Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! And throw into the mix a praying mantis, giant panda, dung beetle, wart hog and anteater. The Sacramento Zoo in Land Park opened Wednesday the long-awaited Conservation Carousel, financed by a loan through U.S. Bank and private donations.

If you've always wanted to ride a baby giraffe or poison dart frog, now is your chance. The ride features 32 different animals. Each animal is hand-carved from wood and imported from Ohio. What? We have no artists in Land Park who can carve a pink flamingo out of redwood?

Rides cost $2.00. The Sacramento Zoo is open every day from 9 AM to 4 PM. During June and July, extended hours keep the Zoo open on Tuesdays to 7 PM. Proceeds from the ride go to take care of the 140 real animals at the Zoo.

General admission is $9 for adults and $6.50 for children 3 to 12 during the week. On the weekends and holidays, adult general admission is $9.50 and $7.00 for children 3 to 12. Children under 2 get in free.

The Sacramento Zoo is located in William Land Park; the entrance is at the corner of Land Park Drive and 16th Avenue.

The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available at Amazon.com

Photo: Big Stock Photo

Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, columnist for The New York Times'-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you.

One of the best features of living in Land Park is that you are within walking distance of one of the best regional zoos in the state! There are some great events coming this Spring to enrich not only your children's lives, but your own as well! Take advantage of these wonderful offerings...you won't be sorry!

BLOOMIN' CRAZY
SATURDAY, MARCH 7th 9AM to 4PM
Here is your chance to expand your knowledge of gardening! Gardening clubs and plant experts will be there along wih local plant societies, garden stores and nurseries will offer their expertise. Let the Zoo's extensive plant collection inspire you for spring planting!

SUMMER CAMP (MEMBERS ONLY)
SIGN UP DEADLINE MARCH 31st
This is one of the favorite Zoo sponsored sessions! Zoo Camp, Little Ducklings pres-school and Zoo Quest for middle schoolers is so popular that is fill up quickly. For more information, sign on to www.saczoo.com .

EARTH FEST
SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH 9AM to 4PM
Celebrate our planet earth! Find out how to protect and preserve our mother earth with organizations that specialize in the environment, wildlife and conservation. Participate in a recycle raffe, rummage sale, games crafts and face painting! All this for the price of admission!

ZOOZOOM
SUNDAY, APRIL 19th 7AM to Noon
For jogging or walking enthusiasts, this is your day! Join thousands from a 5K or 10K to the Saucony "Run for Good" Kid's Fun Runs. For more information, call (916) 442-3338.

CALIFORNIA CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, MAY 2nd 9AM to 4PM
Celebrate cultural diversity during this fun-packed day! Experience animal talks, cultural groups, live performances and activity stations...all for the price of admission!

So, come join us for some wonderful family time! You will be so glad you did!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

Photos from Flickr by larry&flo and crazy chaos

For those of us who grew up in Sacramento, Fairytale Town was a magical place. The Crooked Mile, the multitude of curling, dizzying and fast slides, the "moat" and pirate ship...there was always so much to do! And then there are the animals! Did you know that the 3 Little Pigs, Bo Peeps sheep, the goats of Billy Goats Bluff, a cow and burro all lived there when they weren't working? Watch out for the geese! Speaking from personal experience, they will chase you!

Fairytale Town opened in 1959...the same year Barbie was introduced and Alaska and Hawaii became the last states to join the United States. It's funny to realize that gas was 25 cents and a loaf of bread was 20 cents. We hadn't landed on the moon yet and we were still learning how to type on a typewriter. Eisenhower was President and Elvis was king. In 2009 there are lots of plans to celebrate it's 50th Anniversary!

In preparation for the events of the coming year, there will be new concrete walkways, fresh paint and an updated logo. The Round Table now appears to be faux marble. The Jolly Roger is going to have a new dock and there are new shingles on the Crooked House. The Moat, the Rabbit Hole slide, King Arthur's Castle, and the pig and goat houses will be getting some sprucing. There are "glints of gold" in various places around the park.

The following are some of the events to look forward to in 2009:

March 7th - Fairytale Town will be looking to the public for memorabilia of the times of their youth spent at Fairytale Town to be shared with the public at various areas in Sacramento.

June 7th, 24th and 28th - Enjoy a Children's Concert Series featuring matinee performances by their favorite children's bands.

August 3rd through August 31st (Mondays only) - Be one of the first 50 guests and enjoy the park for only 50 cents admission!

August 29th (evening only) - Go back to 1959 for a rip-roaring, sock hopping, rockin' and rolling' celebration for the whole family!

December 5th through December 13th - Fairytale Town will put don it's lights to celebrate the holiday season with festivities, hot chocolate and so much more!

Now, if someone would like to give back to a place that has given us so much, they do have a "wish list". If you would be so inclined, here are a few items they would love to have:

6 New Benches

12 new tables for the Dish and Spoon Cafe'

A fresh coat of paint on the Children's Theater roof

Backdrops for the Mother Goose stage

New costumes

A website overhaul

If you do anything, come, bring your children, grandchildren or great grandchildren...there just isn't a better playtime to be found for those little ones!

Paula Swayne

Windermere Dunnigan Realtors

4215 Freeport Blvd

Sacramento CA 95822

Direct phone 916 425-9715

Office phone 916 454-5753

www.PaulaSwayne.com

Sometimes you run into awkward situations when showing properties when you have a current occupant. You are walking into a property which you have not seen before you are about to show the property. Imagine if the tenants have decided to destroy the property or have bad house keeping. This is a great opportunity to rent the home before the tenants even move out, and they might blow your opportunity.

My plan has always been to warn the perspective applicants about possible housekeeping and remember the tenants still have to move out. If you are trying to show somebody your property with current tenants you might want to stop by before showing the new applicants the property. Taking the 10- 15 minutes and being prepared of what your walking into will help in the long run.

Sidney Poritz

sporitz@homepointe.com

It's starting...leaves are turning their brilliant autumn shades. The new fall days welcome you with a morning chill in the air. The trees are singing their autumn song with rustling leaves and a whistling wind. Joggers are starting to spend a little more time warming up before setting out on the running trails. The soccer players are no longer practicing in the early evenings...it is just a little too dark. The dew resting in the grass will get your shoes wet when you take your dogs for their run. Babies are bundled up in their favorite blankets while their parents walk them through the peace of the park. Welcoming fall in William Land Park just doesn't get any better!

Paula Swayne

Windermere Dunnigan Realtors

4215 Freeport Blvd

Sacramento CA 95822

Direct phone 916 425-9715

Office phone 916 454-5753

www.PaulaSwayne.com