Sorted by date Results 26 - 45 of 45
For those of you who didn’t have their accounts depleted at Wells Fargo Bank by very nasty bank employees doing mean things, why not celebrate by taking that very special person to Las Vegas? Ever dream of commanding a gondola? The Venetian Las Vegas Gondola University offers instruction to up to nine participants per day that begins with a history of Venice followed by gondola fundamentals. Learn “Rowing 101” and the hands-on experience of rowing a vessel. At the end there is a ritual cerem...
Every time we drive the four miles to Costco for gasoline I wear an ear-to-ear smile because these low prices screw Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Also, the Iranians, sometime next year, will increase production by one million barrels a day even though the world has a daily surplus of almost two million barrels – equal to the daily consumption of France. The pump price should go lower and stay there but there is a serious problem and I immediately recognized it when the lights on the t...
City Manager’s Office Summer Heat Wave Safety Tips - During periods of extreme heat conditions, extra precaution should be taken to ensure the safety of older adults, infants and children, as well individuals who participate in outdoor activities or those who are sensitive to the heat. High temperatures mean an increased risk of heat exhaustion, heat cramps or sunstroke. Los Angeles County Extreme Heat Cool Centers are available during periods of extreme heat. Dial 211 on your phone, vis...
He was your friend, he was my friend, and he was our friend. He was Lester “Les” Silverstein, the man with a crazy sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye. We kept each other laughing; sometimes the giggles would be out loud, other times expressed by a big smiling grin. We first met in the Culver City Senior Center in the summer of 2000. Having just retired from the Boeing Aircraft Company, I decided to check out what programs were available. Out of the blue I heard a voice say, “Take this,...
By Neil Rubenstein Observer Columnist Every time we drive the four miles to Costco for gasoline I wear an ear-to ear-smile because these low prices screw Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Also, the Iranians some time next year will increase production by one million barrels a day even though the world has a daily surplus of almost two million barrels (equal to the daily consumption of France). The pump price should go lower and stay there but there is a serious problem and I immediately...
By Neil Rubenstein Observer Columnist Theodorsia and I recently came home from a two-week vacation in Northern California. As we all know there is plenty to see up state and since we had the expertise pf Betty Kao at the Culver City Automobile Club who helped us with the car and hotel arrangements, we were in excellent hands. Although we stopped and toured Hearst Castle, the John Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, attended the Monterey Jazz Festival, did the San Francisco cable car and harbor cruise,...
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” ~Virginia Woolf “Chocolate is plentiful and does not require a prescription. Life is good.” ~ Sandra Coopersmith Billingsley’s Steakhouse A West Los Angeles landmark for more years than anyone can recall, Billingsley’s is offering two Valentine’s Day specials that its patrons will definitely remember. Whether your taste runs to steak or seafood – or both – this restaurant has you covered. Imagine sitting down in comfortable, welcoming surroundings that feature an old sc...
By Neil Rubenstein Observer Columnist The Mayor and the Police Chief should be on the Culver City television station talking about procedures with choke holds, tasers, shoot-to-kill policy, etc., etc., etc. Because of all the police allegedly murdering Afro-Americans we need cop cams to protect good cops and help get rid of the bad guys. Los Angeles and New York City are starting pilot programs. How many of us remember the Rodney King fiasco when all those law enforcement people beat the...
I’m not a computer whiz kid as many of us know, but I have been reading about this new malware and I am very concerned. It seems this advanced malware was used to spy on private companies, governments, research institutes and individuals in 10 countries. Symantec, the maker of Norton anti-virus software, said its research showed a “nation-state” was the likely developer. Because Russia and Saudi Arabia have been hit the most, the bad guy just might be North Korea, Iran or China. Do you reali...
Farragut Elementary School’s eagerly anticipated 9th annual Fall Festival is on Saturday, October 18th from 11am to 4pm on the athletic field just off the main parking lot behind the school. Parking is free. All families are invited to come and enjoy a day of Halloween fun. Take advantage of discounted pre-sales ticket pricing before and after school by the front main doors starting October 13-17th – 25 tickets for $20 and an all-day pass for inflatables is $10. Tickets can also be bought on the day of the Festival for $1 each and the all...
By Neil Rubenstein Observer Columnist Ladies, are you considering the military as a career? Does becoming an officer appeal to you? We know about West Point but have you heard about The Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership (WWIL) at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA? Since 1995 it’s been the home of our nation’s only all-female corps of cadets, grooming young women for military command. May 13, 2014 was the 150th anniversary of Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington was the home of Ge...
By Neil Rubenstein Observer Columnist Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for coming to our meeting last night. Yes, the Progressive Leadership of Culver City comes together at 7:30 p.m. in the Harry Culver Room in the Veterans Memorial Building whenever the stars are in the right conjunction. The discussion focused on the legislator who has done the most for our city of 40,000 residents. The first person to shout out our hero’s name was the happy recipient of a dozen kosher tacos. After several n...
Single Family Homes As the market rages on all over the country (Click here see Case Shiller index here) , the local real estate activity continues to amaze even the more experienced realtors among us. For the first time ever, Culver City home prices averaged $1M in April. This number was helped by one sale at $2M on Mentone Ave, but this lofty level of pricing will clearly become the norm here shortly. For a more in depth look at the causes and effects of local market, take a look at the video....
Single Family Homes After several months of price increases month after month, single family home prices seemed to level off a little in march but they are cruising along at new highs. Only 4 homes actually closed escrow last month. This is the lowest number of closings, in Culver City proper, that I've seen in 14 years! If the low, super low inventory continues expect the price rises to extend further into 2014. Rates are stable around the 4.5% range, and most lenders I talk to do not see any...
Culver City School District Home Price Comparison This week I thought it would be interesting to see if Culver City's Elementary School District boundaries have any influence over home prices. The chart below compares the 4 elementary school districts that are populated by their respective geographical neighborhoods. See map obtained from the CCUSD web site. (click on the image to enlarge) The four schools are Farragut Elementary, Linwood E. Howe Elementary, El Rincon and La Ballona. El Marino...
Single-Family Homes Seems that every month I repeat the same thing, Culver City real estate prices hit new highs. For all current homeowners out there it's nothing but good news. Homebuyers, on the other hand, are becoming increasingly anxious as multiple offers and many all cash offers abound. New listings are under contract within a week or two of hitting the market, and buyers’ agents are working overtime to get their clients offer accepted. For all the numbers on last month’s activity wat...
Since time immemorial, the conundrum for potential homebuyers, is WHEN to buy. Culver City real estate prices have risen significantly in the last two years. Single-family home prices have already exceeded their prior high in 2007, and I predict that 2014 will be the year that the condominium market in Culver City will break new highs. How will a rise in home mortgage interest rates effect buyers potential purchasing power? Given that there appears to be no signs in the general economy of...
Buyers Find Less On The Market Culver City is one of the most desirable places to live in the greater Los Angeles area. But is it currently difficult to buy a home here? That may depend on the buyers and what they want. Julio Leyva, an agent with Cavanaugh Realty, told the Observer that, “Statistically, prices and sales are both up from the previous year. “I usually keep track of the market and Culver City in 2012, at least in the areas I surveyed, was ahead by about $35,000 compared to 201...
Billingsley's Prime Rib & Steakhouse Billingsley's Prime Rib & Steakhouse, established by the family of "Leave It To Beaver" Mom herself, Barbara Billingsley, is the place for down home, old fashioned lick-your-fingers American food that is dog gone good. Since they opened the doors to the wood-paneled dining room with cozy red booths and walls dripping with American memorabilia from Elvis to the Moon landing, Billingsley’s has become a West Los Angeles classic. This Valentine’s day Billingsley’s is featuring their “ Three Course Steak and Lobs...
Warming up summer with birthday candles are Karen Fowler, Linda Thieben, Hayden O’Brien, William Sick, David Olson, Colin Tidwell, Doris MacGregor, Eleanor Brown, Elisa Adeff, Cynthia Leavitt, Joan Steever, Ana Maria Kowalski, Rosa Idalia Giron, Gary Bethel, Alfred Reyes, Lorette Herman, Shannon Gaulding, Joseph Beachy, Lindy Smith, Robert Chancellor, Tina Kaufman, Cherylann Grasso, Cottalango Leon, Kristin Giannantonio, Wrennie Laundau, Ruth McKnight, Stephanie Taylor, Jacqueline Aispiro, Norma Lazcano, Erik Matsubayashi, Jenny Garcia, M...
