Farewell February

You never know what you'll see walking down the street, like this Valentine's leftover.  I can't decide if a heart hanging in the trees on 5th Street is a sweet or sad surprise. I'll go with sweet.

A Southside Park Parable

I recently went to San Diego's Chicano Park to see a mural by Sacramento artist, Esteban Villa, and it inspired me to take a better look at ones with similar themes just steps from my front door.

I walk by the Callahan Memorial Amphitheater in Southside Park nearly every day and, although I enjoy the cheerful colors, I don't think I have ever really "seen" the murals. It was time to take a closer look.

I knew that the amphitheater was built it 1939 and I knew that in 1977 an artist group called the Royal Chicano Air Force painted the murals. What I didn't know what that Esteban Villa was member!

So I didn't have to go all the way to San Diego to see one his murals after all.

Artful Graffiti Abatement

Have you seen these murals on W Street near the corner of 10th?

I thought they must be for some new-age shop but the building's awning proved me wrong.

The murals are HR Sports Cards owner's beautiful solution to keep graffiti off his large expanse of walls.

Here is a closer look:

I really love how the artist used the existing box on the wall as a boom box.

 Thanks you, HR Sports Cards, for brightening the neighborhood!

One Less Tree in the Hood

Sunday, 2 AM: Woke to tires screeching followed by a huge crash. Hope it is not yet another accident on 5th Street. These sounds are usually followed by sirens but this time the following sound was twenty plus minutes of vigorous, LOUD engine revving. My husband said the driver must have run over something, gotten stuck and is trying to get the car off it.

Sunday before dawn: More engining reviving.

Sunday, 10 AM: This is what took out a tree near 5th and U Streets. Sure enough it was stuck on a tree trunk. The city was sending someone to move the car off the sidewalk. Air bags had gone off. I assume - due to repeated engine revving - no people seriously hurt.

Too bad we can't say the same about this tree:

On the other hand, lucky for him it was a small tree.

Rural Southside Park

I love walking by this scene. If I ignore the freeway noise (our neighborhood "urban ocean") I feel as if I am in farmland. Jus wish I had a ladder 'cause those oranges look yummy.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

If you guessed "metal thieves"you are unfortunately correct. This was installed in September. I haven't even had a chance to blog about it! This vandalism is getting depressing.

If you haven't walked by it yet, here is what you missed:

Warehouses of Wonder - Part 2

On a warm night last summer my husband and I were strolling home from the Crocker Art Museum and noticed a lot of action in this unassuming warehouse on 3rd street.

The doors were all open for the river breeze and it was bustling with - wait for it - weight lifters!

On another walk home from the Crocker I saw it again. This time I went in to investigate.

The name, Midtown Strength and Conditioning had me baffled, but co-owner Tara Getty explained that they had the name before they had the space.

From the flags to the photographs, it has a fun, community vibe.

I didn't expect a gym to look so inviting, but the big surprise for me was the art - reason enough to check it out.

I especially like the eyeballs...

Low-tech Cat Deterrent

A lot of gardens are popping up in this feels-like-spring weather. I was curious about the water jugs surrounding this one on 10th street but the happy gardener didn't speak English.

Luckily, I was with a friend from Italy who says they use this method there to keep the cats outs. "Curiosity killed the cat. Satisfaction brought it back."

Valentine's Day Preview

This is not the stuff of singles ads but I find this neighborhood scene sweetly romantic.