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.

He did allow that for Passover there had been Matzos at the end of one of the isles. I guess this is kind of like the Easter Baskets and marshmallow Peeps, once the Holiday is over, it’s over.

It was good to know that they had (past tense) Matzos, if only for a week or two. I guess that means Jews do shop there, at least during Passover. Oh, Ralph’s has at least four kinds of Matzos, lots of gefilte fish, and Kosher stuff.

Why search for Matzos? I had used an old family recipe (no, not my family) to make chopped chicken liver. What’s chopped chicken liver with out Matzos?

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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!

We are offering a 20% Discount for Summer Art Camp Prices if paid before June 1st.

We offer a FREE INTRODUCTORY LESSON for children and adults. Call (800) 430-4278 to schedule today!

Summer Art Camp June 13th – September 2nd
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays
Half Days 9 – 11:30 $73.50 (with 20% discount $58.80)
Full Days 9 – 2:30pm $119 (with 20% discount $95.20)
Registration fee $40 NuPastels $32

Regular Program is year round, we offer once weekly classes seven days a week

Children’s Program Director: Marika Vaaranen
Westfield Promenade Mall
Lower Level – Center Court
6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Established in 1975, Mission: Renaissance is today the world’s largest art program for children and adults with more than 2000 students attending classes each week. For more information visit: www.fineartclasses.com

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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.

Under these dangerous conditions, does he have the right to treck up hills and navigate the canyon’s blind turns? Absolutely.

Your twenty something daughter has the right to go to a sleazy bar dressed in a tube top, and short skirt (no panties ala Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan ). She has the right to drink all the alcoholic beverages she wants, and she ABSOLUTELY has the right to not be bothered or touched by other patrons. She is the boss of her body.

Few fathers would want their daughter to exercise these “rights.” A ridiculous example? To some extent, but weaving through Box Canyon during rush hour, or at night is also ridiculous.

Drivers- please be on the lookout for cyclists. Cyclists- please exercise your rights in a safe and sane manner. Girls- listen to your Dad.

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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.

Wow! Where do I start? It matters little who was or is president. Bush, Clinton- pick one, or Obama, they are not going to be there until later, if then. It will take FEMA, or whomever, days or weeks to get set up. In the meantime, the best source of help is you.

A true but little known fact: In a major earthquake the Fire Department’s first objective is to move their equipment outside and secure it. Their second priority is to assess the damage. That means that they will drive their predestinated area and make a report. If you are bleeding by the side of the road, they could well drive by. They have a bigger responsibility.
The same is true in a fire. The fire is like a battle. They will not waist resources on a structure that can’t be saved or if it is not as important to containment as other locations. Too bad if it is your house.

This is not a criticism of the Government, or the Fire Departments that annually protect us, but an acknowledgement that to protect as many as possible, not all can be always be protected.

All of us should have water; at least a few days’ supply for your family and pets. Just cutting electric service for a few days will cut water to much of Box Canyon. Notice on your water bill the “lift charge?” That’s for the electric pump that pushes water over the hill from Simi. No electric= no pump. No pump; no water.

Canned, dried, non-perishable, food would also be good idea. In the 1994 Quake some areas were without services for a week or more.

In my opinion that is the very minimum. I would include: extra meds, first aid kit, some way to keep warm and dry, an electrical generator, battery operated radio or TV, fire extinguisher, and extra fuel – gasoline and or propane, would be on my “essentials list.”

Stores may not be able to open and resources may be ruined or looted. After the quake (emergency) it is too late to prepare. Now is the time.

I’m not an expert. There are government brochures, and stores that sell all types of preparedness items. Consult the internet and make the best choice for you and your family. While there seems to have been little, if any, looting in Japan, we are not in Japan. Do you remember the Rodney King riots where there were dozens killed or how would you like to spend a few days in a stadium with no food or water and hundreds of angry folks?

Be ready to take care of yourself, at least for a few days (I’d say a “weeks”) until services become available again. Be safe.

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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.

Aside from a gentle foot on the gas, a gentle foot on the brake is also a gas saver. Every time you step  on the brake you are wasting gas.  We don’t have to get into Newton and the laws of motion, just realize that pushing on the brake has the same effect as stepping on the gas. It wastes energy.  Look farther down the road. If the light is turning red, take you foot off that gas and let it roll to the light.

Plan your trip.  If you have the cleaners, grocery, and other errands, go as infrequently as possible and plan the shortest route.  If there is a grocery next to (near) the cleaners, go there when you get your clothes.

The same goes for getting gas.  To drive ten miles out of the way to save a couple of cents a gallon, probably saves nothing.  Keeping a full, never less than half, tank is wise. When we have a disaster, and there will be one, you may not be able to get more gas. So, fill up when you drive by Arco, Costco, or whatever brand you use.

Going at a steady speed, instead of speeding up and slowing down, will also give better mileage, especially on a long trip. My girlfriend Kim has an Expedition, one of the biggest SUV’s, and goes to her cabin in Big Bear regularly. She told me she does not use cruise control because she is not sure how it works. To make in worse, she’s not even blonde. Put on your cruise control, sit back, relax, and get where you are going with more gas in the tank

The last thing I can think of, for now, is don’t leave you car running when not necessary. Hybrids save gas by shutting down when stopped at traffic signals.  If you don’t drive a hybrid, I don’t recommend turning off the engine at lights, but you get the idea.

Drive less. Drive safe.  See ya.  GG

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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.

Gradually the sun’s northerly trek would cross the towers on Mt. Wilson signaling the equinox. Spring at last. The Red Wing black birds then serenaded in the cattails. (Actually they are“Tri-color black birds”, but I grew up back east and prefer to call then Red Wings.)

Somehow the coffee was always better watching a few dozen geese rise from the water, circle, and form a “V” as they moved north, or south. Ever wonder why on side of the “V” is longer than the other?

Elle loved seeing the geese, ducks, occasional great horned owl, and a deer now and then. It was a seemingly untouched paradise just on the other side of the fence on Valley Circle. The truth be known, she learned to drive on those untraveled roads.

The Canada Goose Project organized an Earth Day celebration. The community could spend a day in this special place. No longer hindered by chain link and barbwire, neighbors could explore the Preserve, a seemingly untouched blanket of flora dotted with creatures unmolested by our urban life.

Well, Elle is a “big girl.” Her days with dad have ended. She is married and works as a nurse. She would tell you that the side of the “V” that is longer, is longer because there are more geese on that side.

But there is another “end.” There will be no more counts. No more coffee listing to a chorus of Black birds punctuated by a “honk” or two. A bureaucrat, Steve Cole, at the Department of Water and Power has proclaimed that there will be no more counts. No more Earth Day.

Well, I’m sure we will all be better off. At least DWP will see things as “better” in someway. I wonder, after a successful decade’s long relationship between DWP and The Canada Goose Project, what they will gain.

Will denying access to neighbors in some small way reduce the cost of water to DWP customers? Will this provide a safer, terrorist free environment for this DWP facility? What will it do?

Folks, I seriously doubt that there will be any great (or small) benefit to any of our neighbors. Will we benefit by not have in Earth Day access?

Maybe I’m wrong. Could it be I just lament the fact that I will have to turn in my key and put and end to the count? Why not check with Mr. Cole? He can be reached at 213 367 1057. All things will come to an end.

I guess the end is yet to come.  The DWP has relented and there WILL BE Earth Day on April 3rd at the Nature Preserve.  Thank all of you who contacted Mr. Cole.

I guess the end is yet to come.  The DWP has relented and there WILL BE Earth Day on April 3rd at the Nature Preserve.  Thank all of you who contacted Mr. Cole.

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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,

Smokey the Neighbor (I don’t want anyone to know about this- I teach school)

January 7, 2011

Dear Smokey

To answer you properly, I must know if you have a written agreement- lease. If you do it will set out some parameters regarding what he can and can’t do. In that you allowed him to “smoke” and the substance was not specified, I’m not sure he could be evicted on that basis.

If you have no lease you can probably give notice, sixty days, at any time, for what ever reason. If you have a lease both of you would have agreed to a certain period of time- usually a year.

As to getting high from smelling it: Hunter S. Thompson wrote extensively on that subject and there may be others that can advise you. That was not part of my exam to get my license from the California Department of Real Estate.

To the best of my knowledge, prescriptions can expire. Did you see his prescription or did he just “tell” you he has one. I understand not all that are medicated have prescriptions.

The cat: does he purr a lot, eat more than normal, or spend a lot of time rolling on his back? If so, he is probably happy. I wouldn’t bother contacting PETA for their opinion. A happy cat is a happy cat.

Unless you have a lease that forbids visitors, he can have friends over. If the door is shut, how would you know if they are medicating themselves, prescription or not?

Bottom line: let me know about the lease and I will have a better idea of how to proceed.

Yours truly,

Bob

Feb 2011

Hey Bob,

I had a long talk with him. Wow, what an experience. He told me things I never thought of. It was mind blowing. Have you ever talked to a flower? And heard what the flower was saying?

The cat seems fine and sometimes the cat talks to me and the flowers.

Hear me; there is no lease and no problem. I don’t know why I was worried.

Oh, you were right. The cat has been eating like crazy. Actually we both eat a lot and I’m putting on some weight. Does Kool-Aid make you fat? It just tastes so good, why doesn’t everyone drink it?

The best news is that I found out that all those questions showed that I had too much tension and his doctor gave me a prescription too.

At first I was worried that someone at school would find out but after a few weeks I just stopped going.

Thanks Bob, you were a great help. If your up in the canyon stop by, I’m almost always home.
Your Pal, Ol’ Smokey.

OK campers- keep those cards and letter coming.

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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.

But folks, there are some things that will enhance your position. If a loan modification is denied and there is no way to meet your obligation to the lender, a “short pay” will lessen the bad credit that you will get from foreclosure.

Another benefit is to be able to stay in your home for as long as possible after it become impossible to make the payments. Even your lender usually prefers that the property is occupied.

Julliann and I have been dealing with short pays and lenders threatening foreclosure for over three years, during the current crisis. This is the third time in my career dealing with a “down market,” having experienced similar problems in the 1980’s and again in 1990’s.

We don’t do loan modifications, or bankruptcies, but WE CAN HELP, and we live here. We can do the most when you call us in the beginning. We are here for you but you have to make to call. Thanks neighbor

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A long run with a very limited rise means that the velocity of the water is slower than if there is a steep rise. Think of the difference between whitewater rapids on the Colorado River in contrast with the Suwannee River that passes through the Okefenokee Swamp. To save water all of us should now be using low flush toilets. So, in addition to ‘slow” water we now have less water.

Exacerbating the situation for older systems is the previous use of cast iron pipes. They rust and their rough joints were held in place with oakum and solder which would leave an uneven surface.

I once sold a house in Santa Monica. Their city sewer system had been installed in the latter part of the nineteenth century (1800’s). Not only had the material passing through the iron pipes caused it to rust, but the clay soil also helped deteriorate it.

When the house sold in the 1980’s, the buyers did their inspection only to find that there was no pipe at all! At that was left a hollow space in the hard packed clay.

Even with modern ABS pipes there can be some surfaces inside the pipe that will collect material. Without sufficient velocity or volume it is easy to develop a paper jam or a logjam. (Use your imagination.)

I flush out my pipes by allowing my shower water to fill the pan while showering and then releasing many gallons at once. Silly? It’s a lot cheaper than call a roto-rooter guy or a plumber, whether he smells good or not.

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