The Riverside Art Museum offers a fun, free program for children and adults called "First Sundays".  Held on, you guessed it, the first Sunday of the month, families can participate in art, music, science and more at the Riverside Art Museum, located at 3425 Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside, CA.  The next First Sunday will be held on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, from 1-4pm.  There will be cultural activities for everyone to enjoy and the museum fills both the lawn and the lobby with great works of art.  I'm going to mark my calendar to make sure I don't miss April's First Sunday at the Riverside Art Museum.  Will you be there?

Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

FINDING A REAL ESTATE AGENT IS EASY. BUT A PRO?   WELL THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.............

What is a professional? In every profession, there are people who stand out and they are called professionals. Professional defined........ one who has special education, who possesses distinctive qualities, an expert, one who practices their highest being....all these convey an extraordinary person in their field. A professional or a real pro as we call them earned the meaning of the above words. They live them. When you see a anyone practicing traits as described, you are moved to recognize a professional at work whatever field of endeavor they are in. I have seen professional cooks, electricians, plumbers, escrow and title officers, doctors, nurses, bus drivers, retail personnel, military officers and many more who change your life just by them being professional in what they do. It is not something you easily forget. How a person CONDUCTS themselves in their profession contributes to their being called a professional. They leave that special impression.

How to spot a professional Real Estate Agent..........

1. Stands out for a good reason. More than just a person who has a license. They like what they do and it shows up in their daily life. Presents well because of it.

2. Knows what they are talking about and more importantly..... knows when they do not. Its called credibility.

3. Can genuinely listen and then decide to comment or not.

4. Is available. In Real Estate, the largest transaction of a persons life, everyone wants an agent that is available. Bears repeating that ALL PARTIES to the transaction want this.

5. Experience is an old favorite. However, eagerness to learn and please is what every newbie employs on his way to gaining experience. That precious innocence can get things done too. Remember your start-up?

6. When they speak, they are demonstrating how they will represent you. After-all, they will negotiate for your best interests. Speaking plainly, clearly and to the point says a lot to someone who wants to hire or use a pro.

7. Can explain what they do, how they do it, and why in just a few brief seconds. It was known as the business card test. If you cannot explain everything on your business card in 3-5 seconds, it just ain't you!

8. Can comment on what things cost or find out and get back to you. Either way, that makes an impression.

9. Doesn't bring up money ever. In fact, they are the last to bring up the subject.

10. Is current on what is going on in the market and can comment in layman's terms.

11. Knows their documents and what is needed in writing.

12. Sure, ethics and integrity are wanted. Clients also want to know that you can think out of the box. They want to know that if things get rough & tough, you can finish what you started. Can they count on you?

How to spot a professional Real Estate Agent.......These are just a few of the things to look for

Oh, and by the way, these Professional agents are looking for you too!

Every December, the historic Mission Inn in Riverside CA is decked out in thousands upon thousands of gorgeous lights.  My son and I look forward to this every year.  This year, I had my handy little Flip camera and was able to take video of the downtown area, including the beautiful Mission Inn.  People ice skate, drink cocoa, eat funnel cake and listen to live music here.  If you're in the area, make sure you stop by.  You'll have the best time.

Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistance - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

The Riverside Festival of Lights is officially on now in Riverside CA.  Officially, this year's Festival of Lights display started on November 27th, but it will continue on until January 3, 2010.  As usual, downtown Riverside has been transformed between University and Mission into a twinkling paradise, complete with hot cocoa, carolers, vendors, live music and our very own outdoor skating rink.  Santa Claus is even available to visit with the kids.  The cost for skating is $10 per hour, with a $3 skate rental fee.  If you plan on skating alot this season, you can purchase a Frequent Skater Card for $50 which will entitle you to one skate hour per day on Sundays through Thursdays throughout the entire month of December.

My family was out of town last weekend for Thanksgiving, so we missed the official Switch-On Ceremony presented by the owners of the Mission Inn, Duane and Kelly Roberts.  But, you can be sure we will be there this weekend.  We never miss an opportunity to enjoy the Riverside Festival of Lights.  It's a sure bet to get you in the Christmas spirit.  And I guarantee I will be taking photos and video to post later.  So check back soon.

Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

Thanks to Michael Thornton's stained glass photo post, I not only found out about a great Active Rain group I was unaware of until now (Friday's Fotos).  But it reminded me of my trip to Riverside's Historic Mission Inn.  There was a chapel built on-site using original Tiffany stained glass windows that were from an old New York church that was being torn down.  The man who built the Mission Inn (Frank Miller) rescued them from being tossed into the trash by just promising to give them back to Tiffany's if he ever decided not to use them anymore.  Here are photos of those stained glass windows (couldn't take the photos from inside the chapel):

Heather Chavez - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

Every Saturday, from 8am-1pm in downtown Riverside, our local farmer's market sets up shop between Mission Avenue and the Riverside Convention Center.  You will find some of the best organic produce, breads, cheeses, flowers, plants, herbs and even fresh fish for sale.  The colors, flavors and smells will absolutely blow your mind.  And it's all brought in by local farmers.  My family and I decided to check it out because we hadn't been in a while.  We picked up some fresh strawberries, avocados, strawberry-banana bread, organic pomegranate juice (it's good for you and we even got to sample the different kinds before we bought), oranges (being from Riverside, these are ALWAYS good) and some fabulous garlic, rosemary and thyme infused Ambrosia extra virgin olive oil.  All this was under $30.  It was fabulous.  We have been nibbling on our goodies since Saturday.  We had fresh-sliced strawberries on the strawberry-banana bread with a dollop of whipped cream on top for dessert on Saturday night and pomegranate juice with breakfast.  I rubbed the garlic olive oil all over a whole fryer chicken and roasted it until it was crispy brown in our oven for dinner tonight.  The olive oil kept the juices inside, making the meat juicy.  Hungry yet?  Here are some of the photos my son took for me while we were there so I could share with you fine folks:

The great thing about supporting my local Riverside farmers market is that, since all produce, fruits, flowers and herbs are grown locally, it takes less gas to ship them in.  It also supports the local economy by keeping money here in the community and giving the farmers a platform to sell their wares.  Many cities across the country offer up farmers markets in their towns.  You really should check them out.  It's also a great place to meet your neighbors.  We even found two great places to eat while wandering through the downtown Riverside area: The Upper Crust sandwich shop (the heavenly aroma of baking bread hits you dead on in the face before you even walk through the door) and Gram's Mission BBQ, a small, family-owned BBQ joint with dishes like cajun catfish and good ol' Louisiana hot links.  If you ever find yourself wandering around Riverside CA on a Saturday morning, come check out the farmers market.  If you aren't in the area, check out the local farmers market in your neck of the woods.  You can't go wrong!

Heather Chavez - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

If you are in need of help with your taxes, go to the Riverside Public Library (3581 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside) every Wednesday - Saturday til April 15th.  Volunteers from AARP will be available on Wednesdays and Thursdays fro noon to 4pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-3pm.

The Community Action Partnership is volunteering its time for free as well for citizens in need of help with their taxes at the Eastside Cybrary (4033 Chicago Ave #C, Riverside) every Saturday from 10am-4pm until April 11th.  For more information on these free services, please call 951-826-5201.

Heather Chavez - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!