It's always a hopeful sign when an important public building gets a restoration in the form of a new roof or a paint job or some other repair. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on West Richmond Avenue in Point Richmond, is getting a facelift in the form of new wood shingles on the outside walls.
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Point Richmond.
Wood shingles can be treated with fire retardent and be safe for buildings. This is apparently the historic outside covering of this very old church that was built in the early l900's. The contractor for this job is Manfred Z. Two sides of the building are being done, which got the worst of the weather. The new shingles are a shiny light brown, compared to the dark color on the old shingles. The roof is regulation asphalt roofing, not wood.
Here's the same angle, but with the telephone pole in
the picture. In this picture you can see the parsonage
with the green window awnings and the Methodist
church to the right of the Catholic church.
This building is exquisitely pretty inside. It has fleur de lys on the back wall and stations of small sculptures all along the sides. It also has beautiful stained glass windows. The fleur de lys will give you a clue that the French were here in the last century, along with the Russians, the Native Americans, the Mexicans, the Chinese, and everyone else.
The sign proclaims mass on Saturday at 5 p.m. and
Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
The new shingles are a sign that this beautiful church is here, and it's here to stay. It's not going anywhere. It's staying right here, and you can visit it this holiday season, and be inspired by its inner beauty to be happy and to be a better person. The Catholic church has a special love for Mary and the baby Jesus which they are willing to share with all of us, which is appreciated very much by me, even though I am not Catholic.
This is the side entrance to the church.
Church services are at 5:00 Saturday evening and 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning. The Catholic and Methodist services are at different times so that parking will be available for all.
I like this particular view of the spire.
Both churches have rose gardens.
Both churches have a home for the minister, called a rectory or parsonage. The style of these two homes in this particular neighborhood, I think is called a bungalow, but I could be wrong about that. The parsonage of the Catholic church is also needing new shingles, but it is not known if that will be done at this time.
Each and every person who walks the paths of Point Isabel Regional Shoreline park with or without a dog, can hardly believe that this shoreline with breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay is actually within the city limits of Richmond. It never gets old. It never gets boring. There's always something new: a new kind of dog, a new person to meet, a new vista around a new corner.
On this particular day in November, I saw a high tide I had never noticed there before. The photo was taken on November 22, at 1:49 p.m., by the camera record. The high tide was at 11:16 a.m. by the tide tables record on the Internet. So this river of fast running roiling water was happening as the tide was going out, at the point where the outgoing water hit the water of the Bay that had risen to meet it inside the channel, just at my feet as I was going over the little bridge that connects the two parts of Point Isabel.
I am used to this channel being much shallower. Actually dogs can jump into the water at many places along here. They wade in the channel stalking birds, who play the game of setting down just a few feet in front of the dog, to make the dog lunge at them, as they rise in flight. The bird knows he or she is going to get the dog to do something by getting so close to him or her. It can't be an accident because they do it over and over again.
This is what it usually looks like
This is a treat for anyone who likes to see different breeds of dogs. But I recommend that you be prepared to pick up your toddler and carry him or her, because occasionally there is a very young dog who doesn't know that he or she is not supposed to jump on a baby and kiss the baby. And really this is a park for dogs to run loose, off leash, not a place where the owners have to always be concerned about the dog not running up and kissing a toddler. So you might be happier with your toddler in a stroller or just leaving him or her home. My dog will run up to a toddler because my dog smells the Johnson's baby shampoo, which is what I use to bathe my dogs. So my dog thinks the baby is another dog that he grew up with. And he can smell that several feet or yards away.
Some dogs who have been trained to search for lost people are given the person's clothing to smell before they go looking for the person. You wonder how they know what to do? Of course the dog understands English. When you hand them the person's jacket, you tell the dog, "This is the person I want you to find." Then the dog goes out looking for the person. Dogs are smarter than you think they are. The dog comes back with the person and says, "I want to put in a full eight hour day. Is there anyone else you want me to go look for?" He knows he has to work eight hours to get that special doggy bone he wants.
We would laugh and laugh. "Dogs can't understand English, Dad," we would say.
"Yes they can," he would tell us.
Here's one of those birds who enjoys teasing dogs.
For you, you might be distraught because you thought you lost someone you love, but for the dog, it's just another ho hum work day because they train to do this every day. I have seen a BIG dog RUN down over those rocks and SAIL into the water. How did he know where to put his feet? He didn't even look down at his feet while he was running over the rocks. I think they call that agility. To me, it's amazing, incredible that they can do that.
That's what they call a search and rescue dog.
I take my dog over to the rocks, and little by little he gains self confidence climbing around on the rocks, but still not like that big dog does. My dog doesn't want to get in the water. The only way I can get him to go in the water is if I go in first and they he gets up the courage to swim over to me. He won't go in voluntarily.
This dog is in the air. Lucky shot, huh? If you take
enough photos, eventually you will get some
good ones.
Well, I guess it's not quite like that. That's the kind of thing my dad used to tell me when I was a child.
He was very good at training animals. I still do not know how he trained the cat to lie in the back window while traveling and to get out of the car and poop at a gas station and then come back to the car and get in, just like it was a dog. The cat probably would have slept on the car seat if we kids had not been sitting on it ourselves. The cat found a place to get out of the kids' way.
For you easterners, this is NOT a place to go swimming. There's no sign that says that, probably because it disturbs the sense of freedom that the park district workers want to give the people who come here. The water is too cold and right at this point in the tide, it's running too fast. But you can see the little bridge is still quite a few feet up over the water. I do not know if it has ever overflowed its banks here on the shores of San Francisco Bay. According to the tide tables the difference between high and low ties is about seven feet--taller than even a very tall man. The name of the channel is the Hoffman Channel. The I 580 freeway that goes past the sensitive salt marsh ecosystem here, used to be called Hoffman Blvd. Who was Hoffman? I have to get out my book of Richmond history.
People who swim off of Point Isabel are not swimming in the sense we think of summer recreational swiming in the east. They are wearing wet suits to protect from the cold water. They are para-sailors or wind surfers. The wind surfers have boards they stand on, which have very large triangular shaped sails. They can travel pretty fast on these, if they can stay upright. They usually do not come out here by themselves. There are usually two or three sailing at the same time. But they do not come out so often that you can count on seeing one if you come here. You can't count on it. It's a treat when you see a wind surfer or a parasailor at Point Isabel. Another good place to watch for windsurfers is at Fort Point, just under the Golden Gate Bridge.
The 23 acre waterfront park is the largest dog park in the entire country.
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park is located at 2701 Isabel Street, Richmond, California.
For the walkers, it's about a half-mile hike from the parking lot at Mudpuppy's, to the little bridge across the Hoffman Channel. So it's about a mile to the bridge and back. You can go another mile by crossing the bridge and walking around the other side of the park. There is also a parking lot there and a set of porta-potties.
From the park brochure:
"There are beautiful views of the Golden Gate and Marin County from this landscaped 23-acre park at the west end of Central Avenue in Richmond. This is the largest public off-leash dog park in the nation with over 500,000 dog visits per year.
A favorite with park visitors is Mudpuppy's Tub & Scrub, a dog washing and dog-specific retail shop facility. There are full service and do-it-yourself dog baths, plus great toys, treats, and supplies. The Sit & Stay Cafe is located next door to Mudpuppy's and features treats for your dog's best friend, including Gourmet espresso drinks, coffee, pastries, sandwiches, smoothies, soups, cookies, ice cream, and their famous Road House Chili. Call (510) 559-8899 or for more information on these facilities, or see www.mudpuppys.com.
The park provides rich birdwatching opportunities, particularly in the fall and winter when the year-round "residents" are joined by migrating field and shorebirds. Other attractions include bay fishing, jogging and running trails, bike riding, kite flying, and picnicking.
A State fishing license is required to fish from the shore. Fishers may try for striped bass, various surf perch, jacksmelt, sturgeon, leopard shark, and flounder.
Dogs may be off-leash at Point Isabel, although owners must have a leash with them (six-foot maximum) and have their dog under voice control and within sight at all times. Animals showing aggressive behavior toward people or other animals should be leashed immediately. Please prevent dogs from digging or damaging park resources, and please place your animal's waste in a trash can. Dogs must be on leash in parking lots and streets.
Dogs may be taken off leash at Pt. Isabel Regional Shoreline. Any person allowing their animal to be off leash must:
1.Carry a leash (six-foot maximum).
2.Keep their dog or other animal under voice control and within sight at all times.
3.Clean up feces deposited by their dog or other animal and place it in provided and marked containers or garbage cans.
4.Immediately leash any dog or other animal showing aggressiveness toward people or other dogs or animals.
5.Prevent dogs or other animals from digging or damaging park resources.
Any person who walks or exercises a dog or dogs for a fee or who walks more than three (3) personal dogs must obtain and have in their possession a revokable annual permit. Call (510) 690-6508 for information.
There are wheelchair accessible parking, trails and restrooms in the park.
Back to top
To Reach The Park: From I-580 or I-80 (the Eastshore Freeway) in Richmond, take Central Avenue west to Isabel Street or Rydin Road, turn right to get to Point Isabel parking lots, adjacent to Costco and the U.S. Postal Service Bulk Mail Center."
In my own words, take Central Avenue west and go past Costco, around the bend to the right and all the way down to the end of the street where you will see a parking lot and dogs.
Guillerina Oriental Arts and Antiques has been doing business at 111 West Richmond Avenue, Point Richmond 94801 for the last 13 years. An amazing richness of Japanese cultural heritage greets the visitor to this designer's dream showcase. In addition to Japanese cultural items such as kimonos, Japanese prints by Hiroshige and Hokusai, furniture and lots of jewelry, Guillermina LaFever offers items from other countries as well. The store will be open daily until December 24 from 12 noon to 6 p.m.
Guillermina LaFever stands behind a Japanese
accountant's ledger which is more than 100
years old, which she already sold.
This month Guillermina has a multitude of Ganesh statues. Ganesh is the young elephant god with four arms. He takes female form as well as male form. He is worshipped in the Hindu pantheon and in Buddhism as well. Ganesh is all about removing obstructions—obstacles to success and other obstructions as well, Guillermina says.
A visit to this store of artifacts is like going to a museum. It’s better than going to a museum because you can touch the objects, while you are not allowed to touch things in a museum. She is offering a discount of 20 percent on all items over $10
You won't be able to resist picking up one of these
beautifully crafted dinner bells to hear the clear sound.
Next door to the Asian antiques is the new Schurman gallery of handmade Japanese prints. These are all contemporary handmade fine art prints, including etchings and woodblock prints. It's a wonderful collection of original contemporary limited edition prints, nicely framed and ready to hang on the wall. You can enter the gallery from Guillerimina's store. She has been leasing or renting that room for several years to different artists who want to try their hand at running a gallery. Also there is usually a sales table out front where she offers some really irresistible bargains.
In this case are carved "chops" or seals, each with
a different animal carving on top. After you
have purchased one, you take it to Chinatown
to get your name carved into it in Chinese.
Unless, of course, you know how to carve it
yourself.
Guillermina La Fever travels to Japan herself once a year to buy the items she offers for sale. She goes to different countries as well. This year she went to Europe and brought back stuff from Italy and Vienna. "I also have things from Montana," she said proudly. She thinks the best bargain in the store are the vintage Christmas ornaments and paper products from Punchline Studio that used to be in Point Richmond. She has paper products from Pomegranate and contemporary Japanese prints. She also has exquisite restrikes of historic prints that are a work of art in themselves, for about $80 a print.
To contact Guellermina, her telephone number is 510-237-0036 or you may email her at guillermina@guillermina.com Her website is www.guillermina.com.
Point Richmond had its annual tree lighting and caroling tonight at around 5 pm next to the West Side Branch library. The Methodists sang, as they do every year. Pastor Dan leads the choir who have been practicing together for many years. I hope you enjoy the amateur recordings of Christmas carols from Point Richmond below.
We had a beautiful sunset preceding the event, which I share with you here. Sorry about the telephone wires in the way. They are everywhere and not going away anytime soon. At least you can see that I did not doctor this photo. In fact, I really do not have enough time to fix photos and do statistics homework too. If you want artsy photos, you will have to get them from Tom Brichta, who was also taking photographs at this event. His night vision goggles probably work better than mine do.
View of Golden Gate Bridge from Point Richmond, right after a storm.
Setting up the luinarias (candles in sand in paper bags).
My neighbors the Sassis--Michael, Andrea and Mia.
They used to rent the house across the street from me
and then they bought one of their own on the next block.
Isn't that nice? I hope the rest of their lives work out that well.
The choir is about ready to sing.
Andrew Butt and son Harley Butt. What a cute kid. They are all cute,
Point Richmond is open for business! Please remember to shop "Small Business Saturday," after Black Friday (putting business in the black in one day of frantic bargain hunting). We're ready for ya! Here are some photos from the day before Small Business Saturday.
"Outback in the Temple of Venus" is having a sale.
"The Art Lounge" is open for business.
The Art Lounge
The one day sale was Friday. It's not a fancy
sign but it works, it communicates. I like it.
I call that setting a good example.
Starbucks is ready for you!
The Masquers Playhouse awaits you.
The Hotel Mac is decorated for the holidays.
Arts of Point Richmond is installing a
new show at the Post Office in anticipation of its
big holiday show across the street,
next Saturday December 4.
More from Arts of Point Richmond.
Bark Stix is just up the street on Garrard.
Speaks for itself.
The Incurable Collector is
still alive and still can't be cured. Still
collecting too.
Bill Valano places his favorite mementos in
the store window for the holidays.
Three local merchants--your friends and mine.
The new market owners quickly saw that outdoor
sandwich signs are de riguer.
They are doing their own pathfinding with
a couple of fabulous new murals.
\
The Methodists sponsor some wonderful music.
Windrush school is accepting new students.
The Up and Under Pub has activities for the folks.
The Baltic is specializing in good music along
with its good food.
Guillermina is getting her store ready for the holiday season.
Hydrangea is almost ready for Christmas
Here's Hydrangea's backyard, all ready to be rented for a party.
Hydrangea proprietor Thea Kynthia is working on a glazing one of her
