Noodling On Nunes

One of Your Boulevardier's favorite spots in Castro Valley is the house on Nunes Avenue that has a seasonally adjusted collection of homemade garden art. For Valentine's Day (and indeed, the entire month of February so far) this has been the display.


A hearty tip of the beret goes to the creator of these charming cutouts.

Light Up The Valley

Your Boulevardier and Mon Petit Chou caught a showing of the High Voltage Christmas last Sunday night. (He intended to write about it sooner, but various delights and pressures of the season have filled the days since.)

The synchronized light-and-music show, first launched in 2004 by teenager Jeff Stevens, is at 18199 Carmel Drive in Castro Valley. Showtimes are 7:00, 7:30, and 8:00 p.m. A new feature this year is projected cartoons, along with family photos and videos, on the garage door.

Your Boulevardier doesn't know how true this story is, so he posts it only as hearsay: A FOB -- a person who lives in the neighborhood of the High Voltage Christmas -- says that Mr. Stevens is away at college this year and was not planning to create a holiday display. Fortunately gentle pressure from friends and neighbors caused him to relent. (It's also interesting to note that Mr. Stevens is studying Civil Engineering, not Electrical.) Readers who can confirm or correct the veracity of this tale are encouraged to do so in the comments.

Whatever the story, the efforts are magnificent and well worth a trip. The synchronization and cleverness of the display are wonderful, the scale is impressive, and the spirit is heartwarming. Mr. Stevens personally supervises each show and is available to answer questions before and after.

A tip of the beret, and a merry Christmas to all.

It Was a Wonderful Night

Your Boulevardier, accompanied by Soeur et Neveu de Boulevardier, took in the 11:30 p.m. showing of It's a Wonderful Life at the Chabot Theater last night, along with about 145 of their closest friends.



In truth, no personal friends were recognized in the crowd, but the atmosphere was friendly and festive. Ages varied, but most persons seemed in to be in the 20s-to-50s range, with a contingent wearing CVHS apparel. Many people, it seemed, had pre-purchased their tickets and walked straight into the auditorium; one young woman in line who had an extra ticket offered it gratis to Your Boulevardier, but he insisted on compensating her. Still, the generosity of her offer was noted and appreciated.

A number of people arrived in barely disguised sleepwear. Some attendees took advantage of the snack bar, though takers of the popcorn-and-cocoa offer were not, by Your Boulevardier's observation, in abundance.

The movie itself was shown without ceremony. Indeed, there were no trailers or previews or advertisements on the screen before the show; only a digital countdown in the corner of the screen. Projection itself was flawless, thanks to a digital "print" of the film and a digital projector. (Your Boulevardier had worried to his companions before the show about the print quality -- worries that were unfounded.) The only semi-comical footnote to this use of technology was the large blue-and-white message that appeared immediately after the show -- something about pressing PLAY. This got a laugh from the audience.

But indeed, the entire show got laughs where appropriate (the dance over the swimming pool, for example); a cringe, where Capra-induced (George Bailey's occasional and irrational tirades over his seemingly hopeless existence); and a tear or two (such as when newlywed Mary Bailey makes the most of her ruined honeymoon by setting a beautiful table in the shabby, leaking Granville house.

The film's message of rapacious bankers, impending foreclosure, and financial desperation took on, perhaps, a more urgent tone this year than in years past. Certainly the current economic downturn is affecting our area. Thanks go to the Chabot for putting together an evening of inexpensive holiday entertainment, and to almost 150 people for partaking of it. Castro Valley may not be Bedford Falls, but it ain't Potterville, either.

Fall is Flushed Away

Your Boulevardier snapped this photo of autumn leaves a few days ago -- before the big storms came in and swept away all reminders of fall, and told us in Castro Valley, in no uncertain terms, that winter is here.


Sure, the calendar may say that we still have a handful of days until the change officially hits. But the bare trees, overcast skies, and bitter cold -- especially in the mornings -- makes it clear that the deepest, darkest season is upon us.

Other reminders can be seen all over town. The reds, golds, and greens of the holiday have supplanted summer's yellows, oranges, and blues in shop windows. Furry Ugg Boots are footwear of choice, preferred over flip-flops and sneakers. Decorative lights along rooflines twinkle -- or don't, in the case of the LED variety that are now arrayed on Chez Boulevardier. Warming soups and coffee drinks have replaced cooling salads, smoothies, fro-yo and ice cream as the foods of choice.

Speaking of warm beverages, the Chabot Cinema will mark the season with an 11:30 p.m. showing of the Frank Capra classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," this Friday, December 18. Your Boulevardier hopes to be there, though he is not sure that the offer -- free hot chocolate with a large popcorn -- is good combination. Still, the $5 admission can't be beat.

Last-Minute Invitation

Members of the Castro Valley Community Band - including Your Boulevardier on baritone sax - will be playing carols under the clock tower at Castro Village tonight from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. All are welcome, but bundle up!

Red Friday

Your Boulevardier was up early on Friday morning for a yoga class, and later in the day walked the City of Lite. Things were generally quiet on both occasions, perhaps to the displeasure of retailers. There was no waiting to see Santa in Castro Village at around 1:00 p.m., but the line for coffee at Peet's practically stretched out the door.

Although the Man in Red was under-occupied, the Trees in Red -- these spotted in the parking lot behind Round Table Pizza on Redwood Road -- were busy working their magic.



An hour or two later in the day, a pocket storm blew through bringing high winds, torrential rain, and thunder, all followed by a double rainbow. Quite the weather episode.

Happy Holidays

Your Boulevardier notes with pleasure that Castro Village is making good use of an empty storefront to create a sitting room for Santa. What's more, it has marked the space with a very attractive sign.


In the not-so-distant past, of course, the big guy sat in a chair in the window of the Village Toy Shop. When that store closed and Eden Bicycles took over its place, the bike shop kindly (and, Your Boulevardier thinks, wisely) ceded some of its sales floor to the man from the North Pole.

This new situation makes sense. It puts another storefront to use while not taking away valuable space from merchants. Still, his presence in his own quarters will draw the young ones and their parents to the Village.

Happy holidays, all. Let the season commence!

Village Happenings

This coming weekend (November 21-22), FOB (Friend of Boulevardier) Fleurette Sevin will be one of several artists demonstrating their skills, selling their wares, and supporting music education in Castro Valley schools at Aran's Art Studio.

Fleurette fuses glass into colorful creations, such as holiday-themed the bottle stopper shown below. She also takes custom orders. Other artists will be demonstrating ceramics. There will be a raffle, kids' projects, and live music. (Your Boulevardier hopes to join in the music-making on Saturday.)

The event is from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. Please do plan to attend, and to make a purchase.

Steaming into the Holidays

Your Boulevardier has a small surplus of scraps to post, but is squeezed for time due to other commitments. How can it be that he holidays are already pressing upon us? But it seems that they are. Anyway, a few items are on tap and should appear in the coming days.

Meanwhile, he will report that, while he loves the Castro Valley outlet of Peet's Coffee & Tea, the company really needs to power-wash the area under their outdoor tables. And truly, it would be most neighborly if they would wash the sidewalk all the way to their garbage cans, and around the corner for a few yards on Redwood Road. The rains are coming (we all hope), but they're not going to wash away the sticky stains on the concrete.

Halloween on the Green

The Golden Tee (some of us cannot bring ourselves to say "GolfLand") has put out a display of straw bales, cornstalks, and scarecrows for Halloween. The photo does not do the display justice. It's a wonderful thing to have a mini-golf course in town.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Your Boulevardier has been traveling -- once to far Northern California, and once to far Western New York -- and those trips have been followed by an amount of professional work that has been, frankly, staggering.

As a result, he has fallen out of the habit of posting here. You have his apologies. After Labor Day, it is hoped that regular missives will return. (At least as regular as can be hoped, given the source.) Meantime, here are three items to wet readers' whistles, all related to eating establishments in town:

1. Baker's Square has now become Shari's, as hinted here back in March.

2. The Dell Cafe has applied to repaint its building and repair its neon sign. This is wonderful news. The Boulevard needs more neon. Seriously.

3. As of September 1, Big Apple Bagels has painted its windows in a Halloween theme. Holiday creep begins.

P.S. Is there interest among regular readers in a Castro Valley Boulevardier Facebook presence?

Not The Flag King

Your Boulevardier returned this last Sunday -- Flag Day -- from a week in Boston. Although the weather was unseasonably wet and cold, the trip was full of delights. From bleacher seats in Fenway Park, a Red Sox victory over the Yankees was witnessed. Parts of the Freedom Trail were walked. Seafood was consumed. Several colleges were visited by Fils de Choux. Some time was spent on the water.

And, of course, in Boston one cannot, and does not want to, escape a proud patriotic streak. American flags, bunting, and general red-white-and-blueness are everywhere.

Perhaps that is why, on a walk this morning, Your Boulevarder noticed, and was particularly distressed by, the flag that flies in front of the Burger King on Castro Valley Boulevard. The once-proud banner hangs sadly faded in a tangled tatter. Even if our West Coast patriotism is, in some minds, not up to Bostonian standards, it's a disgrace and a shame.





Your Boulevardier has combed the Burger King website and has found a Consumer Relations phone number: 305-378-3535. (There is no email address.) Should readers feel so compelled, it would be wonderful if several people called this number to encourage Burger King to replace the flag in time for Independence Day.

National Doughnut Day

Your Boulevardier has learned, belatedly, that yesterday was National Doughnut Day.

The origins of the holiday can be found here.

Coincidentally, Your Boulevardier paid a visit to Rudy's yesterday. The holiday was not being celebrated in any particular way that he could discern; the place was busy, but that's not unusual for a Friday morning at 7:45 a.m.

A few weeks ago this photo was taken of the lovely hand-painted espresso sign at Rudy's; the paint is failing in a most attractive way. One hopes, probably in vain, that they won't paint it over.

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.

White Christmas on Redwood Road

Your Boulevardier happened to be on the scene shortly after some pranksters soaped a fountain on Redwood Road this afternoon. He supposes that this is vandalism, but it was a good deal of fun to look at -- especially as winds picked up and the soap bubbles drifted in tiny clouds across the busy road.

Super Bowls

Your Boulevardier visited the Wells Fargo Bank on Castro Valley Boulevard today. The banking was uneventful, but other events in the environs were more interesting.

First, at Vella's Locker Room, an autograph-signing event was underway. Your Boulevardier, not being a football fan, did not recognize the athletes offering their John Hancocks, but he did make note of both Raider Santa and Raider Elvis in attendance.

Second, a visit was made to the Adobe Art Center and the A.B. Morris Gallery for HARD's pottery and art sale. Your Boulevardier bought a lovely green-and-blue bowl thrown and glazed by Steve Olson for Mere de Boulevardier's Christmas gift. Many lovely items were for sale, all handmade by local craftspeople, and the prices were very good. A visit is recommended, but a little Internet research reveals that this sale is only occurring today (Saturday, December 13, 2008).

Third, on the way from Vella to Morris, Your Boulevardier inspected progress on the renovation of the parkland in front of the Adobe Art Center, adjacent to Castro Valley Elementary School. The skate park (by design, on the quarter of the property farthest from the art studios), bocce courts, play structure, and picnic areas are well underway. Entry gates that echo the adobe walls of the art center are in strategic places around the property. Your Boulevardier believes the renovated park will be a welcome addition to the downtown environs.

Before and After

Today -- the so-called Black Friday (or Buy Nothing Day, in some circles) -- was a workday for Your Boulevardier. However, he took a post-labor saunter into downtown to run an errand. One would be hard-pressed to describe Castro Valley as "bustling," but folks were out and about on foot and seemed to be of good cheer, generally. Traffic flowed freely. Holiday decorations are up in some shop windows -- a special tip of the beret goes to Deja Blue Salon, whose window looks particularly sparkly and charming after dark. Restaurants had a few patrons as early as 5:30 p.m. Haircutters in the Village Barber Shop sat in their own chairs, looking bored. The reincarnation of Daughtrey's, in the process of closing, was almost empty. The Beneficial Finance storefront by Safeway was closed for good.

By contrast, Your Boulevardier had done almost the same walk at almost the same time on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. As he crossed 580 on the pedestrian overpass, the eastbound lanes were jammed solid as far as could be seen in both directions. Restaurants in Castro Village were absolutely empty, but parking lots throughout town were jammed -- particularly those at the grocery stores, logically enough. The Village Barber Shop was in full swing, with all chairs in operation and all waiting seats taken. Peet's was a veritable mob scene.

It's no great stretch to draw some conclusions from these observations. Perhaps spurred by dropping gas prices, many people were driving out of town for Thanksgiving. Others were meeting friends for coffee after work, and yet others were getting their grooming in order before seeing their extended families. Folks were buying groceries, but were not dining out; perhaps, given the meal that awaited on Thursday, it seemed appropriate to stay home and have a light salad for dinner. The contracting national economy was starting to touch businesses here in town.

As the evenings grow chillier and the days continue to shorten -- and as the economy continues to cool -- it will be interesting to see how our town reacts and copes.