Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
August 2026
Anchors Aweigh
Students sail a solar boat to top honors
Teens from the School of Engineering and Sciences hit the water in a big, sustainable way.
Each year, the school’s junior class competes in SMUD’s Solar Regatta at Rancho Seco Recreational Area. The Pocket campus took top awards this year, defeating 11 other high schools.
SMUD sponsors the competition to promote renewable energy and science, engineering and tech education. Students design, build and race solar-powered boats over two days.
Aspiring engineers and designers from our Engineering and Sciences school built custom hulls, solar-tracking panels and computer-assisted drivetrains. No premade kit boats for these young people.
Design work done, they built the craft in one week. The 40-member Pocket class worked in teams to produce the boat.
“We not only used sustainable materials, but we made sure that every part of the boat, every step in the building process, was sustainable and environmentally friendly,” says Koryn Calvert, a boat design team member. “For example, instead of plastic zip ties, we used sinew, a more natural material, to secure the boat ribs to the gunwales.”
Students applied a wood stain to increase the frame’s longevity. Preserving the wood ensures the 2027 junior class can reuse parts next year.
Students painted the craft with an acrylic paint mixture, producing a vibrant coating that absorbs mercury found in local waterways.
Three students rotated skippering duties. Taranveer Dhaliwal, Leah Mai Diaz and McDenz Villavicencio aren’t licensed to drive cars yet, but they steered the boat during trial heats.
The local students placed first in regatta standings, winning trophies, a cash prize and bragging rights. They also placed first in the slalom, team spirit and sustainability categories.
AIRPORT DINING
With Aviators restaurant closed, model airplanes hanging from the ceiling collect dust. Civic organizations moved their meetings. Parties were rescheduled.
Early this year, the beloved restaurant at Executive Airport was forced to shut down. The building dates from the 1950s and structural deterioration had occurred.
Airport officials met with Aviators owner Cheung-Sang Chik to discuss solutions. Asbestos and mold remediation are planned. Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy held a townhall meeting in July to update the community. A reopening hasn’t been set, but the restaurant might be closed for two years.
FOOD TRUCK FUN
Dine outdoors Friday, Aug. 21, from 5–8 p.m. at Garcia Bend Park. Food trucks will be on hand for this monthly event hosted by City Council Member Rick Jennings and Sacto MoFo.
TAI CHI CLASSES
Interested in tai chi? Classes are held every Wednesday in August at Robbie Waters Library from 10:30–11:30 a.m. with registration required. Sign up at the library or online at saclibrary.org.
BAKING CAMPS
The last summer baking camp runs Aug. 3–7 at Through the Looking Glass Cakes baking studio. Attendees learn to read recipes and kitchen safety. They make favorites, such as cupcakes, cookies and doughnuts. A light lunch follows.
For information, visit lookingglassbakingstudio.com or call Shanna Spinola at (510) 677-6990.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
