Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for November 26, 2023
This past Friday marked the official start of the “season” and all the associated craziness of the “holiDAZE.” My editor finally gave me the green light to start including holiday images in my reports. I figure I should ease into the holiday coverage to avoid causing any unnecessary trauma. So, I am starting out with a more generic “Peace on Earth” image. If there such a thing as Pre-Holiday Traumatic Stress Disorder, my human companion has all the symptoms.
There are still many signs of autumn on the streets of Alameda starting with the appearance of the City’s vacuum truck. I just love watching this machine go by—and how clean the street is for about ten seconds before the next batch of leaves fall from the trees along Alameda Avenue.
There is a full complement of scarecrows and squashes adorning many front yards.
My neighbor who has cats that hang out in my backyard and drive me nuts has a mature Chinese maple tree that is transitioning from green to yellow, orange, and bright red before turning brown and dropping leaves in the driveway. It is quite spectacular in the morning sun.
This would not be an official Thanksgiving report if I didn’t include an image of Alameda’s turkey flock. I did a lot of walking but only found these two lone representatives. Maybe the others were laying low?
There definitely were signs that folks are gearing up on the decoration front. On one of my late-night walks, I saw a woman trimming her Christmas tree. Phil’s pumpkin lights tree has been converted to a multicolor lighted holiday tree. Look for more holiday images in upcoming reports, including a special feature on Thompson Avenue (Christmas Tree Lane)’s holiday decorations.
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated in November, and, in 2008, the Congress passed House Joint Resolution 62 designating the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day. I didn’t make it to Chochenyo Park this year, but I did stop by the public art sculpture of Ohlone people by Jennifer Riley. It’s located on Buena Vista Avenue at Entrance Rd. You can get more information about Native American Heritage Day from Wikipedia.
Now, for my blended Thanksgiving meal.
Some of you know that my human companion is an “aspiring vegan,” whatever that means. I know he tries very hard to not eat any animals, birds, fish, shellfish, etc. but the occasional animal byproduct does sneak onto the table. For this year, there was a really nice cheese platter to go with the champagne toast. He did include plant-based salami on the plate as well, and it was really good.
Fortunately for me, his mom (who is not “aspiring” to anything) insisted on having a traditional Thanksgiving meal of real roast turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy. I am so grateful to the folks at Left Bank restaurant in Jack London Square who were open on Thanksgiving and supplied the meal. I was able to have a slice of real turkey and lick the plate that had the mashed potatoes and gravy. Delicious!
Of course, I also enjoyed all of the plant-based sides that were available from Planted Table and Greens Restaurant. They were all very satisfying.
In closing out this week’s report, I want to give a big shoutout to the folks that are keeping the Halloween spirit alive with their two skeletons on the front porch.
Here’s to acknowledging the pending craziness. I am so glad I am a canine and don’t need to deal with any of it.
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.
