Planet Kelvin; Huey High-Five; Bar Talk; Lookin’ For Linda

Wrapping up the week here at News24/680 and quite the week it was with ‘sploding vehicles, aerial fly-bys, mule trains, climate shift and the few things that keep Your Friendly Neighborhood News Dudes grounded – good food and music.

As we sit, pounding out copy and awaiting our inevitable fate at the hands of AI Overlords and meteorologically-enhanced Kelvinator Waves headed straight for our Beach Bunker we had a moment to ponder: “Where does a great idea go once it leaves our head?” and “If ignorance is bliss why aren’t more people happy?”

Yep. We think about stuff like that – along with: “Can hummingbirds really read our minds?” and “Why do we stare into campfires?”

We’re not the only ones asking questions, though, as we pointed out on our FaceLook Page – with those “Anyone know what’s going on?” inquiries piling up from readers until our Digital Colleagues over at ContraCostaNews tickled our funny bone with their suggestion to have people sign up for our News Alerts:

“You can either get the alert when it happens…
Or wait 45 minutes, post “Anyone know what’s going on?” in a Facebook group, get 37 completely wrong answers, three conspiracy theories, someone blaming the City Council, and one person somehow turning it into a debate about puppies.
Your call…”

That one tickled us. ContraCostaNews gets it.

Also arriving in the 24/680 and attracting attention this week was our favorite Muleskinner – John Sears – who arrived with his hoofed companions to continue their slow voyage up and down the state. We first met John so many years ago now when he attracted our attention during his first pass through the area. He’s made a few concessions since then and now has a devoted following who stay up to date with his travels via his website. We always had a soft spot in our hearts and room in our notebook for the Free Spirit so “Happy Trails,” John and Rosie et al..

Arriving with John was ConFire’s Copter1 flyby of an ailing colleague’s route and residence – a mission unbeknownst to the couple of hundred or so residents who dialed us up asking if an invasion was underway as the low-flying Huey skimmed their rooftops. Took us a bit to figure it out but our best wishes to the ailing object of the aerial salute.

If we get sick send a squadron of P-51s for a fly-by, please, or maybe just more hummingbirds.

On the Political Front, we take you to Washin… naw, psych, we wouldn’t do that to you. We know how it freaks some of you out. But we have politics here, too, and apparently the drama extends to our local drinking establishments – where maneuvering and skulduggery are apparently as present as back in the hallowed halls of Washingt… back there.

Folks in Walnut Creek have been watching the drama at Dan’s Bar unfold in recent weeks as Dan’s attempts to negotiate a new lease, accusations and counter-accusations flying as Dan’s maintained outside interests worked to derail their efforts. It’s pretty tough to be in business just about anywhere these days, particularly with AI and those Kelvin Waves on the horizon, but even those slickly advertorial shopping campaigns can come off as false when the lawyers are brandished and the legal knives are out and flashing.

With our dance card full of news and the intricacies of daily business we sought solace and comfort in our kitchen and at the turntable, our needle falling on Linda Rondstadt and “Desperado,” and then, by way of divine extrapolation and fortuitous playlist: Canciones de mi Padre and La Charreada.

We were enthralled when Linda had us out riding fences but she sat us down with our mouths open when she took command of the traditional ranchera-style mariachi song and really let fly and, dang, that girl could sing. Heck of a way to end the week.