Police Warn Of Child Abduction Attempt Near Natomas School

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Sacramento police plan to have additional officers on duty near a Natomas elementary school after a reported abduction attempt this afternoon.

At about 2:20 p.m. today, police said a young, female student walking home from H. Allen Hight Elementary School was approached by an adult male who was driving a white pickup truck.

The man reportedly pulled his vehicle up beside the girl, near the intersection at Kokomo Drive and North Park Drive, and from his open window said, “Your mom told me to pick you up."

When the student did not recognize the driver, she ran back to the school. Police said the driver did not pursue the girl.

North-area command police Capt. Jim Maccoun said officers are reviewing video from school cameras and seek additional footage from the public.

“We are looking for any home video from those streets at that time,” Maccoun said.

The driver is described as a black man with a light complexion and shaved head in his 30s driving a newer, white four-door pickup truck with an extra cab, tinted windows and custom wheels.

Police are asking parents to remind children who walk to school about stranger danger and the importance of telling a responsible adult if contacted by a stranger. Representatives for the school and Natomas Unified School District could not be reached for comment.

Anyone with information about the incident or suspect is asked to contact Sacramento police at (916) 264-5471.

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Natomas Accident Victim Mourned

PHOTO BY CASEY PICKARD

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

The 54-year-old Natomas woman who died Monday was remembered today with a flower memorial and later a gathering of friends and family at the location of her car accident on Northborough Drive. Police believe a medical condition led to the accident which claimed the life of the woman, a mother of four, on her way home from the grocery store.

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Opinion: Plan Cuts River Oaks Off From South And North Natomas

BY JOHN M. SHIELS

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

While the controversy over Oak Park has drawn most of the attention, the redistricting map under consideration will cut off the River Oaks community from both North and South Natomas

We have nothing in common with the proposed District 4. We share community centers, fire and police protection, flood control and development issues with Natomas – especially North Natomas.

The proposed map does an injustice to the residents of the River Oaks community. 

Along with the rest of Natomas, our community receives flood protection from RD1000; the rest of District 4 does not.

It is not realistic to expect Councilman Rob Fong to devote the same level of attention to the River Oaks community as he devotes to his district as currently structured.

The egregious gerrymandered proposed District 4 disenfranchises more than 7,500 River Oaks residents, depriving them of adequate representation. The proposed map does an injustice to the residents of the River Oaks community. 

John M. Shiels is River Oaks Community Association president, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) board chairman, and Reclamation District 1000 board of directors vice president.

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Opinion: Gardenland/Northgate Opposes Redistricting Split

Publisher's note: At last week's city council meeting, an idea was floated to redraw District 2 to extend to Northgate Boulevard, rather than at the Natomas East Main Drainage Canal. Gardenland/Northgate resident George Azar responds to the suggestion on behalf of the Gardenland/Northgate Neighborhood Association.

**UPDATE: Redistricting plan approved at City Council tonight did not include splitting Gardenland/Northgate.**

BY GEORGE AZAR

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Gardenland/Northgate is one of the oldest communities established in Sacramento. We are unique in Sacramento in that our families and friends have lived here for generations. When the Natomas building moratorium was lifted and South Natomas and North Natomas was built out, we maintained and even strengthened our Gardenland/Northgate community because of the strong ties binding us together – one of which is having a significant percentage of Latino residents. We are proud of our roots and of the community culture we have developed.

We recognize the intent of the proposed changes is to address the desires of Sacramento’s general Latino community to be better represented on our City Council through the redistricting effort.  However, as we look at the proposed changes, we feel strongly that they not only do not accomplish the stated objective but, in our opinion, they further dilute the Latino community’s influence and representation. To split up Northgate and Gardenland into two separate council districts for a mere 1% increase in Latino population in any one of the two districts represents a tremendous step backward for Latinos in our community.

A very large and close-knit core of residents whose families have lived in the area for many generations enhances life in the neighborhoods.

Our website has always emphasized the closeness of our residents. It states: Gardendland/Northgate Neighborhood is:  "A very large and close-knit core of residents whose families have lived in the area for many generations enhances life in the neighborhoods. This vanguard of residents maintains a lively social atmosphere in the neighborhoods, as well as an ongoing commitment and dedication to the community.” Our organization extends to Truxel Road on the west,  Interstate 80 on the north, East Main Drainage Canal on the east and Garden Highway on the south. These have been our boundaries since GNNA was established except for the west boundary, which was expanded from Northgate Park to Truxel Road at the request of residents nearly three years ago.

Keeping our neighborhood community intact is our No. 1 objective. Splitting up a long-established Latino neighborhood does not address the desire of the broader Latino community to have representation on Council. Therefore, GNNA is adamantly opposed to splitting our community into two separate council districts and we urge you to drop the proposed changes that would split up the Gardenland/Northgate community.

George Azar is President of Gardenland/Northgate Neighborhood Association.

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Fatal Car Crash In Natomas Park

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THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Sacamento police are investigating the cause of a fatal, single-car accident on Northborough Drive near the Club Center Drive intersection this morning before 12 p.m.

The 54-year-old driver of a maroon minivan died when the vehicle crashed into a tree in Burberry Park.

No witnesses reportedly saw the crash which police suspect could be medically related.

Northborough Drive is closed northbound at Club Center drive while police complete their investigation.

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Seen In Natomas: Summer Sunrise

PHOTO BY DOREEN LOPEZ

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

A beautiful Natomas sunrise as photographed about 6:30 a.m. today at the North Natomas dog park. Says the photographer, "With temps touching 100 today, I thought I best get my dogs out early."

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Are You Ready For Some Football?

 THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz  A social media look at tonight's games in Natomas:

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Principal Takes It In The Face

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

At a pre STAR test assembly this spring Principal Doug Orr made a promise to his students: they could throw a pie in his face for every point Heron School's overall score went up.

Today, Orr made good on that pledge and was on the receiving end of 38 whip cream pies.

According to the state 2010-11 Accountability Progress Report released earlier this week, Heron K-8 School not only met all student standardized test score targets but also had highest growth among schools in the Natomas Unified School District. Heron's API score jumped from 801 to 839.

"We were thrilled with the kids, they did such a great job," kindergarten teacher Georgia Schaaf said.

Last year, Heron aligned each grade level's daily schedule, allowing teachers to collaborate and target students' academic needs by subject area. The K-8 campus also hired single-subject teachers for its middle school students, which Orr said helped boost 7th and 8th graders' scores. 

"Every grade level did really well," he said. "Fifteen kids in the whole school are below basic in math, that's a manageable number. Twenty kids in language arts. We're going to go after moving those kids up with extra intervention."

Parent Elizabeth Brushwyler, on hand for today's festivities, said the API results were exciting.

"We grew in every subgroup, nobody was left behind," said Brushwyler, who has a 2nd grader and a 4th grader at the school and sits on the district's Parent Advisory Council. "It shows that our school is reaching everybody, not just a select few."

Today, she said, the students felt celebrated for their accomplishments. After the pies, music played on the playground while Orr served students ice-cold treats.

"I heard several kids say 'this is the best day of my life'," Brushwyler said. "They understood it was because of them."

Orr is already looking forward to next year's API results, saying he'll eat a cricket for every point the score increases.

 PHOTOS BY LARRY RODDA

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Affordable Health Care In Natomas

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Article sponsored by Sutter Express Care 

In an economy when more people are searching for affordable health care, Natomas residents can get routine medical needs met at a local clinic.

Sutter Express Care is celebrating its 5^th anniversary inside the Rite Aid store on Del Paso Road. The walk-in medical clinic is open to anyone 18 months of age or older and can treat common illnesses and give immunization services.

One of the valuable immunizations Sutter Express Care offers is the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine. State law now requires all students going into grades 7^th through 12^th be vaccinated for whooping cough. Natomas Unified School District classes started recently and students have 30 days to get the vaccination or they will not be allowed to attend school until the vaccination can be verified.

"We understand that this may be a very confusing time for parents who need to have their children receive Tdap vaccinations," Sutter Express Care Nurse Practitioner Tyla Healton said.

Healton said there is no need to be anxious about fulfilling this new state requirement. She encourages students to bring their yellow immunization records with them to make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date.

"We are here to take the fear and guesswork out of the process so both students and families are at ease going into the new school year," said Healton. 

The Sutter Express Care clinic is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2751 Del Paso Road. The clinic charges a $69 flat fee per visit. No health insurance is required, but many health plans are accepted.

For more information (800) 972-5547 or visit SutterExpressCare.com.

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Teens Volunteer Time At Library

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Pictured from left to right: J.C. Hall, Priscila Alegria, Deja Manriquez, Yasmeen Afridi, Collins Vincent, Tasiya Owens, Mira Garcia, and Palak Khanna attended the North Natomas Library’s teen volunteer appreciation party in August.

Teen volunteers provided approximately 300 hours of service at the Sacramento Public Library’s branch in North Natomas this summer. Many continue to volunteer into the fall. (Not pictured: Ryan and Tiffany Chan)

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How Ashby Spends Money In District 1

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

When a recent “You Asked, We Got The Answer” article drew criticism about how discretionary funds are used in District One, THE NATOMAS BUZZ made a public records act request for the financials from city Councilwoman Angelique Ashby's office.

At issue: whether the decision to discontinue the annual Celebrate Natomas event historically held in South Natomas was made in favor of North Natomas programs. According to budget documents, $193,000 was allocated for Celebrate Natomas in 2009.

District One specific funds has included income generated by one wireless tower in South Natomas, one digital billboard off Richards Boulevard along with some discretionary money from the city's coffers – about $55,000.

The discretionary fund for the 2010-11 fiscal year had already been depleted and the District One labor budget overspent when Ashby took office on Nov. 23, 2010, said Michelle Kille, Director of Public Policy for District One. Then city manager Gus Vina partially restored the fund for Ashby. But when the city council decided to funnel wireless tower and digital billboard income back into the General Fund – 60 percent of District One's discretionary money went, too.

Instead of hosting Celebrate Natomas, Ashby decided to spend money in District One.

Documents provided by Ashby's office show District One has spent $28,528.57 between Nov. 23, 2010 and today. The expenditures include donations to community organizations, youth athletics, events and more in Natomas, the River District, downtown Sacramento, and Gardenland-Northgate.

“We receive hundreds of donation requests a week,” Kille said. “Some are done in partnership with other council members.”

The single, largest expenditure was on the Summer Oasis day camp program which had been cut from the city's Parks and Recreation Department budget.

“She had heard that from constituents there was a lot of need and asked if she could help out and sponsor a summer camp,” said Dave Mitchell, operations manager for city parks and recreation.

Mitchell said Regency Park was selected for the Oasis Program because previous summer day camps at that location had reported the highest attendance in the area. Ashby's office donated $8,000 to pay for the camp and sought a donation from Allegheny Properties to help cover the rest. Registration for the Oasis Program, which had 140 participants, was open to the public, Mitchell said.

A parks and recreation summer camp was also held at the South Natomas Community Center.

Said Mitchell, “Our South Natomas program topped out at about 80 kids.”

Celebrate Natomas Budget District One Community Donations Table

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Fresh & Easy Coming To Sactown - Just Not Natomas

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Fresh & Easy on Wednesday announced plans to open six grocery stores in the Sacramento region - none of which will be located in Natomas.

Two stores already built in Natomas will remain unopened for the foreseeable future, according to store officials.

"No update on those two sites yet," Fresh & Easy spokesman Brendan Wonnacott wrote Wednesday in an e-mail to THE NATOMAS BUZZ.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and city Councilmember Jay Schenirer attended a groundbreaking of the company’s new store at 34^th and Broadway in the Oak Park neighborhood on Wednesday. During the event, Fresh & Easy announced plans to open six stores in the Sacramento region in 2012:

• Watt Ave. & El Camino Ave. in Sacramento
• 34^th St. & Broadway in Sacramento
• Mack Rd. & Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento
• Lincoln & Sterling Road in Lincoln
• Elk Grove Florin Rd. & Calvine Road in Elk Grove
• E. Natoma St. & Blue Ravine Road in Folsom

Natomas-area residents seeking an alternative to existing grocery store chains, have been clamoring for years for the two Fresh & Easy stores built on Northgate Boulevard and Del Paso Road to open.

The store on the 3300 block of Northgate Boulevard, which  appears on the Fresh & Easy website as "coming soon" is already outfitted with shelves and other fixtures such as shopping baskets visible through the window. Sources say the store on Del Paso Road is also ready to go and just needs groceries.

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