RIP Carla Soost Marquez

On November 24, 2016, Carla passed away, peacefully after a heroic battle with cancer. Carla was born in Sacramento, California on November 30, 1946. She was the first child born to LeRoy "Bud" and Alma Soost. Carla was a life-long resident of West Sacramento, graduating from James Marshall High School. She later attended San Jose State where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching credential. Carla touched thousands of lives as an educator, serving 42 years in the Washington Unified School District as a teacher, Elementary School Assistant Principal, and Elementary School Principal. Carla was nominated several times and received the Employee of the Year Award for Washington Unified School District both as a teacher and administrator. Carla was first and foremost a mom. She was active in the West Sacramento Little League, River City High School Athletic Boosters, and American Legion Baseball. Carla was a dedicated fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers and enjoyed vacationing with her boys; spending time with friends; playing penny slots at the casino; crafting; shopping; and watching the Hallmark channel. "Grandma Carla" was also always available to babysit for those who asked her to. Carla was preceded in death by her parents LeRoy "Bud" and Alma Soost. Carla is survived by her husband, Andres "Andy"; sons, Vincent and Stephen; sister, Toni Johnson; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the nurses and doctors at the Oncology Department of Mercy General Hospital for their outstanding care, comfort and support. Visitation hours will be Friday, December 2nd from 2:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. with 7:00 p.m. vigil service, all at RIVER CITIES FUNERAL CHAPEL, 910 Soule St., West Sacramento. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered December 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, 911 Park Blvd., West Sacramento. Entombment, St. Mary's Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at 1:00p.m. at Stonegate Elementary School, 2500 LaJolla Dr., West Sacramento. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society . Repost from the Sacramento Bee

RIP Tina Marie Villanueva Blessing

Tina Marie Villanueva Blessing 
July 12, 1974 - November 5, 2016

 Tina passed away on November 5, 2016 due to a brief, but courageous, battle with ovarian cancer. Born on July 12, 1974 in Sacramento, CA, she is the daughter of Antonio “Tino” and Diane Villanueva, sister to David Villanueva (Natalie), Auntie Tina to Michael and Mariah and loved by the entire Blessing family. She graduated from McClatchy High School (1992) and California State University, Sacramento (1996) where she earned a BA in Humanities/Religious Studies – Psychology. In 1995, Tina met the love of her life, Michael Blessing. They married in 1999 and together created a beautiful family of three sons, Drew (15), Luke (8), and Beckett (6). The boys are Tina and Michael’s greatest accomplishments and sources of joy. Tina’s most rewarding time was spent devoting herself to her three boys and being a loving wife and friend. Tina was the mother who always volunteered at her sons’ schools, the spur-of-the-moment adventure companion, the friend who always had time to listen, the “Mom” who all children loved and adored. Famous for her style, Tina’s smile was her signature accessory. Like the sunflowers she loved, she was a burst of sunshine, welcoming all with her infectious smile, friendly nature and contagious laugh. Tina’s gift of sharing love and compassion was limitless. In keeping with her love of people, Tina proudly represented Nerium International and Palm Coast Travel. Tina cherished annual family trips to Lake Tahoe, wine tastings, and Christmas tamale-making parties. Tina enjoyed celebrations, concerts, and cruiser pub-crawls. As an avid SF Giants fan, Tina honed her cheerleading skills although her loudest whoops and hollers cheered on her boys and other loved ones at soccer, baseball, and rugby games. Tina’s girlfriends brought sisterhood, strength, and spice to her life; their support, especially over the last few months, was a priceless gift. “Love is everywhere. See the love in all things and all people. Life will be much happier and rewarding,” a challenge for us all to live by posted on Facebook by Tina. She will be greatly missed by all. Her loving grandparents, Lyle and Ellie Van Airsdale and Antonio and Maria Villanueva preceded Tina in death.

 A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at the Yolo Brewing Co., 1220 Terminal St., West Sacramento from 12:00-4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made @ www.gofundme.com/blessing-family-education-fund Please post memories and pictures @ www.facebook.com/ShareTinasBlessings
Published in the Sacramento Bee November 20, 2016

Monument School Circa 1898

Colleen Parkinson sent us the great pix!  "These photographs were found among my aunt Dorothy Parkinson's memorabilia. I hope you can use them. The Parkinson family were pioneers in Washington Township, later called Broderick (as you know)."

The lower photo identifies her ancestors in the group photo. According to the timeline posted by the San Pedro Association "In 1861- The Monument Bend School opened, five miles upriver from Washington.  There was severe flooding this year, with water over eight feet deep in much of the town."

Senator Garage circa 1937

Thank you Colleen Parkinson for sending us this great photo from the past.  Colleen says "found among my aunt Dorothy Parkinson's memorabilia. This is the Senator Garage circa 1937, run by Dorothy's father Bill Parkinson.

RIP Floyd "Andy" Anderson

Floyd passed away August 27, 2016 at the age of 92. He leaves behind his loving wife of 68 years, Emma and sons Edward (Debbie), Gary (Mary), 3 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Floyd was a veteran of WW2 proudly serving in the Marines. At his request no services will be held. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Published in The Sacramento Bee on Sept. 7, 2016

Fresh Berry Recipe

Found recipe...this one sounds great, printed on the side of our Nugget Market paper bag.

Whitey's Fresh Peach Shakes this week... ..

If you have had one, you will never forget it!

94th Annual San Pedro Festa (Portuguese Picnic) is this weekend

The 94th Annual San Pedro Festa (Portuguese Picnic) is this weekend in Bryte/West Sacramento. Pictured are this year’s Festa Queens - Senior Queen Julyana Lara, daughter of Michael and Frances Lara. Baby Queen Jessenia Velez, daughter of John and Eyvette Velez.  Both are the granddaughters of Daniel and Christina Velez of West Sacramento. 

Join us at San Pedro Park (708 N. Hobson Avenue ) for live music, auctions, bingo, traditional foods.

Saturday June 25th from 5-9 pm. Sunday June 26 the festivities start with Mass at 9:00 am at Holy Cross Church. After mass the annual procession from the Church to the Park will mark the opening of the event from 11 am to 5 pm.

Vickie Ramos

RIP Norma Andreina Edmonds (1928 - 2016)

From the Sacramento Bee Newspaper

Born on October 31, 1928 in Broderick, California to Teresa (Belli) and Ferdinando Guastalli and passed away unexpectedly on March 9, 2016 at her home in West Sacramento. Norma is survived by her son Michael (Vivian), daughter Carol, grandchildren Lindsay, Ashley (Brett Hobbs) and Gregory and great-grandson Cameron Hobbs. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Marie (Bill) Bresciani and Juanita Edmonds, Belli and Guastalli cousins and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Hilda (Ilde) Dorris. Norma spent most of her childhood in Broderick, but also lived for short periods of time in Bagnone, Italy and Hood, CA. She graduated from Woodland High School and attended Sacramento Junior College, where she studied art and began her long association with the Delta Sigma Sorority. She also met her husband Arthur H. Edmonds and they were married on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950. She and Art built a home in West Sacramento where they lived for the last 60 years. In April 2015, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Arthur passed away a short time later in June, 2015. Norma and Art had several businesses with her sister and brother-in-law Ernest Dorris, and later with her nephews Richard and John Dorris. When her children and grandchildren were young, Norma was active in many local organizations such as the James Marshall Nursery School, Westmore Oaks PTA, Cub Scouts and the West Sacramento Little League. For many years she and Art were members of a dance club that met for monthly dances at the old Capitol Inn in West Sacramento. Norma was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 8762 Auxiliary. Norma and Art traveled to Europe several times and visited most major cities throughout the US. They also enjoyed spending time at the family house at Lake Tahoe. One of their favorite vacations was a trip the entire family took for their 50th anniversary in 2000. The family visited New York City and Boston and spent a week on Cape Cod. As season ticket holders, Norma and Art attended many 49er games over 20 years, including Super Bowl XIX at Stanford. Norma's all-time favorite activity was shopping in San Francisco. She did it as often as she could for over 50 years. In her later years, she enjoyed playing Bunco and having weekly lunches with friends and monthly lunches with various groups including her childhood friends of Italian and Russian decent from Broderick and Bryte and her sorority sisters. Mostly, she loved being Nonni to her grandchildren and great grandson. A Life Celebration will be held on Friday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m. at VFW Post 8762 at 905 Drever Street, West Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations honoring Norma be made to the West Sacramento Historical Society, West Sacramento Friends of the Library or the Italian Cultural Society of Sacramento. Final arrangements were provided by River Cities Funeral Chapel. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=178117554#sthash.6MJpufXm.dpuf

Landscaping crew at Joey Lopes Park on Sycamore Avenue

The landscapers were hard at work today at the new Joseph (Joey) Lopes Neighborhood Park on Sycamore Avenue in West Sacramento.  The crew was busy digging and planting "millions" of beautiful drought tolerant shrubs, plants and trees and said they expect to lay the bark tomorrow. The huge park design is really quite fabulous with an art installation yet to come by nationally known artist Michael Clapper of Denver, Colorado.  I'm sure it would please our old friend Joey Lopes!

Summerfield Park Playground Updated

The new playground structure at located at 2950 Linden Road is now complete and it looks great! The park remodel was designed by Miracle Play Systems and was partially funded with donations raised by Bridgeway Play, a citizens group in West Sacramento.

River City High School Summer of 2009

River City High School relocated in 2009 to the beautiful new campus located on Jefferson Boulevard and Linden Avenue. Seems such a shame that the City of West Sacramento and Washington Unified School district can't get together to turn these fields into a sports complex/baseball park to benefit the kids in our City.