One of Northern California’s most loved walking holiday home tours returns this December with five elegantly decorated homes in East Sacramento’s historic Fabulous Forties neighborhood open for viewing. This year, in addition to the five beautifully decorated homes, the library at Sacred Heart’s brand new “state-of-the-art” school will also be decorated and on display.

For 37 years, this popular tour has grown to include nearly 5,000 patrons from throughout northern and central California. The homes showcase elaborate renovation while preserving historic design, custom interior design and creative holiday décor that is surely to ignite the spirit of the season. Homes on the tour this year range in style from a quintessential craftsman bungalow to an illustrious colonial revival.

“We are very excited about the homes we have on the tour this year,” said Leslie Lopez, parent and one of the home tour co-chairs. “Not only do we have a wide variety of decorating and architectural styles, but the new school library will be open for viewing and themed after the classic novel, ‘The Secret Garden.’”

This year’s talented local interior and floral designers will include: Haus by David Randall, Twiggs Floral Design Gallery, East Sac Florist, Impressions Designs, Inspired Interiors and Holiday Home.

The Holiday Home Tour is one of Sacred Heart Parish School’s biggest fundraisers. Proceeds from the tour go directly to the school to offset tuition and provide financial support to families who might not otherwise be able to afford a Catholic education.

This year, now more than ever, additional funds are needed as Sacred Heart has seen the percentage of families requesting assistance nearly double – from approximately seven percent of children at the school just three years ago to approximately 13 percent this school year.

“In this economy, it has become essential that we have our financial aid fund for more and more families,” said Theresa Sparks, principal of Sacred Heart Parish School. “Many people who were contributing financially through sponsorship and donations are now in the position of having to ask for help. We would not be able to offer families the help they need if we didn’t have the fundraising that we do.”

Tour dates are Friday, Dec.3 through Sunday, Dec. 5. Tour tickets are $25 in advance, $30 after Dec. 2. Tickets may be purchased online at www.shpsholidayhometour.com and at the following locations:

• Sacred Heart Parish School
• East Sacramento at Haus, East Sac Florist, French Hen, Talini’s, the Pink House and East Sac Hardware
• Central Sacramento at Gatherings Gift Shop
• North Sacramento at Emigh Hardware and Emigh Casual Living
• South Land Park at Collected Works
• Citrus Heights at Calico Corners
• Folsom at Hoshall’s Spa
• Rocklin at Pottery World and
• All area Mercedes Benz dealerships (Rocklin, El Dorado Hills, Sacramento).

Visit www.shpsholidayhometour.com or call the Holiday Home Tour Information Line at (916) 556-5050

 for more information.

A new schoolyear can be both a mental and emotional transition for children. A new curriculum, new teacher and new classroom can take some getting used to. But an entirely new school? Now that is a real transition. Such is the case for the Sacred Heart Parish School at 856 39th Street in East Sacramento. But it’s not just the students that will be dazzled with the new surroundings.

Students at Sacred Heart Parish School will pursue their studies in a brand-new, $16 million facility this academic year. The new building is located at 856 39th Street in East Sacramento. School begins on Aug. 23. / Valley Community Newspapers, Tom Paniagua

“It’s very exciting,” said Sacred Heart Principal Theresa Sparks. “The new school is absolutely beautiful.”

Some of the upgraded amenities include a high school sized gym (complete with a Vermont Maple floor), surround sound in every classroom and a computer lab with 36 computers. The school is made of brick to tie in with the Sacred Heart Parish Church. Construction was done in just over a year. Seventeen homes were moved from the new school lot and building began in July 2009.

The old school site was 75 years old and was falling behind the times, according to Sparks. It was just time for a change. The demolition of the old building began on Monday, Aug. 16 and will take two months to complete, according to Sparks. The lot will be converted into a parking lot for a new wing at Mercy General Hospital.

The old Sacred Heart Parish School in East Sacramento is being demolished to make way for a parking lot to support a new wing at Mercy General Hospital. / Valley Community Newspapers, Tom Paniagua

“The old school had a lot of charm,” Sparks said. “It’s sad to see it go, but the new school is very exciting. I’ve had people tell me that it’s as nice as some colleges they have seen.” 

In order to allow the children to get more acquainted with the new surroundings, Sacred Heart held an open house on June 5. Not everything was finished, so there were some things that the kids didn’t get to see. A second open house is set for Aug. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when a truer experience can be had.

School starts Aug. 23 at Sacred Heart. The new $16 million facility will house some 310 students in grades K-8. Although the new school may be a transition for some of the children who grew up attending the old one, at least the school should not be difficult to find; it lies just across the street from the old one.