Well it is summertime...

See ya next week!!

Keep the faith baby!

I don't know about you, but I'm just tired of all the negative discussions/articles surrounding bad development projects and "They-who-shall-not-be-named"! I know this is a serious subject and many will be incensed by my reaction, but I just want to take a break from it all.

Now, I've always been a - the glass is half full - kinda gal, but to listen to all the rhetoric, one would think it's impossible to successfully develop a project in Alameda. Well, I'm here to tell you about a local company who's quietly gone along developing wonderful business campuses not only attractive to the eye but, since 2005, utilizing designs, equipment and materials that are environmentally friendly.

SRM Associates extraordinary work can be found throughout the bay area, but several of their cornerstone projects can be found right here in the Harbor Bay Business Park.

The North Loop Project, pictured above, houses some of the Bay Area's best companies. Donsuemor, Semifreddis, Pacific Rim Produce (is anyone else getting hungry?) and eight other companies call this project home. The development is so attractive, esthetically and efficiently, that the project is at full capacity. The state of our current economic environment makes this feat even more impressive.

Considering the success of the North Loop Project, it should come as no surprise SRM has been selected to develop another section of Harbor Bay Parkway for VF Outdoor's corporate headquarters. This latest development will be another of their LEED accredited business parks. Among the many environmentally friendly attributes, the project will include its own wind power combines doubling as artwork and awnings with solar energy panels providing shade and energy, how cool is that!!

Of course, the pièce de résistance (to date!) is the Gold Certified Peet's Coffee and Tea Roasting Plant. This building, which houses the companies roasting plant, tea packing and distribution center, was designed to integrate sustainability into every square inch while providing state of the art production and work space. From the native plants and recycled materials used in the landscaping to the energy star rated roofing material, this building encompasses the future of commercial real estate.

I think SRM says it best "We believe building green is an extension of our commitment to develop high-quality, healthy, inspiring buildings that improve the environment in the workplace and in communities throughout the Bay Area."  Let's just hope whatever the future holds for Alameda Point, our city leaders listen and learn from the examples set forth by SRM Associates.

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It's finally here!!  The Park St Art and Wine Fair will take over Park St from Encinal Ave to Buena Vista on July 24th and 25th. We'll be able to meander down Park St, partake in some tasty wines and beers; listen to a variety of live music; take the kids to the petting zoo and get their face painted; peruse blocks and blocks of art, clothes, jewelery, furniture, you name it! And of course, THE FOOD!!!

If you visit Park St this weekend, and believe me you really should, stop by and say Hi! I'll be working several shifts at the Alameda Education Foundation's table in front of Tucker's (salted caramel here I come) as well as Harbor Bay Realty's booth. Bring the kids by as there's a rumor we'll have balloons!!

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All righty then, have a great week and hope to see you at the Park St Art & Wine fair!

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something ... Green!!

Saturday, July 17, from 10am - 4pm the Alameda Association of Realtors - serving the Island City since 1922 (something old) - will present something new in the Alameda Towne Centre where they're borrowing space to hold The Green Home Expo.  Is that a stretch or what!!

Anyway, the Green Home Expo will give you the opportunity to visit with over 40 companies and organizations providing services that decrease the carbon foot print we leave on our city and earth. You'll be familiar with some, like the hybrid vehicles available at One Toyota of Oakland, others, like Carbonated Carpet Cleaners, may be new to you and your family.

Now, if you're considering making improvements to your home you really want to make time for this event. Many of the exhibitors provide design services and household products to help make your home green, inside and out. These companies will not only improve your quality of life but you may find an extra added benefit, green homes are desired by buyers. When your home has something buyers desire, it will likely sell faster and for more than a similar home without these addiitons.
Finally, there will be local organizations and groups working to ensure we meet the goal set forth in Alameda's Local Action Plan for Climate Protection, to increase sustainability and well-being while reducing carbon emissions by 25% by the year 2020.

So jump on your bike, slip on your walking shoes or grab the corner bus and head to the Green Home Expo to learn how to improve your home and community!

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Somewhat on the same subject, whether your attending the Expo, enjoying one of the Summer Beats concert series or shopping for you and your family, take a minute or two to really look around and take in the atmosphere.

I went to Border's this evening for July's Alameda Business Women's meeting to hear Allison Maslan speak about her book Blast Off! Afterwards, several of us headed to Zeytini's to enjoy a little food, drink and conversation. As we headed to the parking lot I found myself taking in the decoratively lit trees, various pieces of artwork and patchwork quilt walkway and asked how many of the others lived here before the improvements had been made. Most of them had, and we all agreed how much we appreciate the amazing changes made over the past several years.

My family moved to Alameda in September 2000 and I can remember thinking, Oh God, is this where I'll have to shop!?! Though I still prefer the old name, South Shore was nothing short of an eye sore, the ultimate strip mall. Most of the buildings were run down and it seemed there was nothing but concrete wherever you turned. So I just wanted to send out a Thank you to Harsch Investments Properties for persevering through the big box protests - I mean, really, what shape did they want them to be - and providing us with a beautiful place to shop, dine and enjoy special events in Alameda!

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All right then, another week gone another weekend ahead; it should be a beauty so go out and enjoy it!!

Alameda is dog-gone great!

Now for all you cat lovers. I like cats. My friends have cats and I'm perfectly happy to let them leap into my lap and pet them until they're finished with me and are ready to move on. But you see, that's just it. My experience has been, when you own a cat it's all about them. Now in my house, and my husband will be happy to attest to this, it's all about me! When I walk in my front door my dogs fight over who gets to say hello first, and I like it that way. There's something fabulous about looking down and seeing your four-legged friend wriggling out of it's skin just to have you lean over and give it a nice pat on the head or scratch on the chin. So we have dogs!

Fortunately for us and all the other dog lovers out there, Alameda is definitely a dog friendly town. I don't know that I've ever driven around town without spotting someone walking their dog. If you attend any of the street fairs or outdoor concerts, many of us bring our dogs, leashed with little blue bags at the ready, to share in the fun. If you attended this year's 4th of July parade, dogs were not only onlookers but key participants themselves.

Alameda also helps us spoil our dogs. For the pampered pooch a trip to Dog Bone Alley is an absolute must. There's always a bowl of clean, cool water out front and treats waiting at the register and it's loaded with fun and fancy goodies for our buddies. Now bathing is not something many dogs look forward to but Pet Food Express makes the job easier on both dog and owner. The individual stalls provide a choice of shampoos, cool air blow dryers and the toweling area really takes the pain out of this necessary task. Once you're finished, you can also take them for a quick rewarding walk along the estuary before heading home.

I'll probably get in trouble here, but we've finally given up on the Alameda Dog Park It's not the park we have trouble with, though the water area of the large dog park can be a mess, it's the humans. Too many times we've experienced problems because good dog park etiquette isn't followed. Owners often congregate at the entry of the big dog park and don't give incoming dogs the space they need to enter into a social setting. In the small dog park, you often find a group of owners sitting in a circle of chairs allowing their animals to behave aggressively with the excuse that they're just "behaving like dogs." The good news is, it's a quick drive to one of the most incredible dog parks around, Point Isabel . This is a must for anyone who wants to enjoy a remarkable off leash experience. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

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Of course the real good news is the Alameda Real estate market hasn't gone to the dogs (sorry, I just couldn't help myself!) In comparing the housing statistics of June '09 to June '10, I believe we're seeing positive trends. For instance, we had about the same number of residential properties on the market; 140 in '09 and 139 in '10, but the number of homes sold increased 17.5% from 40 to 47. In turn, the average number of days a property was on the market dropped from 73 to 35!

Of course most of us want to know whether our home is worth more today than a year ago. If we go back to comparing this year to last, we'll find the average sold price has dropped by 5%, but the average price per square foot has increased 2%. So what does that mean for your home? Everything and nothing! Especially in Alameda, values can fluctuate block by block and even house by house. If you want or need to know the market value of your home, the best thing for you to do is have an Alameda Realtor prepare a comparative marketing analysis, ofter referred to as a CMA. The analysis will provide active and sold information on homes similar to yours and reflect any adjustments made to arrive at the comparative valuation. Don't feel you can only contact a Realtor if you're considering selling. There are many reasons you may need the information and, as long as you make them aware of your needs at the beginning, they should have no problem assisting you. Of course, to make it really easy, just call me up and I'll be happy to help you out!

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Okay, finally, file this one under - Are you kidding me! Are you kidding me? - My husband and I were taking our dogs for an early evening walk on Monday and decided to make it a nice stretch and head for Park St. We were walking along taking in the beautiful weather, admiring gardens and proudly showing off our little tribe. Then we turned from Central onto Park towards Encinal and I saw it - a team of workers installing steel folding security gates on Park St! That's right, Park St! Even more shocking is the gates were being installed for the eyeware shop moving from around the corner. I mean, really! It came as quite a surprise to me that, compared to Central Ave., Park St. is such a high crime scene!!

So this week I have to give a big "Shame on you" to Perfect Vision. I'm sure it has something to do with insurance but, really, Are you kidding me! Are you kidding me?

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All righty then, until next week, go out and make it a good one!

So where do you go from here?

1.05%, it was a tough loss. Fortunately, the 65.62% who voted yes on Measure E are a resilient, dedicated group who found School Board Member McMahon's call to action music to their ears. So what do we do?


When I think back, one of the most bitter moments of the campaign for me was hearing the board of the Alameda Association of Realtors had taken a neutral stand on Measure E. So today I made a phone call to the chair person of the Association's Local Government Relation's Committee chairperson and offered to join the committee as the liaison to the AUSD School Board. I now have an active role informing the committee, and in turn the board, about the issues facing our schools and the impact these issues will have on students and the community. It will also give the Association the opportunity to have a voice in the crucial decisions facing the Board of Education over the next 18 months. Because the open exchange of ideas is a powerful tool, I absolutely believe this will get us at least one new yes vote, or better yet, convert one No to a Yes!


My feeling is, if each of us does one thing that gets just one more yes vote in the spring, we'll knock it out of the park in 201, save schools and programs in our district and help maintain the quality education we provide to out students. So what can you do? Stay involved, attend meetings, continue talking and consider taking the $350 you would have paid if Measure E passed and make a contribution/donation to one or both of the following organizations; APLUS, Alameda Education Foundation.

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Moving on to real estate! In June, my postings addressed several items impacting buyers and sellers on a global sense, so I thought it was time to take a  look at our local real estate market.


If you have ever considered a home with a water view, call me!! There are some amazing properties available right now. On the high end of the market is an incredible and unique Marina Village home. Originally two separate single level units, they've been combined to offer an incredibly spacious two-story home located with fabulous views of the lagoon, marina and estuary. With a $1M-plus price tag, it's certainly not for every buyer, but, if you're like me and enjoy Marina Village there's also a wonderful 2 bedroom single level Sloop plan on the market. A highly sought after lower level unit with fabulous views, my guess is this home won't be around for long.


If you prefer a bay view there are several Ballena Bay and Shoreline properties available, but a new listing on Queens Rd tucked away in Crown Point is truly a gem. The floor plan is open and airy with wonderful views of the bay from both levels. Perfect for entertaining or just relaxing and soaking up the view.


All right, now this is when I make a shameless plug for my floating home listing !


To experience real water living you need to try out one of the 42 homes moored in Barnhill Marina. The daily ebb and flow of the tide, the seasonal migratory birds and the monthly visit from a California seal are just a few of the amazing treats of floating home life. There's something about being literally connected to the water that makes an incredible summer sunset or a wicked winter storm even more sensational.


Then there's the man made sights. You can watch the bi-weekly sailing regattas with a perfect view of the colorful spinaker's popping open as the boats make the turn back to the finish line. And I challenge anyone not to feel a pang of patriotism when you watch one of the Coast Guard Cutters head out to sea. Or there's my favorite, the summer youth sailing camps out of Encinal Yacht Club. Watching and listening to the kids as they maneuver up and down the estuary is just a hoot and a holler!


Trust me, if you have been considering water living, now is the time to check things out!

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All righty then, go out and have a fabulous 4th of July and maybe all see you at this year's "Not the Mayor's" 4th of July parade!!!!