VVA interview with Forum, Sacramento's Digital Town Square

Hello all, recently I was interviewed by Forum Sacramento. Each week, Forum brings you stories from all over Sacramento.  Through articles and podcasts and more, their aim is to talk with Sacramentans about what makes this City unique. Their plan is to visit every neighborhood in the City.  The interview is only about 30 minutes long and while I was directionally challenged during it and unintentionally failed to mention some of our long running annual events, I thought it was a good interview promoting our neighborhood.

Take a look at what Forum is about at http://forumtownsquare.com/.  And take a listen of the interview here: http://forumtownsquare.com/2013/04/23/forum-goes-rural-at-valley-view-acres/

April Meeting Summary

I hope folks are enjoying the great weather outside. We had a great meeting on Wednesday, very well attended. Thank you to all who came out!! And special thanks to Dan and Diana for hosting!!

(1) We began the meeting with a recap of the Easter Egg Hunt as well as a Creek Week clean up along Steelhead Creek (NEMDC), thanks to our always active neighbor Dennis Boyd for organizing and leading both events!

(2)  Police Update. Officer Zeiger provided an update on things to be aware of in N. Natomas. With the nicer weather comes an expected uptick in purse snatching, theft, etc. Please be aware of your surroundings when you are out in public, keep your valuables out of sight if you have to keep them in a vehicle. 

Residents inquired about recent incidents of green waste dumping in VVA, specifically on Sorento and Barros. Officer Zeiger asked that residents attempt to contact police immediately if they see someone engaging in illegal dumping in progress. Please try to get a good description of any vehicles involved, any license plate numbers, distinguishing features or markings. That being said, you should avoid confronting any such individuals, please keep your distance, there is no need to put yourself in any potentially dangerous situations. 

Some phone numbers to have handy:

      City Police Non-emergency line: 264-5471

      City Police Emergency line: 732-0100 from any cell phone or 911 from a land line

      Code enforcement or any City related matter: dial 311 from inside the City or call (916) 264-5011 

      Twin Rivers Police Department: 556-2770 (for any issues related to the half build school site to the west    

                                                                         of East Levee Road)

      Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Parks District: 564-4234 (they have the clean up contract for 

                                                      any debris/trash in the Ueda Parkway, which include the levee)

(3) City Update.  Michel from Vice Mayor Ashby's office provided an update of recent happenings, including a recent community leadership round-table, which I attended (and whose meeting summary can be found here: http://www.angeliqueashby.com/community-roundtable-2013) and providing updates to the Summer Oasis program for N. Natomas kids and the Summer of Fun schedule. More info on the Summer Oasis program can be found here: http://www.angeliqueashby.com/summer-oasis-2013 and more info on the Summer of Fun schedule can be found here: http://www.angeliqueashby.com/summer-of-fun-2012 

(4) Input from Neighbors.  Dennis Boyd recently was a witness to a bad accident on Northgate and Del Paso Rd./Main Ave.  After contacting emergency dispatchers, he realized there was some confusion on the part of dispatchers when calling from a cell phone as to the exact location of the call for help. This was related to the fact that Northgate Blvd. intersects with 2 roads with the name " Del Paso" . Del Paso Blvd., which is located at the far south end of Northgate, near Highway 160 and Del Paso Road, which is at the north end of Northgate. Please be aware of this potential issue should you find yourself contact police or other emergency personnel. It could affect response times. 

(5) City Solid Waste Division Update.  We had two guests from the Solid Waste division that provided an update to neighbors related to upcoming changes in garbage, recycling and yard waste pick up schedules. 

After July 1, 2013, our garbage pick up day is moving to Wednesdays.  Recycling will be picked up every two weeks on Wednesdays beginning on Wednesday, July 10th. Roadside yard waste will no longer be picked up, all yard waste must be placed into yard waste bins provided by the City in order to be picked up.   That being said, road side yard waste pick up will occur during the months of November, December and January. Yard waste will be picked up weekly on Wednesdays, after July 1. Appointment based neighborhood clean up will be once again available once a year for residents, as well as a coupon for a free dump load to the transfer station on Roseville Road (available for one visit per calendar year).

For more info on this, please call 311 or visit www.sacrecycle.org 

(6) VVA Neighborhood Cleanup.  Our clean up is scheduled for Saturday, May 18th.  I encourage all of you to pick up trash and other debris from the roadside ditches in front of your homes. If you wish to be part of a more organized effort, teams of trash picker uppers will meet at the Angel's place at 5600 Sorento Road.  We are working on getting trash bins donated by Waste Management again, if we get them, they will be located near the Angel's home. A BBQ potluck will follow at 1130 or so. 

(7)  VVA Neighborhood Yard Sale. On the same day as the clean up, Angela Angel is coordinating a neighborhood yard sale which will be advertised on Craigslist and signs will be posted. If you are so inclined, you are encouraged to yard sale at your own home on May 18th. More info to come on this. 

April Meeting

Hello all, just a reminder that our regularly scheduled meeting is this Wednesday, April 17th. We'll be meeting at the Braces at 5021 Tunis. It's a treat to meet at the Brace home and their beautifully landscaped back yard!!!

Meeting begins at 630pm and will last for no more than an hour. 

Hope to see you there!

Summer of Fun - Registration Is Now Open!

Don't Delay, Register Today! Summer Oasis is back for 2013! REGISTRATION begins 4/1!!! Come and enjoy the fresh outdoors and new adventures! The Summer Oasis program offers a variety of activities including: Arts and Crafts, Sports, Physical Fitness, Group Games, Water Play and much more for youth in 1st through 6th grade. June 3 – July 26th Monday-Friday from 9am to 1pm at Regency Park (5500 Honor Parkway) Fee: $100.00 *Field trips will include additional fees of about $20/trip* Visit our website for help on how to register.  Don't delay on getting your kiddos signed up for this camp as it fills up every year within days of the registration opening!!

http://www.angeliqueashby.com/summer-of-fun-2013