BIG STATES VS. SMALL: Fascinating, must-read piece about the constitutional clout small states have in the U.S. Senate, which some call the least democratic legislative chamber in any developed nation. Prime example: Fresno has about the same number of people as Wyoming but receives far less from the federal government. [New York Times]
JITTERY BABY: Famous former Beehiver-turned-national-sports-blogger sadly deals with bad Yo Gabba Gabba trip. [Twitter]
SHOWDOWN AT THE ORANGE COVE CORRAL: Local politics doesn’t get nastier, John Ellis writes. You can turn his Page A1 story into a drinking game: Take a swig every time Mayor Victor Lopez refers to himself in the 3rd person. [Bee]
For those following the count-down clock, we’ve hit the zero hour (to the chagrin of at least one user). Those following me over from my previous gig at Fresno Famous will need no introduction, but the rest of y’all probably want to know what I am about.
First off, I like lists. So:
Downtown. When the Vagabond Lofts were built in 2006, I was the first to move in. Literally, the very first resident in the complex (OK, I had a roommate). I was what then-council member Henry T. Perea called an urban pioneer. I fully buy into the idea that a city is only as good as its downtown, and that Fresno can be (heck, it already is) a vibrant, cultural hot-spot. To that end, I’ll be keeping up with the city’s efforts to get people back to the urban core. For now, check out I Believe in Downtown Fresno. You don’t have to take the pledge, but you can at least get informed.
To keep from being all north Fresno vs. south, I also have an affinity for Fig Garden Village and the Tower District and have no problem hanging out at River Park when I need to.
To celebrate, fellow blogger Brodiemash and I present to him, and to you, his adoring public, a short film featuring just a few of the highlights from Mike’s first 29 years.
Happy Birthday, sir, from all of your friends at the Beehive, and here’s to another thirty years, plus — I don’t know — like, thirty more on top of that.
A certain Fresno Beehive blogger with an affection for tacos has a particularly milestone-ish birthday coming up this year. He has a fantastic wife, a nice house, a cute dog, a job … what more could the man possibly want?
Answer: a wallet that looks like a taco. A taco wallet. It’s shaped like a taco and meant to carry money, but I like to think it’s shaped like a taco and meant to carry tacos.
Mike may not want this, but he needs it. I’m sure he has enough sycophants fans out there that someone will make this happen. Just $7.99! (Another, more that’s-what-she-said-like photo after the jump)
1. WELCOME KAT JONES HOME: The wonderful Kat Jones is back in Fresno, playing tonight at Kuppajoe. She’s off in Nashville trying to be a star nowadays, but we still remember her fondly. Sleepover Disaster and others are playing with her. Should be a good show.
Earlier this week I found myself out and about two nights in a row. The next day I came to the realization that I could try and put that old “there’s nothing to do in Fresno” adage to the test, Mythbusters-style, to see if it holds up. As a bonus, I’d keep track of what I spent, to see if good times could be had on the cheap.
Let’s see how I did.
Monday: Pecha Kucha Night
Spent most of the evening at Starline enjoying presentations from ten Fresno designers, then headed slightly south to hear Johnny Q spin at Veni Vidi Vici’s.
This is where you come in. I want to know what’s happening in Fresno tonight through the weekend. Feel free to shamelessly plug your event, or simply offer up whatever suggestions you might have for a fun weekend.
Wanna talk about what you wish you were doing this weekend, or what you plan to do in upcoming weekends: go right the hell ahead. It’s your weekend open thread …
Well, no. But my favorite gossip blog, The Superficial, mistakenly referenced The Fresno Bee (instead of the Beehive) today in a post about Fresno’s Favorite Sonâ„¢, Kevin Federline.
You may recall the birthday tribute the very talented Mike Oz put together last Friday for young Kevin. It was a great video, and The Superficial had the good sense to recognize that by posting it on its site.
Peep the post here, but just know that The Superficial doesn’t have the language and photo constraints The Beehive has (let me spell it out for you: beware f-bombs and boobies.) Oh, and try not to get too bummed out by the inevitable comparisons to armpits Fresno suffers in the comments section. People are just jealous haters – but we already knew that. Right, Kev?
