The most unique neighborhood in Burbank is the Burbank Equestrian District, also known as the Burbank “Rancho.”

By: Shelley Rizzotti

The zoning in this area allows residents to keep horses on their properties at an approximate ratio of 1 horse for every 3000 square feet of land (subject to various restrictions).

The Rancho is comprised of approximately 750 single family homes and 150 condos and townhomes.  Values of homes in the Rancho are higher than most areas of Burbank, due to the appeal of a closely knit, rustic community with a small town feel.  The Burbank Rancho Homeowners neighborhood group, formed in 1963, is the oldest organized group in the city, and the members are very active and vocal when anything threatens the laid back feel of this area or the safety of the horses.

The Burbank Rancho is generally located between Buena Vista and Victory as the west and east borders and Alameda and Griffith Park as the north and south borders. The Equestrian Zone District also continues into Glendale along Riverside Drive and Sonora Avenue.

Midway between the Burbank and Glendale Rancho’s is the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (L.A.E.C.).  The equestrian center is 75 acres and offers over 500 boarding stalls, horse trainers and more.  Visit their website at www.la-equestriancenter.com.

The Rancho Residents care deeply for their horses and other animals (as most horse people usually have a dog or cat or two!), so they are outside and around the neighborhood for exercise continuously throughout the day.  It is a great sight to look out your window and see a horse coming down the street with the pitter patter of hooves.  The trails of Griffith Park, an oasis for Rancho Residents are accessed by a swinging bridge over the Los Angeles River, and offer over 50 miles of riding trails contained in almost 5,000 verdant acres.

This unique area allows a horse lover, while living in the middle of a city, to get up in the morning, go for an early ride in the mountains, and still make it to the Westside by 8am!

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

Shelley Rizzotti

Try East Valley’s health food

By: Shelley Rizzotti

While the West Valley has Follow Your Heart as its prime health food store and cafe, the East Valley has Full O’ Life.  Located on the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Buena Vista, Full O’ Life offers a health food store with a vast selection of organic foods, produce and vitamins, as well as a restaurant known for serving hand prepared food using the freshest natural ingredients.  What immediately comes to mind as my favorites are the beet salad and the Shepard’s pie!

The restaurant portion of the store has table seating as well as a neat bar with swivel stools reminiscent of the ’50′s.  It is open during the week and on Sunday for lunch.  The specials change daily and it is critical to always leave some room for their fresh homemade deserts.

The store portion is open all day.   The peculiar thing about Full O’ Life is that it is closed on Saturday’s which is generally one of the busiest days of the week for stores.  For a menu and operating hours, visit www.fullolife.com.  This is  must visit place.

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

A car show with a cause.

By: Shelley Rizzotti

On Sunday, October 4th, 2009 from 9am – 3pm, the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce, The Great Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council and The Toluca Lake Homeowner’s Association are presenting the 2nd annual Toluca Lake Charity Car Show.  The street will be blocked off on Riverside Drive between Forman Avenue & Clybourn Street.

This should be loads of fun and will support a good cause.  Proceeds to benefit the Los Angeles Police Department/East Valley Pals Program.

More information can be found at www.tolucacarshow.com

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

By: Shelley Rizzotti

Vine ripened tomatoes, humus, fresh cut flowers, fried pita bread (addicting to even the most sophisticated palate), honey, nuts, herbs and much more are offered at Burbank’s weekly farmer’s market.

The famer’s market is held in the parking lot behind City Hall (Third Street and Orange Grove) every Saturday from 8am-12:30pm.  There is tons of free parking, but be sure to get there early for the best selection of food and produce!

For more information visit:farmers-market.php

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

By: Shelley Rizzotti

Henry’s Farmers Market is opening in the old Vons location at 1011 N.  San Fernando Boulevard.  Henry’s was established by Henry Boney in 1943 and prides itself on offering natural, locally grown organic produce as well as a plethora of diverse foods.  Many people say it is a cross between Trader Joes and Whole Foods.  Janet Little, Henry’s spokesperson, describes shopping at Henry’s as “reminiscent of produce stands and corner butcher shops of the 1950s.”  The grand opening ceremonies are on September 30th, 2009 at 8:45am.  If you can prove your first name is Henry, you will get a free deli sandwich that day.

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

Safe Pet Adoption

By: Michelle Tepper

Usually I am showing properties on Saturday throughout the day, however, this weekend is Rosh Hashanah and “I am not working” (yea, right). After services at Valley Beth Shalom, I took the kids to Encino Park and there was an Animal Adoption Fair in progress, so we decided to check it out. There were several non-profit adoption organizations with tents to shade furry kittens and excitable puppies. Some pets were on leashes with prospective adoptees taking them for “test drives”. After my children begged for 35 minutes to adopt a new furry family member, I decided that our cats would not be happy about such a decision so we left for the tricycle section of the park for some Razor riding.

I thought I would share this information because the animals were pretty impressive, clean, cute and friendly to each other as well as the people who were petting them. The animals had their shots and some of them have been tested for diseases. If you are looking for a great pet to adopt, this is the perfect place to visit because the potential pet can be walked and played with in a more natural setting.

On the 3rd Saturday of every month, the Best Friends Animal Society and the East Valley Animal Shelter set-up an outside adoption center at the entrance of Encino Park at the corner of Genesta Avenue and Ventura Blvd. (the edge of Amestoy Estates in Encino). Molly’s Mutts & Meows was also there and had a great selection of kittens and smaller dogs this weekend. If you would like more information on any of these organizations, click on the link below and you will be taken to their websites. Happy Tails!  www.mollysmuttsandmeows.org

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.

Michelle Tepper

What you may not know about holding a garage sale in Burbank

By: Shelley Rizzotti

Normally, any person having a garage sale in the city of Burbank is limited to 2 garage sales within any 12 month period. A person wishing to have a garage sale must apply for a permit. If you don’t, the city can shut you down. This, of course, is NOT a good thing after finally pulling out the tables, pricing the items, getting the change for the cash box, and waking up at an ungodly hour to set up.

Save yourself a headache by following these simple rules:

1. The garage sales cannot exceed 2 consecutive days

2. Garage sales may not be within 60 days of each other

The exception to this rule is that any person may conduct an additional Garage Sale in conjunction with the “California Second Chance Week” without having to apply for a permit.

You can find more information on Garage Sale Permits in Burbank at the city’s website: http://www.burbankca.org/license/garagesale.htm

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

The size of this market is small, but ample to find fresh and healthy delicacies.

By Shelley Rizzotti

While many farmer’s markets are only open on Saturdays, Toluca Lake Farmer’s Market  offers shopping for fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables, flowers, art, crafts, and more on Sunday’s year round (unless bad weather or some holidays).

Its located on a cul-de-sac street adjacent to Wells Fargo-between Sancola and Forman. (You can park behind the Wells Fargo. )  The nearest address is 4500 N. Sancola Avenue, Toluca Lake, CA 91602.  Hours are 9:30am to 2:30pm.

The Toluca Lake Farmer’s Market has their own website which is updated to reflect days when it will not be open as well as contains a list of regular vendors.  www.TolucaLakeFarmersMarket.com

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

As a little girl, Cinderella was one of my favorite stories.

By Shelley Rizzotti

I was always fascinated by the glass slipper…like was that really the smartest type of material to make a pair of shoes out of…?

Well, next to my fascination of the glass slipper as a child, I have begun reflecting on the fairy godmother as an adult, especially after having met the beautiful porcelain skinned woman in whose image Disney’s Fairy Godmother was envisioned.  Kendall O’Connor, a layout artist for Disney in the mid 1950′s,  envisioned that the Fairy Godmother, one so smart, witty, wise and magical, must somehow look like his lovely wife Mary Alice.  So, he imagined what Mary Alice would look like when she got older (as she was still young at the time)…and there you have it!

The adult reflecting is of how when Cinderella is running late returning to the coach, the fairy godmother is not only there to help her get away before the spell wears off, but also to gently admonishing her for cutting it so close.  Lesson learned from Fairy Godmother: procrastination causes stress.

Recently, I had the honor of meeting Mary Alice O’Connor.  Prior to this time, the only thing I knew about the name is that it is the name on the Burbank’s new Family Center on the corner of Buena Vista and Verdugo.   Well, little did I know what a powerhouse she continues to be even at 93!  Mary Alice is known by Burbank leadership and citizenry as a woman who has been involved in volunteer work her entire life, always striving to make everything she touches better and encouraging others to get involved even when times are tough.  She emanates this even as she is confined to a bed in her home.  She still loves visitors and has a piece of advice for all.  Like the Fairy Godmother, Mary Alice gently urges people to show up on time and put their best foot forward…even if it is in a glass slipper:).

Lesson learned from Mary Alice: get involved in the betterment of society!

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.

Shelley Rizzotti

LA CC to host site for 2017 Walker Cup bringing some of world’s best golfers.

By: The Zago Group

The Walker Cup is the Ryder Cup but for amateur players from the United States, Great Britain and Ireland. The Walker Cup match consists of the original format that the Ryder Cup used to have. The Match employs a combination of foursomes (alternate-shot) and singles competition and was originally the format used for the professional equivalent Ryder Cup.

The Walker Cup is played every two years and rotates between sites in the U.S. and overseas. The last time the Walker Cup was in California it was held at cypress point. The united states have won the last three Walker Cups leading up to the next showdown at Royal Aberdeen golf club in Scotland in 2011.

The Zago Group