February 2014 Newsletter - GCTE Neighborhood Meeting is Thursday, February 20th, 7pm

HW Harkness Elementary School, 2147 54th Avenue at Hogan Drive.

We'll have several speakers on issues important to our neighborhood including Neighborhood Watch, Barbara Falcon, Sacramento Police Department official  and our ongoing water shortage, City of Sacramento Department of Utilities Director David Brent.
We'll also make our annual holiday lights awards and kick-off our membership drive and much more.  Come out and meet your neighbors, get some news you can use, and enjoy the provided refreshments.

Your Newsletter will be delivered this weekend but if you'd like to view it online, click here.

From the office of our District 5 City Councilmember Jay Schenirer

Leaf Season Ends January 31, 2014The last day that yard waste and Christmas trees can be placed out on the street for collection is January 31, 2014. Weekly residential yard waste container collection will continue year-round on a customer's usual collection day. Customers can find out when the next on-street collection is estimated for their address by checking the Leaf Season schedule at www.sacrecycle.org or calling 311.

City Expands Household Junk Pickup Program to Two Appointments Per Year

Program runs February – October

The City’s Household Junk Pickup Program (formally the Appointment Based Neighborhood Cleanup Program) is taking appointments for the 2014 season. This year, all residential customers can make two appointments – per year – for the free pickup of acceptable bulky items including yard waste. Household Junk Pickup occurs from February through October. The same equipment and personnel used for Leaf Season operate the Household Junk Pickup program.
"We hope that the additional appointment will be helpful to customers as well as useful in discouraging illegal dumping," says Steve Harriman, Integrated Waste General Manager for the Recycling and Solid Waste Division.

To request an appointment, customers can:
• Call 311
• Make an online request at www.sac311.org
• Use the Sac 311 App for iPhone or Android
The City will collect up to five (5) cubic yards of material (4’x4’x9’) per appointment - approximately the amount that will fit into the bed of a pickup truck. Extra charges may apply if load is in excess of five cubic yards. Piles put out more than 24 hours before an appointment or put out without an appointment will be considered illegal dumping and fines may be issued.
Accepted items include yard waste, one (1) appliance, TV’s, computers, e-waste, furniture, mattresses, carpet, toys, and four unmounted tires. A full list of acceptable items and guidelines for the Household Junk Pickup Program can be found at www.sacrecycle.org.

Throw Back Thursday: September 12, 2012 - Space Shuttle Endeavour

 

Throw Back Thursday: click here for video of the Space Shuttle Endeavour as it flies over Harkness!  A million thanks to new Board member Blanche for this thrilling video and photo.

City Tackles Illegal Dumping with Rewards from $500 to $1000

GCTENA Executive Board Update

For more information, contact us at gctena@gmail.com.

Click here for updated Executive Board information.
The sixteen neighbors who volunteer meet monthly and work every day to upgrade the quality of life in our neighborhood. They tackle the many community and City issues that affect the 1700 households of Golf Course Terrace Estates.

Nextdoor - 77 and Counting...

With Nextdoor, you decide what updates you get and how often.

The private social media site Nextdoor is a good way to keep up with what's happening in our Golf Course Terrace Estates neighborhood. You get posts like this from Sacramento Police Department partners like Neighborhood Watch guru Barbara Falcon who does safety training throughout the City. But also share info about lost animals, free stuff, and the occasional suspicious incident. When you get your invitation, please respond or go to Nextdoor.com to learn more.

City of Sacramento Claw Pickups End January 31st.

Claw Schedule

From October 28th 2013 through January 31, 2014 customers can get an estimate of when pile collection will occur in their neighborhood by visiting www.sacrecycle.org or calling 311. A new Address Search feature will give users the last day that piles were collected on their street, and an estimate of when the Claw will return for the next pile pickup.
 Find your Claw Schedule »

Leaf Pile Guidelines

• Piles should be no more than two cubic yards in size (3'x3'x6' pile).
• Place the pile six feet from any obstruction (cars, boats, basketball hoops etc.)
• Make sure there is space between the curb and pile to allow water to flow to storm drains. Do not place piles in bike lanes.
• Do not put pet waste in any yard waste pile or container. Pet waste goes into the garbage container.
• Piles should not be in plastic bags.
• Christmas Trees will be accepted in piles.

New Year's Eve in Sacramento

Get the December 31st evening's event schedule here.

Volunteers Make GCTE Neighborhood a Great Place to Live!

Volunteers like June make our neighborhood a great place to live.  Not only serving on the Neighborhood Association board, acting as a sector leader for Neighborhood Watch block captains, keeping an eye on Harkness School, among many other things, June has been the guiding force behind our Yard of the Month program.  From spring to fall, June selects two yards from our neighborhood that show pride of ownership, beautiful flower beds, and overall lovely landscaping.  Since August 2012, yards selected have been located on 53rd, 59th, 60th (2) Avenues, Amherst Street (4), Demaret Drive, Golf View Drive, Hogan Drive,  Middlecoff Way (2), Monifieth Way, Wilshire Circle (3), Vardon Avenue, and Harkness Elementary School.  One thing that will disqualify a yard says June, "garbage containers left in public view."  Not only are they unsightly but they violate City ordinance when left out.  Criminals have been known to use them to get over fences and into backyards and homes quickly.  So let's get them behind enclosures.  June is looking for a neighbor to help here select Yards of the Month beginning in March 2014 when spring comes to Golf Course Terrace Estates.   In the future, we plan to get new yard signs, tokens of appreciation for each winning household, and an online slide show of all past winners.  If you'd like to participate. Contact us at gctena@gmail.com.

This was one of the homes selected as Yard of the Month in October 2013. This beautiful yard with its emerald green lawn is now all decked out for the holidays!

Behind the Scenes with Secret Santa

Ornament won during a fun holiday game, a variation of which is described here.

Every year Secret Santa and Mrs. Claus host a party for their Christmas elves. When not working to surprise three families, these elves (including family members) volunteer as Golf Course Terrace Estates board members and Neighborhood Watch block captains.  The families get enough groceries for several days and a gift for each child.  On at least one Christmas Eve, Secret Santa answered the letter of a child who spotted him delivering holiday bounty in the neighborhood.  Who could resist the sincere wish for winter gloves, etc., which Santa delivered later that afternoon.  Thanks to all who support Santa's good works.  Merry Christmas to all!

Nextdoor - Happy Tails!

Nextdoor is the place to keep up with what's going on in our neighborhood.  There are quite a few posts about crime and safety but recently two lost dogs were found.  Bella was returned to her family somewhat worse for wear and in need of lots of TLC. The gray puppy found a good home a week after he was found.  Happy endings are possible with the help of good neighbors. 

Bella found!

This pup found a good home!

More Pictures: John Morse Community Garden

At our November 21st meeting, Principal Susan Higgins of John Morse Therapeutic Center described the array of fruit trees (lemon, orange, grapefruit, cherry, plum, peach, apricot) and other plantings that will thrive with cooperation of the school and the Golf Course Terrace Estates neighborhood. Plots are available for the community. View additional photos by clicking on dates: 

November 9th

November 22nd

Nextdoor Credited for Crime Rate Decline

Wow. Sacramento Police attribute crime rate decline to adoption of @Nextdoor neighborhood network http://t.co/Ha7j9EF7op
— Rich Barton (@Rich_Barton) November 22, 2013

Nextdoor on Twitter

This year we're giving thanks for our neighbors. What are you giving thanks for? http://t.co/OcXobsh8hi
— Nextdoor (@Nextdoor) November 27, 2013

Good Neighbors!

At our final meeting of 2013, we celebrated our good neighbors! We elected an enthusiastic slate of new and renewing board members, heard from neighborhood school Principals Higgins (John Morse) and Simmons (Harkness), our District 5 Councilmember Jay Schenirer, and you are neighbors! Much appreciation to the Gilbert family who picked the persimmons provided.

You can still contribute to our Secret Santa project; mail tax deductible checks to: GCTENA, PO Box 231576, Sacramento 95823. 

Remember our holiday lights judge Tim Mendonsa will choose the top three winners sometime in December. Everyone get ready to sparkle, sparkle, twinkle, twinkle!

Elizabeth and Joyce shared stories of the special neighbors in their lives.

SPD Goal Reached: 10,000 on Nextdoor

Sacramento police reach goal of getting 10,000 households signed up on Nextdoor || http://t.co/niSLpWVxBV via @Kim_Minugh & @sacbee_news
— Nextdoor (@Nextdoor) November 21, 2013

November 2013 Newsletter Delivered Door-to-Door This Weekend

Just in time for next week's final quarterly meeting of 2013. 
Get a PDF copy of the newsletter to read and share right here.

Honoring Veterans

Link to CalVet Resource Book here.

California Veteran Resource Centers - click here for links to information about jobs, small business opportunities, housing, etc.

John Morse Community Garden Now Open!

Several varieties of fruit trees (apple, citrus, plum, cherry, apricot) and winter vegetables and herbs in raised-bed redwood containers have been planted.  Space is available for neighbors to use.

Principal Susan Higgins will provide more information at our

next quarterly meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2013, 7:00pm,

Harkness Elementary School.

John Morse Community Garden Open House - Saturday, November 9th

Located at 1901 60th Avenue, the John Morse Therapeutic Center has undergone renovation including a beautiful community garden at the corner of 60th Avenue and 20th Street.  The garden is a great addition to the Golf Course Terrace Estates neighborhood.