Shop for Valentine Presents on Park Street

where you can find the cuties boutiques featuring the sweetest Valentine’s Day presents. Here are few of those boutiques.

Shop for Valentine Presents at To Herb with Love. The owner, Marti Collins, just move to 1336 A Park Street two weeks ago. She had been looking for a Park Street address for her tiny and charming shop for years. When the space opened she jumped at the change to relocate. Her store features an eclectic mixture of the jewelry, scarfs, and her very own perfume concoctions. She said that everything in the store is under $25.00, so her items are a bargain. Be sure to visit her boutique before you buy that special gift for your sweetie. Call Marti at 510- for more information.

Shop for Valentine Presents at Poppy Red Flowers a newer addition to Park Street. Karim Preuss is a talented florist whose naturalistic style is very popular with her customers.

Besides flowers, soaps and jewelry, Karim offers a variety of gifts including a new line of chocolates from a chocolatier in Berkeley. She has extended an invitation to local artisans to bring in their jewelry and quilts to her shop. You can find th perfect Valentine's Day present at Poppy Red at 1428 Park Street.

Shop for Valentine Presents at Sway. Sway is a boutique which started in Berkeley in 2003 and has spread through out the Bay Area. The Alameda store is located at 1350A Park Street. According to their website, “Sway is all about having fun with clothes…” The boutique has many fans who love the cute, trendy clothes and wide selection of accessories all at a bargain price. Take a walk through the shop and you will see why so many love this place. After you see the selection you will love it too.

Shop for Valentine’s Presents on Park Street where you can find the sweetest and most unique Valentine’s Day presents.

To Herb with Love, Poppy Red Flowers and Sway are just a few of the many delightful shops you can find in Alameda. Text me for more locations of unique specialty shops in Alameda at 510-504-5612

Things to Do in Alameda

Things to Do in Alameda: The Alameda Museum will feature Mi’Chelle Fredrick and N. Teddy Goldsworthy-hanner starting February 11 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Their show “Reflections of a Shared Vision” includes mixed-media acrylic paints, encaustic and sculpture. Fredrick’s works features graphite drawings and mixed-media watercolor paintings. Join the artists at their opening reception Saturday at the Museum at 2324 Alameda Avenue.

Things to do in Alameda. The Father Daughter Mad Hatter Tea Party on Friday, February 10, is sponsored by the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department and Alameda Girls Inc. The party starts at 6pm at the Al DeWitt O Club at 641 West Red Line Avenue at the Alameda Point. The Party ends at 8pm. Call 510-747-7529 for more information. Pre-registration is required.

Things to do in Alameda. The Altarena Playhouse will present “Fences” on Friday, February 10 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 pm. The Playhouse is located at 1409 High Street in Alameda. Call for reservation at 510-523-1553 or on line at the Altarena Playhouse.

Things to do in Alameda. Team Alameda Second Sunday Casual Ride to Jack London Square Farmer’s Market is on Sunday February 12. Bring a helmet, snack, water, sun block and baskets and bags for shopping for this free ride. Meet at the front steps of Kaiser Permanente Clinic, 2417 Central Avenue.

Mark Your Calendar for these great events:

Frederica von Stade, Alameda’s own golden voice, will be performing at the Historic Alameda Theatre & Cineplex on Saturday, February 25 for the Live@the Library benefit for the Alameda Free Library. Tickets are going fast and may already be gone. You can buy tickets at the Alameda Theatre, 2317 Central Avenue, Books, Inc., 1344 Park Street, Alameda Main Library Café at 1550 Oak Street and on line at www.brownpapertickets.com

The Alameda Boys and Girls Club 27^th Annual Auction Dinner is coming Saturday, March, 3, 2012. You better get your tickets now because this is a very popular event. The organizers are encouraging everyone to come in red to enter the Best Dressed in Red Contest. There will be on on-line auction from February 14 to February 28. The winner, who has a choice of a 2012 Toyota Prius, a Toyota Camry or Rav4, will be announced at the dinner on March 3.

The College of Alameda will be holding a new Alameda Flea Marketwhich will open on March 4 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. There will be over 230 vendors selling merchandise. There will also be food booth. During March, all seller spaces fees will be waiver.

Things to Do in Alameda is all about events for the whole family to enjoy in Alameda. I write about Things to do in Alameda every Friday, so if you like what you see here, please come back for more or visit me on Facebook.

Things to Do in Alameda

Things to Do in Alameda: Kathy Moehring and the Kelly Park Trio will be appearing at the Rhythmix Cultural Works Friday, February 3 at 8pm. Moehring will be singing love songs and not so love songs. Rhythmix Cultural Works at 2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda. Rhythmix envisions itself as the cultural hub of Alameda.

Things to Do in Alameda: Alameda Point Antiques Faire will be at the point on Sunday, February 5. This is so much fun. Anything you every wanted or didn’t want is at the Faire. Not only that, but there is plenty of delicious food. The weather should be beautiful so arrive early, doors open at 6 am. There is so much to see and so little time.

Things to Do in Alameda: The Alameda's Farmer’s Market where you can find the most healthy, fresh, luscious produce and things for the kids to do. It is open to the public every Saturday and Tuesday morning from 9am to 1pm. The market is located at Haight Avenue and Webster Street.

Things to do in Alameda. The USS Hornet History Mystery “After-Hours” Tour on February 3 at 7:00 pm

The History Mystery Tour give you a chance to tour the USS Hornet after hours and learn the history of this incredible ship while it is illuminated in the red lights used for “night ops.” We’ll go deep into Hornet where you will also hear the stories behind her legendary haunts." Maybe is you will see a ghost or two, book now and find out! The three-hour guided tour begins at 7:00pm and costs $35 per person ($30 for members). Reservations Required: (510) 521-8448 x 224. The Hornet is located at 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA

Mark Your Calendar for these great events:

Alameda Community Emergency Response Teams’ Mobile Disaster Units will be the subject of continuing education for graduate CERT members. On February 18, from 9am to 1pm CERT members will learn about the MUD including identification of equipment, storage, and setting up a field command post. Field exercises are part of the curriculum. For more information and to register for the class please call 510-337-2129. Deadline for reservations is February 10, 2012.

Frederica von Stade, Alameda’s own golden voice, will be performing at the Historic Alameda Theatre & Cineplex on Saturday, February 25 for the Live@the Library benefit for the Alameda Free Library. Tickets are going fast and may already be gone. You can buy tickets at the Alameda Theatre, 2317 Central Avenue, Books, Inc., 1344 Park Street, Alameda Main Library Café at 1550 Oak Street and on line at www.brownpapertickets.com

The Alameda Boys and Girls Club 27^th Annual Auction Dinner is coming Saturday, March, 3, 2012. You better get your tickets now because this is a very popular event. The organizers are encouraging everyone to come in red to enter the Best Dressed in Red Contest. There will be on on-line auction from February 14 to February 28. The winner, who has a choice of a 2012 Toyota Prius, a Toyota Camry or Rav4, will be announced at the dinner on March 3.

Things to Do in Alameda is all about events for the whole family to enjoy in Alameda. I write about Things to do in Alameda every Friday, so if you like what you see here, please come back for more or visit me on Facebook.

Planning a Building Project in Alameda?

Planning a Building Project in Alameda? The City of Alameda’s Community Development Department has listed the most common building projects and the permit fees on line.

The goal is to simplify forecasting expenses and make the building projects process easier. The building department has recently posted an article by Greg McFann, City Building Official called “Why Do I Need to Get a Permit?” online in an effort to make the building process easier. You can still obtain fee charts and ask questions at the permit center in City Hall at 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 190.

People who are planning a building project may have heard horror stories about the difficulty in getting a permit and finding that they have to pay additional fees as the project gets underway. According to the McFann “the permit and inspection process is in place to assure everyone’s adherence to minimum standards to safeguard life and limb and property and public welfare and to uphold the design standards of the community.” Meaning the rules are not excessive and if there are requirements which seem unrealistic, they are simply to ensure the safety of the public.

If you are planning a building project, be sure to go online first to have your questions answered. The Building Department is making an effort to be more user friendly.

Alameda is a wonderful island community. It is known for its fine, tree lined streets, lovely neighborhoods and beautiful Victorian homes. If you are planning a building project and need help finding people to help you, call me at 510-504-5612 for a free list of resources in Alameda.

Success Story: CHASE (2 loans) Short Sale Duplex Closed Escrow in Alameda CA

Happy to report the successful close of escrow for this fabulous Victorian duplex in Alameda CA.

RESTORED
Victorian duplex was beautifully restored, remodeled and upgraded by the right person: a forensic engineer specializing in construction. Located just blocks from downtown Park Street shops, restaurants and theater.

The property was literally gutted down to the studs and was given new life. New sewer lateral line, new and upgraded electrical service, new water heaters, new copper wiring, new foundation, re-sided exterior, new double-pane windows, new exterior trim, new entrance doors, improved railing and pickets at stairs, new concrete driveways, new gates, new gas lines, new wiring, new sheetrock, new insulation, new sub floor, new central heating, new baths and fixtures, new kitchens and appliances, new blinds, new carpet, new marble and tile entrances, new downspouts, new skylight and new 2-car detached garage.

MULTIPLE OFFERS
Within days of putting the property on the MLS, we received multiple offers. The winning bidder agreed to a significant initial deposit and to immediately open escrow upon acceptance of offer and before receipt of short sale approval from the short sale lender, Chase.

INFO

• Chase held both 1st and 2nd loans.
  
• Challenges:
  
• Tracked file when it was transferred from one negotiator to another.
  
• HAFA documents not sent to Seller until we followed up. And then they send 28 copies of the same documents in one day
• Escalated to Executive Resolution Team.
• HAFA (Home Affordabile Foreclosure Alternative program) approved.
• Listed at $525,000, Sold for $540,000
• Closed escrow January 31, 2012.
• Buyer bought property for two sons to live in as owner-occupants.
  

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