While the California high speed rail project flails for a bevy of reasons, Amtrak still putters on in the San Joaquin Valley.

Full of bungalows, a touch of mid century architecture and plenty of small and quirky businesses, Fresno’s Tower District oozes retro Americana.

Should the California high speed rail project actually succeed, San Joaquin Valley cities like Fresno and Bakersfield would benefit, too.

Being half Armenian, I loved William Soroyan’s stories, though sometimes I think that his family has nothing on ours. Spending a weekend in Fresno, from which my family comes, made me think of a story about which my aunt reminded me when I visited before the holidays. I plan on sharing some others from time to time.

Much has been made of the San Joaquin Valley’s water problems.  Too many farms did not get the water they needed, which destroyed their owners’ and workers’ livelihoods.  Of course, there is plenty of water underground; the problem is that it has been poisoned with toxins such as selenium, boron, and other mineral salts.  Much [...]

This is a great time to visit the San Joaquin Valley:  the weather is still a little cool, the strawberries are starting its season, the Sierra Nevadas are still draped in snow, and it’s time to drive around the Blossom Trail.   The Blossom Trail circles around the roads and highways southeast of Fresno.  Trees boasting [...]