Palo Alto Rare Property For Sale

February 29, 2012

Good Evening Everyone,

This is a rare treat, so I am inviting anyone that would like to come. This is during our Broker’s Tour!
This Friday (3/2) come and see a unique opportunity for developers and end users for this 12,000sf (County) R-2 lot in the Downtown/Professorville neighborhood of Palo Alto. Agents and potential buyers can walk the property from 9:30am-1pm. There will be limited access after that time. If you are interested, please let me know and you can join me.

Be Sociable, Share!

Email Print

Filed Under Facebook, Real Estate, Trivia, Twitter, Uncategorized

Leave a Comment

Academy Awards

February 26, 2012

If anyone is interested here is a ballot for the Academy Awards. You can just print out the ballot and have fun with it or if you are having an Academy Awards party, you can print up a bunch and have everyone guess who will be the winners. You can have a special prize for the one who guesses them all.

Best Picture

“The Artist”
“Moneyball”
“The Descendants”
“The Tree of Life”
”Midnight in Paris”
“The Help”
“Hugo”
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly WINNER___________________________________________
Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”
Alexander Payne, “The Descendants”
Martin Scorsese, “Hugo”
Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris”
Terrence Malick, “The Tree of Life”
WINNER___________________________________________
Best Actor
Demian Bichir, “A Better Life”
George Clooney, “The Descendants”
Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Gary Oldman, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
Brad Pitt, “Moneyball”
WINNER___________________________________________
Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, “My Week With Marilyn”
Jonah Hill, “Moneyball”
Nick Nolte, “Warrior
Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”
Max von Sydow, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
WINNER___________________________________________
Best Actress
Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis, “The Help”
Rooney Mara, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”
Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn”
WINNER___________________________________________
Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain, “The Help”
Octavia Spencer, “The Help
Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs”
Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
WINNER______________________________

Be Sociable, Share!

Email Print

Filed Under Benefits, Events, Facebook, Featured Posts, Music, Twitter, Uncategorized

Leave a Comment

Alpine Inn and Historic Landmark (History of)

February 25, 2012

I frequently visit the Alpine Inn where a close friend of mine that I used to fly with for TWA works there. Geri Alexander is the owner’s daughter. People always ask about the history and I think that Steve did a great job with this article. It is a lengthy read but if your interested in the Alpine Inn, here is the article.

Image via Wikipedia

The Alpine Inn is one of the oldest businesses on the Peninsula, dating from a time when the local residents felt squeezed by the burgeoning population of foreign-born newcomers.

Nearly 150 years after it first opened for business, the Alpine Inn in Portola Valley continues to attract customers to the roadhouse/beer garden on the banks of Los Trancos Creek, at the corner of Alpine and Arastradero roads. And some customers still arrive on horseback.

In the 1850s, disappointed gold seekers began settling in the Santa Clara Valley to farm the fertile land. The earlier settlers, the Californios, felt displaced and outnumbered by the newcomers with their foreign customs and new form of government.

Many of the Californios withdrew from the valley and found refuge in remote areas such as Half Moon Bay and Portola Valley. Felix Buelna, a former alcalde (mayor) of San Jose, settled on 95 acres of Maximo Martinez’ Rancho de Corte de Madera in 1852. He soon opened a casa de tableta, a gambling house, where his fellow Californios could play cards, enjoying each’s company with their beverages of choice. Buelna’s roadhouse was established at the intersection of Arastradero Road and Alpine Road, then known as the Old Spanish Trail and a major route from the Santa Clara Valley to the coast communities of San Gregorio and Pescadero.

Business was good but Buelna’s gambling was not so good, and he sold the roadhouse to William Stanton, a Menlo Park coachman, reputedly to cover his losses in a poker game.

For the next century, ownership or proprietorship of the Alpine Inn would change numerous times, often with changes in ethnic flavor and with changes in the name of the roadhouse on Alpine Road.

In 1870 an Englishman, William Tate Philpott, leased the roadhouse for five years before Stanton resumed management, when it became known as Stanton’s Saloon. When Stanton died in a railroad accident, his family leased the business to F. Rodriguez Crovello, known to his customers as “Black Chapete.” The short, plump bartender with his black handlebar mustache was popular with his growing clientele of locals and construction workers who were building the new Stanford University.

When Stanford opened in 1891, the students soon discovered the liquid refreshments at Black Chapete’s, a welcoming change from “dry” Palo Alto. University officials pressured San Mateo County officials about the saloon operating near the university and its young, impressionable students. But county officials did nothing–as saloon keepers and related interests dominated San Mateo County politics, maintaining a very “wet” atmosphere throughout the county.

When the notoriously “wet” town of Mayfield incorporated in 1903, one of the first acts of the town trustees was to declare the town “dry,” thus forcing the closure of the 23 saloons in town. Charlie Wright, one of the former Mayfield saloon owners, began a partnership with Crovello at the Alpine roadhouse.

Soon thereafter Charles Schenkel took over management of the roadhouse and renamed it the “Wunder.” With the new name came a German flavor, but Schenkel’s proprietorship did not last nearly as long as the new name.

In 1907, Portola Valley farmer Walter Jelich bought Schenkel’s lease and continued the saloon’s operation. Stanford President David Starr Jordan took advantage of the change of ownership to protest the saloon’s presence to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. He complained that the establishment had “the reputation of being vile even for a roadhouse” and that it was a “disgrace to San Mateo County.”

But the Board of Supervisors again failed to share the Stanford viewpoint of and granted Jelich a liquor license before they even listened to Jordan’s plea. Jelich’s attorney responded that Jordan and the other Santa Clara County protestants should “missionize at home before crossing the creek.” As is the case with many protest efforts, the publicity only increased the popularity of the saloon. Local ranchers, farm workers and draymen continued to patronize the establishment, but it was Stanford students that made it a profitable business for more than 70 years.

In 1909 the State of California passed a law prohibiting the sale of liquor within 1 1/2 miles of schools and universities, including Stanford. This resulted in the closure of 14 saloons in Menlo Park, but left the Alpine Road establishment unaffected–it was just outside the new limit. With much of the competition banned, the saloon’s business boomed.

During World War I, the U.S. Army’s Camp Fremont in Menlo Park created a dry zone surrounding the camp. But this dry zone also did not extend to the roadhouse, and the soldiers joined the locals and the students in enjoying the liquid refreshments supplied there.

By 1911, saloonkeeper Chapete, then an old man, was living at the County’s “poor farm” and all interests in the saloon had passed to Julius Schenkel, the brother of Charles.

Then came Prohibition: the Volstead Act of 1919. Saloons closed nationwide as the nation became legally “dry.” For the next 13 years, rum runners and speakeasies were sources of alcoholic beverages.

Illegal liquor activity in San Mateo County was notorious, reflecting the sentiment of many of its residents. Numerous shipments of illegal liquor were smuggled into the county along the long coastline.

The Alpine Road establishment was renamed “Schenkel’s Picnic Park” and encouraged San Franciscans to come down to visit and enjoy the countryside. Advertised non-alcoholic beverages were sold, but more potent beverages were reputedly available to those in the know.

When prohibition ended in 1933, Stanford students exuberantly returned and Schenkel retired, the lease passing to Enrico Rossotti. Rossotti eventually purchased the property from the Stanton family and ran the popular establishment until 1956. Mr. and Mrs. Rossotti’s business became more than a saloon with the addition of burgers and similar grill food, popular with the crowds that often swelled enormously on Stanford home football gamedays. Alumni and families began to frequent the establishment in greater numbers.

Don Horther and John Alexander took over the roadhouse in 1956 and renamed it the “Alpine Inn Beer Garden”–but patrons today continue to refer to it as “Rossotti’s” or even more casually as “Zott’s.”

The clientele has changed over the years. Stanford students no longer dominate as they did for so many years. Like the Californios before them, the students have been replaced by new groups of beer-loving customers.

The saloon and its outdoor beer garden are populated by Silicon Valley workers out for a burger and beer at lunch under the trees. After work, the parking lot fills with expensive sports cars and luxury vehicles. On weekends, bicyclists, motorcyclists and occasionally horse riders pull off the road or trail to enjoy the pleasures of the Alpine Inn.

Located at 3915 Alpine Inn

Steve Staiger is the City of Palo Alto historian and a staff member at the main library.

Be Sociable, Share!

Email Print

Filed Under Facebook, Featured Posts, Historical Homes, History, Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band, Portola Valley, Trivia, Twitter, Uncategorized

Leave a Comment

Past President’s Homes

February 21, 2012

I really enjoyed checking out these properties from our past Presidents after they left office. Good read!

For each of the U.S.’ former Presidents, the most famous residence they inhabit over their lifetime is undoubtedly the big white one at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But before they were elected and after they left the Oval Office, these policy makers called other addresses “home, sweet, home.” In honor of Presidents’ Day, we’re taking a look at the homes of Presidents — present and past.

Barack Obama

Prior to his current digs at the White House, President Obama lived off Greenwood Avenue in Chicago. The Obamas’ home, pictured above, was built in 1917 and features 6,199 square feet of living space. President Obama and First Lady Michelle purchased the brick home in 2005 for $1,650,000, shortly after Obama was elected to Senate.

George W. Bush

When it came time for former President George W. Bush to retire from the Oval Office, the 43rd President decided to go back to his home state of Texas, picking up a sprawling 8,000-square-foot home at 10141 Daria Pl, which was a downsize from the 55,000-square-foot White House. The Bushes also purchased the property next door but tore it down in 2008. People speculated at the time that the demolition was to expand the former first family’s yard.

Bill Clinton

Unlike many other Presidents, Bill Clinton didn’t own a home during his residency at the White House. Born and raised in Arkansas, the former President and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose to stay on the East Coast, and purchased a home in Chappaqua, New York at the end of Clinton’s second term in office. By several accounts, the Clintons are quite popular in the small Westchester County town. Built in 1889, the Clintons’ home is situated on a cul-de-sac lot and has 5,232-square-foot of living space, 5 beds and 4 baths.

Ronald Reagan

Before Ronald Reagan lived at the White House, he lived among the star-studded hills of Pacific Palisades and Bel Air. His former Pacific Palisades property was he and wife Nancy Reagan’s home base until Reagan was elected in 1981. After two terms as the 40th President of the U.S., “The Gipper” and his wife returned to Los Angeles, picking up a prime slice of real estate in the posh Bel-Air neighborhood. The property remains Nancy Reagan’s home today.

Gerald Ford

Not one, but two of former President Gerald Ford’s homes are currently for sale — one listed in California and one in Colorado. Ford’s Vail home, pictured above, is a testament to his love of skiing and the outdoors. Listed for $9.85 million, the ski-in/ski-out home has been on and off the market starting in 2008 with a hefty price tag of $14.9 million. Gerald Ford’s other home is listed on the Rancho Mirage real estate market for significantly less. The $1.699 million listing is a mid-century ranch located on the Thunderbird Country golf course and contains some Presidential memorabilia, including a large portrait of Betty Ford hanging in the living room.

John F. Kennedy

One of America’s most famous families holds one of America’s most storied properties. The Kennedy Compound consists of 6 acres of waterfront property on Nantucket Sound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, a small village in the town of Barnstable. John F. Kennedy’s father, Joseph P. Kennedy, rented a summer cottage in Hyannis Port in 1926 and purchased the cottage 2 years later. The home, which Joseph enlarged and remodeled, became the summer getaway for the couple and their children, who enjoyed sailing on the sound. In 1956, after his marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier, Jack bought a smaller home nearby, and his brother Robert later purchased an adjacent home. Following the death of Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy, the compound was donated to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

George Washington

While we don’t have the first President’s childhood home– the one where he chopped down a cherry tree — we do have the home where George Washington reportedly slept. It is believed that the first general hung up his wig at this 1739 homestead, named the “Fowler House.” The number of nights Washington slept here is up for debate, but if you believe the historic marker on the home, he often stayed here on his way from West Point to Connecticut. The New York home is 5,800 square feet and has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths and was recently listed on the Brewster real estatemarket for $500,000.

Be Sociable, Share!

Email Print

Filed Under Facebook, Featured Posts, Historical Homes, History, Real Estate, Retirement, Trivia, Twitter, Uncategorized

Leave a Comment

Don’t Know Where to Turn? Call 211

February 17, 2012

If you or anyone you know needs food, housing, health care or other services, just call 211 from any phone.

The toll-free number connects callers to people who can link them to services. It’s a one-stop referral service with a mission to connect people with the help they need. The service is new to San Mateo County.

To provide the service, San Mateo County and the Community Information Project have teamed up with United Way of the Bay Area

211 is confidential and available 24 hours a day in more than 150 languages.

Problem dialing 211? Call 800-273-6222 (TTY 415-808-4440 or 711)

Visit 211bayarea.org for more information about 211 services throughout San Mateo County and the entire Bay Area.

Be Sociable, Share!

Email Print

Filed Under Facebook, Featured Posts, Real Estate, Security, Seniors, Twitter, Uncategorized

1 Comment

Big Band Era San Carlos

February 16, 2012

This is a fabulous event: Lots of dancing with everyone, families, kids and of course adults are welcome. Advance Ticket purchase is required!Ticket cost ~ $10 per person
Friday, Feb. 17 ~ 7:00pm to 10:00pm

Spend a nostalgic evening dancing as you are swept back in time with music from the past. Singles and couples are invited to join us for this special evening. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

Call the Adult Community Center for more info at 650-802-4384.

Dance the night away.

Date:	2/17/2012
Time:	7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Be Sociable, Share!

Email Print

Filed Under Benefits, Events, Facebook, Featured Posts, Music, San Carlos, Twitter

Leave a Comment

Crab Feed in San Carlos

February 16, 2012

Annual Crab Feed

Save the Date!

Fresh Cracked Crab
Pasta & Meatballs
Salad & Dessert

Sunday, February 26, 2012

No Host Bar at 4:30pm ~ Dinner at 5:30pm

It’s the Annual Friends of San Carlos Adult Community Center fundraiser at the Adult Community Center to benefit Senior programs.

The no-host wine & beer bar opens at 4:30pm with the delicious dinner following at 5:30pm.

Cost is at $39 per person.

Tickets are now on sale at the ACC Front Desk. Please call 650-802-4384 for more information.

This is an awesome event with lots of fresh crab that is cooked to perfection by our own chef, Bruce. Thank you volunteers for all you do.

Be Sociable, Share!

Email Print

Filed Under Benefits, Events, Facebook, Featured Posts, health, San Carlos, Trivia, Twitter

Leave a Comment

Subscribe

Never miss any valuable information on Belmont, San Carlos or Redwood City.

Enter your email address to receive blog articles in your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Maria Espinosa: Dear parents that are thinking to bring your child to this place. I am a mother of a 7 years old girl...

http://tinyurl.com/housfrank49843: “Historical Home for the Future, Michael Jackson

box motor: hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up something new from right here. I...

car audio install: Hi I have to say for this absorbing information.I am bookmarking your page for future...

Barbara Bell: It’s stunning! I fear I would never leave it if I lived there.

The Peninsula Hub

Palo Alto Rare Property For Sale

Academy Awards

Alpine Inn and Historic Landmark (History of)