Author Archive
February 16, 2020 by tomdalzell
Jim Riley’s Rude Sweaters
In this post are photos of Jim Riley’s sweaters with rude designs. Most involve dogs pooping. His advice to artists in search of a design – “A dog poopnig is always a good idea.” Riley is in good company with his dog-poopig art. Etsy features popular items for pooping dog art. The Web Urbanist has […]
February 13, 2020 by tomdalzell
Knit Lit
With (or without your permission), here we have a brief digressive look at famous knitters in literature (knit lit). I hate when there is a phrase that is close to a phrase that is to be avoided at all costs. We have a musical theme for this digression. There is no more famous knitter in […]
February 3, 2020 by tomdalzell
Mandy Aftel: Maker of Perfume, the Unseen, Unforgettable, Ultimate Accessory
In my union work, I often quote the Old Testament, 1 Samuel 17:40 “And he [David] ook his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” […]
January 27, 2020 by tomdalzell
Ken Stein – Lamp and Menorah Maker
This post is about Ken Stein and beautiful things that he made. Ken checks most of the boxes on the list of why Berkeley is the glorious place that it is. He has been a lifelong disability rights activist. He is a gifted photographer and has documented the history of the Bay Area Disability Rights /Independent Living Movement. He has […]
January 18, 2020 by tomdalzell
Bulwinkle in the Desert
I have written about Mark Bulwinkle and his work many times, more certainly than I have written about anybody. It is fitting, for when I was hatching the idea for Quirky Berkeley and talked the idea over with a mentor and inspiration Sally Woodward, she said two words – “Mark Bulwinkle.” And it is fitting […]
January 18, 2020 by tomdalzell
Bulwinkle in the Desert – Named Pieces
In my main post on Bulwinkle in the desert, I linked to this small post of bigger steel pieces with names. I dig Bulwinkle’s naming. Lover Boy, Splendido, Willy, Nature, Lucile, Bustin’ Up, Beverly, Good Dog, Father, Bigger Trick. I asked my friend for his take on Bulwinkle’s naming. After he read the post, he […]
January 5, 2020 by tomdalzell
Tyler Hoare: Missing and Searching
I have written about Tyler Hoare several times. He embodies what for me is everything good about Berkeley. In this post, I update readers on his search for missing works and his search for a home for new works. The Snoopy submarine that Hoare launched in Emeryville on March 15, 2019, disappeared between March […]
December 29, 2019 by tomdalzell
The Best of Quirky 2019
Another year, another 52+ Quirky Berkeley posts. How do you do it Tom? It’s simple – Berkeley giveth, I posteth. This is post #702 in the short happy life of Quirky Berkeley. To me that is a big number. Quiz: Why this Cosmopolitan? Prize: a copy of Quirky Berkeley Vol. 3. As I did […]
December 21, 2019 by tomdalzell
Themed Collections
Last week I posted about collections without themes. This week it is time collections with themes that my Quirky Berkeley travels have led me to. I know you want to know this – I have had collections over the years. They include: 1) Cicada shells. This probably shouldn’t count, but our neighborhood gang In Pennsylvania […]
December 8, 2019 by tomdalzell