PASADENA BLOG

FABULOUS PASADENA CONDO

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:18:00 +0000

ASKING PRICE: $429,00

2 BEDROOMS/2 FULL BATHS

156 S OAK KNOLL AVENUE #201, PASADENA

Spectacular end unit condo located in the highly desired area known as the South Lake District. Beautifully renovated, it exhibits elements of sophisticated living at its finest. The open living and dining areas make this perfect for entertaining.

The adjacent kitchen features black galaxy granite countertops, breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy your private retreat in the master bedroom with a full bathroom, two spacious closets, and its large private balcony.

Additional features and amenities include hardwood floors, two large balconies, central air/heat, in unit washer/dryer, two parking spaces, and an internet based security system. All centrally located to South Lake shops and restaurants, Trader Joes, the Playhouse district, Paseo Colorado and entertainment. See more photos of this Fabulous Pasadena Condo for Sale.

PHOTO BLOG: LA ZOO PART 1

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:39:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES ZOO, PHOTO BLOG
The Los Angeles Zoo is sanctuary to many amazing animals from all around the world. This is Part 1 of a series of LA Zoo Photo Blogs. Photography by Ramiro Rivas.

MEERKAT
The meerkat or suricate Suricata suricatta is a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family. It inhabits all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats at a time, but some superfamilies have had 50 or more. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years.

KOALA
The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. Populations also extend for considerable distances inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia

Nubian Ibex

The Nubian Ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) is a rocky desert dwelling goat antelope found in mountainous areas of Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Sudan. It is generally considered to be a subspecies of Alpine Ibex, but is sometimes considered specifically distinct (Capra nubiana). Nubian Ibex stand around 60 centimetres (24 in) tall at the shoulder and weigh around 50 kilograms (110 lb).

Just Stop Waiting for the Perfect Rate

mrmortgage@thegreatloan.com (mrmortgage) — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:32:00 +0000

We speak to dozens of folks that are some way or the other waiting for rates to get lower than the 5% 5Y or 5.75% 30Y Fixed 2 million dollar jumbo they were quoted. Of course, who doesn't want a lower cost on something. Especially a budget item that represents roughly 20-30% of household income. But several factors could make waiting a disaster.

Home values continue to fall and your equity is diminished thus resulting in cash required to close. Primarily because loan to value levels in general within the jumbo mortgage market require at least 20% or more equity. Depends on the loan amount and the city/state.

The dollar and US based interest rates start to move higher because of a global view that the US is a riskier place to invest/lend. This has started to happen in the last few weeks. The US Dollar vs a global basket of other curriences has started to fall:

The value of the dollar rose nicely after the currency was viewed as a safe haven in Jan till March. Then the full breadth and scope of the recession(newpression?) plus the enormous costs of the bailouts investors(our creditors) began to move away from holding dollars and investing funds in US invesments.

3. The third largest risk is that all the government borrowing by countries around the world crowd out and soak up funds that normally would be put to work in the mortgage market. Here is the chart for what the US Treasury 10Y is currently going for:

Now, this isn't a disaster yet but today the US Government is having to pay 3.35% for ten year money vs about 2.50% range less than eight weeks ago. The enormous stimulus that congress passed has to be paid for right? The US goverment doesn't have any money. We basically have a line of credit with the rest of the world sitting at 11-12 TRILLION dollars owed now. This works out to about 37k for every man, woman and child in this country. See more here.

If investors/lenders decide that the US is a big credit risk then regular mortgage borrowers could be painted with the same brush and see much higher mortgage rates in the future. If you don't believe me and you want someone with some weight how about the manager of the largest bond group in the world? They manage about $750 billion.

If you don't want to play the jumbo mortgage rate casino game anymore with your house, Contact our office or another mortgage professional and get something done. It is better to lock and be wrong than to ride the interest rate rollercoaster in the coming years and regret it.

PASADENA FORECLOSURES: BANK OWNED LISTING OF THE WEEK

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:38:00 +0000

$728,000As one of the new Pasadena foreclosures on the market, this updated English style home features a new kitchen, updated bathrooms, hardwood floors, and crown moldings. This bank owned property is located in one of Pasadena's most prized neighborhoods.

2 Bed/2 Bath

Built in 1927

6273 square foot lot

1422 square foot structure

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RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

Bailout Line Gets Longer

mrmortgage@thegreatloan.com (mrmortgage) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:05:00 +0000

The endless bailout line gets longer -- and why we're going about this the wrong way

The seemingly endless line of companies looking for taxpayer-funded bailouts just keeps getting longer, and the folks in Washington show no sign of forcing anyone out of it. This morning, we've learned that life insurance firms will receive aid from the TARP.

From the Wall Street Journal:

"The Treasury Department has decided to extend bailout funds to a number of struggling life-insurance companies, helping an industry that is a lynch pin of the U.S. financial system, people familiar with the matter said.

"The department is expected to announce the expansion of the Troubled Asset Relief Program to aid the ailing industry within the next several days, these people said.

"The news will come as a relief to a number of iconic American companies that have suffered big losses made worse by generous promises to buyers of some investment products. Shares of life insurers have fallen more than 40% this year. Their troubles led to a string of rating-agency downgrades that, in a vicious cycle, made it more difficult for some insurers to raise funds.

"The life-insurance industry is an important piece of the U.S. financial system. Millions of Americans have entrusted their families' financial safety to these companies, so keeping them on solid footing is crucial to maintaining confidence. If massive numbers of customers sought to redeem their policies, it could cause a cash crunch for some companies. And because insurers invest the premiums they receive from customers into bonds, real estate and other investments, they are major holders of securities. If they needed to sell off holdings to raise cash, it could cause markets to tumble.

"The decision by the Treasury Department adds a third industry to the banks and auto companies that have already received bailouts from the government. While American International Group Inc. is a major insurer and is the biggest recipient of government money, its problems weren't caused by its life-insurance operations, but derivative bets that went bad."

You know what my biggest problem with all these bailouts is? No one seems to be denied! Money is given to almost anyone and everyone. What we SHOULD be doing is what nurses and doctors do in the ER -- triage. Figure out which institutions are too weak to survive and euthanize them. Deny them bailout money. Let them fail. Then let their stronger competitors pick over their carcasses. Bolster those stronger companies with aid if need be.

Washington isn't doing that, though. Take the banking industry "stress test." Policymakers have already said that if any institution fails the test, they'll get time to raise money or will be injected with government capital. Huh? What's the sense in that? Why aren't we weeding out the weak, allowing them to fail and parcelling up their businesses to their stronger, surviving brethren?

It's like having two people showing up to get their driver's license -- one of whom gets a 100% on the computer-based test and passes the driving portion with flying colors ... and another who shows up drunk, crashes into the curb twice, and spends the rest of the time hitting on his instructor. Should both people really be given a license? Wouldn't it make more sense to pass the good guy and fail the other -- or send him off to jail? I just don't get this attitude where every institution is above average (or treated that way). By the way,(cue:shameless promo music) the line to get a jumbo mortgage is long but folks are locking in low 5% on 5Y and 7Y ARMS and mid 5% 30Y Fixed jumbo mortgage rates. Have a great weekend.

PASADENA FORECLOSURE OF THE WEEK

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Listed at $367,00010 Bedrooms/4 Baths

Yes, I said 10 bedrooms! Among this week of Pasadena foreclosures that have come onto the market, I had to highlight this one. It was built to serve as a boarding house, a purpose that it has served for years. The city of Pasadena has declared the property for residential use only and no longer can be used as a boarding house. This has given a first time homebuyer the opportunity to buy a boarding house sized "starter home" for only $367,000.

Lot size: 7179 sq. ft.

Structure: 2752 sq. ft.

Built in 1906

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RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Erica@RivasEstates.com

8 Things You Absolutely Shouldn't Do Now That You Applied

mrmortgage@thegreatloan.com (mrmortgage) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:26:00 +0000

With jumbo mortgage rates hovering near all-time lows, lots of Americans are taking advantage of refinance and home buying opportunities.

The downside of today's unexpectedly-low rates, though, is that mortgage lenders are ill-equipped for the rush of new business.

As a result, the process of underwriting and approving new mortgage applications is taking some conforming lenders as long as 2 months to complete.

This is double the time needed as recently as six months ago.

Because there may be 60 days between the application date and the closing date, it's important for applicants to remember that mortgage approvals can be revoked at any time prior to funding.

As mortgage applicants, there are many events that are out of our control -- job security and health matters, for example. But there are also events that are within our control.

Knowing that mortgage approvals can be fragile, here are 8 things you should absolutely not do while your home loan is in process. It may be the difference between being approved by the bank, and being turned down.

Don't buy a new car or trade-up to a bigger lease.

Don't quit your job to change industries

Don't switch from a salaried job to a heavily-commissioned job

Don't transfer large sums of money between bank accounts

Don't forget to pay your bills -- even the ones in dispute

Don't open new credit cards -- even if you're getting 20% off

Don't accept a cash gift without filing the proper "gift" paperwork

Don't make random, undocumented deposits into your bank account

Now, avoiding these items may not be practical for everyone. For example, if your car lease is expiring and you need a larger vehicle, it doesn't mean you can't buy the car -- just check with your loan officer first to be sure the new payments won't "break" your approval.

The same goes for accepting cash gifts from parents. There's a right way and a wrong way to accept gifts and doing it the wrong way may prevent you from using the gift as a source of downpayment.

Mortgage lending is full of "gotchas" and with underwriting times stretching to 60 days, it's a lot more likely that a mortgage applicant will trip into one. Following these 8 rules, though, is a good start to getting the best jumbo mortgage rate on your refinance or purchase in today's market.

PASADENA REAL ESTATE: FORECLOSURE OF THE WEEK

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:10:00 +0000

Asking Price: $349,900

This Pasadena foreclosure is one of the Spanish bungalows located on a small, quaint section of Woodbury. It's on a portion of East Woodbury that only extends from Holliston to N Sierra Bonita so the street doesn't have much through traffic. The cozy 986 sq foot bank owned home sits on a large 10,000 sq. foot lot.

2 Bed/ 1 Bath
Built in 1925
Hardwood floors

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RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Erica@RivasEstates.com

Crazy Little Kids! Parents Hide Your Keys!

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:26:00 +0000

This kid is crazy! What are your thoughts?

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

http://www.soldbyramiro.com/

Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

Photo Blog: La Canada Descanso Gardens Part 1

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:34:00 +0000

Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge

Photo Blog

On a recent visit to Descanso Gardens with Erica Swanson, we were amazed by its beauty! This is the first part of a series of photo blogs showcasing on of La Canada's best retreats.

Here Fishy, Fishy

Aside from beautiful Koi fish swimming in the pond, it has an fabulous water feature that shoots water about 10 feet in the air. Fun for the kids (and adults too)!

Look Up

There is this small bamboo forest as you approach the Japanese Tea House. I highly recommend going inside, but watch you step due to broken bamboo. Look to the sky and enjoy!

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Penelope's Cafe, Books & Gallery

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:58:00 +0000

1029 Foothill Boulevard, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

Penelope's La Canada is a garden cafe, book store and gallery that has been in business since 2001. Providing a homey setting, you can lunch in their beautifully landscaped garden, or take a seat by one of their inviting fireplaces and browse through their inventory of books they have for sale. Penelope’s Cafe features both new and used hardcovers and paperbacks, as well as a small selection of used magazines.

Bring your kids Saturday mornings at 10:15 for childrens' story time, and browse among their interesting and eclectic selections of visual art, wood carvings, jewelry, ceramics, specialty foods, and skin care products, just to name a few. Those of you who were patrons of La Canada’s former Tudor Cottage will feel right at home at Penelope's.

Penelope's Cafe features live entertainment every Saturday, as well as the occasional Friday, from 11:45 am to 2:45 pm. Its large indoor and outdoor dining areas provide the perfect atmosphere for that bridal, baby, or wedding shower.

Hours: Tue-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. www.PenelopesCafe.com (818) 790-4386

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.LIVINGLACANADA.COM

Taylor's Steakhouse in La Canada

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:55:00 +0000

La Canada restaurants seems like a rarity within the residential city, but at least La Canada’s residents do have a high caliber restaurant to choose from, the infamous Taylor’s Steakhouse.

The history of Taylor’s goes back to 1953 when “Tex” and Margie Taylor opened their first restaurant location on the corner of Olympic Blvd. and Western Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, which was relocated a few blocks away to it’s present location at 8th Street and Ardmore. “Tex” and Margie’s son, Bruce, took over the family business in the late 70’s, and eventually decided to open a second restaurant location in the Foothills where he and his family lived.

In 1996 La Canada Taylor’s Steakhouse was opened. Taylor’s Steakhouse was the only business that remained when groundbreaking took place to make way for the new La Canada Town Center-Sport Chalet complex. During the construction of the Town Center Taylor’s got a “new face”, remodeling the exterior and interior of the restaurant. Although recently updated the restaurant retained it’s old fashioned, warm, low-lit atmosphere.

Taylor’s takes pride in serving steaks that are selected from USDA eastern prime or certified Angus corn-fed beef exclusively. They also have a variety of fresh fish items, Australian lamb and free range chicken. Taylor’s also has a renovated bar that typically offers only standing room, particularly when patrons go for pre-dinner cocktails.

Taylor's Lunch Menu ~ Taylor's Dinner Menu

Taylor's Steakhouse. 901 Foothill Boulevard, La Canada, Ca 91011 (818) 790-7668

Search La Canada Homes for Sale

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.LIVINGLACANADA.COM

Pasadena Photos: Funny Google Maps Street View Photos

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:47:00 +0000

Funny Pasadena Photos
Google Maps - Street View

The search engine Google, like many other popular engines use satellites for aerial mapping of the world and its neighborhoods. Google decided to one up everyone with it's Google Street Views feature.

Recently, I was checking out a neighborhood for one of my Pasadena home buyers and I cam across the funniest thing. This Pasadena Foreclosure located at 1216 E. Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, 91104 priced at $479,900 has a hilarious image on Michigan Avenue.

Siesta Time

Reminds me of of a bad hangover!

Quick and easy instructions for Google Street Views

1) Go to: www.Google.com

2) Select: Maps

3) Enter the address you want to view in the search bar and click "Search Maps" button.

4) Select "Street Views" on the pop-up address bubble.

5) Click on the arrows and enjoy seeing the world through a voyeur window via www.Google.com

***Extra tip: use the four directional arrows at the top left to change your POV (Point of View)

Search for Pasadena Homes for Sale

PASADENA RESTAURANT: SITAR INDIAN CUISINE

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:23:00 +0000

"Authentic Indian Cuisine with a modern touch."
If you are seeking Indian cuisine in the Crown City, Sitar Indian cuisine is a great Pasadena Indian restaurant to go to dine, featuring authentic Northern Indian dishes. With an affordable lunch and dinner menu, Sitar offers a weekly lunch buffet Monday-Friday from 11:00am-4:30pm and a Champagne brunch on Saturdays and Sundays that are also from 11-4:30pm.

Sitar Indian Cuisine offers a richly-varied menu of fresh, natural ingredients, traditional, whole-some sauces and flavorful spices. In a vibrant setting, it is one of the Pasadena restaurants that serves food that is natural and freshly-prepared daily on the premises with no additives or preservatives.

If you are looking for Pasadena banquet halls, Sitar also offers a full service banquet facilty that seats approximately 250 guests. The hall, which is adjacent to the restaurant, accomodates events such as wedding receptions, birthday parties, business conferences, etc. If needed Sitar provides full, extensive planning options to personalize any event, from valet parking, to in-house lighting, djs, red carpet set up, dance performances, live music, furniture rentals, and much more.

Sitar Indian Cuisine. 618 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA (626) 449-5954
www.sitarindiancuisine.com Hours: Sunday-Thurs. 11am-10pm. Fri & Sat. 11am-11pm.

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Pasadena Photos: Pasadena City Hall

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:47:00 +0000

Aside from selling Pasadena Real Estate, one of my favorite past times is photography. Thankfully I get to shoot from condos to estates in my line of work. This blog will be the first of my Pasadena photo blogs.

Enjoy,

Ramiro Rivas, Pasadena Realtor

Pasadena City Hall

After leaving Pasadena King Taco, I was amazed by the amazing presence of Pasadena City Hall. This historic icon is what Pasadena is all about. I highly recommend taking a late night stroll to feel it's romantic architecture.

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THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY VS. THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:42:00 +0000

A home in North Hollywood with a decorative lighthouse tower in the front yard.

A three-story tower in Pasadena that people live in! This was actually a water tower that was converted into a house by a renowned architect in 1924. It was a foreclosure home that was just recently on the market for sale. The current owner's bought it in February '09 for $320,000.

The 405 Freeway in Van Nuys.

Angeles Crest Highway in La Canada.

A lion statue at a residence in Northridge that needs light to see.

You wouldn't want to be near this statue in the dark. A scuplture in the Chinese Garden at Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, San Marino.

All in good fun. Both are great places to live. Click the logo to search for homes in the SGV AND the SFV:

QUICK LAUGH, DAVID AFTER DENTIST

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:38:00 +0000

This is hilarious, and a good reason to keep a video camera handy to capture priceless moments!

WATCHMEN MOVIE REVIEW: NOT FOR KIDS OR TEENS

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:54:00 +0000

The stake of the world is in the hands of the Watchmen, a group of vigilantes/super heroes. The best way to describe them is if you got Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc... and gave them a couple DNA strands of evil.

The movie is very long, but it is the only way to get into each of the characters personalities. In addition, it's their conflicting personalities that makes them a wild bunch.

Now if you have children or teens, don't think that it's Rated "R" due to its violence. It has the following elements which should give it a NC-17 rating:
-A lot of gore/violence (expected).
-rape scene.
-murder of a elementary aged girl (not shown, but insinuated) by a pedophile
-Soft-core porn scene (super hero sex in costumes).
-FORGOT TO MENTION... Mr. Manhattan's enormous blue penis that is displayed on the big screen over a dozen times.

Don't get me wrong about it's content, because it was necessary for the movie. It's clearly Rated R for the reasons above and like many other Rated R movies. This is just an FYI in case you or someone you know plans to take their kids for movie night.

The cinematography and killer sound effects plus soundtrack make this one to see at the theaters.

Pasadena Real Estate Update

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Pasadena Real Estate, Market Update on single family residences for the month of February '09.

In February there was:
-91 Pasadena homes came Active on the market
-37 Pasadena homes went Pending into escrow
-39 Pasadena homes Sold/closed excrow

See the latest Pasadena homes for sale

Pasadena Real Estate update data came from i-Tech MLS.

RAMIRO'S HABANERO CHALLENGE, DONA ROSA PASADENA

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:24:00 +0000

According to Wikipedia.com, "The habanero chile (Capsicum chinense Jacquin), sometimes incorrectly spelled 'habañero', is one of the most intensely spicy species of chili peppers of the Capsicum genus"; and so it is for anyone to wonder why Pasadena Real Estate Agent, Ramiro Rivas, would take on the challenge of eating one of the world's hottest chile peppers at Dona Rosa Pasadena. At least he was compensated by the restaurant with a margarita on the house for providing entertainment to Dona Rosa's manager, waiters, and the onlooking patrons that became his audience while experiencing sweat and tears. I'm just glad my associate had a camera available to document the moment.

EXHIBITIONS AT THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 16:37:00 +0000

The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens is an educational and research institution established by Henry E. Huntington in San Marino, California, USA. In addition to the library, the site houses an art collection strong in English portraits and French eighteenth-century furniture and botanical gardens that feature North America's strongest collection of cycads.

The Last Full Measure of Devotion: Collecting Abraham Lincoln
Feb. 7–April 27, 2009

Library West Hall Mounted in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln (1809 –1865), “The Last Full Measure of Devotion: Collecting Abraham Lincoln” will present the letters, manuscripts, printed works, photographs, and ephemera of Lincoln as objects of deep reverence, relentless pursuit, and varying and often hotly contested interpretation. The exhibition will showcase The Huntington’s significant Lincoln holdings, which rank with the collections of the Library of Congress and the Presidential Library of Illinois as the most important in the nation.

Huntington Art Gallery

Once the house of Henry E. Huntington (1850–1927) and his second wife, Arabella (1850–1924), the Huntington Art Gallery opened in 1928 displaying what was then the greatest collection of 18th-century British art in the country, including the celebrated Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough and Pinkie by Thomas Lawrence. Since then the collections have grown enormously and now contain many great works of art of the Italian, French and Netherlandish schools, as well as a much broader range of British art and design from the 17th to the early 20th century.

After a $20 million renovation, the gallery offers visitors an enhanced experience with one of the finest collections of European art in the nation as well as a more accurate sense of the lifestyle of one of the most prominent millionaires of the early 20th century. In addition to a thoroughly updated infrastructure, the refurbished mansion includes 5,300 additional square feet of public space, new interpretive components, and new gallery presentations of approximately 1,200 objects of European art from the 15th to the early 20th century.

Library Exhibition Hall

At the heart of The Huntington is the Library, which contains more than 6 million manuscripts, books, photographs and other works in the fields of American and British history, literature, art, and the history of science, medicine, and technology. The Library Exhibition Hall showcases more than 300 of the most outstanding rare books and manuscripts in the collection. Among these treasures are the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales (c.1410); a Gutenberg Bible (c.1455); a world-class collection of early editions of Shakespeare; original letters of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and Lincoln; an unsurpassed collection of materials relating to the history of the American West; and outstanding holdings in the history of science and technology.

Virginia Steele Scott Galleries
Newly Expanded Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art to Reopen May 30, 2009

While Henry Huntington envisioned a collection of American art as early as 1919, his vision was not realized until sixty years later. In 1979 The Virginia Steele Scott Foundation made a major gift to The Huntington in memory of Virginia Steele Scott, art collector, patron, and philanthropist, which included a group of fifty American paintings, funds to construct a gallery to display the collection, and an endowment for its professional management. Designed by Paul Gray, The Virginia Steele Scott Gallery of American Art opened to the public in 1984, inaugurating American as a significant part of The Huntington's collections. Since then, the American art collection has grown dramatically, largely through the support of the Scott Foundation, the Huntington’s Art Collectors Council, generous donations to the collection, and significant long-term loans.

MaryLou and George Boone Gallery

The opening of the MaryLou and George Boone Gallery in March 2000 marked the unfolding of a new chapter at The Huntington, as the gallery created an international class venue for changing exhibitions. Since its opening, The Huntington has been able to undertake major exhibitions drawn from its own collections and to bring exciting national and international exhibits to Southern California from other museums and galleries.

The building itself has a long history; designed in 1911 by architects Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, it was once founder Henry Huntington’s garage, used for family automobiles and to provide living quarters for members of Mr. Huntington’s staff. It took the commitment, vision, and generosity of MaryLou and George Boone to make the transformation of the space from garage to gallery possible.

Levin and Associates, a Los Angeles-based architectural firm nationally known for large scale restorations and adaptive re-use projects, renovated and restored the original building. It had been designed for Henry Huntington by Los Angeles architects Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, who were also the architects of the Beaux Arts mansion which is now the Huntington Art Gallery, as well as the Library building.

The Mausoleum
A Greek temple dedicated to eternal love

Constructed of Colorado Yule marble, the mausoleum of Henry and Arabella Huntington overlooks the gardens from a knoll in the middle of the orange groves. It was a spot that Mr Huntington loved. Mr. Huntington selected John Russell Pope, one of America’s most distinguished architects, to design the mausoleum in the form of a Greek temple. Pope believed the classic circular peristyle (or double colonnade) and dome were well suited to the nature of the Huntington grounds because it presented a perfect front from every angle, and was a combination of two perfect forms, the circle and sphere. Pope later used a similar design in the construction of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

MORTGAGE MELTDOWN: WHERE'S THE STIMULUS MONEY?

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:14:00 +0000

THE METRO GOLD LINE: PASADENA LIGHT RAIL TO UNION STATION

Erica@RivasEstates.com (Erica Swanson) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:38:00 +0000

The light rail Metro Gold Line spans 13.7 miles linking Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and Sierra Madre Villa in East Pasadena via Chinatown, Highland Park, South Pasadena and Pasadena.

Aside from using the Pasadena Gold Line as a form of transportation to and from work, it is a great way to explore the cultures of the communites around Pasadena. If you feel the need to “get away” on a day off you can hop on the gold line from any of Pasadena’s six stations. The Pasadena Gold Line will take you to Highland Park where you can visit the Southwest Museum, Chinatown, or to where the line ends, at the Union Station and visit the historic Olvera Street for a taste of colorful Mexican culture.

Union Station in Los Angeles, which opened in May 1939, is known as the "Last of the Great Railway Stations" built in the United States. Union Station was partially designed by the father and son team of John Parkinson and Donald B. Parkinson, or the Parkinsons, assisted by a group of supporting architects, including the famous Jan van der Linden. The Architecture of Union Station is an experience all in its own. The impressive architecture combines the Mission Revival style, and Streamline Moderne style, which was a late branch of Art Deco.

The Pasadena Metro Gold Line joins two light rail lines, Metro Blue and Green Lines, and a subway, The Metro Red Line that crisscross portions of Los Angeles County from Long Beach to Los Angeles, Redondo Beach, Norwalk, Hollywood, Universal City, North Hollywood as well as Pasadena.

Search available Pasadena condos for sale close to metro stations.

The most notable Pasadena station of the Metro Gold Line is the Del Mar station because of the large scale restoration and expansion it recently underwent. The Pasadena Del Mar station has been converted from the old, historic Santa Fe train depot and is the home to many new construction apartments and Pasadena Condos, including the Pasadena Archstone Apartments, and the brand new Pasadena Dalton, which is a development project of high end industrial lofts and condominiums.

The Pasadena Del Mar station is on the southern edge of Old Town Pasadena and within walking distance of an abundance of shops, restaurants and theaters. Across the street is Central Park, the site of many special events including the city’s annual jazz festival. The Del Mar station is surrounded by several new residential buildings and features public plaza areas, restaurants, and retail stores.

If you are searching for apartments for lease or Pasadena Condos for sale within close proximity to the metro line, it is a great place to look since it is a city that has been becoming more urbanized over the past few years. With the ever increasing cost of gas and freeway traffic, the city of Pasadena and residential developers have put consideration towards many people’s desire to live within close proximity to mass transportation. Pasadena has been becoming urbanized in the central parts of the city and over the past few years, since the opening of the new metro stations, many developers are building urban condos and lofts which offer metropolitan living within the city.

Search available Pasadena condos for sale close to metro stations.

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
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THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY: ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP REAL ESTATE MARKETS

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:42:00 +0000

Whether you live among the foothills in the Crescenta-Canada Valleyor San Gabriel Valley, it really is the best of California living.

Pasadena’s proud achievement in historic preservation, with more than 1,000 properties now listed on the National Register for Historic Places., has made it the leading city in Los Angeles that links us to the past. The Norton Simon Museum, The Pacific Asia Museum, and The Pasadena Playhouse are just a few to name if you’re seeking culture within the city.

In 2003 La Canada property values rose by 23.4%, an astronomical increase that placed the city at the top of the charts for the entire nation. Although now, five years later, the market has shifted, the community of La Canada, as well as many surrounding areas, have held its own in comparison to the nationwide drop in house prices. La Canada has not dropped anywhere near any number that would compensate for the rise in property values that have occurred like that 23.4% increase in 2003. Profiled as having one of the lowest crime rates in the country has been one of the contributing factors for the desirability to live in La Canada.

I could touch on the many other wonderful communities among the foothills, but will need pages to go on. Important to be said though, if you live with the San Gabriel Mountains serving as a dramatic backdrop, you have a lot to be thankful for.

Search La Canada listings or search La Canada home values.

www.LivingLaCanada.com

LANTERMAN HOUSE: A PIECE OF LA CANADA HISTORY

info@soldbyramiro.com (Ramiro Rivas) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:40:00 +0000

Completed in 1915, “El Retiro”, as it was known, was built by the second generation of La Canada’s founding family, the Lantermans, and today is one of a very few surviving pre-1920 residences in the city of La Canada Flintridge.

Dr. Roy Lanterman commissioned architect A. L. Haley to design a fireproof craftsman bungalow of reinforced concrete for his family. The house sits on 1.4 acres of restored lawns, gardens and oak groves, comprising 11,250 square feet. There are many arts and crafts elements to the Lanterman House, which was constructed with a U-shaped floor plan, including 32 pairs of French doors. The entire second floor is devoted to the ballroom, and the interior of the house retains its original furnishings and is elaborately decorated with plant and flower motifs that are characteristic patterns seen in the arts and crafts style of the early 20th century. Beautiful hand painted ornamentation, wallpapers and light fixtures are still remaining within the home.

Following the deaths of Roy and his wife Emily in 1948 and 1949, the house remained virtually unchanged, even though occupied by sons Frank and Lloyd until their deaths in 1981 and 1987. The house was left by Lloyd Lanterman to the City of La Canada Flintridge and has become one of La Canada’s few remaining historic landmarks, a veritable time capsule of early 20th-century Southern California life. It has been lovingly restored to its 1915 appearance by a grant from the California State Legislature and by efforts of community volunteers who have formed the Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation.

See available La Canada Flintridge Real Estate

Hours: Tours are provided Tuesday, Thursday, and the first and third Sundays of the month 1:00 pomp - 4:00 p.m. The museum is closed the month of August and holidays.

Admission: Adults $3.00. Students (12 - 18 years old) $1.00. Children under 12 are free with adult admission (children must be accompanied by an adult at all times - no strollers are permitted in the house).

Group Tour Schedule: Groups of ten or more, Tuesday and Thursday mornings (and one Wednesday morning each month) by appointment.

Lanterman House. 4420 Encinas Drive, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011. (818)790-1421

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM