Money in Manholes

The police were in front of our house on the alley yesterday morning. They brought a trash can from the park to stop anyone from driving or walking into a huge hole in the middle of the road. Someone had stolen a manhole cover! After a call about a missing cover a block away they decided to check the rest of the alley. Good thing they did or we would have backed our car out of the garage directly into it.

 

This looked like just the kind of space our cat would like to explore. Knowing her, I could see her getting trapped down there. What to do?

Eventually Tom from the city came by to survey the damage.  

His safety cones allowed us to plug the hole with the garbage can to keep the cat out.

A little later he came back with a replacement. It weighs 90 lbs. He said the thieves get 10 cents per pound. So for $9 they were willing to put people at risk. I thought copper theft was the big thing but Tom said they have been dealing with a rash of manhole thefts for two weeks. AND it costs $125 to replace one, not counting staff time.

I already broke my wrist this week and sure didn't need yet another accident. Thanks to our safety officials, city utilities and Tom for preventing what could have been a huge shock to an unsuspecting driver or pedestrian.

All-American Activity

Walking through the park yesterday I met Giovanni, Aaron and Alex who introduced me to winter fishing. Their tackle box was very bright against rocks.

They were hoping for bluegill and catfish. Their job is to catch the fish and then one of their grandmas has the cleaning and cooking job.

Looks as if the grandma is off the hook - so to speak - today.

I was disappointed to miss seeing them reel something in but they happily told me to come back in the summer when the fishing is better. In the meantime I enjoyed the view of bare branches against the December sky...

...and their watery reflection.

Everyday-is-a-Holiday Food

My friend and I decided to celebrate the holidays together at 10th and W Streets (which is on the edge of Southside Park neighborhood) at Doughbot (which is on the edge of a traditional donut experience). 

Doughbot has received a lot of press so it was fun to be served by the now-famous founders, Bryan Widener & Dannah O’Donnell.

I came in for a single donut (that's mine - Vanilla Bean - in the photo above) but wanted to show a variety on this blog so one of their patrons let me photograph his order.

My friend grabbed her favorite Maple Bacon donut and a corner chair.  Until they offer a public restroom they can't have tables for lingering but with the view from the corner of the street and the robot art inside, who cares about a table?

And if Doughbot wasn't colorful enough, look at what is parked outside for peddle-powered deliveries. The driver has a great way to work off their everyday-is-a holiday treats.

Round the Clock Festivites

Today is the big day for Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12th, and the neighborhood is jumping. It has a very south-of-the-border feeling but it is just Southside Park. Another day in our remarkable neighborhood.

I love the clothing on this family who were headed to church at about noon today.

Outside the church this vendor begged me to take his photo. He was so cheerful, how could I resist?

Across the street from him was this display. I was worried it would collapse under the sheer weight of all they had to offer but it held all day.

I stopped by again tonight to see what was going on and you really could feel the excitement in the air. The patrons and worshipers were still out in full force and the vendors remained hopeful.

Tomorrow may seem dull by comparison.

Floats, Food and Flowers

Somehow the floats got completed and the Posada began today at noon on the nose.

I couldn't take a guess at the size of the crowd. There were lots of walkers but amazingly, back at the church, the nave was full.  

Each float featured the Virgin of Guadalupe a little differently.

The weather was perfect for the procession.

The kids were darling, of course.

Everyone was decked out...

...and buying food and flowers...

...and replicas of Our Lady of course.

The flower vendor told me that tomorrow will be even more lively with singing beginning in the wee hours of the morning.

Twelve Twelve, Twelve to Twelve

If you want to see a bit of Christmas pageantry go over to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on 7th and T Streets tomorrow, 12/11, at 12 PM for their annual Posada. Or you can go by there tonight or tomorrow morning to watch as these flatbed trucks are transformed into beautiful floats.

The parishioners will work most of the night for tomorrow's noon procession. I can't imagine how they will do it because baby, it's cold outside!

The whole thing concludes with a midnight mass ushering in 12/12. Don't worry if you miss it; it's an annual event and there is always next year. But this year seems extra special to me because the celebration falls on a Sunday.

Just think how lucky we are to live where our neighbors share their colorful culture with us.

My Dogs are Barking

The title of this post does not refer to all the walking I've been doing around Southside Park. It refers to a fun thing to do tomorrow night with your dog: take your pooch to an art exhibit!

Southside Park is home to several art galleries and one of the best is Skinner Howard Art.  It is located in a gorgeous brick building at 723 S Street. The entry is the back awning you see here.

They invite you - and your canine companion - to their annual Dog & Cat show.  I stopped by last night and the art is a hoot, affordable and flying off the walls.

It runs til January 7th but I think the most fun time to go is this Saturday during the Art Walk, 6 - 9 PM. Sales benefit PALS.

If you take a stroll there hopefully you and your dog won't be barking in either sense of the expression. But I can guarantee you will be smiling at all the fun art!

These Boots are Made for Walking

One of the things I love about living in Southside Park is that I can walk to almost anything I need. I've been doing a lot of walking lately.

After walking over to Insight Coffee and enjoying the brew and this view from their front counter...

...I decided my poor boots needed a little professional attention so I walked down U Street to Schroeder's on 10th.

The owner, Steve, is not much for chatting but his cobbling is excellent and he fixed my boots on the spot. While I was there a customer from Elk Grove stopped by to pick up her boots so I had a chance to look around. 

When I pointed out this yellowed clipping and told him he didn't look much like a Schroeder, he just laughed. I never did find out why the business was called Schroeder's.

He may not talk much but he's fast, does quality work at a fair price and stocks most of what you need to care for your footwear.

Be Still My Heart...

... is what I might be saying if I drink too much caffeine at INSIGHT COFFEE!! Yes! They opened today!

There's Ben & Lucky enjoying taking care of their first customers.

And here are some clever seats just waiting for you.

8th & S Streets. 7 AM - 8 PM. Southside Park has ARRIVED!!!

Friday Night Lights

We saw the first lights of season on S Street on our way to dinner Friday night.

Can't wait for more!

Sunday Fiesta Food

All the buzz around SactoMoFo got me thinking about Southside's regular street vendors. When we bought our house our realtor told us that every Sunday, year round, Southside Park was like a fiesta. She was referring to the food tables set up along the sidewalks across the park on T Street in front of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

And on the corner of 8th and T:

Today there was also of sale of religious items...

...which visitor Cynthia couldn't resist.

Our realtor was right. Between the aroma, the sights and the language it most definitely felt like a Fiesta. And imagine, it happens EVERY SUNDAY!