Credit it to the power of art — and shining a light on it.
In recent days, a sidewalk taco stand dubbed Tacos Los Poblanos has popped up on Crestwood Avenue at the corner of Lathrop Road across from Starbucks and the Arco AM/PM. The stretch of sidewalk on the west side of Crestwood Avenue that runs along the Security Public Storage facility was rarely used by pedestrians.
It was dingy, kind of blah, and even uninviting despite the trees.
It was about as an oblivious and boring streetscape you could imagine.
Then, a few months ago, Security Public Storage transformed the wall with a series of 12 murals celebrating Manteca and the surrounding area.
People started driving by slowly — and even stopping — to take in the murals.
Then the storage firm added lights so people could enjoy the murals at night.
That’s when three enterprising partners showed up with the Tacos Los Poblanos stand.
It’s an ideal spot on an under-used section of sidewalk that recently was enhanced with the murals plus easy parking.
Los Poblanos, by the way, is Spanish for a large and usually mild, heart-shaped chili pepper especially when fresh and dark green.
Mayor Singh riding with
police on July Fourth
Mayor Gary Singh intends to get a firsthand look at the Manteca Police effort to document and verify property from where illegal fireworks are launched as part of the Fourth of July evening patrol.
Singh will be riding with an officer as they document what is needed to follow up on to ding property owners of locations where illegal fireworks are launched with $1,000 citations that are issued and adjudicated through the administrative law process.
Toss in the ability to add up to $500 in administrative fees, the cost to the property owner could reach $1,500.
The patrols started Friday and continue through Tuesday.
Singh is not naïve enough to believe that the city’s efforts will stop illegal fireworks.
But if the stepped up effort this year is done right and is followed up in subsequent years, the accumulative effect will get the word out and dimmish the illegal activity in the future.
That’s what has happened in other California cities that stepped up such efforts using the host property law and the administrative law process.
Tuesday is busy day for
Manteca and mayor
Tuesday’s Fourth of July celebration starts out with the Manteca Rotary Club breakfast at Mt. Mike’s Pizza, Louise Avenue and Main Street, from 7 to 10 a.m.
Tickets are $10 at the door.
Mayor Gary Singh will be there helping as a Rotary member.
At 10 a.m., the Sunrise Kiwanis Fourth of July parade departs the Golden West School area and heads down Main Street to turn west on Center Street and disperse at Library Park.
Among the 50 entries will be one that Singh is hitching a ride on.
The at 9:30 p.m., the city’s aerial fireworks will be launched over the Big League Dreams sports complex.
Admission is $2 for attendees over the age of 12. Gates open at 7 p.m.
You can also watch the fireworks for free from several nearby venues.
The suggested locations are Bella Vista Park,1580 Bella Terra Dr.; Dutra Estates Park 2701, Ancestry St.; Dutra Estates Mini Park 1523, Hearthstrong Dr.; Dutra Southeast Park,1850 Sparrowhawk St.; Kevin O'Neill Park 1282 Lauren Park Circle; and Roberts Estates Park, 1740 Rail St.
The city has arranged a countdown to start the fireworks. The countdown will take place in the outdoor pool area at the Great Wolf resort.
Singh will be there for the official countdown.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
