Halloween: Full Swing
I was a little worried about being able to get a report together this week because of the rain we experienced on Monday and Tuesday. It’s hard for my photographer (and human companion) to be all decked out in rain gear and ski gloves, and manage my leash with the ever-present danger of me seeing another dog or heaven forbid a squirrel. He already has one partial knee replacement, which is going great (thank you for asking) and the left knee is scheduled for May 2026.
Fortunately, I was able to get out on Tuesday afternoon and check out the usual suspects from last year’s reporting. Many of Alameda’s iconic decorations have returned this year. In the coming weeks, I will be covering those major installations along with the more subtle expressions of the Halloween season.
Before getting to this week’s report, I want to update you on the Howl-O-Ween canine parade and costume contest. I met with Heidi Bennett (left), the social media specialist for the West Alameda Business Association, and Adrien Abuyen (right), the new executive director at the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, to discuss the deets of the event. Adrien, along with Kelly Lux of State Farm insurance fame, can tell you that there will be lots of prizes provided by local Alameda businesses like Providence Veterinary Hospital, Doodlecakes, Under One Woof, and the Pacific Pinball Museum, to name just a few of the donors.
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda will provide every entrant with their choice of a pig’s ear or an all-natural broth bone for the under-15-pound canine crowd. The festivities will run from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on October 31 at 1435 Webster Street. You need to register online in advance at the Howl-O-Ween website.
For this report, I am featuring two regular contributors to the Halloween vibe that also change up their themes each year. The first is the always amazing display located at the corner of Buena Vista Avenue and Nason Street. This year’s theme appears to be the Roman Empire with a touch of Egyptian culture tossed in for variety. In order to adequately cover this exhibit, I decided to view it during the day and at night. I suggest you do the same. My human companion (HC) added a music track to add to the dramatic effect. Hope you enjoy the coverage.
Next up was the fun surfing theme located at 2103 San Jose Avenue. My HC went nuts when he saw this one, because he is obsessed with the whole surf genre, from tiki culture to the Beach Boys, who just so happen to make an audio appearance in this video. He took me past this yard three times—two during the day because the lighting wasn’t right, and one at night—so he could “capture the true spirit of the installation.” WTF (What the Fur)! I had to remind him that this is a column written by a canine about things I see around Alameda and not some high-level critique on Halloween yard decorations.
There were other fun things to see on my walks, like Candy Korn lights, a lion with a witch hat, and a Ghost Busters display.
As you can imagine, I was overjoyed to see the appearance of my hero Snoopy and his friends in Alameda yards.
You must get by the house on Sherman Street and San Antonio Avenue to see the octopus tentacles, and please follow the request not to taunt the dragon who is resting in a yard on Alameda Avenue.
Also, on Alameda Avenue are some happy fun (as in not scary) cutouts in the planter box, suitable for viewing by all ages.
And finally, I want to highlight the understated acknowledgements of the season as demonstrated by a simple twig wreath adorned with tiny orange lights and a pair of spiders (actually there are three) searching for their next meal. The moral here is to take some time to appreciate the small expressions of the season.
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.
