Chamber Campaigns To Keep Arena In Natomas

The Natomas Chamber of Commerce today launched a campaign to "Keep the Arena in Natomas."

The chamber is a partner in the Natomas ESC group which presented a proposal at City Hall yesterday for an arena and entertainment complex on the city-owned 100-acres located just north of the current Arco Arena. A press conference is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.

"Natomas needs representation in the discussion about where a new sports complex should be located," said Marni Leger, chair of the chamber's Keep the Arena in Natomas campaign.

Chamber officials today expressed disappointment in the NBA and Maloofs who announced support for a complex and costly proposal weeks before the Sacramento First task force was scheduled to provide recommendations to Mayor Kevin Johnson and public on March 11.

Said Leger, "In tight times, the more economical proposal to build a new arena in Natomas should be considered."

5:34 PM | 0 comments | Read More

In The News: Fairgounds In Natomas' Future?

The big news in Natomas tonight is a proposal which would have the city and state swap land, build a new fairgrounds on the existing Arco site, a new arena in downtown, and develop the land currently occupied by the fairgrounds.

The Sac Bee broke news of the proposal one minute after Sacramento First task force launched its open house event at City Hall Thursday evening to unveil details of all seven proposals submitted for consideration, including one backed by area businesses that would build a new sports and entertainment complex on city-owned land adjacent to Arco. The NBA and Maloofs apparently support the land swap plan that is generating quite a buzz.

As the Bee went to press and TV news went the airwaves, THE BUZZ went online and asked our Facebook fans to weigh in on the possibility of the state fairgrounds moving to Natomas. Here is what was being posted:

"Ok, so the state sells Cal Expo - down with that. Kings get an arena downtown - very ok with that! State Fairgrounds in Natomas??? That I need to ponder... I just wonder what will take place at the fairgrounds when there's no fair. Will it bring in enough people to sustain Natomas businesses (retail / restaurant)?"

"The fairgrounds are used practically every weekend of the year for home shows, harness racing, car shows, boat shows, etc."

"Oh hell no!!! Just the suggestion is going to drive down our suffering property values."

"I am okay with that idea... I am not unbelievably thrilled but it sounds like a decent solution to a problem that has been being talked about around here for what seems like forever."

"I think it will be good for Natomas. That brings a LOT of people in and some of them will go to restaurants and stores before and/or after they visit the fair. Maybe that will help some of the struggling businesses out here."

"I can smell the cows and horses from my house... yum. I think the option of the trash transfer station made me less squeamish."

"Well, then we could house the homeless during the cold winter month like they do now at the state fairgrounds."

"As long as it doesn't stink it will be fine. Since it will be a new facility is should be quite nice!"

"I think we have been disappointed too many times to open the door for something that could have such a huge potentially negative impact on our community. Seems Waaaayyy to scary to even let the idea get any credibility. Not at all what I pictured for our community!"

"5 bedroom 3 bath house for sale. Moving due to unforeseen circumstances. Located just north of Arco arena. Purchased for 240k last summer. After new arena proposal now worth new value of 135k. We will accept any reasonable offer."

"Selling due to a raise in insurance premiums due to increased crime from recent fairground addition."

"Why don't the Maloof boys just take one week's worth of the kitty from the Palms, build a state of the art facility next to ARCO, turn ARCO into a state of the art parking lot, then get state of the art players so their state of the art fans will actually come to see games? And how much public money is at stake?"

To watch the Thursday night news, one would think the land swap plan is already a done deal, but the open house was simply part of the Sacramento First 12-member citizen task force's plan to review proposals before making recommendations to the Mayor and Sacramento community.

Said Angelique Ashby, president of the Creekside Neighborhood Association and a candidate for city council, "The best thing we can do is stay in the room and be heard. This is an opportunity for us to engage in major development discussions and drive our own future."

11:59 PM | 11 comments | Read More

For A Good Cause: Little League Seeks Sponsors

The North Natomas Little League is looking for team sponsors to help support the organization's upcoming season and keep the league affordable for area families that participate.

The cost is $450 and companies get their name on the back of one team's jerseys, a banner, advertising on the league's website and the company name in this years program. Most importantly, business sponsorship helps support the 900 families who participate in the league every year.

For more info, contact George by e-mail.

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For The Kids: City Offers Rec Hoops

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CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

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Natomas Community Association To Elect New Board

The Natomas Community Association will hold elections for its board of directors 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27. This year the neighborhood-based group has six positions open.

The NCA is a volunteer, non-profit organization that strives to improve the quality of life in Natomas. Our goals and objectives are:

• to improve the quality of life of all residents by advocating well-planned growth and by researching, monitoring, and analyzing issues important to the Natomas community.
  
• to promote Natomas citizen awareness of community issues and advancde resident involvement in governmental decision making processes.
• to provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas concerning both resident and community issues.
• to bring community members together in a social environment to support charitable and beneficial activities in the Natomas community.
• to act as an advocate on community issues involving local government, area developers, and the media.

Board elections take place every January. The terms are for two years, and one-half of the Board is up for reelection every year.

If you are interested or have questions, contact Molly Fling, NCA President, by e-mail no later than Jan. 22. For additional information about the NCA, please click here.

11:22 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Flying Pig CLOSED!

Last week...

8:46 AM | 12 comments | Read More

Christmas Tree Pickups Delayed Til ... ?

Many Natomas residents are wondering why their Christmas trees were not picked up today as advertised by the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities website:

"Place your tree out for loose-in-the-street collection by 6:00am on your regular collection day the week of January 11, 2010."

Monday is the regular pickup day for garbage, recycling and green waste in Natomas. A call to the city operator at 311 yielded the following answer from Brandon, "Due to budgetary cutbacks the city is not able to pickup the trees as scheduled."

Brandon was unable to say when trees would be picked up and noted the city had not yet updated its website to reflect this info. 

6:51 PM | 3 comments | Read More

Sam's Club Store Closure In Poor Form

Sam's Club employees today tell the THE BUZZ they had no idea the Natomas store was doing poorly until they were informed of plans to close effective Jan. 22.

More than 100 employees were called in for a mandatory meeting 7 p.m. Sunday at which time they were told the store had been "operating in the red" since it opened in 2007. While employees had no idea going in the topic of last night's meeting, apparently someone in store management tipped off Channel 13 which filmed footage of employees arriving to the meeting from afar which was aired in this report.

"Ironically I saw the report as I was getting ready for work this morning," one employee said while processing member refunds to customers. "I realized they must have been filming us coming to the meeting from a news van or something." 

Employees tell us Sam's Club and Walmart stores in the region were previously directed to put a freeze on hiring new employees in anticipation of the warehouse store's closure so that displaced employees could be given rehiring priority. One worker told us employees had to "interview" for jobs and another told us there are layoff packages available to those who do not plan to stay with the company.

Said one worker, "This store is not in a good location. Some people did not even know we were here."

1:45 PM | 3 comments | Read More

In The News: Natomas Sam's Club To Close

Channel 13 is reporting Sam's Club will close its store on North Freeway effective Jan. 22.

This news comes as quite a blow to the Sacramento Gateway shopping complex which previously lost anchor store Linens N Things.

It also appears the Relax The Back Store has also closed up shop.

12:26 AM | 10 comments | Read More

Westlake Charter Lottery Opens Jan. 15

Lottery applications for the 2010-11 school year at Westlake Charter School will be available Jan. 15, at www.westlakecharter.com and the school office, located at 3800 Del Paso Road.

Campus observation dates are 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Feb. 9 and Feb. 11. No appointment is necessary. Deadline  to turn in applications is Feb. 12. The public lottery will be held 5 p.m. on March 8 at the school. 

Westlake Charter School is a K- 5 public elementary school created by parents and educators in the Natomas area and is part of the Natomas Unified School District. The school is open to any student who applies, no matter where that student lives and families from all parts of Natomas and beyond are encouraged to apply. Families are required to commit to at least 30 hours of volunteer time per year to the school.

12:00 AM | 3 comments | Read More

New B2B Coffee Hour Launches This Week

The Natomas Chamber of Commerce is launching a new business networking opportunity.

The B2B Coffee Hour is an opportunity for local businesses to gain exposure and drive traffic to their storefronts and offices. Join the chamber 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Jan. 13 at the AIM Mail Center, 3511 Del Paso Rd., Ste. 160.

If you have any questions or are interested in hosting a B2B Coffee Hour for your own business, please contact Noel Martin at 837-3264 or noel.martin@postnet.com.

 

11:08 PM | 0 comments | Read More

For A Good Cause: Inderkum Calendar For Sale

The Inderkum PTSA has put together a 2010 wall calendar which features students’ artwork. The calendar is color, spiral bound with plastic cover and large boxes to make notes on monthly calendar. Cost: $10 each.

How to order:

• Visit Inderkum HS’s website - look under title School Organizations PTSA.
• Visit Michelle Townsend, Inderkum HS Digital Photography. (Room D-102).
• Contact Inderkum PTSA – Diane Foster Apparcel or 719-0460.

4:56 PM | 0 comments | Read More