Santa is coming to Alameda and you can have breakfast with him.  The Alameda Recreation and Park Department is hosting Santa on Saturday, December 6, 2014, from 10:00 am to Noon at the Albert H. DeWitt O’Club at 641 West Redline Avenue at Alameda Point in Alameda.     Not only will you be able to see Santa, you can also take your photo with him.  And there will be arts and crafts and other fun activities.   Children 13 years and up $15.00 Children 2 to 12 $8.00 Children 2 and under are free All attendees must be registered, no walk up registrations allowed All family members attending must register All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.   Please call ARPD for more information and to register at 510-523-4071. Or you can register at www.arpdeplay.com cl... 12/02/2014

      Market Report of Alameda real estate activity 11/24/14 - 12/1/14   Last week’s totals from 11/24/2014 to………..………….……………………12/1/2014 New homes on the market..................................................................1 Price changes......................................................................................2 Homes that sold..................................................................................9 Pending activity - all not just last week................................................65 All single family homes currently on the market...................................30 Condos currently on the market...........................................................8   Townhouses currently on the market....................................................6 Distressed... 12/01/2014

VA Mortgage Loans in Alameda CA and 100% financing on VA Loans - the best loan program and loan payment in the country! VA Mortgage Loans are one of the best mortgage loan programs available today for active duty and honorably discharged Veterans. Here are some of the main features of this great program: - 100% financing, no down payment required. - Monthly mortgage insurance is not tacked on to your payment. - More lenient credit qualifying standards than other types of mortgage loans. - Low rates compared to other loan programs. Here's how to qualify for a VA Mortgage Loan in Alameda CA: You must first verify your eligibility. Eligibility is verified by ordering your Certificate of Eligibility or COE. An approved Alameda CA VA loan lender can order your COE for you, or you can contact... 12/01/2014

  Alameda’s Lost Beaches and Baths   Alameda’s Lost Beaches and Baths will be the topic of discussion by Eric J. Kos and Dennis Evanosky on Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00 pm at the Alameda Free Library, West End branch at 788 Santa Clara Avenue in Alameda.     ALAMEDA'S NEPTUNE BEACH   Eric Kos and Dennis Evanosky are local historian and publishers of the Alameda Sun.  Eric and Dennis’ historical presentation are always fun because they include interesting and entertaining facts about their subjects.       We Alamedans know about Neptune Beach, but most of us don’t know that there were ten other baths, including Newport, Terrace and Long Branch on the Alameda’s south shore.  During the late 19th and early 20th century beachgoers froliced in waters at Sunny cove, Sandy Beach and Green Arbor... 11/30/2014

  November 29 is National Small Business Saturday November 29 is National Small Business Saturday, a day when we are all encouraged to shop locally and support the businesses in your town.  We are fortunate to live in such a charming community.  Businesses in our city add character and variety to our lives.  And they support our community too, but donating gifts and gift certificates to our local non-profit organizations and schools. The Park Street Business District merchants are planning special events and special prices for Small Business Saturday.     West Alameda Business District merchants are also planning special events for Small Business Saturday.     South Shore Shopping Center merchants are also planning special events for Small Business Saturday.     Alameda is a lovely comm... 11/29/2014

Things to do in Alameda on November 29 and 30, 2014   Things to do in Alameda: November 29 is National Small Business Saturday, a day when we are all encouraged to shop locally and support the businesses in your town.  We are fortunate to live in such a charming community.  Businesses in our city add character and variety to our lives.  And they support our community too, by donating gifts and gift certificates to our local non-profit organizations and schools. Shop our local business districts including Park Street, Webster Street and South Shore Center.   PARK STREE BUSINES DISTRICT   Things to do in Alameda:  The Alameda’s Farmer’s Market is open to the public Saturday, November 29 and Tuesday, December 2 mornings from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, rain or shine.  All the fruits and vegetables... 11/28/2014

Annie the musical is coming to Alameda    Annie the musical is coming to Alameda on Friday, December 5, Saturday, December 6 and Sunday December 7, 2014 at the Kofman Auditorium.  Tomorrow Youth Repertory and the Alameda Children’s Musical Theater have joined forces for this production of the cherished musical. Tickets are $13 for adults in advance or $15 at the door.  Students/senior tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door.     Alameda Children's Musical Theatre (ACMT) and Tomorrow Youth Repertory (TYR), two Alameda-based youth theater groups, are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement to co-produce a series of "Mainstage" youth musicals in Alameda, California. The first show in the series will be a production of the beloved musical "Annie" to be performed at Kofm... 11/26/2014

    Market Report of Alameda real estate activity 11/17/14 - 11/24/14   Last week’s totals from 11/17/2014 to………..………….……………………11/24/2014 New homes on the market..................................................................8 Price changes......................................................................................2 Homes that sold................................................................................10 Pending activity - all not just last week................................................66 All single family homes currently on the market...................................34 Condos currently on the market...........................................................6   Townhouses currently on the market....................................................6 Distressed... 11/24/2014

  As You Like It is coming to the Alameda Free Library.  The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare On Tour production will be on Saturday, December 13 at the Main Library Branch at 2:00 pm.     As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s comedies which centers on antics of Rosalind, Orlando, Celia and Touchstone as they deal with love, loss and redemption.  After the performance the cast will participate in a question and answer session with the audience.         This touring production offers costumed professional actors, sets, props and music to enhance the 55 minute version of the play. This is a great introduction to Shakespeare for youth. Supplemental curriculum materials are available for educators.  The production was underwritten by an Library supporter.         The produc... 11/23/2014

  The City Council approved Pacific Pinball Museum move to the Carnegie building       The City Council unanimously approved an exclusive negotiation agreement with The Pacific Pinball Museum to facilitate the Museum’s move into the Carnegie building at 2264 Santa Clara Avenue.           The Pacific Pinball Museum will be paying $1 annually.  The historic structure once houses the Alameda Free Library main branch.  It has remained vacant since 1998, when the building was declared earthquake unsafe.  As part of the deal, the museum will also deposit $3.5 million within two years in a shared bank account with the city to fund upgrades on the building. Part of the lease is the smaller building behind the Carnegie which once housed the Children’s Library.           Currently the Museum has ... 11/22/2014

    Alameda Point developer was selected by the City Council at their meeting on Tuesday, November 18.  The City Council voted to approve an exclusive agreement with Alameda Point Partners to negotiate a deal to develop a 68-acre waterfront town center at the former Naval Air Station  Residents were opposed to the move because they feel that the lame duck council should give the new council a chance to make the decision.       The vote was 5-0 to approve the agreement with council members said “they needed to respect the two year public process they’ve engaged in to develop a plan for the Point.   According to the “Alamedan” several council members made comments defending their vote:   “This is a tough decision. But stalling is not the answer to a tough decision,” Vice Mayor Marilyn Ezz... 11/20/2014

Alameda City staff has selected a finalist to develop Alameda Point Alameda City staff has selected a finalist to develop Alameda Point, the waterfront town center.  Their recommendation of the Alameda Point Partners to build 800 homes and as much as 200,000 square feet of commercial uses on a 68 acre portion of the Point will be presented to the Alameda City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 18 at City Hall at 7:00 pm.   The council will then consider approving an exclusive negotiation agreement with the development partnership.   There were originally nine teams which bid for the right to develop the property.  That number was whittled down to four finalist by City staff who finally chose Alameda Point Partners and Canadian development company Brookfield Residential.    Seaplane La... 11/18/2014

      Market Report of Alameda real estate activity 11/10/14 - 11/17/14   Last week’s totals from 11/10/2014 to………..………….……………………11/17/2014 New homes on the market................................................................10 Price changes......................................................................................2 Homes that sold...............................................................................15 Pending activity - all not just last week...............................................62 All single family homes currently on the market..................................44 Condos currently on the market..........................................................8   Townhouses currently on the market...................................................6 Distressed prop... 11/17/2014

The AAPS will hear about arts and crafts tiles from Susan J. Montgomery, a consultant with the Two Red Roses Foundation who will discuss the Foundation and its collection at the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society meeting on Sunday, November 16 at 7:00 pm.  The meeting will be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church at 1420 Lafayette Street in Alameda.   According to their website, “The Two Red Roses Foundation is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the acquisition, restoration, preservation and public exhibition of important examples of furniture, pottery and tiles, lighting, woodblocks, textiles, photography, architectural faience, and fine arts from the American Arts & Craft Movement.  The Two Red Roses Foundation of Palm Harbor, Florida, exists to foster public rec... 11/16/2014

  The average sales prices of homes in Alameda has increased 18%   The average sales prices of homes in Alameda has increased 18% since the third quarter of 2013.  The average sales price in the third quarter of 2013 was $643,000. The average sales price in the third quarter of 2014 was $756,000, up 18%.         We are currently in a seller’s market.  The inventory of homes for sale in Alameda is very low.  There are 44 residences for sale today.  If a seller decide to sell their home and if it is in good condition the home will sell quickly and in most cases for more than the seller has offered the property.  Additionally, there are still many buyers who want to buy a home in Alameda.  And rates are still very low, in the 4% to 4.5% range.   Homes in the Fernside and East End are parti... 11/15/2014

  Altarena Playhouse wins four Theatre Bay Area Awards   Altarena Playhouse wins four Theater Bay Area awards at the ceremony on Monday, November 10.  According to the Altarena Playhouse the four awards were for the following categories:   Best Production of a Musical – Always…Patsy Cline Music Direction – Tania Johnson, Always…Patsy Cline Principal Female Actor in a Musical – Margaret Belton, Always…Patsy Cline Featured Male Actor in a Play – Charles Woodson Parker, Boeing Boeing   Altarena Playhouse was a finalist in these categories: Best Production of a Play – Boeing Boeing Direction of a Musical – Richard Robert Bunker, Always…Patsy Cline Music Direction – Greg Zema, Side Show Performance by an Ensemble in a Play – the cast of Boeing Boeing Principal Female Actor in a Play – Sue Tr... 11/13/2014

  What should I do before I sell my Alameda home?   Alameda sellers often ask what should be done to prepare their homes for a sale.  There are many things they may do, however I have noted the things that are most essential a seller  should do before they sell their Alameda home.   Curb appeal:  Make the buyer’s first impression of your home a good one.   Your home should be inviting and that’s what curb appeal is about.  Make sure your yard is trim and neat and your lawn is lush and green.  Plant lots of colorful flowers and bushes in the yard. Tidy the front porch and create a cozy seating area.   Paint:  Paint inside and out if the paint is washout, peeling or just plain ugly.  Paint inside and outside the home with pleasant neutral colors.  No red paint in the dining room.  Buyers ... 11/11/2014

“Is Alameda Ready for the Next Big One?” Is Alameda Ready for the next big one?  In an effort to answer that question, the League of Women Voters will be hosting a forum to learn what the City of Alameda, Alameda County and other agencies plan and prepare for the next big one on Thursday, November 13 at the Alameda Free Library from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.   NAPA 2014 EARTHQUAKE   At the free forum, you will learn what services are available to connect your household and family with these agencies to help you prepare.   Captain Sharon Oliver of the Alameda Fire Department, Paul Hess from Alameda County, John McCahan of the Alameda Red Cross and other emergency preparedness experts.   Captain Sharon Oliver The Library is located at 1550 Oak Street in Alameda.  Please use the parking lot entranc... 11/09/2014

  Things to do in Alameda on November 8 and 9, 2014   Things to do in Alameda:  The Alameda’s Farmer’s Market is open to the public Saturday, November 8  and Tuesday, November 11 mornings from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, rain or shine.  All the fruits and vegetables are available at great prices.  So good!  Don’t miss the opportunity to shop for delectable fruits, vegetables and flowers.  The market is on Webster Street and Haight Avenue and is open rain or shine.     Things to do in Alameda:  Its November and that means that its time for the 36th Annual Holiday Boutique.  The boutique features local craftspeople who will be exhibiting their wares on Saturday, November 8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Veteran’s Memorial Building at 2203 Central Avenue in Alameda.   Things to do in Alameda:  Al... 11/07/2014

    The Little Ice Rink in Alameda is back for another on November 8 at Alameda’s South Shore Center adjacent to Petco on the southeast side of the South Shore Center off Park Street.  The Little Ice Rink will be open from December 8, 2014 through January 19, 2015.     The Little Ice Rink is a gift to the community from Alameda’s Perforce Software Foundation and South Shore Center with the assistance of Ice-America.  South Shore Center will be having “several fun activities” along with the ice in the future.  And this year, Panera Bread will be serving coffee, hot chocolate and cookies on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Nothing is better than hot chocolate and ice skating.     The Little Ice Rink, with 4100 square feet of ice skating area, will not only accommodate ice skates but if yo... 11/06/2014