Heard In Natomas: City To Use THE CLUB?

Due to budget cuts the city has reduced its Parks & Recreation programs and facilities schedules which include closing the Natomas High School pool to all recreational swimming.

THE BUZZ has learned parents with children in the city's 4th “R” child care program at Heron School have been told summer swimming would continue – at The Club in Natomas Park.

Club management told us today that a Natomas Park homeowner rented the 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. pool time. When informed that the three dozen youngsters who would be coming to the pool are enrolled in a city-run childcare program, Club management told us they needed to look into the arrangement.

Stay tuned...

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For A Good Cause: All Age Track Meet!

PHOTO COURTESY MICHELLE JETT

Natomas High School's first "Battle of the Ages" all comers track and field fundraiser continues this Thursday!

The event was started by Coach Efrem Tuff McCrimon as a way to promote track and field in the Natomas area while having a fundraiser for the school's track team.

"We are self funded and we raise money for everything except for in-league transportation," says McCrimon.

According to McCrimon, the Natomas track and field program is young and does not have a strong youth program to feed into the high school system.

"This is hurting this sport. I am promoting academic excellence, character, and the true student-athlete," he says. "We do not have enough training equipment or equipment to further our development."

Competition started June 25 and continues through July 23. More than 180 athletes of varying ages competed the first week followed by more than 135 the second week. Click here for more information on how to compete. To volunteer, contact Coach McCrimon via e-mail.

"We need to get the word out," says McCrimon.

The series is in partnership with the Pacific Association of USATF and many supporters locally including Home Depot, Brake Masters, Jamba Juice, Sam's Club, Uhaul, Walmart, Fleet Feet of Sacramento, Bel Air, SaveMart/FoodMax, and Coco Cola of Sacramento.

Adds the coach, "Next year will be bigger and better."

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Get Involved In Natomas History

STATION NO. 15 CIRCA 1978. AT THE TIME THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN, THE FIRE STATION WAS LOCATE ON PERALTA AVENUE EAST OF NORTHGATE BOULEVARD IN GARDENLAND.


The Natomas Historical Society has just kicked off a new year and welcomes new members. Yearly dues are only $20.

Click here to download the membership form. For more information, get in touch with Anne by e-mail.

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Eye On Natomas: Tanzanite At Sunset

PHOTO BY RICHARD DANGANAN

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For The Kids ( & Their Parents)

Sacramento Fire Department has been hosting open house events at stations throughout the city since April.

This weekend's open house will be at Station No. 15 in South Natomas.

Tour the station, visit with firefighters and learn more about what they do 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, July 11 at 1591 Newborough Drive.

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GNNA To Meet Thursday

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW.

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Where In Natomas?

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Natomas Starbucks To Close – Temporarily!

The Starbucks located in the Natomas Marketplace shopping center on Truxel Road is scheduled to close July 13-17 while it undergoes a remodel! The cafe is normally open 4:30 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, but gets most of its business on the weekends. The plan is to update the cafe to look more like newer Starbucks stores while adding more seating.

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In The News: Natomas, Natomas, Natomas

Shootings, Budget Cuts & School Closures – Oh, My!

Natomas-area residents are still reeling from police and news reports that a North Natomas woman was shot at early Thursday morning when she wouldn't give her purse up to a would-be robber. Here's a look at recent news reports featuring Natomas:

• Sac Bee article about library closures.
• KCRA report and CBS 13 report on shooting at Natomas woman.
• Sac Bee article about Natomas Unified School District's response to Grand Jury report.
• Sac Bee article about NUSD's planned school closures due to budget cuts.

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You Asked, We Got The Answer

Do you have any background info on why both North Natomas and South Natomas library hours are being cut, each losing an open day? Will North Natomas keep those same hours when they open the new building in January?

According to Natomas library branch managers Suzy Murray (North Natomas branch) and Vicki Rondeau (South Natomas branch) all 11 city libraries have been reduced to 36 hours/5 days per week due to the city budget cuts.

"With the reduction in hours, there was also a reduction in library staff at city branches. Staff was reallocated to county branches and no layoffs ocurred," says Rondeau. "All city libraries will still have a children's librarian and children's programs as approved by the voters as part of the parcel tax."

Starting July 6, the South Natomas Library hours are as follows:

Sunday/Monday closed Tuesday/Wednesday 12-8 p.m. Thursday 10-6 p.m. Friday 1-5 p.m. Saturday 9-5 p.m.

And North Natomas Library hours are as follows:

Monday/Tuesday 11-8 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday 11-6 p.m. Friday 1-5 p.m. Saturday/Sunday closed

"So, between the North and South Natomas branches, the Natomas community will have library services 6 days per week including three evenings," says Murray. "Given current resources, we anticipate these hours will carry over to the new building."

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For The Kids (And Their Moms)

The Natomas Mothers Group meets 9:30 a.m. every Monday at Fort Natomas off Truxel and Bannon Creek. On Monday, July 6 the group will be meeting at the Tot Lot at the South Natomas Community Center due to heat.

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A Happy 4th Of July In Natomas!

PHOTOS COURTESY THE AVALOS, BUZZ & YOUNG FAMILIES

Fourth of July celebrations abounded yesterday throughout the Natomas area including annual parades and block parties in the Creekside development and Rockmont Circle in Natomas Park, pictured here. Got more pix from yesterday's festivities? Send them to us and we'll add them to the slideshow!

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Free Ticket To Ride THE FLYER

Now that summer is here to stay, Spare the Air days are being announced.

When a Spare the Air day is announced, it’s recommended that you drive less and share the ride whenever possible and the North Natomas TMA is one of a number of organizations offering local transit for FREE on those days!

The Flyer shuttle will be offering their normal commuter service at no cost to the riders. For the schedule of times and locations please see the TMA website: Shuttle Schedules.

Air Alert is a free service that notifies you via e-mail or text messaging when air quality in the Sacramento region is forecast to be unhealthy. It’s easy to enroll and you can stop this service at any time. Sign up HERE!

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Time For An Ice Cream Treat

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL-SIZE COUPON.

Dairy Queen is introducing two Girl Scout-inspired Blizzards. This month is the Tagalongs (also known as Somoas) Blizzard. Last year's Thin Mint Blizzard will be back in August. Print out this coupon and support our neighborhood Dairy Queen in the Natomas Marketplace shopping center. Yum!

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Seen In Natomas: Jungle Fever!

PHOTOS BY JOELLE SMITH OF CAPTURED BY JOELLE

The "Jungle Fest" vacation Bible school hosted by the River Church wrapped up its week-long activities this afternoon at Heron School. VBS Sunday services featuring performances by children who attended the program will be 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. this Sunday, July 5 at Inderkum High School.

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Seen In Natomas: Officials Tour Levee Work

PHOTO COURTESY RANDI KAY STEPHENS

Councilman Ray Tretheway and Congresswoman Dorothy Matsui yesterday toured the work being done on the Natomas Cross Canal just a few miles north of Sacramento. The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, State of California, City of Sacramento and partners held a press conference to announce funding to continue the second year of work on the Natomas Levee Improvement Project (NLIP). Click here for KCRA Channel 3 coverage.

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City Announces Reduced Garbage Services

As part of Fiscal Year 2009-10 budget reductions, the city's Department of Utilities’ Solid Waste Division has announced several service changes effective July 6:

▪ Monthly street sweeping services will be reduced from monthly to bi-monthly.
▪ Illegal dumping service turnaround times will be extended from three day to seven day response times.
▪ Neighborhood appointment clean up service will be temporarily suspended until further notice.

Additional changes occurring on Monday, July 20:
▪ To accommodate the four day a week, 10 hour a day work week schedule, weekly residential collection service schedules will be adjusted. The Solid Waste Division will provide its customers additional information prior to the change, and will also have information online.

For more information, including garbage pick up, click here or contact 311.

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