New MLS Home Search

For those of you who are curious about what’s on the market or are actively searching for a new home, I have upgraded to a new MLS home search page that is much easier to navigate and use than the previous one I had. 

Start your home search today and view listings on an interactive map. And, of course, feel free to contact me if you need help buying or selling a home!

The “Find Your Home” link is located at the top menu.

Search all of the Greater Los Angeles area with my new easy to navigate MLS Home Search page (located at the top menu)

Gold Line Lake Ave Station Construction Update

About a week after the Gold Line Eastside Extension had its grand opening, the Lake Avenue station in Pasadena inched closer to completing construction on upgrades intended to give the station a more substantial presence. Some in the community wondered if Metro would stay true to the original renderings by adding the clock tower feature above the elevator shaft on the east side of the station. The affirmative answer was revealed this week as a crane hoisted the clock tower into place in the early morning hours of Tuesday before the commuter rush hour began.

The canopy shades (probably made out of solar panels) will most likely be the next portion of upgrades that will be installed before construction finally comes close to wrapping up.

The clock tower was installed earlier this week and is in accord with Metro's original station rendering

Construction upgrades continue on the Gold Line Lake Avenue Station

The current upgrades will finally match the original Metro design renderings for the Gold Line Lake Avenue Station

Gold Class Debuts Thanksgiving Weekend

The luxury theater chain from Australia, Gold Class, is debuting in Old Pasadena this Saturday, Nov. 28 from 4pm to 8pm as part of the larger Old Pasadena Holiday Celebration (i.e., tree lighting ceremony, etc.). This is Gold Class Cinemas’ first location in California as it opens its box office after an extensive multi-million dollar build-out of the former AMC and Laemmles Theaters. As the third iteration, and hopefully the charm, Gold Class is confident that Angelenos are ready to pay $29 a ticket to watch a Hollywood blockbuster and be able to sip your favorite alcoholic drink while doing it.

Gold Class Cinemas is opening its first location in California in Old Pasadena

Gold Class Cinemas is hosting an open house on Nov. 28, 2009

OneSipKim Holiday Party in Old Pasadena

It’s that time of year again! This Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, celebrate the Holidays at one of the most fashionable boutiques in Pasadena at OneSipKim.

With the delectable Nom Nom Vietnamese taco truck (famous for their Banh Mi sandwiches) parked in front of the store and DJ Orbit (a high school friend of mine I might add) spinning music, it’s sure to be a fun time for party goers.

Here is some info from the flyer:

• Jewelry Designer Sample Sale: $50 and under for assortment of beautiful necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings
• Holiday sweets and refreshments will be served
• Holiday drawings, freebies, and coupons will be handed out throughout the day

OneSipKim Holiday Party in Old Pasadena - Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 - 1pm to 8pm

Nom Nom Vietnamese taco truck and DJ Orbit will be part of the holiday party at OneSipKim

Leon Krier Lecture at Pasadena Convention Center

I know this is last minute, but if anyone is interested about urban planning and wants to listen to this compelling architect, Leon Krier, speak about his perspective on new urbanism, try to make it tonight to the Pasadena Convention Center.

Tickets are reasonably priced at $10 General or $5 Student.

Architect, Leon Krier, speaks tonight at the Pasadena Convention Center about urban planning/new urbanism as it relates to traditional values

Wine Detective Now Open in South Lake Avenue

For anyone who enjoys a glass of wine (or two), Wine Detective has been open for about a week now at The Commons located on South Lake Avenue and is ready to serve you 48 different kinds of wine that is available for tasting (and purchased bottles to go). One of the owners, Yu, describes Wine Detective as a “conversation lounge” meant to be a gathering spot for all wine lovers in the community. She emphasized that they are open late until midnight from Thursday through Saturday and that they are available for (corporate) lunch meetings as well. And yes, there is Happy Hour from 4 to 7pm, Monday through Friday, $5 house wine, 25% on all food items.

So why is the lounge named “Wine Detective?”

Because the owners say they have done the hard work by tasting hundreds of different wine and culling from that extensive “detective” work the best selection for wine lovers to enjoy.

Wine Detective has been open for one week now

Wine Detective is open late until midnight from Thursdays to Saturdays

Wine Detective has 48 different wine selections available for tasting

Wine Detective is now open at The Commons on South Lake Avenue (near the new Counter Burger restaurant)

Green Tip: Whole Foods Accepts #5 Plastics

A California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) Green Tip I thought would be nice to share with those who try to be green:

“If your city doesn’t have curbside recycling, then recycling #5 plastics (cottage cheese, prescription drug, and yogurt containers) can be cumbersome. One option is to drop your #5 plastic containers off at designated Whole Foods locations. These containers can be remade into items such as razors, toothbrushes, cutlery, and mixing bowls — all of which are fully recyclable.”

The beautiful flagship Whole Foods on Arroyo Parkway is one of the designated stores that accepts #5 plastics.

Whole Foods on Arroyo Parkway is one of the designated locations accepting #5 plastics for recycling

Whole Foods Recycling Center is located in the underground parking garage by the elevators

Pasadena Restaurant Update

In addition to Choza Mama opening up in Pasadena this past week, several other restaurants are in the works, and in the case of taco truck, “The Place Los Angeles,” Pasadena finally gets its first “tacos on wheels” serving the area such as Pasadena City Hall and Old Town Pasadena. Yes, you can follow them on Twitter.

The Place LA (Taco Truck)

The Place LA taco truck is now serving Pasadena (follow them on Twitter to find out where they are now)

Pappa Rich – “The Father of All Buns”

Pappa Rich is replacing the Daily Grind coffee shop in Old Pasadena

Pappa Rich - The Father of All Buns - Comming Soon...!

Baskin Robbins

Baskin Robbins in Old Pasadena gets their signage up this week

The Meridian Restaurant

The Meridian Restaurant will be serving Mediterranean food at Paseo Colorado

The Meridian Restaurant is planning for a March 2010 opening at Paseo Colorado

Bob’s Big Boy

A pretty fancy website dedicated to Bob's Big Boy returning to Pasadena, replacing Baja Fresh on South Lake Avenue

Choza Mama Now Open in Old Pasadena

Choza Mama’s second location (outside of Burbank) opened this week in Old Pasadena. The restaurant replaces the former Hooters restaurant and is now serving both lunch and dinner including a bakery selection not available in their Burbank location. The ambiance of the restaurant is inviting and down-to-earth and has elements of Peruvian influence such as a mural of the mysterious Nazca Lines and straw hut awnings over portions of the restaurant, which is what choza actually means in Spanish – “hut, shack.”

This is a great addition to Pasadena’s casual dining scene and adds a unique Peruvian twist to the culinary list.

Choza Mama is now open in Old Pasadena

The straw hut awning near the ceiling is a design taken directly from the meaning of "choza" in Spanish

Choosing to include a bakery selection is a new concept for the Pasadena location

The restaurant includes designs with Peruvian influences such as this mural of the mysterious Nazca Lines

Choza Mama is located in the historic Richardson building in Old Pasadena

Pasadena’s “Fork in the Road” Art Installation

After reading about this on the Pasadena Star News, I had to see it for myself! I drove up Pasadena Ave. and as I approached the fork in the road, literally, I saw the giant fork “guerrilla art piece” and smiled. What a great idea from the friends of Bob Stane, founder of the Ice House Comedy Club.

I hope Pasadena keeps this art installation permanently in place.

A giant fork art piece was installed at the fork in the road where Pasadena Ave. and St. John Ave. split