Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for August 6, 2023
Last weekend was the Park Street Art and Wine Festival, and it was well attended after a three-year hiatus. I couldn’t go, but my human companion was there working the ‘Forward Alameda’ booth. One of the things he brought home was a really nice tumbler with a “BECKER” sticker identifying the owner. As a part of our commitment to the Alameda community, we make public service announcements. If you know a “Becker,” please reach out to them and have them email my human companion.
The top story from my canine perspective was what might have been the inaugural auto accident on the newly-paved Encinal Avenue. On Thursday around 8:30 a.m., I was walking back from Park Street when I came upon the scene. The accident had just happened, and off in the distance I could hear the sirens and see the flashing red lights of the Alameda Fire Department.
Shortly after the ambulance arrived, Alameda Police was on the scene directing traffic around the scene. Almost everyone seemed to be OK, but one person was taken away in the ambulance. Please be careful while driving and stay alert. School will be back in session in just a few weeks.
There has been a lot of landscaping going on in Alameda, so I decided it was time to take note of several projects. Up first is City Hall. It’s been about six months since the lawn was replaced with drought-resistant plants, and I must say, the place looks great.
Over the past several weeks, I have been following another grass replacement project on Alameda Avenue near Benton Street. There was a lot of grass to take out. I watched the gardeners level out the ground, install the new drip system, and roll out the weed barrier.
The project really started to take shape once the plants were dropped into place. I was worried that somebody would take them since they were just sitting out, but it looks like they all made it into the ground.
A few days later the rock was delivered and shoveled into place. Project done! Oh! And just so you know, I have not “christened” any of them yet.
A much less impressive but equally challenging project was my insane human companion’s insistence on digging out every inch of the root system and sprouts popping up in the backyard after he had the black Acacia tree cut down. There are seven outcroppings he needs to remove, and this one was by far the biggest. Like with most things he does, I am still waiting for him to fill in the hole.
I went over to McKinley Park to continue my survey of Alameda’s recreational assets. This park is located on Buena Vista Avenue and Walnut Street. The Buena Vista side has a nice big flat grassy area for frisbee or playing catch. This park also has a recreation building where programs are offered. In addition to the usual playground structures, there is a half-court basketball area, which makes it awfully hard to have a full court game. What happened to the other hoop?
This park had been around a long time judging by the size of the oak trees and the height of the palm trees on the property. According to Dennis Evanosky’s article in the Alameda Post, the land was part of the James A. Waymire tract. Way back in 1909, the City bought the property from Hibernia Bank after the bank evicted the Waymire family because the rent wasn’t paid.
The day I was there, the property was being used as an unofficial dog park, demonstrating the need for an area on the East End where our human companions could bring us for some off-leash romping.
This week’s Walk By feature is a request from Jeff Lucia to check out 916 Union Street. According to Jeff, the apartments were built in 1930. In the 1960s, Jeff’s grandmother lived on the third floor in a studio apartment with a Murphy bed and a small kitchenette with a stove and ice box. He remembers visiting her and taking the elevator that had a gate.
I was walking along Alameda Avenue around Grand Street when I came upon a box full of books. Santa Buddies – The Legend of Santa Paws was on the top of the pile. It got me to thinking that there’s only 141 days ‘til Christmas, which I need to acknowledge as only one of several seasonal dates folks use for celebrating whatever.
Next week, I plan to visit Krusi Park and check out the amenities. Until then, I hope everyone has a great week.
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.
