We have been following the progress of Savvy Cellar II in Mountain View with much anticipation.  We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful addition to our Mountain View community.

Update from week 13, courtesy of their Facebook Fan Page : Signage and outdoor patio enclosure complete. Next up minor interior finishing, retail racks, stereo and POS.

If you haven’t had a chance to see what all the excitement is about, have a look at their Flickr Slideshow.

We can’t wait for the grand opening which should be announced within a few days. Tentative plans are for a grand opening to take place within a few weeks after final building approval.

Stay tuned!!

On Saturday, April 3, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,  Bike Party will ride LONGER and FARTHER than ever before, visiting places where Bike Party tires have yet to tread.

This special event will take you along the city limits of the great City of San Jose with 30, 60, and 100 mile versions of the ride.

The 30 and 60 mile rides are designed like Bike Party routes: relatively flat rides that explore unique areas of town while staying visible to the community at large. Both routes are fun and have easy access to service around the city. These two groups will stay together the way a test ride or pre-ride does, keeping the party and community vibe alive.

The 100 mile ride offers experienced riders the chance to complete a century ride in some truly wonderful areas of San Jose. It also gives anyone who has wanted to ride 100 miles but has never been able to – either because of lack of time, registration fees, a good route, etc. – the opportunity to push themselves to the limit and complete a ride around the city limits. This version of the ride will take bicyclists into some beautiful areas of the East Foothills, Coyote Valley, and Almaden. Riders may decide to stick together on this route or go it alone or in smaller groups.

All three versions share the first 20 or so miles and begin riding at the same time, giving us a large group to ride with. Rest points/regroups will be located in city parks with restrooms and drinking water.

For route changes/updates or for more information visit their site.

event text courtesy of YELP

This Wednesday everyone turns Irish (it seems) in order to partake in the festivities. What are your plans for Saint Patrick’s Day? Whether you plan to stay at home and celebrate by cooking your favorite traditional foods — Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage + a number of green-tinted libations or you plan to head downtown to mingle and mix, we have you covered!

St. Stephens Green Irish Pub in Mountain View is starting this week with an Irish whiskey tasting paired with dishes such as smoked salmon on Irish soda bread ($35), while  Sakoon is offering lamb Irish stew ($20) and an Irish whiskey tasting with Indian Food Paring from 6-9 pm ($25). If you work in San Jose, O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub will be hosting its annual St. Patrick’s celebration with live music, Irish dancing, food and, of course, plenty of Guinness. And for those in the opposite direction Martins West in Redwood City is offering a gin tasting with K & L Wines on March 16th.

Some popular hot-spots close to Gables End Community:

Molly McGee’s 241 Castro St., Mountain View; (650) 961-0108.
St. Stephens Green Irish Pub 223 Castro St., Mountain View; (650) 964-9151.
Sakoon 357 Castro St., Mountain View; (650) 965-2000
Martin’s West  831 Main St. (near Broadway), Redwood City. (650) 366-4366.

Cooking Skills?

Sunset Magazine put together a nice comprehensive list of all the traditional Irish Fare with a Foodie twist. Click here for the recipes: A Foodie’s St. Patick’s Day

Staying home? Watch this video on Guinness:

Need some “me time”?

The stress of everyday life can take it’s toll on your physical and mental health.  That is why it is so important to schedule some time to rest and rejuvenate yourself.  What better way than a relaxing spa treatment.  We are lucky at Gables End to have an incredible spa experience right here in our very own Mountain View community – Embody Wellness Spa.

Named Best Day Spa in Silicon Valley by the San Jose Mercury News in their 2008 Reader’s Choice Rankings, Embody Wellness Spa is best known for its high quality massages and facials. Their massage services also include deep tissue, hot stone, and advanced modalities such as fertility/pregnancy massage, and Orthobionomy™.

The Spa’s holistic approach also includes waxing; teeth whitening; yoga and wellness seminars on topic ranging from stress reduction, nutrition, fitness and creating a wellness
environment in your home.

So check them out at their website, their blog , Facebook or follow them on Twitter!

We love our local businesses in Mountain View! Gables End also hosted Embody a favorite on the Gables End Facebook Page + listed the spa on its Twitter local list for your convenience.

Planning on purchasing a new home but not sure where to start?  A basic understanding of your credit score is an important first step in the process of acquiring your dream home.

When applying for a mortgage, a lender will review your credit history. A negative history can have an effect on your new mortgage regarding rate and down payment requirements. Blemished credit is both stressful and costly, but it’s not the end. If you are ready for the commitment to purchase, plan ahead. There is still time to improve your credit history and take advantage of home ownership in today’s real estate market.

1.  Obtain a copy of your credit report. Credit Reporting Act guarantees you access to a free credit report from each of the three nationwide reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — every twelve months. It’s free here.

2.  Eliminate issues – Pay down large sums of any revolving debt. Spot identity theft. Dispute any inaccuracies.

3.  Practice good habits – Lenders will be looking at your rental payments, car payments, etc. Pay your bills on time! Most lenders look for 1 year’s worth of good history. Demonstrate to a lender you are capable of making monthly mortgage payments.

4.  Establish a credit history – If you lack one, secure a credit card and begin making timely payments. Make sure the credit card company reports your payment history to credit reporting agencies.

5.  Talk about housing needs with your significant other – Do you have realistic goals? Do you share priorities and a vision of what your new home will be? Does the area include future employment opportunities? Your first home may not be your dream home, but it should be a place that you envision sharing for a minimum of 2-3 years.

Purchasing a new home in today’s climate certainly has its advantages, including historically low rates, competitive pricing, tax write-offs and tax credits. Don’t be discouraged by a less than stellar credit report. Make the changes today so that you are prepared for tomorrow.

With all the buzz around the release of Apple’s new iPad, you may be giving some thought to buying a new electronic device. Or maybe this is the year that you upgrade your mobile phone to a smartphone. Let’s face it, there are plenty of new electronics out there to make even a self-acknowledged geek get a crush.

Electronics are part of our daily lives.  We couldn’t live without them.  But have you given much thought as to how to properly dispose of your old electronics after you have purchased new?

Computers, televisions, mobile phones, game players — we upgrade and toss out the old ones fast. But these gadgets can’t go into the garbage because they’re filled with toxic materials. Many manufacturers and retailers are starting to take their electronics back, so you don’t have to deal with it.

So if you are looking for hints and tips regarding recycling electronics, look no further than Earth911.com. And they don’t just do electronics; they have categories ranging from Hazardous to Households and from Metal to Garden. We found it to be an excellent recycling reference.  It’s nice to find a spot that tells you how to dispose of that  1/16 gallon of paint that is left over from painting your den. They even have their own free iPhone app. Of course they do, right?

Other sites to reference:

The City of Mountain View  E-Waste

Santa Clara County Hazardous Waste Program

Tech Crunch recently reported that our very own Google HQ in Mountain View wants to change its nearby zoning to create a Googletopia, a campus that extends its work –live atmosphere and solidifies Mountain View as a premium destination and leader in both technology and sustainability……

Here’s an excerpt from the copy of the letter to the City of Mountain View
(Recently posted on Tech Crunch):

“We are writing you to express our preferences for the future of Google s continued growth in the City of Mountain View We would encourage you to provide opportunities for the North Bayshore area to continue to be the center of sustainable development for Google’s HQ campus

Our goals for Google s HQ are to provide a future redevelopment that is nurturing and regenerative to the environment provide a vibrant community and worklife balance for all and efficiently manage transportation and pedestrian access needs. This must include mixed uses office retail and residential along with the kind of land use development described in the Final Report by the Mountain View Environmental Sustainability Task Force. We encourage you to be the model Silicon Valley community leading the way with visionary development opportunities to create the most efficient sustainable and fiscally supportive plan to the community of Mountain View and the North Bayshore area.”

Having Google in Mountain View has been very good for those living in our city. Besides the employment opportunities, Google supplied free Wi-Fi throughout Mountain View back in 2006, making Mountain View the first city in the nation with free Wi-Fi citywide access.  Click here to see coverage.  And now with Google’s vision for Googletopia, a massive expansion and sustainable undertaking, Mountain View is poised to lead the nation in innovation and livability.

Did you start of the New Year with a “Diet Resolution”, only to be tempted by all the great eats we have in downtown Mountain View? (Not to mention a few extra tastings at local brew houses in celebration of SF Beer Week.)

So you haven’t given up desserts or hit the gym yet. You can still trim-up financially. Let’s face it…taxes are just around the corner and budget are on our mind.  By adjusting your insurance policies, you may be able to save hundreds annually on your premiums! Plus, cutting costs gives you quicker results than those sit-ups you’ve been working up the courage to start.

We recently stumbled upon this clever guide via insuranceagents.com, outlining 4 simple steps homeowners can take to cut out the extra calories and fat in their budgets spent on home insurance.

The article’s four recommended ways to trim up include boosting the policy deductible, living in low-risk areas, and demonstrating selectivity when insuring content in the home.
<Read Article Here> Or See the 4 steps summarized below:

1. Before purchasing home insurance policies, homeowners should take an inventory of personal belongings and home content. Being selective when insuring contents in the home may help you save.

2. Raise your deductible and put the extra cash in an interest bearing account. If you need to file a claim, the amount in the account may be much more than your deductible.*

3. Shop Around. Shopping online for insurance quotes is fast, free and easy for homeowners looking to save a little money. Check with a local agent who may be able to provide a better policy and match the best rate you find online.

4. Check to see if you live in low risk areas. If you live on a river and are more likely to flood (flood zone) insurance rates may increase significantly.
*This posting is intended for informational purposes only.  Advice from the article’s author in no way reflects or represents planning advice by Regis Homes or Gables End team.

Gables End is pet friendly! With Sierra Vista Park just steps from your front door and easy access to many city park’s, along with Shoreline Regional Park, it’s easy to see why so many pet-owners can make Fido’s dreams come true by owning a home at Gables End in Mountain View.  Since many of our homeowners are active professionals and work often takes them away from home, we thought we’d share a local business that we stumbled across: Doggieville.

Looking for someone to take care of your best friend while you’re away on your next business trip?  Somewhere where your four-legged friend can spend time with other doggie pals in a pet-friendly environment?

Look no further than Doggieville! They offer a wide variety of services for all your pet’s needs, whether it is daycare, sleepover, grooming or training. They provide a full range of services.

A complete list of services and rates can be found on the Doggieville website.  They offer evaluations, which helps to determine if their facility is a good fit for you and your dog, and how to provide the best care for your dog.  Evaluations are held Tues-Thurs, between 9a-12p, and between 2-4p. An appointment to schedule a Saturday evaluation is also available, if necessary.

We’ve never personally used Doggieville, but you can easily see that they are a Mountain View favorite. Check out their reviews on YELP.  Doggieville – giving you the peace of mind that your best friend is well taken care of until you see them again.

For those of you looking for a spot to walk and play with your buddy, here’s a list of local parks nearby our community at Gables End in Mountain View.  Rules for Dogs in City Parks

• Shoreline Park (dog-run area)
  Northeast corner of Shoreline Blvd. and North Road (east of Shoreline Park entry gate)
  For more information visit the Mountain View Dog Park Place or call the Shoreline Park office at 650/903-6392.
  
• Sylvan Park
• Charleston Park
• Rengstorff Park
• Eagle Park
• Whisman Sports

A Summary of all Mountain View Local Parks

Nothing beats the experience of a Farmers’ Market….the sights, the smells and colors are all a welcome escape from our daily, hectic lives.  Our Gables End community is very fortunate to have one of the best farmers’ markets right here in downtown Mountain View.

The Certified Farmers’ Market in Mountain View is big and has an excellent selection of flowers, cheese, fruit, veggies, fresh meat, fresh bread and pastries, ethnic food and even entertainment for the little ones! The best part: you can enjoy it year-round!

Check out all of the positive reviews from locals and visitors who have had great things to say about the farmers’ market on YELP

Next Sunday, after your morning cup-o-joe, venture out and have a look! The Mountain View Farmers’ Market is less than 3 miles from your front door at Gables End. Just one more reason that living at Gables End is one of the best decisions you can make regarding housing options on the Peninsula.

Mountain View Farmers Market – California Farmers’ Markets Association
Day: Open all Sundays
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Features: Approx. 70 growers and food purveyors at peak season.
Location: Downtown Mountain View Caltrain Station Parking Lot – 600 West Evelyn
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