Fresno Gangland Tours

Fresno Gangland Tours

 

The cultural, ethnic, and economic diversity of Fresno County, gives it the unique distinction of being home to a veritable melting pot of organized street gangs. From Hispanic gangs such as the Fresno Bulldogs (named affectionately after the mascot of California State University, Fresno) and Norteños, black gangs such as the Bloods and Crips, and a variety of white, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and Armenian gangs, Fresno’s Gangland Tours offer visitors a unique look into a rarely-seen side of the city.

NOTE: While Fresno Gangland Tours once offered two tours, one of North Fresno and one of South Fresno, currently only the North Fresno tour is being made available to visitors for safety reasons.

North Fresno Tour

 

Endemic gangs: 209 Crips, Northside Bulldogs, Norteño 14, Ruthless Hmong Dynasty, Asian Boyz, Laotian Bloods, Aryan Brotherhood, Fresno County Skins, Dirty White Boys, Nazi Lowriders, Peckerwoods, Supreme White Power, White Pride, Oriental Ruthless Boys, Unrecognizable Criminals, Clovis Thai Lao Boys.

The tour of North Fresno Gangland begins in the Fig Garden Village shopping center on Shaw Avenue. Here, visitors are allowed out of the tour bus for a thirty-minute break. While here, visitors can shop at a variety of outlets such as Banana Republic, J. Crew, Eddie Bauer, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Coach, and Couture New York, or grab a bite to eat at one of many cafés and restaurants, such as the Elbow Room Bar & Grill or the Patio Café, or perhaps something light, such as ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery or a smoothie from Jamba Juice. For those needing some last-minute grocery shopping, visitors will find a conveniently located Whole Foods Market.

Once back in the bus, the tour will continue across Shaw Avenue and up Blackstone Avenue, where tour-goers should have their cameras at the ready, and keep a keen eye out for any Bulldogs, Asian Boyz, or Nazi Lowriders during the eight-minute drive to the next stop on the tour, River Park Shopping Center.

Once at River Park, tour-goers are again allowed off the bus for a two hour break—a perfect amount of time to catch a movie at the Edwards Stadium Cinema 22 & IMAX, or, if the mood strikes, to grab a beer at Yard House (choose between 118 drafts!), or continue your shopping spree at H&M, Ann Taylor Loft, Macy’s, Old Navy, Sur la Table, or REI, just to name a few. (Tip: Join the tour on a Tuesday so as to catch the River Park Farmers’ Market.)

From River Park, the tour will then continue south along Blackstone Avenue back to Shaw, and head east toward the California State University campus for more sightseeing and photo opportunities. The tour will continue toward Bulldog Village apartments where, if tour-goers are lucky, they might just see a crime in action.

The tour ends at the Fashion Fair mall on Shaw Avenue, where visitors are allowed one more hour to get in any last minute shopping in stores that could not be found at either River Park or Fig Garden Village, such as Urban Outfitters, JC Penny, or Forever 21, or grab a bite or a drink at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Cheesecake Factory, or Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.

Tour duration: 4h 30m.

What to bring: Camera, spending money.

What not to bring: Weapons, clothing or bandanas of colors that could be mistaken for gang-related.

Rent-A-Pet: Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Rent-A-Pet

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

At the end of every fiscal quarter, the non-profit Fresno Chaffee Zoo conducts a program whereby patrons and organizations are able to “Rent-A-Pet” based on availability, seasonal temperament of the animal they wish to attain, their ability to host said animal, and the Zoo’s own fiscal need at that time to offset costs and keep the zoo running in prime condition for the next quarter.

As the zoo was loosely formed circa 1908 as a sanctuary for unwanted pets, Eldon “Curly” Blocker suggested a form of this idea when he became the zoo’s first foreman during its expansion throughout the 50’s. At the time, the idea was to “adopt” a pet by donating funds in exchange for a plaque naming the animal of the attendee’s choice, as well as the chance to take part in the feeding of their adopted animal. This idea stuck and served the park well until about four years later, when 6-year-old Deborah Gannin was attacked by a female chimpanzee whom the establishment was forced to put down, thus garnering a lawsuit both by the family of the living but permanently maimed Gannin, as well as by the ASPCA for the unnecessary “murder” of Bobby the chimpanzee.

It took a decade to recover financially from the incident, and left the zoo in a sad state, until Paul S. Chaffee took over in 1965 and was able to procure enough donations to bring the establishment to a better state than it had ever been by offering to name various structures and sections of the park after the wealthy patrons donating (thus, The Charles Widmore Jungle Land, The Winston Federline Reptile House, The Richard Kiel Shark Shack).

Moving forward, the zoo overcame various transformations and exchanges of leadership until 2006, when ownership was transferred to what is now known as The Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corporation, who still runs it to this day. Upon becoming current CEO/Director in 2009, Scott Barton came up with the idea to fill in the gaps in erratic quarterly reports by allowing patrons to literally take a pet deemed safe home with them for a day (along with a caretaker from the zoo to monitor and report back to the legal team). Now staffed with some of the best lawyers in the Valley, and along with a daunting amount of paperwork, patrons are able to literally rent any (or all) of the animals from Dick Samson Petting Zoo, any (or all) of the Galapagos Tortoises, the smaller primates, the non-poisonous reptiles, the larger birds, and, on one occasion in 2011 during a time of desperate fiscal need, an alligator (which required two zookeepers, extra paperwork for liability, and an on-site lawyer throughout).

So far, the program has fulfilled its purpose with, I am happy to say, no harm done to either animal or patron or child of patron. With the upcoming Africa Expedition expansion that will nearly double the size of the zoo, it is reported that the corporation is opening up more slots this coming Summer and will begin to allow more dangerous pets as a challenge (along with extra precaution, of course) that will be streamed live via the internet in order to garnish the increasing amount of money needed to keep an ever-increasing zoo in business. No word yet on the lineup of animals offered, but rumors have begun circulating that Jersey the Bear may be in the mix.

Attractions: Chinatown’s Underground Tunnels

Chinatown’s Underground Tunnels
Fresno is known to have its little unusual and mindboggling treasures. For first time visitors, it is recommended that you take the chance to visit the famous underground tunnels in Fresno’s historic Chinatown. Fresno’s Chinatown was established in 1872, a little over a decade before the founding of the city of Fresno in 1885. Chinatown is a place of exceptionally good eating, shopping, sights, and music. The biggest mystery is the hidden underground tunnels.

Many generations of Fresno residents have speculated about the secret underground world of Fresno’s nineteenth century Chinatown. A local Chinatown resident shared how past property owners, when asked whether there were underground tunnels, adamantly feigned any knowledge about their existence. New tenants moved in and they discovered the possibility of this rumor. In 2007, a team of high speed rail archeologists, while exploring and excavating an old, abandoned building (possible a restaurant or home) in Chinatown, came across a basement. Descending down into the lower region of the ruined building, the group discovered a dark crawl space boarded up by aging plywood. It is here they made discovery of the hidden secret tunnel system dating back over a century ago.

Local Chinatown residents, holders of Chinatown’s history, explained that the tunnels were used by patrons, so they could travel across all parts of the town secretly. The tunnels is littered with openings to different parts of the streets for quick entries and exits. The underground city of burrows was a place to hide from police raids, escaping unwanted attention. In this tunnel, hidden from daylight, a society of people may have lived here way back to 1905. A team of archeologists are still studying the roots of these burrows, looking for hidden gems in these underground caverns.

One of the local tenants, an owner of his uncle’s old fish company, opened up his building to the public, allowing for the occasional tour into this historical place. Entering from the back storage room, through a door in the floor, down a case of rotting and ancient stairs, visitors can see a subterranean world. Tourists will be in for a treat on this underground tour, venturing down the tunnels that intersect, twist, and swirl around and through Chinatown.

Take part in experiencing what life was like in this secret underground world. Beyond cobwebs and broken bricks, find secret classrooms for women and children. Explore the tiny homes packed wall to wall with beds. Admire the small kitchens and bath areas with leftover buckets. There is talk about a temple or church existing within the tunnels, but it has yet to be found. The architectural walls have been carved into art over the century, displaying a history of little drawings by children, symbols of pride in their heritage, and other hidden messages.

As mentioned, archeologists are still excavating these tunnels full of sealed passages, and local Chinatown residents want to preserve the history, so tours of this place do not occur often. When there are enough handy men and archeologists on hand to ensure the safety of the tourists and the preservation of tunnels, more tours may be available in the future. There will be chances to wander through the tunnels and exit out of secret doors leading to homes, an old barbershop, markets, inns, and restaurants.

Once the research of these buildings is complete, visitors will get to fully experience the beauty of these tunnels. In October, the gracious hosts, who opened their hidden tunnel entry to the public, will be holding a Test of Courage on Fridays at midnight. Daring individuals will have the opportunity to participate in the Scavenger Hunt Challenge, where one person or a group of two will have to try to navigate their way through the dark tunnels and bring back the hidden items on their list. We hope you will be visiting Chinatown at that time.

In the meantime, visitors are more than welcome to visit and experience the history of Chinatown. The town takes pride in preserving the architectural design that their ancestors created years ago. Please enjoy venturing down the narrow streets. There is always something amazing to see from day to night. As mentioned earlier, visitors should not leave without trying the excellent food and experiencing the culture. There are plenty of secrets in this mysterious town, some secrets which will be hard to unmask from the local residents, but that is part of the charm of Fresno’s Chinatown. The trip to Chinatown will be a historical and enlightening experience.

 

Local Cuisine: Tri-Tip

Local Cuisine

Tri-Tip

Although barbecue is ubiquitous throughout the United States, the Central Valley is home to a cut of meat that does not exist anywhere else in the world: Tri-Tip. Weighing a scant 1.5 to 2.5 pounds, this tiny triangular muscle (tensor fasciae latae) lies at the bottom of the sirloin subprimal cut and seems to only be found on cows butchered in Central California.

It seems obvious to Central Valley butchers now, but its success was not so certain back in the early 1950s, when this bovine section was overlooked due to its tough, sinewy texture. Credit for the discovery of this sacred-cow part is shared by Otto Schaffer, a German immigrant butcher and former owner of Schaefer Meats in East Oakland, and Bob Schutz, a one-armed butcher and former meat manager at a Santa Maria Safeway. Both men are recognized as the founders and promoters of this previously unknown cut of meat. It just so happens that within the same year and within only a few hundred miles of each other, these two strangers each posed the same question with similar results: What if, instead of being ground for hamburger or chopped for stew, this tough little muscle got seasoned and slow roasted and carved just right? The delicious answer to that question has made food history in the Central Valley.

This tasty cut is a must-try for those coming to Fresno. There are two possible locations, depending upon which end of town you find yourself. On the north side of town, located in a strip mall off Cedar and Herndon, is a tri-tip kiosk called Mike’s Grill. This spot is for those who want a picnic-like experience, as it offers only folding chairs and rickety card tables beneath a tarp on hot pavement. These sacrifices may be worth the flavorful, tender tri-tip Mike offers, but those with fussy kids who are looking for fries, a decent bathroom, and a temperature controlled dining room may want to look downtown where you can find Big D’s Tri Tip & More. Located on a triangular corner, very much shaped like the tri trip itself, Big D’s is in an old brick building that has recently been renovated as part of the revitalization of downtown Fresno. It has tables and chairs beneath a real roof and plenty of space to accommodate the tri-tip-hungry customers. They offer tri-tip plates, tri-tip tacos, tri-tip chili, tri-tip chili dogs, and tri-tip frito boats all for reasonable rates. One thing to note is they close at three each day, so don’t plan on this spot for supper.

If you are a do-it-yourself kind of grill man (or woman) and you want to take a bit of the Central Valley dining experience home with you to Connecticut or wherever you hail from, I have included a recipe for grilling this yourself. However, you may need to stock an ice chest full of the meat to take back with you, as you will likely be disappointed trying to find it at meat markets in your hometown where the butchers are probably grinding up this muscular gem instead of proudly placing it in the display case for the culinary pleasure of the true meat connoisseur.

Bob’s Simple Tri-Tip Recipe

2-2.5 lb. tri-tip roast

Salt

Pepper

Garlic Salt

Rub the seasonings to cover the entire tri-tip roast. Place the roast on a spit and grill over an open flame (if available, use red oak wood to start the fire). Roast for 45 minutes or until the thick juices are dripping from the meat into the fire and you can wait no longer. Take it off the spit and be sure to slice against the grain, as this is what ensures a tender texture. Enjoy this Central Valley favorite and share it with friends!

Blackstone North RV Park “The Best RV Park in Fresno”

Blackstone North RV Park

“The Best RV Park in Fresno”

Fresno, CA

 

Amenities include:

Updated Restrooms, Wi-Fi, Urban Setting, Cable TV, Laundry Room, and Complimentary Coupon for One Round of Pool at Neighboring Diamond Billiards

Rates (per Trailer):

$35 Nightly

$175 Weekly

-No Tents Allowed

Stretching nearly eight miles, Blackstone Avenue is home to Fresno’s finest in retail, restaurants, and camping. Boasting as, “The Best RV Park in Fresno”, Blackstone North RV Park offers visiting campers a unique experience offered nowhere else. Nestled between the SpeeDee Oil Change and Diamond Billiards on Blackstone and Sierra, this tucked away campground is the perfect weekend getaway destination. This park offers large sites with easy accessibility, especially when backing in and maneuvering large trailers. Each site comes with its own personal patch of shaded grass (not available June-February), sewage hookup, and electrical box. Originally built as a kind of rest stop for those on their way to surrounding destinations, such as Yosemite National Park, Blackstone North RV became a vacation spot all on its own. Come park your travel trailer or fifth wheel in the quiet campground for a truly urban outdoor experience. According to RVParkReviews.com, most previous campers have given their experience here a generous rating between seven and ten, with very few falling below the six rating. This is due in part to its incredible location and proximity to shopping and other fine establishments. Whereas other campgrounds find themselves surrounded by lakes, mountains, or beaches, Blackstone North attracts visitors with their neighboring billiard hall and bowling alley. In only a matter of minutes, patrons can find themselves honing their bowling curves, taking a relaxing nap at the tanning salon, or sifting through the multitude of restaurants—each boasting a different appetizing experience from some familiar or far off part of the world. Blackstone North RV Park is great for those on solo trips who wish to be left alone with their comfortable solitude, and also for families who find the thrill of meeting new people and places exhilarating. Try one of the many hikes offered, like the Blackstone Tour, where a tour guide takes hikers through history as they traverse the 7.4 mile journey beginning at the camp and snaking its way to towards, “The first McDonald’s restaurant franchised by Ray Kroc,” as it says on the plaque located there, and originally built in 1955. Once here, visitors can relive an easier time as teenagers can frequently be witnessed waiting outside in their cars ready to speed off with their burgers and dates in hand. Another spectacular activity offered by Blackstone North RV is called Cruise-Gating. Guests are invited to pull up their favorite lawn chair on the sidewalk of Blackstone Ave to witness the Sunday night races, as teens and young adults race their modified imports up and down the avenue at dangerously high speeds, risking life and cruising fines all for fame and glory. This bustling area is a popular stop for many of Fresno’s most cherished performers, including the Blackstone and Shaw Guitar Man, and the famous Sign-Spinning Duo: Little Caesar and the Fiesta Car Insurance Crow—watch as they battle it out to see who has the best moves in town! Some visitors may opt for a quieter experience during their stay at the campground, which camp managers are more than happy to provide. Although the RV park may look small at first glance from the outside, inside there are over 60 wide open sites winding behind the Salvation Army and under a Yosemite International Airport flight path. Enjoy solitude and maybe a good book as you are treated to the amazing view of the jetliners flying overhead. Centrally located in the middle of the busy avenue, campers can feel safe knowing that the campground is surrounded by surveillance cameras and razor wire, keeping much of the riff-raff out and providing security for its patrons and their belongings. Blackstone North RV Park prides itself in customer satisfaction and promises to make each visitor’s camping experience a memorable one. Come enjoy a different side of the city, as you park your trailer and feel at home on your urban campground vacation.

Food: Fresno Grizzlies

Food

Fresno Grizzlies

 

In downtown Fresno, there is a relatively new attraction. Strategically placed next to the historic Fulton Mall, there is a new and improved ballpark. This premier ballpark is located on the corner of Tulare and H Street. Chukchansi Park houses the Triple A affiliate team The Fresno Grizzlies. The team has proudly worn this badge of honor, for the last 17 years the Major League Baseball’s (MLB) San Francisco Giants. Now, the Grizzlies have been dropped as the farm team; their contract null and void, but the community still rallies around the team. Clearly, by the surroundings of the Grizzlies Stadium such as the catty-cornered Greyhound Bus Station, vacant rundown factories, and the Fulton Mall, the community values and makes America’s favorite pastime accessible by all and allows fans to come in by the busload from all over. A great attraction and popular event in the ballpark is called “Thirsty Thursdays” during the summer months has crowds coming in by the droves. Thirsty Thursdays is when vendors sell Tecate Tall Cans for only two dollars each, making it a great compliment to watching America’s favorite pastime. So while players are playing their hearts out trying to qualify for the major leagues, the fans in the ballpark are consuming inexpensive, skunky alcohol for a cheap price. This specific event brings out the best in people and the attendees grow drunker by the inning. But be sure to purchase all the beer you plan to consume by the bottom of the 7^th inning, because they stop selling at the top of the 8^th which is at least one reason to pay close attention to the game. While some fans become disgruntled by this last call for alcohol, an advantage for the crowds is that you can purchase up to two tall cans at a time and with that knowledge, crowds can be more efficient with their consumption. An even bigger event is the Taco Truck Throwdown Challenge. Crowds from all over the Central Valley come to taste test homemade tacos served by various competing trucks. The Taco Trucks come from all over the Central Valley to win the title of Fresno’s favorite roach coach. This event is huge and it only happens once a year. Last year, over 12,000 “fans” (of food not baseball) attended the game this night. The tickets go on sale at the beginning of July (approximately a month in advance) starting at $20 which includes a t-shirt to wear as a reminder of the event. This t-shirt can be worn at the event to hide the inevitable spillage of salsa, kept as a novelty souvenir of the time you participated in a taste-testing, or often, participants give the shirts to each truck upon purchase of a taco for a signature and draw a creative picture representing the different trucks. Due to the creative nature of being a cook, many (at least one person per truck) has the artistic ability to keep the crowd commenting on their artwork for the duration of the taco consumption. The drawing serves as a reminder when it is time to cast votes and is somehow representative of their signature ingredient. While the intent is to bring crowds to watch Fresno’s very own baseball team, the crowds tend to be consumed with consumption and frequently miss the game plays, but not the food. This event reportedly uses at least:

2625 pounds of beef

1000 pounds of shrimp

1300 red onions

28,000 tortillas

550 heads of lettuce

75 pounds of Sugar

500 bunches of cilantro

1200 Limes

200 Liters of Sunflower Oil

300 gallons of Pace salsa

800 pounds of Lard (Manteca)

600 packets of McCormick taco seasoning

1100 avocados

200 pounds of sour cream

500 wax peppers (after running out of 2000 jalapenos)

400 Bottles of Tapito

Not to mention the unmeasured amounts of sweat and tears that goes into cooking for hours on end for insatiable crowds.

If you think this sounds good, you’re right. It truly is a delicacy to the crowds and worth the trip to Fresno—even if that means traveling by Greyhound.

Tommy Baker the Million Dollar Prime Rib Master

Tommy Baker the Million Dollar Prime Rib Master

During your next tour of Fresno, stop by the Lime Lite Restaurant and ask any staff member about Tommy Baker the million dollar prime rib master, and you will discover where good food comes in pounds, and cocktails glasses overflow like fountains flooding into the dining hall. On the eastern wall mounted just left of the rich dark wood bar you will find a shrine of caricatures of former employees of the Lime Lite Restaurant, some of them ghosts now, peaking in and out of the dusty walls amidst the 70’s décor. Looking past the stained paisley carpet and tuck and button hunter green booths you will find a small closet sized kitchen, humble at first glance, but a dwelling by which legends are created, and adding yet another sight to the tour of swanky and mysterious Fresno dark dinner houses. These spaces are filled with some of the greatest simple pleasures of life, some delicacies taking decades to perfect, some a life time and beyond, passed on from wooden spoon of inspiration from the greasy pot of spoilage. So can be said of Tommy Baker, long time chef of the Lime Lite Restaurant, and later patron, philanthropist and inventor of the world famous Five Pound Prime Rib Challenge. According to Former owner George Millutinovich, Baker was a connoisseur of the prime rib, having the moist and tender flesh with almost every meal of the day, creating some seventy different preparations of prime rib since the age of five. Some of these preparations made popular by Fresno residents include: Prime Rib Oscar; where a 14oz cut of prime rib is adorned with 5oz. of Dungeness crab and smothered with a rich and bold hollandaise sauce, Mexican Prime; a prime rib that is stuffed with 100 jalapenos and slow cooked in a deep pit with a Fig Garden wild boar straddling the prime for extra flavor and symmetry, and lastly prime rib ice-cream topped with a syrupy warm version of a jus. Baker was also famous for the vodca-horseradish jelly shot, which gained popularity in the late seventies, but fell out of practice by 1983 because of health concerns relating to some 50 patron heart attacks, contributing to 450 bypasses and over twenty fatalities during the scope of a fifteen year period.

The Prime Rib challenge first invented by Tommy Baker back in 1973 was an idea unsettled in the back of Tommy’s mind, but continued to ferment for the last 30 years before coming to fruition in 2000. Tommy believed that the 5 pound prime would help distinguish the restaurant from other dinner houses of Fresno, but Mr. Millutinovich was reluctant to add the monstrous portion of prime rib to the menu. The dream of mountain high prime rib never did leave Baker, and it wasn’t till the 1999 when he won $33 million dollars from the California Lotto at the age of 77 that he was able to convince Mr. Millutinovich otherwise. The prize winnings not only landed the Baker 5 pound prime rib Challenge on the Menu, still on the menu today, but also landed George’s family restaurant on the other side of town upon purchase of a new sight for the restaurant on the corner of Palm and Shaw Avenue. The new location of the restaurant more than tripled the size of the old location located on highway 99 and Clinton Avenue, but never affected the size of the kitchen. The “Small Kitchen with a Big Prime Rib” became a motto to the restaurant and later used for promotional purposes, commercials, and later creating bench marks to industry standard in the Fresno area. It was said that Mr. Millutinovich first coined the phrase, “Big ideas come from small spaces” affecting those across all disciplines of study locally and internationally, and later becoming a principle of study to innovators and entrepreneurs alike, intersecting with science, technology and society. Tommy Baker’s big check can still be found framed in the restaurant as a reminder of guest of how Tommy’s dream and love of prime rib helped to inspire an industry and people. The Baker 5 pound Prime Rib Challenge continues to intrigue patrons, but out of the 900 guest that have attempted to finish the colossal serving, only two have been able to finish, including Baker himself who practiced daily until his death in 2010, and his old drinking friend Richard Telles, who till this day can still be seen traversing an old oval dinner plate under the dim subterfuge of the smoky dinner house, with horseradish as sidecar, knife in hand.

The Central Valley Hall of Fame

The Central Valley Hall of Fame

Mission Statement:

The Central Valley Hall of Fame (CVHF) seeks to provide the larger valley community as a touchstone, where artistic, cultural, historical, and educational exhibits and displays showcase accomplishments and contributions from Central Valley residents that can be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

History:

The CVHF was founded in 1999 by former Senator Alan Cranston just before his death in 2000. Most of its initial funding came from various “pork” provisions in bills that passed with Sen. Cranston’s help and vision. Since 2010, however, most of the funds come from state-issued grants and private donations.

The CVHF was originally founded in Sacramento, CA. Cranston thought it best that the CVHF be in the state’s capitol. However he soon realized his mistake when he started receiving letters from residents in Fresno, Kerman, Visalia, and elsewhere at his office, expressing outrage that the CVHF was not actually located in the Central Valley. After a committee of Central Valley residents voted on the issue, the CVHF was moved to Selma, CA where it remains today.

General Information:

The CVHF is housed in a former Bob’s Big Boy just east of Highway 99. General Admission is $7, student/seniors $5. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 11:00AM-6:00PM; Saturdays 10:00AM-5:00PM.

Exhibits and Events:

The CVHF has several permanent exhibits, as well as rotating and new exhibits that change quarterly.

Permanent Exhibits:

• The Cesar Chavez Room—The first permanent exhibit is in honor of one of the Central Valley’s most revered heroes, Alan Autry. Autry is a former player in the NFL, actor, Mayor of Fresno, and radio host. In this room visitors can see artifacts donated by the Autry Fan Club spanning the breadth of his various careers. Some of the more popular items include the Green Bay Packers jersey Autry wore during his last start as quarterback before being fired, the mirror from his dressing room trailer from the set of In the Heat of the Night, and a life-size wax replica of Autry complete with interactive buttons that when pressed cause Autry to say one of his catch-phrases such as “Good Morning!” and “I’m the mayor, motherfucker!” (voice not actually Autry’s but performed by Ray Appleton).
• Smittcamp Annex—Funding for this annex which was added on to the original Bob’s Big Boy was provided by the Smittcamp Foundation. The annex hosts an array of artifacts, documents and photos of the Valley’s rich agricultural heritage and the people who are responsible for providing the world with so much of its food. Such people as Cesar Chavez (whom the Cesar Chavez Room is named after) who helped organize and lead a united farm worker strike and unionize throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. Among the artifacts in the Annex are original letters from farmworkers, farming tools used in the fields, and union membership forms.
• Gift shop—The third and final permanent fixture of the CVHF is the gift shop where visitors can purchase everything from an Alan Autry action figure to bubble gum.
• Kevin Federline Hall—Named after the famed dancer and hip-hop performing artist, this hall is one of two rotating exhibit halls. This hall is primarily reserved for exhibits dedicated to art from the Central Valley. Previous exhibits include: Chican@ Voices, an exhibit promoting art and writing of Chican@s from the Central Valley; Do You Hear What I Hear?, an interactive exhibit of Central Valley high school marching bands; Nowhere Like Home, an art installation of Mr. Federline himself, performing a one-man reenactment of the Wizard of Oz.
• Saroyan Hall: This hall doubles as both a lecture hall as well as a performing arts venue. This small yet intimate atmosphere stages plays by both established and up-and-coming playwrights who are from the Valley as well as plays about the Valley. Previous plays include Grapes of Wrath, The Human Comedy, and Parlier! The Musical.

Car Theft

Car Theft

Fresno recognizes that it is prone to car theft, being the second highest rated city in car thievery. Below, visitors can find practical suggestions for protecting their vehicle from theft.

When exiting the car to pick up mail, turn off the car engine and lock the car doors. When paying for gas or pumping it, turn off the car engine and lock the car doors. Wherever you go where you must leave your car unattended, turn off the car engine and lock the car doors. Thieves have been known to slip into cars in a matter of seconds when the victim’s back is turned.

Keep valuables out of sight. Do not leave any items on the dashboard, in the front seat, or the backseat. Do not leave open the car’s glove compartment or any other compartment to tempt the thieves. It would be best if all valuables were not left in the car at all. This includes the check book, credit cards, cellphones, bills, GPS Devices, etc. It would be good to keep the car registration and insurance with you in your wallet rather than in the car (it would be easy for criminals to dispose of said information if left in the car).

Park your car in a well-lit area as close to the establishment that you’re residing in as possible. It is good to park the car in a group of other cars. However, if parked in a group, be more cautious as you return to your car because thieves can hide behind neighboring cars.

Please also consider these tips on how to lock your car. We suggest your car have an auto-lock to ensure all the car doors and the trunk are properly secured. When you are done driving the car for the day, we advise you to use as many locks as possible. Use a steering wheel lock and armored collar around the wheel to secure your ignition wires and steering wheel. Other locks to consider are the hood lock, gearshift locks, floorboard locks, and tire locks (for each wheel, and also carry a spare). Also, make sure to remove the rotor, ignition fuse, and coil wire to completely disable your vehicle and discourage thieves. Also, set your car alarm. Double lock your car with the key lock before you depart from the car. If there is a garage or parking structure available, we strongly advise you use these facilities. However, it is also recommended to still use the shared lock precautions stated above.

A local Fresno resident has used the above method and has expressed the safety of his car for the past 10 years. The resident refused to provide a sample photo of his locked car so not to draw attention to his vehicle. Upon request, we can provide an example of what a locked car looks like.

With the success rate of this locking method slowly on the rise, the motorcycle and bicycle thefts have increased. Therefore, visitors can use the following tips to protect these modes of transportation.

Motorcyclists, please use the dual lock system: a fork lock and wheel lock. Bicyclists, it would be best to bring the bicycle inside your home. Do not leave it unattended in the backyard unless it is securely locked to a pole or gate. Use the double U-lock method: one lock around the frame of the bike and the gate or pole, and the other U-lock around the frame and the bike’s front wheel. Cable locks work, but these can easily be cut through. U-locks, with the right tools, can be cut through as well, but history has shown that once one U-lock is cut through, the thief is too exhausted to cut through the second lock. Tarps are available for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles to camouflage your vehicles into their surroundings.

Whether you are a car driver, motorcyclist, or bicyclist, if asked to give a ride by a stranger, it is in your best interest that you politely decline. Please avoid the following pleas: “it’s just around the corner,” “my spouse will meet us halfway,” “I have gas money,” etc. Also avoid the stranger if he/she has more than one person with them. Picking up strangers have led to unfavorable consequences for the owner of the vehicle, most ending in their mode of transportation being stolen.

In the case that your car is stolen, it is best to make the precaution of registering your car and equipping the vehicle with a tracking device beforehand. Please call the police right away. They are always on hand to ensure your vehicle is safely returned.

Drinking in Fresno

Drinking

 For those seeking a uniquely Fresno experience, the city boasts nearly three hundred bars, pubs, nightclubs, and cocktail lounges. Whether your poison is beer, wine, or hard liquor, there’s something for everyone, with an average of 106 bars per fifteen square miles, where tourists can observe the locals in their “natural habitat” in the city USAToday reported as being the “Drunkest City in America” in 2010.

One of the ideal neighborhoods for tourists wishing to observe Fresno’s drunk culture is the Tower District, located just north and west of downtown, which boasts some local favorite watering holes such as: The Landmark, Livingstone’s, Spokeasy Public House, Sequoia Brewing Company, Audie’s Olympic Tavern, Das Bierhaus, Veni Vidi Vici, Pinot Wine Bar, Cuvée Spirit & Wine Parlor, Tower Sports Club, Million Elephant Café & Bar, Strummer’s, North Tower Circle, Bobby Salazar’s, Essence Lounge, Bourbon & Taps, and Score Sports Café & Lounge—all within one square mile.

Tourists are encouraged to participate in the festivities, but should be sure to be alert at closing time (2:00 AM for most establishments) so as not to miss the end-of-the-night spectacle of locals carefully plotting their routes home so as to avoid DUI arrests. Each night is certain to be an exciting game of cat-and-mouse as police cars cruise up and down the streets with astounding frequency, park in front of or around the corner from bars, sit in the middle of the street with flashing lights, or set up orange cones and bright signs announcing DUI checkpoints (a real treat for those new to the city to stumble across; experienced visitors will have planned out the most likely locations). However, as Fresno is the self proclaimed “toughest city in the nation on drunken drivers,” due to its near one hundred regular checkpoint locations (the highest of any city in the United States) and an average of around 5,000 DUI arrests per year in Fresno County, visitors’ chances of observing a DUI arrest are quite high.

In order to help facilitate the best visitor experience possible, included below is a link to a map of possible DUI checkpoint locations throughout the city. (NOTE: This map does not include surrounding areas such as Clovis, Kingsburg, Sanger, Parlier, or Selma.)

Fresno DUI Checkpoint Map