The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

Good  morning and welcome to the Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.  Sunny, hot and humid.  Another beach day, don't you think?  We've got to get ready for the long weekend... Get a good "base tan" so we won't get burned - right?  We hope you can take a few days off and enjoy yourself.

We have two real estate items for you today but first...

 Welcome to Venice Beach!

Venice Beach has a 3 mile beach, but tourists go there to shop and stare. During the summer there's street entertainment everywhere, including musicians, singers, jugglers, acrobats, mimes, comics, magicians, and fortune tellers. You'll see folks with multicolored hair, painted faces, bizarre tattoos, and wacky clothes - or lack thereof. The Boardwalk is a circus with plenty of funky shops. There are also basketball, handball, shuffleboard and paddle tennis courts. Muscle Beach is where bodybuilders pump iron and show off in public.

 EarthCam brings you a live webcam from the lively and famous Venice Beach, California, from the Venice Beach Suites and Hotel.

Soak in the sunny vistas of the Pacific Ocean and Ocean Front Walk, also called the Venice Boardwalk. Relax and enjoy multiple views of Venice Beach's unique street performers, sidewalk vendors, artists, shops, restaurants, "muscle beach" and colorful murals.

Real Estate news:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sales of new homes rose in July, but still fell short of economists' expectations, and home prices continued to sink.

The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that new-home sales rose by 2.4 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 515,000 units, the most since April. But sales in June had plummeted to a pace of just 503,000 - down from previous estimates of 530,000 - to mark the worst showing since September 1991.

Economists forecasted sales to drop in July, but expected the pace to be around 525,000. Given June's sharp downward revision, the level of home sales in July turned out to be less than analysts were anticipating.

Even with the over-the-month increase, new-home sales are down a whopping 35.3 percent from last July, underscoring just how much the housing market has eroded. However, David Seiders, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, is looking for the pace of new-home sales to stabilize in the second half of this year.

 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Orders for big-ticket manufactured goods turned in a second consecutive strong monthly performance in July, a far bigger-than-expected gain led by a huge jump in demand for commercial aircraft.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that orders for durable goods rose 1.3 percent last month, far above the slight 0.1 percent increase economists had been expecting.

The July increase matched a 1.3 percent rise in June, which was revised up from an earlier reading of 0.8 percent. Both months turned in the strongest gains since a 4.1 percent surge last December.

Economists had been expecting a far weaker showing in July reflecting their views that the manufacturing sector is being battered by the slowdown facing the overall economy. Instead, the report showed surprising strength in a number of areas.

Demand for commercial aircraft shot up 28 percent, a rebound following a 21.3 percent drop in June.

Orders for motor vehicles rose by 1.2 percent, the second straight monthly increase. However, economists do not believe that strength can be sustained given all the troubles currently facing the auto industry.

Overall, orders for transportation equipment were up 3.1 percent last month after a 1.9 percent drop in June. Outside of transportation, orders posted a 0.7 percent increase, surpassing the 0.3 percent decline analysts had expected.

Strength outside of transportation reflected strong gains in such areas as primary metals, including steel and machinery.

Non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, a category seen as a good proxy for business investment, also rose by a strong 2.6 percent last month, the best showing since April.

We're at www.patandmelody.com if you need us.  Have a great one! 

 The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

Tuesday morning as we move closer to a long weekend.  Labor Day coming right up.  This is a time when real estate goes into hibernation as agents take a few days off.  We all need a day off now and then.

How about checking out the beach from your desk?  The Wave Cam has arrived.  Check out  http://www.hermosawave.net/webcam/

 A shot of Hermosa.

 The Surf Report on KMET has met its match.  We loved having the report from surfers from San Diego to Santa Barbara every day.

Real Estate news:  Sales in the west have increased while inventory continues to grow.   

Wall St slips on oil, housing price data
Tuesday August 26, 9:44 am ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks slipped on Tuesday as oil prices rose and data showed prices of U.S. single-family homes fell at a record pace in June.

The Dow Jones industrial average (DJI:^DJI - News) was down 37.86 points, or 0.33 percent, at 11,348.39. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (^SPX - News) was down 2.31 points, or 0.18 percent, at 1,264.53. The Nasdaq Composite Index (Nasdaq:^IXIC - News) was down 3.49 points, or 0.15 percent, at 2,362.10.

The market reacting o June numbers... July numbers are up! 

You need real estate info?  Go to www.patandmelody.com We can help:

Serving - Los Angeles area including Westside, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Malibu, Marina Del Rey, Venice, Mar Vista, Palms, Culver City, Century City, Beach Cities,  West Hollywood, West Los Angeles,  Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista and beyond. . .

Let us help you relocate to a new home or property in Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Sunset Strip, Los Feliz and Hancock Park as well as the Los Angeles County areas. We can direct you to a church or synagogue, a hotel, local news, maps, city info, city statistics, and more - everything you need to become familiar with any of these beautiful areas.

We're here every day to help!  See you tomorrow

 

The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

 

It’s Monday.  The Olympics are over… back to work time.  It’s nice to know the games are on TV during prime time when you can’t find anything else to watch.  We didn’t go overboard watching the games but… we’d tune in from time to time.  Closing ceremonies

Are like watching a giant party winding down.  Kind of sad.  It was a good show though.

 

Anoter day like yesterday today in the southland.  Maybe even a thunderstorm or two on the eastern edge of LA.  Sunny, warm, and humid.  This may be another beach day.

 

How about Del Mar beach?

 

Del Mar’s Beginnings

In 1882, the Southern California Railroad began its new route from San Diego to San Bernardino.  A man by the name of Theodore Loop, who worked for the railroad, instantly fell in love with what he called "the most attractive place on the entire coast."   He and his wife, Ella, built a tent city on the beach, which Ella called Del Mar after a popular poem titled, "The Fight on Paseo Del Mar."

 

The same year Colonel Jacob Taylor also stumbled upon Del Mar. In 1883, he decided to take advantage of the land boom that was taking place and bought 338.11 acres of land for $1,000. Colonel Taylor designed and built a resort named Casa Del Mar, which he thought would become a resort destination for the rich and famous. It briefly thrived before succumbing to bankruptcy, flood, and fire (in that order) by 1890.

 

Several years later, the South Coast Land Company eventually built a new hotel called the Stratford Inn. From the moment it opened its doors in 1910, the hotel became a focal point of town and a magnet for Hollywood stars.

 

In the 1920's an event occurred that would change Del Mar  forever — the City received electricity from San Diego Gas and  Electric. With electricity, residential areas of Del Mar began developing at a record pace.

 

By 1958, Del Mar residents began to debate whether they wanted the area to continue to be a part of San Diego, or attempt independence through incorporation. In 1959, residents chose incorporation and established a council-manager form of government, which continues today.

 

Today, Del Mar remains one of the most beautiful destinations along the Western Coastline.   The City is comprised of two square miles of coastal land and has a population around 4,500.

 

In the news:

Futures point to weaker Wall St; home sales eyed.

 

U.S. stock futures point to a slightly weaker Wall Street open after strong gains on Friday. By 0854 GMT, S&P 500 futures SPc1, Nasdaq 100 futures NDc1 and Dow Jones futures DJc1 were down 0.2 to 0.3 percent.

 

* A top Korean regulator on Monday voiced concern about state-run Korea Development Bank's [KDB.UL] interest in buying a global bank after KDB said on Friday it was open to such an acquisition and named Lehman (LEH.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) as one of its options. Lehman stock in Frankfurt (LHMH.F: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) was down 7.5 percent. For more, double click on [ID:nSEO367339].

 

* No major company is due to announce Q2 results, but U.S. homes sales data, due at 1400 GMT, will be in focus.

 

* Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Friday the stronger dollar and lower oil prices, along with the weak economy, should curb inflation, in a hint that interest rates should stay on hold, though he warned the inflation outlook is "highly uncertain".

 

The market goes up and down… In the end real estate does the same but historically increases… Like Del Mar where Col. Taylor bought 338.11 acres of land for $1,000.

Today a thousand dollars will buy you a nice dinner in Del Mar.

 

If you need us www.patandmelody.com  We’re here.  Have a great day.

 

"The Hotel California" one our favorite Beverly Hills locations.

Sunny Sunday!  It's going to get a little warmer today so be prepared.  It looks like another perfect day for the beach. On the Westside here's the place. 

Santa Monica's stunning beach is the city's greatest natural asset. Blessed with 3.5 miles of broad sandy coastline and more than 340 days of sunshine per year, Santa Monica serves as the perfect backdrop for the sun-kissed, fit California beach life style.

Cleaned and raked daily, Santa Monica State Beach offers a picturesque, panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean at its best. Dolphins, who often choose this stretch of shore for a playful morning swim, add to the atmosphere of health and leisure, as do the dedicated joggers enjoying the moderate climate and fresh sea air.

With manned lifeguard stations, casual eateries, equipment rental spots, public fitness and activity facilities, a fabulous bike trail, wooden pathways for beachgoers with disabilities and warm days (daytime temperatures average mid-60s to low 70s F in winter and 80s F in the summer), it's not hard to see why Santa Monica State Beach is a favorite destination for people of all ages.

When I was in high school we used to hitch hike from the valley to Sorrento Beach which was at the base of the California Incline.  The Sorrento Grill had cheese burgers that were great.  Go to the beach and have a blast today!

Before the beach: go to and surf the web for homes.

 www.themlsweekendopenhouseguide.com  If you're looking; this is the place to begin the search.  See something you like?  www.patandmelody.com and we're here to help.

Have a great Sunday!

The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

 

The weekend has arrived---Whoo Ya!  Sunny and a few degrees warmer.  SoCal weather at its finest.  Living in LA all of my life we’ve had a chance to meet a lot of people who have moved here from all over the world.  They all agree on one thing; LA has the best weather in the world.  We agree.

 

Today we begin with www.themlsweekendopenhouseguide.com  If you’re looking this is the place to begin the search.  See something you like?  www.patandmelody.com and we’re here to help.

 

From our blog:  This note:

 

 

HI PAT & MELODY,

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I HAVE LOCATED A "BLAST" FROM THE PAST!! I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE KNEW THAT "KMET" COULD EVER BE REPLACED, NOT WITH KLOS (SORRY MARK & BRIAN) OR ANY OTHER RADIO STATION!!!

I TOO AM A "RAINER" NOT VERY GOOD AT BLOGGING, BUT ABSOLUTELY LOVE WHAT ACTIVERAIN HAS TO OFFER. SO, TO MY SURPRISE AS I AM SEARCHING FOR ANY INFORMATION REGARDING KMET ON UTUBE AND OTHER SEARCH SITES... I SEE "FISH REPORT WITH A BEAT FRIDAY!!" I COULDN'T CALL MY BROTHER FAST ENOUGH TO LET HIM KNOW THAT I DID BETTER... I FOUND PARAQUAT KELLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE BEEN BOTHERING HIM FOR YEARS TO FIND HIS CASSETTES OF THE "FRIDAY FISH REPORT" HE TAPED THE SHOW EVERY FRIDAY. I JUST WANT TO VISIT THAT TIME ONCE AGAIN IN MY LIFE. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE CAN YOU CONNECT ME WITH SOMEONE THAT HAS ARCHIVED THE TAPES OF THAT SHOW? THANKS FROM A KMET FAN!!!

 

Your’re welcome.  I’ve got some and I’m trying to organize them.  Hang in there!

 

From LA Councilmember Tom LaBonge: Important LA information.

 

Despite the City Council  recess this week, things were very busy in

the Fourth Council District.  For more information on any of the issues

here, please visit:  www.tomlabonge.com

 

- The big news was in Griffith Park.  Five suspicious fires last

Saturday afternoon prompted Tom to issue an alert to all park users:  If

you see smoke, fire or suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 immediately.  The

Los Angeles Fire Department is investigating the fires as arson.  The

fires are happening at the most dangerous time of year for the park.

California Chaparral is highly susceptible to brush fires. Current low

rainfall, hot weather, low humidity, and wind contribute to a high fire

hazard.  Bulletins were distributed to all Griffith Park venues this

week; copies of it in English, Spanish and Korean are attached here.

Please forward to anyone you know who uses the park  To receive timely

notification of a major fire-related events in Los Angeles, sign up for

text alerts at www.lafd.org

 

Several major CD4 planning issues have been aired recently:

 

-       The preservation plan for the Hancock Park HPOZ, which Tom has

supported for years, was unanimously approved by the City Council on

August 13th.  The plan specifies which aspects of a remodeling plan are

subject to review.  The HPOZ will take affect when the preservation plan

is approved by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, which should happen quickly.

 

-       The Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously that an

application to make Griffith Park a historic-cultural monument of the

City of Los Angeles deserves full consideration.  The Office of Historic

Resources will present its report back to the commission this fall.

Tom, who is widely considered Griffith Park’s strongest ally and

protector, supported the application.  The councilmember also wants to

make sure, however, that making the park a historic monument would not

impede improvements like the recently upgraded park water system.

 

-       The Larchmont community weighed in Tom’s proposed zoning

restrictions to preserve Larchmont Village last week.  Councilmember

LaBonge proposed limiting the building height in this popular, two-block

shopping village and limiting the width of individual shops.  The new

restrictions are expected to be considered by the Los Angeles Planning

Commission some time this fall.

 

Have a great weekend and continue to enjoy and love Los Angeles!

 

Ditto from us!  See you tomorrow.

The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

 

Friday at last.  Spring-like weather is how it’s being described.  Low 80’s for downtown LA. What a fantastic place to live.

 

The ratings indicate lots of people are watching The Olympics.  I tune in occasionally but overall find it boring.  The poor Chinese merchants depicted on the front page of the Times; their Olympic business dream… a bust.  Of course it is the LA Times reporting the story so consider the source.

 

Tomorrow the weekend open house guide will be posted.  If you need us www.patandmelody.com

 

From ThHills Greater Association of realtors… a Trend Report on those tankless water heaters.

 

Tankless water heaters don't always reduce energy bills

Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

Before installing a tankless water heater like the one above, consider the specifications of home and machine

Improper installation or product sizing can get in the way of any instant energy savings. Before installing, consider all the specifications.

 

By Scott Marshutz, Special to The Times
 

STEVE BROWNELL has a dim view of his tankless water heater, and he's in denial about his utility bills.

Three years ago, the Irvine resident installed the heater in his 3,000-square-foot, single-story home with the goal that the unit would pay for itself fairly quickly through lower gas bills and provide an endless supply of hot water.

 

• Tankless water heaters: Who makes them?

"At the time, I was thinking it would be a total utility savings -- gas, water and electric," Brownell said.

Think again. Instant energy savings aren't necessarily guaranteed. Although manufacturers estimate that tankless gas-type water heaters can save between 20% to 50% on annual gas bills compared with standard tanks, improper installation or product sizing can extend the payoff time. Also, large homes with long pipe runs may require additional equipment to speed up hot water delivery to fixtures and actually drive up energy costs. This was the case in Brownell's situation.

He paid a plumber about $2,500 for the installation, which included increasing the size of his gas line, adding a carbon filter and the tankless water heater itself.

Soon after, he noticed it was taking an extremely long time for the unit to deliver hot water to his master bath shower. By Brownell's estimates, almost five minutes. He had another plumber install a recirculation pump to reduce the time, but he said it didn't help much.

After he placed several phone calls and sent a letter, the manufacturer dispatched Gabe Meier of Santa Ana-based Meier Plumbing to troubleshoot the problem.

The reason it was taking so long for Brownell to get hot water to his shower, Meier said, was that the lines in the master bathroom branch 10 to 15 feet off the main water supply line, which stretches more than 75 feet from the water heater. To fix it would require opening up a wall and extending the circulating line closer to the shower -- an extra $1,000, according to Meier. Because Brownell's master bathroom contains high-end custom stone and glass block, he elected not to have the work completed.

Even so, Meier was able to troubleshoot other areas and improve the hot water delivery.

"The recirculation pump was too small for the size of the home, and it didn't have an aquastat," Meier said, referring to a thermostat that turns off the pump when the water in the pipe reaches a certain temperature. "So we upgraded the pump and added the aquastat."

Meier also added a timer to shut the pump off for a preset number of hours and cut down on electricity usage.

Although all the extra work has helped reduce the time it takes to get his hot water, Brownell said his dream of lower utility bills has become a recurring nightmare. "I'm not saving anything," he said. "In fact, I'm paying more for all three utilities."

Most tankless installations do not incur these types of problems, Meier said, but because Brownell's house is 3,000 square feet and the pipe runs are long, the recirculation pump was necessary. "When you estimate a tankless water installation, you won't know the exact distance of the pipe runs from a main water line to the master shower, for example, without doing some extra research."

With that in mind, before having a tankless water heater installed, here are some questions that manufacturers recommend consumers consider:

* Is your plumbing contractor licensed in California and certified by the manufacturer to install the product? Most tankless water heater manufacturers provide a list of plumbing contractors authorized to service and install the units on company websites.

* Has your contractor sized the tankless water heater properly so it can serve the correct number of fixtures in your home?

* Will you need a Category III stainless vent pipe, or will the unit be installed on the home's exterior?

* Will you need to increase the size of your gas line? Tankless water heaters typically require a 3/4 -inch gas line.

* Depending on your community's water quality, will you need a water softener or another type of filtration device to protect the tankless unit from hard-water deposit buildup?

* Will you need a recirculation pump (or comparable system) to reduce the amount of time it takes to deliver hot water to your faucets and fixtures?

To encourage tankless water heater sales, Southern California Gas Co. implemented a $200 rebate program last year. For the first five months of the program, the utility recorded only 560 rebates. But as more manufacturers get on board, the number of tankless water heaters being installed in Southern California appears to be brisk.

"Our records indicate that 3,897 units have been installed so far in 2008 in our service territory" based on rebates, said Denise King, public relations manager for Sempra Energy, parent company of Southern California Gas Co.

The rebate program, which is scheduled to end Dec. 31, does not track customer satisfaction. Consumer Reports, however, will be reporting on tankless water heaters in October.

 

If you need us www.patandmelody.com  Have a great one!

The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

 

Thursday and sunny.  That describes SoCal weather in a nutshell.  Another beautiful day on tap… Enjoy!

 

A couple of headline stories that express good news regarding California real estate.

 

C.A.R. REPORTS Q2 ENTRY-LEVEL HOUSING AFFORDABILITY INCREASES 50 PERCENT
Nearly half of first-time home buyers in California were able to afford an entry-level home in California in the second quarter of 2008, according to a report released yesterday by C.A.R. Affordability rose to 48 percent in the second quarter compared with 24 percent a year ago.

At 68 percent, the High Desert region was the most affordable area in the state. The San Francisco Bay Area region was the least affordable in the state at 32 percent, followed by the Santa Clara region at 33 percent. The Monterey, Northern Wine Country, Palm Springs/Lower Desert, Santa Barbara County, Southern California, Merced, Riverside, and Sonoma regions all reached record-high affordability levels in the second quarter of 2008.

 

HOME BUILDERS' CONFIDENCE IN MARKET INCREASES IN AUGUST
Sales expectations among single-family home builders for the next six months increased two points in August to 25, while current sales conditions increased by one point to 16, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The component that measures traffic of prospective buyers remained at 12.

The NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI monitors builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months, where a score greater than 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor.

"While our overall measure of builder confidence remains at a record low at this time, it is a good sign that two out of three of the HMI's component indexes rose in August," said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. "This may be an indication that we are nearing the bottom of the long downswing in new-home sales."

 

And as we’ve said; there are more and more escrow companies in our area reporting improving business.  We’re on our way!

 

If you need us www.patandmelody.com  Have a great one!

The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

 

Wednesday another winner! Sunny and mild with low 80’s forecast for downtown.  Actually the weather has been down right pleasant the last week or so… The benefits of living in paradise – SoCal.

 

We have a new listing:

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS:  Sunset Plaza Drive to Viewmont Dr. Right on Viewmont Dr.

REMARKS:  Contemporary Sunset Strip property perched on top of the world at the end of a cul de sac. Views from downtown to the ocean. Grand living room, formal dining room, master suite with fireplace and roof top deck with 360 degree vistas. Other details of distinction: hardwood floors, maid's quarters, gym, sauna, elevator, 2 wet bars. All in a great location with incredible potential. Sq footage estimated by owner. Co-listed with Rande S. Gray/Todd Machaud of Keller Williams.

 

 

 

 

This is an opportunity waiting to happen.  For more info www.patandmelody.com or call us 310 888 3357. 

 

Finally, Councilmember Tom LaBonge wit a message.

 

Please join Tom for the final installment in his series of summer evening bike rides.

Tomorrow night's 10-mile ride will cover parts of Hollywood, Larchmont, the Wilshire corridor and the Miracle Mile.  A Los Angeles Police Department escort will help ensure traffic safety.  We will stop for ice cream, as always.

Meet Tom at the Hollywood Field Office, 6501 Fountain Ave., LA 90028 at 6:15p.  The ride will be over at about 8pm.

 

Don't forget your helmets!

 

Have a great day!

 

The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

 

Tuesday and a good one at that!  Sunny and slightly cooler today.  Downtown high predicted to be just over 80 degrees.  Perfect weather for broker caravan day.  This is where properties are previewed by brokers and agents before thy hit the open market.

 

Did you see the news?  Home sales up about 14% in the southland.  The Times front page article credits the 31% drop in home prices making a buy more appealing.  That’s good news… There are deals lurking out there; it may be time to jump into the water!  We’re here at www.patandmelody.com if you need us.

 

Other headlines:

 

 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell at the open on Tuesday as government data showed underlying inflation is picking up speed and investors worried that the credit crisis was far from over. (There must be a crisis a crisis somewhere or else it doesn’t make the news)

 

On the “Lighter” side…

 

How about the 700 pound man from Mexico who uses a forklift to get out and about.

 

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — A 700-pound man once considered the world's most obese person left his home for the first time in five months Sunday with the aid of a forklift and a platform truck.

 

Manuel Uribe traveled to the shore of a lake in northern Mexico without ever leaving his specially designed bed. A forklift hoisted the bed onto the truck, which then hauled him to the lake, where he snacked on fish and vegetables and joked with a local boat operator.

Looking at the boatman's small craft, Uribe joked, "Too bad I can't get on it — it would sink."

 

Once considered the world's fattest man when his weight hit over half a ton, more than two years of steady dieting had helped Uribe drop to about 700 pounds as of June — 550 pounds less than his former Guinness record weight of 1,235 pounds. He did not say what his current weight is.

 

While somewhat bothered by the summer heat, Uribe appeared to enjoy Sunday's outing. He is still unable to walk, and his last planned outing in March was aborted after the platform carrying his bed got stuck under an overpass.

 

Wow… he used to weigh 1,235.  How did they weigh him?

 

Well, hope you enjoyed that story and we hope you come back tomorrow to the Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.  See you tomorrow.

The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog.

 

Monday morning and we’re moving along.  If you liked yesterday’s weather you’ll love today.  A degree or two cooler.

 

Things cruising along regarding the market.  We had an open house yesterday… a little slow.  If you are looking, click www.patandmelody.com and we’ll help you.

 

Good News/Bad News here’s a little show biz news/quiz for a Monday, click www.patandmelody.com and we’ll help you.

 

The Donald helps Ed McMahon

Pioneer Press

There have been a lot of ups and downs lately in the world of pop culture. The bad news came last weekend with the untimely deaths of two very talented men, Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.

But there was a bit of good news toward the end of the week, too — Donald Trump is helping out the money-strapped Ed McMahon stay in his mansion. Now, we can all stop worrying — McMahon's in no danger of being homeless! Take the quiz to find out what else happened last week in the world of celebrity.

1. Jennifer Aniston might be single again. Gossip outlets are reporting that she's called it quits with this rocker.

2. NBC sitcom stars Tina Fey and Steve Carell are set to play a married couple in this upcoming movie.

3. Could this year's MTV Video Music Awards be a comeback for Britney Spears? The troubled pop star's video for this song is up for the show's coveted video of the year prize.

4. Actress Hayden Panettiere's father, Alan, was arrested for this last week.

5. Olivia Newton-John is teaming up with the country superstar on a duet with proceeds going to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center.

— Amy Carlson Gustafson

 

ANSWERS:

1. John Mayer

2. "Date Night"

3. "Piece of Me"

4. Allegedly hitting the actress's mother

5. Keith Urban

 

More good news- We’ll see you tomorrow.  Have a great day!