Three fire investigators are looking into what caused the fire that burned down Freeport Boulevard’s Crepe Escape in the early morning hours of Monday, April 29. Restaurant owner Francesca Zawaydeh said they don’t really know what happened, but said: “Arson is harder to prove than murder. There’s not much hope finding the person who did it.”

Zawaydeh feels remorse for not only herself and her family but for the 17 employees who worked at Crepe Escape. “We left 17 people without a job. A lot of them have families. A lot of people who worked for us cried. There were a lot of tears going on … Whoever did this didn’t realize this will leave a giant hole in a lot of people’s lives,” she said.

Zawaydeh said her employees were like family. They were invited to Easter dinners birthday parties and other family celebrations. Zawaydeh feels an obligation to keep them in the loop.

She is currently looking for other locations in Land Park for Crepe Escape, but said it’s been difficult finding a place.

“All the good spots have been taken. There’s just not a whole lot in Land Park. I told one (longtime) customer we might have to leave the area and go further out. And that customer flipped out. She said, ‘you can’t leave. This restaurant is for the neighborhood.’”

In Zawaydeh’s efforts of looking for a new location, some people have offered to help her out financially. “It’s been really amazing because you see people’s true character when something like this happens. When you are running a business day to day, you don’t know how good people are. You don’t see that in the full capacity until something like this happens,” she said.

Zawaydeh’s father built the business six years ago and had someone else run it, but Zawaydeh took it over in 2009 after graduating college, she said.

Zawaydeh said her parents ran three creperies in San Francisco prior to moving to Sacramento. And it wasn’t until her brother was killed in Iraq that a move out of the city was needed as everywhere they looked reminded them of their son.

She said she’s only seen her father cry twice – once after the death of his son and secondly after the fire burned down Crepe Escape.

Zawaydeh said it’s been hard to go back to the restaurant. “I hear it’s boarded up and there’s an eviction sign. We had a lively business thriving and now there is nothing. My life is reduced to day-to-day activities. I don’t get to go to work anymore. My life revolved around that business,” she said.

The Land Park Business Center at 1250 Sutterville Road sits on the former site of the Sutterville Brewery. Photo by Lance Armstrong

For some locals, it might be difficult to imagine a full-fledged brewery operating in the Land Park area. But long before there were such destination places as William Land Park and the Sacramento Zoo, this then-rural area was home to the Sutterville Brewery.
This brewery, which was established just south of today’s zoo in a two-story, brick building with a basement in 1861, was originally owned by the Prussia-born Martin P. Arenz (1826-1949).
The brewery structure, which was constructed 160 years ago in what was then the town of Sutterville, was initially occupied by a grocery store owned Robert H. Vance of San Francisco.
Arenz purchased both the building and its property from Vance for $1,500 in August 1861.
According to The Sacramento Union, in its June 15, 1872 edition, the brewery building measured 62 feet by 62 feet and stood on a 160-foot by 180-foot lot.
Among the improvements made to the premises during Arenz’s ownership of the brewery was an addition of a new roof.
On May 28, 1867, the Sutterville Brewery was among several local breweries that had their lager beer delivery wagons seized by revenue officers during their deliveries.
According to the following day’s edition of The Union, it was charged that these breweries “did not properly cancel the stamps in the manner required by the revenue law, but so contrived matters as to make one (revenue) stamp answer the purpose of many, thereby depriving Uncle Sam of his just and lawful dues.”
Arenz remained the brewery’s proprietor until September 1868, when he sold the business to Patrick H. Lyman for about $8,000.
A biography regarding Captain Frank Ruhstaller in the 1890 book, “An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California,” recognizes Ruhstaller and Joseph Bechler as having owned interests in the brewery.
And in following the sequence of events presented in the book, Ruhstaller purchased an interest in the brewery in mid-October 1869.
The book also notes that Ruhstaller “was in a partnership there (at the Sutterville Brewery) with Bechler for seven or eight months.”
Another biography about Ruhstaller in the 1913 book, “History of Sacramento County, California,” mentions the following: “(Ruhstaller) bought an interest in the Sutterville Brewery, where he carried on a partnership with Joseph Bechler for seven months until the high water forced all work to cease.”
Both biographies mention that Ruhstaller continued working with local breweries before returning to his Swiss homeland for a short period of time in 1873.
No other historic accounts regarding Ruhstaller and Bechler holding interests in the Sutterville Brewery were discovered during research for this article, and there is no firm indication, based on research for this article, that Lyman was not involved in the ownership of the business from 1868 until the sale of the business in 1873.
A fire occurred at the brewery on Jan. 27, 1871. Flames were spotted on the roof of the drying room in the malt house.
The Union, in its Jan. 30, 1871 edition, noted: “Part of the Sutterville Brewery was discovered on fire, but which, by dint of strenuous efforts of the proprietor, Patrick Lyman, and his neighbors, was extinguished before much damage had occurred.”
In 1873, Fritz Futterer and Nicholas “Nick” Thielen became the new proprietors of the brewery.
In regard to this new ownership, The Union, on July 12, 1873, ran the following advertisement: “READ THIS! SUTTERVILLE BREWERY. This well-known brewery was purchased a few months ago by the undersigned, two experienced German brewers, and many improvements added thereto, and they are now able to supply the old customers, as well as new ones, and their friends generally, with the very best of beer in this market, in quantities to suit. THIELEN & FUTTERER.”
This partnership continued until February 1877, when Futterer sold his interest in the brewery to Thielen.
But well before this business change, half of the ownership of the brewery was offered for sale through an advertisement in editions of The Union in April and May 1876.
In part, the advertisement read: “One-half interest in the SUTTERVILLE BREWERY, finely improved and a well established business. Will be sold cheap. For full information, inquire of NICK THIELEN.”
Various non-brewery meetings were held at the brewery, including an April 25, 1878 meeting of residents of Swamp Land District No. 1. The purpose of the meeting was to make nominations for levee commissioner.
In being that a portion of Sacramento, including part of that district, experienced a major flood in 1878, several other very timely, levee-related meetings were held at the brewery around that time.
The 1880 book, History of Sacramento County, California, refers to the brewery, as follows: “This brewery is eighty-two feet long by forty-two feet wide (which are different dimensions than those given in the aforementioned 1872 Union article); employs four men, and has a capacity of fifteen barrels per day. Nicholas Thielen is the proprietor.”
The Union, in its Oct. 17, 1883 edition, reported the following: “Saturday evening (Oct. 13, 1883), a large party of ladies and gentlemen from Sacramento gave a surprise party to Nicholas Thielen, proprietor of the Sutterville Brewery. They were finely entertained. There was dancing and feasting until near morning.”
The operation of the Sutterville Brewery was only about a 22-year venture.
From Nov. 12 through Dec. 31, 1883, The Union ran the following advertisement: “FOR SALE – ON ACCOUNT OF THE removal of the brewery business of the Sutterville Brewery, the buildings and property of same are offered for sale on reasonable terms. Inquire of N. THIELEN, proprietor, or of CADWALADER & PARSONS.”
Nearly four months later, The Union, reported details regarding an auction, as follows: “REAL ESTATE AT AUCTION – Bell & Co. will sell at auction Tuesday, March 18, (1884), on the premises, at 11 a.m., the property of N. Thielen, known as the Sutterville Brewery, and about five acres of good land connected therewith. It includes the brick and frame buildings, barns, sheds, windmill, pump, tank with capacity of 4,500 gallons; underground pipes connecting with frame and brick buildings; large lot of fruit trees and shrubbery, etc. Sale positive. Terms, 10 percent on day of sale; balance when deed is made. Buildings open for inspection until the day of sale.”
The brewery auction, which The Union noted “should receive more than ordinary attention,” was postponed until the following Saturday.
However, for some reason, the auction did not occur until July 19, 1884, when Sheriff Alfred H. Estell sold at auction the brewery property and its buildings to the Germania Building and Loan Association of 1011 4th St. for $2,200. The brewery’s machinery was not included in the sale.
A grand opening for a new business, the Sutterville Garden, owned by William Emerson at the old brewery site, was held on Saturday evening, July 14, 1884. The event, which was free to the public, included music and dancing.
The property changed hands once again in 1890 and was reopened as the Mount View House. Owned by J. P. Melchior, who had previously owned a saloon at the southeast corner of 10th and S streets at the present day site of the Old Ironsides bar, the business advertised itself as featuring “the finest wines, liquors and cigars.”
In the Jan. 27, 1899 edition of The Union, it was noted that George Gray, who resided on Riverside Road (today’s Riverside Boulevard) “is now proprietor of the old Sutterville Brewery on the lane between Sutterville and Freeport Road.”
The two-story, brick Sutterville Brewery building was demolished in 1952, and occupying the site today is the Land Park Business Center at 1250 Sutterville Road.

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography These photographs were taken at the June 26, 2010 Mid Century Modern Tour in South Land Park. This year’s tour will be held Saturday, May 18. See sacmcmhometour.blogspot.com for more information.

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!

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography

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.

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography

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?

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography

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?

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography

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

On Saturday, May 18, friends of the Land Park community invite the public to attend a free music event at the Riverside Clubhouse in support of the family of David Magnan. David, a bright 33 year old, recently graduated from McGeorge School of Law and was sworn in as an attorney in 2011. Sadly, in 2003 David was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that can manifest in many part of the body. The cancer was removed and the medical team was very hopeful that with David’s young age and low risk factors, the cancer would not return. This was not to be the case, as unfortunately the cancer has returned with a vengeance and David is now in the advanced stages of this disease.

David’s difficult journey nonetheless has been brightened by the birth of his daughter, Sophia, who is now eight months old. David had wanted to move his family from their current rental home in Oak Park to a house in the Land Park area. Several months ago, he had the opportunity to make this a reality. As David and family were approaching moving day, a group of men and women in the Land Park community along with members of Holy Spirit Parish Church, organized in order to help David, his wife Mariela, and their baby Sophia make the move as smooth as possible.

“David was very weak and ill and couldn’t move all the heavy furniture and boxes. A group of us all pitched in and moved the family”, said Eric Hintz, a Holy Spirit parishioner.

This group, wanting to help beyond the move to the new home, decided to focus on helping make daughter Sophia’s future a bit more secure.

“After the move, some of us came up with the idea that could help this family in this difficult time in their lives”, said Jack Morris, one of the event organizers and band member. “With the help of friends in the Land Park community, the LP Drive band and the Riverside Clubhouse, we have organized a music benefit for this wonderful family.”
All benefit donations will go directly toward an educational fund for Sophia.

Jenny Gravette, a close friend of the family, said it best: “David and Mariela are amazing, giving people. They are the kind of people that collect donations for the homeless and deliver them on the streets of Sacramento each Christmas Eve. As kind and giving as they are, let us show our support for their 8-month-old daughter Sophia. This is a simple, direct and personal way for you to make a difference in our community. We would greatly appreciate your support with a donation to this effort and by bringing your positive energy to the event at Riverside Clubhouse.”

If you go:
What: Benefit concert for Sophia Magnans’ educational fund
When: Saturday, May 18, from 8-11 p.m.
Where: Riverside Clubhouse, located at 2633 Riverside Blvd.

Many of their stories resemble one another. They didn’t know they were having a stroke at the time and then after going to the hospital the trials of recovery really began.  Some had a difficult time speaking. Others couldn’t move around nearly as much as before. And yet, a group of them has come together to strike out stroke with the River Cats.

Every Thursday at Sutter Hospital around lunchtime a stroke support group gathers to talk about and listen to problems that they may have.

On Thursday, April 18, Tony Asaro, community relations director for the River Cats paid the stroke support group a special visit and reminded the group that on May 5 when the River Cats take on the Las Vegas 51s a portion of the proceeds benefit stroke camp, a place that can further facilitate bringing back some autonomy that may have been taken away after stroke. Held this year from Sept. 27-30 in Silver Spur Camp near Sonora, stroke camp includes: activities, arts, tie dying, music, guest speakers and even music therapy, some of which are led by stroke survivors.

At that April 18 meeting at Sutter, the group of nearly 100 survivors not only heard encouragement from Asaro, they were also treated to silly skits and songs performed by their fellow group members, as well as enjoyed hot dogs, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, lemonade and cookies. And one of the survivors, who used to play softball, practiced pitching a ball against Asaro to gear up for the May 5 game.

The singers, led by Pocket resident Barbara LaPlaca and known as the Miracle Minstrels, are miracles to those who know them. Some of them had trouble speaking after their strokes, but they have joined the Miracle Minstrels to regain confidence and practice singing. A retired music teacher from Elk Grove, LaPlaca is a stroke survivor herself and said that even she can’t do what she used to musically. But the support group is powerful as are the minstrels who will sing the National Anthem at the May 5 game. The April 18 meeting was one more time to practice before the big day. Rounds of applause echoed through the room because many of them know from experience that just the act of speaking may seem like an impossible feat.

Speech therapist Renee Garner said the support group and even singing for some helps people regain confidence.

“I think what (the group) provides is that if their speech and language have been affected, which is at least half of the people, they get to be with people who are patient listeners. So it minimizes anxiety when having to talk,” Garner said.

Garner said some refrain from speaking with family or friends, but if they come into an environment that’s patient, with time, they will open up, talk more and realize it’s OK to struggle. “I think it can regain confidence,” Garner said. “I think there’s a tendency for one to isolate themselves if they have disabilities. For those who have strokes, there’s a tendency to become reclusive, to stay home and even isolate themselves from activities they have participated in years, so the social support is remarkable,” she said.

The River Cats started a new program this year called the 2013 Non-Profit Partner of the Night Program, said Land Park resident Stephen Caselli who is the group events account executive for the team.

Caselli said last season the River Cats only had a few days where nonprofit groups could sell tickets as a fundraiser and they realized having everyone here on the same day was not very effective, so this season they decided they would make every game this season available to nonprofit partners and let them pick the date that best fits their schedule.

“For those partners who commit to at least 500 tickets, they become our ‘Nonprofit Partner of the Night,’” he said. “This gives them the opportunity to raise over $2,000 in funds, participate in a pre-game check presentation, throw out the first pitch and set up a table on the concourse. This allows them to share information with all of our fans about their organization and how fans can get involved. They are also recognized throughout the game on the scoreboard,” Caselli said.

Last season the Sutter Stroke Support Group brought about 40 people out to a game as a fundraiser and had a good experience and everyone involved this year is all very excited about this game.

STROKE TIPS

Stroke signs and symptoms: Tess Carter, stroke coordinator at Sutter Roseville began Stroke Camp 10 years ago. She said some include: weakness on one side of the body, crooked face, sudden loss of vision.
Risk factors include: hypertension, high cholesterol, heart rhythm problems, smoking, obesity, lack of activity and heart disease.
Prevention measures: Take blood pressure medicine, heart medication, eat healthy foods, exercise.
What to do if you think you are experiencing a stroke: Call 9-1-1. Do not have someone take you to the emergency room. An ambulance would take you to the correct hospital as not all hospitals are primary stroke centers. Carter describes stroke centers, like Sutter, as those that are held to a higher level of accountability. It ensures they give you a medication called tpa, which Carter describes as “Draino for the brain” as it breaks up clots that would prevent blood flow to the brain tissue.

If you go

What: Strike Out Stroke with the River Cats
When:  May 5, game starts at 1:05 p.m., gates open at noon.
Where: Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento
Why: May is Stroke Awareness Month and proceeds benefit stroke camp
Order tickets online:  www.rivercats.com/fundraisers and select Stroke Awareness Night; the offer code is “support”
For more information: Call Spencer and Arleen Ellis at 455-4821, Tess Carter at 801-5213 or Sue Coleman at 422-4537.

The Land Park Pacific Little League opening ceremonies commemorated 30th anniversary of 1983 Little League World Series Team. The 1983 Pacific Little League team was just the second team in local history to make it all the way to Williamsport, PA, the birthplace of Little League Baseball and the at the opening ceremony, held Saturday, March 23, volunteers welcomed back the team and their coaches for special recognition of their amazing accomplishment.

The parade began in Land Park by the Tiny Tots Preschool/Playground and ended at Dooley Field for Opening Day Ceremonies. The event was a long-standing Land Park tradition.

Editor’s note: There will be a follow up story in an upcoming Land Park News issue about more of the details surrounding the amphitheater and neighbors’ plans to revamp it.

Besides the annual Shakespeare festival put on by neighboring Sacramento City College, the William A. Carroll Amphitheatre in Land Park plays host to not much else.

Its poor lighting, lack of bathrooms and ticket booth, make for a difficult place to hold events. And at a previous movie night, people had a difficult time finding their way out of their seats due to the lack of light. And if performers ever want to use the bathroom, they might be gone for 15 minutes, as the nearest bathroom is a couple hundred yards away.

So about a year ago, neighbors decided they wanted to start a modernization effort and they contacted then city councilmember Rob Fong.

They started meeting with City College staff and came up with some ideas, took some pictures and then surveyed The Land Park Community Association, which indicated 85 percent polled interested in improvements.

It could become a place to hold more shows and even wedding ceremonies.

But, it’s not going to be cheap, says president of the LPCA Mark Abrahams.
Mark Abrahams, president of the Land Park Community Association.

Back in February, citycouncilmember Steve Hansen said the amphitheater project is “very exciting and is a much-needed modernization so that space can be better utilized.” He said if it can work, it’s going to be a win-win for everybody.

Lace up your sneakers and prepare for a scenic tree-lined course that is perfect for walkers, runners and families. The 33rd annual ZooZoom is Sunday, April 14 from 7 a.m. until noon in William Land Park. Sponsored by Fleet Feet, the event will include a 5K walk/run, 10K run or kids’ fun runs. The unique race ends at the back of the Zoo where all participants enjoy cooling down and rehydrate inside the Zoo by the flamingos on the lake.

For 33 years, ZooZoom has been a favorite of area runners, walkers and their families. Kids ages 3 to 12 can participate in the Saucony “Run for Good” fun runs; from the 220 yard dash to the one–mile run, there is an event for every age group. With support from Saucony, Fleet Feet will award grants to schools that have the greatest number of participants and the highest percentage of kids entering the event.

For registration and information, visit www.sacramentozoozoom.com. Participation includes a ZooZoom t-shirt, refreshments for runners and free admission to the Zoo on race day for the runners and their immediate family (limit four people). All proceeds from the event benefit the Sacramento Zoological Society. Bring your entire family to ZooZoom!

If you go:

What: 33rd annual ZooZoom 5K/10K run and kids’ fun run
Where: Sacramento Zoo, 3930 West Land Park Drive in William Land Park.
When: Sunday, April 14, from 7 a.m. to noon.
Why: To raise funds for the Sacramento Zoological Society while enjoying scenic William Land Park.

Thirty members of the C.K. McClatchy High School baseball team and 40 others, including members of the rugby team shaved their heads to help conquer kids’ cancer on Sunday, March 10 at Giovanni’s Pizza in Land Park. / Photos by Monica Stark

Thirty members of the C.K. McClatchy High School baseball team and 40 others, including members of the rugby team, celebrated St. Patrick’s the bald way by having their heads shaved to help conquer kids’ cancer on Sunday, March 10 at Giovanni’s Pizza in Land Park. Four of the shavees were knighted for participating in St. Baldrick’s for seven years.

Tino getting his head shaved.

The team has participated in St. Baldrick’s year after year since 2008 when Jake Luigi was a freshman on the team. His younger brother Tino had undergone several months of aggressive treatments including chemotherapy, surgeries, a stem cell transplant, and radiation after he was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma cancer (a cancer of the nervous system).

Tino had a large tumor wrapped around his adrenal gland and many of his vital organs. There were cancerous lesions all over his body and his bone marrow was 90 percent cancer cells. Things did not look good for him.

The treatment Tino received had just recently been approved by the Children’s Oncology Group and though it was life threatening, it was the only chance he had to beat this disease.

“By the grace of God he made it through and he is a thriving 17 year old today– cancer free for 11 years,” says his mother Jean Luigi.

“My son is alive today because of the advancements made through research. I will be forever grateful to St. Baldrick’s and the doctors and nurses who dedicate their lives to finding a cure for childhood cancer.”

Tino’s oncologist, Dr. Douglas Taylor from UC Davis, performed the knighting ceremony. Taylor thanked everybody for being a part of the St. Baldrick’s event because more research is needed and he mentioned that pediatrics is an underfunded branch of medicine.

To Jean, having Dr. Taylor knight the shavees gave a face to the cause. “We tell the boys that the sacrifice they make will give funds to doctors researching promising treatments for childhood cancers. Now they get to meet one of these doctors,” she said before the event.

Jean admires the courage of the team every year. “I know it is not an easy decision to shave your head, especially at this age. But year after year, they sign up to support this cause. I admire their courage and willingness to make this sacrifice on behalf of children they don’t even know,” she said.

Head Varsity Baseball Coach at C.K. McClatchy, Mike de Necochea, said when Jean brought the idea of having the team participate in 2008 he was willing to do anything the Luigi’s asked.

Why? Because the Luigi family is more involved in the community than any other family he’s met in Land Park, he said, recalling when Perry Luigi (Espanol Resturant) would donate and cook the annual spaghetti dinner for Crocker-Riverside Elementary school for nearly 15 years.  “This is a huge under taking and the school benefited greatly from their efforts. The Luigi’s were also involved with the local little league and rugby club.  Always lending a hand where needed and helping raise funds for the teams and community,” de Necochea said.

Jean Luigi said the first year, a private event was held right on the varsity baseball field and just about every player and coach shaved their head, raising more than $7,000.  Since 2008, C.K. McClatchy baseball has been helping to “Strike Out Childhood Cancer” every year.  Over the past five years, the team has helped raise more than $47,000 dollars for childhood cancer research, she said.

De Necochea said being a good teammate is putting the good of the team before oneself.  “When one of your players says: ‘My little brother is a cancer survivor thanks to current research and medical developments. We should help other kids with cancer by shaving our heads in exchange for donations and awareness to this worthy cause,’ it speaks volumes. This is what Jake Luigi did in 2008 when speaking about his little brother, Tino.”

So the entire team and coaches joined in the effort and it was an emotional and team bonding experience for everyone.

“The first time it was nerve racking and fun. I think it’s a sacrifice and a very brave act. The awareness a shaved head (especially by someone who usually sports a full head of hair) brings is inspiring.

“The first few years I participated, I found myself explaining the reason behind my bald head to clients, neighbors and friends. Now, it’s kinda of old hat. I get more of ‘Oh you did that cancer benefit thing again.’”

According to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation website, events of all sizes are held across the country and around the world throughout the year, but March, especially St. Patrick’s Day, is the busiest fundraising season for the Foundation. Funds raised at each event allow the Foundation to award research and infrastructure grants to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer researchers in the world to find cures and improve the quality of life for patients and survivors.

On the Web: www.stbaldricks.org

Keith Wilson from Land Park won the A division (180-199 handicaps) in the AMF $700,000 Tournament at Land Park Lanes on Saturday, March 9 and now he is set to compete for $50,000 against other league bowlers at the world’s largest bowling tournament, the AMF $700,000 National Finals, in Las Vegas on April 12-13.

The tournament was open to all adult 10 pin sanctioned or non-sanctioned league bowlers. Wilson paid the $4 entry fee and he earned himself an all expense trip to the National Finals at the Orleans Hotel and Casino. $50,000 is the first prize; $25,000 is second, $15,000 is third and $10,000 is the fourth prize.

Andy Voong, manager of Land Park Lanes said even if Wilson places last at the April 12-13 finals, he would have earned about $600-1,000 (with the all expense paid trip).

As Stephen Borasi, District manager of AMF, put it: “Even pros don’t make that much money.”