\\\"\\\"

FresYes!

5 questions

Mr. E: Together We Stand

by Leave a Comment

FresYes Writing Team
Latest posts by FresYes Writing Team (see all)

By Mr. E

This piece is a little different from the others I’ve written in the sense I’m searching inwardly to find meaning to what is taking place outwardly, within this world of ours.

On Tuesday morning, the unthinkable took place in our town and many of us, myself included, were left attempting to find understanding, peace, and forgiveness. We live in a world of news reports, Snapchat, Facebook/Twitter updates, and of course Instagram posts; this is where our emotions are diverted, these are the sites which capture our very beings.

A bomb being set off in an airport in Belgium, a gunman in Paris, a man broadcasting a killing on Facebook are all parts of the aforementioned world — these are quick hits to buckets which allow the various outlets to stake their claims to the importance of it all, but in reality the importance always seems a world or two away from “us.”

The truth is, on Tuesday morning we were affected by an active shooter, a shooter who not only took the lives of three people but also a fourth the week prior. My house was shaken due to the fact that one of the victims was someone whom I knew: he was the best friend of my flat-mate. In an era where people are fixated on appearances, I’m sure many missed an opportunity to befriend a special person.

So on Tuesday morning, the nation cast its gaze upon a town best known for its agriculture and not its violence. Many seem to forget or for that matter not know that Fresno is the fifth largest city in California, and it affords people the chance to live and travel to and fro without the burden of price; yet what is being portrayed is different in some sectors because sensation sells.

Instead of adding to the sensation, I’m going to address the goodness which has been poured out by the community. We’ve shed tears but then we remember that none of these men would want anyone to harbor ill feelings.

Earlier today, I sat and listened to stories being recalled about one of the victims. There was nothing but laughter and fond memories. One patron said, “I can’t think of anything bad he ever did.”

So it’s within this vein, I ask those in our community to venture to a fundraiser for one of the victims, which is taking place this Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22, at 1826 Van Ness Ave, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (on both days).

My job is to find the uniqueness within our community and abroad. This weekend, let’s all be unique together if not but for just a moment.

together we stand

Mr. E: Play Ball

by Leave a Comment

FresYes Writing Team
Latest posts by FresYes Writing Team (see all)

I find myself attempting to walk a bit more; perhaps it’s the fact I’m getting a little older and I’ve noticed that I need the exercise, or perhaps it’s the fact I have so much to see and I know I have very little time to see it all.

I’ve kept two of my first three posts within the downtown Fresno region and I figured, I mean, since I’m just standing here, why not write another about the sights of downtown Fresno.

Many people have probably heard of Chukchansi Park given the fact the stadium has been home to the Fresno Grizzlies, Houston Astros’ Triple A baseball affiliate, for close to fifteen years. However, I’m learning many have still not seen the park, which nestles up against the downtown skyline.

Now, I’ve found that a simple, “Hello, hi, how are you” gets me through more doors than I otherwise should be allowed through. Nonetheless, here I stand on the outside of Chukchansi Park, looking in, wondering what this baseball fuss is all about. As people scurry by me, I keep hearing them say, “Opening Day is going to be…”

Someone, anyone what’s an Opening Day?

I bypass a ticket office, hop in an elevator, and make my way upstairs to ask some questions, but the only person I find is this guy holding a Vanity Fair with Jean-Michel Basquiat on the front. The guy seems nice enough, I mean he didn’t ask me for my name and I didn’t ask him for his, of course I used my trademark “Hello, hi, how are you” (it works wonders); he’s sort of just standing there all happy-like and the one thing that he does say to me is, “This year is going to be special, I hope more people will feel at home.”

mr. e play ball

Fresno Grizzlies owner Chris Cummings and his copy of Vanity Fair.

Well, since he wants me to feel at home, I thank him and make my way to find a seat for the match (or is it game or is it … I digress). Whatever it’s called, I think I may have missed it, but rest assured I’m learning that there’s more than one game to be played. I’ll just sit here and wait a bit.

Mr. e play ball

Chukchansi Park

Mr. E play ball

Word on the streets is, baseball is back in downtown Fresno!

Mr. E: Finding Joy in Traveling Outside One’s Comfort Zone

by Leave a Comment

FresYes Writing Team
Latest posts by FresYes Writing Team (see all)

This might surprise a few folks — what’s life without a surprise or two? – but I’m a fan of all genres of music, including country (sue me).

The idea of listening to much of the hip hop being pumped into the air today doesn’t appeal to me, and rock hasn’t been the same since Axl Rose went all Axl Rose twenty-something years ago. So by default, I’m forced to adapt, and adapt I have over the course of the last few years or so.

So, last week, I hopped on a plane and headed to Houston, TX in order to do two things: the first was to see what the Houston Rodeo was all about, and the second was to see if this Chris Stapleton guy is all that and a bag of chips.

traveller

Bound for Houston: home of rodeo, brisket, and country music.

I’m going to be 100% honest: there’s nothing about me that says cowboy, rodeo, country music, Texas, or brisket. NOTHING. Well, maybe I’m fibbing a bit. There’s a part of me that says brisket beats tri-tip, only because these folks in Texas have that dialed in like no other. I mean, the way the flavor jumps off… (I’m doing it again, I’m getting pulled into this crazy meat battle). Moving on.

Before, my idea of what a rodeo was all about came from the Clovis Rodeo, and not really in a good way. I’ve actually never been to the Clovis Rodeo only due to the fact I’ve always heard it really isn’t a place for — how did the guy in Old Town Clovis put it to me that one time? “Colored folks shouldn’t be coming out to stuff like this, it isn’t for your kind.” Yeeeeeeeeeeah. As you can guess, I’m not usually running to any rodeos.

But there seems to be something different about Houston, something I just can’t quite place my finger on exactly. If you aren’t familiar, the Houston Rodeo is a huge event — basically, one of the biggest livestock and entertainment exhibitions ever. The invite to attend the rodeo was extended to me by a friend, and the artists that were laid out for me to choose from were vast. But, the only one I wanted to see was Chris Stapleton.

As we pulled up to NRG Stadium and I began to see all of the hats, jeans, rhinestone cowboys and cowgirls, I thought I was going to be in over my head a bit and stick out like a black jelly bean in a Tic Tac container. The truth is, no one even paid me any mind as I strolled through the parking lot and into the arena. There was more “color” in the building and it made me feel as if Crayola Crayons were running one last test on mankind.

I’ve seen a lot of neat things in my life, but this rodeo has to be one of the highlights of my forty years of existence! I mean, I didn’t think things could get better event after event, but here I was trying to decide if the mutton races, barrel races, wagon races, team roping, FFA calf chase, or bull riding was the best — seriously, this rodeo had everything.

By the time the music started, I was already thinking to myself, “Self, you made the right decision by coming out here and stepping out of your comfort zone,” and then the lights went down and this brutha Chris Stapleton and his band rolled up to the stage in black SUVs.

I’m not going to ruin the show for anyone scheduled to see him in Fresno. However, I will say that Chris Stapleton left me feeling like there are still good people in this world. Perhaps it was the way he looked at his wife, or perhaps it was the way she looked at him. Either way, they’ve traveled a long way to be where they are today.

The idea of a rodeo isn’t something I would have come up with on my own but there’s something special about Houston, TX, and something special about watching the stars come out to shine far from home.

Mr. E: Finding Inspiration At Root General Store

by Leave a Comment

FresYes Writing Team
Latest posts by FresYes Writing Team (see all)

Finding Inspiration At Root General Store

[Previously: Mr. E takes us on a tour of Fresno, starting downtown at the Pacific Southwest Building]

… I decide to use the elevator in order to travel downstairs from the Pacific Southwest Building. Although stairs are great for a core workout, I know my toes will give out on me at some point (deep breath).

Now that I’m outside and looking at this map of Fresno, I guess I’ll head north of my location for a moment. Before I get too far into all of this blogging and traveling around the city and all, I need to tell you that this is going to be a Legend of Zelda sort of journey. Yeah, yeah, I’m okay with being called Link, since it’s my civic duty to “link” you in with the happening places around town.

A note about me: Over the course of the last few years, I’ve gone from shopping at our local malls, to shopping online, to shopping at thrift stores, because Benjamin Hammond Haggerty (Macklemore) said, “I’m going to pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket, I’m looking for a come-up.” For those wondering what a ‘come-up’ is, it’s basically finding BCBG shoes, a Coach bag, or a Gucci wallet for twenty dollars. I mean, according to Benjamin’s version of the song. I digress.

So, I love shopping and for that matter I love great deals, unique stores, and unique products. [Looks up from map.] And it looks as if I’ve arrived at 1424 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721, aka Root General Store.

In my mind, there’s always something special about a store that has an inviting aroma. It takes me back to being a child and standing in the soap aisle of Alpha Beta. As I awkwardly stand in the doorway with my eyes closed and map neatly tucked away, I remember that I’m awkwardly standing in the doorway with my eyes closed.

Root General is a hip store located in the heart of downtown Fresno. It doesn’t carry any name-brand apparel, per se, but it does have a bit of something for everyone, from jewelry to baseball hats, beanies, sweaters, dresses, and jeans for both men and women, not to mention local, handcrafted leather wallets and fragrances, as well.

It always surprises me when I stumble upon places such as this, which are so fresh! Places that are unique, that inspire. If you’re looking for a store that isn’t like all the other boutiques in town, Root General is the place for you. Side note: I advise you to bring more than twenty dollars—you’ll definitely come-up here.

I dare you to be a bit different and take a drive downtown to see this goodness for yourself.

[Takes out map] Let’s see what’s next, Fresno…

Introduction to “The View” by Mr. E

by Leave a Comment

FresYes Writing Team
Latest posts by FresYes Writing Team (see all)

“Hello there…”

I’ve always wanted to start an article this way. It’s so inviting, it makes you want to sit for a moment and read whatever it is that’s being written. I mean truly, how many people really say, “Hello there” any longer?

Well, as fate would have it, our beautiful city wants to say hello to its inhabitants! For years, all I’ve ever heard or read about through various channels was that there’s nothing to do in Fresno—no scene, no culture, and with that, very little diversity.

I’ve had the pleasure of leaving Fresno to attend college outside the state of California and I’ve also had the pleasure of returning back home, none the worse for being back in a place of comfort.

This afternoon, I wrapped up my workday and thought to myself I should do something adventurous and out of my comfort zone. So I did what any person who is afraid of heights would do: I scaled one of the tallest, if not the tallest, buildings in town to see just how our city lays out in front of the naked eye.

(I should probably let you all know when I wrote “scaled,” I did not mean the Spiderman way of transportation. My mutant powers were taken from me years back.)

Over the course of the next ten months or so, I intend to stumble upon and help uncover some gems within this city, which some of you reading this might not know exist. I guess there’s a bit of intrigue/mystery set to play out before our eyes — as long as you choose to check up on this blog from time to time.

I took a picture for us to use as a bit of a roadmap, a bit of a starting point, and to think, There I stood not being too afraid of what was laid out in front of me, a new adventure.

Hello there, Fresno, let’s dance for a moment. – Mr. E

 

Mr. E travels Fresno and beyond looking for the fascinating in the everyday. Look for his photos to appear on FresYes.com every other Friday.