Out and About: Pocket
By Corky Mau
May 2019
Facts of Life
There’s nothing dusty or dull about history when Will Cannady and Mari Edwards start talking. The two Pocket teachers make our past relevant and exciting every day in their classrooms at the School of Engineering & Sciences.
Now, both teachers are being recognized for their work by ABC 10, which honored Cannady and Edwards as teachers of the month, respectively, for March and April.
The local educators will walk the red carpet at the Esquire IMAX Theatre May 15 to attend the annual Teacher of the Year ceremony. Along with other monthly winners, they are eligible for the Teacher of the Year award, which includes a $5,000 check.
I met Cannady and Edwards recently to learn about their work and success. Cannady has double responsibilities at SES. He teaches eighth and 11th grade history, and serves as department head.“I’ve been teaching for over 10 years and I’m passionate about helping my students better understand today’s world conditions by knowing where our country’s been,” he says. “I often supplement history textbooks with newer technology tools that students are familiar navigating.”
Edwards has been teaching at SES for six years. She works with seventh and ninth graders, and teaches advanced placement history for 11th graders.
“I love it when my students say history is cool and fun,” she says.
The history of bridges was a recent project for her students, who investigated various construction methods and recreated scale model replicas of famous bridges from around the world. They produced a video documenting their project.
If that wasn’t fun enough, Edwards took a group to San Francisco for the musical “Hamilton.”
How lucky these local students are to have teachers who connect history with today’s reality. I would have paid more attention to my high school history lessons with teachers like Cannady and Edwards.
FIESTA TIME
Do you enjoy dancing to the popular band Latin Touch? Get your tickets now for the Elks Lodge No. 6 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Saturday, May 4. No-host cocktails begin at 4 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $28 per person and include a carnitas dinner, silent auction and live music. Call the Elks Lodge at (916) 422-6666 for more information.
LIBRARY FRIENDS ANNUAL BOOK SALE
Friends of the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library will hold its annual book sale May 11–17. The sale will be held in the Community Room during regular library hours.
On Saturday, May 11, Friends members can shop at 9 a.m., an hour before the general public. The Bag Sale is 1 p.m. on Friday, May 17, when you can bring a bag and fill it up for only $6. Proceeds benefit library programs.
CELEBRATE THE POCKET
Celebrate the people who make Pocket-Greenhaven a wonderful community at the second annual Pride of the Pocket awards ceremony at Didion School Park on Thursday, May 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Pocket Greenhaven Community Association and elected leaders will recognize some of the people and groups that make the neighborhood a great place to live, work and play. Register for free tickets at pocketgreenhave.org/pride-of-the-pocket.
JFK ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
The inaugural class of the John F. Kennedy High School Athletics Hall of Fame will be inducted Saturday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m.
The following former athletes, coaches and contributors will be honored: John Braxton, Jan and Joe Matisco, Jodi Hashigami, Greg Vaughn, Ernest Lee, Clifton West, Butch Metzger, Michael “Yogi” Stewart, Keith Frostad and the 2002 women’s basketball team. For ticket information, visit gofan.co/app/school/ca7959.
EAST LAWN PRESENTATIONS
We all need to leave behind more than just memories—we need to leave behind detailed plans. To help in that effort, East Lawn is offering three complimentary informational presentations this month.
The 25-minute sessions will be held Thursday, May 9, at 11:30 a.m. at East Lawn Memorial Park & East Sacramento Mortuary, 4300 Folsom Blvd.; Wednesday, May 15, at 11:30 a.m. at East Lawn Elk Grove Memorial Park, 9189 East Stockton Blvd.; and Wednesday, May 15, at 11:30 a.m. at Sierra Hills Memorial Park & East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Lane.
Reservations are required and seating is limited. To RSVP for May 9, call (916) 269-9290; for May 15, call (916) 269-9291. A complimentary meal will be served. For more information, visit eastlawn.com.
TEEN SPACE: G.E.E.K.A.
Student gamers can gather after school every Thursday at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library. Enjoy a multitude of anime, video gaming and more from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The School of Engineering & Sciences organizes the weekly teen program.
ELKS PARKING LOT SALE
Love good deals? Don’t miss the Spring Parking Lot Sale at the Elks Lodge No. 6 on Saturday, May 18. Vendors will be out from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no charge to look. To reserve a space to sell items, contact the lodge at (916) 422-6666.
PORTUGUESE PARK CLEAN UP
Calling all volunteers to clean up Portuguese Community Park on Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Snacks and tools will be supplied. For information, contact Devin Lavelle at (916) 808-7192 or parks@devinlavelle.com.
COMMUNITY MEETING ON DISASTER READINESS
Daniel Bowers, director of emergency services for the city of Sacramento, will discuss disaster readiness on Tuesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library. This public meeting is hosted by the Pocket-Greenhaven Community Association. For more information, visit pocketgreenhaven.org.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month.
