Gas, How Much is it Costing You?
As we are approaching the summer of 2008,
how will the gas prices effect your travel plans?
Will you be able to really afford to fill up your tank?
Full service is out of sight at this Shell
Gas Station in Palm Springs California, a favorite tourist and resort spot.
Fed Trims Rate to 2%, Signals Ready to Consider Pause
April 30 (Bloomberg) -The Federal Reserve lowered the main U.S. interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point and indicated it's ready to take a break after seven cuts since September.
"The substantial easing of monetary policy to date, combined with ongoing measures to foster market liquidity, should help to promote moderate growth over time," the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement after meeting today in Washington. "The committee will continue to monitor economic and financial developments and will act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability."
While a nine-month contraction in credit and soaring fuel prices have pushed the economy to the edge of a recession, confidence has begun to return to financial markets. Inflation expectations are also picking up, driven by near record prices for oil and higher food expenses. Stocks pared gains after the decision, while the dollar and Treasury notes were little changed.
"The Fed is buying extra insurance against a deeper recession," said Arun Raha, vice president and senior economist at Swiss Re. The Fed will be reluctant to cut any further."
The central bank added that "financial markets remain under considerable stress, and tight credit conditions and the deepening housing contraction are likely to weigh on economic growth over the next few quarters."
Inflation Outlook Oil prices marched to another record high of $119.93 a barrel on April 28. The Fed said indicators of inflation expectations have risen.
The committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters, reflecting the projected leveling-out of energy and other commodity prices and an easing of pressures on resource utilization," the Fed added. "It will be necessary to continue to monitor inflation developments carefully," the Fed said.
"Credit markets seem to have stabilized in most areas," Brian Sack, senior economist at Macroeconomic Advisers LLC in Washington, said before the meeting. "We believe that the Federal Open Market Committee is ready to slow the pace of its actions."
Frankie Munoz Buys Loft in the Eastern Columbia
Munoz neighbors are non other than Johnny Depp, John Stamos, Sidney Sheldon and Lucinda Williams
Muniz purchased a 2,900-square-foot loft in the $2.9 million neighborhood.
Manhattan Real Estate is Hot!
Manhattan real estate has shot up 41% in 2008, contrary to the economic slowdown across the United States. The average home in Manhattan appreciated from $1.1M to $1.6M. Demand is strong for luxury property which flies in the face of huge bank losses. "Manhattan's luxury market for high-end properties continues to remain untouched by the slowing economy," said the Real Estate Board's president Steven Spinola.
Brooklyn was up about 3% and across the city, realtors are reporting prices up 28% fueled by the gains in Manhattan. All is not well in other parts of the city however. Queens and Staten Island are off 5% and the Bronx slipped 1%.
Marty Halfon: Keller Williams
Beverly Hills Real Estate
Marty Halfon
The real estate market is in dire transition. Real estate companies are consolidating and many agents are getting out of the business.
Foreclosures are at record highs. Major institutions such as Bear Stearns have gone under because of the sub prime markets and bad loans yet the Beverly Hills real estate market maintains its value.
Read Marty Halfon's full profile.
Century Project Construction Gets Under Way On Avenue Of The Stars
The 42-story Century City high rise condo project will sit on nearly four acres of landscaped garden property. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, this new addition to the Westside skyline features sweeping views from downtown L. A. to the Pacific.
This project features two and four bedroom residences priced from $3,500,000 to over $10,000,000.
More info at The Century website
Double Lot on Broadmoor's Fairway - Seattle $5.8M
click to enlarge pics.
A reconstruction of enormous proportions. A trophy manse; a Tudor stance. Broadmoor is a gated residential community of 85 acres with a golf course of 115 acres wrapping its perimeter. It is adjacent to the Washington Park Arboretum and just blocks from the popular village of Madison Park. MORE INFO
$400 Million Century City/Beverly Hills High Rise Project Unveiled
An artist-rendering of the proposed
building at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Plans for a 45-story, wisp-thin tower of ultra-luxury condominiums between Beverly Hills High School and the Los Angeles Country Club were recently unveiled by developers say it would be one of the most expensive residential buildings in the West.
The $400-million tower along one of the area's busiest corridors would be the first building in California designed by renowned Paris architect Jean Nouvel, known for his daring designs. He is proposing a narrow glass structure with sweeping views through the building and extensive greenery ringing each floor.
Featured Restaurants this Week Pink Taco - website 310.789.1000
Funky Mexican cuisine
Monday to Thursday: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Friday to Saturday: 11:00am to 12:00am
Sunday: 11:00am to 10:00pm
Houston's American
Fine Dining
310.557.1285
Sunday to Thursday:11:30am to 10:00pm
Friday to Saturday : 11:30am to 11:00pm
Breadbar Bakery/Cafe
310.277.3770
Monday to Sunday: 8am to 9pm
Gulfstream Seafood
310.553.3636
Sunday to Thursday: 11:30am to 10:00pm
Friday to Saturday: 11:30am to 11:00am
Century City Shopping Center-
10250 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90067-6501
Beverly Hills FASHION
Into the Wild
by Bradley Tuck - A photo story on one of the hottest model/actresses and her career. L.A. Direct Magazine
Get a peek into the mind of a modern-day siren. Olivia Wilde opens up about her bustling career, secret marriage and the youth of America. FULL STORY
Leasing program delivers watch of one’s dreams at
affordable monthly payments.
Los Angeles—First Watch Leasing, a new financing company, is making it affordable and attainable for consumers to wear the timepieces they’ve only dreamt about.
With lease-to-own and lease-and-return options, First Watch Leasing allows customers to wear timepieces whose costs would otherwise be out of reach. The EliteLease program mirrors the financing that astute shoppers have used for years to acquire a range of luxury goods.
First Watch Leasing is available at West Time in Beverly Hills READ FULL ARTICLE
Linz Sheldon, Los Angeles Handbag Designer has the World in “Cuffz”
by Sofia Shershunovich
Paris Hilton
Linz Shelton, once a young fun loving student in London, UK, decided she was sick of loosing her handbag while bar hopping. Linz and her friends used to laugh and say “my bag should be handcuffed to me”. That’s how original CUFFZ "Barfly" was born. Linz came up with sexy, edgy designs and a concept – cuff the bag to your wrist, your jeans, or even the bar while dancing, and your belongings are safe. VIEW PICS
Theodore Moving to Camden Drive
After 30 years, Theodore, one of LA's premiere fashion destination is moving locations in Beverly Hills, taking Theodore to the next level.
The new space is expanding and enhancing the current Theodore experience while continuing to carry fun, irreverent and avant garde designs for which they are known, such as Alexander McQueen, Ann Demeulemeester, Martin Margiela, A & G Cashmere, The Great China Wall plus LA Basics like True Religion and James Perse.
The store will be in their digs May 1, which will coincide with the launch of their new website www.theodorebh.com
Locations: Theodore / Theodore Man
OLD - 451 North Rodeo Drive , B.H. 90210
NEW-332 Camden Drive, B.H. 90210 310.274.8029
Theodore / Theodore Man
4734 Admiralty Way, M.D.R. 310.578.5214
Theodore
4719 Commons Way , Calabasas 818.591.4299
Louis Vuitton 295 North Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 310.859.0458
Michael Kors 360 North Rodeo Drive,
Beverly Hills, CA 310.777.8862
Levis 316 North Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills , CA 90210 310.246.9044
Neiman Marcus 9700 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills CA 90212
310.550.5900 877.634.6263
Prada 343 N Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 310.278.8661
Ralph Lauren444 North Rodeo Drive,
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310.281.1500
Beverly Hills PEOPLE
Canary Hotel in
Downtown
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara's New, Fashionable Address
SANTA BARBARA, CA The Edward Thomas Collection of Hotels (ETC) announces the January
2008 hatching of Canary Hotel steps from State Street and the cultural hub of town. Canary Hotel joins its sister hotels in Santa Monica, Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar, as one of California's chicest nests. Owned by "second generation" hoteliers, Thomas and Edward Slatkin, their family were the former proprietor of the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Canary Hotel is fun, yet elegant, a private island in the heart of the shopping and cultural district in downtown Santa Barbara. FULL STORY & PHOTOS.
Nikki Haskell: Making High-End Health And Fitness Accessible to All
Nikki Haskell
Nikki Haskell is a remarkable entrepreneur and a pioneer in her chosen fields, one of the first women Wall Street Stockbrokers. Nikki shifted her focus to the entertainment industry and became a film producer, talk show hostess, and an extraordinary party-giver.
Her latest accomplishment is in the field of health and beauty. Her company, Balanced Health Products, has been in business for 25 years with “Nikki Haskell’s StarCaps, a highly effective dietary supplement. People Magazine says that StarCaps are the favorite of the red carpet set. Entertainment tonight says stars like Jack Nicholson, Melanie Griffith can’t live without them.
Extra and the Tyra Banks show aired a piece on celebrity weight loss and showed famed model Beverly Johnson who just lost 30 lbs on StarCaps. StarCaps are sold throughout the world at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Great Earth and better drug stores and health food stores and at StarCaps.com or call
1.800.481.THIN. FULL STORY
HOW TO SURVIVE A COCKTAIL PARTY! NikkiHaskell.com
Beverly Hills High School Cancer Mystery Lingers On
Beverly Hills native and noted author Joy Horowitz continues to raise the alarm about the strange preponderance of cancer cases among people living near Beverly Hills High School. Evidence of this phenomenon was given by the Los Angeles cancer registry which found a threefold excess of thyroid cancer among young men living adjacent to Beverly Hills High School.
Additionally, Richard Clapp's study, out of Boston University's School for Public Health Research, found excess rates of cancer among graduates of BHHS from 1990-2000.
Despite the evidence cited above, companies such as Sempra and Chevron, Frontier Oil and Venoco continue to maintain there is no statistically sound evidence for any link between the cancers and the Beverly High oil well and adjoining powerplant.
This case has gathered much attention over the past few years, including efforts by famed anti-toxic chemical activist Erin Brockovich and her law firm of Masry and Vititoe, which brought suit against the operators of the oil well and chemical plant. In November of 2006 the first 12 plaintiff cases were dismissed in this matter but the case continues to be litigated.
Beverly Hills HEALTH & BEAUTY
Top Hair Salons and Day Spas in Beverly Hills and Westside
Watch videoof the "Sexy Hair" commercial playing on the Jumbotron featuring Katharine McPhee.
Beverly Hills ENTERTAINMENT
The Hollywood Walk of Fame Honors Sean Diddy Combs
Sean Diddy Combs
This Friday, May 2nd, Sean Diddy Combs will receive a star in front of the Hollywood asssssHollywood at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Jersey Boys Opens in Las Vegas
Las Vegas production of JERSEY BOYS starring Rick Faugno as Frankie Valli, directed by Des McAnuff, opens Saturday May 3. Celebrities expected: Franki Valli and the surviving Four Seasons, Bob Gaudio and Tommy DeVito; Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Siegfried & Roy, Donna Summer, John Cleese, Billy Crystal, Joe Pesci, Michael Urie, Rita Rudner and others. 9:00 curtain call. The Palazzo, The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas.
Playboy Jazz Festival Free Concert May 4
The Playboy Jazz Festival presents a free concert with Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, plus Latin trumpeter Bobby Rodriguez and his sizzling salsa band. Join us at the Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza, 450 N. Rexford Drive, between Santa Monica Blvd. and Burton Way, Beverly Hills. Sunday May 4 at 3:00 pm
HBO's Entourage Filming on the Street in Beverly Hills
[L-R] Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon
Kevin Connolly,Adrian Grenier, and Kevin Dillon of Entourage were walking the streets of Beverly Hills today and Beverly Hills People was on hand as they were filming on Dayton Way.
The early morning shoot took place just off Rodeo Drive across from the Grill on the Alley.
[L-R] Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon
Entourage filming went on during morning rush hour and included pedestrian traffic flowing through their shot.
What a pleasure to have HBO film in Beverly Hills without disrupting the business and the city. "Hey Entourage when are you coming back".
Kevin Connolly
Marvel Comics in Production on
Self-Financed "Iron Man"
Iron Man alias Tony Stark, plays a middle-aged bad-boy superhero [Robert Downey Jr.] and all indications are this has the makings of a super hit.
In development since 1990, Iron Man is a mix of hi tech and 50's sci-fi with a dose of RoboCop and Spider-Man. His Girl Friday, Pepper Potts is played by Gwyneth Paltrow.
Watch out for a $50M marketing campaign reminiscent of the Transformers. Set for release is a video game from Sega and a thirty second spot played during Super Bowl XLII. Hasbro will be creating armor while Burger King and Audi will promote the film.
Paramount Pictures/Marvel Entertainment
Director: Jon Favreau
Writers: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. WATCH TRAILER
Smoky Robinson Foundation Dinner: “Special Occasion”
by Karen Salkin
Smokey to Karen: “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me.”
Think about this--have you ever heard anyone utter a negative word about Smokey Robinson? I think not. I was pondering that the other night (and people think I have too much time on my hands!) and I realized that Smokey is possibly the only universally-loved person ever.
I’ve had the good fortune to meet him three times prior to his Foundation dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel the other night, and he’s been equally gracious to me every time. This one was no exception. He’s so lovely that he makes me feel like he’s actually happy to meet me! And he’s that way with everyone. What a special human being. READ FULL STORY
Britney Spears New Body!
Britney Spears on the beach in Malibu
Britney Spears is looking good! After a month of serious dieting and a lot of workouts, she is on her way back to her dancer's body.
She has dropped over 20 pounds and gone is the cellulite.
Check her out coming out of the water at the beach in Malibu.
Read the Star May 5 issue for her diet and workout secrets.
Producer Neal Moritz New Film,
"Made of Honor"
The lovable Patrick Dempsey, star of the movie "Enchanted" and "Grey's Anatomy" is featured in what looks to be another hit film "Made of Honor" produced by Hollywood's hottest producer, Neal Moritz. Moritz has produced five $100 million movies since 1999, The Fast and the Furious franchise, SWAT, XXX, I am a Legend and Sweet Home Alabama. He just signed a new five year, first look deal with Sony Studios until 2012. He is in development with "The Green Hornet" as well as the "Battle: Los Angeles", "R.I.P.D", directed by David Dobkin, "Man Witch," to be helmed by Todd Phillips, and the remake of "Escape From New York." Neal is in production once again the fourth "Fast and the Furious." VIEW TRAILER
Friday, April 25th
Hank Azaria 1967
Paul Mazursky 1930
Stu Cook (CCR) 1945
Al Pacino 1940
Jerry Leiber 1933
Talia Shire 1946
Meadowlark Lemon 1932
Renee Zellweger 1969
Saturday, April 26th
Carol Burnett 1933
Richard Lynch 193
Michael
Damian 1962
Boyd Matson 1947
Duane Eddy 1938
Bobby Rydell 1942
Jet Li 1963
Tom Welling 1977
Saturday, April 26th
Judy Carne
1939
Casey Kasem 1932
Sheena Easton 1959
Jack Klugman 1922
Ace Frehley
1951
Douglas Sheehan 1949
Cuba Gooding Sr. 1944
Emergency: West Coast Premiere at the Geffen Theatre
Daniel Beaty
Award-winning artist Daniel Beaty portrays a cast of 40 characters who all respond to a stunning phenomenon. A slave ship rises out of the Hudson River in front of the Statue of Liberty sending the nation into a whirlwind of emotion and exploration in this solo tour de force featuring slam poetry, multi-character transformation and song. In his critically acclaimed one-man show,
Beaty takes us on our own 400-year journey in order to see a clear picture of where we stand now. Through the character's various testimonies on identity and personal freedom, Emergency weaves a stirring commentary on modern black life.
Geffen website.
John Varvatos Hosts Stuart House Benefit Featuring Cheap Trick
& Alice Cooper
Cheap Trick and Alice Cooper performed at the Sixth Annual John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit, a block party of sorts on Melrose Avenue. The affair was hosted by Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber.
Jeremy Piven and Dylan McDermott made an afternoon appearance. READ STORY
The Fifth Annual Beverly Hills
International Music Festival
"Music Around the World"
August 1 - 10, 2008 at the
Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church 505 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Another exciting and eclectic season of performing arts is about to begin at BHIMF. You are invited to join us in the months to come in a broad and colorful spectrum of arts experiences, including learning from international guest artists and recitals showcasing our faculty, instrumental ensembles, orchestra programs, and more! FULL INVITATION VIEW SCHEDULE
