Railyard Project gets the green light

Speaking of eyesores, the Railyard project got a green light from the City Council on Tuesday. Over the next 20 years, in theory, the project will begin to develop downtown into a "real" city. We'll see jobs, stores, mixed use housing projects, a cultural center and a major infill project take form.

I'm in support of the idea of the railyard project, I really am. But is this the city council to do it? So far we've seen the arena fall through, the completely botched development of North Natomas, the big hole known as The Towers and the troubled Aura Condo project. Sure, it's a down market but it wasn't in the 90's when they approved the debacle of North Natomas. The city surely has had an economist or two studying the market and preparing for fluctuations, right?

As a longtime resident of Sacramento, I'm ready for an all new council full of young, entrepreneurial talent with bold ideas, creative plans and a environmentally friendly way to make Sacramento really shine. This council is none of those... We can only keep our fingers crossed that the next election cycle will bring out some new blood.

Thanks Pardee Homes for the big, ugly eyesore

It's no secret that I live in North Natomas and that I'm concerned with the development in the area. We fell for the big lie in 1999 and now we're stuck. But the big lie just gets worse as weeks go by and suddenly we're left considering turning our house into a rental just to get out of here. Is that really what's best for the city? For the neighborhood?

The latest thorn in my side is the hugely ugly eyesore that Pardee Homes has left on the corner of Del Paso and Gateway Park. A big concrete wall advertising Natomas Meadows, a chainlink fence surrounding the entire development and pipes sticking up everywhere. They didn't even stick around long enough to finish the road damage caused by their heavy machinery. Eight houses sit very lonely in the middle of all the mess, with lights on full-time burning up kilowatts for nothing.

According to the Sac Bee, Pardee Homes decided not to play the game anymore and shut the development. Since they couldn't charge the exorbitant and outlandish rates of two years ago, they mothballed the whole thing. They reassured the Bee that they'll be back when they can make more money and they'll finish the development.

In the meantime, those of us still here are stuck with the damaged road and the hideous fence to stare at every day driving to work. It's all a big reminder of the big lie.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I love Christmas in Sacramento! The weather is just chilly enough to feel like winter but you won't freeze your tush off at any of the outdoor celebrations. You'll have lots of options of things to do so get out your mittens and get ready to celebrate. Here are just a few upcoming ideas:

*Fairytale Town Winter Wonderland Saturday, December 1st. Visit with Santa and his elves, do some art projects and listen to music all while enjoying Fairytale Town.

*Old Sacramento Heritage Holidays November 21st thru December 23rd. An assortment of activities including a holiday train ride, Christmas puppet show, Discovery Museum projects, historical reenactment and the Capitol City Yacht Club's lighted boat parade

*Ice Skate Downtown Plaza November thru January 21st. Your chance to pretend you are a kid again, or take the kids and show them how great you really are!

*Holiday Magic at the Zoo Saturday, December 8th. You had no idea an orangutan can open a present did you! All the animals at the zoo receive special gifts.

And that's just for the next week!

Day trips from Sacramento to celebrate the holidays

The scent of the holidays should be in air right now, but we've been stuck in this bizarre late summer weather. Even Halloween seemed a little off- just a few times did I smell the scent of burning jack-o-lanterns or hear the crunch of leaves on the sidewalk. It looks like you're going to have to leave town to get the holiday celebration underway!

Mark your calendar for the Grass Valley Cornish Christmas celebration, Friday nights from November 23rd thru December 21st. Businesses in downtown Grass Valley decorate their windows in celebration and there will be live music, carriage rides, food and drink, entertainment and much more. The downtown is closed to vehicle traffic and you can stroll along in peace with your family.

If that weren't enough celebration, you'll love the Nevada City Victorian Christmas just a few weeks later. Chestnuts will really be roasting on an open fire, strolling minstrels and carolers fill the streets and Santa will make a visit. You can check out the Victorian Christmas 3 Wednesday nights December 5, 12 and 19, from 6-9 p.m and 2 Sunday afternoons, December 9th and 16th from 1:30 to 6pm.

If you're really up for an adventure, make a weekend of it and spend the night in one of Nevada City's beautiful bed and breakfasts. If you're lucky, you just might get a sprinkle of snow to kick off your holiday season.