Musical theater underneath the stars

How do you improve on watching Paint Your Wagon, Lerner and Loew’s 1951 musical comedy set in a Sierras mining town during the Gold Rush?  Possibly by seeing it underneath the stars at the Woodminster Ampitheater, “Oakland’s Cathedral in the Woods,” in Joaquin Miller Park.  The show opens September 2^nd and will close on the 12^th so you’ll need to get your tickets soon to enjoy this classic musical comedy in this one of a kind outdoor auditorium.

A Date with the Emperor at Oakland’s U.S. Chinese Art Museum

Considered the 8^th Wonder of the World, thousands of life-size clay statues discovered in China’s Xian, Shaanxi Province were buried underground to accompany China’s first Emperor into the afterlife in 210 B.C.  These amazing statues are realistic, distinguishable and unique featuring a variety of different ethnic facial features, expressions and hairstyles.  The exhibit opens at the U.S. Chinese Art Museum on September 4^th and tickets should be purchased at their website.

Waterfront Flicks, Sundown on the JLS Market Green

September 9^th:  Dreamgirls.  Casting call or fair warning: we’re told there will be a Dreamgirls-inspired Motown karaoke contest.  With prizes!

September 23^rd:  Land of the Lost. Do you know dinosaurs?  Come test your knowledge with a fun, dino-themed trivia challenge.

Reconceptualizing the Collection at the Oakland Museum of California

Opening the 11^th of September at the Oakland Museum of California, this new exhibit by conceptual artist Mark Dion shines its light into some of the more obscure and darker corners of the museum’s permanent collection.  The museum’s overlooked oddities and treasures are re-imagined and re-purposed into multiple site-specific installations throughout its galleries providing patrons with both a compelling story and a unique experience.

Yachts, Skiffs, Catamarans and More

If it is September at Jack London Square, then you know to expect that some pretty amazing boats are going to be on display.  The Northern California Boat Show takes place from September 15^th through the 20^th just blocks away from home at Jack London Square.  Whether cruising by motor or under sail, this show has the boat just for you.

Come and Get Your Green On!

The Going 4 Green Festival at Jack London Square on September 25^th and 26^th is Oakland’s first Green Festival.  The festivities will include demonstrations by local businesses, tasty food from area restaurants, a kid-friendly fun zone, live entertainment and more.  A portion of the proceeds goes to help support the Oakland Green Youth Arts & Media Center so you can feel even better getting your Green on.

Women of Taste 2010

Food, wine, women and song are all celebrated at the 19^th annual Women of Taste event, a fundraiser for Girls Incorporated of Alameda County.  The East Bay’s finest chefs and wineries will be on hand for you to sample their wares while being serenaded by the Montclair Women’s Dance Band.  This delicious event for a great cause will be held on September 25^th from 6pm until 10pm at the Kaiser Rooftop Garden in downtown Oakland.

Let’s keep our collective fingers crossed that September delivers the best month of summer weather yet!  See you on the town.

Mad Men Meets the Ellington

Design Contest Draws 4,000 Votes in Social Media Buzz

Oakland, CA­–The Ellington in Jack London Square, Oakland’s stylish high-rise community, announced the winner of its new homeowner design contest.  Homeowners Jeff Pittelkau and Erik Olvera-Pittelkau were the inaugural winners in the contest intended to allow homeowners to showcase their creativity, foster a fun sense of community and to demonstrate that The Ellington is not a one-size-fits-all building.

Noting the popularity of interior design television shows and blogs that are popping up, over 4,000 votes were cast in the online contest, attesting to the growing interest in DIY interior design and the rising influence of social media in real estate, interior design and architecture.

Homeowner entries featured a design aesthetic ranging from Asian to boho chic to modern urbanism, but the contest ultimately crowned a duo’s poolside patio condo the winner. Homeowners Jeff Pittelkau and Erik Olvera-Pittelkau, pictured above, moved into their two-bedroom pool south-facing home at The Ellington in the fall of 2009. Intending to go for a “Mad Men” mid-century look, they ultimately landed far into the 1960s and “went with it.” The art hanging behind the couple – Jeff is an advertising executive and Erik is a marketing and communications executive –is a pop art inspired self-portrait, which reflects the ’60s whimsy and panache they bring to their home.

Voters agreed awarding the couple more than 2,300 votes in less than four days through the online contest, a testament to the power of social networking, not to mention more than 30 friends who cross posted the link for the contest on their Facebook and Twitter pages. One friend even shared the contest link with her knitting group, and another with his volleyball league – adding to the overall number of Jeff and Erik’s votes.

“Living here feels like we’re constantly on vacation. We very rarely bring our work home, making it a special place where we relax, and often entertain friends with barbeques and spur of the moment cocktail parties. Being poolside is one of the best perks of our place. Jeff even cancelled his health club membership when we moved here because we now have a heated pool literally in our backyard and an amazing gym with nearly all the equipment of an upscale facility. Honestly, The Ellington is perfect and we couldn’t ask for anything more,” said homeowner Erik Olvera-Pittelkau.

Profiles and photos of all the finalists can be seen at www.theellingtonexperience.com.

About The Ellington

The Ellington’s 134 one bedroom condos, two bedroom condos and penthouse suites opened its doors in May 2009 to rave reviews and a kick-off party featuring former Oakland Mayor, Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown.  The Ellington joins Joie de Vivre’s Waterfront Hotel and Blue Bottle Coffee, as well as veterans such as Kincaid’s and Yoshi’s in the transformation of Oakland’s Jack London Square. The Ellington is adjacent to The Jack London Market, an 185,000 sq. ft. marketplace rivaling Seattle’s Pike Place Market – and the centerpiece of a proposed $300 million expansion of Jack London Square. The Ellington is a perfect location for those interested in modern, urban living with the West Coast’s version of an emerging “Brooklyn” as their backyard.  The Ellington launched its Ellington Club Residences in April 2010, offering homeowners their first chance to enjoy a club living experience in the East Bay.

Lion Heads belonging to a children's group performing at the Youth Stage of 2008's StreetFest

In addition to the Eat Real Fest going down in Jack London Square this weekend, Oakland will also be buzzing during the 23rd Annual Oakland Chinatown StreeFest.  Presented by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, this two day celebration of Asian culture runs from 10am-5:30pm and is free to the public.

StreetFest gives attendees an opportunity to get a taste of Chinatown in a multitude of ways, including a showcase of authentic cuisine and other Asian products.  Arts and crafts, entertainment across three different stages, and a Cultural Village presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center will be able to be enjoyed.

Two great festivals, one great weekend!  I for one am excited to get out and about and explore!

Don't judge the food by its truck, these guys bring you gourmet eats!

It’s that time of year again for the Eat Real Fest, an amazing food and drink festival right down the block from the Ellington at beautiful Jack London Square.  Wildly well received by folks from all over the Bay Area last year, Eat Real gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy big time cuisine at truck stop prices.

As you could imagine you’ll be able to eat and drink to your heart’s content at Eat Real, but that’s just scratching the surface.  Part of the experience includes cooking classes, entertainment, and urban homesteading demonstrations.

For the full schedule and directions.

Here’s a little video recap of last year’s Eat Real Fest

Toy Story, Ratatouille, Up…we’ve all seen these awesome digitally animated gems from Emeryville’s Pixar Studio.  Now the Oakland Museum of California gives us all an opportunity for a closer look inside the renowned studio.

Pixar: 25 Years of Animation is one of OMCA’s newest exhibits running from July 31 to January 9, 2011 and showcases the ingenuity behind some of our favorite animated films.  Featured artwork will include pieces from Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up and Pixar’s latest film, Toy Story 3.

Enjoy the weekend, the museum, and work from an East Bay original!

“Grass to Glass”

The Ellington’s Club Residences receive rave reviews amidst a cultural renaissance in Jack London Square

Single family homeowners are trading in their yards for urban living.  No more worrying about maintaining the lawn, garden, fixtures, and the house.  Now East Bay residents can enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service gym, bridge and city views and concierge services, all without leaving their home.

Just ask Ruth Strauss and her husband, Shaheen Tonse, who have made the Ellington their home.  They have full access to services provided by quality facilities and attentive front desk staff.  “We had been looking for condominiums off and on for the last couple of years.  We looked all over the East Bay.  This building has all of the amenities you could want.  It’s a beautiful facility.”

Other homeowners have agreed by selling their houses and choosing a lifestyle of convenience, luxury and activity.  A brand new building that opened for sales in the spring of 2008, The Ellington has sold half its units and is leading the way for high rise living in the East Bay.

Ellington’s Club Residences

Just this spring the Ellington unveiled its upscale Club Residences (click for virtual tour) on floors 12-15 with a variety of plush features: private keycard access, an elegantly styled private sitting room, customized wood and marble entryways, and hallways exhibiting cutting edge art curated by a local gallery.

Once through the front door of the Club Residences, the new stylings are evident inside the spacious condominiums, which come complete with designer tile backsplashes, pendant lighting and an upgraded, warm color palette.  These upgrades, combined with the Ellington’s concierge service, state-of-the-art fitness room and proximity to the plentitude of new restaurants and shopping in Jack London Square make it a smart choice for savvy buyers looking to combine high design standards and a touch of luxury at a time when value is everything in the home buying market.

The Ellington’s location by Jack London Square bolsters the neighborhood’s committed efforts to bring in more retail, dining and nightlife.  Kim Cole, vice president of sales for Pacific Marketing Associates, which is selling the units in Oakland, says the Ellington has also brought elegance to the area.  “Consumers have recognized that and want in.”

“A bazaar of cultural activity”

Housing markets on the upswing and a thriving local arts scene have had a mutually positive relationship, bolstering each other’s efforts to enhance livability, activity and quality of life.  This has caused a significant shift in perceptions of Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood.

As reported recently in the New York Times, Uptown Oakland has become a bazaar of cultural activity.  Art Murmur, started in 2006 as a monthly tour of eight local art galleries among friends, has grown to accommodate some 20 art spaces and hundreds of people.

With events like Art Murmur, artists have ample opportunity to showcase their work and promote their business.  Thirty years ago there were 2 art festivals in Oakland.  Now there are 30.  Ten years ago there were only a handful of art galleries.  Now there are about 50.

The Fox Theatre recently joined the Paramount as historically restored performance venues attracting thousands of patrons throughout the Bay Area.  They showcase the likes of the Oakland East Bay Symphony to Mary J. Blige, from the Oakland Ballet to Green Day and Jeff Beck.

The neighborhood’s cultural renaissance has made Uptown Oakland an emerging “Brooklyn”.

The ideal home for the empty nester or an up and comer

Empty nester Deborah Cussen, who had lived in Rockridge for 30 years, was looking to downsize to a smaller, single-family home with a garden.  “I have over 270 degrees of views,” she states with enthusiasm explaining she faces San Francisco, the North Bay, and the east bay hills.  “I love the hustle and bustle of Jack London Square and downtown Oakland with the Farmer’s Markets, many fine restaurants and wineries.”

“We definitely traded down from a square footage perspective” explained Jeff and Erik, who recently moved in to the Ellington.  “But we ended up getting something that we are very happy with…The unit is just perfect.”  Being two blocks from Jack London and the estuary, Erik can run for miles along the Bay Trail.  “For the price it seemed like we were getting a lot more in terms of location and amenities here than we would somewhere else…We don’t think we’re going to leave this place because it has everything that we want.  We love living here.

Some of the region’s best chefs and culinary professional are just steps outside the Ellington’s doorway, and dining options are only getting better.  Daniel Patterson, a chef of national recognition, is preparing to launch Plum restaurant. And don’t forget that the centerpiece of Jack London Square will be the actual food hall itself said to be three times the size of the Ferry Building, making it one of the largest culinary marketplaces in the country.

Plum joins other notable establishments investing and growing in Jack London Square: the Joie de Vivre Waterfront Hotel, Bocanova, Miette, Blue Bottle Coffee, and veterans Kincaid’s and Yoshi’s.

The Ellington’s Club Residences are ideal for homeowners like Deborah, Jeff and Erik giving them quality, luxury and service at a great value.  Imagining Ruth Strauss and her husband looking out from their home to the surrounding beauty of the estuary, the downtown, the iconic Tribune Tower and the east bay hills, you can hear them whispering with satisfaction to empty nesters throughout the East Bay, “You feel like you’re on vacation all the time.”

View photos and floor plans at http://www.the-ellington.com.

Fresh Fest

What: The Largest Youth led Eco-Music Festival in the Nation featuring a youth hip-hop competition, healthy food, and a kids zone

When: Saturday, August 14, 12pm-6pm

Where: Mosswood Park, Broadway and MacArthur, Oakland

Why:  In addition to providing green living education and activities, this event has been put together by community groups working to build environmental awareness, sustainable communities, and positive social change in Oakland.

Laurel Street Fair

What: Live music from acclaimed local artists, food and drinks from over 80 vendors including a farmer’s market, a kids and green zone

When: Saturday, August 14, 11am-5pm

Where: MacArthur Blvd., between 35th and 38th Ave., Oakland

Why: To celebrate local talent and create awareness and adoption of sustainable practices.

Attention to those of you who love good food (so all of you), you’re in luck as the best in cuisine will be showcased this week as part of SF Chefs Restaurant Week.

Produced by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, some of the best chefs in the world will be designing unique three course menus for $35 and $50 that will all feature pork in one way or another (because again, who doesn’t like pork?  Okay, some of you might which is why vegetarian options will be available).

Looks like there will be an array of restaurants participating, so revisit your favorite spot or try something new!

Here’s some highlights of last year:

The judges have come to a tough decision that Jeff and Erik and their 10 plan are the big winners of our Ellington Design Contest and recipients of a $1,000 Crate and Barrel Gift Certificate!  Not far behind were our runners up and recipients of a $500 Crate and Barrel Gift Certificate Laura and Matt with their 14 plan.  Thanks to all our finalists…who are not going home empty handed with $100 Gift Certificates of their own!  Everyone’s great work shows the Ellington is the spot to let your personality shine!

Jeff and Erik’s poolside living room of their 10 plan beams with radiance.  Their use of a nice teak wood coffee table and chair create an outside-in look that adds to their sun-kissed theme.  Plants sitting in audaciously tall vases add color and life to the space as does the portrait above the couch, a personal touch like no other!  It’s evident these guys love the sun and enjoy the comfort and style of their home.

Laura and Matt’s Vivacious Dinette Vignette

Cheryl’s Dramatic High-seating Table for Two

Michelle and Sean’s Candlelit Cocktail Lounge

Jeff and Erik’s Poolside Patio Place

Nicole and Ed’s Vibrant Living-lookout over the Bay

All are outstanding, but which one should win?

(polls)