A New Approach to Undergrounding Utilities Lines in Alameda   A New Approach to Undergrounding Utilities Lines in Alameda will be discussed at a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, November 6, from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Alameda Free Library at 1550  Oak Street in Alameda.     In 1984 the City of Alameda initiated a program to underground overhead utilities in order to beautify the City.  Utility Underground Districts(UUDs) were created through through a City Ordinance to accomplish that goal. Funding was designed so that all customers, through a 2% component of Alameda Municipal Power’s electric revenue to pay for undergrounding of overhead utility facilities, pole removals and street light conversion. In July 2012 The City Council accepted recommendations from the Public Utilities Board(PUC... 11/05/2014

  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 Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Veteran’s Memorial Building at 2203 Central Avenue in Alameda.     The boutique features food gifts, think delicious fudge.  There will also be booths with jewelry and other gift items and toys and games for the kids.   This is an unique boutique which benefits the Leisure Club, a recreation program for the developmentally disabled teens and adults sponsored by The Alameda Recreation and Park Department and Meals on Wheels.   Don’t miss this Alameda tradition and contribute to a worthy cause. Alameda is a wonderful island community, with its tree lined ... 11/04/2014

Market Report of Alameda real estate activity 10/27/14 to 11/3/14Last week’s totals from 10/27/2014 to………..………….……………………11/3/2014New homes on the market................................................................14Price changes......................................................................................7Homes that sold................................................................................17Pending activity - all not just last week................................................67All single family homes currently on the market...................................49Condos currently on the market...........................................................8  Townhouses currently on the market....................................................9Distressed properties:Bank O... 11/03/2014

Alameda Real Estate Market Report, Third Quarter 2014   Alameda, like most cities in the Bay Area, has seen prices increase and inventory decrease.  The days of the market decline are gone and hopefully will not return soon.  Although you must remember that real estate like the stock market is cyclical.  Prices will eventually go down.   Sellers have everything going for them now, if they decide to sell their homes.  Rates are still low at around 4+%.  There are many, many buyers who want to buy a home in Alameda because of the good schools, lovely neighborhoods, beach and parks and the slower-paced lifestyle.         In 2008 when the real estate market was in the doldrums, the number of homes that sold for $800,000+ was about 17% of the market.  That number continued to decrease in 200... 11/02/2014

Mariel Thomas Retires from Mastick Senior Center   Mariel Thomas retires from Mastick Senior Center after many years of service.  She has been a mainstay at the Mastick for 27 years. She has been a devoted staff member of Mastick and is valued and will be miss by the large Mastick community.     Her long employment with Mastick started when she was initially hired as a part-time employee working with the Center’s then Director Georgina Jones.  When Jackie Krause assumed the responsibility as Center Director, Mariel became a full-time employee.  She became a Senior Center Specialist and second in command.   She continued her work and created programs for Mastick’s events and celebrations.  She became the Trip Director at Mastick coordinating and hosting day trips, as well as extended tri... 11/01/2014

Things to do in Alameda on October 24, 25 and 26, 2014   Things to do in Alameda:  Teen Haunted House on Friday, October 24, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at South Shore, near Old Navy in Alameda.  Admission $5 for ages 5 to 17; $7 for adults.  The event is presented by the Alameda Recreation and Park Department and benefits the Alameda Youth Committee and ARPD teen programs.  Please call 510-521-1515 for more information. Things to do in Alameda:  Friends of the Library’s Used Book Preview Sale on Friday, October 24, from 7:00 to 9:30 pm at the DeWitt “O” Club at 641 West Red Line Avenue in Alameda.  Admission $5.  Its time to stock up on books you love to read and re-read.   Things to do in Alameda:  Little Shop of Horrors on Friday. October 24 at 8:00 pm! According to the  Altarena “This musi... 10/24/2014

Things to do in Alameda on October 17, 18 and 19, 2014 Things to do in Alameda:  Little Shop of Horrors on Friday. October 17 at 8:00 pm! According to the  Altarena “This musical take on a Roger Corman cult classic features Seymour Krelborn, a down-and-out Skid Row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. As Seymour seeks the affection of his lovely co-worker, Audrey, he also battles for control over his increasingly bloodthirsty plant, Audrey II. Soon the plant grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore that offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite. Can Seymour keep the world – and his beloved Audrey – safe?  Tickets will go fast, so be sure to ge... 10/17/2014

  Market Report of Alameda real estate activity 9/22/14 to 9/29/14   Last week’s totals from 9/22/2014 to………..………….…………………….....9/29/2014 New homes on the market................................................................19 Price changes......................................................................................4 Homes that sold...............................................................................14 Pending activity - all not just last week...............................................58 All single family homes currently on the market...................................65 Condos currently on the market.........................................................12 Townhouses currently on the market..................................................14 Distressed propert... 09/30/2014

  Things to do in Alameda on September 26, 27, and 28, 2014   Things to do in Alameda:  8:00 pm on Friday, September 26 the Pacific Pinball Museum is presenting Nerd Nation featuring the comedy of Dhaya Lakscminarayanan.  The event includes music snacks and pinball.  Tickets are $15 per person.  The Pacific Pinball Museum is located at 1510 Webster Street in Alameda.  Please call 510-205-6959 for more information. Things to do in Alameda: Alameda’s Farmer’s Market is open to the public Saturday, September 27  and Tuesday, September 30 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. ... 09/26/2014

  The 2014 Alameda Legacy Home Tour   The Alameda Legacy Home Tour for 2014 will be on Sunday, September 28, 2013 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  The Tour will feature seven homes of architectural interest in Alameda.  Six of the homes are in the “Gold Coast” an area known for its lovely homes, the seventh home is called a “carpenter’s dream” on the West End.   Spend the day on the beautiful island of Alameda by the Bay, strolling through neighborhoods rich in architectural heritage.  The tour is self-guided and is followed by refreshments at the Meyer House Garden.   MEYERS HOUSE AND GARDEN WHERE REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED   Tour goes will pick up their Legacy Guidebook and visit the homes at their own pace.  You may bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at Franklin Park, or at the Meyers House Ga... 09/26/2014

  Alameda Theater Classic Movie Series, Fall 2014   Alameda Theater offers great current movies, movies for children and Friday talent shows.  But the best thing they offer are the Classic Movies on Tuesdays and Thursdays which will begin on September 23 and run through December 10, 2014.   You can purchase a package of eight classic movies for $40.00 or 4 classic movies for $25.00.  No expiration date   The classic movies series gives you the opportunity to see movies on the big screen.  Even not action films are so much better than on the small TV screen.   Here’s the lineup for this Fall:   Rebecca on September 23 and 24.  This is the David O. Selznick adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s book starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine from 1940.  It’s a wonderful movie not just becaus... 09/22/2014

  I read a Banned Book and I Liked it!   Banned Books Week, usually held the last week in September, is an annual event celebrating our freedom to read any book we want.  The entire book community, librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers and reader support the Banned Books Week. Banned Books Week 2014 is the fourth year in a row when readers across the country and around the world will be able to participate in the event by reading a banned book.   “By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship, according to the Alameda Library .”  This is a list of frequently challenged books. I read a banned book last year and will be reading one this year.  If you want to read a... 09/21/2014

  Things to do in Alameda on September 20, and 21, 2014   Things to do in Alameda:  Coastal Clean Up at Crab Cove on Saturday, September 20 from 8:30 am to 12 Noon.  Alameda Coastal Cleanup is part of an international cleanup day.  Hosted by the Alameda Recreation and Park Department locally.  Meet at Shoreline Drive and Westline and don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves and a bucket for bag.  Please call 888-327-2757 x 2 for reservations.   Things to do in Alameda:  The Alameda’s Farmer’s Market is open to the public Saturday, September 20  and Tuesday, September 23 mornings from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, rain or shine.  All the spring fruits and vegetables are available at great prices.  So good!  Don’t miss the opportunity to shop for delectable fruits, vegetables and flo... 09/19/2014

  The 2014 Live @ the Library Series of Concerts is back   The Live @ the Library Series is back for the 2014 Concerts.  The Series features fine entertainment and benefits the Alameda Free Library.   The first concert on Saturday, September 20 features Jamie Davis.  Jamie, a great baritone voice “leaves audiences feelin’ good...really good.”  www.jamiedavis.com         On Saturday, October 11 features Marcus Shelby Trio with a guest vocalist.  Marcus Shelby is an award winning composed, arranger, educator and bassist.  “He is known for his commitment to using jazz to narrate the rich history of African Americans.”     The final concert of the series is on Saturday, November 15 and is billed as a Guitar Summit with Terrence Brewer, Steve Erquiaga, Calvin Keys. This concert features thre... 09/18/2014

  Things to do in Alameda on September 12 and 13, 2014   Things to do in Alameda:  Meet the Artists of the Power Box Art Show on Friday, September 12, 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Rhythmix Cultural Works.  This is an exhibit of the artists who created the art for the utility transformer boxes on Alameda Streets.  Rhythmix is located at 2513 Blanding Avenue.  Please call 510-865-5060 for more information.   Things to do in Alameda:  Free Starlight Movies in the Park on Friday, September 12,  will feature "Back to the Future" at Leydecker Park, 3225 Mecartney Road in Bay Farm Island. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with pre-show festivities of games and crafts for kids. The featured movie begins at approximately 8:15 p.m. Snacks and food are available and proceeds support the Teen Program. Bring your... 09/12/2014

      Market Report of Alameda real estate activity 9/1/14 to 9/8/14   Last week’s totals from 9/1/2014 to………..………….…………………….....9/8/2014 New homes on the market................................................................13 Price changes......................................................................................4 Homes that sold...............................................................................13 Pending activity - all not just last week...............................................59 All single family homes currently on the market...................................54 Condos currently on the market...........................................................8 Townhouses currently on the market..................................................13 Distressed proper... 09/08/2014

  Things to do in Alameda on September 5, 6 and 7, 2014   Things to do in Alameda:  Friday, September 5 at 8:00 pm the Altarena Playhouse presents Boeing Boeing the hilarious farce which features a self-styled lothario Bernard who has Italian, German and American financees, all of whom are airline hostesses.  The Altarena is at 1409 High Street. For more information please call 523-1553.       Things to do in Alameda:  September 6 at 9:00 am.  Bike Bridge to Bay Farm Island.  This walk/ride starts at Lincoln Middle School parking lot on Fernside Drive.  The participants will travel over the bridge and along the north side of Bay Farm Island. This walk is hosted by Bike Walk Alameda.   Things to do in Alameda:  The Alameda’s Farmer’s Market is open to the public Saturday, September 6  an... 09/05/2014

  The Casablanca Ball, September 6, 2014   Alameda seems to attract groups that host great events.  One of those groups is PEERS, “Period Events and Entertainment Re-Creation Society”.  The group was founded “to produce and sponsor re-creations of historical works of dance, music and theater with an emphasis on audience interaction.   To produce and sponsor original works of dance, music and theater with an emphasis on audience interaction; To produce and sponsor new works of dance, music, literature and theater in historical art forms; To sponsor and support artists and researchers involved in the performing arts of the past; To provide instruction to the general public in the performing arts of the past and to increase knowledge and appreciation of these arts by educating the general ... 09/04/2014

  Be prepared for the next big one!  September is National Preparedness Month.   We all face potential disasters.  There are tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires.  California periodically has huge fires, but by far our greatest worry is about earthquakes.  We have been told that there will be a 7 point or greater earthquake on the Hayward Fault in the near future.     The recent Napa earthquake on August 24, 2014 was a reminder that an earthquake could happen at any time.   Earthquakes do not give any notice that they are coming.  So we must plan to mitigate any damage or loss of life from an earthquake now.   What can we do to prepare for the next big one?   The first thing you should do is make a plan. Prior to a major disaster make a family plan designating a place to meet in case yo... 09/03/2014

VA Mortgage Loans in Alameda CA and 100% VA Loans - the best loan program 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 great features of this fantastic program: - Up to 100% financing, with no down required. - No monthly mortgage insurance added to your payment. - Compared to other types of mortgage loans, easier credit-qualifying requirements. - Low fixed mortgage rates result in a low monthly payment. Here's how to qualify for a VA Mortgage Loan in Alameda CA: You must first verify your eligibility. This is done by ordering your Certificate of Eligibility or COE. You can work with an approved Alameda CA VA mortgage loan lender to order your COE quickly, or you can co... 09/03/2014