September 2013 - Stop and Move

New Google satellite imagery for Fresno! (Spring 2013)

On September 29, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Some parts of the country, including major cities like Boston, only get updated satellite imagery from Google every 3 or so years.

For Fresno, it’s never more than a year before we get the freshest pictures. The latest update, rolled out last week, shows Fresno and the surrounding area as of March 15, 2013.

The previous update, pushed out November of 2012, featured images from August 26, 2012. I did a photo summary of that as well.

That’s less than 7 months between updates! Older images are still accessible via the history slider in Google Earth.

These updates are a great way to follow development in the area, and see how fast some areas are still growing. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : downtown fresno food desert fresh and easy fresno gv urban supermarketLeave a comment

Fresh and Easy closing is a huge loss to downtown Fresno

On September 24, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Note: Because most Fresh and Easy stores will continue business as usual until the end of the year, the chain is still the cheapest way to be high quality food. See end of post for details.

Last week we got the sad news that Tesco had sold the Fresh and Easy chain after months of searching for a buyer. The buyer is “Yucaipa” an investment company better known by its owner, Ron Burkle, a billionaire who has extensive experience in the supermarket industry. Their wikipedia page shows all the companies they’ve dabbled in.

The good news is that the new owners will operate 150 stores, and they may apparently lean towards the healthier side of things. I was worried Wal-Mart or some Dollar chain would come in to sell the cheapest (and worst quality) foods, which is contrary to the Fresh and Easy experience. Others were hoping for Trader Joes, but such a huge expansion would be unprecedented for them. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : catacomb downtown fresno f.u.s.e.fresno brewing company fulton 55 FUSE fuse fest music festival peeve's public house tokyo garden warnors theaterLeave a comment

F.U.S.E fest returns this weekend to Fresno

On September 20, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

The Catacomb Party isn’t the only local music festival – F.U.S.E (Fresno Urban Sound Experience) is entering its sixth year with another great lineup of local bands.

15 bucks gets you two nights of music at some great venues. There are some changes this year – the festival is smaller (as a result of Catacomb…?) but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. Seriously, $15 for two nights of music? It’s a steal.

While previous years have included up to a dozen venues, this year it’s limited to 8 stages in 4 venues, all at the northern side of downtown. The first night is exclusively at Fulton 55, alternating between the main stage and a smaller stage upstairs, while the second night is mostly at the Warnor’s theater complex. One cool thing is that they’re apparently using the main stage, which should be fun for the bands. As usual, Tokyo Garden closes out the night – but you have to get there before the music starts if you want food. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : bicycle bicycle share bike share bixi citibike clear channel dc ecobici mexico city montreal new york washington dc5 Comments

Mexico City’s Ecobici nears 100,000 subscribers

On September 17, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

When it comes to the world of bike-share, New York’s Citibike may continue to get the headlines, but it’s actually Mexico City’s Ecobici that has the most users in the Americas. Last week, they proudly released stats about ridership, and the numbers are impressive, especially for a city that isn’t exactly known for cycling (or safe streets).

According to El Universal, Ecobici has reached 95,780 annual members. Of those, 40,500 have been added since December. That compares with NYC being just shy of 80,000, since launching in May. When the Ecobici program completed their 3rd expansion last year, the goal was 75,000 users.Looks like it’s time for more stations. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : bike trail city council Clovis clovis veterans memorial district crosswalk fresno bike trail old town clovis old town trail rail trail sugar pine trail sugarpine trail trail expansion3 Comments

Old Town Clovis Trail Gap to Finally be Closed!

On September 11, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

It’s finally happening!

The two blocks in Old Town Clovis where the regional bike trail disappears will apparently be completed as soon as this year.

The next city council agenda has this surprise:

City staff intends to bid and construct the Clovis Old Town trail connection on the west side of Hughes Avenue from Third to Fifth streets in the 3rd quarter of 2013.
Council document (PDF)

The gap is especially notable, because it’s in the heart of Clovis, and there is absolutely no accommodation to direct trail users through the missing area.

Here’s where the gap is, Clovis Avenue is the large road on the left. The red lines are the existing trails points, where they suddenly end. A parking lot was built on the rail right of way (ROW). Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : ADA ada fail bike corporate fail curb ramp cvs fancher creek fresno pedestrian tod3 Comments

CVS addresses ADA violation … by further limiting pedestrian access to new store

On September 9, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Few major chain corporations out there actually listen to the customer. A year ago, I emailed some companies about their lack of bike racks. Rather than receive relevant replies about racks, I was told I was not being considered for a job. Seriously.

Earlier this year, I again sent along an email to CVS’s corporate HQ, but this time about a more serious matter: an apparent ADA violation. Unlike bike racks, an ADA violation can result in a swift lawsuit.

CVS listened; they replied by email, contacted me by phone, replied to my follow-up, and actually did some work on the ground to fix the problem. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : bike lane collision cyclist fresno hit and run route signage striping12 Comments

Cyclist captures hit-and-run on camera

On September 3, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

A teenager with a camera mounted on his handlebar caught a truck driver slamming into him. The truck was accelerating – rather than slowing down – to make a right turn at the upcoming light.The truck driver then fled the scene. Will Fresno PD act?

A TV station has the story, and apparently because they have the exclusive on the video, they have the “exclusive” on the news – I didn’t see any reporting in the Bee.

The TV station is calling it an “accident” and running with the “both sides are to blame” angle. Why are both sides to blame? Because the wife of the driver says so. Click to read more!