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“McLane ArtVenture Academy – Everyone should know about this!” Walk 27, Yr 3, McLane High and McKinley canal, 10/28/17

October 29, 2017October 29, 2017 By fmw
Classroom window of Manuel Bonilla, McLane art teacher

Walkers met McLane High School art teacher, Marc Patterson, working early on a Saturday morning before students arrive at noon to work on their projects.  Marc shared about the ArtVenture Academy and how it takes students ‘deep’ into  social topics, and includes field  trips, interview skills, and allows students to add their own voice.  Walkers were thrilled and amazed to learn about this program for Fresno Unified students.

October 28, 2017, a group of mindfulness walkers met at the beautiful Betty Rodriguez Library across the street from McLane High school near Cedar and Shields.

At the conclusion of the 4 mile walk, walkers gathered on benches around a fountain in the middle of McLane campus to share observations:

McLane High School ArtVenture project and instructor, Marc Patterson are AMAZING.

Marc Patterson, McLane art teacher shares ArtVentureAcademy

Art should be taught with all history, and history can be taught with art. McLane high school is fabulous. More people should know about this. McLane high school is an oasis in neighborhoods with many challenges and areas of neglect.

It’s interesting to see people’s reaction when they notice us walking in a group.  They have a look of amazement.  But when we greet them, they ‘soften’ and smile and greet us in return.

Very emotional seeing the empty lot and the plywood memorial where the boarded up house burned and killed five people in December 2015.  Walkers also stopped to observe a burned-out house at the entrance of the pedestrian overpass at Princeton and Hwy 168.

site of Archie house, abandoned and burned killing 5 Dec 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

McKinley canal is a space of nature in the middle of an urban city environment.

People living in the open along McKinley canal

Many people living out in the open in desperate circumstances along the McKinley canal. Walkers met Wes, who said the new city ordinance kicks them out of one place so they just move to another – which just keeps them on their feet all the time.

Interesting to see people’s reaction when they notice us walking in a group. They have a look of amazement. But when we greet them, they ‘soften’ and smile and greet us in return. One man on a bicycle, stopped to take our picture – his name was Chris.

Noticed homeless people with dogs who stay with them, unleashed. Walkers talked about the companionship of a dog.

Saw a number of loose roaming dogs. Lots of barking dogs behind gates and fences – many in the front yard barking at walkers. Saw and heard loud aggressive dogs lunging and barking behind a short front yard fence as the mail carrier delivered the mail.

Homeless couple eating strawberries while sitting and facing the ponding basin, with their belongings and sleeping area piled up in the dirt along the chain linked fence.

Walkers comments on the woman pulling the wagon full of recyclables along Cedar – how positive, pleasant, friendly, and even joyful she was even while doing what seemed like difficult dirty work for just a few dollars – collecting recyclables.

Cedar Ave near Clinton

Walkers noticed how sidewalks start and stop – even close to schools where children often walk. The woman pulling the wagon had to walk out ‘into traffic’ when the sidewalk turned into dirt.

walkers notice sidewalk conditions

It was a strange sensation walking on the pedestrian overpass over Hwy 168. Most walkers reported that they had never walked on a pedestrian overpass.

Walkers realized how the Hwy 168 split what once was an intact neighborhood – now there is a wide expanse of land with loud traffic running right through where tree-lined streets use to connect neighbors. Different feeling once crossed freeway – something changed about the feeling of the neighborhood.

Welcome to new walker Mary, and returning walkers: Irene Carrol Jim Red Gail Olivia Val Brenda, Beth Eliza Brenda Donna , and Wendy.

To see photos, including Marc Patterson and his classsroom at McLane High School:

Google photo album:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/HlaHVns48R8tfDTq1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2049395345347209.1073741972.1429474537339296&type=1&l=ea05356d21

This entry was posted in Uncategorized

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  “By not talking, you see more and use all your senses.” Lisa – Fresno State campus walk, 10/26/17
“It’s hard to hate someone whose story you know.” Walk 28, Yr 3, 11/4/17  

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UPCOMING WALK: Saturday, January 29, 2022, 10 a.m.

Fresno Mindfulness Walks will lead a Saturday morning walk on January 29, 2022, beginning at 10 am. at 271 N. Glenn Ave., Fresno, CA 93701 (the home of Craig Scharton).  
 
The walk will be about 3 miles, at a stroll to medium pace, occasionally on uneven ground, and take about an hour and a half. By walking mindfully and without talking, we will experience the Lowell neighborhood in new ways. At the conclusion of the walk, we’ll gather back at Craig’s yard and spend a few minutes talking about what we discovered about ourselves and the neighborhood. 
Walks are free and require no RSVP. Look for the Facebook event to share with your friends. For email notifications, sign up in the yellow bar at the top.
Lori Clanton
Lucky Leader to Fresno Mindfulness Walks

How FMW works —

Fresno Mindfulness Walks are weekly opportunities for people to walk together for a 4 mile route through a different Fresno neighborhood each week. Walkers practice active mindfulness by attending to the sights, sounds, smells, feelings.  Walkers do not talk to each other on walks, but we do greet people we meet along the way.  The walk location and exact start time are posted just a few days in advance. All walks are free, require no RSVP, and anyone is welcome to join one walk or many. To learn about upcoming walks, you can sign up for a weekly email in the yellow bar at the top of this website and/or LIKE and follow the FMW Facebook page.

 

To learn about the routine that begins each walk and read some of the resources that have inspired FMW, check out the resources page.

 

Weekly walks are about 4 miles and take about an hour and a half. Walks are at a medium pace, often on uneven ground, and sometimes take longer than expected because walkers see themselves as curious travelers lingering to observe or going around a different way.

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