Blog - Souza Realty - California Lots & Land, Custom Construction

Jauregui - An Architectural Inspiration

One of my architectural inspiration websites is JaureguiArchitect.com (I actually found the link to their website when looking at Cantera Doors, a manufacturer of iron entry doors.) Pronounced "HOW-reg-ghee" they are a Texas design/build firm with locations in Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

I love their "signature" of tiled groin vault ceilings and their use of Roman and eyebrow arches in both exterior and interior details. Take a peek at their portfolio by clicking on the pic above...it's definitely my version of eye candy! :)

Stockton, CA - Oak Park Ice Arena, $5 Ice Skating (Winter Wonderland)

Today through Wednesday (December 21-22-23, 2009), Stockton's Oak Park Ice Arena is offering public ice skating sessions for $5, including skate rental.

Here are the details from OakParkIceArena.com:

Winter Wonderland - Public Ice Skating

Sponsored by:
Emergency Food Bank -Stockton/San Joaquin

Oak Park Ice Arena

Actress Brittany Murphy Dies At Age 32

Here are some fast facts about Brittany Murphy:

• Born in Atlanta, Georgia (11/10/1977)
  
• Died in Los Angeles, California (12/20/2009)
  
• Actress, singer, voice artist
• Started acting in Hollywood at age 14
• Voice of Luanne on King of the Hill in 1997
  
• Dated Ashton Kuchter in 2002
• Spokesmodel for Jordache jeans in 2005
• Voice of Gloria in Happy Feet in 2006
• Married Simon Monjack in 2007
• Set to appear in Sylvester Stallone's film The Expendables in 2010

I loved her character Luanne on King of the Hill...especially how she said, "Uncle Hank..." May she rest in peace.

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From Wikipedia:

Brittany Murphy (November 10, 1977 – December 20, 2009) was an American actress and singer. She starred in films such as Clueless, Girl, Interrupted, 8 Mile, Sin City and Riding in Cars with Boys, and performed vocals on a range of films and with dance musician Paul Oakenfold, together garnering a number one dance music hit in the United States in 2006.

At 8:00 a.m. (PST) on December 20, 2009, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to "a medical request" at the Los Angeles home Murphy and Monjack shared. She apparently collapsed in a bathroom. Firefighters attempted to resuscitate Murphy on the scene, and she was subsequently transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on arrival at 10:04 a.m. after going into cardiac arrest. Cause of death is yet to be determined, but Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told the Associated Press: "It appears to be natural." Full results will not be known until an autopsy is performed, and experts have looked into her medical records and toxicology reports.

Bijan Restaurant - Fremont, CA (Alameda County, California)

Bijan Restaurant is located a couple miles west of I-680 on Mission Blvd. in Fremont. It's in the Lucky Shopping Center behind the ARCO gas station and you need to make a u-turn at the next light if you're coming from the 680 freeway. Bijan Restaurant has belly dancing on Friday nights and it's pretty cool when the belly dancer balances a sword on top of her head while she's dancing!

If you feel like eating Persian food in Fremont, I recommend going to Bijan Restaurant...they have good food, good service and a clean restaurant. They also have outdoor dining with a covered patio, which is a nice option.

The last time we ate at Bijan Restaurant, we shared a Hummus ($5.95) and it was a generous portion for two, which we both really enjoyed. I ordered their Koobideh Kabob ($10.95) with rice, a grilled tomato and veggies...mmm! My husband tried their Prawn Kabob ($16.95) with grilled onions and green bell peppers...it was also delicious!

Bijan Restaurant
39935 Mission Boulevard
Fremont, CA 94536
(510) 440-1755

Homes of Simpson Ranch Estates in Wilton, CA (Sacramento County, California)

Thanks for watching my gallery of homes at Simpson Ranch Estates in Wilton, CA! Wilton is an equestrian town located in Sacramento county, California. Simpson Ranch Estates is a 15-lot community in the northeastern part of Wilton, near Sloughhouse and Hwy 16 / Jackson Highway.

There are currently 5 vacant lots for sale and 1 pending home sale in Simpson Ranch Estates. Each lot is approximately 19-20 acres and the features of some lots include majestic oak trees, a pond or local views. Most of the lots have a 3500 sq. ft. minimum living area, but a couple have only a 2500 sq. ft. minimum.

For more information about Simpson Ranch Estates in Wilton, California, please visit:

Simpson Ranch Estates - Wilton, California (Sacramento County, CA)

Speechless Sunday - Baby Owl...A Day Owl?

I took this photo today in Wilton, CA (Sacramento County, California):

Vinoteca - Danville, CA (Contra Costa County, California)

Vinoteca is located in downtown Danville on Prospect Avenue, just around the corner from Starbucks Coffee on Hartz Avenue. Vinoteca features live music several days a week and they have a romantic "wine bar" type atmosphere...a perfect fit for charming downtown Danville.

Vinoteca offers "small plates...big tastes...great wine!" During our first visit to Vinoteca, we decided to try their "swimmer of the day" fish called "Walu" in Hawaii and Fiji, otherwise known as escolar or butterfish...or super white tuna when served raw as sushi or sashimi. The side dishes we sampled were: french fries (light, crispy and served in a cone-shaped paper-wrapped iron basket), creamed spinach (excellent) and sauteed veggies (delicious). Pardon the poor quality food pics, but it was the best my iPhone could achieve in such low light conditions...only a single tea light lit the table!

Vinoteca
148 E. Prospect Ave.
Danville, CA  94526
925-743-8466

Market Report: Lots / Land For Sale In Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California)

There are a total of 30 parcels within the Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates community in Livermore, CA that are a part of the Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates HOA. There are 14 Ruby Hill Vineyard Estate Lots and 16 Ruby Hill Vineyard Estate Homes. As of today, November 14, 2009, there are 2 lots for sale, 0 pending sales and 5 closed sales on the MLS.

The information below was obtained via the Bay East Association of Realtors MLS and public records:

ACTIVE LISTINGS

1. $1,799,000 - 221 E. Vineyard Avenue, Livermore (listed 9/3/2006)
   • Lot #32
   • 17.46 acres
   • Days on market: 1099
     


2. $1,749,000 - 247 E. Vallecitos Road, Livermore (listed 9/9/2005)
   • Owners: Gurmeet Dhaliwal & Amrita Dhaliwal
   • Lot #1
   • 19.47 acres
   • Loan: $650,000 (Bank of America)
   • Days on market: 762
     

CLOSED SALES

1. $1,770,000 - 203 E. Vallecitos Road, Livermore (sold 3/4/2008)
   • Owners: John Pinelli & Camille Pinelli
     
   • Lot #4
   • 22.01 acres
   • Loan: $950,000 (Santa Barbara Bank & Trust)
   • Days on market: 96
     


2. $1,600,000 - 221 E. Vineyard Avenue, Livermore (sold 6/6/2006)
   • Lot #32
   • 17.46 acres
   • Days on market: 225
     


3. $1,540,000 - 508 Kalthoff Common, Livermore (sold 1/20/2006)
   • Owner: Lothar Maier & Lisa Maier
   • Lot #17
     
   • 20.36 acres per MLS / 20.20 acres per public records
     
   • Days on market: 117
     


4. $1,500,000 - 727 Kalthoff Common, Livermore (sold 9/1/2005)
   • Lot #8
   • 20 acres
   • Days on market: 30
     


5. $1,500,000 - 417 E. Vineyard Avenue, Livermore (sold 8/1/2005)
   • Owner: David Rosa & Michelle Rosa
     
   • Lot #29
     
   • 19.41 acres
     
   • Days on market: 36
   
   

Homes of Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates

Map of Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates

Video of Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates

Market Report: Homes For Sale In Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California)

There are a total of 30 parcels within the Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates community in Livermore, CA that are a part of the Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates HOA. There are 16 Ruby Hill Vineyard Estate Homes and 14 Ruby Hill Vineyard Estate Lots. As of today, November 12, 2009, there are 5 homes for sale, 1 pending sale, 1 closed sale and 1 expired listing.

The information below was obtained via the Bay East Association of Realtors MLS and public records:

ACTIVE LISTINGS

1. $3,998,000 - 417 E. Vineyard Avenue, Livermore (listed 10/26/2009)
   • Owners: David Rosa & Michelle Rosa
   • 7009 sq. ft. per MLS / 7000 sq. ft. per public records
     
   • Year built: 2008
   • 19.41 acres
   • Days on market: 17
     


2. $3,999,000 - 777 E. Vineyard Avenue, Livermore (listed 8/3/2006)
   • Previously listed as 225 Vallecitos Road, Livermore
   • Owners: Robert Noiles & Toby Noiles
   • 5200 sq. ft. per MLS / 5183 sq. ft. per public record
   • Year built: 2007
   • 18.53 acres
   • Days on market: 898
     


3. $4,695,000 - 515 Kalthoff Common, Livermore (listed 10/5/2009)
   • Owners: Paul Cobbe & Ellen Cobbe
   • 7937 sq. ft. per MLS
     
   • Year built: 2007
   • 21.06 acres
   • Days on market: 38
     


4. $4,695,000 - 655 E. Vineyard Avenue, Livermore (listed 7/21/2005)
   • Owner: Signature Properties Inc.
     
   • 8090 sq. ft. per MLS / 7621 sq. ft. per public records
     
   • Year built: 2006
   • 20.24 acres
   • Days on market: 1677
     


5. $4,999,000 - 837 Kalthoff Common, Livermore (listed 8/17/2009)
   • Owners: Barry Shames & Carolyn Shames
   • 7700 sq. ft. per MLS / 7667 sq. ft. per public records
     
   • Year built: 2004
   • 18.01 acres
   • Days on market: 87

PENDING SALE

1. TBA - 611 E. Vineyard Avenue, Livermore (pending 11/4/2009)
   • Owner: Bob Souza & Leilani Souza
   • 7907 sq. ft. per plans
     
   • Year built: 2009
   • 19.79 acres
   • Days on market: 0

CLOSED SALE

1. $5,250,000 - 741 Kalthoff Common, Livermore (sold 3/12/2004)
   • Owner: Jose Picazo Jr.
   • 7891 sq. ft. per MLS / 6395 sq. ft. per public records
     
   • Year built: 2002
   • 18.15 acres
     
   • Days on market: 632

EXPIRED LISTING

1. $3,480,000 - 818 Kalthoff Common, Livermore (expired 2/27/2003)
   • Owner: Michael Thompson & Anita Thompson
   • 4000 sq. ft. per MLS / 3992 sq. ft. per public records
     
   • Year built: 2000
   • 20.36 acres
   • Days on market: 182

Homes of Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates

Map of Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates

Video of Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates

Chevys Fresh Mex Happy Hour - Livermore, CA (Alameda County, California)

Chevys Fresh Mex in Livermore, CA is located at 4685 First Street, next to IHOP and just a stone's throw off I-580 at the First Street exit. We just went to the Pleasanton Chevys a couple of days ago (for the first time in months) and I think I caught Margarita Madness...so this afternoon, we went to the Livermore Chevys for Happy Hour! We enjoyed complimentary chips and salsa and I had three magnificent mango margaritas!

Chevys Happy Hour, Monday - Friday from 3pm to 7pm (in the cantina only)

$3 Drink Menu

• Original Frozen Margaritas
• Domestic Draft Beers
• House Wines
• Well Drinks
• Seasonal Fresh Fruit Margaritas (add 25 cents) - Strawberry, Peach, Melon, Mango and the seasonal flavor, Cranberry

50% Off Appetizer Menu

• Crispy Chicken Flautas - my favorite...ask for extra dipping sauce!
  
• Red Chile Pork Taquitos - this is a yummy trio that comes with guacamole!
  
• Original Fajita Nachos - you can order chicken, steak or combo and each chip is topped individually
  
• Nachos Grande
• Spicy Wings
• Chile con Queso