Out And About
By Jessica Laskey
October 2024
Celebrating Colley
2 films explore legacy of Sacramento’s first Black attorney
Two short films exploring Nathaniel S. Colley’s legacy fighting racial discrimination in public housing will be shown Thursday, Oct. 17, at Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Park.
“Desegregating Sacramento: Celebrating Nathaniel S. Colley, Sr.’s 75th Anniversary Fighting Segregation” features work by local filmmaker Chris Lango.
Colley, the city’s first black attorney, fought racial discrimination at New Helvetia Public Housing on Broadway and Muir Way in 1952. His practice included civil rights litigation and criminal defense.
The screening, hosted by the Nathaniel Colley Civil Rights Coalition and Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association, is free but an RSVP is suggested. Visit sierra2.org/activities/upcoming-sierra-2-events.
SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND ANNIVERSARY
Society for the Blind celebrates its 70th anniversary with a program and dinner showcasing the nonprofit’s work to promote independence and ensure people with vision loss have access to programs and eye care.
Founded in 1954, Society for the Blind provides blindness skills education and training. Services include a Low Vision Clinic, Aids to Independence Store and CareersPLUS Youth program helping children learn non-visual skills and techniques to achieve academic success and develop independent living skills.
The society operates a mobile Low Vision Clinic, donated by VSP Global, to bring eye care to remote areas of Northern California, and a Braille Production program to provide braille products to businesses, government agencies, schools and individuals.
Retinal Consultants Medical Group will be honored with the 2024 Briggs Award for its contributions to community eye care.
The anniversary event is Thursday, Oct. 24, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at the Center at 2300. For information, visit societyfortheblind.org.
ROCK THE BLOCK
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church joins Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento for a “Rock the Block” workday to help new homeowners in the Bryte and Broderick area.
Volunteers will perform home repairs, rebuild fences, plant community gardens, restore landscapes and help revitalize this underserved community of low-income families, seniors and veterans.
“Rock the Block” is Oct. 11–12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, visit habitatgreatersac.org and stmichaelscarmichael.org.
ZOO ADDITIONS
If you haven’t been to the Sacramento Zoo lately, fall is a good time to visit and meet some new denizens.
The zoo welcomed a third okapi, a female named Kivuli, that staff hope to pair with a male okapi named Mo.
The zoo celebrated the birth of an endangered mongoose lemur—a milestone considering there are approximately 100 in human care.
The flamingo flock has grown by four chicks. Check out the renovated flamingo habitat across from the new southern white rhinoceros habitat.
Sacramento Zoo is at 3930 W. Land Park Drive. For information, visit saczoo.org.
MUSEUM EXHIBITS
California State Railroad Museum and its foundation have partnered with Sacramento Public Library to host two exhibits created by Parks and Tranquility Grant awardees.
“Chókim bètana wéeye (It Comes from the Stars)” is a sound and multi-media installation by Amy Melissa Reed, a descendent of people indigenous to the Sonoran Desert. The exhibit shows how water moves through the landscape and connects us all.
“Fieldnotes: California State Railroad Museum,” a video installation, was created by local artists and curators Chris Christion and Jessica Wimbley. The exhibit centers on Black railroad laborers and riders through archival materials and images.
“Public art is a powerful way to help connect people to each other and to our shared history,” Museum Director Ty Smith says.
For information, visit californiarailroad.museum.
MERCY VOLUNTEERS FOR HOLIDAY SHOW
Mercy General Hospital Guild wants volunteers.
Duties include working at the information desk in the main lobby, keeping families informed of loved ones’ surgery progress, staffing the gift shop and clerical work in the guild office.
Volunteers work four-hour shifts, with two shifts per month. The yearly membership fee is $20. Mercy General Hospital is at 4001 J St. For an application, call (916) 453-4699.
SINGERS WANTED
If you’d like to sing holiday music with a live orchestra, here’s your chance. The Capital Chorale is looking for singers of all voice types to join rehearsals starting Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Pioneer Congregational Church at 2700 L St.
The concert, “A Festival of Lessons and Carols,” will be Friday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.
To join the roster of singers, email Music Director Elliot Jones at musicdirector@pioneerucc.org. For information, visit pioneerucc.org.
HISTORIC LANDMARK
A Colonial Revival house in Midtown has been designated a historic landmark by the City Council and added to the Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.
The home at 2025 P St. is an example of early 20th-century design with its hipped roof, symmetrical massing, fluted two-story pilasters capped by Ionic capitals and an open front porch with square fluted columns.
Levi Vandercook, a carpenter and amateur photographer, built the house in 1907, shortly after marrying Gertrude Mary Fraser. The Vandercooks were among the founding members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Levi served as an honorary life deacon.
“Levi Vandercook’s photo collection is a valuable record to the visual history of Sacramento and Northern California during the first half of the 20th century,” says City Historian Marcia Eymann, who manages the Center for Sacramento History.
For information, visit cityofsacramento.gov/community-development/planning/preservation
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
