December 19, 2013 | www.valcomnews.com
Pock e t News — Bringing you community news for 22 years —
Bringing holiday cheer! Matsuyama kindergartners entertained families and friends with song
See page 26
‘Christmas for our troops’ now underway.............
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Darrell’s Notes...................................................
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School News...................................................... 10 Local history feature........................................... 19 Calendar................................................................... 24
A pathway to modern technology: Intel reaches out to JFK students
Former Pocket resident discusses more about his ghost hunting adventures
See page 10
See page 20
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Pocket News w w w. va l c o m n e w s . c o m
E-mail stories & photos to: editor@valcomnews.com Pocket News is published on the first and third Thursdays of the month 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 Copyright 2013 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Vol. XXII • No. 24 2709 Riverside Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95818 t: (916) 429-9901 f: (916) 429-9906
Cover photo by: Stephen Jiang Other photos by: Courtesy Lance Armstrong
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Lost cat: Froddie
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Froddie, a 13-year-old brown male tabby has been reportedly lost since Nov. 15 at the corner of Pocket Road and Arabella. Froddie is described as having a shy demeanor. Froddie has a striped tail and a stye/injury over his left eye hopefully making him easier to identify. Jim, his owner, had just moved around the corner and before he could get the carrier into the house, the cat accidentally escaped and ran down the street. Said neighbor Julie Virga: “Jim, bless him, has been out literally night and day calling him non-stop since his disappearance. His loyalty and perseverance have been amazing. He says he will not stop until he finds his cat.” If you have any information, contact Jim at 752-1612.
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Elks Lodge, No. 6 collected Toys for Tots gifts A Christmas tradition continues at Sacramento Elks Lodge #6 (6446 Riverside Blvd.) with its annual toy collection for the children of those that serve our country in the military (Toys for Tots). Each year, for many years, Elks member, David Hamm would donate a girl bike and a boy bike to the drive. When he passed away, the Elks created a fund through donations from members, family and friends of Dave to ensure that the tradition would continue and grow for years to come, supplementing existing donations from the fund, if needed. This year, 18 bicycles, three tricycles, bike helmets, bike locks, and more
than six boxes of stuffed animals, dolls, toys and games of all descriptions were donated. David’s generosity and example continues, and the Elks are honored to be a part of the tradition.
Merryhill School Students in Sacramento Deliver Sizable Toy Donation to the UC Davis Child Life Program Thirteen Sacramento-area Merryhill Schools teamed up this holiday season to support patients at the Child Life Program at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. On Dec. 12, preschoolers from Merryhill School on Eastern Avenue gathered toy donations
from each school and delivered them to residents of the program. To collect the toys, schools set up giving trees and asked family and friends to make a donation based on the Child Life Program’s wish list. This year, Merryhill School Principal Elizabeth Hennecke estimates that collectively the schools’ raised thousands of dollars worth of toys.
St. Francis High School fills stockings for homeless women and children
Local residents have brought smiles to formerly homeless women and children this holiday season by contributing to Women’s Empowerment’s annual Holiday Stocking Drive. Among them are students at St. Francis Catholic High School in East Sacramento. “As part of each student’s formation they are challenged to answer the call to serve,” said Stephanie Villanueva, a campus minister at St. Francis. “We are offering other women the same care and support we’ve already received from our own families, friends, teachers, coaches and community. Through our partnership with Women’s Empowerment we lift up our entire community and afSee Elks, page 5
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Photos by Linda Pohl
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, toys were picked up from the Sacramento Elks Lodge, No. 6, where an annual toy collection for the children of those who serve in the military has been held. This year, 18 bicycles, three tricycles, bike helmets, bike locks, and more than six boxes of stuffed animals, dolls, toys and games of all descriptions were donated. Toys were delivered to the Cheesecake Factory parking lot at Arden Fair Mall, where “Operation Christmas for Our Troops� being held. See the story for more information on page 6.
Elks:
Continued from page 4
firm the progress these women have already worked so hard to achieve.� St. Francis High School not only collected stockings for the drive, they have volunteered to host Women’s Empowerment’s annual craft party where the holiday stockings will be delivered by Santa Claus. “The craft party is a great opportunity for the ladies of Women’s Empowerment and their children to create unique and personal gifts for someone else,� Villanueva said. “Some of life’s gifts and memories are created when we come together to celebrate and simply enjoy each other. Hosting the craft party and participating in the stocking drive seemed like the perfect way to live out this year’s schoolwide theme of ‘Do small things with great love.’ We are also excited to be working with Soroptimists International of Greater Sacramento. It’s a match made in heaven:
Two organizations of talented, capable women working together to lift up their sisters.� Students and alumnae have worked with Women’s Empowerment for years, but this is the first year the school has participated in the Holiday Stocking Drive and the first year they will host the craft party. Women’s Empowerment offers the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women who are homeless and their children. “These remarkable women and children have worked tirelessly to break the cycle of homelessness, and these stockings bring immeasurable holiday cheer to their hearts and their new homes,� said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment.“Our hearts were warmed when the young ladies at St. Francis decided to step up their involvement this year. We are thankful to this new generation for caring about women and chil-
dren who are homeless, and grateful to the school for going above and beyond to host the craft party.�
ONGOING: Rotary Club of Sacramento Toy Drive Now through the holidays, the Rotary Club of Sacramento is collecting cash and toys for The Salvation Army families. 
Our club is one of the Army’s major patrons in this endeavor, typically donating several hundred toys each year. You can help by delivering unwrapped toys Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Rotary Club office at 355 Commerce Circle. Checks made out to the Rotary Club of Sacramento Foundation with a memo to “Toy Drive� will also be used for the purchase of much needed toys. Donations for the Toy Drive will be accepted through Monday, Dec. 23. For additional information, contact the Rotary Club of Sacramento at 929-2992.
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‘Operation Christmas for our Troops’ now underway at Arden Fair Military elf to live in a shed for 12 days to raise holiday gifts for military families By Monica Stark
editor@valcomnews.com
As a fundraiser for our Military men and women serving our country during the holidays, Santa’s “Military Elf ” Rodney Stanhope is once again living in a Tough Shed in the Cheesecake Factory parking lot of Arden Fair Mall for 12 days straight, 24 hours a day, to support America’s military families and our troops overseas. On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson, in coordination with Yellow Ribbon America, the California Na-
tional Guard, the Fulcrum Management Group, and Market Square at Arden Fair, kicked-off the annual toy drive in Sacramento. Over the past five years, Rodney has collected more than 500,000 donated items for military families in need. This drive has historically been the most successful drive in the nation supporting deployed National Guard, Reserve and Active Duty military members and their families. A Navy man himself, Stanhope comes from a military family with his grandfather in the Navy, his father
Pocket News • December 19, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com
in the Marines and his son also in the Marines. When he began the annual toy drive 10 years ago, he had a small group at Sunrise Mall. “I was seeing military families in need and thought, ‘what’s up with that?’” Every year something goes wrong, but Stanhope’s spirit has remained strong. One year a generator was stolen, another year his iPhone. One year the rain and wind destroyed his canopies. “I am like, ‘Oh my word. It’s cold as can be.’ But I have fun doing it,” he told the East Sacramento News. But those setbacks are nothing, he said, compared to what troops experience on a daily basis and it’s just his way of giving back. “They are suffering way more than I do. It’s amazing doing this whole drive,” he said, adding that his wife feeds him “tons and tons of vegetables so I don’t get sick.” Stanhope said one year Travis Air Force Base called saying they had 2,000 soldiers coming home for the holidays and they needed toys. Operation Christmas for our Troops was able to fill two huge pallets of toys for families in need.
Photo courtesy
As a fundraiser for our military men and women serving our country during the holidays, Santa’s “Military Elf” Rodney Stanhope is once again living in a Tough Shed in the Cheesecake Factory parking lot of Arden Fair Mall for 12 days straight, 24 hours a day, to support America’s military families and our troops overseas. Shown here are photos from previous years. Stanhope lives in one of two sheds while the other is full of toys.
And two years ago, he said a Kentucky woman called him saying she heard about the toy drive in Sacramento and knowing that he came from her hometown, Placerville, she thought she’d ask for a favor. Two days into the drive 1,000 toys were being delivered, but Kentucky, being so far away, he wasn’t quick to make any promises for delivery. But one of the troops overheard and said: “What’s wrong with Fort Campbell? They said OK we can do it.” They happened to have a plane at McClellan that was set to take off Costa Rica but a detour to Kentucky to deliver two pallets of toys was made possible. Stanhope said some Grant High School students who are a part of the criminal justice academy there, come out as a class.
“I am their volunteer work for the year. I get about 10 kids who show up at about 8 or 9 a.m. and stay all day.” Then the Red Cross brings out volunteers. “If no emergency happening, they all come out. It’s absolutely astonishing.” Then there’s a car club called Team Love Hate Forever, which created an Operation Christmas Car Show, which benefited the toy drive. Last year 100 different cars were there of various types, ranging from Mustangs to Cameros, “muscle cars” and souped-up Corollas. This year, they’re bringing the car show back on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cheesecake Factory parking lot. To enter the car show, Stanhope said: “ They charge you 10 bucks or the equivalent of toys. Last year they raised 800 toys and $300. This year, we joined with the American Speedway Raceway in Roseville. They’re bringing out race cars. It’s amazing. People stop for this. Yellow Ribbon America -- none of us take salaries. Everything we do benefits the military. We don’t have a marketing person. We don’t do that. We just do what we can do.” Participation is easy; bring new or gently used DVDs or CDs to send to the troops oversees or new, unwrapped toys to be given to the children of deployed military. The drive will go through Sunday, Dec. 22. The Cheesecake Factory parking lot is located at Arden Fair Mall’s Market Square, 1901 Arden Way. For more information: www. yellowribbonamerica.org Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.
Darrell’s Notes: December 2013 By COUNCILMAN Darrell Fong
There’s no good deal for Sacramento in the Delta tunnels Gov. Jerry Brown and major water interests from Southern California and the Central Valley are trying to sell a proposal to the residents of Sacramento and other Delta communities to allow the construction of twin underground tunnels costing $25 billion to siphon water from the Sacramento River and deliver it to farms and cities to the south. We should not be fooled into thinking that the Sacramento region will gain from this preordained proposal. The days when the unquenchable south saw the north as a bottomless chalice of water are over. The Sierra Nevada snowpack is predicted to shrink dramatically because of global climate change, resulting in significantly less controlled runoff. Most of the runoff will come in the winter as rainfall, and much less from diminishing snowmelt in spring and summer. As a result, our ability to retain and manage our supply of water will be much more limited. The federal government has already declared a large portion of the state a drought disaster area due to years of reduced rainfall. Furthermore, the tunnel plan’s preliminary environmental impact report indicates that the Folsom reservoir will be drained precariously low in one out of every 10 years in a matter of decades. The low level of water in the reservoir would prevent water from flowing through outlets in its dam and create what’s called a dead pool. If this were to happen, Sacramento could have no way to access its water rights in the American River. Despite the scientific modeling showing that the tunnels could worsen the dead-pool effect, the governor’s plan has nothing in it to address this specific threat to the region’s water supply. We’ve already begun to prepare for the reduced reliabilValley Community Newspapers, Inc.
ity of water flow. The city of Sacramento has reduced water consumption by 22 percent since 2000 and will have invested $350 million to enhance water efficiency by 2025. It would be patently unfair for us to have worked so hard to conserve, only to see our water savings literally sucked down the drain by the sprawling communities of Southern California and the mega-farms in the Central Valley. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the largest Pacific Coast estuary in the Americas. The Delta is home to numerous fish and bird species and more than a halfmillion people and is the primary source of California’s freshwater supply. Fish as well as farmers depend on the natural flow of the Delta. Constructing these tunnels threatens to upset the delicate local ecosystem and displace generations of Delta farmers and residents. The flimsy promise of protecting the Delta from a hypothetical levee-threatening earthquake and reducing impact on fish populations by establishing new pumps farther north are relatively small and unconvincing concessions to Sacramento and other Delta communities in relation to the massive loss of water resulting from the increased exports to the south. The bottom line is that the Central Valley and Southern California will get our water while we get virtually nothing. Until this changes, I am proud to be part of the coalition of family farmers, Indian tribes, Delta residents, commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, conservationists, environmental justice advocates and fellow elected officials including Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli who are at the forefront of opposing this titanic wrongheaded idea.
cations from artists (or artist teams) who are 21 years or older and reside within 100 miles of Sacramento to be considered for the Capitol Area Development Authority’s (CADA) traffic utility box public art plan. Artists will be selected based on past work and paid $500 to create a design that will be transferred to vinyl, and wrapped around a City of Sacramento utility box. The deadline for receipt of sealed applications is Friday, January 15, 2014 by 5 p.m. to the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission located at 300 Richards Blvd. 2ndfloor, Sacramento, CA 95811. Selected artists will be expected to complete their utility art box designs by March 30, 2014. CADA’s goal for funding this neighborhood project is to instill community pride, create highly visible public art and deter graffiti “tags” from appearing on the utility boxes. Additionally, this project is about connecting artists with creative opportunities. “The potential concepts and themes that are submitted will guide the placement and style of the art wraps. We hope to be sensitive to the history of the neighborhood while also allowing room for creative expression,” said Wendy Saunders, CADA Executive Director. The 30 identified utility boxes are owned and operated by the City of Sacramento and are primarily located in CADA’s project area. The wraps will be designed by artists, transferred to vinyl and then applied using a standard fabrication and installation method. Artists can use a variety of media; photography, painting, collage, and digital imagery to develop their designs. Artist can view the Call for Artists Request for Qualification on the Arts in Public
Places webpage atwww.sac- CityManagementAcademy. metroarts.org/calls-for-art- cfm. Please complete the atists.html tached application and return by the due date of Friday, JanCity Management Academy uary 10, 2014 by 5 p.m. (no Accepting Applications postmarks are accepted). The We are excited to announce City Management Academy that applications are being ac- is a wonderful opportunity cepted for the upcoming 2014 for you to learn more about City Management Acade- how the city works but more my (CMA). The CMA is a importantly, to meet others program offered by the City who are also committed to of Sacramento through the improving the quality of life Neighborhood Services Di- in Sacramento. vision in partnership with CMA Alumni and City staff. Annual Polar Bear Plunge The mission of the City ManJanuary 4 - Come out and agement Academy is to ed- swim, enjoy carnival games, a ucate and encourage part- plunge prize, and much more! nerships between the City The event will take place of Sacramento, its residents from 10 a.m. – noon at Cland business owners to help unie pool, in McKinley Park, maintain, revitalize and pro- 601 Alhambra Blvd. There mote healthy communities. is a $5 fee to take the plunge In 1995 the City Manage- but the event is free for everyment Academy was created one who is not plunging. All with more than 390 partici- proceeds will go to The City pants having graduated since of Sacramento Swim League. its inception. Participants are For more information call provided an opportunity to 808-2306 or email aquatics@ learn how the City is managed cityofsacramento.org and operated, discuss challenges facing the City of Sacramento and learn about strategies used to address them. A dialogue is developed through an interactive learning experience which allows presenters and residents to share and learn from each other. Important dates to know: Friday, January 10, 2014: Deadline for Application Submission Wednesday, January 22, 2014: Decision Letters Mailed to ALL Applicants Wednesday, February 12, 2014 First Day of the 2014 City Management Academy Tuesday, May 13, 2014: 2014 CMA Graduation at City Council We encourage you to join us for the 2014 City Management Academy and go to our website for additional information www.cityofsacramento.org/ns/get-involved/
This Op-ed was printed in the Sacramento Bee on December 5, 2013. Call to Artists: SMAC & CADA Announce “Capitol Box Art Project” The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) is seeking qualifiwww.valcomnews.com • December 19, 2013 • Pocket News
Books in Hand:
Pocket youth collected books for foster children Thirteen-year-old Billy T. Hernandez, member of the Boy Scouts Troop 259, earned his Eagle Award for Boy Scouts on Nov. 20. For his Eagle project, he decided to run a book drive, “Books In Hand” in October to benefit foster children. He had a goal of collecting 90 new or gently used books so that every child in the agency that he is working with would have their own book. When meeting with the agency director, he was very clear that he did not want the books to be the property of the foster parent or the agency but instead, the property of the children. He placed book bins at his school, my place of employment and two local churches. Also, he collected books from scouts in his troop. He collected more than 1,000 books. After sorting the books to ensure that they were in good condition and appropriate, he had 891 books that he was able to donate to foster children. He then was able to deliver the books to some of the See Books, page 14
Photo courtesy
Some of the books Billy T. Hernandez collected for his book drive, “Books in Hand”, which benefited foster children.
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A pathway to modern technology: Intel reached out to JFK students By Anstonia Ma On the Friday afternoon of Nov. 22, nine John F. Kennedy High School ( JFK) National Chinese Honors Society (NCHS) members stepped onto the Intel Folsom Headquarters. They had read the itinerary for the day, but were entirely certain what they were getting themselves into. However, when the clock struck four, their tour around the headquarters began. They were first introduced to the Mr. Jerry Lu who made a speech to the students about the PC Pals mentorship program and some students even had a chance to meet with their mentor. After the welcoming speech, several other mentors began speaking such as Mr. Jason Lu and Mr. Sujun Ma. The tour then began around the technology lab with introductions to really interesting inventions like the conference robots and new developments in computer hardware that the tech teams were hard at work designing. There was even a display screen made up of 16 different TV’s! But the gaming was one of the best parts; there was a racing game where the controller was just a piece of paper and being able to use just your hands and gestures to operate a computer. These new developments shocked the students and opened their eyes to the possibilities that technology made possible. As an addition, the students were allowed to see where actual Intel employees worked to fully enjoy the experience of being in the Intel headquarters. The tour was then concluded and the pizza party got started. The students were all very touched at how hospitable their mentors were even though this was the first time they ever met. It’s no wonder that Intel is one of the best hardware and software companies there are. During the pizza party, the mentors continued to talk about their lives and avidly conversed with the students as the students did vice versa. This opportunity would not have been possible without the hard work of Mrs. Hatamiya, the JFK Chinese teacher, and Mr. Jerry Lu, PC Pals program manager. Anstonia Ma is the president of the Kennedy National Chinese Honors Society.
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Pocket News • December 19, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com
Nine John F. Kennedy High School (JFK) National Chinese Honors Society (NCHS) members stepped onto the Intel Folsom Headquarters on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 22. Students’ eyes were opened to possibilities that technology made possible. From left to right: From the left, front row, Kevin Chan, Chris Chen, Nathan Yee, Calvin Peng, Monica Wan, Anstonia Ma, Wendy Ma, Ming Yan, Mrs. Hatamiya, Agatha Ma. From the left, back row, Mrs. Chen, Ryan Yu, Sujun Ma, Intel Mentor.
Employees at Intel Folsom Headquarters demonstrated to nine Kennedy High School students the use of a “conference robot.”
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Photos courtesy
Billy T. Hernandez, 13, and member of the Boy Scouts Troop 259, earned his Eagle Award for Boy Scouts on Nov. 20. For his Eagle project, he decided to run a book drive, “Books In Hand” in October to benefit foster children. He collected more than 1,000 books.
Books:
Continued from page 8
children in person on Oct. 23. The children were very happy to receive the books. Hernandez loves reading and he wanted to share his passion with a population who often goes without. Hernandez said he wanted his Eagle project to be something that “makes a real difference. I am not looking for something easy but something that is important. Everyone should have that one thing that they can call their own, but the problem is, not everyone does. Reading is a medium through which kids can enter a world unlike their own, a place in which they can be the hero with the happy ending,” Hernandez said. Even though Hernandez is an Eagle Scout, he plans to remain in scouting and earn an Eagle Palms merit badge and enjoy what scouting has to offer. He is also considering joining Venturing, which is another part of Boy Scouts, which is based on a relationship between the youth (ages 14 to 20) and adult leaders and organizations in the community. A 13-year-old, eighth grade student who excels in his academics and all things that he
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Pocket News • December 19, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com
does, Hernandez maintains a 4.0 GPA and plans on taking college courses when he is in high school. He has been elected into the Order of the Arrow, which is an honor society in Boy Scouts. He completed a National Youth Leadership Training. He plays many instruments in the school band and school rock band, including trumpet, many percussion instruments, trombone, clarinet, flute and bass guitar. He has played in the school district Honors Band. He is also very physically active and plays on a soccer team, basketball team, and swims for a swim team. He also volunteers his time to help out Girl Scouts and has volunteered at the Girl Scout Council as well as some of the day camps. Hernandez has his goals set high, which is why he earned his Eagle rank while still 13 years old. He is very aware that he could earn it over the next few years, but he made a goal for himself and is fulfilling it. Hernandez does embrace the Scout Law in every part of his life. He is very honest and holds himself to very high morals and integrity while still enjoying life. Hernandez enjoys humor and makes it a point to make other people smile.
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Great home for the entertainer. Large rooms and flowing floor plan. Updated baths and kitchen with stainless appliances. Two cental heat and air systems and whole house fans. Huge spans of window bringing the lush back yard and pool. $620,000
975 CObbLE SHORES DRIvE • $799,000 SUSIE K. PARKER • 768-8494 SOLD
7462 gRIggS WAy
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
TREy bONETTI • 768-9360
SUSIE K. PARKER • 768-8494
924 LINvALE COURT
7677 RIvER vILLAgE DRIvE
Little Pocket gem on a quiet cul-de-sac. Built by dipinto & Jones, sngle-story ranch-style beauty w/ $75K+ worth of recent upgrades: dual pane; window t r e a t m e n t s ; H va c ; s t a i n l e s s steel appliances. $369,000
SERENA COLLINS • 546-8692
Wonderful 2 story home on corner of culdesac within walking distance to Matsuyama Elementary School. Mediterranean style kitchen open with lots of cabinets, island and tile flooring. $319,000
mEENA CHAN LEE • 837-9104
See all our listings at www.cookrealty.net REAL ESTATE SCHOOL
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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 S classic ranch Beautiful home in the charming Stunning custom home on the RANCH HOmE. UPDATED KITCHEN, NEW CARPET, OLD 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 house with bath and kitchenette. 2.5 baths, family & living rooms views. Unique home and lot with 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.
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Pocket News • December 19, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com
Private/public sector partnership provides public with green energy upgrades Ygrene Energy Fund, in partnership with the City of Sacramento, has designed a program that allows property owners - both residential and commercial - to make improvements for renewable energy, water conservation and energy efficiency. Improvements include hundreds of upgrades such as window and door replacements, new water systems, skylights, solar technology, and upgrades to heating and cooling systems which can increase the property value by 16 percent or more. According to a press release, Ygrene offers 100 percent financing up to 20 year terms for eligible property upgrades. The financing is bound to the property rather than the individual or the business and can transfer with a change in ownership. Eligibility is based primarily on property value and equity rather than a credit score. The non-recourse financing is payable over the long term as a small line item on the property tax bill, and is typically offset by energy cost savings. This allows property owners to make upgrades without any upfront costs or taking on traditional debt. “We are pleased to offer this program to our residents and businesses, without taxpayer expense,” said Phil Serna, Sacramento County Supervisor. “Ygrene’s financing enables us to provide 100 percent financing for energy retrofits to property owners, create thousands of jobs, boost property values and help achieve Sacramento’s goal of reducing energy use 15 percent by 2020 – that’s a triple-win that benefits the entire region.” The process can be started online, at the resource center or over the phone. The six step process includes: 1) Checking property eligibility, 2) Applying for funding, 3) Funding approval, 4) Choosing a contractor & planning property upgrades, 5) Upgrading property, and 6) Enjoying the benefits of the savings with renewable and energy efficient upgrades. Support is available to guide property owners through the process. To get started, visit CleanEnergySacramento.com or call 444-9700. Additionally, Ygrene offers resources for contractors and are encouraged to learn more about educational resources available to them. This is a great opportunity for contractors to stay on the forefront of renewable and energy efficient technological advancements within the industry through Ygrene’s free training. Clean Energ y Sacramento by Ygrene is located at 2600 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, CA 95816. For additional information about the new program in Sacramento visit CleanEnergySacramento.com or call (916) 444-9700.
Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.
www.valcomnews.com • December 19, 2013 • Pocket News
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Pocket News • December 19, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com
Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.
Cap’n Mitch shares special live theater, early television memories By LANCE ARMSTRONG
Brooks and all those people, (playwright and screenwriter) Neil Simon. So, you’ll notice that I was alEditor’s Note: This is part two in a se- ways on the fringes. I wasn’t at the ries about Mitch Agruss and other kid- heart, core of these things.” die show hosts, who brought joy to many young television viewers in the Sacra- John Houseman mento Valley. “(Film actor and live theater proAs presented in the previous ar- ducer) John Houseman (1902ticle of this series, Mitch Agruss – 1988) was an interesting character better known in East Sacramento in himself, because he was Orson and throughout the valley as Cap’n Welles’ (1915-1985) partner in the Mitch – had a lengthy career in live Mercury Theatre during the 1930s, theater long before he donned his with the Federal (Theatre) Project. seaman’s cap for Sacramento area He was the director (of a productelevision audiences. tion of Shakespeare’s) ‘King Lear,’ The former children’s cartoon so that’s how I met him. A few host established himself in the the- years later (in 1956), when he beatrical world, as he performed on came artistic director for the newly and off-Broadway. built American Shakespeare FestiThese experiences not only gave him val Theatre and Academy in Stratmuch joy in his life, but also allowed ford, Conn., he hired an associate him to become a man who could, if he director who was a friend of mine so desired, perform exercises in legiti- who I was working with. So, I just mate name dropping. became a member of that very disAnd in creating a short list of such tinguished company.” famous people, Agruss spoke about several of these related memories. Katharine Hepburn Lance@valcomnews.com
Howie Morris One of Agruss’s earlier theatrical memories was touring around the nation with (an affiliate of ) the United Service Organizations camp shows shortly after World War II. In recalling that time of his life, Agruss said, “We were gone for several months. We went to every state in the country. We visited veterans’ hospitals and we set up rudimentary sets and we did the play (“John Loves Mary”). My roommate was a person by the name of ‘Howie’ Morse (19192005). Howard Morris later became one of the Sid Caesar’s ‘Your Show of Shows’ foursome. (It was an) early television show with Carl Reiner. Howie went on and he was a director and actor in Hollywood and he was also famous (as) the crazy, little hillbilly, Ernest T. Bass, in (The) Andy Griffith (Show). (The Morrises) were our closest friends for many years. They raised puppies – he and his wife – in New York. We had puppies from them and we brought one of our puppies all the way out here from there, and we lived next to each other. We were very close friends. I would hang around at the rehearsals for ‘Your Show of Shows,’ too, which was fun. That was the time of Mel Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.
As mentioned in the previous article of this series, Agruss performed in a Shakespearean play with Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003). And in discussing another moment with Hepburn, Agruss said, “One of my major memories in my life is a whole hour of time with just Katharine Hepburn, my friend, (theatrical and television director) Jack Landau (1924-1966), and myself. She was at Stratford doing two plays there in the summer of 1960. The highlight was her secretary came in and interrupted at a point and said, ‘Miss Hepburn, Spence is on the phone.’ So, Spencer Tracy was calling and I was sitting in that room and I heard it.”
Harpo Marx In telling about his interaction with Harpo Marx (1888-1964), Agruss said, “As members of the theater staff, we had work to do, and for some silly reason, Harpo wanted to have his celebrated horn secured to his dressing room table by lock and chain. And he wanted me to take responsibility for its safety. I had the key. I thought I had the only key until that awful moment when it was half-hour and I went to his dressing room to find him staring bug-eyed at an opened lock and a dan-
Photo courtesy of Mitch Agruss
Mitch Agruss performed at the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre in Stratford, Conn. more than 60 years ago.
gling chain, but no horn. My God, I was petrified.” After some silence, Marx made an odd expression, laughed, slapped Agruss’s back, held up the key, pulled the horn out from under the table and said, ‘Gotcha!’” Agruss said that as an 18-year-old kid, he was “ready to melt into a pool of fear.”
Nancy (Davis) Reagan Long before she became an East Sacramento resident or the nation’s first lady, Agruss kissed Nancy Davis, who would, of course, marry future California Gov. and U.S. President Ronald Reagan. In telling that story, Agruss said, “I played the role of Warren Cramer (in the production of ‘ The Late Christopher Bean’). (Cramer) indeed kisses the character of Susan Haggett, whom Miss Davis portrayed in this play, and that, my friends, is all I remember about the whole darn thing. I never saw her after that, nor did I ever try to contact her when she was here in Sacramento. Don’t know why. Her children probably watched my TV show.”
Television pioneer And on the topic of his involvement in television, Agruss described his pioneering moments in that medium. In speaking about the earliest of those moments, he said, “ I got a job doing a show in (Cambridge, Mass.) – a closed circuit television show, especially for business magnates to see the value of television as an advertising medium. In other words, they were not sure about it in those days. That was in the fall of 1947. So, we rehearsed (about a 20-min-
ute) small play. We were set up in a classroom with (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and they telecasted across the (Charles) River to a big hotel in downtown Boston, where the bigwigs were there. It was a small, little drama with commercials built in to try to show corporate America that television was worth advertising on. And that’s how early it was that we were involved with (television).” The majority of Agruss’s early television work, however, occurred from 1950 to about 1957. And at that same time, he continued with his stage work, which included his appearances in two Broadway plays. Agruss noted that 1950s television actors in New York generally had very little time to rehearse and perform their parts. “In the heyday of live, New York television programming in the 1950s, you only had a week to do a show at the most,” Agruss said. “You had to rehearse a show and put it on and when you did it, that was it. And it went nationwide. Nowadays when you talk to theater people, actors, they say, ‘How the heck did you do that? How can you do such a complicated thing in less than a week’s time? It was all live, and the only reason that we had the recordings is that they did kinescope recordings, which were taken off of photographic television sets. The networks save those in large measure, many of which are in the film and television archives, both in New York and Los Angeles.” In continuing the story of his involvement in early television in a chronological fashion, Agruss began sharing details about his first experience as a children’s cartoon host.
www.valcomnews.com • December 19, 2013 • Pocket News
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Former Pocket resident shares more about his ghost hunting adventures By LANCE ARMSTRONG Lance@valcomnews.com
Editor’s Note: This is part four in a series about former Sacramento disco king, Paul Dale Roberts. For this final article of this series about the adventures of former Pocket resident Paul Dale Roberts, he explained more about his work as a Fortean investigator and had the author of this story join him as a guest at one of his paranormal investigations. As noted in the previous article of this series, Paul Dale Roberts is recognized as one the nation’s leading paranormal investigators. Additionally, Roberts is a writer for Phenomena magazine in England and The Costa Rican Times, he has written four HPI Chronicles series books related to the paranormal and he has appeared on eight documentaries regarding the same topic. Roberts, whose writings are included in 11 paranormal-themed books, said that he was reading Brad Steiger paranormal books at the age of 12, and that he now has articles published in several of Steiger’s books. Roberts has met paranormal icons, Bill Murphy, lead scientist on the SyFy television channel’s investigation series, “Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files,” and Paul Bradford of the SyFy series, “Ghosthunters International.” Stanton Friedman, the star of Discovery Channel’s “UFO Hunter,” and Brad Klinge of the paranormal television series, “Ghost Lab,” have contributed to Roberts’ paranormal articles. Additionally, Nick Pope, a former British minister of defense and a well-known journalist, endorsed one of Roberts’ books. Roberts is considered the “go-to guy” in Hollywood for Northern California investigations, and he was contacted by the producers of the paranormal television series, “A Haunting,” “Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal” (in which he was considered for a technical consultant position), “Ghost Adventures,” “Paranormal Witness,” “The Haunted” (on the Animal Planet channel), “The Othersiders” (on the Cartoon Network), “Haunted Collector,” “Ghostly Encounters” (on the Biography Channel), “Haunted Highway” and “When Ghosts Attack” (on the Destination America channel). For the “Othersiders” series, Roberts was used as a finder-locator for paranormal hot spots in Northern California. “When Ghosts Attack” recently showed an episode based on an article that Roberts had written about HPI’s Keith Dovichi’s demon case in Pioneer, Calif. Additionally, Roberts was supposed to be included in an episode of the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Ad20
Pocket News • December 19, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com
Photo by Lance Armstrong
(above) Jeri Smith’s 11-year-old daughter, Macie Whitten, studies nonhuman-like handprints on a mirror in her home’s living room. Jeri Smith is shown in the background.
(left) Paul Dale Roberts and an assistant use paranormal investigation instruments during the Nov. 27 investigation.
ventures” in regard to his investigation at the National Hotel in Jackson. However, when Roberts and his team arrived at the National Hotel, the “Ghost Adventurers” crew was at a different National Hotel about two hours away. Roberts laughed and while pretending to be engaged in a conversation on his cell phone, he said, “Hello, I’m in the lobby. I don’t see a camera crew.” In speaking about his business, Roberts explained that HPI originally stood for Haunted and Paranormal Investigations. But after Roberts became HPI’s owner, it became known as Hegelianism Paranormal Intelligence (International). The organization was named after the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. Hegel’s idealism and philosophy utilizes the pros and cons of any given situation. Roberts uses the pros and cons of every investigation to determine the conclusion of whether the place of investigation is haunted.
Roberts’ investigators are actually known as “paranormal intelligence operatives,” and HPI is considered international, since Roberts has traveled to 55 countries and territories to conduct investigations. Among the places where Roberts has investigated are Area 51, Skinwalker Ranch in Utah, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Venezuela, Panama, Guatemala, Stonehenge and the Tower of London in England, Dublin Castle in Ireland, the bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand, San Miguel Island in search of the legendary cryptid, Chupacabra, Mount Shasta for Bigfoot and UFO hunting, and the Auburn and Colfax area’s Green Valley Vortex. The latter place has been rumored to have had UFO sightings, a crop circle and ghostly activities. In discussing the topic of paranormal activities in the Pocket area, Roberts said, “On one investigation in the Pocket area, the occupants were complaining See Disco King, page 21 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.
Photos by Lance Armstrong
(above left) “Beyond the Norm” is the third volume in Paul Dale Roberts’ HPI Chronicles book series. (above middle) Paul Dale Roberts is known as the “Demon Warrior” in the paranormal community. (above right) Jeri Smith gives Paul Dale Roberts a hug following his Christian blessing of her home.
Disco King: Continued from page 20
that ceramic cups flew off the kitchen shelves and came crashing onto the kitchen floor. This was too much for the occupants to handle.” Roberts said that he conducted an investigation at that house and captured many electronic voice phenomena or “EVPs,” and that some disembodied voices spoke in a foreign language. He added that when he conducted a Catholic house blessing to cleanse the home of the entities, a resident of the home looked at him with surprise and claimed that an orb flew between them and “shot up into the night sky,” and that the house has been “peaceful ever since.” Orbs, Roberts explained, can be anything from dust, skin flakes and light refractions to dew, lint and bugs. But he added that if an orb presents an “intelligent movement,” then it can be deemed as paranormal. Since Roberts conducts Catholic house blessings for the purpose of ridding homes of malicious entities and malevolent, dark forces, he is known by the nickname of the “Demon Warrior” in the paranormal community. Roberts said that his success rate in “cleansing” homes is at “an all-time high.” And he added that there are many ghost hunting groups that have equipment to conduct investigations, but “have no methods of cleansing a home.” Roberts’ arsenal of cleansers consists of Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan, Apache, Choctaw, Greek Orthodox, metaphysical, and even Voodoo. Roberts explained that there are many haunted locations throughout the world, and that he receives a lot of calls from residents in the Land Park area, because so many homes are “old and have a history.” Roberts said that HPI has 43 investigators, 12 of whom are noted to have psychic abilities. And he added that the organization has a “stockpile of equipment,” including infrared cameras, digital recorders for EVPs, night vision goggles, digital cameras, camcorders, temperature gauges, K-II meters and EMF (electromagnetic field) readers. K-II meters and EMF readers determine if there is a fluctuation in Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.
the electromagnetic spectrum. Such detection, Roberts said, may indicate that there is “an entity present.” In continuing, he said, “Temperature gauges measure drops in temperatures. This may indicate that an entity is feeding off the energy of a particular area, causing a vacuum in that immediate area, which will cause a cold temperature drop.” Roberts added that at times his team even uses dogs in their investigations. “Dogs have a natural sixth sense and can pick up on ghosts,” he said. “(Roberts’ dogs), HPI (pronounced hi-pee) and Princess Hannah, will sometimes sense a presence.” Roberts noted that he uses his dogs and his psychics as tools to locate hot spots and it is up to the investigators to prove that something paranormal is actually occurring in those hot spots. “I will not just take the word of a psychic without positive proof,” Roberts said. Roberts also spoke about the use of what he referred to as a “spirit box.” The instrument utilizes radio frequencies to attempt to communicate with spirits. But he noted that “spirit boxes” and dowsing rods – another tool used in attempts to communicate with spirits – are only tools of the trade and are not used to substantiate the existence of an entity. Instead, EVPs are more valuable instruments for paranormal investigators. On the eve prior to Thanksgiving Day, the author of this article joined Roberts for an investigation of an alleged haunted house in south Sacramento. Jeri Smith, one of the house’s residents, claimed that she had experienced paranormal activities in her home. “The first incident was like a year ago,” Smith said. “I had seen a really black, distinguished figure on my ceiling in my room, and there were no shadows in the room or anything. It was a perfect black figure of a man with a hood.” Smith also shared details about several other incidents that she explained as being possibly paranormal in nature. These alleged experiences included the sound of mysterious voices and footsteps in the house and nonhuman-like handprints on mirrors.
Smith’s friend, Lesa Willis, added that on an occasion when she spent a night at Smith’s home, she also heard mysterious footsteps in the house. As Roberts investigated this home, he did capture a few anomalies through digital photography. But Roberts was not able to deem any of those photographs as evidence of paranormal activity. Roberts also performed what he called a “quick and dirty EVP session.” During that time, he spoke simple phrases into a recorder such as “Is there anyone here?” Roberts paused each time to allow a possible entity to respond. These tests did not capture any “disembodied voices,” as he called them. While Roberts was using a pair of dowsing rods at the home, the rods underwent very limited activity. Following the investigation, Roberts conducted a Catholic blessing at the home. Roberts noted that although the pre-Thanksgiving investigation did not result in the detection of any paranormal activity at the home, he said that two days later his team traveled to Tracy and conducted another investigation. During the latter investigation, a woman, who was a guest at the home, said that she had become possessed and acted as if she was possessed. Photo by Lance Armstrong
Paranormal investigator Paul Dale Roberts utilizes a pair of dowsing rods during the recent investigation in south Sacramento.
Roberts commented, “If she wasn’t possessed, she was a damn good actress.” Toward the end of his last interview for this series, Roberts expressed appreciation for his opportunity to share his life adventures with Valley Community Newspapers. And he added, “If you see a Kia Forte – aka the Rusty Anomaly – with ghost hunting car magnets on the car doors in your neighborhood, don’t be alarmed it’s only the ‘Demon Warrior’ making sure that your neighborhood is safe from any paranormal activity.” Roberts’ paranormal stories can be read at www. jazmaonline.com and he can be contacted through the paranormal hotline: (916) 203-7503. www.valcomnews.com • December 19, 2013 • Pocket News
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The Sacramento Capitolaires meeting
Send your event announcement for consideration to: editor@valcomnews.com at least two weeks prior to publication. Editor’s note: City Councilmember Kevin McCarty told the East Sacramento News the city council has likely postponed the vote for the controversial student housing project, Campus Crest, to Jan. 14. It was previously scheduled for the Dec. 10 meeting. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
AARP tax aide seeks volunteers for 2014 The nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service is seeking volunteers for tax assistance/preparation and leadership coordinators. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. Each year from Feb. 1 through April 15, AARP TaxAide volunteers prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for low and middle income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Volunteers are especially needed to assist with electronic filing of tax returns. You do not need to be an AARP member or retiree to volunteer. For more information on how you can join the AARP Tax-Aide team in Northern California, contact Ron Byrd at NoCalTaxAide@Outlook.com or visit website at; www.aarp.org/taxaide ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
17th Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser Bella Vista High School Football Boosters Saturday, February 1, 2014 5 – 11 p.m. Divine Savior Church 9079 Greenback Lane, Orangevale $40 per person/tables seat 8
Attn. students: Submit now for water efficiency video contest High school students can win cash prizes and the chance to view their video on the Raley Field Jumbotron by entering the 2014 Water Spots Video Contest. The contest, sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and the Sacramento Bee Media in Education (MIE) program, challenges teens to create compelling and original 25-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) videos on a select water efficiency topic. The 2014 water efficiency theme is: Don’t be a gutter flooder: Prevent overspray and runoff. Judging will be based on creativity, entertainment value, accuracy, originality and incorporation of the water efficiency topic. Finalist videos will be displayed on the Raley Field Jumbotron screen and winners announced at a Sacramento River Cats game in April 2014. Winning students and their teachers will also get cash prizes. The grand prize winner’s spot may become part of RWA’s 2014 television ad campaign. Submissions due Feb. 28. Visit www.BeWaterSmart.info for more information and tips on using water more efficiently and to submit entries or get more information about contest rules, judging and prizes, visit www. sacbee.com/water-spots ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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Pocket News • December 19, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com
A men’s Barbershop Harmony group, meets every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Pilgrim Hall (Sierra Arden United Church of Christ), 890 Morse Ave., Sacramento. Info: www.capitolaires.org, call 888-0877-9806, or email info@capitolaires.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Artisan holds Food Drive Artisan Salon is participating in the Spirit of Giving Food Drive. Over the last 17 years, the Spirit of Giving (SOG) drive has helped Sacramento Food Bank collect and distribute over 4.6 million pounds of canned and nonperishable food items for local families in need. Help support families in need by participating in this year’s drive! Artisan Salon is located at 3198 Riverside Blvd. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Soroptimist International of Sacramento South meetings
Women With Good Spirits monthly meetings Women With Good Spirits is a networking group that engages women in the Sacramento community with non-profit organizations that make contributions to our quality of life and care for our fellow residents. Each month, Women With Good Spirits invites a community non-profit to present on its mission work. The meeting is held at Revolution Wines on the second Tuesday of each month and starts at 6:30 p.m. The presenter will start their presentation promptly at 7:15p and will last 15-20 minutes with an open Q & A forum after. A $5+ donation per person that will go directly to the non-profit presenting that month. For more information, visit www.womenwithgoodspirits.com/
December
A service organization dedicated to insure the status of women and girls, the group meets at Aviator’s Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. for lunch and to discuss the day’s topic. Meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 12:15 p.m. The meetings discuss our fund raising Projects and Community Service, often with speakers from our community. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town
Adopt a child for the holidays
Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town
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. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Dec. 19: Author Erin Dealey will present her new book Deck the Walls with a reading and sing-along in the Children’s Theater at 2 and 4 p.m. There will be holiday themed hands-on activities in Mr. McGregor’s Garden and special appearances from everyone’s favorite holiday character, Ebenezer Scrooge, and others throughout the day. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dec. 20: There will be strolling Victorian carolers from 5 to 7 p.m. from Sacramento Theater Company’s School of the Arts. Throughout the day, there will be holiday themed hands-on activities in Mr. Mc-
Gregor’s Garden and special appearances from everyone’s favorite holiday character, Ebenezer Scrooge, and others ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Bi-Polar Anonymous Dec. 20: 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 Dec. 20: 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! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town Dec. 21 to 22: Santa Claus will be in his workshop in the Children’s Theater and available for visits and photos from 3 -7 p.m. There will be strolling Victorian carolers from 5 to 7 p.m. from Sacramento Theater Company’s School of the Arts. Throughout the day, there will be holiday themed handson activities in Mr. McGregor’s Garden and other areas and special appearances from everyone’s favorite holiday character, Ebenezer Scrooge, and others. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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PJ Party and free admission day at the Sacramento Zoo Dec. 24: From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., celebrate Christmas Eve at the Zoo, and you don’t even have to change out of your pajamas! That’s right, admission is free and we will be in our best pjs. The Zoo closes at 1:30 p.m. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Rotary Clubs of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael
Dec. 24: 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.
Dec. 24: An organization for the betterment of women and children meets at Aviator’s Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. for lunch and to discuss the day’s topic. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Membership info: 916-761-0984, volunteers always welcome! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Kiwanis Club of East SacramentoMidtown
Dec. 26: 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. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Dec. 26: 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/
Rotary Club of South Sacramento meeting
Bi-Polar Anonymous Dec. 27: 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. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Rotary Clubs of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael Dec. 31: 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dec. 31: An organization for the betterment of women and children meets at Aviator’s Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. for lunch and to discuss the day’s topic. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
January Free event: Estate Planning Safari at the Sacramento Zoo Jan. 23: Held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Kampala Center in the Sacramento Zoo, this free informative seminar will navigate through a jungle of topics presented by local attorney Mark S. Drobny, California State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Topics will include, but are not limited to: Living trusts versus wills; how to avoid probate; reasons for using powers of attorney, advance health care directives, charitable gift annuities. Seating is limited. To RSVP, call 808-8815 to guarantee your seat. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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Matsuyama’s kindergarteners bring holiday cheer to the school community Photos by Stephen Jiang Special to the Pocket News
Kindergarteners at Matsuyama Elementary performed to a large audience of family and friends on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Thanks to Mrs. Arnett, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Williard, and parent volunteers who helped prepare students for the performance. The holiday show was held after the PTA general meeting. In other school news, Mrs. Glover’s class wishes to extend their appreciation to everyone that donated to the pajama drive. They were able to gather 80 sets of new pajamas. The pajamas will be delivered to the Children’s Receiving Home this weekend.
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Pocket News • December 19, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com
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