The Voice of East Bay Living

All of us like the feeling of community and going to one of the many farmer's markets in the East Bay is a wonderful opportunity to experience connection-Everyone is out and about, families, children in strollers, dogs,(parked in valet dog parking), balloons , musicians , local political causes and more. The best feature is the fresh food-mounds of fresh organic fruits, vegetables , pastries, cheeses, fish, nuts,coffee,tea-you name it and you will find it. Farmer's Markets have sprouted up in many of our neighborhoods , Montclair , Temescal , Lake Merritt, Jack London Square, and various Berkeley locations, to name a few. To get specific market locations and schedules, go to http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/ . I personally love the views at the Jack London Square Market right next to the water with boats and yachts sailing past. My favorite local market is Temescal -it is a manageable size,the fresh produce and food stands are fabulous and the ambianc

The Oakland district of Montclair has some great restaurants tucked away in private corners. One such place is Italian Colors located up a narrow driveway in a tiny mall next to a 76 gas station. This restaurant is consistently popular with a reliable and tasty menu-Italian cuisine including polenta , pastas, great salads , paper table cloths, crayons for the kids and even a guitarist in the evenings. I met my friend, Joan Kenley , for lunch on one of those down pour afternoons where you really just want to pull the covers over your head and never leave your bed. Now Joan is one of those special stars who lives in a fabulous home near Montclair village. You would for sure recognize her voice-one of the most well known in the world. She has been the voice specialist for Nortel , Verizon , and countless others. Having broadcast The Joan Kenley Show on Air America for several years, her popular program is now an international podcast ,offering shows dedicated to subjects

Bakesale Betty's, the wildly popular no frills lunch spot at the corner of 51st and Telegraph in the heart of Temescal really attracts a crowd. The first thing you see are the tables which are ironing boards set right next to the corner. There is something so urban about eating your fried chicken sandwich and strawberry shortcake with cars and buses whizzing by. Sometimes the line is a half a block long to get in but it moves quickly, and the waiters pass out free cookies to calm the crowd. It is so popular that a second restaurant has just opened at the corner of Broadway and Grand in downtown Oakland. Betty, a Chez Panisse alum and very recognizable in her blue wig, was on the greeting line at the new location. One of my friends describes eating at this fun place as a kind of European " al fresco" event where everyone is happy and "sharing the love." For more information go to h ttp://www.bakesalebetty.com/

Where do I go when I want great food in a comfortable setting ten minutes from my office? The choice is always Wood Tavern-Located on College Avenue between Alcatraz and Claremont , in the trendy food block where you will also find La Farine , patisserie francaise, Ver Brugge meats, and Vino. The owners, Rich and Rebekah Wood, veterans in the restaurant industry, really know what they are doing. The waiters are friendly and seem to really care, the food is always delicious from the zingy coleslaw, wholesome bouillabaisse,naughty warm chocolate cake and whatever else you fancy. The environment is uplifting - I always feel like a movie star and that everyone sitting around me is talented and famous. Definitely a huge thumbs up!! For more information, visit http://woodtavern.net/index.html

It's always exciting to view one of the many grand homes in Piedmont-I recently visited a fabulous home designed by the well known architect, Albert Farr. This home is an excellent example of his elegant style including spacious public rooms, high ceilings, scroll molding- classic beauty and fine design in every room. This dramatic home with a circular driveway, formal gardens, seven bedrooms, and six plus baths reflects gracious living at its finest. For more information go to http://www.grubbco.com/

If I were a buyer in this market I would buy two houses this week. The first house is located at 880 Mckinley Ave. in the Haddon Hill neighborhood of Oakland. This neighborhood used to be a part of the Trestle Glen neighborhood and has many elegant craftsman and Mediterranean style homes. When a new freeway was installed, part of the neighborhood was divided and the birth of Haddon Hill began. It is quiet, sunny, has a great public elementary school and is close to all of the wonderful shops,restaurants, farmer's market,Grand Lake Theater and much more. This is a fabulous circa craftsman house circa 1912 with four bedrooms, three baths, gourmet kitchen and great details. The price is only $895,000. It was on the market a few years ago for $1,300,000 and did not sell. To learn more about this neighborhood visit the attached link. http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/facilities/points_lakemerritt.asp The second bargain is a big old artsy craftsman at 1622 Ashby in the Lorin district

It's true-the Oakland International Airport is just twenty minutes away from many East Bay neighborhoods and offices . It has become a popular alternative to the congested San Francisco Airport. A major 300 million dollar renovation project completed in 2008 has made the airport even more attractive and user friendly. Southwest Airlines has its own separate terminal .For example, there are hourly flights to Los Angeles with cheap fares-a sixty minute flight and zappo , you are ready to put on your dark glasses and rub elbows with the stars. I just happened to take advantage of Southwest, hopped on a commuter special and spent four delicious days visiting my nephew Paco , and his French wife Cecile. Paco is the Media Director of the Getty Museum . He had just opened a new exhibition on the Aztecs at the Getty Villa which was really awesome http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/aztec/ . Cecile is an international journalist for French on line journals and I tagged along while she in