Courtesy of the Daily News

Woodland Hills relic falls

By: Steve Tipp

A nearly 100 year old landmark Oak fell in Woodland Hills Walnut Acres neighborhood on August 23. The tree fell on fell on Canzonet Street in Woodland Hills just West of Woodlake Avenue. The massive tree was a neighborhood landmark growing out of the center of the street and protected by a special concrete enclosure.

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.

By: Steve Tipp

I am a road cyclist. I’m one of those guys that wear those goofy spandex shorts and shirt & a helmet and hit it on my bike.  I ride 3 days per week – about 75 total.  Usually I ride up in the Mulholland Corridor here in Calabasas.  The roads are not too traffic-y and the scenery is beautiful.  This is world class road cycling country.

Yesterday I got a call in the morning from my sister and one in the evening from a good friend, asking if I was alright.  They had heard a news report that a cyclist had been hit on Mulholland Hwy and they were concerned about me.  Actually 4 cyclist were hit by an 81 year old driver (according to the LA Times http://tinyurl.com/2a8nd68 ) and 3 were airlifted to UCLA.  A tragic situation.

Cycling to me is absolutely the greatest sport and I am really hopeful I can continue to do it as long as I can walk.  Are cyclists sometimes rude?  Yes.  Do they sometimes ignore traffic laws?  Yes.  Probably like the rest of us perfect 90% of the time, not so perfect the other 10%.

There has been a lot of talk lately about making laws and roads more bicycling friendly.  After Mayor Villaraigosa got bumped off his bicycle a few weeks ago he convened  a Los Angeles bicycling summit: http://tinyurl.com/2f29hlo The one law that seems to be getting the most talk on a very broad level (nationally and internationally) is a 3 feet passing law, suggesting automobiles passing bicycles with at least 3 feet of space between.

Keep your eyes on the road and off your phone (ok this applies to me too!), and please give your fellow man a bit of space especially if he is on a bike!

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.

By: Cindy Libonati

Leo Keligan

Just to keep my audience updated on Wings over Wendy’s, I wanted to tip my readers off to a Daily News article written by Dennis McCarthy:

“The party starts at about 9 every Monday morning at Wendy’s restaurant in West Hills, and ends around 11 a.m. The vets finish their last cup of coffee, tell their last joke, and head for the exits to make room for the lunch crowd starting to wander in.

“See you next week,” they say, shaking hands. Drive safe.

No one passing them in the parking lot seems to have any idea who these men are, because if they did they’d probably stop and thank them.

They certainly deserve it. When this country asked them to leave their families and help us out of some tight spots around the world, they did.

World War II, Korea, Vietnam.

Most of them were pilots, navigators and bombardiers. They call themselves “Wings Over Wendy’s” and a more colorful, down-to-earth bunch of people you’re not going to find.

When I walked in to talk to them Monday, the raffle winners were just being announced. The prizes included a pack of 10 ballpoint pens, two small sacks of oranges from somebody’s backyard tree, and a videotape of “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

Beautiful.

“Crash” Blechman, Ed Figueroa, Mickey Epstein and a handful of other aviation veterans came up with the idea of a weekly Monday morning get together at Wendy’s about nine years ago. Today, the group has 140 members.

Crash, who died last year, earned his dubious nickname after crashing five Navy fighter planes during his military career.

He always joked that the Japanese acknowledged him as one of their aces.Laughs are a big part of this exclusive club. War grudges are hard to keep when one of your former members flew for the German Luftwaffe.

He told Figueroa he knew the war in Europe was almost over when he took off one day with 40 other Luftwaffe pilots and were met by 1,200 American planes.

“We never imagined when we started Wings Over Wendy’s that it would grow this big,” Figueroa said Monday, looking around the packed room.

Sitting a few feet away from the former B-26 gunner, 89-year-old Clyde East – the most decorated combat pilot in the room – sat with his young granddaughter.

He felt it was important that she have the chance to be here with him and meet some of these men, said East, a quiet, unassuming man.

The great ones usually are. East flew more than 200 combat missions in World War II and another 100 combat missions in Korea during his 25 years of service.

He was awarded dozens of war medals, including the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross, and that was just from our government.

He was also decorated by the governments of England, France, and Belgium. In 1955, Col. East made the Guiness Book of World Records for the highest number of combat medals up to that time.

And on Monday morning – holding his granddaughter’s hand – this incredible old war hero walked to his parked car without getting a second look.

Across town, Lindsay Lohan walked out of jail and back into the headlines.”

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.

By: Teri and Paul Mann

U.S. representative Henry Waxman plans to address the public in at Shomrei Torah Synagogue on 7353 Valley Circle Blv in West Hills. Drop by on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m to join in the Neighborhood Council sponsored event. Waxman has represented Chatsworth and Westhills since 2003. He chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He is knows for his leadership role in shaing legislation relation to the environment and public health.

Rep. Waxman will deliver a brief address and then answer questions from the audience.

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.

By: Cynthia Sparagna

Saturday August 7, 2010 at Albertson’s
26521 Agoura Road
Calabasas CA 91302
from 10:00am – 3:00pm

California Recycles will be collecting electronics from Residents and Businesses FREE of charge. Visit our website www.californiarecycles.com for more information or to find an event in your area.

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.

By: Steve Tipp

Ok, I’m ready to go with my Summer Single pick. I know it’s only July 16 but I am going with Pop Single of the Summer Jason Derulo “Ridin’ Solo.” The video is really lame, ok maybe it’s an homage to Michael Jackson, what-ever. I still love the song. The version I have on my iPod starts with a sample from The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony,” which is one of my very favorite songs of all times. I love this groove and it might just really strike me because I hear it riding my bicycle solo and it works.

My Alternative Pop Summer Single is Broken Bells “The High Road” and it is my top album of the year!

Steve Tipp Sotheby’s Calabasas
w: 818.657.4455 c: 818.384.7961
www.SteveTipp.com twitter: @stevetipp blog: www.woodlandhillsnewz.com

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.

California Recycles Inc. will be holding a Electronic Waste Collection Event

By: Cynthia Sparagna

This Saturday July 17, 2010 at the Von’s Shopping Center on 23381 Mulholland in Woodland Hills from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, electronic waste will accept electronic recycles free of charge.

Take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of your unwanted electronics.

Tuesday July 20th is the last day for Santa Monica businesses to reserve their free pick up on Wednesday July 21st. The next Santa Monica FREE pick up will be on August 21st.

To reserve your pick up download and complete our pickup request form from our website www.californiarecycles.com and either email to lorie@californiarecycles.com or fax to 310-478-3005. All forms must be received no later than noon on Tuesday July 20th.

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.

By: Steve Tipp

MGMT’s debut album “Oracular Spectacular” was one of my favorite debut’s of the last couple of years.  It featured 3 stellar singles and still sounds great on the radio. So their follow-up “Congratulations” was highly anticipated. It is a great album in some ways (mostly sound and artistry) but it doesn’t have the single uuumph of “Oracular…” When young bands have big success many times the follow up is a let down, some times by design!  Nirvana’s “Nevermind” and Green Day’s “Dookie” were both followed by more adventurous and more challenging follow-up’s. So that’s what you get with MGMT’s “Congratulations” a really interesting electro pop record with much more arty hooks than poppy hooks. It’s fun and adventurous but not for the teeny boppers.

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

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

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.

By: Madeline Miller

Hello once again to all of you avid gardeners and bloggers!

Last time I told you about a Cacti Society based in Encino this time we zoom up to Moorpark
where a free Waterwise Gardener Workshop is being offered on Saturday 17th July from 9:00-12:30 at the Ventura County Waterworks 6767 Spring Road Moorpark.

The class will run for approximately 3 1/2 hours. Refreshments will be served.
Reservations are required. Contact Karen Goodman 805-378-3012

Email Karen

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.

Trader Joe’s Roasted Seaweed Snack

By: Karen Lee

If you haven’t tried Trader Joe’s new Roasted Seaweed snack, get over to your local TJ’s. These snacks are so popular, people are literally buying then by the caseload. The Simi Valley store is completely sold out and the only local place I’ve seen them is the Fallbrook store.

Containing pressed seaweed, canola oil, sesame seed oil and sea salt, these 60 calorie packs are a healthy snack you can feel good about munching on at odd hours of the day. The health benefits of seaweed abounds as it is high in essential amino acids, which makes them valuable sources of vegetable protein in a vegetarian or mostly meatless diet.

Like most land vegetables, seaweeds contain vitamins A (beta carotene) and C. Seaweeds are rich in potassium, iron, calcium, iodine and magnesium because these minerals are concentrated in sea water. They are also one of the few vegetable sources of vitamin B-12.

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.