John Reece in Egypt

John Reece of West Sacramento models the traditional Egyptian Galabeya that he wore to dine during his dream vacation last month. John cruised the Nile River on the Uniworld Cruise Ship "River Tosca". The ship departed from Cairo with stops in Aswan, Kalabsha, Amada, Abu Simbel, Edfu, Luxor. John said that he traveled the globe while he was in the military, but the one place he missed was Egypt.

Updated: John Reece entered into rest peacefully Aug 20, 2016. He is preceded in death by his parents Vernor and Pauline Reece, his sister Ramona Baker and his grandson, Tyler Jonathan Timler. He leaves his beautiful wife, Lola Reece, son Vernor Reece, Daughter, Paula Freuler, grandsons Tayler Scott Timler & Vernor Allen Reece ll, three beautiful great-granddaughters Brianna Kay Hilsercop, Jaelynn Aubrie Michele Timler, Dane Marie Timler & a great-grandson Tyler Mason Timler. John retired from the US Navy and then worked with the veterans programs for the state of CA.He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. A celebration of his life will be held at VFW hall in Sacramento on Aug 26th.

San Pedro Association Annual Festival

Thank you Anthony Pinto for sharing these photos of the São Pedro Association annual festival last weekend at the San Pedro Park in Bryte. Maddie Freitas (below) was named Queen of this year's celebration. The Madeiran heritage association was founded in 1922 and is focused on retaining its historical identity in our community.

Sprayground at Bridgeway Lakes Community Park

The first days of summer and we are into the 100+ degree temperatures.  Our kids look forward to a cool down at the SprayGround at the Bridgeway Lakes Community Park in West Sacramento. The water-park is open daily May through October and is  free to the public.

Tommy Moose Rides Along

Every year the West Sacramento Moose Lodge members donate a number of "Tommy Moose" stuffed animals to our local Police and Fire departments. Moose International founded the Tommy Moose program in 2003 to provide police officers, firefighters and ambulance personnel with friendly-looking moose dolls to distract and comfort children in traumatic situations.

Astronomy 101 in the Neighborhood

By the shadow cast on the wall, you can tell we shot this photo at a bit after 11:00 AM. Sundials are the oldest known instruments for keeping track of time. A sundial needs two things: a set of markings that indicate the time, and something to cast a shadow onto those markings. See below for how you can create your own sundial.

Here comes the sun!

Driving around the neighborhoods of West Sac we found the sun...this is across the street from the sundial house. Love this version "Here comes the Sun" by Richie Havens--

We are on hiatus......

Simplicity, harmony and beauty

This lush bed of wildflowers makes me want to lay down and bury my nose in the moist grasses.....sometimes I am such a romantic!  Beautiful scenes such as this one along the river are slowly disappearing, with more development in the Southport area.

Earth's Fresh Food Market Now Open in the Jefferson Plaza

Cherries, berries, nuts and tomatoes, cauliflower, peppers and delicious raw almonds! My shopping bag was overflowing on my first visit to Earth's Fresh Food Market in the Jefferson Plaza. The market is owned by the same family who run the Yolo Fruit Stand on I-80 (near the Causeway) and the new Eagle Cafe!

Mornings at The Rivers Community Gardens

These Russian ladies were meeting for their daily gardening time in the community garden located at The River's Senior Apartments on Dorothy Adamo Lane.

Meet Maureen Pascoe

Maureen Daly Pascoe is Capitol Improvement Manager with the City of West Sacramento Public Works Department. Maureen received her Master of City Planning degree from the University of California Berkeley in 1989. She does a great job for our City!

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Debbie's Hydrangea is beginning to bloom...soon these blossoms will turn beautiful shades of pink and purple. You can have beautifully dried hydrangeas by allowing them to dry on the plant before picking them. Experiment with harvesting from August through October.

New Bus Stops for West Sac

No longer an artist rendering, but a functional and fun piece of art for our fair city! Thank you Jay Davidson, Project Manager for West Capitol Streetscape construction, for sharing these photos of West Sacramento's newest bus stop shelters on West Capitol Avenue!

Cell phone tower in camouflage

Located on Linden near South River Road...we noticed a cell phone tower camouflaged to look like a pine tree. We have heard that off the shores of Southern California, some oil rigs are masked by colorful facades that resemble small amusement parks.

Tile Mosaic at Holy Cross Church

This mosaic in the Holy Cross Parish Hall was made by the Holy Cross School 8th grade class in 1970. The project was completed under the supervision of Sister M. Colette.

Breakfast at the Eagle Cafe

We visited the Eagle Cafe for our weekly Panini fix. They are so healthy and delicious --and large enough for two! EAGLE UPDATE: "New breakfast item just added!! They are now serving breakfast bagels with egg or egg whites, spinach, tomato, cheese, ham or turkey with your choice of bagel!"

4th Grade Social Studies Project

Mr. Zamboni and Mrs Jackson's 4th grade student projects were on display in the library at Westmore Oaks School.









The State Curriculum specifies that the student projects cover California: A Changing State

• The Physical Setting: California and Beyond
• Pre-Columbian Settlements and People
• Exploration and Colonial History­•Missions, Ranchos, and the Mexican War for Independence­•Gold Rush, Statehood, and the Westward Movement­•The Period of Rapid Population Growth, Large-Scale Agriculture,­
and Linkage to the Rest of the United States •Modern California: Immigration, Technology, and Cities

Climbing Rock at Delta Gardens Park

This great climbing rock in located in the Delta Gardens Park near the Riva on River Condominium development.

Riva on the River

Above is a photo of the beautiful clubhouse with fitness facility located at Riva on the River, an attached home development in Southport on the Sacramento River. The project was designed by the firm of Humphries and Partners from Dallas.

Monsters vs Aliens ??

This unusual vehicle was on its way through the parking lot last week...we think is a road maintenance truck of some sort...

Stonegate School

Stonegate Elementary on La Jolla Street in West Sacramento is a public school that serves students in grades K-8. The Principal is Marty Ofenham, and Carla Marquez is the Assistant Principal.

Here is your ♥

Thanks Eve Westvik for sharing this photo she shot during her morning walk along the shoreline in Richmond, CA. The heart sign appears as a symbol in all the major cultural spheres. It also appears with a religious or positive meaning among Christians, Aztecs, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Celts, and Taoists. This photo was taken with her lower resolution camera phone .... I think it looks like a water color painting next to the water!

OLG Festival on June 5, 2010

The Our Lady of Grace Festival and Community Celebration will be Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 11:00 aM to 9:00 PM at the OLG School Campus on Linden Road. The Community is invited to attend and help celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Church and the 50th Anniversary of the Parish School.