SacRT SR2T

aka Sacramento Regional Transit Safe Routes to Transit. So .. Sac RT which operates the 3 light rail lines and all bus routes in Sacramento County got a grant to study the safety of people getting to its transit stops. SABA is a community engagement partner which means Deb and/or I need to attend a variety of public workshops in strategic locations. Tonight, Rancho Cordova.

There were high expectations for some of the 85,000 residents of Rancho Cordova to attend and provide feedback. It was well advertised. Ready to engage and get input, there were 8 “staff” people from 5 different agencies and a reporter from Channel 13. Unfortunately, only TWO members of the public attended: one city employee and Dan (being interviewed) who does not live in Rancho but frequently uses bus and light rail.

This community engagement was not a success. Just six more events like this to attend. I’m sure the next one will yield better results. Right?

FACE

Friday morning breakfast meeting of many non-profit organizations who work within the San Juan Unified School District.

Always a challenge for schools: how to get families to participate, get involved, and share their opinion. SJUSD has developed a framework for Family and Community Engagement.

Evening at Greer

In the afternoon I prepared some materials for an event – Sammi’s Circuit – at Greer Elementary. Thank you online resources for being able to easily translate my simple questions into four languages – Spanish, Dari, Pashto and Farsi.

However, there was a miscommunication about arrival time. BarbaraL and I arrived to see everyone (except maybe the guy on the phone) focused on Sammi’s motivational introduction before the activities began. Oh well.

Friday morning meeting

Liz from Breathe has been having difficulty getting in touch with staff at Greer Elementary so we can get started with the Sacramento County Safe Routes to School grant. This morning, we just showed up and waited until the VP could see us. It worked.

Friday breakfast and lunch

A friend from the American River Bike Patrol arranged for me to meet the director of the City of Sacramento Youth, Parks, and Community Engagement Department. Remember the Alhambra Theater? Now a Safeway grocery store.

Great place to meet for coffee:

Later in the morning, I picked up Pamela, Volunteer Coordinator for SABA, and we went to

for the Cordova Community Council monthly lunch.

Mayor Garrett Gatewood entered with Rancho Cordova High School cheerleaders singing and dancing to a Motown song. His speech was entertaining.

Learn 2 Ride

Miller Park on a very foggy Saturday morning. We had six people for the three of us. James was there to practice and get a pre-lesson for his upcoming Project Ride Smart classes at his elementary school. We left the main teaching area and rode the surrounding roads.

Alley Cats Ride

8:30a Sunday, cold and foggy, as I waited for Brenda to meet me at Peregrine Park for the ride in.

The starting point was Old Soul in Liestal Alley.

Riding through Firehouse Alley in Old Sac.

BarbaraL and I were co-leaders for the ride.

We started with 26 but finished with 12 at Cantina Alley in Jazz Alley.

Good food at the after-party:

The winner of best alley cat costume .. our very own Brenda .. who also took all the the bicycle-action photos above.

Fun day. My first time leading a SABA social ride. 32 miles!

Learn 2 Ride

A cold Saturday morning. Barbara and I met at 8:30 at Miller Regional Park. Barbara explaining how to use the brakes:

With the pedals removed, working on balance and gliding:

A caravan of motorcycles, classic cars, and low riders delivering donations for a toy drive.

After class was over, Barbara and I rode the Alley Cats route (for next Sunday) one more time.