Walking into Crush Comics is like walking into a candy store -- except that it's all eye candy. The walls and shelves are lined with thousands of comics and graphic novels, all covers facing out. It is a colorful feast that ranges from kid-safe fare such as good ol' "Archie Comics" (Betty or Veronica?) to dark, edgy works including "Sin City" or "The Sandman". The vast majority of Crush's trade lands squarely in the middle: mainstream superhero comics from Marvel and DC, such as "Superman", "Batman", "X-Men" and "Fantastic Four". But thumbing through the bins you'll turn up pre-owned back issues as random as a 1977 copy of "Heavy Metal".
The store also carries a variety of superhero action figures, collectibles, posters and T-shirts as well as baseball cards and gaming cards for Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon. The business sponsors youth sports teams and donates items for Castro Valley school fundraisers.
This is a sweet little place to browse for spiritual, self-help and New Age books and to shop for gifts such as incense, candles, sage, crystals, desk fountains, Tarot decks and thoughtfully made dream-catchers. There's also a selection of greeting cards as well as a few children's books. This little New Age shop closes when it's short of staff, so call ahead to make sure somebody is there before you head over.
Neighborhood Church possesses one of Castro Valley's most recognizable landmarks: the three crosses. Since moving from Oakland in 1969, the church has maintained its simple purpose to "transform lives through following Christ." It has also upheld a longstanding tradition of producing top-notch musical and artistic productions that date back to its roots in 1930s Oakland, "where the church established a reputation as a center of cutting edge contemporary dramatic and musical performances." As a long-established church, members find a wide range of services, including Bible study, prayer groups, orchestra, and various ministries for children, teens and adults.