The Barton Schoolhouse Restoration Project On September 29th/ 30th, 2009, this 110 year old schoolhouse was moved in two parts to its new location on Orange Street, Redlands CA located across the street from the Montessori School.                                Developer Aaron Weiss donated the building to Grove High School and paid all the moving expenses. The students and parents of Grove High School and the  Redlands Conservancy have strived to collect funds to restore the schoolhouse.          Weiss had bought the land in 2009 and was building a large office complex on Nevada Street in Redlands.   Liz Beguelin, chair of the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission, began the process to save the 1902 schoolhouse as it is the oldest Redlands school still standing.     The 1901 Bart... 09/29/2011

I Cannot Hold My Head Up Anymore! The Alaska Moose (male) typically weighs 1400 lbs., antlers have a average width up to 4.9 ft, Height of 6-7 ft. at the shoulders and live about 25 years.   The male will drop its antlers after the mating season (Sept-Oct) and conserve energy for the winter. A new set of antlers will then regrow in the spring. Antlers take three to five months to fully develop, making them one of the fastest growing animal organs. They initially have a layer of skin, called "velvet," which is shed once the antlers become fully grown. When you have had a bad day and you just don’t feel like you can hold your head up, just remember that tomorrow is another day and everything will look better in the daylight. These pictures taken near Anchorage, Alaska. Inland Empire Homeo... 09/28/2011

Redlands Real Estate Market Jan.-Sept. 2011  This is a Marketing Report for Redlands, CA for the period of time between January 1st and September 27th, 2011. I have divided the chart into 3 categories. ·         Standard Sales ·         Bank Owned Sales ·         Short Sales      This chart shows Closed Sales divided up by the last 9 months.      Standard Sales have gone up (August had 43 standard sales)  which is very good news for the homesellers who has been holding off listing their homes. As you can see in September the short sales and standard sales are down but there are still 4 days for pending escrows to close. Next week I will update the report to show how many have closed by the 31st. This number should raise considerable.       Bank Owned Sales have pretty much stayed consis... 09/26/2011

  “PINK” is the Color Today for Breast Cancer Awareness   Susan G. Komen lost her life from breast cancer in 1978 at the age of 36 years old. Susan’s sister decided to get help for other women for breast cancer prevention and early detection.   Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US     Since its inception in 1982, Komen has invested nearly $2 billion for breast cancer research, education, advocacy, health services and social support programs in the U.Sand through partnerships in more than 50 countries.   Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®. This weekend, their are races all over the nation to raise money for the cur... 09/25/2011

I hear the train a comin' and It's rollin' 'round the bend……… This is the Union Pacific Train that runs through the San Timoteo Canyon in South Redlands. Many of the locomotives have a huge American flag on them which makes it very distintive.  The first American railroads started in the 1830's from the Atlantic ports of Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah. The railroad single-handedly had the greatest impact on the American transportation system. Trains helped to develop and connect the United States by carry shipments from the East Coast to the rest of the county. Even today, trains still are the major transport of Lumber, Steel, Chemicals, Automobiles, Coal, Grains, and Waste and they passengers. Passenger travel seems to be more popular in the E... 09/24/2011

Look What I Found at the La Jolla Beach……..BIRDS I love to go to La Jolla which is approximately 1 hour away, walk on the beach and take pictures of the beautiful coastline and all the birds hanging around.                                                                                                                                                                            Inland Empire Homeowners, please call me for a Comprehensive Market Analysis to assist you with marketing your home for sale and getting the best price possible. Buyers, if you are planning to purchase real estate, let me assist you in finding the right home.  Google me at Kristin Hamilton, Keller Williams Realty, Redlands, CA. 09/17/2011

  Great American Wild West Show At the LA County Fair! The LA County Fairgrounds proudly presents the Fair from Sept 3- Oct 2, 2011 and only 30 minutes from Redlands, CA.   The Great American Wild West Show-The Great American Wild West Show is a Celebration of the American West on a grand scale. Cowboys & Indians, Hollywood Heroes and Daredevil Riders are all combined into a thrilling Spectacle that has thrilled audiences. Come meet our cowboys and learn about the Wild West.           To start off the show, parading around with the American Flag and the National Anthem.                         What would be a true rodeo without a stagecoach to start off the festivities.                   Mother-Daughter Daredevil Team from Marin County, CA.                                         Here i... 09/17/2011

Eat, Drink and Be Happy in Redlands….Yummy!     For anyone who is following my blog, I have a lunch every Friday with my dear friends and we typically go to a new restaurant in the area. Today we went to an adorable little restaurant called "Sucree Tea and Pastries" restaurant. Here we are having tea before our lunch arrived.             The restaurant is adorable and has Alice in Wonderland prints. Tables with linen tablecloths and napkins, teapots and teacups. Look at the varieties of teas on the back hutch.                       The pastries here are scrumptious looking. Look at these cupcakes….Yummy!                               Be sure to try breakfast or lunch really soon.                         SUCREE Pastries & Teas 838 Tri-City Center Drive Redlands, CA 92374 909-307-0793 Mo... 09/16/2011

             10 Reasons Not to Overprice Your Home!     Seller Not Serious- By overpricing, the buyers say never mind as this seller is just testing the market and not truly serious. Few to No Showings- Agents and Buyers are both pretty aware of the market prices so if your home is overpriced, they will just not show it at all. Limits the Number of Buyers- By overpricing home you cut out good buyers that are qualified below that amount.  Eventually if you reduce the price, many of these buyers have already found a home. Failed Negotiations- Buyers might put in a lower offer, but if the seller is overpriced, the gap will typically be too far apart to agree upon. Homeowners that are locked into a set price typically will not come down even with the good advice of their Realtor. Will not A... 09/15/2011

People Watching By the Birds!   I took this picture while in front of the local bird farm,"Bracken's Bird Farm”in Redlands, CA yesterday. Do you ever wonder what birds think of us? These birds were way up high on electrical lines and were looking down watching the cars driving by. Did anyone ever see “The Birds” movie by Alfred Hitchcock? Of course, these look like nice birds!     Homeowners, please call me for a Comprehensive Market Analysis to assist you with marketing your home for sale and getting the best price possible. Buyers, if you are planning to purchase real estate, let me assist you in finding the right home.  Google me at Kristin Hamilton, Keller Williams Realty, Redlands, CA.     09/13/2011

  My What Big Ears You Have             Came across this little rabbit in the San Bernardino Mountains. Rabbits have very sharp hearing so it is hard to sneak up when walking in heavy brush but I finally got close enough to get a few photos.                                                                                                                                             Homeowners, please call me for a Comprehensive Market Analysis to assist you with marketing your home for sale and getting the best price possible. Buyers, if you are planning to purchase real estate, let me assist you in finding the right home.  Google me at Kristin Hamilton, Keller Williams Realty, Redlands, CA. 09/12/2011

Redlands Real Estate Market Jan-Aug 2011....Real Estate Transactions on the Move Upward!       Most of you know me but for any who do not, I am a local, experienced, respected Realtor who lives and works in this area. I sit on committee for East Valley Association of Realtors, Women's Council of Realtors, and for Keller Williams Realty. I stay active in the community as well as busy marketing homes for sale and helping buyers find their dream homes.               I have just finished running the stats for new listings, pending sales, and closed sales from January- August 2011 for the city of Redlands and have prepared a marketing chart for you to view.  As you can see, the numbers are moving up each month. This is so exciting and it looks as the market is recovering in your community of... 09/10/2011

  Friendship Friday- Lunch with Mary and While the Cats Away………    Met my friend Mary today for lunch as it is Friday; yes Friendship Friday. For any of you who have not read my blog before, I meet with friends every Friday. Work all week but Friday lunch is my time to relax and enjoy friends. Today we met at the restaurant “Olive Garden” for the soup and salad special. Yummy, it is my favorite. And they have a new sauce, mushroom with sun dried tomatoes on top. Of course I didn’t order it and wished I had.               So when I get home, who do I find in my office, in my chair and on my computer but Miss Tootie.                              And here is CoCo looking out my office window? I usually leave the door closed but somehow they slipped in!                                    Hi... 09/10/2011

***FREE  ELECTRONIC*** RECYCLING IN REDLANDS  Saturday & Sunday, September 10th & 11th Hours:    9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 100 Redlands Mall Redlands, CA 92373  (Front of Gottschalks at Redlands Mall: Enter at Eureka St.)   Help our City get rid of E-Waste the right way by sending it to a proper recycling process and not into the landfills!   What is “E-waste”? E-Waste is any consumer electronic equipment that has reached its ‘end-of-life’ or ‘end-of-usage,’ whether in full or non-working condition. It includes most electronics or electric appliances with a cord or circuit board such as:   Computer Monitors, Television sets, PC Systems, Printers, Laptops, Copiers, Scanners, Fax Machines, Toner Cartridges, UPS & PDAs, Power Supplies, Main Frame Units, Networking Equipment, Mother Board Syst... 09/09/2011

  No Birds Here…………….Just Some Happy Cats!   I found this great area while on a nature walk yesterday in the hills. I was sure there would be plenty of subjects to take pictures of. I couldn’t find a rabbit, a squirrel, no rodents anywhere and the birds weren’t even chirping?? How odd I thought but then as I came around the corner, I spied some feral cats hanging around. Some well fed cats I might add……………. He wouldn't stop eating nor would he look up. OK, have it your way.                 This  girl is having kittens or already did. She wouldn't get up nor look at me and the black cat hissed when I tried to get closer. OK I will stay back, far back!                                   I fell in love for this cat. She was such a friendly girl and talked to me while I took her picture.    ... 09/08/2011

Mother Nature is our Best Decorator! Out in San Timoteo Canyon in Redlands, CA, the railroad tracks run through this long stretch of road. There is a lot of wind, flooding and traffic. To enhance the beauty of this rural area, Mother Nature puts up “Sunflowers” along the tracks to give it a more colorful effect. Thank You Mother Nature! Anyone interested in buying in this area, call: Kristin Hamilton, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Redlands, CA. 09/07/2011

Try out the new restaurant "The Stockyard BBQ & Steak House" on State Street in Redlands if you love BBQ & Steaks!                   Our Waitress, Amy, and the Cook, Jason, gave extremely good service.The food was delicious and they served large portions.                               The atmosphere was very rustic with Cattle paintings, cow hide booths, and tables with wagon wheels on the sides. You have the option of eating inside or outside on their large covered patio.               If you like steaks, tri-tip sandwiches, salads, pasta and sweet potato fries then you will enjoy this restaurant. I had the Lobster Pasta and Raspberry Iced Tea. Come and try for yourself and I think it will become your new favorite restaurant.     The Stockyard BBQ & Steak House  510 E State Street  Red... 09/06/2011

Where Have all the Horses Gone……..To San Timoteo Canyon in Redlands!  While following a horse trailer yesterday, I took several pictures of this beautiful white horse. Look what I found in Redlands, CA!             This photo was taken while we were driving.                                        As we stopped getting off the freeway, I shot this one. What beautiful eyes you have!                             This is where the trailer stopped; lots of horses here. I am in Heaven!                           They are so beautiful!                               This is my favorite photo. I love the Palimino horse.                               If you are interested in living in the Redlands or Loma Linda area, you can still find some beautiful areas close to nature here. There is also a 40 a... 09/05/2011

Speechless Sunday-Great Nature Photos of Loma Linda and Redlands. This morning I went for my Sunday 6:00 a.m. nature hike. Still looking for my red tailed hawk that has been landing on my roof but no luck but I did find some interesting photos.         Here is a photo of a black phoebe bird. I found this in a condo complex in Loma Linda.                               A lovely rose that has survived our heat this summer in downtown Redlands on State Street.                               A Black Phoebe sitting on a bird feeder                                     A Green Hummingbird in my own backyard in Redlands.                           A pink Hibiscus peeking through a fence.                         A family of finches flew by making a lot of noise. They all flew off except for this on... 09/04/2011

Friendship Friday- Redlands Wells Fargo’s Kelly Holshoe at new Stockyard Restaurant.   Today is Friday and as you know, it is the day I typically meet with my friends for lunch. Today, Kelly Holshoe of Wells Fargo met me at the new Stockyard Restaurant in Redlands, CA. The food was terrific, the waitress Amy gave us wonderful service, going to a new place is always fun, and of course having lunch with my friend Kelly was very special as I do not see her as often due to our busy schedules. Meet Kelly Holshoe, Loan Officer for Wells Fargo Bank in Redlands, CA. She has worked for Wells Fargo for 8 years. Kelly can get you pre-qualified for that new home or to re-finance the home you have now.                                                             Kelley Holshoe                        ... 09/03/2011