PleasantonHomes.com

Looking for something to do this Sunday? Take a break from it all and stroll downtown Pleasanton with that hot latte or cool bellaccino from  Tully’s or grab a soft serve ice cream cone from Pleasanton’s favorite drive-through,  the old-fashioned Meadowlark Dairy, and enjoy one of the largest Annual Antique Fairs in Northern California. You’ll see booths with furniture, artwork, heirlooms and more.  Over 300 dealers come from near and far to show their wares.  Pick up the latest antique wall hanging, or simply peruse all the items ranging from traditional and historical to curious and bizarre!  There is no charge to attend.  Fair hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For more information visit Pleasanton Antiques Fair.

Pleasanton - It’s a great place to call home!

Boy, did the heat of summer ever arrive with a bang this year! Many of Pleasanton’s cabana clubs are gearing up for a busy summer, and some are already open for business. Growing up in the Midwest, the cabana club experience was foreign to me. I quickly learned, however, that not only does the club offer children a place to while away their summer; learn to swim and compete on swim teams; it also is a venue for adults to unwind after a long day at the office to hang out with their kids, share a cold beverage or dive in for some invigorating exercise.

For example, business has been booming at the Pleasanton Valley Club (PVC), which opened in mid-April. The hot nights last week had the parking lot full and the pool brimming with swimmers, young and old alike. The barbecues were in full gear, tetherball matches were underway, and the little ones were kicking their feet in the baby pool.

You can’t put a price on the peace of mind knowing that your children can swim. Swim lessons are offered by certified instructors, with sessions offered all summer long. There are a number of cabana clubs all around town - and offerings include social events for young and old alike; movie nights (just like the drive in!); concerts; talent shows and more. One club even offers courses in lifeguard certification and CPR for its members and the general public, too.

The swim teams are a social experience in themselves, offering conditioning, exercise and social activities for kids from 4 to 18. There are usually 5-8 swim meets per season against other local cabana clubs, culminating with a championship meet in late July or early August. Many of our league swimmers have progressed to become star athletes in high school and beyond because of their early years at the local cabana club.

Membership fees generally include a one-time application fee and annual dues. Some clubs offer convenient payment plans. Drop us an e-mail or give us a call if you’d like more information about a Pleasanton cabana club near you. We’ll have you in the water in no time!

We’ve lived in the same home in Pleasanton for over a decade. Seeing as the average homeowner moves every 7 years, and statistics say Californians move more frequently than that, this is indeed an anomoly. There’s something about our neighborhood that we couldn’t take with us if we ever thought to move… and that’s our neighbors.

You see, Pleasanton is not your ‘average, run of the mill’ city. It is a real community, where people take time to get to know their neighbors. This city is unique because of the active local community involvement - from working in the schools; coaching any one of the different sports activities, or volunteering anywhere from Special Olympics to the Senior Center. It is a common occurrence to see many familiar faces at the Hometown Parades, First Wednesdays, Concerts in the Park, Farmers Market or when strolling our beloved Main Street….and to even recognize many faces in each week’s issue of the Pleasanton Weekly.

As is natural in the circle of life, people do move on to another town, another state. One such family has lived in our neighborhood for 8 years and is moving to the East Coast. Our children have been on the same swim team together and the dads coached the same baseball teams together. There were frequent BBQs, picnics at the pool, or ‘flamingo night’ celebrations. Together we celebrated birthdays, graduations and life celebrations. Now, they are relocating to the East Coast, closer to family….closer to their roots. Yet, every day, as I drive by the token reminder that was left by their son in a carefree moment of his youth, I smile. As he left swim team practice one hot sunny day, years ago, he tossed a Ken doll that was broken in two (but connected by an internal string) up into the air…when the doll sailed up into the power lines overhead, and rested intact. Now this happened at least five or six years ago…yet the Ken doll remains… through sun and wind and heaviest of rains…blowing in the wind and resting comfortably.

It’s true that they won’t be here for this summer’s Flamingo Nights and parties, etc., but the internet and cell phones will keep us close between visits. And should we chance to forget…we’ll be reminded every time we pass by the Ken doll in the sky.

We wish them well in their new life….and look forward to their visits back to this great hometown of ours….our Pleasanton.

Nestled adjacent to the stables at the Alameda County Fairgrounds is one of the most funky diners this side of Texas. Most Pleasantonians have never heard of it. But those of us ‘in the know’ treasure it.

Esther Hall is the owner, chief cook and bottle washer - and all things in between. She opens her place long before the sun rises, and greets the jockeys, trainers, owners and locals who stop by with some of the best coffee in town.

The Stable Cafe is not fancy, by any stretch of the imagination. It is a place reminiscent of a bygone era, where you almost wish that the walls could tell the stories of those days gone by.

The restaurant is adorned by the silks of local jockeys - some of who’ve ‘made it big’ in the world of horse racing. The regulars plop quarters into the real old-time jukebox to hear country tunes played on the vinyl records, as they take in a good game of pool after a hard day of riding their trusted steed. Naturally, there are photos of horse races from all over the country….alongside the notices of local horses for sale or rent.

The Stable Cafe is open through the lunch hour Monday through Saturday, and longer during the Alameda County Fair in the summer. Esther has been there for 18 years - keeping an eye on the jockeys who are far from home, and sharing a joke with the local pranksters. The menu is perfect for fans of hearty omelets, bacon and eggs or spicy linguisa. The ambiance draws a unique and loyal crowd who all know the code - treasure Esther and her Stable Cafe for the treasures they are.

Contrary to the bleak real estate reports found in the media, homes in the Tri-Valley are on the move this year.  While we aren’t seeing the numbers consistent with previous years, things are not as bleak as the press would have us believe.  Here’s the scoop:

Tri-Valley Properties

‘Sold/Closed Escrow’ or ‘Pending Sales’ since 01/01/2008

Pleasanton       Total #:      Single Family          Condo/Townhome

January                       28                        22                                  6

February                     46                        37                                  9

March                          47                        37                                 10

April (thru 4/9)          15                        13                                   2                                 ———-              —–                              —-

                                  146                      109                                27

Livermore        Total #:      Single Family          Condo/Townhome

January                       47                        44                                    3

February                     58                        50                                   8

March                          77                         65                                  12

April (thru 4/9)         25                         21                                    4

                                ———                 —-                                —-

                                   207                       180                                27

Dublin              Total #:      Single Family          Condo/Townhome

January                       26                        15                                11

February                     33                        15                                18

March                          41                        21                                 20

April (thru 4/9)          14                         9                                    5

                                  ——                    —–                            —–

                                   114                       60                                 54

San Ramon      Total #       Single Family          Condo/Townhome

January                       48                            32                             16

February                     68                            54                             14

March                          80                            58                             22

April (thru 4/9)          18                            15                                3

                                    —–                         —–                         —–

                                   214                           159                           55

Danville           Total #       Single Family         Condo/Townhome

January                       28                            20                           8

February                     42                            34                           8

March                          45                            36                           9

April (thru 4/9)            9                              7                           2

                                      —–                      —–                     —–

                                   124                           97                         27

Remember the mantra - Buy low and sell high.   Investors and first-time buyers are taking advantage of the ample inventory and favorable interest rates.  Whether you are looking for a single family home, condo or investment here in the Tri-Valley, the timing could be ideal to get the wheels turning. 

It’s a great day to be in real estate!

The City of Pleasanton is sponsoring an E-Waste Collection Event April 18th through 20th, 2008 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.  Donations can be dropped off between noon and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.  (Please use the Gate 12 Entrance on Valley Avenue.)  Here is your chance to properly recycle or dispose of those broken or unwanted electronic equipment (working or non-working condition) FREE OF CHARGE! 

Acceptable e-waste:  computers, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, PDAs, stereos, radios, game equipment, camcorders, batteries, car betteries, microwaves, fluorescent bulbs, fax machines, cell phones, printers, telephones and copiers.  (Sorry, large appliances and packing material are not accepted.)

Just one more opportunity to make a difference for the planet….beginning right here in Pleasanton.

It’s a great day to be in real estate!

Giving back to our community is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.   And this week, it can’t get any easier than looking through your closet.  The members of Pleasanton’s Junior Girl Scout Troop #32072 are collecting USED tennis shoes (that’s right - your old worn out favorites….and what about all of those pairs that your kids grew out of so fast?) to be donated to NIKE’s Reuse-A-Shoe program.  Donated shoes will be recycled into basketball courts, synthetic soccer fields and playground surfaces.  Wow….a great way to save the planet and make room in your closet at the same time!

Any brand of shoe will do, in clean condition.  (No metal, cleats or dress shoes, please.)  Donations can be dropped off through April 14th at either Kathy’s Health Club (3170 Santa Rita Road) or Fleet Feet (310 Main Street, Suite C) in Pleasanton.  Or….bag ‘em up and drop them off this Saturday (or next Saturday, April 12th) at Pleasanton’s own Farmer’s Market where the Girl Scouts will have a booth for your convenience from 9 a.m. to noon. 

Help make a difference in Pleasanton….for the planet…one step at a time.

Make it a great day!

The Goodguys 26th All-American ’Get Together’ takes place this coming weekend, March 29th and 30th, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.  Hosted by the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, this popular attraction draws car enthusiasts from all over the country.   Hours are 8 - 5 on Saturday and 8 to 4 on Sunday.  Adults are $15; youth ages 6 through 12 are $6, and kids under 6 are free.  With over 3,000 All-American and American powered cars and trucks, there is something for everyone - from the indoor/outdoor car show, to the Goodgals Gallery, Kids’ Alley, Cars 4 Sale Corral and much, much more.  For more information call (925) 838-9876 or visit www.good-guys.com

Tri-Valley Utilities & Public Services Contact Information

As of today’s date, there are 6 foreclosure properties on the market in Danville -

Townhome - 1 on Podva Road with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1,094 sq.ft. for $399,900

Condos - 1 on Ashley Circle with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1,283 sq. ft. for $409,900 and 1 on San Ramon Valley Blvd with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1,301 sq. ft. for $469,900.

Detached Single Family Homes -

Zagora Drive - 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3,148 sq. ft. for $899,900

Snowden Place - 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3,4800 sq. ft. for $1,075,000

El Pintado Road - 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 6,540 sq. ft. for $2,495,000

If you have questions about the foreclosure/short sale process, or if you would like more information about any of these properties, give Bob & Deb a call at (925) 417-7129.  With over 20 years experience in real estate here in the East Bay, we’ve got the resources to get you the answers.