Tuesday, January 26, 2010

PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM PASADENA

Located east of Old Town on Los Robles in Pasadena, the Pacific Asia Museum has a permanent collection of over 15,000 objects. Since it’s opening in 1971, the museum houses its collections and temporary exhibits in a historic building that was constructed in 1924.

Aside from the collections of rare art, the Pacific Asia Museum has a varying schedule of lectures, performances, and classes, which include different types of art instruction, yoga, meditation, and haiku study groups. Pacific Asia Museum calendar of events.

Admission
Tickets to Pacific Asia Museum may be purchased upon entrance.
Discounts are available for students and seniors.
•$9 for General Admission
•$7 for Students and Seniors
Free for Children Ages 11 and Under
Admission to Pacific Asia Museum is free to all visitors on the fourth Friday of each month

Parking
Free parking is available in the Pacific Asia Museum parking lot on the corner of Los Robles Avenue and Union Street, directly north of the museum.

Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 449-2742
www.PacificAsiaMuseum.org

Photos and article:
ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


818-257-1054
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Monday, January 25, 2010

T. BOYLE'S TAVERN, PASADENA

If you are fond of beer and pretzels, pool and darts, than you will be right at home at Pasadena’s newest bar, T. Boyle’s Tavern. Stepping down from the alley, into the semi-subterranean, brick walled bar, you feel as if you are at an old pub in Boston, maybe even on the set of Cheers. It’s seems to be a place where everyone knows each other’s name. It would be easy to become a regular. The selection of beer is extensive and well priced, which is all they currently serve. They are working on getting an additional wine and full-bar license with the city. There is plenty of entertainment between the dart boards, shuffle board, free pool tables, the wall to wall flatscreens, and the large stage from which bands play.

The owner, Troy Boyle, has successfully turned this back into the true tavern that it originally was from an underground Latin club. I’ve been told that the location served as a Speakeasy during the prohibition in the 1920’s. The mounted moose and deer heads that hang over the original, dark Mahogany wood bar make it hard to imagine that it was ever anything but a cozy, local tavern.

T. Boyle’s Tavern
35 N. Catalina Ave
Pasadena, Ca 91106
(626) 578-0957



ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


818-257-1054
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Saturday, January 23, 2010

PASADENA REAL ESTATE: 2009 HOME VALUES

Pasadena Real Estate: Market Update
2009 Home Prices on For Sale vs. Sold


Having pulled the median prices, month-by-month, of the Pasadena Homes that sold and the Pasadena Homes for sale that were active, it shows a slight increase in the home prices through 2009. Luxury listings tend to stay on the Pasadena real estate market longer which is why the average median price of Pasadena Homes for sale on the market is considerably higher than the median price of the homes that sold each month.



Search for: Pasadena Homes for Sale and Pasadena Condos for Sale

RAMIRO@SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
626-497-4606

KELLER WILLIAMS PASADENA
445 S. FAIR OAKS AVENUE
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91105

Thursday, January 21, 2010

REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE; JANUARY 2010

January 2010 Real Estate Market Update

    Visit our website to get more info on Pasadena Homes for Sale for sale and Pasadena Foreclosures

    RAMIRO@SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
    626-497-4606

    KELLER WILLIAMS PASADENA
    445 S. FAIR OAKS AVENUE
    PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91105

    Thursday, January 14, 2010

    A LOS ANGELES DAY TRIP: THE PASADENA GOLD LINE

    The light rail Metro Gold Line spans 13.7 miles linking Pasadena, starting at Sierra Madre Villa in the east to the Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, which from there will continue through Little Toyko and ending at the Atlantic station in East Los Angeles.

    Aside from using the Gold Line as a form of transportation to and from work, it is a great way to explore the cultures of the communities around Pasadena. If you feel the need to “get away” on a day off you can depart 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, to Chinatown where there are many restaurants and great art galleries, or the Union Station to visit the historic Olvera Street for a colorful taste of Mexican culture.

    It’s much more relaxing to explore the culture’s of Los Angeles when you don’t have to worry about the stresses of freeway traffic and parking.


    The Southwest Museum of the American Indian is an ideal destination to learn about the history of the native people that once solely inhabited Los Angeles. The Southwest Museum’s collection representing the Native American is second largest, next to the Smithsonian Institute. The Gold Line’s Southwest Museum Station is located at the base of Mt. Washington, just below the museum.
    www.autrynationalcenter.org

    Chinatown is home to an eclectic community of shops that sell a wide array of bargain priced items. There is also a diversity of restaurants rants that are consistently featured in the food and dining section of the Los Angeles Times. In addition to shopping and dining, there is a surprising amount of art galleries that will build an understanding and appreciation for the Chinese art culture, especially in visiting the Chinese-American museum.

    Chinatown Los Angeles is a great place to experience the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Chinatown will be hosting a series of events on February 20th and 21st to welcome the New Year of the Ox.
    www.ChinatownLA.com

    Olvera Street is also known as the El Pueblo Historic Monument and is thought by many to be the birthplace of the city Los Angeles. In walking through the traditional Mexican style plaza area that features 27 stores, you feel like you are in a quaint town in Mexico. You can shop for many handcrafted items or dine at one of the restaurants serving authentic cuisine and feel like you are away. On weekends there is outdoor entertainment featuring Mariachis, Bollero Musicans and performances by Aztec Indians and folkloric dancing. Olvera Street is just outside of the Union Station, at 845 N. Alameda Street.


    ERICA SWANSON
    RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


    818-257-1054
    ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

    WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

    Tuesday, January 5, 2010

    Pasadena Foreclosures; Shadow Inventory

    The Pasadena Real Estate Market has been holding steady with home sales going up. What most people don't know is that Pasadena, like many other other cities, is flooded with what is called shadow inventory. What is Shadow Inventory? Shadow Inventory are foreclosure properties not on the MLS (multiple listing service). These properties are comprised of:
    • Preforeclosures, homes that have a NOD (Notice of Default) filed
    • Auction Scheduled NTS homes
    • REO, bank owned homes not on the MLS

    Many say that preforeclosed and NTS homes cannot be considered as shadow inventory, because they have not been been foreclosed on. The reality is that most people behind on their mortgage are typically behind due to financial distress. Most banks will not forgive a large debt and most loan modifications are not approved. Hiring a short sale specialist may be helpful to avoid foreclosure, but the chances on a short sale approval is slim.

    As a Pasadena resident, I see this Shadow Inventory everywhere. A great way to spot these foreclosed homes is by looking for the following:

    • Boarded up windows
    • over grown landscaping
    • notice of "Do not trespass" typically on the front window(s)

    Visit our website to get more info on Pasadena Real Estate for sale and Pasadena Foreclosures

    RAMIRO@SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
    626-497-4606

    KELLER WILLIAMS PASADENA
    445 S. FAIR OAKS AVENUE
    PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91105

    Monday, January 4, 2010

    PASADENA DANCE STUDIO: FRED ASTAIRE

    Fred Astaire dance studio in Pasadena offers classes for people of all ages that want to learn many forms of dance. Fred Astaire is a ballroom studio that teaches ballroom, rhythm, Latin, including popular dances such as Foxtrot, Waltz, Quickstep, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, American Tango, Argentine Tango, Samba, Rumba, Salsa, Cha-Cha, Bolero, Country, and many others.

    In consideration towards dance studios in Pasadena, Fred Astaire seems to provide a larger studio space in comparison to other dance studios in the area. They also have social events, including "Club Social", where all dancers come to practice the dances they've been working on to get a chance to break out all you've worked so hard to learn and have fun with your friends. Food and Beverages are included with a $10 cover.

    From beginner, to advanced, to professional levels, whatever you want from dancing, they seem to offer it, including:

    •learning how to dance as a beginner
    •social dancing for fun
    •becoming a better salsa dancer for night clubs
    •becoming a better dancer at public ballroom dances
    •working on a dance for a wedding
    •sending your kids to learn ballroom dance
    •taking your existing dance skills to a higher level
    •joining a team to work on a show or event- dance sport competitions locally and across the USA.

    Dance Center of Pasadena
    1368 North Lake Ave.
    Pasadena, CA 91104
    (626) 797-4700
    www.pasadenadance.com

    ERICA SWANSON
    RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


    818-257-1054
    ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

    Mission District Loft in South Pasadena, CA, Offered at $699,000

    For Sale: Studio/1BA Loft in South Pasadena, CA, $699,000

    For more information on this listing: 812 Fremont Avenue #103, South Pasadena

    ERICA SWANSON
    RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

    ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM
    818-257-1054


    WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM