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September 7, 2018 | www.valcomnews.com April 9, 2021 | www.valcomnews.com

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Carmichael author releases collection of humorous stories about raising her two sons

THIS ‘n’ THAT

by Carol Bogart

The Bad News Blues

PHOTO COURTESY OF USFWS

A Galapagos tortoise hatchling saved from wildlife trafficking.

I feel compelled to write about this. I don’t want to. I hate this story and wish I hadn’t seen the pictures. So forewarned, if you Google it, the photos are disturbing. Late last month, Ecuadoran Customs checked a suspicious suitcase and found 185 little tortoises, no more than 3 months old, packed inside. Each tightly bound in clingwrap. Suffocating. Suffering. Ten had already died. Galapagos tortoises. You know. The big ones. Had the trafficker delivered ANY to his black market buyer, the

going rate PER baby Galapagos starts at $5,000. Full grown, these tortoises are huuuuuuuuge. And, anymore, there aren’t that many of them. The U.S. lists them as endangered. Many such endangered species are teetering on extinction. Trafficking would stop if there were no buyers. California tries to protect endangered and native species. Example: Right now a solo gray wolf from Oregon is making its way across California (likely in search of mate, say those who track it). Each

time there’s a new sighting of OR-93, the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife gray wolf team exhales, relieved this wolf hasn’t yet been killed by a vehicle or hunter. Some years back, a different collared gray wolf from Oregon, OR-19, was found dead by the side of a California road. The official verdict: Parvo virus. (There’s a vaccine for that, isn’t there? Seems as though a wolf would be vaccinated for everything, including rabies, when it gets its tracking collar?) see This ‘n’ That page 3

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This ‘n’ That: continued from page 2

The current collared wolf has made it at least as far as Fresno, reports the California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW). A Montana wolf at Yellowstone had a collar, too. That state’s governor trapped and shot it. He was cited. Perhaps he won’t be re-elected. The deceased OR-19 was a young female. OR-93’s a male. He’s been roaming without mishap since last year in June. Made it to Yosemite – no female wolves – and kept on going. California wolves were exterminated in the early 1900s for killing livestock. Not until 2011 was a gray wolf seen here again. Today in California, it’s illegal to catch, harm, harass or kill them, the Trump era’s gutting of the federal Endangered Species Act notwithstanding.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CDFW

Gray wolf OR-93 is believed to be the only living wolf in California. The purple collar follows him via GPS. The OR in his name is for ‘Oregon’ – his state of origin.

Not so in Wisconsin. In February at the start of ‘wolf season’ more than 200 wolves were slaughtered in just three days. About a fifth of the state’s total wolf population. And nearly twice the legal limit. (Hunters complained

the wolves killed more deer than they did.) There’s been an uproar about the overkill. Wisconsin’s tribes are outraged. The state’s department of Natural Resources says, “ The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed gray

Angela Heinzer

wolves from the federal endangered species list on Jan. 4, 2021, returning management authority to state agencies.” Since Montana’s governor likes to trap them, maybe he’d give a few females to California before he’s out of office.

916.212.1881

Wolves are of little threat to people, says the CDFW. Our state is working with ranchers on ways to protect their livestock. In Africa, painting big eyes on the butts of cattle protects them from lions. (Scientists paint eyes on cow butts (for the animals’ own good, really) - CNET). Fluorescent paint for ‘butt eyes’ that glow might scare off predators that hunt at night. We could try that here to protect stock from mountain lions, and maybe wolves – if there’s ever more than one in California. Gray wolves are sometimes mistaken for coyotes, but the wolf is bigger, plus OR-93 has that purple collar. If you think you’ve seen any wolf, wolf tracks or a dead wolf, please report the sighting to CDFW, Gray Wolf Sighting Report (ca.gov), or call 1-(530) 225-2300. Questions, comments? Contact Carol at carol@bogartonline.com.

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Carmichael author releases collection of humorous stories about raising her two sons

Author and educator Kim Griffin has published her light-hearted and humorous collection of stories about her and her husband Patrick’s experiences raising their sons, Brien and Matt. In #Curious Connections, Griffin reflects on unforgettable teaching moments, misadventures in learning new words, and sentimental memories to chronicle her boys’ journey from childhood to adulthood. “I wanted to share funny stories that occurred while raising sons,” she said. “I captured the stories as they occurred and then ultimately started outing them in chapter form. I hope that readers will share laughter based on the relatable stories shared. My hope is that it will lighten the reader’s day.” 4

Arden-Carmichael News • April 9, 2021 • www.valcomnews.com

#Curious Connections explores the gamut of joys and challenges that parenting brings, especially when raising boys. Griffin lovingly retells how her experiences with her sons – often comical, and sometimes X-rated – brought happiness, laughter, and a welcome respite into daily life. Through #Curious Connections, Griffin also shares her boys’ experiences traveling, growing in their independence, and becoming passionate about wanting to make a difference in the world. “ The curious connections that children make as they acquire language and journey through their teenage years into adulthood are central to this book,” Griffin wrote in #Curious Connections. “Patrick and I have been blessed with raising two sons, Brien and

Matt, both adults now. … As they grew, they amazed us with the innocent, and at times curious, connections that they made with language that brought belly laughs to family and friends. I hope these stories bring joy to you as well.” Ultimately, “#Curious Connections” is a testament to the power of parental love that documents the exhilarating experience of seeing one’s child grow into the person they are meant to become. Readers will be warmed by Griffin’s relatable perspective on parenting and observations of her kids’ silliness, intuitiveness, and intelligence. When she initially wrote the book she used the boys’ middle names to save them from potential embarrassment. “As they grew from boys to men, I see Author page 5 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Author:

continued from page 4

switched from their middle names back to their first names with their permission. When the book went up for sale on Amazon they shared the news with friends on Facebook. They are proud that their mom completed the book,” Kim Griffins said. Not just for parents, the lighthearted stories are meant to bring laughter to all readers. “As a mom of girls, I found this book to be an intriguing look into life with boys,” a reader wrote in a five-star review of the book on Amazon. “It was delightful and engaging. I read it all in one sitting. I think parents will find the stories relatable no matter if you have girls or boys.” “I happened upon this book by happy accident and it is just delightful,” another reader wrote in a fivestar Amazon review. “Stories of a mom raising two boys with her husband, the love this mom has for her family jumps off of each page. The author’s writing style is so natural and engaging that you almost feel Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

as if you’re reading a letter from a good friend or family. Highly recommend this sweet book.” A writer and former faculty member at Sacramento State University in the communications and journalism departments, Griffin also worked for Dignity Health for more than two decades in a variety of roles including director of communications. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in communications and emphasis in journalism from Santa Clara University and a Master of Arts degree in communication studies from Sac State. Griffin began writing #Curious Connections after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013. All proceeds from the sale of Griffin’s book will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Dignity Health’s MS Achievement Center to go toward research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. #Curious Connections is available through Archway Publishing, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. For more information, visit www. archwaypublishing.com or call 888-242-5904.

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Shirley Simi, family played key role in Carmichael Park’s bocce ball courts By LANCE ARMSTRONG

Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part series on the new bocce ball courts at Carmichael Park.

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Carmichael Park’s newest amenity is its recently opened bocce ball courts on the southeast corner of the park, behind the Italian Center. Bocce, which is a rich Italian tradition, is generally played in groups of two or four and is most closely related to lawn bowling. The story of the project to have bocce ball courts constructed at Carmichael Park dates back to 2007, with the construction of the Italian Center. Essential in the project’s progress was Shirley Pennington Simi, who was active with the Italian Cultural Society of Sacramento. Simi, who was a 50-year Carmichael resident with Italian ancestry, donated $5,000 to the Carmichael Parks Foundation for the purpose of having courts built in the park. That donation was one of the earliest donations for this project, which would ultimately cost $161,000 for two courts. With the park’s master plan including plans for four courts, an effort to have the other two courts built is an ongoing project that is not yet funded. Although Simi died in 2018, before she could see her dream become a reality, her donation to the project would serve as the basis for fur-

ther fundraising efforts. Other contributors to the overall fund included the park district, the Carmichael Parks Foundation, and the Italian Cultural Society. Simi’s daughter, Teri O’Sullivan, told the ArdenCarmichael News that her mother’s donation was a very significant amount of money, considering her finances. “She told us she had donated some money, (and) I figured it was $100 or whatever,” she said. “My mom was not a wealthy woman. So, come to find out, it’s $5,000. For her, that was like a gazillion (dollars compared) to most people.” O’Sullivan added that her mother’s interest in the bocce ball project was reflective of her pride in her Italian heritage. The first member of her family to come to America from Italy was Dino Simi, who arrived in the 1930s. “(For) my mom, it was Italian first, food second, and her passion for her heritage,” she said. Following their mother’s death, O’Sullivan and her brother, Todd Pennington, continued to support Simi’s dream through the Shirley Simi Memorial Bocce Ball Fund. Family and friends of Simi contributed to the fund to assist with the foundation’s fundraising efforts. O’Sullivan, who graduated from Del Campo High School in 1978, mentioned that after attending a park foundation board meeting in May 2019, she learned that see Bocce page 7 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Bocce:

continued from page 6

interest in the project was declining. “I said, ‘No, this project was important to my mother, therefore it’s important to us,’” she said. “So, my brother and I talked and we put together this event that we were going to raise all this money (for the courts).” That fundraising event was held at the Italian Cultural Center on July 14, 2019, with food, information about bocce, a demonstration by Special Olympics bocce players, live music and a silent auction. The event was a success and raised “quite a bit of money” for this cause, O’Sullivan noted. “Todd and I host (the) bocce fundraiser,” she said. “One hundred percent of (the) funds/proceeds (went) to event. We paid all expenses. Live band, vintage fare, demonstration from a couple of special Olympic teams. My group prepared, served and maintained all the food with a team of 10-plus, (and) Terra d’ Oro provided wine for the event. I believe everyone had a great time.” The event raised $4,530, and Simi’s family covered the $2,500 cost of that fundraiser. In December 2019, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a change to the park’s master plan to have two courts built, instead of the previously designated four courts. Construction on the courts began eight months later, and the courts were completed last December. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary fence was placed around the courts until Feb. 5, when they were open for public use. A grand opening for the courts will be held on a yet undetermined date. Sharon Ruffner, president of the Carmichael Parks Foundation, recalled the preValley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Teri O’Sullivan

Carmichael resident Shirley Simi dreamed of having bocce ball courts built at Carmichael Park. Following Simi’s death in 2018, her family made sure that dream was fulfilled.

vious plan to build the courts in separate locations in the park. “The drawings from the initial master plan, before we ever got involved, had two courts by the Italian Cultural (Center) and two courts way over by the overhead picnic area,” she said. “I don’t know. That doesn’t make any sense to many of us.” Architects later completed new master plan drawings to reflect the change to the location of two of the courts. With the courts finally available for public use and a grand opening to be held in the future, O’Sullivan said that the project is very gratifying as a tribute in the memory of her mother, who grew up in Alameda, moved to Carmichael in 1964 and spent about 20 years working as a receptionist in a Fair Oaks dental office. “My mom would be overwhelmed,” she said. “And (moving the project forward) is the way I’ve always done life. You’ve got to just get ‘er

done, and you’ve got to make it happen, and that’s what I did.” Enhancing the project are two engraved benches that were purchased by O’Sullivan and Pennington. Those benches read: “My famiglia (family) & friends You were the most important part of my life. Enjoy Bocce! Ciao, Shirley Simi. In memory, love Teri & Todd Pennington.” Additionally, two unengraved benches near the courts were purchased by the park district. For more information about bocce ball and various offerings through the Italian Center, visit the website, www.ItalianCenter.net, call (916) 482-5900, or write to the email address, Italy1@ surewest.net. Those who are interested in scheduling for the courts and free lessons can contact the Carmichael Recreation and Park District at (916) 485-5322.

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K now

your neighbor

Billie Hamilton, Raging Granny and climate activist It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. If that is the case then Billie Hamilton’s sparkling grayblue eyes reveal a dedicated and delightful one. Raging granny, retired educator, musician and citizen climate lobbyist, Billie is committed to her community, her country and her world. This 93-year-young woman’s mind is sharp and focused, her spirit strong, and her actions clear-eyed and purposeful. Billie enjoyed a 40 -year career as a teacher in elementary and high school classrooms and is the mother of two educators, one here in Sacramento and the other in her home state of Indiana.

Arden-Carmichael News • April 9, 2021 • www.valcomnews.com

A 51-year resident of River Park, she has committed her life to causes she holds dear, informed by her membership in Quaker Meetings in New York, Michigan and Sacramento. Over Billie’s long life she has observed how the climate has changed, and as a result, for the last seven years, her activism has centered around Sacramento Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the local chapter of an international non-profit, nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to advancing national policies to address climate change solutions. As a Quaker, Billie appreciates the organization’s focus on empowering individuals by educating members,

neighbors and elected officials to build relationships, and use patience, courtesy and non-partisan pressure to “build the political will for the climate solutions we all need.” Billie believes that the climate crisis solution of a carbon fee and dividend, favored by CCL (and thousands of economists and scientists), is the most efficient and equitable path forward. This solution would place a price on carbon emissions and have the revenues generated by this pricing returned to citizens as a dividend like the pandemic stimulus checks based on family income. This would rapidly reduce emissions and encoursee Granny page 11

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Granny:

continued from page 10

age innovation. The efficacy and fundamental fairness of this approach have great appeal to Billie, as it resonates with her Quaker values. To help realize this solution, Billie became more involved with CCL, starting as an active member and subsequently serving as Advisory Board member, treasurer, liaison and lobbyist to Doris Matsui’s district office, and 3-time lobbyist on Capitol Hill. Billie never expected to become a lobbyist in her 80s! But in the last Congress, Billie supported a bill that supported a price on carbon and rebates to citizens (HR 763, the Energy Innovation and Dividend Act). This bill garnered 86 co-sponsors, 26 from California including Congressman Ami Bera. Billie is proud that the bill got that far and is hopeful for more action to create solutions to the climate crisis. Billie is happy to continue working with CCL to see this through. While this focus on saving the planet is relatively new, Billie has been a lifelong activist, notably with various Friends Committees that serve the causes of peace and justice. These include the American Friends Service Committee, Friends Committee on National Legislation, and the Friends Legislative Committee of California. A woman determined to “try to make the world a better place and particularly to help the poor and disenfranchised”; Billie joined vigils and marches in every city she lived in as an adult. A longtime member of the National Organization for Women Billie greatly appreciates the many advancements in the rights and opportunities for women she has observed in her lifetime. Activism has not been Billie’s only passion. A talentValley Community Newspapers, Inc.

ed musician, Billie plays the recorder and viola da gamba (this early stringed instrument, used in the Baroque era is like a cello but with more strings and frets like a guitar). Billie founded the Sacramento Recorder Society in 1987, a group that continues to this day. As an amateur, Billie performed with two different Baroque music groups at venues such as the Crocker Art Gallery and CSUS. As befits a woman of her age and personality, Billie is also a member of the “Raging Grannies.” This international social justice activist organization is compromised of women old enough to be grandmothers who dress in clothes that mock stereotypes of old women who gather and sing reworked familiar songs at protests and marches. Two book titles about the organization capture the spirit, “Off our Rockers”, and “The Raging Grannies: Wild Hats, Cheeky Songs and Witty Action for a Better World”. Research has shown that believing and working for something greater than yourself contributes to happiness and well-being. It certainly seems that Billie Hamilton is a living example of that principle. Billie encourages everyone to do some good in the world- and if you’re looking for a cause, you can join her at CCL Sacramento on the second Saturday of each month (sacramentoccl.org).

Earth Day online event open to the public The Sacramento Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) invites the public to an Earth Day/Week Online Event to support work on Climate Change. On Thursday, April 22, CCL Sacramento is co-sponsoring a special screening of 20 short films from the 2021 SYRCL Wild & Scenic Film Festival with live programming sessions. As you may know, South Yuba River Citizens League, SYRCL, has hosted a wildly popular environmental film festival for many years. This year, the event is Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour, and the event will be online. Included with every ticket is an on-demand bonus featuring five films about threatened wildlife, including the awardwinning, feature-length film “Entangled.” Tickets are normally $25 per individual, but with the CCL discount code, tickets are only $20 per person. Ticket holders will have access to all films for 5 days following the live event

(April 23-27). The Sacramento Chapter of CCL has a discount code, “CCLSAC”, for $5 off the ticket. That means 20 short films, plus the five bonus wildlife films, for five days and the live event for only $20 for individual viewers. Every ticket purchased goes toward addressing climate change. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change solutions. The Sacramento chapter is one of 611 active chapters around the world. It is committed to building the political will for the climate solutions we all need. The group focuses on talking with neighbors, friends, and elected officials about how national climate action can help ensure a healthy future while strengthening the American economy.

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