2,900 year-old Giant Sequoia Tree Defies Odds and Lives!

In a surprising vote for the environment, the giant Sequoia tree known as The Washington Tree, believed to be approximately 2,900 years old has survived the catastrophic fire of 2003, and a storm in 2005 that topped the giant tree to 115 ft. and sprouted new branches.

Measuring over 100 feet in circumference, this tree is the second oldest living tree in North America, next to the General Sherman Tree, nearby. Park Rangers are amazed and gratified by this resurgence of growth. Put one up for the power of nature!

New Rockridge Listing!

344 Alcatraz Avenue

www.344AlcatrazAvenue.com

Located in Historic Fairview Park, this Rockridge home is ready to go! The more I find out about Rockridge, the more I love it! This home is in between College Avenue and Hillegass on the left hand side as you are coming up toward College. All these little "neighborhoods" built around this time were named for or by their builder or founder.

This immaculate farmhouse-style home was built in 1910. Researching the history of the area, most everything popped up out of Peralta orchards after the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. Think of the amazing transformation that must have taken place between 1905 and 1910. Our little Rockridge Neighborhood moved from the country to the suburbs in five years!

Green Practices in Ordinary Lives

This year I am participating in the California Coastal Clean-up. I always love the idea. I think it is so amazing that people get out and pick up all that plastic. (Yuck!) But as for doing it myself… so far, nothing doing!

In my role as Green REALTOR, I have made up my mind "just to start." Even when I don't think I can make a difference by myself. I'm starting. What do I mean "Green REALTOR?" It means whatever I can do. I'm starting. It means that I don't buy plastic water bottles anymore.

I went down to See Jane Run and picked up a Sigg aluminum water bottle for my nine-year-old son and I, and I have loved it! At $18.99, I have easily saved triple what I would have spent on water bottles in this time period and I just put it in the dishwasher each night to sanitize it.

Being Green has to begin somewhere and I am determined "to start."

http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html

California Coastal Clean-Up is Tomorrow 9-15-2007

Since 1985 the California Coastal Clean-up has been a great way to get families, classrooms and communities together to roll up their collective sleeves and do something great for the environment.

http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html

Visit their website to find locations to go to with your family and get involved this year. The more kids know about their environment, the more they will grow up to be good stewards.

Oakland Schools Participate in National Disaster Preparedness Month

Distaster Planning

1. Have a meeting with your family and make a plan.
2. Talk with your family about your plan.
3. Decide where you will meet if you are separated and cannot communicate by phone.
4. Give every family member a responsibility so that they take ownership in your family plan.
   

Supplies to have in your "Go Kit"

You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days. Build an emergency supply kit to take with you in an evacuation.

The basics to stock in your portable kit include: water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash bags, map, a manual can opener for canned food and special items for infants, elderly, the sick or people with disabilities. Keep these items in an easy to carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack or a duffle bag.

With your KQED pledge this month you get a solar and hand crank radio that would be perfect for your kit! Good luck with your planning and don't wait to have the conversation with everyone you love!

Temescal's Own Bake Sale Betty

By now it seems like everyone has his or her own Bake Sale Betty story to share. I'm certainly not the first to discover her, but coincidentally, I did happen along to her little shop on the first day of her opening.

We were driving by and saw some cookies in the window and wondered what was going on. We pulled into the red zone there in front of the firehouse and jumped out of the car to quickly grab cookies. One was a spicy ginger snap and we had another that I don't recall, but from then on I was sold on Betty.

Recently I catered a party for my Rockridge listing and served Betty’s fried chicken sandwiches. All the Rockridge real estate agents just stood around the table munching on sandwiches and talking about Betty. It was really “Betty Love.”

If you haven’t tried Bake Sale Betty, I recommend that you stop by today.

Betty is at 51st and Telegraph at the Temescal Triangle.

510.985.1213

Rockridge Home Sold in 14 Days with Multiple Offers!

The great news is that Rockridge real estate agents can still get their properties sold in record time. My listing at 5905 Claremont Avenue is one of the original homes in Rockridge.

Built in 1908 by Mr. Schnoor, the man who built the sidewalks throughout the Claremont and Rockridge neighborhoods, this home is incredibly intact in it's Craftsman details and quite lovely. It stands on an almost 14,000 square foot lot. The buyer's have a new business on College Avenue and are thrilled to be part of the neighborhood!

Local and Sustainable Green Real Estate

September 14-16, 2007 8a-5p, 8th and Brannan, San Francisco

It's not too late to join the conversation. Do you crave community with sustainability? Join the Dwell Magazine conference "Dwell on Design." www.dwellondesign.com

The Dwell on Design Conference + Exhibition is an idea-driven, multi-day experience designed to ignite a creative spark within anyone who is passionate about modern design, sustainability and smart growth.Dwell on Design will connect you with a community of thought leaders offering bold ideas, interesting materials, and new products designed to inspire you to express and enhance the beauty, simplicity, and sustainability of your living space.

E-Waste Recycling This Weekend 9-8 and 9-9 At Oakland Wal-Mart

You don't have to shop there, but a free, convenient drop off location for electronic waste is the Oakland, Wal-Mart, this weekend, September 8th and 9th, 2007 from 9am-3pm, in the parking lot.

If you are like me, fall is a great time to clear out your old junk and create a bit of breathing room around your home office. If you have never participated in E-Waste Recylcling, it is sooo easy! You just drive up and the nice folks in the truck help you unload your car. They take monitors, old remotes, cell phones, cameras, batteries, florescent light bulbs, motherboards, and more!

Wal-Mart Parking Lot
8400 Edgewater Drive
Oakland (S), CA 94621
(510) 430-9606