With the 2012-13 school year fast approaching, incoming high school freshmen often face that sometimes-difficult transition from middle school with a mixture of wonder, fear and trepidation.
To help alleviate a little of that fear, 16-year-old Shia Streator, McClatchy High School senior and WayUp facilitator, volunteered her time during the first few days in August for a three-day/two-night leadership camp.
Nearly 400 incoming 9th graders within the Sacramento City Unified School District converged upon Sacramento State for the Sacramento WayUp Youth Leadership Program Summer Camp, which was held July 31 to Aug. 2.
The goal of the leadership program was to build a bridge that dilutes freshmen fears and makes students more comfortable with the transition to high school, Streator said.
“When I came in as a freshman, I didn’t have anybody really to teach me anything social wise,” Streator said. “This three-day leadership program is designed to give the freshmen an essence of accomplishment and friendship during and after the camp. Because freshmen are usually alone the first couple of months, this summer program gives them an opportunity to know 300 freshmen who feel the same way as they do.”
Streator says programs like WayUp have helped her build her own leadership skills.
“When I entered my junior year last year after participating in the camp, I did come out of it with a lot more confidence and assurance of who I am and what I can do,” she said. “I have just become captain of my criminal justice academy, so it really applies to what I am doing in school.”
The Sacramento WayUp Youth Leadership Program Summer Camp teaches kids how to stand as leaders in their schools, communities and within their own lives under the camp theme “Evolution 2 Revolution: Leadership is Not an Option.”
Students participate in a variety of activities from team-building exercises to developing strategic-thinking and problem-solving skills.
“The three-day event nurtures, guides and grows the next generation of leaders,” said WayUp Sacramento Program Director Talia Kaufman. “This year’s tracks are specifically ‘change yourself, change your community and change your future.’ It’s teaching young teens to assert themselves and give them self-empowerment along with thinking about community change and how we as individuals can help.”
This year Streator taught her own track.
“I talked about life values and planning your own life future,” she said. “It’s a way to help freshmen discover their own passion and help them carve what they want their high school and college experience to be like. For example, if they want to pursue more art, music, sports, academics, it will help them understand their own passion and encourage them to go for it.”
Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Jonathan Raymond said programs like these are more vital than ever, especially given of the city’s limited resources.
“Our goal is to give kids … rich summer learning experiences so that all of our students return to school is September ready for the new school year,” Raymond said.
Years of state budget cuts have forced the school district to reduce traditional summer school program to remediation classes only, Raymond said.
“We simply don’t have the money to offer the summer school programs that students enjoyed in the past,” he said. “But we are enriching the lives of thousands of kids this summer with our Summer Matters programming.”
In one year, the WayUp camp has gone from mentoring 40 kids to nearly 400 this year.
“When this initiative started a year ago, we never imagined it would grow so fast,” Raymond said. “The rapid expansion of this program is a testament to the kids and everyone involved who has worked tirelessly to give our youth the tools they need in order to become the next generation of great leaders of this community.”
WayUp Sacramento is funded primarily through grants received from the California Endowment, as well as through contributions from numerous businesses and community-based organizations throughout Sacramento.
“To see these kids interacting, learning, growing, smiling and laughing together is truly inspiring,” Kaufman said.

Elizabeth@valcomnews.com

He may be short, he may be slow, and his fading grey is a tell-tale sign of his age, but what do you expect … he is an 85-year-old, 20-pound tortoise.

As the Sacramento Zoo celebrated its 85th anniversary on July 28, Herkimer the tortoise also celebrated his 85th year of life.
“A desert tortoise can live to over 120 years old,” said Brooke Coe, Sacramento Zoo education specialist. “He lives in our Interpretive Center where he participates in stage shows and goes out with the ‘Zoomobile’ to schools and is involved in other education programs.”

Because there are no official records as to Herkimer’s real birth date, the Sacramento Zoo has designated July 28 as his official/unofficial birthday and therefore threw him a birthday party, coinciding with the zoo’s 85th anniversary.
In 90-degree heat, nearly 2,000 people roamed around Sacramento Zoo, celebrating the 28th annual Ice Cream Safari.
With all-you-can-eat Baskin Robbins ice cream and Coca-Cola beverages, kids and adults were crawling all over the 14-acre zoo.
This family-fun event wasn’t just about the sugary treats. There were plenty of other fun activities, including animal spotlights, face painting and zoo games. All of the Sacramento Zoo’s animals were on display throughout the event.
While members celebrated the Zoo’s 85th birthday with ice cream and cake, Herkimer celebrated in his own style – with his favorite treat of dandelion flowers.

“Sometimes you will see zoo keepers kicking dandelion seed heads on zoo grounds so that we can grow more for him,” Coe said. “This is probably the only place you will find someone actually trying to grow dandelions.”

A tortoise’s journey

Zoo officials say Herkimer’s life probably began as someone’s household pet in Southern California during World War I. During that time, Herkimer traveled across the country to the East Coast, living in a little shoebox.

This could explain his name, Herkimer. During the war, the tanks were made and brought overseas from Herkimer, New York.
Eventually Herkimer the tortoise trekked back again to Northern California by the mid-1960s.

“The original owners had him for a very long time and after 40 years of living with the same family, they believed it was time to retire him and brought him here to the Sacramento Zoo,” Coe said. “Because of his size and approximate time when his owners took him from the wild, we were able to make an educated guess on his age.”

Herkimer did travel to the Sacramento Zoo with his wife, ‘Grandma,’ who passed away 10 years ago at the ripe age of 90. Herkimer’s son still lives at the zoo with him. Together they move slowly, in sync.

Coe believes tortoises are long-lived because they are vegetarians, they move slowly and are gentle.

“I expect he’ll be around for at least another 20-plus years,” she said.

The evening event was a little late for Herkimer to be out, but people were still drawn to many of the bigger, more active exhibits.

“Pretty popular are the black and white lemurs, the giraffes, because they are so big, and the large cats,” said zoo spokeswoman Tonja Swank. “But some people are also are drawn to the exotic birds or reptiles.”

Strolling past the flamingos, lions, tigers and giraffes, some said the event was a great family bonding experience.

“It helps keep the kids active and away from the TV,” said Bay Area resident Tainisha Errico. “This is the first time we’ve been here.”

Young dad Xavier Ynostroza said he plans to make zoo visits a family honored tradition.

“My parents use to bring me here all the time growing up and I loved it,” Ynostroza said. “I know the boys will too. It makes people want to engage more with their kids’ learning experience.”

According to staff, nearly 400 volunteers were on hand at the event, hundreds of them scooping out nearly 1,000 gallons of ice cream.

All proceeds from Ice Cream Safari benefited the general maintenance, conservation programs, education and animal care at the zoo, which is home to more than 450 native, rare and endangered animals.

Open since 1927, the Sacramento Zoo, located near the corner of Land Park Drive and Sutterville Road in William Land Park, is managed by the non-profit Sacramento Zoological Society.

elizabeth@valcomnews.com

Earlier this year, Land Park resident Whitney Roberts decided to put up a Facebook page devoted to Sacramento Whole Foods fans who would like to see a store in the planned project area of Curtis Park Village.
“We are a neighborhood of people who value healthy eating options, and we’re willing to pay for them,” Roberts said. “We are using social media because people are too busy to go into the stores and fill out comment cards. It’s much easier to click a button and know that you’re heard.”
The proposed project is at the abandoned Western Pacific rail yards off of Sutterville Road, behind Sacramento City College via a traffic roundabout at Donner Way and 24th Street.
The property is owned by Paul Petrovich of Petrovich Development Company, Sacramento’s largest retail developer.
While Whole Foods has made no formal announcement that it plans on moving into the area, Roberts says the high-end, natural foods retailer at Curtis Park Village would be an ideal fit.
“It’s centrally located, easily accessible from two freeways, near a college campus, nestled in an affluent neighborhood and nowhere near another one of their locations,” she said.
In the last few months, the “Bring Whole Foods to Land Park” Facebook page has collected nearly 300 “likes” from people stating that they “strongly want a Whole Foods Market.”
Even some city leaders are using their own social media profiles to support the cause.
“It’s a great area,” said Joseph Devlin, spokesman for District 5 Councilman Jay Schenirer. “Who wouldn’t want to move in to Curtis Park Village? Whole Foods would be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.”
District 4 Councilman Rob Fong was one of the first city leaders to post his support on Facebook. He was also one of the “yes” votes for Curtis Park Village, a mixed-use urban infill project with retail spaces and housing.
“Councilman Fong believes the vision put forward by Petrovich Development will add many amenities and residential options to Curtis Park and other surrounding neighborhoods,” said Lisa Nava, spokeswoman for Fong. “Whole Foods would be a wonderful addition.”
The question that remains is whether Whole Foods is right for an area that is already served by two similar markets offering high-end, organic products — Taylor’s Market, which is celebrating 50 years of doing business in Land Park, and newcomer Sunflower Farmers Market in South Land Park.
“Whole Foods, as far as I’m concerned, is a high-end grocery store,” said Curtis Park resident Robert Palmatier. “If you bring a Whole Foods Market here to Curtis Park, it’s like placing a Super Wal-Mart smack in the middle of a small hometown with mom-and-pop stores. It’ll take everything away.”
Courtney Clendenin disagrees. She and her sister Jaime Silva own The Sandwich Spot on 18th Street in Land Park, just a couple of blocks from the proposed area.
“We’ve just celebrated our third year at this location and we welcome the new business and new customers that Whole Foods would bring,” Clendenin said.
Terri Shettle, Executive Director of the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association, declined to comment only to say, “We have not taken a position on the issue regarding bringing a Whole Foods Market to the area.”
Whole Foods Market announces new store openings with its quarterly financial earnings and, for now, has not announced plans for Curtis Park. The next Sacramento-area Whole Foods is set to open in October in Davis.
“Whole Foods Market appreciates the interest and excitement that our current and potential customers have around a store in the Curtis/Land Park area,” said Jennifer Marples, Whole Foods Market spokeswoman.
Whole Foods Market currently has locations at 4315 Arden Way in Sacramento, 1001 Galleria Blvd. in Roseville and 270 Palladio Drive in Folsom.
Trace L. Johnson, Vice President of Leasing for Patrivoch Development Company, did not return phone calls seeking comment about the latest developments on Curtis Park Village as of press time.

elizabeth@valcomnews.com

Thanks to foresight, campaigning, budget crunching, and maybe even spiritual intervention, St. Francis High School is showing the City of Sacramento ways to heat things up in terms of conserving energy. This past month, the East Sacramento Catholic high school completed the installation of 253 kilowatt, solar energy supply system on seven buildings.

STUDENT ADVOCATE for solar energy. Kate Ely, a senior at St. Francis High School, became involved with the school’s effort to become the first high school in the region to adopt solar power as a major campus energy source. / Photo courtesy, St. Francis High School

The solar installation will generate 31 percent of the campus electricity usage generating an estimated $1 million in energy cost savings to the school over the next 20 years.

Stephanie Droste-Packham, state field associate for Environment California said putting solar panels up in schools is a win-win-win for Californians.

“They create green jobs in our communities, clean up air pollution, and save our schools money,” she said.

Last week Environment California Research & Policy Center released a new report, California’s Solar Cities 2012: Leaders in the Race Toward a Clean Energy Future, that featured the 72 year old all-female college preparatory high school as a leader in renewable energy conservation.

As Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson explained at State of the City address at the Convention Center on Jan. 30, St. Francis High School’s commitment to make clean energy a priority is an “example of how an investment in solar makes great business sense for a property owner, creates green jobs, and improves our environment.”

“I am proud of today’s recognition by Environment California,” Mayor Johnson said. “Sacramento and Greenwise Joint Venture, have made a concerted effort to leverage our competitive advantages and make clean energy a priority. We see the results in the statewide data and in projects throughout our region. We are also teaching our students that we care about their future.”

Kate Ely, a senior at St. Francis High School, became involved in this project at the end of her junior year. She served on the school’s planning and finance committee, wrote a letter to the Diocesan Finance Council (that had to approve the project, since St. Francis is a  Sacramento Diocesan School), and even joined Mayor Johnson at media events on the plans for the installation of solar panels at the Catholic school.

“As I grew to understand the charts and graphs, installation techniques, and advantages of the prospective bidders, a specific role developed for me to represent the students, to be their voice,” Ely said. “While St. Francis solar panels on campus will cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions, other key benefits from the students’ perspective is to model the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church and demonstrate the importance of living in cooperation with nature.”

Droste-Packham said that putting solar panels up on schools educates the students on how to power life sustainably.

“When a teenager in high school knows the lights in the library, the auditorium, the hallways, or even the power point presentation in math class is powered not by fossil fuels, but by the sun, they become stewards of clean energy,” Droste-Packham said. “They know what direction we should be heading as a state, and that’s away from fossil fuels, away from air pollution and away from global warming pollutants.”

“Our students are excited and happy to have solar panels here at the high school,” said Ingrid Niles, St. Francis High School communications director. “I think overall, our kids think having something like this is pretty cool and we hope we inspire a few of them to look at this stuff after high school.”

SOLAR FARM TO SAVE ENERGY…AND MONEY. This photo shows the building of the solar “farm” that sits atop seven buildings at St. Francis High School in Sacramento. Photovoltaic panels were then installed on the frames. The completed system is expected to generate over one-third of the campus’ energy, and is expected to save the school $1 million over the next two decades. / Photo courtesy, St. Francis High School

St. Francis High School’s photovoltaic (PV) solar installation is funded through a U.S. Treasury Grant, SMUD rebates and reductions in electric utility bills. It will result in a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional forms of generating electricity. It’s also designed to produce 30.6 percent of the school’s current electricity requirements.

“It will lock in the cost of electricity for 30 percent of the school’s needs, thus serving as an effective hedge against future inflation in the cost of electricity,” explained Niles. “California utility rates have increased an average of 6.7 percent over the last 30 years.”

St. Francis High School’s Director of Finance and Business Operations Sharon Tobar worked closely with the school’s Finance Council to bring the solar project to fruition. Tim Lien, a Sacramento businessman and parent of a St. Francis graduate, became involved in the project early on and spent hundreds of hours on the proposal. Paul Lau, SMUD assistant general manager and also a St. Francis parent, was one of many SMUD representatives instrumental in the planning stages.

“SMUD has been supporting the project from the top of the organization all the way down with customer support and PV expertise,” said Tobar.

“It is my hope that the St. Francis High School Solar Project will encourage each member of our community to embrace their role as Christian Stewards,” Ely said.

According to Environment California, the nation’s 31st state is number one in the country in terms of solar power, leading the way through the next great energy transition.

“California is steadily moving away from powering our lives on dead dinosaurs to powering our lives with sunshine. Solar panels are going up across the state, on homes, warehouses, military bases and schools,” said Stephanie Droste-Packham.

A Environment California Research & Policy Center report shows that Sacramento ranks seventh in the state in terms of the total amount of solar electricity generated, measured in capacity, with 16 megawatts. Sacramento ranks 10th in the state in terms of the number of solar installations on residential, commercial and government buildings, with just over 1,000 projects installed.

Sacramento has experienced the greatest rate of solar growth of all major cities, tripling the total amount of solar power installed in the past two years alone.

“Solar power is booming in Sacramento,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, director of clean energy programs at Environment California Research & Policy Center. “Despite the slow economy, Sacramento has found a way to grow one of the most promising clean energy solutions, bringing clean air and jobs to the city.”

The top 12 solar cities are:

1. San Diego
2. Los Angeles
3. San Jose
4. Fresno
5. San Francisco
6. Bakersfield
7. Sacramento
8. Santa Rosa
9. Oakland
10. Chico
11. Clovis
12. Roseville

When the City of Sacramento announced this fall that the Clunie Hall Community Center, located at 601 Alhambra Boulevard at McKinley Park, was in jeopardy of closing this July due to city budget issues, a community-wide campaign was launched to keep it fully operating. Residents and business owners of East Sacramento, members of McKinley Library, and McKinley Park enthusiasts didn’t waste any time to save their 75 year-old iconic building.

SAVED! Local businesses and residents stepped up to save the Clunie Community Center, which houses the McKinley Library. The iconic East Sacramento structure celebrated its 75th birthday last October. / Image courtesy, Friends of McKinley Library. Painting by East Sacramento artist David Lobenberg

“We have $29,000 for this fiscal year to pay for everyday maintenance such as the heating, air conditioning, janitorial and part time staff for the Clunie Center. We could not guarantee that we could continue to allocate that much for the building,” explained Lori Harder, City Administrative Manager of Parks and Recreation. “The potential of closing the community center and eventually the adjoining McKinley Library, those two things happening were very alarming for the community around McKinley Park. So members of the community stepped up to raise funds and manage the building.”

Friends of East Sac rally

The initial rally to help raise funds came from members of the non-profit group, Friends of East Sac. According to the organization’s Website, the funds represent the committee’s commitment to support those in need and the community.

“Friends of East Sacramento – with the support of every of East Sacramento and Midtown neighborhood association, Councilman Steve Cohn, the Friends of McKinley Library, the city, and donations by hundreds of neighbors – has stepped forward with a 3 year plan to provide non-profit management for the Clunie,” the Website stated. “This will help ensure that the McKinley Library could continue to stay open. The Friends of East Sacramento will model the operation after the very successful Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Park. The nonprofit model of the operation of public facilities is growing nation-wide. But keeping it open and managed by a nonprofit takes start-up money.”

Successful drive

The rebel cry was a success. Within four months, Friends of East Sac, led by East Sacramento resident Cecily Hastings, collected over $60,000 from local businesses, residents, and park supporters to help pay off the City’s $45,000 operating budget.

“We got the call right before the Christmas break and I can tell you, in the past four years we don’t get that kind of good news too often anymore with all the closures of parks and recs. So yea, it was a great Christmas present,” said Harder. “Without the group’s efforts, the Center was most likely to close in July, along with the library inside.”

“We’ve established a $60,000 building fund because this is an old building and we’ve already figured out it’s a money pit,” said Hastings at a City press conference held on Jan. 17 with Mayor Kevin Johnson, Councilmember Steve Cohn and Nancy Cornelius from McKinley-East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA). “We want to restore it to its glory of probably what it was 75 years ago.”

Blueprint to follow

THE CLUNIE HALL COMMUNITY CENTER is an icon built in memory of a Sacramento businesswoman who served the community. In 1934, Florence Turton Clunie’s estate bequeathed $150,000 to build the center – over $2.5 million in today’s dollars. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Stephen Crowley

At the press conference, Mayor Johnson said the work in East Sacramento is “a blueprint that challenges other areas of the city.”

Harder expanded on the Mayor’s sentiments by adding that this action by residents and businesses in East Sacramento is a community model that the City hopes will continue to emerge to help keep parks and community centers open as the budget deficit continues to chip away at those assets.

“We do have several other community centers that are (scheduled) to close, so we put out calls to non-profits and big local corporations if they want to talk to us about taking over responsibility of other community centers, to keep them open for community meetings, programming for kids, teens and adults,” Harder said. “A great example of this model is the Sierra 2 Center, run by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association. It makes the Curtis Park neighborhood one of the most unique communities in Sacramento.”

Negotiating a transition

Currently organizers of Friends of East Sac are in negotiations with the City to take over the Center and run the facility at a lower cost than the city has. Organizers believe that, with proper management, the Clunie Hall Community Center could bring in $100,000 a year.

“We are working with their advisory committee to finalize the lease and transition base. They have people with facility management, grant writing, and marketing skills,” Harder said. “We hope the transition will be sometime by this spring or by July. We have great faith this organization will do a superb job in maintaining this center.”

“I bring my family out here to enjoy the park all the time, and this Center has served the community and has enhanced the lives of others in so many ways,” said supporter Robert Schmitt. “We know these are difficult times for many people, but this is a place that anyone can come and benefit from such as the McKinley Library, and the events held inside. I’m glad we have a community that cares so much.”

Clunie by the Numbers

The Clunie Hall Community Center was named for a life-long Sacramento resident, Florence Turton Clunie, wife of pioneer and state congressman Thomas J. Clunie. She was a notable Sacramento businesswoman in her own right. Upon her death in 1934, her estate donated $150,000 for the building of a community center and pool in McKinley Park. The City of Sacramento pitched in an additional $20,000 to establish the McKinley Library at the north end of the new building. Both opened to the public in late 1936.

The Center boasts a beautiful lobby with an art deco look, reminiscent of the 1930s when it was built.

Annual attendance:

Classes organized by Parks and Recreation with private instructors: 5590

Estimated number of people through rental activity (community and nonprofit meetings and events, weddings/family events, library programming, etc.): 33,753

Examples of classes:

Feldenkrais

Piano for Beginners

Spanish 4 Toddlers

January 12 will mark two months since cars returned to K Street between 8th and 12th streets.  The last car to drive down the four block commercial streets was back in 1969 when gas cost an average 35 cents per gallon.

K STREET is open to vehicular traffic after being closed for over four decades. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Elizabeth Valente

The drive to reopen K Street to motorists was to reconnect people to new and old businesses at the former pedestrian mall. According to a survey conducted by the Department of Transportation last August, other reasons in support of returning vehicles to K Street also included “safety from street persons, general revitalization, and potential for increased business.”

“Adding cars back to K Street will only further this effort, spur economic vitality, and provide that additional ingredient needed to continue the renaissance of this key downtown street,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Efforts by the City, its redevelopment agency and the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, to bring more business to K Street already have had some success.

“Businesses are thrilled to see cars return to K Street as they expect it will provide additional exposure for their businesses as well as increased convenience with the passenger drop-offs,” explained Amy Williams, City media and communications officer.

“Vehicle traffic to K Street has also added visibility to the street, we can access drivers to Old Sac.and to midtown. It’s a way of connecting people better to those properties,” added Lisa Martinez, director of marketing and outreach for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

Some merchants and daily pedestrians who work in the area say they have seen little change, while others say they have seen a positive difference in their business.

Chuck Karajeh, who manages the Midtown Mini Market at 1026 K St., said he has seen no changes in business so far.

“Not many people know that cars can drive on the street and there’s no place to park, so nothing has changed,” he said. “If they had street parking, it would help.”

Pizza Rock and Dive Bar, new eateries that opened at the beginning of the year as part of a redevelopment project spearheaded by the City Redevelopment Department, both say business has been good. They are seeing increased activity on the weekends and at night.

Kim Anderson, general manager at Ambrosia Café located at 1030 K Street, said this was the best December the café has had in the eight years it’s been open.

“It’s been OK, still too early to tell, but we have seen a new batch of customers who say, ‘we drove by and saw your café,’ which is always good,” Anderson said. “In years past, December has been very slow for us because legislative session is closed for the holiday, but because the street has opened up, it has been a definite plus.”

For many drivers this means another option when driving across town.

“J Street has been so congested for a number of years,” said Joan Starke, Carmichael motorist. “It will be so nice to know that I have this option now.”

Mark (declined to share his last name), who walks down K Street nearly every day, said he’s seen traffic slowly picking up.

“Bringing cars back to K Street is not just about being able to see the shops or the drive down the street, but that it is also about changing the psychology of the space,” he said. “That will take time and obviously more than just cars.”

DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS need to be on the lookout for one another, now that K Street is open to motorized vehicles. Sacramento police are issuing traffic warnings to the unwary. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Elizabeth Valente

Study to be released

The Department of Transportation plans to release a new K Street Vehicle Traffic Data Study, between 8th and 12th streets, in February. The purpose of the new study is to determine the benefits, impacts and feasibility of allowing cars on K Street.

“The new research will help us gather the latest traffic data such as changes of driver’s behavior, speed, determine the benefits, impacts and trip frequency,” said Linda Tucker, spokesperson for the Department of Transportation.

The department is currently working on tweaking some of the roadway operations, including more signs alerting pedestrians they now must cross only at intersections, not midblock.

“The cars on K Street are new, drivers and pedestrians need time to adjust to using the road,” explained Sergeant Dave Valdez, Sacramento Police Department Motor Unit. “Some pedestrians like to cut across directly to a business.”

Sgt. Valdez said his team is cracking down on jaywalkers, but not necessarily with citation tickets.

“We are focusing on educating pedestrians by stopping them and giving them warnings, not necessarily citations,” he said. “Now that vehicles can drive down K Street, it’s become a unique environment. It’s new traffic, a lot of construction and confusion.”

Road rules

Pedestrians:

• must obey traffic signals

• cannot walk in the road when sidewalks are present

• must use the left shoulder facing traffic when walking on the road

Motorists:

• must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and when making a right turn on red

• must not pass another driver stopped for a crosswalk

• must vigilantly watch for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially children or distracted people

elizabeth@valcomnews.com

To help the City of Sacramento save money, collecting your next batch of leaves from in front of your home may cost you more, particularly if you live in a very “leafy” neighborhood.

LEAF COLLECTIONS are often made with tractors in neighborhoods such as Land Park, Curtis Park, East Sacramento and the Pocket. / Photo courtesy, Steve Harriman

Yard waste collection is provided by the City’s Department of General Services. Residents with this service can place a single pile of yard waste, up to two cubic yards, between the sidewalk and the curb for collection.

This spring the Department of General Services will ask the City Council to place a measure on the November 2012 ballot repealing 1977’s Measure A, the law which prohibits the City from requiring containerized yard and garden collection.

“Our primary objective is not to raise rates for several years, but part of the challenge is it’s very inefficient and expensive to have two different green waste programs,” explained Steve Harriman, integrated waste manager. He said his office operates like a business and staff are currently looking at different scenarios for the collection programs.

“The monthly collection fees we charge customers pay for labor, employees, disposal of the material, equipment, maintenance and replacement,” Harriman said.

The City collects a total of 80,000 tons of green waste through the City’s two programs, the Containerized Yard Waste Collection Program and the Loose-in-the-Street  Collection Program.

City officials say that current rates for the Loose-in-the-Street program aren’t enough to pay for the program. An increase may need to occur to help the city’s budget.

Nearly 13,000 residents on the program pay $13.71 a month to have their bags collected. Only those on the program have their piled leaves on the streets picked up. If rates don’t increase, frequency of pick-up of leaf piles and lawn trimmings for those who don’t use green bins would have to be reduced.

“During leaf season, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, the City collects nearly 27,000 tons of yard waste,” said Harriman. “Containers are not enough during this time of the year. The leaf collection program helps keep leaves from blocking storm drains and prevents decaying leaves from polluting our lakes and streams.”

Nearly 103,000 city residents use the 96 galloon green bins that the City provides, at a monthly rate of $10.35 for the weekly pick-up. They also benefit from the loose leaf service eight times a year. A majority of the residents on the program live in midtown, Land Park, Curtis Park, East Sacramento, the Pocket, and Del Paso Heights.

“It only takes one employee and one vehicle to pick up the bin collection, therefore using much less fuel, less traffic congestion,” Harriman said. “Versus the Loose-in-the-Street piles takes two employees and two vehicles with rear loaders and ‘claws’ that scoop up the leaves. The container program also leaves the street quite a bit cleaner, less spillage on the curb, less danger of leaves spilling over onto drains, less residue left behind.”

Brady Helmes lives in the leafy district of Curtis Park and said, “Leaf collection is a basic city service that should be funded through existing revenue. The goal is to have storm drains free from clogs and our neighborhoods looking clean. If this system doesn’t work, then we need to explore other options.”

City staffers are currently working with the Utilities Rate Advisory Commission to come up with new solutions.

“In the next couple of months, we’re also getting ready to go out into the community and neighborhood associations to ask for people’s input,” said Harriman.

One idea the City is playing with is having a bi-weekly collection for their curbside recycling collection.

OVER 27 THOUSAND TONS of leaves are collected by Sacramento’s yard waste collection staff. / Photo courtesy, Steve Harriman

“All the other jurisdictions inside Sacramento County pick up every other week. Weekly collection is very convenient and easy for customers, but it’s also very expensive,” Harriman added.

“We used to have it as a bi-weekly pick up in the past, and I think I can live with that if it keeps my monthly rate down,” said Land Park resident Pete Madefield.

The City offers containerized customers eight scheduled Loose-in-the-Street collections per year. To comply with state law, the City can only provide the service as it is defined onto those customers who are paying for it.

• January: Collection second full week
• February: Collection last full week
• May: Collection last full week
• October: Collection last full week
• November and December: Collection will be two times per month, however schedules may vary during leaf season

For more information about the Containerized Yard Waste and Loose-in-the-Street Service Guidelines log onto www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities/solid-waste-recycling.

Illegal dumping an issue for City collectors

City officials from the Waste Program are conducting “spot checks” of city streets to make sure there is no illegal dumping in neighborhoods.

“It’s a headache, people are abusing the program and it’s costing the City money that we could use in other places,” said Harriman. “Gardeners doing yard maintenance in other cities are driving their waste into the City of Sacramento and dumping it in neighborhoods where they know we have regular pickups.”

The Department of General Services has one code enforcement officer whose job is to locate and cite the illegal dumping.

“It’s a big city and the enforcement is difficult, especially when the dumping happens at night,” explained Harriman. “We’ve confronted a number of gardeners, but it’s also helpful if residents that see the illegal dumping report it so we can take action.”

Where does all the waste go?

Waste collections from city residents are not recycled back to Sacramento.

“The collected leaves are made into compost to fertilize agriculture lands and landscaped areas outside of Sacramento, “ explained William Skinner, collections superintendent. “Compost places in urban areas like Sacramento are hard to manage. They always have an odor that affects the neighboring homes.”

Yard waste consists of materials normally generated in the maintenance of gardens, yards, lawns, or landscaped areas whether residential, commercial or public. This includes leaves, grass clippings, plants, shrubs and pruning. State law says that 50 percent of all waste generated in the City of Sacramento is to be recycled.

The Department of General Services works with a private company that takes the collected material for different types of recyclable usage:

• Alternative daily cover goes to Yolo County Landfill. The garbage has to be covered with dirt and other material, such as yard waste to keep birds and other animals away from the landfill.
• Cogeneration facilities burn waste materials as a fuel source at Rio Bravo-Rocklin Power Station in Lincoln. The burning occurs mainly in the spring and summer months.
• Compost and mulch facilities turn waste into compost and this then goes to Napa County. The compost is mixed with manure and sold for agricultural use in the area.

elizabeth@valcomnews.com

Today’s older adults enjoy lifestyles that let them get out and have fun, while being active and learning something new. Alan and Marie Reed of Carmichael are no exception. This English couple, originally from London, have always been curious to connect with their family roots and travel back to Europe to find what brought their forefathers to England.

“Alan’s maternal grandfather came from Ireland, and my maternal grandmother was of Scottish descent,” said Marie.

The Reeds are no strangers to travel and leaving a mark themselves. The Londoners first left the UK in the late 1950s and settled in Canada. By 1962, they called the San Fernando Valley in Southern California home. It wasn’t until 1978 they decided to finally settle down in the Greater Sacramento Area and raise their family in Carmichael. But their curiosity to learn more about their family background never lessened.

This past September, the couple decided to take their curiosity one step forward and booked a two week land tour to Ireland and Scotland to search into their family histories. The Reeds traveled by luxury bus with tour company Insight Vacations that highlights the best of Ireland and Scotland. The couple traveled with 17 other American couples from various parts of the United States. Each person was a retired professional seeking out similar information: Who am I? Where do I come from? Why did my family emigrate?

Together with the Reeds, the seniors toured the beautiful green countryside of Ireland and the UK. Landscapes were filled with images of wooly lambs and hairy cattle, quaint villages with thatched cottages and beautiful, bountiful flowers and unspoiled coastlines and lochs.

“Being part of a group is the most popular tour option for many seniors,” said Michael Doughty, Insight Vacations tour manager. “Bus tours are an excellent way to see local attractions of a city or region with an informative narration along the way. These sightseeing adventures can be for a few hours or a full day, and can help pinpoint areas for additional exploration later in the trip.”

The Reeds began the tour in Dublin, and then wound their way towards the fishing villages of Waterford and Cork, around the villages and towering cliffs and mountains known as the Ring of Kerry, with overnight stays at Ballygally Castle, Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands, and finally ending the tour in Edinburgh, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels.

“Coach tours are great and easy pace,” Alan said. “Everything is organized and planned out. It not only brings money into the local economy, but it also allows travelers like us to trace our roots by taking country road tours.”

Throughout the bus tour, the Reeds felt excited and eager to learn more about their family ancestry as they traveled on similar country roads that perhaps their ancestors journeyed upon.

“These roads are paved with uncovered stories of heroism and tragedy, love and betrayal, secrets and intrigue,” said Doughty.

“Our knowledgeable, helpful and witty tour director, Michael, who lives both in Ireland and Scotland, aided by his very experienced and friendly Irish driver, Tony, made our vacation one of the best ever,” said Marie. “We traveled in style and comfort across diverse landscapes and bustling cities, all the way telling us the rich history of each county and how they all connect in one way or another.”

“And if you told Michael where you suspect your family is from, and if it’s on our tour route, he made it a point to make a brief stop there or point it out and explain the history of the area,” said Alan. “One couple from San Diego had discovered his Irish great-great grandfather came from Ballyvourney (a village in south-west County Cork, Ireland), and we were able to make a quick stop in the village so that he could take photos and visit the post office to look up his family name. At that moment we all felt the same pride of discovery as he did.”

“On the tour we visit all the main sights, but we make sure we get you off the beaten track to some of the countries more remarkable towns and villages,” said Doughty. “We try to immerse the traveler in local culture and the country’s rich history so they can have that connection with their family line.”

Alan believes his family tree may have come from the Irish medieval town of Kilkenny and it was at Alloway, in South Ayrshire, Scotland, home of famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, where Marie may have found her family connection.

“On a bench near the birthplace of Robert Burns I saw the name ‘Cook.’ That was my great grandmother’s name. I plan to start my research there.” Marie jokes that even though she was born in England and has Scottish roots, she’s a welcome addition to the Irish.

“After hearing that my birthday is on St. Patrick’s Day, my Irish friends adopted me,” she said.

With so many unforgettable memories it’s difficult to pick just one, according to the Reeds. For Alan, it was the town of Cong, a village straddling the borders of County Galway and County Mayo, in Ireland. It was also featured in the 1952 film, the “Quiet Man” starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.

“The town looks just like it did in the movie. The same cottage that housed the two main actors is now a museum. The tour in Derry Londonderry, in Northern Ireland and standing on the newly built iconic ‘Peace Bridge’ (that opened up this past June representing the union between two different communities) was an emotional history lesson. And of course visiting St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf and the University town where England’s future King, Prince William and Kate Middleton met.”

“Dublin and the Ring of Kerry tour were both breathtaking,” said Marie. “Kissing the Blarney Stone and visiting the Giant’s Causeway and the Scottish Highlands were all memorable.”

What’s next for this traveling duo?

“New Zealand in 2012,” said Marie.

On the first Saturday of October, more than 50 volunteers converged around Duck Lake, William Land Park’s largest pond, armed with rakes, gloves and a determination to clean up the park’s pond and surrounding areas.

DUCK LAKE in William Land Park is a source of wildlife and local fishing. Land Park Volunteer Corps members called the safety of the water into question when dead fish and birds were discovered. / Photo courtesy, Jill Booth MacDonell

These folks are called the Land Park Volunteer Corps and they meet each month to take part in what they call “park work days.” The group was created after the City of Sacramento had to cut Department of Parks and Recreation employees by more than 60 percent in the last three years. Neighbors and city residents decided to step up and do their part to keep their local parks running green.

“I think it’s wonderful what the volunteers are doing because it maintains the ecology of the area, and it’s vitally important when you live in such a crowded area that you have a place you can take a walk or have a picnic in,” said Greenhaven resident, Alessia Wood.

Every month for nearly over two hours, the environmentally-aware group cuts, prunes, plants, and fills garbage bags of debris. But overgrown bushes, roots and left over picnic garbage is not the only thing this group picks up. Land Park Corps organizer, Craig Powell, said there are times when volunteers also see dead fish and birds around the big pond area.

“Some of our volunteers use extension nets and weed around the border of the pond. It’s a dark, murky pond. It’s very difficult for anyone to look at to see what’s in it,” Powell said. “Besides the concern of the appearance of Duck Lake, our main concern is that there are a lot of migratory birds, like the Canada geese, and families who fish there every single day for food for their table. We are not aware of anybody testing the quality of this water to see if it’s safe to eat the fish from there.”

Duck Lake was established in the early 1920s, and is located in the western-most part of the park, along Land Park Drive. Duck Lake was drained, dredged and widened in the winter of 1959. In 1998, it was stocked with 370 trout.

Powell claims that at one time he has seen 15 to 20 dead fish floating on top of the pond and that he has called and alerted the City.

“That should raise some alarm; there is something going on,” he said. “The response I got back from the City is, ‘it just happens sometimes.’”

Powell suspects that run-off from the street is the cause. He believes the City has failed to put in new plumping pipes to resolve the problem.

City leaders say that is not the case. While no testing has been done on the water by either the City or the Volunteer Corps, officials said there are a number of potential reasons for the issues the neighbors are concerned about at Duck Lake.

“Duck Lake is filled with well water from the park’s ground water wells,” said Jessica Hess, City of Sacramento Department of Utilities spokesperson. Ponds such as this do not have natural filtration systems and tend to become polluted from the wildlife they attract. And the hot summertime temperatures is another issue; the water is relatively stagnant.”

According to Hess, the pond gets run-off from two sources: the golf course and a drain. The golf course is the main source of run-off. This water flows through some grassy areas which act as a filter to help extract any potential contaminants from the run-off. The drain in the parking lot on 15th Ave, which runs alongside Fairytale Town, sends water into the botanical garden.

“This botanical garden acts as a natural filter for the urban runoff from the parking lot,” Hess explained. “As the urban runoff goes through the garden, the plants and small ponds within the garden act like ‘nature’s soap’ and allow the contaminants to settle.”

Then what about the dead fish and birds seen around the pond area?

TRIMMING, CLEANING AND CARING for William Land Park are the members of the Land Park Volunteer Corps. The group meets the first Saturday of every month to work on maintenance issues in the park. / Photo courtesy, Jill Booth MacDonell

Some say it could be caused by people pouring liquids and throwing trash and debris into the pond or on the ground nearby – where it can then flow into the water.

“These, too, can impact the amount of available oxygen which can impact water clarity,” said Hess.

Susan Helay, Birds Exhibit supervisor at the Sacramento Zoo, suspect’s human error can also be to blame, particularly among those who fish out of Duck Lake.

“We get a lot of the ducks that have swallowed fishing hooks, or their necks are tied up in left-over fishing lines,” Helay said. “Sometimes we can’t catch the birds to help them because they fly away. Not to mention, many of these animals and fish get old and die off naturally as well.”

Helay did say that if there were several fish or birds found dead at one period of time then there should be concern, but they have not seen anything like that recently.

“Sometimes the animals’ waste in the water can impact the amount of oxygen available which can impact the clarity,” she said.

Helay added that the well-water that is provided at the pond is considered safe and is used at the Zoo as well.

Councilman Robert Fong said he is aware of the Volunteer Corps concern about the District 4 Duck Lake and surrounding area. He said that the City is doing everything they can to keep the park and ponds safe and clean.

“The water in the pond is being filled with well-water, the same water we use in City drinking fountains,” said Councilman Fong. “I’ve been going to William Land Park as a kid, it’s one of our crown jewels, and we would never do anything to hurt one of our natural beauties.”

Ask anyone who attends and participates in the annual 4th of July parade in East Sacramento and they’ll all say, “It looks like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life.” Children, adults, even dogs – decked out in red, white and blue – walked, biked, rode in floats and even in military humvee’s down 41st and J Streets in celebration of America’s 235th birthday.

For Nancy and Todd McMullen, the annual parade is all about the three F’s: friends, family and fun. This was the couple’s sixth year attending the parade, but the first for their 21 month year old son Connor.

“Everyone is dressed in patriotic clothes, waving flags, having a great time,” Nancy said. “Very nostalgic.”

Everywhere one looked there were ribbons, flags, lights and wagons, all decorated in colors and stars in celebration of Independence Day. The parade began at 11 a.m. with Staff Sgt. Steve Trapp signing the national anthem and the local Boy Scout troop leading off with Pledge of Allegiance.

Military tribute

With a mic in hand, East Sac. resident Brigadier General Jack Hagan addressed hundreds of participants stating that the parade is dedicated to all the families on the block for holding on to traditions and to the men and women who continue to serve in the military.  For the past nine years he and his family have invited fellow Marines, families and single soldiers to their home to celebrate the Fourth of July.  This year a group from the 270th Military Police Company, stationed out of 58th street, joined Brigadier General Hagan at his home, along with two special Marines.  His sons, both Captains in the Marine Corp, were home after serving overseas.

“One son was in Afghanistan and one was in Iraq,” said Brigadier General Hagan. “This parade has been going on for more than 80 years and I can only describe it as a slice of Norman Rockwell, Americana. It’s a great day.”

“By inviting Marines and other military personnel to an event like this it honors our past and present,” said Kristina Robinson, an MP in the 270th Police Company.

Traditions

Along with homemade floats, hand held flags, the local fire engine, and families laughing and singing along to “America,” the neighborhood celebration wouldn’t be traditional without a potluck picnic. For more than 30 years Mary Carboni has celebrated with family and friends the traditional ‘picnic’ in front of her J St. home.

“We’ve had a few interruptions, but we’re pretty good about having it every year,” said Carboni.  “My husband and I do the hotdogs while friends bring shared potluck which consists of everything from apple pie to burgers and corn.”

New Generation

“My kids have grown up knowing this parade since the ’70s,” said Peter Detwiler. “Now it’s time for my one-year old grandson Colin to be in it. It’s a great little family fun thing to do and like his dad, I hope he creates lots of memories.”