This picture shows some of us volunteering for HSNB.org at the Benicia Peddlers Fair yesterday. From left to right are Susan, Carlene, me, and Linda.
Tabling for HSNB.org at Benicia Peddlers Fair
Category Archives: Street Fairs
August Summer Nights in Downtown Vallejo
Shando and I had a great time with good friends Noel, Mark, Steve and Greg in Downtown Vallejo at the August Nights event last night! There were two stages with live music, eventually this DJ, many vendors, lots of food trucks, and great weather. We ate outdoors at Bambinos with wonderful wait staff who were grooving to the music with us.
I loved seeing our neighbors dancing in the street. The handsome DJ took my Chaka Khan recommendation when I pulled her up on my phone and showed it to him since it was so loud. He ended up mixing in two of her classic songs, which I thought matched the mix very well.
I love the downtown architecture as well with the ornamental clock, the buildings that date back a hundred years (which is really old for California), and the Logan’s Run-esque buildings as well. You’ll also see a bunch of huge mosaic planters up and down the street.
This video captures some of the glorious vibes from last night on Georgia Street in downtown Vallejo with a wonderful variety of people dancing with each other. I must say that some of the live music performers were AMAZING too, both the instrumentalists and the vocalists. The crowds were impressive for a Thursday night and the smells from the various food trucks and other vendors were something I wish I could capture.
Dore Alley-Up Your Alley Event
We planned to meet our friends on the ferry but with the baseball game we were not able to board the same ferry by about six people. We therefore decided to just drive, which turned out to not be too troublesome. Parking was even free and easy (especially because of it’s on a Sunday).
San Francisco Pride 2023
We’re not part of the official Facebook group called Fairies on the (Vallejo) Ferry, but here is a gaggle of six of us riding together this morning on the way to SF Pride!
These first two photos are of Shando and me in front of City Hall where we got married in December 2018. Patrick and William W. got married there too!
I filmed Patrick, William, and Shando going through this feature at the Faerie Village during San Francisco Pride below. I wish I would have captured the moment right after the video ended when William said, “I felt like the Little Mermaid.” Awww, how gay is THAT? Perfectly gay.
Solano County Fair
Steve, Greg, Shando and I were all virgins to the Solano County Fair. It’s so cool that the fairgrounds are right here in Vallejo!
Solano Pride Picnic Speech about TRL
Group photos of attendees taken with a drone!
My friend Tom Bilbo gave me a chance to talk about the activism I’m doing with LGBTQ Minus Tobacco and a coalition of other organizations at today’s picnic. The microphone was faulty, but it was a great opportunity to also talk about the Tobacco Retail License we’re working on with the City Council in Vallejo and our accomplishment last year with the Smokefree Multi-Unit Housing ordinance that passed unanimously with City Council.
UPDATE: There was an article that mentioned us in the Vallejo Times Herald on Monday, June 13. Check it out here.
Solano Fairgrounds Student Art Showcase
This was my first time at the Solano County Fairgrounds and I was impressed with the site. LGBTQMinusTobacco had a booth there that day. We saw lots of incredible art and enjoyed the part of the fairgrounds that we got to see.
Benicia Art Event
Our friends Greg and Steve joined us for a trip to the art lofts in Benicia. I had never really wandered around there, nor did I know how cavernous the studios were. I also was very impressed the the gardens on the ground and some of the military (?) architecture even as it begins to look neglected.
February 2023 Vallejo Art Walk
Every Vallejo Art Walk (which is monthly and year-round), we make a point to stop in Anchor Pantry for specialty food items. it’s very vegetarian-friendly and has novelty items, which always keep our visits interesting. I love supporting local businesses and I really appreciate that they stay open late on Art Walk nights so we can explore their wares.
This pasta product doesn’t have an Italian name at all, but my daughter showed me this brand when she was at an Italian supermarket in the East Village of Manhattan years ago. I can’t believe it’s a thing, but yes, it is our last name! It’s very cool that they have it here in Vallejo too!
Mad Hatter Vallejo Holiday Parade 2022
While we lived here last year, I regret I was too exhausted from the Photos with Santa in 2021 to participate. This year both Shando and I participated. We were highly impressed with the whole shebang. We intend to be even better prepared next year when there will hopefully not be as much rain. I’m glad we all muddled through though!
In a very poignant gesture, Santa Tom Bilbo put a big pink “Q” at the back of the float, which represented our solidarity with our brothers and sisters who were targeted for being LGBTQ (as all of this float’s participants were in that category or an ally). It is also a symbol against gun violence and assault weapons being available for civilians, to paraphrase Tom when being interviewed for Vallejo Times Herald.
