our readers to publish a followup article on the law. According to Caltrans, “the new law, Senate Bill 240 (State Senator Roderick Wright), adds Caltrans vehicles displaying flashing amber warning lights to the list of vehicles for which motorists must slow down and, if safe, move over to a lane not immediately adjacent to the stationary vehicle.”

The goal of the law is to protect Caltrans workers and highway patrol officers from the explicit danger that exists while working on freeways.  This would thus force motorists to move over if a lane exists or a least to slow down when they see warning lights.

According to Caltrans, 174 of its workers have lost their lives since 1924 while in the line of duty.  Today, 45 other states have enacted similar laws requiring motorists to move over or slow down.  Violation is punishable by a maximum fine of $50.

This video was made by a police department in Alabama to show the dangers of the highway.  Please beware that the video is graphic in nature and could be deemed disturbing by some viewers.

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 Move over law, Caltrans Move Over Law, Move over law 2010 California, Move Over Law in California

To Have AYP or Not Have AYP. That is the Question

By: Deborah Cahill

Yet another follow up on NCLB, this time addressing AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) requirements for all schools.  I think there needs to be some middle ground between was has been expected and what the new expectations are to be.  Without doubt the perimeters the Bush Administration set up for “No Child Left Behind” has not worked and has only served to punish schools who have not made “the grade” but have clearly shown progress, which in many cases has been quite substantial.  Totally eliminating the program, or suspending it indefinitely, may not be the answer either.

I think perhaps the Obama administration needs to get a wider range of educators, including teachers in “the trenches,” involved nationwide to give their input and expertise based on in the field working knowledge of the situation at hand.  I believe more control needs to be given locally to states and districts because they are in a much better position to access progress and set relevant and realistic goals.  California is one state that does have the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) which is a state exam that all students must pass in order to graduate.  Clearly more states needs to institute a similar program.

I am not saying that this will “fix” everything, nor I am saying that there is one solution to this problem.  Undeniably if the United States is going to remain a world force we need to step up the pace in education to make our youth viable contenders as the world leaders of tomorrow.  I am glad to see, at least, according to the article below, that this issue is starting to be more aggressively addressed.

Law & Policy

Obama Administration Seeking To Eliminate “Adequate Yearly Progress” Benchmark.

The Washington Post (2/2, Anderson, 684K) reports, “As legions of schools nationwide fall short of academic targets, the Obama administration proposed Monday to toss out” the NCLB Adequate Yearly Progress “pass-fail measure that for 15 years has been the bedrock of the school accountability system and replace it with an index that would reward educators who prepare students for college and careers.” Duncan “credited” NCLB “for exposing achievement gaps but said it has focused too much on reading and math and unfairly labeled many schools.”

Globe Calls Backing Away From AYP Mandates A “Mistake.” The Boston Globe (2/3) editorializes that the Obama administration “is retreating from a deadline to bring every child in 98,000 public schools to academic proficiency by 2014. What was seen as an attainable goal in the Bush years is now a ‘utopian goal,’ according to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.” Yet, according to the Globe, “backing away from the goal that all students achieve proficiency on their state exams is a mistake in a field where nothing short of high-stakes testing grabs the attention of students, parents, teachers, and school administrators.”

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: Adequate Yearly Progress, AYP Adequate Yearly Progress, NCLB, No Child Left Behind

How Social Media Impacts Global Crisis

By: Stephen Roesler

Yes, the headline suggests another typical article on the troubles of our world and thus runs the risk of perhaps another futile attempt at suggesting a solution to our most politically pressing issues.  Well, it’s worth the gamble.

Let’s examine 3 major events that Social Media affected:

-> Iran Elections

-> Google and China Censorship

-> Earthquake in Haiti

In 2009, “Iran elections” was the most twittered item of the year. In June of 09’, The U.S. State Department asked Twitter to delay the release of a service upgrade to protect the interests of Iranian citizens. This free, fast and highly mobile social media service provides certain demographics with a voice they don’t normally possess. In a sense, it acts as a social equalizer. Twitter delivered published, real time information from distraught Iranian citizens in Farsi and English. It was an ideal platform for mass protest.

Similarly, Google recently threatened China to pull out of the country due to China’s censorship laws. Similar to Iran, Chinese citizens, who are typically oppressed and left without a voice, now maintain ways to articulate opinions with the help of social media tools.

Perhaps most impressive is the impact of social media on Haiti. After a 7.0 earthquake, a slue of tweets and status updates heavily streamed across the web as Google, Skype, GoDaddy, Facebook and other tech giants mobilized. The Red Cross already raised $10 million through their charity text message campaign; Google threw down $1 million, Skype gave each Haitian a $2 voucher that allowed citizens to make 1 hour worth of calls to the U.S.

Although I am not suggesting that political crisis is solved through social media, it does receive more exposure from everyday people, altering the outcome of crisis around the globe.  As we learn new ways to leverage social media, we ought to consider the potential for information dispersion and its effect on global dilemmas.

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: Earthquake in Haiti, Google and China Censorship, How Social Media Impacts Global Crisis, Iran Elections, Stephen Roesler

Course of The Week: Northern Trust Open Preview

Kyle Gulock’s Golf Course of the Week

By: Kyle Gulock

The annual Northern Trust Open is taking place in our backyard this weekend. The host site will be Riviera Country Club, which is located in Pacific Palisades, CA. Riviera Country Club has been the host site for the Los Angeles PGA Tour stop since 1927. The course will be set up as a par 71 and will play 7,325 yards from the back tees. The purse for this year’s event is $6,400,000.

Once again, the field in this tournament is strong and comprised of 4 players that are ranked in the top 10 according to the world golf rankings. The favorite is Phil Michelson who won the last 2 Northern Trust Opens at Riviera Country Club. Last week Phil drew criticism from Scott McCarron for using wedges that don’t conform to the new standards set by the PGA tour. After an hour long meeting with tour officials on Tuesday night at Riviera Country Club, McCarron has since apologized to Phil for making those comments.

The tournament starts tomorrow, Thursday February 4^th and the final round will take place Sunday February 7^th.  The weekend outlook includes a little bit of rain over the next few days, but the rain should be gone by Sunday’s final round. Tickets are $35 in advance of $50 at the gate. You can purchase tickets by clicking on the link below…Northern Trust Open

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: Northern Trust Open, Northern Trust Open Tickets, Phil Michelson, Riviera Country Club

Update: The Summit at Calabasas

By: Cindy Nexon

I am looking forward to this opening!  Finally, more choices for restaurants in the immediate area, walking distance to Liberty Canyon.   This will be a great meet and greet place to hang out with neighbors and friends.  A little mini “town center” for Malibu and Liberty Canyons.  Even though the Village where Albertson’s is great, there are no real “sit down” restaurants for an evening out.  What fun!

Here’s an update on the tenants for “The Summit”

Pacific Coast Greens (natural/organic market based in Malibu)

Senor Fred (full service, sit down Mexican/tapas restaurant with full bar)

Wolf Creek Brewery (American grill menu with micro-brewed specialty beers)

Jersey Mikes Subs

An upscale “green” stationary/gift boutique

BCBC Nail Salon

A full service “green” dry cleaner

Take out pizza place

A gourmet coffee/tea place

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: Calabasas Summit, Cindy Nexon, The Summit at Calabasas

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

My Dog Got Sprayed by a Skunk

By: Cindy Libonati

My dog got sprayed by a skunk…close up and I wanted to share the formula my Veterinarian sent to help get rid of the “after effects” !! And by the way, my vet says the “tomato juice” cure is a wives tale!!

One 16 oz bottle of H202 (Hydrogen Peroxide)
One regular size box of baking soda
Three TBSPs of DAWN Dish Detergent (he said ONLY DAWN)
DO NOT USE WATER!!

Mix and pour over your animal
Lather and let sit for 10 minutes
Rinse with warm water

REPEAT.

Good luck!!

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: Cindy Libonati, My Dog Got Sprayed by a Skunk