From the JoeBurnsBlog: August 2009

Many call Greenbrae a city, most a neighborhood and some a planned community.  This unique little area of central Marin County is actually a County Service Area (CSA#16 to be exact.)   Greenbrae is ideally located near the major north/south traffic corridor of Hwy 101, it lies just north of the main entry into Ross Valley and is a quick jaunt to the eastbound Interstate 580 (Richmond-San Rafael bridge) to the East Bay.(Contra Costa County, Alameda County, Oakland, etc).   Just over the hill to the north of Greenbrae is the county seat of Marin and commerce hub, San Rafael.  If one was to pick an area of Marin to optimize its proximity to transportation, (Hwy 101, I580, Larkspur Ferry), Shopping (Bon Air Center), Views (Mt. Tamalpais to the southeast, bay view to the southwest), Funkyness (Ross Valley, Fairfax, San Anselmo and the road to Bolinas).  You really can't find a more practical location to all that is Marin.

There is a Main Street, America feel about Greenbrae.  The level streets are lined with big Elms, Oaks and the occasional Pine.  There are original roundabouts and nicely manicured meridians. (paid by the small annual landscape maintenance fee)

And what really is the best thing about Greenbrae, the schools.  CSA#16 is part of the Kentfield Unified School District, which includes Anthony Bacich School (K-4), Kent Middle School (5-8) and Distinguished Redwood High School, all Statewide Ranking of 10 in API.

Bacich scored 936 on the 2008 Base API, second in the county only to Mill Valley's Tamalpais Valley Elementary.  Kent Middle School earned a 920 Base API (2008) and Redwood High once again led the county with an 880.  These schools in sum are the cream of the crop for the area.  Sure, you pay a little more in county taxes for the Kentfield School assessment, but were talking a couple hundred a year and that is absolute peanuts when you consider the level of public education here. 

If private or parochial schools are your thing, then Marin Catholic is right down the street adjacent to Bacich Elementary.

Local shopping at the Bon Air Center, on Sir Francis Drake, includes Mollie Stone's, Secret Garden Children's Clothes, Destination 1440 Marin and Long's Drugs.  All the major banks are in the area and the usual food suspects of Peet's Coffee, Jamba Juice and Noah's Bagels are all across the street from the Greenbrae entry point. 

Median price of sold homes in Greenbrae for 2009 (to-date) is $899,000.  Though many of the homes on the hill with views exceed $1.25 million, there remains a offering of $800-1m properties.

Greenbrae is the Ideal Marin County Neighborhood and it is relatively affordable for Marin comparisons.  If you would like more information regarding Greenbrae or other Marin County neighborhoods, contact Joe Burns at JoeBurnsMail@gmail.com.

Cigarette Butts are litter, they are fire hazards, they are eye sores and they are bad for the environment.   On, at least, a monthly occurrence I witness someone tossing a lit cigarette butt out their car window.  This is a lit object that often bounces recklessly on the pavement before settling in a shrub or foliaged area and is then fanned by the speed of the passing cars.  Nice.  I just don't get it, what is someone thinking when they do this?  Is it a lack of education?  The website wwww.cigarettelitter.org claims that many smokers know that littering is wrong, but they convince themselves that a cigarette butt is safe.  What I find even more ironic is these people choose not to have the retired butt in their own car's ashtray, so they flick it into the general public. 

I can tell a ‘flicker' before they commit the deed.  These are usually the smokers that hold the cigarette out of the car window while their smoking.  Kind of like they really don't want the thing smelling up their car.  They bring the cig to their mouth, take a hit and stick their hand right back out, slightly sheltered by the side mirror. (Objects may appear closer than they are).  Then blow the smoke out their window too. 

Now, I have my vices and I hate to come down on someone who began a bad habit for whatever reasons and now just cannot quit.  But, as a vice that does affect other people, how about keeping it a little more to yourself?  I will even go as far as supporting a smokeless public someday, with still allowing people to do what they wish in private.  If smokers had policed themselves a little better, then maybe I would have a little different opinion; but as long as the narcissism of smokers condones the impact of their habit on to me, then they lose my support. 

Cigarette Butts are litter and I encourage all citizens to politely say something when they witness an environmental assault.  Remind the litterbug that this is your town and it is not ok to litter an acetate filter on to the pavement.  Respectively let them know that these butts often end up in the water supplies and endanger aquatic life.  Fish may not know the difference between bait and dinner, but they do know enough to not smoke. 

407 Pine St., Mill Valley   -   $625,000

Level lot in Mill Valley, great opportunity for someone to come in and renovate the property to their liking.  The wood floors look salvageable , the mature landscape adds immediate character and the location in Tam Valley is great.  The neat feature of this property is the well in the back yard for irrigation purposes.  Does the well need periodic checking?  Is it legal to pump?  Why only irrigation-use?  All great questions, if you're interested I will find out for you.

50 Eucalyptus Knoll, Mill Valley    -    $699,000

We are not necessarily in a condo market, based on lending restrictions and market conditions; HOWEVER, if one were to choose a condo, this should be it.  The owner has done an excellent job in decorating and presenting this end-unit condo with a wonderful setting.  2 bed/ 2 bath, Corian countertops, stainless steel appliances, dual sink master bath, large walk-in closet, 1 car garage, community pool, all surrounded by lush landscaping.  This is a winner.

10 Walnut Ave, Mill Valley   -   $850,000

Built in 1913 and recently updated, this home offers lots of space for entertaining.  There is converted attic space and basement space, including the original 1-car garage turned workspace.   Beautifully remodeled kitchen.  It is located in a premier downtown Mill Valley location and has wonderful front windows and landscape.

Sorry for the limited lineup, I had my daughter in the car with me and after 3 she demanded park time.