Thumbs up, thumbs down
Thumbs up to Fresno native Benjamin Short for masterminding for the design and painting of a public mural called “Caffeinated Dreams” for Kuppa Joy Coffee House at 1900 N. Echo. Short got the commission during a design contest for the shop’s Tower District location sponsored by Creative Fresno and the coffee shop owner Zack Follett.
The shop’s theme is “Love God. Love people. Love coffee.” And why not add Love art?
Thumbs is wild about public art, and this is a dreamy addition to the mural collection quickly gathering in downtown and the Tower. You can also see Short working away on the stunning knight bas relief at Bullard High School. We are lucky to have him in town; he’s worked before for Legoland, Universal Studios, Dreamworks, and Laika.
Thumbs up to Fred and Mitzie Ruiz for donating $100,000 to Arte Américas to mark its 30th anniversary. The award will be presented at a celebration tonight at the center. Arte, at 1630 Van Ness Ave., is the largest Latino cultural center in the Valley and one of the Valley’s artistic treasures. Feliz aniversario, Arte Américas!
Thumbs down to Fresno City Council Member Garry Bredefeld for another one of his publicity-seeking rants at Fresno City Hall.
You know Bredefeld has something cooked up when he brings in his own videographer for the occasion. This time it was to complain about NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. Politicians have been taking sides on this issue since it started, and Bredefeld didn’t offer anything new to the debate. He could have used his time better on a local issue where he can make a difference.
Thumbs up to Ashley Jacobsen for being featured in Working Mother magazine as a Working Mother of the Year. As an a assurance senior manager for Moss Adams in Fresno, she was recognized as an emerging leader for her contribution to the profession and the community by the California Society of CPAs.
She volunteers at Fresno Pacific University, Community Food Bank and Fresno State, where she started an endowed scholarship. She is married to Ryan and the mother of Ranger, 2; Trooper, 4 months, and Maverick, 6.
Thumbs up to Fresno Unified School District, Papé Kenworth and DTL Transportation for teaming up to ship 1,009 boxes of donations to Houston Independent School District following Hurricane Harvey. Papé Kenworth, which has a location in Fresno, offered to load up two trucks and ship all of the items for free to Houston.
DTL Transportation also stepped up to donate two trailers to hold all of the donated items. Hold on, Houston, big wheels keep on turning and a mini-convoy is on the way!
Thumbs up to Berlin Street Grill for raising $500 to help victims of the Mexico earthquake. All the employees volunteered their time that day. One employee, Paulette Alatriste, has family members in Mexico City who had to leave their homes. Owner Michael Karbassi sent the help off to the Mexican Red Cross and Topos Mexicanos. Gracias!
This story was originally published September 30, 2017 at 1:23 AM with the headline "Thumbs up, thumbs down."