Monet: The Early Years

I went to the Legion of Honor in San Francisco and got to see a great exhibition of the early work of the great French painter Claude Monet. It is the first major U.S. exhibition that is devoted to his early work. (In advance sorry if the pics are not perfect-since it was the second to last weekend a ton of people were there):

The exhibition focused on his work as he was growing as a painter. There was some genius stuff going on in his early years.

Music Monday: '80's Under the Radar Songs

Music Monday: Here are some under-rated songs of the 1980's:

To me these songs are great songs that are under the radar, hope you think so also.

King Carl's Emporium

I was in San Francisco and came upon a store called King Carl's Emporium. It was one of the strangest yet wonderful shops I have ever seen:

King Carl's Emporium is both weird and wonderful. You never know what is in there. It is a great place to spend some time.

Dinner at Aqui

I went to dinner at a trendy place called Aqui. It serves what be called Cal-Mex with healthy ingredients. I am not much for trendy places but I thought Aqui was great:

West Coast Salmon

Grilled Chicken Ranch Bowl

Wild Rock Crab Cake

And this is what I had:

Creekstone Beef Burrito

Aqui is one trendy place I would go and dine again, the food is amazing.

Fresno Courthouse Park

Fresno Courthouse

I decided to take the train to meet a co-worker that retired in Fresno (where they lived). We were walking from the train to get something to eat and I saw all these memorials and statues in this park. Well, I had to stop and take some pics.

Courthouse Park I learned that in 1872, when the Central Pacific Railroad laid out Fresno, the railroad owners offered the citizens of Fresno a four-block parcel as a site for a park and a future courthouse. Besides being a center of county government, Courthouse Park has played host to a number of events in the history of Fresno and there are memorials to the movers and shakers of the area:

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Honoring the Lao and Hmong soldiers that fought with Americans during the Vietnam War.

Dr. Martin Luther King

 

In memory of the Fresno County Peace Officer who have lost their life in the line of duty

Benito Juarez- One of Mexico's first Presidents and the only one of full-blooded Indian Blood

Toltec god Tula from the Mexican state of Hidalgo

Brotherhood of Man-dedicated to faiths coming to together

Braceros Memorical- honors the men who came over from Mexico during WWII as laborers

David of Sassoon- An Armenian folk hero

One of the most prominent statues honors Chester Rowell who was a pioneer in Fresno. He was a doctor, the editor of the local paper, mayor and state senator:

Fresno Courthouse Park is one of more interesting parks that I have come about in my travels. Glad I did.