My Piedmont and Oakland Real Estate Adventures. History, Architecture and Homes - California

Make Plans To Attend the Wildwood Dads Club Crab Feed

February is a great time for fresh crab, and the Wildwood Dads Club is taking advantage of this wonderful fact and holding their annual 2014 Wildwood Dads Club Crab Feed.  Set aside Saturday, February 1st, and call your friends and neighbors to join you at 6:00 p.m. at Piedmont's Veterans Hall, 401 Highland Avenue. You will be enjoying some wonderful food.  Besides fresh all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab, the meal will feature lasagna and fresh salad.  There will be a No Host bar, and cocktails and music will start at 6:00 p.m..

There will be lots of music, and the highlight will be skits performed by the Dads Cub, which is always a favorite.  Additionally, there will be an outstanding raffle with many choice raffle prizes.  Funds raised…

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Piedmont Residents Should Consider Registering for CodeRED

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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Discover the Unique History of Piedmont, California

Compared to it's neighbors of Oakland and San Francisco, Piedmont seems like a very small city indeed.  While it isn't large in size, it does have a very interesting history, which may be unknown to some of it's Piedmont residents. Many do not know that silk was produced here at the last of the 19th Century, that a very popular amusement park was in place on the west side of the city during that same time frame, or that an elaborate labryrinth and adjoining park was once in place where Witter Field stands today. 

The Piedmont Historical Society has been established to provide that education to all who are interested.  Located at 358 Hillside Drive in Piedmont, it houses a collection of all kinds of historic memorabilia for those who want to discover…

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Piedmont's Civic Heritage--Architect Albert Farr's Legacy

When Piedmont homeowners drive by Piedmont City Hall during their daily family activities, they may not realize the source of this very unique, and handsome building with its lovely fountain, and appealing and gracious Spanish Mission style influence. Designed by famous architect Albert Farr, it's original design was a combined city hall and fire department with a bell tower (which cleverly doubled as a hose drying tower). Built in 1908, it was the beginning of the circle of creativity in the area.  One of the most famous downtown landmarks, the Exedra Arch, was designed by Farr in 1916, and has become an iconic symbol of the city. 

Just across from the Arch, at 400 Highland Avenue, is the Piedmont Community Church.  This was part of the original…

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Historic Alameda Bay Farm Island

Sitting immediately adjacent to Alameda, California in San Francisco Bay, is tiny Alameda Bay Farm Island.  It was originally farm land, and known for producing two unique products for the nearby city restaurants--asparagus and oysters.  Originally known as Asparagus Island, it also supported large oyster beds,( along with other portions of the Alameda island coast) which produced what was then considered a great delicacy to Edwardian San Francisco. 

Although separated by an estuary in the 19th century from mainland Alameda, it is now connected to both Alameda and Oakland.  By extension, it is connected to the Oakland International Airport, which was opened by Charles Lindbergh in 1927. What was once a quiet agricultural area, now houses offices,…

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A Busy Week At Oakland's Jack London Square

While Oakland's Jack London Square is always busy with events for people of all ages, this week is especially active.  The weather is going to be warm and inviting, and the views across to San Francisco are always pleasant at any time of the year.  In the last few years, the Square has become one of the major social centers of a reviving Oakland downtown. It is visited by boaters, by tourists off the latest San Francisco ferry which stops there, and young couples with their children arriving from all over the area. For the more adventurous, they can choose to  rent a kayak, and get out on the water on their own. 

Located at the foot of Broadway, here are some things that are scheduled for this week on the Square:

A. CELEBRATE EARTH DAY-Sunday,…

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How Does Your Berkeley Home Compare to America's Most Expensive Homes?

When shopping for a Berkeley home, it may look as though the prices are quite high in some neighborhoods, but they are rather low when compared to the recent list of America's Most Expensive Homes that was compiled by the website 24/7 Wall Street.

California cities compose five of the top ten on this list of the nation's most expensive homes.  Interestingly, many of these locations are not well known nationwide, because many are small suburbs of larger, more familiar, and wealthier cities. Below is information about the final tallies, but listing only the California homes.

An example of this relationship of small to larger city is the Number Two Most Expensive Home Neighborhood of--Ross, California.  A tiny town across the bay from San Francisco…

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Fall In Tilden Park--Fun Activities for Children

Tilden Park, part of the large East Bay Park System, has been a favorite of S. F.Bay Area families for many years.  With its welcoming trees and greenery that house its varied wildlife, it is always a new adventure for families each time they visit.  While it has many things for adults to do, there are some interesting things that will hold children's attention as well. 

One of the most popular attractions is the Merry-Go-Round.  This delightful attraction, complete with beautifully carved, and handsomely painted animals to ride, along with wonderful calliope music, is a joy for children and adults.  Merry-go-rounds are becoming increasingly rare, so this is a unique treat.  It is open only on the weekends in the Fall, and charges a fee for the rides.

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