Stash's Palaver

BENCHMARK PIZZERIA opened last month at Colusa Circle in Kensington occupying the former Post Meridian restaurant space. A great pie on my initial visit. The talk along San Pablo Avenue in the theater block is about a possible pizza restaurant in the old Comcast office. That could be sometime away if other restaurant ventures in the city are any indication. But a pizza house would be a welcome addition to that neighborhood.

With pizza being such an important food group, we also have Little Caesars (a Chamber member), Armadillo and Pizza Roma. The Annex at the Natural Grocery will have pizzas when they finish construction.

By the way, who remembers the bluegrass music performances held where Pizza Roma is today with Kathy Kallick’s Good ol’ Persons and a then up and coming Laurie Lewis? That was a few years ago.

MARTY KALISKI, owner of Marty’s Motors, completed his term as President of the friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club recently. The group has a demotion dinner to mark the occasion. Insurance man Frank Lee is now the club’s leader.

EXPO DAY IS FRIDAY, August 17th at Pinole City Hall Plaza in “Old Town” from 4-7 p.m. Premier Graphics, your source of custom advertising specialty products, will join the other west county businesses at the event. Stop by, say hello, and pick up your free gift.

ABBEY PET HOSPITAL'S (11070 San Pablo Avenue) remodeling project appears to be complete. All that is left to do is hang the art on the walls. Feline Bed & Breakfast got a little smaller, the hospital grew a bit, and the waiting area is more spacious. Check out the nice red cedar ceiling.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW to join John Ziesenhenne and his staff celebrating 100 years in business at M.A. Hays Insurance. That will be on Friday, October 5th, from 3-7 p.m., at 232 Broadway in Richmond. John Z can help you insure everything. Ask him about ASPCA pet insurance, too.

CHAMBER DAY at Golden Gate Fields will be on Friday, November 2nd. (This is a heads-up; a reminder will appear in a subsequent Byline.) $35 gets you Turf Club seating, valet parking, a racing program plus a delicious buffet lunch. (Parimutuel tickets not included!) With multiple chambers of commerce participating this is major networking opportunity you will not want to miss.

RINKY DINKY DOO just turned 8 years old and is still the best looking Jack Russell Terrorist around. She wanted a live squirrel for her birthday but settled for a Hornblower cruise. Happy birthday, Rink.

Stash's Palaver is a monthly column appearing in the Byline, the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce newsletter, adapted for publication on the Patch.