
My 5 secret power spots
Where to go for small bursts of happiness — from bouncings to birdings.
Like the Blarney Stone, rubbed shiny smooth by thousands of tourist lips, or the statue in Monster’s University that the students line up to touch for luck before exams, there are certain local talismans that hold a secret personal power in my own life. Of course as we established, there are valuable time-slowing upsides to trying something you’ve never tried before. But there’s also an energizing comfort to be found in these magical repeat rituals.
- Mister Whistler. Found on sunny days, sitting in a cage on the front porch of the blue house on the corner of Liberty and Stockton in El Cerrito, is a bird my family likes to call Mister Whistler. When you walk by, be sure to stop and give him a whistle. (If you’re driving, make sure you check the rear view for cars — sudden stops for Mister Whistler have been known to raise irritated honks from many a local startled driver.) When he whistles his reply, feel free to interpret his message however you want. (Desi: “What did he say?” Me: “He says you need to start going to bed at bedtime.”) Note: There did indeed used to be two birds, known to us as Mister and Mister Whistler, or the Misters Whistler. But a few years back, the other Mister went mysteriously missing. We try not to talk about.
- The play structure in South Park. If you cut through the park in SF’s SOMA, you’ll notice it now hosts a great swirling play structure, a new edition since the late 90s when we early tech workers used to sprawl there. The structure in itself is worth stopping to admire, it’s the great swath of undulating fake grass, underpinned by a foundation of the highest-grade poured rubber, that really makes this worth a detour. Go stand on this grass. Bounce in place for a moment. Then take a few bounding, moon-surface strides and just try not to smile giddily.
- The seals under the Richmond Bridge. When you first get on the bridge, heading from Richmond to San Rafael, make your way to the left lane. If the tide is low and the weather fine, you should be able to see a series of large rocks through the small opening between the guardrail and the roadway. And on those rocks you will see a flock of happy lolling seals, sunning their stomachs. Instant mood buoy.
- The S.A.C. Auto Electric Starter Alternator Center. This very old brick building in El Cerrito is covered in a thick layer of old sun-damaged paint that is peeling off in deliciously thick curls. Allow yourself one highly satisfying pick, then move on. These pickings are a national treasure, and we need them to last as long as they possibly can.
- The stucco sheep of El Cerrito (seasonal). This epic non-denominational Bethlehem tableau includes a city made of “milk cartons, shower curtains, plaster and chicken wire” along with more than 60 sheep. The life-long project of horticulturist and gas station owner Sundar Shadi (now deceased), this strangely wonderful scene gets set up every December by a local troupe of Boy Scouts. For more than 70 years, people have been coming from all over just to see it, and sing carols alongside it. Guaranteed to infuse you with the “people sure are weird and amazing” holiday spirit.


