East Bay Home and Gardens

Things with Feathers: Looking Back at Dinosaur Days

By Joe Eaton, Special to the Planet
Tuesday September 26, 2006
I’d like to be able to make some kind of Berkeley connection with the California Academy of Sciences’ new exhibit, “Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries.” But geology is against me. There was no there here during the dinosaur era: the coast of North America ended about where the Sierra Nevada is now. Westward, there were volcanic island arcs, ancient equivalents of Japan or the Philippines, then open ocean. -more-

The Best Guys in Town

By Phila Rogers, Special to the Planet
Friday September 22, 2006
At 10 a.m. every Friday, Mary Ann Broder opens the Friends of the Library Bookstore for business. She’s been doing that since 1998 when the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library first moved into their present location in the Sather Gate Mall housed in the public parking structure a half block below Telegraph Avenue, between Channing Way and Durant. -more-

East Bay Then and Now: Spring Mansion Modeled After Empress’ Island Palace

By Daniella Thompson
Friday September 22, 2006
One of the largest residential parcels in the Berkeley, the John Hopkins Spring Estate, commonly known as the Spring Mansion, occupies 3.25 acres in the Southampton area of the north Berkeley Hills. The property is so large as to require three addresses: 1960 San Antonio Ave., 1984 San Antonio Ave., and 639 The Arlington. -more-

About the House: Home Inspection Confidential

By Matt Cantor
Friday September 22, 2006
Everyone has something particularly annoying about their job. I’m sure yours has at least one (I can see the heads nodding). O.K. It’s more than one. Me too. I’ve got a few and one of these serenity-busters that bugs me the most is being asked which building code justifies an item that I’ve called-out during an inspection. -more-

Garden Variety: Here Come the Fall Plant Sales — Native and Other

By Ron Sullivan
Friday September 22, 2006
When we start thinking good thoughts about rain, it must be the peak of fire season. That means fall planting season is coming soon, and it’s time to start looking for plants to fill in (or overcrowd) our gardens. Especially California natives, because this is a good time to plant them, to take advantage of the winter rains. Even drought-loving plants need a bit of watering help in their first year. -more-

Quake Tip of the Week

By Larry Guillot
Friday September 22, 2006
How Much Food and Water? -more-