The Voice of East Bay Living

In case you missed the article in the Chronicle about great shops on Piedmont Avenue here is the list for your holiday shopping... 1. Best for Craft Classes - Rare Bird - 3883 Piedmont Ave. - Home decor  and garden. 2. Best for Namaste Patio  – Waterlilies Garden and Home  - 3935 Piedmont Ave. - bird feeders, chimes and fountains. 3. Best for Moroccan Flair  - Sahara Moroccan Home Decor  - 3953,Piedmont Ave. - rugs,glasses,silver tea trays and much more. 4.  Best for Glam Furnishings - Milberry's Home  - 160 41st.- once A Spanish style home ,then an Oakland Public Library,this interesting store hosts a variety of home decor items. 5. Best for Hostess gifts - Nathan and Co.  - 4025 Piedmont Ave. - candles, tea towels, mixing bowls. 6. Best for Unusual Furniture Fines  - Found on Piedmont - 4125 Piedmont Ave. -full of curios in all sizes and shapes- 1909 embalming table,1800 French Provincial table and much more. 7. Best for...

To stimulate shopping in the commercial districts in Oakland during the holidays ,the city of Oakland is offering free metered parking every Saturday between Thanksgiving and New Year's day.The city will also provide up to two hours free parking at four city owned garages. Finally at long last, BART arrives at the Oakland Airport.The project began in 2010 and cost $484 million. It will officially open on Saturday, November 22. The Oakland airport BART station is located just across from the Terminal 1 baggage claim and a short walk from Terminal 2. The trains will run every 5 to 20 minutes depending on the time of day. They will go to downtown San Francisco, downtown Oakland, downtown Berkeley, and Walnut Creek.

Last weekend I visited a condo at 2230 Francisco St. in the heart of the Marina. It was a lovely two bedroom, one bath unit-barely 1000 ft.² -all remodeled with a list price of 1,195,000. Wow-for sure the Art Deco building it is located in is very charming and it's a block away from Chestnut Street with a variety of wonderful restaurants and shops. How much higher can prices go?

This is just a jewel boutique in the  heart of Rockridge across the street from the Rockridge Library.   It is an eclectic mix of antiques, small furniture items and decorative pieces. The owner, Ron Morgan, is a famous floral designer whose keen eye for design and style has made him quite famous.  He teaches floral design workshops at his store which are well worth attending.  www.lootantiques.com Contact Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

The flower and the B  at Market Hall across from BART. The stand showcases great fresh flowers in Market Hall and represents a lovely message. The "B" in the flower and the B stands for: B happy B loving B caring B giving B surprised Contact Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

A great local getaway is Fourth Street in Berkeley, considered the most upscale shopping district in Berkeley. It has an affluent, eclectic, cafe-society vibe with a sophisticated bohemian flair. Stores feature many hand made items. One of my favorite places is a shop called the Gardener which was established in 1984. Their motto is that it carries beautiful and useful objects for both home and garden. You can find stylish tables made from recycled wood, fresh smelling soaps, sophisticated table settings and fresh plants that change with each season. After shopping there, stop off next door to Zut restaurant, an elegant and casual setting with  a fantastic menu-serving both lunch and dinner.  Visit GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com