You may be aware, but Fresno was in the New York Times a few Sundays ago. Local writer, Mark Arax, did a piece for the NYT Magazine.
The magazine issue was themed around California. Mark’s piece was mostly about Fresno’s poverty and the tale of two cities and how no mayor has ever been able to fix this, and also about a group of women that are fighting for the rights of area folks that have little to no representation.
Same old North of Shaw/Northeast/Clovis thing. The more affluent live to the North and somehow seem to have everything and other areas live with near nothing.
I like Mark. I like his writing. Probably match well with his sensibilities. But man, whether it’s something for the LA Times or New York Times or the Bee, Fresno always sounds like a shithole in his pieces.
Now, I believe Mark is trying to help. Trying to make things better. I think that he is. And some things have to be said.
(In fact, his story also talks about two local groups fighting environmental justice, Fresno Building Heathy Communities and the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability.)
But usually, after I read something of his, I always feel less enthused about living here, and kind of bummed out, and even consider how I could move (for a few seconds anyway).
To Mark, don’t stop pointing out what is wrong with Fresno and the SJV, I am not saying that. I just may need to stop reading.
Fresno Skies Linked to Elon
Last night at around 9:20 I saw the Starlink satellites pass over Fresno - I would have got video but I was too busy trying to get my kid to come out and see. It wasn’t the first time I have seen them but the first time while in Fresno. If you want to keep an eye out, this is a good site to bookmark. And this is what they look like:
SpeCtAcUlarrr!
Authentic: People Love to Out Mexican Their Mexican Food
How ever an Instagram post can go viral, this one kinda did (I think maybe it was also an ad too, which helped) - anyway, the post got a lot of comments.
There is a hardcore tamales focused spot called Tamale Mama at 1342 Tulare Street. It looks like some damn find Mexican food.
But when you read the comments, you are reminded that around here, people really have a need to say Mexican food isn’t authentic (no matter how actually authentic it is). And also need tell everyone their mom’s is better than this shithouse attempt at Mexican food:
I have high standards for Mexican food because I grew up the best tasting food made by mom. I would give it a 2.5 stars, but I didn't try anything but the tamales.
-magster364
Been there done that, wasn’t at all impressed. The tamale was all masa.
-girl_made_of_grit
None of this is traditional Mexican food.
-braulio_c7
Y'all really fucking up the tradition 🤮
-sanjose_6exy5
Been there it trash horrible salsa, horrible Tamales food overrated
-erkleg420
Uuhh, no thanks!🤢 that is not authentic Mexican food sorry but no.
-ceciliamora09
And then, of course, there is always a shot taken at Fresno when a Fresno thing goes viral:
Why does it have to be in Fresno 😩
-ibrnr3
Anyways. I haven’t had a chance to try their tamales yet, but I am looking forward to it. Luckly I am not saddled with worrying about how authentic it is or if it’s better than my mom’s tamales.
(Side note, if you do go and read the comments on the post, you will not believe the amount of people complaining that it is ‘tamal and not ‘tamale’)
Thanks For Sticking Around Fresno… Fresno
My consistency in posting has been terrible here, and I hate myself for it (if that somehow makes it okay, lol). I would like to say things will be better here on out… I would like to.
I am just going to keep trying to a find a groove, thanks for staying with it.
-The Fresnan (Mikey Seay)
So, maybe you inadvertently point out what’s truly wrong with Fresno, its denizens, and some of its writers - the sentiment seems to be: “Let’s just keep our heads in the sand happily hap, hap, hap, hap, happy talking, focus on our navels, and blithely, gently, but steadily keep our feet on the status quo”. Enjoy...
Oh, and do you really mean the organizations you identify below are “fighting environmental justice”? Asking for a...
“(In fact, his story also talks about two local groups fighting environmental justice, Fresno Building Heathy Communities and the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability.) “
(Apologies Rodgers & Hammerstein.)