Where have all the crosswalks gone? Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for August 20, 2023
The weather was pretty darn nice this week. Most mornings started out sunny and the offshore breeze kept the afternoon temperatures tolerable. My human companion didn’t need to wear his ski gloves and “Made in Siberia” fuzzy hat with the ear flaps on our early morning walk.
Monday was the first day of school for AUSD students, and I was very curious how student drop-off was going to look with the new lane configuration on Encinal Avenue. For the most part, it was pretty smooth, unless you wanted to use the bike lane between 8:15 and 8:35 a.m.
I did see some questionable maneuvers that were worth noting. Passing the double-parked vehicles using the turn only lane was a really popular choice, but the one I liked the most was making a U-turn in the middle of the block. Check out the U-turn movie my human companion put together using the “Mickey Mouse Cartoon” method of capturing live action.
After the 8:30 a.m. rush, I continued my walk along Encinal Avenue and stopped to watch the workers build the foundation for the big traffic signal arms that reach way, way across the street. Building this foundation is a major undertaking involving supersized augers (is that a big auger or are you just glad to see me? 😀) which drill deep holes where a rebar cylinder is dropped in and then covered with cement.
I had always wondered what kept them from tipping over, and, after watching the process, I will never mark another one of these poles thinking it might fall over. Check out the video of the process. I also noticed that the crosswalks are still missing from the intersections. 🎶 Where have all the crosswalks gone … Long time passing 🎵.
A little further down the road, near Chestnut Encinal Market, I noticed that Marti’s Diner has reopened with their great breakfast fare. All the old favorites are still on the menu, and a few new items have been added to spruce up this classic eatery.
Speaking of Chestnut Encinal Market, did this business sell? There is one of those big yellow ABC signs in the window indicating change of ownership. And, if you need women’s pants, you can pick up a pair along with that sixpack and package of Beer Nuts.
I also made a trip to Krusi Park to continue my special feature documenting my visits to Alameda’s great parks. This is a huge park with multiple baseball diamonds, tennis courts, a nice rec center building, and plenty of shaded grass area. The kids’ playground area is huge, with large sand areas and plenty pf playground equipment for the kiddos. Apparently, the baseball fields get a lot of use from the organized teams that call Krusi home.
Alameda Girls Softball and the Alameda Blaze fast pitch teams use these fields—with the only restriction being that they cannot hit balls against the fence. The field also has historical significance, as the home of the 14 to 16-year-old Babe Ruth All Stars that won the world series in Jamestown New York this very week in 1985. There is a plaque commemorating the champions. One caution: if you get freaked out about radio frequency fields, the tennis courts might be considered the Chernobyl of this issue judging by the warning signs.
Nature was on display in both the insect and plant departments. I watched a monarch butterfly enjoy nectar from my neighbor’s plants and, on a walk along Alameda Avenue, found a Dr. Seuss-looking pink and grey succulent.
This week, two of my regular feature return to the report. Streetcycle features items that were being offered on the curb as a giveaway. This week’s offering is a Mr. Coffee coffeemaker. It has been cleaned up and is in good working order. Let me know if you want it by DMing my human companion on Facebook.
I also want to remind readers that if you would like me to walk by your old Alameda residence and snap a picture, I will include it in my Walk By feature. Just email my human companion at [email protected] with the address and a little bit of your history with the house.
Now that school is back in session, I will be steering clear of the Park Street area during the lunch hour to avoid the student rush to Alameda eateries. If you happen to be driving in the Park Street area during that timeframe, please be especially careful and cautious.
This is Mouf wishing you a rockin’ 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.
