Alex and Panda joined Snoopy and me through downtown Vallejo and its waterfront.
Downtown Vallejo Walk
Category Archives: Street Fairs
Shando Makes Local Paper Front Page
Shando was on the front page of the Vallejo Times-Herald! This is at least the second time Shando’s been photographed in that paper. Other friends, including Santa, were in the picture too, of course, I’m a little shocked that the headline says “several hundred” when the crowd looked like THOUSANDS to me.
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:
Benicia Tree Lighting Festival
We did the xmas tree lighting in downtown Benicia for the first time, but before we hit the streets, we went to a chili dinner at the Episcopalian church on First Street which was led by the woman from whom Shando and I bought our house from. She retired and moved back to Canada. Many of the congregants, including our friends David and Yann, had been to her (now our) house for church events. She also happened to be a board member of the Glen Cove Community Association, which I’m currently president of.
It was a very busy evening and a lot of fun walking down the street with thousands of others, and running into some people we knew. It was festive, musical, and full of good smells from the restaurants and vendors.
Front Page Fundraising Article
Brenda, Tom, and I are quoted in the article on the front page of the Vallejo Times Herald for the Photos with Santa event yesterday. Precious baby Rowan on the cover (with the pumpkin hat) is the child of a wonderful female couple who are both trained as vet techs and have a grown child. I told them about how I’m a gay dad myself. The article content is below with appropriate credits for photos and story:
Three-month-old Rowan takes a snooze as she gets her picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus in downtown Vallejo during a Humane Society fundraiser on Saturday. Santa will return for a second visit on Dec. 2. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
By Thomas Gase | tgase@timesheraldonline.com | Vallejo Times Herald November 25, 2023 at 3:18 p.m.
Just two days past Thanksgiving, Saturday was officially the time to get that picture with Santa and break out that list: A new toy truck, doll, video game, book …Or a new pet, suggests the Humane Society.
Downtown Vallejo and Tony’s Cakes was the site for the annual Humane Society of the North Bay photos with Santa event, a major fundraiser for the organization to help spread awareness while also adding holiday cheer.
Vallejoan Olivia Lizotte showed up to have her picture taken as a walk-in appointment.
“It’s a nice event and it’s important to have our picture taken but it’s also important for the Humane Society, which I hear needs some help,” Lizotte said. “So it feels good to help out.”
Sarah Rojas was there with 4-year-old a clearly delighted Angelica Martinez, who was constantly jumping up and down with a huge grin after getting her picture taken.
The organization was asking for a suggested $25 donation for any pictures. Board president Brenda Mooney said that the group made approximately $800 last year in donations.
“I love being able to come her and see the folks of the community,” Mooney said. “We had nine reservations but much more drop-ins. It’s nice that Tony’s Cakes is allowing us to use their space and we have a ton of volunteers helping out. It’s a fun event and it all goes to benefit the animals and the shelter. We also have some books available at the tent that tell people about the animals we have ready for adoption.”
Mooney said that there are approximately 25 cats, 20 small dogs and 40 large dogs ready to be adopted.
While the organization has its share of walk-ins, treasurer Joseph A. Hayden said the event also has its regulars. “There was someone here at 9 a.m. this morning that said they had their picture taken on the cover of a Times-Herald newspaper last year, so they wanted to come again,” Hayden said. Hayden said that some people stop by and want to have their picture taken, but aren’t sure how their pet will respond to Santa.
A dog named Cow nervously sits with Santa and Mrs. Claus to get their picture taken as part of a fundraiser for the Humane Society of the North Bay on Saturday in downtown Vallejo. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
“All we ask them is to please try,” Hayden said. “There was one dog that did not want to come inside and they were afraid. But we came out to them and then the dog went right to Santa.”
Thomas Bilbo, who is playing Santa in Vallejo once again, said it’s important for the staff to serve the needs of the pets visiting —not the other way around.
“We go to them. There was one dog that wouldn’t come inside,” Bilbo said. “But we went out to the street. We go to where the dog is mentally and physically. Some dogs get scared and it’s important to realize that pets are important creatures that also have feelings and fears.”
Bilbo — who has six cats with his partner — has been dressing up as Santa since 1995, and for this event since 2015.
“I did it first in Mississippi, then San Francisco, and now Vallejo,” Bilbo said. “I have 16 gigs this year, and it’s all for charity. It helps organizations with their money. If I’m out there raising awareness for their [sic] organization if they need help, then that makes me feel great.
“But the best part of the day for me is seeing all the kids and parents enjoying the day,” Bilbo said. “That and the camaraderie that goes on between the staff. We’ve been working with each other for years, not only at this event but also at the Mad Hatter Parade. We all get into the Christmas spirit.”
The Humane Society will continue the pictures with pets and Santa next Saturday — once again at Tony’s Cakes, located at 418 Georgia St. Pictures are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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:
Glen Cove Waterfront Goodbye Summer Event
Today we had a great event at the Glen Cove Waterfront Park organized by some great volunteers of the Glen Cove Community Association. Here are some of the music and scenes, and the introduction I did of the Board members in attendance.
The Humane Society of the North Bay tabled there so we had adoptable dogs show up. We brought two of our dogs, who were already tired from kayaking with us earlier in the day.
It was great spending time with neighbors and meeting so many new neighbors I didn’t know in person. I had emailed some of them over the months, and some of them were our direct neighbors.
Fire Station 26 showed up to join us.
Oakland Pride 2023
Saw a lot of friends at Oakland Pride, many of whom I had not seen since before Covid. Despite the way it might look in the pictures, it was very well attended. I was also pleased to read that the two competing Oakland pride events from last year had reached a detente, so they were consolidated this year.
We parked at a nearby lot and walked a few blocks through the City Plaza, which had some gorgeous architecture and murals. I also realized that the amazing oak tree in front of City Hall is the one featured in the Oakland logos. When I first saw the Corinthian columns, I didn’t even realize the ornate building next to me was City Hall.
We were really touched by the Breonna Taylor monument, which has its own history worth reading about.
One of the buildings reminds me so much of the Flat Iron building in New York City.
September 2023 Art Walk
This month’s Art Walk in Vallejo (which is once a month year-round) was fun as usual. After our obligatory stop at Anchor Pantry for specialty grocery items, we had dinner with friends at Bambino’s. They were really busy, but the service was excellent. It was great to see Bill and Richard, who were visiting from SF.
Gaggles of Gays at Downtown Vallejo August Nights
Another fun “August Summer Night” in downtown Vallejo last night! And yes, my shirt DOES say, “Don’t be a Salty Bitch.” It was the first time I wore it in public and I got a lot of laughs and compliments on it.
There was lots of dancing to excellent live music, we stopped by the Anchor Pantry, shopped at thrift stores, and we dined at the new-ish Thai Place on Sonoma Blvd. When this gaggle of five gays walked in, we soon found out the other occupied table also had five gays. What are the odds? Go Vallejo!
Here is some of the music and dancing spoken about. Also amazingly, the man with the white shirt is the father-in-law of Antonio’s sister who lives nearby in Walnut Creek. He performs with his band regularly at the Empress Theatre, so he recognized Antonio and Michael and came over and talked to us for a while, trying to get us all to dance with him.
I know I’m gay, but I don’t usually notice shoes, but these ones are to die for! You can see her walk by in the video above too!
