Author: The Fresnan

Fresno nerd. Longtime blogger and podcaster. I love talking local, music, beer, the Sierras, eating in Fresno, etc...

The Struggle Of A Fresnan

The Fresnan

I can get super bummed about not posting here.

Long spans of time can go by and I don’t post and I feel shitty and then I get a few in there and feel better about myself.

The thing I just realized and it’s why I sat down to post, I am too fucking old to blog about Fresno in the way I wish I could.

The old days.

Work. Age. Life. They all keep me from running around the Tower or Downtown or some thing at Fresno State, with any kind of regularity.

So, I cannot be what I want, what the hell do I do?

There are only so many Save Mart & Whole Foods posts I can do (grocery stores are my number one social places these days).

This is not some setup to tell you I am quiting The Fresnan like that other time. I just need to tell you that I know things are not the same and they can’t ever be.

But I can still figure out a place for this blog and newsletter. It may be something else, but something.

Anyway, thanks for being here. Fresno and blogging rule!✌️

Fresno vs. Portland: Traffic Edition

The Fresnan
img_5174-843x1024 Fresno vs. Portland: Traffic Edition
Portland is not fun to drive in

Portland traffic sucks tailpipe.

The above screenshot was taken at 2:50 PM on a random Wednesday. That is a lot of red for Wednesday afternoon.

Yeah I know, Portland has more people than Fresno. There are more cars. This is not a complete match of a comparison.

This is about the general day-to-day of what you have to deal with living in Portland vs. living in Fresno and having to drive to things.

So yes, there are more people in Portland. But unlike Fresno, Portland has things to help alleviate traffic:

  • A solid light-rail system throughout the city.
  • One of the THE best bike infrastructures in the country.
  • Friendly to walkers.

Yet, red ALL OVER the map, in the middle of the afternoon of a random week. So that means it’s like that every work day, at least.

And what is Fresno like at the same time on the same Wednesday?…

img_5175-810x1024 Fresno vs. Portland: Traffic Edition

A little bit of backup at the “McKinley Curve” and a little slowing on 99 Southbound – I assume to slowdown and look at the top of the castle in Storyland.

To be clear, I highly support heavy-duty bike infrastructure, light-rail and making things safe for walking within the city! Fresno needs these things. This isn’t a post against that.

I’m pointing out that Portland is doing everything right to lessen traffic and it STILL sucks shit. 🤣

Fresno wins this round. 👏👍

Hey! Does River Park Even Deserve Ragin’ Records?

The Fresnan
eefce550-1fda-4b54-9dab-9f928a430c97 Hey! Does River Park Even Deserve Ragin’ Records?

It’s been mixed feelings about Ragin’ Records opening up a place in River Park.

First you’re like “Wait. WHAT!? River Park? But Ragin is, like, TOWER, dude. Metal. Punk. All subculture and stuff!”

River Park is not that.

When River Park went in it was mostly chains and a movie theater. North Fresno. The death of Fashion Fair. Sprawl. A traffic circle we didn’t get.

It was exciting and new, but no heart. Felt like it shouldn’t be.

Over the years it has evolved. Either by design or by necessity it is maybe a little more local – at least the core is.

Teazers. Barrelhouse. Coney Island Me&Ed’s. That place that used to be the sports bar. You know, stuff like that.

It feels more Fresno and I don’t know how to describe it to you more than that. Maybe it has just been there long enough.

So I guess after you work it out, it is okay that River Park has a Ragin’ Records now. Especially since it is in the parking garage (which makes it totally punk).

I’m getting soft in my old age.

Joshua Tehee and I have a good discussion about this on this month’s Flowing With Famous.

Portland vs Fresno: Yeah, You Keep Showing Up For Weirdness, Portland

The Fresnan

Fresno takes the win for this round. O

Only Portland has the time for something completely stupid as fuck.

Fresno is a little too busy with life to participate.

#KeepFresnoReal