Still Alive

Dear friends and readers:

Fear not. Your Boulevardier is still alive. He has been a bit overwhelmed by multiple simultaneous challenges and has let this blog lapse.

Sometime in early May it is hoped that we will return in a different -- ideally, better -- format. Some technical challenges await in the meantime, and the personal and professional lives have to swing back into balance.

Please check back occasionally. As Your Boulevardier has no way to reach out to you, he can only hope that you will check on him occasionally.

With kindest regards,

Your Boulevardier

Chabot Continues to Please

It must be said: we in Castro Valley are very fortunate to have the Chabot Theater here. Last night, at the very last minute, Your Boulevardier decided to catch Sherlock Holmes at the movie house. (Today it has been replaced with -- sigh -- Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakquel.) He left home at 7:25, found street parking in front of Direct Sales (the broken window has not yet been repaired), and walked right in. No lines, no hassles -- and the staff actually seems to care about customers and about movies. (This, in Your Boulevardier's opinion, is not the experience at the big multiplex in Hayward.)

Happily, the theater had a pretty good turnout for a Thursday evening. (The movie itself was strange but compelling.) Still, the Chabot always needs our patronage -- particularly when it presents interesting fare. Your Boulevardier encourages Castro Valleyans to support our local movie theater.

Park Renovations Underway

A little over a month ago, Your Boulevardier lamented the condition of the park on Castro Valley Boulevard that includes Castro Valley Creek. One of the architectural elements had been damaged, and some homeless men were noted to be engaged in a loud, profane fight. Your Boulevardier wondered if the park would get more attention with the opening of the new library.

Well, lo and behold, the park is being renovated. It was noted this morning that some trees and shrubbery have been removed; surveyors' stakes around the property indicate, perhaps, the position of landscape features to come. Several massive boulders have been moved onto the property (they're not visible in this photo), indicating perhaps that the naturalistic landscaping theme being used along the creek near the library will be continued to this park.



Your Boulevardier still does not envy the crew that will need to reassemble the bollard.

Burger King Flag Update

Your Boulevardier did not check the flag at the Castro Valley Burger King on Independence Day, but he did today. The flag now flying is bright and clean and proud. If a reader noticed when it was replaced, please say so in the comments. (You can comment anonymously.)