Staying informed about your horses

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

Another case of equine herpes virus was found in Orange County and has led to the cancellation of the Blenheim Horse Show. Thus far, there has been one reported death and one sick. In light of the sad news, there are 3 definitions you should know.

Equine Herpes Virus Definitions:

1.  Confirmed Case: A horse which displays compatible clinical signs AND has a positive laboratory diagnostic test for the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus-1.

2.   Compatible Clinical Signs: Any one or more of the following clinical signs: fever, nasal discharge, ataxia, hind end weakness, diminished tail tone, and/or recumbency.

3.   Exposed Horse: A horse which has been in close contact with a confirmed case of the neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 within the last 14 days.

The current EHV-1 situation:

ORANGE COUNTY:

·  January 15, 2012: There are no new cases. Due to the holiday weekend and laboratory closure, the next posting on this website will be Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

·  January 14, 2012: There are no new cases. CDFA continues to monitor the situation.

·  January 13, 2012: Two additional horses displaying a fever have been confirmed for the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus-1. There are a total of five confirmed positive cases on the Orange County premises. All horses on the property continue to be monitored.

·   January 12, 2012: Two additional horses displaying fever and respiratory signs have been confirmed positive for the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus- 1, on the Orange County premises. All horses on the premises remain under quarantine and being monitored for disease.

·  January 11, 2012: A gelding displaying neurologic signs from an Orange County premises was confirmed positive for the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus-1. The gelding has been isolated, quarantined and is under veterinary care. The large multi-discipline facility has been quarantined with no movement of horses on or off the property. The potentially exposed horses on the premises are being monitored. A full epidemiologic investigation at the affected premises has been initiated by the CDFA Animal Health Branch.

Find more information on the homepage of the California Department of Food and Agriculture

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

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2012 housing market predictions by Bloomberg

By: Lori Einhorn

When BusinessWeek set out to determine what housing prices would be in the year 2012, we knew that there was no way to know for sure. But in working with the Brookfield, Wis.-based research firm Fiserv, we weighed historical data against current trends to get a bead on which way the markets might jump at one-year increments. By combining data, we were able to get a pretty good idea of what home prices would be in three years’ time.

Across the board, real-estate prices will continue to drop before rising slightly by the fourth quarter of 2011. Why is that important? Given the wretched state of the real-estate market today, both homeowners and potential buyers might be better able to make an informed decision about when, and whether, they should move. Obviously, we can’t guarantee that our data will hold up — although we think it will — but what becomes clear is that even the worst-hit markets will begin to see improvement by 2012.

Lori Einhorn

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By: Lori Einhorn

Snow Day in Bell Canyon

On Sunday, February 12th, 2012, there will be snow in Bell Canyon. Make sure to save the date for a fun day filled with snow, hot chocolate and games. This event is geared toward the kids of Bell Canyon and promises to be a fun filled day for our lovely families.

Stay tuned for more details.

Lori Einhorn

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A prediction for the 2012 housing market

By: Lori Einhorn

California real estate sales and median price are predicted to improve only slightly in 2012, as the continuation of the tepid economic recovery, uncertainty about the future, and funding challenges for residential mortgages are expected to keep the market moving sideways, with little foreseeable momentum in either direction, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) “2012 California Housing Market Forecast” released today.

The forecast for California real estate sales next year is for a slight 1 percent increase to 496,200 units, following essentially flat sales of 491,100 homes this year compared to the 491,500 homes sold in 2010.

“Despite the run of unforeseen global events in the first half of this year that slowed the overall economy, 2011 home sales are projected to essentially remain unchanged from last year,” said C.A.R. President Beth L. Peerce.  “Looking ahead, the fundamentals of the housing market – such as low mortgage rates, high housing affordability, and favorable home prices – are expected to continue, but at this point, a strong housing recovery will depend on consumer confidence, job creation, and the availability and cost of home loans.
“Discretionary sellers will play a larger role in next year’s housing market,” said Peerce.  “Those who held off selling in 2011 may list their homes in 2012, thereby improving the mix of homes for sale compared with the last few years.  Additionally, distressed sales will remain an important segment of the overall market as lenders continue to work through the foreclosure process.”

The California median home price will increase 1.7 percent in 2012 to $296,000 in 2012, according to the forecast.  Following a double-digit increase in the median price in 2010, the median home price will decrease a projected 4 percent in 2011 to $291,000.

“2012 will be another transition year for the California housing market, as the continued uncertainty about the U.S. financial system, job growth, and the stability of the overall economy remain in the forefront for all market participants,” said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young.  “An improvement in job growth, consumer spending, and corresponding gains in housing are essential to a broader recovery in the economy, but would-be buyers will remain cautious as they weigh these myriad uncertainties against the clear opportunities presented by today’s very affordable housing market.

“The most likely scenario is for the modest recovery to continue, and this should push sales up slightly next year by 1 percent and maintain levels that are significantly higher than those recorded during the depths of the housing downturn.

“The wild cards for 2012 are many, including federal, fiscal, monetary, and housing policies; the contentious political climate during an election year; and the strength of the U.S. economic recovery,” said Appleton-Young.

Compliments of the Hartanov Team

Lori Einhorn

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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

Belly Stuffer

By: Lori Einhorn

A Poem by Karl Fuchs

Thanksgiving brings a terrible chore,
‘Cause I’m forced to eat and eat some more.
If I don’t eat it up right down to dessert,
I fear the cook’s feelings will surely be hurt,
So I do my part, even though I suffer;
To be a good guest, I’m a belly stuffer.

Lori Einhorn

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Thanksgiving Recipes

By: Lori Einhorn

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups (200g) flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup (200 g) sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin purée*
1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped walnuts
* To make pumpkin purée, cut a pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff, lie face down on a foil or Silpat lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until soft, about 45 min to an hour. Cool, scoop out the flesh. Freeze whatever you don’t use for future use. Or, if you are working with pumpkin pieces, roast or boil them until tender, then remove and discard the skin.

Method
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.
2. Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup of water, and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in the nuts.
3. Pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.
Can easily double the recipe.

Lori Einhorn

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A Historic Gathering

By: Lori Einhorn

Most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the Native Americans that took place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a good harvest, and the local natives did participate, this “first thanksgiving” was not a holiday, simply a gathering.

There is little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since.

Lori Einhorn

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Calabasas Art Show

By: Patte Gilbert

On October 21st at 5pm, stop by our office at 23647 Calabasas Road to look at fine art, taste local wine, listen to live jazz and take a look at some of the hottest Ferrari’s & Masserati’s from the Calabasas Auto Gallery.

The art show will host 5 artists that are well known for their plein air paintings. Perhaps most notable is David Gallup who recently won the California’s Art Club’s gold medal for painting of the year. Below, find a brief biography and one notable artwork of David Gallup, Lynn Gertenbach and Karl Dempwolf.

David Gallup:

David Gallup is an explorer. Not just of nature but of the introspective and spiritual connection man has with his environment. His life’s passion has become a quest for new interpretations of the natural world without leaving his roots in Plein-Air Observation-Based painting. Working in the style of the impressionist masters, David’s works are created on location in some of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating places. They often depict moments when natural elements obscure solid forms, such as fog, rain, glare, or darkness. These elements are used in Gallup’s work to visually represent the sense of awe and mystery he feels for the natural world. For more go to: http://www.dgallup.com/bio.htm

Lynn Gertenbach:

During her nearly 40 years as a professional painter, Lynn has traveled around the world five times to paint and exhibit. She has made numerous trips to Europe and South America. In 1980 The Instituto Cultural Norte Americano sponsored a traveling exhibition of Lynn’s paintings to three cities in Peru. For more than two decades Lynn has traveled to Japan to appear at her perennial one woman shows there.

Lynn has painted portraits of many noted persons such as Maestro Zubin Mehta, the Maharaja of Navanagar, Maestro Ravi Shankar, many actors and corporate CEO’s.

She has received numerous gold medal awards and received the Life Achievement Award (Hall of Fame Inductee) from the Colorado Institute of Art. In addition, Lynn also won First Prize in the Landscape Category of the 2002 Autumn Salon Show held at Edenhurst Gallery in Beverly Hills, CA. For more go to: http://lynngertenbachart.com/3/miscellaneous6.htm

Karl Dempwolf:

Karl Dempwolf spent his childhood growing up in the picturesque Bavarian countryside but at the age of fourteen he and his family immigrated to the US on the Steam ship America. Dempwolf received his BA from California State University Northridge CA, where he will always be recognized as that institution’s first All American Athlete.

Over the years Dempwolf has participated in exhibitions at the Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles, the Frederick R. Weisman Museum at Pepperdine University in Malibu, the Phippen Museum in Prescott AZ, the Carnegie Art Museum in Ventura County, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana CA. California, and the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

Dempwolf’s work can be found in publications from North Light Books, entitled Art from the Parks. His paintings are in the permanent collections of large corporations, among them McGraw-Hill Publishers, and the National Park Foundation. Dempwolf’s newly published book “A Painter’s Journey” is available here.

Patte Gilbert

Patte Gilbert is one of our community's premiere real estate agents. She has been an agent for over 20 years and has represented over 3,000 clients. She has received countless industry awards and has been a Top Producer, nationwide, for Sotheby's International Real Estate.

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With the hot weather still upon us here are some tips to reduce your water bill:

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

With sustainable landscaping practices:

• Reduce your water use
• Use native & drought-tolerant plants
• Attract birds & butterflies
• Use–Don’t lose your rainwater
• Use non-toxic pest & weed control
• Reduce your fire risk ecologically
• Learn to grow food

Contact the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains at 818.597.8627 or Email Keep Your Green .

The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCD) is now providing on-site consultations for home and business owners on how to save water, money and improve water quality by initiating sustainable landscaping solutions on their property. “Keep Your Green” refers to the money (“green”) saved through a reduced water bill and (green) climate-appropriate plants.   The home consultation model is a perfect fit with the RCD’s long-term commitment toward soil and water conservation, water quality protection, erosion control, oak health, fire-safe landscaping and native habitat restoration.

RCD Conservation Biologists, trained in Sustainable Landscaping, Habitat Restoration and Permaculture Design are currently conducting these timely consultations. The idea for RCD home consultations arose from the many site-specific questions and concerns from local residents who needed to meet their reduced water budget allocations from local jurisdictions. Many folks also felt the need for a site-specific evaluation of what sustainable landscape solutions work best for their yard, slope, soil, shade/sun, trees etc. These practices may include planting native and climate-appropriate plants for water conservation and habitat value, downspout re-directs, rain gardens, and rainwater storage with cisterns and rain barrels. Some of these solutions can be implemented by homeowners or their gardeners. For professional assistance, the RCD can provide a list of Sustainable Landscape Professionals.

The RCD is not funded to provide this service, so there is a fee of $175 for a 90 minute consultation.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

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