Rodeo Parade is Coming

A week from Saturday (that is, May 9) will be the annual Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade on Castro Valley Boulevard in Castro Valley. The night-before Chili Cookoff is also in the works, but it appears from the schedule that the morning-of Pancake Breakfast is not being held this year.

Since it is never listed in the promotional materials, Your Boulevardier reminds readers that the Castro Valley Community Band, of which yours truly is a member, will perform in the parking lot of Castro Village starting at 9:15 a.m.

Assert Your Independents!

Yes, Your Boulevardier can spell "independence." The headline is a play on words to alert readers that this Friday, May 1, is "Buy Indie Day" -- a day when we are encouraged to patronize our local independent bookseller.

This is an easier task in, say, New York City than it is here in the City of Lite. Still, we have Jordan's in the Village, which also carries scrapbooking supplies and has delightful window displays; and Avalon, which offers new age books.

If you're willing to cross the freeway, Your Boulevardier is partial to The Book Shop in Hayward. And he has information that changes are afoot at the shop.

Related: this Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, and Castro Valley's own Crush Comics is participating. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., local artist Justin Greenwood will be there.

Apostrophe Wrench

Your Boulevardier hsa walked past it several hundred times, but only recently noticed the very nice hand-painted sign for Sal's Foreign Auto Service on Castro Valley Boulevard.


Note the clever use of a wrench for the apostrophe.

The office for Sal's is in the Quonset hut that was formerly the Bubble Palace coin laundry, if memory serves. (Frère de Boulevardier played for the Bubble Palace Little League team many decades ago.) Sal's service bays are around the corner.

BART Parking Fees Kick In

Your Boulevardier drove by the Castro Valley BART station this morning at around 7:45 a.m. on his way home from yoga class. The parking lot at the station was not full, which is unusual for that time of day. So, with one day's experience, the dollar-a-day parking fee appears to be having some effect on ridership.

So you know, Your Boulevardier is not necessarily opposed to the new parking fee. He does wonder, however, how much of a revenue-generator it really will be. Because someone must check the occupied parking spaces against the records of the parking fee machines, in order to find out which spaces are not paid; then that person must write tickets. (Perhaps he is wrong, but Your Boulevardier assumes this is not done by BART police, who have enough on their hands already.) And then someone at the BART headquarters must process those tickets and send out delinquency notices when they're not paid. All of these tasks take considerable labor hours, which can equal considerable cost. And then there's the lost fare revenue, and the cost to maintain the parking-payment machine, and to keep the new parking space numbers and fee-related signage clean and up to date.

In all, there can be a lot of costs associated with collecting money.

More Trash Talk

On his evening constitutional Your Boulevardier noticed this overflowing refuse receptacle by the bus stop next to Safeway on Castro Valley Boulevard.

The Castro Valley Sanitary District will be contacted to inform them of the problem. None of the other trashcans on the Boulevard were similarly stuffed; one does not know if this one gets extra use, or if it was passed over in the last round (or two or seven) of collections.

And speaking of trash receptacles, the earlier post entitled "Yes We Can" about Castro Valley's new residential trashcans has attracted a better-than average number of comments. (Not that one would ever deign to call the esteemed and loyal Wudas "average.") Your Boulevardier is, of course, not an official of the Sanitary District so he cannot answer any of the fine questions posed by readers; however, some of them are addressed here.

And he will describe his own experience with the new cans (which, by the way, the District calls "carts," but Your Boulevardier does not).

The crew came through the Baywood District this last Tuesday delivering the new cans, and the delivery proved to be a strangely hypnotic operation. A flatbed trailer loaded with nested new cans was pulled along slowly by a truck. One worker stood on the moving trailer, putting wheels on each can and dropping it onto the street; another worker rolled one to each home. Another truck came through and collected the older garbage and recycling cans.

For reasons inexplicable, the pick-up vehicle left behind the old-style green-waste cans, even though the new ones for the same purpose had been delivered. As of today, three days later, the green can at Chez Boulevardier has still not been taken away, and Your Boulevardier is close to considering it a gift from the district for use around the yard. One can always use another sturdy trashcan with wheels.

Also of note: a surprising number of homes in the neighborhood have not yet rolled their new cans from the street and back to their yards. Perhaps they do not recognize them as theirs. Or perhaps the new cans are just too new and clean to put trash in. (Your Boulevardier admits that he can relate to this feeling.) Or maybe it's like a baby animal that has been touched by human hands: its mother rejects it because it does not smell right.

More Tenacity of Life

It's the first full day of spring, and on warm days like those we've been having, Your Boulevardier misses the star jasmine that was formerly a feature of the landscaping -- such as it was -- at the Castro Valley Post Office. Earlier this year the plants were all removed and water-efficient landscaping was installed.

The removal of the shrubbery around the base of the flagpole has exposed the back of the sign rooted in the planter. The backs of the signs clearly show their reuse, and the bits of jasmine wood that the landscapers could not extract from the pole show just how determined that plant was to succeed in its environment. (Click the photo for a better view.)

Castro Village Remodel Goes Before MAC

Next Monday, April 27, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) will hear about the plans to remodel the Castro Village. Plans for the remodel can be viewed at the Village Barbershop.

This will not be the first time the center has undergone renovation, of course. A representative of Crosspoint, the company that manages the property, told the Castro Valley Forum last January that "There will be no major changes to the town-and-country theme of the village. It will still look and feel the same. Our goal is to build upon what we have to create this as the shopping destination in town."

Your Boulevardier is grateful to his friend Stephanie for loan of the vintage Castro Valley postcard. Readers can click on the photo for a better view.

AMENDMENT: Your Boulevardier belatedly realized that this was a fairly lame post. It contained no insight, observations, or opinions on the situation, just a report. Apologies.

When Crosspoint said it didn't plan to change the village's theme, Your Boulevardier was mighty relieved. The worst thing that could happen, he believes, would be to try to make the Village -- and the town of Castro Valley -- over into something it's not. While local incomes are generally high and public education is generally good, Castro Valley is, it must be said, not upscale. And Your Boulevardier believes that's for the better. Sure, it might be lovely to have an Apple Store or a Sephora in the Village, or a Whole Foods built back where the carwash lies -- the long-term plan for Castro Village calls for some sort of large retailer back there, absorbing some of the vacant properties in the area -- but it's also a delight to have such a collection of small, independent, locally owned, sometimes-funky operations in one place. Homogeneity stifles creativity, Your Boulevardier believes, and creativity is what's needed in an economy like we have today.

So, bring on the remodeled Castro Village! Though it's managed by Crosspoint (a San Francisco firm), the center is still owned by the Nahas family who built it 60 years ago. That's something worth celebrating and supporting.

And, to answer Wudas' question, the postcard has no copyright or other date. The newest cars in the photos are from the mid-1960s.

BART Parking Fees

Your Boulevardier noticed on a recent walk that BART has posted signs that, he presumes, announce the new $1 per day parking fee that goes into effect next Monday, April 27.



On that fateful day, the brown paper will be removed.

Special Food Edition

Your Boulevardier, remembering that this is the week when Don Jose's will donate a portion of its profits to the new Castro Valley Library, decided at the last minute to walk downtown and treat himself to a meal this evening. The restaurant was pleasantly busy, with a heartening cross-section of people: individuals, couples, and groups comprised of a variety of ages and races. The bar was lively with folks watching ice hockey. Your Boulevardier chose a salmon salad, which proved exceptionally good, and a large Dos Equis Amber (which Don Jose's has on tap). Not every restaurant can make a solo diner feel comfortable, but this one certainly did; in fact, Your Boulevardier was given a booth, not relegated to an undersized table. He was impressed with the food and service, and left a gratuity reflecting his pleasure.

There is other Castro Valley dining news to report as well.

Progress continues at the future Toula's Gyros, under construction at the former Carry Outee. The building has been stripped of its awnings and outstructures; paper obscures the windows, so whatever work goes on inside remains a mystery. Currently the Pepto Bismol Pink exterior paintjob remains, but certainly that will not last. Your Boulevardier has been schooled on the difference between Gyros and Falafel (thanks, and apologies, to jimigreeko) and looks forward to sampling Toula's fare.

Across the street and down a bit, Knudsen's Ice Creamery sports bright red-and-white signs announcing its fifth anniversary party on Saturday, May 2. Included in the celebration will be free mini-cones, a petting zoo, and face painting. Your Boulevardier is a fan of Knudsen's -- he will mark his birthday there a week from Sunday -- and congratulates proprietors Dave, Kathy, and John on their accomplishment.

And around the corner on Santa Maria Avenue, Your Boulevardier was positively heureux to spot a sign indicating that the former Katy-Lu's Korner would become an outpost of Hayward's outstanding Swiss Delices. This is excellent news for Castro Valley (particularly considering the recent departure of Primrose Bakery from the Village) and perhaps the death knell for Your Boulevardier's trim waistline. Before Swiss Delices' Castro Valley site opens, Your Boulevardier recommends that readers hasten to Main Street in Hayward, purchase some of the incredible baked goods, and offer your encouragement to the proprietors on their expansion.

The Tenacity of Life

In this season of weeds, plants find some remarkable, unexpected places to take root. Your Boulevardier spotted these shoots under the eaves in the strip mall which houses Peet's Coffee in Castro Valley on Redwood Road. (The pictured vegetation grows close to the Payless Shoe Store.)



The seeds for these two different varieties of plant, it would seem, were carried to this unlikely spot by birds who have built nests under the eaves. It's not certain how the seeds received water to germinate, but clearly they did. Now the young plants are reaching for light and producing blossoms.

It's a wonderful image of spring, rebirth, and the tenacity of life on our fragile earth.

Wonderful Show at PhotoCentral

Mon ami Kate reminded Your Boulevardier that a show of Bill Owens' photography opens this Friday at PhotoCentral in Hayward. Owens is quite a character and a true original; not only did he make a splash as a photojournalist documenting east bay suburban life the 1960s, but by some accounts he also virtually invented the brewpub in the United States. (Buffalo Bill's in Hayward was founded by Owens in 1983.)

Bill Owens: Five Decades of Photography

A look at the fun, eclectic, unexpected photographic work of a Hayward local and internationally known photographer.

Reception: Friday, April 17, 6:30-9:30 pm
Exhibition Dates: April 17 to June 18, 2009
Gallery Hours: Monday, 5:00-10:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Saturday 12-3 pm and by appointment



Yes, this is a rather blatant bit of advertising for the Castro Valley Boulevardier. But this will be a terrific, even historic, show -- one not to be missed.

Independent Coffee on Center Street

In line at Trader Joe's the other day, Your Boulevardier spotted a woman wearing a sweatshirt reading "Coffee Cup Cafe, Castro Valley, California." Having never heard of the establishment, he inquired and learned that it is an independent coffee place at the corner of Center Street and Heyer Avenue. Last Friday he decided to check it out.

It's a cozy, friendly place with an amiable, chatty staff. The coffee is from Peerless -- perhaps not a gourmet roaster, but perfectly acceptable to Your Boulevardier. (He partakes only of brewed coffee, so he cannot comment on the quality of more complicated coffee drinks.) Most of the baked goods are prepared on site each morning; Your Boulevardier had a small, delicate chocolate croissant. The place also has a light lunch menu.

The comings and goings were observed for an hour or so. An ebbing stream of what appeared to be regulars mostly purchased beverages for takeout, though a few folks settled in at the dozen or so small tables. (A few outdoor tables were also available for warmer days.) A TV tuned to a morning news program played in one corner; promptly at 9:00 a.m. the television was switched off and soft jazz music was played. A batch of toys in another corner attracted youngsters, and a few shelves of books -- for borrowing and reading, it is assumed -- sat by the register.

The site is close to three schools -- Creekside and Canyon Middle Schools and Vannoy Elementary -- so the neighborhood traffic in the area is considerable. The proprietor of the shop said she had experienced some problems with school kids and now limits them in the shop to three at a time. The proprietor also shared that the shop had been in business for four years, but had lost some momentum when the exterior of the building was remodeled. Both interior and exterior are quite charming now.

Your Boulevardier will be sure to stop in again when his walks take him to this corner of town.

Another Piece of Easter Garden Art

These bunnies and their eggs can be found on Grove Way, just east of Trader Joe's and First Presbyterian Church.

Each egg has a name on it. Your Boulevardier assumes they are the names of children and/or grandchildren. The bunnies themselves don't match each other in scale or style, but the tableau is charming nonetheless.

The same house for years had cutouts of Disney characters on its lawn.

Metal Man Garden Art

This lively sculpture guards the porch of a home on Santa Maria Avenue near Somerset Avenue in Castro Valley.



It's not much of a photo, but readers are invited to click on the image for a better view. On the morning the picture was taken, the metal man was holding a garden hoe.

Your Boulevardier struck up a conversation with the resident/sculptor when caught preparing to snap the photo. Fortunately, the gentleman -- an amateur welder -- was happy to talk about his creation. He said the ferrous being is entirely made from car parts: his limbs were formerly camshafts, and his face was a transmission gear cluster.

Easter Garden Art

Your Boulevardier photographed this charming collection of garden art on Nunes Avenue just south of Castro Valley Boulevard the other day.


The older gentleman who creates these pieces rotates them in seasonally -- that is, there are different displays for Easter, Christmas, Independence Day, and so on.

Your Boulevardier has spotted a few other pieces of garden art on his walks and will post more photos over time. If readers would like to suggest other garden art, either seasonal or permanent, for display here, please provide some clues as to where it might be found in the comments. Please only suggest handmade / homemade / custom art, not purchased and installed pieces.

Crazy Weather Today

Your Boulevardier makes his observations today from his office window, rather than from the streets of the City of Lite.

It's a little past 4:00 p.m. An hour ago we had rain as heavy as can be remembered, accompanied by heavy winds that drove the rain at acute angles. Now we have bright daylight. The sun is heating the wet roofs of the houses around Chez Boulevardier so quickly that the water on them is vaporizing. It looks like a volcano or steambath out the window.

More rain is predicted for the next few days.

On The Button

It would appear that crosswalk buttons around town are being replaced. This past weekend Your Boulevardier walked on the west side of town, north of Castro Valley Boulevard, and noticed a new-style button in place. This one was photographed at Lake Chabot Road and Somerset Avenue.


As you can see in the photo, the new buttons fit into the existing fixtures. They have a red light-emitting diode (LED) in the center, and emit a sharp beep sound when pressed.

Your Boulevardier believes that the new buttons are accompanied by crosswalk signals that count down as the time to cross the street runs out.

Wisteria Season is On

Your Boulevardier noticed many fine wisteria vines in bloom on his walk earlier this morning. He did not walk Wisteria Street, but found large, attractive clumps of lavender flowers on Stanton Avenue and Somerset Avenue. This cluster is on the fence behind Lee's Nails, on Castro Valley Boulevard between Bank of the West and RyNck Auto Repair.



Also at bloom this time of year: potato vines, which look wonderful and give off a powerfully lovely scent.

Such are the things one sees, and smells, when one gets out of the car and walks our streets.

Help Find Doobie

Your Boulevardier came across this poster on this morning's stroll.



Sad to say, but there are always plenty of lost dog posters around town. But this one caught the eye because of its poignant honesty. The small type at the bottom, perhaps unreadable in this photograph, says:

"His name is doobie, no tag no collar... I know.. I'm stupid."

Your Boulevardier hopes Doobie is recovered, and when that happens he promptly receives a collar, tag, and microchip.

Zeppelin over Castro Valley

The Airship Ventures Zeppelin Eureka was flying over Castro Valley today. Your Boulevardier snapped this poor photo from the back deck of Chez Boulevardier.


Also in the air this weekend: the Liberty Belle, a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress. Your Boulevardier shot this video of the Liberty Belle on a previous visit to the Bay Area.


It's a beautiful clear spring day, so Your Boulevardier recommends that you step away from the computer, go outside, and look up.

Of Mice and Gyros (and Miscellany)

The former Daughtrey's Department Store (which is also a former billiards hall, and is annually the Spirit Party Supply) is now a store specializing in Disney merchandise. Your Boulevardier walked past (alas, not into) the store this evening and noticed that the parking lot on the side was full. Was there not a similar store at Southland not so long ago? One wonders if, like the aforementioned Spirit store, the Disney store is a transient use of the building. Its signs are just banners hung from the exterior walls, lending to the air of temporariness. The building has been in limbo for some time, though in 2007 there was some talk of refurbishment.

It's also noted that the former Carry Outee is now fenced off and has a banner announcing that Toula's Gyros is coming to the site. Your Boulevardier misses the falafel that were served at Haim's Cafe (and also that served at Kampus Korner at CSUEB), and hopes this new place will offer this Middle Eastern dish.

Two doors down, the Daughtrey's children's store has reappeared; it closed in Castro Village but has reappeared in one of the tiny business cottages on the north side of the Boulevard between Worley's and El Rancho STEAK House.

Also of note in the dining world: the former Tam's Kitchen has been re-branded as King Kong. One imagines that the portion sizes are colossal.

Your Boulevardier does not know what to make of all of these comings and goings. The amount of churn definitely seems to be on the upswing. It's a strange and difficult time to start a business, though some say this is the best time to do so because of the leverage available with suppliers, landlords, and employees.

At Least The Sign Is Polite

Your Boulevardier recently came across this sign on a building on Castro Valley Boulevard.


It's a sensible request. The structure to which the sign is affixed is a residential building, and is close to several retail establishments, including a tobacco shop, that might attract people who are inclined to sit or walk. Chances are the sign was posted because persons sitting or walking on the wall below the sign were disturbing the residents therein.

While handmade, the sign is clear, practical, and direct. With the exception of a stray hyphen and some random capitalization, the sign is grammatically acceptable. (Your Boulevardier was an English major and tends to be a stickler about punctuation and capitalization, so perhaps this is his personal bugaboo.)

What's more, the sign is certainly polite. Not everyone uses what Mère de Boulevardier (and most every other mère, for that matter) called "the magic word." In total, there's much to admire about the sign's intention and implementation

But there is a problem. As can be seen in the photo below, the arrows on the sign point to a concrete curb, not a brick wall. If a person were to take the sign literally, he or she could sit or walk on the curb with impunity. But that would most certainly violate the spirit, if not the letter, of the sign.

Such are the quandaries when one walks about in Castro Valley, trying to obey the rules.