Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for September 22, 2024

Seasonal Change

Today marks the beginning of autumn. While the trees have not started to turn, and the weather is still nice, I understand that there are Pumpkin Spice Lattes available now, officially marking the start of the commercial fall season. Halloween here we come! In fact, I found the first decorations of the season in the second-floor window of an apartment on Santa Clara Avenue at Caroline Street.

There is so much going on around this time of year, especially during an election year like this. September marks the start of campaign season and yard signs are starting to pop up on resident lawns and public right-of-way medians (oops…). I found a bunch, but I know I have missed a few. Please let me know who I have missed and the address of a house displaying the sign. At the B-EV, we are absolutely non-partisan and want to include everyone who is running for City Council and the AUSD Board of Trustees.

For those of us in the animal kingdom looking for a little divine boost, the Episcopal Church on Santa Clara Avenue and Grand Street will be blessing the animals—just like Saint Francis did. Not sure if one needs to go to confession first to obtain absolution for things like tracking mud in the house, chasing squirrels, tormenting the cat, eating the birthday roast, or in my case, ripping the heck out of my Human Companion’s meniscus. You should probably check with the church on the requirements.

Last week, I saw the strangest thing during an outing to South Shore Shopping Center to pick up some treats. There was some type of bike ride, with folks peddling “low ride” custom bikes. Check out the video my HC was able to get.

I am continuing to monitor this house located on Central Avenue at Lafayette Street whose lights and fans are on 24 hours, seven days a week. Does anyone know why this happens?

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed more art on the street. On Wednesday I found an original unsigned piece propped against the fence of a house on Willow Street near Clinton Avenue. Some artist really put their “heart” into this piece. (Yeah, I really wrote that. 😂) The other works included a nice chalk abstract, and an Uncle Sam painted on one of those telephone pole shims.

After posting my report last Sunday, I headed down to Park Centre Animal Hospital to get vaxed. According to the FAAS licensing department, I was identified as a “Germ” Shepherd in need of a bunch of vaccines to kill all the bugs in this germ-infested reporter.

Alameda has a lot of little corner markets scattered around the neighborhoods of the main island, and I came across Gene’s Market which closed many years ago. Anyone know the story behind this market—and who the heck was Gene?

Under the heading of “Don’t worry, they will grow back!” I had found an article in the B-EV archives about the tree butchering that took place a few years ago when some government agency (CALTrans??) decided there was a signal visibility issue and cut down the mature trees along Doolittle Drive. Well, I visited the site to check it out again , and NO! THEY STILL DID NOT GROW BACK. It is still a butt ugly entrance to our city. How about some stump grinding and planting something to replace the trees? Anyone?

In a final nod to summer, I want to thank the monarch butterflies that are still hanging around. It is such a pleasure to watch them flutter around the plants.

With the first sighting of Halloween decorations, I realize I only have 40 days to figure it out my costume.

💀🎃👿👹👺🤡

Be well everyone!

Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda

Mouf and his human companion can be reached via jeffcambraalameda@gmail.com . Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/ . All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.

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