THE BERKELEY AREA BEAT
Berkeley Area Activities, Neighborhoods, Homes & Lifestyles
One Dog's Opinion
Are you an Alpha?
"I Practice Loving Kindness" --The Dalai Lama
In the newspaper today was a shocking story. I heard about it from my person, who was telling a friend what happened when we took our morning walk.
A dog tied in the back of a truck fell out of said vehicle that was traveling down the freeway. He was battered by truck and road and strangled by the rope. A caring person tried to alert the driver, who paid her no attention. Finally, the rope broke and the dog was flung into the retaining wall.
It lay their hurt and shaken. The good woman stopped her car, put a warm cover on the dog, and called for help. The dog owner drove on. The humane society has the dog, and is asking for donations to help pay medical costs (click the link provided, then "donate", then "Maya fund".
First, dogs in the back of a truck is a time-honored and stupid idea. When I ride, I ride in the backseat with a seat belt through my harness. I lie down too, so I have the lowest center of gravity possible.
But enough about me. Let's talk about you.
Humans, like dogs, are pack animals. They respond to peer pressure and strong leaders. Are you an alpha in your pack?
An alpha knows the right thing to do for the well=being of the pack and leads the pack in the right direction. In this dog's opinion, your leaders are not the alphas you should be following. Selfishness and greed do not benefit the whole pack.
The rise of bullying in the schools, in this dog's opinion, proves my point.
Bullying happens because people let it happen. They're afraid to mix in. Why? Because they might be hurt themselves. It's reasonable, but is it right? Of course it's not right!
Perhaps defending the bullied will show other pack members how to behave in the face of a threat, and they'll rise up to support the defender.
The woman who tried to stop the truck was an alpha, doing what was right rather than what was convenient.
You can be an alpha.
Do what's right, defend the weak and put-upon, help the helpless, human or not. Be compassion in action, an alpha guiding the rest of the pack out of the darkness and back to the light.
Pixie, Guest Blogger
For more information about local real estate, free and cheap events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Caldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Caldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.
What's Next, What's to Do & What's Free This Week
Computers: Time Savers or Suckers
Sometimes, only the FBI knows for sure.
Before we get to the free events, a word of warning about possible computer headaches down the road. If you haven't heard about this already, here's the skinny sent from a client of mine who put it very succinctly:
the FBI and Estonian police arrested several cyber criminals in “Operation Ghost Click”. The criminals operated under the company name “Rove Digital”, and distributed DNS (Domain Name System) changing viruses. Under a court order, expiring July 9, 2012, the Internet Systems Consortium is operating replacement DNS servers for the Rove Digital network. This will allow affected networks time to identify infected hosts, and avoid sudden disruption of services to victim machines. After that date those "clean" servers will go off-line. If your computer is infected by the DNS changer malware and you do not know it you will be using the altered version of the Internet after that date and who knows how that will mess up your internet usage and/or your computer.
There are several ways to check to see if your computer is using the "altered" DNS servers or not. The attached document describes these several check-it-out processes. One way is to go the website http://www.dcwg.org and follow the simple instructions.
There now. I know that you'll have a lighter heart (and more free time) if you check into this NOW. You'll find that you'll be able to enjoy these cheap-to-FREE Bay Area Events with your computer troubles put to rest!
TUESDAY APRIL 24
Do you enjoy the comic "Lio" by Mark Tatulli? Do you know someone who loves Zombie. Then you might enjoy this exhibit, and it might be the One art exhibit you might talk your favorite teenager into attending with you, and only $5!
WEDNESDAY APRIL 25
Does your child hate fish, but might like to watch fish eat? Enjoy a fish feeding frenzy in Sausalito.
THURSDAY APRIL 26
Another art show that the kids might enjoy. Celebrating the 200 year anniversary of the Brothers Grimm, modern German artists present their takes on these old stories.
FRIDAY APRIL 27TH
If you love to read but haven't found the next great book, head for A Great Good Place for Books for their Debut Author Night
SATURDAY APRIL 28
Dance around a May Pole. Celebrate Beltane at Golden Gate Park
SUNDAY APRIL 29th
For Your Gardening Pleasure: Spring plant sale and block party in Berkeley
For more information about local real estate, free and cheap events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Caldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Caldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.
Blue Skies for Earthday and our Local Economy
A Beautiful Day, and Signs of a Brighter Economic Future for the Bay Area
It couldn't be a better Earthday. The weather is bright and shiny, coaxing us outdoors the better to enjoy our beautiful East Bay.Not only is the weather incredible, with sunny, summer temperatures, and bright blue skies, but the news has been really good for homeowners, job seekers, and Earthday participants. Since, as they say, a high tide rises all ships, we realtors stand to benefit from the good news as well.
First, for potential home sellers, March home sales last month out sold March 2011 by quite a lot, and multiple offers were standard. Experts say that it's looking like 2012 will be the rock bottom year for housing, meaning there's no place to go but up; especially if the current economic trends like a strengthening economy and no big serge in distressed properties, hold.
As to a strong economy, It looks like we're we're hanging tight in the Bay Area. Front page news in this morning's headlined that the Bay Area is on a job-gaining roll, adding nearly 11,000 jobs.
Great Earthday news is that venture capitalists are loving clean technology, providing more capitol to green innovation than before the recession, which means there could be the potential of still more jobs in clean technology.
As for distressed properties, it doesn't look likely that they'll flood the market, Attorney General Kamala Harris has her way. She is seeking changes in the foreclosure process, that would allow homeowners to challenge the proceeding in court. She'd also like to ban the robo-signing, and dual track foreclosures.
Based on these news stories, I'm feeling a lot more optimistic about our future. The happy news adds to the feelings of well-being that living in the Bay Area on a beautiful Saturday can so easily generate.
I hope you enjoy your Earthday!
For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Caldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Caldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.
Don't Curb Your Eyesore!
Recycle, recycle, recycle, with help from the BAR.
This year, my wife and I had a lovely surprise waiting for us under the Christmas tree. Our kids had pooled their resources and bought us a flat screen TV. They said it was the one thing they knew we'd both like.I'm a little embarrassed to say they were right.
You might be wondering why I'm mentioning our Christmas gift in April. I'll tell you.
When we installed the new TV ( and, man, did that flatscreen make our living room look slick) the old one became an inconvenient, bulky eyesore. What in the world were we going to do with it?
We toyed with the idea of leaving it on the curb for someone to pick up, but leaving electronics out in our moist (and potentially moister) East Bay weather didn't seem like a good idea. Yet we had to get rid of the thing, and no one seemed to want it. What to do?
A solution came our way courtesy of the Berkeley Association of Realtors. In honor of Earthday, BAR is holding an Electronics Recycling event at their office on the corner of Martin Luther King and Cedar Street. Everyone is welcome to hand over their old laptops, printers, cell phones, monitors, and, of course, large, old fashioned, TVs like our old one.
BAR is partnering with the Green Citizen in a celebration of their first anniversary in Berkeley. They will be on hand to share information about their services, and all donors will receive on free Green Bag filled with eco-goodies and information.
If you have any questions, give me a call. I'll be happy to answer them.
Calling all retirees, empty nesters, and moving on-ers:
Wouldn't you like to recycle your HOME? There's a lot of buyers out there, and not much inventory. it looks to many of my Real Estate professional colleagues as if a buyers market is shaping up, especially in the high-end market. If you are thinking of selling your home, I'd love to help.
For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.
Some Free Fun in the Bay Area
. . .For You In This Taxing Tax Time
Tomorrow is tax day, when all the sins of the last year, in budgetary form, come to haunt us and possibly hurt us in our most vulnerable spot: our wallets. Like the proverbial deer in the headlights, we confront our avarice, our disorganized files, our checkbooks, and our household costs. We make vows for change, swearing that next year we'll be better. We'll start earlier, we'll get our budgets under control, and we'll lead a credit-free life.
With finances front and center, it's no wonder that we search for cheap distractions. That's where The Beat comes in. Here are some fun events, both cost and guilt-free, that we can do to take our minds off the IRS.
TUESDAY APRIL 17
Get a free single serving of Shanghai Angus Steak at Panda Express on Tax Day 2012 – Valid only on April 17th.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 18
Join East Bay Green Drinks every Wednesday for free bites and snacks by Local 123. Local beer and wine will be on tap along with $3 Trumer Pils.
THURSDAY APRIL 19
Free Film in Oakland: Vegucated is a feature-length documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks
FRIDAY APRIL 20th
Art Bazaar and Food Trucks in Oakland
SATURDAY APRIL 21
Berkeley Earth Day is an annual event held in April to celebrate the environmental movement and creatively challenge the destruction of our planet.
SUNDAY APRIL 22
The 2012 Cherry Blossom Festival parade begins at the Civic Center at 1:00 p.m., proceeding up Polk to Post Street, and ending in Japantown at Post and Fillmore streets
On the Real Estate front, it looks to many of my Real Estate professional colleagues as if a buyers market is shaping up in the high-end market. If you are thinking of selling your home, I'd love to help.
For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.
Birthday Parties, Old and New.
Favorite Destinations
for Birthday Boys and Girls.
It's my daughter's birthday today. Now that our kids are grown, we have special dinners or brunches for them and, of course, presents. The big parties with treat bags, tons of kids, and, often, other parents are a thing of the past. I wax nostalgic when I think of the parties we've thrown for the kids when they were younger. We're so lucky we live in the Berkeley area, home to an amazing array of choices, from free to not free, that make incredible birthday celebrations pretty effortless.
My daughter loved parties at Tilden Park. She and her girlfriends would dress as forest fairies, and, with their home-made wands and a little imagination, they transformed the already beautiful park into fairyland.
Our oldest son, the intellectual, liked nothing better than the science lab parties at the Lawrence Hall of Science, especially the Bubble Blowing Party where they made all sorts of different kinds of bubbles, including a huge one that swallowed up the kid of honor.
The Youngest boy loved hosting his friends at the Adventure Playground in the Berkeley Marina. They happily built and painted forts--using real hammers, giant nails, water-based paint and huge paint brushes--and, when they got tired of that, sped down the zip line that ran across the arena,
Tomorrow, right around the Adventure Playground, is the Berkeley Bay Festival. This wonderful FREE event is happening tomorrow, 75 years after the Marina first opened in 1937. According to the information on the web site, The Bay Festival "will showcase activities and environmental education that is available here at the Marina and all around the region. Come celebrate the earth and our Bay by listening to Music, eating wonderful food, and enjoying a day by the Bay. Entertainment for all ages." They're not kidding. Go to the website to see the amazing variety of activities available and get to know the Berkeley Marina.
If you have a favorite Berkeley Birthday venue, please share. I'd love to hear about it.
Happy Birthday, Kelsey!
For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.
One Dog's Opinion
Flea and Cat Scratch Fever
I live with 4 cats, more or less comfortably. Two fear me, one is indifferent to me, and the 4th is she-who-must-be-obeyed. As a newcomer to this household, I went through a period of adjustment. I chase anything that moves quickly. It's just who I am. Most cats move pretty quickly when they see a dog, even a cat-sized dog like myself, and when I see them move, I give chase.
This one cat, she-who-must-be-obeyed, the power cat, took matters into her own paws. She swatted me on the nose when I chased any of the other cats. No kidding, she'd actually seek me out to punish me! Why she cares, I don't know. She despises the other cats almost as much as she despises me, but there you are. Eventually, after some pretty nasty altercations, I learned to curb my enthusiasms and became a "good dog" with regard to the cats.
In my opinion, I'm a good dog no matter what. But I digress.
Cats are company, I give you that, but you won't find me curling up with them. I've seen the photos on facebook. Adorable kittens snuggling in the giant forepaws of the lovable great dane. Not me, Not ever.
Besides being, well, cats, they also wander around the neighborhood collecting fleas. Then they bring them home to me. It's getting pretty bad. We're all pretty itchy. looks like another flea pogrom is on the way at our house.
Frontline, that flea and tick goop applied monthly, stopped working. Why, I don't know. PetVet, the combo veternarian and pet supply place in El Cerrito (if you don't know it you might check it out. The prices are good there, and if you're a little short on cash, the Pet Vet will help keep your animal healthy) suggested we try Advantage. We bought it, but a few things must be done before application.
For me, it starts with a bath, especially if I haven't had one in a while.
As I air-dry (no hair dryers for ME, thank you very much), the powers-that-be vacumn rugs, wash bedding, and corral the cats in an upstairs bedroom. That way they won't escape while each of them take their turn having liquid flea death applied between their shoulder blades.
They hate that. heh, heh, heh.
When I'm completely dry, and the cats are all dosed, I get my turn to be flea free. It's an uncomfortable process, but I guess it's way better than scratching.
Oh, speaking of pet supplies, Pet Food Express a locally owned pet supply store, has a new location in El Cerrito. They gave away a whole pound of doggy treats as an grand opening present, so you can bet my people went to check it out. I do go through the doggy treats. It's conveniently located right next door to Safeway, so they got their groceries too.
For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.
Berkeley Area FREE Fun Report
By the Bay, By the Bay, By the Beautiful Bay . . .
I've been rereading a favorite author, Patrick O'Brian , who wrote a series of riveting books about life the tall ships when Britannia truly ruled the waves. As a result, the sea has been much on my mind.As you might have guessed from previous posts, I have a fascination with ships. Perhaps that's just part of my Scandinavian heritage (among other things), but we do have the sea chest of my grandfather who used to pilot the Balclutha in our living room, so I could very well have salt water in my blood.
All that being the case, I decided to dedicate this Berkeley Area list of fun and free events to activities that deal in some way with the sea (or the bay, for you persnickity folks). I included a talk on global warming, figuring that if the skeptics are wrong, we'll find the ocean lapping at our feet one day in the (hopefully) much distant future.
But even if the skeptics are right, we might want to familiarize ourselves with the ocean. It's the life-blood of our planet.
In honor of the ocean and those that travel in and upon it, the first bit of bay area entertainment I recommend you visit I placed arbitrarily on this Tuesday (you can visit it any time). It is:
Tuesday April 10th
A tour of the 3 masted Balclutha at the San Francisco Maritime National Museum. Not free, I suspect, but you can poke around the pier anyway and have a great time.
Wednesday April 11th
Open Minds are alive and well in Berkeley: Skep Talk: Why so many are skeptical of Global Warming is being presented by Mark MacCaffrey.
Thursday April 12th
Learn some sea chanties and Folk Songs of the Oceans and Rivers at the El Cerrito Library
Friday April 13th (my darling daughter's birthday, whose name means "from ship island")
2000 Bikes Under The Sea: Bike Party in El Cerrito
Saturday April 14th
The Berkeley Bay Festival presented by the city of Berkeley is taking place at Shorebird Park.
Sunday April 15th
Day two of the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco. Not sea-related, you say? I beg to differ. The Japanese are Island folks, and a such are very familiar with sea life. Their traditions and food reflect that.
And if you'd rather stay home, I can reccommend a very good series of books. Yo Ho Ho!
For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.
Attention Empty Nesters
Eager Buyers are Waiting For YOU!
March was a very eventful month for this intreped real estate agent. I had the priviledge of representing the seller in 2 sales (2445 Ashby and 1110 Cornell) and the buyer in 2 sales (Yale and Bayview Terrace). It feels great to be closing 4 escrows in one month, and April looks like another good month.
My listing on 22 Windsor is in escrow, and there's an office building on Telegraph that I'm sharing with a collegue that would make a dandy live-work.
I love working with a lot of buyers, but I'm always grateful for more listings, That's where you empty nesters come in. If you've thought of downsizing, now is the time. Not only are there lots of buyers waiting for a home like yours to move into, there are some very nice condos and single family homes in good walk score locations waiting just for you.
Check out my website. Here you'll find a map of popular neighborhoods in the Berkeley & Oakland areas. Click your favorite, and you'll find some homes for sale pictured there. If you're not sure what neighborhood fits your needs, I've included in my copy links of some of the local restuarants, hot spots, entertainments, parks and schools.
If you find something you like, give me a call. Not only will I be happy to give you information about the home you like, I can set you up with REalert so you can receive instant information in your inbox about similar homes for sale if that one is not available.
I would also love to help you sell your present home. Now is a great time to sell in the Berkeley area. Based on the growth of my buying client roster, the buyers are out there in droves.
For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.
Polishing Up a Dull Boy
Ways to Spring Clean the Spirit
Sparkling clear days after a gully washer of a rain last week makes getting outdoors almost irresistible. Weather like this is both an advantage and a disadvantage for real estate agents like myself. On one hand, showing buyers home inventory is so much more pleasant in the sunshine. The homes look so much better, the views are clear and bright, and you're not fighting with your umbrella or worried about wet footprints marring someone's freshly cleaned entry.
Home sellers have an advantage too. The gardens look lush and beautiful, and, once again, the views are clear and bright and you're not fighting with your umbrella or worried about wet footprints marring someone's freshly cleaned entry.
On the other hand, spring fever has hit me with a vengeance. I'm not feeling a whole lot like doing the "W" word. The best way to handle it, I've found, is to make sure that part of every day is devoted to enjoying the sunshine.
To that end, my wife, my dog, and I find ourselves taking regular early evening walks, then returning home to enjoy a glass of wine while sitting out on our deck.
The dog prefers beer.
Finding something fun to do every day keeps you fresh. All work and no play DOES make Jack a dull boy, so, in the interest of polishing up all you potential Jacks out there, here's a day by day list of FREE Bay Area activities for the coming week.
MONDAY APRIL 2
Author Cheryl Strayed talks about her recently released book on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
TUESDAY APRIL 3
Legion of Honor
De Young Museum
MOMA
Yerba Buena Center
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4
Exploratoruim Free Day
THURSDAY APRIL 5
Berkeley Art Museum Free Day
FRIDAY APRIL 7th
Oakland Art Murmur
SATURDAY APRIL 8th
Undiscriptive title, but go see this amazing space and with lots to do. Bring the kids to The Cruciable Open House "The Science of Art".
SUNDAY APRIL 9th
Union Street Easter Parade
For more information about local real estate, events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to REAlert and find the home you want.
