As volunteer Co-Chair of Tobacco Free Solano I was glad to be able to attend the hybrid meeting in person, although I regretted that it was the same night as National Night Out and didn’t make it to that in Vallejo. I did speak a few times from the podium and I’ll be back to do the opening speech in November at another meeting. I’m glad to see that our accomplishments in Vallejo and previously Benicia are spreading to the rest of the county!
I didn’t make it in time since I was at a meeting in Fairfield, but I some of my colleagues from GCCA were able to attend, so I’m glad to see them pictured here with the mayor, police chief, et al.
Being careful not to show the kids, we took fosters Millie and Lana with us to Saint Dominic Catholic School in Benicia for the Saint Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Animals. Linda and I went last year with our dear friend Carlene and her Mister Wiggles. They were missed, but Millie and Lana were good ambassadors for the Humane Society of the North Bay. We’re very grateful for the school’s continued support of our local shelter here in Vallejo.
A friend of mine was disappointed by the excessive promotion of smoking in Sam Smith’s promotional video for his residency at the Castro Theater when it reopens. His online complaints raised some interest and then a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle was also referred to me for comment.
My other comments to my friend about the video were:
Thanks for sharing this unfortunate tobacco advertisement dressed up as a cover from Sam Smith. My comments on the Youtube page pointing out the product placement were immediately removed. I seem to have hit a nerve when I pointed out that Sam Smith would never jeopardize his own voice with the poison of commercial tobacco, but he has no problem depicting all these queers in the Castro harming themselves and normalizing it to help Big Tobacco kill as many of us prematurely as possible. QUEER LIVES ARE NOT CHEAP!
The early morning Saturday row included a 35-minute marathon, which kicked our butts, but at least we got to see a seal pop its head and fins up about six times!
This is a very special photograph from today’s Vallejo Fest, where Shea and I tabled for a few hours on behalf of the Humane Society of the North Bay. This fireman, who was helping us sell a fundraising 2026 calendar with Vallejo Firefighters and HSNB dogs, posed with Snoopy and me. He saved Snoopy (foster dog Peaches was also brought out to me, but it might have been from another fireman) when, sadly, five of my dogs died that horrible day. He understood that I have very foggy memories of that day, which was the worst day of my life, but he was so kind to Snoopy and me today. The story is mentioned in the November 2026 picture on the calendar that they posed for.
In previous years it was called Vallejo Waterfront Weekend, but this year it’s one day.
This media for the event is also special because it has our foster Marshall on the cover!
Generally the second day (Sundays) in years past was very slow. It’s a fundraiser for many non-profits here in Vallejo.
From others:
I’ve waited for many months since I chose these shingles to see them on my roof. Ironically I’ll barely see them after the solar panels go up, but it does give me a sense of relief that they are completely done, especially before the rainy season. It’s also a huge sign toward the house being ready in the near future, but not too near enough for me.
What a genius this woman was who just died at age 96. Keeping Up Appearances brought me such joy. I continue to re-watch the episodes regularly.
Shea saw these five planes in formation and had the wherewithal to film in time, but these are definitely NOT the Blue Angels, which I understand were canceled this year.
Visiting cats and kittens at the new Catio at Humane Society of the North Bay today. Apply to foster and adopt at HSNB!
Today I got to wander around the newly completed Catio myself. I would love it if the Humane Society of the North Bay regularly had a Cat Cafe set up here. We’ll look into that possibility, as I know it was discussed in the past. We will be adding more seating and encourage people to come visit this gorgeous structure that makes life at HSNB much more exciting for the homeless cats waiting to be adopted. The cats and kittens can be observed from the outside as well. There were a lot of friendly, beautiful cats there today.