Missing their hero!

Seen hanging on a house in the neighborhood.....This poster has been up for several months now..so I hope it means their soldier will be returning home soon.

"The Rivers" A Master-Planned Community

The Rivers is a 200 acre master-planned community located in the old Broderick area of West Sacramento. Formerly known as the Lighthouse Marina project, it includes land that old timers fondly remember as the Riverbend Golf Course.

Swimming Classes at the Rec Center Pool

The West Sacramento Recreation Center has a variety of swimming lessons and programs for you kids and family. Top photo is a shot from a Starfish Class and below is the Parent and Me Class.

Dexter visits the River Walk

Dexter is the Mascot for the West Sacramento Early College Prep Charter School. You can see Dexter at the River Walk during the Harmony on the River concert series. The school will also have an information booth with Executive Director, Yolanda Falkenberg available to answer questions about the program.

The Sacred Fire Band and Aztec Dancers at Harmony on the River

Santana cover band Sacred Fire performed at the Harmony on the River last Tuesday evening. Come out and join your neighbors and friends this week on the River Walk to see a very popular local performer Alincia Vela from 7: to 8:30 PM.

Love your Doggles...

As seen at the River Walk last week...designed for the best dressed doggy...100% UV protection, impact resistant lens, side air vents, fully adjustable head and chin straps, foam padding around each lens, and flexible frame.....and a matching pair for the doggy daddy please...

Shopping with 'Buddy"

Buddy enjoys shopping at Target with his person. From his perch in his designer denim doggy sling, he has a great vantage to view people, places and things.

Evolution of the Stone Man

We love to watch the interesting progression of Mr. Russ Smith's stone art man. This is his latest iteration...the photo below is the previous design.

Ready to shoot!

I tried not to display camera and tripod envy when we passed all these photographers who were all ready to take pix of the fireworks display at the California State Fair....but I was thrilled when my little Canon "point and shoot" camera got the great shot of the fireworks below!

New "Washington" Monument

The new monument at the corner of 3rd and C streets near the base of the I Street Bridge identifies the Washington neighborhood, one of the oldest sections of West Sacramento.

A Giant Wave hits West Sacramento

With temperatures hitting over the 100 mark, these kids really enjoyed the Giant Wave Water Slide at the West Sacramento Moose Lodge's "Gilligans Island" picnic last weekend. We even saw some of the adults venture down the slide but don't dare share those photos here!

Broderick Christian Center

We shot these photos of the Broderick Christian Center on May 31, before the fire on June 27, 2010. According to Sacbee.com, "Federal arson officials and local authorities are investigating a suspicious blaze Sunday that gutted the Broderick Christian Center, which helps hundreds of homeless and low-income residents .......Donations can be mailed to the Broderick Christian Center, 110 Sixth St., West Sacramento, CA 95605."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/28/2853548/fire-ruins-homeless-shelter-in.html#ixzz0uElwjy5c

A Classic...Willys Jeep Pickup Truck

Driving through the neighborhood we saw this great Willys Jeep Pickup Truck. Our grampa had one of these that he used to deliver shrubs and trees for his plant nursery in Idaho.....Trivia: The original pronunciation of "Willys" was with a short "i" sound for the 'y"; so it was pronounced "Will-iss".

.6 mile loop on Lake Washington

This .6 mile jogging loop runs along the holding pond behind Station 45 on Lake Washington Boulevard. Maybe we'll see you there one morning--I'll be the one walking...!

Beat the Heat: Hawaiian Shaved Ice at Blue Blizz

With temperatures reaching 106 in the valley this week...Samantha, Blue Blizz Frozen Yogurt employee, makes a Hawaiian Shaved Ice for customer Robert. When we were kids we called them Snow Cones and my favorite place to buy one was Helvetia Park!
Trivia:
In Cuban neighborhoods, they are known as "granizados"
In Puerto Rican neighborhoods, they are named "Piragua"
In Mexico, California, Texas and the Southwestern United States,they are called a raspado.
In the Dominican Republic they are called "frío frío"
In Guatemala(Central America) they are called "Granizada"

West Sac Girls All Stars: 2010 District 6 Champions

De'Onna Jack shares these great pix from the West Sac Girls All Star playoff game. De'Onna comments: "I don't care who you are are where you are, this was a heck of a game. Wow! N.CA Dist 6 Little League Softball Gm 11-12 div. West Sac Girls vs Rio Linda Girls in Championship Gm. If Rio Linda wins they push it to an if game, if WS wins, it's all over & they win. Well, by the second inning, Rio Linda was ahead 8-0. WS came back and fought with so much heart, they tied the game in 5th inning, held Rio scoreless in 6th and came up bot of 6th, 1 out runner on 2nd & Alexis Bennie hits a shot, Jade scores, game over...West Sac Wins. 9-8...What a game. Hat's off to Rio Linda they played a heck of a game. Here is just one exciting picture of the Manager Mr Rob Dodd. MFGBDJ"

West Sac Boys All Stars --- 2010 District 6 Champions!

The West Sacramento Little League All Stars won the Junior League Championship Tuesday Night at Bridgeway Island Park! Go Alex!!

Flower Pots....

If the plumber installs a new toilet and doesn't haul off the old one what is a person to do? We think this is a brilliant idea...but it might be a good idea to keep this pot in the backyard as my friend Barbara does.

Southwestern Style in Southport

Diane Rake has a beautiful new paint job on her home in West Sacramento and we think the Southwestern colors blend perfectly with the solar collection panels on their tile roof! For the record, Diane said that her electric bill is so low now that PG&E actually owes her money at the end of the month!

Blinded by the light!

Thanks Matt Hargrove for sharing this great photo he shot at a River Cats game last week. The reflection of the sun on the Emerald Tower across the river was blinding to the fans!

Fields of Flowers on Jefferson Boulevard

Thank you Marty Swingle for sharing this beautiful photo. "Driving down Jefferson Blvd, I go past the strawberry farm and have been enjoying these rows of beautiful flowers that they have planted." These flowers generally known as statice, are the ultimate dried flower.

Pix from the Past: Anticipating the new High School

July 2008...this sign announced the opening of our new River City High School.

Pix from the Past: Lowe's at Westbridge Plaza Nears Completion

January 2008...we were waiting for Lowe's grand opening. (Photos by Florene Kunder)

Pix from the Past: Lake Washington & Jefferson Blvd.

July 20, 2008...a shot of the much anticipated new construction at the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Lake Washington......now site of Papa Murphy's (one of West Sac's favorites)!

Pix from the Past: Tanning at Southport Town Center

May 2008..Small shop owners trying to stay alive...the tanning salon was giving it away trying to stay in business.

Pix from the Past: 841 Riske Lane

November 2007, photo of the old rice mill and warehouse on Riske Lane across from Raley Field..before demolished. See more photos here.

Bees in the Agapanthus

Debbie got this great shot of a honey bee buzzing into a Lily of the Nile at Bridgeway Island Park. It hasn't been a good year for honey bees, no thanks to colony collapse disorder, so it is always a treat to spot one now!

Harmony on the River Free Summer Concerts

One of the great things we love about our town are the outdoor events our Parks and Recreation Department sponsors for the citizens. Mark your calendars for some great music this summer at the Harmony on the River Concerts at the River Walk Park. The first concert is this Tuesday, July 6th!

" Pool-a Palooza" Fundraiser Canceled

Big Kahuna Yogurt still had the sign up yesterday for the Pool-a-Palooza fundraiser, but according to an article published in the News-Ledger the event has been canceled for this year....The event sponsors had anticipated raising up to $25,000 for West Sacramento's underprivileged children to participate in recreation programs like basketball, tennis and pool activities--hopefully the event can get back on track for next year! Many of our friends were looking forward to hearing Garratt Wilkin and The Parrotheads perform around the pool...

The Pug Nosed Friend

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