6 blocks from my apartment

Light Rail is a success

2008-11-15T06:52:52Z

50,000 people a day on average ride light rail. That to me is a success. Of course it can always improve.

Gas prices are coming down, but that's no reason not to still take light rail.

While light rail may not be the ideal choice for everyone, if you live outside the City of Sacramento and need to get to the center of town, there is hardly a better way to go

I take light rail to work often. There is a station about 3 blocks from my home at 23rd and R St. and it lets off right at my office. This makes it an inexpensive and convenient choice of transportation.

I often hear people making excuses s to why they shouldn't take light rail. One of the excuses I hear often is that Light Rail isn't safe. In my experience it has been exceptionally safe. But for those who are concerned with its safety here is a quote from the RT website about their system policing:

"Police Services current staffing consists of one lieutenant, three sergeants, 22 officers/deputies, 17 transit officers and 50 security guards. Police Services personnel patrol the system by car, bicycle and foot, as well as riding the light rail trains and buses."

Beyond just feeling safe many people who right light rail are very polite and out going. Just today I had a very nice conversation with a fellow rider. This is a frequent occurrence on light rail, pleasant people engaging in conversation.

What are your experiences riding light rail? What do you like about light rail as it exists today? What about it deters you? Please comment below with your thoughts and experiences with light rail.

Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Two way today

2008-11-13T10:18:42Z

This afternoon, the 13th of November 2008, N Street from 21st to 28th will no longer be a one way street.

All the new traffic lights are in, the new signs and everything else necessary for the conversion. It will be interesting to see how the city handles the actual switch over. Right now there are cars parked on both sides of the street in the same direction.

The total cost of the whole switch was $188,000 and was funded by the Measure A half cent sales tax. What's more, the conversion is not the last of the traffic changes bound for Midtown and Downtown.

The city commissioned a study into two-way conversions which was initiated over 7 years ago. So these changes have been a long time in the making. I plan on digging into these documents on the city's website and posting more about the rationale for the change.

For the time being, here is a list of other upcoming changes to streets in the Central City:

J Street (30th Street to Alhambra Boulevard, to two-way, to be completed summer, 2010)
9th Street (E Street to I Street, to two-way, to be completed early 2009)
10th Street (E Street to I Street, to two-way, to be completed early 2009)

For the "quickest" rationale for the conversion check out this page. The short explanation is that two way streets will make for slower flowing cars and safer more livable streets for the current residents.

Lookout for the changes and let me know what you think of the rationale for them.

KJ v Colbert

2008-11-12T10:00:17Z

Sacramento is not always a town that's on the national scene, but tonight it was. Our new Mayor-Elect Kevin Johnson was the main interview on The Colbert Report.

The Colbert Report is a program on Comedy Central that centers around Stephen Colbert and his far right on air persona.

While this storyline is generally about all news that takes place within 6 blocks of my apartment, tonight's news took place inside my apartment, KJ's appearance on The Colbert Report.

During the interview KJ more than held his own in an interview that is usually a tough challenge. The result of which is that KJ actually challenged Mr. Colbert. And that challenge is of local signifigance, he challenged Colbert to bring his cameras to Sacramento.

At the end of the interview Mr. Colbert claimed that he had just given Sacramento the Colbert Bump, bringing greater visibility and prosperity to Sacramento.

This will be an interesting story to keep track of since the next update may be covering Colbert himself visiting Sacramento. Keep your eyes peeled, Colbert may soon poking around and poking fun of our fair city.

N Street, one way no more

2008-11-09T07:25:36Z

Lane changes will initiate on N street as of November 13th. It has already begun the process of turning into a two way street, from the one way street it currently is.

It's part of a larger project converting several one way streets in Midtown to two way streets.

The City of Sacramento, on their website, states that there will always be one lane of traffic available on these streets, but I must admit I will be sad to see my street change its status.

While it can be an annoyance to deal with one way streets when you are just visiting Midtown, it's fairly convenient for those that live here. When driving home I can park on either side of the street without much effort.

There's also the sense of knowing something that not many people know, really knowing your way around town.

Do you love or hate the one way streets in Midtown? What do you love or hate about them?

Minor flooding, rainy season kicks off

2008-11-02T07:28:56Z

I love the rain. It reminds me that we are heading toward a cozy and pleasant time of year. And it sure has rained in the last couple of days. So much so that not 50 feet from my front door, I've witnessed the first flood of the year.

Admittedly that flood is just a stopped up storm drain, but it reminds me of all the floods we have had in Sacramento and makes me feel at home. Beyond the fun of a few stopped storm drains, the current weather has allowed me to test out a new service available in Sacramento, 311.

This was my first call to 311 and it was by and large a great success. A chipper person answered the phone and I was able to find out that the city of Sacramento already has people out in the field helping with clogged storm drains.

Beyond that I could request that the city take a look at my intersection if it was particularly bad.

What do you think about the rain? Is it a part of the year you look forward to in Sacramento? What about 311, have you ever tried using it? Share your experiences in the conversation below and let me know what you think.

Haunted house? Eerie for sure.

2008-11-01T02:55:48Z

It's halloween. And this new storyline is about news taking place 6 blocks from my house. And about 6 blocks from my house is something rather pertinent on this particular holiday.

A stroll through Evangiline's in Old Sacramento today leaves no doubt that the holiday is as popular as ever and in full swing.

But there's the commercial Halloween that most of us have come to view as the holiday and then there are those that look beyond the candy and the costumes for something more sinister. And while personally I am not a fan of the occult, strolling passed the house at 22nd and H Street, might give anyone a chill.

In the middle of the day, at dusk or the middle of the night, the house demands your attention. The wrought iron fence, the dead and dying lawn and the stone around the base of the house seems straight out of a horror movie.

Notice in the pictures above, that one light is on and one is off. Notice all the dirt on the outside of the house, but also note that the house is in really good shape despite the grime.

The house dominates the intersection. It's stately and spooky at the same time.

With many Victorian homes near it having been turned into multiple family homes this one stands proudly as a vacant giant built for one family but inhabited by no one.

If you don't have plans on this lovely crisp evening, I would highly suggest you drive by this interesting home. See if you get a shiver down your spine.

Ever been? Know the house? Have any ghost stories to share about it? Comment in the conversation below and check back for updates as I report more about the house and its history.

Happy Halloween!