Collings Teen Center Student Mural Project

This ceramic tile mural was created for the Collings West Sacramento Teen Center on Merkley Ave., under the auspices of “Project Reach” of the Developmental Disabilities Service Organization. Students from the Merkley Youth Academy and artists attending “The Short Center North” in Sacramento worked together create the ceramic tile designs. Photo by Christy.

Frosty on Summerfield

My neighborhood is starting to light up! I turned the corner on the way home tonight and this bright display greeted me.
Photo by Barbara

Quick Holiday Shopping at Starbucks

Jordan is ready to take your order at the Starbucks drive-up on Lake Boulevard...try the Christmas Roast Coffee Beans, they are delicious......and don't you think he looks a little like Ben Affleck?
Photo by Barbara

Barge Canal Access Now Open

These fishermen were enjoying the beautiful weather the day after Thanksgiving. The Barge Canal Access recreational area on Jefferson Boulevard is now open and offers a boat launch for non-motorized boats, bank fishing, picnic area and walking path for bird and people watching.

Photos by Barbara

Deadheads in West Sacramento

We saw this sign in the neighborhood during our evening stroll. It brought back memories of when we went to see the Grateful Dead in concert at Cal Expo in the 1980's.

Trivia: The parking lot was full of old Volkswagon Vans decorated with Grateful Dead artwork, outside the event there were the vendors selling all sorts of interesting "paraphernalia" and the "spinners" were doing their holy dance. Inside, the air was a pungent aromatic blend of patchouli, body odor and tobacco. Sitting on the grass in front of the stage were the younger fans in tie-dye and sitting in the bleachers, dressed in suits and ties and designer jogging outfits, were the Sac State and UC Davis Alumni "Deadheads". All there had one thing in common, they were diehard fans of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead.
Photo by Barbara

Dave's Christmas Trees Opens Nov 23rd ~ 32 days til' Xmas

West Sacramento's locally owned Dave's Christmas Trees ~ 3010 Burrows Avenue in West Sacramento will be open for business on November 23. Photo by Barbara

Happy Thanksgiving

There is the bird--deep fried and ready for eating. This is Kurt's special recipe and it is delicious.
See here for information about recycling used cooking oil in the City of West Sacramento.

Vince's Ristorante: A West Sacramento Landmark

Vince's Italian Ristorante on Harbor Boulevard has great old style charm and delicious Italian food and Steaks--everything is cooked fresh to order..and the friendly staff makes you feel like one of their family...Ben Dominguez has been with Vinces for 23 years and Iris Slaven for 34 years. Vince and Pauline Frugoli were the founders of Vince's Restaurant in 1964. Vince was a local celebrity in West Sacramento and years ago after the Columbus Day Parade, he would put on a huge rigatoni feed, free to everyone. Lots of community groups started getting involved over the years to make the celebration successful. The parade has now evolved into the Community Day Parade. Vince was a real hometown hero in West Sacramento.  A recent photo of Pauline at a crab feed at the West Sac Moose Lodge.

 
Above is a photo of a photo of Vince Frugoli from the display case at the restaurant.

Wild Turkey in West Sacramento

This special breed of wild turkey is protected in the city limits of West Sacramento. So as tasty as he looks he won't be gracing the table of any meat eaters in our city this Thanksgiving Day. This one was seen lurking in a hedgerow on Nancy Lane. Photo by Debbie


Another sighting of the West-Sac Wild Turkey impersonating a cactus frond...this time on West Capitol Avenue trying to hitch a ride over to Davis...

Golden State Middle School

Golden State, home of the "Warriors", now serves as a middle school for over "1100" 7th and 8th grade students in the Washington Unified School District. More changes coming for Golden State:see the 2007- K-8 Decision for WUSD Photo by Barbara Smith

Trivia History: Was built in 1962, originally named Washington High School, was the home of the "Huskies" football team and radio station KWHS 91.7 FM. It would later became Golden State Junior High School when James Marshall High and Washington High merged to form River City Senior High School in 1979.

Horse Ranch on South River Road

This beautiful horse ranch is on the South River Road in West Sacramento. Hopefully the city leaders will help preserve this beautiful country area from over-development. Areas like this are what help to create West Sacramento's unique charm. Photo by Barbara.

"Rosa Mariposa"

Pretty pink butterfly cookies baked by Lindsay and Charlee for our grandaughter's 1st birthday party. They tasted as good as they looked. Photo by Barbara

Brusco Tug Boats and Barges

Above is a photo of the tugboat and barge fleet ready for action at the Port of Sacramento docks. Photo by Barbara.

Trivia: A tug is a boat used to maneuver, primarily by towing or pushing, other vessels in harbours, over the open sea or through rivers and canals. They are also used to tow barges, disabled ships, or other equipment like towboats. Tugboats are quite strong for their size. Early tugboats had steam engines but today diesel engines are used.

Old Dodge Truck on Jefferson Boulevard

This old Dodge flatbed truck is parked in a vacant lot on Jefferson Boulevard with a lot of interesting farming implements. It has a diesel engine and metal tank on the bed, and a hose contraption with a spraying attachment affixed that winds around to the front. Does anyone know what it was used for?
Photo by Barbara