The 'Guide Me Home to San Jose' Blog

One of San Jose’s most charming neighborhoods surrounds theSan Jose Municipal Rose Garden, and, fittingly, is known as the Rose Garden neighborhood, though nothing on a Google map will evidence that subtle, yet important, distinction.

Purists would say that the street boundaries of the area are between Bascom Ave. and The Alameda and between Naglee and Hedding. In real estate parlance, however, and in the minds of many who live in this area of unique homes, the neighborhood includes a larger area, noted for its bungalows and mansions many dating to back to the 1920’s when the former prune orchard was first sub-divided.

Always popular with San Jose’s ruling class because of its proximity to the downtown area, homes in the Rose Garden currently range in value from modest homes on smallish lots, priced usually somewhat over $700,000, to true estate properties with price tags near $2 million and sometimes more.

Always lovely, it is late spring when the crown jewel of area, the true Rose Garden, takes center stage. Volunteers, in partnership with the City of San Jose, maintain the roses year round so that in May they may dazzle young and old alike.

On January 9th, for example, over 900 volunteers worked to prune about 4,000 roses in just one hour! Even if you do not know a hybrid tea from a grandiflora, you can enjoy, right now, the fruit of their labors. Take time to smell the roses or bring a book or picnic and marvel at the range of colors all around you.

Our Rose Garden is vying to be named the Best Rose Garden in the U.S. Visit, then vote, at www.rose.org/voteform.

Posted By: Colleen Badagliacco

Our first annual Go Green! Eco-fair was held on Saturday May 1st in the parking lot of our office at 1124 Meridian Avenue.

Visitors were able to recycle all manner of electronic waste courtesy of Earthcare Recycling. Many came with trucks and trunk loads to contribute. They won in two ways: recycling in a way that protects the environment and gaining extra space in closets and garages! Ace Hardware collected batteries as well as showcased many of their earth-friendly products. A very interesting item was an affordable, solar-powered attic fan. With summer close on, you may want to stop by and check it out. Additionally, many visitors left clothing and shoes for Innvision, a valuable, local non-profit that provides shelter and support for women and children. A link to their 2010 Wish List is on our website or email me and I will send you a copy.

Thinking of updating, greening, or remodeling your living space? Please consider connecting with Chris Donatelli Builders. They are ‘green certified’ and also have a division offering handyman services. Another popular resource was the booth of EcoProach. They are experts in advising you of ways to use solar and other resources to green your home. Conklin Brothers brought many ideas for natural flooring. Things in this area have certainly come a long way!

My personal favorite, being an avid gardener, was Monster Worms! Their slogan is “Let our worms do the dirty work!” We were all surprised at the ability of the worms to produce wonderful “soil” for enriching your garden. They work fast and for garbage! The Monster Worms website, with more information and ordering information, is found at www.MonsterWorms.com.

If you missed the event, please visit our Eco Fair partners online, and, if you would like two complimentary Altera Real Estate shopping totes, please stop by our office! Watch our website, look us up on Facebook, and check back with this blog for upcoming green events and resources.

Posted By: Colleen Badagliacco