Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

A beautiful private gated Spanish home set on a street to street lot in the Hills of Studio City. This house was built in 1937 and has been called home by many celebrities over the years. During the Northridge earthquake in 1994 George Clooney called 11655 Laurelcrest home. Since 1994 the house has been occupied by Jaime Pressly, who stars on the show “My name is Earl”, and Justin Berfield who played the oldest son “Reese” on the hit show “Malcolm in the middle”.

This property is currently listed by Ewing and Associates Sotheby’s International Realty’s Joan Duffy for $1,569,000.

There are a lot of yogurt places that have opened in Southern California over the past few years including Yogurtland, 21 choices, and Menchies to name a few. However, Pinkberry is by far my favorite. The Pinkberry that I go to most frequently is located at 3300 W 6th St. #4 Los Angeles, CA 90020.

 There are a lot of choices and combinations that you can create when eating at Pinkberry. I always get the original and pomegranate swirl and then various fruit toppings like pineapple, strawberries, and blueberries topped with roasted almonds. Every time I go to Pinkberry Los Angeles, I am leave wanting more. Make sure to stop by Pinkberry in Los Angeles and get your daily dose of swirly goodness.

This week’s course is Tierra Rejada Golf Club which is located at 15187 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark, CA 93021. Tierra Rejada is a public golf course that opened in 1999 and is one of the most challenging courses that you can play in the Los Angeles area. Tierra Rejada is a truly unique layout because it offers both mountain and desert golf in the same round. Tierra Rejada may be played from four (4) sets of tees, (5,148 yards from the forward tees to over 7,000 from the back tees), each catering to a golfer’s own ability.

Tierra Rejada is a must play course because of all the unique features that it offers. Also, there is a plethora of great real estate in the Moorpark area. To see a home that has been just listed near Tierra Rejada in Moorpark, Click on the link below: www.14385MangroveSt.com.

Artisan Cheese Gallery is located at 12023 Ventura Boulevard Studio City, CA 91604 and operates under the mission statement of Cheese, Wine, Food, and Cheer. Artisan Cheese Gallery offers patrons wine, catering, gift baskets, private parties, and private tastings. In additions they carry a variety of pates, charcuterie, caviar and gourmet food items.

The reason that Artisan Cheese Gallery is one of my favorite spots in Studio City is because they offer some of the best lunch take-out in the area. I usually order the ROSEMARY CHICKEN PANINI, which is Grilled Chicken Breast, Provolone, Pancetta, Smoked Paprika Aioli, and Arugula on Ciabattina bread. I have had some good sandwiches, but this is by far the best one that I have ever had. Next time you are near Artisan Cheese Gallery, make sure that you stop in and give it a try.

Lakeside Golf Club is located in the heart of Toluca Lake at 4201 Clybourn Avenue. This majestic golf course has been the home to many celebrities in what is known as old Hollywood. Over the years, members such Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, W.C. Fields, and Evil Knievel have called Lakeside their home club. The course has always been in great condition since it was founded in 1929. Lakeside Golf Club plays around 6,600 from the tips and is a par 70. This is one of the premier courses in the Los Angeles area. Over the years, Lakeside Golf Club has hosted many tournaments and regularly hosts the Kelly Cup, which is a premier amateur tournament. With all that being said, Lakeside Golf Club is still known around the area as a great club for families. If you are lucky enough to be a member at this club, you belong to a truly special place.

Henry’s Tacos has been a favorite lunch spot of mine for many years now. Henry’s tacos is located at 11401 Moorpark St, North Hollywood, CA 91602. Working as a real estate agent in the Studio City, Toluca Lake area for over 35 years has provided with many lunch opportunities in this area. If you are looking for a quick, enjoyable, and quality Mexican choice, Henry’s Tacos is the best option in the area.

 At Henry’s there is a wide variety of choices on the menu, but my favorite is the beef hard taco. Henry’s hard tacos are the best around and no other place can offer a hard taco as tasty as the Henry’s. On occasion I will order a soft taco because this is a great choice as well. Next time you are looking for a quick, enjoyable, and quality Mexican option for lunch, make sure that you stop by Henry’s and check it out.

Tarzana Armenian Deli, is located at 11288 Ventura Blvd , Studio City, CA 91604 and offers the best sandwiches in the area. This is a favorite lunch spot for many locals. Tarzana Armenian Deli offers over 30 different sandwiches and allows patrons to customize their order as well. The sandwiches are made fresh in front of your eyes and leave you feeling light and healthy afterward.  Tarzana Armenian Deli specializes in corporate luncheons but caters to local businesses daily.

Tarzana Armenian Deli now celebrates their 36th year in the deli business as the ‘Home of the Original Pita Wrap’ established in 1973. Tarzana Armenian Deli is family owned and operated. Almost every time I go in there for lunch, JT and Jim are there to greet you with a smile. In today’s day and age, a lot can be said about the old fashioned service provided at Tarzana Armenian Deli. The service here is inviting and gives you the feel of a small town restaurant.  The store owners provide patrons with the vibe that they actually care about their customers and want to see them come back as opposed to the informal tradition of food ordering that we have grown accustomed to. If you are looking for a place with great food and even better service, check out Tarzana Armenian Deli.

http://tagdeli.com/

Who doesn’t want to save gas and burn fat in the process? A friend of mine, Vinnie Tortorich, has created a website where people can go to learn about how to save gas and burn fat in the process, www.savegasburnfat.com. Vinnie been a personal trainer for over 27 years in Los Angeles County, and has been an ultra cyclist since the early 90’s.

Savegasburnfat is a website that is dedicated to helping people lose weight, save money, and go green in the process. In 1983 Vinnie played football at Tulane and weighed 250 pounds, which is good size for a linebacker. After Vinnie’s football career was over, he ballooned up to 270 pounds. At this point, Vinnie had decided that enough was enough and health became Vinnie’s number one concern. Vinnie’s new diet consisted of him eating half of what he did before and ridding his bike everywhere. After this simple diet was put into place, Vinnie was able to drop his weight from 270 to 180 in around a year’s time.

Currently, Vinnie rides his bike an average of 13,000 miles a year and has even been recorded riding 17,000 miles one year. There aren’t any miracle drugs involved, but just pure hard work. For more information on Vinnie’s story, how to save gas and burn fat, click on the link below: www.savegasburnfat.com.

The tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence is in it’s final stages. The tax credit applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify. So buyers need to be IN ESCROW by the end of April, and CLOSE by end of June.

Here are some common questions and answers regarding the tax credit. (Information obtained from Federal Government website.)

1. Who is eligible to claim the $8,000 tax credit?
First-time home buyers purchasing any kind of home—new or resale—are eligible for the tax credit.
2. What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?
The law defines “first-time home buyer” as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests the home ownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse.
3. How is the amount of the tax credit determined?
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
4. Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?
Yes. For sales occurring after November 6, 2009, the income limit for single taxpayers is $125,000; the limit is $225,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return.
5. How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application? Are there documentation requirements?
You claim the tax credit on your federal income tax return. Specifically, home buyers should complete IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax credit amount, and then claim this amount on line 67 of the 1040 income tax form for 2009 returns (line 69 of the 1040 income tax form for 2008 returns). Please note that although the Form is titled “First-Time Homebuyer Credit,” this is the correct form for claiming both the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit and $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit.
No other applications are required, and no pre-approval is necessary.
6. What types of homes will qualify for the tax credit?
Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit, provided the home is purchased for a price less than or equal to $800,000. This includes single-family detached homes, attached homes like townhouses and condominiums, manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes) and houseboats. The definition of principal residence is identical to the one used to determine whether you may qualify for the $250,000 / $500,000 capital gain tax exclusion for principal residences.
It is important to note that you cannot purchase a home from, among other family members, your ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.), your lineal descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.) or your spouse or your spouse’s family members.
7. I read that the tax credit is “refundable.” What does that mean?
The fact that the credit is refundable means that the home buyer credit can be claimed even if the taxpayer has little or no federal income tax liability to offset. Typically this involves the government sending the taxpayer a check for a portion or even all of the amount of the refundable tax credit.
8. Instead of buying a new home from a home builder, I hired a contractor to construct a home on a lot that I already own. Do I still qualify for the tax credit?
Yes. For the purposes of the home buyer tax credit, a principal residence that is constructed by the home owner is treated by the tax code as having been “purchased” on the date the owner first occupies the house. In this situation, the date of first occupancy must be on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010 (or by June 30, 2010, provided a binding sales contract was in force by April, 30, 2010).
9. Is a tax credit the same as a tax deduction?
No. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in what the taxpayer owes. That means that a taxpayer who owes $8,000 in income taxes and who receives an $8,000 tax credit would owe nothing to the IRS.
A tax deduction is subtracted from the amount of income that is taxed. Using the same example, assume the taxpayer is in the 15 percent tax bracket and owes $8,000 in income taxes. If the taxpayer receives an $8,000 deduction, the taxpayer’s tax liability would be reduced by $1,200 (15 percent of $8,000), or lowered from $8,000 to $6,800.
10. Is there a way for a home buyer to access the money allocatable to the credit sooner than waiting to file their 2009 or 2010 tax return?
Yes. Prospective home buyers who believe they qualify for the tax credit are permitted to reduce their income tax withholding. Reducing tax withholding (up to the amount of the credit) will enable the buyer to accumulate cash by raising his/her take home pay. This money can then be applied to the down payment.

Are you hungry for imported Frog legs or Turtle soup? In the state of California you will now have to settle for the local variety. This week the state of California Fish and Game Commission banned the importation of Turtles and Frogs that aren’t native to the state of California. These animals have been a staple in Asian grocery stores for many years and this will diminish the quality of the available supply. Susan Tellem, Co founder of the American Tortoise Rescue was quoted as saying “It was a long-fought war, and it is not over”, “Next on the agenda is banning all non-native aquatic turtles and frogs, which many states have already done.”

 There has been a lot of pressure from the Asian community for this law not be passed by the state of California Fish and Game Commission. It looks like the battle to keep an imported supply of Frogs and Turtles on the shelves of local grocery stores has been temporarily lost. As you can imagine, this has created uproar in communities that have a strong Asian population. It will be interesting to see how our city of Los Angeles will be affected by the issue.