Homecoming, History, and a Greener Future

From high school pride at the Elk Grove Homecoming Parade to sustainable shopping fun at Thriftathon, this week’s CityCast has plenty to celebrate. We’ll share the fascinating history of a landmark building on Historic Main Street, explore how you can help shape the district’s future, and highlight important reminders for Pedestrian Safety Month. Plus, learn how Elk Grove is marking its 25th Anniversary with a greener tomorrow by planting 25 new trees along Laguna Creek.

Don’t miss an update—sign up to receive the City’s weekly email in your inbox every Monday at elkgrove.gov.

Rate, review and subscribe to the Elk Grove CityCast to get more information about the people, programs, and services shaping the City. You can find the Elk Grove CityCast anywhere you get your podcasts or listen online at elkgrove.gov/podcast.

Transcript

Kristyn Nelson: Thanks for tuning into the Elk Grove CityCast, the podcast about Elk Grove, California. I'm Kristyn Nelson, Elk Grove’s Public Affairs and Communications Manager. And with the help of artificial intelligence, we're rolling out new episodes that dive into the relevant topics, events, and happenings within our city.

We're using technology to provide you with new resources that will help you to stay informed and connect with the community at the time and with the tools that you prefer. So whether you have a passion for podcasts or print material, subscribe to social media or dig into digital. We want be a source for local information that's valuable to you.

Now, without further ado, let me turn it over to our AI friends for a deeper dive into this week's topics. 

Ai-leen: Okay, let's unpack this. Today we're diving into a really fascinating collection of updates from Elk Grove, California. It's, you know, a prime example of how much rich, surprising information you can uncover right in your own community news. 

Ai-den: Yeah. If you look just beneath the surface 

Ai-leen: Exactly. Beyond the headline. 

Ai-den: Indeed. And our source material for this deep dive. It's kind of a blend of local community announcements, some initiatives, things that might seem like everyday updates. But our mission really is to go deeper. We wanna pull out those important nuggets of knowledge, help you connect the dots between, say, community events, history, future plans, 

Ai-leen: Get those aha moments. 

Ai-den: That's the goal. Make you truly well-informed about what's shaping the place. 

Ai-leen: Absolutely. And we've got quite a journey today. We'll look at everything from like high school spirit.

Ai-den: Okay. 

Ai-leen: To historic buildings, thinking about future town centers, pedestrian safety, even environmental efforts. 

Ai-den: Lots to cover. 

Ai-leen: Yeah. Get ready for some surprising facts, I think. And some practical takeaways too. 

Ai-den: Sounds good. 

Ai-leen: So to kick things off, let's talk community spirit. I mean, what says that better than a high school homecoming parade?

Ai-den: Always a big event. Totally. 

Ai-leen: Elk Grove High School's Homecoming Parade is rolling through this Friday, September 26th. So if you're around, just know the Elk Grove PD will be assisting with traffic controls, detours. It starts around 12:45 PM Expect some lane closures, Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove-Florin Road. It's big community celebration. And for specific details, you know, call the school (916) 686-7741. 

Ai-den: You know, beyond the fun part, what's really insightful here is how these traditions. They're almost like a low stakes stress test for the city's logistics. 

Ai-leen: Oh, interesting. Like a practice run 

Ai-den: Sort of, yeah. Coordinating traffic, safety, crowds. These annual events, they kind of hone the skills. Local services need for bigger things, maybe emergencies or complex projects. 

Ai-leen: Huh. Never thought of it that way. 

Ai-den: It's subtle, but it's there. Yeah. It's community resilience being practiced. 

Ai-leen: That's a great point. The logistics angle.

Okay. So moving from tradition to maybe, trends. Elk Grove's also doing creative stuff for sustainability. Let's dig into this. Thriftathon sounds like more than just a market, right? 

Ai-den: It does. Tell us about it. 

Ai-leen: Okay, so this Saturday, September 27th, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Old Town Plaza. It's called an urban reclaim market.

Ai-den: Okay. Reclaim market. 

Ai-leen: Yeah. Over 30 unique vendors. Different styles. Prices, you know, one of a kind stuff, plus a DJ, snacks, drinks. 

Ai-den: Sounds like a whole vibe. 

Ai-leen: Totally. And here's a really neat feature. Americana Vintage, they'll actually buy your gently used clothes. 

Ai-den: Oh really? 

Ai-leen: Yeah. Bring up to 15 items, maybe get some cash. So pack those reusable bags. Grab friends, family. Good for the wallet, good for the planet. 

Ai-den: You know, this isn't just about bargains. That's definitely part of it. It's a sign of a shift, I think, in how people think about consumption and the city's responding. Thriftathon shows how Elk Grove can use local entrepreneurs to build like a local circular economy.

Ai-leen: Yeah. Keeping things local. 

Ai-den: Exactly. It's not just promoting sustainability in theory, it's building community wealth. 

Ai-leen: Yeah. 

Ai-den: Keeping money and goods circulating within Elk Grove, not just flowing out or ending up in landfills. 

Ai-leen: Makes sense. Makes being eco-friendly, easy and fun 

Ai-den: And economically smart for everyone involved. Yeah. 

Ai-leen: Okay, so from these vibrant present-day gatherings, let's shift gears. Let's look at the city's history. It's foundations. And speaking of foundations, there's this building, incredible history, the historic 9045 Elk Grove Boulevard Building. 

Ai-den: Okay. I think I know the one. North side of the Boulevard, just west of the tracks.

Ai-leen: That's it. Today, beautifully restored by local entrepreneurs, Jason Klein and Cecilia Li. Reopened in 2016, it's home to the School of Rock and Explore Elk Grove now. 

Ai-den: Right. New life in an old space, but yes. Stepping back, it wasn't always a School of Rock. 

Ai-leen: No, 

Ai-den: no. It was known as the International Order of Odd Fellows.

My IOOF hall 

Ai-leen: Odd fellas. Yeah. Okay. 

Ai-den: Yeah. For decades, these fraternal organizations like the IOOF, they were huge in American community life. Not just social clubs, but often like, mutual aid societies. Support networks before modern safety nets. 

Ai-leen: Wow. 

Ai-den: This building originally had a general store downstairs.

Julius Everson's. The Rebecca Lodge used the upstairs hall. 

Ai-leen: Yeah. 

Ai-den: And it grew, you know. They added a warehouse in the back in the 1910s, a basement dining hall by the thirties. 

Ai-leen: So it adapted over time. 

Ai-den: Exactly. It's like a little snapshot of how communities build and rebuild and repurpose spaces. 

Ai-leen: But here's the really remarkable part, the origin story. It actually started with a tragedy. Yeah. 1892, a massive fire swept through Main Street, what we now call Elk Grove Boulevard. 

Ai-den: Hmm. 

Ai-leen: Took out a lot of the wooden buildings

Ai-den: And the original IOOF building was one of them?

Ai-leen: It was. Completely lost in the fire. 

Ai-den: Wow. But clearly they rebuilt.

Ai-leen: They did, with incredible resilience. By 1893 it was back. Reconstructed with, you know, real strength and character. The new building had that ornate 1890s Victorian style. Brick facade, three bays wide, piers that projecting canopy over the first floor. Very distinctive 

Ai-den: And it's stayed active, is the Oddfellows Hall for a long time after that.

Ai-leen: Yeah, right up until 2000. So more than 130 years later, this piece of Elk Grove history is still standing proud. 

Ai-den: It's really more than just bricks and mortar, isn't it? It's a tangible link, a testament to preserving that proud heritage, bright future idea in the historic district. 

Ai-leen: Absolutely. 

Ai-den: And actually this info was developed with the city's Historic Preservation Committee. You can find more on their work at www.elkgrove.gov/historicpreservation.  

Ai-leen: Good to know. And this history, this resilience, it's not just something to look back on, right? It's shaping Elk Grove's future. 

Ai-den: How so? 

Ai-leen: Well, speaking of Historic Main Street, the city's looking ahead. What does its future look like? And they want your input.

Ai-den: uh, the planning side of things. 

Ai-leen: Exactly. The Historic Main Street special planning area. The SPA, it's getting a refresh. 

Ai-den: Okay. SPA, so that means special rules for that zone?

Ai-leen: Basically. Yeah. Tailored zoning development rules to create a specific vibe or character for Main Street. And the project team came up with six different personas, sort of like potential futures inspired by successful downtowns elsewhere. 

Ai-den: Interesting approach. And the source mentions one in particular. 

Ai-leen: It does. Afamily friendly persona. 

Ai-den: Okay, family friendly. What would that actually look like on the ground?

Ai-leen: Well, the idea is a hub for all ages. Picture this wide. Sidewalks easy for strollers, maybe bike rentals, antique shops, arcades, local museums that are actually fun, 

Ai-den: Making it an experience.

Ai-leen: Right. Public plazas, squares with stuff happening year round, maybe occasional street closures for live events, celebrations.

Ai-den: So creating destinations within the downtown. 

Ai-leen: Yeah. The goal is a place where families could spend a whole day, you know, exploring, playing, making memories 

Ai-den: that's not just nice for families. It's smart economics too, right? Draws people in, supports businesses. Catering to different ages. 

Ai-leen: Yeah. 

Ai-den: Builds a lively downtown.

Ai-leen: Exactly. It's that kind of thoughtful planning and if you're curious about this or the other five personas, you can see them all and give feedback online. 

Where's that? 

Ai-leen: Elk grove.gov. Your input literally helps shape Main Street's, future vibe. It's a real chance to have a say.

Ai-den:  Definitely worth checking out then. 

Ai-leen: For sure. Yeah. Okay. Now let's shift gears again. Equally vital community wellbeing, specifically getting around safely. 

Ai-den: Mm-hmm. Pedestrian safety. 

Ai-leen: Yes. September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California and the Elk Grove Police Department is putting out a reminder. Drivers slow down, be alert for people walking. Seems obvious, but, 

Ai-den: But the stats show why it's so critical. It's pretty sobering actually. Mm. In California, pedestrian deaths make up more than 27% of all traffic fatalities, 

Ai-leen: So 7%. 

Ai-den: Wow. It really highlights the urgent need for more awareness, better safety measures, not just in Elk Grove, everywhere. 

Ai-leen: So what are the key reminders? 

Ai-den: Well, the police shared tips for both drivers and pedestrians, and the big one for everyone. Stay off the phone. Yeah, whether you're driving or walking, distraction is deadly. 

Ai-leen: Absolutely crucial. What else for drivers? 

Ai-den: Pretty straightforward. Don't speed slow way down at intersections. Be ready to start for people at marked and unmarked crosswalks. Don't block crosswalks when you're waiting to turn right, and of course, never drive impaired 

Ai-leen: Common sense but needs repeating. And for pedestrians?

Ai-den: Key word is. Predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers expect you Watch for cars, obviously. And remember this, at 30 mile per hour, a car needs at least 90 feet to stop. 

Ai-leen: 90 feet. That's like six car lengths, right? 

Ai-den: Roughly. Yeah. It's farther than most people think. That's why both sides need to be cautious. Also, try to be visible at night, break colors, reflective stuff, a flashlight, maybe 

Ai-leen: Good tips, 

Ai-den: And just be extra careful crossing at night or on busier, faster streets. It all adds up to a safer environment. 

Ai-leen: Definitely important reminders. Okay. Finally, let's wrap up with something green. An initiative building a cleaner future for Elk Grove, literally.

Ai-den: Okay. Ending on a green note. 

Ai-leen: Yep. To celebrate Elk Grove's 25th anniversary and also Plant a Tree Day on September 28th, the city's public works team is planting 25 new trees. 

Ai-den: Nice. Where are they going? 

Ai-leen: Along Laguna Creek at Lewis Stein Road and the location is strategic. It'll eventually complement a new trail connection and a pedestrian bridge over Highway 99.

Ai-den: Ah, so planning ahead for future infrastructure. 

Ai-leen: Exactly. These trees get a head start on providing shade, cleaner air, wildlife habitat, just making it a better experience for future trail users. Immediate and long-term benefits. 

Ai-den: Yeah. This really shows Elk Grove's commitment to, you know, building that cleaner, greener tomorrow. It's proof they're serious about sustainability and growing a healthy urban forest. And what's really impressive? Elk Grove has been recognized as a tree city USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the last two years, running 

Ai-leen: Tree City USA. That's a significant thing, right? 

Ai-den: It is. It's not just about planting trees. It means they have a comprehensive plan for managing their urban forest. Recognizing how vital trees are for the city's health, quality of life. Everything. It’s a real commitment. 

Ai-leen: That's great to hear. 

Ai-den: And you can learn more about their whole urban forest program at www.elkgrove.gov/trees. 

Ai-leen: Good resource. So, okay. What does this all mean? We've kind of journeyed through Elk Grove's community life today. From the energy of homecoming in the thrift of, to the deep history of the IOOF Hall. The future vision for Main Street. 

Ai-den: Right. 

Ai-leen: Plus vital safety stuff and that commitment to being greener. 

Ai-den: Yeah, and what it tells us, I think, looking bigger picture, is that a city like Elk Grove is always evolving, isn't it? It's constantly balancing that proud heritage with planning for a bright future. 

Ai-leen: It's dynamic. 

Ai-den: Very. Every event, every building, every initiative. It adds to the city's unique character. Its residents’ well-being. It's that interplay between past, present, and future. That's what makes a community. 

Ai-leen: So maybe a final thought for you, the listener, as you think about your own community, maybe a place you love.

Ai-den: Yeah. 

Ai-leen: What are those hidden stories in the buildings or the future visions being planned just under the surface of the news. 

Ai-den: Worth pondering. This deep dive. It's given you a shortcut to being well-informed about Elk Grove. Sure. But we really hope it just sparks your curiosity, makes you wanna dig deeper into the places you call home or even just visit. And remember, you can find more details on all this stuff. General updates, historic preservation, trees, the main street feedback. It's all there at elkgrove.gov. 

Kristyn Nelson: Thank you for listening to the Elk Grove CityCast. Tune in again soon for another deep dive into the news events and happenings around the City of Elk Grove. Like what we're doing? Please rate, review, and subscribe to the show to help spread the word to other audiophiles. Want more news before the next episode? Follow the city of Elk Grove on social media. You can find us on X Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor, or get our news delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for the city's weekly email update @elkgrove.gov. Thanks again for listening For the City of Elk Grove, I'm Kristyn Nelson.