Columbus Replica Ship "Nina" Sails into Old Sacramento

Folks along the Sacramento River got a treat Tuesday as the Nina sailed up-river to dock in Old Sacramento. Debbie shot these great photos.

The Niña - Most Historically Accurate Columbus Ship Replica Ever Built
"The Niña is a replica of the ship on which Columbus sailed across the Atlantic on his three voyages of discovery to the new world beginning in 1492. Columbus sailed the tiny ship over 25,000 miles. That ship was last heard of in 1501, but the new Niña has a different mission. We are a floating museum, and we visit ports all over the United States."

Sunflower Patch on I-80

This beautiful sunflower patch is located just west of the Yolo Causeway. ~ Barbara

Trivia: "When the plant is in the bud stage, it tends to track the movement of the sun across the horizon. Once the flower opens into the radiance of yellow petals, it faces east. No one knows why. However, it is likely a defensive response. Facing south or west could result in sun-scalding of seeds during very hot days."

Sing Along with the Hipwaders

Local musicians, The Hipwaders shared their fun-loving rock with kids and parents alike. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mary L. Stephens Branch of the Yolo County Library. ~ Debbie

hey miss dragonfly I see you look at me with your beautiful eyes

--you must be wondering what type of creature am i

Dragonfly-by Ziggy Marley

everybody's worried about time
but i just keep that shit off my mind
people living on twenty four hour clocks
but we're on a ride that never stops

hey mister bee the world change but you remain the same
and i wonder how you'll survive with the environment going down the drain
hey miss dragonfly i see you look at me with your beautiful eyes
you must be wondering what type of creature am i

a dog looked at me and said ziggy why can't we trust man
puss and me get together why can't you all just understand
an old tree stood there silently listening to every word we said
as a tear fell he cried what type of creature is man

i said hey mister tree the world change but you remain the same
and i wonder how you survive with the environment going down the drain
hey miss butterfly I see you look at me with your beautiful eyes
you must be wondering what kind of creature am i
you must be wondering what kind of creature am i

everybody's worried about time
but i just keep that shit off my mind
people living on twenty four hour clocks
but we're on a ride yes we're on a ride we're on a ride that never stops

hey mister bee the world change but you remain the same
and i hope you'll survive with the environment going down the drain
hey miss butterfly i see you look at me with your beautiful eyes
you must be wondering what type of creature am i
you must be wondering what type of creature is man.

The Tower Bridge Raised for Boat Traffic

This is a shot of the Tower Bridge being raised for a boat traffic on the Sacramento River. You can see the extended bridge platform where the new wider pedestrian lanes were added recently. ~ Debbie

Dead Cat Alley

On May 7, 1962, the Woodland City Council officially named the alley "Dead Cat Alley", but the true origin of the name is still unknown. ~ Barbara

Trivia: The site of Old China Town is on Dead Cat Alley as well as the Chicago Cafe, one of Yolo City's (as Woodland was known in 1853) oldest businesses. For more information about this historical landmark that runs through the downtown section of Woodland, CA see the Dead Cat Alley: History.

Remembering Principal Elmer Reuter

Most baby boomers who went to school in West Sacramento will remember Elmer Reuter as the prinicipal of Westmore Oaks School from 1952-1981. He was a great teacher and friend to many folks in our area and his old fashioned discipline style commanded respect from both his students and their parents. He spent many hours caring for the plants and shrubs he planted at his school. He was truly one of our home-town heros. ~Barbara

New River City High School Opening Fall 2008

The new River City High School sits quite far back on the land so it is hard to see much detail, but these are photos of the construction in progress. The top 3 photos were from Jefferson Boulevard and the bottom is from the Linden Avenue side. The new school is scheduled to open this fall 2008. ~ Barbara

Remembering the Watermelon Bust

This watermelon truck parked in the grocery store parking lot brought back memories of when I was a kid and the farmers would drive into town with a load of watermelons on their big truck and park at the end of our block and sell them for $1.00 each. My dad would buy several then all the neighbors would get together and have a watermelon "bust". Simply, Dad would drop the melon from several feet off the ground and it would burst open and then we would tear off pieces and eat till we were so full, then everyone would lie down on the grass and look up at the sky and ask the eternal question...."if we swallow the watermelon seeds, would they sprout in our stomach"...of course that was before the genetic development of the seedless watermelon...
~ Barbara

Turner Library Relocation

The Turner County Library has been relocated to an interim site at 840 Jefferson Blvd. The Library will move to it's new home in the West Sacramento Civic Center when it is completed in 2010. ~ Barbara

First Political Yard Signs Sighted

The presidential race is heating up so I imagine we'll be seeing many more yard signs to come.~ Barbara

Qdoba Restaurant Now Open in West Sacramento

I saw this crow crossing Jefferson Boulevard to eat at the new Qdoba restaurant in Southport Town Center. The crow refused to comment, but I heard from several other sources that the food is pretty good! ~ Barbara

Palm & Psychic Reader

Mrs. Martin's Palm and Psychic Card Reader a longtime fixture on Jefferson Boulevard has undergone a big remodel...these photos are the before.. I'll post the after photos in a few days~ Barbara

Chef John Boal in action

I have been playing Bunco once a month for over 30 years with the same group of friends and over the years it has evolved into more of a "meet and eat". This week was my turn to host our group so I invited John Boal, an aspiring personal chef and caterer (and the son of one of our members) to come to my house and prepare dinner for the Bunco Babes. Dinner was delicious, ranging from Caprese Salad to Panko Battered Pineapple Fritters, and it was a great way to enjoy an evening with friends in my own home. ~Barbara

KFC Remodel

KFC on Merkeley Avenue has remodeled and now shares their space with A&W. ~Barbara

Seafood at Lucas Wharf

Bodega Bay and fresh seafood...and our favorite place to eat is Lucas Wharf. Josh had the bay shrimp cocktail and I had the steamed clams..YUMMY!! ~ Barbara

Remembering Nicholas Green

We went over to the Sonoma Coast last weekend to get out of the smoke filled air in the valley and saw this beautiful bell tower and memorial built for Nicholas Green, a seven year-old boy from Bodega Bay who was killed by highway robbers in 1994 while vacationing in Italy with his family. ~ Barbara

"Mad Dog Express"

I didn't see the driver of this truck...but the logo makes you wonder...~Barbara

Baby Swallows

These baby swallows are in a nest directly above my front door so visitors--beware of droppings when you come to call! ~ Debbie

The Pelicans Return

The visiting pelicans returned to our little pond again this summer...crowding together they were enjoying their little "Pelican Isle". Photo by Debbie

Heat and Smoke Emergency: 5:00 PM in the Valley

Thick smoke continues to hangs over the Sacramento area as forest fires burn throughout Northern California. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a prepared statement "I urge all Californians to take proper health precautions as the temperatures rise into the 90s and 100s across the state -– drink plenty of water and check on your neighbors who may be more vulnerable."

Trivia: I have lived in Sacramento for over 50 years and have never seen or smelled anything like this air....everyone I talk to is feeling depressed about the air quality both outside and inside their homes. A friend told me that when he was in China the air was this bad everywhere due to the pollution from burning coal to fuel their power plants. ~Barbara

Lifeguard on Duty

This photo of the Lifeguard on duty at River City High School Pool was shot while the kids were at their swimming lessons. ~ Debbie

Duck Crossing

The "Duck Crossing" signs are back on Linden Avenue. Hopefully they won't be stolen again.
~ Barbara

"You Haven't Lived Until You've Been Owned by a Pug"

"You Haven't Lived Until You've Been Owned by a Pug" - is a quote from the Pug Dog Club of America.

Riding in the cart while his human browsed through the Walmart Garden Center, this pug posed sweetly while I took his photo. ~ Barbara

Peet's Coffee & Tea Comes to Raley's

Danielle Atchinson is our Peet's Coffee barista at the Raley's Market in West Sacramento. Peet's Coffee has deep roots in Northern California with the first store opening in Berkeley in 1966. We think Peet's is a great addition to our market because their coffee is fantastic! ~ Barbara

Nuttall's Woodpecker

This Nutall's Woodpecker pecked a few dozen holes in our palm tree yesterday. After he had his fill of whatever he was after... he proceeded to make a grand show of fluffing and spreading his wings. ~ Barbara

Beat the High Price of Gas

Ask Dennis and Corine about their alternative mode of transportation and you will get a big smile. With gas almost $5.00 a gallon what better to enjoy life than on a Harley. ~ Barbara

"Independence Day" Red Hibiscus in Bloom

This beautiful hibiscus is blooming in my front yard. ~Debbie

4th of July fireworks celebrations will be canceled in many areas due to the fire conditions in California and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked Californians to refrain from buying personal fireworks this year. With the price of gas being so expensive, I expect many folks will also refrain from travel. ~Barbara

Harmony on the River-The Bayou Boys

Ron Bombardier and the Bayou Boys performed on the River Walk for the Harmony on the River free concerts in West Sacramento. Their lively mix of cajun/zydeco, swamp, blues and rock n' roll had folks up and dancing. ~ Barbara

Tall Signs-now passe on West Capitol Avenue

The tall sign at the El Tejon Motel is now down--~Barbara

July 1, 2008 Theme Day: "No . . ." signs

This sign is posted on a wall outside a research lab in Tupper Hall at UC Davis.....this building is my home away from home...

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