Sacramento area community musical theater (esp. DMTC in Davis, 2000-2020); Liberal politics; Meteorology; "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," and Albuquerque movie filming locations; New Mexico and California arcana, and general weirdness.
Southern California didn't do too bad, but Northern California is now locked in severe drought - starting out just as bad as the 2013-16 drought.
At Sacramento Executive Airport, the rainy season started late and sputtered to a stop in January. Precipitation was just 54% of normal for the season. The only thing that will save us this summer is that reservoir levels are still in fairly-good shape from the previous two rainy seasons.
I updated and extended my look at California air pollution (PM2.5 - particulate matter below 2.5 microns in size, generally deriving from combustion) in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, at two stations in California: Long Beach (near Highway 710) and Downtown Sacramento T Street. Series 1 (orange) is 2019 data; Series 2 (blue) is 2020 data.
Based on February data, at both stations, 2020 was shaping up to be considerably dirtier than 2019. In Sacramento, the dirtier air was probably occurring because there were fewer storms blowing through.
Then the coronavirus crisis struck.
In Sacramento, the reduction is enough to make 2020 particulate concentrations equivalent to 2019 levels. In Long Beach, the reduction is more than enough to make 2020 particulate concentrations lower than 2019 levels. Still, the improvement in air quality isn't all that dramatic and is already showing signs of disappearing.
In the April 23 post, Antioch planning commissioner chair Ken Turnage II said that coronavirus is like a forest fire that burns “old trees, fallen brush and scrub-shrub sucklings” that drain resources, adding that society will “strengthen” when the pandemic “is all settled.”
“We would have significant loss of life, we would lose many elderly, that would reduce burdens in our defunct Social Security System, health care cost (once the wave subsided), make jobs available for others and it would also free up housing in which we are in dire need of,” Turnage wrote in the post that has since been deleted. “We would lose a large portion of the people with immune and other health complications. I know it would be loved ones as well. But that would once again reduce our impact on medical, jobs, and housing.”
Devastating, and devastatingly-accurate, Chinese propaganda at the link.
I need to check out the northwest part of downtown Sacramento. It's farthest from my home, so harder to reach.
On this ride, I circumnavigate downtown: north on 21st Street, west on G Street, south on 7th Street, and back home along Y Street alley.
Mural at Holy Diver Bar. I performed hip-hop here in 2015, when this was the Starlite Lounge, before the place became quite so dark.
Adjacent to a Barber Shop.
California Bear mural next to Zelda's Pizza.
Even the bank has a mural.
This used to be Sacramento's best thrift and costume shop. Why can't I remember it's old name? I visited here briefly in 2018 to check on election results.
A&P Liquor Store at 21st & K Street. This place became briefly infamous in 2015 when one the American soldiers lionized in Clint Eastwood's movie "15:17 to Paris" got stabbed here.
This building at 21st & J street is surprisingly-colorful.
Across the tracks from Bicycle Kitchen.
I knew Sacramento Theatre Company (STC) was going through some changes, but I didn't realize how thorough.
Whoa, STC!
Shoppers Market, a handsome example of the downtown Sacramento corner market.
Lots of handsome Victorian buildings on I Street, but I prefer this brick building.
6th Street overpass of the Union Pacific rail lines, looking east, just east of the Sacramento rail yards and adjacent to the Alkali Flat neighborhood.
View of downtown Sacramento from the 6th Street overpass.
Sacramento rail yards from the 6th Street overpass.
I really like this underused old-time brick building near the rail yards.
Ooh, Scientology! The ghost of L. Ron Hubbard lives!
The old bank kitty corner from the D&O Building at 7th & J Street. When First Northern Bank was here and I was DMTC Treasurer, I used to make deposits here nearly every week from 2005 to 2010.
The Pagoda Building.
This place is just two doors down from where Corina did her music video in 2011 with Ice Dance Company. Several of the dancers were also at Step One, including Krystle Morales. These days, Corina is a respiratory therapist in LA, likely deeply involved with coronavirus response.
Sacramento is the best!
Is this building's architecture inspired by railway stacked freight cars? Good God!
Approaching the Golden One Center, where the NBA Sacramento Kings play.
That little white R2D2-like robot rolling around like a Roomba on the sidewalk below the Golden One Center facade was being mocked and harassed by a sassy eight-year-old girl posing for family photos.
Golden One Center.
No idiot quarantine protestors today on Capitol Mall.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church next to Southside Park.
Car has seen better days. Fewer traffic accidents these coronavirus days!
The last time I biked, I got a flat front tire. I repaired the flat and went out again. I got another flat. Then I realized that I hadn't checked out the tire for nails and other objects. Of course I would get another flat!
When I fixed the flat again, I checked, and found the intruding piece of glass that was causing the flat. I pulled it out, fixed the flat, and I was ready again.
I decided to check out the southwest corner of Sacramento's downtown, mostly because I knew no one over there, or had any business there, so knew relatively little about it. I headed west in the V Street corridor, and returned east on R Street.
Light rail in Sacramento.
Display at the Antique Company.
The Flame Club. I used to pass by here when I walked Bella, when the club seemed pretty rowdy. Then Bella got cancer, and I stopped walking past here. Then they had a late-night murder here, which I missed because I was no longer walking past late at night.
Hatuey Cigars.
Converse Sneakers.
The color is vivid here, but there is also a kind of illusion with this photo when seen from the distance - a kind of Dr. Seuss wobbliness.
Southside Park. Embarrassed to say I've never been here before.
Apparently this was the center of Mexican culture in Sacramento for many years. Who knew?
R Street is the boundary line of where the large California state government office buildings reign.
Ooh, there is a bike path across Interstate 5! How fun!
Flood town.
The Sacramento River.
Graffiti on public property.
Returning east on R Street.
Oh! DBG works here!
Murals here on R Street.
Gentrifying R Street corridor.
Well-loved Fox and Goose Restaurant. I remember visiting here on my first day of work at Sierra Research in July 1990.
Ace of Spades, where I've seen a number of live-music shows over the years.
Southern California didn't do too bad, but Northern California is now locked in severe drought - starting out just as bad as the 2013-16 drought. 
Mural at Holy Diver Bar. I performed hip-hop here in 2015, when this was the Starlite Lounge, before the place became quite so dark.
Adjacent to a Barber Shop.
California Bear mural next to Zelda's Pizza.
Even the bank has a mural.
This used to be Sacramento's best thrift and costume shop. Why can't I remember it's old name? I visited here briefly in 2018 to check on election results.
A&P Liquor Store at 21st & K Street. This place became briefly infamous in 2015 when one the American soldiers lionized in Clint Eastwood's movie "15:17 to Paris" got stabbed here.
This building at 21st & J street is surprisingly-colorful.
Across the tracks from Bicycle Kitchen.
I knew Sacramento Theatre Company (STC) was going through some changes, but I didn't realize how thorough.
Whoa, STC!
Shoppers Market, a handsome example of the downtown Sacramento corner market.
Lots of handsome Victorian buildings on I Street, but I prefer this brick building.
6th Street overpass of the Union Pacific rail lines, looking east, just east of the Sacramento rail yards and adjacent to the Alkali Flat neighborhood.
View of downtown Sacramento from the 6th Street overpass.
Sacramento rail yards from the 6th Street overpass.
I really like this underused old-time brick building near the rail yards.
Ooh, Scientology! The ghost of L. Ron Hubbard lives!
The old bank kitty corner from the D&O Building at 7th & J Street. When First Northern Bank was here and I was DMTC Treasurer, I used to make deposits here nearly every week from 2005 to 2010.
The Pagoda Building.
Is this building's architecture inspired by railway stacked freight cars? Good God!
Approaching the Golden One Center, where the NBA Sacramento Kings play.
That little white R2D2-like robot rolling around like a Roomba on the sidewalk below the Golden One Center facade was being mocked and harassed by a sassy eight-year-old girl posing for family photos.
Golden One Center.
No idiot quarantine protestors today on Capitol Mall.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church next to Southside Park.
Car has seen better days. Fewer traffic accidents these coronavirus days!
Highway 50, as seen from the Alhambra Blvd. overcrossing.
T Street and Stockton Blvd.
Curious sign.
UC Davis Medical Center.
Breathtaking flowers.
Oak Park is gentrifying. These modern colorful apartments are unusual, though.
A little playground on Second Avenue.
Light rail in Sacramento.
Display at the Antique Company.
The Flame Club. I used to pass by here when I walked Bella, when the club seemed pretty rowdy. Then Bella got cancer, and I stopped walking past here. Then they had a late-night murder here, which I missed because I was no longer walking past late at night.
Hatuey Cigars.
Converse Sneakers.
The color is vivid here, but there is also a kind of illusion with this photo when seen from the distance - a kind of Dr. Seuss wobbliness.
Southside Park. Embarrassed to say I've never been here before.
Apparently this was the center of Mexican culture in Sacramento for many years. Who knew?
R Street is the boundary line of where the large California state government office buildings reign.
Ooh, there is a bike path across Interstate 5! How fun!
Flood town.
The Sacramento River.
Graffiti on public property.
Returning east on R Street.
Oh! DBG works here!
Murals here on R Street.
Gentrifying R Street corridor.
Well-loved Fox and Goose Restaurant. I remember visiting here on my first day of work at Sierra Research in July 1990.
Ace of Spades, where I've seen a number of live-music shows over the years.
Pretty!
Shop local.
