ALAMEDA WALKS - LINCOLN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD   The Alameda Recreation and Parks Department sponsors ALAMEDA WALKS a program started in 2003.  According to Patrick Russi, Recreation Supervisor, the goal of Alameda Walks was to get people out of their homes on Saturday mornings for a little exercise and a chance to learn a little about the city of Alameda.   Alameda Walks - Lincoln Park Neighborhood will meet at the the entrance to Lincoln Park at 9 am.  The walk be lead by Robert Perricone will last for an hour and a half walk.   ENTRANCE TO LINCOLN PARK If you would like to read more about the walks in May, June and July, 2011 please see my articles on Alameda Walks - Bay Farm Island and the Uplands, Alameda Walks - The Gold Coast, Alameda Walks - Farmer's Market and Sand Castle Contest, ... 08/11/2011

  SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST FOR EDISON SECOND GRADERS IN ALAMEDA    SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST FOR EDISON SECOND GRADERS IN ALAMEDA   Edison School has sent out the school supply list for second graders: Mr. Sketch markers - flat not pointed (10 pack) 1 set of thin markers(colored) 1 set colored pencils - sharpened 1 black felt pen(no Sharpies) 10 - #2 pencils - sharpened 1 Pink Pearl type eraser 1 large glue stick 1 - 4 oz bottle white glue 1 pair scissors 1 plastic pencil box (5 x 8 in) 2 flat folders with pockets 1 box facial tissue 1 bottle liquid hand soap with pump (last name A-M) 1 bottle hand sanitizer with pump (last name N-Z) No binders     08/11/2011

  SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST FOR EDISON KINDERGARTNERS AND FIRST GRADERS   SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST FOR EDISON KINDERGARTNERS AND FIRST GRADERS  Edison School has sent out the school supply list for Kindergartners and First Graders:   KINDERGARTNERS SUPPLY LIST: 2 Flat Folders with pockets with child's name on front Crayola "Write Start" coloring pencils(8 pack) 2 thin washable black markers 12 Large glue sticks 1 pink pearl eraser 1 Box facial tissues 3 boxes baby wipes 1 - 4 pack dry erase markers 1 pair Fiskar scissors Girls - 1 small box Ziplock baggies Girls - 1 bottle liquid soap with pump Boys - 1 box large Ziploc baggies Boys - 1 bottle hand sanitizer with pump No Binders   FIRST GRADE SUPPLY LIST: 1 sturdy 2 pocket folder with child's name on it 4 black wide tip dry erase pens 4 large glue s... 08/11/2011

SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST FOR EDISON THIRD AND FOURTH GRADERS Edison Elementery School in Alameda has send out the school supply list for third and fourth graders: Supply List for Third Graders: 1 pencil box (5 x 8 in) 1 set of colored pencils 1 set of thin markers 1 set of regular size markers 1 scissors 1 black monart pen 2 glue sticks 2 folders 5 - 10 #2 pencils- sharpened 1 - 4 oz bottle Elmer's glue 1 box facial tissue 1 small, personal pencil sharpener with enclosure for shavings 1 set of tabbed dividers 1 - 1/2 inch 3 ring white clearview binder Supply List for Fourth Graders: 1 spiral notebook (120 pages) 5 #2 pencils 1 large glue stick 1 pencil sharpener 1 set colored pencils 2 black fair pen scissors 2 boxes of facial tissues 2 flat folders with pockets 1 - 2" 3 ring binder(Ms. Dunca... 08/10/2011

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE IN ALAMEDA     SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE IN ALAMEDA  The Alameda Education Foundation is teaming up with Girl Scout Troop 31532 for their annual school supply drive.  The donations support nearly 900 needy Alameda Unified School District students.     AEF and the Girl Scouts would like the donations by August 29, 2011.  Cash donations are also being requested and can be sent to AEF "School Supply Drive", P. O. Box 1363, Alameda, CA 94501.  Accepting donations are the following businesses:     Alameda South Shore Center Alameda Bicycle Alameda Parks & Recreation Department Big O' Tires Color Me Mine Domenico's Italian Deli Financial Benefits Credit Union Millie's Hair Salon Quick Communications Cellular Towne Cleaners & Alterations Tucker's Ice Cream WesCafe       08/10/2011

  BAYPORT HOMES ALAMEDA       BAYPORT HOMES IN ALAMEDA  Bayport Homes in Alameda were built by Warmington Homes in 2005 to 2008.  There are four distinctive collections of homes mixed throughout the neighborhoods to echo the small town look and feel of Alameda.  Located near the College of Alameda Bayport is pictured below highlighted in green.     The Point offers elegant homes ranging in size from 2750 to 3730 square feet, featuring 3 and 4 bedrooms.    The Cove feature three an four bedrooms home in 2,537 to 3,179 square foot range      The Harbor and Landing both feature 3 bedroom homes ranging in size from 2,035 to 2,361 for the Harbor homes to 1484 to 1682 for the Landing homes.  Landing homes are located on prime corner locations and are sell for below-market rat to qualified buy... 08/05/2011

ALAMEDA'S ART AND WINE FAIRE 2011   ALAMEDA'S ART AND WINE FAIR 2011  The 27th annual Alameda Art & Wine Faire took place this past weekend.  It was a very successful event for the Park Street Business Association.     I have been a board member of the PSBA for five years and that means I help with the Art & Wine Faire. It is always a hectic weekend starting at 8 am for me and the other committee members.  But the bulk of the work is done by our illustrious executive director, Robb Ratto.  He is a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm and he is the driving force behind the success of the Alameda Art & Wine Faire and the Park Street Business District.     During the two days of the Faire there were approximately 100,000 people who traveled the 5 blocks of vendors, food galleries and non-pro... 08/04/2011

  ALAMEDA WELFARE COUNCIL ANNUAL LUNCHEON   ALAMEDA WELFARE COUNCIL ANNUAL LUNCHEON was a grand affair on a beautiful summer day at the Grandview Pavillion in Alameda.   The Alameda Welfare Council has for the past 83 years provided community support to agencies serving the needs of the resident of Alameda.  Proceeds from the Summer Faire, other events and dues, approximately $25,000, are splits each year among the following Alameda organizations:   Alameda Boys and Girls Club Alameda Food Bank Alameda Meals on Wheels Alameda Red Cross/Alameda Alameda Junior Golf Cal Safe Alameda High School, Tri High health Center Girls Inc. of the Island City Alameda Family Services Close Up- Encinal High School   TIME TO SIT DOWN FOR A DELICIOUS LUNCHEON    THE FOOD BOOTH IS TOO TEMPTING TO PASS BY. ... 08/03/2011

Before I moved to California, one of my favorite sojourns is wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. That's all I knew. Later, I even ventured out to Lodi and Livermore Then big surprise! I don't have to drive too far away after all. As a matter of fact, I can literally hop on a bike and ride to wine-tasting rooms right here in this itty bitty island of Alameda, just between San Francisco and Oakland. Rosenblum Cellars From its website, here's what they say: "At Rosenblum, we’re famous for being all about Zinfandel – Old Vine Zin, High Altitude Zin, Single Vineyard Zin, BIG Attitude Zin. We love Zinfandel so much, we make over 20 different types. Rosenblum Cellars has some of the highest rated, most-awarded Zins from California’s most highly regarded vineyards. Not just Napa and Sonoma... 08/02/2011

ALAMEDA STARLIGHT MOVIE IN THE PARK - NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM   ALAMEDA STARLIGHT MOVIE IN THE PARK - NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM.  The Alameda Recreation and Park Department  will hold the Alameda Starlight Movie in the Park - Night at the Museum on Friday, July 29 at Alameda Point Multi-Purpose Field, 1101 West Redline Avenue in Alameda.    Enjoy the family movie, Night at the Museum, under the stars at Alameda Point. Box dinners are available for $5 if pre-ordered a week before the show. Pre-show festivities begin at 7:30 p.m., movie begins at 8:15 p.m. Alameda Point Multipurpose Field, 1101 West Redline Ave., Alameda, (510) 747-4700, www.cityofalamedaca.gov   Alameda Starlight Movie in the Park - Night at the Museum is the second movie of the summer series.  The field opens at 6:30 pm for picni... 07/28/2011

  ALAMEDA PARKS - RITTLER PARK   ALAMEDA PARKS - RITTLER PARK.  Rittler Park was the first park on the new South Shore development.  South Shore was a 390 acre bay fill development in 1950s.  The Park was an important part of the development and was in keeping with developments in the 1950s.  The land was level, with a few scattered trees near two schools, just like other parks of that era.     RITTLER PARK SIGN   The park was named in honor of the city's 91 year old former athletic director and superintendent of recreation, Otto Rittler.  The park was part of the school and park complex developed by the Alameda Unified School District and the Alameda City Recreation and Parks Department.  Utah Construction Company which developed South Shore gave title to the park, the elementary and m... 07/26/2011

Tri Valley CA – We received a lot of feedback from yesterday’s post. One agent said, “You obviously don’t know what you are talking about. Bank X won’t give us a response on the file and we have been waiting 5 months for an answer. How dare you suggest that I am incompetent because they haven’t replied?” (The bank was a large national bank whose name I changed for this post.) Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here. First off, we are not saying that all agents are incompetent. However, we do see some agents with no experience with short sales attempting to sell them. Here is the issue. Banks do have responsibilities. In 80% of cases, the bank we negotiate with does not own the loan. That means they don’t take any of the loss from sh... 07/26/2011

  ALAMEDA PARKS - WOODSTOCK PARK ALAMEDA PARKS - WOODSTOCK PARK.  Woodstock  Park is in the midst of the pioneer village of  Woodstock.  The Park occupies the site of a Victorian Mansion.  The park was developed in stages and finally completed in 1970s   The town of Woodstock was developed when A. J. Cohen's San Francisco & Alameda Railroad was built in 1864.  One of the residents of the area, Thomas Davenport settled in Woodstock.  He built a big house and leased some of the land for farming.  One of his tenants was Jack London's father.  As a child Jack roamed the land.     Another  residents of the Woodstock Village was Dr. Ferdinand Wilhelm Vowinckel. He came to the United States to become head of the California Women's Hospital in San Francisco.  He was a reclusive bachelor who sur... 07/24/2011

ALAMEDA PARKS - GODFREY PARK ALAMEDA PARKS - GODFREY PARK.  Godfrey Park is located in one of the oldest neighborhood on Bay Farm Island.   Bay Farm Island was settled in the 1850 and for many years the land was used for agricultural purposes.  Most of Bay Farm Island was marsh land, but after the 1920s the land near Bay Farm was filled to accommodate the Oakland Airport and the fairway of the Alameda Golf Course.  After the golf course was built houses were developed on the old farm lands.  In the 1920 the entire population of Bay Farm Island was 300 people.  During that time of rapid development a proposal to create a park became an important thing for the local residents.  The first ideas for the park were as a public beach and picnic grounds covering 25 acres.     GODFREY PARK RECRE... 07/24/2011

ALAMEDA WALKS - CRAB COVE   ALAMEDA WALKS - CRAB COVE.    The Alameda Recreation and Parks Department sponsors ALAMEDA WALKS a program started in 2003.  According to Patrick Russi, Recreation Supervisor, the goal of Alameda Walks was to get people out of their homes on Saturday mornings for a little exercise and a chance to learn a little about the city of Alameda.   Alameda Walks - Crab Cove will meet at the Visitor Center at 1252 McKay Avenue in Alameda at 9am on Saturday, July 16, 2011.  An East Bay Regional Park District naturalist will be the leader for this walk.  Crab Cove is a part of a complex of parks including Alameda's Washington Park and Robert Crown Memorial Shoreline Beach.     MAP OF CRAB COVE, WASHINGTON PARK & ROBERT CROWN MEMORIAL STATE BEACH   A FOGGY DAY AT CRAB COV... 07/15/2011

As part of my effort to share information about local events, I blogged about the FOOD FIGHT! East Bay Food Fight among top chefs and top 40 restaurants. East Bay Food Fight benefits the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Kitchen of Champions Culinary Training Program - providing pathways out of poverty.  Inspired by DC Central Kitchen's Capital Food Fight, we bring the food industry's best talent together to support the community.   GREAT RESOURCE: Moi? I woke up this morning with an email (via Active Rain) Subject: THANKS for mentioning East Bay Food Fight (Sent via Activerain) Hi Ms. Dimacali, thanks so much for mentioning our July 23rd event, East Bay Food Fight, on your page. Wanted to let you know that it was picked up in a news tracker by our national office and sent out to St. Vin... 07/13/2011

ALAMEDA PARKS - GODFREY PARK ALAMEDA PARKS - GODFREY PARK  Godfrey Park is located in one of the oldest neighborhood on Bay Farm Island.  It was opened in 1945.  Bay Farm Island was settled in the 1850 and for many yeas the land was used for agricultural purposes.  Most of Bay Farm Island was marsh land, but after the 1920s the land near Bay Farm was filled to accommodate the Oakland Airport and the fairway of the Alameda Golf Course.  After the gold course was built  subdivisions were developed on the old farm lands.  In the 1920 the entire population of Bay Farm Island was 300 people.  During that time of rapid development a proposal to create a park became an important thing for the local residents.  The first ideas for the park were as a public beach and picnic grounds covering 25 a... 07/12/2011

BRING LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LAB TO ALAMEDA BRING LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LAB TO ALAMEDA  Lawrence Berkeley National Lab is looking for a second home.  Many cities are vying to host the Lab, but it now appears that the race is down to two cities, Richmond and Alameda.     Alameda's proposal was presented listing several of Alameda's assets including great services, ample green power, accessibility and views.  The proposal also mentioned unique lunchtime options, a food court made out of food trucks.  Alameda has also sweetened the deal by offering LBNL the land at Alameda Point for free.         Alameda is vigorously courting the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs to select Alameda as their second home.  The City of Alameda is encouraging residents to come out to show support for th... 07/11/2011

ALAMEDA'S ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS' FOURTH OF JULY ALAMEDA'S ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS' FOURTH OF JULY  Well, the Alameda Association of Realtors' entry in the 4th of July parade acquitted itself adequately.  What we lacked in volume and numbers we made up for in spirit.  Some of our members who failed to appear did make our task harder.  But those individuals, I think of them as members of our fine feathered fowl friends, are probably cursing themselves for not participating.   Some of the more optimistic of us thought we were a cinch to win the prestigious Mayor's Award.  I wasn't sure about that. But we did have a good time and we seemed to be well received by the crowds.  The 3.5 mile route seemed to pass in minutes.  Actually, the parade committee wouldn't let us slow down at all.  I ... 07/10/2011

Last outdoor concert  for Summer 2011 at Crab Cove in Alameda CA. The featured performer was Foreverland, who bills itself as "An electrifying 14-piece tribute to Michael Jackson." Starting at 5:30 pm, under clear blue skies, cool breeze, a fabulously enjoyable 68 degrees in the sun --- everything was picture perfect! So many reasons to love living in Alameda, the island city in the Bay area of California...this is one.   07/09/2011