Green July Greetings, and Aloha!

San Leandro Office Goes Green — And That’s Just the Beginning!

I’m excited to share some great news: our San Leandro office is now officially a Certified Green Business! With this certification, each Red Oak Realty locations have now earned Green Business status — a milestone that reflects the values we live by every day.

Since we opened the doors to my home office last year, we’ve been working hard to do more than just sell real estate there — we’ve aimed to become a real part of our community. From day one, we’ve had two guiding priorities: Sustainability and Service. For example, this spring, we partnered with Paul George, the CERT Program Coordinator for the Alameda County Fire Department, to help neighbors create household emergency plans. And last month, we hosted our first biannual blood drive to support our community healthcare needs. These aren’t just one-off events — they’re part of a broader commitment to show up for the community we live and work in and contribute in meaningful ways.

That same commitment extends to the environment. Red Oak Realty was the first real estate brokerage in the Bay Area to become both carbon-neutral and green-certified. Earning Green Business Certification isn't about checking a few boxes — it requires meeting high standards across energy and water use, waste management, pollution prevention, and environmentally conscious purchasing. Every decision — from the way we print to how we power our offices — is made with intention.

What does that mean on a practical level? It means we’re using LED lighting, improving insulation, reducing paper usage, installing water-saving fixtures, sourcing sustainable materials, and building a culture that values conservation. It means we’re constantly asking: how can we do better?

To me, this isn’t just about being green. It’s about being a good neighbor — one who cares about our local impact, our shared future, and how we show up in the places we live and work. I’m proud of the work we’ve done, and even prouder to be doing it right here in the community I’ve lived for more than 20-years.

We’ll be displaying our Green Business decal in the window, but what matters more is the daily work behind the scenes — the quiet choices that add up to real change. Whether it’s helping people buy or sell their homes, leading a neighborhood emergency planning session, or making sure our operations align with our values, I believe we all have a role to play in building a more resilient, responsible future.

And speaking of milestones — we’re planning a celebration! As our office turns one this September, we’re putting together an anniversary party to mark the occasion. Stay tuned for details — I’d love to see you there.

If you’d like to learn more about what we’re doing — or if you’re looking for ways to get involved — please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to talk about what this market means for your plans, let’s brainstorm. The right preparation and strategy can turn today’s market into a successful sale.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Explore the history of Sheffield Village with me next month

Did you know that tucked away against the East Oakland hills is an historic neighborhood with deep roots and a unique architectural story? Well, if you live in Sheffield Village, of course you do.

I’ll be leading a Sheffield Village walking tour this August in partnership with the Oakland Heritage Alliance, and I’d love for you to join us. Whether you're a local history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or just curious about Oakland’s most charming and well-preserved residential neighborhoods, this tour will give you an insider’s look at what makes Sheffield Village so special.

We’ll explore the origins of the neighborhood, its distinct design, and the community spirit that’s kept it thriving for generations. It’s also a great chance to walk, talk, and connect with neighbors and history lovers alike. If there’s a story you’d like me to include or if you live in the Village and would be open to having your home featured as one of the stops, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Spots are limited, so if you’re interested, I encourage you to sign up early. I’d love to see you there!

Date: August 16

Register HERE

Rock in the Redwoods

This is a great benefit for Camping Unlimited which is an East Bay non-profit charitable organization that provides out-of-home respite to East Bay parents and caregivers of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Their programs provide relief from the daily demands of care and supervision, while fostering independence, nurturing responsibility, developing confidence, and building lifelong friendships. They provide a supportive atmosphere of planned permissiveness that encourages community, recreation, education, fun, and adventure. The Real Estate Agent rock band Little Marvin and the Gardeners will perform, and the paella is amazing too!

Date: September 6

Register HERE

Other upcoming community events

National Night Out: August 5

Sheffield Village Annual Picnic: September 13

Red Oak Realty San Leandro office Blood Drive: October 8

HOMEOWNERSHIP TIP OF THE MONTH

Check your irrigation system for leaks and efficiency. Now that the warm days are really here and with ongoing drought concerns, it’s a great time to inspect sprinkler heads, drip lines, and timers. Make sure you're watering early in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation, and adjust zones for any new landscaping. A little mid-summer maintenance can help you conserve water and keep your garden thriving.

INSURANCE

Why Smart Water Leak Detectors Are Becoming a Must-Have

Water damage consistently ranks among the most frequent and costly insurance claims—often more common than fire-related incidents. Smart leak detectors are emerging as critical tools in risk management, moving insurers away from reactionary payouts toward proactive prevention.

Insurance Providers Are Getting Serious About Prevention

1. Proactive Risk Reduction

Many insurers now require smart water leak detection systems for certain properties. Having one isn’t optional—it’s a prerequisite for coverage. These systems help detect leaks immediately and often include automatic shut-off valves.

2. Premium Discounts & Incentives

Even if it is not mandatory, installing leak detectors often leads to lower premiums, reduced deductibles, or better renewal terms.

3. Underwriting Advantage for Hard-to-Insure Properties

Properties with prior leaks or located in high-risk zones often struggle for coverage. Demonstrating active risk management through smart detection systems can open doors to better quotes and eligible insurers.

Early detection not only protects property but also preserves insurance premiums and terms.

RECIPE

Our recent trip to the Big Island (see below) has me falling back in love with Poke.

Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Poke Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sashimi-grade ahi tuna (yellowfin), cut into ½-inch cubes
• ¼ cup soy sauce (shoyu)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2–3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 Tbsp sweet Maui onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• ½ tsp Sriracha Sauce
• ¼ tsp Hawaiian sea salt
• 1 tsp limu or ogo (seaweed), chopped
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp grated fresh wasabi

Instructions:

1. Prep the tuna: Make sure it's very cold. Cut into small, even cubes and place in a mixing bowl.
2. Add aromatics: Mix in the green onions, Maui onion, and seaweed.
3. Season: Pour in soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir gently to coat the tuna without breaking it up.
4. Spice it up: Add Sriracha, sesame seeds, salt, and ginger. Toss again.
5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for 15–30 minutes to allow flavors to meld (optional but recommended).
6. Serve: Enjoy it as-is or over warm sushi rice to make a poke bowl or eat with Taro chips. Add toppings like avocado, cucumber, or furikake for extra flair. Wasabi garnish.

TRAVEL

Four National Parks in one week! I flew up to Seattle for a whirlwind National Park trip with my cousin Scott and his 12-year-old son JP. Olympic, North Cascades, and Mount Rainer (see above). We also managed to squeeze in a Mariner’s game, climb down the Space Needle, and have a homemade dinner in my high school’s friend’s backyard where he served us fresh caught white salmon. Amazing and thank you Jim! Then Maryann and I went to Kona and Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park for a week to celebrate my truly big birthday. Climbed two volcanoes in two states in less than a week! We didn’t see any red-hot lava at Kilauea but it was smoking (see below)!

What are your summer plans?

RESTAURANTS

A Big Island Gem – Unforgettable Dining at Merriman’s Waimea

Merriman's Waimea is everything you want in a Big Island dining experience—fresh, locally sourced, and absolutely delicious. From the moment we walked in and read the quote from the founder Peter Merriman: My heroes have always been farmers, we knew we were in for something special. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between casual elegance and island charm. Felt like we were in Napa Valley. Very warm and attentive staff. Ask for the Poke Man!

But let’s talk about the food: the poke was hands-down one of the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly fresh ahi, beautifully seasoned, with tableside grated, fresh wasabi. You can tell they take pride in using only top-quality, local ingredients—and it shows.

Every dish we tried was artfully presented and full of flavor, from the fresh catch of the day Hapu?upu?u to the melt-in-your-mouth short ribs. And the cocktails? Refreshing and inventive, with a focus on island flavors. Known island wide for their Mai Tais.

If you’re on the Big Island and looking for a meal that feels both special and rooted in Hawaiian tradition, Merriman’s Waimea is a must-visit. We'll absolutely be back next time we're in town!

MOVIES/THEATRE/TV

Work and travel have kept us away from the big screen or small screen this past month. I did see that there’s a new Dexter series starting up.

What are you watching?

MUSIC

Not surprisingly, there’s been a lot of Hawaiian music in our home and rental cars lately. To get that Island Vibe anywhere, turn this up. I will be attending the 2025 Mosswood Meltdown. Not familiar?

Mosswood?Meltdown 2025: A Two Day Punk Rock Carnival in Oakland

This weekend, July 19–20, Oakland’s Mosswood Park once again transforms into the epicenter of punk, garage rock, and fringe cultural expression, delivering an unforgettable experience known as The Mosswood?Meltdown

A Riotous Lineup & Curatorial Rebellion

Hosted by the legendary cult?film director John Waters, the festival’s line?up is a multidimensional blend of underground legends and emerging act rebels. Day 1 will feature blistering sets from post?punk veterans like Osees, Californian power?pop titans Exploding Hearts, and raw garage acts such as Bleached and Diesel Dudes and the legendary DEVO. Day 2 will have an equally eclectic lineup, with energetic performances from Shannon and the Clams, Bratmobile, indie?rap spatters from Kreayshawn, angular punk from La Luz, old?school hip?hop vibes courtesy of L’Trimm, all crowned by Waters’s signature excess and offbeat commentary.

This lineup isn’t trying to “fit in” with mainstream festivals—it leans hard into outsider culture, celebrating the unconventional and unpredictable. As promo materials cheekily declare, “Coachella, go-to hella…we will make even the angriest punk-rocker pogo their way to paradise.”

Atmosphere, Aesthetics & Subculture Energy

Mosswood?Meltdown isn’t just about the music—it’s a full-on multisensory cultural carnival. Drawing praise from The Luna Collective, the festival featured everything from drag performances, Japanese Fried Chicken, and absurdist art installations to beach balls wearing thongs, lobsters in fringe, and off?beat drag numbers mingled with pogoing punks. The decor and vendor spaces are a riot of kitsch, nostalgia, and irreverent art, celebrating Oakland’s long?standing reputation as a hub of counterculture creativity.

It feels less like attending a festival and more like stepping into an immersive underground community experiment.

Practicalities & Logistics

Mosswood?Park, near Oakland Kaiser, provides a lush, shady green-scape that allows festivalgoers to move effortlessly between stages, art zones, and vendor areas.

Why It Matters: A Punk?Rock Legacy in the East Bay

Mosswood?Meltdown is more than a festival—it’s a statement. In an age of mass?market homogenized music gatherings, this event doubles down on outsider energy and independent spirit. By championing underground acts across punk, garage, indie?rock, and rap, and spotlighting the irreverent showmanship of John Waters, it underscored Oakland’s vital role in nurturing creative rebellion.

For Bay Area music fans seeking authenticity, Mosswood?Meltdown 2025 offered something rare: a weekend of uncompromised expression, community, and artful weirdness. In the summer’s festival landscape, it stood out as a fiercely unfiltered embrace of the punk?rock soul—no corporate polish, just raw energy and boundless creativity. We’re all DEVO.

Mosswood?Meltdown 2025 reaffirmed that punk is alive and evolving—and that Oakland remains its vibrant beating heart.

Top 10 Conversation Tips

Have you listened to Celeste Headlee amazing Ted Talk about communication? She emphasizes that most of us don’t truly listen—we're too busy planning our next response. She challenges conventional advice (like maintaining eye contact or rehearsing topics) and shares ten practical rules to foster genuine, respectful, and meaningful dialogue. Here’s a Link to her talk.

1. Be present. Give the conversation your full attention—put away distractions. If you don’t want to be in the conversation, be respectful and leave it, but don’t be half in.
2. Don’t pontificate. Avoid monologues or pushing your viewpoint as the only one. If you don’t want to a dialog, write a blog. Or newsletter.
3. Use open-ended questions. Invite deeper reflection by asking “how” or “why” instead of “yes/no” questions. For example, do not say “That must have been scary.” Instead ask “How did that feel?”
4. Go with the flow. Let the conversation evolve naturally, rather than steering it toward your agenda.
5. Avoid equating experiences. Each person’s story matters—don’t respond with “I know exactly how you feel. That same thing happened to me.”
6. Skip self-promotion. Conversations are for connection, not to show off or promote yourself.
7. Don’t repeat yourself. Avoid rephrasing the same point in different ways. Parents and Techers are notorious at doing this.
8. Stay out of the weeds. Keep the discussion clear and avoid overwhelming details. Searching for unnecessary details can make the conversation fall off the rails.
9. Listen. Actively listen with the intent to understand, not just waiting to reply.
10. Be brief.

REVIEW OF THE MONTH

Greg was a knowledgeable and skilled agent who did a fantastic job marketing our home. He showed us an impressive portfolio of his past work, which reflected his experience and attention to detail. Ann L.

I have more than 50 five-star reviews from previous clients. You can use this link to read or write a review about my real estate services: Zillow

REFERRALS

Always happy to talk with you or your friends about your Real Estate goals. I know many great agents who work throughout the country so if you’re thinking about a move…Call me. Let's brainstorm!

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