Inside
Arco Arena
We get an insider-pass at Arco Arena and find some parts of the
place few ever even knew existed. (MySacramento.me)
Craig Learoyd:
Images of Folsom MyFolsom photographer Craig Learoyd has his own photo blog! Check out his
latest pics before they are published on MyFolsom.com!
Food: Hop
Sing Palace, Mexquite Something old, something (somewhat) new. 2 great restaurants
worthy of lunch or a date night!
Folsom Lake Crossing Photos
We got on to the bridge a week before it opened. Check out the great
views of the dam!
In-N-Out Secret
Menu
Ever heard of the secret menu at In-N-Out? It's not so secret
anymore, but you can order all sorts of fun stuff like a
Flying Dutchman.
P O P U L A R :
Folsom Forum Everything in Folsom is talked about here. One of the most
popular forums in the Sacramento Valley!
Folsom Calendar What's going on in town this week? Our calendar is pretty up to
date on events.
Add your own if you'd like!
Folsom
Restaurants We review the best local eateries in town... visit a new eatery
today!
Folsom Prison Find out the history behind Folsom Prison, and the famous
inmates that have been residents here!
Folsom
Yellow Pages Check out our yellow pages, also located at
FolsomYellowPages.net. Be sure to visit our advertisers with premium
listings!
Mormon Island Rediscovered! Come see what lies beneath Folsom Lake... the mining town of
Red Bank is starting to reappear!
Sutter Street Information about the heart of Folsom since the gold rush,
Sutter Street.
Folsom Real
Estate Thinking of moving to Folsom? Visit our non-partisan real estate
guide to get a feel of the town.
Local parents and businesses have donated items for auction, which are now available online for the Bulldog Bash. Bid on items from a weekend cabin, to premium seats for graduation. The auction ends March 12, so get bidding!
18-year old Kevin Michael Droese was arrested for possession of pot-laced brownies, which he intended to sell at Folsom High School. A student tipped off the vice-principal, who alerted the police. All the brownies were recovered. * Discuss in the forums
Have you checked out the Bulldog eBash? Bid on local items donated for the event, and all the money goes to Folsom High School. Now's the best chance to win - it's the last day!
Folsom High School boasts the best rate of students who move on to college after graduating. 78% move on to either a community college or 4-year university. They are 19th in the state in college forwarding rates.
Ed Kemper, a disabled father of a student at Folsom High School, has sued the district because he has to travel 30 yards to access the front office, among other things. Kemper has filed 50 handicapped lawsuits, 44 of which have been settled out of court.
Residential parking has been a big problem in the neighborhoods by Folsom High School. Fortunately, help is on the way. The city is looking to implement 2-hour parking during school hours, as well as extending the left-turn lane in to Folsom High from Prairie City.
In case you haven't noticed yet, Folsom High School is now officially out for summer. The Class of 2008 celebrated on Thursday, as 642 say goodbye to their alma mater. A life-size statue of Duke, the bulldog mascot was unveiled as well. FHS was named in the top 3% of high schools in the nation.
OK, so maybe it's not a musical, but FHS senior Alyssa Wise has written, produced, and directed a cast of Folsom drama kids in a two-act comedy based on the board game “Candy Land.” Though you may be thinking it's just for kids, the subtle wit and silly slapstick make it fun for everyone. Come on by Saturday Night at the LDS Gymnasium!
C-SPAN's campaign 2008 bus will be making tour stops in Sacramento this week; It will be stopping at a high school in Sacramento on Tuesday, Sac State on Wednesday, Folsom High on Thursday. The bus will be there from 8-11:45, and Secretary of State Debra Bowen will be there.
Hats off to the Bulldog boys basketball team; they won the section title on Saturday with a 67-65 win over Rodriguez at Arco Arena. The game was clinched with a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer by Mike Johnson.
Prairie Oaks residents are getting fed up with high school students parking in neighborhoods. Loud music, burnouts, trash and graffiti are all symptoms of poor planning by the school district. Resident-funded parking permits are being looked at as a possible solution, as is timed parking.
Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who lost her arm to a shark, shows students what courage is all about. She will be speaking at Vista Del Lago on Feb. 19th at a school assembly, then again at Folsom High on the 20th. She will also show her 28 min. documentary and make personal appearances Tues. 6:30 PM at The Block (Oak & E. Bidwell) and Wed. 6:30 PM at Folsom High. All are invited to the public events. * newsong.info * bethanyhamilton.com
Folsom High parents and motorists got a bit of a scare today as a reported suspicious device on the Prairie City / Hwy 50 overpass brought in scores of police. The device was a traffic sensor. This incident does not appear to be connected with the pipe bomb case earlier this week.
Some Folsom High undergrads have made some waves in the local music scene - the Not So Super Villains are a Folsom-grown ska band, nominated for this year's Jammies, happening on February 23. Tickets can be purchased at Dimple's. * Not So Super Villains * Jammies (Sacramento Area High School Music Awards)
Soy Sauce giant Kikkoman Foods, which has a large plant here in Folsom, is sponsoring 3 kids from the Folsom-Cordova area to take a scholarship tour of Japan. The deadline is January 22... if you or your child go to a Folsom high school, apply today!
David Dinelli, a 2005 Folsom High School graduate, currently playing at Sierra College, has been drafted by the Houston Astros. Dinelli will be reporting to the Greeneville (Tennessee) Astros by the end of the month, and will hopefully make his way up the majors.
The body of Andre Anderson, a Folsom High junior, was found hanging from a tree in Big Foot park. Police Investigation is continuing, but the family feels it may have been an accidental death. Foul play has been ruled out. * Discuss in the forums (Please be respectful!) * CBS 13 story * News 10 story
23-Year old Sgt. Robert Thrasher, a Folsom High graduate in the Army 1st Calvalry Division, was killed over the weekend by an apparent sniper attack. It was his second tour of duty. * Discuss in the Folsom Forums
Ricci Amoruso was a 305-pound freshman at Folsom High - "Big Rick" as many called him. He finds out about the Academy of the Sierras - a high school program for overweight teens. One year and 127 pounds later, Ricci is back, with a renewed life. The Sacramento Bee does a special report called "The Weight".
After a high of 850 kids signed up for the Peja Stojakovic & Vlade Divac basketball camp in 2001, the camp has been cut back to one week, with 100 kids signed up. Stojakovic is now a member of the New Orleans Hornets and Vlade Divac has retired after signing with the Lakers, however both pledge to attend every day of the basketball camp. There are still open spots to register. * Pics from a past camp
Donna Kinsella, a mother of Folsom High band members, sued Folsom-Cordova School District over what she considers involuntary dues. The district was required to pay her $4,000 in reimbursements for her donation. The nationally renowned music program is supported by Folsom Music Boosters, whose funding makes the program possible.
Every 15 minutes, someone dies in an alcohol related collision in the United States. Folsom High School was surprised with a mock accident, showing first hand what actually happens in drunk driving accidents.
Residents in the Prairie Oaks and North Lexington areas are at a loss over what to do with parking issues in residential areas. Folsom High School students park in these areas because the back lots are too far to walk, while soccer games cause a problem in the Cohn Park area. What to do? * Discuss this in the forums
Folsom High School Drama and Video Production Departments are taking orders for the Spring Musical available now on DVD. DVD will have features such as, English Subtitles, commentary from the director and lead actors, scene selection and more! Order yours today for $19.99!
Donna Kinsella of Folsom, a parent of 3 past band members at Folsom High School, has filed a class-action lawsuit against Folsom High School for past years of band dues. Kinsella claims that she was not legally obligated to pay dues under state law. If this class action lawsuit wins, it may signal the end of the Folsom High music program. More info at theKCRAChannel.com. * Discuss on the forums!
The Bulldog Run For Diabetes debuts Saturday April 9, 2005 at the cross country track at Folsom High School. There will be a 5K walk/run, a mile run, and a half mile run for the kids. The registration fee is $20 for adults and $10 for students, with all proceeds benefitting the American Diabetes Association. Registration will be from 6:30 - 7:30 am and the races start at 8:00 am.
Jill Solberg was a teacher, counselor, vice principal, and finally, principal of Folsom High School. Solberg was principal during a time of incredible expansion of the high school, as they moved from a small, 800 student campus to the large, 2,300 student campus now on Prairie City Road. She died of cancer on March 19, age 63. The memorial service will take place on Thurday, 7 pm, at Folsom High School. Story in the Bee.
Cheerleaders from Folsom High School and Folsom Youth Football/Cheer are working together to support a Folsom High School sophomore recently diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. They are selling royal blue “BELIEVE” wristbands to show they believe in a cure, and will wear the wristbands until this student gets the "all clear" from doctors! More information at folsomjrbulldogs.com.
When you have 3,000 students at your high school, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. Folsom High is feeling the brunt of an influx of new students, and the delay in Lago Vista High School's construction is not making things easier. Faced with budget cuts, students must face closed restrooms, lack of lockers, and lacking science equipment. Full story
It's that time of year again... time for the 16th Annual Folsom Jazz Festival, hosted by Folsom High School. On Saturday, January 29th, more than 100 groups will be performing at Folsom High School. The festival runs from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and will be the second largest high school jazz festival in the state. Admission is $10. More details in the Folsom Telegraph. * FolsomMusic.org
Folsom citizens concerned about the asbestos cleanup at the Lago Vista High School site are invited to attend a public review of the proposal. The school district plans on covering the soil with woven fabric, with a layer of clean fill dirt over it. Construction could start as early as this summer. Full details in the Bee.
...2 people, to be exact. After 1,700 fliers were sent out to Folsom residents regarding how Folsom-Cordova planned on cleaning up the naturally occurring asbestos at the Lago Vista High School work site, only 2 showed up to speak at the hearing. For the record, the school grounds will be covered with clean fill, and fabric, however it appears the public's concern for this is not very much. Details
Recently discovered asbestos (the natural forming kind) while doing preliminary groundwork for Lago Vista High School has prompted builders and homeowners in the Southeast area of Folsom to take caution when digging in the dirt. The common rule of thumb is to water down the dirt so it doesn't kick up dust and re-cover the soil when you are done. Full details in the Bee.
30 acres of land, adjacent to Folsom High School, are up for grabs. What is now a cross-country track may soon be slated for low-income housing, which is not making students or residents in Prairie Oaks happy. It may also be purchased for a private school, though the City Manager claims the city has obligations for affordable housing. Full story in the Telegraph.
Plans for Folsom's new high school, Lago Vista High School, have been put on hold indefinitely, in light of the naturally occuring asbestos found at the construction site. An action plan to remove the asbestos is needed by October 1, and a preliminary environmental assessment by October 15. Details in the Folsom Telegraph
Empire Ranch residents are a little alarmed at the discovery of naturally-occurring asbestos at the site of the new Lago Vista High School, scheduled to open in Fall 2006. Serpentine rock, a common creator of natural asbestos, was found on the land, and now a multi-million dollar cleanup effort is planned, possibly delaying the school to 2007. Details: Sac Bee
Folsom residents are invited to the 2nd annual Healthy Families Forum, on Wednesday, May 26th (7pm), at the Folsom High School Theater. The Forum presents an opportunity for parents, kids, and other community members to learn about the dangers and prevelance of drugs and alcohol as they relate specifically to Folsom kids. For more information, contact Kerri Kaye, FCUSD, 985-7700 ext. 166
* Discuss this on the Forums!
Charges against the 15-year old suspect in the Folsom High rape case has been escalated to 10 counts, meanwhile nasty rumors are being spread throughout the high school about the young women attacked on campus. Investigators are trying to decipher fact from fiction, however the girls' testimony has not been changed. More in the Bee.
Folsom residents will not have to wait any longer in anticipation of naming the new high school, as Lago Vista was chosen as the official school name for Folsom's second high school. Several names such as Empire High and Lake View High were considered, but Lago Vista was ultimately chosen. More details in the Folsom Telegraph. * Lago Vista High School Campus Map
The arrest of a 15-year old freshman over attacking a female student at the school caused 3 other girls to come forward, with charges from sexual battery to rape. The suspect is now in juvenile hall, and the school is scrambling to figure out damage control. More details in the Sacramento Bee.
One of Folsom's newest cultural attractions is the Folsom Symphony. Bruce Woodbury, president of the Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra, started up the symphony in 2003, and has about 65 musicians in the orchestra. March 19 is the inaugural night at Folsom High School. More in the Folsom Telegraph. * www.folsomsymphony.com
Ashley Rothenburg, a Senior at Folsom High, decided for her school project, she would try a "security blanket" drive for kids who needed a little love. After a little publicity on the subject, she collected 260 blankets and donated them to Powerhouse Ministries and the Sacramento Children's Home. Full story in the Folsom Telegraph.
Folsom City Council is currently reviewing plans for the new proposed city library, a 24,000 square-foot facility which will be built on an existing softball field. Part of the $12 million cost will be in a 13,200 square foot library at the future Empire Ranch High School. The new library will have many amenities, including a coffee bar. More in the Folsom Telegraph. * Folsom Library discussion on the Folsom Forums
Folsom High School will be hosting it's 15th annual Jazz Festival on Saturday January 31, from 7:30 am to 10 pm. This famous event will feature the opening of its new performing arts center, which can hold 800 people. Tickets cost only $10 for an all day pass. More in the Bee.
* folsommusic.org
A New Jersey high school cheerleader was found naked and dead early Tuesday, after an apparent fall from a 9th-floor Maui balcony. 2 Folsom men (unidentified) have been arrested in connection to her death, as her clothes wer found inside. The men were later released and are no longer suspects, as the death was ruled an accident. More in the New Jersey Star-Ledger and Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
* KCRAChannel.Com article * Discuss this in the forums
Folsom High School will have it's annual Homecoming parade, dance, and football game this weekend, starting with the Homecoming Parade at 4:30 at Sandra Gallardo Elementary. The parade route will wrap from the elementary school down Russi, Grover, and then culminating at the High School. The Bulldogs play Jesuit High School at this year's homecoming game on Friday Night. Telegraph article
City Council recently approved not one, but two new city libraries; one at the corner of Stafford and Natoma (currently a softball field), and the second on the future Empire Ranch High School location. The main library will be 20,000 square feet (expandable to 26,000), while the secondary will be 13,300 square feet. More details are on the city's website.
* Full Conceptual Plan for Main Library
Folsom High's Jenn Hall Sacramento Bee Player of the Year
Jenn Hall, a 6'2" Folsom All-American, has been overpowering girls basketball since she was a freshman, and has been honored as the Sacramento Bee's player of the year. The Senior forward averaged 22 points per game before leading the Bulldogs to the playoffs, and will be playing for Vanderbuilt University this coming year. Hall, who is also a McDonald's All-American, was on the All-City first team three years in a row. More is in the Bee.
Also See: Folsom High School Website (recently remodeled)
Palmer Chiropractic College, which had planned on creating a new campus next to Folsom High School, have been forced to explore other options now that financing has fallen through. Palmer still plans on building in Folsom, and is looking at 4 other potential sites. Unfortunately for Folsom, all of this is contingent upon Palmer getting out of its lease in San Jose, which they are currently signed on until 2013. More is in the Business Journal.
Also See: Palmer Chiropractic College Website
Curtis Gaesser Leads Folsom High Jazz Band & Choir to Continual Success
It's hard to not notice the overwhelming success of Folsom High's Jazz Band & Choir: best prep jazz group in the country for six straight years. A combination of a great school system which encourages music from an early age, and the school's music teacher, Curtis Gaesser, makes a great combination. The group is trying to raise funds to travel to Montreax Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Also See: FolsomMusic.Org / News10 Article
Folsom High Teen Makes McDonald's All-America Squad
Jennifer Hall, a 6' 2" forward from Folsom High School, was selected to the McDonald's All-American team. Hall, who will be attending Vanderbilt University later this year, averaged 24.9 points per game and 12.7 rebounds per game. Hall adds these honors to Sacramento Metro Player of the Year, Sacramento Bee Player of the Year, NIKE Tournament of Champions "All Tournament" Selection, and Sierra Valley Conference MVP. The McDonald's All American Game will be played on March 26, 2003 at Cleveland's Gund Arena.Congratulations Jen!
One of Folsom's oldest and longest-running institutions, the Folsom Telegraph, launched a fresh new website yesterday. The site has all-new features and is much more robust, not only in content, but in functionality. From local politics to high school sports, the Telegraph has been covering it all for years. We'll be linking to a lot more Telegraph stories in the future, now that the site has archive capability. You'll notice a link to MyFolsom.Com on the left under Resources, too! Thank you!
The Folsom High School Men's Basketball team (18-5) are gunning for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II section title, and Kyle Johnson and Todd Dobbins are leading the way. Five Bulldogs average double-figures on the team, and are ranked No.4 in it's league. In order for the Bulldogs to reach the finals at Arco Arena, it will have to beat No. 1 ranked Sacramento High. More is in Thursday's Bee.
Also See: FHS Athletics Website
2,000 high school and junior high school jazz students from all over will be competing in the annual Folsom Jazz Festival on January 25. The event will kick off on Friday Night with Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band, followed by the jazz competition and awards on Saturday. The Folsom Music Boosters put the show on every year, which is the 2nd largest educational jazz festival in the state. More information is in the Bee.
Also See: Folsom Jazz Festival / Folsom Music Boosters
Development Deal Could Go a Long Way Towards Affordable Housing
A 200-unit development next to Folsom High School may possibly soon be in the works, with 60 units that would be considered "low income" housing, in the form of deut homes scatted throughout the neighborhoods. Sacramento-bases BLAS-B Corporation would be the developers, and would require an additional 11 acres to be rezoned, bringing the total area of land directly surrounding the high school to 32 acres. More in Thursday's Bee.
Also See: Discuss this in the Folsom Forums
More areas of land in the city limits have been re-zoned for affordable housing purposes last Monday night. A big win for Prairie Oaks & Willow Springs residents was the removal of 13.8 acres of land near the high school, which helped alleviate part of the potential 'clustering' in the South Folsom area. The Intel land was delayed due to a conflict of interest. More information is in the Bee.
Also See: Discuss this on the Message Boards!
City Council Looks to Prairie Oaks & Willow Springs to Shoulder Almost 40% of Low-Income Re-Zoning
Prairie Oaks and Willow Springs residents are concerned over the possibility of over 51 acres of property being rezoned for low-income housing purposes. The areas specifically are almost 42 acres surrounding Folsom High School, in addition to 10 acres of land near Safeway on Iron Point, directly across the street from Intel, compiling a total of almost 40% of land looking to be re-zoned. Residents are specifically interested about the effects it will have on the high school, as well as the overall concern that the re-zoned land will not be distributed evenly throughout Folsom communities. The next planning commission hearing is October 16, 6:30, City Hall.
Also See: Prairie Oaks Press Release / Minutes - 10/8 City Council Meeting / 10/16 Planning Commission Agenda / Sac Bee Article / Re-Zone Map (not confirmed)
Palmer College, based out of Davenport, Iowa, is expanding its Chiropractic college, and has targeted Folsom for its next expansion, a 750-student campus. Though a location is not firm, Palmer is expected to build on land owned by the Folsom-Cordova Unified School District, near Folsom High School. 1 of every 3 chiropractors in the United States is a Palmer graduate. More information is available in the Sacramento Business Journal, and the Sacramento Bee.
Also See: Palmer College of Chiropractic - Official Website
Measure C, the FCUSD school bond which raised money to repair classrooms and build a Prairie Oaks elementary school, is already showing improvements in our schools. At the corner of Russi and Stewart St in Prairie Oaks, you'll notice a new elementary school going up. A new gym being built at Folsom Middle School. Just as importantly, fininshing up Folsom High. More details on the progress can be seen in the Bee.
The Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) is seeking an area for a second high school, in order to alleviate the incredible overcrowding at Folsom High School. Empire Ranch looks to secure the location - negotiations have begun with Elliott Homes, and a 1,500-student high school is scheduled to open in fall of 2006. District officials say the project is already $3-6 million over budget, without even knowing where the site will be located. More information is available in the Sacramento Bee.
Folsom High School Hosts 'Every 15 Minutes' DUI Campaign
Every 15 minutes, someone dies from an alcohol-related car accident.
Folsom High students participated with Placer County Chaplaincy and local police in a national alcohol awareness project on Wednesday, April 24. A staged car accident was displayed in front of Folsom High, where 2 students "died" and others were badly injured. Some students were called out of class every 15 minutes as one of the 'walking dead' to symbolize the statistics. An assembly was later held at the school where students learned first-hand the effects of driving under the influence.
Pictures from the event can be viewed here. (Watch out, they are pretty realistic and very graphic)
