Happening This Weekend:

Councilmember Ray Trethway will be holding open office hours this Saturday (March 7) from 11:30am - 1pm at the Natomas Police and Community Resource Center located at 2701 Del Paso Rd, Suite 140 (between Hollywood Video and The UPS Store). He will be available to discuss items coming to the City Council and any issues of concern.

For more information, please contact Councilmember Tretheway’s office at (916) 808-7001 or email him at rtretheway@cityofsacramento.org

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Matsui Introduces Natomas Flood Protection Act

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA - 05) yesterday introduced the Natomas Basin Flood Protection Improvements Act. This bill would authorize federal participation in the Natomas Levee Improvement Program, which will ultimately give the Natomas Basin over 200-year level of protection.

"This bill will assist with expediting the completion of urgently needed improvements that protect the people of Natomas. A key component towards addressing public safety concerns in the area is seeking federal authorization to allow for these upgrades to move forward more quickly," stated Rep. Matsui.



In July, 2006, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) identified significant levee deficiencies in the 42-mile perimeter of the Natomas basin, leading to decertification of the levees and remapping to an AE zone designation in December, 2008.

Without repairing the levees the entire Natomas Basin is at risk, which includes: 80,000 people; $8 billion in damageable property; the Sacramento International Airport; Interstate 5 and 80; and State Highway 99. The Natomas basin is a key transportation hub for the region and a critical part of the regional economy. Each year of delay exposes the community, as well as the State of California and the nation, to additional risk, increased program costs, and direct and indirect impacts to the economic health of the region.

"This bill is essential to keeping our construction of Natomas Levee Improvement on schedule. SAFCA has demonstrated that it can rapidly plan, design, and construct these improvements, but we simply must have an assurance of federal participation to continue construction after 2009, which if enacted into law, this bill would provide. We deeply appreciate Congresswoman Doris Matsui's leadership and support for this urgent flood control project," said Susan Peters, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency.

"I have been working with SAFCA and the Army Corps of Engineers on a daily basis, and it is clear that we must move swiftly to reduce the risk of flooding in the Natomas Basin. If passed, this needed legislation will help ensure the safety of the residents and businesses in the basin, the regional economy, the State, and our nation," stated Rep. Matsui.

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Thank You, Natomas!

This past Sunday the Sacramento Police officers beat the Sacramento Fire Fighters 53-45 in the first ever Battle of the Shield charity basketball game. What a great time!

As most of you know, the basketball game was the final fundraiser of a 10 month campaign to raise money for Natomas Middle School Washington DC travelers.



These families have flipped pancakes, washed cars, sold candy, eaten pizza, danced, read and ultimately fund raised their way to a great trip.

We want to say thank you very much to the entire Natomas community which supported each and every one of these efforts. It has been a true pleasure to watch the community embrace this program and support Natomas Middle School.

We appreciate every dollar, every minute of your time and contribution of your talents that each one of you offered up to support the kids and families.

This is the thing that makes Natomas great - the people.

Because of all of you the DC travelers raised about $15,000 and will be able to send about 36 travelers to Washington DC - 25 students - 9 parent/chaperons and 1 teacher.

This is just amazing and we are all very proud of the tremendous effort. Thank you all for being a part of sending these Natomas families to DC.

We promise pictures and stories when we get back - the trip is set for May 18th through 22nd.

Thank you Buzz for being a sponsor and a great partner!

Angelique Ashby
Natomas Middle School
DC Travelers
Parent Volunteer

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1,000 Posts – And Counting!

It's official:
NATOMAS BUZZ has surpassed the 1,000-post mark!



A couple months ago, our little website celebrated its first birthday. We meant to write a heartfelt post about why we decided to start NATOMAS BUZZ, how the idea took shape and continued to grow with support from this fantastic community in which we live. But we never got around to writing it.

So today, after 1,000 posts, THE BUZZ would like to thank all our readers who send us tips, information, articles and photos. We truly appreciate your ongoing support. We couldn't, and we wouldn't, do it without you!

NATOMAS BUZZ
www.natomasbuzz.com
THE Natomas News Blog

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Where's The Cheapest Gas In Natomas?

Driving the neighborhood this morning, THE BUZZ noticed gas prices have fallen again but still fluctuate widely depending on where you buy.

Since NATOMAS BUZZ readers really responded to our call for the best neighborhood eateries, let's continue to Rebel Against The Recession together by sharing the cheapest gas stations in Natomas!

Post your recommendations under "comments" along with prices per gallon please.

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Council Supports Housing Rule Revamp

Copies of documents given to Sacramento City Council members can be found here, here, here, here and here.

By Brandy Kollenborn

On Feb. 10 the Sacramento City Council held a workshop to discuss the the city's housing ordinance -- the first step in what is expected to be a long road towards amending how low income housing is administered in Sacramento.

Current policy states 15% of residential construction in new growth areas must be devoted to low income housing. Being a new growth area, Natomas has been particularly affected by the policy as it stands.



The meeting last month was a packed house of housing advocates, the housing industry, and residents alike. The council heard public commentary from 40 people at two minutes each, all supporting changes to the ordinance. Nearly half of those who testified were Natomas residents. Commentary from other areas of the city included complaints about not having enough housing, while Natomas residents spoke up about having too much, a clear imbalance throughout the city.

Natomas residents prepared a 70-page bound presentation and handed it to each member of the council to address our unique situation. The presentation incuded a list of suggestions.

Throughout the three workshops it was widely acknowledged mistakes were made in Natomas housing, mirroring what residents have been saying for some time now. Suggested changes included updating the ordinance to include the whole city rather than just new growth areas and spreading the units more evenly throughout the community rather than in large clustered complexes.

Many Natomas-area residents view these fixes as only a drop in the bucket and requested the neighborhood be exempt from any ordinance until counter measures are in place for the admitted errors already made such as the much-needed infrastructure the area is lacking.

The Feb. 10 workshop concluded with council recommending a stakeholder group be formed and composed of people with varying interests in housing, to study and provide some solid recommendations on the best route to take from here. It was requested a Natomas resident be a member of this group.

While this is by no means the end of this discussion, it was a step in the right direction, and is considered a success for Natomas. We will keep you posted on this issue as it progresses and thank everyone who has devoted time to amending housing in Natomas!

Brandy Kollenborn lives in the Regency Park area of Natomas. She is a co-founder of the Witter Ranch Community Alliance.

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South Natomas Book Sale Coming!

The South Natomas Affiliate of the Friends of the Sacramento Library will be holding their semi-annual book sale 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14. This community event will feature a large assortment of books in all subject areas and all proceeds will be used to support library programs.

Book prices are as follows:

Hardbound books: $1.50 (Many of these are in almost new condition!)
Large paperbacks: $1.00
Small paperbacks: $0.50
Children's books: $0.25
Special Editions as marked.

Friends of the Library will receive a 10% discount on all books!

The sale will be held at the South Natomas Library Community Room located at 2901 Truxel Road, Sacramento, CA.

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For A Good Cause

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COMMUNITY SPRING CLEAN OUT & PARKING LOT YARD SALE
SPOTS AVAILABLE!

“One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!”

Heron School's 2nd Annual Community Yard Sale
on Saturday, March 7, 2009
7 a.m. to Noon

Reserve your space today!

Spaces are $25 (you can share with a friend)
Non-Profit organizations are free of charge. Absolutely no home-based business vendor sales.
Non-refundable deposit of $10 is required to hold your spot.
Parking lot spots will be assigned in the order the deposits are received.

Call Georgia Schaaf at 567-5680 or email to reserve your spot.

If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail or call,
please call again within a day and leave a message at the school.

We will advertise the sale, all you do is bring your items at 6 a.m.
and be ready by 7 a.m. to start selling!

Rain date: Saturday, March 28th

**Heron School is located at 5151 Banfield Drive, Sacramento 95835.**

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