Despite the 104 degree temperature, 250 South Oak Park / Fruitridge Pocket residents attended my 3rd annual National Night Out at Jack Davis Park on August 1. The event was meant to encourage residents to meet their neighbors, law enforcement partners, first responders, county staff and community agency representatives. There were lots of activities for children and youth, free hot dogs, ice cream, live music by my band 
‘UnSupervised,’ a photo booth provided by local radio station KSFM 102.5, appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog as well as dozens of information and resource tables. Twenty Probation Department Academy cadet volunteers were on hand to help set-up tables, carry supplies, led Cornhole bag toss games, basketball shooting competitions and handed out 60 filled school backpacks provided by the Music on a Mission Foundation. Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson and several members of the Kings dance team stopped by to autograph photos and give out team swag. Watch video. 
The highlight of the event was the announcement by the King’s Foundation, Kaiser Permanente and Southgate Recreation & Parks District about plans to rebuild Jack Davis Park. The project includes expanding the current basketball half court into a full purple court and a new shaded KaBOOM! playground. Residents – adults and kids – were invited to be a part of the planning process. Volunteers are needed for the KaBOOM! playground build scheduled for October 14, 2017. See flyer for details and watch for updates on Philserna.net.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the South Oak Park / Fruitridge Pocket 2017 National Night Out a huge success. See you all next year on Tuesday, August 7, 2018!
-Phil
