An observant Curtis Park resident was briskly walking the track around William Curtis Park when she witnessed a man backing his Ford Ranger up to a huge pile of shredded bark meant for the children’s playground. She thought to herself, “What a shame to steal from the City and the children of our community.”

She dialed 9-11 and reported the alleged thievery to police. My first thought was, why is there a mountain of bark dumped in the middle of the park? What would Leslie Knope (the main character of Parks and Recreation) do?

I called the City Parks And Recreation department and spoke to Lori Harder. She mentioned that the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association has officially adopted William Curtis Park through the City of Sacramento Partners in Parks program and it was part of the April 6th “Clean Up Day” at the park.

I then asked Terri Shuttle, who is the executive director of the SCNA, if she knew anything about the Curtis Bark Pile and she mentioned it was indeed part of a neighborhood cleanup day. They had requested bark for various spots; unfortunately, they were unable to bring the bark until a week later when no volunteers were readily available.

Soooo, one of the board members took it upon himself to work in the park one day to spread the bark using his pickup truck. Good for him! That’s when the police showed up. Oops. Turns out the Curtis Park resident who initially called the cops was barking up the wrong tree. Turns out the board member was just being a good deed doer. Now he is hesitant to go back and finish the job. The SCNA is looking at schedules to line up volunteers to take care of the rest of the pile but no date has been set.

Last month there was another episode of Yard Crashers direct from Hollywood Park. The lucky couple who received the grand makeover, “A Taste Of Tuscany,“ had a viewing party at Broderick’s in West Sacramento. For those who don’t know, “Yard Crashers” is a backyard improvement show where host Matt Blashaw surprises shoppers at Lowe’s, Green Acres, Emigh Hardware and other home improvement and garden stores with promises of an amazing backyard transformation. From drab to fab!

A lot of the episodes have been filmed in our own backyard in Sacramento. The Yard Crashers crew invades yards with jackhammers, cement trucks, shovels, shears and chainsaws. Before you know it they’re digging up turf, trees, shrubs and removing the greenery that has no purpose and replacing it with thoughtful landscape design.

There have been at least five episodes of Yard Crashers filmed in the middle class neighborhood of Hollywood Park alone in the last few years. Why Hollywood Park? Perhaps it’s because it has Hollywood in the name. Showbiz! Or it could be that the neighborhood has the perfect palette for the backyard makeovers.

The production company, Big Table Media, is actually based out of Sacramento. So it’s a short commute.

The show likes people who are showbiz ready, have a personality, and aren’t afraid to get their fingernails dirty. Also, have a backyard that needs some drastic improvements. On the show’s website they accept viewer submissions. Include a picture of you, your pathetic backyard, and why your yard deserves to be crashed. That’s a route you can take if you’re interested in getting a backyard makeover and want to be the envy of your entire neighborhood. The show airs on the DIY network as well as HGTV. The website for submissions is at www.Diynetwork.com

Last month I wrote about how Raley’s, which purchased the former Capital Nursery lot on Freeport Blvd, has no official plans for it…yet. There have been blue prints created and lots of rumors bandied about. Raley’s official spokesperson stated last month they have “no immediate plans for the site.”

I recently received an email from an “Over The Fence” reader with a great suggestion for the abandoned site. Phil Shroeder mentioned he thinks the property would be a good location for Beer and Food Festivals. “It would be ideal for a Sacramento Oktoberfest. High school musicians could be taught to play appropriate fest music and vendors could supply food and beer. The bus lines are right outside and the police are right down the street. It is just a dream I have of being able to hold European festivals right here in good ol’ Sacramento.”

I like the way Phil thinks! Sounds like a great idea. Throw in some lederhosen and dirndls and it could be a beer and sausage party on Freeport!

I have my own dream for that empty lot. I’d love to see somebody bring “The Zombie Hut” back to Freeport Blvd. “Delightfully different dining with a Polynesian atmosphere.” Oh, and luscious fruity island cocktails topped off with cheery miniature umbrellas. It would be the pride of the neighborhood!

Readers: What would YOU like to see at the former Capital Nursery spot? Send me your ideas at Greg@Valcomnews.com and I’ll publish them in next month’s column. Also, if you have any local neighborhood gossip or items of interest, feel free to send me an email at Greg@valcomnews.com

Architectural design is a subject I don’t know a whole lot about. I ain’t gonna lie. But I know cool Mid-Century Modern when I see it. “Hey, look at that cool building!” I always just called it “retro” or “old school”.

I decided to get schooled on everything Mid-Century Modern by local MCM enthusiast Gretchen Steinberg. She is the President of SacMod (SacramentoModern) and researcher/blogger at Eichlerific. She is a resident of South Land Park Hills, and of course, resides in a beautiful Eichler home with her husband and two children.

She’s gearing up for another Mid-Century Modern Home Tour on Saturday, May 18. The tour will highlight more than 30 spectacular mid-century modern residential and commercial structures in South Land Park and Land Park neighborhoods of Sacramento. There will also be a vintage transportation show, historic displays and exhibits, and lots of goodies!

Here’s my MCM Q & A.

Greg Brown: How did you become interested in Mid-century Modern architecture and all things Modern?

Gretchen Steinberg: I was raised by my grandparents in SoCal near Palm Springs. We went there every weekend to hang at their second home. I would say MCM was imprinted in me big time from my childhood. But I didn’t realize it until I got older.

GB: How would you describe Mid-Century Modern?

GS: Mid-Century Modern in architecture has:
- clean lines with an emphasis on the horizontal/vertical
- a blend of natural and manmade materials
- large windows to allow maximum light and promote “indoor/outdoor living” (hangin’ on the patio, Daddy-O)
- open floor plans
- low-pitched, wide-angled or flat rooflines
and usually depicts the era between 1945 (post WWII) and 1970, give or take. It has roots dating back to 19th century design movements and Japanese design — but that’s a long history lesson.

GB: What’s the difference between architecture and design?

GS: Architecture is a type of design that focuses on structures that shelter people where they live, work and play. Design is a wider category that includes a wide array of items that are made to enhance our daily living — such as consumer products, graphics, fashion, machines, etc.

GB: I notice the slew of Eichler homes along South Land Park Drive and the surrounding areas. How many Eichler homes were built and why were they mostly all built in South Land Park?

GS: Eichler Homes wound up building roughly 60 homes in Sacramento. All Eichler Homes in our town are in South Land Park.

GB: I also notice the same type of homes in Carmichael. Would you call these homes Eichler inspired?

GS: Those are likely Streng Bros. Homes, designed by Carter Sparks. We have one on our tour. They built roughly 3800 homes in the Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo counties.

GB: Three of your most decadent points of interest on the Mid-Century Modern Tour are Marie’s Donuts, Mahoroba Japanese Bakery, and the Pancake Circus. Will there be free samples?

GS: We are providing the feast for your eyes – but don’t let that stop you from indulging your inner sugar monster!

GB: A lot of Mid-Century modern homes do not have a garage, they have a carport. Where the heck do you store all your stuff? A hoarder would panic in a Mid-Century Modern home!

GS: The carport was designed so that the post-WWII consumers could show off their gigantic finned cars! A well-designed MCM home has plenty of interior storage. Our home originally had a carport but the previous owner closed it in. Nowadays, garages are treated more like closets. Some people can’t even fit their cars in them.

GB: Why is preservation important? New is always better, right?

GS: Preservation is important because our very cultural identity and sense of place is inherently rooted in our historic landmarks. Take those away and you have a generic McCity. No one wants that.

GB: How important is color in Mid-century modern design?

GS: Very important! Hard to extrapolate from the old black and white photos — but if you look at old Kodachrome slides you will see that that era was quite colorful.

GB: Mid-Century Modern design is finding its way back into pop culture. Do you think the show Mad Men has helped popularize Mid Century Modern? You watch that show? And if so, do you find yourself looking at the furniture more than Don Draper?
GS: Definitely — but I think MCM was already starting to regain popularity before Mad Men. They just tapped into it. MCM has always been the darling of Hollywood. You can’t watch television or movies without seeing MCM in the background. Speaking of which, no time for me to watch TV — too busy with my family and volunteer work!

GB: I’m a “Generation Xer and mid-century modern is the look of my childhood. I think that is why I like some of its features. Which elements of Mid-Century Modern most appeal to you?

GS: I totally agree. I was born December ‘63 – the last month of the Boomer generation. I tend to gravitate toward the early 60s designs. I have a weakness for commercial buildings and neon signs of that era.

GB: Mid Century modern is being celebrated at the California Museum. It’s MCM Mania! Don’t you have some artifacts at the museum?

GS: I did some volunteer background research into Ray Eames’ childhood years in Sacramento and contributed some books that are displayed in the exhibit.

GB: You have some surprises at this year’s Mid-Century Modern Home show don’t you? Can you spill the beans for us here?

GS: We will have extra goodies and swag. Plus a surprise remodeled room at SacMod HQ. Here’s a hint: it abides, Dude.

GB: Preserving and protecting modern architecture is important, but I also think it would be cool to preserve the original concepts! I say bring back Woody’s Smorgasburger and The Zombie Hut to Freeport Boulevard. Whaddya think?

GS: I have been hoping someone would bring these classics back! In our guidebook we have devoted a two-page retrospective to Zombie Hut.

GB: A few of your favorite things:
Favorite Sacramento neon sign?

GS: Jugglin’ Joe in front of Gunther’s Ice Cream. I used to live in Curtis Park and would take the long way home just to see him throwing scoops at night.

GB: Favorite architect?
GS: That’s like asking who your favorite kid is.

GB: Favorite designer?
GS: See above.

GB: Favorite Mid-Century Modern home on the tour?
GS: See above.
GB: Favorite Point Of Interest on the MCM tour?
GS: I’d have to say the neon signs are my favorite points-of-interest. Our historic signs are really taken for granted. But we sure notice when they are gone.

GB: Okay, last question. Brady Bunch House. Mid-Century Modern or not?

GS: Oh sure — split level modern ranch. There’s a wacky one in SLP Hills. Absolutely enormous! Mr. Brady was an architect you know. Note that we will have four open buildings besides the homes and 22 additional drive-by points of interest. Ultimately what I’m hoping for is that people will know more about the stuff they pass by daily — and have an increased appreciation for and fondness of all that is around us. I’m proud to be from Sacramento. Everyone who lives here should be.

If you go:

What: MCM Home Tour
Where: Through out Land Park, starting at Sacramento Executive Airport, 6151 Freeport Blvd.
When: Saturday, May 18. The vintage transportation show is 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., registration and exhibits open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Homes and other tour locations open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: Get your MCM Home Tour tickets at www.sacmod.brownpapertickets.com til May 15th. $30 general admission $20 for SacMod members. SacMod is also on Facebook

When Capitol Nursery, the popular fixture on Freeport Blvd since 1931, vacated their property last August they left a deserted lot with gobs of property. The land was scooped up by Raley’s Supermarket and that’s when the rumors started to fly. Some folks in the neighborhood as well as some Raley’s employees were pontificating that Raley’s would move to the former Capital Nursery location. The rumor was that Raley’s would move from their present location, which is leased, and move it on over to the Capitol Nursery property that they now own. A new state of the art Super-Raley’s! I spoke with Raley’s media representative John Sagali and he said there are “no plans for Raley’s to move from its present location“. He said they “have not decided on a plan for the Capitol Nursery location yet“. He also mentioned the fact they didn’t want another grocer to move in on their territory and that’s why they purchased the plot of land from Capital Nursery. He compared it to the game show Hollywood Squares. Paul Lynde for the block!

Another speculative rumor was Green Acres Nursery would take over the Raley’s spot once it moved to the Capitol Nursery location. Another local rumor that is “completely false” according to Kellie Natoli, a representative from Green Acres. “We have no interest in having a store in that location.” So what will become of the coveted spot? So far the only one using it is The King Of Curls. He’s got his yellow and red promotional truck parked in the lot on a daily basis. He’s the King Of Free Promotion.

Soccer Planet is a new premier indoor soccer facility in Sacramento that is causing some uproar in the Hollywood Park neighborhood. The goal of Soccer Planet is to make it the “Disneyland of Soccer”. Unfortunately, some of the neighbors don’t think it’s the “Happiest Place On Earth”. In fact, some are downright grumpy about the family friendly facility.

At the Hollywood Park Neighborhood Association meeting recently there were a few outraged vocal residents who were unhappy about Soccer Planet. Soccer Planet does not have enough parking spaces on-site to accommodate their patrons; the cars overflow onto Haldis Way and 25th street. This happens mainly on weekends and evenings disrupting the quiet neighborhood. I spoke to a few of the neighbors who did not want their names used for this article. One HP resident I spoke with said he likes the soccer facility because it gives kids something to do during the summer instead of sitting in front of a TV all day. He spoke to me in hushed tones because his next door neighbor is vociferously opposed to Soccer Planet and the overflow of vehicles. This issue is actually pitting neighbors against neighbors. Some want permit parking, others do not. Another resident on Haldis stated he would like it if they “brought back Johnson/Butler rugs“. Sounds like a party! One neighbor, who didn’t want his name used, mentioned he had a few words with a patron who parked in front of his house and the next day he noticed his Honda Accord had been keyed.

There is also a “Neighborhood Manifesto” being passed around that advises residents how to report any and all violations by Soccer Planet. There are names and numbers of the Fire Marshall, Supervisor of parking enforcement, even the head of the Alcohol Beverage Control. The neighborhood manifesto encourages residents to “keep a watchful eye on Soccer Planet and report capacity violations to the fire marshal” which creates fines for the business. The fines get greater each time they are reported and found not complying to the 61 person capacity. The manifesto also suggests nearby residents “keep a diary and take photos of any and all violations“. Reporting Soccer Planet and it’s alleged violations sounds like a full time job!

There are some valid points made in the “neighborhood manifesto“. 24th street can be dangerous to cross on foot…especially at dusk. It’s a four lane street with no speed limit signs and No Parking signs. Suggestions  included getting a crosswalk and a flashing light for patrons and installing 35 mph speed limit signs. Another solution for the parking problem could be change the street from 4 lanes to 2 lanes and have parking and a bike lane. Similar to what they are planning on Freeport BLVD which is much busier. Unfortunately the two lane street is also not in the plans right now.

Another piece of literature is a mysterious, sarcastic flier that was mailed out to residents in the neighborhood with the Soccer Planet logo. It says things like “With summer quickly approaching you will be happy to know that Soccer Planet will be going strong night and day 7 days a week as soon as school lets out“. Another section states, “Thank you and please keep the parking spaces available in front of your homes. It will probably be a lot more livelier (sp) for you all soon; beer and wine are on the way”. This is all in bold letters. (Soccer Planet has applied for a Beer And Wine license.) Maybe not the best way to get peace in the neighborhood. Perhaps some communication between residents and Soccer Planet management would be a better plan rather than inflammatory ill-conceived fliers that only create more of a rift between neighbors and businesses. What is it that Rodney King said? A board member from the neighborhood association is getting involved and trying his best to alleviate the concerns of the neighbors and keeping peace in Hollywood Park.

Another issue is Soccer Planet is in an EA3 Overlay zone which means it is in the flight path of the Executive Airport. The threshold of persons per acre allowed on an EA3 overlay zone is 50 persons per acre and Soccer Planet is on 1.29 acres. There is a current investigation with code enforcement in regards to this. The City Council would have to vote to give Soccer Planet an exemption to the overlay zone law. One resident at the HPNA meeting mentioned the tragic Farrell’s Ice Cream plane accident that occurred at an air show in 1972 as well as the government sequestration that will affect air traffic control.

Perhaps Soccer Planet could move to the former Capital Nursery location and everybody could live happily ever after.

Editor’s Note: This is part five in a series about dairies that were located in and near the Land Park area.

Among the various 19th century dairies, which operated within today’s 95818 zip code, were the Excelsior, Boston and Capwell dairies.

Excelsior Dairy

By at least 1884, George H. Hooker and Dugald McMillan were operating a dairy at the southwest corner of 13th and W streets.
An article published in The Sacramento Union about five years prior to that time summarizes an incident involving Hooker and a milk can.
According to this May 13, 1879 article, a man named Barney Cummings had been arrested for battery and then released on bail earlier in the day, only to use a whip in an attempted assault on another victim, Hooker.
The article noted that Hooker avoided the whip and “knocked him into the gutter with a milk can, which he had in his hand, pounded him a little and then had him rearrested.”
This milk can reference appears to be merely coincidental when trying to make any connection to Hooker and his dairy, as no pre-1884 mention of this dairy was discovered during research for this article.
The 1888-89 city directory recognizes Hooker and McMillan’s dairy as the Excelsior Dairy.
The last city directory to list Hooker and McMillan’s Excelsior Dairy was the 1889-90 directory. This directory also notes that these men were then residing at this dairy site.
Although neither Hooker or McMillan nor the dairy are listed in the 1893 city directory, references to Hooker do appear in articles in The Union in 1893 and 1894.
The 1893 article notes that Hooker bought nine sacks of potatoes for two needy young men and lent them a horse and wagon to sell the potatoes around town.
The story has an unhappy ending, as the boys sold the potatoes and tied the horse in an alley and never returned to Hooker’s house. The horse was left unattended in an alley throughout the night.
The 1894 article refers to “Mr. and Mrs. George Hooker” as hosting a Christmas evening party at their residence at 9th and I streets.
George H. Hooker lived at the same site, which had the address of 830 I St., until about 1899, at which time he moved to 601 P St. While residing on I Street, he operated a wood and coal business from the same property.

Boston Dairy

Another 13th and W streets dairy is mentioned in an advertisement that was published 22 times in The Union from Nov. 1 through Dec. 1, 1897.
The advertisement reads: “MRS. A. FINNEGAN’S Boston (private) Dairy – Located Thirteenth and W. P. O. address: 1228 W Street.”
Based on information in city directories, the Finnegan family moved from 2430 N St. to 1228 W St. in about 1894.
According to an article in the June 7, 1899 edition of The Union, it was announced in a Board of Health meeting that police were notified to remove “a dairy at Thirteenth and W streets.”
This dairy, which could possibly have been the Boston Dairy, appears to have been ordered for removal based on a then-new ordinance that prevented a resident from owning more than two cows within city limits.
The Finnegans were certainly not operating a dairy at 13th and W streets by the latter part of 1899.
The Union reported on Oct. 10, 1899 that a fire had occurred at James Finnegan’s home on W Street, between 12th and 13th streets.
According to this article, Mrs. Finnegan had fed the “family cow” in the barn on the property and then returned to the house, which she discovered was filled with smoke.
About half of the house, which was owned by Anna E. Clark of 2331 10th St., was destroyed, and the Finnegans lost their furniture and various other items. The fire was caused by the explosion of a lamp in the house.
The article also noted that Mrs. Finnegan was able to enter the home and safely remove the children.
James Finnegan, who was a plasterer, and his family were residing at 810 L St. as early as 1901.

Capwell and Stillwell dairies

In about 1886, New York native Harris C. “Harry” Capwell acquired property at the southeast corner of 13th and X streets.
Initially, Harry Capwell was residing in a home on this land and working as a carpenter. But by 1889, he was operating a dairy at the site, while continuing to live on his property.
On July 10, 1894, The Union published the following notice to the public: “‘Having bought out the dairy business of Mr. Capwell, I am prepared to supply pure milk and cream at reasonable prices; satisfaction guaranteed.’ Thos. S. Stillwell.”
With this purchase, the history of this 13th and X streets dairy may have abruptly ended.
By at least the early part of the following year, Stillwell, who was a native of England, was operating a dairy at 34th and T streets. He also resided on the same property.
Stillwell moved his residence and dairy to Freeport Road (today’s Freeport Boulevard), a half-mile south of the then-city limits, in late 1895.
He continued the operation of this Freeport Road dairy, which was known as Pacific Dairy, until at least 1900.
By 1903, Thomas S. Stillwell was living at 215 16th St. and working for the Southern Pacific Co. in Sacramento.
Stillwell maintained a residence in Sacramento until his death at the age of 78 on Aug. 4, 1941.
After selling his dairy, Harry Capwell continued to reside on the 13th Street property for the remainder of his life. His home’s address was 2301 13th St.
Although no information pertaining to whether Harry Capwell had any children was found during research for this article, it was discovered that he was married to New York native Huldah (Lytle) Capwell for more than a decade. The couple was married in Sacramento by the Rev. Alanson C. Herrick on Oct. 7, 1897.
In about 1910, Harry Capwell passed away in his late 70s, and his widow continued to live on the property. Her home address was 1320 X St. from about 1914 until her own death at the age of 77 on Dec. 1, 1919.

The 8th Annual Urban Cow Half-Marathon, Half Marathon Relay and No Boundaries 5K Fun Run & Walk took place on Sunday, Oct. 7 in William Land Park. All races began at the northeast corner of the park along Freeport Boulevard, across from Sacramento City College. Local, non-profit youth running programs and high school x-country teams received much needed funding from the event. In addition, partial proceeds from Urban Cow go to the American River Parkway Foundation.

It can be hard to believe for many people that 40 years have already passed since that horrific day when a plane crashed into Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour at 5770 Freeport Blvd., opposite the northwest corner of Executive Airport.
With such an infamous moment in the city’s history, the memories of that day remain strong in the minds of many longtime area residents.
The road to this dreadful incident can be traced back to 1964, when construction began on The Crossroads, a $1.5 million shopping center on about an 8-acre site, which had been owned by the Setzer family since the late 1930s. The project was completed during the following year.
On Sept. 13, 1970, The Sacramento Bee published an aerial view photograph, which showed the shopping center’s rectangular-shaped addition, which was nearing completion.
Included in the caption accompanying the photograph were the following words: “(The addition) will house a Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour and four other shops.”
The Freeport Boulevard Farrell’s opened two months later.
And like the other locations of this Portland-based chain, which specialized in ice cream products and sandwiches, this south area eatery became a popular dining spot and an entertaining place for birthday parties.
Farrell’s, which was known for its turn-of-the-20th century décor and straw hat-wearing, uniformed employees who would sing in celebration of a guest’s birthday, had already established itself in the Sacramento area.
A Farrell’s opened at 1441 Howe Ave. on May 27, 1969.

Farrell’s name linked to tragedy
But unfortunately for Farrell’s, despite experiencing success in other Sacramento area locations, including the Downtown Plaza and Sunrise Mall, its name, on a local level, has been forever linked with that tragic day when a plane struck its Freeport Boulevard location.
In fact, in the history of local businesses, few business names cause a greater reaction among longtime Sacramentans than the name, Farrell’s.
After all, Farrell’s was associated with one of the darkest days in Sacramento history.
On Sunday, Sept. 24, 1972 at about 4:25 p.m., at the end of the Golden West Sport Aviation Air Show at the airport, a 36-year-old pilot, named Richard Bingham, attempted to take off in an F-86 Sabrejet aircraft from the 3,000-foot-long Runway 30 on the west side of the airport.
Overrunning the runway, the plane skidded across Freeport Boulevard and crashed into the very busy Farrell’s restaurant. About 100 people were inside the eatery during the incident.
Although Bingham, who was a resident of Novato, Calif., survived the crash, 22 others in the restaurant, including 12 children, were not as fortunate. Additionally, an entire family lost their lives and about 30 people were injured in the accident.
At the time of the Farrell’s plane crash and until the events of Sept. 11, 2001, it was the worst air-ground tragedy in the nation’s history.

List of victims
Those killed inside Farrell’s as a result of the crash were: Walter Warren Krier, a 32-year-old account executive with Mitchum, Jones and Templeton stockbrokers; Sandra Ann Krier, Walter’s 28-year-old wife; Walter and Sandra’s 8-year-old daughter, Jennifer Ann, and 2-year-old son, Brandon; Leon C. Warram, a 49-year-old electronics technician at McClellan Air Force Base; Leon’s 50-year-old wife, Ellen; Louis “Bud” Jugum, a 43-year-old systems analyst for the California Western States Life Insurance Co.; Louis’ 10-year-old daughter, Elaine; Nancy Keys, a 12-year-old student at Arden School; Nancy’s 14-year-old sister, Sally, who was a student at El Camino High School; 29-year-old Anthony Martin, who owned Morey’s Letterman emblem shop at 5434 14th Ave.; Anthony’s 28-year-old wife, Susan; Anthony and Susan’s children, Gregory, 6, Jeanene, 4, and Shawn, 3; Susan’s 43-year-old father, Gene LaVine; Susan’s 46-year-old mother, Margaret LaVine; Anthony and Susan’s nephews, Jeff Nash, 5, and Gary Nash, 2; 3-year-old Kristin “Kristi” Francis; 29-year-old Joan Bacci; and 8-year-old Nancy Rodriguez.
Also killed during the incident were a couple whose car was struck by the plane while they were commuting along Freeport Boulevard and Billie Gertrude Irwin, who was hit by a car while she was crossing the boulevard toward the accident scene.

Founding of the Burn Institute
The Farrell’s tragedy raised awareness of the need for a specialized burn unit in Sacramento.
Acting on his desire to have such a unit established, Cliff Haskell, a fire captain with the Sacramento Fire Department, led a drive that resulted in the founding of the Firefighters Burn Institute.
It was not long afterward that the city’s first burn unit opened at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.
In 2002, Kerri (Francis) McCluskey, a survivor of the Farrell’s tragedy and the identical twin sister of Kristi Francis, learned that plans were being made to renovate the building at the crash site for a police and fire public safety headquarters.
McCluskey, who suffered a broken leg in the crash, said that this news caused her to take action in the attempt to either halt the project or have the use of the old Runway 30 discontinued.

Memorial gets established
Although McCluskey was not successful in these efforts, her perseverance led to the establishment of a memorial at the crash site. The memorial was dedicated on Saturday, March 15, 2003.
Featured in the memorial is a 5-foot-tall, granite fountain that spreads water across the inscribed names of 23 victims of the tragedy.
Behind the fountain is a plaque that describes the incident that happened at the site on Sept. 24, 1972, and on the south side of the memorial is another plaque recognizing those who contributed to the establishment of the memorial.
Also included in the memorial are 11 rose bushes that were donated by Capital Nursery and represent each family who lost a loved one or loved ones during the Farrell’s tragedy.
Today, McCluskey resides in Sonora with her husband, Andrew, her 15-year-old daughter, Kristin, who was named after McCluskey’s late sister, her son, Connor, 12, and her daughter, Annika, 8.
McCluskey, who presently works as the counselor at Sonora Elementary School, said that although she will always have a void in her life without her sister, she has continuously learned to better deal with that void.
“You never get over losing someone,” McCluskey said. “You learn how to keep going. You can live two ways. For one, when you go through a tragedy, you can just give up and mope and go through life and think everything is awful. Going through the accident was horrific. I’m not going to downplay that, but you get to a point where you have to make something good come out of something bad. That’s how I’ve gotten through it, and through counseling with other kids and through the Firefighters Burn Institute, it’s like the living memorial. I still have a hole in my heart without (Kristi), but it’s a heart-shaped hole.”

Upcoming ceremony in memory of the tragedy
In memory of the Farrell’s tragedy of 1972, a ceremony will be held at the Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Memorial site at 5770 Freeport Blvd. on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m.
Attending the event will be survivors and others who are closely connected to the Farrell’s tragedy. A short program at the gathering will include a speech by McCluskey.
Jim Doucette, who serves as the executive director of the Firefighters Burn Institute and remembers seeing the smoke cloud rise above south Sacramento on Sept. 24, 1972, officially invited the public to attend the event.
“Please join us and others that have been touched by this and other burn-related tragedies in commemorating the 40th anniversary of this terrible, but significant event,” Doucette said.

lance@valcomnews.com

Sacramento City College reopened its renovated Hughes Stadium on Friday, Sept. 7 with a dedication ceremony attended by members of the sports community, student athletes, alumni, past and present athletics faculty, and local dignitaries. Guests were invited to tour the facilities and, later in the afternoon, the iconic stadium hosted its inaugural games – women’s soccer and football.
According to a press release, the 20,311-seat stadium is now fully ADA compliant and features new additions, including FieldTurf synthetic playing surface, lined for NCAA football and soccer; Beynon surfaces for a nine-lane track; Musco lighting system; full-digital video scoreboard and stadium sound system; press box, including announcer, scorekeeper and coaching rooms with capacity for up to 40 media representatives. Renovations to existing areas included the concessions, restrooms, four locker rooms and a separate officials’ locker room and training area.
Construction on the $13 million project started in March 2011. The improvements were funded through Bond Measure M, approved by voters in November 2008 to fund projects throughout the Los Rios Community College District, according to the release.
“What an exciting event,” said Chancellor of California Community Colleges Jack Scott at the ribbon cutting ceremony.  “I walked out on that field and it’s spectacular. You have every right to be proud of it,” he said.
“It hasn’t been an easy time those last three years because of the drying up of state resources. But the community colleges have responded heroically and certainly you’ve done it at SCC,” Scott continued.
Soccer player Danni Hirshler said it’s “so wonderful to not have to travel off campus to play home games and we welcome more students and the community to come watch us. With the stadium, our pride has been boosted and we can’t wait for other teams to come here.”
Mitch Campbell, Athletic Director and Dean, Kinesiology, Health and Athletics at SCC, said barely a day goes by when he doesn’t communicate with somebody who has a personal connection with Hughes Stadium.
Though Hughes Stadium’s history is well chronicled, Campbell said, the future is extremely bright.
“From our own football, track, soccer to the professional football that has been played here, the college championships and the Olympic trials, the world records — it’s truly an iconic building in Sacramento and it is one that is reborn for many years to come. I am truly excited for the future,” he said.
Joe Debbs, Board Oversight Committee member grew up near Hughes Stadium, ran track there and recalled hopping the fence after hearing the PA system blaring across neighborhood boundaries.
“It was loud. Whenever they were going to have something, they would test it. We’d put on our jeans and tennis shoes and we’d come over and we’d hop the fence and we went to every event they had. The 49ers even played here,” he said.
Hughes Stadium, originally named Sacramento Stadium, was the largest community college stadium in the country when it opened in 1928, according to the press release. The nation’s first radio broadcast of a junior college football game was from Hughes Stadium in the early 1930s.
The stadium also hosted Olympic Trials, car races, major charity events and concerts headlined by star performers, including Linda Ronstadt, the Doobie Brothers, Joan Baez and Pink Floyd, according to the release.
Jon Sharpe, Interim Chancellor of Los Rios Community College District, said Hughes Stadium became one of six projects district-wide that were fast-tracked and moved up on schedule and that it created 170 well-paid jobs when we needed it most.
Sharpe said the district has been working with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring some prestigious events “home to where they belong.”
“While many will talk to the glory of Hughes, there are those who say, the best is yet to come,” he said.

The SCC Foundation is looking for Hughes Stadium sponsors. For more information call 558-2197.

This month marks the 40th Anniversary of the Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor Tragedy, and the beginnings of the Firefighters Burn Institute. On the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 24, 1972, during the Golden West Sport Aviation Show at Sacramento Executive Airport, a fighter jet overran the end of runway 30, plowing across Freeport Boulevard until ultimately crashing into the crowded Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, igniting a ball of fire. When the smoke cleared, the accident had left 28 people injured, with 12 children and 10 adults killed.
The crash highlighted an important need in the Sacramento area for a specialized burn unit. Cliff Haskell, a Fire Captain with the Sacramento Fire Department, convinced the Sacramento Area Fire Fighters, Local 522 to allow him to raise funds for and establish the Firefighters Burn Institute in December of 1973. Shortly thereafter, the University of California-Davis Medical Center opened Sacramento’s first burn unit.
Join those who this and other burn-related tragedies in commemorating the 40th anniversary of this terrible, but significant event. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. at the Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor Memorial site, 5770 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95820.

Ruben Unzueta, a 2005 graduate of McClatchy High School, believes he has found his niche in life.
Since his childhood, he has been drawn to the art of making things with wood. And this longtime interest has led to his currently growing recognition as a builder of canoes and kayaks.
One of Unzueta’s earlier memories in his life was the time when his father – also named Ruben Unzueta – told him to stay away from some wood in his family’s garage.
But the younger Ruben Unzueta, as he explained, ignored this parental order.
“I would just see wood and I would want to carve it,” said Unzueta, who turned 25 in February. “I remember when I was 8 years old, my dad was cutting some wood and he left it in the garage and there was a chisel there. And he said, ‘Don’t chisel the wood, because you’re going to cut yourself.’ For some reason, I just gravitated to the wood and the chisel and I started messing with it and I cut myself. But even though I cut myself, I just couldn’t stay away.”
Carving wood
Fast forwarding to today, it is not uncommon for Unzueta to be driving down a Sacramento street and suddenly pull over to pick up some wood that catches his attention.
After picking up such random pieces of wood, Unzueta brings them to his home to store for one of his future projects.
Fortunately for Unzueta, he has the ability to recognize, as well as locate materials for his boat-building projects that do not take away from his limited funds as a young person who is paying for college out of his own pocket.
Unzueta explained that in addition to large pieces of wood, his boat building projects also require small pieces of wood.
“With the kayaks, I’m using actual branches and twigs,” Unzueta said. “I’ll just go down Freeport (Boulevard) to the river and there are overgrown trees and bushes down there and I’ll just cut the branches I need to make the ribs for the boat.”
And sometimes one can also be a little lucky, as was the case with Unzueta, who is also using some leftover wood from a project that was performed by a man who was working for his father.
Free wood
Overall, Unzueta prefers using fresh wood that can be found for free around Sacramento. And for him, acquiring such wood is much more than just a means to save money on materials.
Much of the wood for Unzueta’s projects needs to have moisture, so that the wood can be more easily bent. Lumber available at a lumber mill has been dried to the point that it has lost much of its ability to bend.
Boat building, Unzueta explained, is a skill that requires much time and patience.
“Shaping and bending the wood, that’s what really takes a lot of patience and time,” Unzueta said. “If I go too fast, I’ll break the wood. If I go too slow, (the wood) won’t form the way I want it to. I’ve really got to measure how I’m doing it. It’s really a skill sort of thing. You’ve just got to be one with the wood.”
A confident builder
While Unzueta has gained confidence as a boat builder, he has also shortened the amount of time it takes him to build these watercrafts. He can presently build a canoe in two weeks.
In addition to wood, materials used in the making of Unzueta’s boats include canvas and homemade nets.
Unzueta said that he hand ties these small nets, which he connects to inner parts of the boats to be conveniently used as places to set miscellaneous items.
The nets are very special to Unzueta, since he was taught how to make the nets from his grandmother, Rosa Muniz.
“My grandma is from Michoacan, Mexico and she lived right on the border of the biggest lake in Mexico,” Unzueta said. “The town was known as a fishermen’s town. She wanted one of her grandsons to learn how to make (fishermen’s) nets, because this is part of our (family) history. All our family had been fishermen as far back as she could remember. She taught me how to make nets and I incorporate that into the boats.”

Music maker
Although Unzueta has become a skilled canvas and wood canoe and kayak (which by definition is also a canoe) builder, he said that he initially began making ukuleles.
“I wanted to play a Mexican (stringed) instrument called the jarana, but I couldn’t find anybody here who made them,” Unzueta said. “I (thought), ‘What am I going to do?’ The closest thing (to the jarana) was a ukulele. So, I went to Kline Music (at 2200 Sutterville Road), where my sister (Rebecca) works, and I asked if I could pull down a ukulele and take some measurements on it, so I could see how to make it.”
Unzueta said that he collected some wood, including a branch he found at William Land Park that would be used for the instrument’s neck. And using information that he read in a book, he built his first ukulele.
Unzueta had previously taken guitar classes at Kline Music and creating his own ukelele meant he now owned an instrument, which he said had sort of his “soul and personality in it.”
Among the ukeleles that Unzueta has built was a very Land Park ukulele, which he made entirely with broken tree branches from William Land Park. He sold the instrument to a local resident for $100.

Becoming a boat builder
Unzueta explained how he eventually became a boat builder.
“I go for walks with my dog a lot right there where the (Le Rivage) Hotel is at and I would see the water (of the Sacramento River) and would go, ‘Wow, I would like to be on the water,’” Unzueta said. “I didn’t really have any money to buy a boat. I just got to thinking, ‘I made my own ukulele, so I’m sure I can make myself my own boat.’”
After a failure to find a local boat builder, Unzueta turned to the Internet and began researching various kinds of boats.
He became fascinated with an old-style kayak, which drew him to think, ‘Wow, we have all (the materials to build this type of kayak) right here in Sacramento just floating down the river and everywhere.”
Unzueta then followed details in a book about kayak building to construct his first kayak.
Thus far, Unzueta has made two kayaks, as well as five canoes and other wood projects, including masks and swords. He is presently working on another kayak and an outrigger canoe.
He said that he continuously receives positive feedback about his work.
Although he desires to one day own his own boat store to sell his custom-built boats, Unzueta understands that this dream is something that would probably take several years to become a reality.
In the meantime, he is interested in building one-of-a-kind boats and ukuleles for anyone who is interested in purchasing such creations.
And Unzueta said that he guarantees all of his work and will repair any minimal, normal use damage as a complimentary service.
Photographs and additional details about Unzueta’s custom-made boats can be found on his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lazyturtleboats.
For further information, write to Unzueta at lazyturtleboats@yahoo.com.

Lance@valcomnews.com

Land Park’s cherished specialty grocery store, Taylor’s Market, is celebrating a very special anniversary.
It was 50 years ago this August that the business opened at 2900 Freeport Blvd.

Land Park roots
The roots of the store predate its Land Park location, as original owner Roy Taylor had previously operated Roy Taylor’s Market at 3101 33rd St. at 6th Avenue in Oak Park.
At that address, the Lynn & O’Neil grocery store began operating at the site in 1911 and was replaced at the same location by Roy Taylor’s Market in the late 1940s.
Taylor, who resided with his wife Bernice at 893 Perkins Way in Land Park, relocated his Oak Park business to Land Park in 1962, and shortened the store’s name to Taylor’s Market.
The store’s present Freeport Boulevard building had become available following the closure of a Safeway grocery store that had opened at the site in 1940.
In establishing this now-classic Land Park business, Roy Taylor leased part of the building to Ed Schell for the operation of his market, Bird & Schell Meats.
This lease was arranged upon a simple handshake.

Grand opening
The grand opening of Taylor’s Market in Land Park was held on Aug. 11, 1962.
With the opening of the Freeport Boulevard market, some of Taylor’s former Oak Park customers traveled to shop at his Land Park store.
Since its inception, the popularity of this neighborhood store has continued to increase.
And in a world where a person often passes through a business as just another face in the crowd, Taylor’s Market remains as a sort of time capsule where people are continuously referred to by name by Taylor’s ownership and staff.
In 1987, Taylor decided to retire and he negotiated a sale price for the business with Schell.
Soon afterward, Taylor sold his market to Ed Schell, Ed’s son, Kevin Schell, and Dan Johnson, who had worked at the store since 1983.
Following this transfer of ownership, the market was remodeled and upgrades were made to its grocery offerings.

A new store
Initially, Kevin operated the grocery side of the store and Dan ran the meat department.
Ed Schell, 87, has continued to work in his trade as a meat cutter, despite attempting to retire from the meat department at Taylor’s in 1996. He can still be seen working at the market for about five hours every Saturday, beginning around 6 a.m.
“As long as I feel good and they want me, and I can do some good, I’ll be here,” Ed Schnell said.
Ed’s wife, Colleen, who worked at the Land Park store as a bookkeeper, was able to make a full departure with her retirement from the market in 1996.
Altogether, Ed, who resides with Colleen in the Pocket area, has been working in the grocery and meat business for more than six decades.
And most importantly, this work is a labor of love for Ed. He can often be seen with a smile on his face as he socializes with customers and works with some butchers who are less than half his age.

Transfer of ownership
In 2007, Ed and Kevin Schnell sold their interests in Taylor’s Market to Dan and his wife, Kathleen.
One of the most recent major additions at Taylor’s Market is its on-site Taylor’s Kitchen, which is a restaurant featuring a seasonal menu, wines and desserts.
Certainly, it is not difficult to locate people to speak endearingly about Taylor’s Market, whether they are connected with the store as employees or as customers.
Ed, for instance, is quick to acknowledge Taylor’s current anniversary in Land Park and the presence of many loyal customers at the store.
“I think it’s a big achievement to be in business for that long and every year seems to get better,” he said. “And it’s nice to see the people year after year after year who have been loyal customers and to watch their families grow up.”
Pocket area resident Jessica Reed, a cashier at Taylor’s for the past three years, describes the store as a “home away from home where everybody knows your name.”
And when it comes to Taylor’s offerings, Reed is quite knowledgeable.
“We are a specialty market and we have an amazing selection of wines and beer, and we do carry the infamous Pliny the Elder, which is a very supple, cult-following beer,” Reed said. “We have great, fresh local produce. We have a big emphasis on local, sustainable products. We have (some) nice organic things and the best meat in Sacramento that you can buy, hands down. The best meat, the best seafood. We’re proud of what we sell here and we stand behind what we sell.”

Happy customers
Sacramento resident Manny Mulé said he likes shopping at Taylor’s Market.
“It’s very simple,” Mulé said. “I do weight training, so I usual cook my meals on Saturdays for the week and it’s probably the only place where I can find produce that will last that long. (The produce) is very fresh. Everything is all local. The butcher shop is really good at taking care of you. (Taylor’s is) really good at (selecting) local produce, local, grass-fed, healthy cows. That’s why I come here. And the price is right.”
Autumn Lumibao, who recently moved to Sacramento from San Antonio, Tex. to attend the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, said that the existence of Taylor’s Market in Land Park was influential in her decision to become a resident of the area.
“(Taylor’s Market) is a big draw for me,” Lumibao said. “Between the two – this little shopping area and the light rail – it’s the perfect location. I like (Taylor’s). It seems like they have taken the time to pick their items carefully. There’s a wine selection with (wines) that I have never even seen, so that’s pretty cool. I noticed that (with) their meat selection, they are trying really hard to be more conscious of how their meat is produced. That’s admirable to me.”
Alice Schnaidt, a 36-year resident of the Land Park area, was also quick to compliment Taylor’s Market.
“Growing up in New York and having Zabar’s, this is almost like having Zabar’s (in Land Park), as far as the customer service, the gourmet food options and the specialty food items,” Schnaidt said. “The customer service is superb, and you go in there and you know that you are going to get quality (food). If you want quality, that’s where you go here. And if you want something special, they’re willing to work with you to see if they can get it for you.”
Schnaidt, who shops at Taylor’s at least once a week, added that she believes that Taylor’s longtime operation in Land Park is “a testament to their business model.”
“They knew what they had to do to stay open and solvent and they do that,” Schnaidt said. “Happy birthday, Taylor’s, and here’s to 50 more years.”

Lance@valcomnews.com