Back in Action after a break (honeymoon!)
Missed the Big Tomato while away but it is great to get out, look around and come home. Mostly, my trips help me think about what Sacramento does right, what is done better elsewhere and what we can do as a City moving forward.
I was thinking (seeing the Seattle skyline recently) that we have a defined skyline that is scaled so perfectly for our city. The notion of trying to build a larger building (or buildings) to dwarf all others Downtown and now in West Sacramento is daft - We are lucky to have a digestible, touchable downtown that is not overwhelming by size or by attitude and it is something I appreciate more and more in Sacramento.
During my 15 months of living in Petaluma in the North Bay, I really appreciated how the historic development of downtown and the new areas of redevelopment fit so seamlessly together. It is better to have redevelopment happen on a scale that mixes well with the historic fabric of a downtown then to overwhelm it, push it aside or create two separate (and unequal) downtowns that compete against each other and hurt a community - not help it at all.
Scale matters in buildings and in what we are trying to accomplish for economic success and the regeneration of a Downtown we can work in, live in and enjoy for fun too. Downtown Santa Cruz has been recreated from the destruction experienced in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake and the concentrated redevelopment on a block-by-block basis in Downtown Santa Cruz has created a mix of smaller retail (both local business and some chains too - so it isn't an all or nothing proposition) stores, restaurants and coffeehouses.
We need to work on redevelopment in the same matter and quit chasing the one-shot big fish and the huge project that will change everything and somehow redefine us. Sacramento has some amazing retailers and unique businesses we need to help grow and support - and that will help make us different then the surrounding suburban malls for a unique retail experience that fits into the existing fabric of historical buildings and businesses throughout our City!
What do you think????
Thank you to all our Veteran's today.
I am thinking of one of the memorial statues at the California Vietnam Veteran's Memorial this morning which reads,
"All gave some
Some gave all."
Today I was lucky enough to be at a meeting on the 12th floor of an office building in Downtown Sacramento. There was an incredible panoramic view of the darkening sky and incoming storm.
And below - the amazing tree canopy turning furious colors of bright reds, yellows and tints of orange and purple!
In the distance, Mt. Diablo ruled the southwestern view and I never tire of looking at the collection of buildings I have come to know during my life in Sacramento. Everything from the glorious State Capitol dome, to the Hyatt Hotel, the old Mirador Hotel festooned with antennas and microwave dishes. The Citizen Hotel, the Elk Building and other great Sacramento buildings were everywhere.
It would be great if we could find a public space where all Sacratomatans could have the opportunity to look out over their great City. Even if it was something that could be done on a annual or semi-annual basis - couldn't we find a way to use either one of the State buildings or a private building to have an open space and invite Sacramento to see their City from above?
Even in the height of summer the view of the green canopy and the extent of our shade coverage makes immediate sense on why our trees are so important! The mix of historic and new buildings is enjoyable and inspiring to what our skyline has become. Following light rails path around the central downtown core is very cool.
The view of to the north and our proximity to the Sutter Buttes; to the southwest the dominance of Mt. Diablo - the west shows the silhouette of the not too distant Coastal Range, and the east - the dominance and beauty of the Sierra Nevada.
I wish all Sacramentans had a chance to see this and that seems like an achievable goal for us to accomplish without needing an expenditure of huge amount of money...
Yes, there is a season for all. I know friends that revel and love those 100 F. summer days and warm summer evenings. I have to say, while not fully my cup of tea - it is hard to argue that those are not great evenings when the BBQ is smoking away and you have a cold Rubicon IPA in your hand!
The cooling nights and crisp morning of Fall are my favorite season. Walking around the Big Tomato or riding my bike - it is thrilling to see the trees exploding now into full reds and yellows.
The nights are crisp enough to fire up the oven and do a three hour braise or roast a chicken. And yes - it is never not a great night, sans rain, to fire up the BBQ and sit in the cool evening air snuggled up against the Weber with a lovely Rubicon IPA in hand!
I am just eating these mornings, days and nights up before the chaos of the holidays catches up to us all. I hope you are too.
How do you celebrate Fall in Sacramento?
What would the Big Tomato be without our trees?
The Sacramento Tree Foundation has launched the next generation of what our City and region need to keep us green and cool.
Can you help join in and plant a tree, help with a neighborhood or community tree planting AND/or write a check to The Sacramento Tree Foundation to contribute to our great tree canopy that makes Sacramento an oasis in the Central Valley?
Join us and stay cool my Sacratomato Friends, stay cooooool.
The Sacramento Tree Foundation
Please go vote today.
It matters.
I have been on dozens of political campaigns and have seen them decided by small margins. Every vote counted. Always has, always will.
By not voting you accomplish nothing.
No message received and none delivered.
People around the world are dying, have died or will risk their lives in the future to have a chance to vote.
Americans are fighting and dying.
Right now.
Today.
Not bothering to vote denigrates their sacrifice and their commitment to our Constitution, our form of government.
All you have to do is get up, get out and vote.
Please vote today. There are huge issues for our City - The Big Tomato; our state; our nation and indeed the world.
All you have to do is go out and vote.
Please.
I love the Sacramento River Promenade and used to get there frequently walking and on my bike when I lived on 2nd and P Streets in the SOCK District (South of Crocker).
The Sacramento River provides dramatic views of the Sacramento skyline,
The historic Tower Bridge, new developments in West Sacramento and lots of chances to see boats, birds and other habitat in living and playing in the Sacramento River.
The promenade had existed between Capitol Avenue and O Street but now extends south just past R Street
.
The promenade includes some great seating and has space fro bikes and pedestrians.
South of the collection of historic streetlights at the intersection of O Street and the Promenade (runs parallel to Front Street and I-5) are some extended platforms where you can look through the grates while you sit on the bench to see the water when the river is up. Alongside R Street there is more art and benches
Check out the former railroad bridge at R Street that stretches across I-5 and provides the developing R Street neighborhood as well as Downtown and Midtown - a new, direct bike connection.
The night views are dramatic and swing by sometime for a romantic walk along the river and enjoy your City!
