Castro Valley Boulevardier

Traffic Gets One's Goat

2009-07-10T09:41:00.001-07:00

Your Boulevardier was driving home from Oakland last evening around 9:45 p.m., but when he reached the mouth of Castro Valley -- just past the 164th Avenue offramp, and before 238 splits into downtown Hayward and west to San Lorenzo -- traffic came to a halt. Not just a slowdown, mind you; it was a shut-off-the-car-get-out-and-chat-with-other-motorists dead stop. After about 15 minutes it cleared, just as quickly as it had occurred. (We were allowed to continue east on 580, but vehicles were prevented from going on 238 in either direction.)

A traffic report on the radio a few minutes later announced the culprit: a herd of goats had gotten loose on the freeway! However, Your Boulevardier has not been able to find any other confirming media reports of this event. If readers hear anything, please post details in the comments.

Star-Spangled, Eardrum-Splitting Banner

2009-07-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier has learned, through his youthful associate Neveu de Boulevardier, that a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner sung at Castro Valley High School in 2008 made it to a TIME Magazine's "10 Worst" list.

View the crazy video and read the article here.

Consolation may be found in the fact that the young singer is in good company: the now-secretary of state, several professional musicians, and a police officer are also represented in the complete list.

Look Up! It's the Space Station!

2009-07-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier slipped his copy of Close Encounters of the Third Kind into the DVD player last night and enjoyed a reunion with an old favorite movie. Those who have seen it know: it's a langorously paced film, completely happy to present long, almost static images of people staring at something they've never seen before.

And the fact is, few of us have ever seen a spaceship. But, for the next few days, you have an opportunity. The International Space Station's orbit is causing it to appear quite readily to those of us on Earth. The NASA website has a database application you can use to check for particular times, but here's a link to the results.

Tonight, for example, the ISS will be visible a little after nine and a little before eleven.

This post, admittedly, has almost nothing to do with Castro Valley. However, Your Boulevardier knows that one of the readers is a space scientist, so that's the justification he is using.

The Apartment Formerly Known As The Pines

2009-06-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier noticed that the sole pine tree in front of The Pines Apartments on Wisteria Street is dead. Time for a name change?

Clearly Wonderful

2009-06-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

Is there anything more goofily charming in Castro Valley than the facade of Allied Glass on Wisteria Street? Your Boulevardier's favorite touch in the chaotic, pseudo-Western storefront: the guy in the logo holding the tiny, three-dimensional pane of glass. (Click the photo for a better view.)

Bridge to Somewhere

2009-06-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Castro Valley Library continues to hurtle (not "hurdle," sorry) headlong toward completion. A few weeks ago, a pedestrian bridge across Castro Valley Creek was installed; Your Boulevardier recently took a look.

The bed of the bridge was made from a railroad flatcar, and according to news reports its fanciful rail was designed by a pair of San Francisco artists. The railing will reportedly continue as a fence along the creek,

At first glance, the position of the bridge did not make sense to Your Boulevardier. After all, couldn't pedestrians simply keep walking on Norbridge Avenue to get to the library? Then he remembered that the library's entrance is to the rear of the building -- that is, the side away from Norbridge -- and there isn't a driveway on the west side of the building. So the bridge will let walkers from BART or Redwood Road avoid traversing all the way around the building to get to the doors.

(Remember, readers can always click on a photo for a larger view.)

Gemignani "Rocks the Dough"

2009-06-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier belatedly stumbled upon a news item in SF Weekly about the North Beach Festival, held a few weeks ago in San Francisco. Castro Valley's Tony Gemignani and his dough-tossing acumen were, it seems, a hit at the festival. Story and photos are here.

More Castro Valley Culture

2009-06-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

New-style yogurt shops are all the rage these days. One has slowly been taking form in Castro Village; there's one in the new theater complex in downtown Hayward, and another one under construction in the storefront kittycorner to it. It seems that somebody has convinced bankers that indulgences with a hint of healthiness is a business combination that's recession-proof.

And now Your Boulevardier has received a press release announcing the imminent arrival of Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt, which will open on July 3 in the 580 Marketplace (the center with Pyzano's and PW Market).

The press release is big on numbers. The Castro Valley Golden Spoon, it says, is the first shop in an ambitious plan to open 30 outlets in the Bay Area. Golden Spoon offers 50 flavors total, of which 12 are served daily on a rotating basis. (Not 24, as originally posted here.)

A regular frozen yogurt will be free of charge during the Grand Opening days of July 3, 4, and 5, 2009. One does not need a coupon to get the freebie. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Your Boulevardier, by the way, received no compensation for publishing this announcement, nor did he request any.

Postscript: With a little imagination, one can imagine a cooperative arrangement between Golden Spoon and Castro Valley's venerable Golden Tee. (Your Boulevardier just can't bring himself to say "Golfland.")

Faded Glory

2009-06-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier is a big fan of hand-painted signs, perhaps because he recalls, as a child, walking to school past the home/workshop of a sign painter on Grove Way. Painted signs, it seems, are becoming yet another lost art.

So when an example of a beautiful hand-painted sign can be found -- even one in bad shape -- it's worth noting. This Gothic-lettered creation was spotted recently on Wisteria Street in Castro Valley. Click on the photo for a closer view.

Shred Day Coming Soon

2009-06-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

No, the headline on this post does not refer to the new skate park. Instead, it is good news for people, like Your Boulevardier, who have a paper problem: that is, we keep too much of it, for too long and for no good reason.

On Saturday, July 11, the Castro Valley Sanitary District will participate in a document shredding event at Canyon Middle School. Residents are invited to bring up to ten (ten!) so-called "banker's boxes" of papers to the event, which will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for secure destruction.

This gives us two weeks to clear out those old filing cabinets. Electronic waste, batteries, and old paint can be disposed of at the same event. More information can be found on the Castro Valley Sanitary District website.

CV To Lose M Transbay Bus?

2009-06-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier occasionally takes the M bus across the San Mateo Bridge to visit Mon Petit Chou. The bus is clean and comfortable, even if the schedule is far from ideal. One works with it.

However, it appears that, because of budget cuts, the schedule will get even worse for Castro Valley residents. If Your Boulevardier reads AC Transit's current staff recommendation correctly, the bus will terminate in the East Bay at the Hayward BART station, rather than Castro Valley. The relevant section can be found on page 12:

Line M: Hayward BART to Oracle via Winton, Hesperian, Hwy 92, Chess Dr., Metro Center, Hillsdale Blvd. Hillsdale Caltrain, Oracle HQ. The Line M will no longer provide service to the Dumbarton Bridge corridor and consequently the Ardenwood Park and Ride facility.

Granted, the major cut in service has been made on the west end of the line, not on the east. Still, Your Boulevardier will miss the chance to catch the M at the Castro Valley BART station.

Confirmed: Burger King Flag Has Been Removed

2009-06-25T09:52:00.001-07:00

Relating to the earlier post: The flagpole at the Burger King on Castro Valley Boulevard sits empty now; it's hoped that the stars and stripes will be replaced by Independence Day.

On The Surface

2009-06-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

It's said that every aphorism has a mirror image -- that is, another adage that is equally accepted as truth, but that has the exact opposite meaning. "Look before you leap" has "He who hesitates is lost." "Out of sight, out of mind" has "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." "Beauty is only skin deep" can be matched with "Put your best foot forward."

Regarding this last pithy pairing, several Castro Valley structures are clearly taking the second saying to heart. Your Boulevardier can name four:

1) The Castro Valley Post Office is getting a new floor in its retail area. And given the condition of the carpet, and the fact that children are often left to crawl about on it, this is a good thing.

2) A section of Castro Village is getting a new roof. Specifically, the portion of the center on Santa Maria, just opposite Swiss Delices; the construction vehicles were blocking a lane of traffic today. (This poor little bakery has had a string of construction operations impairing patron access, starting with an underground project immediately in front of the shop during its grand opening week. The proprietress should earn an award for perseverance.)

3) The building housing Worthington Photography and the Ice Creamery has attractive new paint and a sheathing of slate tiles on its facade.

4) The older portion of JD's has been stripped to the studs. A conversation with the contractor revealed that the building will get a coat of stucco to match the in-progress addition on the back of the restaurant. This business, and its customers, should also have their fortitude recognized.

Not The Flag King

2009-06-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

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.

Lucky on San Miguel

2009-06-06T07:00:00.001-07:00

Your Boulevardier has long admired, and only now photographed, this concrete shamrock on the corner of San Miguel Avenue and Kerr Street, a block south of Castro Valley Boulevard.

The yard it's in always has lovely flowers along its walk (visible in this photo), but for as long as can be remembered the earth around the shamrock itself has been virtually lifeless. While the shamrock is charming, wouldn't some lush green around it make it even more appealing? And more like Ireland?

Still, it's rare that a slab of concrete can be so good-looking. A tip of the beret to the creators of it.

"Dive In Movie" Coming to Castro Valley

2009-06-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier has learned that HARD will sponsor a "Dive In Movie" at the Castro Valley Swim Center on Friday, July 10 at 8:30 p.m. Viewers can float in the pool while the movie "Madagascar" is screened outdoors. No registration is required. Never have wrinkly fingertips been so much fun.

The Upcoming Jenny Lin Concert

2009-06-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

One wishes the Jenny Lin Foundation, and the loss it represents, did not need to exist. But the sad event that led to the creation of the foundation is very real, and the good that the family has made of this tragedy is no less real.

One of Your Boulevardier's favorite projects of the Foundation is its summer youth music program. A free summer band, orchestra, and choir give our musical young people a chance to meet new people, have fun in a safe environment, and improve their artistic skills. A good friend of Your Boulevardier is conducting the orchestra.

The groups begin rehearsing on June 22, 2009 (twice a week) and will perform on Friday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m. at Redwood Chapel. The concet is always impressive, and Your Boulevardier encourages residents to support the program and attend the show.

The Night Before the Dedication

2009-06-04T22:12:00.001-07:00

Your Boulevardier walked past the new skate park on San Miguel Avenue, in front of the Adobe Art Center, late this afternoon. The place was crawling with teens (all boys) on bikes and skateboards, along with a goodly number sitting and watching. The flat-topped structure with ramps on two sides was most popular, with a handful of dudes hanging out atop it (one on a broken office chair); the ramp was second-most popular, with several bikes and skateboards rolling up, turning about, then rolling down it. Other boys tried flipping their boards in place; nobody seemed to be riding the scraping rail. It can be noted, too, that none of the boys seemed to be wearing helmets or other protective gear, but none seemed to be doing anything beyond their skill levels. Still, it's probably not unintentional that the park is practically across the street from the fire department.

HARD will dedicate the park (and the adjacent bocce courts, lawn area, playground equipment, and picnic sites) on Friday, June 5.

The Somerset Bear

2009-06-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier has been spending a good bit of time on Somerset Avenue of late, while doing a project for a friend. It's an interesting street, with many lovely homes, a number of churches (including the very busy Our Lady of Grace), a bus line, and a few interesting businesses, including a dance studio and the wonderful, crowded little Al's Food Market.

There's also this fantastic piece of garden art -- a life-size bear, presumably carved with a chainsaw from the very tree trunk on whose stump he now stands.

Does anybody know the true story of the Somerset Bear?

Motorcycles Converge at Shell Station

2009-06-01T09:04:00.001-07:00

Your Boulevardier was driving down Redwood Road on Sunday morning around 11:30 a.m. when he noticed that several dozen motorcyclists and their bikes had converged at the Shell Station at the corner of Castro Valley Boulevard. One wonders if this was an organized ride. The gathering looked much too large to be a spontaneous thing.

Rolling Out the Red Roof

2009-05-21T08:15:00.001-07:00

Your Boulevardier apologizes for the dry spell; he has been catching up on work, participating in some musical activities, enjoying a bit of leisure time, helping a friend with a garden project, and hosting visitors for the Bay to Breakers. Posts will resume soon, it is hoped.

Meanwhile, three quick items: the El Rancho STEAK House was getting a new coat of red paint on its roof yesterday. Around the corner, Swiss Delices is open, sorta. (When Your Boulevardier had coffee and pastry there last week, the place was clean and freshly painted, but not well lit and its walls were devoid of artwork; also, sandwiches were not yet being served.) And across Redwood Road from Trader Joe's, El Rancho Supermercado (one does not think it is related to the STEAK House, but could be wrong) has a sign in its window reading "El Rancho Taqueria Finally Opening Summer 2009." (It has been hinted at for a long time; it's not known what the hangup has been.)

Sundry Sunday

2009-05-03T22:55:00.000-07:00

Your Boulevardier attended the Sunday evening showing of X-Men Origins Wolverine at the Chabot Cinema this evening. Some fifty or more people were in attendance and the movie was exciting and enjoyable. On the walk home, a few bits of information were collected.

First, Your Boulevardier must correct an earlier misstatement regarding next weekend's Rodeo Parade: the pre-parade Pancake Breakfast will be held from 7-10 a.m. at the fire station on San Miguel Avenue. (And Wudas: Your Boulevardier plays the baritone saxophone.)

Second, it was inexplicable but wonderful to see that the Ice Creamery was packed with patrons on Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m.

Third, the new McDonald's at Strobridge Avenue and Castro Valley Boulevard is now open. It is quite a fancy, even stylish, building from the outside -- with one small exception that will be pointed out later. When Your Boulevardier ventures inside, he will give a report on the interior.

Rodeo Parade is Coming

2009-04-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

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.