Taste on Melrose - A great local restaurant - 10/31/08 11:16 AM

Taste on Melrose is a great neighborhood restaurant. It's friendly and relaxed, yet still has an elegant feel about it.
Taste is situated in the heart of the trendy and sophisticated stretch of Melrose - at 8454 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. They have a moderately priced wine list and they've recently obtained a full bar license.
For starters I always recommend one of their Pizzettas. My favorite is the pear & caramelized onion pizzetta with walnuts, gorgonzola and arugula.
For the main course you definitely should try the braised short ribs in a red wine reduction, with gremolta, onions, carrots and a delicious papardelle pasta. Another great dish is the grilled wild … (2 comments)

The Vet who did not Vet .... "Many a truth is told in jest" ... McCain's Pain - 10/30/08 09:43 PM
I received an email with this witty You tube clip about John McCain - "The Vet who did not Vet."
It provides some much needed comical relief at this critical time ahead of next weeks National Election.
Alec Baldwin summed up Sarah Palin perfectly, calling her "Bible Spice". One can't help crediting McCain and Palin for giving comedy writers the very best material since George Bush.

Enjoy!

… (21 comments)

Tax Cut Facts.org - Obama provides online calculator to prove the facts - 10/27/08 09:15 AM


Enough of the rhetoric and lies about Obama's Tax Plan. The Obama Campaign has released an online calculator. Do the exercise for yourself and see how Obama's plan will impact you: The Obama-Biden Tax Calculator.

For those that remain skeptical, you can also run the exercise using a calculator released by "The Tax Policy Center" - an independent, non-partisan group.
… (60 comments)

American Airlines is possibly the very worst airline in the country - 10/27/08 12:01 AM
Over the last few years I've experienced unbearable frustration when dealing with American Airlines, but this weekend I experienced the worst, the rudest and the most unfriendly service from this airline that I have ever had the misfortune of experiencing.
If American Airline dare request a bailout from taxpayer money I will campaign hard and do whatever I can to ensure they receive no such assistance ... this company deserves what they get!
I wanted to fly from Los Angeles to New York - so I thought why not fly American Airlines (AA) and upgrade my coach tickets to First Class using the huge … (11 comments)

Alaska's Natural Gas Pipeline in question - More troubling questions surround Sarah Palin - 10/25/08 07:41 PM
Seriously troubling facts have emerged concerning Alaska's proposed Natural Gas Pipeline.
"ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Gov. Sarah Palin's signature accomplishment - a contract to build a 1,715-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 - emerged from a flawed bidding process that narrowed the field to a company with ties to her administration, an Associated Press investigation shows."
Palin claimed there was a "smart and fair bidding process" - but the AP found that her team crafted terms that favored only a few independent pipeline companies and ultimately benefited the winner, TransCanada Corp.
Despite promises and legal guidance not to talk directly … (20 comments)

Obama '08 - What do the polls really mean? - 10/25/08 11:29 AM

I've been actively monitoring the various polls on a daily basis and cannot understand how Republican pundits continue to claim that the National Polls are tightening - there is simply no evidence to support this.
10/25/08 Latest National Polls:
Newsweek: Obama 53, McCain 41.Rasmussen: Obama 52, McCain 45.Gallup: Obama 51, McCain 44.Zogby: Obama 51, McCain 41.ABC: Obama 53, McCain 44.Battleground: Obama 49, McCain 46.TIPP: Obama 46, McCain 42.CBS: Obama 52, McCain 39.FOX: Obama 49, McCain 40.AP: Obama 44, McCain 43.
AVERAGE: Obama 50.0, McCain 42.5 (Obama +7.5%).
The truth is that Obama is actually pulling away and increasing his lead … (39 comments)

McCain supporter charged in hoax incident - The bottom line is she lied - 10/24/08 11:15 PM
(CNN) -- Bail was set at $50,000 Friday night for a GOP campaign worker who made up a story about being attacked by a man angered by a John McCain bumper sticker on her car.
CNN refused to run the story about 20 year old Ashley Todd, a volunteer for or a John McCain phone bank in Pittsburgh who told investigators a man approached her Wednesday night at an ATM in Pittsburgh's East End, put a blade to her neck and demanded money.
Todd originally told police a man "punched her in the back of the head, knocking her … (20 comments)

McCain's YouTube Problem - 10/24/08 11:41 AM
I received an email with a link to an interesting website that I haven't seen before: The Real McCain.com

It's intersting that on McCain's own website he states that the last 8 years haven't worked so well for the country. We all know this is mainly attributable to George Bush and his corrupt and contemptful administration. What's noteworthy is that McCain agreed with Bush's failed policies 90% of the time.

He claims he'll make the next four years better. Obviously he knows there's not a remote chance of him serving two terms. And yet he and Palin … (14 comments)

A Warning from Countrywide - Urgent Security Notification - 10/23/08 10:02 PM
Today I received a letter from Countrywide. It was a warning that a Countrywide employee (now former), may have sold client's personal information to a third party.
The urgent security notification warns that customer information involved includes names, addresses, social security numbers, mortgage loan numbers and "various other loan and application information".
Countrywide "deeply regrets this incident and takes responsibility to safeguard information .... and they will continue to work with law enforcement authorities as appropriate."
According to the letter they have arranged for complimentary credit monitoring to be provided by a Countrywide vendor at no cost to me for the next … (16 comments)

Rarely available Westwood / Century City Penthouse under $1 Million - 10/21/08 11:36 PM
… (3 comments)

It's Christmas for Sarah Palin - and she goes shopping - 10/21/08 11:04 PM
Sarah Palin claims to be a responsible spender. She talks about cutting excessess in Washington. But today's media reports show another side to John McCain's running mate ... This woman can spend.
Politico.com reports: "The Republican National Committee appears to have spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.""According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74. The records also document a couple of big-time … (42 comments)

BOA - Probably the Best Steakhouse in Los Angeles - 10/20/08 10:24 AM
Los Angeles has a huge number of restaurants and steakhouses - but BOA must rank as one of the best in the City.
To be more precise, I'm talking about BOA on Sunset Blvd, currently situated in the trendy Grafton Hotel at 8462 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, California. It's been described as offering the best quality steaks surrounded in a sexy decor.
BOA is part of the IDG Dining Group, which also owns Katana & Sushi Roku. There are two other BOA locations - Santa Monica and Las Vegas.
BOA's Menu has something for everyone, but my favorite starter is the Caesar Salad which is freshly … (0 comments)

'Joe the Plumber' Discusses Life Changes Since Becoming Media Target - 10/19/08 01:56 PM
FOX News.com featured an article on "Joe the Plumber" about how his life has been affected since he asked Barack Obama a question about his tax plan.
"I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year," he told Obama. "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?"
We then learnt that the plumbing business does not make that kind of money, but rather this number represents the "Purchase Price" of the business - A BIG DIFFERENCE.
Since asking that question, Joe has become the center of media attention and he is complaining … (26 comments)

Land For Sale in Bel Air / Los Angeles - $65 Million - 10/19/08 01:16 PM
WOW - Today I noticed a new listing on the Los Angeles MLS for 8 acres of land in Bel Air.
The price tag?
A mind-boggling $65,000,000 ($65 Million).
The property is described as a total of 8 acres - with 4 acres being flat. It is situated at 11101 Chalon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 - just above the Bel Air Country Club. Subdivision is possible.
I'm curious as to who would be buying such a parcel of land, so I'll keep my eyes and ears open on this one. There are no direct comps for this property since it's absolutely unique.
… (8 comments)

Converted garage could land 83-year old woman in jail - La Quinta City takes a hard-line approach - 10/18/08 04:13 PM
Today I read an article in the Los Angeles Times that got me thinking ... but I couldn't decide what the best solution was. Read on and let's share our thoughts.
An 83-year old woman in La Quinta, California, lives in a 3 bedroom house she bought 30 years ago. The City (near Palm Springs) insists that one of her three bedrooms is really an illegally converted garage.

For 18 months, the city's code enforcement officials have been instructing the owner to turn the bedroom back into a garage. She has refused to do so. Apparently this would cost her $10,000 … (28 comments)

More Hypocrisy: McCain claims he doesn't care about a washed up terrorist, yet .... - 10/17/08 09:39 AM
Despite McCain's repeated statements that he doesn't care about distractions like the hyped-up Bill Ayers controversy, his campaign and the National Republican Committee launched a massive robocall campaign on Thursday with the intention of alarming voters.
This is another desperate attempt to resucitate by his failing campaign. But the old-style Karl Rove tactics of scaring voters isn't working. The polls reflect that.Listen for yourself .... … (21 comments)

McCain claims he's not Bush - He huffed and puffed, pouted and rolled his eyes - 10/16/08 11:23 AM
The third and final presidential candidates debate featured a frustrated and flustered John McCain.
He huffed and puffed, sighed, and pouted throughout the 90 minute debate.

FOX News: Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer said, "[The debate] was a dead draw, which means Obama won resoundingly." He said Obama was "remarkably unruffled" by McCain's steady jabs at the debate.
Also on Fox News today - Question of the Day: Who won the final presidential debate?
John McCain 14%
Barack Obama 86%
What did you think of the debate? … (60 comments)

Vote NO on Prop 8 - FACT vs FICTION - 10/15/08 06:27 PM

FACT vs FICTION (Copied from the No on 8 initiative)
Fiction: Teaching children about same-sex marriage will happen here unless we pass Prop 8.
Fact: Not one word in Prop 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it, and the Yes on 8 campaign knows they are lying. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley has already ruled that this claim by Prop 8 proponents is "false and misleading."
Fiction: Churches could lose their tax-exemption status.
Fact: Nothing in … (26 comments)

California Proposition 8 (2008) - Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act - 10/13/08 09:14 PM
The November election is profoundly important to our country. Added to the ballot in California are several propositions. I've noticed that these "Propositions" are worded in a confusing way, making it difficult for voters to decide on a clearly defined issue.
Proposition 8 is no different.
"Proposition 8" is also known as the "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act". It was previously titled the "Protect Marriage Act" and has also been known as the "Same-Sex Marriage Ban."
If Proposition 8 passes, it will add a new constitutional amendment to the California Constitution that will have the following text: "Only marriage between a … (19 comments)

A Million, Billion, Trillion - and now a Quadrillion - 10/13/08 01:33 AM
Do you ever look up at the night sky filled with hundreds of blinking stars .... and think about how far away those massive, luminous balls of plasma really are?
Do you ever start thinking about the vastness of the universe and the concept of infinity? 
And then suddenly your mind aches as you battle to comprehend the enornimity of this all ... and you shake your head and need to stop that thought process - much like when your computer freezes and you need to re-boot it.
Well that happened to me today while I was reading about the magnitude of our … (2 comments)

W - A film by Oliver Stone - 10/11/08 01:16 AM

Oliver Stone, the maker of highly acclaimed movies such as Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, JFK, Nixon, and Wall Street, presents his latest project, W - A chronicle on the life and presidency of George W. Bush. The Lionsgate movie is billed as a comedy, but if Bush's presidency wasn't in it's final weeks, the movie would be seen as a horror movie instead.
W stars Josh Brolin as George W Bush. Josh's dad, James Brolin, played Ronald Reagan in the highly controversial 2003 CBS TV movie that ultimately got bumped from the network.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Oliver Stone portrays George Bush, the most … (8 comments)

Connecticut Ruling Overturns Ban on Same-Sex Marriage - 10/11/08 01:10 AM
Slowly, slowly equality and justice prevails.
Buried in today's news about the further meltdown of global stock markets and the report that Sarah Palin violated ethics rules, is the liberating news that Connecticut overturned a ban on same-sex marriage.
Connecticut became the third state to legalize same-sex marriage today in a 4-3 decision by the state Supreme Court.
Connecticut joins California and Massachusetts, which became the first state to allow same-sex marriage in 2004.
"This is a very proud day for Connecticut and a very proud day for every American who believes in the promise of equal rights for … (7 comments)

The 2008 Financial Meltdown - An Unimagined Crisis - 10/09/08 01:23 PM

The euphemistically termed "meltdown" in the financial world is really a crisis of enormous proportions.
"The world's central banks launched a large coordinated attack against the widening global financial crisis, lowering short-term interest rates in unison. The emergency action, which involved the Fed, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and others, is a sign that fears that the financial crisis could cripple the global economy are spreading rapidly" - Wall Street Journal
"Fed Can't Stop the Bleeding. Global Markets Remain Strained" - Fox News
"The US treasury secretary has warned some banks will still fail despite the $700bn government rescue package to … (11 comments)

Did you know Donald Trump is building in Dubai? - The Palm Jumeirah - 10/08/08 04:49 PM
Trump Tower Dubai - Egomaniacal Billionaire Donald Trump is building a 62-storey mixed-use condo-hotel with a 300 room five-star hotel, and 360 freehold residential apartments.
This joint venture between the Trump Organization and Nakheel is Donald Trump's first venture in the Middle East. (Nakheel is one of the world's biggest real estate developers and is owned by the Dubai govenment).
"I have created some of the world's most spectacular buildings and hotels, but my project with Nakheel will be one of the most impressive undertakings I have ever been a part of. Palm Jumeirah is on course to becoming one of the … (14 comments)

McCain is tired & stale, and offers nothing new - We need Barack Obama - 10/07/08 09:40 PM
The second presidential debate was yet another clear example of how tired and stale John McCain's policies are, and a clear indication that he in not the right person to lead our country out of our current political and economic crises.
McCain persisted with his rehearsed arsenal of sound-bites, and much like Palin in the vice presidential debate, he continually changed the subject of the questions posed to him and did not openly and frankly answer them. McCain failed to add anything fresh and inspiring to the conversation.
Obama was forced to correct several false statements and half-thruths put forward by McCain throughout … (114 comments)

Dubai Moves to Bolster Domestic Property Market - 10/07/08 12:23 PM
Real Estate Markets around the world are in trouble - that's an obvious fact. However, Dubai appeared to be in its own bubble, with phenominal development occuring and huge amounts of capital poring into that market.
But it seems as though Dubai is no longer immune to the credit crunch affecting the global economy.
According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal: "Dubai property prices have rocketed in the few years since the United Arab Emirates opened its market to foreigners. However, sky-high oil prices that have long fed the region's economic boom are falling back." 
"Borrowing costs have … (4 comments)

Professional Organizer can help you sell your property - Clearing Space for organized living - 10/05/08 05:50 PM
I am currently working with a "Professional Organizer" - Rosalind Lakomy, owner of  "Clearing Space" - who has been employed to help prepare a condo For Sale. The listing I have was awarded to me by the beneficiaries of a deceased estate.
Rosalind is arranging for all the furniture to either be sold or stored, so that the condo is vacant when I begin marketing later this month. She is also arranging for the condo to be painted throughout, have minor repairs taken care of, and oversee the professional cleaning of the condo.
My assessment is that whoever buys the condo will want to remodel and update the … (13 comments)

Electronic Assistance in The Westfield Century City Mall Parking Garage - 10/05/08 01:01 PM
The Westfield Century City Shopping Mall (on Santa Monica Blvd.) has recently installed a simple, yet brilliant system to assist customers find parking in the mall's parking structure.
We've all seen the electronic signs that indicate how many parking spaces are open on each level, but the Westfield Mall has taken this concept further.
Not only do their signs indicate the number of free spaces, but they also indicate where "disabled parking spaces" are.
Now what they've added is a sensor above each parking space with a green, red or blue light to indicate if a space is taken, free, or available for disabled drivers.
… (3 comments)

West Hollywood Condo Report - September 2008 - 10/05/08 12:07 AM
SEPTEMBER 2008 - Total Value of Condos Sold: $10,296,500 ($14,828,500)
CONDOS: () Previous Month Figures
Median Price: $640,000 ($544,500)
Average Selling Price: $605,676 ($617,854)
Average List Price: $$634,835 ($644,579)
Therefore, Average Sales Price was 95.41% (95.9%) of List Price
Lowest Price Condo Sold: $310,000 ($370,000)
Highest Price Condo Sold: $875,000 ($1,525,000)
Number of Listings Sold: 17 (24)
MEDIAN SALES PRICES:
August 2008: $544,500 / July 2008: $421,000 / June 2008: $585,000 / May 2008 - $519,000
April 2008 - $516,500 / March 2008 - $615,000 / February 2008 - $618,250 / January 2008 - $620,000
For further information, please contact:
 Stewart Penn - … (0 comments)

Credit Cards - Credit Limits get decreased and catch consumers off-guard - 10/04/08 05:10 PM
This week I spoke to two clients who received letters from American Express, advising that due to the large outstanding balances on their residential mortgage loans, American Express had reluctantly decided to lower the credit limits on their respective accounts.
Apparently American Express apologized for this action but claimed it was decided upon after a thorough review of the client's accounts.
For weeks Suzie Orman has been warning that banks would take this action to curb credit and warned that such action would have the effect of lowering individual's Fico Scores because the credit used as a percentage of the new reduced balance … (9 comments)

Is anything wrong with Liberalism? - 10/04/08 04:31 PM
While reading a Blog on the recent Vice Presidential debate, I came across a comment by an obviously conservative AciveRainer.
Why can't Liberals answer a simple question without getting snippy.
What is good about Liberalism?

This question deserves a proper answer, hence this post. But before I proceed with my answer, I was curious to see some of the titles to his posts: "Anyone excited for deer bowhunting season"; "Will somebody please sell me on Liberalism/Socialism"; "I guess the bailout isn't that urgent".
-- The definition of "Liberalism"on Wikipedia includes the following points: "A broad array of related ideas and theories … (44 comments)

Taxpayers for Common Sense - It's time for politicians to prioritize spending - 10/03/08 09:39 AM


The "$700 Billion Bailout Plan" - euphemistically called "The Rescue Plan" - is an instinctively wrong but practically essential step to ease the financial crisis plagueing our financial system.
What is most disturbing is the fact that the House of Representatives rejected the Bill on Monday 9/29/08, which was then modified and then approved by the Senate on Wednesday 10/01/08. The tweaked Bill contains some ridiculous items not related to the Rescue Plan at all. The outrageous "Pork" (aka sweetners) items are discussed on The Taxpayers for Common Sense website:
Sec. 503. Exemption from excise tax for certain wooden arrows designed for use by … (2 comments)

Religulous by Bill Maher - Politically incorrect, outspoken & always controversial - 10/01/08 09:13 PM
Religulous- A satirical documentary by Bill Maher- due for release in October 2008.
"Religulous describes religious ideas, beliefs, or claims that are patently absurd, comical, or ridiculous."
Bill Maher is one of the smartest, wittiest and on-the-mark comedians around. His weekly HBO show, "Real Time", is brilliantly funny (always provocative) and hugely entertaining while providing an open and honest forum to debate important social and political issues. He usually features controversial and opinionated guests that aren't afraid to present their views.
Prior to having a show on HBO, Bill hosted the late-night television talk show "Politically Incorrect". Politically Incorrect was a late-night, half-hour … (24 comments)

 
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Stewart Penn - DRE# 01339266

West Hollywood, CA

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