"What Tree Is That?" Arboretum Classes

The Arboretum is hosting classes titled "What Tree is That" each month through May.  We are looking forward to hearing Dr. Turney speak and learning how to identify trees throughout our area.  It is great to be able to identify trees on a property as we are touring buyers through homes on the market, so we are excited to expand our knowledge.  We are lucky that Pasadena has the City Trees and Tree Protection Ordinance and is home to the Pasadena Beautiful Foundation.

Below are the details from the Arboretum website.  Hope to see you there!

Saturdays: 2/2/13, 3/2/13, 4/13/13, 5/11/13

10am-12noon
$25 Arboretum members per class/$30 per non-member (include Arboretum admission)
Please call the Class Reservation Line at 626.821.4623 for information or to register for a class.

Do you know the trees of Southern California? We have one of the most
diverse urban forests in the USA. This class will teach you about 15 different trees on each of four Saturdays for a total of 60 trees, beginning on February 2, 2013. Each one hour lecture will cover 15 tree species followed by a walk in the Arboretum to see the trees that were covered during the lecture. 

Dr. Jerrold Turney, plant pathologist and certified arborist, will teach you to identify trees, their growth habit, their native country, how they should be cared for, any common diseases or insect pests that attack them, and the best place in your garden to plant them.

Dr. Turney has served as the curator of the camellia gardens at the Huntington Library and Botanic Gardens, a research horticulturist at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, and is currently the plant pathologist for the Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures for the County of Los Angeles.

All Dates & Times for this event

• February 02, 2013 Saturday
  
  10:00AM - 12:00PM
  March 02, 2013
  Saturday
  
  10:00AM - 12:00PM
  April 13, 2013
  Saturday
  
  10:00AM - 12:00PM
  May 11, 2013
  Saturday
  
  10:00AM - 12:00PM

Pasadena's First 'Bicycle Boulevard' Opens Jan. 31

The public is invited to join Mayor Bill Bogaard, Councilmember Victor Gordo and bicycle enthusiasts for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, to open Pasadena’s first dedicated “Bicycle Boulevard.”

The bicycle friendly event hosted by the City’s Department of Transportation will be held at the corner of Marengo Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard.

Pasadena’s Bicycle Boulevard stretches about three-quarters of a mile along Marengo Avenue, and is anchored at the intersections with Orange Grove Boulevard and Washington Boulevard.  Special bicycle signals at these intersections alert bicyclists when it is their turn to enter “Bicycle Boulevard” while posted signs divert motorists from entering.

Although this stretch of Marengo is not open to through vehicular traffic, Marengo Avenue’s residents with cars can still enter the new bicycle zone by using side streets.  Local drivers will be able to exit their cars at the Orange Grove and Washington intersections as “Bicycle Boulevard” is still considered a regular residential street with on-street parking for cars and vehicular use.

Creating Pasadena’s Bicycle Boulevard, however, was the latest step in a neighborhood traffic management plan for Marengo Avenue established several years ago.  The goal was to create a low-traffic area that offers a pleasant cycling area.

This is only the second such “Bicycle Boulevard” in Los Angeles County.  The project was funded through a $500,000 grant from the California Department of Transportation’s “Bicycle Transportation Grant” program to cover the cost of signals, signs and road lane painting.

For more information, call (626) 744-7664 or email Jenny Cristales, Associate Transportation Planner at jcristales@cityofpasadena.net.

For more information about the City of Pasadena, go online to www.cityofpasadena.net.
*reprinted from the City of Pasadena website

Honored to be named on of "The 50 Inspiring Leaders" in THE Magazine

In 2010, I participated in Leadership Pasadena's eight month training program though the support of The Pasadena Association of Realtors.  It was an amazing experience where I learned how our city is governed, its key decision-making entities and how city departments and organizations work together.  In addition, I met amazing professionals, many in LP's growing network of alumnae, participants in the program, and the leaders in our community who make a difference.  I grew personally and professionally and gained clarity into the person I want to be and into the life I want to lead.  It gave me the opportunity to step outside the box, time and time again, and to be inspired to make a difference in the lives I touch.

If you are interested in Leadership Pasadena, drop me a line or visit www.leadershippasadena.org.  Applications for 2014 are currently being considered.

Cynthia

Pasadena December 2012 Single Family Sales Trends

As you are aware, we have an inventory shortage AND Realtors have a surplus of qualified and motivated buyers ready to buy.  With the demand exceeding supply, we are experiencing shorter selling times, stronger offers with buyers taking on much more risk, and higher final sales prices in many areas. 

If you have been thinking about selling, or know someone who may be, the time to sell has never been better.  Between the historically low interest rates and the demand in housing, an opportunity exists in our marketplace. 

Any questions, or if you would like detailed data for your own neighborhood, drop us a line.