The Real Folsom Blog

Two Reasons I Love Living in Folsom

A small item in the Sac Bee this morning highlights once again why life is good in Folsom. The city, the paper announced, has won a $750,000 grant to build a nature trail from near Old Town Folsom to Lake Natoma improving access to the water for kayakers and canoers. The trail will include a lighted promenade along Lake Natoma. No word on when it will be built but that trail will be one of the crown jewels of the already impressive nature/bike trail system we have. Kudos to all involved in making the grant happen!

Another reason to say life is good in Folsom: the free summer Concerts in the Park series. The concerts take place Fridays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Folsom City Lions Park at the corner of Natoma and Stafford (near City Hall and the Community Center). They are FREE so just bring a chair or blanket, maybe an evening picnic and enjoy the music. You can call the city at 355-7285 for more infor. Here is the schedule for the remaining concerts:

June 27-Dave Russell Band (country)

July 11-Andy Keane and Kinda Blue (latin/blues)

July 18-Essex (R&B/Dance hits from the '80s through today)

July 25-On Call (classic rock)

August 1-Bad Iron (cover/contemporary)

August 8-Peter Morgan (jazz)

See you there!

Sac County Serious About Alarm Permits

One of the reasons I make a point of attending the Tuesday morning Folsom Home Tour hosted by the Sacramento Association of Realtors is for the many useful tidbits of information I get from simply attending or talking to other people in the real estate biz. Yesterday's tour meeting was not exception. What did I find out? That, you must have a valid alarm permit for any security systems with an audible alarm, regardless of whether they are monitored by an alarm company or not. According to the Sac Sheriff's Department, they respond to 32,000 alarm calls a year--98 percent of which are false alarms! So, bottom line, if you purchase a home that has an alarm system with an audible alarm, you must get a permit. And by the way, permits are not transferable so even if the previous owner had just gotten a permit, you still have to get your own. The permit fee is $50, with hefty surcharges if you don't comply when you are notified to pay up. For more info, e-mail alarms@sacsheriff.comor call 916-874-4616.

Make the most of this beautiful Folsom day!

Folsom April '08 Stats Are In!

Looking at the stats for April, the real estate news is mixed for Folsom. On the one hand, sales were down with 47 sales recorded last month (from 72 in March), but then, on the other hand, the median price of sold homes was up to $422,500 from $415,000 the previous month. Overall, there were 496 Folsom homes on the market in April, down from 521 in March. Those had a median sales price of $435,950, a bit higher than the $422,500 median price of the homes that actually sold (remember, in this market, especially, pricing is KEY). And, looking back two years to April '06, the median price of sold homes in Folsom was $491,000. At $422,500 this past April, we are down 18.75 percent in price over two years.

That's it for today. Make it a great day!

Folsom Asks for Your Input on City's Housing Plan Update

Here's your chance to weigh in with your opinion on what future Folsom should look like housing-wise. This Wednesday, the City of Folsom will host an "interactive" workshop on the city's future housing needs. The meeting will take place at the Folsom Public Library from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The city is required by the state to update every six years its so-called Housing Element, which is part of the city's general plan. The Housing Element Update must be submittted to the state by June 30. The Housing Element identifies and asssesses housing needs and opportunities for the next planning period--in this case, 2008-2014. For more info check out the city's Web site at www.folsom.ca.us. So don't be shy and make your voice heard.

• What: Housing Element Update Workshop
• Where: Folsom Public Library, 411 Stafford Street (next to City Hall)
• When: Wednesday, April 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Need more info: Call senior city planner, John Linhart, at (916) 355-7353.

It's Time To Name That Bridge

Come up with the winning entry to name our newest bridge and you will be invited to participate in the grand opening ceremonies in Spring 2009 AND you will be recognized in our Folsom City newsletter. If all this sounds too good to pass up, here's how you enter: Snail mail your entry to Name the Bridge Contest, City Hall, 50 Natoma St., Folsom, CA 95630, or e-mail it to: namethebridgecontest@folsom.ca.us. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22. Our venerable City Council will review the submissions and select the name during the May 13 Council meeting. Any questions, just call the city's Public Information Officer, Sue Ryan, at 351-3360.

Folsom's Offender Watch Provides Quick Info on Area Sex Offenders

One of the services the City of Folsom provides through its Web site is its Offender Watch Registry, which lists individuals convicted of a sexual offense that requires them to register with law enforcement. There are several ways to use the Offender Watch Registry. You can search for any sex offenders living within a one-mile radius of any given Folsom residence or get a list of all offenders registered in Folsom. Also, you can sign up for E-mail alerts that will notify you when a sex offender registers with the Folsom Police Department. The Folsom Police Department maintains the Offender Watch registry as a public service and is designed to increase community safety and awareness. Kudos to the City for helping residents keep their families safe.

Foreclosure Prevention Seminar in Folsom on March 18

If you are struggling with your mortgage or know a homeowner who is, mark your calendar for March 18, as the City of Folsom will be hosting a foreclosure prevention seminar on that Tuesday designed to help at-risk homeowners. The seminar will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Folsom Community Center, West Room, 52 Natoma Street (next to City Hall), with a presentation by NeighborhoodWorks, a nationally respected, independent, not-for-profit group. NeighborhoodWorks will educate attendees about the steps they can take to address loan and home-loss concerns. For more information, call Nellie Dyer, Residential Programs Specialist at 355-7352.

Folsom's "QL" Gets Better and Better

There's no doubt about it, Folsom's quality of life is getting better and better. Proof of that is in the upcoming "State of the Arts" reception and program that the city will be hosting at its newest addition to the arts scene--the Arts Center@48 Natoma. The March 12th event, which will be open to the public will look at the impact of creative arts on Folsom's economy and quality of life. And what would such an event be without local luminaries like our own mayor, Eric King, Assemblyman Roger Niello, and co-chair of Raley's board of directors, Joyce Raley Teel. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12 at the Arts Center. And for fans of Norman Rockwell, you can check out the ongoing exhibition of his work "Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn." If you'd like to attend, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 355-7285 to make a reservation as seating is limited.

Free Electronic E-Waste Recycling in Folsom this Saturday

Who can beat this Folsom combo: recycle your electronic e-waste this Saturday and you'll be helping support the Folsom High Competition Cheer Squad and be earth friendly. And even better the recycling event is free.

When: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008

Where: Folsom Middle School, front parking lot, 500 Blue Ravine Road

Time: 10-4 p.m.

The following items will be accepted: televisions, monitors, computers, computer components, fax machines, printers, copiers, toner cartridges, wire, video game consoles, laptops, cameras, camcorders, internet devices, keyboards, mice (the computer type), MP3 players, VCRs and DVDs, cell phones, and telephone equipment.

This looks like a win-win offer to me. For more information call Lisa Gerber at 275-6548.

Is Folsom Ready for Permit Parking?

Tomorrow evening, the Folsom City Council will consider an ordinance that would allow permit parking zones in Folsom. Currently the existing parking ordinance in Folsom does not allow for preferential parking like permit parking. A few years ago, the City considered implementing time-limited parking near Folsom High School because of parking issues created during special school and community events there. But most residents rejected the plan that would also have subjected them to the time-limited parking. Now, the city is once again looking to deal with the problem of overflow parking around the high school and also in the Historic District. The council meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and takes place in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 50 Natoma St. Whether you are pro or against, go have your voice heard!