Our neighbors have two grand pianos and are both pianists. They serenaded us with live music at their traditional New Year’s Day Open House (the first one since Covid).
Category Archives: Art
Vallejo Grand Victorian Homes Tour 2023
For the first time, Shando and I attended the Grand Victorian Homes Tour, although there are some exceptions to that specific style among the fabulous houses and structures on the tour. The Naval Chapel on Mare Island was one of them, and there were a few mixtures of Craftsman and Mid-Century Modern which were very appropriately included. It was great hanging out with friends who had a similar interest and who were willing to walk the downtown area to see more than a half-dozen of the homes participating. We ended up at the wine tasting place on Mare Island where the last two structures were located. Regrettably, due to it being so close to the winter solstice, it got dark after the first few hours, so we did not take in the full view of many of the homes, but knowing the city better now, I can imagine what some of the views would be on a regular basis, including the amazing sunsets from many vantage points. As with the Garden Tour that happens each May, I loved getting decorating ideas and talking about utilitarian things with other geeks of that nature.
I’m also glad that the funds for this event go to a good cause, and furthering cultural awareness in Vallejo.
Here are some of the details that we loved. In the mid-century modern house, there was an Audrey Hepburn room and a Marilyn Monroe room with their own xmas trees. The Audrey one has her costume for Breakfast at Tiffany’s if you look closely.:
Madhatter Parade December 2023
Shando and I combined our footage from our perspective of this year’s Madhatter Holiday parade. We handed out candy as elves with Santa’s sleigh again, which is a major joy, making our way down to the Vallejo Ferry Building area for the official Vallejo xmas tree lighting. I was disheartened by how the rain started (while not even forecast) on our way to the event, but for the most part it held back and we were able to enjoy a relatively warm and eventually dry night for the majority of the evening.
Obligatory pre-parade group shot
Our friend Lisa can be a real Grinch!
Lots of our same friends from last year were on hand to be elves again. Shando was a lot more prepared with his costume, although there were plenty of Caucasian elf earpieces at our disposal and some other extraneous accessories we could have borrowed.
We helped load the candy for handing out in the back of the sleigh even with some of the volunteers from earlier today with the HSNB event, not to mention Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Shando and I struggled to make use of his elf shoe coverings, but they were not conducive to being easily slipped on. I had a brainstorm to put them over my socks and then use these sandals so that I could sort of simulate them and at least get the bells to work. I eventually took out the red pointy trim over my white jeans so it looked a bit better, but I’m proud we got to use this part of his costume in at least this way:
Shando and I are also visible in this video, together with a bunch of the other elves:
November 2023 Vallejo Art Walk
We had a lovely evening with friends during the Art Walk and related events like Open Studio this week. Shando and I were actually at the Vallejo Museum for a Town Hall last night (Thursday). However, tonight we met up with some wonderful friends at the Mare Island Tap Room in the Vallejo Verry Building. Afterwards most of us walked through the streets and checked out stunning works, including tables with homegrown artists, which included a 14-year-old illustrator who is amazing. I hope to see more from her in the future.
During dinner, Antonio (in the foreground) was approached by a meandering patron who asked where all of our spouses were. Antonio was happy to reveal that we were ALL there.
Here’s some art from the Vallejo Museum that blew my mind:
Vallejo Art Walk October 2023
Above and beyond the Visions of the Wild event, the monthly Vallejo Art Walk was a lot of fun. We met our good friends Noel and Mark afterward on the gorgeous Vallejo Waterfront for dinner at the Mare Island Tap Room, but not before soaking in the gloaming and taking some sunset pictures from there. We also snapped some pictures in front of my favorite mural in Vallejo at Sacramento and Georgia Streets.
These first two pictures are of a newly displayed statute in one of the storefronts in downtown Vallejo. I noticed right away this Black girl was pledging allegiance to the flag of the USA while giving the Black Power sign. I later found a reference to her online as “Genius Girl.” As you can imagine I thought of my daughter when I saw this, who is now a strong woman of color.
Vallejo’s Vision of the Wild event honors Local Environmentalist Friends
During our routine visit to Vallejo’s Art Walk this month, I was pleased to see the anime depictions of at least four of the local environmentalists recognized by the Vision of the Wild event.
Ken Szutu is our friend from kayaking, but was happy to know that he was recognized for his outdoor air monitoring and other endeavors.
Liat Meitzenheimmer is a leader with Fresh Air Vallejo and wrote a wonderful letter in support of the Tobacco Retail License we’re trying to get passed in Vallejo.
Adjoa McDonald is a teacher, was on the Board of the Greater Vallejo Recreation District, a fellow activist against Big Tobacco, and founder of the Vallejo Project.
Doug Darling is the founder of the Vallejo Watershed Alliance. I originally met him while doing shoreline cleanups in Glen Cove, but he also was instrumental in getting the fireworks from Six Flags from shooting their debris over Lake Chabot in Dan Foley Park, where I regularly kayak and pick up trash that floats on the surface. Who knows what kind of damage has been done to the lake at the bottom over the decades.
Neverwas Haul
Vallejo is fortunate to be home to Obtanium Works. We got to meet the fabulous Kathy O’Hare, who gave us a tour of the INSIDE of this amazing vehicle, which has three full floors when assembled. One could write a book on its history, but one should check it out online or in person if one can. There are many other art vehicles that Obtainium has done, as she gave us some background of her life with her husband, Shannon O’Hare. What a treasure to have them as neighbors, and how good it is getting to know the artists on Pintado on Mare Island, along with our friends Manny Furtado and Steven Davis, both of whom were featured there as well.
So most of these images are from the INSIDE of the Neverwas Haul.
Vallejo Museum Music Gala
Featuring music that originated in Vallejo or from Vallejoans, we had a blast at this event, connecting with local volunteers and artists for a good cause and some important local history of inclusion and diversity. Fabulous Board President Liat Meitzenheimer is speaking during this portion.
Indigenous Artists Featured at Vallejo Museum
But is it Art, Sweetie
Someone else’s trash in Benicia now adorns the front porch. I love it, and it matches the color of the house trim!
