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Tales from the Brighter side

 

There are some worried faces around town lately, what with guns at the rec center at the same time the political big guns strut their plans for an even bigger rec center. Then there’s the traffic delays and construction going on in the Old Square, and ongoing worries about what kind of wacky decisions the task force on the “101 Greenbrae corridor” is likely to make.  Does anyone really think it’s a good idea to ease highway congestion by putting more traffic onto residential frontage roads?  And closing the Madera exit?  What’s coming next, a five-story building at the Village? 

 

Enough already! Being a former cheerleader (don’t judge me!) I have always felt somewhat responsible for giving people something to feel good about.  This is true especially after my tad wacky (or was that a wad tacky?) column of last week.  P.S. My daughter made me do it!  At any rate, there is plenty of good local news to go around. 

 

Corte Madera and Larkspur -- the magical markets.

 

While much of the country, the Bay Area, and even most of Marin is groggily coming to from last year’s real estate hangover, the Twin Cities’ market is chugging along like the folks who got a good night’s sleep.  You would think that we have the first great weather and the last great commute this side of San Francisco, which is, of course, exactly what we do have. That fact, along with some very visible improvements in recent years to our public schools, and not to mention our lovely small town charm, are all driving a better than average housing market again this year.  Several listings have been snatched up in multiple offers:   There were the $2+ million homes on Manzanita in Corte Madera and Bayview in Larkspur.  Then there were the small fixers on modest lots on Madera Avenue, which some realtors are still scratching their heads over, but, having grown up on a small lake with a swim dock, I think $1,174,000 for a small fixer (tear down?) ranch on the water, with views of Mt. Tam, makes perfect sense.  And then there was the whopper that got away for many of us. Ten offers on a small, oldish, cobbled together house on quiet Montecito street in west Corte Madera -- on nearly a third acre of relatively level, private, sunny land.  My husband and I both had buyers for that one, and he won out, with a good strong offer that reflected the value of the land.  While I’m not at liberty to disclose the price, if you are wondering what your place is worth, here’s a hint.  If you average out the cost of level, buildable land in good sunny locations in the Twin Cities, you’ll find a projected cost of well over $5 million per acre.

 

Just think, you might get more money for that house if you tear it down.  Maybe this will be the next stage in staging?

 

Our local public high school is even more impressive.

 

Sometimes school officials don’t like it when I sing their praises too much, because some of our schools are already overflowing with eager new faces, but in light of what I’ve seen lately at Redwood High School, I have no choice but to sing away.  I was privileged to be part of a group of Redwood parents interviewed recently by members of the California Distinguished Schools committee, which reviews schools all over the state for possible “blue ribbon” awards. The reviewers heard amazing stories from parents about how individual teachers had gone above and beyond the call of duty; about how some graduates, now graduating from college and beyond still come back to thank their former high school teachers.  This team visited with students, teachers, staff and parents, and they made no effort to hide how impressed they were with all that Redwood does, and not just for the really smart kids, but for all types of students.  The diversity of offerings, from academics, to sports, to extra curriculars, well, it’s definitely one more thing for our community to take great pride in.

 

And then there was that rocking Redwood Rocks fundraiser.  Raising nearly double what it had in previous years, the party was a smashing success.  Thanks to a committee chaired by parents Eladia Laines and Laura Edwards, and the work of landscape architect Robin Moller, the PTSA is now well on its way to getting funding a new outdoor lunch plaza at the school.  You can buy a “legacy brick” for your alum or your family, starting at just $100. If you’re interested in reading more about it, go to www.redwoodptsa.org  for more information.

 

And also remember to stay on top of the rec center issues, the twisted 101 re-thinking, the need for senior housing, and for goodness sake, keep in mind that five-story “rumor” at the Village.

 

Onward soldiers!

 

Neighbor Pat

Write me at pravasio@fhallen.com

 

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