The Pocket News

T h e P o c k e t Ne w s since 1991

October 3, 2013

Community News in Your Hands

www.valcomnews.com

A dynamo Pocket couple

Kings VP gives wife a gift of a lifetime See page 7

In the Pocket................................................6 School News............................................7 Local history feature.................................9 Faces and Places........................................ 14 Calendar..................................................... 24

Pocket resident shares life stories See page 9

Faces and Places: Sonshine Festival See page 14

Got News? e-mail editor@valcomnews.com

The Pocket News w w w. va l c o m n e w s . c o m

Pocket News is published on the first and third Thursdays of the month and delivered by mail and home delivery in the area bounded by Interstate 5 on the east and the Sacramento River on the north, west, and south.

Publisher.................................................................................George Macko General Manager.................................................................... Kathleen Egan Editor.......................................................................................Monica Stark Art Director.................................................................................John Ochoa Graphic Designer........................................................................Ryan Wunn Advertising Executives.................................................................Linda Pohl

Patty Colmer, Melissa Andrews, Jen Henry Distribution/Subscriptions.....................................................George Macko

Vol. XXII • No. 19 2709 Riverside Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95818 t: (916) 429-9901 f: (916) 429-9906 Cover photo by: Courtesy Other photos by: Courtesy Linda Pohl

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

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

DWR takes a no-position stance on parkway Dear Editor:

(Re: “Levee maintenance supervisor”, August 9, 2013; Friends of the Sacramento River Parkway letter-to-editor, September 9, 2013) The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) does not have a position about the proposed Sacramento River Parkway. However, DWR does have a position about the Sacramento River levees. We want them to function as well as possible.

As the agency responsible for maintaining the Sacramento River levees in the Pocket Area, DWR’s primary concern is the integrity and safety of the levees, especially during periods of high river stage.

Fences and other man-made intrusions on the levees may hinder levee performance and make it difficult for regular inspections and maintenance to occur. As Mr. Williams noted, residents are encouraged to observe the condition of the levees, and to contact DWR if problems are noted.

The Central Valley Flood Protection Board is responsible for issuing and enforcing permits for structures on the levees, and is the appropriate agency to contact with questions about intrusions.

Noel Lerner, Chief DWR Flood Maintenance Office

Got News? e-mail editor@valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

Celebrating the works of Edgar Allan Poe, library fundraiser to be held Oct. 25 The Friends of the Sacramento Public Library present their third annual “One Book Sacramento dinner” on Friday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be a no-host bar, which opens at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $30; children are $10. Dress as your favorite Poe character. The event will be held at the Elk’s Lodge, No. 6, 6446 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento 95831.

Menu selections include: “Prince Prospero” spiral meatloaf, “Annabelle Lee” chicken, “Fortunato” vegetable lasagna, “The Tell-Tale Heart” of lettuce, “Rue Morgue” roasted potatoes, “The Raven” corn maque choux, “Bon-Bon” cake, “The Pizza and the Pendulum Kid’s Meal”.

For more information, call Kathi Windheim at 392-0101 or email zaw2000@msn.com

THE KIDS ARE BACK TO SCHOOL...

It’s time to do something for you.

Lose weight and feel great. Lose 10% of your body weight - or more - with the Lean for Life program. The 10 week program is offered exclusively at our Sutter Express Care clinics inside Rite Aid in Natomas and Greenhaven.

Sign up Today! Lean for Life is part of the new Sutter Weight Management Institute.

Natomas: 2751 Del Paso Road Greenhaven: 980 Florin Road sutterexpresscare.org Lean for Life is a registered trademark of Lindora, LLC.

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Pocket youth and cancer survivor makes a difference

By Gina Lorenzo

At the age of eight, Lauren Burns was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of childhood bone cancer. Years earlier, the first sign was her purple toe which left doctors unsure and Lauren’s condition not identified properly. Eventually Lauren and her family sought help from UC Davis Medical Center where it was diagnosed within a few weeks. By this time it had metastasized to her lungs. From age eight to nine Lauren endured radiation and chemotherapy. Now at the age of 16 she only needs a yearly follow up. Her father Gary Burns explains, “She received 14 treatments of chemotherapy which were three to five days each. Then we’d have to keep her home until she was ready for school and then prepare for another treatment. But the care was great.

They saved her life.”

As a thriving survivor, Lauren is giving back because of all that UC Davis did for her.

When she decided to get involved she simply conducted a Google search on childhood cancer volunteer opportunities and then contacted the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Advisory Board.

Now Lauren attends meetings regularly.

The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Advisory Board (AYA) aims to develop and implement innovative educational programs to meet the needs of adolescent and young adult cancer patients ages 18-35. It also

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

strives to help survivors and assist cancer patients and their families throughout the treatment process by creating support programs suitable for the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. The board works to increase awareness of available resources, services and programs by conducting outreach to middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities and under-represented groups in the community.

Marcie Ellis, a member of the AYA Board and program coordinator for UC Davis Medical Center is excited about where this committee is heading. “This is unique and groundbreaking. There is such a need for this committee because many young adults may not have health insurance or other resources.

This includes the peer navigator program where survivors accompany people who are going through their journey, coping skills, resources or just talking. Having someone like Lauren is invaluable. We need to understand her perspective and needs. She helps us target our program and meet the needs of the population.”

When this West Campus High School student speaks about her future, Lauren emphasizes that this experience “has motivated me to do well in school.” She indicates that the health field is one of her interests and college is definitely in her future. What’s her advice to other youth who may want to get involved? “It’s extremely rewarding. You get to see how your actions impact other people. Do something beyond yourself.”

The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is recruiting new members for its Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Advisory Board. The Advisory Board works to address the unique needs of youths living with cancer or those impacted by a loved one with cancer. The AYA Board is seeking cancer survivors who were diagnosed between the ages of 15-39, those impacted by cancer when this age or those who work with this age group.

For more information, contact Marcie Ellis at marcie. ellis@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu or 916-734-5786.

Lauren Burns.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

In the Pocket

and she proceeded to get in a vehicle and speed in one of the group’s direction. It just

By Shane Singh Sacramento police say.

One so happened that people in shane@valcomnews.com recent night in the parking that group were armed with lot near the boat launch at firearms and started firing.

SHOTS Garcia Bend, more than 30 That led to a chain reaction F I R E D : shots were fired after an ar- as most people who were Long-time gument broke out among a armed started firing as they Pocket rescrowd of nearly 100 people. fled the park.” Captain Schidents rePolice Captain Neil Sch- neider said two guns were m e m neider explained, “ There recovered and two people ber when was a party at the park to arrested. No injuries, but a the biggest remember a deceased gang house next to the park was problem authorities faced member. More people than damaged by a stray bullet... at Garcia Bend was cars expected showed up and –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– parked in spaces reserved some did not like each othCLOSE SHAVE: Brian for boat trailers. Things er. One subject hit a female “The Barber” Wong has rehave become a bit dicier, who was highly intoxicated located from the Lakecrest Center to the TNT Salon at the Riverlake Center (Greenhaven and Pocket).

Brian grew up in the neighborhood and graduated from Kennedy High School. He

hopes to capitalize on the new Starbucks that is opening at Riverlake. He notes, “I chose to change my business hours to see if there are people that will get haircuts and shaves at 7 a.m.” When asked about how many straight razor shaves, “I’ve been getting about three shaves a week.” Shaves are a relative rarity not because local men are growing more beards, but because the person who wields the razor requires a special license in California...

come a partner in the Kings’ ownership group. Shaq still has his King-sized ego, proclaiming, “The new name of the town is Shaqramento - the capital of California.”

He also predicted Sacramento would have the “best arena in the world,” with customer services from tickets to concessions accessible via cell phone. That’s not necessarily good news for PocketGreenhaven librarian Brendle Wells, a stubborn holdout who still refuses to carry a cell phone. Maybe Shaq can –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– hire a telegraph operator for S H A Q R A M E N T O ? : Brendle...

There was time when one of –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– the most despised visitors GYM-VERSARY: Speakto our region was Shaquille ing of basketball, our local O’Neal of the Los Angeles gem of a community gym Lakers. Now it’s all hugs and will be celebrating its 10th kisses for Shaq, who has be- anniversary October 12 at 3:30 p.m. Local celebrities and community leaders are expected to take the floor at Didion School. We are not expecting any backboards to be shattered...

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

POE-DINNER: The Friends of the Sacramento Public Library will host their annual One Book Sacramento Dinner at Elks Lodge No. 6 in the Pocket October 25 at 7 p.m. The works of Edgar Allan Poe are being celebrated in honor of the new book, “The Slender Poe Anthology,” from the library’s I Street Press. This “interactive” dinner costs $30 for Adults, $10 Children and features representatives from all 30 library branches. The event will feature a silent book auction, student actors, table quiz, regional dignitaries, unique Poe themed centerpieces and prizes! RSVP by calling 392-0101. Sounds Poe-fect!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Didion School gears up for fall festival and celebrates 10 years of having a gym

By Monica Stark

editor@valcomnews.com

This year’s fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Genevieve Didion K-8 School will be quite special as it will be the 10th anniversary of the construction of the gym, which brought back many memories of the fundraising efforts that have made it such a part of the Pocket community.

At the Oct. 12 celebration, there will be a basketball game with members from the community that will play a game against the current team. Mayor Kevin Johnson will be autographing the ball, and of course, the school mascot, Fireball, a big dragon, will be rallying the masses (perhaps with the help of cheerleaders keeping him upright).

The annual community event will have the usual mouth-watering foods from around the globe as well as family-friendly music, games for all ages, prizes, big-ticket raffle items and more. Proceeds benefit programming for the neighborhood school.

A joint-use facility between the school district and the city, the gym is home to girls’ and boys’ basketball, volleyball, cheerleading practice, four performances, Friday night table-tennis games, and it is large enough to hold 720 people, which makes it useful for graduations, school-wide rallies and other special events.

While PE teacher Mike Carras was lucky enough to have started teaching at the school the first year the gym was open, he remembers stories from those before him.

“During basketball season, they had to play at different sites and another gym would have to share with us. Anytime there was a winter per-

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

formance, they had to do it outside (even if it rained).”

“It feels like yesterday I was walking through the brand new gym … We have everything here. We are able to do a wide array of activities. We have won quite a few championships with the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams and we host other schools like nearby MLK (which doesn’t have a gym).”

Pocket resident “Kathi (Windheim) -- she spearheaded whole effort. She worked with a group seven to 10 people and got so much money donated. She’s the one … she took the lead on everything.

She has so much energy. She’s a sweetheart. She continues to do a lot for the community.”

When the gym was built, Windheim’s son Zack was in eighth grade and that was the first year the boys’ basketball team won the championship. “They pulled 18 and 0,” recalls Carras.

When Zack was in fourth grade, there was a group of parents (which included his mother) that decided the school needed another facility, recalled Windheim. Some thought a library would be a good idea, others a gym, but Didion became a middle school in late 70s and with Physical Education as a mandatory class, the case was made for the construction of a gym.

But lack of funds was a serious issue, so fundraising efforts were nonstop for four years.

Windheim recalls having restaurants that were connected to the Didion community, such as the now closed El Chico on Freeport, do fundraisers.

“We sold 500 dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Kids collected cans.” The Didion community raised $300,000 in cash and the rest was raised

with in-kind donations and state funded grants public school construction grants.

And with funds from the Capital Improvement Program, they took home $1 million.

“Looking back would be crazy to try that again,” Windheim said.

Carras said the effort of the gym’s construction is a valuable teaching lesson every year.

“By telling the kids the history, the kids have a sense ownership and pride,” Carras said.

If you go: What: Didion’s Fall Festival When: Oct. 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Didion School, 6490 Harmon Dr. For more information: http://didion.scusd.edu/

Photo courtesy of Didion school

Community members at the dedication of the Didion gym 10 years ago.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

Your trees could be animal food!

Every day the Sacramento Zoo feeds out pounds and pounds and bushels and bushels of browse. What’s browse?

Non-toxic branches and leaves from specific species of trees and shrubs.

This allows us to feed many of our critters - including the giraffes, bongos, chimps, lemurs and many birds - food that is exactly like what they would consume in the wild. They enjoy nibbling leaves, stripping bark, and chewing on stems to keep their brains busy and bellies full. It combines their favorite food with activities that they would naturally perform.

How can you help? Many of neighbors trim their delicious trees on a regular basis and leave the piles for curb-side collection. But, if your tree is on the list below, the Zoo can collect branches from your home – or even better, you can deliver to the Zoo! The Zoo will feed them out to the animals, rather than sending them to a landfill.

If you have a tree or shrub on the list below and will be trimming it soon,

your ad should be here!

Call Melissa today!

Your services are needed.

Your ad should be here.

Ad design is free.

Call 429-9901

contact us by email. You can also visit the browse webpage for a detailed FAQ section.

Edible Tree List Acacia, Camelia, Cottonwood, Grapevine, Ash, Catalpa, Mimosa, Sawleaf, Bottle Brush, Bamboo, Mulberry, Willow, Sycamore, Hackberry, Liquid Amber, Sweet gum, Photinia, Xylosma, Birch, Elm, Pear, Tulip, Magnolia, Citrus, Orange & Lemon, Japanese Maple, Crape Myrtle

Some quick tips: The Zoo is looking for whole branches that have not been sprayed with any kind of pesticide. They must be fresh with the leaves still on. They would prefer it to be delivered, but please contact us ahead of time to make arrangements. If you live close to the Zoo, a pickup might be able to be arranged. Any other questions, just email browse@saczoo.org.

document prep services

help at home

LIVING TRUST/LIVING WILL

HELP AT HOME Senior Care

Legal Document Prep Services: • Trust • Will • Powers of Attorney • Residential Deed Couples $495 Singles $450 Lynda K. Knight (916) 214-1215 1337 Howe Ave., Ste. 103 Sacto 95825

Caring, In-Home Assistance & Companionship

• Light housekeeping • Meal preparation • Med reminders • Errands • Dementia care • Bathing & Much More For no-cost/in-home assessment, call

877- 404-6636

long term care

legal services

in-home health care

loving companions

CARE FIRST

Have Long Term Care Questions?

Call us today to get answers.

We offer a service to help you navigate through Long Term Care.

• In Home Care • Nursing Care • Assisted Living • Retirement Communities

Call Hannah Klein (916) 476-7277

www.CareFirstResources.com ~Always a free service!

real estate services

seniors downsizing services

special alzheimer’s living

your ad should be here!

Call Melissa today!

Day Club, Respite, Residential, Support Groups & Educational Classes cas@primrosealz.com www.primrosealz.com

(916) 392-3510

7707 Rush River Dr. Sacto, CA 95831

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Your services are needed.

Your ad should be here.

Ad design is free.

Call 429-9901 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

F. Lagomarsino & Sons was renowned Sacramento business

By LANCE ARMSTRONG Lance@valcomnews.com

Note: This is part two of a two-part series related to Pocket area resident Bart Lagomarsino and his family.

Pocket area resident Bart Lagomarsino, who was featured in the previous edition of this publication, certainly has a notable connection to early Sacramento history. And Bart’s most well-known relative was his great-uncle, Felice Lagomarsino (1854-1932).

Many longtime Sacramentans recall the seed growers and dealers business, F. Lagomarsino & Sons, which was founded by Felice and his sons, Andrew, Fred, John, Louis and Peter.

Felice immigrated to the United States from the village of Lagomarsino, near Genoa, Italy. The 1900 and 1910 U.S. Census recorded his immigration year as 1872.

Sacramento resident Sarah Lagomarsino, Bart’s second cousin and a granddaughter of Felice, spoke about Felice’s early employment years in the United States.

“My grandfather was in the United States by the early 1870s,” Sarah said. “As the story goes, he worked his way westward to Sacramento on the railroad, and then joined other Italian immigrants working in produce and providing fruits and vegetables for residents of Sacramento and beyond.”

On July 20, 1886, Felice and his adopted brother, Bartolomeo, who eventually became Bart’s grandfather and Sarah’s great-uncle, were granted American citizenship upon the testimonies of local vegetable dealer Gustavo Deluchi and local boot maker Antonio Sbarbaro.

The earliest city directory to mention Felice was the 1889-90 directory, which noted that he was working as a vegetable gardener in an area that was then four miles east of city limits.

Sarah said that her grandfather had a famous Italian friend.

“A.P. Gianini (who founded the Bank of Italy in October 1904) was a frequent visitor of my grandfather, Felice, at his ranch in East Sacramento in the 1890s,” Sarah said. “(A.P.) was fond of the cooking of (Felice’s wife) Louisa. She often made vegetable soup, homemade cheese made out of cow’s milk, home-raised chicken and bread baked in an outdoor, brick oven. The free-standing oven was still there when I was there in (the 1940s). It stood on the west side of the large backyard on the ranch and was about 5 feet tall.”

Additionally, Sarah speculated that her grandmother most likely made outstanding pastas and sauces.

A branch of the Bank of Italy (renamed Bank of America in 1928) was established in Sacramento at 1112 7th Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

St. in about 1922, and Felice was an original board member of that branch.

Felice was mentioned in the Aug. 20, 1899 edition of The Sacramento Union as having been involved in a then-recent real estate transaction.

This reference reads: “Jacob Olsen to Felice Lagomarsino – 36 acres east of city; $4,500.”

In addition to the Lagomarsino family, the 1910 U.S. Census recognizes three hired workers as residing on the family’s property.

These men were Louis Ferrera, a native of Italy, Andrew Ferrera, a New York native of Italian descent, and Abel Pizzolato, a native of Italy.

By 1917, Fred Lagomarsino had partnered with Harry Benson to operate the Benson-Lagomarsino Seed Co. at 304 J St. The site is now occupied by a Holiday Inn hotel.

It has been recognized in many writings that it was also in 1917 that the aforementioned business, F. Lagomarsino & Sons, was founded.

The 1917 city directory refers to Felice as a farmer residing at 4605 H St., and F. Lagomarsino & Sons was listed in a city directory for the first time in 1918. The business was noted in the latter directory to have been in operation at 302 J St. The establishment of F. Lagomarsino & Sons could have been connected with the fact that Fred had registered for the draft during World War I on June 5, 1917.

F. Lagomarsino & Sons, which had nurseries at 54th and D streets, in the vicinity of today’s Lagomarsino Way, relocated its store to 712 J St. in 1925.

The business, according to a 1928 advertisement, offered “vegetable, flower and field seeds, vegetable and flower plants, flowering bulbs, ornamental plants and climbing vines, roses, all varieties of fruit (trees).”

The advertisement also includes the logo for the business’s trademarked Lago brand.

Lago seeds were sold internationally to customers in such places as Germany, Holland, Japan, India and New Zealand.

A sad moment in the Lagomarsino family’s history occurred on April 10, 1932 with the death of the then-78year-old Felice.

In December 1936, the company’s 712 J St. store was destroyed by fire.

The business occupied temporary quarters at the former Columbia Market site at 727 J St. until the Lagomarsinos could open their new store at 721-723 J St. The latter, much larger store was formally opened on June 28, 1937.

During the same year, F. Lagomarsino & Sons advertised that it sold ladino clover, alfalfa, Sudan grass and other varieties of grasses and clovers.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Lagomarsino

Members of the Lagomarsino family are shown on the Lagomarsino ranch in this c. 1925 photograph.

Pictured, left to right, are: Louis, Andrew, Felice, John, Louisa, Peter and Fred.

The business also advertised, at that time, that it purchased “alfalfa, Sudan, sour clover burs, etc.”

F. Lagomarsino & Sons once again relocated its store in 1947, as it began operating in a structure on the east side of Alhambra Boulevard, between L Street and Folsom Boulevard.

In remembering the Alhambra Boulevard store, Sarah said, “It was a nice store. It was sort of a prototype to today’s modern nursery stores, with garden equipment and other items. They even had dog biscuits and pet supplies.”

A 1947 F. Lagomarsino & Sons advertisement includes a World War II era reference to victory gardens, which are defined by the Random House Dictionary as follows: “A vegetable garden, especially a home garden, cultivated to increase food production during a war period of shortages.”

The reference reads: “We sow the fertile soils of the Sacramento Valley to bring you plump, bright seed for your victory garden.”

A notable F. Lagomarsino & Sons employee during the 1940s was its bookkeeper Helen Stafford, whose employment resume also included working as a presser at Hidde P. Weirdsma’s clothing cleaners at 2417 Broadway, a bookkeeper at Klein Reality Service at 807 J St. and an office secretary for the Westmore Construction Co. at 1906 Capitol Ave. Two other F. Lagomarsino & Sons employees were drivers Leo Folena and Johnny Stefani.

Lagomarsino Seeds, Inc., which incorporated on Aug. 1, 1958, replaced F. Lagomarsino & Sons and operated at the old Alhambra Boulevard site until 1973, when it relocated to 5116 Folsom Blvd.

Earl Lagomarsino, who was Felice’s oldest grandchild and his only grandchild to have been born early enough

Photo courtesy of the Lance Armstrong Collection

This c. 1940 Lago brand seed packet once contained marigold seeds offered by F. Lagomarsino & Sons.

to remember him, was the president of Lagomarsino Seeds, Inc. The company’s vice president was Augustino T. “Gus” Garibaldi (19181993) and its secretary was Jack V. Garibaldi (1915-1989).

The now defunct Lagomarsino Seeds, Inc. last operated at 5675-A Power Inn Road, where it had been relocated to in the mid-1980s.

Gus Garibaldi, who was a native of Yolo County, a graduate of Woodland High School and a member of Elks Lodge, No. 6, began his many years of working for F. Lagomarsino & Sons as a sales clerk in about 1946, and by 1947, he was working as the store’s manager.

In Gus Garibaldi’s obituary in The Sacramento Bee, it was noted that he retired and closed Lagomarsino Seeds, Inc. in about 1991.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

30 years in the making Chinese food at its best

By Monica Stark

editor@valcomnews.com

Photos by Bob Fong

Don Lee knows that just about everything at the 30th annual Chinese Food Festival will be cooked from recipes from the “old family culture”. Through the 30 years he has been serving up fried rice and chow mein, he has known grandmothers and great-grandmothers who have passed on their secrets with love. “It’s not the fast food type food; this is what you call home-cooking,” Lee says, as he’s preparing pot stickers in advance for the big day, held this year on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

From pot stickers, curry chicken, baked goods, chow mein, and fried rice to the main focus — barbecue chicken with a Hoisin-based Chinese marinade — much of the food every year for the last 30 years has been made hot on the spot. Lee said they serve up about 300 pounds of noodles and 200 pounds of rice each year.

Lee, whose wife Joey is the event coordinator, said festival preparations really hit home. A man with a good sense of humor, he said: “If I don’t cook, I don’t have a roof over my head. (My wife) is really involved in the festival.”

Parishner Maybelle Whang has been involved with the food festival since the beginning and said besides moving the event from the summer to October and holding it on just one day instead of two, not much has changed. “We are well known for the food. We don’t dare change the food,” she says. “We’re well known for the barbecue chicken. We’re told it’s the best in town.

And our chow mein – we use a secret marinade.” She said the aroma lifts through the air and permeates through out the neighborhood.

Though most of the food is made day-of, some of it is made ahead with the help of hundreds of volunteers making pot stickers. “It’s like a dumpling- take meat and mix it … It’s a little hard but not that hard to learn. We have hundreds of volunteers,” Lee said. Lumpias are also made days in advance and heated as needed. They used to make egg rolls, but they became a little soggy and Lumpias, though Filipino, hold up a little better, Lee said.

Lee said that while he does recruit volunteers to help with the cooking, he is hopeful they will learn secrets that can be passed to future generations. “I’m teaching younger kids my secrets. Both my daughters are great cooks,” Lee said.

Besides the food, the entertainment is not to be missed.

There will be a ukulele band and a hula dancing group (both of which are from the Church). Whang has been hula dancing for 10 years and got her first try at the festival. “They needed entertainment, so we learned there,” she said. “Shirley Stassi – she still teaches us every Friday …

Sometimes 20 to 30 people come. It’s open to everybody.”

And that sentiment sums up the idea of the festival. While it’s a great community outreach to welcome new potential church members, the festival, which annually attracts between 3500 to 4,000 people, is open to the public to enjoy the food and entertainment.

IF YOU GO WHAT: Chinese Food Festival WHEN: Oct. 19, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

WHERE: Chinese Community Church, 5600 Gilgunn Way COST: Free admittance, food costs vary 10

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

PENDING

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED

RIVERLAKE

LAKE FRONT TREASURE

What a great home; open and bright. 3 bedrooms 2½ baths, great for entertaining. Gleaming hardwood floors, open floor plan, new kitchen and bathrooms, new roof, new windows - the list of new and improved is so long. Cheery and bright, lovingly restored and ready for you! You'll have to come and see!!! $599,500

Quiet cul-de-sac location for this custom built 5 bedroom 3 bath home! Features include custom maple cabinets, granite counter tops, rod iron spiraling stair case, two fireplaces, a 4-car tandem garage,1 bedroom and bath downstairs, balcony off master, and more. Wow! $658,900

Original owner has maintained this Greenhaven home beautifully … large open family room has sweeping views of the lake; updated kitchen has a dining bar and opens to the family room, perfect for entertaining. $525,000

SHEILA VAN NOY 505-5395

MONA GERGEN 247-9555

KELLIE SWAYNE 206-1458 GEOFF ZIMMERMAN 484-2030

PENDING

NEWER POCKET HOME

WALK TO DIDION SCHOOL

REMODELED LITTLE POCKET

Perfect for busy life style, you can walk to grocery store, pharmacy, bank and restaurants. 3 bedroom 2½ baths close to river and parks. Home features 9 ft ceilings, designer tile, granite counter, master suite with huge master bath, low maintenance yard and CAT 5 wiring. $319,000

Here is a rare opportunity to live close to Didion School. This spacious 4 bedroom 2½ bath home, 2264 square feet, has all new interior paint, flooring, light fixtures, granite counter tops in kitchen and baths, new dishwasher, and new gas range. Huge family room is just waiting for fun and games! $379,000

Wonderful remodeled 3 bedroom 2 bath home in the highly desired Little Pocket area. Remodeled in 2000: kitchen, baths, electrical, walls/insulation, corian counter, appliances, dual pane windows, cabinets, heat & air, flooring, lighting, recessed lights, whole house fan, and more! $315,000

MONA GERGEN 247-9555

PAULA SWAYNE 425-9715

MONA GERGEN 247-9555

PENDING

PENDING

SOUTH LAND PARK

GALT RANCHETTE

WONDERFUL POCKET HOME

Spacious custom, 3 bedrooms 2½ baths with new paint, carpet and window coverings. Large formal living room with fireplace, separate family room and sunroom, bright spacious kitchen with room to dine and a huge laundry room. $339,900

Gorgeous ranchette home has it all…2 master suites, additional bed and half bath plus den/office. Large kitchen with beautiful granite counters. Many custom details including tile floors, fixtures, baseboards and covered rear patio, perfect for entertaining. Incredible horse facilities including round pen, pasture. $549,900

What a great ranch style home in a convenient location! Super clean 3 or 4 bedroom 2 full bath home with new carpet and linoleum, and new window coverings! Also features new central heat and air conditioning! And there is RV access too!. An excellent choice! $269,500

ALLISON BELL 916-248-1060

SHEILA VAN NOY 505-5395

ROSLYN LEVY-WEINTRAUB 952-6602 KELLIE SWAYNE 206-1458

for current home listings, please visit:

DunniganRealtoRs.com 916.484.2030 916.454.5753 Dunnigan is a different kind of Realtor.® Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

11

Kaiser Permanente employees clean up By Chyresse Hill California’s waterfronts The waterfront at Garcia Bend Park looks a lot cleaner thanks to a few dozen people armed with plastic bags and a passion for cleaning up the environment.

“I think for the most part people are good about picking up their trash, but as the summer progressed it got worse and worse. There were piles of trash, food, drink, alcohol bottles, even diapers,” said volunteer Marina Kunz, who works in member services for Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento and lives in the Pocket area.

Kunz was among more than 150 people from Kaiser Permanente who set out to several Northern California waterfront sites on Saturday Sept. 14, picking up trash before it could travel into several lakes, rivers and even the Pacific Ocean. It was organized as part of Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with America’s Cup and the Sea Scavenger Conservancy. On that single day, some 2,500 pounds of trash were removed from the marine environment.

“We are excited about America’s Cup’s commitment to sustainability and this is our way of supporting that effort in our own community,” said Curshanda Cusseaux Woods, a community relations manager for Kaiser Permanente who helped coordinate the cleanups. “A cleaner ocean, plus cleaner shorelines means a healthier community. “

While there were several cleanup sites throughout Northern California, the one at Garcia Bend Park along the Sacramento River was personal for Kunz.

“I have been interested in volunteering and it was the perfect project for me because I walk up there all the time,” said Kunz, who said she walks along the levee four to five times a week.

She said her group, made up of about 30 adults and several children, collected approximately 300 pounds of garbage.

It was a teachable moment, especially for the youngest volunteers.

“I felt like it was a learning experience for them.

The Sea Scavenger director talked about the importance of recycling, reducing and reusing. It was good for kids to hear that message.”

Kunz said she was proud of her fellow employees from Kaiser Permanente who gave up part of their Saturday to take part in the cleanup. In fact, this is just one of the ways the people of Kaiser Permanente work in the community, signing up for volunteer projects under a program called KPCares.

Chyresse Hill is the Kaiser Permanente media relations specialist

Reneé Catricala, Realtor® Direct: (916) 203-9690

www.ReneeCatricala.com 730 Alhambra Blvd., Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95816 Lic# 01077144

12

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

I can help you save time & money.

One agent for all your insurance needs saves time.

And Allstate’s multi-policy discounts are an easy way to save money. For affordable protection for your car, boat, motorcycle and more, call me first.

Multiple Policies.

One agent.

Robert L. Peterson (916) 421-8191 7210 Greenhaven Drive #C Sacramento, CA 95831 rpeterson@allstate.com CA Insurance Agent #: 0691856

Insurance and discounts subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate Indemnity Company: Northbrook, IL. © 2010 Allstate Insurance Company

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

13

Faces and Places:

Greenhaven Lutheran celebrates ‘Children’s SONSHINE’

Photos by Linda Pohl linda@valcomnews.com

Families enjoyed beautiful fall weather at Greenhaven Lutheran Church’s “Children’s SONSHINE Celebration” on Saturday, Sept. 28. The free community event included pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, carnival games, face painting and an opportunity to have fun and meet neighbors.

14

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

v

For over 36 years

www.cookrealty.net

7608 bRIDgE vIEW • $449,000 mEENA CHAN LEE • 837-9104 SOLD

2 PARKLITE CIRCLE

Lovely classic home in the heart of Greenhaven. Just down the street from a greenbelt. Lush mature landscape gives this home great curb appeal. Spacious open floor plan with 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths make this home very appealing.

975 CObbLE SHORES DRIvE • $799,000 SUSIE K. PARKER • 768-8494 PENDING

Great curb appeal from the outside with brick entry to courtyard-new landscaping, new lawn. Remodels include new fixtures, upgraded tub.

Huge kitchen w/new stainless steel appliances opens up into the spacious family room. $479,000

mEENA CHAN LEE • 837-9104

One story home on quiet street.

Newer roof and newer heat and air.

Recently painted in and out, new carpeteting throughout. Re-landscaped front yard, very low maintenance backyard. Big family room w/fireplace and open to the kitchen. $299,000

SUSIE K. PARKER • 768-8494

KEIKO WONg • 718-7400 528 vALIm WAy

7462 gRIggS WAy

SOLD

230 AUDUbON

Truly one of a kind contemporary home, located across from the river on. Over 4200sq ft,large great room w/floor to ceiling windows focused on park like yard. 2 master suites, smaller one dwnstrs but still very luxurious. $739.000

SUSIE K. PARKER • 768-8494

See all our listings at www.cookrealty.net REAL ESTATE SCHOOL

★ LOw iNTROducTORy cOST ★ STaRT aNyTime ★ Live cLaSSeS

Call: Ed Daniels •451-6702 PROPERTy mANAgEmENT

★ mONTHLy caSH FLOw ★ TeNaNT ScReeNiNG ★ maiNTeNaNce

Call: brittany Naucke• 457-4907

ADDITIONAL LISTINgS WOW LOOK AT ALL THIS SQ FEET FOR THIS PRICE AND AN UPDATED SOUTH LAND PARK 1147 FAy CIRCLE KITCHEN!!!!WONDERFUL 2373 CORK CIRCLE 975 CObbLE SHORES DRIvE many upgrades inSTyLE this PENDING classic ranch Beautiful home in the charming Stunning custom home on the RANCH HOmE. UPDATED KITCHEN, NEW CARPET, SOLD property.Beautful back yard with neighborhood of Fuller Town by ex- Lake! very open floor plan that FRONT WAS USED AS FORmAL DININg ecutive airport.

4 spacious bdrms, pool, large trexROOm deck, and pool/guest takes greatROOm. advantage ofSUNthe lake views. unique home and lot with house with bath and kitchenette.

2.5 baths, family & living rooms ROOm OFF THE FAmILy ROOm AND ADDED ONTO RECREw/double sided frplc. $259,000. views and privacy. $799,000 $549,500 ATION ROOm W/PELLET STOvE HEAT OR AIR IN THIS KATHERINE HOWES NO 548-3632 SUSIE K. PARKER • 768-8494 ATCHAN vAN PELT 813-5919 LARgE ROOm bUT SELLER WILL LEAvE PERSONAL A/C.

4305 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.cookrealty.net • (916) 451-6702 www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

15

Collage show in October at Espresso Metro

By Monica Stark

Carrisa Rolfe is a young woman with layered disabilities, unable to move from the waist down. This former Land Park resident can move her arms but unable to use the small motor muscles of the hands and fingers in ways that most people take for granted. And yet with the help of creative arts therapist, Patricia Ehnisz, she layers images into whimsical collages, many of which will be on display at Espresso Metro in the month of October. Living now in a long-term care facility in Woodland, Rolfe is a schizophrenic patient who is extremely talented artistically as most schizophrenic patients is artistically talented.

She won first place at the Yolo County Fair this past summer.

If you go:

What: Life in Collage art show When: Month of October Where: Espresso Metro, 2104 11th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95818 Contact: Patricia Ehnisz, 928-4208

Just kidding around

The smile says it all. Eskaton Kids Connection is simply irresistible.

It’s that magical time of year again, when local elementary students partner with Eskaton community residents to read, write, laugh and enjoy one another’s company. Intergenerational relationships are a win-win situation: increased socialization, insight, sense of purpose … and happiness for all.

No kidding!

Come by for a visit and learn more about the Kids Connection and the Eskaton difference.

Eskaton Monroe Lodge Independent Living with Services 3225 Freeport Boulevard | Sacramento, CA 95818 916-265-0045 eskaton.org | 866-ESKATON 16

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Paratransit celebrating 35th year When Paratransit opened their doors in 1978 to give rides to the disabled and elderly, they couldn’t even get insurance.

Today, they not only have insurance, but give 450,080 rides a year and have logged more than a million miles since they opened 35 years ago.

With 15 other nonprofits such as United Cerebral Palsy and the Asian Community Center as partners, that number rises to 993,404 just in Sacramento.

Starting with two borrowed buses, they now average 145 that run nearly 24 hours a day.

“We wanted to celebrate the people who have used our services and the people who have made it possible,” said Linda Deavens, Paratransit, Inc., CEO. “Without them, we would not be here and could not go forward.”

In those decades, the local nonprofit also has created three important divisions: *Mobility Training that has taught nearly 15,000 people without cars how to use lo-

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

cal buses and light rail so they can maintain their independence, *Innovative Paradigms that helps other organizations set up paratransit systems, and *Destinations Mobility to sell wheelchair accessible vehicles to the disabled at the lowest possible cost.

From the Sacramento headquarters, Paratransit employs more than 250 people in California, Hawaii, Washington and Boston.

Their maintenance division also services vehicles from 50 other agencies in the region.

“Although we’re celebrating 35 years, we’re looking to the future, to what can be done and what still needs to be done,” said Deavens.

Paratransit, Inc., provides innovative transportation ideas and works toward fully accessible, useable, and integrated public transportation systems across the nation.

For more information, go to www.paratransit.org.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

17

Pocket resident releases new children’s book ‘Great Gobs Of Gustation’ Sacramento author Bill Kirk’s children’s picture book, Great Gobs Of Gustation, was released nationally in September 2013. Published by Guardian Angel Publishing in Saint Louis, it’s the eighth book in THE SUM OF OUR PARTS anatomical series. With illustrations by Eugene Ruble, the book is written in rhyme, and is ideally suited for the science learning of children 7-12 years old.

“All of my books are released simultaneously in e-book and hardcopy print formats,” Kirk said.

The e-books are distributed by Follett, the largest distributor of e-books to schools and libraries.

They are also available on the Guardian Angel Publishing web site. The print version is available for sale from most online retailers, such as Amazon and Google. It can also be ordered through local brick and mortar bookstores.

“I wrote the first rhyme in the series about the human

18

Bill Kirk.

skeleton. Our grandson was in seventh grade science at the time and the strange names of some of the bones weren’t quite sticking,” Kirk said. “That was long before No Bones About It was finally published in 2009.”

But that first rhyme and first book gave birth to the rest of the books in the series, with two more books in the pipeline.

Your mouth senses taste, From the lips to the throat, Whether chomping a burger Or slurping a float.

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

“Gustation” is all about taste, from your taste buds to the taste center in your brain. Through the combination of snappy rhyming verses, informative “Factoids” and fun learning activities, you’ll breeze through the subject matter in no time. There’s even a bonus rhyme, “Simply Sensational”.

In this book with its quirky illustrations, you’ll learn about such things as how the taste process works and where it occurs, how many taste buds you have on your tongue and whether you are a super taster or a non-taster. And believe it or not, your brain is the key to unlocking the sense of taste.

a career Intelligence Officer. He also finished a second career with the State Departments of Health Services, Social Services and Child Support Services.

Kirk says his writing has These days he takes his inbeen influenced by his trav- spiration as a grandparent els on five continents as an and Boy Scout leader.

Air Force brat and later as In addition to stories written in rhyme, Kirk has written fiction and satire for local and national publications. Kirk also wrote news and features for two Sacramento community newspapers in the mid1990s, The Suttertown News and The Old City Guardian. His children’s stories have appeared in Boys’ Quest, Fun For Kidz, Grandparents, Wee Ones The taste buds are organs With small hollow pouches That trap tiny tidbits, Like cushions on couches.

and Saplings magazines.

His poems have also been published by North Dakota Horizons, Absolute Write, The Baseball Almanac and the University of South Carolina Gamecock Health newsletter.

Kirk says his goal for his children’s stories is to challenge the imagination of readers, young and old, by exploring everyday life, simply and profoundly, and having fun in the process. If you want to learn more about his writing, visit his website at http://www.billkirkwrites. com or his blog at http:// billkirkwrites.blogspot.com.

You can reach him via e-mail at billkirk@billkirkwrites. com.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Dead men tell no tales, but these pirates are much alive in Sacramento

By Monica Stark editor@valcomnews.com

Ay matey. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “dead men tell no tales,” but here’s one from the locals you may not know.

After a long seafaring voyage up the Sacramento River, The Pirates of Sacramento were intent on pillaging and burning the city to the ground until all of a sudden the Navy came along and kidnapped most of the crew.

So what was the rest of the pirates to do? Recruit some new blood, of course, and one of their stops – Fairytale Town on Sept. 19. Were they successful? Well that all depends on how you define success. They got children of all ages talkin’ like pirates, throwing (toy) skulls and shooting a (toy) monkey named Seymour out of a cannon.

“There, you go! The second or third time – you know how it works!” Captain Zachary Morgan (whose “mundane name” is Pete Zaniewski) told a wee lad after a successful monkey launch. Kids started lining up.

After an announcement was made that Pirate “Skool” was starting at the main outdoor stage, children and their willing parents learned the basics of pirate speak to the former’s benefit most definitely. Moms let out a loud sigh when the pirates told the young ones that when they are hungry they tout: “Where’s me grub, you wench?” One of the pirates honestly told the kids, they won’t be popular at dinner with that talk and they won’t get dessert.

As part of learning to talk like a pirate, volunteers were called up to choose from a board of “arrjetives” and another of nouns to create swear phrases.

But it was a tough crowd at about 11:30 a.m. as many of the children hadn’t learned how to read yet.

One girl named Kate volunteered first. When asked if she knew how to read, she said: “Sort of ” but that was good enough for Captain Morgan, as she looked like a “trustworthy lad.”

After she chose her words, she came up with “Why you, smelly, filthy, dog!”

A few other volunteers were chosen and then it was time for a good ol’ Q and A session.

Q: Why do pirates have green teeth?

A: Easy answer was that they don’t brush their teeth. But the more complicated came to light – to get green teeth brush them with a mixture of egg whites, wood ash, honey and to use beer or wine as mouthwash.

Q: “Are pirates real?” one child asked.

A: “Pirates are real” one of them said, adding: “I work for the California state government — they are real.”

The Pirates of Sacramento are a fun group of 12 actors (and 127 on the list) that brings their talents and knowledge to many festivals and events in Northern California, notably the Cameron Park and Fair Oaks Renaissance fairs. Doc Potions (whose “mundane name” is Stephen Bergdahl) said they got to perform at Fairytale Town because “Charlene called and said they needed more crazy people at Fairytale Town and I said I could help.”

“And that’s when he called me,” said Jax (whose “mundane name” is Jacqueline Langworthy Smith).

Asked why she’s a pirate, Jax said: “because it’s fun, and it’s been repeated in history … There’s a little bit of pirate in everybody.”

Photos by Monica Stark

Members of the Pirates of Sacramento were at Fairytale Town on Thursday, Sept. 19 recruiting its newest crew members.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

19

A dynamo Pocket/Greenhaven couple:

Sacramento Kings’ top executive gives wife gift of a lifetime

By Monica Stark

editor@valcomnews.com

What do you give to the woman of your dreams on your 11th wedding anniversary? Phillip Horn, a Vice President with the Sacramento Kings basketball team, said it was a no-brainer – he’s giving his wife, Danea, a kidney.

This is no ordinary couple. They are both powerhouses from the Pocket/Greenhaven area. Danea’s new book Chronic Resilience was released, August 1 – the same day she learned she was in kidney failure. That grave diagnosis from the doctors didn’t stop her from moving full speed ahead with her arduous West coast book tour, before agreeing to a transplant date of October 1. The scheduled surgery falls just two weeks before both the Kings’ pre-season opener and the couple’s 11th wedding anniversary. “ Traditionally the 11th year anniversary symbol is steel, which symbolizes the strength of marriage,” said Danea. “ This generous and unconditional gift from Phillip – at one of the busiest times in his career – creates an emotional bond stronger than anything, including steel, ever could. It’s an amazing thing to do together and I love that we’re a match in so many ways.”

Phillip continues, “I feel so lucky to be a match. It was against the odds. Usually we go to a nice place the first or second week of October to celebrate our anniversary. This time it was from a hospital bed, yet it will likely be the most memorable place of them all. “People are always looking for that gift that money can’t buy and this is definitely one,” Phillip said.

Born with one kidney, Danea has fought VACTERL association – a disorder that affects many body systems, including the kidneys – since birth. By the time she was 2 years old, Danea had survived 10 reconstructive surgeries. It has not been an easy journey. “I’ve managed chronic kidney disease for years,” she said. She kept asking her doc-

20

tors when there would be a point when her kidneys would be able to function. “I almost had to laugh at timing,” she said. In the matter of a month, functioning rate went down from 15 to 12 to 6 percent.

While there are many unknowns as to the cause of VACTERL association, Danea said one of the best things she’s learned about good kidney health is keeping blood pressure down.

They had to postpone the surgery to Monday, Oct. 7 because of a stomach bug Phillip caught. The two are not nervous about the transplant.

“We are just waiting; we’re excited,” Phillip told The Pocket News on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

“It was a pretty good, straight match,” Phillip said. The two are taking it easy now so they are in a good place for recovery.

Said Danea: “I think we’re on for Monday. I think we’re sort of ready.

The anticipation sort of builds and builds and builds. I am looking forward to regaining my health. Looking forward to the day to start.”

A young couple, each just 34 years old, the two plan on adopting children in the near future. They actually started the adoption process last year but put that on hold. “It will be something to celebrate at the end of the (recovery).”

Inside their Pocket residence, the couple has the love and support from family and friends to help them get through this time of their lives. “Our moms moved in with us on Sunday and we have lots of other people who are going to come and visit,” Danea said.

Even as her health started plummeting, Danea kept her scheduled appearance as moderator and author at the Capitol Region Women’s Conference on Sept. 27, at the Sacramento Convention Center, just five days before the transplant was first scheduled.

“I was one of the many speakers.

The panel I moderated was on ‘Embracing Change.’” To embrace change, she said, you have to let go of something and grasp something else. “A

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

lot of things are not in our control. It takes a lot of trust. My book is about having resilience,” she said.

That message has helped with having to cope with the rescheduled surgery and knowing what they can do to help get through the week in preparation for Monday. “Everybody is resting up and making sure we are healthy. It’s definitely a practice not an, ‘oh I understand.’”

“I titled my book ‘Chronic Resilience’ because I realized that to be the essence of gracefully coping with illness,” said Danea. “Spiritual growth is a ‘side effect’ of chronic illness. Illness is your license to be as deliberate and thoughtful with your time as you want to. Live as you would live at the end of your life right now, today. That is a gift.”

Phillip echoes his wife’s thoughts, “Danea and I have similar philosophies – life is meant to be lived. I don’t want to sit and watch it pass me by. I embrace challenging experiences. When I look back on my life, I know I’m going to be most excited about how resilient I was in overcoming life’s obstacles, versus backing down. Life is meant to grow from, and the more challenges we can take on the more we are going to grow.”

Danea said book sales have been going so well that she’s “bummed” to have to have taken a break.

Phillip, living Danea’s Chapter 3 message of setting attainable, inspiring goals while healing, has his sights set on recovering quickly to be in the building when the Kings take the court for the first time in this season of exciting change for the franchise.

Phillip’s gift of life continues into the Kings’ season. On February 19, in the Kings’ home matchup against the Golden State Warriors, he is spearheading a “Kings Donate Life Night,” in order to help raise awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donors. Fans will be encouraged to sign up to give life through the DMV when getting a license, or online at: www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org.

He’s also tremendously excited for the upcoming basketball season, which will be his fourth as VP for the team. “Shaq is a big personality. He’s great for our team.”

The couple has lived in Sacramento for three years. Danea grew up in San Diego and Phillip on the Oregon Coast. “We feel very blessed. It’s such an easy city to live in and we’ve gotten involved in the community more. We love living in the Pocket.”

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Know your neighbor: Dave Casella For the second time, Pocket resident Dave Casella spent an entire summer guiding tourists through Yellowstone National Park. The first time was in 2007 when Xanterra had an emergency opening and Casella and his wife Barbara were there as tourists themselves. “They said they lost a driver and needed a photographer.” They couldn’t have found a more perfect fit. Casella worked for many years in a photography studio.

This year, Dave Casella lived at a location called “Canyon”.

He arrived May 7 and worked in the park until Sept. 17. He has documented his experiences and has shared photos with The Pocket News for a series about working as a tour guide at Yellowstone National Park.

I began my adventure at Old Faithful where I completed my CIG training (Certified Interpretative Guide). It consisted of standard textbook education and testing. It was a great relief to successfully pass and get it over with.

The driver’s safety training was much more fun. I drove a restored 1936 “White” Touring car over Dunraven Pass from Canyon to the Lamar Valley on a three and a half-day on/off basis. The car holds 13 people plus the driver. The route required interpreting the flora and fauna of the area, including the history and showing animals in their native surroundings. Unfortunately, there was road construction from Tower Falls to Roosevelt Lodge consisting of a one-way, hard-packed dirt road. It was a good time to talk to the guests about stagecoach travel and the rigors the early travelers had to put up with!

The Lamar Valley is called the “Serengeti of North America”. I saw more than 20 black bears including cubs, two moose, four coyote and many elk, pronghorns and bison with newborn calves (called “red dogs” because of their color). I had a Grizzly five feet from my car!

The housing arrangement is “Spartan” to say the least.

Think YMCA meets Stalag 17. I was in an employee cabin built in the 1950’s that consists of a large 12-foot by 20-foot room with twin beds Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

and a bathroom with shower.

I lived alone but occasionally shared whenever a transient driver came through the area.

However, it was warm; the roof didn’t leak and they supplied the linen. The view was fantastic. We had a company cafeteria.

The employees were an interesting crowd. Think “Circus World”. People come from all over the world to work here but some are local natives. There is a distinct separation between the young-kids-out-to-party and the older, dedicated return-to-nature crowd. Most people are extremely friendly and will wave and say hello a block away. On any day you can run into scientists, park rangers, writers or artists. Not to forget the crazy tourists. This deserves its own paragraph.

Although it was early in the season, the “dudes and dudettes” (early slang for tourists) arrived in vehicles large and small. Many were Asian with flag bearing tour leaders shouting commands into speakers. There were also Germans, French, Australians and British among the Americans. All of them had digital cameras, cell phones with cameras or I-pads with cameras. They were so busy taking pictures, it seemed no one actually looked at the scenery!

We didn’t have traffic jams in Yellowstone. We had animal jams. One car stopped to look at a bear and before you knew it, 20 cars stop and block the road. Everyone drove if they were not in a giant 50-passenger tour bus. The oldsters were lumbering down the road in their giant, rented “Tour America” RVs. Bicyclists

were abound. Joggers were jogging. Nobody seemed to know where he or she was going: shall we turn without signaling ... why not? Slam on the brakes in the middle of the road to take a photo of a bison? . . . OK! After witnessing all this you remember there actually are rules -- federal rules. If you were caught for drinking, drugs or bad driving, you could get in worst trouble than at home. As a driver, I have to be particularly careful around the park watching for tourists as well as animals on the road. Believe it or not, there still is snow at the higher elevations. (Dunraven Pass is the highest road elevation (8860-plus feet) in the park, higher than the Continental Divide.) However, the average temperature was around the mid 70s during the day.

I had a “pet”, a 1,500pound bison that enjoyed eating the green grass in front of my cabin. I had to be aware that when I left in the morning that he was not around. Although the Park does not officially name animals, the employees named an old Grizzly, “Scarface” who would hang around the area. There’s also a bison named “Lucifer” who harassed the horses around the riding corral at Roosevelt Lodge. Apparently, a wolf was seen chasing a rabbit. I’m glad I’m at the top of the food chain!

There was no TV, no Internet and limited cell phone coverage at my cabin. Believe it or not, you learn not to miss it. I usually walked to the dormitories a short distance away to text home. www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

21

YOUR AD SHOULD BE HERE!

ADDITION SPECIALIST

CLEANING

Call today!

PRIME QUALITY MAINTENANCE

Your services are needed.

Your ad should be here.

Ad design is free.

•WINDOW CLEANING (inside/out/screens washed) • Pressure Washing (house ext/walkways/all concrete areas) • Rain Gutter Cleaning Free Estimates • Hard Water Stain Removal Licensed & Insured • Landscape Maintenance

Call Jesse (916) 417-4231

Call 429-9901

CONTRACTOR

CREATURE CATCHERS/REMOVAL

CAPITOL ELECTRIC

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

(916) 451-2300 Cell: 213-3740 Neil McIntire –– C.S.L.# 394307

EARLY FALL CLEAN-UP

• RAIN GUTTER CLEANING Call LESTER • ROTOTILLING/& SOD PLACEMENT • CONCRETE REMOVAL (916) 838-1247 • HAULING/SPRINKLER REPAIR Lic#128758/Ref • PRESSURE WASHING Pressure wash your driveways clean! your decks, too!

Clean out your garage! Replace that old lawn!

Hard work ---not a problem!

SPECIALS FOR SENIORS/*SERVING THE AREA FOR OVER 16 YRS*

HARDWOOD FLOORING

Hardwood Flooring Specializing in installing, sanding, and finishing hardwood flooring or repair and refurbish your current floors.

Call Michael – (916) 383-8742 Lic # 544159/References Available

PAINTING

HANDYMAN

HANDYMAN

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

PAINTING

LANDSCAPE HANDYMAN

Landscape Handyman

PAINTING

COOK PAINTING

* Shrub removal * Tree roots * Pruning * Sprinkler Repairs/Timers * Trouble Shooting

Full Service Company − Start to Finish

Freshen up for Fall

& the Holidays!

FREE ESTIMATES

Call (916) 612-3601 PLUMBING

In business since 1982 CSL# 432951

• Custom Painting • Super clean, neat & fast • Interior/Exterior • Cabinets

Specializing in custom trim & moulding!

Color Consultants • Free Estimates

(916) 591-5056 YOUR AD SHOULD BE HERE!

GARY’S PAINTING

Call today!

CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH PRIDE

Your services are needed.

Your ad should be here.

Ad design is free.

EXCELLENT REFERENCES

725-8781

cContractors Lic. # 734323 McClatchy ‘67 “Member BBB”

22

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Call 429-9901 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

PLUMBING

PLUMBING

MIDTOWN Licensed Plumbing Contractor PLUMBING Since 1973 Reasonable Residential Work • Repairs • Re-Pipes Sewers • Water Heaters • Drains • Disposals Etc.

916-393-2109 Cell 275-8236 CSL # 284755 • Fully Bonded & Insured • Accepts all major credit cards

SEWER/PLUMBING (A complete trenchless company)

sewer inspections –– Hydro Jetting Trenchless sewer Replacement sewer Repairs –– Pipe lining

“We’re #1 in the #2 business!” lic # 754886

(916) 488-1215

tREE SERVICE

456-7777

your services are needed. your ad should be here.

Ad design is free.

rooneysplumbing.com

Call 429-9901

FULL SERVICE PLUMBING

License #683668

www.ydig.com

EXPERT INSTALLATION REMODELING & REPAIR

Ceramic • Marble • Granite Floors • Counters • Walls 33 Years Experience • FREE Estimates

916-213-4669 License #668100

UPhOLStERy

your services are needed!

Call (916) 429-9901 and reserve your space on the Pocket News home Improvement page

Furniture upholstery at its finest * senior Discounts www.bandtupholstery.com

1600-B Kitchner Rd., Sacto 95822 916/392-1959 • 916/995-7177

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.

SummER CLEan-up SpECIaLS

Rain Gutter cleaning– Concrete removal (Patio, driveways, borders, etc.) 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 8381247. Specials for seniors. Licensed.

Sell your car in the classifieds!

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

tREE SERVICE

BAXTER TILE

b & T upholstery & Repair

handyman

Call today!

Rooney’s Plumbing

tILE WORK

Affordable Trenchless & Pipe lining

haRWood FLooRInG haRdWood FLooRInG

Install, sand & finish hardwood flooring. or repair and refurbish your existing flooring.

Call Michael at (916) 383-8742. References available/Lic#544159

LIVE-In SITTER WanTEd LIVE-In SITTER

Live-in sitter, over 18, up to $924/month plus car. Call (713) 538-8635 oR email LM201133@ hotmail.com

bookkEEpInG #1 BookkEEPER

30 yrs. exp. in industries like Auto, Mechanics, Restaurants, Caterers, Massage, Doctors, Chiropractors, Non-Profit, Retail, Martial Arts, Barber, Construction, Wholesale, Investment Clubs, Corp, Partnerships, Sm Business. We are experts in General Ledger, Payroll, Profit & Loss & Quarterlies. Call for yr specialized appt. Same low 1990 rates. Ask for Irene Senst (916) 640-3820, Nevada (775) 410-3422. www.taxirene.info

pET poRTRaITS oRIGInaL pET poRTRaITS

original Pet Portraiture. Realistic paintings of beloved pets. Perfect gift for animal-lovers! Reasonable prices. Submit photograph–turn around 7-10 days.

Email melissa@melissaandrews.com or call 447-4441.

your ad should be here!

ROOFING

adVERTISE youR REnTaLS

call 429-9901

for a box claSSified ad Call Melissa

429-9901 Advertise in California Kids!

Serving Greater Sacramento For more information, call Jen at (916) 429-9901

Published by Valley Community Newspapers, Inc. A monthly publicationfull of activities, mazes, word search, party ideas, travel, book reports, and a lot more!

Tax pREpaRER #1 Tax pREpaRER

30 yrs. exp. We specialize in Business Tax returns including Corp & Partnerships. We prepare expertly all past tax returns including all State returns. Get the most deductions allowed to you by law. CTEC Registered & Bonded.

Please call for yr appt. today. Irene Senst (916) 640-3820, Nevada (775) 410-3422. Same low 1990 rates. www.taxirene.info

Need Home Improvement?

Check out the Home Improvement Guide in the Pocket News.

For Melissa for Home Improvement ad rates, call 429-9901.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

23

es. Bring your birthday parties, scout groups, family outings, and grandparents.

Ticket prices are $5.00-$15.00.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Club of Pocket/Greenhaven Send your event announcement for consideration to: editor@valcomnews.com at least two weeks prior to publication.

Ongoing: Adopt a child for the holidays Help Sunburst Projects bring joy to the lives of children living with HIV/AIDS. Contact Sunburst Projects at 1095 19th St. Suite 1A, Sacramento. 440-0889, ext. 301.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Balance and mobility training to reduce falls class

Got News? e-mail editor@valcomnews.com

Kelly Ward, Parkside Community Church’s “Fall Prevention Lady” will be presenting a 4-week Beginning balance and mobility class on Monday and Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., starting Oct. 2 through Oct. 30 at Parkside Community Church at 5700 Land Park Drive. The one-hour classes will include warm up, balance and mobility training, muscle building exercises, flexibility, and range of motion exercises, fol-

lowed by a cool down segment to review the day’s lesson. Wear loose comfortable clothing and sneakers. Kelly Ward is a certified fall, balance and mobility instructor and a certified Senior Fitness Training, M.S. Therapeutic Aging. For questions, call 821-5715.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

October St. Francis High School presents ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ Oct 3-12: St. Francis High School is performing, Once Upon a Mattress, set in Legoland and will be hysterically funny. This show is great for family outings, birthday parties, and dates with grandchildren. They have two sets of sister/ brother actors from Jesuit and St. Francis High School. Tickets are available at www.ticketguys.com/stfrancis or at the door. Matinees and evening shows are appropriate for ages over 4. No strollers or children in laps during performanc-

Oct. 3: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome. 7:30 a.m., every Thursday. Aviators Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. (916) 684-6854.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

12th Annual Celebration of Independence Gala that benefits Women’s Empowerment Oct. 3: The event, which raises funds for the organization and honors the group’s 1,064 graduates, will take place from 5:30-9 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Red Lion Hotel Woodlake, 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento. The gala benefits a local nonprofit helping women who are homeless find homes and jobs so they can support their families. Residents also can sponsor a graduate of the program to attend the event. Guests will mingle with graduates from the program and enjoy a formal dinner, live and silent auctions, live music and presentations from the graduates.

Tickets are $100. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, call (916) 669-2307 or visit www.womens-empowerment.org.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bi-Polar Anonymous Oct. 4: 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.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Kiwanis Club of East SacramentoMidtown Oct. 4: 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, Meeting/ Membership info: 916-761-0984, volunteers always welcome!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Holy Spirit Parish & Saint Vincent de Paul Society Fundraiser-Shred Event Saturday, October 5, 2013 9 a.m. - 12 noon in the Church Parking Lot 3159 Land Park Drive

$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.)

CALL AND PLACE YOUR EVENT TODAY! (916) 429-9901

John F. Kennedy High – Class of 1983 - 30 Year Reunion Saturday, October 12, 2013 –– 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar @ the Westin on the River 4800 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822

$55 per person - register before Sept. 15 or $75 per person - after Sept. 15 Online payment at http://jfkennedyclassof83reunion.eventbrite.com

Send checks payable to JFK Class 1983 to: carving station JFK H.S. 30th Reunion Committee heavy appetizers 5098 Foothills Blvd. Suite 3 #484 photographer – no host bar Roseville, CA 95747 (deadline for check payment = 9/30) NO REFUNDS Hotel accommodations available at: The Westin Sacramento 1-916-443-8400

22nd Annual

Beaujolais Plus

Wine Tasting and Silent Art Auction a Benefit Sponsored by The Kiwanis Club of Sacramento Suburban

Sunday, November 3 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Dante Club 2330 Fair Oaks Boulevard $35 (includes silent auction, wine tasting, raffle & delicious pasta dinner)

For tickets, call (916) 972-737

24

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Mission Oaks

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIRE Saturday, November 2 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. FREE Mission Oaks Community Center 4701 Gibbons Drive, Carmichael VENDORS INVITED – Call NOW

(916) 972-0336 MORPD.com

CALL AND PLACE YOUR EVENT TODAY! (916) 429-9901

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Carmichael Emblem Club #355 is holding its Annual Craft Sale

23rd Annual Curtis Park Wine Tasting Silent Auction and Beer Garden

Oct. 4: Carmichael Emblem Club #355 is holding its Annual Craft Sale at the Carmichael Elks building, located at Cypess and Hackberry, Carmichael. Doors will open at 9:00 M and sales will continue through 4:00 PM. Chairman Dorothy Taylor has spaces open; contact e-mail address is HEYDORT@MAC.COM. Crafts of all types are welcome to both members and outside vendors. This is the Carmichael Emblems biggest Fundraiser so bring your family and friends to the “Best Bargains in Town”.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Oct. 5: Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community presents the 23rd Annual Curtis Park Wine Tasting Silent Auction and Beer Garden. From 4 to 7 p.m., come for the food and drinks. Come for the fun. Come to support the community. Tickets: www.sierra2.org; $35 (SCNA members), $45 (nonmembers); $50 for everyone after Oct. 2.

20-plus restaurants, 25-plus wineries, 15plus breweries and hundreds of silent auction and raffle items and a farm-to-fork demonstration. 2791 24th Street. 452-3005.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Carmichael Emblem Club #355 annual Craft Sale

Girl Scout Carnival

Oct. 4: Carmichael Emblem Club #355 is holding its’ annual Craft Sale at the Carmichael Elks Building, located at Cypress and Hackberry, Carmichael. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and sales will continue through 4 p.m. There are some open spaces, contact HEYDORT@MAC.COM. Crafts of all types are welcome, to both members and outside vendors. This is our biggest Fundraiser, so bring your family and friends to the “BEST BARGAINS IN TOWN.” Thank you for your assistance in making the public aware of this fundraiser. My contact number is: Norma Pippig 863-6068.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Fire Station 8 Open House Oct. 5: The Sacramento Fire Department will be hosting Fire Station Open House from 2 to 4 p.m., located at 5990 H St. 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.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Old City Cemetery Tour: Misbehaving Politicians Oct. 5: Starting at 10 a.m., The Old City Cemetery Committee’s tour focuses on the shenanigans that were taking place with local and statewide politicians, Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, 1000 Broadway, Sacramento. Even before California was a state, its officials were busy fleecing the electorate. Pork barrel legislators, fraudulent election workers, dueling senators and landgrabbing governors are just a few of the nice folks you’ll meet. Tours are free; however, donations are appreciated and benefit cemetery preservation. For more information, call 916-448-0811 or 916-264-7839.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Oct. 5: Carnival games, food court, vendors, face painting, balloon animals, booths. Outside vendors will be selling products like Cookie Lee, Jamberry Nails, Thirty-One gifts, homemade jams, teas, pottery, jewelry, tote bags, girl accessories, and more. This event is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your family and friends. William Land Park, next to Fairytale Town across from the Sacramento Zoo. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A Place Called Sacramento film festival Oct. 6: Local film festival held annually at the Crest Theatre. Starts at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.accesssacramento.org, 456-8600.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Clubs of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael Oct. 8: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome, every Tuesday. Arden-Arcade meets at noon, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the Pavilions on Fair Oaks Blvd. (916) 925-2787.

Carmichael meets at 6:30 p.m., Ancil Hoffman Golf Club. www.rotary.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Soroptimist International of Sacramento North meeting

7:30 a.m., every Thursday. Aviators Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. (916) 684-6854.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Start Writing Family Stories by Marian Kile Oct. 10: Writing short stories can bring your ancestors to life at the Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society meeting. Pre-meeting roundtable tips/tricks start at 6:15p.m.

Free, visitors welcome. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Main meeting - Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Avenue, Carmichael ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Club of South Sacramento meeting Oct. 10: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome. Every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at Iron Steaks Restaurant, 2422 13th St, Sacramento, CA 95818.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Mission Oaks Computer Club meeting Oct. 10: From 1 to 3 p.m. at Mission Oaks Community Center, 4701 Gibbons Drive, Carmichael.

The club will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with member presentations and a finger-food potluck. First-time visitors are welcome to bring a finger-food item as well. A problem solving clinic, led

by Adam Lacey of Applications, Etc, will follow the meeting. For additional information call (916) 366-1687 or visit our website at www.missionoakscomputerclub.org.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bi-Polar Anonymous Oct. 11: 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

Oct. 9: Meets at noon, Evan’s Kitchen, 855 57th St. Sacramento. www.eastsacrotary.com.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Oct. 11: 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, Meeting/Membership info: 916761-0984, volunteers always welcome!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Club of Pocket/Greenhaven

Curtis Park clean up day

Oct. 8: 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

Oct. 10: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome.

Oct. 12: Help clean up the park. Meet near the tennis courts. 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, email ncc@sierra2.org or call 452-3005.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

GearUp Cycle for Youth Ride Oct. 12: TheGearUp Cycle for Youth Bike Ride was conceived by Sacramento Councilmember Jay Schenirer and West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon to fundraise for educational youth programs that target the underserved children in the Cities of Sacramento and WestSacramento. GearUp Cycle for Youth is a 40-mile bike ride from West Sacramento to Downtown Sacramento on the morning of Oct. 12. The ride begins at West Sacramento’s City Hall and loops around the Sacramento River through Clarksburg and finishes at Cesar Chavez Park in Downtown Sacramento. There will be three rest stops along the way, and a final rest stop at Cesar Chavez Park with lunch, music and more. Both West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon and Sacramento City Councilmember Jay Schenirer are longtime advocates of education, after-school programming and wraparound services for our region’s young people. All proceeds from the GearUp Cycle for Youth will benefit WayUp Sacramento, a wraparound youth support network and FutureReady: The Mayor’s Trust for Youth charity. Corporate sponsorships are still available for GearUp Cycle for Youth.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CAL Middle to hold second annual multicultural fair Oct. 12: California Middle School PTSA and planning committee is hosting a second annual multi-cultural fair at the school site to celebrate the cultural diversity of the school population and Sacramento region.

The multicultural fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature a variety of food trucks, arts, entertainment, dance, music, crafts and artisans from various cultures from around the world. There will be “theme” baskets and a fun raffle with prizes. CAL Middle School is located at 1600 Vallejo Way and is the “Pride of the Land Park Community.” The special event is a fundraiser for CAL Middle School’s art, music and field trip programs. Kids will visit various booths represented by different countries for educational information with their international passports. For additional information, contact, Katherine Akin at 612-5993 or katakin@att.net ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Nichiren Buddhist Church Japanese food sale Oct. 12: The Nichiren Buddhist Church is having a food bazaar 11 to 3 p.m., 5191 24th St. (2 blocks north of Fruitridge.)

Food items: Barasushi, Bento Box, Spam Musubi, Teriyaki Beef Sandwich, Teriyaki

Chicken, Udon Noodles. Please order ahead

by Oct. 5. Call 456-8371 or visit the church to order. Make checks payable to Nichiren Buddhist Church.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

AAUW meeting set to feature mental health discussion Oct. 12: From 1 to 2:30 p.m., the Citrus Heights/American River branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) will host a panel discussion of mental health programs and issues in Sacramento County. The meeting takes place at the Sylvan Oaks Library located at 6700 Auburn Blvd in Citrus Heights. Representatives from Sen. Darrell Steinberg’s office, the Sacramento County Dept. of Health and Human Services and the Calif. Institute of Mental Health will discuss recent legislation, bullying in Sacramento area schools and steps families can take to get help with mental health issues. This meeting is a public service open to the public and coffee, tea and baked goods will be served. Contact Mary Toutonghi for more information at mtoutonghi@comcast.net ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Recycling & Solid Waste Division host Free Composting Seminar Oct. 12: Backyard composting allows you to recycle your yard clippings and fruit and vegetable scraps into a valuable soil amendment right in your own yard. Attendees are eligible for a drawing for a free compost bin. At the seminar you will learn how composting works, what materials you should and should not compost, getting the right balance of food, air and moisture, maintaining your compost pile, Vermicomposting (composting with worms), and more. Seminar goes from 8 to 10 a.m. and will be held at Southside Community Garden, 5th and W Street (Downtown) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

JFK Class of 1983 Reunion Oct. 12: Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar at the Westin on the River, 4800 Riverside Blvd. 6 to 10 p.m. $55 per person – register before Sept. 15, $75 after. There will be a carving station, heavy appetizers, a photographer and no host bar. Online payment at http://jfkennedyclassof83reunion.eventbrite.com or send checks payable to JFK Class 1983 to JFK HS 30th Reunion Committee 5098 Foothills Blvd. Suite 3 #484.

Roseville, CA 95747. Deadline for check payment is Sept. 30. Space is limited. Make sure to purchase your tickets soon. No refunds. Hotel accommodations are available at The Westin Sacramento, 443-8400.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

25

Matinees and evening shows are appropriate for ages over 4. No strollers or children in laps during performances. Bring your birthday parties, scout groups, family outings, and grandparents. Ticket prices are $5-$15.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Fire Station 4 Open House Oct. 12: The Sacramento Fire Department will be hosting Fire Station Open House from 2 to 4 p.m., located at 3145 Granada Way. 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.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Annual Hunger Walk Oct. 13: The Sacramento CROP Hunger Walk is celebrating the event on the west steps of the State Capitol at 1:30 p.m. The Walk has been traditionally known through out Sacramento as an excellent ecumenical family and youth event. Twenty-five percent of the funds will benefit local Sacramento area agencies: South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership Food Closet, St. Matthews Food Closet, River City Food Bank, Northminster Seniors Brown Bag Program. The event is free with a canned food donation.

Participants are asked to collect pledges and

walk through downtown and Old Sacramento. Registration begins at 1 p.m. 8260513, 444-7783, or 297-2767 or online at www.churchworldservice.org.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Free golf lessons offered at Bing Maloney Golf Complex Oct. 13: Are you interested in starting to play golf, but not sure where to begin? Bing Maloney is offering Free Family Clinics for 2013.

These clinics are family oriented for any level of golfer. Each clinic will be held on Sundays from 1 to 2:15 p.m. at the Bing Maloney Golf Course: 6801 Freeport Blvd. in Sacramento.

Call 808-2283 for more information.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Winterfest Dance Performance Nov 14-16: Winterfest Dance Performance stage setting is in an old time circus tent. Dancers are from the St. Francis High School Dance Co and Apprentice Companies. A must-see show. Tickets are available at www.ticketguys.com/stfrancis or at the door.

The Mission Oaks Computer Club meeting Nov. 14: The meeting topic will be ‘Vehicle Technology’ presented by Nick Gilleste of Kuni Chevrolet/Cadillac. A problem solving clinic, led by Adam Lacey of Applications, Etc, will follow the meeting. Firsttime visitors are welcome. The meeting goes from 1 to 3 p.m. at Mission Oaks Community Center, 4701 Gibbons Drive, Carmichael. For additional information call (916) 366-1687 or visit our website at www.missionoakscomputerclub.org.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Clubs of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael Oct. 15: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome, every Tuesday. Arden-Arcade meets at noon, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the Pavilions on Fair Oaks Blvd. (916) 925-2787.

Carmichael meets at 6:30 p.m., Ancil Hoffman Golf Club. www.rotary.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Soroptimist International of Sacramento North meeting Oct. 15: 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 Oct. 16: Meets at noon, Evan’s Kitchen, 855 57th St. Sacramento. www.eastsacrotary.com.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Jim Dane to be guest speaker at Genealogical Association of Sacramento meeting Oct. 16: The Genealogical Association of Sacramento will be visited by Jim Dane at the Belle Cooledge Library. He will speak about the soldiers of the War of 1812. Jim will display the persona of his gggrandfather James Dean (Dane) Please come to the meeting of GAS to experience this time travel. Meetings are the third Wednesday of each month, except December, July and August. 5600 South Land Park Drive Sacramento 95822. The doors open at noon; the meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. It is free and the public is welcome.

New members are welcome. For more information, visit gensac.org or call Melanie at 916383-1221 or email melnesia@comcast.net ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Club of Pocket/Greenhaven Oct. 17: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome.

7:30 a.m., every Thursday. Aviators Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. (916) 684-6854.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rotary Club of South Sacramento meeting Oct. 17: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome. Every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at Iron Steaks Restaurant, 2422 13th St, Sacramento, CA 95818.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Fall Faire at the Historic Blue Goose Oct. 17: 3-8 p.m., Oct. 18: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Oct. 19: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3550 Taylor Rd., Loomis, 95650, on Boutique style handmade only craft show. Holiday decorations and unique gifts. Centralized checkout for our customers convenience.

SALE ROOM. Free admission. More info. www.craftytreasures.com.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Kiwanis Club of East SacramentoMidtown Oct. 18: 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 , Meeting/ Membership info: 916-761-0984, volunteers always welcome!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bi-Polar Anonymous Oct. 18: 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.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

26

The Pocket News • October 3, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

The Kids Are Y, Tasting and Benefit Auction Oct. 18: The YMCA’s annual The Kids Are Y, Tasting and Benefit Auction will be held on October 18, 2013 at the Masonic Temple in downtown Sacramento. Funds from the event provides year-round program support and scholarships for local kids who would like to participate in YMCA programs and activities but cannot afford the program fees due to financial hardship. The Kids Are Y will provide our guests with food, wine and beer from local area restaurants, wineries and breweries while placing bids on unique silent and live auction items. Masonic Temple Association, 1123 J St, Sacramento.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

7843 River Estates Dr – Pending Sale! > Mediterranean style 3bd 2.5ba halfplex w/tile roof & stucco ext. Kitchen w/updated granite counters/dining bar, updated appliances, gas stove! French patio door to patio & spa. More!

Great locale near the river & park.

< 1121 Westlynn Wy Well cared for by original family. So Land Park Hills area 3bd 2ba 1-story. Updated comp roof, heat/air, master bath shower, windows. Kitchen w/brkfst area, formal dining, family rm w/frplc.

Nice locale near Reichmuth Park. Apx 1,569 sf*

Chinese Food Festival Oct. 19: Celebrate Chinese Community Church 30th Annual Fall Fellowship and Food Festival, featuring delicious Chinese food, culture, entertainment, games for kids, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 5600 Gilgunn Way (Off Fruitridge Rd. between S. Land Park and Freeport Blvd.) Admission is free. www.cccsac.net ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Sunburst Projects Perennial Sale Oct. 19-21: Fall perennial sale. Cash and check accepted. Benefits Sunburst Projects.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 3072 24th St. Curtis Park.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Sacramento Community Concert Association performance Oct. 19: SCCA presents Solo/duo pianists Richard Cionco and Natsuki Fukasawa at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian, 1300 N St. Concert pianists Richard Cionco and Natsuki Fukasawa will present a varied program of solo, duet, and 2-piano repertoire. Known for their powerful solo performances, this concert is a rare opportunity to hear these artists combine their powers to give you twice the enjoyment. Regular subscription: $90, Group discount (8 or more people): $75, Students subscription: $45, Single Ticket: $25. For more information, contact Sacramento Community Concert Association www.sccaconcerts.org; info@scc.aconcerts.org; 400-4634.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

26th Annual ACC Senior Services

Craft & Bake Sale e!

Raffl

Purchase raffle tickets at any ACC location. Drawing will take place at 3:00 p.m on day of sale.

Baked Goodies Unique Crafts Plants Food ACC Greenhaven Terrace 1180 Corporate Way Sacramento, CA 95831

286 Rivertree Wy – SOLD! > Charming 4bd or 3+den, 3ba Great Room plan w/downstair bdrm & bath w/shower! Cul-de-sac location. Within the Didion school boundaries.* Formal dining. Large kitchen w/breakfast area & granite countertops. Flexible loft area, too!

< 5 Rasha Court – SOLD! Pristine 4bd 2.5ba w/separate living & family rms, formal dining rm, brkfst area. Lrg master suite. Cul-de-sac location near the bike path, parks, more! Potential boat access. Within the Matsuyama school boundaries.*

“In such a competitive market, we were so fortunate to have Bill guide & advise us through the whole process. Our needs required a top level of experience & professionalism and from Bill we received that and more...” Kent & Jennifer Woodward, Buyers * Per public records or other sources deemed reliable, but has not been verified by agent or broker;

interested parties to verify.

For more information, please contact Khonnie Lattasima at (916) 394-6399 ext. 143 or e-mail volunteer@accsv.org.

Friday, November 8, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

www.valcomnews.com • October 3, 2013 • The Pocket News

27