Patriotic Birthday on Calaveras
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTJ7H3zhJO4 The spoken word can be very powerful. This is very moving.
Gwendolyn is a right Yankee Doodle Dandy! Yesterday was her birthday. In the whole of my life never met one who had the 4th of July as birthday. I tell you true. Given all that Gwen has done to make Calaveras a better place(she is eyes and ears at 150-178 N Calaveras) it was quite proper to make sure that the day was special for her.
Gwen had volunteered to do holiday cook up, and MOI was more than happy to make sure that she had all of the things needed. Gave MOI and Paul a right good cook up for the holiday.
Paul, my flatmate, was gobsmacked when he had to haul folding table and chair and the laptop down to the carport for MOI in the morning. The 4th of July is the perfect time to play patriotic music and MOI wanted to make sure that the El Capri and the neighborhood got off to a proper start for the holiday. From half 8 to half 10, patriotic tunes filled the road and the courtyard.
The reaction to this display of patriotic zeal was a mixed bag. Several tenants at the El Capri came out and wished MOI a happy holiday and commented on the music(they liked it). Some of the tenants(the bad ones) shook heads and murmured insults at MOI. There was a van that stopped in from of the El Capri and rolled down window and played loud rap music to try and drown out the patriotic music. Many of the folks who drove by waved and several of the folks walking past stopped and listened for a bit.
Robert, my neighbor, had a smile and just took it all in. He came out to water garden as Kat Smith was belting out 'God Bless America'. Robert and his wife were going to spend the day at their son's home, the one with the new baby. He made sure that Old Glory was flying proudly. H. Spees also had his flag out, as did other neighbors. The El Capri always had the American Flag displayed, and on special holidays, the massive flag is hung.
The day had got off to a smashing start. The Fresno Bee had the whole Opinion Page devoted to the holiday and MOI used it along with floral, to post a snap on here.
The music played on the road was a mixture of artists. Something for everybody. Made sure that Spanish was heard. Josh Groban got much play(think his rendition of the national anthem is most moving). Every time the anthem was played, this old geezer stood up. Think the neighbors thought me odd.
Like MOI told Robert, it is important that the folks on my road know that all of the holidays that celebrate out country are important. One should stop and think on all that one has received by virtue of living in this great land. We may not be perfect, but we strive to be 'more perfect'. Civic Pride is being taught on Calaveras and on the road.
Earlier, when MOI was washing down the garage in the back of the El Capri, a neighbor came up to and told that she was pleased at all that MOI did and thanked me. What a lovely gift to receive on the 4th of July.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sekHkR5BKOY Give this a listen to. MOI has been very blessed in life. When you have been fortunate to visit all of America, this piece takes on a special meaning. More so when one has lived across the pond and one tells folks about the splendour that is America.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Saturday 05 July 2008 - 02:06:51 |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD_WcqmQBZU Get ready for a patriotic ride. We are having a birthday party and it is going to be LOUD, with fireworks and music, bloody hell, is there going to be music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JA6zVBRakI Like my good mate Joshua said in his post on Fresno Famous;
It’s been years since I laid on a blanket in the outfield grass down at the high school, watching the fireworks boom-boom overhead.
And the crowd goes: “ooh, ahh.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wkr_7aa4kI When did we forget that to be patriotic is so very important. Sure we get the day off work, and the family gathers for a cook up, folks go on holiday. Some will remember to bring out the flag and hang it in front of their home.
The 4th of July is a celebration of who we are and what we believe in. It pays honor to all of the brave men and women who have given so much so that we enjoy the freedoms we take for granted most of the time. To gather, to vote for who we want, to give our children a better life, to expect justice and liberty for all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9_zpV5Vukk It is not hard to find patriotic tunes on YOU-TUBE, there are so many.
This old geezer has a lot to be thankful on this 4th of July, and am quite sure that many of you do as well. As music plays, and food is cooked, MOI is going to think of all of the positive things about America and life here. The problems faced by all of us, on Calaveras and around Fresno will still be there tomorrow, but with a little joy in the heart, they might not seem so massive. America has faced challenges in the past, and overcome. We are Americans, we can do just about anything we set our minds to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCavKL2zdjM
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Friday 04 July 2008 - 02:51:55 |
IN CELEBRATION OF A LIFE WELL LIVED
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
Policing came early with enthusiasm to Ronald D. Bridges in Fresno, beginning with volunteer work as a 12-year-old Turner Elementary School crossing guard, said his brother, Capt. Dennis Bridges of the Fresno Police Department.
Law enforcement was a shared family value, said Mr. Bridges' son, Matt.
Mr. Bridges, 51, who was serving in his 23rd year with the Fresno Police Department, died suddenly and peacefully June 25 in his home, Matt Bridges said.He was born in Tulsa, Okla., and moved as a baby to Fresno. He graduated from McLane High School, then attended Fresno City College. Dennis Bridges recalled his older brother serving as an Explorer Scout at McLane.
Mr. Bridges knew already that he wanted a law enforcement career, and it was work he always enjoyed."My gosh, yes," Matt Bridges said. "His work was his life, all his life."
Mr. Bridges worked briefly with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department, but returned as he had intended to Fresno to work in its Police Department in 1986.His mother, Louise, had worked there in the 1960s, and his father, Elvin, had made it his practice to keep a home scanner tuned to any police action.
Dennis Bridges rose to captain, but Mr. Bridges preferred work on the beat."He chose not to move up the ranks," said his wife, Laurie. "He just had a passion. He worked the Tower District, and merchants knew him by name."
And he them.Mr. Bridges was named Fresno Police Officers Association Officer of the Year in 2004. He was a favorite of colleagues who dubbed him "Worker Bee."
Away from his beat, Mr. Bridges enjoyed going to casinos with his wife, and he would tell her, "We do better together."He loved country music: Johnny Cash, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, vinyl records better than CDs and the original country better than glitzier newcomers.
Laurie Bridges said the family never knew how any day's work had gone, good or bad, on her husband's shift."He would walk in the door, feed the dog a treat and give me a kiss," she said.
In that order, and that was fine.From the Fresno Bee written by writer Jim Steinberg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfQrQkt7jXQ I hope that Captain Dennis Bridges and the family of Officer Ronald Bridges will not think me rude with the choice of this tune. It is how I feel about this copper.
Lee Brand rang me up and told of the notice in the newspaper about the death of this copper. Having written about a officer bridges, Lee was not sure if this was the one MOI knew. MOI does not read death notices in the local newspaper. Old geezer MOI may be, but the early days of the AIDS plague in San Francisco and attending over 50 services in less that 18 months, got me off of attending services.
Having met Captain Dennis Bridges, have no doubt that his brother must have been just like him. Public service runs in the family. It will be my loss that Officer Ronald Bridges and MOI never met. He did serve the Central Police District, and as such was responsible for serving and protecting my road and my neighbors.
Jeff Saylor took MOI to San Francisco Floral. Connie, the lovely florist there, understood my request for a tribute and took the particulars and told MOI to return in half an hour. When MOI returned, Connie has done herself right proud. The arrangement was massive, with bright and cheerful flowers. She had placed small American Flags in it and added the ribbon requested. 'IN CELEBRATION OF A LIFE WELL LIVED'.
We drove to the station house and were met by Officer Weigant. It was a sad visit and one could sense the loss felt by officer Weigant and the secretary there. There was another officer there and did not catch her name. MOI just wanted the coppers to know that Officer Ronald Bridges will be missed and let them know that my road and community will always make the lives of coppers.
A card was left with the tribute and told of the sense of loss from Dave and Dottie Natal and Lee Brand along with MOI. MOI is having a Mass said for Officer Ronald Bridges.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Thursday 03 July 2008 - 00:42:50 |
MOST EXCELLENT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzf0rvQa4Mc Aaron Copland and his theme 'Fanfare for a common man' is the tune for today.
The snap used is of but one sort of City of Fresno vehicle that has been spotted on Calaveras and in the neighborhood of late. It could well have been from any number of departments that have paid a visit to the road to correct problems here. The one featured is from Parking Services, a much needed enforcement on the road and in the community.
Many of the public employees that have come onto the road to perform work did not want to be singled out for attention. They quietly went about their jobs and corrected problems found. Some MOI has seen so oft that they have become 'au fait'.
Keith, Richard, Will, Carlos, Hank, Roy, Billy to name a few. There would also have to be mentioned the many who chatted with MOI and begged off having named used and just told; "just doing the job I am paid to do". The wonderful public employees that came to fix pot holes, trim trees, remove graffiti, correct parking problems, remove dumped couches and other materials from alleys.
We are not talking about department heads here, just the ordinary folks who go about their jobs on a daily basis, ensuring that the life of the city keeps running. Performing a myriad of services that make up the 'quality of life' so many take for granted. What a horrid existence city living would become if these chaps were not to be here.
Most of the public employees met have been brilliant. Many are well aware of the special problems presented by living on Calaveras and in the neighborhood. They have cheered on efforts to improve the 'quality of life' here and have made mention to th changes seen here to their mates. Upon returning in future visits they have noticed improvements and felt pride in having been a part in the road changing.
The life of Calaveras is dependent on the goodwill of visitors. When folks come here to do work or correct problems they take away their impressions with them. They tell mates and family what they have seen here. Each time a positive image is presented about Calaveras, it chips away at the 'urban legend' believed about the road and the community.
There would be no way that this old geezer could sweep up the massive amount of rubbish on the road. The street sweeper has been ever so kind and made an extra effort to get as much from the gutters as possible. Not just on one visit but on following visits as well. The chap who comes into the neighborhood looking for reported graffiti, takes the time to do a right proper job of removing, and getting the graffiti MOI failed to see when it was reported.
We expect Department Heads to be brilliant, that is why they get paid the 'big bucks'. That their leadership filters down and drives public employees to do a brilliant job is expected. The bonus is to find so many public employees that love their jobs and go the extra distance to do it better than expected. It is more than a pay packet to them.
The condition of Calaveras and the neighborhood could not have improved without the most excellent job performance of the public employees who have visited the road. Next time you see a problem and see it being dealt with by a public employee, take the time to thank them. That they are appreciated. After all they are your neighbor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rnHpNWy7KE
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Wednesday 02 July 2008 - 01:49:03 |
'TO LET' ADVERT IGNORED
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iA7VlZvHN8 Loaf is not co-operating today, this was best could think of, from a film. Might have inspiration as I write.
It would seem that MOI can drape as many American flags on the building as possible, and the message is not received. MOI can make th gardens well looked after, and the message is not heard. Stand guard in the wee hours of the morning, offer rewards, offer a quiet environment, and still the 'urban legend' of Calaveras is so pervasive that no one will venture onto and look for comfortable digs to rent.
There is a massive banner hanging from the building, tell the whole world that WE CARE, Sayland Management stands ready to provide good housing and will work with the coppers to make sure that the property is 'DRUG free' and a 'CRIME FREE ZONE', that Spanish is spoken and all sort of vouchers are accepted. Short of setting one's self on fire or offering "FREE TOASTER", what more can one do?
It is the first of the month. Going into the 9th month, there is still a lovely flat available. It is clean, with two bedrooms, central air, and has parking. There is not a damn thing wrong with the unit. Has been shown to countless numbers of folks. Applications have been given out. It is not that hard to qualify. One has to have the ability to pay rent and not to have been a deadbeat in the past(been thrown out for non-payment of rent). Agree to follow common sense rules and agree to not bring evil onto the property. How difficult is that?
One hears oft that affordable housing is hard to come by. $650.00 for a flat in excellent order is not a fortune. The flat is convenient to Downtown, public transport and shopping. What part is MOI not getting?
Along with the aforementioned flat, there is another flat coming available, it is with two bedrooms and two baths. It also is in good repair, and has just had a brand new central air unit installed(at a cost of $4,000.00). There will be two more units made ready later in the month. The El Capri has not looked so lovely in ages.
To be true, there are other flats available on Calaveras. Not all are operated by that famous slumlord 'JD HOMES'. Can not vouch for the condition of the other units, just the ones at the El Capri or other properties that Sayland Management has made efforts to make clean and safe. Some of the properties have challenges and are not for everyone, but MOI can say without doubt that the El Capri is the premier property on the road. There is nothing wrong here.
Sounds like a shameless advert flogging the El Capri. Why not? MOI lives here, and can tell true that it is not a slum and the owner of the property has done wonders to make it a pleasant place to live.
Calaveras and the neighborhood is not going to have a chance if folks refuse to consider it as a viable place to live. Folks have to take the chance and be a part of the new order of things happening here. Good neighbors make all of the difference. The more good neighbors on the road and in the neighborhood makes the bad ones leave and the clever clogs think twice about running a game here.
Ron Eisler, the owner of the El Capri has been brilliant in trying to be a good neighbor. One could hardly fault him for taking the risk and putting so much effort into making the community better. This is not his only property, and his fortune is already made, he just is trying to be a shining example of having Civic Pride. Sayland Management has many many properties to manage. Jeff Saylor and his father have taken a personal interest in the El Capri. Jeff and his dad, spend far more time dealing with the El Capri than they get paid for. But then they do that with other properties as well, on Calaveras and in the community. Jeff and his dad have make a personal commitment to making the neighborhood a better place to live.
My dears, MOI is not looking for pity. At some point all of the flats at the El Capri will be filled. Ron Eisler will continue to make improvements. Jeff Saylor and his dad, Jerry Saylor, will still be in business and life will go on. The real pity is that flats that could be used by good folks, at a price they can afford, sit empty. Section8 housing that is needed, goes ignored. JD HOMES continues to rip off folks with sub-standard housing.
One has to wonder who gets harmed most by this.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Tuesday 01 July 2008 - 01:05:23 |