Tonight we ate at a new Mexican restaurant near our home in Canyon Crest.  The Tortilla Grille is inexpensive and provides fast and friendly service and quality food.  Larry had the combo number 4, two enchiladas and a steak taco.  I had the Chile Relleno and a cheese enchilada.  The food had a nice flavor and texture and felt like a good value overall.  I would recommend asking for extra ice for the iced tea since it is brewed fresh and gets a little warm.  The restaurant has been open just a couple months and is extremely clean and well appointed.  The staff are friendly and the service is speedy.  Larry felt inclined to leave a generous tip because of our overall satisfaction of this new restaurant.  We wish it success. 07/16/2007

The City of Riverside Parks & Recreation and Community Services Department is proud to present a series of FREE G-rated family movies this summer. All movies will begin at dusk so be sure to come out early.  You may like to bring a picnic dinner or some of your favorite movie snack foods to enjoy with your family and friends. Seating is on the grass, so be sure to bring comfortable seating. All movies will be announced at park on date of showing.             Date              Place         July 13th      at Bryant Park -7950 Philbin St. Riverside         July 14th     at Taft Park -6826 New Ridge Dr. Riverside         July 20th     at La Sierra Park -5215 La Sierra Ave. Riverside         July 21st     at Nichols Park -5505 Dewey Ave. Riverside         July 27th     at Reid Park -701 N. ... 07/14/2007

July 9, 2007There are currently 204 homes for sale in OrangeCrest and 26 homes pending sale.  Based on current inventory and projected sales for 2007 (194 homes), there is a 12.62 month supply of homes on the market.For the current year to date, 109 homes have sold in OrangeCrest and 126 homes sold in the same period last year.  That's a 15% decrease in sales.Average sales price for 1/1/07 through 6/30/07:  $503,571Average sales price for 1/1/06 through 6/30/06:  $565,560That's an 11% decrease in the sales price for this area.For more information about OrangeCrest, please contact: Larry and Michelle Ewing, www.ewingforhomes.com*information obtained from Inland Regional Multiple Listing Service  07/09/2007

 The Good, the Bad and the UglyWell . . . . . . . o.k. - so,  it's mostly the bad and the ugly.  Last year from January through June there were 1,992 closed sales (this figure only accounts for re-sales, not new homes).  This year for the same period there are 1,138 closed sales.  Folks, that's a 43% decrease.     In May, 2006 there were 354 sales - this year, 187.  That's a 47% decrease.     In June, 2006 there were 365 sales - this year, 189.  That's a 48% decrease.Currently there are 2,763 homes for sale in Riverside and 343 pending sale.Based on current inventory, we have a 15 month supply of homes on the market.In summary, it appears that the remainder of 2007 will continue to be difficult for home sellers. Sellers: If you need to sell your home you're going to need to be patient. ... 07/09/2007

Come out and enjoy this Series of FREE Concerts in the park this Summer!  This series of concerts are family oriented Band Concerts and will be held at Fairmount & New La Sierra Park in Riverside.  Concerts will include: Rock, Country, Oldies, Blues, Disco & Jazz. Come early and bring a picnic blanket or beach chair to enjoy the cool summer evenings in the park!  If you'd like you can bring a snack or  enjoy the foods that some local vendors will be selling.  Youth can also enjoy a fun zone that includes a rock wall, giant obstacle course and other activities for $3 per youth for unlimited play *Fairmount Park only*Concerts at Fairmount Park: will be on Wednesday evenings 6:00-9:00pm Dates: June 27th, July 11th,18th,25th, August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, September 5thConcerts at La Si... 07/09/2007

May 2007 Comparison to May 2006       May Comps             Sales Trend2007                  2006199                    382               -47.9%May Average Price            Average Price Trend2007                   2006$418,912           $445,371         -5.9%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:May Comps                    Sales Trend2007                  2006                                            1571                  2653           -40.8%                   May             Avg. Price       Avg. Price Trend2007                  2006$441,486           $462,885       -4.6%By: Doug Beaver Corona, N... 07/06/2007

I went on a walk today that I actually started yesterday...  I walked with neighbors and friends at Jurupa Valley High School.  We walked for friends and relatives, for hope and a cure.  We talked about courage and honor and memories.   If you have never experienced a Relay for Life, that is what you need... to experience it.  I consider how it impacted my view of the world at large.  So, when I have a rough night... I will remember all those who would wish for my "rough night" instead of their own.  When I look at the courage exhibited by survivors and caregivers, I think it could stamp out global whining completely.  Relay for Life is a spectacular event that honors the lives that have been touched by cancer and raises funds for the cure.  The American Cancer Society  is the nationwid... 06/24/2007

Moving And Packing Tips Selecting A Moving Company Consumer complaints against moving companies are common. Here are some tips to help your move go more smoothly. • Get a binding estimate from the moving company. Make sure all charges are included in the contract. • Contact the Better Business Bureau or consumer complaints department and ask about their on-time record and other complaints. • Movers are limited by law regarding what they are required to pay for lost or damaged goods. Check your existing homeowner's or renter's policy to see if you're covered for such damage. • Include any gratuity in the contract. • The contract should guarantee the number of hours required for the job, and provide for an overrun of no more than 10 percent. • Inform the moving company of the number of s... 06/23/2007

by Joan Bergstrom, Certified Loan Signing Agent, Instructor, AuthorEnd of the month cycle for refinancing loans is usually between the 22nd and the 27th of the month: Call a local title or escrow office and volunteer to come to their office and notarize documents for half your normal fee for the opportunity to show them your "style and demeanor" but understand why you are doing this for a discounted fee and remember the company is under no obligation to call you! If you can afford it bring pens, candy, or whatever so they remember you and, of course, phone them the next week to "say hello."Title or signing company hires you to do a signing and there is a problem with the signing (not your error) and you complete the resigning without any additional fee. Ask the title or signing company ... 06/19/2007

 by Joan Bergstrom, Certified Loan Signing Agent, Instructor, AuthorI have been a Notary/Loan Signer in California for 5 years and this is my perspective: 2002 - When I started in all the loan documents arrived at my doorstep via FedEx or UPS and the documents were all printed out for me with a return envelope included with the pertinent information filled out. Boy, Those Were the Days!! I was in this industry about 4 months when a company asked me if I could print electronic documents? I said sure and then hustled to find out how to print these documents. I made mistakes; bought the wrong laser printer because it was cheaper and I couldn't download some loan packages sent by email. I fixed that problem by going to Costco and buying an HP 1200 on a Friday night, and giving the other pri... 06/19/2007

6152 Avenue Juan DiazThis private sanctuary sits on the 14th hole of Jurupa Hills Golf Course with a large open living aarea.  This home is well planned and offers three bedrooms and two baths.  Plenty of storage and personal space.  Backyard offers a beautiful view of the golf course with mature trees and landscaping. 06/13/2007

Golf For Women - Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm                                          Introduction to Golf (mixed) - Thursdays 6:30-7:30pmPremiere Golf Solutions is proud to partner with Van Buren Golf Center and the City of Riverside Parks & Recreations to provide two (2) new introductory to golf clinics!  The five (5) week clinics cover the basics of golf including grip, stance, posture, putting, chipping, the full swing, rules and etiquette.  Cost is $75 per participant plus range balls.              *For more information or to register today, call (951) 295-8086* 06/09/2007

My home town and the area where, I concentrate the bulk of my real estate business, is Riverside, Ca.  Riverside is part of the Inland Empire, comprised of Riverside, San Bernardino and all surrounding towns and communities.  Riverside started as a center of the citrus industry.  Most of the original residents came here for farming, and citrus was the primary crop.  In fact the parent tree to the Navel Orange is here in Riverside.  Many of the buildings date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.  The downtown area of Riverside still has many old buildings, including homes and business.  The crown glory of Riverside's downtown area is the Mission Inn.  It is a beautiful rambling old Inn as the name implies.  What it is not, is one of the original California Missions, as the name would ... 06/06/2007

 FRIDAY"Tough Enough To Wear Pink"Gates Open 5:00pmPreshow starts 6:30pmPRCA Rodeo 7:00pmLive Music & Dancing 9:00pm to MidnightAll Ages WelcomeMusic brought to you byPaul Justin & The Saloonatixx SATURDAYFamily Day & Car ShowGates Open  11:00amHot Rod Car Show & Family Day Events  12:00noonSpecial Rodeo  4:30pmPreShow  6:30pmPRCA Rodeo  7:00pmLive Music & Dancing  9:00pm to MidnightAll Ages WelcomeMusic byPaul Justin & The Saloonatixxwww.myspace.com/pauljustinAll entries in the car show will recieve 1 free ticket to the rodeoFamily Fun Day Events12 noon to 3 pmEvents:Beard & Moustache ContestBest Dressed Rodeo Clown ContestWatermelon Eating ContestTortilla Toss3-Legged Sack RaceWater Balloon TossTrophys to 1st place!Sponsored ByMira Loma Feed & HardwareQuality Feed & Hay951-685-5787474... 06/03/2007

Prime Mission Grove Real Estate in Riverside is a wonderful place to live, play, and raise a family.  Home to some of the best schools in California, Mission Grove also has several upscale shopping areas, many restaurants, several parks, and one of the largest church centers, The Grove, in Southern California.  The background of Mission Grove is brought to you by Council Representative Frank Schiavone.  Mission Grove is an eastern gateway into the City of Riverside, composed primarily of newer single-family homes. Mission Grove shares the hilly terrain of all the southeastern Riverside neighborhoods and the landscape is punctuated by several high peaks.  This region remained largely undeveloped until the 1960's, but the large majority of the growth has occurred in the last ten years, ma... 06/01/2007

April 2007 Comparison to April 2006       April Comps             Sales Trend2007                  2006178                    358               -50.3%April Average Price            Average Price Trend2007                   2006$444.000           $458,603         -3.2%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:April Comps                    Sales Trend2007                  2006                                            1489                  2401           -38.0%                   April             Avg. Price       Avg. Price Trend2007                  2006$451,384           $420,903       +7.2%By: Doug Beav... 05/30/2007

Come see some of the most Coolest Custom, Semi Custom, Street Sport and Cruiser Motorcycles when Riverside Bike nights 2007 begin.When: Friday May 18th, June 21, July 20, Aug. 17 from 6pm-9pmWhere: 7599 Indiana Ave. Riverside, CA. Exit the 91 fwy. at MadisonSponosored by: Star Riding and Touring Chapter 345 and Malcolm Smith Motorsports. Visit their website: http://www.malcolmsmithrides.comTo enter the Show and Shine call: 951-687-1300 05/15/2007

Riverside, CA March 2007 Homes for Sale Market ReportMarch 2007 Comparison to March 2006       March Comps             Sales Trend2007                  2006201                      453               -55.6% March Average Price            Average Price Trend2007                   2006$459,243           $465,733         -1.4%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:March Comps                    Sales Trend2007                  2006                                            1767                  2833           -37.6%                   March             Avg. Price       Avg. Price Trend2007                  ... 05/15/2007

This is a great time of year to pull out those hiking boots and start hiking some of the beautiful trails of Riverside County.  We have great places to walk for enjoyment as well for your physical overall health.  It's best to walk at a speed that you can still carry on a conversation, and it's also recommended that you should walk at least 30 min. a day at your target heart rate.  (To calculate your target heart rate, take 220, and subtract your age and multiply that number by 60% and 80%.  The number in between is your target heart rate.)  To get your FREE copy of "Walk Riverside: Routes and Trails" you may pick one up at the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau, 3750 University Ave. or 3936 Chestnut St. Riverside.  For an online version: http://www.riversideca.gov/mayor/pdf/Walk... 05/02/2007

The Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. will conduct its sixth annual Champions for Justice Awards Banquet from 6-9p.m.on April 26th at the Riverside Convention Center, 3443 Orange St., in Riverside.The event is held each year to honor individuals who have demonstrated tremendous dedication to the cause of social justice."This is a very important event," said Ali Sahabi, president of SE Corporation, master developer of Dos Lagos, and a past recipient of the award.  "The Fair Housing Council of Riverside County provides an essential service to the region.  At a time when affordable housing is becoming more difficult to find for many families, this organization provides vital assistance."Providing people with a stable environment and a stable place to live is a key ingredient t... 04/24/2007