East Greenfield is not an official designation, but it serves my purpose as definition because I can remember a time when the whole of the area east of Third Street was just about the extent of residential property; and most of that was on Oak Avenue. The remainder of land was made up of scattered parcels occupied mainly by farmers.
Since those early days we have seen hundreds of homes added to the area with the land adjacent to the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Third Street seeing much growth in the past few years. And while the south side of Walnut west of Third has been built up with commercial businesses, across the street there are two relatively new apartments built expressly as housing for seasonal agricultural workers. These apartments, like the newest ag workers housing at Bitterwater Road and Metz Road intersection in King City, are nice looking structures with balconies and surrounding fences.
But the newest housing going up in Greenfield on the southeast corner of Walnut and Third is a mystery as far as what the final product will look like. The last time I biked past, about six days ago, there is nothing to see of the actual buildings, other than large container sized white boxes; some stacked two high. I suppose the white covering, whatever material it is, will be shorn and we will finally get a look at the newest addition to that part of the world.
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To extricate myself from what has become a too indolent lifestyle, especially in the mornings where too much coffee, nicotine and sitting on my duff in front of a laptop have occupied the hours, I have put into action a senior citizen’s exercise program. It consists of nothing more than stretching then walking and working out with some very minor weights, but that is better than the routine rut I was in. It is an adjustment over biking, the biggest obstacle is not thinking that I am moving very slowly and wasting time that could be put to better use. That is a mental hurdle I put out of my mind with the simple fact that most mornings, Thursday excepted (Museum workday is 9 to Noon that day), I have absolutely nothing to do except fret about what to write for the upcoming column.
Like biking, walking has it benefits not only health-wise but allows one a bit more visual intake. For instance, I noticed a sign that was painted by Bill’s wife, Karen, many moons ago that hangs over the entrance to the Stampede Grounds at the Salinas Valley Fair, is no longer legible. I recall, with misgiving, when during the Fair one year I helped hang that sign and then an hour or so later scratched it with a forklift while moving gymkhana equipment into the arena. And Bill was standing there to see me do it; ouch. (That is also the year Karen drew the poster for the 2000 Fair, which used the slogan I had submitted; I donated the $100 prize to the Junior Fair Board; but I digress).
A little further on I turned into the gate and walked through the Fairgrounds and could not help but notice how good the place looks; especially between the Rava and Topo buildings and the King City Bog, er, Bowl. The ground is level, the pens all dismantled and stacked neatly, the equipment squared away and the horse and cow sh… manure all pushed into their three-sided cement block stalls.
But all this does not surprise me as most of the appearance has been in the care of Rick for nearly 40 years so he knows his business. Speaking of Rick, I would suppose that over his years at SVF he has met more people than most politicians and has gained a far better overall rating. I don’t think I have ever heard anyone say a bad word against him and that is saying something about a man. Exiting the grounds I noticed, via three announcements on the fence, that Fair Kick-Off tickets are now available and two events are coming: the KC Rotary Club’s Flea Market is April 7, and on May 18 Maddie & Tae will be there; I have no idea who they are but assume they are a singing duo; I’ll have to research them.
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Now here is a story about pure idiocy. David Grann’s 2017 book, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” is now a popular film of the same name. It is Rated R, so only those 18 years and above are allowed admittance unless the ticket seller doesn’t check IDs, and then who knows who is in the actual audience in any given movie house. And they probably check in Oklahoma, the site of the story, because the telling of white businessmen killing Native Americans is a no-no in Oklahoma. And to press the point, a school teacher who introduced the book to her students was fired and lost her credential to teach in that state; and the school district was cut off from state resources until they agreed to not let such reckless behavior by a teacher happen again.
You see, Oklahoma has taken the stance that such stories will result in loss of esteem in white kids, so they are banned. I mention this because four of my grandkids have been in Oklahoma schools for four years, and because they are one-quarter Japanese they need to know about Executive Order 9066, the World War II internment of Japanese citizens and residents in camps, and I know they ain’t gonna hear about it in Oklaredneckhoma. They and all Americans need to remember that time, so as not to let such injustices happen again.
Note: I looked up Maddie and Tae. If you are a fan of Western music, this is your chance to hear a couple of veteran ladies entertain for an evening.
Take care. Peace.
