Cheryl Johnson

I can see the San Gabriel Mountains from the upstairs window of my home; this was my vantage point yesterday evening as I witnessed the progress of the La Canada Flintridge fire.

This photo of a giant smoke cloud was taken at approximately 6:50PM PDT.

This photo was talken at approximately 7:30PM PDT. The flames have now crossed the ridge. (Note the shot is zoomed in closer - compare the size of the palm tree in the foreground.)

This photo was taken at approximately 7:50PM PDT, just an hour after the first photo:

Infomation on La Canada Flintridge here.

Map here

When: Saturday August 29, 10:30AM

Where: Glassell Park Community Center, 3750 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, 90065

On Saturday, August 29, 2009, the Glassell Park Improvement Association Land Use Committee is hosting an educational forum regarding the 710 Tunnel Feasibility Study.

Many members of our community may know of the 710 freeway was the one that goes to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Or perhaps they know it as the one that ends just north of the 10 in Alhambra on the border with El Sereno. Maybe they even think of it as the stub of a freeway that drops south from the 210 /134 interchange in Pasadena.

Those that have been reading the GPIA newsletter lately will know that the 710 Tunnel Feasibility Study currently being conducted by Cal Trans could result in a tunnel portal opening in our community. The feasibility study has been engaged in order to determine whether or not a tunnel could be constructed to complete the 710 gap closure for northbound traffic via a "route-neutral" plan.

What this study means and the potential impacts for Glassell Park and our surrounding communities will be discussed at the educational forum on Saturday, August 29. The event will be held at 10:30 at the Glassell Park Community Center, 3750 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, 90065 and is free to the public.

Community Network and Resource Fair

Saturday, August 29, 2009, 10am - 4pm PDT

Court of Champions, The Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103

10a-2p Community Network and Resource Fair with information about Employment Health Financial Housing Education Youth Parenting Spiritual and More

Over 50 Resource Vendors

10a-4p Celebration Join us for Music Art Dance Drama Food

*All Ages

FREE

The Church of the City, Greater Pasadena

in conjunction with

The Employment Development Department of California and

The Foothill Workforce Investment Board

The Old L A Farmer's Market in Highland Park is held every Tuesday, rain or shine, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The Farmer's Market is held on Avenue 58 in between North Figueroa and Marmion Way, and on Marmion Way between Avenue 57 and Avenue 58.

You can ride the Metro Gold Line and get off at the Avenue 57 Station. Or you can park in the public parking lot north of North Figueroa. Enter the parking lot from Avenue 57.

And the market has more than fruit and veggies! You can buy hot, prepared food; you can buy arts, crafts, jewelry and apparel.

And there's live entertainment!

Homebuyers In Northeast Los Angeles - Part FIVE: More About Contingencies

In the standard California real estate purchase contract, the Financing Contingency runs concurrently, and simultaneously with the Inspection Contingency.

The standard preprinted paragraph provides a 17 day contingency period for both; meaning that by the end of the 17th day after mutual acceptance of the purchase contract, you must be able to state that you have completed all your inspections and investigations AND that you have secured the needed financing to purchase the property AND that the property has appraised at the amount necessary to secure the financing.

That 's alot that has to happen in a relatively short period of time. And with additional regulations now in effect in the financial industry, many real estate professionals are suggesting that buyers negotiate for a longer financing contingency period.

Why is a contingency period important? Some investors like to call a contingency an "escape hatch". A contingency allows a buyer to cancel a purchase contract without penalty is the contingency is not satisfied.

If a buyer waives all contingencies, and then decides to cancel the purchase, the seller of the property may claim the buyer's good faith deposit as damages.

Also note that the standard preprinted California real estate purchase contract provides that all contingencies must be "actively removed" in writing.

The contingency is not removed automatically, even though the 17 day time period has passed, it remains in effect until it is removed in writing.

What is the seller's recourse if the buyer's removal of a contingency is overdue? A seller must issue a written Notice to Perform. (The required performance being the removal of the contingency.)

This article is not intended as legal advice. It is general information only. If you need specific contract contingency advice, please consult your attorney.

At Bob Taylor Properties, as your agents, we will help you meet the contractual time periods and manage the deadlines. We will guide you and consult with you throughout all negotiations.