Still Time to the Fight the Bite

Although it's now September, it's still summer; mosquitos remain active and a disease threat.  For updates and information about protecting you and your family, visit the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District web site. 

Information and "Off!" towelettes pictured here were available at the August General Meeting.

Special Tidbit Edition Celebrates Labor Day Weekend Events

Click here for this special issue as the City of Sacramento's Neighborhood Services Division salutes working men and women. 

Lots of cultural and music festivals are highlighted in this issue like Greek (Sacramento Convention Center), African (Land Park), and Tejano Conjunto (Cesar Chavez Plaza) to name a few. 

At Chalk it Up Sacramento, art-filled sidewalks surround Fremont Park.  

Also, don't forget Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento. 

Get more details in this special Tidbits Newsletter for Labor Day Weekend. 

More photos from the August General Meeting

Neighbor Melissa invites GCTE girls to join the Girl Scout troop she is organizing. Contact Melissa: sgmgirlscouts@att.net. 

Harkness grad and cup stacker national champ, Mikela, is introduced by GCTENA board member June.  Check out all those medals: gold, silver, and bronze.

Chair Ernie and City of Sacramento code enforcement official, Belinda Rogers.  She reminded everyone to call or email 311 when neighborhood problems occur.

Board member Erin discusses our mid-century modern architectural legacy. Our neighborhood is definitely a hidden gem and is on the rebound!  Erin also talked about the renovations occurring at Chorley Park which started this August.

Neighborhood Pride! These are the original Golf Course Terrace Estates brochures shared by one of our neighborhood researchers.

Photos - August 2012 General Meeting

Everyone was pleased to welcome back to Harkness Principal Eric Chapman.

We always have cookies at General Meetings but August 23rd we enjoyed ice cream
provided by our District 5 Council Member.  Thanks, Jay!

Large gathering of GCTE neighbors listened to a variety of speakers.

Always lots of information on hand about city and neighborhood services.

City of Sacramento Neighborhood News

Bi-Weekly Tidbits 

News From Neighborhood Services Division

August 24, 2012

Get the entire Tidbits newsletter here.  Lots of information about neighborhood celebrations, community fundraisers, senior fall prevention event coming in September, composting seminars, city excursions, and great news on 311 - finally there's an app for that: 

On August 23, 2012 the City launched a 311 iPhone app and web service that will improve customer service and employee efficiencies! The new application will provide an easy-to-use, self-service web and mobile application for reporting typical requests for service. Examples of the top topics citizens call 311 about are potholes, traffic signal malfunctions, missed garbage cans on collection day, illegal dumping, and stray animals.

The 311 iPhone app and its companion web service will do the following:

• Reduce the number of hang-ups
• Improve citizen service experience
• Decrease call handling times
• Increase response and reporting effectiveness
• Provide another self-service communication mode for citizens in addition to phoning 311 and email
• Increase efficiency of departments by providing prompt and accurate information

The City’s call center now handles approximately 1,300 calls and 75 emails each day. The City estimates it loses about 100,000 calls each year as a result of lengthy hold times. Please check out this new and exciting tool!

To download the app at itunes, click here.

Visit the companion web service website at the City of Sacramento.

August 23rd - Annual Ice Cream Social - Harkness Elementary School

GCTENA General Meeting features ice cream, of course, door prizes, a report on National Night Out events in the neighborhood, speakers including our returning Harkness Principal Chapman, District 5 Council Member Schenirer, representatives of the Sacramento Police Department and City Code Enforcement Division. 

You will also hear information on architectural preservationists Sac-Mod, our neighborhood Yards of the Month, and renovation happening at our local baseball field by members of SEIU Local 1000.

Join us Thursday, August 23, 2012, 7:00pm at Harkness Elementary School, 54th Avenue and Hogan Drive.

GCTENA's August 2012 Newsletter Available Now!

Full of useful information about this month's upcoming General Meeting on Thursday, August 23rd, check out the latest GCTENA Newsletter.  Look for your pony expressed copy coming to all neighborhood doors soon.

National Night Out is Coming Soon!

Whether it's around the corner or down the street, America's National Night Out is coming to a block near you.  Look for signs and flyers celebrating this annual event throughout Golf Course Terrace Estates, Tuesday, August 7th. Free refreshments, lots of information, and a chance to meet or catch up with your neighbors. If you can't make an event near you, be sure to show your support by leaving your exterior house lights on, coming outside to enjoy any Delta breezes blowing our way, and saying howdy to those nearby.

Summer Fun in Sacramento

Sacramento's Neighborhood Services Division features lots of activities (trips, movie nights, farmers markets, workshops, family events, etc.) in its latest issue of Tidbits.  See especially:

Neighborhood Night at Funderland in William Land Park is Friday, August 6th, 5:00 - 8:00pm.

Bananarama Festival at William Land Park August 18 - 19th, benefitting the Sojourner Multicultural Arts Museum at 24th Street and Florin Road.  To participate in the festival as a vendor, an application is available here.

Come Out and Play and Swim!

Remember the Save Our Pools campaign led by Save Mart?  Well, it was successful; one million dollars was raised.  The City of Sacramento's Neighborhood Services Division of the Parks and Recreation Deparment invites the community to come out and play and swim.  Click below for the on-line catalogs showing recreation locations and schedules:

• Come Out and Play!
• Come Out and Swim!

Click here for the latest Tidbits Newsletter from the Neighborhood Services Division.  Lots of good information about entertainment, educational workshops, free dental care for children coming in August, farmers' market locations, and much more.

Community Partnership Workshop - July 11th

The City of Sacramento's Neighborhood Services Division is hosting a Community Partnership Meeting next week: Click here for the flyer.

 

Community Partnership Meeting

 

SPECIAL  COMMUNITY WORKSHOP

 

Please join us for this special and educational workshop!

 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

6:30-8:30 pm

Pannell-Meadowview Community Center

2450 Meadowview Road

 

LEARN ASSET MAPPING

·       Asset Mapping is a powerful tool

·       Leads to positive, creative change

·       Workshop will provide skills to identify assets in your neighborhood

·       Improve your neighborhood from the inside out

 

Workshop facilitated by Ron Dwyer-Voss

Pacific Community Solutions, Inc.

Fight the Bite: Get Mosquito Spraying Updates from Vector Control

Click here for Spraying Update.

Aerial applications in Sacramento and Yolo counties

Live Update as of Monday, July 2nd 7:26 AM:Aerial treatment is scheduled for tonight 7/2 from approximately 8:00pm to 12am weather permitting.

View Aerial Treatment Information Page with Map

• The above notice will be updated within minutes when aerial treatment begins and ends for each day of treatment. ALL TREATMENTS ARE WEATHER DEPENDENT.

• Sign up for spray notifications to receive emails when aerial spraying is scheduled in your zip code.

• Get text message updates when spraying begins and ends by texting FOLLOW SYMVCD to 40404 to Fast-follow our Twitter account @SYMVCD. Text STOP to 40404 to stop receiving updates.

• A daily updated recording is available by calling 800-429-1022, menu option 3.

Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance; they are a major threat to public health. We [Vector Control] use proven, effective methods to control mosquitoes and reduce the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases such as West Nile virus.

National Night Out Scheduled for August 7, 2012

GCTENA is starting to plan for our annual National Night Out Events.  Get involved now.  Last year our City Council Member shared that we had more events in our neighborhood than other associations in District 5.  Get the flyer and application here. Or, come to next Board Meeting (July 11th) for more information.

Support The Sojourner Truth Museum

To raise funds to sustain their year-round program and summer activities for children, the Sojourner Truth Multicutural Arts Museum and Development Center is selling Safe & Sane fireworks for the 4th of July in the Florin Business Arts Complex's parking lot at Florin Road and 24th Street.  Join your GCTENA in supporting this vital community resource.

The Sojo Museum invites you to visit its array of historic murals throughout the complex.  The address is 2251 Florin Road, Suite 126, Sacramento 95822. 

Board Members Express Support for Quality Leadership at Harkness ES

At the final board meeting of SCUSD school year, June 21st, GCTENA board members Chair Ernest Lehr and Secretary Virginia Guadiana spoke on behalf of outgoing principal, Eric Chapman, and the need for continuing the legacy of the Harkness Elementary School.  The neighborhood wants to go FORWARD not backward. Under the leadership of former Principal Chapman, Harkness evolved from a struggling school on the brink of dissolution to one recognized as most improved and a MODEL for the region.

To find out about what your GCTENA Executive Board, click here for more information.  See the GCTENA Board and General meeting schedule here. Our next board meeting is July 11th.  Volunteers are welcome!

Farewell Principal Eric Chapman!

Our community's outstanding Principal Eric Chapman of the HW Harkness Elementary School has been promoted to a post in the Sacramento City Unified School District's administrative office.  What is good news for the District and certainly a reward for the heroic efforts of Mr. Chapman are leaving our  school and neighborhood with big shoes to fill.  June 20th, parents, students, teachers, and neighbors were invited by the SCUSD's Assistant Superintendent Lisa Allen to provide input regarding the selection of the elementary school's next principal.  Qualities desired by everyone included aspects of leadership, the ability to engage parents and the community, people-person characteristics, professional knowledge and capabilities, and vision.

Eric Chapman will head the SCUSD Office of Multi-Lingual Literacy.

If you would like to share your comments, suggestions, recommendations, etc. about the principal selection process, please contact Ms. Allen at 916 643 2535.

Reminder: GCTENA Quarterly Meeting Thursday, May 17th

Join us at the Harkness Elementary School, 2147 54th Avenue,  for our May 2012 meeting, 7:00 - 8:30pm.  See previous post for details.

Last day to register for Neighborhood Summit is May 11th

A reminder from Neighborhood Services' Khaalid Muttaqi:

Friday, May 11^th at 12:00noon

will be the final day to register online for the upcoming Neighborhood Summit 2012 – “Best Practices for Neighborhoods”.  If you have already secured your spot for this one-day FREE conference we look forward to seeing you next week.  If you still need to complete the registration process please do it as soon as possible.  At this time some sessions are no longer available because the workshop is at capacity.

Click below to complete the registration form and reserve your spot at the Neighborhood Summit 2012.  If you are having trouble registering please call us on the Summit Hotline at 808-6525 and staff will assist you.

Click here to register for the 2012 Neighborhood Summit.

GCTENA Meeting - Thursday, May 17th, 7pm

Thursday, May 17, 2012, 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Harkness Elementary School, 2147 54th Avenue (at Hogan Drive).

Join us at this quarterly meeting. There will be refreshments and lots of information. You will hear from the candidates for mayor of Sacramento. Each candidate will have a brief opportunity to share why they should be mayor of Sacramento; we are asking each to be available following the meeting to answer audience questions.

Harkness Principal Eric Chapman will update the community on school happenings and student activities. And, on Wednesday, May 30th, beginning at 6:00pm, the community is invited to join parents as student projects are showcased.  Last year's event was astounding.  Students at every grade level from kindergarten to sixth grade presented their work, which involved research, writing, art, analysis, and public speaking.  Not to be missed!

 

Local historian Gretchen Steinberg will discuss our neighborhood's architectural legacy and the enduring popularity of mid-century modern style which is found throughout Golf Course Terrace Estates.

Animal Care Services in the City of Sacramento

At a recent community meeting GCTENA Board members had the opportunity to hear from various city official about how their programs serve their fellow Sacramentans.  We recently shared information about mosquito abatement and now here is information about how stray animals are cared for and how you can help.    

Animal Care has many free and low-cost services for pets and owners.  There are also many volunteer opportunities at the shelter; prior to service, training is provided.  Finally, check out their "Wish List."  Everything from shoe boxes, pet food, formula, and treats to washable toys.  And, of course, cash donations are needed.  All donated funds go to animal care (surgeries, training, therapy, etc.).  Donated money does not pay for staff salaries.

MAIN OFFICE	Adopting A Pet, Searching For A Lost Pet, Licensing, Microchipping Wednesday - Friday 12:00 pm - 5:30 pm. Saturday - Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
RECEPTION CENTER	Titanic's Pet Food Bank, Surrendering A Stray or Owned Animal, Licensing, Microchipping Wednesday - Sunday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
CONTACT	If you reside within the city limits of Sacramento, dial "311" I you reside outside the city limits of Sacramento, call (916) 264-5011. If you are a TDD user, call (916) 808-8563. Email us at 311@cityofsacramento.org.
Address	2127 Front Street, Sacramento 95818 http://www.cityofsacramento.org/generalservices/animal-care/

The City of Sacramento Animal Care Services does far more than caring for lost and abandoned animals in our community. We provide a variety of services that protect both citizens and animals, including:

·         Transporting sick or injured stray animals that were picked up by the animal control officers to the emergency vet

·         Rescuing animals locked inside hot vehicles and from abusive, cruel, or negligent conditions

·         Impounding stray dogs, whether they are friendly or aggressive, that roam freely on the street, on public property, or at a citizen's residence

·         Administering a rabies control program

·         Helping citizens resolve nuisance problems, such as dogs barking excessively and dogs defecating or urinating on other people's property

·         Investigating dog and cat bite complaints

·         Assisting other agencies such as the County of Sacramento Animal Care and Regulation, the Sacramento SPCA, the police department, the fire department, and the California Highway Patrol

·         Educating pet owners on the importance of spaying or neutering their dogs and cats

More importantly, we keep lost pets safe and sound so that they can hopefully be reunited with their owner or adopted into a new family.