It's been almost five years since the Lehman Brothers investment bank went bankrupt, sending the country into an economic tailspin. The nation’s housing collapse hit Southern California particularly hard, especially neighborhoods in the Inland Empire. 

To take the pulse of the housing market in San Bernardino, A Martinez took a drive with real estate agent Myra Elder, who has worked in the area for 41 years.

She's also lived there her whole life and as you'll hear, she takes a lot of pride in her community. Elder wanted to stress that there are bright spots. For instance, a neighborhood on the east loosely known as the "country club area," consisting of homes with pools and perfectly manicured lawns next a golf course.

"We have many, many neighborhoods like this," said Elder. "We get a bad wrap because of the high crime and I'm not denying that exists, but it is getting better."

However, a drive south takes you through a vacant-feeling downtown. Other neighborhoods are slowly recovering, and now have just a few foreclosed homes. Since May, assessed property values in San Bernardino County have jumped 68 percent, according the county accessors' office. Foreclosures have decreased by 46 percent from 2010 to 2012.

But even Elder admits, that while things are bouncing back in San Bernardino, it is still struggling. 

A Real Estate Tour Of The Inland Empire Five Years After Lehman Brothers

Santa Cecilia

An ad recently posted on Craigslist offers the chance for a modern-day pioneer to purchase the small gold mining town of Seneca for the low cost of $225,000. 

Included in the cost is the "town" consisting of Uncle Tim's Gin Mill bar, three small rundown cabins, a river, an island and 12 acres of land. The only catch is there are no utilities, so a generator is necessary for power. 

Jeff Potter is the nephew of one of the owners and he's trying to sell it. He join the show with more about this remote business opportunity. http://bit.ly/1bO0xeL

California Ghost Town For Sale On Craigslist

Now known worldwide for its trademark curves, it's nearly impossible to imagine anybody but Frank Gehry designing Disney Hall.  One critic recently lauded the exuberance of the building's design and "The way it seems eager to expand outward like a bunch of balloons in a child's fist."

Gehry called it a sailing ship. More here: http://bit.ly/18Mni1b

Frank Gehry reflects on the 10 year anniversary of Disney Concert Hall

We here in Southern California love our warm weather so much, LA Rain kind of gets a bad rap.

In the midst of a big drought, we beg for him to come, and when he shows up it can cause floods and stirs up all sorts of junk. It ain't easy being wet. Don't believe us? take it from the man himself.

A few months ago, Los Angeles Rain started sharing his thoughts and feelings as so many of us do these days, in 140 characters or less on twitter.

I feel like raining today brb going to Portland

— Los Angeles Rain (@LosAngelesRain) January 29, 2014
A few threats:

swear to god, LA, any punny names like "RAINAGEDDON" or whatever and i'm going to seattle again

— Los Angeles Rain (@LosAngelesRain) February 25, 2014
And his reactions to various people's weather predictions:

I'm thinking about it, no promises. RT @weatherjosh Cooler Weather Ahead...Maybe Some Drizzle...Here's My Forecast http://t.co/JZgiozbhOM

— Los Angeles Rain (@LosAngelesRain) January 29, 2014


Even Mayor Garcetti got in on the action:

@LosAngelesRain @KPCCofframp @ericgarcetti pic.twitter.com/aQLGLyg5oc

— Rob Schmitz (@rob_schmitz) February 7, 2014
For more inside the psyche of Los Angeles Rain, we're joined for an exclusive interview with the one-and-only, Los Angeles Rain.

READ MORE: http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2014/02/26/36212/exclusive-interview-los-angeles-rain-on-his-plans/ 

Exclusive Interview: @LosAngelesRain on his plans to drench Southern California

Safety concerns surface as discount buses boom in Los Angeles
Lauren Osen | Take Two | February 11th, 2013

http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2013/02/11/30452/safety-concerns-surface-as-discount-buses-boom-in-/

Lauren Osen

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