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Agoura Hills Amphicar

By: Irma Haldane

Pam D’ Ambrosio, from the Ewing & Assoc. Sotheby’s Agoura Office and her husband, Alan Woodcock, enjoy an adventure on the lake in their restored Amphicar.  Many hours went into the restoration of this unique amphibious car/boat and they do get many curious stares when they are out on the lake.  Their friends enjoy going along for the ride too.

The Amphian was built in Germany in the 60’s and has a Triumph Herald engine.  It is referred to as the Model 770 – 7 knots on the water and 70 miles on the road. The car is put into gear (a stick shift gear) when going down the boat ramp and that switches it to the propellers and you are “going swimming” in the lake.

When in the water, the car gets many lookers and as well as questions.  Pam and Alan have fun with the car and will at time tell other boaters “We’re lost, do you know where the freeway is?”.

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.  Irma Haldane Real Estate Agent, Ewing and Sotheby’s.

Tags: Ewing & Sotheby's Agoura, ewing and sotheby's, Irma Haldane, Pam D' Ambrosio, Real Estate Agent

Movie Theaters Coming to the Lakes?

The Lakes may soon offer a movie theater

By: Rob Jordan

The City of Thousand Oaks is looking at the possibility of adding a movie/entertainment complex to bolster the financial performance of the Lakes shopping center adjacent to the Civic Arts Plaza. The 2-stage project was always planned to include an entertainment component, but only the first phase of shops and restaurants has been completed to date. An outside study concluded that more parking and a cinema would make the center more appealing and accessible. A more formal tie-in with the neighboring Civic Arts Plaza might also boost activity. Nate and Al’s delicatessen is the newest tenant to open at the Lakes. Drop by for a scrumptious meal!

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: The Lakes in Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks Movie Theatres, Thousand Oaks Real Estate

It’s A Dog’s Life in Westlake Village

Do you own an unruly pooch and  are looking for your 30 minutes of fame?

Cesar Millan

By: Rob Jordan

Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan is looking in the Westlake Village area for dogs needing doggy rehabilitation. If you have a problem pooch, grab your video camera and shoot a 5-7 minute video highlighting your pet’s canine transgressions… bad behaviour, quirky, fearful… and send it in to the show’s producers (National Geograhic.)  If you’re selected, there’s an in-person audition on November 24. Be sure to be on your best (I mean worst) behaviour! For additional information, contact Contact bethearley@msn.com.

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: ewing & associates, ewing and associates, ewing and associates sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewing sothebys, ewingsir, ewingsir.com, sotheby's calabasas

Google’s 411 service

This is something we all should know about.  Try this free, efficient service Google now offers

By: Roger Ewing

Tags: ewing & associates, ewing and associates, ewing and associates sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewing sothebys, ewingsir, ewingsir.com, sotheby's calabasas

Pacific Tennis Club in Westlake Village

Alive, Well and Growing

By: Sher Hann

Nestled behind the Westlake Inn, with 10 courts and a minuscule pro shop, Pacific Tennis Club  caters to young, old and “tweeners.”  Despite the current challenging economy, the club’s membership has actually increased about 3% over the past two years, according to club owner Bowie Hahn. This growth is all the more amazing given the fact the local population is – let’s be honest – aging.

What the club lacks in physical amenities (a club house and a private restroom would be nice), it makes up for in programming. I have seen kids so young they can’t tell their left from their right, as well as players we all refer to as “they must have been really good at one time” run, shuffle or hobble onto the courts.  In fact, there’s something for every age: ladies leagues, men’s leagues, clinics for all skill levels, programming for children and youth (it is just a few blocks from both Oaks Christian and Westlake High School), and social events.

Just recently PTC contracted with the City of Agoura Hills to run their tennis programs, with the primary site being Agoura High School.  A community-based club, allowing both members and non-members to participate in activities (non-members pay extra), PTC is also the lowest-priced tennis club in the area, according to Hahn – and perhaps the only club that is growing.

So don’t let the local aging trend stop you – or your skill level for that matter.  Come check out a racquet (for a small fee) if you don’t already have one, check out the pros (usually worthwhile), and enjoy your time on the courts.  If you have a business, service or just an interesting concept that you think your Conejo Valley neighbors might find of interest, e-mail me your idea (idea@SherHann.com).   It may see the light of electronic media here at www.EwingSIR.com.

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: ewing and sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewingsir, pacific tennis club, sotheby's

If You’re Sick, Please Stay Home

After being in the hospital for 4 days with my daughter, I really started to think.

By: Denise Arledge

Why do parents send their children to school sick?  I just received a call from the Las Virgenes School District asking, or should I say  pleading parents not to send their children to school ill.  I know that at my daughters school alone, there is about 15% of the students with the flu.  I didn’t say H1N1, I said the flu.  We all have to do our part, here is the information that can keep our families healthy:

1.  Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2.  “Hands-off-the-face” approach.  Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3.  *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt).  *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.  Simple gargling prevents proliferation.

4.  Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water.  *Not everybody may be good at using a Neti pot, but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton swabs dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5.  *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C.  *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6.  *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.  *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.  They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomache here they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

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: ewing and sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewingsir, Flu, H1N1, las virgenes, sotheby's

Famous Daves BBQ in Westlake

Try Dave’s BBQ and spice up your taste buds

By: Rob Jordan

Famous Daves BBQ has opened in the restaurant space at Westlake and Thousand Oaks Blvd vacated by Applebees a while back, and it was packed the night we went in. Though new to this area, there are about 150 other Famous Dave restaurants across the country. The menu is varied and interesting, the service was great, and the prices were reasonable.

No remodeling was done to the space, so they will have the big bar in the middle,  surrounded by circular high top tables and just a couple of booths. Around the perimeter of the restaurant there are booths and tables galore for families and large parties. We had the appetizer combo, which featured ribs, wings, cheesesticks and more. There was a bunch of food and great for sharing. For dinner we had a rib combo plate, a brisket sandwich and pulled pork. All were yummy.
Famous Daves feels a bit like Wood Ranch, but they have a much broader menu. This is a winner.

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: BBQ Daves, ewing and sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewingsir, sotheby's

BOGOPOD: A Green Way for Ventura County and San Fernando Valley residents to save

Do You BOGOPOD™?

By: Sher Hann

In this age of tweeting, texting and chatting, there is a new verb in town: BOGOPOD. In a nutshell, BOGOPOD is a free service for consumers in Ventura County, the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles that provides bi-weekly alerts via e-mail and social media channels – Twitter, MySpace and Facebook – on deals and promotions from area merchants.

At BOGOPOD.com you can find hundreds of tempting offers from more than 125 local merchants. For example, at Bruegger’s Bagels in Agoura Hills you can receive three free bagels. “BOGOPODING” at Cosmos Grill in Calabasas will give you 50% off an entrée.

For local merchants and service providers, BOGOPOD provides feedback on the effectiveness of their promotions.  BOGOPOD’s patent-pending technology tracks how many customers have viewed, clicked, printed and redeemed merchants’ coupon offers, as well as where those customers are coming from. The cost to the merchants and service provides, according to Bay, is  around $150 to $200 a month.

BOGOPOD offers one additional benefit to merchants and consumers alike: It’s a “green” form of promotion.

The brainchild of longtime Oak Park resident David Bay and his business partner, Adam Leff, of Newbury Park, “Buy One Get One Plus Other Discounts” is primarily local. But the concept is transportable. “Our plans are to expand regionally and then nationally,” Bay says.  “Right now our hands are full with Ventura County, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and Portland. We will be entering Seattle in the next month.”

So the next time you step out the door, step up to your computer first and print out your BOGOPOD coupons to help stretch your dollar and your shopping experience.

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: bogospot, ewing and sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewingsir, sotheby's

Famous Moorpark Chef Fabio Viviani

Fabio Viviani in a scuffle

By: Rob Jordan

Just when he thought everything was taking off, local top chef Fabio Viviani (Cafe Firenze/Moorpark) has been locked out of his own restaurant by his former partner and father-in-law.

Sounds like a classic story of “local boy makes good” gone awry? Cafe Firenze was originally opened with the help of  Michael Takeda, Viviani’s father in law. Food was fabulous and they developed a loyal local following. Then Viviani ends up on Bravo TV’s Top Chef series and is voted fan favorite and becomes something of a local and national culinary superstar.

Allegedly, Viviani and Takeda couldn’t agree on how to split all the new dough. So Takeda locked Viviani out of the restaurant. All the while Viviani is making plans to open his own new gig in Universal City. Who knows where this one will end!

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: Cafe Firenze, ewing and sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewingsir, Fabio Viviani, sotheby's

Thousand Oaks Girl to Sail Solo Around the World

At only 15, Abby plans to sail around the world

By: Rob Jordan

Wasn’t it just a few months ago that Zac Sunderland of Thousand Oaks became the youngest person (17) to sail solo around the world? Now his younger sister Abby wants to break his record!

Abby doesn’t have a driver’s license yet, and can’t drive to the mall, but she can sail around the world on her own? Sounds crazy. She’s picked a “safer” route around Cape Horn at the tip of  South America, and thinks she can avoid pirates on her journey which will take six or seven months if she does not stop.

But this is all depends on her landing a major sponsor and securing an Open 40 sailboat designed for fast cruising.  If that happens in a timely manner, she will begin in November.  She turns 16 on Oct. 19 and plans a nonstop, unassisted voyage that’s expected to last about six months.

Let’s keep her in our thoughts and prayers!

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: Abby Sunderland, ewing and sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewingsir, sotheby's, Zach Sunderland