Karin Higgins, UC Davis
Eastern fox squirrel on UC Davis campus

When the squirrels aren’t being hunted for fun or falling to their death in flames caused by carelessly hung “power lines,” they just enjoy making sweet whoopee and raising families. And who can blame them, right?

Now word comes that the folks at UC Davis have had it up to here with the fertile squirrels on their campus and will be putting them on the pill next summer:

Officials said the university is being overrun with eastern fox squirrels, which aren’t natives of the Davis area…Faculty wildlife experts and their students plan to capture some of the squirrels next summer and give them hormone injections to try to limit offspring.

Hmmm, that tail sure looks familiar.

My daughter and I came upon the detached tail of some sort of rodent in a park near the American River this weekend. Follow the “Continue reading” link to help me identify the animal.

Continue reading “Name that horrifying animal part” »

As a follow up to my recent pieces about the battle over tree cutting in University Park, that neighborhood’s homeowners association board has a scheduled meeting tonight. The tree controversy will be discussed at the meeting, but no voting will take place. In fact, California civil code prevents the board from discussing or taking actions on items not on the published agenda, which puts the previous vote to remove the trees (cited in my Sept. 29th post) onto shaky legal ground as it was not on the agenda for that meeting:

• PDF: University Park Homes Board of Directors Meeting Agenda, September 24, 2008

Continue reading “University Park HOA agrees to delay tree cutting” »

Got this in the inbox this morning:

Can anyone refer me to a certified arborist who doesn’t make their living cutting down or pruning trees? I live in University Park Homes, a gated community of 150 or so homes that is set in an urban forest. It is near the American River, between campus commons and sierra oaks. The area is known for its tall colorful trees. Without notification, the homeowners association voted (three people) to remove 22 trees, 10 of which are directly in my view. An arborist has recommended the removal of 144 trees over two years replacing large shady greenery with a shorter variety of trees that don’t provide shade. It appears they are going for the Southwest look?

If this was my hood I’d be pretty darn upset. Everybody knows Sacramento is all about the trees.

Continue reading “Help needed: University Park trees endangered UPDATED” »

The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run was to be held this coming weekend, and it has been cancelled for the first time in its 35 year history.  Some idiots have been calling radio shows saying that if the runners are stupid enough to go 100 miles, then what’s a little smoke?

The bottom line is that hundreds of people have invested countless hours and few thousand dollars (at least, for the locals — even more so for people coming from every corner of the world) to train for this.  I was an entrant in the race in 2006, so I know how much of an emotional, financial, and physical investment this takes.  

Continue reading “Fires/Smoke Cancel Local World-Class Athletic Event” »

With the heat wave ushering in the summer ‘08 season, Sam McManis has a timely article on staying hydrated.*

Being an avid ultramarathoner on the trails, I have a lot of experience with two issues that can easily ruin a perfectly awesome day: blisters and poison oak. Here are some of my tips for making your outdoor adventures more comfortable, whether you’re a trail veteran or considering making your debut out on one of our region’s many recreational treasures.

Continue reading “RunnerGirl’s Quick Tips for Outdoor Adventures, Summer ‘08 Edition” »

Attention parents in the south and east areas: the play structure at Coloma School, pictured below, now sports a massive tent. This plus its manageable size, the low fence, and the cuteness and seclusion of Coloma the makes it a great overlooked spot — especially when the heat comes. Those of you without tots might not appreciate what a coup it is to score a shaded play structure. Of course, a mention on The Sac Rag means you can soon expect to see massive crowds…

Coloma School
47th Street at T Street

On Thursday, Save Our Sandhill Cranes (SOS Cranes) is presenting the Sacramento premiere of a fantastic looking documentary The Unforeseen, which received raves at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and won the “Truer Than Fiction” Independent Spirit Award for 2008.

The film includes a wine, cheese and strawberry reception at 5:30 with the film beginning at 6:30. Tickets are $25, only $10 for students!!

The Unforeseen
Sierra II Community Center Theater - 2791 24th Street
Thursday, May 29 - 5:30pm

Today’s Bee reports that Haagen Dazs is donating $100,000 to UC Davis to help find out why honey bees are disappearing at alarming rates. (OK, so I grew up watching Leonard Nimoy’s In Search Of and being frightened about the impending killer bees, and now the nice bees are vanishing? What gives? I want to keep bees.)

What products or companies would you suggest as possible sponsors or tie-ins to other issues plaguing our region, and why can’t I think of how to work Mayor McCheese into any of this?

From the City of Folsom Website

The most fun thing about Humbug Willow Creek just might be that you can tell people it is “out by the soy sauce factory,” because that just sounds so absurd. But there is indeed a Kikkoman soy sauce factory, out in Folsom near Sutter Street. And next to this salty & aromatic spot of industry you’ll find the Humbug Willow Creek Parkway. (Coincidentally it is also adjacent to a Sake tasting room (I am not making this up) which begs the question of whether there are nice yellowtail in that creek, and some wasabi plants.)

Continue reading “Humbug Willow Creek” »