Village Parkway Extension

Construction has started the a 0.4 mile roadway extension of Village Parkway across from the new Mike McGowan Bridge in Southport.  For more info see New West Sacramento Parkway Will Connect Southport To Raley Field And Tower Bridge

Parafoil Stunt Kite

Hal and I enjoyed watching this fellow lifting his Parafoil Stunt Kite along Jefferson Boulevard last week. It looked like he was getting a great workout!

Farm Fresh Veggies

We stopped at the Urban Farm Stand on Lake Washington Boulevard this morning to purchase some beautiful fresh harvest veggies. There are 3 farms located behind the stand in the lot next door to the fire station. They plan to be there selling their fresh product on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM.  These farmers are affiliated with the Center for Land Based Learning's Urban Farm program. 

Say Hi to Maria @ Whitey's

Maria has worked at Whitey's Jolly Kone for 25 years. She is their longest employee and says she cooks 25 lbs of bacon every day. What is your favorite menu item...mine is the combo tostada and husband Tom's is the Whitey Special Burger.

San Pedro Annual Festival Founded in 1922

Celebrating it's 93rd Annual event this past weekend, the San Pedro Association put on another amazing festival. Board Member and Festa Committee member (and Bryte native) Ed Sequiera has worked tirelessly to help raise money toward maintaining the historic San Pedro Park in Bryte. Great job Ed and crew! Photo courtesy Vickie Ramos.

Build a Playground in One Day? Yes we can!!

Thanks to generous grant from KaBOOM!! and Disney, YCCA, the City of West Sacramento, Northern California Construction Training, Inc. and over 400 community volunteers teamed up to build a new playground at Bryte Park in West Sacramento yesterday. Many thanks to Raley's Market for donating breakfast and lunch for the workers. The playground will be ready for public use on June 5, 2015.Thank you Connie Leak for sharing her great collage of her snaps of the day. For more see http://www.cityilights.org/2015/04/02/disney-brings-kaboom-playground-to-west-sacramento/   KCRA news coverage here.  #playmatters  #800hands

Goodbye to Old Town Inn-Suites

These pix were from our blog post in 2009. Years ago this motel was called the Pony Express Motel and the pony was still standing in front of the Old Town Inn-Suite on West Capitol Avenue. The motel served as transitional housing recently to many of the West Sacramento homeless population.

Water Conservation Workshops Offered

May 7, 2015 - West Sacramento declared a stage 3 Water Shortage Contingency Plan

Remembering Steve Marschke

Photo by the News-Ledger .

Steve Marschke, the longtime publisher and editor of the News-Ledger. Read Daryl Fisher's memorial to  Steve @ the News-Ledger website.

Remembering Robert J. Buck

Robert Jay Buck passed away March 26, 2015 in Sacramento at the age of 74 years. Bob graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1963. He received his PHD from The California Institute Of Technology in 1968 and taught at The University of California, Davis for over 30 years. Bob and his family made West Sacramento their home for over 40 years. He is survived by his wife of over 35 years, Judy Buck, his sons, Richard Handy and John Buck, daughters, Sherry Jacobs and Suzanne (Barry) Howard, older brother John Buck and twin brother, Richard (Janete) Buck. Also survived by six grandchildren and one great granddaughter. All are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the West Sacramento Moose Lodge, 3240 Jefferson Blvd., West Sacramento, CA 95691. Cremation arrangements entrusted to River Cities Funeral Chapel. Donations may be made in his name to the West Sacramento Moose Lodge, P.O. Box 874, West Sacramento, CA 95691, or the West Sacramento Kiwanis, P.O. Box 2062, West Sacramento, CA 95691. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?n=robert-jay-buck&pid=174602844&fhid=8304#sthash.HDsIQrD5.dpuf

RIP John K. Combs

March 16, 2015 12:20 am

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John K. Combs, 92, died Sunday, March 8, 2015 in Sacramento, California.

Local arrangements by: Chermok Funeral Home, David City, Nebraska

Burial: Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 1 p.m., David City Cemetery

John was born November 16, 1922 to Sumner (Sam) William Combs, Sr., and Valdeva Maria Combs (Hastings) in David City, Nebraska and is being returned to his hometown to be buried next to his brother Donald. He is the grandson of Lovel Sheldon Hastings, who was a Nebraska State Senator 1903-05, the Mayor of David City in 1912-13 and District Judge for Boone County.

Mr. Combs was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8762, West Sacramento and a 40 year member of the West Sacramento Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the United Centennial Methodist Church in Sacramento. John was employed in management positions for 23 years at Foremost Dairy. He Retired as General Manager of Bel Air Markets after 17 years in which capacity he participated in the expansion of Bel Air Markets from 7 to 16 markets. He enjoyed racquetball, fishing, darts and his work. John served honorably in the Secret Squadron of the 8th Air Force during World War II.

He is survived by his wife: Frances Willis; and by his children, John Wilson Combs, Jane Elizabeth Tiscione, 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Mr. Combs is preceded in death by his English wife of 52 years: Jennie Wilson, and his youngest daughter: Judith Ann Driggs.

Mr. Combs requested no flowers. In lieu of flowers, please mail a donation to the ‘VFW Post 8762, 905 Drever Street, West Sacramento CA 95691, Attention: Quartermaster on-line tributes: Chermok Funeral Home

Spring Art Project-Neighborhood Mural

John, Ruth, Mason and Connor decided to brighten up their corner of the world over the Spring Break by painting this beautiful mural on their street facing fence. John is the artist and created the design, but the whole family was involved in the painting and planting. Thank you for making our world a better place.

Rest in Peace - Bill Gay Long-time resident of West Sacramento

Long-time West Sacramento resident Bill Gay passed away on March 26, 2015. Rest in Peace Bill.

William Joseph Gay was born on September l0, 1926 in Placerville, California and made his home with his incredible family in West Sacramento until his passing on March 26, 2015, peacefully with family at his side. Bill or "Papa" as he was affectionately called by nearly everyone over the last 20 years, is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lorraine Gay and seven children, Marjorie Ruark (Randy), Carol Fisch, William Gay Jr. (Sheila), Gerard Gay (Kathy), Torn Gay, Lola Way (Jerry), Michael Gay and 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his son Eloi Gay. Bill lived his entire adult life in West Sacramento, including over 60 in the same house raising seven children while working at the American Can Company and then retiring from Campbell's Soup after 29 years of dedicated service. A lifelong Niner fan, Bill was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, deacon in his church, and the epitome of a great family man. Special thanks are extended to Shabana Khan and the amazing staff at The Meadows at Ballena Bay. Rosary services will be held at River City Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:00p.m. Friends and Family are invited to services on Wednesday, April 1st at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in West Sacramento with a Celebration of Life at the VFW Hall following interment at St. Mary's. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?n=william-joseph-gay&pid=174523833#sthash.6QqjoTj3.dpuf

Watching the ship go by

Driving along Jefferson Boulevard toward Clarksburg can be quite an adventure.  Yesterday we saw this ship from Singapore cruising up river to the Port of West Sacramento.

Where the Sinapis arvensis grows

The fields and open spaces in West Sacramento are filled with a profusion of wild mustard each spring. To cuddle up in these bright yellow flower blankets as a kid always made me so happy!

Evening sunset by Loren Ishii

Thank you Loren Ishii for sharing this photo of the setting sun that he shot while on his evening commute over the Freeport Bridge back to West Sacramento.  The photo is unedited except for slight cropping, but has the look of a water colored landscape painting.

Homeless in West Sacramento

With 2 carts filled with belongings, her faithful friend watches over while she sends a text on her cell phone..Don't you wonder where she will spend the night tonight?  I'm sure Raley's gets lots of complaints about the sidewalk sitters but my heart breaks when I see folks ending up in this situation.

The City of West Sacramento is a member of the Yolo County Homeless Coalition. 

Washington Little League Volunteers Circa 1960

Thank you Linda Balakin Boerlin for sharing this great photo of some of the parents and volunteers working on the Washingon Little League ball field. Per Linda "This pic was in the News Ledger circa 1960’s.   I believe it was a work party at the baseball diamond. I don’t know all the men but recognize Ernie Otten, Sam Tripp,  Dave Meza, and possibly Don Kimbrell and Bob Horrel. The original Washington Little League Diamonds were located next door to the Broderick Post Office on Sacramento Avenue.

On Saturday, March 7th, 2015 at 9:00 AM  there will be a Field Work Day at Washington Little League diamonds (Alyce Norman-Bryte Little League Fields at Todhunter and Carrie Street. Bring your shovels and garden tools with you if you are interested in giving them a hand. See more on their Facebook page. This year, the West Sacramento Little League will be inter-leaguing with Washington Little League and also using the Washington Fields for many games since they have too many teams to play only at Memorial Park.

Washington Little League Volunteers Circa 1960

Lenise's Cafe' - coffees, juice drinks, paninis and more

Lenise Mowry announced the grand opening of her new Lenise's Cafe' at 3150 Jefferson Boulevard this week.  We stopped by to sample some of the deliciousness and enjoyed chatting with Lenise at the counter. The European ambiance, music and outdoor seating is quite lovely and soon they will be offering a selection of wines and beers...the best part for me is it is in walking distance!! 

The Orange Lady

I stopped to buy oranges from this beautiful senorita this week and she let me take her photo.  These oranges are the sweetest and best navals I have ever tasted.  I hope I see her again setup in the neighborhood so I can buy another couple of bags.

Rock & Roll Remembered - The Legends of West Sacramento

On February 7, 2015, The Rock and Roll Legends of West Sacramento (Lew Fratis, Richard Leathers, Mike McGowan, Wayne Smith, Cindy Tuttle, Tommy King, Mick Martin, Danny Sandoval, Jeremy Springer and Donn Tuttle) gathered together for a fund raiser to benefit West Sacramento Parks & Recreation. See HD video on Youtube. Check out the Sacramento Rock & Radio Museum for great posters of concerts and events over the years.

Video recorded and posted by Barbara Smith.

Barge Canal Access

We stopped to enjoy the peaceful and scenic beauty of the barge canal access on Jefferson Boulevard this afternoon...no sign of any fishermen there today.  The Fish Sniffer says "(Sacramento) Angling pressure has been light in the Sacramento area since the New Year began, with the Port of Sacramento and Sacramento Deepwater Channel offering the top striped bass fishing and the Lower Delta offering the best sturgeon action."

The Bryte Boys...fun on the river circa 1930!

Thank you Linda Balakin Boerlin for sharing this great photo of her dad and his buddies...The Bryte Boys were Al Beebe, George Kristoff, Bill Balakin, George Roberti, Mike Karakos and Walt Roberti. Linda is not sure of the date but her dad Bill was born in 1921.  She estimates they were teens in this photo so mid to late 1930's.   

Cemex Rubble Pile

The demolition is complete...all that remains of the old Cemex Cement Plant is a pile of cement rubble.