South of Sunnyside

UPDATE: I added the referenced image(s)…

In cleaning out the closet in my home office, I found a few publications that I’ve collected over the last few years. I was about to toss the Fall 2006 edition of FresnoState: The Magazine of California, State University, Fresno into a pile of recyclables, when I realized who was on the front cover (I’ll only imply a comment about the photo…).

From the article, “Fresno State’s efforts vital to Improving the region’s economy:”

“Ashley Swearengin, RJI director and director of Fresno State’s Community and Economic Development, says the goal is to create 30,000 jobs by 2008 through partnerships in key industry clusters.

The focus is on taking advantage of the area’s competitive assets to help create a ‘healthier, more vibrant civic infrastructure,’ she says.”

I’m not sure I know what Fresno’s competitive assets are, but I do know that Swearengin is now top of the chain in the (ah hem…“vibrant”) civic infrastructure she’s been working toward.

Welcome to office, Mayor Swearengin. I look forward to following your lead.

Two nights ago, we noticed a car in the driveway next door, but we didn’t think much of it, as the street was full with visitors for the holiday.

Then, yesterday…the "for sale" sign was up-rooted and placed behind the side gate. Could it be?

In related news, the boarded house around the corner is now occupied, so Kim and I will be welcoming our new neighbors with baked goods.

It’s Friday. I’m cleaning off my desktop (as in computer Desktop), and I’ve come across a series of photos that are now almost two weeks old, though since they’re of people in costumes, they could be considered only a week old.

My church hosted Halloween on Pollasky for the second year in a row, cramming a reported 8,000 people along two blocks of Old Town Clovis. The photos offer only a highlight of the festivities…

As I was driving home from work, I pulled onto our street to find an RV parked in front of the house. My initial reaction was to question its presence along our curb, then I called out my own judgment. What harm was being done? Besides, we’ve seen an exodus lately, so a few guests in the neighborhood should be welcomed, not chastised, right?

Kim didn’t agree, and argued that such a vehicle should be parked in front of the home it is visiting. I pointed out that not all neighbors have sufficient curb space (due to bends in the road), but I’ll agree that it was blocking the line of sight of any drivers coming around the corner; then again, our street isn’t heavily trafficked.

By the time I returned from my bike ride, the RV was gone, but my question still remains: what harm was being done? Why are we so quick to throw up walls and protect space that isn’t even ours?