I believe that I am socially aware and, sometimes, politically correct. While shopping at the Porter Ranch Wal-Mart Super Market some things were very obvious.

For a long time I strolled the isles looking for Matzos. For those sheltered Christian brethren, Matzos is unleavened bread- looks like big crackers, no yeast. It did not take me forty years but I traversed the isles several times.

There was an Asian section, a Hispanic section, and an undesignated section that seemed to offer middle-eastern food for groups other than Jewish. No gefilte fish, no matzos ball soup, nothing Kosher, and NO Matzos.

I finally asked (it’s like looking for an address while driving- men resist asking.) an employee for Matzos. He looked in various isles, and went into the back room. No Matzos. (Read more…)

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I have been teaching children’s art classes for the last three and a half years with Mission: Renaissance and I am loving every minute of it. Art has always been a healing factor in my life and working with young artists is very rewarding. I am the Children’s Program Director at the Woodland Hills Mission: Renaissance Art Studio and am very happy to be helping kids ages 4.5 to 12 to reach their artistic goals.

Mission: Renaissance was founded by artist and educator Larry Gluck who created a step-by-step method of teaching anyone, young or old, how to draw and paint beautifully. The quality of artwork at the studio speaks for itself; come by and see all of the work produced by the students. The studio is located at the Westfield Promenade Mall, Lower Level, Center Court. It amazes me every day how such young humans can make such beautiful art! (Read more…)

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We all have rights. Some are granted under the Constitution, some by common law, and some, should be by common sense. In the past I have addressed this topic and agonized about presenting it again, but it is so relevant.

Bicycles are vehicles and absolutely have the right to use public roads. This right is not in question.

The other afternoon, during rush hour, a lone cyclist puffed and swerved up the grade from LA to the Simi Valley side. A parade of fast moving commuters ascended from the SFV, many drifting across the center line on narrow substandard turns. (Read more…)

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Japan should be a wakeup call. Are we going to have a Tsunami and nuclear meltdown here? It is very unlikely. Will we have a major earthquake, major brush fire, or other disaster? That’s a safe bet. It’s not a case of “if” but “when.”

I spoke with a young, bright (USC graduate- the one in California not the Gamecocks) colleague the other day. He seemed dismissive of my suggestion to have supplies on hand, to be prepared. I related that the people of New Orleans had several days warning and many (most?) did little or nothing to prepare. His comment was that Bush should have know and done something in advance. (Read more…)

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It’s me again, your Green Goddess- LOL.  With gas at about $4/gal even my Prius friends are concerned.  There is nothing that we can do to get back down to $ 3or ($ 2 a gal) but we can use less gas, no matter what it costs.

Lots of you Tea Party guys laughed at the President when he suggested making sure t hat your tire were properly inflated. Politics aside, it will help. I inflate to the max for the max gas saving, tread wear, and for safety.  I believe a lot of SUV rollovers could have been prevented with firmer tires.

All of us should realize that clean air filters, oil changes, and maintenance also helps.  We should also know that “floor boarding” that puppy in a jackrabbit start sucks up gas like a fat boy with a milkshake. (Read more…)

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Really, all things good or bad will end. That once in a lifetime vacation, ended. That relationship with the spouse from hell, ended. The warrantee on whatever you bought ended. Usually warrantee ended a few days before it broke.

This week ended an era. For the past decade I’ve counted Canada (not “Canadian”) geese at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve. There were those chilly morning with my teenage Ellery. We would listen to a radio broadcast from the University of Chicago, drink coffee, and wait for the sun to rise.

First clouds of Ducks would silhouette against the pale rays of first light. Morns equivalent of twilight would throw a hue of soft light on the shadowy gray forms that bobbed in the misty recesses of the pond. Like a fleet of mothballed ships from a long ago war, they leisurely floated in their private sea. The geese lingered until the groggy mist was at last swept awake by the winter sun. (Read more…)

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January 3, 2011

Dear Bob

Thank you for providing a place to contact neighbors. I rented a room in my home to a guy. He said he was a smoker but would smoke outside or with the door closed and using a air purifier that I would not be bothered. I said ok.

I now find that because of a work injury he used medical marijuana. As my real estate agent, (if I ever sell) please answer the following:

1) Can I legally discriminate against him and ask him to move because he smokes dope, even though he has a prescription?
2) I can smell it even with the door shut. Can I get high from smelling it?
3) If I do smell it and get high, am I breaking the law?
4) Will I flunk a dope test if I have smelled it?
5) Can his prescription expire?
6) What about my cat? She curls up in the hall by his door. Is she getting high?
7) Would PETA be upset with me or is this kind of like catnip?
What if he has friends over? Should I see their prescriptions or is that a violation?

Thanks Bob. You are a good neighbor and understand what it’s like to live here.

Truly, (Read more…)

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Actually Mr. Burns said, “The best laid schemes o mice an ‘men gang aft agley.” Of course even today Scotts and Brits “schemes” translate into our English as “plans.” Our use of “schemes” has been given a negative connotation. And, who among you would use “gang aft agley” in any other sentence. Eh?
Yet, Roberts discourse with this wee rodent leaves little doubt that things don’t always go as planned. (Read more…)

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Many neighbors are behind in their mortgage payments and worry about the loss of their home. No one, NO ONE, can guarantee that you will not lose your home if you are not making your payment.

But, there are many alternative to “just walking away.” We know, the calls are constant and annoying. Most of the callers from your mortgage company are minimum wage workers who have no authority to make any changes in your situation.

What then? Sue? Go bankrupt? Rent to an unsuspecting tenant and run out of state? Probably no, no, and definitely no. (Read more…)

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There seems to be a proliferation of “Rooter” trucks in the area. This could be a whole different septic (or sewer) problem. Your system was designed with a minimum slope. “Slope,” is not an ugly vestige of the war in Nam but the angle of descent from the toilet to the septic tank, or main sewer line. (Rise over run). Some older systems may have not been engineered but just dug to “what seemed right.” (Read more…)

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