By: Tim McLaughlin

In Van Nuys situated in the heart of the San Fernando valley. It’s located north of Van Owen, south of Sherman Way, and west of Sepulveda to the 405 freeway.  A large number of the homes in the neighborhood were built between 1948-1950, by James Chisholm who originally named his development Chisholm Woods. Chisholm homes have been known for their oversized lots, good craftsmanship and are perfect examples of California ranch homes. The neighborhood was a walnut grove during the turn of the 20^th century and some of the walnut trees are still there today. When they were originally built the homes sold for between $22,000-$25,000 and today they sell for between $500,000 and $600,000.

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.

The average annual tax bill for affected homeowners will fall between $1,500 and $1,800

By: Tim McLaughlin

After reviewing, 405,000 homes, LA County Assessor Rober Quon said the average tax bill should drop this year.

For single-family homes, the average value reduction was $162,000, amounting to an average property tax savings of $1,800, Quon said. For condos, the average reduction was $133,000, or an average savings of $1,500. The lower assessed values will be reflected on the property tax bills sent out in October.

William Roberts, director of the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University, Northridge, said the reduction in property taxes is going to help many homeowners.

“It’s been a real struggle and a lot of people have lost their homes,” Roberts said. “This may give some people the ability to stay in homes where they have had difficulty making the payments.”

But in this case, what’s good for homeowners is definitely not good for a county government struggling for new revenue.The assessed value of properties in the county is expected to drop 2.3 percent this year – compared to just a .05 percent dip last year, Quon said. The drop, the largest in recent history, will further reduce the county’s property tax revenues, which have already fallen by $132 million in the last two years.

Go here for more info

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.

The reason for cloudy tap water…

By: Tim Maclaughlin

Ok, we’ve all had that bashful, unsure moment before we take the first sip of super cloudy water. Is the water dirty? Should I really be drinking this? Well, I recently learned that cloudy tap water, which I’ve been experiencing in Studio City as of late, is actually a natural phenomenon. Turns out, the cold water within DWP’s underground pipe holds undissolved air. Usually, the colder the water, the more air within the water. And, when the water is under pressure, it holds even more air.

Due to the recent run off from the Sierra’s, the water this time of year is all snow melt, making the water exceedingly cold. When that water finally makes it into your warm home, the air begins to escape in the form of those bubbles, which causes the cloudiness in the liquid.

You may see the cloudiness fluctuate depending on weather – unusually warm days may increase the bubbles. I always see this phenomenon in places like Mammoth during the summer.

The main thing to remember is that the bubbles are natural and are not an indicator of unhealthy drinking water.

Stay thirsty my friends.

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: Tim McLauhglin

The Valley Fair will return this year to the San Fernando Valley.  For 6 years, the Valley Fair was annual tradition until 2003 when NIMBYism and political infighting drove the fair to the valley of Santa Clarita. Because the celebration was being held outside of the Valley, organizers brought the event back to Hansen Dam Recreation Area in Lake View Terrace the following year. Just two years later, however, it was forced back into exile after a fight over where it should be located in its original Valley. After moving the fair back and forth many more times, it seems we’ve finally come to a stable location.  Let’s keep it here in Birmingham Community Charter School in Lake Balboa.

Go here to check out the 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.

Schuyler Moore

By: Tim McLaughlin

One of my Senior divers, Schuyler Moore, bested 9 other divers to win the Rio Mesa Diving Invitational at Rio Mesa High School, Oxnard, CA. this past Saturday (March 13th).  Schuyler scored a pool record total of 519 points for the 11 dive contest outscoring Casey Rakauskas, Calabasas High by over 100 points, who placed second with a score of 413 points, and Montana Monahan of El Camino Real High with 367 points.  Schuyler’s victory automatically qualifies her for the C.I.F southern section championships to be held in May and also makes her eligible for All American honors.  She trains with Tom Stebbins and the Bruin dive club and will be attending Harvard in the fall.

Great job Schuyler!

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: Tim McLaughlin

My dog turned to drinking because his ear infections were getting so bad.  But I found a simple solution and now he is up and about happy as can be.

Owners of floppy-eared dogs should regularly check the ears for a build-up or an odor inside the ear, particularly if the dog scratches the general are of the ear a lot, shakes its head often holds the head crooked or rubs its head. If your dog has these symptoms, you are probably looking at an ear infection.

Ear infections can be dangerous if they’re ignored. The eardrum can perforate or the infection could travel to the brain since it is so close to the ear canal. Always have your vet check the ear the first time you notice a smell, a buildup inside or any of the previous symptoms. Your vet can determine if you’re dealing with excess wax, yeast or ear mites.

This is the best solution I have used when it comes to gucky ears.  It was given to me years ago by a veterinarian. This is not my recipe.  As stated, it was given to me years and years ago by a vet.  I put it up on my website for information only.

16 oz. bottle isopropyl alcohol (or witch hazel)
4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 drops Gentian Violet 1% Solution

Mix all ingredients in the alcohol bottle & shake. (make sure you shake before every application).

Treatment: Fill ear with solution & massage gently for 30 seconds and wipe with a tissue. Fill a second time and just wipe without massaging. The dog will shake the excess out. Be careful, the Gentian Violet could stain.  I use a eye dropper to fill the ear.

Treatment:
2 times per day for the first 2 weeks
1 time per day for the next 2 weeks
1 time per month thereafter

If you are concerned about the alcohol burning the inside of the ear (it could if the dog has been scratching its ear), then you can substitute the alcohol with witch hazel.

All ingredients are available at a pharmacy. The Boric Acid is usually in the First Aid section where you find the alcohol.  The Gentian Violet will be the hardest to find.

If the itching and scratching persist I highly recommend you visit your vet.

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.