With her dark brown hair bobbing at her shoulders as she walked, 22-year-old Brittnay Willeford stepped up to the podium at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, pushed her heavy-rimmed glasses up a bit, and began to read to the council a letter her grandmother needed to help her write. Despite a reading level that barely tops fourth grade, Willeford came to City Council to talk about some of the things she enjoys most: bowling, skiing and racing down the zipline at Camp Grizzly Beach – activities she will miss out on if the city follows through with plans to cut funding to Access Leisure, a program offered through the Parks and Recreation department that provides sports, camping, social and fi

College internships are the Oak Park Neighborhood Association’s new tactic to keeping the Oak Park Community Center open in the face of continued budget cuts. A year ago the Oak Park Community Center, which offers the community space for classes, recreation, conferences, meetings, weddings, banquets, and performances became one of many community centers in Sacramento facing closure. Its governing body, the Department of Parks and Recreation, blamed budget cuts and lack of funding. Hours were reduced and programming was cut by almost half. The center now only operates Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. That’s when the Oak Park Neighborhood Association (OPNA) stepped in and offered to take ov

The Fall season officially begins this week for Sacramento’s very own sport and social club. Appropriately named the Sacramento Sport and Social Club (SSSC), this unique adult sports experience has something in store for all types of social rec athletes in the Sacramento area. The idea first arose in 2008 when SSSC founder Brad Satterwhite (“the Commissioner”) and a co-worker of his wanted to get a group of their colleagues together for some good-natured out-of-office fun. They decided on bowling, but when the crew couldn’t find a local league that fit their needs, Satterwhite stepped into the role of league organizer. This league of work colleagues started with 12 teams in what later bec

The number of people that have swarmed to the Sacramento waterways over the last week isn’t something unusual for this time of year. What’s making the trip different than years past is the hazards that are faced once they are arriving. Because of the extremely late winter storms and the tremendous snow-melt, we are seeing flow levels that are unprecedented for this time of year. The water temperature is also extremely frigid, in the 50’s in several parts of the American River. Although the water appears to be inviting for the hundreds of people who have already made their way out there, most are saying the water temperatures are unexpectedly uncomfortable to stay in for any extended perio

There are numerous trails and parks found in the greater Sacramento area. With a large variation in terrain and difficulty, there’s no need to go to the coast or all the way up to the Sierra Nevadas. Area trails and parks are somewhat unknown and this lack of experiences makes it seem like some of these places are not worth going to. This is where Recreational Equipment Inc., better known as REI, comes in. REI provides an opportunity to develop skills with a knowledgeable instructor. In the Sacramento area, REI’s Outdoor School has been steadily developing for the past few years. REI offers numerous classes every month and is still adding new classes. There is a wide variety of classes o

SMUD offers kite flying safety tips: When flying a kite, the sky’s the limit but remember to fly with caution. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) offers these simple safety tips to help make kite flying a safe experience. Build or buy kites made of wood or plastic. Only use cloth for the tail. Fly kites in wide, open areas, away from power lines. Only use cotton, linen or nylon string. Never use metallic thread, wire or wire reinforced string as they can cause a fire, serious injury or death if they come in contact with energized electrical equipment. Only fly kites in dry weather. When kite string gets wet it becomes a stronger conductor of electricity. If a kite gets

Every week, the Bergman family heads to Carmichael Park to do battle. Going by names such as “Link” and “Lord Collin the Red,” the Bergmans assemble with their swords, shields and spells in a real-life role-playing game. “Amtgard is a live-action role-playing game based in Medieval fantasy,” said 42-year-old Marcus Bergman, who goes by the name Lord Collin the Red. Marcus Bergman, wife Teresa and son Charles are all a part of Clan MacAbee and the Barony of Thor’s Refuge – Sacramento’s chapter of the worldwide organization, which was founded in 1983. Members choose their names in many ways, including references to legends, video games and personal preference, and some get their names giv

Sacramento State students won’t be disappointed with their investment. The WELL officially opened Thursday in front of a crowd of 250 students, faculty, staff and community members. The University’s new 151,000 square-foot recreation and wellness center was paid for by a student fee approved by students in a campus-wide referendum. “Today is a historic day for Sacramento State,” said Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez. “I especially want to congratulate the students, because you are the ones who came to me and told me this is what you wanted, and you worked very hard to make it happen.” “I know for many, many years you’ve been looking forward to this day, and what a day it is

A group of six gathered at Old Sacramento’s Trail Mix store Sunday morning to hear author and avid outdoorsman Jordan Summers teach the workshop, “Leave no trace.” “Leave no trace” consists of seven principles to promote responsible outdoor recreation. “It allows you to preserve the resources of which no more is being made,” Summers said. The back country was the focus of the workshop. Summers said the first six-mile stretch of a wilderness area is considered front country. Past that is considered back country. He said five times more people visit front country than the back country. Summers has been a hiker and active in the outdoors since his childhood in Virginia. He has lived in Ca

Some think of curling as only a game, akin to shuffleboard on ice. Late Night host David Letterman quips that it is “consistently ranked the world’s number one broom-related sport”. This ancient Scottish sport is often underestimated and misunderstood but I found that it is a wonderfully complex and compelling activity. After getting hooked on TV coverage of curling during the 2010 Winter Olympics, I had to try it for myself. As it turns out, nearby Vacaville is home of the thriving Wine Country Curling Club so off went my friend and I to a free Learn-to-Curl night. After the introduction, we were still intrigued enough to continue in a 6-week league. After our first league night, I’m he

 On Monday night, the XOSO Sport & Social League winter indoor kickball season came to an end with a hard fought playoff tournament. In the first game of the night, Roundhouse Kick to the Balls defeated Red Ball & Vodka, who were selected (by virtue of their 7th place finish) to move into playoff position when I Love Kelly Kaballski had to drop out of the running. The 2nd game was a rematch of the regular season, between Just the Tip and the Ballers. In the previous game, Just the Tip came out strong and won easily, but this time the Ballers had their number, and won 11-3 to move on. Waiting for Roundhouse Kick to the Balls was We Kick Balls. We Kick Balls was missing three star players

As pleasant springtime weather becomes more and more common, many Sacramento residents head outside for relaxation and fun, especially to city waterways. This Friday, April 17, marks the begining of Creek Week, an event intended to make sure those waterways are still serviceable. Creek Week is an event sponsored and organized by the Sacramento Area Creeks Council, to draw attention to the condition of Sacramento's creeks. A week of activities, including tours of the Mather Field vernal pools and a "river-friendly" landscaping workshop, culminates in a day of volunteer cleanup work on Saturday, April 25. The Creeks Council emphasizes the benefits of well-maintained creeks, citing their us

Celebrate the coming of spring with the Fulton El-Camino Recreation and Park District at their Egg-O-Rama event at Howe Park. This event will feature an Egg Scramble (aka Egg Hunt), various carnival games, face painting, story-time, bounce house, snack bar, and opportunities to win great raffle prizes (donated by local merchants). Make sure that you bring your camera as you will have an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny. Bring your entire family to this fun-filled event on Saturday, April, 4 2009 from 8am to 2pm at Howe Park located at 2201 Cottage Way in Sacramento, 95825. Event Schedule: 8am-10am:  Pancake Breakfast 10am-12pm:  Registration for Egg Scramble 10am-2pm:  Carnival Games

An article in the SacBee today discusses a Legislative Analysts’s suggestion that junior colleges either drop PE classes, or that the colleges be paid less to offer them than the level of state funding provided for classes that are deemed more academic in content. These are the one-unit classes that are offered in subjects such as golf, tennis, and bowling. The inference is that these classes are not worthwhile and don’t deserve to be subsidized at the same level as other classes. This seems like an odd standard to apply. As the article points out, students wanting to graduate or transfer are typically required to have one of these classes. What the article doesn’t point out is that that

Ever wonder how those park ponds, including Howe Park, Gibson Ranch, and Hagan Park, magically always have fish?  Well, thanks to California's Department of Fish and Game's, Fishing in the City program, people of all ages may enjoy the sport of fishing.  Fishing in the City  works with several organizations to stock area ponds, educate the public on helpful fishing techniques and ethics.  Several days throughout the year, fishing clinics and derby's are offered free or for a low cost to all community members.  Coming up on Saturday, February 21, 2009 the Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park district is offering their annual Fishing Derby at Howe Park Pond, 2201 Cottage Way Sacramento 9582

This upcoming Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 6-10pm, Friends of Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District is having their Annual CRAB FEED in Howe Park, 2201 Cottage Way, Sacramento 95825. Tickets are $35 per person by 5pm Friday, February 6 or $40 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at the District office, 2201 Cottage Way, over the phone at 916-927-3802, or online at www.fecrecpark.com Funds raised from the ticket sales and the variety of Silent Auction and Raffle items contribute to children scholarships for programs offered by Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District. Programs include the summer Adventure Club, Ballet, Cheerleading, Soccer, Swim Team, Synchronized Swimming

 I took photos of it today and I am emailing the city. Anyone know more about how long this has been like this?

There are classic spots such as "The Carlsbad Gap", "Love Park" and "EMB" that live on in skateboard infamy and who knew one was located in Roosevelt Park in Sacramento. There is a rich history of skateboarding in Sacramento and I am going to write a storyline about what I know best, skateboarding.    Have you seen them in the park? Do they bother you or do you enjoy seeing people skateboarding in the park ?