Plus de Aléatoire

Your Boulevardier does not really think that the title of this post means "more randomness," but that was his intention. To wit, a handful of short items are presented. Yours Truly is Castro Valley's answer to the late Herb Caen, only without the talent. Fortunately, there is no shortage of material.

• Well, well, well: Your Boulevardier has noticed that fresh water has been bubbling from a hole in the street in front of Lucca's Delicatessen for at least two weeks now. (He assumes it is fresh water, but has not stopped to check it personally.) Should one call East Bay MUD or the Castro Valley Sanitary District? The leak will be much harder to spot once the rains arrive in earnest, and we do hope they arrive soon.

• Grave Situation: Posters have been spotted on telephone poles around town announcing "Nick's 6th Annual Haunted House and Graveyard." Held on Halloween evening from 6-9 p.m. at 4389 James Avenue in Castro Valley, its tagline is "Come if you dare."

• Pricey But Tasty: The Trusty BoulevarDog finally mustered the brio to visit Pawsitive Karma today. She purchased (with help) a fresh-baked dog treat that strongly resembled an Oreo cookie. The cost: $2.99 plus tax. Goodness. It was savored over several bites.

• Culture Wars? Your Boulevardier has been walking on Redwood Road north of The Boulevard for a few weeks now and has noticed that the campus for Redwood Chapel and Redwood Christian Schools surrounds on three sides the offices of McKinney & Co. (accountants) and Bernie Kempen (family law attorney, famous for his phone number and URL -- (888) ITS-OVER and www.itsover.com). No comment is offered about throwing moneychangers and adulterers from the temple.

• Smile for the Google: A car with a logo for Google Street View was seen cruising our streets this last Saturday. Your Boulevardier has not been able to determine how long it takes from the collection of Street View photographs and data to their appearance on the Internet. Weeks, certainly; maybe months. When it does appear, he will be seen walking on Norbridge Street.

• Brakes are Tapped: Crews on Saturday morning, October 27, were laying speedbumps in the drag strip -- sorry, parking lot -- in front of the new Trojan Stadium. (Is that what the new sports complex is called?) Speaking of the lot, Your Boulevardier notes that many of the non-palm trees in front of the stadium are still wearing their nametags: Platanus Acerfolia Bloodgood. It is a name worthy of a character created by J.K. Rowling.