Cub Scout Pack 49 in action

Cub Scout Pack 49 Webelos performed community service in West Sacramento yesterday by weeding and mulching a public corner. Thank you Pack Mom Christy Jourdan for sharing this photo!

Jefferson Boulevard in bloom!

Time to enjoy the beautiful display of California Poppies in bloom ...many thanks to Dena Kirtley our City Arborist for her work to hand seed the poppies around our town!

The West Sacramento Cycling Club

The West Sacramento Cycling Club was just finishing up their Weekly Standard Loop Ride (12 miles) ending at Wicked West Pizza...looking good gentlemen!

RIP Corky Kimbrough

KIMBROUGH, T.C. 'Corky'
Entered into rest March 13, 2012 in Sacramento. Corky was born in Sacramento and lived in West Sacramento most of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Desiree Kimbrough. Survived by his wife of 48 years, Deeden, his brother, Dick, and numerous friends and extended family members. Cork was a Vietnam vet. and served in the Navy on the USS Ticonderoga. Corky's best times were boating on the river, fishing for salmon in the ocean, riding horses (Girly Mae), and driving his 32 Duce Coupe. Visitation hours will be Thursday (today) from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at River Cities Funeral Chapel, 910 Soule St., West Sacramento. Funeral services are Friday, March 16, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. in the funeral home chapel. Military honors Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery, Dixon, CA. Memorials preferred to your charity of choice .
Published in The Sacramento Bee on March 15, 2012

Shamrocks for MDA

This letter from Halie Frahm was posted at the cashier's station at Lowe's this morning. "Since 2001, Lowe’s has been one of the largest supporters of MDA’s Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign. Lowe’s Associates know firsthand the power of a simple paper Shamrock." You can stop by Lowe's and drop your donation into their collection jugs!

Cedar Waxwings Sighted..

This flock of about 20 Cedar Waxwings stopped in our backyard for a visit last week. Thanks to my friend Carolyn for identifying them for me...this is the first time I've seen them stop by. My long lens was still not great for catching them in detail...so I know what I want for my birthday ya'll....

Arteaga's Bounty!

We always enjoy shopping for fresh produce at Arteaga's Market at 940 Sacramento Avenue. Artega's Market is family owned and operated, specializes in Hispanic Foods and has been serving the Sacramento Area for the past 8 years. How many of you remember shopping that location when it was a Raley's Market?

Signs of Spring Already...

But have we really seen winter yet this year? Interesting weather we are having folks.

Neighborhood Watch Cat

Sitting on his corner...on our afternoon walks Juno and I see this proud feline sunning and keeping watch over the block.

Remembering Della Beltrami

The picture frames are all straight in heaven today. Adele 'Della' Beltrami lived from May 14, 1919 to February 8, 2012, her entire life in West Sacramento. Preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Dino. Della was the mother of Rose Beltrami and Kathryn Beltrami (Martin Pierucci), and grandmother to Molly Artru (Scott), Joseph Pierucci (April), and Emily Pierucci. She was great-grandmother to Hannah Hoerl and Jonah Artru. Della was born to Constentino and Cecilia Parella on their farm in West Sacramento. She shared their home with brothers, Louie and Charlie, and sisters, Lilly and Cecelia. Della's parents were early farmer/settlers in West Sacramento and had immigrated to California from Asti, Italy.
Della had a wonderful childhood in what was then the very rural West Sacramento, attending dances and parties at the old West Sacramento Clubhouse on Alameda and taking the Sacramento Northern electric train to downtown Sacramento or distant San Francisco. Della and a group of friends joined 200,000 to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge on it's Opening Day in 1937. She also loved to travel to San Francisco by the riverboat Delta King.
She will be deeply missed by anyone who ever tasted her wonderful dinners. Marathon cooking yielded 100 dozen hand rolled raviolis at a time to be packed in careful layers for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The smiles at the dinner table got bigger every time those white ravioli boxes came out. No one could can fresh tomatoes as well as she could. Della lived her life with high standards and love. When asked how she was feeling near the end she replied, '100 percent,' and her parting advice was, 'don't forget the rosemary and garlic.' She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and wonderful caregivers Louisa, Debbie, and Joana.
Services on Wed., February 15, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Cemetery Chapel, 6700 21st Ave., Sacramento, CA. Remembrances may be made in Della's name to Christian Brothers High School and Nor. Cal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing. River Cities Funeral Chapel.
Published in The Sacramento Bee on February 12, 2012

About the Rose Orchard in Bryte, CA

Rose Orchard was the name of the Reed family home and pear orchard in Bryte, CA . It was named for Hayward Reed's wife, Rose Mather Reed. See this link for the art print of the label from Old Oaks Bartlett Pears from the Rose Orchard, and for the history buffs, here is a link to Internet Archive for the full text of "History of Yolo County, California," with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county, who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present" dated 1913.

Paul Blart --Not!

The Security guy on the Segway at Arden Fair Mall has a great sense of humor...and he didn't mind a gentle ribbing about his likeness to the character played by Kevin James in the movie Mall Cop. When I was in Europe recently there were many city tours offered on Segways...the tours were very popular by young and old!

The Emerald Sea

The Sea Scouts Neptune of West Sacramento sailed their newest addition to the fleet up the Sacramento River from Sausalito on Sunday. Under the leadership of Skipper Nate Eckler, the Sea Scouts offer a youth education program that teaches young adults, ages 13-21, boating and vocational skills.

Subliminal Message Received

While walking through our local Walmart last week this message was caught in the corner of my eye.. The Dr. Pepper marketer did a great job on this one!