Mulch Madness

It's been a long, hot summer so far, and there's plenty more to come. Mulch Madness, organized by the Sacramento Tree Foundation, will help protect the trees in McKinley Park from the dry conditions. The mulch rings applied around the bases of new and established trees throughout the park will help keep the soil cool, retain moisture and prevent weeds.

This Monday, August 4, from 6:30 to 8pm, volunteers of all ages are encouraged to help out--with or without their own gloves, wheelbarrows and rakes. For more information and to fill out the Volunteer Release form, go to www.sactree.com.

East Sac Community Meeting About Crime

A little while ago my wife contacted Councilmember Steve Cohn’s office to coordinate an East Sac Community Meeting to discuss all of the crime that our neighborhood has recently seen. 

Steve's office just confirmed the details of this meeting. It will be held on Wednesday, August 27^th from 6:30-8pm at the Clunie Community Center.  Councilmember Steve Cohn and his staff have put together a wonderful structure. The Sacramento Police Department will give us an update on the crime in the area as well as discuss crime prevention strategies.  Jena Swafford, Sacramento’s Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, will discuss how to set up a Neighborhood Watch and how using NextDoor.Com is a great way to connect with neighbors for a variety of ways including crime prevention.  A Park Ranger will also speak about Park Safety and what volunteers can do to stay safe. Lastly Steve Cohn will also speak at this meeting. 

This is such an important meeting for the East Sac community to attend.  Will you help us get the word out for this meeting?  Please forward the flyer that is attached by email and/or hand delivering it to your members/neighbors.  The more East Sac residents in attendance, the more we can make a difference in our neighborhood!!!

We hope to see you at the meeting!

Fab '40s 5K Run/Walk

It is no exaggeration to say that Alzheimer's disease affects millions of Americans. Odds are that, even if you don't have anyone in your family with Alzheimer's, you know someone who has. In order to support the families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease, the East Lawn Memorial Park will hold its 6th Annual 5K walk/run through the scenic Fab 40's neighborhood this Saturday, July 26. 

More than 1200 people are expected to participate in this popular event. The course starts and ends in East Lawn Memorial Park. The main part of the course is back and forth along M Street, with a loop around next to East Portal Park. With the tree-lined streets and the exquisite architecture of Fab '40s homes, this is truly a gorgeous way to support a great cause. 

Registration is $35 for adults, and $16 for the kids' fun runs. For more information and to register online, go to fab40s5k.org or call (916) 492-8966.

McKinley Park Tree Tour

Sure, you might appreciate the beauty of the trees in McKinley Park, but how much do you know about them, really? To learn more, stop by the parking lot near the Shepard Garden and Arts Center to take a tour of the park from 6:30-8pm on July 22nd, led by a certified arborist.

The only requirements are comfortable shoes and water if the weather is warm. Optional, but encouraged, is to bring along your smartphone or tablet to learn how to identify and map trees using the GreenprintMaps app. For more information, and to sign up for the tour, go to www.sactree.com.

10044 Prairie Dunes Way Just Sold

Last week we closed on my listing at 10044 Prairie Dunes Way.

This is a great house out by Wildhawk Golf Course just a little bit past Bradshaw and Florin. Yes, that is a ways outside of East Sac, but I'm happy to go where my clients need me. These clients were referred to me by some of my past clients (now neighbors). I helped them buy a wonderful brick house here in East Sac recently and then list and sell their old home.

We were able to get more for their house on Prairie Dunes Way than they originally expected and the closing went very smoothly, despite a slight delay in the closing due to the buyers loan.

You can see the full listing and pictures here. 

38th Street Annual Blood Drive

For the 6th year, Alice McAuliffe and her husband Pat will host a blood drive outside their home at 1141 38th Street, complete with refreshments and East Sac neighborhood camaraderie. On Thursday, July 17, from 3 to 7pm, two bloodmobiles from BloodSource will be taking donations. This year, the goal is to collect 45 pints of blood to help patients and hospitals during the busy summer months. 

A set appointment during the hours of the event is required to donate. To do so, go to bloodsource.org/drives and enter location code M597. For more information, you can also call Alice directly at (916) 451-5507 (she is a wonderful lady to talk with, so you might want to call instead of going online)

I regularly give blood at the downtown BloodSource location at 16th and Q and this will be my first year of joining my neighbors in the local blood drive. I've already set up my appointment to go and give blood and I hope to see a lot of you there!

Mulch Madness

The Sacramento Tree Foundation's Mulch Madness event has become their most popular summer project for volunteers. Not only does it help protect McKinley Park's many majestic trees from drought and heat, but it is a project suitable to volunteers of all ages, children included. 

So this Tuesday, July 15, bring the kids and save the trees. From 6:30 to 8pm, volunteers will apply mulch rings around established and newly planted trees in the park. If you have your own wheelbarrows, gloves and rakes, please bring them along. Otherwise, supplies will be provided. For more information and to sign up as a volunteer, go to the events page at www.sactree.com.

California State Fair

Yup, it's that time again. For 17 days, from July 11-July 27, Cal Expo will host the 161st Annual California State Fair. Enjoy the many rides and games in the popular midway carnival, tour the candy-themed "Sweet--California's Tasty Journey" exhibit, and rock out to the performers at the Toyota Concert Series (including Steppenwolf, Macy Gray, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, America, Pat Benatar, Bret Michaels and many more).

Meanwhile, many other events and exhibits will show off the best the Golden State has to offer. This year, that includes awards for the finest California wines, craft beers and cheese (with official tastings during the Whiskey Festival on July 11 and Brewers Festival on July 19), horse racing and soccer showcases, and celebration of "The Farm," a large living exhibit of native California flowers, fruits and vegetables. 

And as always, you can also expect a delicious, bad-for-you plethora of fried foods. Ticket prices (for general admission, rides and special events) and hours vary throughout the run of the fair. For more information, visit www.castatefair.org.

July Food Truck Mania in McKinley Park

Food Truck Mania returns to McKinley Park this Friday, July 11, courtesy of Councilmember Steve Cohn and, especially, all the awesome food trucks presented by SactoMoFo (Sacramento Mobile Food Events). The event runs from 5-8pm; come as early as you can to enjoy all your favorite food, the beer garden and live music by the acoustic duo of Kally Pile and Phillip Lovejoy, otherwise known as Two Barrels Shy. 

For more info, go to sactomofo.com.