McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA)

EAST SACRAMENTO DAY A GREAT SUCCESS

Jan 15, 2004

More than 600 people joined the MENA Board in celebrating East Sacramento Day on April 6 at the Clunie Center in McKinley Park.
Judging from the mile wide grins on kids faces, the story-telling and juggling by Damento! in the library were quite a hit.
There was standing room only for the free lecture on remodeling your home put on by the Central Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects .
The steady traffic of East Sacramentans passing through the auditorium viewed original art created by artists who live in or create images of East Sacramento. Works included watercolor, acrylic, and oil paintings; ceramic, bronze and mixed media sculpture sculptures as well as pottery and birdhouses. Over 26 artists loaned their works and visited with fellow celebrants during the 4 hour exhibit.
Community organizations turned out to provide information about their services. Giving out samples, brochures, performing health checks, or otherwise helping inform attendees about the services available in our community, the able volunteers brought energy, information and enthusiasm to their communications.
Docents shared with interested persons visions and history of our neighborhood.
MENA held a brief Board meeting at which it installed its 2003-2004 Board of Directors. During this meeting, MENA also awarded the first McKinley Elvas Neighborhood Alliance Architectural Awards .
Visitors in the auditorium viewed a scale model for the proposed water tower art project. Supplementing the visual image of the proposed design, the artist was eager to share his vision for the structure. Lots of smiles surrounded this display, whose interest was obvious by the crowd it attracted.
The last event of the day ?— the food and wine tasting ?— was the only portion of the day that was not free. Tickets were sold out two weeks before the event. Those lucky enough to get in found creative and tasty food samples and lots of wines to try.
MENA?’s goal for the day was to have a great celebration, to feature positive elements of our community and to break even. We succeeded. Everyone who came appeared to be enjoying themselves greatly. Comments were enthusiastic and positive ?— commonly suggesting this be an annual event.
MENA?’s income from the event exceeded expenses by $1,650. From these proceeds, MENA has contributed $500 to the Library for purchase of books, $200 to McKinley Park for basketball nets, $500 to Sacramento Area Bicycle Association for a Mid Town trail marker.
Thanks to those who participated as exhibitor, attendee or volunteer. Thanks also to the cosponsors including: Inside Publications, SMUD, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Mercy General Hospital, Councilman Steve Cohn, and Selland?’s Market Caf?©.
Many thanks to those who helped make East Sacramento Day such a success:
Sponsors:
McKinley Elvas Neighborhood Alliance, Inside Publications, SMUD, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Mercy General Hospital, Councilman Steve Cohn, and Selland?’s Market Caf?©
Artists:
Bob Appleman, Vicki Asp, Willie Beattie, Randy Brennan, Linda Carpenter, Charlotte Cooper, Eric Dahlin, Julie Didion, Davida Douglas, Carol Endicott, Jim Ferry, Jane Goldman, Ed Goldman, Obed Gutierrez, Cecily Hastings, Joyce Laws, David Lobenberg, Mary Lynch-Lloyd, Robin May, John McGinley, Cynthia McKeith, Amelia Moyer, Lewis Olvera, Yolanda Rosales, Kathleen Stock, Vito Ferrante, and Alexis Genung
Community Organizations:
Friends of the McKinley Library, the East Sac Midtown Kiwanis Club, the American River Foundation, the City of Sacramento departments of Parks & Recreation as well as Neighborhood Services, Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates and Walk Sacramento, the River Park Neighborhood Association, the Junior League, David Lubin School, the East Sacramento Improvement

Association, Happy Tails, Sacramento Bungalow Heritage Association, SMUD , Mercy General Hospital, the Sacramento Art Deco Society, and the East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce.
Food and Wine:
Sellend?’s Market Caf?©, Supper Club, Black Cat Caf?©, Rolle?’s, 33rd Street Bistro, TLC Deli, The Catering Company, and Paragary?’s.
Others:
Juggling by Damento!, balloons couttesy of Holloway Rasmusson & Molodanof, cloth bags by Trader Joes, and the wonderful volunteers of MENA.