Skywatching

Many thanks to Florene Kunder for sending us her Skywatch photo.

"This is the first time in years for excellent skywatching. After a very long drought, we've had some welcome rains, but not the destructive stormy type. If I had the time I could take pictures all day long! After a day of sunshine, following days of rain, we had this message from the heavens that more rain was coming..... and it did."

Pet Iguana

Sarah loves taking her pet iguana for walks in this Davis neighborhood.

Giant Sponge Bob

The Sponge Bob effect...we see him everywhere! Debbie and Russ saw him near Yuba City.

Stone Art

Christy's neighbors have a great collection of primitive art displayed in their front yard. The Stone Man is the latest creation.

El Mariachi

Metal Mariachis welcome visitors in West Sacramento.

Trivia: Mariachi music became the symbol of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) because it represented the Mexican’s national spirit or the Spanish-indigenous blood of Mexican ethnicity. The mariachi tradition has been extensively influenced from Mexico to the United States, Argentina and Colombia.

Judges Panel at the West Sac Moose Chili Cookoff

Serving as Celebrity Judges for the West Sacramento Moose Lodge 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off last Saturday were Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, Chili-Gourmet Heather Stewart Capel and Chef Vincente Ortiz.

The Judges selected Deborah Evenson (left) as this years winner, pictured here with event Chairman Maureen Stewart (right). Deborah said her secret is that she cooks the beans for two days.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Dome

This photo of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament dome and spires was taken from the parking garage on the Hyatt Hotel on 12th and K Street. Italian Rennaissance Architectural Style, the outer Dome height is 175 ft and the tallest Spire height is 215 ft.

Keebler Elves Spotted

Hal and Jack at the Keebler Distribution Center on Riverside Pkwy, West Sacramento.

The Smokers' Station

A creative solution to collect the butts of those folks who still choose to puff away.

Trivia: Are cigarette butts litter? Absolutely! But unlike paper products they’re not biodegradable. Nearly all cigarette filters are composed of a bundle of 12,000 plastic-like cellulose acetate fibers. It can take years, in some cases up to fifteen, for the fibers to decay into a plastic powder that can’t be seen. As they do their deadly cargo is released.

Rigomania in West Sacramento

Tom Rigney and Flambeau performed at the West Sacramento Moose Lodge Cajun-Zydeco Dance Party last Sunday afternoon. Flambeau will be back in this area performing at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-25, 2009

Baja Sunrise

Cathy and Marv sent this beautiful Baja sunrise over the Bay of Conception. (Bahia de Conception). Cathy reports more folks from West Sacramento have joined them to vacation in Mulege this year. The mild winter climate is great for retirees.

West Sacramento--Have you seen Lance Armstrong's bike!

New River City High School Dedication Plaques

Springtime Open House...

My grandson helped his daddy make this birdhouse.. and we are hoping for a little family of "peeps" to settle here. Photo by Barbara

Petite Park on Coffeeberry

This petite neighborhood park is on Coffeeberry in West Sacramento. It offers a small playground structure for the kids, a resting bench for walkers and a small plot of grass for those who like to spread a blanket and for a picnic.

Silo

Debbie and Russ got this shot of an old silo while on a "back road drive" recently.

"Simply Radishing"

The "Xtracycle Radish". According to the manufacturer's website "Her mother was a trucker, her father was a beach cruiser. We call her...Radish." I see a lot of different brands and styles of bikes on campus but this one looks very functional for transporting groceries and packages. Retails for about $1200.

Trivia: Davis, already the nation's most bike-friendly city, will welcome Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California Feb. 15. The city is one of 16 host cities of this year's professional cycling event, which will feature Lance Armstrong in his first U.S. race after a three-year hiatus. The 750-mile race starts in Sacramento on Feb. 14 and ends in Escondido on Feb. 22.

Lounge at the Recreation Center

A comfortable lounge waiting area with vending machine and TV is available for those who wait.

Cardio and Strength Training Room at the Recreation Center

Tread Mills and Elliptical Trainers in the West Sacramento Recreation Center.
Elliptical trainers offer a non-impact cardiovascular workout that can vary from light to high intensity based on the resistance preference set by the user. Be sure and take your headphones and tune in to the flat screen TV's hanging in the area.

Day Care Center at the West Sacramento Recreation Center

The new West Sacramento Recreation Center Day Care facility is fun and colorful with some of the fun furnishings from Ikea in West Sacramento. Maya loves the new day care and calls it her school.

"The childcare room is available for ages 6 months to 12 years of age. The current hours are listed on the City website. Prices are $2 per child/visit OR 10 punch pass for $18 OR 20 punch pass for $36."

West Sacramento Recreation Center

This is the entrance to the new West Sacramento Recreation Center on Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento.

Neighborhood Art

This shrine sits in a front yard in the Elkhorn Village area. We have a great country..freedom of religion, speech and artistic expression.

Hot n' Sour soup at Hings

Debbie and family had the Hot n' Sour soup at Hings Chinese Restaurant on West Capitol Avenue...they said it was very good.

Hummingbird Wars--Baja Bees...

Cathy and Marv in Baja sent this great shot of their hummingbird feeder covered with bees 

Trivia: Hummingbird Nectar Mixture 

The proper nectar mixture for hummingbirds is 1 (one) part white table sugar to 4 (four) parts water. 

Pour 4 cups of water into a pan and bring to a boil (boiling helps slow bacterial growth). Remove from heat. Add 1 cup of white table sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Allow the sugar solution to cool before filling your feeder. Extra nectar should be stored in your refrigerator.

West Capitol Avenue Construction Update

Even though travel on West Capitol Avenue is tough right now, remember our local retailers need our business during the construction process.

Beverly's Never Just Haircuts

While I was getting my hair cut today, they were putting up a new sign at Beverly's "Never Just Haircuts". The stylists at Beverly's are really talented and friendly. Most of the folks in our Babe's Bunco go to Vatsana, a great barber, stylist and colorist.

City Hall in the chicken coop at Dave's Pumpkin Patch.

City Hall in the chicken coop at Dave's Pumpkin Patch.

The Syncopating Sea Monkeys

The River City High School Jazz Band, "The Syncopating Sea Monkeys", performed at the Family Mardi Gras Party at the West Sacramento Moose Lodge on Saturday. They were fantastic!

Pas de deux #2

Debbie shot these folks swimming with the Dolphins at the Xelha Natural Waterpark on the Riviera Maya in Mexico.