The Sacramento History Photo of the Week, Number 31. Childhood Recollections of Weinstocks...

Weinstock's department store was a social and retail institution in Sacramento for well over 100 years. Along the way, children - who are now adults - remember a lot of things about the warm and cozy store. However, one of the the most common recollections involves the Milk Bar. Pictured below, it was a spot reserved for kids to belly up to the bar while their parents were off shopping.

One such kid was Nancy Phillips, who grew up in Sacramento amidst the innocence of the 1940s and 50s. Part and parcel was this magical destination of Weinstock’s, a Capital city-based super business that created a reputation for excellence and family friendliness all along the West Coast. From the newness of the escalator to the flattering grown-up-ness of the Milk Bar, Weinstock’s is a spot not easily forgotten from the childhood memories of thousands of native Sacramentans. To watch a short video of Nancy's recollections of Weinstock's click the image below:

The above "Milkbar" photo and many more like it can be found in the Sacramento Public Library’s Sacramento Room which is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5, and Thursday 1 to 8.

Sacramento Squeaked in 1975 - One Journalist's Back Story at the Central Library

Longtime Central librarians remember Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme wandering, aimlessly through the Central Library's old reference room. It was soon after, in September 1975, that Fromme tried to shoot then-President Gerald Ford as he moved from car to building on Sacramento's Capitol Grounds. Last year, ex-City Editor for the Sacramento Bee, Art Nauman, recounted his experiences with Squeaky as part of the California Past Digital Story Project. Click on the screen below to view this short movie starring Nauman:



For more stories from the California of the Past and Sacramento Stories Project, go to blip.tv: http://sacramentolibrary.blip.tv/

After 34-years in prison, Fromme is scheduled for release on August 16, 2009.

Artful Stories to Be Heard and Seen on Second Saturday!

The Central Library's second cycle of digital stories will be premiered during Sacramento's hallowed "Second Saturday" festivities on the 8th of August. Ten Sacramentens - oral historian to former California State Librarian - offered up their time over the spring and summer to put together an satisfying volume of tales.

The program's emcee, and Sacramento Stories project manager, will be Karl Alexander of Sacramento's own Kinetic Illusions Creative Studio. If you should miss the event, look for the stories to be posted shortly after the premier at http://sacramentolibrary.blip.tv/.

How Sacramento Got Back on Track? The Answer's in "Sacramento Stories"

The Sacramento Public Library's on a journey of exploration. Its vessel is "California of the Past" and its quarry is the oodles of stories that it's finding throughout our fair city. The latest comes from a familiar name to many of us: Anne Rudin. Rudin served as mayor of Sacramento from 1983 to 1992.

Of the many projects and goals she envisioned, perhaps the most satisfying was the establishment of a modern lightrail system for Sacramento. Last month, Rudin came into the Central Library and told us the story of How Sacramento Got Back On Track. To hear and see what the ex-mayor had to say...

Oh, Sacramento? Are You Ready for YOUR closeup???

Central Library just completed its first cycle of digital stories for the current fiscal year. More than twenty-five star-studded expressions of truth and – as Cronkite would say – “the way it was” in the lives of several Sacramentans. Movie houses, the beauty of adoption, family, guide dogs, Sacramento’s Celtic/Pagan community, the heritage of our city’s trees, skim the veritable surface.

Most of the films lasted no more than 5 to 7 minutes and took on different forms: first person testimonial, third person narrative to name a few. See all the stories from the California of the Past project by going to: http://www.mediaartscenter.org/site/c.dfLIJPOvHoE/b.3469475/

If you have a story that you’d like to share with your fellow citizens, you can do so by calling 264-2920 or going to http://www.saclibrary.org/digitalStories/capast.html to submit an online application.

Try this fantastic tale - right out of the backyard - on for size:

Make a DVD and Become Part of Recorded History. Joe Did.

Joe Wayne Fong is a first generation Chinese-American. He was born in Sacramento and grew up in the capital city, with a few years here and there in Folsom. His story is embematic of what grand things can happen when one puts industry and vision together. He had a dream and saw it through.

Joe's story, now on record for the world to see, took 45 minutes to record. The editing time took 4 more hours, but Joe didn't have to worry about that part. We had his back. Less than two weeks after visiting the Central Library for his recording session, Joe's story is complete. We've shared it with members of his family and have burned DVDs for their viewing. To view Joe's story, click here.

You can do the same thing. It's easy, fun and provides a permanent record of a moment in time from a life - your life. What's more, you've placed a published copyright-protected item on the shelf of your public library. Yes, you are now an author and your name will come up under an author search in the Sacramento Public Library catalog.

If you want to sign on to become a "California of the Past" storyteller like Joe, go to http://www.saclibrary.org/digitalStories/Default.aspx or call 264-2920.

California of the Past: We Need You to Tell Your Story

With StoryCorps rolling its way out of town, the Sacramento Public Library is picking up where the folks from National Public Radio left off. The Library's project, California of the Past, seeks to have members of the public tell their stories. About an event? ; a person? ; a special place? Yes. Yes. And, yes. We want you to impart your Sacramento experiences. In doing so, you'll contribute to your library's effort to record and safeguard the historical memory of our great community.

Storytellers will have their tale digitally recorded at the Central Library. Then, we'll can add pictures and music to your words. Before you know it, you've created a masterpiece. Area residents, students, and scholars will be able to view your recorded story in the Sacramento Room's historical archives at the Central Library.

Starting May 1, you can submit a digital story application by calling 264-2920 or online at http://www.saclibrary.org/ and clicking California of the Past.

Take a look at these examples of SPL produced digital stories:

Sacramento Has Gone to the Dogs: http://blip.tv/file/638867

Clark Ashton Smith: Poetry from the Shadows: http://blip.tv/file/638854

Hearts of the Sacramento Valley: Sacramento's Fallen During the First World War: http://blip.tv/file/619329