The East Sacramento News by Valley Community Newspapers

since 1991

East Sacramento News August 15, 2013

Community News in Your Hands

www.valcomnews.com

see photo spread page 11

School: Meet the new principal at St. Francis.....5 Janey Way Memories................................8 Will Durst at Sierra 2............................... 12 Know your neighbor: Amber Stott............13 Sutterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing feature............................ 18

Sacto Chicken Co. takes over old Merlinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Freeze

See page 2

Greek grandmas v. Mulvaney at the 50th Sacramento Greek Festival See page 3

East Sacramento News w w w. va l c o m n e w s . c o m

E-mail stories & photos to: editor@valcomnews.com

Vol. XXII • No. 16

East Sacramento News is published on the first and third Thursday of the month and delivered by mail and home delivery in the area bounded by Business 80 on the west, the American River on the north and east and Highway 50 on the south.

2709 Riverside Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95818 t: (916) 429-9901 f: (916) 429-9906

Publisher................................................................. George Macko General Manager.................................................... Kathleen Egan Editor......................................................................... Monica Stark Art Director................................................................. John Ochoa Graphic Designer.....................................................Serene Lusano Sales Manager............................................................Patty Colmer Advertising Executives: Linda Pohl, Melissa Andrews, Jen Henry Distribution/Subscriptions.................................... George Macko

Sacto Chicken Co. Takes Over Old Merlino’s Freeze Food Stand

Cover photo by: Steve Crowley Other photos: Greg Brown Courtesy

photo by Greg Brown

Opening sometime around Sept. 1, Sacto Chicken Co. will be serving crispy fried chicken, tender jerk chicken, fresh squeezed lemonade, tasty sides, and the ice cold Merlino’s freeze in the funky joint located at 2790 Stockton Blvd.

by GREG BROWN

greg@valcomnews.com

I must admit: I enjoy the Colonel once in a blue Kentucky moon. Yes I “ate the bones.” But it’s always good to think outside the bucket and check out a local Sacramento chicken joint. Coming soon: The Sacto Chicken Co…Bucket not included. That’s right, cruise on down Stockton Boulevard near UC Davis Medical Center and you’ll see the bright, colorful, orange food stand that housed a Sacramento old school original, Merlino’s Freeze – a unique frozen treat started in

1946 by Bauldie Merlino and his wife Mary. The historic food stand is coming back to life. A Resurrection. The new chicken stand on the block is the Sacto Chicken Co., which will open near Sept. 1. The Sacto Chicken Co. bills itself as a “No gimmicks chicken joint offering jerk and fried chicken and tasty sides.“ They will be serving crispy fried chicken, tender jerk chicken, fresh squeezed lemonade, tasty sides, and the ice cold Merlino’s freeze. The owner, Zak Rever, is very excited about his new chicken joint on Stockton

Boulevard and says he was “drawn to the vibrant and unique Orange Freeze stand right away. I’m a sucker for funky food joints.” Zak said, “I have been eager to bring a ‘Jerk Stand’ taste and feel to Sacramento. The old freeze building accomplishes that!” “We are also very excited to re-ignite a fun, inviting, and pleasant vibe at our location.” I have a feeling Zak will give the Colonel a run for his money. Perhaps the Sacto Chicken Co. will become a Sacramento Institution like Merlino’s. Look for the open sign soon. Sacto Chicken Co. is located 2790 Stockton Blvd.

In your neighborhood, but where? Photo by MONICA STARK

The Glenn Dairy, two-story building, is located at Alhambra Boulevard and Q Street and currently houses doctors’ offices and clinics. According to “Sacramento’s Midtown: Sacramento” by the Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center and the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation, the building was owned and operated by Edwin Betschart and C.P. Inderkum, the highly modern Glenn Dairy opened on Nov. 29, 1924. “It was seen and-a-half story milk and cream processing as another triumph of Sacramento’s industri- plant was an impressive sight at the southwest al power. Built at a cost of $120,000, the two- corner of Alhambra and Q Streets.”

East Sacramento News • August 15, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

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50 years in the making:

By MONICA STARK

editor@valcomnews.com

Two grandmas Faye Vallas and Voula Cazanis will be ganging up on chef Patrick Mulvaney at the YiaYia Cookoff while two or three nonGreek judges decide if they have what it takes to beat out the master chef with their eggplant moussaka. The showdown happens Saturday Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. at the 50th annual Sacramento Greek Festival held at the convention center. Faye and Voula are parishners and “they do a really good job cooking,” Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Parish Administrator EffieTheodor said. “Mulvaney — he doesn’t do Greek” so it’s OK he knows ahead of time what the grandmas are making, she said. “I think the grandmas will have an edge, but only a very small margin I’m sure,” she said. The press release pretty much summed it up: “We all know who we are rooting for.” Chalk full of lamb or beef, onions and various spices all poured over rice or eaten with bread, Faye’s stifado, her Greek stew that is, sells really quickly at the festival. And Voula makes just about any Greek food item there is. Mulvaney catered the church’s 90th anniversary much to everyone’s liking. So it should be interesting. Prior to that, Rick Kushman, Sacramento Bee Wine Critic and New York Times Best Selling author, will be discussing the excellence of Greek wines at 3 p.m. at the festival. Those premium wines will be available from the bar to accompany festival dining. And there will be other cooking demos through out the festival, so here’s a tip: check out their schedule online. The festival is jumping on the farmto-fork bandwagon but truth be told, farm to fork works into the Greek’s culinary lifestyle. “It’s always been like that,” Theodor said. “A lot of Greeks have their own gardens. They use their own fresh ingredients. We all have olive trees and fig trees. Those are standard. (Greeks) Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

like to plant things that will bear fruit.” Theodor’s dad used to take them to the olive orchards where Country Club Plaza now is. “We would pick olives off the trees. We cured our own olives.” She said at the festival it’s always interesting when someone asks if they have any butter for their bread. The answer is always, ‘no’, but sometimes the explanation is that they used all their butter in the cooking. One word: Baklava. Because if one truly needs a butter fix, they might be encouraged to just buy some Baklava as many layers of dough is separated with melted butter. Volunteers have been cooking through out the summer to prepare for the big weekend. For instance, a lot of the spanakopitas are already frozen and they are baked every single day at the festival. While 50 years is a big deal and plenty reason to celebrate, the festival gradually has been getting bigger and better every year. “We’ve always been doing cooking demos and we are trying to add a few more (still),” she said. Over by the bar, there will be a booth that sells squid. “The calamari is excellent. It’s very tender. You gotta get it early. We do sell out,” she said. There will be a book and print signing by renowned Greek-American artist Gregory Kondos. Just off the phone with his wife, Media Relations Strategist Rosemary O’Brien said Kondos will be at the Festival on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. “And, he is looking forward to enjoying Festival Fries!! They are yummy Greek French Fries with Feta and Greek seasoning!” There will be the usual Greek “Plaka” shopping mart featuring clothing, pottery, jewelry, paintings and more. There will be a Greek dance instruction, live Greek music showcasing the celebrated Takis Kokotas, a Greek Taverna featuring Greek libation and an array of Mezethes (appetizers). And like usu-

Photos courtesy of Effie Theodor

Above left: Baklava Above right photo from the left: Faye Vallas, Executive Chef Patrick Mulvaney, and Voula Cazanis. Left: Gregory Kondos, “White Boat”

al, there will be a Greek pastry shop (Zaharoplastion) featuring scrumptious desserts and cookies. The kids zone will be back and put up center, right by the food so parents can eat and drink while their children have fun. “We see this as a family outing. We try to keep them all occupied,” Theodor said. And when the kids get older, they might be recruited to help out at the festival, running food back and forth to wherever it’s needed. Not to brag but we really do have tasty food. “It is good. I’ve been to others (Greek festivals). They’re not always as good. I think Sacramento does a very good job in presenting the various foods there are — not really wild spicy but food that appeals to a lot of people .. we do a good job … We have a good community,” she said. Theodor will be working the a la carte line on Saturday and Sunday where she’s sure to see a lot of familiar faces. “I see a lot of people I haven’t seen all year.” Like Christmas? “Yeah! Like Christmas.” As the Church recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, major renovations and expansions are in the works. Inside the church building, they pulled up the carpeting and cleaned up the marble underneath. And they are currently raising funds for the expansion of the education and administration buildings that will replace their aging counterparts. Currently the church is in the fundraising stage, though “we have some money in the bank and we are hoping to build in the next couple of years,” Theodor said. Theodor’s expecting the new building will fit right into the neighborhood and she’s hoping the new space will be used for

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: 50th annual Sacramento Greek Festival, featuring food, dancing, cooking workshops and more at the Sacramento Convention Center. WHEN: Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1. Festival hours: Friday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31: noon to 11 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 1: noon to 10 p.m. COST: General admission for ages 12 and up is $5. Children under 12 are free. There will be free admission on Friday Aug. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a complete listing of events, visit: /www.annunciation.ca.goarch.org/ ?q=content/greek-festival-program

the annual festival.“The festival used to be on the church grounds, but you just start growing and you don’t have space for cooking and storing stuff .. But, somewhere down the line once we rebuild that entire courtyard area, we are hoping to bring the festival back to the home grounds. That way you could do a tour of the church. It’s a different feel. It’s not just one big open area like the convention center. It would be nice for people to be able to sip their coffee and enjoy the festival outdoors, but also have the opportunity to go inside if they want. “We will have to see… probably will get the big crowds but will accommodate it somehow,” she said. She even suggested they might use parking lot as potential festival space, noting however: “It does a problem for parking. It would be a good problem to have. When we get to that we will figure it out. God helps us out a lot around here,” Theodor said.

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St. Francis High School welcomes new principal to campus By Susan Laird

slaird@handywriting.com

This month, the halls at St. Francis Catholic High School are filled with fresh, new faces, eager for all the new school year will bring. Among those new faces all the allgirls high school is that of Theresa Young Rodgers, the school’s new principal. Her favorite color is red, she loves spumoni ice cream and her favorite sport is women’s volleyball. She played the sport in high school. But there is a lot more to this newly-married school administrator than meets the eye. She is a woman of great depth of character. This is a good thing, because Rodgers comes to a campus facing some changes. During the last two years, several key staff at the school retired or relocated. A muchloved art teacher died in an accident off campus last December. Add new technologies, including iPads in the classroom, unstable economies and a changing world...it can be quite a challenge. But it is a challenge Rodgers is up to. “Change can be difficult for some, and there are several new faces on campus this year,” she said. “(However), I believe that these changes are bringing rejuvenation to campus: new energy, fresh ideas and a different perspective. It is my goal this year to build relationships on campus, to get to know the students, staff and parents. I am very much looking forward to this.” Rodgers believes in “educating the WHOLE child – that is: spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically; the most important being the spiritual. I believe my job as an educator is to empower our young women to be the best version of themselves – to grow in holiness and to change the world.” A California native, Rodgers earned her master’s degree and teaching credential from U.C. Berkeley. She earned her teaching credential from Chapman University and holds a bachelor’s degree in English a graduate of the University of La Verne in Southern Calif. Right out of college, she taught English for two years in American Samoa, then came home to California to teach at Antioch and Clayton high schools. For the last nine years, she was the assistant principal at Dublin High School. Rodgers will replace outgoing Principal Patrick O’Neill, who will take over the principal’s office at nearby St. Mary’s School in East Sacramento. He is delighted with the position, and is also pleased that St. Francis will have an outstanding new principal. “We are blessed to have her,” he said. “ Theresa is really ‘good people.’” Theresa Young married the love of her life, Robert Rodgers, on her Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Photos courtesy of St. Francis High School

Principal Theresa Rodgers and two students in leadership, Ashley Kyalwazi anvd Martina Penalosa.

40th birthday, last September. The couple honeymooned in Rome. Since her husband works in the Bay Area, the couple will relocate from Brentwood to a location that works for both of them. Rodgers didn’t know about St. Francis High until she visited the Diocese of Sacramento website to look for a job for a friend. “When I came across the principalship opening (at St. Francis), I jumped on it,” Rodgers said. “Once I got the job, I realized how many people from the Bay Area have connections to the school and how highly St. Francis is regarded.” The Catholic faith is an important part of Rodgers’ life. “It is the center of my life,” she said. In many ways, Rodgers feels that the position of principal at St. Francis High School is a divine calling. There are many signs. But one in particular got her notice. While in Italy, the newlyweds picked up souvenir tiles to give to friends upon their return. They kept one to hang in a prominent place in their home. “We were in Assisi, where Saint Francis – the actual saint – lived,” Rodgers said. “The tiles said ‘Pax et Bonum,’ which is Latin for ‘Peace and Goodness.’ When I interviewed at St. Francis (the high school), and learned the school’s motto is ‘Pax et Bonum’ … I almost got chills. So many coincidences.” Rodgers is looking forward to the new school year with joy and excitement.

“St. Francis is rich in history and tradition. I am still learning about the traditions and the myriad opportunities our school offers our students in all areas,” she said. “ There is no doubt that our girls excel in everything they do. What makes St. Francis so wonderful is the foundation of faith, which creates a unique and supportive campus community. “ This is my dream job!” she continued. “I have wanted to be a Catholic school principal for a long time and just needed the right fit. St. Francis is a perfect fit for me…The St. Francis staff has welcomed me with open arms. I had some wonderful transition time with Patrick O’Neill, outgoing principal, which was invaluable. He did an amazing job leading the school and was very gracious in sharing his knowledge and experience with me.” St. Francis High School has a standard to which each Troubadour strives: The Four Pillars. These are: Faith, Excellence, Leadership and Service. As the school moves forward, Rogers sees the first pillar, Faith, as a foundation stone as well. “I want each of our young women to understand her dignity as a child of God,” Rodgers said. “I want our young women to have a better understanding of their own unique God-given gifts and talents, through which they will change the world. I want them to have a strong, articulate understanding of the Catholic faith and to grow in their own spirituality.” www.valcomnews.com • August 15, 2013 • East Sacramento News

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Janey Way Memories

Drive-in Movies By MARTY RELLES

marty@valcomnews.com

The advent of the drive-in movie dates back to 1933, but it reached its peak of popularity in the 1950s and 60s. By that time, American culture had become much more mobile, and taking your car to the drive-in symbolized that new mobility. My first memory of going to the drive-in dates back to the late 1950s. By that time, my father had left the Sacramento Police Department’s Patrol Division and transferred to the Detective Division, so he got more weekends off. That change worked out great for our family. One summer evening, dad said, “Let’s go see a movie.” So, mom

made up a big bag of popcorn, threw some sodas in the ice chest and off we went. We drove to over to Stockton Boulevard, then headed south. As we approached Fruitridge Road, dad turned right by a tall hedge and drove into the Fruitridge Drive-in. When we reached the ticket booth, dad showed his police badge to the attendant, and she waved us on. We thought, wow, that’s cool. Into the drive-in we rolled. Dad turned into a lane with available spaces, and then parked in the middle of the lot. There, he exited the car and laid out a blanket in front of it. My brothers and I set out on the blanket to watch the film while mom and dad set in the front seat of the car. It was a blast. After that, we went to the Fruitridge Drive-in many times. I remember seeing great films like “the

East Sacramento News • August 15, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Lilies of the Field”, “Cool Hand Luke”, and “In the Heat of the Night” at the drive-in. By the time, I hit 16 years of age; I often attended drive-in movies with my friends. I remember one night, Bob Pesce drove up in his red 1960, Ford Fairlane convertible and said, “ Let’s go see Fireball 500 (a film about stock car racing) at the Starlite Drive-in. Lou Viani and I checked our wallets and said, “ We are broke.” Bob said, “ Don’t worry, I will sneak you in.” So, we hopped in Bob’s car and headed off to the Starlite. As we drove down 47th avenue to the theatre, Bob stopped and opened his trunk, and said “climb in.” Reluctantly, we got in and Bob closed the door on us. It seemed very dark and dank in that small space. I remember hearing voices as Bob paid the attendant. She must have wondered about one person going to the movie, but then we moved slowly into the theatre. Soon, Bob opened the trunk door and out we jumped. The movie was very entertaining and the price was right.

These days, the drive-in theatres have virtually all disappeared, but I fondly remember the good times I had watching movies in that setting. Nowadays, they are just another care-free Janey Way memory.

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www.valcomnews.com • August 15, 2013 • East Sacramento News

Sac State dance collective has the moves; see them perform in September Dancers have been rehearsing since mid-summer for Sac State’s “New Moves Dance Collective,” a mix of dance styles and works featuring original student choreography. Selected pieces explore a search for place, and examine emotional honesty. Directed by Lorelei Bayne, performances are Sept. 11-15 in Solano Hall’s Dancespace on campus, 6000 J St. Tickets are $5-$12, available at the Sac State Ticket office, (916) 278-4323 or www.csus.edu/sfsc/ticketoffice/ . Contact (916) 278-6368.

East Sacramento News • August 15, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Photo by Craig Koscho, Sacramento State

“New Moves Dance Collective” includes Meghann Van Vliet, left, Jeremy Garrett, Gawzong Vang, Alexander Karavay, Linda Starrie Le and Diego Campos.

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Faces and Places:

The McKinley Playground grand opening Photos by Stephen Crowley Stephen@valcomnews.com

Thank you to our wonderful community for bringing back the beloved playground to McKinley Park. It couldn’t have been done without you. Since the grand opening, held Wednesday, July 31, so many children have had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful new playground. The photos here show the children who enjoyed playing there on opening day.

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www.valcomnews.com • August 15, 2013 • East Sacramento News

From LSD to OMG, this will make you LOL By Greg Brown

greg@valcomnews.com

Nationally known political comedian Will Durst will be performing an all-new show called “BoomerRaging, from LSD to OMG” at the Sierra II Center in Curtis Park. It’s a tribute to the history, growth, achievements, joys, and the looming doom of the Baby Boom Generation in today’s youth obsessed society. One of the segments is, “Hey you punks, get off my wireless router!” The show is Friday Aug. 23, 7 p.m. at the 24th Street Theater. There will be complimentary drinks from 6 to 6:50 p.m. before the show. Tickets are $20 in advance. Tickets may be purchased securely online at humortimes.brownpapertickets.com. And $25/30 at the door. Or order over the phone at 455-1217. I spoke with Will Durst over the Internet. I was going to do the Q and A via text message but my thumbs gave out. Here’s it is: The title of your one-man show is From LSD To OMG, which made me LOL. What is the drug of choice of the Baby Boomers these days? That’s the great thing. We Baby Boomers are still doing lots of drugs- only now there’s a co- pay. Who’s attending your show? Is it all baby boomers or are the Gen X or Generation Z’s also attending? It’s just a funny, funny show. I’d say we’re getting about 80 percent Baby Boomers and 20 percent others. Including Millennials and Gen Xers, and the Greatest Generation.

What do you think next Generation should be called? Lucky. The Survivors. Enforced Mutators. Gill People. What topics are you riffing on in the show? The big 3. Sex, drugs and politics. Bunch of other stuff. Pretty inspirational. Some nostalgia. But not a soupcon of regret. In your one- man show you use an overhead projector. It’s like an old- fashioned power point presentation with jokes! Yes. That’s the point. There’s something warm and fuzzy and comforting about an overhead projector. And in perhaps too apt an analogy, 3M stopped making them last year. Cue the Jaws music. How are the Baby Boomers coping with all this modern technology? Baby Boomers are technologically limber. We are organic spores of the Space Race. Transistors, television, Tupperware, we were there for all of it. The fork with the built in calorie alarm. That was us. The only problem now, is the pace of change. Change keeps changing so changingly. You got to run twice as fast just to stay in the same place. And our knees ain’t what they used to be. What first caught my eye about your one-man show at the Sierra 2 Center was complimentary drinks. Huh? What? Oh yeah, that’s right — as much Ensure and Metamucil as you can put down.

East Sacramento News • August 15, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

See Durst page 13

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Durst

Know your neighbor: Amber Stott

Like the song says, What a drag it is getting old….what’s so funny about losing bone density? Hey, those creaks in my bones keep me alert while driving. And my knees are better at predicting the weather than the guy on TV.

By Monica stark

Continued from page 12

Tweeting or Facebooking? Yes. Indeed. You bet. Both. But it’s frustrating. Finally figure out MySpace and it’s over. “Soooo 2007.” That’s why I know Facebook is doomed. Because I’m on it. And my aunt is on it. No, no. My Aunt. What are your thoughts on former NBA star turned politician Mayor Kevin Johnson? Go KJ. Keep those Kings in the 916. Rand Paul. He’s no Ron Paul. Jerry Brown. Was governor at the age of 36. And again at 72. So we’re going to have to go through this every 36 years. He’ll be 108, just a head in a jar, but running again on the platform of “experience.” The Royal baby. Feel bad for Harry who dropped to 4th in line of succession. 3 accidents are just so much harder to arrange than 2. Of course, everybody living in the same house helps. Do you have a favorite comedian? Yes, Leonard Alfred Schneider. What publications/websites do you read to get all your topical information? Politico. NY Times. San Francisco Chronicle. ABC’s The Note. USA Today. The Examiner. The Week.

editor@valcomnews.com

Edibles everywhere! River Park resident Amber Stott exclaims as she guides me through her backyard . Once a weed patch, her yard was transformed into an edible wonderland with the help of Turf Wars a few years ago and in just a few weeks, on Saturday, Aug. 31, it will be the site of a dinner fund-raiser for her non-profit, the California Food Literacy Center. Stott is hoping with the extra dough (tickets aren’t cheap – $250 for a dinner for one) she will be able to hire a volunteer coordinator to help run CFLC. Hank Shaw of Hunter Angler Gardener Cook is a good friend of Stott and will be the master chef. He’s a James Beard Award winner, which is the highest honor in food. The price is a tax-deductible donation to CFLC. Ninety-one percent of the students they reach are on free or reduced school lunch, and the meals they make in class are often the last time they eat that day. There will be limited seating – basically whoever can fit at the bar in Stott’s backyard. “It’s just beautiful when it’s all dressed up for party,” she said. Hailing from New Jersey, the chef lives in Sacramento though he spends so much time in the woods, at the ocean “or wherever else he goes” said Stott. “He’s gone probably 4-5 days a week.” A foraging-kind of friend, Shaw gave Stott some mushrooms last week. “I have some nice ones he gave me yesterday. Some chanterrelle.. Woohooo. I’m really lucky. He’s the nicest guy in the world. So I asked him if he wouldn’t mind cooking a dinner for us and he was like: ‘Absolutely: Where do you want me to do it?’ He’s just great.”

Eager and excited about the life growing in her yard, she laughed a lot during the tour. Finger lime, lemon grass, herbs, a Meyer lemon, a pineapple guava (which came with the house), Asian pear and pluot tree, persimmon, three blueberry bushes, persimmon, three blueberries, a spineless edible cactus, two olive trees (which are getting “super tall”), a mature orange tree, gooseberries, a lime tree that produces twice a year and of course, a vegetable garden on the side of her detached garage which is chalk full of tomatoes, peppers, egg plant ,melons, herbs, lots of zucchini pretty much sums up the food there. Stott laughed when asked what doesn’t she have and said –“trust me, there’s a list.” Stott was working at a different non-profit at the time they bought their house five ago and the executive producer of Turf Wars was a volunteer there and was telling Stott about this new show she was working on and Stott eagerly said “pick me. I have this house that has a blank canvas. And she said we were the target demographic.” So they sent in a couple of pictures and sure enough the yard fit the profile. “We definitely had a need to make over the space,” she said. “Everything is growing beautifully now.” Pointing to

Photo by Monica Stark

Amber Stott in her backyard.

some non-edible flowers she motioned with her hands suggesting a teeny tiny size and said: “Those purple flowers used to be this big so yeah, it’s just wonderful how everything is coming together.” Busy with keeping up with the 60 active volunteers and working sometimes seven days a week and sometimes from the moment she wakes until the moment her head hits the pillow, Stott said the workload can “get away from me pretty fast” if “if I’m not constantly checking my email.” “I’ve pretty much dedicated my life to (the non-profit) so it comes with the territory,” she said. The nice thing for her though is that she gets to work in paradise – that is from her own home. “I can go outside

for lunch see what’s growing. I’ll just grab some tomatoes, throw them into a bowl, add some olive oil, Mozzarella and basil and call it lunch.” So Stott does a lot of that – going out to the garden, grabbing something and eating it in between everything else she has on her plate.

IF YOU GO:

What: Fund-raiser dinner for the California Food Literacy Center When: Saturday, Aug. 31 Where: At Amber’s house in River Park (you can get the address if you sign up) How to sign up: Visit californiafoodliteracy.org

What do you think of Sacramento? Love the Sacratomato. Could live there in a minute if it weren’t for a little thing you So what’s on the menu? call August. Me and triple dig“There will be zucchini, clearits- not a match- the board goes ly,” Stott said. (She has trouble back. An inveterate fog lover. eating all of it herself.) “Hank has a fun eggplant dish in mind. Where was your first onstage There’s going to be some fun experience? meats from his personal collecCan’t remember. But I do know tion. So that will be a surprise – that at the age of 5, my mother as far as the meat.” says I asked her where I could Her house painted a bright go to go to school to learn to cheery yellow is much like become a comedian. And have Stott’s cheery personality. been at it ever since. Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.valcomnews.com • August 15, 2013 • East Sacramento News

East Sacramento youth gives her prime time to local felines By Gina Lorenzo gina@valcomnews.com

Kate Neubuerger is a 13year-old East Sacramento resident who loves cats. She likes to “ be around animals” even if she has to get her hands dirty. This eighth grader at Country Day School will always schedule her volunteer work at Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary around her after school activities like karate and skiing. The cats at Happy Tails Sanctuary are either housed at the Happy Tails Adoption Center located at 6001 Folsom Blvd or in an official Happy Tails foster home. There are even a few fostered dogs available for adoption. The Center was founded in 1993 and is a nokill, nurturing environment for these cats. Some of the kitties come from the center’s feral communities where unfortunately people may leave a cat they can no longer care for but those felines can’t survive among the ferals. Happy Tails will take them in to their Catnip Gardens rehab should they need it and find an appropriate placement. There are sad stories of animal abuse but with Hap-

Kate Neubuerger

py Tail endings and families who can no longer afford to keep a pet. But even though the facility includes a comfortable space and lots of toys and beds for these cats,

East Sacramento News • August 15, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

area”. The volunteer shifts are 3 hours and there are also adoptions at PetSmart at Arden and Watt on the weekends. They don’t have a mandatory number of hours and are very flexible with schedules. Kate states “I hope to do this through high school and college and stay around here so I can still have time with cats.” When I grow up I’ll always be surrounded by cat and dogs.” When asked to give advice to other kids who may want to volunteer she says, “It’s fun but be prepared to work a little more than you think. It isn’t just playing with cats.” Happy Tails annual fundraisers include Saturday, August 31 for the 9th Annual “Painting For Paws” Art Show & Silent Auction. The artwork is created by the animals of Happy Tails; a painted paw-to-canvas medium. Plus there is original work from local artists and a silent auction. Photo courtesy There is also Fall Bake Sale to call awareness to anHappy Tails is currently at son pair had been aban- imal causes on Tuesday, Aucapacity. doned in front of the Happy gust 20, 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. There are many stories Tails building. They are so on 11th & L Street, Downabout the cats; their person- bonded that when one was town Sacramento. This will alities, backgrounds and res- adopted he reverted to his be outside the north encues. One particular father/ feral behavior until he was trance security doors into returned to Happy Tails the Capitol Building on the and was alongside his father. plaza. Donations of baked Now they need to be adopt- goods are needed. ed together. Mary Harrison who For more information about works with the junior pro- these events or how you can get gram says “ The kids are involved, including donating amazing. We are very for- items for the animals, or fostertunate to have help from ing, call Happy Tails at (916) youth. We get home- 556-1155, email purrball@ schoolers and youth after happytails.org, or visit www. school from all over the happytails.org.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

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Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.valcomnews.com • August 15, 2013 • East Sacramento News

Send your event announcement for consideration to: editor@valcomnews.com at least two weeks prior to publication.

August Rotary Club of Pocket/Greenhaven Aug. 15: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome. 7:30 a.m., every Thursday. Aviators Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. (916) 684-6854. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

View this paper online

w w w. va l c o m n e w s . c o m

Bi-Polar Anonymous Aug. 16: Free 12-step program/support group, for people who have Bi-Polar and those who love them. Meets every Friday,

COMPUTERS

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Pocket Computer Technician. I do on-site visits in the Pocket area. $45/hr. Outside the Pocket area, travel charge will apply. Problem not fixed? No pay! Free estimates/consultation. Call cell# 296-7161

Install, sand & finish hardwood flooring or refurbish your existing hardwood floors. Call Michael at (916) 383-8742. Lic#544159 Ref available

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GUITAR LESSONS Guitar Lessons Beginner to advanced $10 half hour $20 hour (916) 335-9741 Freddiebbalbert1@yahoo.com

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Kiwanis Club of East SacramentoMidtown Aug. 16: Visitors Welcome, weekly breakfast meeting on first, second and third Fridays at 7:00 AM and Dinner meeting on fourth Thursday at 6:00 PM. Topical weekly speakers and ‘first meal for visitors on us’. Meet at The Kiwanis Family House, (at UCD Med Ctr/ 50th St & Broadway) 2875 50th Street Sacramento, CA 95817. www. eastsacmidtownkiwanis.com <http://www. eastsacmidtownkiwanis.com> , Meeting/ Membership info: 916-761-0984, volunteers always welcome! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Holy Spirit Parish & Saint Vincent de Paul Society Fundraiser-Shred Event

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Saturday, October 5, 2013 9 a.m. - 12 noon in the Church Parking Lot 3159 Land Park Drive

Call 429-9901

$10.00 donation per file box Proceeds go directly toward food, clothing, furniture, emergency housing and utility assistance to individuals/families in need. Questions? Please call 922-9521 or church at 443-5442 (on-site shredding by Iron Mountain Shredding Co.)

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East Sacramento News • August 15, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Family Campout at Fairytale Town

Bi-Polar Anonymous

Aug. 16, 5:30 p.m. through Saturday, Aug. 17, 7 a.m. Spend the night at Humpty Dumpty’s house. This exciting overnight adventure includes a theater performance, arts and crafts activities, a scavenger hunt, bedtime stories and a singalong. Wake up the next morning under Fairytale Town’s canopy of trees to a light continental breakfast. Prices range from $25-$30 per person and include all activities. Member discounts are available. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Aug. 23: Free 12-step program/support group, for people who have Bi-Polar and those who love them. Meets every Friday, 78:30 p.m. 4300 Auburn Blvd., Room 106. (916) 889-5786. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Fire Station 13 Open House Aug. 17: The Sacramento Fire Department will be hosting Fire Station Open House from 2 to 4 p.m., located at 1100 43rd Ave. You are invited to bring your family and friends to visit with firefighters, take a tour of the fire station, and more! For more information, call 808-1011. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Music in Carmichael Park Aug. 18: Capitol Pops Concert Band, 50piece concert band, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Carmichael Park Band Shell 5750 Grant Ave. 485-5322. www.carmichaelpark.com. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Clubs of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael Aug. 20: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome, every Tuesday. Arden-Arcade meets at noon, Jackson Catering and Events, 1120 Fulton Ave. (916) 925-2787. Carmichael meets at 6 p.m., Palm Street Pub & Grill, 6416 Fair Oaks Blvd. www.rotary.org. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Soroptimist International of Sacramento North meeting Aug. 20: An organization for the betterment of women and children meets at the atria El Camino Gardens at 2426 Garfield, Carmichael. Call Sheila at 624-4643. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

East Sac Rotary Aug. 21: Meets at noon, Evan’s Kitchen, 855 57th St. Sacramento. www.eastsacrotary.com. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Food trucks at Carmichael Park Aug. 21: From 5 to 9 p.m., enjoy food from various food trucks at Carmichael Park, 5750 Grant Ave. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Club of Pocket/Greenhaven Aug. 22: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome. 7:30 a.m., every Thursday. Aviators Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. (916) 684-6854. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Kiwanis Club of East SacramentoMidtown Aug. 22: Visitors Welcome, weekly breakfast meeting on first, second and third Fridays at 7:00 AM and Dinner meeting on fourth Thursday at 6:00 PM. Topical weekly speakers and ‘first meal for visitors on us’. Meet at The Kiwanis Family House, (at UCD Med Ctr/ 50th St & Broadway) 2875 50th Street Sacramento, CA 95817. www. eastsacmidtownkiwanis.com <http://www. eastsacmidtownkiwanis.com> , Meeting/ Membership info: 916-761-0984, volunteers always welcome! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Gala opening reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres: Aug. 23: Art at Casa Gardens, featuring creations by David Lobenberg [acrylic watercolor landscape] and Henry Evans [botanical linocut] — from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Casa Garden Restaurant, 2760 Sutterville Road, Sacramento; 916-452-2809. Come talk with David Lobenberg and Marsha Evans. Tickets $20 each available at www.casagardenrestaurant.org –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Rotary Club of Pocket/ Greenhaven Aug. 29: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome. 7:30 a.m., every Thursday. Aviators Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. (916) 684-6854. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Humor Times presents Will Durst Aug. 23: The Humor Times presents national touring comedian and five-time Emmy nominee Will Durst, in an exclusive Sacramento engagement with his all-new show, “BoomeRaging from LSD to OMG.” The one-night-only event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Sierra II 24th Street Theatre, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento. Tickets (which include complimentary drinks), are $20 (or $25 preferred seating) in advance, or $25/$30 at the door. They may be purchased online through Brown Paper Tickets http://humortimes.brownpapertickets.com/. More info: 455-1217, info@humortimes.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Music in Carmichael Park Aug. 24: The Count, 60s-90s Classic Rock (with a little soul) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Carmichael Park Band Shell 5750 Grant Ave. 485-5322. www.carmichaelpark.com. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Jackie Greene Live at Fairytale Town Aug. 24: Gates open 6:30 p.m. Concert starts 8 p.m. Sacramento favorite Jackie Greene returns to Fairytale Town for a fifth annual benefit concert. Taking place on the park’s Mother Goose Stage, the outdoor concert supports Fairytale Town’s education programs and park improvements. Ticket prices are $35 in August. For concert rules and restrictions, please visit www.fairytaletown.org. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown. org or call (916) 808-7462. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

City of Elk Grove Multicultural Festival Aug. 24: The City of Elk Grove is again hosting the annual Multicultural Festival at Elk Grove Regional Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event is Elk Grove’s premier community-wide celebration of diversity. More than 5,000 participants are expected to attend the popular event, which features ethnic foods, entertainment, music and fashion shows representing Elk Grove’s diverse community. http://www.elkgrovecity.org/multicultural-festival/ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bi-Polar Anonymous

Join the neighbors for a good ol’ fashioned Sweat-a-thon on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Win raffle prizes, pick up some great gear, and support a great cause! Join us for a good ol’ fashioned Sweat-a-thon. Win raffle prizes, pick up some great gear, and support a great cause! For tickets, visit www.McKinleyParkCenter.org Fire Station 15 Open House Aug. 24: The Sacramento Fire Department will be hosting Fire Station Open House from 2 to 4 p.m., located at 1591 Newborough Dr. You are invited to bring your family and friends to visit with firefighters, take a tour of the fire station, and more! For more information, call 808-1011. – ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Music in Carmichael Park Aug. 25: River City Concert Band, 50piece concert band, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Carmichael Park Band Shell 5750 Grant Ave. 485-5322. www.carmichaelpark.com. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Get Your Motor Runnin’ and Support Shelter Animals! Aug. 25: TEAM (Teaching Everyone Animals Matter) and car enthusiast group EuroSunday will host the first-ever Wheels For Wags – a celebration of cool cars and even cooler Shelter animals – from 8 to 10:30 a.m., to benefit the Sacramento County Animal Shelter. This free familyfriendly and dog-friendly event will feature rare, exotic and vintage cars from around the Sacramento area. Attendees can also tour the Shelter and win prizes in a fabulous raffle, with all proceeds benefiting Shelter animals. Attendees that bring a donation of dog or cat food will receive three free raffle tickets! 3839 Bradshaw Road (between Highway 50 and Kiefer) in Sacramento. For more information on Wheels for Wags 2013, contact TEAM at 916-876-PETS,

email contact@sacanimalshelter.org, or visit www.sacanimalshelter.org, or check out EuroSunday at EuroSunday.net or Facebook. com/EuroSunday. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Clubs of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael Aug. 27: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome, every Tuesday. Arden-Arcade meets at noon, Jackson Catering and Events, 1120 Fulton Ave. (916) 9252787. Carmichael meets at 6 p.m., Palm Street Pub & Grill, 6416 Fair Oaks Blvd. www.rotary.org. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

East Sac Rotary Aug. 28: Meets at 6 p.m., Evan’s Kitchen, 855 57th St. Sacramento. www.eastsacrotary.com. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Aug. 30: Free 12-step program/support group, for people who have Bi-Polar and those who love them. Meets every Friday, 7-8:30 p.m. 4300 Auburn Blvd., Room 106. (916) 889-5786. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Kiwanis Club of East SacramentoMidtown Aug. 30: Visitors Welcome, weekly breakfast meeting on first, second and third Fridays at 7:00 AM and Dinner meeting on fourth Thursday at 6:00 PM. Topical weekly speakers and ‘first meal for visitors on us’. Meet at The Kiwanis Family House, (at UCD Med Ctr/ 50th St & Broadway) 2875 50th Street Sacramento, CA 95817. www. eastsacmidtownkiwanis.com <http://www. eastsacmidtownkiwanis.com> , Meeting/ Membership info: 916-761-0984, volunteers always welcome! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

50th annual Sacramento Greek Festival Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1: Food, dancing, cooking workshops and more at the Sacramento Convention Center. Festival hours: Friday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31: noon to 11 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 1: noon to 10 p.m. General admission 12 and up: $5. Children under 12 are free. Free admission on Friday Aug. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a complete listing of events, visit: http://www.annunciation.ca.goarch. org/?q=content/greek-festival-program ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL

••Art & Crafts

Vendors

••Sidewalk Chalk Art

30 Musical Acts

••

••Beer Garden ••Food

Trucks

A CH

C FESTIVAL ALK ART AN D MAUR TSSI E D U C A T I O N

A BEN EFIT FOR CHILDRENS

CHALKITUP.ORG www.valcomnews.com • August 15, 2013 • East Sacramento News

The future of Sutter’s Landing:

Open space, solar park, BMX park, or McKinley Village thoroughfare

The dog park at Sutter’s Landing.

Overlooking the old city dump.

By Monica Stark

Editor@valcomnews.com

Sutter’s Landing is at an important crossroad and visions for its future are aplenty. There are the environmentalists and nature lovers who want it preserved as open space with a nature-centered park. There are BMX-ers who would love to see the old landfill a 5-acre BMX track. Ideas of soccer fields and solar panels have been thrown around. And most recently, the Sacramento Bee reported that Caltrans is looking to either Sutter’s Landing or McKinley Village sites as possible places for developing a new railyard and maintenance facility. But how can all or some of these visions be combined and shared? How can the community work together to come up with a shared vision? Community meetings have been held, one recently at the skatepark on Wednesday, June 19, where about 200 concerned citizens who are interested in helping set the direction for future park development gathered to discuss their vision. Rather than placing solar panels atop the old landfill, some people have recommended increasing the amount of shade in the dog park and picnic areas by moving additional solar panels there instead. Late last year, the city received a $1.5 million grant by the California Natural Resources Agency, which is meant to be used to improve Sutter’s Landing Park. Sacramento was likely chosen because of the site’s historical significance and the wide community support for one of the City’s most valuable amenities. Councilmember Steve Cohn stated then that they were successful landing this grant “because the community spoke with one voice on the need to restore the natural river habitat at this unique location.” Specifically, the money will be used to extend the multi-use Two Rivers Trail three-quarters of one mile from the Park east to the Union Pacific mainline tracks next to the Business 80 highway. (Currently, the City’s Two Rivers Trail starts at Tiscornia Park and ends at State Route 160, a total of two miles.) At the end of the trail, there will be a turnaround loop with interpretive panels and seating. The City expects a future phase will connect the trail from the railroad tracks to CSU-Sacramento. The project will restore more than three acres on the banks of the American River with native understory vegetation, and provide interpretive signage. The project will serve as an historic gateway to the 31.5-mile American River Parkway, which sees about eight million visitors per year. According to a 2006 survey commissioned by the City, local residents have strong opinions about how 18

American River – (File photo) All other photos by Monica Stark

Sutter’s Landing sign welcomes visitors to the beautiful park.

the future park and recreation properties should be developed. Top priority included “large habitat areas for walking and hiking, where interpretive and educational programs can take place; 71 percent of the community at-large and 68 percent of registered voters selected that as their number one priority. “Second priority is to develop parkways and areas along the American Riverbank that can accommodate large groups of people, picnics, and family-oriented attractions; 66% of the community-at-large and 74 percent of registered voters. “Third priority is to construct amateur sports complexes for all ages that would make possible regional, statewide, and perhaps national events, such as state play-offs in soccer, baseball, etc.” To the Friends of the River Banks, Sutter’s Landing is the only place where Sacramento has the opportunity to preserve such natural beauty in the heart of the city. “It could be an exciting regional nature park, the Gateway to the American River, with gathering places, trails for hiking and biking, canoe/kayak launch, amphitheater, nature center, and much more,” wrote Laurie Litman in an email to members of the group. “Future generations will thank us,” she said. To FORB, soccer fields and solar panels can be placed anywhere but this special riparian habitat along the American River, home to all manner of wildlife, cannot be re-created. The fact that Sutter’s Landing was a landfill will put constraints on the site, but landfills have been converted to nature preserves in other places and FORB urges the city to explore new technology and innovative, creative techniques to do that here. According to the group’s website, www.friendsoftheriverbanks.org, they have been collecting information on species found around the Sutter’s

East Sacramento News • August 15, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Landing area for five years. At least 102 species of wildlife, not counting all the amazing invertebrates (including insects) have been documented there. This includes 81 species of birds, 15 mammals, 6 reptiles, and 3 amphibian species. To avid BMXers group, having a 5-acre BMX track atop the old dump is something that will provide youth to enjoy. As Bob Horowitz encouraged the city: “Please do what you can to accommodate the pump track (a modified BMX style dirt track). The city needs more healthy activity for local youth. A pump track is a perfect fit for Sutter’s Landing.” Upon agreeing with the need for more activities for youth to do, River Park resident David Moffatt noted how Sacramento has a very healthy and active cycling community. “If done properly, this area (Sector 12) could be a regional destination … Developing for use by bikes will help take pressure off of the bike trail and offer a healthy alternative to young people looking to express themselves in an individual manner.” Moffatt also criticized the possibility of solar panels going up if they will impact the said “I’d like to go on record by stating I am concerned that the proposed ‘photovoltaic park’ does not constitute what one might consider to be defined as the intended use of a park or open space. I’d like some clarity on how this designation ‘photovoltaic park’ falls into the category of a park.” Litman said it’s not that the group is anti-BMX. “It’s that our concern about a BMX track is that, like we’ve seen with the dog park, once people are in the vicinity they don’t stay at the facility but come down to the river and off-road bikes are already causing a lot of damage to the river habitat. We just think there needs to be an overall vision that protects the natural resources and the amenities at the park should be appropriate to that vision.” Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Scholarships available through Sacramento Pioneer Association By LANCEARMSTRONG lance@valcomnews.com

The Sacramento Pioneer Association – a 159-yearold organization that was founded by early prominent Sacramentans such as Gov. John Bigler, C.P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins, August Heilbron, B.F. Hastings and Dr. John Frederick Morse – is presently offering history themed scholarships for high school students. During an interview with this publication last week, River Park resident Monica Pope, the association’s president, shared details regarding the organization’s scholarship opportunities. “About 10 years ago, we began presenting scholarships to high school students who were passionate about the history of our region,” Pope said. “These scholarships are available once a year and are awarded at our annual pioneer dinner every March.” Pope added that the scholarship review committee looks for the students’ degree of commitment and personal growth as a result of volunteering, and authenticity in the interest of the volunteer endeavor. The scholarships are available to junior and senior students in high schools in the Greater Sacramento area who have volunteered at museums that promote the history of Sacramento and surrounding regions. These scholarships, which are in the amount of $500 each, are designed to be used for the recipients’ future historical education pursuits. Pope said that the association is eager to spread the word about the scholarships, so more students have the opportunity to compete for these scholarships. Since the establishment of the association’s scholarship program, about 20 area students have been awarded scholarships, and no more than two scholarships have been presented in a single year. The most recent recipients of the award were Sacramentans Amanda Wong and Marie Milan. Wong, who volunteered as a historical interpreter at the 2011 Gold Rush Days Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

in Old Sacramento and became a docent at the California State Railroad Museum in 2012, was inspired by her grandfather to study California history. In her pioneer scholarship essay, Wong, in regard to a positive history research related experience with her grandfather, wrote: “We had never bonded until our shared love for American history was revealed. One night, I was preparing for a presentation on the Chinese influence on the Gold Rush when my grandfather arrived. As I explained to him my activities, he surprised me with his prior knowledge. It surpassed mine completely. We begun (sic) to talk and debate our interpretations and realized that we shared very similar passions. After that, the similarities began to pile up. We found that while I was the editor in chief of my high school newspaper, he had been the editor of his college campus newspaper. Where I loved to study the impact of women on history, he loved to study the impact of the Chinese. In each other, we found kindred spirits.” In expressing her appreciation for her time as a docent, Wong wrote: “Since I have begun volunteering with the California State Rail Road (sic) Museum, I have learned to be confident in my words. This is something that will help me in the future. I plan to go into law, where I will be called to speak before others.” In her own essay, Milan, who served as a Sacramento History Museum volunteer, also shared details regarding her history related experiences. Milan explained how the museum introduced her to segments of Sacramento history that she had not previously learned during her historical studies. “Seeing the different pictures, letters and objects that surrounded me (at the museum) and represented a moment in time of Sacramento’s history, I realized I had no idea about what role (Sacramento) had in the making of California,” she wrote. Milan made references to the importance of Sutter’s Fort and the Gold Rush in

California’s history, and their significance in Sacramento’s history.And she also explained that her experiences at the museum and working with the tour guides of the underground tours section of the museum led to a memorable moment during an underground tour. During that particular tour, she interacting with a couple who required additional assistance to enhance their tour experience. Regarding that moment, Milan wrote: “After having been in the museum for about six months, I was glad that I had learned so much, because that day I found out that I now truly knew my Sacramento history. As the tour went on, I told them little stories and things that I thought were most interesting, and I remember how astonished they were to find out that when the big ark storm hit in 1862, there was an inland sea that stretched almost 300 miles. That experience of being able to retell the history of Sacramento to another made me feel proud and suc-

cessful for having shown this other side of Sacramento to someone else.” In concluding her essay, Milan wrote: “I am grateful to the museum and the people there that encouraged me, because without them I wouldn’t have been able to acquire these qualities that help me in the field of engineering for which revolves around team work. Being able to talk to others and stand my ground on decisions are all things that I learned at the museum and are things that will carry on with me throughout my life.” Essays such as the ones written by Wong and Milan are part of the requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be considered a candidate for the association’s scholarships. All applicants must write a 500 to 1,000-word essay describing an enriching experience while volunteering for a historical organization in Sacramento. The essay must also include details regarding skills they learned during their volunteering experienc-

es that relate to their future education and career. Each nominee must also fill out a form that describes their interest in the cultural or natural history of the Sacramento area. Additionally, applicants must provide one letter of recommendation from the nominator volunteer director/coordinator. To be considered a candidate for a Sacramento Pioneer Association student volunteer history scholarship, students must fulfill the requirements for the award and submit their essay and a completed application form to the association by Dec. 10. The scholarship winners, who will be selected by a review group committee designated by the association, will be presented their scholarship awards during the association’s annual dinner at the Sutter Club at 1220 9th St. on March 13, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. To obtain a scholarship application, write to lynco614@ aol.com or call Lynda Otto at (916) 447-7411.

SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS games are fun for the entire family!

Don’t miss these fun family events: Toyota Family Value Tuesday Enjoy $1 hot dogs & desserts, yum! Free Parking Wednesday presented by Jiffy Lube Mom & dad will love Free Parking! Fireworks Friday Fireworks are now on Friday nights too! Sutter Health Fireworks Saturday Fireworks light up the Sacramento Skyline! U.S. Bank Sunday Funday Enjoy kids run the bases & player autographs plus face painters and balloon artists!

Buy tickets today at rivercats.com or by calling 800.745.3000 www.valcomnews.com • August 15, 2013 • East Sacramento News

REMODELED FABULOUS 40S

STEPS FROM THE PARK

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Move-in ready 3 bedroom home just waiting for new owners! Great floor plan, light and bright with new paint and lots of windows. Entertain in the huge backyard that includes a newer patio cover, a beautiful fig tree & plenty of space for a garden full of vegetables! Central heat and air, and whole house fan too! $189,900

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