The keeping of chickens in urban residential settings is gaining popularity across the United States. Advocates of backyard chickens cite more nutritious and flavorful eggs, nitrogen-rich garden fertilizer, and natural pest control among the benefits of backyard chickens. Opponents worry about noise, odors, and the potential to spread diseases such as Salmonella and Avian Flu. The debate to legalize egg-laying chickens in residential areas is making its way to local governments throughout the country, with city councils trying to balance the health, safety and interests of both residents and chickens. In August, after debating the issue for nearly two years, the Sacramento City Council ap

Rob Turner, co-editor of Sactown Magazine, wrote what I found to be a truly inspired back page article in the Magazine's sixteen issue. So aptly titled "Meals on Wheels,"  the one-pager succintcly broke down the issue, the barriers, and the plan for allowing mobile food vendors to roam the streets of Sacramento.  Personally, I have read the city ordinances but I still cannot quite understand the reasoning that prohibits such glorious eating establishments from taking root in our fine city.  (Perhaps you can, so be it, but I really think we're missing out.)  I chose to heed Rob Turner's advice and write to city council member and Vice Mayor Steve Cohn (as well as the editors of SacTown Maga