Arden Carmichael News

September 7, 2018 | www.valcomnews.com December 11, 2020 | www.valcomnews.com

Arden-Carmichael News — BRINGING YOU COMMUNITY NEWS FOR 29 YEARS —

Autumnal Beauty Abounds on The American River see page 2

w w w. va l c o m n e w s . c o m Home Improvement ...................................6 Classifieds .................................................. 7

Arden Fair Partner, Retired Pediatrician Has Enjoyed a ‘Blessed‘ Life

See page 4

ECRWSS EDDM POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ELK GROVE CA PERMIT NO. 16

Autumnal Beauty Abounds on The American River Photos by Monica Stark

Saturday, Nov. 14 was a particularly photogenic day at the American River Parkway. Using the Gristmill access, head downstream about a half mile and you will see birders regularly taking in the sights and sounds.

Make yourself at home with an Experienced Realtor

Nancy Arndorfer Serving the Sacramento Area for over 30 Years OUTSTANDING LIFE MEMBER SAR MASTERS CLUB CalDRE# 00443547

(916) 838-1763 • narndorfer@GoLyon.com

A r den-C ar mic ha el Ne w s 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.

Publisher...................................................................David Herburger

Vol. XXVIIII • No. 23 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: Monica Stark

Graphic Design:................................................. Gene Espinoza Copyright 2020 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc. All rights reserved.

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

2

Arden-Carmichael News • December 11, 2020 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.valcomnews.com • December 11, 2020 • Arden-Carmichael News

3

Arden Fair Partner, Retired Pediatrician Has Enjoyed a ‘Blessed‘ Life

By LANCE ARMSTRONG

pist who has supported various local organizations, including local hospitals and service organizations for the developmentally disabled. He has additionally contributed greatly to Cristo Rey High School in Sacramento.

Dennis began his life’s adventures in the presence of his immigrant parents, Nicholas and Anastasia Marks, who came to this country from the Greek island of Cephalonia in the 1920s, in search of a better life.

At 91 years old, longtime Sacramento area resident Dr. Dennis N. Marks has lived a rich life of satisfaction and adventures.

Well-known and respected by people in the Sacramento area and beyond, Dennis gained notoriety as a partner in the ownership of Arden Fair and Market Square shopping centers and as a pediatrician in the Sacramento area for 30 years.

Dennis is also recognized for his kindness as a philanthro-

Nicholas was the first to arrive in the United States. He later returned to Greece looking for a woman who would marry him, yet stay in her homeland to care for his father. That woman, Anastasia – aka “Tasia” – would later join Nicholas in America.

Nicholas and Anastasia both settled in New York City, after entering America through Ellis Island.

While living in New York City, Nicholas operated a small coffee shop in a ground-floor storefront

Home Equity Line of Credit Loan 5 Year FIXED RATE %

4.25 Initial APR

CHECK THE EL DORADO ADVANTAGE:

� FIXED RATE for 5 Years � Local Processing & Servicing � No Closing Costs on Qualifying Transactions � Flexibility and Convenience � Have Funds Available for Current and Future Needs � Home Improvement, Debt Consolidation, College Tuition � Interest May be Tax Deductible (Please consult your tax advisor)

Photos courtesy of Marks family

Dennis and Nancy Marks have been married for 68 years.

and lived in a residential space above that business.

In running his coffee shop during the Depression, Nicholas saw firsthand the struggles of many people in their community, explained Steve Marks, who was the second child to be born of Dennis’ four children.

“I remember, (Dennis) used to tell us stories about his dad having tabs for his customers that went on forever,” he said. “You know, just a cup of coffee or a little bite to eat or something. ‘Could you put it on my tab?’ I don’t have any (money),’ (customers would say).

Whether (Nicholas and Anastasia) got paid back or not was another story.”

Although not by his choice, a few years after arriving in America, Dennis’ father had his surname changed, from Marcopoulos to Mark, during the process of applying for his citizenship. He later added the “s” to create the more common surname, Marks.

By the age of 5, Dennis was full of enthusiastic energy with his childhood goal of becoming a medical doctor, Steve told this publication last week. “(Dennis’) dad (would say), ‘Denny, why don’t you go out and play with the kids? Go out

Serving our local communities since 1958 www.eldoradosavingsbank.com

CARMICHAEL ������������������������������������

Call Melissa at (916) 429-9901 www.valcomnews.com

��������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4.375% �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������if the 1st Deed of Trust loan is with a lender other than El Dorado Savings Bank, that loan may not exceed $200,000 and may not be a revolving line of credit.�������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $85 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������ ��

4

Arden-Carmichael News • December 11, 2020 • www.valcomnews.com

and have some fun,’” he said. “He would be up in his room, working with his science kit on experiments. He would wave off his relatives and his parents and he would say, ‘My day for fun will come.’”

In addition to Dennis, Nicholas and Anastasia had a daughter named Claire.

As a student at New York City’s Stuyvesant High School, Dennis maintained his childhood dream.

Following his graduation from that institution in 1945, Dennis began attending Columbia University, taking many units yearround, and playing in the band.

He also purchased his own sound system and worked as a disc jockey.

Six months shy of his 19th birthday, Dennis began his studies at the institution known today as New York University School of Medicine. He graduated from that place at the age of 21.

Dennis’ next venture was to seek out an internship, which he found at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, in New Haven, Connecticut.

It was during that internship when Dennis decided to become a pediatrician instead of an obstetrician.

In a ceremony held in New York City, Dennis married Nancy Stewart on Oct. 18, 1952.

In 1954, during the Korean War, Dennis joined the Army and practiced medicine.

During part of his service, Dennis was stationed in Japan.

Steve, who is a 1975 graduate of Rio Americano High School, pointed out that he was “made in Japan,” but born in America. see RETIRED page 5 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Retired

continued from page 4

Following Dennis’ service in Japan, he was transferred to California, where he had a temporary assignment in the outpatient department of the Oakland Army Base.

For his last two and a half months in the Army, Dennis worked a permanent assignment at the Letterman Army Hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco.

During that time, he sought out a quality place to practice. He decided on Sacramento, arriving there in October 1956, and paying $16,950 for a tract home in the Garden of the Gods neighborhood on the edge of Sacramento and Carmichael.

Dennis would eventually spend 30 years working in pediatrics at his office on Professional Drive, just north of Arden Way. He retired in 1986.

Sharing that office with Dennis for the majority of his time was Ernest J. Petrulio, a pediatrician who was previously sta-

tioned at Mather Air Force Base. Petrulio died at the age of 79 in 2008.

Among Dennis’ accomplishments in life was working with Nancy to create a residential care facility for the developmentally disabled. Nancy had grown up with a brother who was severely developmentally disabled, and her family moved from place to place whenever her brother was relocated to a different facility.

The facility, which was known as Laurel Hills Developmental Learning Center, was established as a 76-bed center, with five patients, at Garfield and Madison avenues in 1965. It remained in operation for 20 years.

Steve spoke about that facility, which became a leader in its field.

“My folks, in the early 1960s, they came up with this concept of ‘Let’s create a residential care facility for the developmentally disabled where there won’t be any age limits,’” he said. “You can come as an infant in the nursery and you can stay until you’re old and gray, if that’s what’s in your best interest.”

Angela Heinzer

|

While serving as the director of Laurel Hills, which offered independent living arrangements, Dennis wrote on the topic of teaching developmentally disabled persons. His essay appeared as a section in the 1967, New York Times best-selling, self-help book, “I’m OK – You’re OK: A Practical Guide to Transactional Analysis.”

Dennis’ best-known investment is Arden Fair. He purchased this shopping mall with his friend, the prominent businessman Morton Friedman, during the real estate depression of 1975.

Friedman died at the age of 80 in 2012, and Dennis is currently a partner in the ownerships of both Arden Fair and the adjacent Market Square at Arden Fair shopping center.

His community involvement and other activities have also included coaching Little League baseball teams, traveling and spending time as a commercial fisherman, photographer, straight-line painter, slalom water-skier and snow skier.

916.212.1881

|

Also a part of Dennis’ life has been his longtime membership in the Carmichael Presbyterian Church.

Steve, who referred to his father as a “renaissance man,” marveled at his father’s drive to assist others and the many activities he became involved with during his life.

“We all refer to him as the renaissance man,” he said. “I don’t think I could be any more proud of anybody (than his father). I mean, I’m proud of my kids, but he’s just so beautifully unique.”

Currently residing in their longtime home in Carmichael, Dennis and Nancy have four children, eight grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.

Dennis, whose voice has softened to a slight whisper in his advanced years, was asked to summarize his life experiences, many of which occurred right here in the Sacramento area.

“I’m blessed and thankful,” he said.“Thankful for my childhood, thankful for my dear wife and our family, our friends, my work and partners (and) traveling. I’m just thankful for my life – all of it.”

Photos courtesy of Marks family

1) Dr. Dennis N. Marks interacts with a young patient at his office during the early part of his career as a pediatrician.

2) Dennis Marks and his sister, Claire, are pictured in the 1940s. 3). Dennis Marks presents a minnow he caught in about 1947. Later in his life, he obtained his commercial fishing license and sold fish that he caught to his friends and neighbors at discounted prices.

angelaheinzer.cbintouch.com PENDING

CalDRE #01004189

810 Crocker Road - $1,949,000 5 Beds | 4.5 Baths | 4,336 Sq. Ft. Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

4620 Ashton Drive - $948,000 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,264 Sq. Ft. www.valcomnews.com • December 11, 2020 • Arden-Carmichael News

5

ADDITION SPECIALIST

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

CAPITOL ELECTRIC Reasonable Residential & Commercial Work since 1960 Repairs, Trouble Shooting Custom Lighting/FREE Est. Excellent ref from Angie’s List

(916) 213-3740 Neil McIntire –– C.S.L.# 394307

HANDYMAN

GUTTER CLEANING

Prime Quality Maintenance t GUTTER CLEANING t Window Cleaning t

(inside/out/screens washed) Pressure Washing (all surface areas)

t t

Junk Removal/Hauling Landscape Maintenance

D & H Service

Free Estimates Licensed & Insured

Office: 916-428-5907 Cell: 916-206-8909 Interior and exterior painting Fence Installation Tile Installation 25 years of experience Dry Rot Repair

CSL# 996271

Call or Text Jesse: 916 417-4231

HANDYMAN

Fall Yard Clean-up Specials!

• HAULING & YARD CLEAN-UP CALL LESTER • RAIN GUTTER CLEANING • CONCRETE REMOVAL • HEDGE TRIMMING/SHRUB REMOVAL LIC# 128758/REF • PRESSURE WSHING Pressure wash your driveways clean! Your decks too!

Clean out your garage! Replace tt old lawn too!

Hard work-not a problem!

SPECIALS FOR SENIORS/*SERVING THE AREA FOR OVER 20 YEARS*

(916) 838-1247

HANDYMAN

FREEDOM HANDYMAN SERVICE

I specialize in all areas of home improvement !

Quality work the first time, guaranteed!

Disposals & Air gap replacement - Demolition Sprinkler repair & New Valves - Carpentry - Electrical Plumbing - Sheetrock - Ceiling Fan installation

Call

916-429-9901

Our Readers Need Your Service!

It Pays to Advertise!

Advertise your service in this section, today!

Fix leaks of all types

Accepts All Major Credit Cards “Senior Discount” NO JOB TOO SMALL!

Call Eric (916) 470-3488 PAINTING

GARY'S PAINTING Warranty Senior Discounts Professional & Reliable Interior & Exterior Painting Using only Kelly-Moore Paint!

CSL #734323

6

Arden-Carmichael News • December 11, 2020 • www.valcomnews.com

FREE

Estimates !

McClatchy '67

(916) 725-8781 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

PAINTING

PLUMBING

PLUMBING

Mack’s Plumbing

ROONEY’S PLUMBING

Repairs - Replacement - Service

916 761-5780

License # 784099

TILE WORK

TILE WORK

BAXTER TILE

EXPERT INSTALLATION REMODELING & REPAIR

Ceramic • Marble • Granite • Floors • Counters • Walls 42 Years Experience • FREE Estimates

916-213-4669 License #668100

BOOKKEEPING #1 CONCIERGE BOOKKEEPER

37 years exp. in industries like Auto, Mechanics, Restaurants, Caterers, Massage, Doctors, Chiropractors, Non-Profits, Retail, Marshal Arts, Barber, Construction, Wholesale, Investment Clubs, Corp, Partnerships, Small Business. We are experts in General Ledger, Payroll, Profit & Loss & Quarterlies. Call for your concierge appt.

Same low 1990 rates. Ask for Irene Senst (916) 640-3820, Nevada (775) 410-3422. www.taxirene.info • taxireneinfo@gmail.com

HANDYMAN HANDYMAN SERVICES

No job too small. Make your “to-do” list and give me a call. Electrical, Plumbing, Tile, Sheetrock,Plaster, Stucco, Repairs and Remodeling, you name it! Lic# 908942. Call Steven at 230-2114.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

BUSINESS SERVICES

SPECIAL ALZHEIMER’S LIVING

Put our 37 years in Concierge Business Support Service to work for your business. We provide support in: Licensing, Business & Corp Startups or Closures, Basic web design, Set-up social media. Business Concierge Shopping, Marketing and much more. Please contact Irene Senst (916) 640-3820 CA, (775) 410-3422 NV. www.taxirene.info • taxireneinfo@gmail.com

HANDYMAN CLEAN-UP SPECIALS!

Fall Yard Clean-Up Special – Yard clean-up.

Rain gutter cleaning, pressure washing/power spray, hauling, yard work, painting, tree & shrub removal, clean-up, fence repairs, light tree trimming, & more. Ref avail. Call Les at 838-1247. 22 yrs. exp. Specials for seniors.

Licensed

TAX PREPARER #1 CONCIERGE TAX PREPARER

#1 CONCIERGE BUSINESS SERVICES

Lic. #347001338/342

Do you enjoy making people smile?

Do you want to work with people who care? Are you ready to join a team that makes a difference every day?

If so, you may be interested in becoming a caregiver!

Stop by Today! www.reverecourt.com

(916) 392-3510

7707 Rush River Dr. Sacto, CA 95831

37 yrs. exp. We specialize in Business Tax returns including Corp & Partnerships. FREE Pick-up & Delivery to those who qualify. We prepare expertly all past tax returns including all State returns. Get the most deductions allowed to you by law.

CTEC + IRS Registered & Bonded. Please call for your appt. today. Irene Senst (916) 640-3820 CA, (775) 410-3422 NV. Same low 1990 rates. www.taxirene.info • taxireneinfo@gmail.com

FULL SERVICE PLUMBING

456-7777 rooneysplumbing.com License #683668

Check out the Home Improvement Guide Call Melissa at 429-9901 for ad rates.

YOUR AD HERE RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS! CALL 916-429-9901

www.valcomnews.com www.valcomnews.com • December 11, 2020 • Arden-Carmichael News

7