Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for February 4, 2024
This week’s report title is courtesy of my human companion and a singer named Lou Rawls, who sang Dead End Street. Apparently, it is a reference to the Chicago wind rather than the bird of prey. Don’t worry. I will provide some background info for all the young folks (like me) who have no idea what the reference to this 1967 song is—which reached number nine on the Prehistoric Record Chart.
Congratulations to the 49ers on a great come-from-behind victory over the Lions that put them In the Superbowl. Alamedans are showing off the red and gold all over town. GO NINERS!
This week, I am continuing with my special features on the parks of Alameda. I took advantage of the one sunny day this week to venture over to Littlejohn Park located at the corner of Sherman Street and Buena Vista Avenue. This is a huge park with amenities found in many of the City’s parks, including a rec center and play structure for the little ones. There are several basketball courts, but there is only a basketball hoop on one end. Strange.
While I was there, it was also an unofficial dog park, with a number of canine buddies running around chasing balls and wrestling with each other. It looked really fun, but I got too excited and started pulling my human companion across the grass. Needless to say, we left rather abruptly.
Recently, I have been walking around Otis Drive and keeping an eye on the demolition of the old Lum School. I waited for all the buildings to be removed before starting any coverage, because I know a lot of Alamedans are sad to see the school go. According to the school district, a new and improved Wood Middle School will be built, starting in June or July of this year.
The morning commute along Central Avenue was interrupted in a major way on Tuesday when one of Alameda’s resident flocks of turkeys decided to cross the road, presumably to get to the other side. Drivers exhibited great patience as these feathered friends took their sweet time to cross.
Then, while walking along Grand Street, I came across a lemon tree loaded with fruit which featured a mini-interpretative center about the planet Neptune, for those interested in learning more about our solar system. Do you know if there are any other signs out there?
And, on the topic of botany, one of the tropical plants in the front yard near my house started to produce something that looks like seeds. They start out green, and over several days they turn black. I have seen some strange reproductive structures before, and I will be adding this plant to the list. Can someone tell me the name of this plant?
Speaking of strange, I swung by the giant skeleton on Pacific Avenue and found it still sporting its holiday attire, complete with antlers and big red nose.
Has anyone else seen the new Rivian vehicles? Rivian is a new-ish electric car manufacturer who produces a sport utility vehicle and a pickup truck. They are still quite rare. You can learn more about the company and the cars from their website.
The wind was really forceful this past week. Trees were swaying and leaning over. It tipped over a canopy and blew down a bunch of branches blocking the sidewalk.
Now for the explanation about “The Hawk” that I promised. My human companion thought the opening lyrics to Dead End Street were very appropriate given the weather we Alamedans have experienced this week.
I was born in a city that they call the Windy City
And they called it the Windy City because of the Hawk
The Hawk, the almighty Hawk, Mr. Wind
Takes care of plenty business around wintertime
The place that I lived in
Was on a street that, uh, happened to be one of the dead end streets
Where there was nothing to block the wind, the elements
Nothing to buffer them for me to keep them from knockin’ my pad down, you know
I mean, really sockin’ it to me
Thanks to YouTube, you all can watch a video of Mr. Rawls performing the song.
Good luck Niners! Bring us home a Super Bowl trophy!
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.
