Returning to the scene of the crime: Mary, Patti and a parade of Presidents in New Orleans

Broken Jesus

Some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet are folks from Louisiana and some of the nicest, most memorable you’ll meet are from New Orleans.  Quick with a hello, how y’all doin’? and a sassy story with a healthy dose of poetic license and twist of sardonic wit.  Always willing to lend a hand and a smile.

Somehow, this seems even truer now then ever.  After all they’ve been through and over the course of this illustrious city’s wild and tumultuous history, folks here just seem to understand more so than most – we are all in this together.

I met a lovely young woman today, Trudy - a raven-haired beauty with an accent and manner of cadence I could listen to all damn day.  Born and raised in Jean Lafitte, Louisiana, literally, “straight outta the bayou.”  Trudy is Cajun and Spanish with a little Chocktaw Indian thrown in for spice.  For generations the men her family have all been shrimpers and fishermen.  To people in the bayou who make their living off the land, hurricanes are just part of natural life.  Hurricanes “make sense” to folks like Trudy (who’s never had to pay for a single fish, shrimp or crab in her life – imagine!)

Trudy went on to tell me that her family had never really known hardship and fear until the BP oil spill.  That is a disaster they are still coping with today.  As you hopefully recall, over 200 million gallons of oil was leaked into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.  It went on for 87 gut-wrenching days, making it the biggest oil spill in U.S. history.   The spill forced Trudy’s uncle to retire early and broke her father’s heart and spirit. 

“They (BP) threw a lot of money at that problem hoping people of the Gulf would move on and forget, “ Trudy said, “but the damage was done.”  She went on to give me a very detailed and somewhat complicated explanation of the damage done to the regional ecosystem that I am, unfortunately, too dense to relay back with any kind of accuracy.

When we started to talk about Katrina and the 10-year anniversary, Trudy got quiet. Since we’ve been here, whenever Mary and I tell locals our little piece of the Katrina story a look of horror and total understanding passes over them. 

“I’m so sorry that happened to you,” said Trudy, almost in tears, and I knew she meant it.

It is of great comfort to me to talk about our Katrina story without having to explain it.  I believe that’s part of the reason why I’m here.  Another reason:  some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet are folks from Louisiana and some of the nicest, most memorable you’ll meet are from New Orleans.

Water Woes

By Patti Cary
Originally published on The Alamedan - May 19, 2015

With all the news about water shortages and climate change, it’s hard not to think maybe Chicken Little was right.  Bees disappearing, millions of trees lost, metallic tasting water – all pieces of a troubling, interconnected puzzle.

Hopefully, most of us understand with four straight years of water shortages in California come brown lawns, dirty cars and shorter showers.   Still, it’s unthinkable for most of us to imagine a day when we turn on the tap and nothing comes out.

Some of us are already taking extra steps to capture grey water, replant gardens with more sustainable landscaping and take good care to fix any leaky faucets and plumbing.  We drive electric cars and we compost – because it’s not just for hippies anymore!

Some of us briefly consider the role we play in water and resource conservation, but then figure the crisis will eventually pass or we hold out hope someone else somewhere will surely come up with a solution soon and so we go back to our business as usual.

Some suspect all this drought and climate change business is mostly hype or some kind of scam.  We dismiss it as political posturing or simply tune out when we hear yet another news story about earthquakes and fracking or California water woes. 

Before we get too cozy and settle down with whatever our perspective might be, consider this:

A comprehensive soil moisture study released in February by NASA, along with Columbia and Cornell Universities, conclude that, on our current course, there is a 60 - 80% chance the American South-West is headed for a mega drought before the end of the century.  Naturally occurring droughts last about ten years (1930s Dust Bowl) but a mega drought could last for several decades, presenting “a substantial challenge to adaptation.” 

You might want to read that last part again.

It has to be said: our natural resources are in serious distress.  It’s time to change the very culture of how we interact with all our natural resources, not just water. This is not breaking news to most, but it bears repeating again and again (and again!) until it is a consideration in everything we buy, sell, consume and waste.

So, can we do?  Unlike the story of Chicken Little, all is not lost.

Be informed and take action.  EBMUD has dozens of resources on their website along with a Rebate Incentive Program to get us started and to help make a difference.  Talk to friends and neighbors about what’s working for them and attend free local meetings by groups like Alameda Backyard Growers or Greywater Action. 

Teach our children well.  Adults can lead by example to make sure the future stewards of our families and homes understand the delicate balance and importance of our natural resources.  Encourage youngsters to love and appreciate our natural surroundings. Thanks to some very conscientious and dedicated science teachers,

we can all learn from sixth graders over at Lincoln Middle School who are getting hands-on lessons on ecosystem restoration and at Alameda Academy where they’re exploring future energy alternatives.   Bravo!

Start simple and don’t give up.  Work past apathy, the naysayers and the politicianswho play the blame game.  We can all do better and fix our home if we all work together by taking personal responsibility.  Let’s keep Chicken Little at bay and keep our eyes on the prize – a safe and sustainable future.

The West End Library will be hosting a free talk on how to create a water-wise home presented by Laura Allen, co-founder of Greywater Action, on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m., 788 Santa Clara Avenue.

The Art Around Us

By Patti Cary

Spring has sprung on the island and what a great time to get out and ride a bike or take a leisurely stroll down our lovely tree-lined streets and picturesque avenues.  It’s no secret Alameda offers an incredible variety of architecture and beachfront vistas to enjoy but next time you’re out and about, slow down a bit and take a closer look at the amazing art that is all around us.

From the west end of Central Avenue to the tip of the east side, Alameda has many breathtaking sculptures, interesting collections and dazzling murals “hidden” in plain sight.  These works of art add magic to our unique and wonderful landscape and are available for all to see – if you know where to look.

Start at the west end of Central Avenue at the top of the path that runs parallel to Crown Drive.

If you are lucky and the lighting is just right, you can spy a gorgeous display of 56 Chinese ghost puppets mysteriously peering out from a stretch of windows behind the trees. The unique and colorful collection of painstakingly handcrafted marionettes dates back to the 1940s-era of communist ruler Chairman Mao Zedong. Street artists, considered political subversives, were forced to perform their shows in secret and needed to shut down in a hurry and without a trace in order to avoid arrest, or worse. Hence the term, ghost puppets.

After spending over sixty years in a dark, dusty basement somewhere in China, the puppets were liberated from a Beijing flea market in 2008 and found a new home in Alameda.  Very cool.

Continuing back down Central Avenue at Weber Street, you can see one of the many eye-catching house murals commissioned by real estate entrepreneur and art enthusiast, Farhad Matin. The recently renovated corner building definitely adds a playful yet tasteful flair to the neighborhood. The bright splash of multi-layered hearts is signature work of Los Angeles street artist, Free Humanity.

On St. Charles Street at Lincoln Avenue enjoy work by San Francisco muralist, Victor Reyes, the artist also behind the bold, swirling black and white “building wrap” at Matin’s 2029 Central property. Reyes work can also be seen all over the Mission District of San Francisco and has been appropriately described as, “electric in color and obsessive in detail.”

All over the island, Matin has taken his “disruptive innovation” approach to restyling and revamping his several properties because, as he states, “At the end of the day, who strives to be ordinary?”

Over at the 1000 block of Grand Street, you almost can’t miss the stunning work of San Francisco artist Fletcher Benton, renowned for his large-scale geometric sculptures in steel.  The impressive 9-foot modern piece is from Fletcher’s One-Legged Table series and has been a defining characteristic of the 1895 Queen Anne Colonial Revival home for many years.

Current homeowners and caretakers of the sculpture, Erin and Colin Smith, sum up the philosophy of their home in three words: kids/books/art. The couple feel honored to have such a bold, striking work gracing the front yard of their beautiful home.

Across town, we can thank Deborah Finney and Joe Conley for the wonderful collection of sculptures at the very east end of Central Avenue.  Over the years, these generous patrons have nurtured their garden to showcase work from talented local artists including Oakland ‘s Gale Wagner, one of the founders of the Pacific Rim Sculpture Group, and Richard Botto, known for his work, which can also be spotted at the Chandon winery in Yountville, with river rocks.

Take the short walkway and marvel at the several impressive sculptures that line the path that include whimsical stone daisies by Botto and a majestic seahorse of amazing detail by Wagner.

At the end of the walkway at the water’s edge, Finney and Conley, along with some of their thoughtful neighbors, have lovingly created and maintain a peaceful space to pause and reflect and marvel at the natural beauty this area has to offer.

All these fun and fabulous works are just a sampling of the array of accessible art to be found all around the 10.6 square mile island we call home. Alameda is extremely fortunate to have such a talented community of artists and passionate art lovers willing to share their works and who make such important contributions to the culture of our little island on the Bay.

 Originally posted on The Alamedan - April 10, 2015

Seven Nights in Funameda

By Patti Cary

Originally published on The Alamedan March 6, 2015

Gone are the days when our sleepy island rolled up the sidewalks at sundown and the only action to be found on Park Street was the jukebox at the Buckhorn.  Nights in Alameda are now alive and buzzing with unique events and creative gatherings all over town, just waiting for folks to venture out and join in on some good ol’ fashioned fun.  The following seven weekly happenings, one for each night of the week, are examples of just a few of the wonderful, homegrown activities taking place in an Alameda neighborhood near you.

Have your B-9 with a twist of lime.  If you prefer your bingo game on the rocks, check out DrinkO, played every Monday night at Swell Bar, a cozy neighborhood watering hole with a lot of salty history. You can hang out with the regulars, enjoy a refreshing beverage and win cool prizes including free shots and funky bar swag.  The game is free to play and you get four bingo cards per round - rounds with great names like, big square robot boob. 

Bingo traditionalists take note, though, “This is not your grandfather’s bingo,” warns DrinkO ball caller, local DJ, promoter and all around bon vivant, Hawk Valentine.  “It can get raunchy.  We’ve been doing DrinkO here for almost three years and it really is the most fun you can have on the island on a Monday.” 

Also on Mondays, all rum drinks are half off, a bonus for all you bingo-loving pirates.  Have fun but please remember to DrinkO responsibly.  DrinkO – Mondays, 9pm til 2am * Swell Bar -  1539 Lincoln Avenue * No cover (21+)

Be a team player.  Gather your most clever pals together or come make some new friends and test your wealth of knowledge at Tuesday Night Trivia at the charming Fireside Lounge on Webster Street. Teams of up to 6 people can sign up at the bar to compete for prizes and smarty-pants bragging rights by answering a series of trivia questions on topics ranging from the Sex Pistols to string theory.  

Made popular in Great Britain in the 70s, trivia nights have swept this side of the pond in the last ten years and the Fireside has just the right pub atmosphere to keep the game interesting.

The Fireside Lounge has been around since the heyday of the Alameda Naval Air Station but the drink selection at this well-appointed mainstay is definitely for modern “craft beverage enthusiasts” with cocktails featuring fresh local ingredients like The Garden, a mix of Blade Gin with fennel.  Yum! Tuesday Night Trivia - 7:30pm * Fireside Lounge, 1453 Webster Street * No cover (21+) 

Come over to the art side.  The convivial crew at Rhythmix Cultural Works invite artists, craftspeople and general makers-of-stuff to join them Wednesday nights in their K Gallery, a well lit space to create and debate, for Art Jam!  This weekly meeting is a supportive, friendly gathering with a very fun vibe. Pop in for great conversation, art inspiration and even some tasty libations.  Rhythmix is always evolving and has been providing Alameda with great performing arts classes and entertainment since 2007 and Art Jam! is yet another fabulous, generous contribution to supporting and encouraging arts on the island.  

There’s no cost (although a snack, something to drink, music or art supplies to share is always appreciated) and no pressure - just folks hanging out, left to their own arty devices like Ed Holmes working on his Sketchbook Project and Aannah Kay making her gorgeous Password bracelets. Bring your project supplies and let your imagination run wild.  Art Jam!  - Wednesdays, 6 til 9pm * Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Avenue * All ages * No cover

Show your support.  Every Thursday night is Charity Night at the High Street Station Café, where you can enjoy a reasonably priced dinner with a glass of fine wine and support local organizations, all at the same time.  Proceeds from Charity Night go to worthy causes such as the Alameda Midway Shelter for Women and the Alameda Food Bank.  

Charity Night is a labor of love and High Street Station Café owners, Susan Timney (an Alameda native) and Lynda Kretlow are working hard to provide family-friendly dining in a comfortable setting at this landmark east end eatery and music venue.  Named for the railroad station that stood at this Encinal and High Street location back in the 1800s, the café was voted “Best Place to Hear Music in the East Bay” by the Bay Area News Group in 2014, and for good reason.  With its old-timey saloon feel and historic surroundings, this airy corner spot is ideal for kicking back and enjoying a leisurely, weekend meal while being entertained by top-notch local talent.

Also on Thursday nights, The High Street Station hosts open mic, starting around 7 p.m. so you can stay after dinner and sit back and enjoy the show.  Charity Night - Thursdays, 5:30 til 7pm * High Street Station Café, 1303 High Street * $14 fixed price menu (All ages)

Laissez les bons temps rouler. The hottest ticket for Friday nights on the island is zydeco at the Eagles Hall, bringing the energy and excitement of this Creole tradition right to our downtown doorstep. This weekly dance featuring excellent live bands is a celebration of all things “plezi” and is an Alameda institution that has been spicin’ up the island for 20 years. Don’t be intimidated by the excellent two-steppin’ regulars that rock the dance floor - everyone is encouraged to get up and shake their tail feathers.  Just ask Marcia Gill and Ron Thompson, who met zydeco dancing six years ago and have been partners on and off the dance floor ever since.

“I stepped on so many toes when I first started but people were in goods spirits and so forgiving and kept asking me to dance,” says Marcia.  “The people are nice and friendly and there’s always lots of laughter.  You don’t even need a partner and if you don’t get it the first time, keep coming back!”

Ron, a native of New Orleans, adds, “I tell people it’s somewhere between salsa and east coast swing.  It’s a very easy basic step to learn.  Zydeco Flames (who perform at Eagles Hall often) are the ones who make me homesick cause they do zydeco with a bit of a New Orleans bluesy side.”

Zydeco, with its Louisiana roots and signature sound, is known for its fast tempo and washboard flair. Even if you have two left feet, you can still enjoy exciting music by talented musicians, sure to bring a smile to your face and start your weekend off with a dash of Tabasco.  Get there early and join in the pre-band dance lesson with host, Dana DeSimone.  Zydeco – Fridays, 8:30 til midnight * Eagles Hall, 2305 Alameda Avenue * All ages * $15-25

Rock this town.  If it is Saturday at Speisekammer, you know the joint is jumpin’!  Come for the bratwürstchen but stay for the bands, some of the best in the Bay Area.  You’ll hear all kinds of great music including Lavay Smith (the queen of classic jazz and blues) with Jules Broussard, local rock singer Paul Manousos, or maybe The Saddle Cats, a western swing pocket orchestra…yeehaw!   Speisekammer has been serving up delicious German fare and pouring some of the best brews in town since 2002. The authentic Bavarian décor, biergarten and friendly staff create an inviting, old-world experience unlike any other on the island. Music starts around 8:30 and, amazingly, considering this is top-shelf talent, there is no cover .  You’ll be raising your stein and singing along in no time.  Genießen!  Live music – Saturdays, 8:30pm * Speisekammer, 2424 Lincoln Avenue * All ages * No cover

Take a walk down memory lane. Top off your weekend by taking an evening stroll over to the Pacific Pinball Museum on Webster Street where you can magna save your add-a-ball up until 9 p.m. every Sunday. Pacific Pinball is a nonprofit organization “dedicated to the promotion and preservation of one of America's great pastimes” and how lucky we are to have such a treasure trove right here in Alameda. You can battle Gogar or match wits with the Joker or Iron Man. Try your luck on the King of Diamonds or rock out with AC/DC, surrounded by one of the most extensive and gorgeous collections of pinball machines in the country, some dating as far back as the 1930s.

Oh, the sweet simplicity of the flippers flying on a vintage Bally.  Be careful though, you may find yourself shouting things like, “Oh, boy!” and “Hot dawg!” so be prepared to get a little wild.  It is super fun for the whole family and truly one of the most unique and wonderful places on the island.  All day play – Tues thru Sun * Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster Street * Adults $15, Under 16  $7.50

Busy Alameda Writer Guy, Up for Edgar

Originally published on The Alamedan - February 12, 2015

Writer and Bay Farm Islander Steve Hockensmith is a busy guy. A prolific author, husband, father of two and some-time dog wrangler, Hockensmith published four books in the last year – no easy feat when you’re also holding down a nine-to-five day job. 

This April, he’ll be undertaking an additional task: traveling to New York City as a finalist for a prestigious Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award, his second nomination since he was up for Best First Novel in 2007. 

The Edgars, named for the infamous Allan Poe, honor the best of all of the factions in the mystery-writing genre.

Hockensmith’s first Edgar nomination was recognition for the delightful debut of Holmes on the Range, the tale of two cowboy brothers and their Sherlock-fueled adventures on the Cantlemere Ranch in the 1800s. The book, described as “dazzling” by the Boston Globe, was the first in a popular, ongoing series. 

This year, he’s nominated for Nick and Tesla’s Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove, an installment of the wildly inventive and scientifically sound, Nick and Tesla (get it?) stories aimed at middle-graders that he writes in collaboration with award-winning science teacher “Science Bob” Pflugfelder. 

Both of these critically acclaimed series are educational and funny, and a joy to read.

At 46, he reflects, “I was a kid who gravitated to storytelling early on and I guess I always felt like an old soul.” 

Like his books, Hockensmith communicates with an adept dry wit and subtle smarts, making it easy to imagine he could throttle you in a game of Jeopardy! while you’re doubled over, too busy laughing to compete. 

Moving from Indiana via West Virginia via Kentucky, he made his way West, then sort of stumbled upon and eventually settled in Alameda to raise a family. 

“Discovering Alameda was like (being) 15 minutes into the Wizard of Oz, where she steps out of the house and it goes from black and white to color. We’re so happy to be here. Alameda is the jewel of the East Bay, a true hidden treasure,” he said, with only a slight hint of irony.

The Dorothy reference is pure Hockensmith. Talking with the author, you get the feeling he too may have just arrived from a distant time and place, possibly Victorian England or the O.K. Corral or maybe even Kepler-442b. The notion is not so far fetched. 

He happily acknowledged having come of age on a steady diet of ‘60s time-traveling science fiction television shows like “Star Trek” and “Doctor Who” (he now happily watches the current version of the British show with his 11-year-old daughter). When you add in a healthy dose of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” a sense of the author’s writing style starts to take shape. 

“That was the biggest gift from living in West Virginia – public television,” he said. 

Those early influences nurtured an insightful humor and brainy imagination that oozes out onto every page, whether he’s writing one of the popular Pride and Prejudice and Zombies mashups (Dawn of the Dreadfuls in 2010, Dreadfully Ever After in 2011) or 2014’s The White Magic Five and Dime – A Tarot Mystery, geared toward a PG-13-and-older audience. 

But in this TARDIS-like (see “Doctor Who”) whirlwind of activity, Hockensmith takes most of the compliments and his many accolades in a pleasant, Midwestern-with-a-dash-of-Southern-sass stride. His biggest worry about his Edgar award nomination and the upcoming award ceremony seems to be whether or not he can still fit into his previously owned, somewhat famous (having been liberated from a Phil Bronstein estate sale) tuxedo come spring. 

At a fancy hotel ballroom in New York on April 29, whichever author’s name the Mystery Writers of America call out when they announce the winner of Best Juvenile mystery book, one thing is for sure: Steve Hockensmith is going places.

Hockensmith’s books are available at Books, Inc., and you can read more about him on his website, Steve Hockensmith, Writer Guy. You can also follow him on Twitter, @MrHockensmith.