Anna's Hummingbird Nest

Thank you Anneke Moresco, wildlife veterinarian at UC Davis, for sharing this great photo. "One of my patients. Anna's Hummingbird nests are made out of spiderwebs, feathers and lichen. They stretch as the babies grow, this way there is always a snug but not too tight fit (this one is missing a sibling). The ultimate one-size fits all."

Miss Lolita, Diva Doggy inTraining

Thank you Alicia Cameron for sharing this photo of her Chihuahua "Lolita" in her special car seat. These sassy little dogs are well known as "purse dogs" like the famous Bruiser in the movie Legally Blonde.

According to the AKC, The Chihuahua’s history is shrouded in mystery, but some believe he originated from the Fennec Fox, a very small animal with big eyes and ears, which could explain the tiny frame, luminous eyes and large ears on the breed today. Chihuahua’s were used in religious ceremonies and were pets to the upper class. The breed derives its name from the Mexican State of Chihuahua, where the earliest specimens of the breed were found.

Quest for Fiber: Happy Birthday Dr. Kellogg

John Harvey Kellogg (February 26, 1852 – December 14, 1943) was an American medical doctor in Battle Creek, Michigan, who ran a sanitarium using holistic methods, with a particular focus on nutrition, enemas and exercise. Kellogg was an advocate of vegetarianism and is best known for the invention of the corn flakes breakfast cereal with his brother, Will Keith Kellogg.

Save water: one version of a "Green Garden"

Eternal blooms that only plastic flowers can offer are displayed with an assortment of garden sculpture in this neighborhood yard. No watering, weeding or feeding required. Every year the display changes slightly..with new varieties added as the colors fade..

Safeway's Signature Cafe

Safeway's Signature Cafe on West Capitol Avenue offers a great place to have lunch and also has Free WiFi! We especially love their Artisan Turkey Breast sandwich. Use your club card in the store to buy 7 sandwiches and the 8th is free!

Father Dan Madigan's Irish Ponies!

Thank you Joan Barber for sharing this photo she shot at St. Joseph Church on the River Road in Clarksburg. Father Dan Madigan recently rescued these two ponies. Last week he paraded them into the church and introduced them as the new parishioners. They have Irish names of course--Mick and Moss--named after his two brothers in Ireland :-)

More signs of spring-- how do you say it.. achoo, atchoo, achew, and atishoo?

Thank you Janine Vine for sharing this photo of her backyard in bloom. Our city of West Sacramento has so many beautiful trees in bloom right now.. How we love spring...achoo, atchoo, achew, and atishoo!

Mardi Gras Fun!

Masks and Beads were the popular attire at the Mardi Gras Fund Raiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society hosted by the West Sacramento Moose Lodge. Everyone had a great time!

Signs of Spring: Pink and Purple Tulips

More signs of spring in this clever planter box. Thank you to our Photo of the Day fan at Clark Pacific in West Sacramento for suggesting this photo!

Signs of Spring

A little more light and a bit more warmth creep into the days bringing new life and signs of spring...my favorite season! In the vast majority of Northern Hemisphere locations, spring occurs during the months of March, April and May. According to the Celtic tradition, which is based solely on daylight and the strength of the noon sun, spring begins in early February and continues until early May.

Bald Eagles and Geese at Sacramento Waterfowl Refuge

Thank you Greg Price for sharing these pictures from their visit to the Sacramento Waterfowl Refuge. Located in northern California's Sacramento Valley, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, helps provide habitat (resting and feeding areas) for more than 40 percent of the Pacific Flyway's wintering waterfowl.

The Sandwich Stop

We stopped by the Sandwich Stop to try their sandwiches because everyone has been raving about how great it is. Well, we agree...and the food preparers are full of personality and aim to please! I had the Bay View and it was totally delicious and huge! We learned that the owner was a partner in the Mister Pickles Deli and is in that same spot in the shopping center located at 3015 West Capitol Avenue.

Audrey's Terriyaki Chicken YUMMY!

Eppies Restaurant in West Sacramento is independently owned and and operated. We really enjoy the menu specials that Audrey has developed..especially the Terriyaki Chicken special on Wednesdays!

Chinese New Year - The Year of the Tiger!

We took this photo last August of one of the Sumatran Tigers housed at our Sacramento Zoo. Since the last Year of the Tiger 12 years ago, the worldwide population of wild tigers has almost halved to 3,200. What do Chinese Astrologers predict for The Year of the Tiger? Watch this video on Youtube What will the Year of the Tiger hold for the world?

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day! What better way to say it than with delicious pancakes prepared by Christy Jourdan (my daughter) a kitchen volunteer at the weekly Sunday breakfast at the West Sacramento Moose Lodge.

One theory is that Valentines Day was fashioned from Courtly Love (medieval Europe) ....a secret romance between members of the nobility..It was also generally not practiced between husband and wife.

Come to the Mardi Gras: Fundraiser for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The West Sacramento Moose is hosting a Mardi Gras Party to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Saturday February 20th at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $25 in advance for gumbo and other delicious cajun-style food, plus live music by Ron Bombardier & the Bayou Boys. WS Moose is located at 3240 Jefferson Blvd. Tickets can be purchased from Debbie Johnson at 916-600-1652 or Buddy Linker at 371-6303.

Saturday, Feb 20 6:30p at the West Sacramento Moose Lodge, West Sacramento, CA

Event Website

Ron Bombardier is a native of West Sacramento and many enjoyed his Cajun music at West Sacramento Parks & Recreation Grand Opening of the Delta Gardens Park.

Friends in Cold Places: Lancaster PA

Our cousin retired from Sac State and moved to Lancaster, PA to be closer to their kids...now instead of mowing and weeding they are shoveling and snow-blowing.

"Serious Fun" with Tom Rigney & Flambeau

We had a great time listening and dancing to Tom Rigney and Flambeau at the West Sacramento Moose Lodge last weekend! Tom's latest CD is titled "Serious Fun" and his music really is!

Washinton Little League Baseball Signups

For more information about Washington Little League Baseball Signups go to http://www.washingtonlittleleague.info

Hands Free Driving??? Shame on you!

This diva was showing off her dangerous stunt driving techniques on Jefferson Boulevard. With a cigarette in her left hand and a cell phone in her right..she was careening down the road swerving left to right. I was going to let her know that her unique driving abilities were illegal in California but Debbie advised I should take care...she could be a "kamikraze" driver.

Causeway Opening Celebration -May 11, 1916

This poster is part of the historical photo collection on display at SAFE Credit Union in Southport Town Center (courtesy of the West Sacramento Historical Society, California California State Library-California Room Collection). See more about the celebration that was held for the opening of the causeway in 1916.

Cindy Tuttle Reporting from the Great Wall

Per Cindy "Airline ticket to China - $750; New hiking boots - $125; Hat, scarf and gloves - $20; Walking on the Great Wall... PRICELESS. Having gone to China in the dead of Winter has its advantages, as you can see the Wall is empty! You can look at pictures and read numerous stories about the Wall, but until you are actually there, nothing captures the overwhelming feeling you get actually being on site! As I walked the Wall, I was overwhelmed from the sense of history and personal sacrifice that the Wall represents. At one point I just sat down and cried!"

Trivia: From 1992 to 1996, Cindy Tuttle was the mayor and a city council member of West Sacramento, and she sang with her "gang of local celebrities band" at our wedding in 1994!

Save the Bryte Post Office

The Bryte Post Office at 1548 Lisbon Avenue was established in 1915 to serve the neightborhood community and now the Postal Service is considering closing this little branch post office. It is urgent that West Sacramento residents complete a survey and mail it before February 10, 2010. Please see this website: http://www.bryteandbroderick.org/SaveBrytePO.cfm for more information.

Bricks and Hail in West Sacramento

Pea-sized pieces of hail hit our area on January 19 and Debbie got this great shot of the hail collecting in her flowerbed.....

Room with a view...WOW!

Thank you Tamara Carr for sharing this beautiful shot of the view from her office window in the new CalSTRS Building in West Sacramento. Tamara said as soon as the haze and clouds are gone she will send us a spring time photo of Raley Field!

Crossfit Gym Opens in West Sacramento

Thank you Rich for sharing these photos of folks working out at a new private gym in West Sacramento called Crossfit West Sacramento. Per Rich "Crossfit opened a few months ago and I've been a member since the beginning. Their website is http://www.crossfitwestsac.com/ . It's a pretty intense fitness facility that's open for everyone to try...."

RL and DP Single Arm Handstand from rick larson on Vimeo.

Today is GroundHog Day

Hello--is it spring yet? This is not a ground hog...but a curious squirrel that jumped up to greet me. The groundhog or woodchuck is a rodent belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots.

Trivia: Tradition has it that if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day—always February 2—winter weather will continue for six more weeks across the United States. But if Phil doesn't see his shadow, then spring temperatures are just around the corner.

Goodbye to Qdoba

I shot this pix in July 2008 when Qdoba first opened...so sad to report that Q'doba is now closed..another victim of the economy I'm sure. We've heard the rental rates in that complex are really steep.