Preserving YMCA Programs

On June 30, the San Francisco YMCA will no longer operate the North Bay YMCA in Suisun City. For years, the local YMCA has struggled financially, and the parent organization in San Francisco can no longer afford to subsidize local operations.

City staff is working diligently to examine which of the YMCA's children's and youth programs we may be able to continue at existing City or school locations with the staff and financial resources we have available. While research is continuing, it appears as though we may be able to continue between 80% and 90% of those programs.

The City also is working with another regional YMCA and two private parties that have shown interest in the possibility of operating the current facility, or major components of the facility. Details of those offers are being reviewed by City staff. At its June 17 meeting, we plan to present the City Council with options and alternatives for how we can proactively address the situation.

We understand the disruption the loss of this type of key asset has on the community and local families. Supporting Suisun City youth and families is a key mission of our Recreation and Community Services Department. We also take very seriously our responsibility to the community to manage taxpayer funds in a highly responsible and sustainable manner.

ABC 7 News recently did a news piece on the situation. Follow this link to see that news piece.

Hunters help the Marsh, too!

Lest you think that only college and government researchers work out in the Suisun Marsh (see earlier post about UC Davis biologists trudging around in the Marsh), Barry Eberling over at the Daily Republic wrote a story about duck hunters who build boxes 6-to-8-feet in the air to help wood ducks breed.

As Barry explains, wood ducks usally breed in trees. But habitat destruction and unregulated hunting made the sighting of wood ducks on Grizzly Island very rare. Now, officials are reporting seeing flocks of them thanks to the volunteer efforts of duck club owners and hunters who have built thousands of nesting locations for the birds.

To see Barry's article, visit the Daily Republic website at www.dailyrepublic.com.

Suisun City in books

We're always looking for new and exciting ways to share the beauty of Suisun City and the surrounding area with as many people as we can reach. The main purpose is to encourage them to come visit, fall in love with the area, plan a return trip and spend a few dollars in our local businesses in the process.

Over the weekend, we became learned that Steffni & Tom Muehleisen have published a compact book of their photos of the area called "A Walk in the West Wind." It's a great little book perfect to buy as a souvenir or send to family members as a keepsake of the beauty of Suisun City.

We don't know if it's available in local stores, but it can be purchased online. Worth checking out!

If you know any other books about Suisun City or its environs we can share with others, please pass along the tip by leaving a comment or shooting me an e-mail at scorey@suisun.com.