All Quiet on the West End

The day dawned cloudy and temperate, and Your Boulevardier decided to take advantage of the fact and do a bit of early morning exploring. Well, not precisely exploring, but an extended walk on the Boulevard, from the middle of the East End -- Norbridge Avenue, to be precise -- through Midtown, and to the extent of the West End.

The first stop was, as it often is, Rudy's Donut House. The usual cast of characters were in attendance: older gentlemen talking sports and current events at one table; little girls eyeballing the cases of treats; empty-nesters running into each other on accident and asking how their respective children were faring now that they're out of the house. Your Boulevardier ordered a medium coffee, a blueberry cake donut, and a chocolate raised.

Continuing westbound, we found county work crews kicking up prodigious clouds of dust near the corner of San Miguel at around 8:30 a.m. Your Bouelvardier couldn't determine the actual source of the dust, but another pedestrian explained that they were grinding the pavement. A trail of fine powder ran from Chester Street onto the Boulevard, westbound, scattered by the backwash of passing cars. It seemed a good day to do such work, as rain is predicted for later today -- the dust will be settled, and eventually washed away.

Your Boulevardier proceeded to give his first good look at the remodeled Tony & Ted's Liquor Store. An earlier Boulevardier post commented on the lack of progress in construction, but at this point a concession must be made: the building is looking restored and habitable. (Though the parking lot remains a patched mess.) Among the pleasant touches: two dozen light fixtures in the building that channel sunlight from the roof into the store. So, even without windows on the sides, the store will be naturally lit in the daytime. A county flyer announcing Mr. Son X. Hoang's application for a conditional use permit -- to restore his liquor license -- hung from a nearby telephone pole, the hearing slated for January 25. Though Mr. Hoang has had many troubles with his business in the past, Your Boulevardier wishes him good luck in the hearing.