Sue Eller

As the number of foreclosed properties increases in the Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena area, so too, does the number of abandoned animals

In response to this continuing trend, California Assemblyman Mark Desaulnier,D-Concord, introduced Assembly Bill 2949 this year calling for real estate agents, landlords and property managers to take responsibility for those abandoned pets. As of today, (Jan 1, 2009) the law is now in effect. It states, "any person or private entity with whom a live animal has been 'involuntarily deposited' must take charge of it."

The previous law inhibited people (real estate agents or banks) from taking any action when they went in the house and saw the animal there because the old law basically said that was private property and they couldn't remove it. In many cases real estate agents who are the first on scene after a foreclosure have come across abandoned pets who are hungry, lonely and sometimes dead. "It is more responsibility for us as realtors, but I for one see it as part of my duty.

Other options to abandonment are, contacting local animal welfare agencies, or the Pasadena Humane Society.

Before a house gets foreclosed upon, ask the homeowners about their plans for their pets. Show some animal rescue literature to foreclosed homeowners.

When the house has been vacated, check for any pets left behind. Ask your local humane society in how to rescue abandoned pets.

Do not keep blaming foreclosed homeowners for leaving their pets behind. Just do something to rescue the abandoned pets.

There is no excuse for leaving animals behind without food or water and having them suffer.

Animal control officers who take in the pets will be allowed to secure a lien to recover any rescue costs; and previous owners may even be able to retrieve their pet at a later date without facing any legal liability.

It is very disheartening to know that this problem will only get worse before it gets better, so hopefully we can all do our part to ease the crisis in any way possible.

I know the snow is not real. I know it might sound cheesy to some. Especially those who are innundated with piles of the white stuff and they spend hours digging out their car and have trouble getting around. But...at least for 5 minutes per day, we in Sunny Glendale California have snow falling from the sky for a whole block. Granted, it is Caruso Way at the Americana at Brand and it is from a snow machine, but snow none the less. I am sure that if anyone in Boston, Chicago, Seattle or Detroit, were to see all of us "crazy Californians" gather to witness this nightly ritual, they would think we were crazier than ever!

So I was a bit skeptical as well, when my husband, Bob Yousefian suggested we go check it out. He was interested because he is an avid supporter of the Americana at Brand and a Glendale City Councilman. When city manager Jim Starbird told us to go check out the snow, we said, what the heck? Let's do it.

As the clock approached 7 PM, people began to gravitate toward the location where the snow was going to fall from. Young and old, people of all ethnic groups, teenagers, little kids, old people...they all were waiting...and lo and behold, right at 7 PM the snow began to fall. I was for a moment, caught up in it all. It was the young kids who got to me. They held out their little gloved hands, catching the flakes in wonder. You see, they don't know it is fake snow. To them it is just as real as Santa. It was a great thing to witness. To those who have never seen their youngsters enthralled by snow, I encourage you to go and see it. It will be falling until Christmas day. Well worth it.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Glendale California is a very caring community and it was evidenced by the outpouring of generosity from the more than 300 people who came to our holiday party to benefit Glendale Healthy Kids.

As I reported the other day on ‘Active Rain’ the Realtor Blog Site, Bob Yousefian and Sue Eller's holiday fundraiser party exceeded expectations, raising awareness and money for the charitible cause, "Glendale Healthy Kids.” Many community leaders and city officials, campaign supporters, clients and friends, neighbors and yes, even Realtors were in attendance and a great time was had by all. I believe we had nearly 300 people in attendance.

The unique demographics of the holiday party that we host is something that always makes me feel proud. This multi-cultural event was attended by young and old, rich and not so rich, men & women, democrats, republicans, and people of hispanic, armenian, asian and caucasion origin. One party attendee was a woman nearly 100 years old named Rosa Johnson from Altadena. There were also several young children in attendance. The entertainment provided by Crescenta Valley High School carolers was excellent and they provided a festive atmosphere to the occasion.

I believe we raised several thousand for the cause. We had our newly elected California State Senator Carol Liu in attendance as well as the former Mayor of Pasadena, Joyce Streator and former Mayor Larry Zarian. We had coverage in the Glendale Newspress as well. All of the preparation and planning and cleaning and shopping was well worth it. I invited a number of new friends who have been recent clients and some of them met each other and that was a nice feeling as well. For those of you who attended, Bob and I wish to express our sincere thanks for your support. All in all, it was a night to remember. For those who would like to read the article in the Newspress and see pix click the link below.

http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2008/12/12/news/gnp-kids12.txt

Glendale's Americana at Brand is a beautiful place to enjoy the holiday season. With the 107 ft. tall Christmas tree festooned with lights and decorations and the nightly snow fall (man made-of course) it provides an excellent atmosphere of Christmas spirit. Even with the economic downturn, there is no reason not to just go there and walk around and take in the sights. When attending the first annual tree lighting at the site, I was happy to have been able to partake of the festivities. As my husband, councilman Bob Yousefian and I sat with the dignitaries in the front seats, we were treated to great live entertainment that put us in a festive mood. There were nearly 30,000 people in attendance that night for the first annual event. For those who don't know, the Americana at Brand was developed by Rick Caruso, the same man who developed the popular lifestyle center, "The Grove" in Los Angeles. The Americana has given Glendale a whole new revitalization that makes me proud to call Glendale home. I will be closing escrow in a couple of days and I plan to celebrate with a visit to the Americana at Brand to help the economy personally! For more information on other interesting features of Glendale, please call me at (818) 668-4005 or visit my website at www.ellertheseller.com.

As I predicted the other day, our holiday fundraiser party exceeded expectations, raising awareness and money for the charitable cause, "Glendale Healthy Kids.” Many community leaders and city officials, campaign supporters, my clients and friends, neighbors and yes, even Realtors were in attendance and a great time was had by all. I believe we had around 250 people in attendance. The unique demographics of the holiday party that my husband, Glendale City Councilman Bob Yousefian and I host is something that always makes me feel proud. The multi-cultural event was attended by young and old, rich and not so rich, men & women, democrats, republicans, and people of Hispanic, Armenian, Asian and Caucasian origin. One party attendee was a woman nearly 100 years old named Rosa Johnson from Altadena. There were also several young children in attendance. The entertainment provided by Crescenta Valley High School carolers was excellent and they provided a festive atmosphere to the occasion. I believe we raised nearly $6000 for the cause. We had our newly elected California State Senator Carol Liu in attendance as well as the former Mayor of Pasadena, Joyce Streator. We had coverage in the Glendale Newspress as well. All of the preparation and planning and cleaning and shopping was well worth it. I invited a number of new friends who have been recent clients and some of them met each other and that was a nice feeling as well. For those of you who attended, Bob and I wish to express our sincere thanks for your support. All in all, it was a night to remember. For those who would like to read the article in the Newspress and see pix click the link below. http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2008/12/12/news/gnp-kids12.txt