The Voice of East Bay Living

I recently joined this wonderful local garden club which just celebrated its 70th anniversary. Founded in 1947, the club currently has 120 members. The members maintain public gardens at Lake Merritt,the Montclair Library and the Joaquin Miller Community Center. The objectives of the club are to stimulate the love and knowledge of gardening, to aid in the protection of native trees, plant and birds and to encourage in civic planting and conservation.  If you are interested in joining me at the next meeting, just give me a call. I would love to take you as my guest. Sheila Sabine is a business woman, multi-dimensional artist, and Senior Sales Associate at The Grubb Company. ssabine@grubbco.com 510.326.5055

After a brief retreat - Grand Fare at 3265 Grand Ave. near Lake Merritt is open once again and better than ever - Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner - tasty menu with a Parisian atmosphere - for sure a five thumbs up review. 

A stroll on Lake Merritt is just a short elevator ride away! Want to learn more about Bellevue Staten luxury condos? Email Sheila at ssabine@grubbco.com.

Everyone's treated like rockstar at the Bellevue Staten! Want to learn more about Bellevue Staten luxury condos? Email Sheila at ssabine@grubbco.com.

My newest listing - Elegant Pied-a-Terre in the landmark Staten Art-Deco treasure, close to the shores of Lake Merritt. This light filled & spacious unit features large living room with fireplace, formal dining room, parquet floors, updated kitchen, high ceilings, panoramic views, in the heart of Uptown Oakland living. Open tomorrow Sunday 8/21 from 2:00-4:00PM. Email ssabine@grubbco.com for more information.

Join me at the historic Bellevue Staten. I recently sold a luxury condo in this beautiful art deco building and my buyers couldn't be happier with their new home!

Have you seen those beautiful gondolas gliding across Lake Merritt like swans? Last week I took a ride in one of them.  Fashioned after the original 1800 century gondola and complete  with crew singing Italian songs, it is a magical experience. Setting sail from the dock at Lake Chalet and cruising around for an hour while sipping lovely beverages is once again another magical  amenity of the Uptown Oakland scene.  Here's a sneak peek at what next week will bring: Visit  GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

This is a national youth development non-profit for low income high school students to transform what they beleive is possible for themselves. Students learn to develop character traits they need to become college educated leaders.  At Lake Merritt everyone was required to run a 5 K race before going on a summer wildeness trip.   Visit GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine @grubbco.com 

Limo ride to business conference on Friday.. Earth Day Clean-up on Saturday  at Lake Merritt... Life in the Bay Area

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

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." 

After a gondola ride or leisurely walk around Lake Merritt, you might enjoy one of the many restaurants located in the Bellevue Staten neighborhood. Boot and Shoe Service Penrose Side Bar Kitchen 388 Room 389 True Burger Lake Chalet Pican Ozumo Plum Mua Lukas Taproom Prepared by: Sheila Sabine 510.326.5055 ssabine@grubbco.com

I recently attended an exciting event at the Oakland Cathedral . This wonderful building was completed in 2008 - a marvelous structure across from  Lake  Merritt , costing  over $175 million dollars to construct and is famous for its unique architecture. The Oakland Cathedral hosts a monthly event, Twilight by the Lake, offering free mixers, complimentary appetizers and live music on its spacious deck overlooking the Lake. This month's feautured musicians are the Mik Nawooj Ensemble with an eight  piece chamber orchestra-flute, cello, clarinet, violin, deep funk drums, an opera singer and three rap artists. Twilight by the Lake is every 3rd Thursday of the month  from 5-7:30  - a triple thumbs up event for the entire family.

In the heart of Oakland is another real jewel-Lake Merritt.  In 1870, this magical tidal lagoon  was declared the first wildlife refuge in the United States.  Indeed it is a natural haven for all kinds of birds including Canadian Geese, Herons, Egrets, ducks and pelicans. These wonderful birds feel totally at home and put on a wonderful display of their daily life and habits. It is a great place to meet and do a Walkie-Talkies as my  friends call it - 3.1 miles around the lake. At night , the combination of the resident gondola gliding across the still waters and the 3,400 bulbs of lights that form a necklace of lights around the lake, create an alluring nocturnal environment.

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...