About Alameda's Southshore

WHAT I WILL DO WITH MY 3+ HOURS

That's easy. Apart from spending time with my family and visiting Paris, my most favorite pastime is bird watching. It is so much fun to find those beautiful creatures and identify them and make them part of me. I could, and have, spent hours chasing birds through my binoculars, looking at their intricate feather patterns and marveling at their ability to inhabit all the niches of nature to survive.

The only problem with birding is having to get up so early to do it. I guess it is true about the "early bird" and that means I have to be an early bird, too. Morning is not my best time. However, I have found it is worth rising early to catch a glimpse of the elusive and rare clapper rail emerging from the salt marsh not far from my home. Today I was able not only to see the clapper rail but to photograph it. Not easy, since they live in marsh grass and are only visible at high tide when they are forced out of their protected area. It is a cool looking bird, with an orangish bill and pretty streaked feather pattern. My husband teases me about the "rare bird" since every time he comes with me to the marsh we spot the rail.

It may be the hunt that makes birdwatching so much fun. Or maybe it is the game of "I can name that bird in 10 seconds". Whatever it is, I love it. And it is not because I was a biology major in college. I know lots of normal people, like lawyers, teachers, stay at home moms and just plain folks who enjoy birdwatching as much as I do.

My enjoyment of birdwatching is enhanced by the fact that I am out of doors getting some fresh air and exercise.

CLAPPER RAIL (SORRY ABOUT THE FOCUS) MOVING SWIFTLY THROUGH THE MARSH GRASS

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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 middle school to the City of Alameda.

LITTLE ONES PLAYING CO-ED SOCCER AT RITTLER FIELD

The Park is a popular park where kids play baseball and soccer. Rittler Park is the location of the annual 4th of July Fun Fair that follows the parade.

A T-BALL PLAYER AT PRACTICE

Alameda Parks - Rittler Park is just one of a number of fine parks scattered throughout Alameda. You may want to visit my blogs about Lincoln Park, Jackson Park, McKinley Park, Washington Park, Franklin Park, Longfellow Park, Krusi Park, Godfrey Park and Woodstock Park.

Alameda CA island has some fabulous condos, but one of my favorites is The Willows on 2101 Shoreline Drive.

Built in 1974, the 201-unit complex is quite a desirable address. It's definitely worth checking out the units as they become available. For empty nesters or people who want to simplify their lifestyle, perhaps condo living is a viable option.

Imagine waking up one morning, feeling like you'd like to take a walk on the beach, and all you have to do is cross the street!

This visual tour created for one of my listings shows some of the amenities.

Consider this:

• It's directly across the beach. Several units have fabulous views of San Francisco

• It offers many ameneties.
  • Landscaped courtyard
  • large heated pool
  • spa
  • lubhouse with party and game rooms
  • two gyms
  • on-site maintenance and management staff
  • secure access
  • reserved garage parking
  • elevators
  • large lobby are
  • locked mail boxes

• It's next door to Alameda Towne Centre where one will find
  • Several retail shops including Bed Bath and Beyond, Kohl's, Old Navy, Ross, TJMaxx
  • Hardware store -- our favorite Pagano's
  • Grocery stored -- yes, we have Trader Joe's. And Safeway
  • Several banks
  • Main Post office
  • Restaurants --- Chinese, Greek, American, Japanese, Fast-food. Hamburger joint, soup and salad, etc
  • Car wash -- this has to be the best car wash ever, with views of the beach!
  • Pet store
  • Pharmacy
  • Beauty salons
  • The ubiquitous Starbucks

• On the bus routes for the main routes to take the commuters to San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland

What's not to love?

Floridian Investment Group Buys Rights to Alameda's Lagoons.

Mar 27, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. (Mar. 27, 2008) - Floridian Investment Group has acquired the water rights to the lagoon system in Alameda, California.

"Beginning in the first quarter of 2009, our group will be raising alligators in the lagoons. The West Coast operations will supply zoos, aquariums and theme parks with alligators" said Joe Kingly of The Floridian Investment Group.

"The salt water lagoons are ideal for raising these reptiles" said Kingly. "The constant flushing of the system to and from the bay makes it one of the best locations we have found yet"

Keep your pets and small children away

Kingly warns residents along the lagoon system to be careful when in their backyards barbecuing. "It's just asking for trouble" said Joe Kingly. Keep your pets and small children away from the water and there shouldn't be any problems because the alligators really prefer the water.

The Alameda Citizen's Advisory council sold the water rights to the Floridian Investment Group to help the City of Alameda pay for it's ailing school system. April Ha of the Alameda Citizen's Council stated at the meeting on March 1st "This may also help reduce the school overcrowding issue".

A visitor center will be constructed along Otis Drive across from the Alameda Towne Center.

About Floridian Investment Group Floridian Investment Group, a member of Global Organic Ocean Farming(NYSE: GOOF) family of companies, is the world's largest alligator related business, as measured by the number of alligators currently being raised. Floridian Investment Group is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and is supported by more than 1,200 employees globally.

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Media Contact:
Joe Kingly - Manager, Corporate Communications
Floridan Investment Group
(510) 334-7800
mailto:Joe.Kingly@AlamedaAligatorfarms.com

Happy April Fool's Day

Alameda's history so much revolves around the resort era and San Franciscans summering here across the bay. It would be nice to honor that history with something that brings it back.

I would like to toss the idea out that it is possible to create a modern tribute to Neptune Beach's history.

A company called LANDRY restaurants built a restaurant complex called the Kemah Boardwalk near Houston Texas. Landry's which owns, Cadillac Bar & Grill, Rainforest Cafe, Aquarium, Saltgrass Steakhouse, Joe's Crab Shack and The Chart House located all these concepts together with some boardwalk styled attractions, shops and even a hotel.

Landry's could do something similar with the area just to the west of the town center in the area near the current McDonald's, County Court House and Post office.

Here is a link to the Kemah Boardwalk. Http://www.kemahboardwalk.com

Just an idea I have at the back of my mind. Not that Alameda would ever go for something like this. Alameda has been known to be very cautious when it comes to growth.