A Note of Passing
[1]
I live close to Chestnut Encinal Market, so many of my walks start on Alameda Avenue and venture out from there. So, if there’s anything going on “on the Ave,” I am usually the first one on the scene to get the story or picture. A few weeks ago, I was on my morning walk on the “Ave” when I spotted the Alameda County Coroner’s blue and gold van along with two Alameda Police Department cruisers. From past experience, I knew that this was not a good situation and moved on quickly, passing up the opportunity to snap that picture.
[2]Recently, I learned that the van was there because Phil Rabe had passed away. For those who celebrate Halloween like it’s a religious holiday, Phil’s “Foreboding Way [3]” Halloween yard display was legendary.
Alameda has more than its fair share of totally awesome yard displays, and what made Phil’s stand out was the fact that he built the displays himself. According to his LinkedIn page, he was an exhibit designer for Cultural Crossovers, where he designed, fabricated and installed original exhibits. Prior to that, he worked for Acme Scenery Co., designing and building “mechanical film effects for major TV ads.”
For those of you who never made it to Foreboding Way to see Phil’s work, all is not lost. I had the great fortune to cover his yard for “Bear’s-Eye View” and memorialized the space in all of my Halloween reports. I am honored to be able to repost my video report of Foreboding Way for the community.
[4]There was another recent passing that had no direct impact on me, but it definitely changed the vibe in my house and had a big impact on my human companion (HC). Someone named Brian Wilson passed away on June 11. Mr. Wilson was the founding member of The Beach Boys and creative genius behind what became the Southern California surf-rock sound. Apparently, he filled the entire living room where he had his piano with sand, creating a “walled musical beach.” Ironically, he never surfed. WTF? (What the fur?)
When HC heard the news, he went to the upstairs office, turned on something called a “tuner,” got out a black plastic disc, and put it on a spinning machine with a moveable arm. There was a scratching sound followed by music. I was very confused, because there was no cell phone or computer. I asked him where the music was coming from. He said “analog” and closed his eyes. At the request of my HC, I am including this link to his all-time favorite album – Endless Summer [5].
[6]
On a more positive note, I want to extend a very happy eighth birthday to Bea and hope there were lots of cake and gifts on her special day.
[7]
If you happen to be on Chestnut Avenue just up from the market, you can see what an artichoke looks like when you leave it to mature. Is that even edible?
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We are in the middle of summer, and Alameda yards are in full bloom and sporting some nice yard sculptures. Here are a few examples.
[11]
On one of my walks I came across what could only be called the Frank Lloyd Wright design for cat towers. That thing must have cost a fortune. It made me sad to see it on the sidewalk, because that usually means that there is no longer a cat in the house to play on it.
I am going to end this report with a toast of witch’s brew to Phil Rabe and a big “cowabunga” from my HC to Brian Wilson.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected] [12]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/ [13]. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.