Tuesdays at the Lake

Your Boulevardier hauled his kayak to Lake Chabot in the chill of Tuesday morning and went for a paddle. After the rainstorms of previous days, he was interested in how the lake might have been affected.

The answer turned out to be: it was affected very little. The managers of the lake had apparently let quite a bit of water out in preparation for the storms, so the lake remained a good eight feet down. This was most apparent at the fishing docks, which were largely beached.

But the lake itself was serene and beautiful. The mist boiled off the water like ethereal flames, especially where the sun was bright. Light gusts and eddies of the breeze, and even some tiny whirlwinds, were clearly visible in the mist. As paddling commenced, knuckles ached from the cold. For a time the kayak seemed to be the only boat on the lake. Your Boulevardier paddled hard to the rookery tree at the far northeast end of the lake; the tree remains uninhabited.

A few cormorants were fishing, as well as a large raptor with dark brown shoulders, a blond/beige chest, and a blunt head (almost like an owl). The bird circled the lake very high, then tucked its wings and dove after a fish; it did not plunge into the water like a pelican would, but seemed to pull out of its dive at the last minute before splashing down. One couldn't see if he caught anything due to the distance between us. Your Boulevardier is not a birder but would like to know what sort of bird this was.

Why have a Performing Arts Center?

Your Boulevardier is dismayed to learn that the Castro Valley High School band will be playing its winter concert in the cafeteria at Canyon Middle School, and not in the new Performing Arts Center.

The Castro Valley Community Band, of which Your Boulevardier is a member, is also being forced to play its winter concert in the a cafeteria -- while the Performing Arts Center sits dark and idle.

Politics, not scheduling issues, underlie these decisions.

For the record, the High School Band's concert is on December 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Canyon, and the Community Band's concert is on December 20 at 8:00 p.m. at Creekside. Your Boulevardier hopes you will support your local musicians, and let your school board members know that it makes little sense to build a beautiful Performing Arts Center if it is not available for local performing arts groups.

Another Wet Storm

The rain gauge at Chez Boulevardier in the Baywod district of Castro Valley was emptied of an even half-inch this morning.

A drenching downpour has just started, but a peek at the weather radar shows it's a tiny cell moving through.

Your Boulevardier hopes to make it to Lake Chabot sometime this week to see what these storms have wrought.

Post-Thanksgiving Activity

The Trusty BoulevarDog, having eaten too much turkey, has been in need of walks. As has Your Boulevardier. A new favorite stroll is to Valley Java on Stanton Avenue, which just might be the friendliest place in town.

Although Your Boulevardier cannot be considered a regular at Valley Java, he is impressed that the proprietor, Vincent, greets most customers by name. (Indeed, he seems to keep an eye on the tiny parking lot, and can recognize cars; drinks are sometimes waiting when customers reach the counter.) Everything about the shop is thoughtful -- the array of newspapers, the artworks by local painters, the stirring spoons (along with a glass of water for used utensils), even the little shelf by the door so patrons can set down their cups to operate the knob. Outdoor tables allow the Trusty BoulevarDog and other canines to observe the morning's hustle and bustle.

An array of local dignitaries, including retired Judge Peggy Hora (who drives a sporty green Audi TT) and school board member George Granger have been noticed as regulars. Your Boulevardier is certain there are others. It's a shame that Valley Java doesn't have a website, or Your Boulevardier would happily provide a link.

In other news: Your Boulevardier notes, belatedly, that a kind person has left some comments on the site. Apologies are given for not posting the comments in a timely manner -- the fact is, it was a surprise to see that anyone had even found the Castro Valley Boulevardier, as no publicity has been attempted. (A pleasant surprise, it must be said.) And rest assured, the Trusty BoulevarDog will walk up Lake Chabot and/or Redwood Roads soon; although her arthritis might prevent a very long exploration, some short trips are in order.

Something Fishy in Castro Valley

Your Boulevardier decided to walk the length of Castro Valley Boulevard this morning, beginning at Strobridge Avenue and finishing at Center Street. It was decided, for no particular reason, to walk on the north side of the street. It was revealed that our boulevard has fishy bookends.

The westmost bookend we encountered was Connie's Pond and Garden store. Your Boulevardier has walked by many times but never stopped in. Today was no exception -- the store was closed -- but there was plenty to see. Including these lunkers, who live in the window and are well over a foot long. Your Boulevardier does not know what type of fish they are; could a helpful reader chime in?



Continuing eastbound, the walking was pleasant for the most part. A few people were out and about, filling their gas tanks, topping off their caffeine, going to religious services. Yet another dog spa was noticed, this one called Classy Canine Dog Salon. (Your Boulevardier previously noted the opening of Pawsitive Karma.) Some less-pleasant encounters were made -- for example, the vacant storefront next to the Valley Inn will never be leased as long as the tavern lets its inebriated patrons vomit in its doorway.

Some motorists were too busy talking on their mobile phones to watch for pedestrians, but such is the hazard of being a true Boulevardier.

The Pistache and Ginko trees in front of the Safeway at Redwood Road and Castro Valley Boulevard put on a lovely autumn display. And work continues, albeit at a slow pace, on the new diner. A stop at Rudy's was made.

Your Boulevardier made a stop at the second fishy bookend, The Castro Valley Sportsmen's Center. Although it must be admitted that the redworms purchased were for use in the compost bin at Chez Boulevardier, and not for use in angling. Your Boulevardier paused a moment to admire the large stingray (long dead and recreated in fibreglass) hanging from the ceiling.

Now walking with two paper sacks -- one containing redworms, one containing donuts -- Your Boulevardier had to keep careful track of which bag he plunged his hand into for a snack.

Closed Minded

This sign currently resides on the west end of Castro Valley Boulevard. Is CalTrans not telling us something?

Several Random Comments

Your Bouelvardier has been caught up in home-improvement projects and thus has not made many entries to this journal of late. This is not to say that there isn't much to say; just that recreational computer time has been rare. Here are a few brief items to catch up and atone.

This morning the rain gauge at Chez Boulvevardier showed 1.25 inches. And last week it was emptied of .29 inches. Good storms for Castro Valley.

The Christmas tree is up at Castro Village, and some stores have decorations in their windows.

The discussion at the Village Barber Shop today was mostly about real estate, with some talk of the coaches quitting en masse at Castro Valley High School. Your Bouelvardier's nephew, who plays football at the school, has also mentioned this, and apparently there has been some reporting in the paper.

Somebody at JD's reads from right to left; the signs in their windows say, from left to right, "886-6622 Pies Pecan Holiday Delicious JD's."

A new dog spa and boutique has opened on the Boulevard. The Trusty BoulevarDog has not yet partaken of its services.

CalTrans has many detour signs around town (currently cloaked in black plastic), apparently relating to widening work on Highway 238. The funniest is just west of Castro Valley Boulevard; Your Boulevardier will snap a photo and post it soon.