Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for December 10, 2023
As I motor along the sidewalks of Alameda, I occasionally come upon household items that are in great condition but are set out on the curb for someone to take. Apparently, Alamedans have developed their own reuse program over many years, which is a fantastic idea since we all need to reduce how many things go to the landfill.
I talked my human companion into bringing a few items back to the house and offering them to the community in exchange for a donation to the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter’s Starfish Fund, which provides money to pay the vet bills for animals requiring emergency medical care.
Over the next several reports, I will be offering these items to readers in exchange for their donation to the Starfish Fund. Since I cannot keep track of all the different ways that people can submit bids, I am asking that instead you send your bid to my human companion at [email protected].
Bids will be accepted until Wednesday evening, December 13 at 5 p.m. The winning bidder will get directions on how to make their donation directly to FAAS. Once I receive confirmation, I will personally deliver the item to the bidder’s Alameda address.
This week’s items are a 22″ jade plant, a garlic lover’s apron, a reindeer bib, and ten baskets (valued at $60) that would make great containers for candy or to cover a flowerpot. Just send in your bid to the email address above, using the name of the item in the subject line.
A variety of holiday decorations appeared in Alameda yards this week, including a spiffy tropical holiday themed display over on Harbor Bay Isle. I loved the Flamingos dressed in the Santa hats and scarfs around their long necks!
On my walk through Morton Station, I was impressed with the decorations that the folks at Salon 1500 put up and wanted to give them a shoutout.
Further down Encinal Avenue, I caught the Evil Empire’s Imperial Walker decorated with holiday lights, antlers, and a red Rudolph nose along with the droids that are the ones “…we are looking for.”
I realized that these leaves formed a natural mosaic on the sidewalk that was really beautiful. I am going to be looking for these patterns as I walk the sidewalks these next few weeks.
My friend Catherine McClure Lindberg coined the term “Alameda snow fall” for the way the fall leaf drop would cover cars. I came across this green car with yellow leaves on its top and thought of her. And, on my way to Starbucks one morning, I finally found some traditional “window antlers,” but I still have not seen a red nose on the front grill.
For those of you that find scrolling through individual pictures too tedious, my human companion has put together a short reel of the images in this report—plus a few more—and added a music track featuring Darlene Love singing “Winter Wonderland.”
As an FYI: You have just 15 days left to do all that gift shopping.
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 by Jeff Cambra.
