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.

Four Castro Valley Murals

Your Boulevardier spent some time over the weekend walking in San Francisco's Mission District and was swept away by the many stunning murals in the neighborhood. Then he realized: though they're not as eclectic, Castro Valley has a few murals of its own. Four are documented here; can you name others? Please click on the photos for larger images.


This mural is on the side of the former Valley Truck, 2625 Castro Valley Boulevard. The place is now a Budget Rent-A-Truck location (Your Boulevardier misses Valley Truck's giant tire sign), and the rental agency has chosen to mar the mural with its drop box and signage. Still, it's a fun mural and very appropriate for the business that formerly resided here.


This natural - perhaps hyper-natural - scene is on the garage door at Castro Valley Companion Animal Hospital, 2509 Lessley Avenue. (It's the same place that has the whimsical three-dimensional sign.)


Another veterinarian's office - this time Boulevard Pet Hospital, 3489 Castro Valley Blvd. - has a fetching collection of animals painted all over its building. The menagerie seems to expand each time Your Boulevardier walks by. (This is where both Chat du Boulevardier and the Trusty BoulevarDog received their care; at times, Your Boulevardier hopes to see their images immortalized too.)


A scene that could easily be at Lake Chabot is actually painted on the wall of Blenzers, 20668 Rustic Drive in Castro Village. Your Boulevardier is surprised that more people don't sit under the eaves at these tables on warm days, but the awnings at Starbucks seem to be more popular.

Echo of the Arts

Your Boulevardier passed the under-construction McDonald's on a walk this blustery morning. Construction is moving apace, though the structure looks nothing like what one might think a McDonald's should look like. In fact, from one angle the new structure looked vaguely familiar.


A walk down the Boulevard and up Redwood Road confirmed (somewhat) Your Boulevardier's suspicion: the gentle arc over the McDonald's facade is not unlike that over the Castro Valley Center for the Arts.

It must actually be said that the McDonald's arc is more stylish. It's gently asymmetrical and airy, while that of the Center for the Arts is plain and heavy. Still, the resemblance is notable.


On the rest of his walk, Your Boulevardier noted a number of other recent buildings with similar arcs, including the remodeled Safeway and the new Taco Bell, both of which are on Redwood Road. (Those buildings' arcs are much less prominent in the designs than the previous two mentioned above.) And, of course, the Wachovia (née World Savings) building is a favorite, but much older, example.

Lady in Green

Your Boulevardier chatted ever so briefly with a charming young woman in front of Liberty Tax Service on Castro Valley Boulevard yesterday afternoon. She's a tax preparer by trade but had been drafted by her employer to don Lady Liberty's green robes and headdress and wave at passing vehicles. In lieu of a flaming torch, she held a festive red cup from Starbucks.

Wearing a big smile, she told Your Boulevardier: "I didn't expect so many people to smile and honk!"

A photo was surreptitiously snapped later on the walk, from the far side of the street. Kindly forgive the poor quality of the image.

Hipster Night at Trader Joe's

Your Boulevardier popped into the Castro Valley Trader Joe's on Monday evening at around 8:00 p.m. It appears to have been Hipster Night at the store -- the place was chock-a-block with young, attractive couples. Most of the pairs fit a theme: she in studious glasses, long straight hair in a ponytail, and cute jeans; he in two days' growth of beard, a fitted logo ballcap (some, but not all, worn backwards), and saggy jeans with holes in one knee. Boys and girls alike sported elaborate winter scarves and (probably expensive) sneakers, and all couples seemed thoroughly, and happily, engaged in their food shopping. They would not have been out of place in Berkeley or San Francisco's Mission District.