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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Oakland's Montclair Village homeowners and neighbors have two special events to choose from this weekend.  The first is an opportunity to help in turning the Montclair Library grounds into a beautiful spot to visit.  This Saturday, November 16th, (and again on November 23rd),volunteers are encouraged to attend Community Gardening Days for Montclair Library.  The goal is to turn the present backyard of the library into a very special garden--one with low water use, bird and butterfly friendly plants, and featuring native plants. Volunteers are encouraged to bring labor, tools, benches, birdhouse, plants, etc. and join others from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on both Saturdays.  If you don't know what to bring, there is a list available for your reference. …

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While the Chabot Space and Science Center always has exciting things for nearby Oakland and Piedmont residents, these next few weeks promise more excitement as the Center prepares for the projected arrival of Comet ISON which is expected to trek around our sun in the near future. No matter what their age, children can be involved in learning about world of science and space.  Events include:

1. TYKE EXPLORER PROGRAM-Designed for 3-5 year olds, these Tuesday night presentations involve lessons from instructors, self-guided learning and hands on experimentation.  Advance registration is required, and this month's theme is "Flying Through Space".  There are three program presentation times scheduled each Tuesday to meet the needs of the little ones. …

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Every year, the delightfully titled "Boo at the Zoo" event attracts Oakland families to join in all kinds of Halloween fun centered around the zoo animals and the many scheduled Halloween themed events planned for zoo visitors-big and small.  

  Scheduled for BOTH Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the event promises a wealth of activities designed to  maximize contact, and provide information for the children about the animals.  An example is the Wildlife Theater Animal Encounter at 11:30 a.m., and 12:15 p.m.. In between these times is the Costume parade at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. with the Zoo's mascot Roosevelt joining in. All children 2-14 in costume will receive a free ride ticket. 

There are…

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One of the most popular parks in Oakland is Montclair Park.  Located in the heart of Montclair Village, it offers a quiet place for lunch break under a tree, while listening to the water spray from the fountain in the center of the pond.  This gentle, scenic pond is often seen with ducks floating on the water, and settling in amid the greenery around the edges. 

 

This park is truly designed to serve Oakland residents, especially if they have a sports inclination.  There are basketball courts, tennis courts, a softball field, and training during the year is available for youth softball and flag football.  The little ones are not left out, and play structures designed for them are available, and used on a daily basis.  One of the most popular…

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While many Montclair homeowners travel to San Francisco by car and BART today, they had another option just under a century ago--The Sacramento Northern Railway (SNR).  Beginning in 1928, the SNR provided service for both passengers and freight, going from San Francisco through Emeryville and Oakland, and then through Montclair, and on into Contra Costa County. Montclair residents can conduct their own mystery tour throughout the area to locate the actual path of the train through the village.  Clues are still visible in some areas.  The first clue is what is called "Shore Line Pocket Part" at Thornhill and Moraga.  To get there, the line passed by Lake Temescal, came along what is now Highway 13, and crossed the impressive trestle built at that…

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Families in the Redwood Heights neighborhood can look forward to fun tomorrow night at the Redwood Heights Recreation Center. This Friday, September 13th (weather permitting), the center will be offering a Movie in the Park designed to appeal to all ages.  The movie is held in the park area next to the center, and is free of charge.  Previous movies have included "Spy Kids", "The Princess Bride", Brave, "The Lorax", and many more.  This week they are showing the very popular "Back To The Future".

Nearby Montclair and Oakmore homeowners are encouraged to join in as well.  The advice from the Recreation Center is to plan to dress warmly, bring your own food and lawn chairs, or, if you want to get into the movie mood, popcorn will be available for…

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While long term Montclair homeowners know about this unique structure, and are used to seeing it daily as they drive around the Village, newcomers are often truly surprised by this very unique structure on Moraga Road, adjacent to Montclair Park.  It is in fact, the old Montclair Firehouse, and when built, fit very nicely into the unique "Storybook" or "Hansel and Gretel" style of architecture that was developing in the area.  Built in 1927, by the city of Oakland, it was designed to replicate the German forest of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale.  In fact, the style was so popular, the city developed the same basic look for the Montclair Public Library just around the corner on Mountain Boulevard which still operates today, and is especially…

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Not too long ago, urban residents who wanted a selection of fruits and vegetables or flowers had to rely on their local supermarket as their only resource.  Since the rise of local farmers markets, just about every city in the Bay area has developed their own site for shoppers who appreciate the unique and direct from-the-farm products that are now available. 

Two of the most popular are the Grand Lake Farmers Market in the Lakeshore district, and the Montclair Farmers Market in the Montclair district of Oakland.  The Grand Lake Market is the larger of the two, and is located at the intersection of Grand Lake and Lake Park.  It is held every Saturday morning of the year from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m..  From food trucks to tiny stalls, just about every food…

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