Piedmont Haven's Dads' Club is proud to announce the 6th annual Poker Night Fundraiser, Friday January 10, 2013. You don't have to wait for spring fling to get your school fundraising spirit going, and you don't have to fly to Vegas to get a good poker game in, or a night on the town. Ladies and Gentlemen, all Piedmont residents, are cordially invited to come down and play some Texas Hold'em and party the night away. The Dad's clubs signature fundraiser is a very popular event, where participation and excitement runs high. Everyone has a great time out, and all proceeds directly benefit our kids! Per tradition, there will be exciting raffle prizes, as well as cocktails and snacks. Dealers are on hand to teach the game, so beginners fear not. Everyone…

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This happy little boy was a visitor last year at our yearly Highland Partners' Breakfast With Santa event. We want to invite all little boys and girls-big and little-to join us for food, fun, and festivities this Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 to noon.  There will be free pictures with Santa, and he will listen carefully to all the little ones' wish lists.  While waiting, Mom and Dad can enjoy our espresso cart selections.Cookies and hot cocoa will be available as well. 

Please bring an unwrapped toy for our Toys for Tot Drive. As always, we look forward to seeing you and your family during this special time of the year.  My family is partially represented already--that smiling little boy is my son, Kai.

See you Saturday! For more details:…

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You are searching for just the right Montclair home, and have already looked at a lot of houses.  Perhaps you are getting discouraged.  What you want, you may not be able to afford, or it might not be roomy enough.  To search effectively, it is time to take a break from the many good and bad choices that you may be making, and begin to focus. Here are some tips to help:

1.DETERMINE THE "MUST HAVE" ELEMENTS FOR YOUR FUTURE HOME--This may take some time, because there may be a lot of these to start with.  But, with some serious consideration, a list will develop that isolates these items for you.  It may start with a special school district-a real "must have", or it may be a minimum of 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, or a larger backyard.  Whatever the…

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Christmas is about to arrive in Piedmont, and there are so many things to do to put you and your family into the Christmas mood.  I have created a special list of family fun activities for the next few weeks. The good news is that some of these events allow you to "give back" to others, as well.

1.LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE--This Wednesday, December 4th, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Piedmont Communtity Center.  Lights will be ablaze, and Santa and his elves have promised to be there.  Christmas songs and melodies will be presented by the Piedmont High School Troubadours, and the Piedmont Council Boy Scouts will serve refreshments.  Candy canes will be given out to all good boys and girls--young and old. …

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A very valuable service is being offered by the Piedmont Police and Fire Department to Piedmont homeowners.  They are now offering emergency notifications through a system called CodeRED. The previous system of Public Safety Dispatches was discontinued on September 16th of this year, so if you, as a resident, still have the old system in place, it is no longer operational.  To continue to receive urgent public safety information, you must turn to the most current format--CodeRED. 

 

The city of Piedmont is offering this program at no cost.  Registration is simple.  Just go to the CodeRED site and provide your name, address and phone number, and, if you wish, your e-mail contact information.  Details: http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/?p=698. You can…

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As every Oakland resident knows, each Holiday season marks the lighting of the Christmas lights at the Oakland Mormon Temple, which is located high atop a prominent hill above the city.  This is an annual event that many wait for as a signal to start the beginning of the Christmas festivities.  This wonderful spectacle of celebratory lights is visible from much of the San Francisco Bay area.  Parking around the temple allows spectacular views of San Francisco and Oakland below, as well.

Arriving at the entrance, visitors are greeted with a a flowing creek that works up towards the temple, and runs between fountains splashing water. The creek is surrounded on each side by lush gardens and tall palm trees. These are highlighted with plentiful and…

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Whether home buyers are brand new, or old timers, certain basic procedures apply when preparing to buy a home.  Most of these are undertaken in conjunction with a real estate agent who can assist you in meeting your final home purchasing goals.  As an experienced agent, it is my goal to help you move forward in the most efficient way possible to obtain your new Montclair home.  Actually, that is the first step that should be taken--find an experienced, well informed agent to guide you along your path.  His or her experience in isolating your needs, finding your home, and negotiating its purchase should be your number one goal. 

Here are some additional things to consider when preparing to buy a home:

1. Know Your Finances- Take the time to…

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Yes, it's just around the corner--Thanksgiving Day. Also just around the corner, on that very same day is the annual Piedmont Turkey Trot. This is a family oriented 3 mile run/walk that starts in downtown Piedmont, and moves throughout the beautiful tree lined streets of the city, providing beautiful fall views and safe, comfortable, running conditions. 

Early registration provides you with a bit of a discount.  If you register by November 26th, the fees are $25 for ages 13 years and older, and $15 for 12 years and younger. (After November 26th, it becomes $40/$30).  Also early registration provides you with an opportunity to receive a commemorative long-sleeved shirt if you are among the first 1800 signed up.  If you are not sure of your schedule,…

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With the Holiday Season upon us, many are starting to think about ways to give, not only to family and friends, but to our larger community as well. By starting, or continuing, family traditions of community service, kids get the chance to learn and participate, becoming the next generation to care for the world. There are a lot of inspiring events and causes here in the Bay Area to get your holiday spirit going, so choosing can be fun.

To get you started, I thought I'd mention Piedmont's very own Havens Community Service Crew, and some of the organizations that they work with. The Havens Community Service Crew is a great way to get your elementary school kids involved in community service, with monthly weekday and weekend activities. Working with…

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You are considering selling your Montclair home. You are wondering if it is worth taking the time and money to stage it.  There is just no question that a clean, bright, and visually appealing home will command more buyer attention that one that appears uncared for and drab.  Obviously, the former condition inspires confidence in the buyer that the home has been appreciated and attended to, and will cause it to stand out among its competitors in the real estate marketplace.  If your goal is to move your home promptly, and command a competitive price, you might want to consider the conclusions that were arrived at by StagedHome.com last year on this subject. 

Whether a buyer looks at a home online or during an Open House or home tour with his…

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