The Central Valley is laced with waterways that quench the thirst of the semi arid land through which they pass. The calm surface of these man made rivers belies a strong and dark under current.  It is a simile for what goes on in the Valley today; the poverty, discrimination, violence, indifference and development at the expense of land and water. It is a a place of incredible natural beauty and abundance with one of the highest poverty rates in California, a region that feeds the nation but cannot provide enough to eat or earn for some of its most marginalized residents, a conservative, God fearing, anti government enclave in liberal California that still relies on immigrant workers (legal or not) and farm subsidies.  Yet, it draws many with its promise of opportunity and hope.  It is a place of contradictions and competing interests.  For many, the Valley has fulfilled dreams and for others, it has not.  All of this is invisible to those speeding down Highway 5 on their way to their final destination.