The Benedict Castle in Riverside is about to hold its 13th annual Christmas Holiday of Light!  The castle is owned by Teen Challenge of Southern California which is part of an international faith-based program for helping yound people dealing with substance abuse or other problems.  The event, open-to-the-public, is FREE and will be held on Sunday, November 25th from 5 to 9 PM.  There will be lights, trees, garlands, a nativity, carolers, a choir and more.  They will also be hosting tours of the building every 20 minutes.The 10,000 square-foot castle began construction in 1922 and finished in 1931 and is inspired by a castle in Granada, Spain.  The castle, on 14+ acres, is a frequent site of courtyard weddings at the foot of Torre Luisa.  Over the years the castle has been used as the s... 11/24/2007

This is one of the biggest weekends all year in the city of Riverside.   Each year the downtown Mission Inn is decorated with millions of lights and the festival begins Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.  They are estimating there will be tens of thousands of people there this year for the largest atendance ever.  In fact I've been told Good Morning America will film the event this year.  Various other TV stations from around the area will also be there.  This is a huge event.  In addition to the lights on the Mission Inn and mall, there will be an ice skating rink, horse drawn carriage rides, music, food and much more.  If Friday is too much of a crowd the event will continue throughout the holiday season.  Families can see the lights, skate or walk the mall every day or evening.  You... 11/20/2007

In October 2006 the City of Riverside approved a generous Capital Improvement Program aimed at improving the utility infrastructure of the City and providing a whole host of new parks, sport complexes, trails, sidewalks, parkways, additional libraries, and other civic improvements.  It's an exciting time to be living in Riverside and the Renaissance Initiative will secure Riverside as a wonderful environment for families and young professionals in the near future.  The City of Riverside isn't the only one focused on renewing and revitalizing the city.  I've recently partnered with Alan Mruvka and the m sole' downtown revitalization project.  m sole' is one of the first live/work projects within the city of Riverside offering street level opportunities for home and professional workspace... 11/19/2007

Come and enjoy the Christmas Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn,               3649 Mission Inn Ave. Riverside, Ca 92501The lighting ceremony begins at Sunset, November 23, 2007 and the Festival of Lights continues daily thru January 1, 2008For information on Holiday Hotel Packages from the Mission Inn please call Room Reservations: 800-843-7755 or visit: http://www.missioninn.com/ 11/16/2007

This weekend I volunteered for the Inaugural Women of Vision Holiday Home Tour for California Baptist University. Let me start off by saying this was such an amazing event.  The Holiday Home Tour was held in support of the Nursing Program at CBU. The 50+-member Women of Vision board at CBU supports the School of Nursing because nurses "share a calling to serve a higher purpose... when a life begins... when a life is shattered... when a life is healed... when a life emerges into eternity; nurses are with you at the most important times in your life. Their minds, hands and hearts allow them to serve God through a profession that touches the essence of human life". This fall began the second year for the School of Nursing at CBU; the Women of Vision board began its third year of raising th... 11/12/2007

Realtor In Riverside Ca, Riverside Real Estate, Real Estate In Riverside CaWhether you're buying, selling or exchanging property, real estate will be one of your biggest investments. With my years of experience and a 4th generation native, you can expect a wealth of knowledge and superior service and to assure that your personal and financial desires are catered to. Give a quick call or an email for any questions, needs or information. I look forward to serving you!951 660-6625Website: Chris Mclaughlin.org 11/10/2007

Riverside County Regional Medical Center Foundation's Festival of Trees has become a special holiday tradition. Now in its 17th successful year the Festival of Trees has grown to be a five day event scheduled over the week of Thanksgiving and attracts over 20,000 people, with its numbers growing every year.  Each year hundred of volunteers beautifully decorate the Riverside Convention Center into "Riverside County's premiere holiday extravaganza".  The Festival of Trees features over 50 elaborately decorated trees, each with its own unique theme.The Festival of Trees is the only major fundraiser for Riverside County Regional Medical Center that benefits Pediatric units at the hospital. Each year proceeds are used to purchase desperately needed and often life saving equipment for the chi... 11/07/2007

Crime rates continue to fall throughout Riverside.  Police data comparing third quarter 2007 to 2006 shows continued downward trend in serious crime by 8.3% and other crimes by 13%.Over the past three years in a row crime rates have fallen according to Chief of Police Russ Leach.  He believes that crime rates have fallen due to the credit of a strong relationship between the community-based programs, such as Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, Crime Free Multi-Housing and Youth Court and citizens and members of the Riverside Police Department.  When community members become partners with law enforcement and local government amazing thing happen - the overall quality of life and public safety approves.There is also credit due to the City's strong commitment of resources and Police office... 11/07/2007

September  2007 Comparison to September 2006September Average Price            Average Price TrendSeptember 07 # Sold                        2007                   2006248                        $449,607            $473,315          -5.0%Riverside County Homes for Sale Monthly Totals:September 07 # Sold                     2007                      20062244                   $405,098                $502,621        -10.7%Closed Residential Resale Transactions As Reported By Dataquick Information Services. I post this information monthly so you can keep up with trends in a few select cities in Riverside County. I always post the city of Riverside as a comparison with the specific city as well. Brought to you by: Doug Beaver Corona, Norco, Riverside Homes for sale Real Estate Realtorhttp:/... 11/02/2007

Hello everyone. This is my first day on this site. i wanted to get my info out there to everyone who may be in need of a local Handy Man or Property Preservation person. Please call me or just shoot me an e-mail with your needs and we can discuss pricing. 10/29/2007

Here’s a True Story: Seller # 1 listed her home at the list price I suggested.  I explained to her that we’d list it under market value to get it sold quickly and hopefully for a price higher than the listing price, if possible.  I ran no newspaper ads.  I conducted no open houses.  She had tons of showings, several offers and in 34 days had sold her home for $15,000 more than her listed price. Seller # 2 listed their home at the suggested list price and received an offer that was a bit low.  Against my strong objections, they refused the offer and then soon after that, the market began changing.  When activity slowed, they refused to lower the price after several discussions.  They finally canceled their listing and now, 8 months later, they are on their second agent since being liste... 10/24/2007

I may sound like a broken record but much is the same in the Riverside Real Estate Market.  Housing sales fell at a record setting rate and home prices declined by double digits for Riverside county last month.  In September, Riverside County saw a 53.3% drop in housing sales compared to the same time last year, and prices are 11 % lower.  This according to DataQuick Information Systems figures released last week. Leslie Appleton-Young, the chief economist for the California Association of Realtors, said, "I don't think this is just a one-month phenomenon.  I think in the next several months there will be more of the same." One reason for the sharp decline is a shortage of financing for potential buyers brought on by the recent sub-prime real estate loan market meltdown. Many sectors a... 10/22/2007

Ghostwalk in downtown Riverside presented by the California Riverside Ballet is now on it's 16th Year.  In 2005 the Ghostwalk event received the recognition as "Best Event in Riverside" and continues to be a tradition gaining additional popularity every year.  The weekend before Halloween, the California Riverside Ballet brings the downtown area alive and into it's supernatural theme with stories of horror, mystery & intrigue along with the ever anticipated performances of the CRB Dancers adding to the theme of phantasm and illusion. Watch the Ghostwalk InfomercialBeginning as the moon rises on both Friday and Saturday night, Guests are toured throughout the historic district where they will hear spine tingling to comic renditions of tales told by California Riverside Ballet Volunteers ... 10/17/2007

Brent Lee | Tower Realty | 951.505.9362 4195 Paden Street, Riverside, CA HOT BUY! HOT BUY! HOT BUY! Single story with new paint, texture, and carpet. Original Hardwood floors, large fireplace! 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $365,000 Year Built 1955 Sq Footage 1,937 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 7,841 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Home needs some costmetic repairs and updating but at just $188/square foot this is a great opportunity for a family or an investor. Owner wants the home SOLD fast so make an offer today! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace Hardwood floor Family room Living room Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Stove/Oven Laundry area - garage Balcony, D... 10/16/2007

The recent U.S. subprime mortgage problems are affecting everyone including sellers, buyers, lenders, banks, developers, remodeling and pool contractors and now even credit card holders. Citigroup, the largest U.S. bank estimated it's 3rd quarter profits will decline 60% and consumer credit costs rose $2.6 billion all due to the housing market woes. Home sales fell in August to a record low as would-be homebuyers had difficulty getting mortgages. Economists said the housing market's woes show no sign of improving soon. The NAR said Tuesday that pending sales for existing homes fell 21.5% from a year ago. Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist with forecasting and consulting firm MFR, Inc. in New York has been watching the Real Estate markets closely. Shapiro and other analysts expect pric... 10/15/2007

   It's a great way to spend a morning. Every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm Riverside hosts a farmers market. It's located at the Main Street Pedestrian Mall. Shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and original artisan specialties. Watch live chef demonstrations. Be sure to bring the kids as there is even a special area for them. 08/22/2007

What is Riverside's Wireless Internet Service? Riverside and AT&T are partnering to provide wireless access to the Internet using standard wireless hardware and technology that is commonly deployed in laptops and some desktop computers. The initiative is rolling out in phases as the necessary network equipment gets installed around Riverside.  There are several service plans available- a FREE service, called MetroFi-Free, with advertising intended for general usage, a PAID service targeted at business and other users who want higher performance (faster data speed) and less advertising, called AT&T Metro WiFi, and public safety services not available to the general public.  We call this initiative the SmartRiverside Wireless Network Service. Is this available at my home or office? You m... 08/18/2007

June 2007 Comparison to June 2006       June Comps             Sales Trend2007                  2006189                    373               -49.3%June Average Price            Average Price Trend2007                   2006$442,553           $456,035          -3.0%Closed Residential Resale Transactions As Reported By Dataquick Information Services.Information from the County of Riverside Monthly Resale Report provided bt Fidelity National Title CompanyCounty of Riverside Monthly Totals:June Comps                    Sales Trend2007                  2006                                            1583                  2662           -40.5%                   June             Avg. Price       Avg. Price Trend2007                  2006$411,858           $437,534       -5.9%By: Doug Beaver Co... 08/07/2007

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park is the largest reserve of open space in the City of Riverside.  There are many trails throughout the park and it is a great place to go walking, running or mountain biking--and you can bring your dog too!  This is a great day-hike destination for the whole family.We have explored some of the trails off of the main trailhead and it's a lot of fun and also a great workout.  The trails are dirt and rock and some of the hills are steep.  Approximately 3.5 miles of the main trail has been cut and filled with sand.  It is approximately 13.5 miles around the perimeter of the park and most of the park is undeveloped.  Within the boundaries of the park you will find an abundance of desert plant and animal life. The park is a fun place with many trails to explore, ... 07/25/2007

This is a common scenario with many homeowners today.  When you first purchased your home, it usually is so much larger than your previous home or apartment.  You wonder how you will ever fill the empty spaces. But within a matter of time, the home gets filled up with to much furniture, collectibles, kids' toys, clothing, holiday decorations, unused and unwanted household items, old paint, appliances, computers, ect...  You get the picture. This would be a great time before the holidays to consider getting rid of some of the extra clutter or items you've tucked away in closets & the garage long to be forgotten.  Also, if you are planning a move in the near future, decluttering your home will make it show more spacious and will ultimately get you more money for your home.  If you current... 07/23/2007