Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "alkali flats"

Scavengers hunt the grid

2011-06-13T07:05:42Z

Over 30 teams of bike scavengers took to the streets of downtown Sacramento Saturday in a race against time to interpret clues, hunt for items and complete challenges for the Bicycle Kitchen’s annual Hunt the Grid bike scavenger hunt.

If cyclists didn’t know Sacramento before the hunt, they sure do now. The hunt, now in its third year, is an event where teams of four hit the pavement and try to solve clues based on well-known venues and random oddities of Sacramento.

Bike Kitchen staff member and event organizer Ryan Sharpe, 32, planned the event with his staff non-stop for six weeks.

“No one is going to look at the city in the same way,” he said.

The city was broken up into quadrants, and cyclists had three hours to scavenge. Sharpe said it would be a lot of biking because they tried to utilize the entire grid. The hunt spanned everything from Old Sacramento to Alhambra, and B Street down to Broadway.

“There’s certain places they have to go to test their metal against our volunteers,” Sharpe said. “As they’re riding around town, there’s clues that they can decode, certain things to look out for — random items they might find on the street and things they might have to knock on someone’s door to get.”

The list, which came in a sealed envelope given to each team at registration, included a plethora of lists — four different clue sets leading the bikers to over 25 venues, shops and landmarks on the grid, four challenges and over 60 photos and items to collect along the way.

Once teams were allowed to open their packets, they huddled and began strategizing how to tackle the list.

Rachel Dudderar, 28, discussed a plan of action with her team.

“We’re trying to figure out where to go first and what the clues mean,” Dudderar said. “We’re probably going to split up and get back together and start off with what has the most points.”

Teams didn’t have to stick together for the entire race, but all team members had to be present for the destination stops and challenges.

Riders were led to destinations like the Crest Theatre, given the clue set, “Leave the toothpaste at home when you hit the theatre, but be sure your breath is fresh when you talk to the doorman.”

Doorwoman Candice Adams, 31, stood at the door awaiting the hunters to hand them a ticket that led them to their next stop. In the first hour of the hunt, she said she had seen at least 15 teams come through.

Movie ticket stubs, “Kings Be Heard” signs, coffee sleeves, Kevin Johnson’s business card and discarded bicycle parts were items to gather on the list. Another layer of the clues were picture sets, for which teams had to present photographic proof of their findings of things like a skateboarder, a street musician, an original red News & Review stand and Downtown James Brown.

“There’s so many clues, it’s going to be impossible to finish,” one biker said.

“IMAX. 3-D glasses. Let’s go!” replied his teammate, and they sped off.

Bikers were in and out of establishments and off and on their bikes as they raced against the clock and other teams.

“The goal was to make it so that no one can complete this no matter how hard they try,” Sharpe said. “I don’t want the fastest team to win. I want the smartest team to win. You have to be pedaling slowly around town to be able to catch certain things. If you’re just racing around from one place to another, you’re going to miss a lot of points.”

The organizers said they wanted to outdo themselves in comparison to past years and worked hard to make it better, including expanding the list, doubling the point values and adding the challenges

The challenges were worth six points and tested the wit and precision of the team members in various tasks, one which tested their shooting skills at a target behind a defunct sewing machine shop on J Street.

Sarah Pulse, 30, a Bike Kitchen volunteer and organizer, said the hunt is not just about biking around and finding stuff. It will involve strategy and a keen eye.

“You have to keep an eye on your surroundings,” she said.

The team with the most points at the end of the three hours was the winner. Prize baskets went to the top three teams.

Pulse said they gave out over $600 in prizes for first place, $400 for second and $300 for third. Bike Kitchen sponsors, some of which were destination stops, supplied the goods for the baskets.

“We have a lot of gift cards from local businesses,” Pulse said. “We have some merchandise from local businesses, some event tickets from local businesses and of course some bike paraphernalia.”

Magpie, The Beat, Shady Lady, Fox & Goose, Time Tested Books, Zen Sushi and many others supplied gift cards.

John Berlin came in third place the first year.

“It can be intense,” Berlin said. “It was super fun and I didn’t know what to expect being new to California and Midtown in general, but it’s a good way to test your knowledge of your city.”

Pulse said she didn’t expect people to work so hard. People came back looking haggard and drenched in sweat. People were overheard saying, “It was a lot of work,” “I don’t want to get back on my bike after that,” and, of course, “It was a lot of fun.”

The scavenger hunt ended, but the party continued. The Bike Kitchen closed out the evening with a big party celebrating their fifth anniversary.

The party featured music from local honky-tonk bands The Alkali Flats and Copper McBean and the Vested Interests, plus a T-shirt silk-screening station and art from Duder Manor and “more beer than they’ve ever had” from New Belgium. They announced the winners at the party.

“It’s been a lot of fun for us to put on the last three years, and we’ve been really happy with what we’ve received, not only in terms of prizes, but also the people actually going out and riding their bikes,” Sharpe said. “If you give people an excuse to go out and enjoy a beautiful May or June day on their bike, they’ll lap it up. It just gives people a new reason to ride their bike around town and maybe take a new look at the city.”

Bike Racks in the Flats?

2010-07-03T23:57:11Z

Alkali-Mansion Flats Businesses May Participate in the City of Sacramento Public Bicycle Rack Program.

Installing accessible bicycle racks nearby a business promotes increased bicycle ridership, an alternative to driving, and decreased demand for parking.

The City’s Department of Transportation will install bicycle racks in the public right-of-way for businesses that have a need for bicycle parking.

Businesses requesting a City bicycle rack are encouraged to submit an application to the Parking Services Division by visiting the Bicycle Rack Request Application website.

Minimum requirements are:

Businesses must be currently in operation and have customers, employees or visitors whom utilize bicycles to travel to the business.
Business must have limited or no space on the property to provide bicycle parking
Demonstrated a demand for bicycle parking must be evident
Businesses that are required to provide on-site bicycle parking do not qualify
Only requests made by property owners or tenants for commercial uses will be considered. This includes retail, restaurants, offices and businesses in mixed-use areas.
Businesses must be located in Phase One Pilot Area.

Call 311 for more information or apply at:

www.cityofsacramento.org/transportation/parking/bike-rack.html

Sacramento Habitat for Humanity Presents…

2010-07-03T23:53:44Z

Ashley Tully of Sacramento Habitat for Humanity attended the monthly membership meeting to introduce us to their program and to encourage participation by our membership.

There is an immediate opportunity for families in need…with the ability to make small monthly mortgage payments, whose credit record can demonstrate responsibility, and who has the desire to help themselves and other families in need…to be able to own a home!

Sacramento Habitat for Humanity (SHfH) is a non-profit housing ministry that works with selected, low-income partner families who want to learn what it takes to become responsible homeowners. Qualified families will partner with SHfH to build and purchase their own homes with no down payment and with a zero-interest loan.

Please register to attend a Sacramento Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Orientation at the Oak Park Community Center (3425 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd) from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., on one of the following Saturdays;

June 5th
July 10th
August 7th
September 11th
October 2nd
November 6th

Please RSVP to Ashley Tully, AmeriCorps- Family Services Representative at (916) 440-1215 ext. 1111 or atully@shfh.org. (Parents – children may not attend the meeting)

Green Line to River District Construction (Phase One)

2010-07-03T23:51:32Z

Preparation for the Green Line to the River District (7th Street and Richards Boulevard) is moving along with early construction taking place along 7th Street between B Street and closer to downtown at 7th Street between F and H streets. Construction crews will spend the next two weeks relocating a large sewer main in preparation for laying track. It is not desirable to have “wet” utilities underneath light rail tracks and therefore, these utilities must be moved so they are easily accessible once light rail track is laid. During the construction, which will take place around the clock from Monday, May 17 through Wednesday, June 2, 7th Street will change from three lanes to one lane at F Street. Detours are in place. Access to all parking lots and sidewalks will be maintained.

Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be alert and pay attention to detours and obstacles. Motorists are reminded to adhere to posted speed limits.

Check RT’s Rider Alert page on www.sacrt.com for details on bus service detours. To sign up for Green Line to the River District construction alerts, email Jnoble@sacrt.com.

Neighborhood Disturbances – What Should You Do?

2010-07-03T23:50:20Z

Neighbors need to be aware of the fact that it’s good to call and report ANY neighborhood disturbances to the Sac PD. This keeps patrols up in our area and could reduce crime activity.

Call the Sacramento Police Department's non-emergency line at 264-5471 if ever you are bothered by unreasonable neighborhood noise, crime, or vagrants in our area. If the disturbance is of an urgent nature, dial 911 (or 916-264-5151 from your cell phone). This will help keep the Sac PD in-the-know about any inappropriate action in our area such as domestic noise, garbage or other scavenging, potential theft activity, vagrants on your property, etc. In order to keep police street patrols active, disturbances must be reported.

Remember that this is our neighborhood and it will only get better with our active voices. Please do not hesitate to report problems & speak out! This is your home and sanctuary, after all.

Early Hour Noise Update

2010-07-03T23:47:53Z

In follow-up to the prior Newsletter article about noise disturbances: a written request to prohibit garbage truck hauling service prior to 7AM (daylight hours) has been met with voluntary compliance from area garbage haulers. Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority (SWA) General Manager/ Engineer, Paul Phillco, and City of Sacramento Integrated Waste General Manager, Edison Hicks, have stated that January 2011, an ordinance amendment could allow an exclusive service zone in the downtown area to improve implementation of the City’s general plan. Such a positive change would limit the number of haulers, noise, route frequency and wear and tear on our streets. I'm happy to share their response letter for anyone's review, just email me at: doncald@hotmail.com.

More information may be reviewed at: www.msa2.saccounty.net/swa.

For now, there has been an effort on the part of County staff to investigate the hauler container locations & collection schedules. Staff has asked haulers not to run through our neighborhood prior to 6AM. While the SWA is not requiring garbage trucks to run only after 6AM, it seems that we ARE getting voluntary compliance at this time.

However, should you be disturbed by garbage truck engines, beeps or dumpster dropping noise before daylight, please call SWA staff at 916/875-7165 during business hours to report the incident.

On the topic of the seemingly perpetual leaf blower noise and the dirt these blowers stir up:

While some have relished in the prospect of a citywide leaf blower ban, it is my opinion that responsible residents’ usage should not be compromised by private contractors that run roughshod over their numerous account properties (i.e. multiplexes, businesses, offices) in our area.

It seems a fair solution could be to request a change in code to restrict/limit the days and hours that mowing company contractors can operate. Such a change would allow us to designate the hours when contractors are in our area and ensure that residents enjoy a better quality of life with less air pollution. Your suggestions are welcome!
Current code 8.68.180 states: "It is unlawful for any person to operate any portable gasoline-powered blower on residential property or within two hundred (200) feet of residential property, except between the hours of nine a.m. and six p.m. Monday through Saturday and between the hours of ten a.m. and four p.m. on Sunday."

Violations should be reported to the City's 311 phone operators or email 311@cityofsacramento.org. It is important to describe the contractor name or vehicle logo, the location, license plate, time, etc. with any reports as this will help code enforcement identify the source of the violation(s).

If only there were silent leaf vacuums – any entrepreneurs out there?

Update on Back-in Angled Parking

2010-07-03T23:42:29Z

Back-in angled parking installation Schedule:

We expect the installation to extend for approximately 3 weeks, from May 24th to June 11th of this year. Residents should be aware that during this period they may experience a few partial road/lane closures as a result of the pavement grinding and striping as well as a temporary loss of on-street parking and parking restrictions along the concerned street segments. A traffic control plan will be in place.

New Children’s Playground at Zapata Park

2010-07-03T23:34:08Z

Many years from now, when I am telling my grand-children stories of my life; Thursday May 20, 2010, will be a story that I will recall with many fond memories. I will describe it as the perfect day; a day when an entire community came together with the common goal of building a new park and playground for the children. I will remember a day when the laughter of children echoed throughout the park, as they ran around in anticipation of the new playground being built that they helped design. I will tell them that during this day, children blew bubbles, got their face painted, and shouted out their balloon animal of choice to ‘Dilly-Dally The Clown’. I will recount stories of how a small group of children excited about their new play space, took the time that many adults don’t; they picked up trash around their community, because they wanted to welcome their new playground in a trash-free environment.

During my storytelling time, I will proudly remember how it felt to look across the park and see 250 volunteers from The Home Depot, KaBOOM, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, and members of the community, all working together to ensure that children had a great place to play. I will fondly recall residents dancing on the sidewalk, as they sang along to the music, as if they didn’t have a care in the world. Because it was during this day on Thursday May 20, 2010, that a community put aside its’ differences for the greater good. I will remember that May 20, 2010 was a day that although many of the volunteers had been hard at work since 6am, they still walked around with smiles on their faces. This was a day that people learned they had skills they never dreamed of; a day where you could be a carpenter, a painter, or an expert playground builder technician. But most of all, I will tell them that on May 20, 2010, I had the privilege of working alongside 249 other people, and that together we built a playground!

Cinco de Alchemist: A Celebration of Transformation

2009-11-06T22:37:03Z

Sacramento’s Alchemist Community Development Corporation hosted a party and fundraiser to mark its fifth anniversary Thursday evening, and veggies never seemed so cool.

At “Cinco de Alchemist,” about 150 guests enjoyed delightful offerings from local restaurants Mulvaney’s B&L, The Waterboy, Taylor’s Market, Magpie Caterers, Mikuni and more. Live music by Caribbean Jazz and Musical Charis complemented the celebratory mood.

Alchemist CDC was founded in 2004 by Wendy Carter, Lisa Nelson and Chris Aguirre to promote equitable community development in Sacramento. The nonprofit group believes that the overall health of the region depends on the health of urban centers, and they are currently focused on serving the Alkali Flats and Mansion Flats neighborhoods of downtown Sacramento.

In 2007, Alchemist CDC and the Sacramento Mutual Housing Association began the city’s first urban farm stand at J. Neely Johnson Park in Alkali Flats. In 2009, they began a farm stand at McClatchy Park in the Oak Park neighborhood. The farm stands operate from May through October.

Urban farm stands bring improved access to fresh, seasonal, locally grown vegetables and fruit to people and communities who can benefit most from it. An urban farm stand is different from a farmers’ market. Whereas farmers’ markets involve many different producers selling their produce in a large area, farm stands involve a single vendor who resells produce they have purchased from various local farmers. The farm stand is smaller and less complex than a farmers’ market and requires less coordination and fewer people to operate.

Alchemist CDC also operates an internship program for youth ages 14 to 18. According to their website, the “program focuses on providing the interns with knowledge of the benefits of fresh produce to overall health and disease prevention, as well as the differences in conventional and organic produce.”

Land Park resident Fiona Castleberry interned with Alchemist from May through October in 2009, and she attended the Cinco de Alchemist party. Castleberry worked as a volunteer at the new farm stand in McClatchy Park, and she said it was especially interesting to see how a new farm stand was set up.

“I was a bit skeptical before I started,” she said. “I really wasn’t sure there would be a lot of interest there in a farm stand, but it turned out to be a great success, and I learned a lot.”

Cinco de Alchemist was held at the newly renovated Beatnik Studios. Alchemist board president Wendy Carter said they looked at several spaces in Sacramento, but knew right away that Beatnik was just right. Beatnik did seem the perfect match for the event with its simple, elegant decor and wide-open spaces with room for guests to stand and talk or just lounge on the couches.

Carter and other Alchemist board members were pleased with the success of the event. Many of the guests stayed for hours chatting with old friends and new acquaintances, enjoying wine and beer from local producers.

“Alchemist is very appreciative of the support that everybody has shown us,” executive director Davida Douglas said in an e-mail. “The event exceeded our expectations and we are thankful to everyone that made it out to the event, and to the donors and supporters.”

Yet, there was a bit of uncertainty in Carter’s outlook about the future of Alchemist.

“We are in an in-between phase where it’s getting more difficult to raise the funds necessary to continue and expand our efforts in the community,” she said. Carter cited the economy as a huge strain on the funds available through grants and on the ability of the individual donor to give.

Carter said she has high hopes for the future of Alchemist and for better food access in her community.

“One of the things I have talked about is possibly operating the farm stands year round,” she said. “The farm stands have the best produce available in my opinion, and I miss it when it isn’t there.”

Board Secretary Jessica Pearson also has big dreams for the future of the community and its access to fresh, healthy food. She sees a future where the urban farm stands have become self-sustaining, integral parts of their respective neighborhoods and can be operated solely by the people who live there.

According to Alchemist’s website, alchemy is the medieval science that sought to transform base metals into gold. The Alchemist Community Development Corporation, true to its name, is seeking to guide the transformation and growth of the Sacramento community by putting the tools to do so in the hands of the people who need them most. If the outpouring of love, community and dedication present at Cinco de Alchemist is any indication, the future is golden for this organization and the communities it serves.

Slapper: The Phantom of Akalai Flats/La Valentina

2009-06-19T04:19:58Z

Cathy Orange meets me at a very unusual spot. She tells me to meet her at Safeway, she has a story for me, plus she has to get her grocery shopping done.

I follow Cathy Orange down the aisles, as she selects coffee, cheeses, variety of meats, bread, cucumbers, cereals and everything else that she can fit into her basket.

She tells me that she was waiting for the light rail at 9pm on 12th Street between D and E Streets in Sacramento. This is known as Akalai Flats/La Valentina.

While waiting, she was slapped in the face by an unknown force. She was startled from this experience. She tells me that this area of the light rail station is haunted. Now this is the 2nd time, I have heard a light rail station is haunted. The first haunting is at the Meadowview Station, in which I mention in a previous article and now this particular stop for the light rail. Cathy tells me she will never again wait for the light rail at this station. She will not even go there and wait during the daytime. Her friend Michelle Banta claims she was once pushed at the same area.

Shannon 'Ms. Macabre' McCabe and I checked out the area a couple of nights ago and we may have gotten a muffled EVP of a man, but it is too hard to determine as there are many faraway voices in the night that we may have picked up on. So our EVP evidence is inconclusive.

I placed my top researcher on the case. David Mace with 18 years of law enforcement under his belt and one of my best lead investigators discovered the following information:

Suspect #1 Most Likely the Slapper:
Man shot dead in Alkali Flat.
A 39-year-old man was found shot and killed early Sunday near the Alkali Flat light-rail train station on 12th Street between D and E streets in downtown Sacramento. Fredrick Karl Johnson was found shot in the chest about 2:30 a.m. Witnesses heard gunshots in the area, but no one saw the shooting, according to Sacramento police.

Suspect #2:
In the area, it is claimed that the spirit of a 12-year old girl haunts Miriam Gray's home. People have experienced unsettling dreams, soothing amber lights. Missing household items, objects skittering off tables. For 115 years, the sighs of May Woolsey have possessed this E Street Victorian like a pastel shadow, or a scented draft.

Suspect #3:
May H. Woolsey of Akalai Flats: b. 1866. d. 1879. May H. Woolsey died of encephalitis. Tour visitors have confirmed that her presence can still be felt, literally by placing ones hand near her grave stone. May Woolsey was a 12 year old girl who lived in Sacramento during the 1870's in the district known as Alkali Flat. Found in 1979 when a new owner was remodeling the house and came across a hatch cut into the second floor stair landing. The trunk had been placed in a cavity from a false ceiling in a closet below. When opened the trunk contained a fascinating chronicle of life in early Sacramento as seen through the childhood mementos of May Woolsey. Packed in the trunk were trinkets and playthings typical of most 12-year-old girls of the late 1870's. Residents of Akalai Flats at times feel her presence in the neighborhood.

Suspect #4: Virgie Hicks, 56, was fun loving, but tough on bail jumping felons. She was a colorful Sacramento bail agent and member of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Watch Association who was reared in Alkali Flat. Friends said the cause was complications stemming from diabetes and cancer. She was 56. A fun-loving woman, she was as warm and compassionate with friends and family members as she was tough with felons who skipped out on bail.

Suspect #5: Tony Delgado, decorated veteran who helped many. Tony Delgado lived a quiet life as a chef at various Sacramento hotels, but that quiet life touched many. He was a native of Mexico, who moved to Sacramento when he was 5, was father of nine, foster father to 37, an always ready volunteer and a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict. He died Sunday after a long, excruciating battle with cancer, said his wife, Charlotte. He was 70. When he returned to the United States after being shot down over Korea and being held as a prisoner of war, Delgado lived in the Alkali Flat neighborhood not far from where he grew up.

Suspect #6: Jennie Rios Baca, tireless advocate for Latino rights, she died at the age of 71. She died at her midtown home after a yearlong fight with vulvae cancer, said her daughter, Veronica Baca. For more than three decades, Mrs. Baca was a beloved volunteer who reached out to children in Alkali Flat and other Sacramento barrios.

David Mace came up with some other suspects, but my hunch is that the Slapper is actually the ghost of Frederick Karl Johnson. Why would the ghost of Frederick Karl Johnson slap Cathy Orange and push Michelle Banta? Perhaps he is trying to warn them that the area where they are waiting for the light rail is a dangerous area. This is the area in which he was killed. This particular stop is somewhat dangerous late at night and if the Slapper slapped me as a wake up call that this area is dangerous, I think I may just get the message.

We are still working on this case, if anything more develops, you the reader will know. But, remember if you are a tourist here in Sacramento and you do want to use our light rail system, then go ahead and enjoy. But, beware; if the sun is down and you are waiting for the light rail at Akalai Flats/La Valentina...you may just get slapped!

Paul Dale Roberts, HPI General Manager, Paranormal Investigator &
Ghostwriter
Shannon McCabe's HPI
Haunted and Paranormal Investigations International
www.HPIparanormal.net
My comic book The Legendary Dark Silhouette is being made into a movie, see link below:
www.tldsmovie.org - You can actually get involved with this movie, find out how!
Mysteries of Angels & Demons featuring Demonologist Paul Dale Roberts can be purchased at:
www.ivesstreetentertainment.com
Paul on Wikipedia, click link below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dale_Roberts
www.jazmaonline.com
Staff Writer - Alien Seeker News - http://www.alienseekernews.com/
WPRT Paranormal Radio - Content Editor
Email: Pauld5606@comcast.net
Paranormal Cellular Hotline: 916 203 7503 (for comments on this
story).

If you have a possible investigation call: 1-888-709-4HPI

Alkali Flat/Mansion Flat community meeting

2009-02-09T20:33:55Z

The monthly meeting of the Alkali Flats-Mansion Flats Neighborhood Association will be held this Thursday, February 12, at the Boys & Girls Club. The Club is at 1117 G Street, and the meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Sacramento police and POP (Problem-Oriented Policing) officers will attend, with a deputy City Attorney. Together, they will address a long-awaited strategy to reduce crime in the neighborhood, particularly homelessness and drug dealing.

The Downtown Partnership will also be making a presentation and will work with the association to help achieve some common goals to improve the neighborhoods, which are on the north side of the downtown Grid. Representatives of the Downtown Partnership will also be asking for help in the production of a book about Alkali Flat, which will be published as part of the "Images of America" series.

Plans will also be discussed regarding the spring cleanup of the neighborhood.