The Chronicles of Ice Pick - Protests on January 10, 2026

I got just one picture from today's protests: 1.) Sunrise and Greenback from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (with Rachel), and then, 2.) Howe at Arden from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

I can't believe the stamina of some of the younger folks. They were back downtown this evening at the John Moss Federal Building for more protesting. 

But I do like this video. I have a bit of legend surrounding myself, and it's growing. I have the nickname 'ICE Pick.' This is how legends start!

@taterrtatii This is not a left or right issue! It’s a human rights issue!!!! No person, guilty or innocent, deserves to be unalived in the streets without accountability. We are protesting for justice, transparency, and safety for our communities. Every Saturday 12-2pm join us on Howe and Arden! This protest was started by @O’Brien Goes Potatoes ♬ original sound - tatiana 🇱🇦✨ 🇵🇷🌺

Hells Bells, Renee Nicole Good's Murder - Protest at Fremont Park Followed by March to the John Moss Building - January 7, 2026

 

At Fremont Park, 15th and Q Streets.  About 300 people here.

   

What the news media reported about our adventure.

Some vandalism, including ripping out the flowers from a planter in front of ICE's HQ on Capitol Mall and throwing the flowers in front of the door.

Memorial to Renee Nicole Good at ICE's N Street gate.

My new signs for the evening.

Demonstration at 15th and L St., Near The State Capitol - January 6, 2026

A small demonstration for the day.

Jerry, and his boa, is a long-time Sacramento protester, often found at 16th Street and J Street protests over the years.  I've got his picture elsewhere on my blog. probably from 15 years ago, or so, for the No H8 campaign..

Protest Piggy on Instagram, and her brand-new costume,

Photo opportunity in front of the California State Capitol as we decide whether to head to the I Street Bridge over the Sacramento River, or not.

As we waited for a decision, I got distracted by this guy, and his camera crew.  He appeared to be a candidate for office, and the camera crew wanted him to run across the street - a vigorous look for a campaign ad.  But things are always harder than they look.  The camera crew wanted him to run very, very slowly across the street, but that's hard to do.  Instead, he was running like a regular person, and that's not what the camera crew wanted.  So, multiple takes.  Eventually the protesters decided we didn't have the numbers for the I Street Bridge, so we returned to where we had started.

California All But Drought Free!

I see that "Drought Monitor" is showing us almost drought free. It may be a temporary state. They show drought conditions east of us, literally drawing the line in Arizona just east of the Colorado River. Little things can make that line shift big distances. We are about to venture into a period with almost two weeks without rain. That will make the line shift westwards. But hey, no drought, even temporarily, is good news. It's rare when all of California has had enough water. 

Currently, rainfall is 145% of average in Sacramento. Good! There are still potential weaknesses, though. The snowpack in the Sierras has been running about 70% of normal, mostly because the storm systems have been pretty warm and the snowline is high. We need to beef up those numbers.

Unfortunately This Makes Sense

Howe at Arden - January 3, 2026

Today’s new sign, plus my row of signs. 

I set all the signs out, and then it rained on the signs. I put the signs back in the car, and then set them out again so they could dry out.

Various Signs and Bumper Stickers

 

Traveling Monet Experience

On December 29th, Rachel and I visited a traveling Monet show, one of several such art-related shows in recent history, at a warehouse in West Sacramento. The works of the artist are projected onto the warehouse walls, which appear to be painted for this purpose. 

 There were several rooms, portraying: 1.) A room at Monet's house in Giverny, France, 2.) the gardens at Giverny, and 3.) a very large room outfitted with comfortable chairs for resting. 

I really enjoyed the large room. It's very soothing to simply relax among pretty displays. Zen-like. We need to do it again!