THE KNOLL, Where Claremont and Elmwood meet.  Featuring houses by Henry H. Gutterson, Edward Seely, George T. Plowman & John Hudson Thomas, Williams & Wastell, Joseph Coward, F.E. Allen, and Louis Engler.

Sunday May 6th from 1pm – 5pm.

Call 510-841-2242 or visit www.berkeleyheritage.com.

Beautiful dining room with original details

Bill McDowell and Tracy Sichterman just listed this sweet 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in the Oceanview district of Berkeley.  Less ornate than their Victorian predecessors, Edwardian style homes suite our modern aesthetic. Circa 1908, this spacious home boasts the original details we love (wainscoting, plate rails, built-ins) without feeling fussy or dark.

4th Street shops and restaurants, public transportation, and San Pablo Avenue shops are nearby.

Offered at $585,000!

Bright and cheerful living room

Rebecca Nemeth says this about her fab-u-lous El Cerrito listing: “Easy living in this clean and charming 2 bed, 1 bath cottage on a large lot surrounded by greenery. Spacious, sun-filled, private backyard ready for your garden, play space, workshop, etc. Many updates. Quiet block close to Stockton St. shops, near EC pool & community center, 6 blocks from BART.”

Listed at $349,000!!!!  Great house, great price!

I have a sweet new listing coming on the market next week on Mendocino @ Lawton in Upper Rockridge.  Stay tuned for more details.

http://www.sfbg.com/pixel_vision/2012/04/10/their-words-oakland-locals-weeks-guardian-cover

Last Sunday my family and I went for a hike, and as always with little kids, we visited the Little Farm.  Here are some pictures from our visit.

You Gotta Do This!

Sunday, 3/4 - Family Day from noon until 2:30pm. Back by popular demand, is the AMAZING Lawrence Lemon. If you haven’t seen him yet, go check him out. He is simply unbelievable! They will have balloons for the kids, kid combos, and of course their famous chalk wall!  And now they serve beer.  Get some tater tots and a milk shake, pull up a chair, and enjoy the tunes.

www.philssliders.com
2024 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley.

I know, lots of food posts.  But… You Gotta Do This!

Zaki Seasoned Rice (photo from eastbayexpress.com)

The Zaki Kabob house in Albany will be having a Community Appreciation Event in this Saturday March 3rd 2012 from 12-3pm in the parking lot of the restaurant.

Zaki’s is across from the entrance to Albany Village at 1101 San Pablo Ave.

Zaki will have an outdoor grill set up selling special items not on the menu and will have kids activities like miniature pony rides and a bouncy play stucture.

10% of all proceeds for this event will go to the Albany Education Fund.

http://www.zakikabobhouse.com/

My favorites at Zaki Kabob House?  Rotisserie chicken, seasoned jasmine rice, and the walnut baklava.  Oh yah!  You gotta try this!

The Kensington Circus Pub

Ah yes, it is true, I heard it from the horse’s mouth.  On Sunday night we ventured to the Kensington Circus Pub with friends for some good beer, good food, and good fun.  {With young kids, this is the B E S T place to go for dinner}  While there we asked the manager for the scoop, and he said that they are expecting the new owners to take over March 15th.  Although the new owners intend to manage the pub themselves, not much else is expected to change.  Sure enough, posted on the infamous pub’s Facebook page, is the announcement.

http://elcerrito.patch.com/articles/kensington-circus-pub-being-sold-will-continue-owner-says.

Thank goodness it isn’t closing…these were the rumors in the rumor mill for a bit.

You gotta eat this: bangers and mash, fish-n-chips, shepherd’s pie, and a pitcher of Boddinton’s.

The pub is located at

(510) 524-8814

Sign, The Circus Pub

Berkeley Rose Garden

Friday was a gorgeous day and I decided to take my girls to play and hike at Cordonices Park and check out the Berkeley Rose Garden.  It was a magical day, full of fun, adventure, and sliding.

Bridges of Cordonices Park

If you haven’t been over to Cordonices, you should really check it out.  On the backside of the park there are tons of paths for hiking and bridges for crossing.  My 4 year old was pretty certain there were fairies frolicking about.  In looking at the pictures, she might be right!

The park itself is one-of-a-kind.  There is a long and windy cement slide.  Grab a piece of cardboard, sit down, and go!  Be careful though, this thing goes fast!  Take your tot into the gated totlot and go for a train ride.  Bring your bikes, a soccer ball, and a picnic and you can spend hours here.

Rose Garden in February

Through the tunnel and adjacent to the tennis courts you will find the Rose Garden.  Magical is the only way to describe this place.  From up above there are views of the bay, down below there is a babbling stream melodically singing through the air.  I have never been at this time of the year, when there aren’t blooms on the roses.  But I am so glad I went because I was able to see behind the scent and abundant color of the roses to find a mystical, almost enchanting, forest.  And to have done it with my girls was the greatest gift.

My girl Melia!