Evelyn Kennedy, Residential Real Estate Alameda, CA

The Alameda San Francisco Connection

Dennis Evanosky and Eric Kos, publishers of the Alameda Sun, will again be dispensing history in their entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable manner at the Alameda Free Library. Dennis and Eric will talk about Alameda’s early connection to San Francisco on Wednesday, March 14 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Alameda Free Library at 1550 Oak Street..

They will speak about Gideon Auginbaugh and William Worthington Chipman, considered the founding fathers of Alameda, and how they met in San Francisco and their dream of planting fruit trees across the Bay. In 1851 they bought the Bolsa de Encinal, most of the Island of Alameda, from Don Antonio Peralta for $14,000. The Peralta family held the Spanish land grant for the area which included what is now Alameda.

Dennis and Eric will discuss the iron works where the trains were built for A. A. Cohen’s San Francisco & Alameda Railroad that began running in 1864. The San Francisco & Alameda Railroad was the last link connecting the transcontinental railroad to San Francisco. They will touch on the ferry boats connecting Alameda to San Francisco.

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.

Alameda condominium market trend for 2012 is up

Condos are finally selling and now when our inventory has disappeared. As of February 2012 the inventory was down to a little under 30 units.

From February 2011 to February 2012 condos availability has shrunk 37%.

Condos are selling and if priced right they sell quickly. Since February 2011 to February 2012 sales have increased 600%.

Sellers if you have a condo you want to sell it quickly, now is the time.

Buyers if you have been pre-approved and are looking for a condo now is the time to make an offer on the condo you like while the prices are still reasonable.

Alameda is a wonderful island community. If you would like more information about Alameda condos please call or text me at 510-504-5612.

Alameda Market trends for single family homes from February 2011 to 2012

Since February 2011 single family homes which are actively for sale are trending down 19% in February 2012. Inventory is at a very low point presently.

The number of single family homes which have sold since February 2011 is up 7% as of February 2012. 2011 has been a volatile market as evidenced by the fact that in June of 2011 there were 45 homes which sold as opposed to January 2012 where there were only 13 units sold.

There does appear to be a slight upward trend in the number of sales in February 2012.

Pending single family homes appear to be trending up 38% from February 2011 to February 2012.

Alameda is a wonderful island community. It is known for its fine, tree lined streets, lovely neighborhoods and beautiful Victorian homes. Email me for a free map of Alameda Neighborhoods

Bay Farm Nature Collective

The Bay Farm Nature Collective is composed of a group of people who are interested in preserving and enjoying nature especially that of Bay Farm Island. We meet once monthly to bird watch and socialize in and around Bay Farm Island.

March 3, 2012 was the date of the first bird walk of the year. There were about 25 participants including leaders Tim Molter, Don Jim and Ralf Stinson our official photographer. Stephanie Ellis of the San Francisco Bird Observatory was a special guest leader. All the pictures in this article were taken by Ralf Stinson who is an amazing photographer.

The group followed the lagoon trail from the meeting point at Alameda Traders and Tea. Our first sighting was of a hooded merganser, a lovely, small duck with a crest and a narrow, straight bill. It was in breeding plumage, something we don’t usually see here.

Egret breeding colony

Our ultimate goal was to check out a pine tree where egrets, both great and snowy, nest. It is always overwhelming to see so many beautiful white birds in the tree.

Black necked silts and avocet

Our next stop was Arrowhead Marsh part of the Martin Luther King Regional Shoreline Park off Doolittle and Swan Drives. Arrowhead Marsh is famous for the number of clapper rails residing there. Clapper rails are an endangered species, but I usually manage to see one when I visit the Marsh. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a single rail but we did hear several calls of rails lurking in the rushes.

We did see the usually assortment of shorebirds including Black-necked Stilts, Avocets, Greater Yellowlegs, Dowitchers, Dunlin, sandpipers and many others.

The day was beautiful and we were fortunate to have seen 40 different species of birds, so it was a very good day. Please check my facebook page, LivingInAlameda for the next Bay Farm Nature Collective bird walk.

I write a blog about Things to Do in Alameda every Friday. It is all about events for the whole family to enjoy in Alameda. If you like what you see here please visit me again or visit me on Facebook.

Things to Do in Alameda March, 2012

Things to do in Alameda: The Alameda's Farmer’s Market is open to the public every Saturday and Tuesday morning from 9am to 1pm. You can find luscious produce and fun activities for the family. The market is located at Haight Avenue and Webster Street.

Things to do in Alameda: Make do! A recycle and Up-cycle art and fashion show at Rhythmix Cultural Works on March 9 at 8pm. This fashion show is for those who cherish recycling, repurposing and reusing things and who hesitate to throw anything away. Sounds like me. According to Rhythmix, “Rhythmix Cultural Works, Julie’s Coffee and Tea, Sewing guru Jennifer Serr, Upcycle Clothes and artists from Redux have teamed up to create a show that will inspire the “Make Do” in all of us!” The show runs through May 4.

Things to do in Alameda: Friday, March 9 is opening night for the Alameda High School Drama Department’s production of “Oklahoma!” at the Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Avenue starting at 7:30 pm and running on March 10, March 15, March 16, March 17 and March 11 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $12 -$15.Please call 510-337-7022, ext. 5633 for more information.

Things to Do in Alameda: Mastick Senior Center’s Volunteer Walking Group March 12, Oakland Pardee House. Meet at Mastic at 9:30 am to take the 51 bus to Oakland and walk to the Pardee House Musuem. For information please call Mastick Center at 510-444-2187.

Mark Your Calendar for these great events:

Dennis Evanosky and Eric Kos, publishers of the Alameda Sun, will again be dispensing history in their entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable manner at the Alameda Free Library on Wednesday, March 14th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.. Dennis and Eric will talk about Alameda’s early connection to San Francisco on Wednesday

Girls Inc. of the Island City will hold its 13th annual Women Who Dare awards ceremony on March 24. The luncheon honors women and teens who are leaders in Alameda. The awards luncheon will be at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant and Pavillion in Oakland and will begin at 11:30am to 2pm. Contact Girls Inc. for tickets and more information.

The Alameda Education Foundation’s Enrightment Day Camp on Friday, March 16^th. There is no school that day, so kids can sign up for camp including Chemistry Lab with Mad Science, Comedia/Mask Drama and Elements of Music. Check out the Alameda Education Foundation’s site for more information and registration. According to the Alameda Education Foundation site prices will go up on March 3, so sign up now for these camps.

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.