A LETTER FROM FORMER FRESNO CITY MAYOR

A LETTER FROM FORMER FRESNO CITY MAYOR

Dear Explorer,

As a boy growing up in the third largest city in Louisiana, I know a thing or two about residing in the shadow of what others may consider something bigger and better, if only by popularity alone. Everyone I knew then and know now still ask me what New Orleans is like, and what my hometown’s relation to it is when I mention my home state. “Shreveport was the capital of the state for two years during the Civil War,” I say. “Shreveport was a location for such films as W. and The Mist,” I exclaim. Good things aren’t always so obvious, and sometimes people need to look past what’s right in front of them and explore for themselves, searching out places that may not stand out with a star on a map.

As it so happens, having once been mayor of the fine city outlined in this collection, and having known it also as an outsider, I often hear that the city of Fresno, located in the heart of California, is known as a city that lacks “things to do.” There is an overwhelming misconception that it is a city full of lower class Joads, closed-minded moralists, and youths imitating their visits to larger cities in Southern California. Having now lived here for over a decade, I can attest that these misconceptions are far from accurate, and must solely be based on weekend visits from business folk who don’t look past the 99 or the entry fountain at their Holiday Inn.

Aside from being located directly between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Fresno is a mere two hours from the nearest beach. At over 500,000 people and counting, it is California’s fifth largest city, right behind San Francisco. As trite as it may appear in writing, more and more high volume chain restaurants and businesses are adding Fresno to their list of locations, including the upcoming rumored Dave&Buster’s, as well as a West Coast debut of Duncan Donuts. With the addition of Campus Pointe’s new Heritage Theater, Fresno will now include three major movie theater corporations competing between six major theaters. As competition increases between our ever-expanding retail outlets, malls, and entertainment centers, Fresno is also a booming real-estate market with more than enough demand to fill the countless number of housing tracts erected whenever land becomes available.

Nothing to do in Fresno? How about a stroll in Woodward Park, or perhaps a viewing of a free Shakespeare play during Summer Nights at the Park? Or how about a Broadway production at Saroyan Theater, a local musical at Roger Rocka’s, a popular current artist’s concert at The Save Mart Center? I’m just warming up.

To me, a quick search on Wikipedia or the worldwide internet could get you familiar with Fresno’s overwhelming plethora of entertainment options, or help you write a report on the award-winning school district (Clovis School District, some of which is located in Fresno City, all of which is located in Fresno County). This collection highlights some of the lesser known, locally famous events and locations that I believe allow Fresno’s true unique spirit to shine through. I hope you do more than just spread the word about this great city, but truly experience it for yourselves.

Alan Autry

Fresno, 2014