BioBlitz at Almaden Quicksilver County Park

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Bioblitz at Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Photo by Merav Vonshak

When: Sunday, April 30, 2023, 9 – 11am

Where: Almaden Quicksilver County Park
19535 Mockingbird Hill Lane (Mockingbird Hill Lane entrance)
San Jose, CA 95120

Located in the western part of San Jose, the Almaden Quicksilver County Park is a safe haven for many species of plants and animals. Join Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and BioBlitz.club at Almaden Quicksilver County Park in cataloging and documenting all of the living things that reside there. Experts in various fields will be available to help guide participants through all the various plants and wildlife.

Participants are asked to bring a smart phone with the iNaturalist app. Click here for more information and to reserve a spot.

*Community service hours available*

Hosted by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, Bioblitz.club, and Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society.

Supported by Santa Clara County Parks.

February 2023 Almaden Valley Real Estate Market Update

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Almaden Valley’s real estate market climbed out of the holiday doldrums in fine fashion in February. Under contract and sold single family homes posted healthy increases over January. We saw a decrease in the number of new listings during this time period, which may have been an anomaly as we usually see inventory increase as well as the market comes out of the holiday season. In fact, February numbers showed a scant one month’s of inventory versus the 2.6 months we saw in January. When looking at data for the past three years, February has experienced a similar low inventory, but usually an increase from January. This will bear watching as it could be an indication that there may be a shift from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market.

Overall, Almaden Valley real estate appears to be holding a fairly stable pattern. We aren’t seeing the astronomical sales numbers of 2021 when homes were selling faster than they were coming onto the market. Today, homes are taking longer to sell but data is showing there is plenty of interest in Almaden Valley homes, and well-priced homes are finding an eager market.

If you are thinking about selling your home in our always-changing market, give me a call and let me show you how I can help!

February 2023 Almaden Valley Real Estate

Pioneer High School Drama Presents Newsies

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Pioneer High School DramaPioneer High School Drama presents Newsies presents Newsies on March 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 & April 1, 2023, at 7pm at the Pioneer High School Performing Arts Center, 1290 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose. Reserved seating is available at phsdrama.ludus.com. General seating will be sold at the door. Students $8, Seniors (62+) $15, Adults $20.

Water Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake Park 2023

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Water Lantern Festival - Images of lanterns on Almaden LakeTickets are on sale now for the Water Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake Park July 21-23, 2023. Along with entry to the festival, each adult and youth ticket comes with a floating lantern kit, commemorative drawstring bag, and more.

Gates open at 5:30, when you and your family can enjoy food trucks, music and fun! At 8:00 you’ll design your lantern, and then at 8:30 is the Lantern Launch, where you’ll witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns and their lights reflecting upon the water. Learn more about this amazing event and get tickets on the Water Lantern Festival website.

Water Lantern Festival is a proud supporter of Water.org, an international nonprofit organization that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world with safe water and sanitation.

Almaden Community Center 2023 Spring Activity Guide

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Almaden Community Center Spring 2023 Activity GuideThe Almaden Community Center 2023 Spring Activity Guide is now available! General registration for community center classes, spring break camp and a wide variety of summer camps opens Feb. 25 at 10am. You can register in person at Almaden Community Center or online at www.sjregistration.com.

Dozens of week-long full- and half-day summer camps will take place at the Almaden Community Center or at neighboring parks. Camp instructors are from Mad Science of the Bay, Play-Well TEKnologies, Dance Arts Academy, Young Rembrandts, Futsal Kings, Skyhawks Sports Academy, Engineering for Kids, and more.

Early registration for Active Adults 50+ begins online and in person on Wednesday Feb. 22 at 10am. From creative crafts to pickleball, there’s something for everyone!

The Almaden Community Center is located at 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA 95120. For more information about classes, camps or health guidelines, call the Almaden Community Center at 408-268-1133.

Almaden Valley Market 2022 in Review

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The Almaden Valley single family residential market ended 2022 on a quiet note. The beginning of the year showed dramatic price increases but the gains were given back by the end of the year. Increasing interest rates and the economic climate also affected buyer enthusiasm. Although inventory increased quite a bit from 2021, we did not see a similar dramatic increase in home purchasing. This could very well be signaling a return to a more normal market balance between sellers and buyers. If you’re thinking now might be the right time for you to buy or sell, give me a call!

Almaden Valley Market 2022

Almaden Baseball and Softball Little League

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Almaden Baseball and Softball Little LeagueAlmaden Baseball and Softball Little League registration is still open until January 15, 2023. From Tee Ball to Senior League, the Almaden Baseball and Softball little league program includes divisions for all children ages 4–16.

Little League is an all-volunteer organization. The board of directors, managers, coaches, field crews, and umpires are all unpaid volunteers. Parents will be expected to volunteer for a variety of volunteer positions in order to make this year the best ever!

Learn more and sign up at almadenll.org.

October 2022 Almaden Valley Real Estate Market Update

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Almaden Valley real estate has entered the more leisurely holiday period, when we expect the market to slow as the holidays progress. In looking over the previous several months, we can see that the frantic pace of 2021 was not repeated in 2022. In fact, the market appears to be much more in alignment with pre-pandemic times as far as pending and sold listings are concerned. Inventory is still a bit tight but not enough to fuel the vigorous bidding wars of 2021.

The price per square foot is where we can see the market transitioning to a more stable place. April 2022 saw a peak of nearly $1100 per square foot, while October posted a more moderate $842. Although this number is lower than the $882 of October 2021, it is up a healthy 18% over the $712 from October 2020.

Overall, the Almaden Valley real estate market appears to be resuming a more sustainable pattern. We can expect things to continue cooling through the holidays as is what we expect for this time of year. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, give me a call!

October 2022 Almaden Valley Real Estate Market

Run Turkey Run is Back!

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run turkey run 2022Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers!

Almaden’s annual Thanksgiving “leftovers” Run Turkey Run event is finally back after the pandemic! The event will be held on Saturday, November 26th, at 8:30 AM. Run Turkey Run is a Thanksgiving-themed fundraiser which supports Bret Harte Middle School’s Booster Club. As many of you know, each year I support various fundraising events to benefit Almaden’s public schools, and right now I am proud to be one of the Gold Sponsors for this event.

Runners can participate in the 10k race, which begins at 8:30 am, or the 5k race, which begins at 8:40 am. The event is open to participants of all ages, and the run begins and finishes at Leland High School.

T-shirts and registration packets are available for purchase at Bret Harte Middle School’s cafeteria until November 25th for $35, and for $40 on November 26th for late registration on the day of the event. Pre-race packet pickups will be held at Bret Harte on Wednesday, November 23rd from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and on Friday, November 25th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Be sure to show your support for Bret Harte’s Booster Club by participating! Join in the fun!

For more information regarding Run Turkey Run 2022, click here or call Bret Harte Middle School at (408) 535-6270.

Almaden Valley Halloween 2022

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Almaden Valley Halloween 2022Trick or Treat? Halloween is here. Almaden residents, are you ready for the spirit of Halloween this year? If you are giving out candy, do consider putting yourself on the Nextdoor neighborhood treat map so the little tricksters don’t miss your home.

Almaden neighborhoods are promising to be spooktacular this weekend. In the Graystone neighborhood, look out for the Watanabe family’s Disney themed Halloween display, especially for the little ones; they will also be passing out allergy friendly treats. On Alston Way, the Miller family promises a frightful and ghoulish experience with their display of ‘Nightmare on Alston Way’.

Villagewood Way is hosting a neighborhood potluck block party on Monday, October 31st, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with candy and a kid-friendly movie. All are welcome. The Almaden Neighborhood Church is organizing a “Trunk or Treat” on Sunday, October 30th, from 6pm-8pm. Participating families are invited to decorate the trunks of their cars and pass out candy in the church parking lot. This is a fun and free community event. For more information, visit: www.almadenchurch.org.

While you are enjoying the spirit of Halloween with your families and little ones, ensure a safe Halloween for everyone. Be especially careful with pets around pumpkins, candles and jack-o-lanterns. The San Jose Fire Department has put together a Halloween safety guide for those out celebrating. For information on these, visit: https://bit.ly/HalloweenSafetySJFD.

Post-Halloween, let’s all be mindful of the environment. The County of Santa Clara Household Hazardous Waste Program is offering free Halloween-related household hazardous waste disposal (HHW) by appointment. Please consider using their service for decorations with lights, electronics, batteries, and costumes with paint etc. Go to HHW.org or call 408-299-7300 to make a free drop-off appointment.

Happy Halloween 2022!