Food for FAAS
With this report, I officially make the transition into fall and start the countdown to Thanksgiving. It’s now dark at 5 p.m. and as of Thursday, the weather has clearly signaled that winter is just around the corner. That atmospheric river storm was Wet! 🌧 Wet ! 🌧 Wet! 🌧 My human companion (HC) broke out all the winter foul-weather gear ☔️and it has taken its place on the hall tree near the front door.
The big story this week is the launch of the FAAS “Fill the Pantry” event. As Thanksgiving approaches, the folks at FAAS (Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter) get more requests from Alameda residents for food assistance for their cats and dogs. This year has been especially hard with everything that is happening, and FAAS is already noticing the increased demand over last year. I stopped by the 1590 Fortmann Way shelter to see how Development Manager Liz Ordway (holding sign) and Adoption and Foster Manager Monica Fischer (scratching my neck) were doing at wrapping the donation barrels. Their work passed my high standards with flying colors. Great job!
So, you’re probably asking, “How can I help?” Well, you can head over to Grocery Outlet and check out the great selection of dog and cat food that store owner Elie Zghieb is featuring at their everyday super low prices. He has one of the FAAS donation barrels in his store, so you can purchase and donate all in one stop. How convenient is that?!
As most of you know, I am adamantly opposed to the commercial appearance of Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa décor and merchandise until after November 24. I emphasize “commercial” because, if as an individual, you want to celebrate these holidays in July or any other time of the year, you go for it. I totally support you. I found this picture of an inflatable on Instagram that pretty much “inflates” my view on the subject.
With full recognition that I am barking up the wrong tree and that it will have zero impact on the community, I still will not be posting any of those seasonal images until after Thanksgiving proper. I am not afraid to be irrelevant.
I am happy to report that there are those Alamedans who share my view and recognize Thanksgiving, even showcasing my hero, Snoopy. Additionally, I can always count on my friend Tucker over on Morton Street. Every year, his HC (human companion) puts out hand-painted seasonally specific wooden cutouts, and this year is no exception.
While I devoted the last few reports to Halloween, it does not mean that I abandon my obligation to report on other goings-on in the island city. Recently, two Alameda households celebrated birthdays. Someone on Central Avenue celebrated a 50th birthday, and just around the corner on Lafayette Street “Gran” celebrated an 80th birthday. Happy birthday to both of you!
With the unfortunate closing of Feel Good Bakery, my HC has been purchasing tasty treats from Crespian Bakery at 1700 Park Street. He is fond of their savory scone on a Sunday morning. They had a cute Pilgrim-looking character on their counter and some yummy cookies with fall designs. Sorry, I ate them before we could get a picture.
While turkey sightings are generally not newsworthy, I happened to see a flock chillin’ on a lawn on Alameda Avenue earlier this week. I may be losing my touch, because when I walked by, they didn’t even flinch. I may need to up my game on the poultry front.
And a final note on the way out, did you know that there are only 15 days until I can start enjoying this year’s Trader Joe’s Advent Calendar? And for you human companions, there are 40 days until Christmas. Plenty of time, right?
Keep telling yourself that.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
