Arden-Carmichael News

September 7, 2018 | www.valcomnews.com May 29, 2020 | www.valcomnews.com

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Remembering the ‘Goat Man’: Greek immigrant was Arden area character of days gone by see page 4

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THIS ‘n’ THAT

by Carol Bogart

The Homeschool Blues Is ‘distance’ learning working out – or is it like having homework ALL the time?

Here’s a true story you may find helpful.

As a student, my ADHD son was easily overwhelmed.

When he was a sophomore, he had what proved to be a last-minute geometry project that was news to me. Each day when Mike got home from school, we emptied his backpack. I’d seen no instructions for this assignment. I emailed his teacher, who’d included it in her Friday morning email to me. She told me

this ‘star’ home project – assigned four weeks earlier – was due the following Tuesday (with Monday being MLK Day). A stroke of luck.

We’d have three whole days to do it.

She promised she’d look in his desk for the materials and send them home with him that day.

I refrained from blowing up at him when he got home, and said, “OK, let’s look at those instructions.”

The kids were to use colored string and tacks to create a star, measure the angles,

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Ar den- C armichael News W W W. VA L C O M N E W S . C O M

E-mail stories & photos to: editor@valcomnews.com Editorial questions: (916) 267-8992 Arden-Carmichael News is published on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Newspapers are available in stands throughout the area.

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Vol. XXVIIII • No. 10 1109 Markham Way Sacramento, CA 95818 t: (916) 429-9901 f: (916) 429-9906

Editor............................................................................... Monica Stark Art Director...................................................................... Annin Piper Advertising Director................................................... Jim O’Donnell Advertising Executives................ Linda Pohl, Melissa Andrews

Cover by: Lance Armstrong

Copyright 2020 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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and write up their findings.

I asked, “What color string do you want?” He said, “All of them.” Noting his beleaguered expression, I left alone for Walmart. There, I bought corkboard in a frame.

One of each color poster board. Multicolored string, a ruler, compass for measuring the angles, small sharp scissors, even a small crochet hook to help him pull the string. (Oxygen deprived at birth; Mike has trouble with his fingers.) Lastly, with some searching, I found a box of small tacks he could wrap the string around.

I’d tried to anticipated any and all excuses, such as, he was too tired to do it Friday because he’d been at school all day. When I got home, I set it all aside and made dinner.

Saturday, I laid it all out on the kitchen table in a way I hoped he’d find enticing. After I fed him, I sat him down.

With grave misgivings, he took one look and said, “You got the wrong color poster paper.’ I showed him he had six more to choose from.

He ran out of objections, and I said, “Let’s pick your star,” from drawings of several options. “I want to make the American flag,” he said.

Hoo boy.

I said, “Sweetie, that’s a great idea, but look how many stars that is. Since we’re getting a late start on this, how about choosing a design that’s simpler?”

He picked a single 5-pointed star.

“Perfect!” I said, and headed out to feed the animals.

An hour or so later, I came back. He was sitting at the table. He’d done nothing. I lost it. Frustrated beyond reason, I exploded: “JUST GET STARTED!” He jumped up, ran to his bedroom and shut the door.

After a brief struggle, I got control of myself, went to his room, and found him hunched, defeated on his bed. “Michael,” I said gently.

“What’s the problem?” Tear-

filled eyes met mine. Hopeful I might understand, he asked, “What does ‘Get Started’ mean?”

Of course! For any of us, tackling something new can be intimidating. We don’t know how to do it because we’ve never done it before.

Now add to that problems with focus and attention.

Easily distracted. All the ADHD stuff. The trick is – start with what’s easy for you and build on that.

I held him close, my eyes wet, too, and said, “Michael, I’m so sorry.” How often had I told him just get started?

How often had his teachers?

Exhausted, we agreed to ‘get started’ Sunday.

After church and lunch, we sat down together at the table. I said, “Start with this.

Remove the plastic from the cork board.” He did that. I said, “Now pick your background color.” He chose black. “Now,” I said, pointing to the array of tools I’d purchased, “cut the background paper to fit the corkboard.” He figured that out all on his own. He used the ruler. Attached it with the tacks.

Sunday after church and lunch, we sat down again, and reread, together, the instructions for the star. First, he drew it out on paper (he’s always liked to draw) and cut it out. Then, placing it where he wanted it on the corkboard, he used tacks to mark the points.

Monday, he started with the string. I left for work but said I’d call to see how he was doing. I did. Hyperfocused now on his project, Mike said, “Mom! I’m busy!

You’re distracting me!”

After work, I found Mike waiting for me at the door, eager to show me his large finished star: black background, pale wood frame, multicolored string 5-pointed star. And, on the table, the star’s angles, measured and put on paper. Until one corner started to unravel a

couple years ago, the ‘star’ project was on my wall.

So, confidence. Instill confidence in the child and the child develop confidence to try new things. Incremental learning is the key. By tackling that project one increment at a time, Mike got it done. And most importantly, learned that he could do it!

Thanks to the pandemic, all of us, kids and adults, are under a lot of stress. We don’t know when, if ever, things will get back to ‘normal’. Kids are finishing out the school year at home, not in the classroom. Covid-19’s ‘curve’ will dictate whether California schools will open as early as July to help students make up for lost learning time.

CDC projections are for a second, deadlier wave this fall. Testing positive for antibodies may not mean that we’re immune. A third of us likely are asymptomatic carriers. Some young healthy people in their 20s who test positive for the virus are having sudden strokes; half are dying.

In West Sacramento, according to Yolo County’s virus Dashboard (based on, as of 4/28/2020, limited testing), the age group consistently Covid-19-affected is not old, sick elders. It’s people ages 55-64. Countywide, the 25-34s are about even for infection with those 85 and over.

Are you and your kids on stress overload? Take a break. Stick a face covering in your pocket (for when you can’t avoid getting too close to others) and head outside. Scientists say the virus dislikes heat and sunshine, plus the fresh air will cheer you up.

For 5 p.m. daily updates to Yolo County/West Sac’s Covid-19 numbers, search Yolo County Covid-19 Dashboard.

Questions, comments? Contact Carol at carol@bogartonline.com.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

How to prepare for a big alligator arrival to the Sacramento Zoo

By Jason Jacobs

Despite our closure over the past two months there have been several new additions to the Sacramento Zoo. The most exciting is the transformation of our front pond habitat to house a group of alligators.

The zoo’s pond is divided into two sections; the larger of the two continues to house our flock of Caribbean flamingos while the lower section formerly housed several species of waterfowl, including a lot of what we at the zoo call “free-loaders.” These birds included hundreds of wild mallards that made the zoo their home.

Zoo staff was looking to make a more exciting first impression for our guests, so about a year ago after consulting with expert colleagues, we made the decision to start the process of converting the lower pond to an exhibit to house alligators.

The species we decided to focus on was the American alligator. The decision process was rather easy. Globally, there are 23 species included in the order Crocodylia often referred to as crocodilians. This order includes the alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gavial.

The majority of these species are found in tropical areas and only two are found in habitats where temperatures fall below freezing: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. The two species of alligator are very different; the Chinese alligator is a Critically Endangered species that is found in eastern China and numbers less than 200 indiValley Community Newspapers, Inc.

viduals in the wild. Reaching lengths of less than five feet, this is one of the smallest species of crocodilian and is known for its reclusive behavior. Many zoos throughout the world have devoted considerable resources to breeding this animal, so there is a stable and thriving zoo population. The American alligator grows considerably larger than its Chinese cousin. American alligators can reach 13 feet in length and are perfectly adapted for Sacramento’s climate.

You might be surprised to learn that the American alligator’s range includes Florida and Louisiana but also more northern states such as Virginia, Georgia and other areas within the southeast that receive cold winters. The American alligator goes into hibernation during the winter and as long as their body slows down, they do not eat over

the cold months. Their large size and adaptability to our climate made the American alligator our choice to bring to Sacramento.

American alligators are also a conservation success story. At one time, poaching led to a decrease in their population and the alligator was listed as an Endangered species. Conservation measures in the 1960s included commercial captive-farming of the species which allowed wild populations to begin to increase. The plan worked so well that in 1987 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service announced the status of the species to be recovered. The population of American alligators within the United States is now estimated to number in the millions.

Before the arrival of the alligators, there was a lot of preparation needed to see Zoo page 5

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Remembering the ‘Goat Man’: Greek immigrant was Arden area character of days gone by

Photo by Lance Armstrong

Pat Melarkey, dressed in clothes similar to those that were worn by George Gust “Goat Man” Zwikis, stands alongside two goats, in 2013.

By LANCE ARMSTRONG

It has been many years since the Arden area was labeled as a rural area. But those who remember this section of the county some 70-plus years ago likely recognize one of this area’s all-time characters: The

“Goat Man.” Born in Greece, the Goat Man – whose real name was George Gust Zoutsos (Americanized, Zwikis, also Zwerkis) – was a legendary figure in this area.

Although Zwikis died 65 years ago this month, his legend continues through people who recall his days of frequently standing on his undeveloped property in the area of today’s Country Club Centre.

In the 1920s, Zwikis purchased 26 acres at the northwest corner of Watt Avenue and Cottage Way. It was in that area that he acquired his nickname, as he was known as

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Arden-Carmichael News • May 29, 2020 • www.valcomnews.com

the recluse man who passed his days with his goats, while having little interest in communicating with people.

His lack of desire to mingle with others is well known by those who remember him.

Zwikis once told The Sacramento Bee, “It is a fine country, this America. The only trouble is the people in it are no good.”

Assisting Zwikis with his goat herding were several dogs.

His Arden area property also included about 50 black and English walnut trees and a small vineyard.

He also grew fava beans and onions.

Evidence of the Goat Man’s longtime post-mortem legacy was revealed just last week, when 82-yearold Bob Hart shared his memories about Zwikis.

“You could drive out in the area where the (Country Club) Centre is now and he had acres and acres and acres of (land) with these goats and a little, tiny shack out there,” he said. “He would bring them in at night and he would stay in his little shack, and it was small.

“He was an old man. I never went up close to him, but driving by you would see him. He had maybe two dozen goats. Some of them I think had bells on them, and he had a couple dogs as I remember to help keep them going.

“I don’t know whether he milked (the goats). I don’t know what he was doing with them.

But every time you went out there, he was there.”

Hart, who graduated from El Camino High School in 1955, added that eventually the Goat Man was gone, and then the area drastically changed.

“My goodness, that whole property started bouncing up with all kinds of stuff,” he said.

The initial unit of Country Club Centre on the southwest corner of Watt and El Camino avenues opened during the summer of 1952.

Research for this article revealed that prior to purchasing his Arden area property, Zwikis came to the United States in about 1917, then worked for several years as a sheepherder for the Swanstons – the

well-known, local landowners who operated a ranch and meat packing plant near Arden Way and the railroad.

After acquiring his Arden area property, the Goat Man lived in an environment that suited his desire to live a life of seclusion.

With plenty of open land around his property, he could also be seen with his goats on grasslands along Arden Way, Eastern Avenue and at a site at Marconi and Watt avenues.

Being that Zwikis was Greek, Terry Kastanis, parish librarian of Sacramento’s Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, recalled other local Greeks mentioning the Goat Man many years ago.

“I remember that story (about the Goat Man),” he said. “I heard about him being out there at (the site of today’s) Country Club Centre, but I never knew (other details) about him.”

Kastanis added that he unfortunately did not find any information about Zwikis in the parish library.

Several years prior to his death, which occurred earlier this year, former Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Melarkey recalled seeing Zwikis in the 1940s.

“I would see George herding goats, and, of course, I was there many times when traffic stopped and he was driving them across Watt Avenue or El Camino (Avenue),” he said. “It was all open and he would just take them over (to different properties) to keep the grass down.”

Melarkey also remembered seeing as many as 75 goats on Zwikis’ property.

“He had a minimum of 25 goats, but sometimes he had 75,” he said.

“And he had them kept in pens and a lot of those little ones he kept in the shack with him. He was really into husbandry.”

A classified advertisement in the April 17, 1946 edition of The Bee refers to Zwikis’ offering of about 200 goats for sale. His address is given as Route 9, Box 1980.

Because there were no landmarks in the area such as Country Club Centre and Country Club Plaza at that time, another classified advertisement during that era describes Zwikis’ property during that era as

being located a mile south of Del Paso Country Club.

An article in that paper’s March 5, 1948 edition mentions that Zwikis had reported a stolen nanny goat to the authorities.

But when Deputy Sheriff George Louderback paid a visit to his residence to investigate that report, he could not find Zwikis.

The article notes: “The officer said after failing to bring any response by tooting his car horn and rapping on the door of the house, he opened the door and was greeted by a goat standing inside. He said there were two goats on the table. He left when he could not find (the Goat Man).”

It is also mentioned in the article that Zwikis later revealed that his nanny goat was killed and someone dumped its body over a fence on his property.

With the postwar building boom in the Arden area, Zwikis was approached various times about selling his Watt Avenue and Cottage Way property before finally accepting a $165,000 offer.

Following that sale, Zwikis moved with his goats to Elk Grove, where he purchased a 20-acre ranch on Sheldon Road, near Stockton Boulevard (now West Stockton Boulevard). The address of his residence was Route 2, Box 2472.

Zwikis’ life in Elk Grove was fairly short-lived, as he died at the age of 72 on May 17, 1955. He was found dead in his property’s goat corral.

In his bedroom, the coroner’s deputies discovered a newborn goat that Zwikis had apparently been caring for in his bedroom.

Included in the June 9, 1955 edition of the Elk Grove Citizen is an article, titled “Goat Man widow located in Greece.”

In that article it is mentioned that Zwikis had only one surviving next of kin, 70-year-old Maria Zoutsos, who he left behind in his native homeland.

Despite not having seen her husband in more than four decades, Maria would ultimately inherit $140,000 of his estate, which was valued at nearly $180,000. The estate included his ranch and $18,200 in cash.

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Zoo:

continued from page 3

transform the lower pond to house the gators. First and foremost, the pond’s liner had eroded over the past 30 years. A new durable liner was selected that weighed several thousand pounds.

Anthony Bailey, our facilities director, led his team to shape the liner and shift it in the perfect position to start the process of building the pond. It took well over a dozen facilities employees just to move the bulky liner. A new pump and filter system were also added to the pond to recirculate the water and clear debris. The facilities team also started the fabrication of safety barriers. A simple fence that was used to contain the waterfowl was not enough to keep the toothy alligators inside their new habitat and away from our guests. Alligators have

been known to climb a straight six-foot chain link fence, but as they get older and heavier their climbing ability diminishes. The facilities team fabricated a fence that is placed at an angle inside the perimeter. The cantilever design prevents an alligator from climbing out.

While work was going on in Sacramento, a team of three zoo staff traveled to Florida to learn more about caring for alligators. They visited the Everglades Alligator Farm in Homestead as well as Zoo Miami. Alligators are managed much differently than other large and potentially dangerous animals, and our staff would have to learn how to work around these animals.

For instance, veterinary procedures would require Animal Care staff to physically restrain these large animals. This includes working in a team using ropes to safely restrain a large alligator for inspection or per-

haps transport. Our team spent several days learning these techniques in Florida so they could teach others here in Sacramento.

Just obtaining the alligators was also going to be a major task. Within the state of California, the possession of any species of crocodilian is highly regulated. The zoo’s Animal Care team worked with California Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure the exhibit would meet permitting requirements for holding American alligators. The strict regulations are due to the fact that if alligators were to get loose within the state of California, they could potentially establish an invasive population which would be detrimental for our local ecosystem. California might no longer be known as the Golden State but perhaps the Gator State.

Jason Jacobs is the Executive Director of the Sacramento Zoo.

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Congratulations Sam Balesteri Class of 2020 Wishing the Varsity Baseball Team and the 54th Senior Class a bright future ahead!