Castro Valley Post Office Hangs Up On Payphone

Perhaps it has been this way for a while, but Your Boulevardier just noticed today that the payphone has been removed from the Castro Valley Post Office. The spot is just a blank wall now, with poorly patched holes. One hopes that another stamp machine or some other useful thing will be put in its place. Or maybe something beautiful could be installed there, such as the painting of the Postal Jeep that used to hang by the teller windows. (One wonders what ever happened to it.)

Your Boulevardier Does Not Understand Show Business

An article appeared in last Wednesday's Daily Review, announcing that two Castro Valley High alumnae, singer Alice Lynn and and cellist Kathleen Davis Blair, will appear in a fund-raiser for the Castro Valley Center for the Arts on February 29. Sounds lovely.

The article also said the fund-raising performance will be held at Redwood Chapel.

Why is it not being held at the Center itself?

Community Supported Agriculture Comes to Castro Valley

Your Boulevardier has heard that Eatwell Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) outfit in Dixon, will soon have a dropoff point in Castro Valley.

CSAs -- also called "subscription farms" -- allow people to receive a delivery of fresh, seasonal, oftentimes organic produce on a regular basis. Recipients pay for produce up front and receive whatever's available for the week; the steady income helps the farmer to stabilize and plan his operations, both financially and agriculturally. (The links above describe it better than Your Boulevardier can.)

An informational meeting for interested parties will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the meeting room at Supervisor Nate Miley's office, 20993 Redwood Court (near, dare one say it, Taco Bell) in Castro Valley.

Nesting Instinct

It's an ideal time of year to get out of doors and look up. The deciduous trees in town are leafless, making any nests they host (vacant, for the most part) much more visible. Your Boulevardier noted dozens of nests, ranging from tiny hummingbird cups to large aeries for big birds unknown, all around Castro Valley on a walk this morning. When the trees leaf out these nests will disappear into the foliage, but spotting them now can give viewers a clue as to where to look for birds come spring and summer.

In a related note, on a kayak outing to Lake Chabot yesterday Your Boulevardier noted one heron staking out a residence high in the rookery tree near the lake's northeast corner. This is always a good birdwatching show later on in the spring and summer. Subsequent reports will be posted.

'Nixon' Off The Schedule?

Your Boulevardier has read a report that Trinity Lyric Opera may not present John Adams' "Nixon in China" this year after all due to a disagreement with the publisher. One hopes that this misunderstanding can be cleared up.