Relief From Costly Repair Bills for Calabasas Homeowners

By: Jeff Biebuyck

At the City Council meeting this past Wednesday, February 9, Calabasas Council members announced the repeal of the current septic-tank inspection process in the city. The current ordinance will be replaced with the inspection protocol used at the state level. Owners of homes in Calabasas have been inspected for faulty septic-systems and charged thousands of dollars in repairs to fix leaks. The state law though, only requires owners of failed septic-systems to make repairs if they are 600 feet from bodies of water impaired of nutrients or 100 feet from bodies of water that contain pathogens.

Because of this, if a leaky system is only found to be polluting someone’s backyard then there will be no order for repairs. This change will prevent many Calabasas homeowners from paying high fees to repair their systems. In the City Council meeting, Mayor James Bozajian apologized for any difficulties since the beginning of the ordinace in 2009. Now that the ordinance has been repealed, there will be no inspections until the law has been officially changed. As of now there are 31 homeowners who have citations but City Manager Tony Coroalles stated “We do not expect many properties to fit into this category”. Calabasas residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Jeff Biebuyck

Jeffery Biebuyck, Branch Manager of the Sherman Oaks Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty Office, oversees all office operations, expansions, and new agent recruitment. Jeff thrives on using his talented and creative mind to help agents focus on their business and achieve success.

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Important Event for all Calabasas Residents

By: Dana Olmes

Mayor James Bozajian will present the 14th annual State of the City Speech on February 9, 2012 at 7pm at the Founder’s Hall in the Calabasas Library. The speech will review the city’s accomplishments of the past year as well as goals for the future. Mayor Bozajian plans on placing an emphasis on city finances, public safety, environmental responsibilities, and community services. All resident’s are encouraged to come and reflect upon the achievements of Calabasas during 2011. After the speech, there will be a reception hosted by the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce where residents can meet with Chamber Business Members and City officials. For anyone unable to attend the State of the Speech Address it will be taped and replayed February 12, 2012 on CTV as well as on-demand at cityofcalabasas.com.

Dana Olmes

Dana Olmes, estate agent at Ewing & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, specializes in representing residential real estate properties throughout the West San Fernando Valley and Conejo Valley areas. She has significant expertise working with various gated and equestrian communities in the area such as Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Bell Canyon, Agoura and Westlake Village.

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Who can we trust?

By: Michele Hren

How can we be safe in this Trillion dollar industry?

Are there illegal drugs in our Supplements?  YES. Even recalled drugs can still be found on shelves all over our nation. “Natural” means nothing if it’s made in an illegal factory and 50 Million people in America are taking these spiked products.

Dr. Oz‘s show on January 17^th was quite compelling and focused on, not all supplements, but, Weight Loss products. James Neal-Kababick. His title, a Dangerous Supplement Researcher who tested many products in an independent study and found that 9 out of 10 samples, 90%, had been altered. He said, “It has become an epidemic,” and went on to say there is no quality control. A factory can make one batch of prescription drugs and then without sterilizing the system, blend weight loss products. “It’s out of control.” In several cases ingredients to treat anthrax poisoning was in supplements.

Here’s an example of potentially deadly ingredients in the product Que She, found by Dr. Oz in New York City.

#1-  Sibutramine, banned in this country for causing  heart attacks, strokes and seizures.

#2 – Fenfluramine, (Fen Fen) a dangerous stimulant that was pulled off the market years ago.

#3 – Ephedrine, that causes high blood pressure.

#4 – Propranolol, masking the ingredients in the other harmful prescription drugs, sometimes 6 times the suggested dose.

Also, Herbal products can have Anti-Depressants, Diuretics, and something new called Drug Analogues that are insidious to hide the dangerous drugs. More Analogues are discovered in research labs on a monthly basis. The gullible and carless consumers are in danger. They have become human Ginney pigs for companies that don’t care about their products, only the bottom line. Pieter Cohen, MD wants help from congress to change the laws to demonstrate the safety to the FDA prior to, not after, products going on the shelves.

HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES?

#1 Avoid anything that claims to be an alternative to a prescription drug, or claims to speeding up your metabolism to lose a lot of weight within hours.

#2-  Avoid products that are in a foreign language or from countries such as China, India and New Zealand. Still be aware of what you find in the USA, too.

#3 – Don’t purchase something without a label showing the ingredients, has no instructions, no address, website or phone #. That’s just plain stupid. Here is a real ingredient label that can be found in our country:

Ingredients: Instant Coffee, Lingzhi Spore Powder, Rose Powder, Semen Cassiae, Dietary Fiher, and so on.

Truly, folks, I did not make this up or misspell Fiber, I won’t venture into the Semen, and what in heaven are we to make of…. and SO ON.

Who can we trust 100% of the time? Who has safe products in every locker room in the NFL and endorsed by hundreds of Athletes. Who has a Science and Medical board to oversee production and products tested each month by Informed Choice, www.informed-choice.org. Who has a money back guarantee?

One great answer is ADVOCARE. Advocare is an 18 year company, never in the red, offering the very best in Weight Loss, Energy, Performance supplements and Leadership. www.Advocare.com/111014711.

For more information, contact Michele Hren .  I’ll show you how to be safe, happy, healthy and more.

We Don’t Take – We Give

We Don’t Sell – We Teach

We don’t “Close” – We Open Business Relationships

Commit2Advocare@yahoo.com

Michele Hren direct: (805)432-6708

Michele Hren

By: Michele Hren

Photo by Jean Bai

Perfect for Sotheby’s and all Realtors with a sharp taste in photography, I have found an up and coming photographer with a unique approach to color that stands out from others. A beautiful young lady, filled with passion, who fell in love with the world through her camera’s lenses at a very young age, she is eager to earn our business.

Even if you’re not a Realtor, this website can thrill your senses.
Please visit her website and add it to your contacts.
www.jeanbai.com

Jean Bai has interned at a fashion photography studio with Ash Gupta at Studio 838, and has been trained by Hal Wells at the Los Angeles Times. Her work is heavily influenced by geometric perspectives and she specializes in architecture and interiors.

In her own words from the website’s “About” page:

My passion for photography began during a month-long travel through Europe alone when I was 18. I self-financed the journey and even bought my first camera with my earnings, realizing that you appreciate most what you have when you earn it yourself. Wandering through the byzantine streets of Paris, passing through pastoral landscapes by Eurail, and meeting all kinds of personalities unbeknownst to my young (and somewhat sheltered) mind, I fell in love with the world. I couldn’t resist snapping photos and eternalizing moments and emotions, wherever life took me.

Thus, began my obsession with photography. A vision in sight, a frame of mind, a click and release- therein lays its beauty. You eternalize the transient moments in our unpredictable lives.

Architecture is the primary focus in this passion of mine. Call it a love for facts and figures-linear reasoning, perhaps.

Thank you, all, for taking a few moments to discover Jean Bai’s unique work. I’m sure she’ll be grateful that you did.

Michele Hren

By: Michele Hren

For some of us who have ever been an “MLM” Mutli-Level Marketer or in “Direct Sales” I want to shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes to show you where “MLMs” and “Direct Sales” are similar in some ways and altogether different in other ways. If you are a sales person, for either side or especially a skeptical consumer, you will appreciate this information so you can shut down the skeptics and the skeptics can learn to be nice and just listen.

#1- Most everything you & I purchase has a Multi-Level pay structure.
When you buy groceries, there are “Multiple Levels” of people getting paid.

1. Farmer
2. Wholesaler
3. Distributor
4. Trucking Companies
5. Grocery Store Owner
6. Grocery Store Employees

So does that make our local grocery store an “MLM” or pyramid deal? Clearly it doesn’t.
It’s just the way distribution works. Even the products & services below have a “Multi Level” pay structure.

Gasoline
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Financial Products & Services
Gym Memberships
Gas, Electric & cell Phone Bills

Bottom line: In a world of specialization & convenience it takes several layers of distribution to efficiently get a product from factory to consumer. But, with most products & services the layers remain “Faceless” to us so we don’t think about it.

#2- The difference between an “MLM” & and Direct Sales Opportunity.
In the mid 90’s I represented 4 companies, all with different products, at the same time. If you called me crazy, you’d be right. Only 1 of the 4 survived, most likely due to their good management and consumable products that worked. I made good money for several years. The others turned out to be money making schemes, not consumable, or just had bad leadership.

Essentially, these unproven companies that were not a member of the DSA (Direct Sales Association) were marketing high priced, less than standard products and taking advantage of the laws which allow a product to be distributed via the “Direct Sales Model”. They often have poor leadership and are typically shut down, out of business, or merged with other companies within 2-5 years.

What I didn’t know before was that it takes a lot of research to find that perfect fit, and then you need to take a leap of faith and trust in that fussy feeling you get, deep down, inside. That’s what I did, not very long ago. If looking for the real deal in products and/or a way to earn a second income, I’d like to use Advocare as the Model I would suggest you look for.

Advocare is an 18 year old Direct Selling Company who has never been in the RED. For years Advocare has paid their independent distributors generously at 6 cents to every dollar. In 2009 approximately 60 Million dollars were paid to their Distributors. This year looks to be about $120 Million that will be paid. They deliver its products to a market place through distributors instead of retail outlets (GMC, etc.).

Advocare is a member of the DSA (the governing body who ensures that high ethics & standards are being met by all members) and features elite science based nutritionals (Consumables) which have a true market demand & value. Advocare allows distributors to be compensated by both retailing the products and building teams which help Advocare expand into the market place.

So, does Advocare have a pay structure that compensates through multiple levels of distributors – absolutely – just like our groceries, gas & insurance. Is Advocare even remotely close to the typical “MLM” deal your best friend or co-worker said it was? NO!
Just like my Real Estate relationship as a Broker Associate with Ewing & Assoc. Sotheby’s International Realty, I’m proud of the choices I’ve made and the character and ethics of my leaders and co-workers I associate with. I can’t control everyone’s perception but I know Advocare is a special company with a strong vision to teach ordinary people and watch them do extraordinary things for themselves and others. Let me help you change your life.

We don’t Take – We Give
We don’t Sell – We Teach
We don’t Close – We Open Business Relationships
See the testimonies and endorsement below
Ask about our “24 Day Challenge” simple weight loss program.
Did you know our sugar-free “Spark” is in every NFL Locker room?

Contact Michele Hren, Independent Distributor
here.

Products: Testimonials
https://www.advocare.com/111014711/Products/Testimonials/

Endorsers: A long list of Sport’s Categories & “Spark” in every NFL locker room.
https://www.advocare.com/111014711/Products/Endorsers/

The Products Are Safe: Advocare has a Science and Medical Board
https://www.advocare.com/111014711/Products/Safe.aspx

Michele Hren

From Daughter to Mom

By: Michele Hren

In this very busy world I make it a point to get together with a girlfriend at least 2 times a month. A few days ago, Lynne, my Arbonne Distributor, and I laughed out loud at when we realized we’d been talking for two and one half hours. Time truly does fly when having fun, especially with an extraordinary friend. During that time I ordered some Christmas gifts. I’ll wrap up my present and put it under the tree with, “From, Steve” on the sticker. My Husband will appreciate that, just as he has in the past. It’s been a great way to get what I want every year, don’t you think?

Back on track, in the 2^nd hour I told Lynne about my new Plan B adventure with Advocare to supplement my Real Estate income. I gave her Advocare’s #1 selling “Spark” energy drink to try when she got home. She was impressed with all of its added nutrition on the label and that it was Sugar-Free. Mentioning she wanted to lose some weight after the holidays I told her about the “24 Day Challenge” where people are losing no less than 10-15 lbs. My husband lost 15 lbs. in 3 weeks with his only exercise being walking. Lynne promised to do the “24 Day Challenge” in January.

Later in the day Lynne told me her daughter saw the “Spark” pouch in the kitchen and said it was great stuff. Lynne had never heard of Advocare or “Spark” before our visit and wondered how she knew the brand. As a full ride college grad athlete she and her teammates knew it well. Athletes trust Advocare because they test for Banned Substances in their products. Plus, they really work.

What a great endorsement from daughter to mom and to also validate me and Advocare. Did you know that “Spark” is in every NFL locker room?

For a quick boost of energy*:

AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink contains an effective amount of caffeine to give you the quick boost you’re looking for.* Caffeine supports the processes in the central nervous system and muscles that enhance mental energy and focus in a relatively short amount of time.* The amino acid taurine helps provide the fast-acting energy you need that won’t overstimulate or overburden your body.*

For long-lasting energy*:

The B vitamins that are present in each serving of AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink enhance your body’s natural ability to produce and sustain its own energy, leading to long-lasting benefits.* Since your body looks to carbohydrates, protein and fat as its primary sources of energy, it makes sense to enhance the metabolism of each for optimal energy production. B vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-6 all specifically contribute to the conversion of the foods we eat and the calories we store for energy.

For mental focus and clarity*:

The neuroactive amino acids in AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink help increase your mental focus and alertness by supporting your brain’s ability to receive and send messages to and from the nervous system.* For example, L-tyrosine an amino acid found in dietary proteins, is believed to improve mental energy and focus by serving as a precursor for specific neurotransmitters. Furthermore, the choline and GABA found in AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink are essential for nerve function, muscle control, memory and many other functions.* Together, the nutrients found in AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink provide the energy, mental focus and well-rounded nutrition that makes it the most effective energy drink on the market.*

My personal WARNING to anyone buying other energy drinks: Beware of the Sugar Content in most all energy products. For Example, coca-cola, Red Bull, Rockstar and Starbucks Grande Mocha Frappuccino Whip have high sugar levels ranging from 27grams- 47grams of sugar.  (Advocare “Spark”  is Sugar free, and has an abundance of Nutrients, too.)

We Don’t Take – We Give
We Don’t Sell – We Teach
We don’t “Close” – We Open Business Relationships

Commit2Advocare@yahoo.com
Michele direct: (805)432-6708

Michele Hren

By: Michele Hren

Let’s be honest – none of us grew up dreaming of “selling vitamins”… But none of us grew up knowing about:

- Wellness becoming a Trillion $$ industry…
- Fish oil hitting the main stream…
- “Energy drinks” or $4 Cups of coffee

And we didn’t know about:

- This powerful thing called the internet that allows people to shop from home and Business builder’s store are open 24/7.
- A guy named Charlie Ragus who would sacrifice everything to build something that was bigger than himself
- A new millennium cultural shift where “purpose driven” work and balanced living would be valued, pursued, and honored

And we certainly didn’t grow up knowing that:

- Companies (and states!) were promising retirement packages they couldn’t honor
- Social Security would by many be compared to a Ponzi Scheme that couldn’t last
- Players on Wall Street largely have their own interest in mind, not ours

Recently, after months of research to find a Plan B to supplement my Real Estate income, I became an Independent Distributor with Advocare. No doubt you have been seeing a huge increase in Fitness, Weight Management, Energy and overall Wellness advertising lately? So, regardless of the belief systems with which we grew up, let’s choose to see and experience what IS, now, and how things have indeed evolved that make Advocare fun, wise, and rewarding since 1993. Not all companies are equal.

Several times a month I will give you information on the benefits of supplements, spotlight bestselling products on the market and why Advocare is changing people’s lives in their Health and their Finances. If you want more info now vs. later I’m here to help you.

Ask about our “24 Day Challenge” Weight Loss Program or
Why “Spark” Energy Drink Is In Every NFL Locker Room

We don’t Take – We Give
We don’t Sell – We Teach
We don’t “Close” – We Open Business Relationships

For more information contact me here. or (805) 432-6708

Michele Hren

Helping Children this Holiday Season

By: Roger Ewing

Our three Ewing & Associates offices have again placed Toys for Tots collection boxes in Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Sherman Oaks.  The collection boxes will remain in place through December 22, 2011. Toys of all monetary value will be distributed to needy children. Often, there are few gifts for children over the age of 10 so a special consideration for these children is always appreciated.

To find our offices, visit the links below:

Agoura Hills Office
Calabasas Office
Sherman Oaks Office

Roger Ewing

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

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