Returning from a recent trip to Oakland I found myself stuck
in freeway traffic during rush hour. The sign said "Livermore
Next 3 Exits" and a little light bulb went off in my memory.
(Livermore/light bulb, isn't there a really old light bulb burning
in a Livermore firehouse?) I crept forward and took the next
exit. Having no idea where to start looking, I decided to ask
a stranger for directions. The first stranger in sight happened
to be walking into the Eagles Club, so I pulled over and followed
him in. The sign on the door said "BAR, Members Only"
so I was very polite when I addressed the dozen or so patrons
gathered around the bar. "Pardon me, but can anyone tell
me how to find the firehouse with the really old light bulb?"
Many and varied were the opinions about where that firehouse
was, but ultimately the bartender's directions prevailed, partially
because she had the loudest voice, but mostly I think because
none of the drinkers there wanted to be on her bad side. The
directions I followed took me to an area some two miles distant
before the street I had been told to follow petered out, with
nary a firehouse in sight. Time to ask another stranger, this
one was walking into a tile store. Upon entering and asking my
question, the young lady behind the counter said "Let me
call the Fire Chief, he's one of our customers." The Fire
Chief obliged her with the location and directions that guided
me to Fire Station #6, 4550 East Ave., less than a mile away.
Going around back I knocked on the door and was admitted by the
fireman on duty who was glad to show me the bulb and tell me
the tale. Next to the bulb is a TV camera that supplies live
Internet coverage on the bulb's web page. Ironically it's the
2nd camera assigned to the bulb, the first one only lasted 3
years. The Livermore Centennial Light Bulb has been burning continuously
(more or less) since 1901. The fireman on duty said that the
previous week a film crew from Myth Busters had visited to shoot
a segment for the show. The Myth Busters wanted to run tests
on the bulb that involved shining lasers through it, but the
firemen said no. I shot a few pictures, signed the guest book,
and got back on the road home. The traffic had thinned out nicely.
To find out more about the Centennial Light and see
the live web cam visit:
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