New for 2009: Police Blotter at Woodland Record

From the Woodland Record:

Now you can read Woodland Police Department press releases as you check out other local news at the Woodland Record. The policy of the Record is to post the press releases with minimal edits and to credit the source of the articles. The Woodland Record chooses not to reconfigure the releases and take credit for writing them.

Click here to see the most recent releases provided by WPD, including:

• Three arrested for recent burglaries
• Armed robbery on Woodland Ave., between Walnut and Cleveland Streets
• Gas Plaza on East Street robbed at gunpoint
• Car stolen on Towse Drive, wrecked on Collette Way: Three suspects sought

Of course, you can always go directly to the source at the WPD press release page.

County's 'To Catch a Predator' tactics result in conviction

From Yolo County:

On December 30, 2008, the Honorable Thomas Warriner sentenced Todd Robert Dixon, 40, of Elk Grove, to three years state prison and lifetime sex offender registration for soliciting a seventeen year-old girl in West Sacramento to have sex with him in exchange for money on December 27, 2007. Dixon faced a maximum of six years in prison.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Local blog resolutions for 2009

From The Roughstock Journal:

Why do people make New Year's resolutions? It's as if starting some new behavior or stopping a destructive habit is somehow easier on January first as opposed to any other day of the year. Many people make these resolutions, if not on paper, at least somewhere in the back of their mind.

Read more.

Local blog reflections on 2008

From Hello Happy Pitbulls:

There's nothing new and original about an end of year blog post, reflecting back on all the major events of the year. In fact, I must have read about 100 of them so far.

Read more.

Looking for Dr. John Reisner

I received an email from David S. Reid, Age 83, who is looking for an old High School buddy who resides in Woodland. So I figure why not post this and see if we can get any leads on finding Dr. John Reisner. I would guess he would be in his 80's.

If you have any information please email me. I have all of David Reid's contact info to pass on to Dr. Reisner.

jeff@woodlandrecord.com

Suspects sought for felony assault and robbery

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 08-8388

On Monday, December 29, 2008, at approximately 01:57 hours (01:57 A.M.), Woodland Police Officers were dispatched to 154 Lincoln Avenue (Lincoln Manor Apartments) regarding a subject injured as a result of being assaulted by 2 females and one male.

Woodland Police Officers responded, arrived, and located an adult victim of a felony assault. The victim was identified as Woodland resident Juan Felipe Rodriguez (D.O.B.: 02/23/1984). Rodriguez suffered a head injury from the battery and was transported via AMR ambulance to the Woodland Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Attempted murder – Man beats 15 year-old with hammer

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 08-8392

On 12-29-2008 at approximately 1105 am Woodland Police Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Buckeye Street, regarding a 15-year-old male who had been beaten in the head with a hammer. Prior to the incident the 15-year-old victim and a friend were contacted by the suspect in the area of West Beamer Street and California Street. The suspect said something in Spanish and the victim said something in Spanish back. The victim and his friend continued walking in the 100 block of Buckeye Street (A few blocks away) and heard footsteps behind them. The friend saw the suspect hitting the victim several times in the head with a hammer. The 15-year-old male was rushed to UC Davis medical center with trauma to the head and a possible broken wrist. The suspect was described as an Hispanic male adult in his 20’s wearing a puffy black jacket. The 15-year-old victim and his friend were visiting from Sacramento.

If anyone has any information regarding this case please contact the Woodland Police Department at 530-661-7800.

State seeks freebies from city, county

This is the proposed site diagram from the AOC's feasibility report for the New Woodland Courthouse. Although a parking structure is shown, the state has budgeted no money to build one. A state planner said the courts are not expecting the City of Woodland to provide a parking structure, yet the city has falsely presumed such. Complicating the issue is a January solicitation by the state for free or discounted properties from cities and counties. The city does not own the proposed parking structure site, nor does it own the proposed theater site.

Excerpts from the Woodland Record:

Gifts sought despite $458,892,500 state budget for court parking structures

State funds allocated for New Woodland Courthouse garage: $0, zero, zip, none, nada

The state will be soliciting all cities, townships and counties in California next month to get free or discounted properties to build the New Woodland Courthouse.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) needs about two acres to build a new facility that will house 14 courtrooms in Woodland. The estimated total cost for the 141,000 square foot courthouse project is $172,940,000.

Of that amount, about $2.8 million is budgeted to construct five acres of surface parking for 420 to 430 vehicles. Seeing that five acres will be hard to come by in downtown Woodland, local officials have been planning for a garage. Problem: The state will not provide funds for a structure in Woodland despite a whopping $458,892,500 budget for other courthouse garages in California.

The city, focused on building a garage despite owning over 1,226 downtown parking spaces, is seeking at least one federal grant based on the false presumption that the courts are requiring Woodland to build a structure.

Read much more at the Woodland Record, including the context of the following quote:

“West Sacramento has no plans to offer any incentives to the state to locate courts in West Sacramento,” said city manager Toby Ross in a December 23 email response to a Woodland Record question.

Sacramento Bee awards Dustin

From the SacBee:

The Bee's Male Athlete of the Year: Dustin Pedroia
By Joe Davidson

Dustin Pedroia may be the least surprised person of the whole lot.

A major league player? He anticipated it years ago, as far back as a 13-year-old. He thought about it, visualized it, prepared for it.

Read more at the SacBee.

Some businesses closed for January's First Friday event

From the Woodland Record:

According to Tori Duke of the Savory Cafe, some businesses will not be open for January's Downtown First Friday event. The expanded event that began in August of this year features many stores in the historic downtown area that remain open after 5 pm.

Read more at the Woodland Record – Business Announcements.

City seeks candidates for Community Service Award

From the City of Woodland:

The City of Woodland City Council annually presents Community Service Awards, the City’s highest honor, to select individuals with a distinguished record of public service to the Woodland community. The City is now accepting suggestions from the public of candidates to be considered for the 2009 Award. You and/or your organization are encouraged to submit one or more names for consideration.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Merry Christmas, WesSac – You have a new high school

Excerpts from the SacBee:

West Sac's new River City High ready for students
By Hudson Sangree

After years of planning and anticipation, the city of West Sacramento has a high school worthy of its renaissance.

The new River City High School – a $145 million, state-of-the-art campus – is set to open after the holidays, replacing one of the region's most outdated and crowded high schools.

There are more than a dozen modern science labs, a television studio, a robotics room and banks of computer workstations – as well as a large college-and-career resource center.

Outside on the 62-acre campus are a 3,000-seat football stadium, an all-weather track, two baseball diamonds and a competitive swimming pool.

Read more at SacBee.

Charity begins at home

From the public domain

Woodland Daily Democrat
J.O. Maxwell, editor
Wednesday evening, December 24, 1890

Woodland has the name of being the wealthiest city in the United States in proportion to her size and population, and to think such a distinction is correctly bestowed. There are but few families in our midst that are without the common necessities of life, and none who are actually on the verge of object poverty, still, there are those whose Christmas cheer might be made brighter, and that too, without any signal effort on the part of those who are situated better, in a worldly way than their bretheren.

Read more at the Woodland Record – Mail of Woodland.

Sacramento River Train offers seasonal specials

Christmas Train
Through December 23
The RiverTrain’s popular Christmas Train is a special treat for children of all ages. Your Christmas journey includes Santa, elves, storytellers, musicians, hot cocoa and cookies. You are welcome to wear your pajamas! Last year we sold out every train so purchase your desired date in advance. Adult $31, Child $24

New Years Eve Express
Wednesday, December 31, 9 pm
Bring in the New Year in style. Our $55 tickets include hour d’oeuvres, live music, train ride, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Couples only – $100!

Call (800) 866-1690 for reservations: Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 8 am to 12 pm.

http://www.sacramentorivertrain.com/

Rexroad's big adventures

A while back it seemed like every other post on Rexroad.com had to do with a trip on his bike. I miss those stories so I had to use my imagination and made this.

My desk by Dave

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Ruby Tuesday to close 70 stores, no word on Woodland restaurant

From RubyTuesday.com:

Ruby Tuesday (NYSE: RT) announced that the Company will incur restructuring charges in its second and third fiscal quarters of 2009 related to impairment and lease charges. The second quarter restructuring expense will include a non-cash impairment charge associated with the third quarter closure of approximately 40 locations and approximately 30 additional locations anticipated to close over the next several years, as well as a non-cash impairment charge related to approximately 35-40 surplus properties which are marketed for sale. The third quarter restructuring expense will include costs associated with lease terminations and future lease obligations related to the 40 third quarter closures. Any lease charges related to additional closures will be recorded in the quarter that the locations are actually closed.

Read more at the Woodland Record – Business News.

Two robberies on West Main last night

From the Woodland Record:

An armed gunman robbed the Jo-Ann fabric and craft store on West Main Street at about 9 pm Friday night. CW31 TV this morning reported that a 5'7'' Hispanic male wearing a black/gray plaid sweater and jeans was the culprit.

Also, according to the Daily Democrat, Bank of America on West Main Street was robbed at about 5:45 pm. Witnesses say two men wearing black clothing carried handguns into the bank. One of the men wore a beanie, the other had the hood of his jacket up. Witnesses further described the suspects as black men – one about 6' 4" and heavy set, the other an average-sized man. A woman was also seen driving the getaway car – a small, white station wagon with a luggage rack. Read more about this robbery here.

County offers free Christmas tree recycling

From Yolo County:

Free Christmas tree recycling is being offered at the Yolo County Central Landfill from December 26 through January 15, and at the Esparto Convenience Center from December 27 through January 14. Treecycling is the act of recycling Christmas trees so they can be turned into valuable renewable and recyclable resources. Ornaments, flocking, tinsel, garland and lights should be removed from trees to be recycled.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Update to downtown plaza notification and meeting

From the Woodland Record:

The next meeting of the Historic Woodland Downtown Business Association will be held on Thursday, January 8, as previously reported by the Record. The meeting time has been announced for 6 pm that evening and it will be held at the Elks Club at 500 Bush Street.

As part of the agenda, there will be a discussion about the potential redevelopment project off of Bush Street – in the Dog Gone Alley area of the block bounded by College, Main, First and Bush streets.

Anita Long of the HWDBA will be hand-delivering 100 copies in the downtown and Cynthia Shallit of the City of Woodland will be mailing the information to all owners and residents within a 300 foot radius of the project.

According to Shallit, "This presentation is expected to be brief - probably no more than 10 minutes - since I am mainly just discussing the process of preparing the plan and describing the opportunities for public involvement. There are no plans or designs to show at this time. I’d like to leave plenty of time for questions."

Capay resident questions casino's "neighbor" ad campaign

From the Woodland Record - Letters to the Editor:

This letter is regarding the Cache Creek Casino's full page advertising campaign in Yolo County during the past several weeks.

Although the whole County is affected (courts, water, social and health services, traffic, crime, etc.), especially citizens living along Highway 16, I will focus upon Capay Valley, because this is the area affected heavily and daily by the commercial Cache Creek Casino.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

City to send letter about proposed downtown plaza to neighbors

From the City of Woodland:

To interested property owners, business owners, and residents,

The Downtown Business Association has asked City Redevelopment staff to come and discuss a possible project on Bush Street. Though nothing definite has yet been decided, staff has been directed to proceed and explore possible development opportunities for this site. The initial idea is to develop an outdoor courtyard behind the buildings on Main Street between College and First streets.

At the meeting, we’ll discuss the project idea, where we are in the process, and how community input will be incorporated in the plan.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Note: The time and location of the January 8 meeting of the Downtown Association to be determined.

Read off your library fine

From Yolo County:

Yolo County Library announces the second annual Read Off Your Fines campaign, to be held during the month of January. This campaign will target children and young adult library card holders, ages five to 18 years, who are able to read by themselves and who owe overdue fines on their own library cards for previously returned materials. Youth who “read off” their fines will earn a $1 credit for each 15 minutes spent reading a book of their choice in the library.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Tomato processor moves to Woodland

From SacBee.com:

Processor leaves W. Sac and heads to Woodland

Culinary Farms Inc., a processor of dried tomatoes and Mexican chilies, has moved from a 7,800-square-foot site in West Sacramento to a 25,000-square-foot facility in Woodland.

The company's new home at 1244 E. Beamer St., was formerly the Marie's Salad Dressing plant in Woodland.

Read the rest at SacBee.com.

Snowing in Woodland

Thanks to Al Eby of Blue Wing Gallery for the photos...

It is snowing in Woodland again. It just snowed a little bit two years ago if I remember correct. It really stuck to the ground in Dunnigan, I have yet to see it sticking to the ground here yet...

Someone please email me a pic of it snowing today... My two year old broke my camera over the weekend.

COPs again? Are you kidding me?

Excerpts from the Daily Democrat:

District's purchase plan might change for Blue Shield building

The Woodland school board reviewed the process of selling certificates of participation to fund the new central office building, but the ultimate decision to proceed with the purchase was put off once again.

As a way to avoid having the waiting period affect its decision, the board agreed to notify the agencies as soon as possible.

"We have the purchase price of $7.3 million and there is a lot of work that's going into the project in terms of specials work, and we have not done an appraisal of the project," Scott Sheldon, the district's real estate advisor, said.

Read more at the Daily Democrat (article will expire).

Rim Touch

Okay, we will have to delay the results. The team I was supposed to play had to forfeit so we did not play tonight. Next week we have a bye. So looks like we will have to put off our contest for 2 weeks. Rexroad did call me tonight and report that he was able to get his whole hand on the backboard. That would be very close to be touching the rim. I think he will likely do it. We will see where I am at. I have no idea....

Looking for the Top Ten (or so) Woodland stories of 2008... and stories you want in 2009

Last year about this time I posted an Acorn Poll to see what Woodland Journal visitors wanted to read in the upcoming year. Here's your chance again. I know that an anonymous blogger wants us to investigate last week's Agriform chemical leakage.

Also, little did we know back in December that the Blue Shield building purchase by the school district would turn into one of the top stories of 2008. Certainly Dustin Pedroia winning the American League Most Valuable Player award was a great one... as was Jill Camarena's shot put performance in the Olympics. Clark Pacific coming to Woodland was another. The teens spitting on the young mother at Ferns Park raised the ire of local bloggers.

Let's hear your ideas for the Top Ten (or so) Woodland stories of 2008.

Holiday closures for Yolo County offices

From Yolo County:

All Yolo County public offices will be closed December 25, 2008 and January 1, 2009. As a cost savings measure, the following Yolo County offices will also be closed on the following days...

Read more at the Woodland Record - What's Happening.

‘Tis the season to be “green”

From a Woodland Record column by Nicole Facciuto:

We’ve all taken small steps in our home, work and play to embrace being “green.” Whether it’s turning off the lights in rooms we’re not using or carpooling to work with friends, we are beginning to alter our way of living to reduce our impact on the environment.

We should look beyond the everyday things we do to conserve energy and resources. Let’s use this holiday season to make an eco-friendly impact... on our planet, in our homes and with our families. ‘Tis the season to be “green!”

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Note: Nicole is a 1993 graduate of Woodland High School and operates Nicole Facciuto Design (NYC, SF, LA).

Tazzina Bistro gambles on New Year's bash

From the Woodland Record - Business News:

New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for upscale restaurants. Reservations are typically full nearly a week before the event. For the past four years chef/restaurateur Rebecca Reichardt has crafted a special four or five course dinner menu that has been well received - and New Year’s Eve has represented a significant portion of the all important December sales.

Despite this past success – Tazzina Bistro & Vintage Lounge are scrapping the old, unbroken standard and throwing a New Year’s Eve Bash instead.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Click here for ticket and reservation information.

WHS graduate Nicole Facciuto on HGTV

From the Woodland Record:

Woodland High School class of 1993 graduate Nicole Facciuto has been making a splash on the HGTV show Red Hot and Green. As an interior designer, she transforms rooms with a “green” twist.

Nicole has also appeared on She’s Moving In, 25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes, What’s Your Sign? Design, Nice Package, House Wars and Good Morning America. She has also published articles in Home Magazine Live.

If that weren’t enough, Nicole has been building her design business, aptly named Nicole Facciuto Design, a bi-coastal design firm located in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles and specializing in custom residential environments.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

New poll

As you can see on the right sidebar, we have posted a new poll. The question is can Matt Rexroad or I touch a 10 foot basketball rim. This is not the Zamora 8.9 foot rims where I spent many glorious days during High School, slamming it down on opponents. This is the same height the Kings play on/ When you stand right under it, it looks high. In reality I only need to jump 2 feet in the air. A lot has changed over the last 15 years, mainly my weight. I have put on 100 pounds since High School. I have not attempted to touch the rim in a couple of years. I was able to do it about 3 years ago, so we will see what happens.

Matt appears to be in pretty good shape considering he is 40. I am guessing he will be able to touch it? But you never know. We will see if age or weight will hold us down.

I will save our eyes from the last basketball photo I posted of Rexroad.

To be continued...

Student watershed stewards have first native plantings today

From the Center for Land-Based Learning:

The Center for Land-Based Learning (CLBL) lead the first of three
hands-on SLEWS (Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship) field days today with high school students from the Met School Sacramento who will be installing irrigation lines and later, planting hundreds of native trees, shrubs and grasses as part of a creative landscaping buffer around the Clark Pacific Woodland Plant.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Downtown garage: City parking spaces updated

From the Woodland Record:

Here's an update to Downtown garage: City wants v. others’ needs.

In addition to the 790 parking spaces provided in city-owned lots, there are 436 on-street spaces in the downtown. The on-street parking in downtown still does not include spaces available in adjacent residential areas (those within the three- to five-minute state standard).

That brings the total of downtown parking provided by the city to 1,226 spaces. The city has 70 employees in the downtown.

The county provides 220 parking spaces in the downtown. 149 of those are for the courthouse. The county has about 338 employees who work downtown.

The courts provide 0 parking spaces. They have about 140 employees.

The project will consolidate six facilities and add one courtroom (for a total of 14 courtrooms). They will need 420 parking spaces for an estimated 219 employees, a growth of about 282% (from what the county provides to them). They will have about $5.7 million available for land acquisition for surface parking only - not a parking structure.

Out of a total statewide budget of $458,892,500 for court parking structures, the New Woodland Courthouse is scheduled to get $0. Verify this.

Here are your California representatives:

District 8 Assembly Member Mariko Yamada (916) 319-2008
District 5 Senator Lois Wolk (916) 651-4005
District 2 Assembly Member Jim Nielsen (916) 319-2002

[This story was updated on 12/28/08]

Coby at five, already experienced BMXer

From the Woodland Record - Sports:

Coby Witten has been racing BMX bicycles for two and a half years now. That’s half his lifetime.

Photo: Coby “Bo Bo” Witten, number 52, is a five year-old American Bicycle Association BMX rider. He now races against expert riders in the six-and-under division, placing third at the NorCal State Qualifier in August. Courtesy photo.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Kids can learn about December 7, 1941, at the Yolo County Library.

From the Woodland Record:

Yolo County parents who are interested in explaining Pearl Harbor Day to their children should know about Millenium KidsOnline. On the Yolo County Library Main Page (on the county's Web site) you will find the Kids Place on the left navigation bar. Next, a click on the Search the Catalog link will take you to the KidsOnline button. Click that to get to the Millenium KidsOnline page where your child's search for books can begin.

Books can be checked out at any of the seven county library branches: Clarksburg, Mary L. Stephens (Davis), Esparto, Knights Landing, Arthur F. Turner (West Sacramento), Winters, and in Yolo. Click here to find the locations of each of the branches.

The Davis branch is the only one open on Sunday (1 to 5 pm), so for today's lessons about December 7, 1941, parents may choose to check out the Remembering Pearl Harbor page on the National Geographic site.

Premiere edition of the Woodland Record is delivered this weekend

Thousands of homes across Woodland will be receiving the December, 2008, Premiere Edition of the Woodland Record this weekend. Check out your driveway today or tomorrow (Saturday or Sunday). Stacks of papers will also be available at select business locations and at the Woodland Record studio at 415 First Street. To download the 3.6 mb issue, click here.

First Friday Event: Happenings at Main St. Antiques and Dragonfire Toys

From Main Street Antiques:

Main Street Antiques will once again be hosting a local artist during the Downtown First Friday Event. Please stop in on tonight between 6 and 9 pm and meet Ginger Rominger. Her art is very lovely. A sample of her work is at left. The store is ready for Christmas... so stop by to enjoy Christmas cookies and hot cider. Enjoy the art and maybe you will discover that special gift. You can find Main Street Antiques at their new shop at 531 Main Street, across the street from their previous location.

From Dragonfire Toy Company:

The Dragonfire Toy Company presents "Parent Shopping NightFriday," tonight from 7 to 8. Free crafts for kids in our Castle Room! Parents can shop hassle-free while we entertain the kids!

Dragonfire Toy Company
414 Main Street
Woodland

Downtown garage: City wants v. others’ needs

Excerpts from the Woodland Record:

Jim Perry, Yolo Superior Court CEO, responded to some of the findings from the article called Courthouse: Xanadu spin v. parking reality that was originally published at woodlandrecord.com on November 8. He confirmed that “the 400+ parking spaces have been part of the court plan for many years, and last year this project was approved by the state and Department of Finance for funding. There is no plan to use court site acquisition funding toward a parking structure. The first phase of this project includes land acquisition of seven acres, five acres for surface parking. The state has approved about $8 million for property purchase.”

Perry did not rule out the possibility of the state leasing parking spaces if a garage is built near the courthouse facilities. He also clarified that parking does not have to be adjoined or contiguous, saying that the state would likely be reasonable if multiple lots were available according to the three- to five- minute state standard for walking accessibility.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

The City of Woodland currently provides 790 total surface lot parking spaces in the downtown area – 449 of which are considered long term, or all day, spaces. NEW INFORMATION: There are 436 on-street spaces in the downtown, not including residential areas. Yolo County provides exclusive permit parking for 149 jurors and court staff in a surface lot located at Court and Third Streets, directly across from the existing courthouse. According to Yolo Superior Court CEO Jim Perry, the state has approved about $8 million (out of the $173 million total courthouse budget) for property acquistion that includes five acres for parking. Click here for a larger version of the diagram.


Of Yolo County’s 220 parking spaces are 149 spaces in one lot that are exclusive to jury and court use. The court leases 12 spaces from the county for judges and executive staff. The 790 surface lot parking spaces owned by the city include 449 long term spaces. Jurors currently use about 400 spaces in a week – in county lots, in city lots and in the city streets. The 790 spaces provided by the city do not include street parking. NEW INFORMATION: There are 436 on-street spaces in the downtown, not including residential areas. [Look for the December edition delivered to your home this weekend.] Employee figures are approximate as provided by each agency.

Merry Christmas from the Woodland City Council

The City of Woodland has updated their city council Web page with a photograph of the current council. Click here to view the page.


Apparently, Martie Dote's bio will appear at a later date.

First Friday event: A Tuna Christmas at WOH

From the Woodland Opera House Web site:

The crazy antics of the citizens of Texas' third smallest town return to the Woodland Opera House stage just in time for the holiday season.

The original Opera House Greater Tuna cast of W.O.H. Executive Director Jeff Kean and Bob Baxter, Artistic Director of Runaway Stage Company of Sacramento, reprise their roles in the show’s sequel, A Tuna Christmas November 21- Dec. 14. The play is presented by Carl and Nadine Salonites.

Tickets for A Tuna Christmas are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and $8 for ages 17 and under. Balcony tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 17 and under. Call the box office Monday through Friday from 10 to 5 at (530) 666-9617 for reservations or click here to order online.

December Calendar at the WOH:

5. A Tuna Christmas, 7:30pm
6. A Tuna Christmas, 2:00pm
6. A Tuna Christmas, 7:30pm
7. A Tuna Christmas, 2:00pm
12. A Tuna Christmas, 7:30pm
13. A Tuna Christmas, 7:30pm
14. A Tuna Christmas, 2:00pm
19. Dance Open House, 7:00pm
20. Joni Morris Concert, 7:30pm
21. Chamber Singers, 7:30pm

AL MVP Dustin by the numbers: Try $40.5

From the Woodland Record:

Dustin Pedroia of Woodland was recently named the American League’s Most Valuable Player for 2008. The Boston Red Sox All-Star second baseman added that honor to his 2007 AL Rookie of the Year award. Dustin also earned his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards this year.

The Rawlings Gold Glove Award is given annually to 18 Major League Baseball players as voted by the managers and coaches in each league. Dustin ended the 2008 regular season with a .992 fielding percentage and just six errors in 733 chances. He became only the second Red Sox second baseman to win the award. Doug Griffin won in 1972. Dustin’s fielding percentage this season was the third highest for a Red Sox second baseman, after Mark Loretta (.994 in 2006) and Bobby Doerr (.993 in 1948). Over his last 91 games in 2008, Dustin made just one error.

The Hillerich & Bradsby Silver Slugger awards are also determined by a vote of MLB managers and coaches. Dustin became the first Red Sox second baseman to receive the honor. The 25 year-old led the majors with 54 doubles, tied Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki for first with 213 hits, and ranked second with 118 runs and 61 multi-hit games, both AL highs.

Dustin joins Jason Varitek (2005), Ellis Burks (1990), and Dwight Evans (1981) as the fourth Boston player to win Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in the same season.

In winning the MVP award - determined by the Baseball Writers Association of America - Dustin was named on 27 of the 28 American League MVP ballots. Dustin made some history in winning this year’s AL MVP award. He is the first AL second baseman to win the award in 49 years and only the third player to be named MVP the year after being elected Rookie of the Year.

The capper: Dustin and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a six-year, $40.5 million contract today.

First Friday event: Nottingham Boutique to host the Clauses

From Nottingham Boutique:

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting Nottingham Boutique this Friday from 5 to 9 pm. Free photographs are available. Send all the good little boys and girls down to 612 Main Street and their parents will receive special discounts on merchandise and a free gift with purchase.

Merry Christmas from Rachel Medina
Nottingham Boutique
612 Main Street
Woodland CA 95695
(530) 668-1500

First Friday event: Photogenics to host Obernesser, Richter

Excerpts from the Woodland Record - What's Happening:

Photogenics Photography Studio will feature acclaimed photographer Bill Obernesser for the First Friday Downtown Event in Woodland. Obernesser is a Northern California-based photographer specializing in black and white images of landscapes, still-life, architectural and human subjects. He has received numerous awards for his work and his work has been published extensively. His current interests include panoramic photography, and experimenting with a “Gigapan” robotic camera.

Also showing work will be Woodlander Jim Richter. Richter has published a book of his photographs that runs the gamut of abstracts to studio work to portraits. And he just might have the most varied resume in town if not the state. Before turning to photography he has been a Police Sergeant, Postal Clerk, Nuclear Weapons Technician, Sawmill Laborer, and Playground Safety Inspector among many other careers.

First Friday Downtown Event
December 5, 2008
6 to 9 pm

Photogenics
415 First Street
Woodland CA 95695

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Check out the Woodland sky tonight

From Yahoo! News:

Spectacular Sky Scene Monday Evening
By Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
Image from StarryNight.com via SPACE.com

Every once in a while, something will appear in the night sky that will attract the attention of even those who normally don't bother looking up. It's likely to be that way on Monday evening, Dec. 1.

A slender crescent moon, just 15-percent illuminated, will appear in very close proximity to the two brightest planets in our sky, Venus and Jupiter.

Read more.

Festival of Trees: A three day event

From the Yolo County Historical Museum - Gibson House Web site:

Festival of Trees

Friday December 5;
Saturday, December 6;
Sunday December 7

The Festival begins Friday, December 5. Each tree, wreath, and centerpiece will be up for auction during the Gala event that evening from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday,

December 6th the Museum will host a day for families, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as crafts projects to play with and museum tours.

On Sunday December 7th we will host a holiday open house. Join us for music, singing and good cheer.

THERE WILL BE A HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

Charge for the Gala event is $25 per person. Saturday is $5 for family admission to the museum to see Santa, get cookies, and do crafts. There is no charge for the Sunday Open House and Boutique from 12-4.

Volunteers, Sponsors, and crafts are needed, Contact: Marilyn Wirth at (530) 662-1045 (office)