Imagine a renaissance community that stretches from Divisadero in downtown Fresno to Riverpark at the very north of the city.
Imagine livable, workable, walkable spaces, friendly to bikes, children, pedestrians, and browsers.
It is the best job they ever had.
It is a fresh start.
It is a chance to add value to other people’s lives and put smiles on their faces.
It is a place to build hope and to facilitate community.
They came from all over the country and converged upon Fresno and about 48 other cities this summer. They came to change the world and they did change the world for thirteen families in Southeast Fresno.
Mark DeRaud grew up in the coffee house movement of the 1960s. He was, by his own description, an original “Jesus Freak.”
I remember those days. While Mark was hanging out in Atwater, I was doing the same thing in Richmond, Virginia. Whenever I visit a place like Mia Cuppa Caffe, I go back in time and forward in time.
I decided to follow up on the article I wrote about the upcoming Earth day events in Fresno by visiting Fresno’s Earth Day last Saturday at Radio Park. The result was that I ended up with far too many ideas and impressions to report, fodder for future articles, and inspiration for networking and implementing new ideas. It was worth the three hours I invested.
Earth Day is both an event and a movement. As a movement, it makes a difference, as an event, it is not to be missed.
Locally, Earth Day is a project of a group of dedicated souls including co-coordinator, Radley Reep who says, “It’s great to see so many people at Earth Day each year. It’s the public’s event really – a day of hope for a better world. Besides, it’s fun to see what’s new in the way of green products and to rub shoulders with those who have made environmental stewardship a part of their everyday lives.”
Flow, river, flow. Flowing river, flow deeper, wider, faster, mightier. Flow.
And I wish, I wish, I wish it were so.
It was a walk.
If strolling is your thing and if you like meeting new people, there will be no excuses for being sedentary or lonely after you read this article. If you live in or around Fresno, pick a day of the week and there is a place to gather with friendly people, exchange ideas, and be supported in your own growth.
I am not referring to a self-help group like A.A.
I am referring to Toastmasters!
A year ago, Craig Scharton opened a little spot on the Fulton Mall where other businesses have tried and failed. As the chief advocate of downtown at City Hall, he decided to put his money and his life where his words had been for some time and he opened Peeves Public House.
It was a Monday night in late June and I was preparing to leave for the Holy Land, and I took a stroll in the Tower.
Strolling is what I do, sometimes slowly, soaking in the images and sounds around me. I want to experience where I am and who is around me. It takes time.
