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Marunouchi Line Tokyo

marunouchi line

 

The Marunouchi Line is a subway line in Tokyo. It’s route is between Ogikubo Station in Suginami-ku in west Tokyo then running eastbound through Shinjuku, after that it runs through Tokyo Station eastbound, it finishes at Ikebukuro Station near the Yamanote Line. The Marunouchi Line was built after the war and was completed in 1954 and was named after the Marunouchi district near Tokyo Station. It is the one the most busiest and crowded of the subway lines in Tokyo and runs both below and above ground. The subway has a unique third-rail electric system and it’s cars are only 18m per car. Recently in early 2019 the new red colored 2000 series trains came into service with lower power consumption and wheelchair and stroller access.

 

https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/station/line_marunouchi/index.html

 

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Dance of Peace San Jose

dance of peace san jose

The banner Defund, Demilitarize (Black Lives Matter) was created and raised up by Khalilah Ramirez and her group The Dance of Peace in San Jose on June 9th 2020 in front of San Jose City Hall. Khalilah Ramirez is the creator of performance art called The Dance of Peace and its purpose is to effect inner light, joy, and peacefulness in people. She is an artist, educator, and author based in San Jose and works with groups such as Silicon Valley De-bug, Sangham Arts, and San Jose State University. Khalilah Ramirez and her members Calia Kammer, and Sharat Lin danced in front of San Jose City Hall for their performance. Sharat Lin said the banner’s purpose was for “Peace and love for the community, instead of police brutality and killings” as it relates to the recent George Floyd killing and protests.

http://www.thedanceofpeace.org/

@danceofpeace

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Matsukenpan

soka matsukenpan

Picture of Mayumi and Matsuken (background)

Matsukenpan is a relatively new family run bakery in Soka City, Japan located in Saitama Prefecture. The owners are Matsuken and Mayumi who are husband and wife. Their menu includes: 1. Bread of different types 2. Croissants 3. Koppapan (sandwich) 4. Wormwood cherry tree Anpan.  Mayumi was quoted in saying “I’m working hard to become a Matsukenpan loved by everyone.” The address of Matsukenpan is: 2-12-7 Takasago, Soka City, Saitama Kobayashi Building 1F near the Soka train station.

https://r.goope.jp/matsukenpan/

https://www.instagram.com/matsukenpan/

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Redwood Tree

san jose redwood

A coast redwood tree in San Jose 2020

 

The coast redwood is one of the tallest living species on Earth with some measuring 375 feet tall

 

The oldest redwood tree is a least 2,200 year old

 

The coast redwood is native to North America and their range is from southern Oregon to Monterey in California

 

Studies have shown that redwoods capture more carbon dioxide (CO2) from cars, airplanes, and power plants than any other tree

 

Redwoods are resistant to insects, fire, and rot

 

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Yanaka & Nezu

yanaka-nezu

Photograph taken in October 2019

 

Yanaka and Nezu located in Bunkyo ward in Tokyo is a community where you can see a slower paced life with charm. It’s also less commercialized with the prevalence of family or smaller owned businesses. It is characterized by back alleys, stores, pubs, and well maintained homes. This area survived the firebombing in World War II so you find many older buildings and temples.

 

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Closed Due to the Coronavirus

sjsu

 

San Jose State University is my alma mater. Left is Spartan Recreation & Aquatic Center. Right is Provident Credit Union Event Center at SJSU.

 

San Jose State University was one of the institutions in California that was closed due to the “shelter in place” order by California governor Gavin Newsom because of the Novel Coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic. This mandate prohibits California residents from leaving the house except for health care visits, grocery shopping, picking up food, medication, going to the bank, laundromats, or exercising. People are now trying to adjust to this new temporary public policy.

 

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The Invisible Becomes Visible Mural

friends of adeline

The Invisible Becomes Visible is a mural created and organized by Edythe Boone a local artist and community activist. The mural, created in 2018, highlights the timeline of South Berkeley from history of the Ohlone Indians, to the internment of Japanese-Americans, the fair housing act, people’s free food program, and protecting Ohlone sacred sites. This project was directed and supported by the Friends of Adeline that originated in 2015 and began by interviewing community members and recording their stories. The mural is located on the corner of Ashby & Ellis across the South Berkeley Senior Center and one block west of Ashby BART.

Friends of Adeline are a diverse group of South Berkeley residents, businesses, and nonprofits working to make Berkeley a more inclusive, and just place for all people. Purpose:  1. We Shall Determine Our Own Future  2. Affordable Housing is A Right  3. Development Must Be Used To Increase The Health Of Our Community  4. South Berkeley Jobs, Businesses, and Nonprofits Should Benefit Existing Residents Of All Income Groups, Backgrounds, and Ages  5. The Arts Are Integral To Our Culture and History As A Community.

http://www.friendsofadeline.org/

 

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Arakawa City Tokyo

arakawa-ku

 

In the Northeast corner of Tokyo lies Arakawa City which is called the “City of Manufacturing.” But it also has a rich history, culture, and charm. Some of the features of Arakawa are the Toden Arakawa Line or Sakura Line which is the only streetcar in Tokyo, Arakawa Yuen an amusement park, and the Sumida River. Arakawa City is where one can experience everyday life in Tokyo.

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Art Palette

fountain-alley-sj

This mural at fountain alley in downtown San Jose was painted by Lili Gemellos. Lili is a muralist in San Jose who has painted San Pedro Square, Bank of Italy, and Museum of Modern Art around downtown San Jose. The dripping paint of the mural symbolizes the melting of cultures in San Jose.