The Voice of East Bay Living

  Montclair Easter Egg Hunt, 2014.   Beauty at Lake Temescal, Oakland CA.   Music at the Montclair Farmers Market. Visit GlassSabine.com

The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in the heart of Oakland was established 15 years ago by volunteers and it is the only public bonsai garden in Northern California. It has over 75 lovely bonsai and suiseki stones are also in view. Weddings and private parties are often held next to the gardens and it is a very uplifting and inspiring setting. Be sure to visit. Visit GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine @grubbco.com

We are seeing some consistent trends in this hot market. Multiple offers are rampant, thirty percent of offers in all price ranges are all cash, one third of all offers have no contingencies, preemptive offers are on the rise (this means that offers are being presented before the house officially comes on the open market). and in the end, many buyers are asking the same question, "Did I overpay?" The response from agents is that buyers have to put their best foot forward or they will not get the house. Buyers are also being advised that they have to look at real estate as a long term investment. As agents, we are asking the question - "Is the sky the limit?" A crystal ball would be helpful.   Visit GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine @grubbco.com  

Art Murmur, the first Friday of each month, is always full of surprises. This month stumbled upon delicious tamales and incredible street art. Tina Tamale Street artist

Breathe deeply - this is one of the first major exhibitions about Yoga. This exhibition features works from the 2nd to the 20th centuries - borrowed from over 25 collections. From the East Bay, hop on Bart and take a quick ride to Civic Center. The museum is a block away from 200 Larkin Street. The exhibition will be showing until May 25. http://www.asianart.org/

The Bellevue Club is Oakland's oldest and most exclusive social club. Founded over 80 years ago on the shores of Lake Merritt, it is a stunning mansion with crystal chandeliers, soaring ceilings and interior decorations inspired by Marie Antoinette's Petit Tranon. What a perfect site for Marie Spletter 's Salon gathering and reading of her latest play entitled "Unfinished Business." 

Stunning unit on two levels in Uptown- Oakland's best location! Stylish upgrades including acacia floors, ceiling fans & window coverings. One of the larger units in the building. 2 master suites plus a 3rd BR and an office! Amazing city life right outside- BART, restaurants, Lake Merritt & more! For more information. For more information.

Have you noticed that half of the parking lot across from Berkeley's Spenger's restaurant at Fourth Street is closed.  Why?  It turns out that it is a shellmound,one of the largest in the region.  It was once 30 feet high and filled with ancient Ohlone Indian tools, bones and skeletons. Archeological consultants are trying to figure out the extent of the artifacts and what to do next. 

Wonderful new Impressionist Exhibit at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. The gift of the art patron Alma Spreckels, this dramatic building's spectacular setting makes it one of the treasures of the city. There are over 70 visiting paintings from the National Gallery in Washington currently on display.

Berkeley Rotary Club is involved in many community activities.  A year ago, several of the club's members started Brighter Beginnings, a Richmond Healthcare Clinic, located at 2727 Macdonald Blvd. in Richmond. The clinic is staffed by over 25 volunteers, who have a variety of medical skills ranging from doctors, nurses, translators, and offers free medical care for adults and children who do not have health insurance.  In one year they have treated 967 patients, 66% live below the poverty line.