Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
March 2021
Community Ties
Nextdoor site is place to be in pocket
Are you old enough to remember bulletin boards at Raley’s or neighborhood newsletters that informed residents about community happenings?
Those days are gone, replaced by social media and Nextdoor, a networking site that allows neighbors to communicate with each other. Staying connected during the pandemic has been a struggle. But it’s easier if you sign up for Pocket Nextdoor.
Nextdoor is headquartered in San Francisco and launched in 2011. Today, more than 236,000 neighborhoods around the world use the site. Pocket residents joined the forum in 2013. From their laptop, Nextdoor members learn about restaurant openings, recommendations on service providers, local crime news, lost pets, items to buy or sell, and more.
“I attended an event in Garcia Bend Park and stopped by a Nextdoor information booth,” says Richard Markuson, a founding member of the Pocket edition. “After chatting with a representative, I thought this platform would be a good vehicle for residents to communicate with each other and our elected officials.” Pocket Nextdoor launched May 12, 2013, with three members.
Today our community has bragging rights. Pocket and Greenhaven boast more than 9,000 members. That says a lot, considering at least 250 Sacramento neighborhoods have established their own Nextdoor sites.
Pocket Nextdoor is the largest in Northern California. Many readers of this Pocket Life column are members. If you aren’t, it’s easy to join the free site. Go to nextdoor.com and follow the prompts.
Kathi Windheim helps monitor the local edition. She says Sacramento Police South Command, under Deputy Chief Dave Peletta, played a big role in Pocket Nextdoor’s growth.
Police Capt. Justin Risley helps Windheim post relevant crime stats and updates. The “on time” crime news postings, plus several community meetings, inspired a robust membership drive.
“I attended an event in Garcia Bend Park and stopped by a Nextdoor information booth,” says Richard Markuson, a founding member of the Pocket edition. “After chatting with a representative, I thought this platform would be a good vehicle for residents to communicate with each other and our elected officials.” Pocket Nextdoor launched May 12, 2013, with three members.
Today our community has bragging rights. Pocket and Greenhaven boast more than 9,000 members. That says a lot, considering at least 250 Sacramento neighborhoods have established their own Nextdoor sites.
Pocket Nextdoor is the largest in Northern California. Many readers of this Pocket Life column are members. If you aren’t, it’s easy to join the free site. Go to nextdoor.com and follow the prompts.
Kathi Windheim helps monitor the local edition. She says Sacramento Police South Command, under Deputy Chief Dave Peletta, played a big role in Pocket Nextdoor’s growth.
Police Capt. Justin Risley helps Windheim post relevant crime stats and updates. The “on time” crime news postings, plus several community meetings, inspired a robust membership drive.
“In 2015, Capt. Steve Oliveira set up informational posters in the Nugget and Bel Air markets. I also explained the program to various user groups at the library. That year, our membership really soared,” Windheim says.
Nextdoor leads, such as Windheim, are volunteers. Their role is to provide information about community issues and facilitate conversations in a neighborly direction. During the early years, Angela Wood and Crystal Harrison served as leads. Today, Windheim shares site responsibilities with Mark Hanzlik, Will Cannady, Sheryl L. Fong, Michael Myers and Devin Lavelle.
I joined Pocket Nextdoor in 2013. Now it’s time for some belated thanks to Markuson for your vision, to Sac Police for your partnership, to Windheim and all the leads for keeping Pocket Nextdoor growing. Your dedication has allowed me to meet neighbors such as Paula Gardner and Rich Chan. They frequently post offers of free flowers and cheerful “thoughts for the day.” We’ve never met in person, but it feels like we’re longtime friends. Pocket Nextdoor keeps me connected, informed and more appreciative of my wonderful community.
FOOD CLOSET HELPS OUT
South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership will hold a virtual pledge-a-thon Thursday, March 11, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. “Full Plates, Full Hearts” is this year’s theme. The Zoom event includes a virtual tour of the SSIP Food Closet and silent auction.
Last year, the Food Closet was especially challenged. More than 27,000 households in the region sought help, an increase of 135 percent from 2019.
The pandemic put a renewed focus on food security. Nationwide, more people are using food banks. If you know someone who needs help, the SSIP Food Closet is located at Bethany Presbyterian Church at 24th Street and Fruitridge Road. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9-11:30 a.m.
To attend the Zoom event, go to ssipfoodcloset.org and follow the links. For information, contact Jan Neeley at (916) 747-4131 or jneeley@ssipfoodcloset.org.
CONVERSATION WITH MAELEY TOM
ACC Senior Services offers free wellness classes and workshops. Tune in Thursday, March 4, from 2-3 p.m., to hear Maeley Tom, Pocket resident and retired California Legislature staff member who helped manage both the Assembly and Senate. She’ll talk about her new memoir, “I’m Not Who You Think I Am.” Register at accsv.org or call the ACC office at (916) 393-9020.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
