If you haven’t had the pleasure of spotting a Yellow-billed Magpie recently, consider joining a trip with Yolo Bird Alliance or Sacramento Audubon, both have expert guides and passionate volunteers. Or better yet, swing by Washington Commons; I’d be thrilled to point out a few local magpies myself. 🌿

Let’s keep celebrating biodiversity, smart birds, and community living.

Follow Washington Commons Cohousing for more local wildlife moments and sustainable living inspiration!

But the best thing is not a 'thing', and it isn’t obvious until you live here, which is the generous spirit of the people in the community, who help each other out, respect each others’ cultures (we’ve celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah, Korean Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day, and have had lots of impromptu common meals in the 8 months we’ve lived here), carpool to events together, support community organizations, and lend an ear to each other.  What more could you want from your neighbors?  

After much thought and discussion, the couple had narrowed down their “wants” in a cohousing community and their next home and began looking at the future site of Washington Commons. They wanted a single-level home that had less maintenance and featured a sustainable design. 

In early 2017, they became members of Washington Commons, and now are the third longest members of the community. Living in a walkable/bikeable area with the possibility of car sharing (they now share a car with another member – Willa’s sister) and with easy access to amenities and attractions such as the Crocker Art Museum and Old Sacramento added to the attractiveness of Washington Commons.

When construction was nearly complete and a permit was issued in June 2024, they were among the first to move in. “I’ve felt that the things that attracted me to cohousing with more of a family-neighborhood has come to pass,” said Stu. Part of the appeal of Washington Commons is having access to large spaces such as a community dining room and large terrace - which they did not have in their Davis home - but here could share with others.

Stu says it is the small things that are creating a strong community – living in a space where you often walk by each other’s front doors and dealing with the issues of a new building.  

Stu loves riding his bike along the Sacramento Riverwalk and looking for new cafes where he can get some work done. And that house in Davis? Stu and Willa sold it to their daughter and her family who can make use of the larger space and are just a 20-minute commute away.

The hour starts with me introducing the theme. Then, throughout the hour I intersperse tidbits of information about Julia Child with actual "how to" information on knife use, olive oil types and quality, coring and dicing tomatoes, different ways to dice, slice or mince garlic (garlic is its own food group), slicing and preparing the french bread, etc, etc, etc.
 
Did I forget to say that the in-person crew was enjoying wine and non-alcoholic drinks and tidbits of food? But, worry not, the attendees had to help put all this together.
 
Finally, we enjoyed the bruschetta. We talked both in person and over Zoom and had a great time.
 
Thanks to everyone who attended. I want to apologize to all of you who were not able to come in person. Soon, that will not be an issue. I love doing this stuff.
 
A special thank you to Allyce. She makes it possible for me to do these things with her loving support."

A great time was had by all as we gathered for a Happy Hour on “How to make Bruschetta”​ ♥️‼️Thank you, Frances (and Allyce) who graciously co-hosted the event. ​