Making a Difference in Oakland

My dear friend Claudia Miller is the Regional Development Manager for First Place For Youth.  Founded in 1998, First Place was the first organization in Northern California to provide affordable housing and supportive services to former foster youth, and today is considered a national model for providing permanent housing for high risk youth.  Over the past two years, I have heard Claudia's stories about the kids and young adults that are a part of this organization and I have heard her determination to raise money for this important cause.

Yesterday First Place for Youth hosted a private showing of The Blind Side at the Jack London Theatre in Oakland.  This movie depicts a teenager lost in the foster care system who ultimately becomes a successful adult.  About 100 Oakland residents and friends of First Place showed up to support the cause.  This holiday season as people are cutting back on the extravagant gifts, First Place for Youth is a great gift alternative.  Donate any amount of money in a friend or family members name. Visit First Place for Youth online.

Growing up with  my entire family intact, I have taken for granted my  privilege of family support.  Every year I was able to go the school in my neighborhood, maintain the same friends over the years and enjoy trading school pictures with my buddies. Often foster children are moved around, (on average 5 times), have difficulty getting into school because of lost birth certificates  and often no one purchases their school photographs.  Last week, Oakland resident and photographer Christina Koci-Hernandez donated her time and took exquisite photos of the kids in the program.  Click Here and check out Christina's amazing slide show!

Redwood Heights, Oakland Has Heart

The Redwood Heights district of Oakland is located in the Oakland foothills between Highway 13 and Highway 580, and recently has been overlooked by many buyers.   This neighborhood is comprised of Tudor, Mid-Century, and Meditterean homes,  with a great group of homeowners ranging from people who have lived here from the 1950's to people just moving in.  Being that I live in this community, I love walking my neighborhood and waiving at the familiar faces.  One of the big assets of my neighborhood is the public elementary school, Redwood Heights.  At this school parents  are active, the school is beautiful and I personally enjoy sending my children to the school that both my mother, aunt and I attended.  Every year the PTA hosts, The Harvest For Learning Auction, the biggest fundraiser for the school.  The beauty of this auction is the parent participation.  Parents host all sorts of parties and folks who attend the auction can purchase tickets on a first come first serve basis.  This past auction, I purchased tickets to the second annual Redwood Heights Oaktown Scavenger Hunt.  This was a well organized scavenger hunt in which participants  where divided into teams of 4 members each.  Each group was given the same list  of approximately 40 clues or tasks, (For example, one of the tasks was to take a picture of a couple kissing.  We thought it would be fun to get Bakesale Betty's proprietors, Betty and Michael to kiss, as Bakesale Betty is an Oakland icon. See the photo above and remember we have to be in the picture!)  Each team had one digital camera and two hours to obtain photos at as many locations as possible from the list of tasks.  There were strict rules, points would be deducted if you returned beyond the designated two hours, absolutely no cell phones or internet access to give you aid in finding obscure locations, and each photo had to have at least 3 out of the 4 team members in the photograph.  Teams would get extra credit if all four members were in the picture, so aggressive teams asked strangers to take their photo.

Equipped with sneakers, a water bottle and my three teammates, Lili, Kimberly and Tim, we were driven to win this competition.  We had such a great time, saw many places in Oakland and were crowned the champions!

Grand Opening of New Oakland Winery!

Stage Left Cellars Opening and Wine Tasting

This Saturday, April 4th,  from 11:00- 5:00 pm Owners Melinda and Rich Doty of Left Stage Cellars will be having their grand opening in their new space at 2102 Dennison St., in Oakland. (Click here for a map) Come see this new Oakland business and see 13 original works of art by Oakland artist, Scott Courtenay-Smith.  (Click here for Scott's website)  It's at the 23rd Avenue exit from 880 South, in a cool little industrial park.   Support Oaklanders who are making Oakland a great place to work, live and thrive!

Oakland Fraud Alert

Last evening a person called me and said they were calling on behalf of the Oakland Police Officer's Association and they asked me if I wanted to donate to the organization.  In light of the recent shootings and deaths of four Oakland Police Officers, you may want to contribute money to the families who just lost their loved ones, but be AWARE the OPOA does not solicit donations over the phone. This is a scam!  I called the President of the Oakland Police Officer's Association and he confirmed this.  Please pass this information on.

The best of everything! Mid-Century Home on the Piedmont Side Of Montclair, Oakland

Yesterday as I compiled the homes to view that were open on broker's tour, I was urged by a colleague to put 45 Lane Court on my list. (This home is currently listed with Nancy Rothman of Pacific Union.)  My colleague had heard that this property was a piece of art, and boy the rumors were right!   Set back from the street, this house immediately grabbed my heart, as I spotted the copper garage door perfectly patina-ed.  This home has the vault ceiling and floor to ceiling windows that mid-century modern homes boast, but it has artistic and modern enhancements that are breath-taking.  The master bathroom has a stainless steel soaking tub and steam room,  the downstairs family-rumpus room has a custom kitchen for seamless entertaining and every aspect of this home looks as if it has been enhanced or over-hauled to pristine perfection.  (really!)  For enthusiast like myself I notice the details,  the silky smooth walls, the clean hinges and door hardware, the custom scones to showcase the stunning artwork,  the solid Douglas fir doors, and I could go on and on.   This was my favorite Oakland property of today's broker's tour.  (By the way, this property is blocks to Montclair Village, making it a great walking neighborhood in Oakland.) Here are a few photos to drool over.

In Lieu of Gifts

Claire, Jack, Miles, Nia and Che enjoy pizza at California Pizza Kitchen in Emeryville

This holiday two of my close friends and our children celebrated our second annual toy donation! This is a small but meaningful toy drive. Instead of exchanging gifts, we buy toys for children at Children's Hospital Oakland and celebrate the donation with a dinner out. This way we can bring some cheer to ailing kids, and our children can realize the true meaning of the holiday season.

A Worthy Cause

Police officers and firefighters visited children at a Hoopoe Books Share Literacy event to help them learn the importance of good reading and thinking skills.

The northern California chapter of Share Literacy located in Los Altos, California, mission is to reduce the growing literacy gap between rich privileged and poor at risk children and their families. Share Literacy promotes the development of reading and thinking skills by partnering with established early childhood education agencies serving poverty-level and low-income families, with after-school programs and with organizations providing ESL and adult literacy instruction. For information or to donate to this charity, click here.

Hoopoe Books Share Literacy Program distributed 23,240 books this year to help over 16,500 underserved Bay Area children learn reading and thinking skills, has received a $90,000 grant from the Kaiser Permanente Community Grants Program.

Just in time for the holidays, the grant will help spread cheer to children with the donation of over 10,000 Hoopoe books to charitable organizations and schools serving needy families. The books (some bi-lingual English-Spanish) are earmarked for holiday gift/toy programs. An additional 7,500 books have been requested for give-away programs in early 2009.

The Children’s Book Project/East Bay distributed 3,000 books to organizations including: the Oakland Housing Authority, Oakland Library (Second Start Program); Clinica de la Raza (affiliated with Reach Out and Read) East Oakland; Berkeley Library, Berkeley Reads, All or None of Us (a project of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children), Richmond chapter; and schools in the unified school districts of Oakland, Hayward, San Lorenzo, Alameda, San Pablo and Union City.

Test Your Child's Toys For Lead In Oakland!

The Center for Environmental Health is offering free toy testing. There x-ray fluorescence analyzer will give you instant readings on lead and other potential hazards in your children's products. CLICK HERE for more information. Please come to one of the following sessions:

• Mondays through Thursdays, from now until December 23rd, from noon-6pm at the Center for Environmental Health (2201 Broadway, Suite 302, Oakland, 94612. By BART, get off at 19th Street Downtown Oakland station and walk north three short blocks to 22nd St.)
• Thursday, 12/11 from 11:30 am - 5:30 pm at Fruitvale Village / BART Station, E.12th Street and 34th Ave, Oakland 94601
• Friday, 12/12 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm at the Lincoln Square Recreation Center, 250 10th Street (at Harrison), Oakland 94607
• Saturday, 12/13 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Berkeley Farmer's Market Holiday Crafts Fair, Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Park, Center St. and MLK, Jr. Way, Berkeley 94703
• Tuesday, 12/16 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Golden Gate Recreation Center, 1075 - 62nd Street, Oakland 94608
• Tuesday, 12/16 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5366 College Ave, Oakland 94618
• Thursday, 12/18 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at the Montclair Recreation Center, 6300 Moraga Ave, Oakland 94611
• Friday, 12/19 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1658 Excelsior Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
• Saturday 12/20 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Berkeley Flea Market (Ashby BART), corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Ashby Ave, Berkeley 94703
• Sunday, 12/21 from 12:30 - 3:00 pm, at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita, Berkeley 94709
• Monday12/22 from 4:30 - 6:30 pm at the deFemery Recreation Center, 1651 Adeline Street, Oakland 94607

Shop Oakland and Give The Gift of Art

This weekend will be buzzing with fresh new art!

Creative Growth's Annual Holiday Sale opens Friday, it's also First Friday / Art Murmur in Oakland. Creative Growth Art Center serves adult artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities, providing a stimulating environment for artistic instruction, gallery promotion and personal expression, Click Here for more information.

This Friday evening from 5-9 ISSUES on Glen Avenue off Piedmont Avenue will host a special opening for artist, Olivia Allums. This show will feature 30 small paintings that feature signs from Oakland businesses. Click Here for more information.

My friend and client, Leah Rivers will sell her handmade jewelery including white pearl double-wrap dewdrop necklaces; contemporary new all-silver pendants on chains; unusual antique glass bead bracelets; earrings with deep red garnets, cheery green peridot, tourmaline, and turquoise; and many other fantastic jewelry creations.

When: Sat & Sun, December 6th & 7th10 am - 5 pm

Where: Whitney Smith Pottery Studio

539 Athol Ave. Oakland, CA

If you are going to shop, shop Oakland!

Open House Cheer at St. George Spirits - Alameda, Ca.

On the somewhat deserted Alameda Naval Base is St. George Spirits. Jorg Rupf started St. George Spirits 25+ years ago, with a vision of producing small batches of Eau de vie, (a clear colored fruit brandy). Using the highest quality fruit and ingredients St. George Spirits grew to America's premier craft distiller producing, Eau de vie, grappa, whiskey, liqueur, a reserve collection, and their insanely popular Hangar One Vodka.

The other week I attended Hangar One-St.George Spirits Open House. The old airplane hangar, now impeccably clean distillery was packed with ice sculptures, spirit tastings, music, catered food, and stations from local vendors such as Recchiuti Chocolates.

Upstairs in the private tasting room, a small group of people were able to hear Jorg speak about his methods while tasting his product, including his newest product line, Agua Azul. Agua Azul is made from 100% blue agave - (the tequila weed of the Agave tequilana species, is an agave plant that is an important economic product of Jalisco state in Mexico.)

Me, (Deidre) with Jorg

Recchiuti Chocolates had a table filled with amazing chocolates.

Jorg teaching his secrets to a small group of St. George patrons.

Bay Area Weekend!

This Saturday I plan to attend the Bi-Rite Creamery Chocolate Bar Launch Party at Charles Chocolates in Emeryville.

Cost: FREE

Time:

1-5 pm- Location: Charles Chocolates Chocolate Bar 6529 Hollis St. Emeryville, CA 94608Contact: 510-652-4412 ext. 311 or events@charleschocolates.comTickets: Please RSVP to guarantee admission at

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/47291

This Sunday enjoy Cornucopia: A Black Pine Circle Arts and Crafts Festival

in West Berkeley

West Berkeley’s only Arts & Crafts Festival, unites residents, artists, and independent businesses in a celebration of qualities and values that make West Berkeley thrive. corn•u•co•pia brings together a multitude of entertainment, art activities, art and food vendors, and neighbors that represent the diversity and abundance of talent and ingenuity of this neighborhood. There is unity in diversity and nothing demonstrates this more than corn•u•co•pia.

Time:

10:00 am to 4:00 pm - 2016 7th Street and on the 7th Street block between Addison St. and University Ave.

For more information

click here

.

Creative Oakland Parents Make a Difference for Oakland Public Schools

(click on the picture to enlarge.)

Over the weekend, Redwood Heights Elementary School had their annual Harvest for Learning School Auction. This highly successful event is entirely organized and hosted by Redwood Heights Elementary School parents and it raised over $50,000 for the school. This event takes months of careful planning and I am happy to be a part of the auction committee.

This past October, Crocker Highland's Elementary School PTA hosted the Shades of Green Home Tour, showcasing the beautiful 1920's homes in Crocker Highland with a Green Garden Expo. (Click Here for more information on Shades of Green.) All of the proceeds went to Crocker Highland's Elementary School. This Wednesday Messy Monkey Arts presents, (with the help of Peralta parents) an art show at Swarm Gallery to benefit Peralta Elementary School. Click Here for more information.

Despite all of the negative media coverage, Oakland Public School District has great schools with great families.

Picture of the Day - Oakland, California

Pictured above is a can of Campbell's Alphabet Soup, also known as Theo.  Theo is the very happy and adorable cousin of two Redwood Heights students, Eli and Josh.  Theo is dancing to the music of the school band during the Redwood Heights Halloween Parade.

Landscaping Anyone?

Okay, I get it! Times are tough, water is scarce, and gardens are evaporating. As I walk my neighborhood I am seeing the relics of landscaped front yards. If you are thinking of digging up the dead sod, here is some inspiration. EBMUD has a few rebates, click here to view. Additionally more and more Oakland and Berkeley homeowners are choosing shrubs and foliage other than grass.

This home is in the Redwood Heights District of Oakland. I love the texture that is created by the variety of colors and foliage. This front yard was designed to thrive with little water.

Live in Art

Whether it is a beautiful kitchen, the sculpture of tree branches, or a painting, I love art! Recently, I held an art gala at one of my recent listings in the Redwood Heights district of Oakland, featuring the art of Hope Meredith. As we staged the beautiful 1941 bungalow preparing it for the market, we hung Hope's original art in every room. Once everything was polished, and the fresh flowers were in place, it was time for an open house/art gala. Both neighbors, friends, and perspective homebuyers mingled while enjoying wine, snacks, the house and art. Viewing art in the ambiance of a home is quite unique and special, and I am happy to announce Hope sold 6 pieces from her collection. This is what Hope said about the experience, "Deidre created an art opening within an open house- what a great way to showcase both, the house and the artwork! I never saw anyone do this before. I hope it's an idea that catches on! "You might remember me marketing this home, I advertised it as Javier's House located at 3318 Jordan Road; it successfully SOLD! To view this recently sold property go to, www.3318Jordan.com.

Festivals and Street Fairs, The East Bay is Bubbling with Culture!

Being that I am a lifelong resident, I can't imagine living anywhere else. I admit, the Bay Area is all I know, but I really enjoy the culture here! It is funny, when I drive to cities just outside the Oakland-Berkeley area, I can feel the difference almost immediately. I think we have more artists and environmentally conscience citizens here who breed a different way of life. Speaking of culture here are few local upcoming events! Labor Day Weekend is Oakland's Art and Soul Festival. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and kids under 12 and Seniors are FREE. Enjoy live music from artists like Lenny Williams, Stephanie Mills and Bobby Hutchenson. For more information go to www.artandsouloakland.com

On September 7th go hear Pete Escovedo, Vincent Herring and Earth Jazz Agents, and more at Montclair Village's Jazz and Wine Festival. Admission is FREE! For more information go to www.montclairjazzandwine.org . On Sunday September 14th go to the East Bay's largest street festival, the 34th Annual Solano Stroll. This FREE event focuses on local artist and businesses. For more information go to, www.solanoavenueassn.org.

My Friday Night in Oakland

It's Friday night and I am tempted to stay in the house and relax from my long week, but I am invited to Oakland Museum's new exhibit, The Birth of the Cool. My kids and I head out and meet my friend and her kids at the Museum Cafe where we hear live music and my kids grab a hot dog. At the cafe there was a dance floor packed with people dancing to old school and James Brown classics. Here I took a snap shot of my kids with the Mayor of Oakland, Ron Dellums, and after a few songs we headed to the exhibit where we saw mid-century classic furniture, art and music. We also saw graffiti art, skateboarding culture, 50's animation and all things cool. After touring the art, the kids ran outside and enjoyed the beautiful grounds of the Oakland Museum including the ponds filled with Koi fish. I realized that I had a birthday party to attend Saturday so I had a successful stop at the Museum store, where I found a few presents, a cool travel cup for my coffee and plenty of other items that I may put on my wish list.

Graffiti art entry to the Birth of the Cool at the Oakland Museum. May 17th thru August 17th Click Here For Exhibit Website

Photo of my kids with Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums

The patio at the Oakland Museum

Satisfy your urge to find unexpected treasures at Mignonne Decor, click here to visit Mignonne Decor websiite

As my kids and I were heading home I realized that Mignonne Decor in Oakland was having an art gala for Oakland artist, Nicole Hanshaw. I made it into the store that was open late and mingled with the artist Nicole and the owner Johnelle. Here I saw many vintage French inspired home accessories and art that would work well as accents in my 1951 Ranch/ contemporary home.

Nicole Hanshaw's artwork displayed at Mignonne Decor on Jefferson and Tenth in Old Oakland

As we were driving home, I was happy to see my beautiful Oakland a glow with possibilities.

Thursday Night Out 2008 in Old Oakland

Last year the wonderful restaurants of Old Oakland celebrated their neighborhood by hosting, Thursday Night Out. I am please to announce that Thursday Night Out is back! Thursday Night Out is a fun excuse to ditch your kitchen and grab a mouth watering meal in Oakland's ultra chic gourmet ghetto. The celebration includes later store hours for shops like Drift Denim and live music.

Read Below for more info on this community event/concert series:Levende East, B Restaurant, Air Lounge, and Tamarindo present...

Thursday Night Live - Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 5p-9p starting June 5th - TONIGHT w/ Julio Bravo's Salsa Band & Special Guest DJs Outdoor Beverage Tent sponsored by Sarticious Spirits + Happy Hour Specials inside Levende East from 4p-6p (at the bar): $2 Sierra Nevada, $2 off glass wines, $5 well & featured cocktails.  9th & Washington | Downtown Oakland

Art Gala in Redwood Heights

Art Gala Party

I am celebrating my new listing in the Redwood Heights community of Oakland. Come view this magical home and enjoy the beautiful art of Hope Meredith!

Enjoy a glass of wine and mingle tomorrow evening, Monday June 2nd from 6-8.

3318 Jordan Road - www.3318Jordan.com

Warmly,

Deidre

P.S. Feel free to call me with your questions, 510.693.4253