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BUS ROUTE RIFT: A flap is brewing in Alkali Flat over a recent bus stop swap that sends a Regional Transit bus on a new path through the neighborhood. Emails to City Councilman Rob Fong and RT from concerned residents say they are worried that RT's decision to change the bus stop that was at 12th and D streets (on the La Valentina side of the street) across the way to 12th and E streets has driven up foot traffic, creating hazards for pedestrians trying to get back across 12th Street (which is a feeder street into downtown) and, to add insult to injury, neighbors say that the bus is racing past the local Montessori school every 15 minutes.

RT representative Linda Budge responded by email that the bus stop swap was supposed to be temporary, and RT management is looking into the problem. Meanwhile, Alkali Flat neighbors and Montessori School Director Marilyn Prosser said they are monitoring foot and vehicle traffic to determine the impacts on the neighborhood and the school.

PARKS, POOLS AND POLITICS: As if taking a cue from Sacramento’s efforts to keep city pools open, the state Department of Parks and Recreation has whittled down a list of 70 state parks set for closure due to budget cuts and saved nearly all of them – including the historic Governor’s Mansion Park in downtown and, now, a nude beach at Gray Whale Cove outside of Half Moon Bay (yes, we get the irony). Saving these beloved public spaces and city pools has been largely due to an increase in public-private partnerships. But is it also a reflection of smart politicking? Greg Lucas takes a closer look at the phenomenon in an article from Capitol Weekly.
 

TRANSIT: Sacramento County took the first step in building an expressway that will connect Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Folsom and El Dorado Hills with the groundbreaking of an "$8.5 million widening and straightening project on a two-mile section of White Rock Road between Rancho Cordova and Folsom," according to the Bee's Tony Bizjak.

NUGGET ‘O GOODNESS: This could be useful on a Summer Friday in Sacramento:

The scientific cure for hangovers via Brain Pickings

KEEPIN' IT WEIRD: Does your artistic taste lean a little to the funky side? Is steampunk your style? The “Oddities – An Eclectic Exhibit” has just what you need. Little Relics Boutique & Galleria gathered artists whose works keep things offbeat, intriguing and, quite frankly, weird for this eclectic exhibit showing through Saturday, 908 21st St.

MORE VIDEO: WSJ on the city of Stockton filing for bankruptcy:

The California cities cited by the WSJ reporter of being in danger of heading down the same route

-Hercules
- Lincoln

STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW: Another reason not to use cable locks on your bikes, via the Stolen Midtown Bicycles Facebook page:

This "Wake-Up Call" was co-produced by staff reporter Melissa Corker, who wrote a review of 'Grease' that you really must read.