East Sacramento has long been an established community comprising many smaller micro-neighborhoods with unique characteristics that separate them into distinct personality types. One of the micro-neighborhoods is the self-proclaimed “SOFO”, which stands for South of Folsom Boulevard. This thriving group includes Folsom boulevard to the north, “R” street on the south, 40th street to the west and 42nd street to the east and is comprised of 200 total households in the area along with another 40 households in the condo at 4100 Folsom Boulevard. About eight years ago, this area started a small monthly gathering for neighbors after an unfortunate event of vandalism in the neighborhood drew everyone even closer with neighbors feeling safety for each other as a concern. Neighbors were looking for a way to band together as a group, which brought them a sense of togetherness and strength in their community. Residents Rity Singh and Ellen Byron organized the First SoFo “Thirsty Thursday”, where neighbors were invited to gather outside on their shard driveway to enjoy beverages, appetizers, and have conversation. This grew into a once-a- month tradition where the location varied each month and would be advertised by a flamingo in front of the designated house.
As their group grew in participation, everyone loved the cozy feel of having connections in the small enclave, and an idea was born during a Thirsty Thursday from resident, Libby Woolford, when she casually brought up the idea of a Farm to Fork style dinner to a few neighbors. Luckily, a few bought into the idea, a committee was formed, and the group got busy planning a nice dinner that all could attend to spend more time with each other in a relaxed setting. Visions of a long table down the middle of the street, bistro lights, fresh flowers, a menu featuring local ingredients, the perfect playlist, dancing under the stars, and enjoying the company of neighbors turned friends became a reality with the first Farm to 42nd Street event in 2018, which was well received and attended by approximately 140 people. The second dinner was in 2019 and the event increased in size to over 200. Unfortunately,Covid put the dinner on hold in both 2020 and 2021. 2022 saw a brief and scaled down version of the dinner with a potluck style appetizer event. By 2023 he community was eager and ready to interact with each other, and the dinner returned.
This year’s dinner was a reboot of the original event with several of community members planning and working to be sure of success. The committee for the dinner is composed of 17 members who reside in the area along with a group of four fabulous teenagers who volunteer to help with setup and cleanup of the event. Committee members prepared a charcuterie appetizer, donated wine for the dinner (all attendees are encouraged to bring beverages to share as well), and a prepared dessert to give everything a homemade touch. A caterer and serving staff were hired to prepare the main meal, so everyone felt special could relax and enjoy the event. The menu for this year's event included a mixed baby lettuce salad with shaved carrot and radishes & champagne vinaigrette, ratatouille made with and end of the summer harvest including summer squash, eggplant, bell peppers, tomatoes and fresh herbs, chicken confit served with pomegranate & cranberry salsa verde, and Moonbelly Bakery dragon tail baguettes with butter. The event was invitation only to those within the area per City block party guidelines, which direct the intent is for community engagement and creation of friends, community interaction and to increase support for each member with social, emotional and safety resources they provide to each other.
Libby Woolford and her husband, John Rodrigues, both long-time East Sacramento residents, were integral in the inception of not only the Farm to 42nd Street event, but also the SOFO neighborhood Christmas light tradition, Libby and John had purchased their home with their family on 42nd street just south of Folsom Blvd. in 2013. While touring the neighborhood Christmas lights, son, Charles, noticed that unlike other neighborhood blocks, their micro-neighborhood did not have a theme. One of the color combinations not used by other blocks was green and red. With his parents’ help, he developed a flier requesting neighbors decorate their front tree, lamppost or porch with red and green lights beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving. Decoration was a team effort amongst neighbors as folks helped one another out, and walking or driving through the blocks to count how many neighbors participated became a nightly ritual. They are still included within the larger East Sacramento area that shares the coordinated Christmas lights for select streets, but through creative planning, SOFO’s micro-neighborhood has its own holiday flair and community identity.
It’s clear that the SOFO group is a thriving and supportive community and the traditions they have created will continue to foster friendships for years to come.
