Award Winning British Artist offers drawing and painting for adults

By: Serena Scott Thomas

Winter 2011 with Sarah Stitt

The artist teaches an introduction to the language of drawing and painting, while providing guidance on how to express one’s vision on paper and canvas.

The course is an introduction to:
• Overcoming the fear of creativity
• Measuring, perspective, and learning to look dimensionally
• Using pencil, charcoal, and ink
• Learning composition and color theory
• Understanding depth and space
• Experimenting with tone
• Utilizing various surfaces and tools

Suitable for all levels:
This six-week course is designed to inspire confidence in students who want to learn art history and the traditional methods of drawing and painting.

Location
Paradiso Arts
by courtesy of Laura Alvarez, MFA
2918 Santa Monica Blvd #2
Santa Monica CA 90404

Class is limited to a maximum of 12 people per class. Each class is 3 hours.

Tuition
$410
Saturdays: 10am to 1pm
From Nov 5th to Dec 17th, 2011
(date of last class TBD)

Contact
For questions about the class,
Emaill sarahstitt@me.com
Phone: Sarah’s Studio 323 571 2344
Website: www.sarahstitt.com

For questions about Paradiso Arts
Email: paradisoarts@gmail.com,
Phone: Laura at 310 592 5879
Website www.paradisoarts.com

Hunter Drohojowska-Philp on Sarah’s work:

“Her landscapes rarely include people yet she excels at portraiture especially when
painting her own three children Grace, Gabriel, and Esther. As they change each year, gaining the attributes of adolescence and young adulthood, she paints the loss of youth, the growth of knowledge, and she does so without sentimentality. As with her landscapes, these are paintings not documents, and recall the similarly rigorous stance of American artist Alice Neel. Yet, like her landscapes, these paintings do measure time as it is passed in Los Angeles.”

Hunter Drohojowska-Philp is a journalist and art critic living in Los Angeles.
Her most recent book, Rebels in Paradise: The Los Angeles Art Scene and the 1960s is published by Henry Holt in July 2011

Serena Scott Thomas

New apartments in old town Calabasas

By: Karen Lee

Before you get too excited, to qualify, you must be over 62 and make no more than $41,400 annually. But, if you qualify, you’ll be in for quite a treat.

The 75-unit affordable housing complex, at 4803 El Canon Ave., will begin moving in as early as Oct. 17, according to a housing official. This 52,825-square-foot property, owned by Thomas Safran & Associates, have units that vary from 550 to 650 square feet. Residents at Canyon Creek Calabasas include a spa, a jacuzzi, a community room, a gym and underground parking.

The housing complex is located in the heart of Old Town Calabasas and was designed with an “old west” theme in keeping with the neighborhood.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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The newest bakery in Calabasas

By: Karen Lee

Le Pain Quotidien or, “the daily bread,” is a Belgian café-bakery chain with more than 160 locations worldwide. Lucky for us, their doors just opened a new eatery Monday at the Commons in Calabasas.

Le Pain Quotidien in Calabasas will, I assume, quickly become a hotspot for locals. With freshly baked organic goods, soups, salads, sandwiches and the tartine, this bakery has the perfect blend of European themes and local appeal.

Founded in 1990 by Alain Coumont in Brussels, Belgium, Alain still manages and directs the company’s commitment to organic ingredients and green building. Worldwide, the company has many locations in Los Angeles, New York City, Canada, Mexico, France, Russia and Kuwait.

Le Pain Quotidien will certainly receive the attention it deserves in the tightly knit Calabasas community.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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Fire Precaution in Calabasas

By: Karen Lee

The recent brush fire on Alizia Canyon in Calabasas should be a good reminder that fire season is upon us. Hot temperatures, dry brush and upcoming Santa Ana winds make the perfect fuel for this extreme danger.

Make sure that brush around your house is cleared, and that trees are trimmed away from the roof.

Have a plan for evacuation-what to take-important documents should be in a metal fire resistant box that can be grabbed in a moments notice. Prescriptions and family photos should be at the top of the list. Last minute decisions can be disastrous. A few years ago when a fire threatened Bell Canyon, Valley Circle Estates, and Hidden Hills, I remember loading shoes in a laundry basket to take! That would have been a waste compared to other, irreplaceable items.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing estate properties throughout the Greater West Valley area including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, West Hills, Agoura and Tarzana.

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Tina Stern’s Hollister Ranch Property Featured as LA Times Home of the Week

By: Tina Stern

My listing of 114 Hollister Ranch, Gaviota, California was featured in the Business Section of the Sunday Los Angeles Times on 9.4.2011 as their choice for “Home of the Week” (view here). This 108 acre property with 5 structures is nothing short of magnificent. To view the property, see the YouTube video below or view the property website at www.114hollister.com

The legendary Hollister Ranch. Full parcel Listing. Inaccessible to the public, guard gated 24 hours a day. The 14,400 acre Ranch has 8 ½ miles of private pristine beach frontage for the exclusive use of homeowners. Property includes 2 complete houses, 1 guest house, 1 barn-game room and 1 secluded hilltop hideaway. Located approx. 30 minutes up the coast from Southern California’s most charming city, Santa Barbara. Ranch consists of 136 one hundred acre, or larger parcels. Parcel 114 is nestled in its own private valley. Its approx. 108 acres lie on a private road winding through 100 year old oaks, spring-fed creeks & vistas from rolling hills to pastures & the Pacific Ocean. It offers privacy, security & beauty only minutes to the beach. Whether seeking solitude or staging a grand getaway for family & friends, this is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a virtually unspoiled piece of the California dream right on the most protected coastline in Southern California

Tina Stern

Local Teams to Participate in The 2011 Hard 9 National Classic Baseball Tournament April 18-21

By: Maggie Mayall

Three San Fernando Valley high schools are set to participate in The 2011 Hard 9 National Classic Baseball Tournament April 18-21 in Anaheim, CA. They are: Chaminade College Prep in West Hills, Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth and Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills.

My husband and I will be in attendance watching our 10th grade left fielder. This is our very first year attending and we are very excited to participate in watching this new level of play for our big guy.

The fun begins for the players on Saturday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m., with the annual Home Run Derby taking place at El Dorado High School field.

The 32-game tournament starts at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 18, at the home fields of the tournament co-hosts, Esperanza and El Dorado high schools. This High School Tournament features the #1 team in the country, Saint Francis High School from Mountain View, CA. Sixteen Teams from Arizona, California, Florida, Tennessee and Utah are set to compete, including 32 players who have committed to NCAA Division 1 programs.

All the teams will compete on the campuses of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), Esperanza High School and El Dorado High School. The semi-final and championship games will be played at Goodwin Field at CSUF.

Here’s a look at our three local schools in the San Fernando Valley that will be participating:

• Chaminade College Prep West Hills, CA (go Eagles!)

Head Coach Frank Mutz coaches Chaminade College Prep, ranked 13th in Southern California as of 4/11/2011, for his third-year. Chaminade is currently 6-1 in the tough Mission League. Included in these six wins is a sweep against another National Classic team, Bishop Alemany. The Eagles will enter the 2011 season with eight returning starters and 14 seniors. They have 7 players committed to NCAA Division 1 programs: RHP/C Mathew Troupe (U of Arizona), RHP Michael Dingilian (Cal Poly SLO), RHP Dalton Brown (Duke University), OF Brandon Rapoport (U of Washington), INF Dylan Delaney (U of Michigan), C/OF Jason D’Andrea (UCLA), and INF Tanner Reibenspies (San Diego State Univ). The Eagles were 27-7 overall in 2010, and advanced to the CIF-SS Division II Quarter Finals. They return most of last year’s starting line-up. Pitching and defense is their strength and they plan on manufacturing the runs to remain competitive in 2011.

• Chatsworth High School Chatsworth, CA

The Chatsworth Chancellors, ranked 4^th in Southern California as of 4/11/2011, have won 3 CIF City Championships in the past 4 years. The Chancellors return 5 All–League players, and are led by Seniors Aaron Brown (Pepperdine .368 BA, 5HR, 29 RBI), Steven Karkenny (.425 BA, 2 HR, 22 RBI), Brady Conlan (.349 BA, 1 HR, 22 RBI), Christian Lopez (7-1, 2.58 ERA), and Angel Rodriguez (6-2, 2.55 ERA). Chatsworth is making its second appearance in the National Classic.

• Bishop Alemany High School Mission Hills, CA

Bishop Alemany, not ranked in the top 25 as of 4/11/2011, is coming off a 19-8 season in 2010, and a second place finish in the tough Mission League (one game behind Crespi – the 2010 National Classic Champion). The Warriors, under Head Coach Randy Thompson, return almost their entire pitching staff from 2010. Junior Ryan Paramo, the Mission League Pitcher of the Year, returns after going 7-2 last season. Junior Cody Thompson posted a 2.14 era in 6 league starts last year, earning 1st team All-Mission League honors. The offense will look to Seniors Edgar Montes (CF) and Anthony Esparza (C), as well as Junior Peter Van Gansen (SS) to provide some spark. Van Gansen was an All-CIF selection last year, and Montes and Esparza are 3-year Varsity starters.

In a press release at pr.com, The National Classic quotes tournament director Marcus Jones: “The 2011 Hard 9 National Classic will showcase some of the best baseball talent in the country, including the top team in America. Since 1990, the National Classic has been recognized across the United States as the #1 high school baseball tournament in the nation, and that continues with this year’s field.”

Also reported is that more than 250 schools from 24 states have participated in the National Classic over the years. National Classic Alumni include Major League Baseball players Alex Rodriguez, Shawn Green, Brett Tomko, Shannon Stewart, AJ Hinch, Hank Blalock and Pat Burrell, just to name a few. In its’ history, more than 300 players that participated in the National Classic have been drafted and 42 players have played in the Big Leagues.

Our first game is at 10 a.m. Monday morning against Valley Christian from San Jose, CA. They are currently 10-6 and recently beat #1 ranked St. Francis on March 22. But we have a great team and anything can happen. This “Baseball Mom” will be wearing our team colors and shouting “Way to stay alive!” “Great wheels, kid!” and “You got this!”

If we win that, we might go on to play IMG Academy, which, my son says, “is basically a school that breeds baseball players. No joke, mom.”

Whatever happens, it’s all good. I’m a baseball lover and I can’t wait for the fun to begin! I love watching those kids play. We are expecting great weather, too. Put on the sunscreen! Wear a cap!

And let’s play ball!

For ticket and schedule information, visit: www.national-classic.com.

A complete list of teams participating:

• El Dorado High School Placentia, Ca
• Esperanza High School Anaheim, CA
• IMG Pendleton Academy Bradenton, FL
• Chaminade College Prep West Hills, CA
• Christian Brothers High School Memphis, TN
• Valley Christian High School San Jose, CA
• Bishop Amat High School La Puente, CA
• Sunrise Mountain High School Peoria, AZ
• Chatsworth High School Chatsworth, CA
• Bingham High School South Jordan, UT
• Notre Dame Prep Scottsdale, AZ
• Saint Francis High School Mountain View, CA
• Cypress High School Cypress, CA
• Clovis West High School Clovis, CA
• Bishop Alemany High School Mission Hills, CA
• El Capitan High School Lakeside, CA

For a list of Southern California High School Baseball rankings, go to http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0411-high-school-baseball-20110411,0,1337099.story. Updates every Monday.

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.

Maggie Mayall

Maggie Mayall, Realtor Associate at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing residential properties in the West San Fernando Valley. A diligent Realtor and seasoned business owner, Maggie treats her clients with steadfast compassion and care.

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A few tips to help your  teenage drivers

By: Maggie Mayall

You’d think I’d be used to teaching a kid to drive, this being my third time through it (2 sons and a stepdaughter). But I recently learned that the best way for me to be in the car with my teen driver is to let my husband sit in the front seat, with me in the back. I have to promise to keep my head down and not look while we merge onto the freeway. Not that our teen driver is doing so bad, he’s actually doing quite well. The problem is me. I’m a worrier.

There is a lot to be concerned about, though. Car crashes are the number one killers of teens in the United States, so it’s important to know the facts and risks. I thought I’d pull together some resources to both bolster up my arsenal of helpful tools and to also share some tips with other parents of teens out there that are going through it too.

First of all, we have no problem turning over the lessons to a professional instructor and mining outside resources. I need all the help I can get, no matter how good a driver I may be. The good news about a professional is that they don’t have the emotional attachment that could add to the stress of the situation and they have the experience to teach this skill in a calm and efficient way.

But in between lessons and the driver’s license test, though, a lot of hours have to be logged behind the wheel so that we can prepare him to be a proficient driver for his lifetime.

DON’T’S:

• Don’t be negative, freak out or have a meltdown. (Sit in the back seat if you have to and have someone else be co-pilot!)
• Don’t use their time behind the wheel to nag them about other issues like their chores or homework!
• Don’t allow your teen to take his behind-the-wheel test too soon. It’s always better to wait. Sure, it will be convenient for your teen to have ability to drive themselves to the game practice or the store, but the more supervised experience they have under their belts before being on their own, the safer they will be. And safety should be our number one priority here, not convenience.

DO’S:

• Decide ahead of time what today’s lesson will be and outline it (like today we’ll be practicing left-hand turns around this specific route).
• Start small for their first lessons, like in an empty parking lot. Work up to the freeway!
• Use encouragement and positive reinforcement (point out what they are doing well).
• Calmly point out when mistakes are made, without shaming or freaking out.
• Make lots of opportunities to practice (like on errands and extra curricular activities)
• Set a good example when you are driving. Make conscious choices to remain calm, don’t run yellow lights, always make full stops, stick to the speed limit, wear a seatbelt, show respect to other drivers. It’s important that my teen driver listens as I explain what I’m doing and why, when I’m doing the driving.
• Use at least one lesson to go over emergency roadside situations, changing a tire, driving in inclement weather, checking the oil and coolant levels, filling with gas and jumpstarting a battery. And we need to have a plan about what to do if the car breaks down or if he’s involved in an accident.
• Draw up a safe-driving contract with your teen. This would include all your house rules about your car and all the state laws, like wearing a seat belt at all times, refraining from speeding, driving under the influence and talking on the phone or texting while driving. The Automobile Club of America has a great contract (it’s free), as well as other resources for parents of teen drivers. http://teendriving.aaa.com/CA/

The most important thing to remember with a teen driver is that we are preparing him or her to go out there in the world and use this 3,000 pound machine in get around in safely and responsibly. But it is not a “right,” it’s a privilege—and it’s important for us to help him understand that. As long as he is a minor, we will allow him to drive under the rules we have set down, after he has completed a driver’s training course and signed a contract with us. It is our job to make sure our teen driver develops an appreciation that driving is a highly complex task for which he needs maturity and judgment.

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.

Maggie Mayall

Maggie Mayall, Realtor Associate at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing residential properties in the West San Fernando Valley. A diligent Realtor and seasoned business owner, Maggie treats her clients with steadfast compassion and care.

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Preparing pets for old age

By: Serena Scott Thomas

Senior Wellness

As pets age, their bodies become less able to cope with physical or environmental stress. Since pets are very good at hiding signs of illness, health problems may seem to appear suddenly when, in fact, they have been gradually worsening over a period of months. That’s a key reason why most experts recommend that healthy senior pets see their veterinarians every 6 months.

When is a Pet “Senior”?

With many pets living well into their teens, many owners wonder: When is my pet truly senior? The answer is that there is no specific age at which a pet becomes senior. Individual pets age at different rates, and most large- and giant-breed dogs become seniors earlier than small-breed dogs and cats.

Health Issues in Senior Pets

As your pet gets older, being aware of his or her general health can help you monitor for early signs of any problems. As pets age, their organ functioning changes, their immune systems become weaker, and they are more prone to developing certain diseases or conditions, including:

The Senior Pet Exam

Just as with people, it’s important for pets to see their doctors more often as they age. A thorough senior wellness exam is designed to promote the longest and healthiest life possible, recognize and control known health risks for older pets, and detect any signs of disease as early as possible, when there are more options for treatment and control.

We look forward to working with you to ensure your pet’s senior years are as happy, healthy, and long as possible. Please call us at (818) 222-7387 for an appointment or visit your Pet Portal to learn more.

Serena Scott Thomas

Green gardening classes in Calabasas

By: Serena Scott Thomas

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water district has found that largest single expense for most of their customers is water. Observing many of the gardens in Calabasas, it’s obvious who spends excessive amounts of money on their garden. Southern California is known for it’s arid climate – not tropical plants. Therefor the gardens that are planted to look like a jungle, often require extremely high water volumes, wasting much of the water our city doesn’t have. Additionally, the cost to home owners can be crippling during drought years.

In order to educate the community, Las Virgenes water district is offering a free gardening and landscape class along with a light dinner. Register by calling 818-251-2200 or go to http://www.lvmwd.com/index.aspx?page=205.

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.

Serena Scott Thomas

Strengthening your core – a great workout in Calabasas

By: Serena Scott Thomas

Women want those long, lengthy muscles that make us look taller and sexier. We target our core and our flexibility – we workout to look and feel good. Recently I took a class at the Dailey Method in Calabasas and found it quite wonderful. As a focused runner, it was nice to spend time stretching and focusing on a ballet style workout. The Dailey Method is a unique combination of ballet barre work, core conditioning, stretching, and orthopedic exercises.

This is a brand new studio in Calabasas that is filling up quick so make sure to visit at 3840 Old Topanga Road in Calabasas. 818.224.4810.

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.

Serena Scott Thomas