Tony Stark showin’ off

By: Deena Nissely

Next weekend, the LA Convention Center will fill up with next-gen electric cars. There will be high-tech gear with more than 175 exhibitors displaying all sorts of interesting machines.

Dwell magazine curated the exhibitors according to their ethos for clean lines. Outfit your entire home in modish style, from Kohler’s latest kitchen fixtures to family furniture, even a Marmol Radziner prefab. (And of course, it’s all state-of-the-art green, too.)

Outside of the venue you have the chance to tour rarely seen east and westside homes. These architectural landmarks are a big draw; check out the Stahl House designed by Pierre Koenig in 1960, made an icon by famous photographer Julius Shulman.

Dwell on Design
Fri-Sun, June 25-27
LA Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa St., Downtown
dwellondesign.com

Tickets: $30-$40; home tours, $85.
Nearby: Corkbar; Rivera; WP24

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.

Deena Nissley

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I love a solution that is pure and simple as this is one!

By: Steve Tipp

I was looking for light bulbs for the post top lanterns in front of our home.  We have 8 of them and I put CFL bulbs in them but the lowest wattage ones were too bright. I went where I used to go for such solutions, Home Depot. There were no great options and the person working that department gave me a game changer suggestion: Light Bulbs Unlimited. I go to Sherman Oaks and tell the guy my predicament and he says suggest a little flame style bulb (nice), would I like frosted or clear (options!) and a variety of wattages (I went with 7 watts). Since that trip I have been there twice to replace unusual halogen bulbs. I didn’t go anywhere else first and waste a second of time, I went to light bulbs unlimited and they had exactly what I needed!  What’s better than options, options, options and customer service too?

http://www.light-bulbs-unlimited.net/

Steve Tipp
Sotheby’s Calabasas
w: 818.657.4455
c: 818.384.7961

www.SteveTipp.com
twitter: @stevetipp
blog: www.woodlandhillsnewz.com

Oh by the way, I love working with terrific new clients.  Please give me a call if there is someone you know who can use my services.  Specializing in great clients, short sales and REO’s!

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.

Steve Tipp

The average annual tax bill for affected homeowners will fall between $1,500 and $1,800

By: Tim McLaughlin

After reviewing, 405,000 homes, LA County Assessor Rober Quon said the average tax bill should drop this year.

For single-family homes, the average value reduction was $162,000, amounting to an average property tax savings of $1,800, Quon said. For condos, the average reduction was $133,000, or an average savings of $1,500. The lower assessed values will be reflected on the property tax bills sent out in October.

William Roberts, director of the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University, Northridge, said the reduction in property taxes is going to help many homeowners.

“It’s been a real struggle and a lot of people have lost their homes,” Roberts said. “This may give some people the ability to stay in homes where they have had difficulty making the payments.”

But in this case, what’s good for homeowners is definitely not good for a county government struggling for new revenue.The assessed value of properties in the county is expected to drop 2.3 percent this year – compared to just a .05 percent dip last year, Quon said. The drop, the largest in recent history, will further reduce the county’s property tax revenues, which have already fallen by $132 million in the last two years.

Go here for more info

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.

Tim Mclaughlin

Puppets and music on the freeway?

By: Deena Nissley

We all spend so much time on the traffic-choked freeways, each day inching closer to mania…

Sooner or later, things were bound to get weird.

Here’s what happened—you’re stuck on the 405, hungry for some excitement. You notice a white pickup truck up ahead, no more unusual than any other truck in the sea of brake lights. Or so it seems.

But once you get closer, you start seeing some motion in the back. Some melancholy performance. It’s… puppets. They seem to be upset about their lack of control in this gridlock. (Even puppets hate traffic.)

And… there’s a soundtrack. Just tune your radio to the frequency listed on the truck and you’ll hear it. Suddenly, you’re not just marking time, you’re taking in some avant-garde theater. (It’s like a drive-in, but with actual driving.)

And if you’re really into mobile theater, you can even follow Superclogger on Twitter, thus enabling you to careen through traffic to chase this down.

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.

Deena Nissley

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Go Blue

By: Deena Nissley

Historically, you’ve fought brutal traffic, crowds, cruelty and heartache just to get to a game at Staples. To say nothing of your attempts to get to Nokia to see Justin Bieber.

But now you can just come on down from a covert new rooftop lounge, fully equipped with poolside martinis and massages…

Welcome to the serene splendor of Blue, now open at the Ritz-Carlton in the LA Live complex.

In short, this isn’t the place for a wild, forget-your-name blowout. It’s a hidden spot 26 floors above it all for your next unapologetically lazy retreat… and if that happens to be followed by a Lakers game, so be it.

Mark off your territory by the pool (cabanas will be installed next month), summon dumplings and Umami Cocktails from WP24 downstairs, and if you’re still stressed-out, the nimble masseuses at the just-opened spa will join you poolside for a rubdown anytime you like.

You’ll need a room at the hotel to enjoy this—it’s only open for Ritz guests—which just means you’ve got room service and a bed awaiting you after the game.

Sure beats the 110.

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.

Deena Nissley

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How many times have you looked back on life and wished that you had started investing earlier?

By: Tina Stern

Talk to your children or grandchildren about the value of saving money for specific purposes. Simple lesson: if you want something, you have to save your money for it.
Once they’ve learned to save to achieve their goals, it’s time to teach them how to earn money through interest accumulation. Learning the benefits of compound interest will help to encourage them to invest their money in income producing instruments.

It’s important to stay involved with them as they learn to build a secure financial future. Most children consider a parent or grandparent a primary source of financial information.

Be a good role model by demonstrating good financial habits yourself.

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.

Tina Stern

The reason for cloudy tap water…

By: Tim Maclaughlin

Ok, we’ve all had that bashful, unsure moment before we take the first sip of super cloudy water. Is the water dirty? Should I really be drinking this? Well, I recently learned that cloudy tap water, which I’ve been experiencing in Studio City as of late, is actually a natural phenomenon. Turns out, the cold water within DWP’s underground pipe holds undissolved air. Usually, the colder the water, the more air within the water. And, when the water is under pressure, it holds even more air.

Due to the recent run off from the Sierra’s, the water this time of year is all snow melt, making the water exceedingly cold. When that water finally makes it into your warm home, the air begins to escape in the form of those bubbles, which causes the cloudiness in the liquid.

You may see the cloudiness fluctuate depending on weather – unusually warm days may increase the bubbles. I always see this phenomenon in places like Mammoth during the summer.

The main thing to remember is that the bubbles are natural and are not an indicator of unhealthy drinking water.

Stay thirsty my friends.

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.

Tim Mclaughlin

Hot new bar opening Friday, May 21st

By: Deena Nissley

If you were in New York, it would be time to start thinking about your Hamptons weekends right now.

You’re not.

So it’s about time to start thinking about your Hamptons weekends… in Hollywood.

Introducing Cahuenga’s hottest new Hamptons-themed nightclub—The Colony debuts Friday, and they brought the nautical vibe and the alcoholic popsicles.

Finally, you’ve got a sprawling den of indoor-outdoor debauchery from SBE (Mi-6, Industry) that feels somehow Kennedy-approved and Montauk-adjacent. From the wooden-plank entrance outside that looks like a lifeguard stand, you’ll enter into a blue-and-white deck with a hammock-covered pool and cabana-style seating.

That’s where you and your friends will want to start things off… with some alcoholic sushi. (Think Jell-O shot instead of tuna and rice paper instead of seaweed.) They’ve also got booze-filled popsicles, champagne-sorbet foams on mini-spoons—and olives skewered on pipettes filled with splashes of martini.

Now that you’ve had a healthy dinner, you’re ready for the open-air dance floor—it’s surrounded by wave-covered walls, tiers of tables with secret storage under the seat cushions and, by the back bar, a suspended turquoise kayak (the top has cushions, so it’s like a bench/swing).

And if anybody in your group needs to ditch her stilettos for some flip-flops, there’s a beachy retail kiosk on site—yes, in the middle of the club—with some VIP storage lockers at the ready.

Which is also good news for your seersucker blazer.

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.

Deena Nissley

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Descanso Beach Club

Descanso Beach

By: Deena Nissley

I thought you’d like to hear about the new incarnation of Descanso Beach Club, now open on Catalina Island.

Basically, this is an island lunch spot that has been completely reimagined as an all-day beach retreat. You’ll want to head straight for one of the new private

cabanas (they fit six), your home for doing nothing, in a swimsuit, for the rest of the day.

As the sun lolls by overhead, you’ll be greeted by a very nice person, ready to offer you some Catalina Ceviche, a half-pound burger or a rubdown whose only soundtrack is the crashing waves. You can even catch up on some email with your toes in the sand.

But if you do start getting antsy, wander over to one of Descanso’s two new outdoor bars, and on Fridays and Saturdays (starting June 25) you can drop your own steaks on a monstrous 25-foot grill.

You’ll also be happy to hear this is now Catalina’s home for kayak rentals, snorkeling gear… and taking to the zip line.

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.

Deena Nissley

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Help fundraise, drink wine

By: Ron Viola

As a wine, food and concert lover, I wanted to make a point to share this wine festival with my readers. The City of Los Angeles with the help of the Rotary Club will feature over 30  California wines and culinary expressions from Patina Restaurant Group’s, Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse, Kendall’s Brasserie, Cafй Pinot, Zucca Ristorante and ‘tina Tacos.

Be prepared for entertainment and a silent auction as this charity event raises money for the renovation of the newly-named Volunteers of America Rotary House. The Volunteers of America‘s homeless program downtown is a place of shelter and hope for those on skid road. It’s a great chance to help the impoverished in our own country.

The venue is the Music Center of Los Angeles (view the google map here). You can purchase tickets here for $5.

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.

rjviola