A Sacramento Walk

I took my car in to John Ellis Auto Repair (which I started using when I worked in this neighborhood.  I proceeded to walk to the light rail station, rode on light rail, then got off and walked home.  So, here is that walk.  

Pictured first is a painted quail above the back door where I was employed from 1994-2106, at Sierra Research, and which is now something else.  The most memorable time at this back door was about 2012.  I heard a thud, turned around and discovered a kestrel had flown into the canopy above the back door.  I tried calling the Wildlife Care Association about the bird, but I turned away, and the stunned bird flew away.

It's hard to summarize the history of something as complicated as a city, but I've been in Sacramento long enough now (33 years: 1990-2023) that I feel like I finally have something to say.

Lots of murals painted along the alley between I and J Streets, from about 17th to 16th Streets.

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Here is the Lady Bird Mural, featuring Saoirse Ronan.  I'm very happy Sacramento-native motion picture director Greta Gerwig has a new hit on her hands, "Barbie."

Also at Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

Sierra Research's previous digs, at 1521 I Street, and where I worked from 1990-1994.  The most notable thing I remember here was getting annoyed by drug sales in the alley behind this location (crime rates reached their zenith around 1990).  I'd stay after work, and after sunset, when sales accelerated, I'd watch unobserved from inside and call the cops when business was brisk.  It was fun!

The old Governor's Mansion, behind the old Sierra Research.  My understanding is that Jerry Brown had his bedroom in this building on the left when he was a kid.

The Memorial Auditorium looms above I Street.

Mike's Bikes.

Ooh, I like this emptiness here.

The last victim of the Unabomber died approximately here, on April 24, 1995.  It made a big impression, since it was just a few blocks away from where I worked.

Fire Station 2.

Jim Denny's Hamburgers. Are they closed now?

Catching the light rail on 12th Street.

Morton's Steakhouse, where lobbyists and legislators schmooze.

An old Victorian.

The California Secretary of State's office, where elections are organized and which was an important locale for me in my 2003 gubernatorial run.

The Safeway where I shop.

I saw a surprisingly-well-dressed woman coming out from her little hovel next to the Catholic Store on Broadway.  She needs more pay.

The Trail eatery was taken over by Shoki Ramen, which suffered a fire just after opening.  Then there was Covid.  People are starting to eat here again.

The Catholic Diocese headquarters where Ron DeSantis' goons dumped a number of immigrants, many of whom were from Venezuela.

Sol Collective, which I've never visited, but hosts cool acitivities, like Native American dances.

My house!