Chris Neddersen's Blog
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The Bridge, The Bay, and the Battleship.
Posted Under: General Area, Entertainment & Nightlife, Parks & Recreation | May 25, 2012 2:01 PM | 21 views | No commentsMemorial Day around the Bay
Memorial Day Weekend approaches, as does the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. Appropriately enough, I know of two military related occurrences going on around the Bay this Saturday.
First, the USS Iowa is finally going to be towed out of her berth in Richmond and down to San Diego, going through the Golden Gate Bridge Saturday sometime between 12:00 and 3:00.
On an earlier blog I mentioned that the ship was leaving last weekend, but rough seas delayed her departure. This time they're pretty sure she's heading out, and they expect a crowd lining the headlands to watch her go.
Second, the 12,000 square foot Visitor's Education Center for the Rosie the Riveter/World War 11 Home Front National Historical Park will be dedicated at a celebration from 10am to 5pm Saturday in the Oil House at the Ford Point building.
Here's the fun part and the good news: If you're a WWII history buff you don't have to miss either event. You can head for the Rosie the Riveter celebration in the morning, and have a ring side seat as the tugs hook up to the USS Iowa and tow her out.
Check out this map:
As you can see, the battleship will sail right by the Ford Point Building Craneway Pavilion, right where the Rosie the Riveter celebration is taking place. Pretty cool!
I hope you all enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!
For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you. -
Celebrate Bay Area!
Posted Under: General Area, Quality of Life, Entertainment & Nightlife | May 21, 2012 11:53 AM | 25 views | No comments
Bridging the Gaps
This week we honor two Bay Area monuments. Both are monuments to personal freedom: Harvy Milk; and The Golden Gate Bridge. Both inspire us to follow our hearts no matter what blocks our way.
Harvy Milk, with amazing courage and humour, galvanized both gays and straights to go beyond cultural constraints and claim the freedom to be the people we want to be.
The Golden Gate Bridge is a beautiful landmark that symbolizes both connection and freedom by encouraging us to extend the boundaries both man-made and emotional and travel freely.
Take this week to fully appreciate how far we've come, how much more is available to us, and how far we can go. We can overcome the barriers that keep us from living the life we want. May we be an example to others by bridging the gaps in understanding and compassion that may exist in our own lives and embodying freedom of choice.
And, now for the FREE FUN.Tuesday May 22nd:
Harvy Milk Day: Free admission to the GLBT History Museum
Wednesday May 23rd:
Free Comedy in Oakland: Senseless Bureau of Improv
Thursday May 24th:
Live Music at Jack London Square: SoundWavesFriday May 25th:
"Summer Nights" at the Oakland Museum of California: 1968 Movie Night. BTY, if you haven't seen the historical display here about 1968, check it out.Saturday & Sunday May 26th & 27th:
Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary Celebration
For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you. -
Attention All Home Buyers
Posted Under: Market Conditions, Home Buying, In My Neighborhood | May 17, 2012 11:25 AM | 36 views | 1 comment
Competition among home buyers has become stiffer, especially in the Berkeley area, so it's more important than ever to have a source of instant information on housing availability.
If you're in the market for a new home, I can offer you several ways to get a jump on the competition. First, connect with a site like ListingBook or MyREAlert. These sites will help you fine-tune your search parameters so only the homes that most closely match your requirements will show up in your email.
Going to Real Estate Open Homes is another important way to get a good idea about neighborhoods and home styles that meet your needs and fit your budget.
But how do you find out when a house is going to be available for public viewing?
the Berkeley Association of Realtors' Thursday Tour Sheet and Ad Review Thursday Update is one of the best ways. It's an up-to-the-minute account of weekly open homes in the Berkeley Area.
Drawn from the tour data entered into the MLS by some listing agents, the BAR Tour Sheet is an excellent supplement to the Ad Review Brokers' Tour Update--some listing agents enter their brokers' tour information only in the MLS and not in the Ad Review.
Many listings will appear on both lists. Some of these properties may be appearing here and now for the first time anywhere. You'll find out about Open Homes and Brokers Opens as soon as the Realtors do.
Did you know that consumers are also welcome to visit homes during Brokers' Tours (except where noted in the individual property details)?
Contact me and I'll be happy to send you these lists and set up the home search engines for you, and when you're ready to go on your tour, please tell any attending agents where you drop by that I sent you.
For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you -
Empty Nester News
Posted Under: General Area, Entertainment & Nightlife, In My Neighborhood | May 14, 2012 2:50 PM | 48 views | No commentsBrings Back the 60’s, Man.
My daughter got a two-for –the-price-of-one ticket to the Oakland museum and invited me to go with her to see the exhibits. As a budding graphic novelist herself, she was interested in the work of cartoonist Daniel Clowes—an exceptionally gifted man with a pen, I must say. The drawings were superb.As we paid our fees to enter, another show caught my eye. It was called “The 1968 Exhibit”. I expressed interest in seeing that, and after an exhaustive (and exhausting) look at what else the Fine Arts Wing had to offer, and a delicious lunch in their café overlooking the koi pond, we went to see the 1968 show.
Wow.
Seeing this amazing time in my life, especially that year, so strikingly displayed was an incredible experience. I, and others my age, led kids and grandkids around the displays to add our two cents about what was happening in our own lives when Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy were shot and men went to the moon.
We admitted that, yes, we did wear pants like that, watched TV on those awkward looking sets, spent time on the panhandle, used those bulky phones, thrilled at the moon landing and wept for King and Kennedy.Musing about those times, and the kinship we felt with kids like us in Chicago, L.A., Berkeley, San Francisco, and all over the United States and across the world who wore peace buttons in their lapels and flowers in their hair. I realized I miss that feeling of being kindred spirits with so many others my age, sharing a language and life so apart from our parents.
It’s so different in this divisive time. However, as I eavesdropped on others like myself, sharing memories with their companions, I realized that we are still those people. We lived through an amazing time and were deeply and indelibly effected by our experiences working to change the world and ourselves.As the lyrics go in the song "For Good" in the musical “Wicked”:
"Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the betterAnd because I knew you...
I have been changed for good..."
See this show about 1968 at the Oakland Museum. It will be there through August. Remember what happened, remember those things we did, and more importantly, remember yourself!
For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you -
Realtors WANT People to Stay in Their Homes
Posted Under: General Area, Quality of Life, Foreclosure | May 12, 2012 10:24 AM | 54 views | No commentsCounter Intuitive? Not Really.
Good neighborhoods mean good property values, and good property values are a direct result of attractive neighborhoods with thriving, happy familys who care for their homes. Residents who live in their own property and feel secure are much more likely to take good care of their homes. Owners whose properties are in forclosure are not. Realtors know that neighborhoods with lots of forclosed properties are less attractive to buyers, so keeping struggling homeowners in their homes and creating secure and happy neighborhoods is a priority that enriches all of us.
From CAR (the California Association of Realtors) comes this:
"REALTORS® not only care about getting families into homes, we also care about helping distressed homeowners keep their homes. That’s why C.A.R. is launching an initiative to warn and educate consumers about mortgage fraud. We’ve produced public service announcements (PSAs) in four languages, which we hope will air on radio and television stations throughout the state. We’ll partner with the California District Attorneys Assn. and hold news conferences in key regions to highlight the issue. We’ve also dedicated a section on car.org where REALTORS® and consumers can get information and tips to avoid being scammed and learn where to report scams. Look for future updates here on our loan fraud prevention efforts. View the PSAs and check out the loan fraud section here. "
For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want. -
One Dogs Opinion: On Having a Good Education
Posted Under: Quality of Life, Schools, In My Neighborhood | May 9, 2012 3:18 PM | 61 views | No commentsThe Perils of Puppy Training (and the lack of it)
We all need to go to school. The only exceptions are animals with the IQ of a gerbil. Like a Gerbil. Or a cat. But all working animals and trainable animal companions need some schooling.
I’m sure you’ve seen those unruly dogs tearing around a park or neighborhood with a helpless owner crying George, COME! GEORGE! COME!!. Does George come? Of course not! He’s too busy playing in traffic, scaring small children and knocking the elderly out of his way. George needs schooling.
I am a proud graduate of puppy school, and I have a diploma to prove it hanging prominently in my room. Not only that, I have homework on a regular basis. This helps to refresh my memory so vital skills like "sit" and "stay" remain fresh. You’ve got to practice what you’ve learned to keep sharp.
I matriculated at the University of Berkeley Humane Society. They have a great deal where adopted dogs, like me, get a discount on the cost of the classes. There I met some nice dogs and did very well on all my assignments with the exception of ONE.
Here’s what I was supposed to do: I was to come to my person when she called me. Sounds simple, doesn't it. She was on one end of an aisle made of chairs, and I was on the other. She had a tasty treat in her hand, and she called me and I was supposed to come to her.
Here’s why I didn’t. There was an open part of the “walls” of the aisle, and in that spot was a cat.
Later I found out that it was a mechanical cat, but at the time I didn’t know that. I couldn't’t decide whether to chase the darn thing or flee from it. It was moving in this weird way and making an infernal racket. My person was calling me, beckoning me thither with a wealth of treats in her hands and what did I do? I froze. I stared at that cat and pondered my potential fate.
I had learned from my home experience that there are two types of cats: cats that run from a dog, and cats that attack a dog. I had no idea what type of cat I faced, but I couldn't’t go to my person without knowing for sure. The last thing I wanted was to be popped on the nose, or worse yet, my butt by that infernal cat.
All the other dogs and people were watching. I was as embarrassed as I could be, but I could not move. Finally the head trainer came to my rescue. She took my leash and broke the spell that stupid fake cat had over me.
Sigh. I had failed that assignment. guess you can’t be good at everything. But you really can’t be good at anything if you don’t have the opportunity to learn, and you can't learn if you don’t have a good school to teach you.
Long story short, I hear there’s a measure K (remember K for K-9) on the ballot that will help the local schools. This dog says vote YES. It’s very important for all young ones to get good puppy training so they’ll become responsible, intelligent adults. They may not be enrolled at the Humane Society, but hopefully their education will be as good as mine was with a little help and support from the community.
For more information about local happenings, real estate, free and cheap events, and home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want. -
Remember the Maine, Remember your Mom.
Posted Under: Quality of Life, Entertainment & Nightlife, In My Neighborhood | May 5, 2012 2:07 PM | 59 views | No comments
There's a couple of very special events in May. You know what they are.
Mother's Day on May 13th (for a bunch of cool info about Mother's Day, click HERE). Those of you who still have your moms, be sure and let them know how special they are. I know, you hear it every year. You take her to brunch or give her some flowers and thats the end of it. I imagine some of you feel a little annoyed at the "have to" feeling about Mother's Day, cursing the card companies for creating a fake event just to make a buck. I'm not going to guilt trip you with my "If my mom were alive" wish list. I'm just saying: You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. Nuf said.Memorial Day Weekend is the second. There's a whole panoply of events in the Berkeley Area that weekend. I won't list them all here. Google it, and you'll see. There's just one thing I think should occur on Memorial Day: we might all like to give it up for our men and women in the service. However you feel about war, what's done is done, and right now those who served need our support and gratitude. Thank you in advance for thinking of them.
Right about here in Friday/Saturday Blog, I usually give you a list of free events that are happening this week, but I just noticed that there are free events that happen every week of every month all through the year. I thought I'd give you a partial list of some of those so you can focus on Mother's and Memorial Day and plan accordingly.
Free Events that Happen Every Week.Motown Mondays at the Madrone starts at 6pm
Summer of Art free festival at the United Nations Plaza every Tuesday from 12 to 2pm
Honky Tonk Jamboree in North Beach every Wednesday at Fiddler's Green
Bicycle Bingo Night at the Actual Cafe in Oakland. Every Thursday at 7pm
Friday Night at the DeYoung Every Friday at 6:30
Stock up on all the books you want (limit 100) at the Free Book Store in El Cerri to Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 6pm Berkeley Underground Film Society present Rare 16mm Film Night at the Tannery in Berkeley
Have Fun! Love to your MOM, and best wishes to you and all the service men and women out there. Thanks to one and all.
For more information about local real estate, free and cheap events, home sales and values in the Berkeley Area, keep reading this blog. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in the Berkeley Area, Call Coldwell Banker Berkeley Real Estate Broker, Chris Neddersen at 510-527-0174 or if you're a buyer go to That House Detective. If you're a seller go to What's Next Homes.
If you'd love to live in this amazing area, here's where you can search MLS real estate for Berkeley area homes for sale, and to get a personalized search of on-the-market properties that meet your specific criteria delivered to your email in box, go to Coldwell Banker's REAlert and find the home you want.