Mucho Gusto!

By: Gracee Arthur

The first time I attended the Malibu Chili Festival was in 1984 when a friend asked me to volunteer to be a bar tender in the VIP tent. Those were the days when it was all about Chili and entertainment; a one day event which was a community meet , greet and eat party! This year is the 29th for this popular event with the cook off on Saturday and Sunday; the carnival and entertainment starting Friday evening through Labor Day.

There will be musical performances including one by Malibu’s favorite grocery store checker Debra Caroway (scroll down a few blogs for her video), Flamenco dancers, blues and much more. The big highlight of the annual event is the raffling off of an automobile. This year the prize is a 2010 Mercedes GLK or $27,000. The odds are pretty good compared to the lottery since there is one chance in 999 to win for every $100 ticket. Ten percent of this year’s proceeds will be donated for a bench and tree in honor of thirteen year old Emily Shane, who was struck and killed by a reckless driver over Easter weekend.

The Chili Cook Off is located in a vacant lot on Civic Center Way in the heart of Malibu. The hours of operation begin Friday 9/3 from 6PM to 10PM and continue on Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 10 PM, culminating on Labor Day  11AM to 6 PM.  Four day passes and tickets for the event are available on line at www.malibukiwanischilicookoff.com. This is a great way to spend some of your Labor Day weekend and donate to a great charity.

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.

HGTV

By: Gracee Arthur

Last week the crew from “House Hunters” on HGTV filmed a segment for their fall season at my listing on Bailard Road in Malibu. Luckily the weather was gorgeous and the view outstanding as the buyer’s and their agent walked through the condominium. I will keep you posted on when it will air.

As a realtor, I am a junkie for HGTV so I am looking forward to viewing the show myself.

Here is a peak of the ocean view unit which will be featured on House Hunters

William

By: Gracee Arthur

One day, while attempting to give my cat William a much needed but unwanted pedicure, I noticed the beginning of an ingrown claw in the pad of his right paw. Unfortunately, because he had not been able to scratch his tree or scratcher box with that claw, the hard cover which usually falls off still remained in place. William likes a trip to the vet (which he seemed to require) even less than he enjoys his occasional pedicures by me (otherwise known as the lady who opens the can in the AM). Crisis! Do I drag him to the vet where he goes into “kill or be killed” mode resulting in the need
for a costly anesthetic, or have the Vet come to the house? The solution offered by Dr. Lisa (less costly than a Vet visit) was to have the “Cat Whisperer” come to the house and extract William’s claw from his pad.

On Tuesday afternoon Lance, a veterinary technician, arrived at my house with a three in one booster shot for my cat Minnie (who after checking him out from a distance happily showed him her spotted belly) and let him give her the shot while she sat relaxed on my lap. Surprisingly, William, usually more shy and cautious made his way down to meet Lance, as well. Lance petted him and they got to know each other before Lance placed William (a 25 lb Main Coon) on his lap.  Although Lance was poking and prodding at his paw and the imbedded claw, William did not run off. He did occasionally hiss and make lion like growls but no human was hurt. Finally, wrapped in a towel for the final stages of the nail removal and trim which was completed, William jumped off the couch retrieved his Greenie and headed into the kitchen. Before Lance left he went to say goodbye to William who was (in the way cats can be) invisible under a glass table. William came out looked
lovingly at Lance, who petted him and gave  him another gratefully accepted Greenie.

The events of that Tuesday brought to mind my favorite fable “Androcles and the Lion” where the slave Androcles, who escaped from the Romans, pulled a thorn out of a wounded lion’s paw only to have the lion return the favor when they meet again in the Coliseum. Lance you truly are the “Cat Whisperer” to my felines!

Lance is just one of the many wonderful staff members and Veterinarians at the Malibu Coast Animal Hospital. Dr, Dean Graulich, who heads the facility can attest to William’s not being an easy patient but he never gave up on him. Dr. Dean saved my dog friend Lady Alice Clayton many times and was there with me when I had to put down my 19 year old cat Lily. All the Vets, Drs, Dana, Lisa, Victor and Jim are kind and caring as well as terrific Vets. The office has state of the art equipment and provides many services including boarding of your pets. There are also a bunch of terrific Techs, who like the doctors, make house calls. Malibu Coast animal hospital is located at 23431 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, adjacent to the Malibu Lumber Yard Shopping Center.

The phone number is 310-317-4560
www.malibuvets.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: Gracee Arthur

I moved to Malibu in 1983 and Debra Caraway became one of my first familiar faces. Recently Katie Couric’s “CBS Evening News” program did a feature on Debra who has been employed at Ralph’s since the 1970’s.  Besides being a superior grocery checker Debra is a talented singer who spreads joy to all she meets. In 29 years I have never seen her without a smile on her face.

What a pleasure to be in her line at the market listening to her belt out a tune and being greeted with “Hello Beautiful, how are you doing today?” Debra brightens your day so you can venture out there and brighten someone else’s day. Debra is a single mother who put her son through college and a daughter who takes care of an ailing mother; yet she radiates love and happiness everyday to all who cross her path.

I hope you will all watch this terrific video so you can experience the ethereal joy emanating from the beautiful Debra Caraway. Thank you Debra all of Malibu loves you!

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: Gracee Arthur

Malibu is home to countless BMW’s, yet the auto company’s Navigation system, provided by vendor Teleatlas, does not seem to know where Malibu is located! Teleatlas, who makes the multi-flawed navigation system, also had little concern that their system placed the Pacific ocean, Point Dume and various other Malibu locations in Calabasas (located in the San Fernando Valley)! Worse than Teleatlas is BMW who was aware of the problem as early as 2009 (when I got my 2010 BMW), having sent an inside bulletin to their dealers about this issue. Yet my dealer Bob Smith would not acknowledge the validity of my complaints about the system.

After more than 6 month’s of total frustration, my friend, journalist Ann Brenoff referred me to Mitch Lipka and his associate Jorgen Wouters who write the “Consumer Ally” column for walletpop.com. They began their research only to discover I was not alone in my frustration which was shared by many BMW owners. Suddenly BMW executives and Teleatlas customer relations people were getting in touch with me about the problem. Quite a switch from all the unanswered emails and phone messages of my past! Honestly guys a $50,000 car a $1900 navigation system and it takes Consumer Ally to make you take responsibility and correct the issue ? Customer service should not be that elusive!

I would love to know if there are other Malibu drivers who have noticed the erroneous “Calabasas” designation on places at the Point and elsewhere? Anyway, I am sharing with all of you this terrific article written by Jorgen Wouten http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/08/06/bmw-navigation-system-steering-some-drivers-wrong/. Your comments, as always, are welcome. Now if BMW would just do something about their erratic PDC system ……

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.

1993- 2010?

By: Gracee Arthur

Malibu locals and visitors alike will be sad to hear that Guido’s Restaurant may be homeless in September. The classic Italian restaurant with its cozy bar and large booths overlooks Malibu Creek in the Malibu Creek Plaza. When Steve Soboroff sold the Center in 2007 for a choice price he was quoted in the Malibu Times saying ”the new owners aren’t messing with anything.”
He also stated that the new owners had no immediate plans for rent increases and that people should not expect many changes at all. Ah, famous last words and none of them turned out to be an accurate representation of the new owner’s true plans.

Since the 2007 purchase of the Plaza most of the original tenants have left due to exorbitant rent increases demanded by the new owners at lease end. The pet store, a local real estate office, the hair salon, art framing store, pharmacy, Mexican Restaurant all gone, the bookstore may soon go, as well! Now Guido’s, a popular local eatery and gathering place is on life support with its lease ending in September.

I believe it is time for Malibu citizens to speak up with their wallets and boycott this center which is driving local merchants out of business or forcing them to undergo costly relocations to less central locations after years as valued tenants. I would love to hear resident’s comments on this topic.  I think Vassil, one of the owner’s and the host at Guido’s Malibu would appreciate our support as much as we appreciate his Bolognese!

www.guidosmalibu.com or email them at Guido’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.

By: Gracee Arthur

The Fourth of July was a beautiful day here in Malibu and I spent it at Lavender harvesting party! I donned a large hat, covered my hands with sturdy gardening gloves (to protect from bees) and grabbed my sickle with great enthusiasm while my nose delighted in the flower’s ethereal aroma. Diane Carter (Lavender Gatherings) has a beautiful, elegantly decorated country style home in Malibu where she maintains a beautiful, delicious organic Lavender farm. The property also has a green house and a drying room for hanging Lavender used for various purposes.

Each of us in attendance had the opportunity to harvest one of the beautiful purple bushes and to bring some of the lovely blooms home as a reward!  Lavender has always been one of my favorite scents because of its calming properties.  The types of Lavender Diane farms are Hidcote (English Lavender), Provence and Grosso. Hidcote is used as an herb to put on salads, add to recipes or cookies; Grosso is the classic Lavender used in most perfumes and body creams, as well as Lavender bundles: Provence are used for fragrance, flavor and drying in bundles. The aromas are intoxicating and therapeutic, as are the oils. Lavender soothes muscles, calms nerves and has antiseptic properties, as well.

The Lavender party ended with some great food, wine and conversation after which I went home with my fragrant purple bundle whose aroma wafted pleasantly through my home for weeks.

Diane does terrific flower arrangements for parties, as well as teaches gardening classes.  She may be reached at this email or 310-924-1041.

Based on my experience and her beautiful gardens I would highly recommend Diane’s Lavender Gathering for planning your own garden or decorating for a special event.

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: Gracee Arthur

This weekend the Malibu Chamber of Commerce hosts the Malibu Arts Festival
at the Civic Center. There will be over 100 exhibitors displaying the work
of over 200 artists (many of them local). This year’s featured art is a
poster by 15 year old Sarah Larson who won the adult poster competition with
her poster “Malibu Secrets.” Sarah is the daughter of Pepperdine professor
Ed Larson. She will be signing copies of her work which will be sold at the
Chamber of Commerce booth.

The Festival which takes place Saturday July 24th and Sunday July 25th from 1
0-6 begins each day with a breakfast hosted by the Malibu Optimist Club from
8-11. They make some killer pancakes! There also will be music, entertainment
and free MD screenings for cataracts and glaucoma.

The Art Festival has always been one of my favorite Malibu events.  My taste
tends toward the whimsical and the pictured items are just a couple of my
fun acquisitions from previous festivals. It is worth the drive to Malibu
this weekend where you will experience a fun afternoon of art and
entertainment!

www.malibu.org www.malibutimes.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: Gracee Arthur

In the spring of 2009 Sony Records asked me to help find a peaceful retreat in Malibu for Ben Goldwasser and Andrew Van Wyngarden where they could compose music for their upcoming album. I found them the perfect place close to the beach but nestled back in a lovely canyon with a creek, mountains and beautiful gardens. The charming Spanish hacienda was so inspiring, not only did the group write their songs there but recorded their album there, as well!

This past Friday, MGMT performed music from “Congratulations,” the album born in Malibu and I was really excited about going to their concert.  Their manager David Gottlieb was nice enough to get me tickets for which I say a big “thank you!”  Unfortunately (expletive deleted) I got a bad sinus infection so instead of drinking wine at the Greek listing to MGMT; I was taking antibiotics and sulking at home. Luckily my friend and colleague Stephen Roesler (who is the technological whiz for my blog) was more than happy to attend the concert in my place.

Andrew and Ben are terrifically nice, talented guys. I wish them continued success in their career. What follows is Stephen’s commentary on the MGMT concert at the Greek July 17, 2010:

“Opening with “Helios Creed” and “Francis & the Lights,” MGMT took the stage and greeted the excited crowd. Splitting their play time evenly between Oracular Spectacular and Congratulations, MGMT had the Greek theater captivated by their synth-pop/psychedelic rock beats. With packed seats, I watched the standing crowd glow in the fluorescent lights as a haze of smoke loomed above the audience, the shadow of front row hands rocking to “Kids.” Although Andrew VanWyngarden is typically esteemed as the leader of MGMT, it was Ben Goldwasser who caught my eye. He ripped on the keyboards and synthesizers and was a pleasant surprise on vocals. They played nearly 2 hours and appeared at the VIP party afterward. Here is a clip from them playing “Electric Feel”

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.

A fun place for dogs and humans!

By: Gracee Arthur

After two years of wrangling among Malibu West residents over grading, traffic, and fire risk among other issues, the long awaited Malibu park is finally open! The park, which cost just under $4,000,000, is located on a 13.5 acre site which was donated to the City. The 6.7 acres of the park which are developed include a dog park, playground, multi-use sports field and picnic tables and parking. The neighborhood in which it is located, Malibu West, already has a members only Beach Club and tennis court .

Malibu West is a great neighborhood a short distance from Zuma Beach, shopping and Starbuck’s. Homes lease there for $4,000 and up, condos start at $2,900. The homes are primarily one story on tree lined streets that are child friendly with lots of speed bumps. Most homes have three or 4 bedrooms, two or three bathrooms. In this recent market decline there have been a few sales under a million but most homes are listed in the low to mid-ones with some listed over two million. The neighborhood is close to Juan Cabrillio elementary school and  Malibu Senior and Junior high schools. There is a fee for beach club membership.

An article in the Malibu Times, July 8^th edition details the history of the community dispute over the creation of the park. One of the major sticking points was the Malibu Township Council’s suit to prohibit league play on the sports field. The settlement required the City to place a deed restriction on the property prohibiting league sports play at the park. This rule cannot be changed by a future City Council without approval from the MTC. To read more about Trancas Park go to the Malibu Times.

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.