Neighborhoods

Yesterday I was out for stroll down Ocean Ave. I worked out at the gym and stopped in a Java on Ocean for a cup of strong coffee. Hussam, a Palestinian immigrant owns the cafe and really does quite well. Java is place where SF State and City College students plug away at the books, moms eat with their toddlers, and community activists plot their next move. It's alive with local people every day. As I walked home I thought about the gem I have before me. Many local restaurants, cafes, convenience and grocery stores, and clothing stores all within a short walk of my door. I feel fortunate to live in such a place. A simple walk feels like the equivelent of smelling the roses - you could say it's like smelling urban flowers.
It's no wonder San Francisco and places like it are promoters of the New Urbanism movement (http://www.cnu.org/). It's essentially a resurgence of old style downtowns from a pre-WWII era. As American city planners are helping Americans in the rediscovery of living, working, and shopping within the same community, it's always been the standard here. Funny, the idea of urban communities is so old that its new again.
I hope you find some time to smell your roses today. Catch you later.