Hacienda Peralta Park and Red Oak Realty, Oakland

The other week, Red Oak Realty was a sponsor at Rebuilding Together Oakland at Peralta Hacienda Park in the Fruitvale district of Oakland.  This was a day for people to come together and clean up a neighborhood staple.  This park is gorgeous and as I was pruning, I thought, "why have I not been here before?"    Since this clean up day I have visited their website and noticed they do events.  Thursday December 2nd,  A Night of Zorro, the myth, the music, and the movie at Peralta Hacienda Park. For more information about how to qualify for service for Rebuilding Together Oakland, click here!

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, click here to learn more about the grounds.

Hacienda Peralta Park

lush and green

Hacienda Peralta House

Oakland A Buzz Last Night

Whether you are a republican or democrat, last night Oakland was a buzz with election parties throughout the city.  Jerry Brown made history being the first person elected to Governor two separate times.  I loved that Jerry chose The Fox Theatre to celebrate.

democratics come to Oakland

Jerry and Anne

Broker's Tour Find in Montclair, Oakland

Sometimes a house is just a house, you know, walls, floors, roof, etc...  Other times a house moves people.  6492 Ascot Drive moves me!  It was my favorite house on Broker's Tour this week.  Classic mid-century modernist design for the purist who relish preserved original  features.  This house appears to have original green slate floors, original floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors and huge open spaces.  The chrome vintage Frigidaire oven is a piece of art, the original built-in cabinetry in the entry makes organization easy and the rumpus room downstairs gives this house great separation of space.  Frankly, I want to sell this house to a buyer, so I can come back and visit.

This house is so much more that the mere details that I mentioned above.  It is also about the light, the privacy and the feeling that this house gives once you greet it.  The cantilever design of the house that Realtors, Linda Elkin and Art White from Red Oak Realty call quietude reminds me of the celebrated Dave Brubeck's home.

Photos below are courtesy of Scott Hargis.  6492 Ascot Drive is listed for $675,000, has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, circa 1963.

6492_Ascot_EXT

6492_Ascot_DECK

6492_Ascot_DR_LR

6492_Ascot_MBR

ascot living

patio

September versus September

Here's looking at the Oakland and Berkeley real estate market September 2009 compared to September 2010:

September vs

Can you make the cut? So You Think You Can Dance hits Oakland.

One of my favorite reality television shows is, So You Think You Can Dance.  I grew up in the dance studio.  From the early 1970's I was always at Everybody's Creative Art Center turned City Center Dance Theater after school.  To my mother's disappointment, I quit dancing when I turned 20 and I often regret it as well.  What I love about this show is that it showcases all forms of dance, from hip-hop to ballroom, contemporary and many more.  I was so excited when my friend Karlya called me this morning to tell me that auditions were being held at the Paramount Theater on Broadway.  After dropping my children off at school I headed downtown to see the dancers line up.  I am glad to see that Oakland was selected to be an audition city.

Oakland Kitchen Renovation

Earlier this year, I listed and sold, 3915 Laguna Avenue in the Dimond district of Oakland.  (www.TheLagunaCottage.com) This house was/is such a special house!  It sold with seven offers earlier this Spring, much in part to the gorgeous kitchen.  Richard and Christina, the former owners, hiredlocal architect Angela Klein to help with the lay-out.  They then hired, Oakland contractor, Rebecca of Paragon Kitchen and Bath Remodel.  After all of the love, thought and heart poured into this renovation, I was curious to see what this room looked like before the transformation. I am always intrigued by a home's history, so I had to find out more.  Unfortunately we could not find any before pictures, so I contacted the Realtors who listed the house when Christina and Richard purchased the house some years back...and I was in luck!  They still had a few snapshots of the kitchen.  Look at the metamorphosis below:

Laguna Kitchen BEFORE & AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Mark your Calendar - Oakland Events

Oakland is full of life, savor what this city has to offer.  Below are just a few events in the coming weeks.

O Zone at OMCA:  Incredible!  | Friday October 8th, 5:00 - 9:00 pm. Learn about the making of the film with behind-the-scenes stories from Pixar artists who helped make it!  For more information click here.

Oaktoberfest!  Saturday October 9th, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Come enjoy beer, music and food in the Dimond district of Oakland.  Red Oak Realty is a proud sponsor and will have a booth!  I will be there from 12:00-2:30 pm to answer any real estate questions you might have.  Come and say hello! For more information click here!

Sundays in the Redwoods, Sunday October 10th, 2 pm at the Woodminister Amphitheatre.  George Duke, Stabe Wilson and Ray McCoy will close out this annual 4 Sunday series. For more information click here!

15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 24, 2010 from 10:00 am to 5:00 am. The festival will be held between 33rd Ave. and 37th Ave. on East 12th St., as well as in the Fruitvale Village.  For more information click here!

Celebrate Redwood Heights and the art work of Pam Consear! Wednesday October 25th from 6-8 pm at 3595 Monterey Blvd in Redwood Heights. (art gala, open house and refreshments.)

Boo at the Zoo! Saturday October 30th from 10 am - 3 pm. Come celebrate halloween with the children in your life at Oakland's zoo.  Click here for more information.

Bay Area Dine Out! Tuesday November 9th dine out for Meals on Wheels.  80 local restaurants are participating in this event. For more information click here!

Oakland Brew

When Jeff and Kersti first got together, they contemplated selling the Redwood Heights home and buying a house together.  After doing a little house hunting they realized Redwood Heights was a perfect place to stay.  They expanded their home, by adding a master bedroom suite and enlarged the kitchen \ Last year I met Jeff and Kersti at an open house and it  turned out they live around the corner from  me.  October was nearing, and after a nice chat,  they were kind enough to invite me to their Octoberfest, featuring Jeff's home brew made with their homegrown hops.  Jeff has a passion for beer, so much so, he installed a brew room when they remodeled their home. A year later,  Jeff's hops were ready to harvest and I was invited over to see the buds that gives beer it's bitter edge.  I am always inspired by homes that people create.  It is more than just the remodeled kitchens or furnishings, it's about the way people transform their properties to fit their lifestyle and give them maximum enjoyment.

Speaking of beer, save the date for Oaktoberfest! October 9th, 11am- 6pm @Fruitvale and MacArthur. Red Oak is proud to be a sponsor of this neighborhood festival.  Come down to the Red Oak booth and visit me, I would love to  meet you and answer any real estate questions you might have.

Thanks Kersti and Jeff for showing me your gorgeous home and allowing me to have a glimpse of your life.

On my to-do list...

It is really cool that we have a lake in the middle of our city!  Year-round Lake Merritt is Oakland's most popular gym. (I say this with no statistical data!) Recently, I have been a major exercise slacker!  So I am posting this to self motivate.

This Old House! Vintage Oakland Home

I am so excited about my newest listing!   Every home has a story to tell and I found 3933 Maple Avenue to be a particularly interesting story. Built in 1923, this house is a store-front residence and was published in" Images of America, Oakland Hills".  87 years later the store front windows and redwood exterior is completely intact!  For more photos, click here!

Oakland is THE food haven of the East Bay

Yes, I said it!  Sure I realize that Chez Panise in Berkeley is the birth place for California Cuisine, (and Berkeley has great restaurants), but in recent years Oakland has moved the real food movement forward. There are many restaurants here that serve locally grown and delicious food.  This weekend was all about the food, as we had the Eat Real Festival in Jack London Square.  This festival is all about sustainable food, with the goal of making real food as accessible as fast food.  As an Oaklander, I was happy to see a stellar turn-out with tons of people outside enjoying the food, drink and music at Oakland's waterfront.   I will be honest, the lines were long, so I only selected a few spots to indulge.

sweet!

Friday night was majority a dessert night.  My son, daughter and I parked, walked through Jack London, stopped in the Decade With No Name exhibit, a celebration of the sculptors, painters, photographers and street artists who call Oakland, Berkeley and the greater East Bay home.   After walking the booths we all decided that we had to try,  Sweet, absurdly creamy crème brulée.  Rob of Sweet had various flavors, such as Grand Marnier, Coffee and Vanilla.  You walk up select a flavor and they burn the cream while you wait. Unbelievably good.  Next we stopped by Jack London's newest additions, Miette.  Miette is an incredibly irresistible bakery, featuring cupcakes, cakes, cookies,  ice cream sandwiches and rarely found candy bars such as Sky Bar and Flake.   The creme fraiche ice cream sandwiches are incredible.   Miette began at the Berkeley Farmer's Market and now has locations in the San Francisco Ferry Building in San Francisco and Jack London Square in Oakland.

miettesandwich

As the sunset, we headed over to Bocanova, for dinner.  (For a detailed review, check out my Yelp page, Deidre J.)  This place was hopping! With a full bar, handsome interior and gorgeous Oakland setting this place was the hang outfor Oaklanders.

Day Two of the Eat Real Fest brought out a more food carts and quite a crowd.  The best of show was Gerard's Paella.  Seen on Throw Down with Bobby Flay on the Food Network, Gerard takes freshly caught seafood and makes monster pans of paella.  His set-up is unreal!  Worth the wait in line, this was the best lunch that I have had in weeks.

paella

paella2

Coming soon to The Oakland Berkeley Journal, food trucks around the town.  Bon Appetite!

Come Visit Aunt Judy's House

More Than Flowers

Why had I not visited Arjan Flowers before?  I have passed this Piedmont Avenue boutique many times over the last 11 months it has been open for business.  Somehow I missed it!  Better late than never.  Proprietor, Mina is gracious, knowledgeable and is the perfect hostess.  She answered tons of questions, potted a staghorn fern that I purchased, and after an enjoyable visit she left me wanting more.  Expect arrangements with branches, fruit and unusual findings.  In fact during my visit a customer presented Mina with blackberries on the vine from her garden for Mina to incorporate into her arrangements. Marvel at the photos below.

walnuts on the branch

walnuts

There is a nut in there

flowers!

It Is Artichoke Season

In addition to being a beautiful centerpiece on your dining room table, artichokes are mouthwatering when they are in season.  The other day, I picked up a few local artichokes at Berkeley Bowl West for $1 each and my daughter and I indulged in the savory treat after my tedious cleaning and de-thorning.  (yes, I realize de-thorning is not in the dictionary.)  Artichokes are native to Southern Europe, but are cultivated in California.   Artichokes flourish in a cooler, coastal climates and we are lucky to have these sweet, tangy, nutty tasting edible flowers, so close to home.  Here is how I prepared them:

Elmwood Glory

When I was thirteen, I took the bus to the Julia Morgan Center for my bi-weekly dance classes.  If I had the chance, I would stop by Sweet Dreams and spend a dollar of my allowance on super sour gummy candies.  The Elmwood was always an idyllic neighborhood to me.  Even at age 13 I loved the charm of the early 1900's homes.  The location couldn't and still can't be beat, close to everything!  UC Campus, Rockridge, BART, WholeFoods and the Claremont district of Oakland/Berkeley.

At one time the shops of the Elmwood were sparse, but within the last few years new life has created a rebirth.

Today, Labels had their grand opening, showcasing two stories of gently used and some new designer accessories, handbags, shoes and jewelery.

The Dailey Methodis another recent addition to the corner of Ashby and College,  offering  strength and stretching classes with a heavy emphasis on your core.

Ici is my favorite ice cream shop!  Yes, you might find me in that long line on College Avenue.

Summer Kitchen and Bakeshop, serves re-imagined take-away food.

The Elmwood Cafe, is the Ozzie's Soda Fountain reinvented.

Lola Home, was established in 2005 and brings inspiration to your to your walls, table and office.

What are homes selling for in this neighborhood?

Since January 1, 2010, a total of 10 - 3 (or more) bedroom, 2 (or more) bathroom homes have sold in the Elmwood.  With an average list price of $1,085,800 and an average sold price of $1,112,337, selling on average in 23 days.

Here are Some Tips to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

1. Buy a cross-cut type shredder and be sure to shred all personal and card info, especially approved credit applications. 2. Be careful of "Dumpster Diving." Make sure that you do not throw anything away that someone could use to become you.

3. Be careful at ATM's and using phone cards. "Shoulder Surfers" can get your "Pin Number" and get access to your accounts.

4. Cancel all credit cards that you do not use or have not used in 6 months. Thieves use these very easily - open credit is a prime target.

5. Put passwords on all your accounts and do not use your mother's maiden name. Make up a fictitious word.

6. Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and social security numbers, etc. Do not carry any identifiers you do not need. Don't carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport, unless necessary.

Montclair Redo to View

Montclair is an area of Oakland above Highway 13 between Broadway Terrace and Park Boulevard, with properties built from the 1920's to new construction.  The appeal is the woodsy setting and in many parts of Montclair you will get the feeling that you are away from it all, yet so close to the city vibe.  5687 Florence Terrace is a 3 bathroom, 2+ bedroom home,  currently on the market for $698,000.  The cool thing is you are only two blocks up from Mountain Boulevard which is a straight shot to Montclair Village, (a retail and restaurant district of this area), yet you feel like you are in a very private, lush nook.  Set back from the street, with drought resistant perennials flowers and paver-stone hardscape this house is very  striking and handsome.  Once inside the three sets of french doors to the grand balcony will capture your heart.  The simple and tasteful white decor is minimalist, meets Shabby Chic, meets East Coast beach house.  The owners of this house have done tons of upgrades from structural improvements to fantastic cabinetry and this house is truly a move-in and hang your artwork house.  This property has been renovated tastefully, yet it retains all of the essence of 1923 the year it was built, making it a must see.

The Murals of Rocky Rische-Baird

Have you driven or walked by the corners of 11th and Broadway and 41st and Piedmont in Oakland and remarked about the murals that depict the Key System Stations that operated streetcars and bus lines throughout the East Bay (and a commuter rail and ferry to San Francisco) from 1903 until 1948 and wondered who this talented artist is in our midst? His name is Rocky Rische-Baird and this native of Northern California who splits his time between the Bay Area and the village of Putney, Vermont. Rische-Baird self describes his art as representative of the unity between nature, self and the idea that the human mind retains past memories.  However it is interpreted, his art has an other-worldly quality that is mesmerizing and  gives us a peek into Oakland’s unique history.  Love them!

Broadway Mural

mural on 41st

Redwood Heights, Worth a Second Look!

Wow, this week my son Miles is graduating from Redwood Heights Elementary School! Ten years ago, when my husband and I purchased our home in this neighborhood, I was so excited that my children would be attending my former school. I have been a Redwood Heights parent for the last nine years, kindergarten - 5th grade for both my daughter, Nia and son, Miles. I love my neighborhood, very down to earth, yet full of life.  Recently Redwood Heights home prices took a slight dip in price, making this a great time to consider a move to this neighborhood.

This charming neighborhood, with a neighborhood association established in 1944, is the perfect place to purchase a home. From storybook Tudors to mid-century ranch homes and prices currently ranging between $550,000 - $750,000, this neighborhood is full of value. Redwood Heights residences like myself appreciate this satisfying community with Redwood Heights Elementary School and Recreation Center at the heart. I really enjoy the social nature of the neighborhood -  it is common that folks wave to me as I am driving or walking during my daily chores.

Above you will see the newest addition to Redwood Heights Elementary, our retaining walls are now studded with a handcrafted mosaic mural the vision of neighbors and artists, Claudia Goodman - Hough and Pam Consear.

This summer enjoy the outdoors as the recreation center with “Movies in the Park” at dusk on select Fridays.  Grab a sweater and a lawn chair and head over to 3883 Aliso Ave.

June 25 - The Wizard of Oz

July 9 - The Princess Bride

July 24 - Bolt

Residents participate in an annual Oaktown Scavenger Hunt put on by parents of Redwood Heights Elementary, just one of many community events hosted by Redwood Heights Elementary School parents.