June 2012 - Stop and Move

Fresno gets its first public EV charging station

On June 25, 2012February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

So I took a bit of a break….sorry about that. Was away from most of the internet really, except to watch the Euro matches. Regular posting resumes now.

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EV – electric vehicle.

It’s summer in Fresno, and even though today’s high is a chilly 86, it means we’re in the season of air quality warnings. Of course, that’s true of the winter as well, and yes, the fall. And sometimes spring.

Fresno has some of the worst air in the country, thanks to a combination of high heat, geography, and agriculture. The tendency to drive everywhere for everything doesn’t help though, and cars are a huge source of local air pollution. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : playland roeding park storyland zoo1 Comment

How is Storyland in such bad shape?

On June 11, 2012February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

If you’re a resident of Fresno county, you’ve surely heard of Storyland and Playland inside Roeding Park. Intended for (small) children, they have been a part of the valley for 50 years. Besides hearing about them, you’ve probably gone to visit them as well. Storyland is a walk-through park, with fairytale stories set up. Playland is a miniature carnival. If everyone knows it, why has it been allowed to get into such bad shape?

I visited them this past weekend for the first time, using tickets given for free as part of a Grizzlies baseball package.

It’s not exactly what I expected. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : gas price prediction oil transitLeave a comment

Weak economy and Europe issues mean no record gas prices this year

On June 9, 2012February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Back in January, I made a prediction that gas prices would easily top records this summer.

Was I right?

Not exactly, no. This year was an odd one for gas prices. Usually gas follows a pretty standard path, as it rises early in the year to reach summer highs, then falls for the rest of the year.

Things were different this time. Gas prices spiked early, and then actually fell as we got closer to memorial day.

The reason, is the the US economic growth disappointed, and worries in Europe kept oil prices low. Indeed, oil is under $85 today. Combined with a lack of “fear disasters” to spike up prices, oil valuations are actually being rational. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : art bike trail city council Clovis fresno bike trail rail trailLeave a comment

Clovis trail statue proposal, who is it really for?

On June 6, 2012February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

The Fresno-Clovis rail-trail is essentially the one and only bicycle highway in the area. There are a couple of other trails, but it’s the only one connecting important nodes. As such, it’s pretty popular.

The trail passes through “downtown” Clovis, which is adjacent to the rodeo grounds. There is a section where the trail is sandwiched between parking and more parking. Most of the parking is used only for occasional events, like the rodeo, the cycling tour etc. For the majority of the year, it’s empty.

This week, an item related to the trail was up for vote at the council. Click to read more!