A remnant of a once flourishing agricultural hub, a vacant creamery stands at the entrance to the tiny Central Valley town of San Joaquin, CA.

Cruz Ramos takes a drive around town as she does each morning checking on the progress of improvements and potential problems.

A kitten wanders in front of a row of stores along Main Street in San Joaquin. A facade program has improved the look of the storefronts.

Cruz checks in with a crew installing new sidewalks - a plan to get people walking around town instead of taking their cars everywhere.

Cruz checks in at a meeting of city managers and administrators from small towns around the Central Valley - many suffering the same problems as San Joaquin.

Cruz listens as city administrators from surrounding towns presents ideas to a variety of problems.

Cruz is called to address the group on some ideas she has.

Never away from her Blackberry, Cruz checks messages during lunch.

A worker finishes up on a sidewalk in San Joaquin. The city is making a strong effort to curb the obesity epidemic by getting people walking again.

San Joaquin residents take advantage of a pleasant fall day to walk and ride bicycles.

Back in the office, Cruz takes care of some business before heading home for the weekend.

A sidewalk in the center of town shows decorative brickwork and lighting. Cruz Ramos, who helped get the project done says it will have a water fountain as well.

Cruz meets with her staff late in the afternoon

Cruz stops in at the VWF where community members are volunteering to serve a Thanksgiving dinner for needy families.

Cruz addresses the families and thanks some special people who came together to make it happen.

Cruz is all smiles after a successful day and a remarkable job as city manager, helping to make her community more livable for its residents.