Bed bugs are creepin’

By: Sher Hann

As we all march into the malls buying gifts and throwing them in our closets until the special day, here is a word to the wise. Bed bugs are on the move!

Two years ago year my son suffered an infestation in his apartment in San Francisco. “There’s one on the dust ruffle!” he screamed into the phone at 11:30 one night. Thus began an expensive ordeal and two months of his sleeping in his living room.

The advice below came across my desk from a friend, and even if you don’t believe it, it offers an easy precaution:

“We have friends here in our community and one of their sons is an entomologist (insect expert) who travels all over the country as an advisor to many of stores. He is telling them that there is an epidemic of bed bugs now occurring in America. Recently,  several stores in New York City have had to close due to bed bug problems, as well as a complete mall in New Jersey.

“He says that since much of our clothing, sheets, towels, etc. now comes from companies outside of America, even the most expensive stores sell foreign clothing from China, Indonesia, etc. The bed bugs are coming in on the clothing as these countries do not consider them a problem. He recommends that if you buy any new clothing, even underwear and socks, sheets and towels, bring them into the house and put them in your clothes dryer for at least 20 minutes. The heat will kill them and their eggs.

“DO NOT PURCHASE CLOTHES AND HANG THEM IN THE CLOSET FIRST. It does not matter what the price range is of the clothing, or if the outfit comes from the most expensive store known in the U.S. They still get shipments from these countries and the bugs can come in a box of scarves or anything else for that matter. That is the reason so many stores, many of them clothing stores, have had to shut down in New York and other places. All you need is to bring one item into the house that has bugs or eggs and your live will change forever in an expensive way as you try to get rid of them.”

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.

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#37 to the Rescue! Your fire station serving North Ranch

Photo by Bob Roper, Ventura County Fire Chief

By: Sher Hann

In 1975, the North Ranch area was being planned and developed. However, there was a caveat. A fire station was required in order to safely service the North Ranch Community. Although the agreed upon location eventually became a park, North Ranch was erected.

At the time, the city of Thousand Oaks wanted to save the Wildwood Mesa on the west end of Avenida de los Arboles as open space, so the city reached an agreement with the owners of Wildwood Mesa. Wildwood mesa agreed to allow homes to be built in the North Ranch area. As part of the agreement, Conejo Recreation and Park District would agree with the city and Mesa owners only if they could have the original fire station site to add to their park site. Therefore, a second fire station site was agreed upon, which is the northeast corner of Kanan Road and Upper Ranch Road. This is the site of today’s fire station. Fire station 37.

I thought this would be interesting information as we are in full fledged fire season. It’s comforting to know that North Ranch has a great fire station ready to service our area if we need help. And by the way, this stations doubles as a polling center on Election Days.

Information retrieved from: North Ranch Living, October 2010.

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.

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CAbi. It’s a noun, it’s a verb.

By: Sher Hann

It’s even an adjective. Carol Anderson by Invitation. For the initiated, Carol Anderson has been designing women’s clothing for three decades. She first displayed in Nordstrom, and then other retailers as well. She is well known for her reversible skirt.

In 2001 she reinvented herself, going directly to her customers. Now CAbi is sold only through in-home parties. It’s a marketer’s conundrum: Women who shop for sale merchandise all the time will go to a friend’s house for a CAbi party, have a glass of wine, try on clothes in front of each other, and pay full price. In this stubborn recession, CAbi enjoyed its best August in its history.

I have CAbi-ed for seven years at my friend Betsy’s home in North Ranch – twice a year, rarely missing a show. Last night Betsy’s CAbi rep, Debi Rote, unveiled the new fall collection. The theme this season is New York: Soho, Chesea, Madison Avenue – you get the idea – and the color is black. As the rep said, black is the new black. There were black stretch pants, black skirts, black sweaters, black dresses, black tubes, black jeans – with interesting colors such as spruce, blueberry and hot tamale sprinkled throughout. (Carol’s colors are never simply green, blue and red; even black is not black; it’s licorice.). You can see the collection online, but you can’t buy it there, and in truth the online presentation doesn’t do it justice. In fact, it’s not supposed to: You have to go to a party and get inspired, get undressed and get your wallet out. In short, you have to CAbi.

Prices aren’t cheap, but they are easy to justify. The fabrics are soft and non-wrinkly. The styling is detailed and glides sinuously over all types of bulges and bumps. And for those who really do their homework, CAbi leggings, for example, are at least $40 cheaper than a recent number at Nordstrom, and Carol’s Paris jacket a bargain compared with a dashing Nanette Lepore at the same store.

So 13 women, some plump, some skinny, some tall, some short, some 20-something, some “we shall not whisper their age,” some friends, some strangers – CAbi-ed last night. It was great fun, and I know those black leggings and that Chanel-like jacket will look smashing. And think of all the money I saved!

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.

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A few points to consider when buying a home or condo with an FHA Loan

By: Sher Hann

I have fielded a lot of questions about using FHA financing to buy a condo or town home. Here are several points to keep in mind.

1. Is the property a condo or town home? This may seem like a simple question, but actually, seeing is not always believing. In Thousand Oaks a number of neighborhoods, while appearing to be single-family homes, are deeded as condos, that is, they are zoned as condos on the county tax assessor’s record.

2. If the property is a condo, then ask, Is the complex approved by FHA? If the complex is already on the FHA-approved list, the escrow process can go fairly quickly and smoothly – a must if you are buying a short-sale or bank-owned property. For an FHA-approved complex, lenders only need to certify that the project remains in compliance with current FHA guidelines. This streamlined process involves a 1-page questionnaire completed by the property manager.

3. If the complex is not FHA-approved, you may still be able to use FHA financing for the purchase, provided you and your lender can get FHA approval during the escrow process. To obtain FHA approval on a complex that had not been reviewed, the lender must obtain significantly more documentation – including a complete set of homeowner governing and financial documents and title records of every unit in the complex. Collecting the required documents is a time-consuming process which necessarily translates into the need for a longer escrow (typically 45-60 days). It is important to plan for that when you make an offer. Most short-sale and bank-owned [properties will not allow the extra time needed.

4. Consider the monthly cost of homeowners’ dues when you are choosing a condo or town home. These can be more than $400 a month – a fair chunk of your monthly payment. HOA monthly dues typically pay for fire/hazard insurance, earthquake insurance, property management fees, and such services as housekeeping, gardening, pool service, plumbing, roof repairs and general building upkeep – all things you would be paying out-of-pocket as a homeowner. However, some complexes have been able to hold costs down for various reasons, while others have seen their monthly dues go up substantially.

5. Give careful consideration to your choice of lender for your FHA financing. Direct-endorsement lenders have contracts with FHA, allowing them to approve and fund the loans directly; generally, these lenders also have the authority to approve condominium projects. If your lender is not a direct-endorsement lender, your loan will be brokered to a third-party for approval and funding. This process will take longer and will be subject to more restrictive guidelines.

For more information, including the latest list of FHA-approved condo complexes, visit the FHA website, or call Brownie Stanisch at 818.681-2401, Prospect Mortgage, your direct-endorsement FHA lender.

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.

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The North Ranch Hawk

By: Sher Hann

Little Hudson stepped out into his yard early in the morning, as he usually did, at his home in North Ranch. And, as usual, his owner watched him more closely than he watched the three big dogs who lived there alongside Hudson, who is, after all, only 15 pounds of much-loved white fluff. Suddenly a great shadow loomed over Hudson: a red-tailed hawk, commanding a wingspan of three feet, swooped down to seize its breakfast. Only the dog’s owner’s quick hands saved him from a terrifying flight.

It seems the hawk, along with Hudson and other family pets,  now resides in the vicinity of Fairway Ct. and Golf Course Dr., in North Ranch – a reminder that we all live within a few feet of wildness.

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.

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Offered at $699,999

By: Sher Hann

This airy one-story ideally located in a cul-de-sac in Westlake Hills features updated interior features, high smooth ceilings, newer kitchen amenities, remodeled baths and Quenn Anne street side windows. The gated front entry leads to a charming patio and large private yard with roses and fruit trees.

This is a pocket listing so please contact me by email if you’d like to learn 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.

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Conejo Valley and the Jungleland days

By: Sher Hann

Not to be outdone by my colleague Jeff Biebuyck, who found some great 1920s photos of Encino (http://ewingsir.com/historic-encino/), I’d like to present the early days of the Conejo Valley.

My favorite photo, shot by Thousand Oaks chronicler Ed Lawrence, is not in the public domain. It’s a photo from the 1960s that he took at the intersection for Thousand Oaks Blvd. and Moorpark Rd., right by the 101 freeway exchange. It shows shepherds together with their dogs, herding a mass of sheep (none of whom faced the camera). Lawrence’s collection – a 50-year chronicle called From Ranches to Residences – is private (as he one time said, if I were a rich man, I would donate it, but I’ll be working till I die).

However, I did find a trove of photos from the old Jungleland site, now the home of The Lakes shopping center, City Hall and the Civic Arts Plaza. These photos, actually dating to the 20s, can be found at http://stagecoachmuseum.org/jungleland_exhibit/jungleland_exhibit.htm. Don’t remember Jungleland? Take a look!

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There is also an archival video, a cross between Ronald Reagan’s General Electric Theater and Bonanza, at http://www.cosf.org/website/html/multimedia-video.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.

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What to do with unused medicine?

By: Sher Hann

Are unused medicines lurking in your medicine cabinet? If so, you are not alone. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 80% of our country’s waterways contain trace amounts of pharmaceutical wastes. The effect on humans is just now under the microscope, but we know there’s a negative impact on wildlife. We also know that 40% of drugs abused by kids come from the home of a friend or relative.

Now residents of Thousand Oaks have a remedy. They can take their unused meds to the Thousand Oaks Police Department and place them in a bin located in the lobby. Just remember to remove any personal information from the containers, and place liquid medicines in a sealed plastic bag to avoid leaks. For those unable to get to the Police Station, the City will provide envelopes at www.toaks.org/GoGreen. These envelopes can them be mailed to the Police Station:

City of Thousand Oaks

2101 E. Olsen Rd.

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Note: The collection bin is not for needles! These should be placed in a the envelopes noted above and taken for disposal to Los Robles Hospital, to Los Robles Community Medical Group on Thousand Oaks Blvd. or to the City’s monthly Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.

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.

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A great new cafe in Westlake Village

By: Sher Hann

To be sure, the Conejo Valley has its share of excellent French and Italian cuisine. But now, as the anemic economy nibbles into the everyday budget, comes some lighter fare with European flair: Europa.

Located in the North Ranch Shopping Center, in Westlake Village, Europa is owned by Jorge Gruener, a professional chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, NY. “Good coffee is my passion,” he explains. “I wanted a European-style coffee house where you could get a great cup of coffee with light, healthy food.”

Indeed, the coffee and teas (all loose leaf) are organic and certified fair trade. Gruener orders the coffee on one day, and the next morning it is roasted and delivered in the afternoon. Each cup of espresso is made with a Rancilio espresso machine – Italian and the best in the world, Gruener says – and served in a biodegradable cup. The panini is made on the premises with La Brea bread, and the pastries come from a boutique bakery.

Outdoor seating and soon-to-come wireless Internet service complete the café. Europa is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and perhaps later on weekends.

Europa Cafe, 3945 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Suite A, Westlake Village 805.494.1089

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.

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North Ranch POA Asked to Vote on New CC&Rs and By-Laws

By: Sher Hann

Earlier this month the 462 property owners within the North Ranch Property Owners’ Association received a packet via mail  containing the proposed new CC&Rs and By-Laws. Within the week another smaller package arrived in the mailbox via hand delivery, this one asking for a vote to disapprove the CC&Rs and By-Laws.

The letter accompanying the first package explained that the current CC&Rs, being more than 30 years old, predate California state statutes governing all homeowner associations.  New documents, the letter explained, are  needed for the association to be in compliance with state law. Furthermore, the current documents are sometimes ambiguous and not “user-friendly,” the cover letter stated.

The bone of contention prompting the second letter focuses on the storage of recreational vehicles.  The proposed new documents would allow for such storage provided RVs are not visible.  The 14 property owners who issued the vote-to-disapprove  letter argue that commercial storage is available for recreational vehicles and therefore no RVs should be allowed within the neighborhood.

Another issued posed by the concerned 14, which includes two current Board members, is the power Board members would gain in the new documents to create new rules without a vote of the property owners. In addition, the proposed By-Laws state there shall be one vote per lot, and that for election of Board members, owners may cast one vote for each open position but may not cumulate their votes for any one candidate.

In as letter to all property owners dated March 16, 2010, attorney Glen Kulik, whose law firm participated heavily in the development of the new documents, issued a rebuttal. In a nutshell, he indicated homeowners can disapprove just the items they dislike without disapproving the entire document, that banning RVs would be held illegal if challenged, and that other concerns would violate California Civil Code.

While this may be turgid stuff, if you are a North Ranch property owner, be sure to review the proposed package and subsequent letters, and then cast your vote – yeah or nay, no later than May 1.

If you are hoping for the CliffNotes on the significant changes, you won’t find them.  There are too many changes to itemize them, according to North Ranch Center staff. For other questions, call the North Ranch Center at 805.373.3725 between 1:00 and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

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.

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