A Quinquagenary (1958-2008): What's Your Story, Morning Glory?

Glistening raindrops -a radiant glow. Photo by Barbara

"What's your story, morning glory, What makes you look so blue
The way that you've been acting, I don't know what to do"
Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in 1958-50 years ago.

That same year my family moved to West Sacramento; the Sacramento deep water channel was in construction; the movie Vertigo is released; Dwight David Eisenhower is in his second term as president; Charles de Gaulle is elected president of France; Tyrone Power dies; Madonna is born; Have Gun, Will Travel debuts on radio; the first IHOP is opened; Nikita Khrushchev becomes Premier of the Soviet Union; 9235 scientists publish a plea to stop nuclear bomb tests; Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship; Roy Campanella is in a car accident that leaves him paralyzed; Egypt and Syria unite to form the United Arab Republic; and Boris Pasternak wins the Nobel Prize.
Posted by Barbara

Farmer's Rice Cooperative

The Farmer's Rice Cooperative rice milling and manufacturing facilities are adjacent to the Port of Sacramento in the City of West Sacramento. Since 1944, the grower-owned rice marketing cooperative has supplied domestic and international food manufacturers, brewers, private retailers, exporters and distributors with premium quality California rice.
Photo by Barbara

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

These beautiful flowers are from our Bird of Paradise Plant ....It finally bloomed after 5 years and several relocations== and has been blooming for about 6 years or so.

I am sad now because the plant looks like it might have "croaked".. the fronds are all black and wilted. We'll leave it for now and hope it might revive. ...Photo by Barbara

Canal cleanup behind "Poquito Park"

This excavation rig from Rockin R Grading and Excavation Inc. was clearing reeds and debris from the canal that runs behind Poquito Park in Southport --maybe this is progress towards building a pedestrian footbridge over the canal so we can walk to the new Lowes Shopping Center!

Riske Lane-historical area

841 Riske Lane: Old warehouse and Union Pacific Tamper car on the tracks across the street from the River Cat's Stadium.
Post by Barbara

Chrismukkah Dinner: "What's cooking mom?"

Kurt was in charge of preparing this bad boy in his "set-it-and-forget-it" roaster. (I remember when my weekly salary was not much more than the price of this roast.) Can you believe the little boys asked for pizza...??

Of course my family still feels that Raley's has the best beef around. This loyalty goes way back -as my brother-in-law Chuck Blessing was the meat manager at the Raley's Supermarket in West Sacramento for years.

Anyway, the best part of our meal was having our family together this holiday.

Christmas Trees, by Mrs. Palamadessi's Kindergarten Class at Westmore Oaks School.

The family of each student in the class was asked to decorate a blank white Christmas Tree cut out of a piece of poster board. You'll see a clever use of finger paints, crayons, markers, glitter, glue, photos, stickers, beads, and assorted doo-dads. The trees where then hung in the entry hall of the school for all to enjoy during the holiday season! Our family's tree is now home with us, hung in our living room. It features green fingerpaint, silver tinsel garland, animal stickers, and ornaments made out of family photos. Post by Christy

SplashHound: Self Serve Dog Wash in West Sacramento Now Open

SplashHound U.S.A. Self Serve Dog Wash is now open in the Merkley Mall on Merkley Avenue in West Sacramento. According to their website " At SplashHound USA, we provide you with all the tools you need to wash, dry and groom your dog in a fun and comfortable setting -- at a fraction of the price of a full-service groomer. Photo by Barbara

Trivia: Some old friends who grew up in West Sacramento reminded me that when we were kids some of the tenants in this mall were Kendall's Clothing Store, Dave's Apparel, Don's Chuck Wagon, West Sacramento Hardware, "The Laundromat", El Rancho Cleaners....more to come as memories surface...

Two Ships at the Port of Sacramento Today

The Global Dream, top photo, (bagged rice) and Star Optimana, bottom photo, (fertilizer) cargo ships pictured at the Port of Sacramento today. Photo by Barbara.

West Sacramento Christmas Basket Project

Pictured above are some of the project volunteers taking a quick break to eat a bowl of the homemade chili that Debbie took to them at the ILWU Hall staging area on Thursday. These volunteers will be working over the next several days sorting, packing and delivering Christmas baskets to many people in our community who need a helping hand this holiday.

The Christmas Basket Project is directed by long-time community advocate Helena Helmold of West Sacramento and is made possible by donations of food, money and labor from community groups, business organizations, and many caring citizens in our town.

Angels Keep Watch Over OurTree

Photos of some of our Christmas Angels on the tree. Most of my angels have been gifts from my daughters over the years and each one has a very special memory for me. The top photo is our newest angel from Guatemala. If you know my family you will know why this angel is so special. Post by Barbara

The Elkhorn Station Roadside Bar and Grill

Sunday we had lunch at the Elkhorn Station located on the Old River Road to Woodland
and the food was delicious. Always famous for their fish fry, the new owners have a great
menu selection. Pictured below is Buddy Linker with John Turner who is one of the owners of the Station (missing is partner Jason Fernandez )... Post by Barbara


Tammy Mattos remembers driving out the River Road towards Woodland and taking the Elkhorn Station Ferry across the river to get to her Aunt Lorraine's house in Rio Linda. It took about 40 minutes to get to Rio Linda from South Port via this route (at the time it was called Linden Acres). She estimates this memory was from about 1965-66. The whole family would go over so Mom could have her sis do her hair.

Holiday Gift Idea at the City Parks and Rec Office

Pauli, Ana and Nicole with the West Sacramento Parks & Recreation Department show off the City of West Sacramento Shirts they have for sale. They are really nice batik cloth (Hawaiian style) with the words "West Sacramento" repeating on the fabric pattern. You can contact the Parks and Recreation Office for more information.
Post by Debbie

Target's Motorized Mart Cart

These guys were test driving the motorized shopping cart so I asked if I could take their picture for this website. Posted by Barbara

Trivia: The motorized personal shopping cart was patented by Inventor Beatriz B. Curbelo in 1999.

My Poinsettia: A gift from Nugget Market

The poinsettia was my customer appreciation gift from the family-owned 80-year-old California supermarket chain, Nugget Market was named one of the 100 best employers to work for in 2007 by Fortune Magazine. The above photo is their West Sacramento store on Jefferson Boulevard. Photo by Barbara

Fête des lumières : A Festival of Lights in Call Court

Pictured above are the folks in Call Court who share a unique bond...they all love decorating their yards and houses with lights and holiday ornaments and have been doing it for the last nine years. When I visited the Court last night, the neighbors were enjoying a fire in their portable fire pit, and the kids were playing basketball to the sounds of holiday music. Below are photos of each of the 6 houses in the court. The families are also collecting donations of canned goods as a community service project. Posted by Barbara.

Santa Arrives On Fire Truck

"The West Sacramento Fire Department, in conjunction with the West Sacramento Firefighter’s Association, made their annual “Santa Run” through neighborhoods in West Sacramento this week. With the help of many off-duty firefighter “elves,” Santa rode on an elaborately decorated fire truck “sleigh”, handing out candy canes and collecting donated canned goods".

Reindeer CupCakes

From the left: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen-Somebody ate poor Rudolph because his nose was so bright....Francine and Monte McRay's daughter created these darling cakes.
Photo by Barbara

December 12- The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Catholics honor Virgin of Guadalupe on feast day: "The Lady of Guadalupe is a beloved religious icon believed by many in Latin America to be a manifestation of the Virgin Mary. The events commemorate the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the year 1531 at Guadalupe near Mexico City after the European conquest of the Aztecs."

Cranes on West Capitol Avenue

I love this flock of cranes on West Capitol Avenue. I always wonder how many cranes are needed daily and what are they used for. Tom calls them "Cherry Pickers"...

Coast Cranes on West Capitol Avenue have been "Lifting the West Coast of America for over 35 Years". Photo by Barbara

Developing the Iron Triangle

If the Triangle develops as planned, Ironworks will be part of a walkable community. The housing would include high-rise condominiums and mid-rise town town homes that would be within walking distance of a European-style downtown and an oval-shaped central park.

The Sail Inn

"For 20 years, the Sail Inn on Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento has provided a place for the community to gather and dine. They claim to have one of the best wine lists in the Sacramento area. Stop by and say hi to Joan. Photo by Barbara