Pocket News • April 21, 2017

April 21, 2017 | www.valcomnews.com

Pock e t News — Bringing you community news for 26 years —

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Letter to the Editor. ..................................... 2 From Your Councilmember..........................3 Crossword Puzzle......................................... 5 Police Logs.................................................10 What’s Happening..................................... 20

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Letter to the Editor Oh rats! Kennedy substitute teacher speaks out on the rat in her class

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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 Fridays of the month in the area bounded by Interstate 5 on the east and the Sacramento River on the north, west, and south.

Publisher...................................................................David Herburger Editor............................................................................... Monica Stark

Vol. XXVI • No. 8 2709 Riverside Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95818 t: (916) 429-9901 f: (916) 429-9906

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Pocket News • April 21, 2017 • www.valcomnews.com

Cover photo by: Stephen Crowley Other photos: Courtesy Courtesy

Dear Editor, When I showed up for work the first day back from spring break for a two-day assignment at John F. Kennedy High School, I wasn’t expecting anything other than the usual workday. In fact, I have always enjoyed working at JFK, and the very last time I completed an assignment there, they told me they would add me to their “preferred substitute” list. So, you can imagine my surprise when I was told not to come back after expressing my concern for both student and employee health and safety.

The day started routinely, I arrived to the classroom about 30 minutes before classes start, and began to review materials when I heard a scratching noise just behind and above me. I turned and saw a rat running along the top of the wall panel, so I ran. I turned just in time to see it disappear into the wall. I immediately called the front office administrators at the school, and they told me that they would be sending up a custodian. At this point I was uncomfortable, but as a substitute I do my best to make sure things carry on as the school wishes, so I didn’t ask for other accommodations. They told me to carry on with classes as though nothing was amiss. The first bell rang and the class filled with 20-30 students.

After the first class, I had what was called my “prep” period, which has no students. I stepped out for a moment, and when I came back, the rat was back, climbing down the teacher’s bookcase, scampering across the teacher’s desk, and stopping in the middle of the room before running directly at me. I was horrified!

I screamed before stomping and clapping to scare it off, at which point it started climbing student desks. My mind was reeling.

Clearly, the rat was comfortable in this classroom. Beyond what I had directly witnessed, I could only imagine the extent of the contamination that had potentially taken place over the week-long spring break, and absolutely felt uncomfortable with being a party to exposing additional students to this room. I went back to the administrative office again and told them about the rat and that I would be uncomfortable having more students in there.

They had already exposed one class at this point, but I wouldn’t continue to do so. While they tried to figure out out other accommodations, the administrator in the office next door mentioned that she had had rats in her office as well, leading me to believe that this was not only not the first occurrence, but that the rats were school wide.

They moved us to the library for the next class period, but shortly thereafter the custodian came to tell me that a trap had been set, and asked if I was ready to return to that room with students. At this point, there is no way they could have sanitized the classroom, indicating to me that they didn’t understand the severity of the situation, and had failed to take the appropriate steps to remedy the situation.

I told them that I would feel more comfortable in the library for the rest of the day.

At the end of the first day of my two-day assignment, I was reasonably concerned about the second day of the assignment. As I went to turn in my folder and key for the day, I wanted to make sure neither myself or the students would be reintroduced to a dangerous environment. I told them that, “I would be uncomfortable returning for the second day of the assignment if (they) wouldn’t be able to sanitize (the appropriate items) in that classroom, or be prepared to make alternate arrangements”, a request that I felt was entirely reasonable.

When I left the school site it was my understanding that things would proceed uninterrupted, but an hour later I got a call telling me the second day of my job had been canceled and that I wouldn’t need to come back. I have never been taken off an assignment before, so I was a little shocked. I asked if it was something I had said, and the same administrator I had been talking to all day told me it was because I had asked them to clean, and that they wouldn’t be able to clean to my requested standards by the start of school the next day. At this point I grew concerned for student safety, and the safety of the substitute that would be in that same room the next day. They would be unaware of what they would be exposed to, and I wouldn’t even get to warn them because I was taken off the second day of my two day assignment for asking them to do their due diligence.

I never demanded anything of them, I make a point of showing deference to all of my superiors, and everyone that I work with in fact.

As a substitute, I am well aware of my place in the school hierarchy: I am at the very bottom, everything flows downhill and all blame rests on me. I felt compelled to disregard that momentum, however, because I felt that the administrators were being cavalier with people’s health.

As far as I know, the school didn’t show any kind of appropriate response until the video that I posted got over 15,000 views. They say they took all the appropriate steps, and handled everything with due process. Why, then, were they trying to put students back in that classroom the very same day, after having made no efforts to clean? Were parents notified the first time there were rat sightings, or just this time?

What is the appropriate way to handle rat infestations, because the district is acting like they don’t have the means to handle a rat problem with $98 million in reserve. I know that as a person who used to be quick to sing the praises of SCUSD and of being employed by them, I am highly disappointed by how they chose to handle all of this. I feel like the administration at JFK put students and faculty at risk, and they added insult to injury by making me a scapegoat instead of acknowledging my dedication.

Sincerely, Veronica Luther Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

From your Councilman, Rick Jennings

Japanese bazaar set for Saturday, May 6

WHAT’S GOING ON IN DISTRICT 7?

Hey, Hey! It’s almost May!

It’s been said that April showers bring May flowers. But, here in District 7, we get so much more than just flowers to enjoy! Check out these activities coming soon in the Pocket/Greenhaven area.

and more! Call our office (916-808-7007) for more information. Paid for by Measure U and sponsored by the Department of Parks & Recreation.

• CITY HALL IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Thursday, May 18th, 6-7pm Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library Join Vice Mayor Rick Jennings and staff to discuss matters of importance to you and your neighbors, 3rd Thursdays of the month at the Pocket-Greenhaven Library from 6-7pm.

• SOUTH SACRAMENTO YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SSYAC) Wednesday, May 10th, 6-8pm Pannell Community Center (2450 Meadowview Road) INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH: - We’re calling for all our young leaders that are ready to make a difference in the community. Food • TRUCKS & SUCH will be provided! For more info, contact Casa- Friday, May 16th, 5-8pm nya at cursery@cityofsacramento.org.

Garcia Bend Park Enjoy food trucks, fun, family and friends • D7 HOT SPOT EVERY 3rd Friday at Garcia Bend Park.

Fridays, May 12th & 19th, 7-10pm

School of Engineering & Sciences! (7345 Glo- And, let us know about more events or programs ria Drive) by emailing the details to cursery@cityofsacraTEENS, cool out at the D7 Hot Spot! mento.org. We can also include your event or Boys & Girls ages 13-19, Basketball, Snacks, program our Social Media blasts.

The Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church will host its annual Asian Food and Cultural Bazaar at 6929 Franklin Blvd. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. Please note, this is a new date and time for the bazaar. The bazaar will feature teriyaki chicken, sushi, sesame chicken, chow mein, udon, Korean short ribs, pastries, and manju ( Japanese confections) cooked on-site by church members and friends.

Free entertainment will include performances by ACC Pocket Pickers ( a ukulele group), Sacramento Taiko and more. The event will also feature handmade items crafted by the Boutique Committee, hand made cards, and children’s games. Rev. Motoe Yamada welcomes everyone to SJUMC’s lively and growing congregation. Current membership includes people of all ages and of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The church’s programs include a Youth Basketball Program; Choir; United Methodist Women’s Group; Adult Education Classes; Youth Group; Garden Angels (church landscaping); Prayer Ministry; and more.

For more information about the Asian Food and Cultural Bazaar or any of the SJUMC programs, please see www. sacjumc.com or call the church office at 421-1017.$4.75 per person. Children ages 1 and under are free.

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For the 2017-2018 School Year.

Space is limited.

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www.valcomnews.com • April 21, 2017 • Pocket News

Photos courtesy

Shown here are cars that will be on display at the monthly car show at Lake Crest Village.

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Starting May 12 through Oct. 13, at least 20-25 cars will be displayed on the second Friday of each month from 5:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. at Lake Crest Village Shopping Center on the corner of Florin Road and Greenhaven Drive.

The June and August events will be held on the first Friday of those months.

“We take great pride in our cars there are some really cool ones,” says event organizer Tony Antonucci, the owner of a 1957 Chevy Bel Air. The cars will range from the 1930s through the 1970s. Tony purchased his Bel Air in 2013 from a car collector in New Jersey who had started building the car, which Tony finished to his own satisfaction.

Tony says that knowing there are several people living in the Greenhaven-Pocket area who own hot rods and classic cars, is simply the reason for the monthly event. “And since there are no events like this in the area, we

thought it would be nice to have something that people in the area good enjoy,” he added. “After talking to many people living in the Pocket area, I believe there is enough interest to have this event once a month. All I hope to get out of this, is the satisfaction of knowing that the Pocket area will have something to look forward to each month. Many of us go to car shows and cruise nights around the greater Sacramento area, as well as shows like American Graffiti in Modesto and Hot August Nights in Reno.”

Tony says management at Lake Crest has been good to work with and he thinks businesses in the center are looking forward to this event.

Come take a look, many of these cars participate in special events in the area. For more information you can contact Tony Antonucci at 606-5459 -Monica Stark

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www.valcomnews.com • April 21, 2017 • Pocket News

Reichmuth Park gets new playground The City of Sacramento Parks & Recreation installed a new playground at Reichmuth Park with design assistance from MRC & GameTime. The new playground pays tribute to the hard working men and women of the Sacramento Fire Department.

Reichmuth Park is located directly next to the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) station 13, which is why city officials thought a fire truck/fire station themed playground

would be a phenomenal way to honor the cities bravest.

The playground equipment design will feature a custom fire station with multiple slides exiting the enclosed tower. The fire station portion of the playground will also be decorated with the SFD emblem to bring a lifelike element to the focal point of structure.

A fire truck climber and slide sit just below the fire station.

Inside the fire truck is a play panel that children can use to

create sounds familiar with the vehicle. Adding lifelike audio to this play structure is a great way to get the imaginations of children running wild.

Also exciting, the Reichmuth Park playground is the first of its kind to incorporate augmented reality as a feature throughout the play structure. Park visitors will be able to use their smartphones to engage with photos posted throughout the structure that will link to videos highlighting the history of the SFD, fire safety and many others.

Suddenly this playground structure becomes a place to not only play, but learn at the same time.

Reichmuth Park is located at 6135 Gloria Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831.

Source: http://mrcrec. com/www/blog/page/3

Photos by Monica Stark

Shown here are photos of the relatively new playground at Reichmuth Park which pays homage to the hard working fire fighters of the Sacramento Fire Department.

Send us your calendar updates E-mail us, editor@valcomnews.com

Pocket News • April 21, 2017 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Celebrating the life of South Land Park homicide victims On March 22, 2017, at their home in South Land Park, four beautiful souls began their unexpected transition to heaven.

Angelique Nichele (Smith) Vasquez, 45, was born on May 1, 1971, in San Francisco. She graduated in 1989 from McAteer High School and then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Phoenix. Angelique began her career with the State of California Employment Development Department in 2006 in Sacramento with the Disability Insurance Branch. In 2011, she accepted a promotion to the EDD’s Human Resource Services Division where she worked as a personnel technician. Angelique was a dedicated and devoted mother to her beloved children, Mia and Alvin and a loving aunt to her niece Ashley. In her late teens, Angelique was an avid reader, her favorite being books about the Japanese Shogun. At the time she was also interested in watching Chinese theater on television, a pastime she enjoyed daily even though she could not understand a word.

Mia Luna Vasquez, 14, was born on Oct. 26, 2002, in Sacramento. She attended Sam Brannan Middle School as an eighth-grader and was popular and well-liked among her friends. Mia was a gifted violinist and an exceptional goalie for her school soccer team.

Alvin Renaldo Vasquez, 11, was born on Oct. 28, 2005, in Sacramento. He attended John Cabrillo Elementary School and just recently transferred to Sutterville Elementary School as a fifthgrader. Alvin was popular, well-liked and known for always being friendly and polite. He enjoyed playing basketball and football.

Ashley Marie Coleman, 21, was born on June 17, 1995 in San Francisco and graduated from Lincoln High School.

Ashley was due to being vocational training as a veterinarian assistant in April. Her grandmother describes her as always being a girly girl, interested in make-up and fashion: “She knew how to dress and always dressed for success.”

and Superintendent José Banda issued the following statement following identification of the victims in the South Land Park tragedy: “It is with great sadness that we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the South Land Park victims on behalf of our Board of Education and staff throughout the district.

The children, 11-year-old Alvin and 14-year-old Mia attended schools in our district.

Their mother, Angelique, is remembered as a loving and caring mother. We also grieve the loss of Ashley Coleman and extend our condolences to her loved ones.”

Crisis team counselors have been at Sam Brannan, John Cabrillo, and Sutterville and the district’s Student Support and Health Services Office prepared guidelines for parents (included below) in talking to their children about grief and loss.

The three schools are strong and caring campuses that will rally together for their students and community. They will console and serve our families as they remember and honor the victims.

Parent guidelines to help students through loss Parents, you play an important role in helping your children and your family cope with the stress reactions that can follow these events. Try to maintain a balanced perspective. On one hand, do take your child’s reactions seriously. Don’t say that “It wasn’t so bad.” Don’t think “If we don’t make a big deal, she will forget all about it.” On the other hand, don’t decide that the trauma was so bad that your child will never recover. Instead, try to maintain a hopeSacramento City Unified ful belief that your child will School District Board of Ed- heal and that your family will ucation President Jay Hansen recover from the event as well.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

What can my family do to recover?

You can help your family recover by doing the following: Be patient. There is no correct timetable for healing. Some children will recover quickly. Others recover more slowly. Try not to push your child to “just get over it.” Instead, reassure him or her that they do not need to feel guilty or bad about any feelings or thoughts.

Assure your child that he or she is safe. Talk about the measures you are taking to keep him or her safe at home and about what measures his/ her school is taking to ensure his or her safety at school.

Maintain regular home (mealtime, bedtime) and school routines to support the process of recovery. Make sure your child continues to go to school and stays in school.

Limit exposure to media outlets, such as social media sites and television news coverage of the event to avoid further exposure to the traumatic event.

Take time to think about your own experience of your child’s traumatic event and any past traumatic events you may have experienced. Your own trauma history and your feelings about your child’s trauma event will influence how you react.

Consult a qualified mental health professional if your child’s distress continues for several weeks. Ask your child’s primary care physician or school for a referral to a mental health provider who has experience with child traumatic stress. If you need help, finding a mental health professional, contact SCUSD Connect Center at (916) 643-2354.

When family members care for and support each other, they can often overcome the fears and stress of trauma. Some families grow stronger after a traumatic event and are even able to help others in need. Of the many ways to cope and heal from traumatic stress, many families count on these: Community support, spiritual beliefs, friends and other families.

There is no correct timetable for recovery. Some children will recover quickly. Others recover more slowly. Some families get better with time and the support of others. As a general rule, if your child’s reactions (nightmares, recurrent thoughts, fears) have been getting worse instead of better, or your family is having ongoing distress, crises, or trouble meeting your children’s needs, you should seek a referral for a qualified mental health professional (psychologist, clinical social worker, psychiatrist) that will help your child and your family feel better, grow stronger, and recover.

If you need help, finding a mental health professional, contact SCUSD Connect Center at 643-2354.

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

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www.valcomnews.com • April 21, 2017 • Pocket News

with Pat Lynch

No Good Deed I heard the cough before I saw it. It came from a tallish woman, maybe 35. She was thin, kind of gangly and presented an overall appearance of wetness. Her eyes were red and runny, forehead glistening (fever). She clutched a plastic, pink pitcher with a lid on it. She opened the lid and spat into the pitcher.

I poked Moira beside me.

“See that horrible woman? If she comes over here we have to move.”

Moira looked around. “I don’t see anyone horrible.”

We were sitting in the emergency room of Sutter Hospital, waiting for Moira’s scan results. Moira, my sister, has had embolisms and takes Coumadin, a blood thinner that prevents clots from forming. But with Coumadin the danger of a brain bleed is ever present, so when a person taking Coumadin accidentally bangs her head, as Moira did earlier, she has to go to the ER for a brain scan. So there we sat, waiting to be told no bleed had occurred and we could go.

The woman spat again into her pink vessel and walked

up the security guard. He was a sturdy young Latino guy and didn’t back away when she approached. She asked to borrow his phone.

He handed it to her and she made a call. She mumbled a bit but then I heard her say, “I kin pay when I get there.”

She handed the phone back to the guard and started coughing again. I wanted to shout to him, “Don’t touch that phone.” But he took it back and put it in his pocket, nodded sympathetically at her. Her coughing spasm continued while she wandered back to the seating area, this time flopping into a chair two rows behind us.

“We have to move,” I said to Moira who might have a brain bleed. I made Moira get up. But I didn’t want the spitting woman to think we were moving away from her, so I nudged Moira to the doorway with me while I pretended to look for a soda machine. “What? No Coke?”

I said with a look of phony bafflement. Then I took Moira over to the furthest chairs, away from everybody.

“Avoid, avoid, avoid,” I said.

The spitting woman spat again and got up, wandered listlessly. The walking dead.

She turned and headed our way. “Don’t breathe when she passes us,” I whispered to Moira.

“You’re crazy,” Moira said.

“I mean it. Here she comes.

Do. Not. Breathe.”

The woman walked by us and back to the guard. “Every cab I call, they want they money up front,” she said.

“They don’t think I’ll pay.”

The guard gave her an understanding nod.

I wondered why she didn’t just get in the cab, get driven home, make the driver wait while she got the money. But maybe there was no money to be gotten. Maybe she had some bad taxi history. She spat again into her pitcher. She asked again for the guard’s contaminated phone; he handed it to her and she called again. She mumbled and paced and finally returned the phone. “No luck,” she said to the guard. Cradling her pitcher of spit, she started again to wander.

The deep coughing began.

This time she sat down three chairs away and succumbed to the noisy spasm.

“She’s frigging going to kill us,” I whispered to Moira.

“Why can’t she sit still?

“I don’t want to move again,” said Moira, who, in her first emergency embolism episode, had had a “shower of embolisms” in both lungs.

A shower of them.

I remember the night.

Moira had called, said she was sick and had trou-

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ble breathing because she thought she’d strained her back. She was hungry. My sister Eileen and I said we’d stop by. When we got there I gave Moira a hamburger and milkshake and said I’d check on her tomorrow. But Eileen said, “Let’s call her doctor’s office, just to be safe.” Eileen called and an actual doctor answered. Eileen described Moira’s symptoms and the doctor said Moira should go to the ER immediately because with her medical history there was a chance of embolism. That’s when the shower was discovered and how I almost killed Moira with neglect and how Eileen saved her life. So now, tonight, I decided I’d better not make Moira move around too much more.

The woman got up again and resumed pacing. She looked miserable. I glanced around the ER waiting room.

A white-haired lady wearing a mask sat in the far corner.

A row ahead of her a man bent over an iPad that made a perpetual dinging sound.

Young parents calmly coddled a sniffling child, a person of indeterminate gender, wearing a wool hat and zebra-striped jacket, sat behind them. Since I had nothing to read I studied the person to assess the gender.

This is usually an interesting challenge. But I kept one eye on the spitter because who knew when she’d go on the move again? Sure enough, she got up.

Rubbing her forehead, clutching her plastic jug, she roamed, pausing here and there to have a coughing fit. I gave up on the gender study and watched the woman.

Here, I thought, is a wretch.

A true wretch from the pages of Dickens. Better yet, a Typhoid Mary, resurrected to infect and kill us all. She wandered aimlessly, getting too close to people. Wasn’t it enough that she had already planted her lethal ooze on the guard’s cell phone? And did he deserve to die because he was stupid enough to lend it to her? No. If all the stupid people died there would be no one left but Eileen and the telephone doctor.

Then it hit me. Of course.

I put on my gloves. I waited until the roaming, spitting woman circled behind us. I walked up to the guard and

stood as far off as I could politely stand and still speak privately. “I’ll be glad to pay for a cab for that lady,” I whispered.

He stepped nearer, forcing me back. “That’s real nice,” he said. “You sure about this?”

“I’m sure.” But I said I wanted him to give her the money privately so she wouldn’t be embarrassed in front of people. Of course the truth was that I wanted to avoid contact. And he had already been exposed. I discretely tried to hand him a twenty. But he said, smiling, “Lemme go tell her now,” and walked over to her. I went back to our seats. Moira was asleep.

The guard returned and asked me to step outside. I followed him. There she was, standing there, shivering.

“You really wanna help?” she said.

“Sure.” I had kept my gloves on. I handed her the twenty.

“You go and get some rest,” I said. I presented a big smile of human warmth.

Blinking, she clutched the money. “You’re so nice,” she said. “I just gotta give you a hug.”

In an instant she’d embraced me and put a full, slippery kiss on my cheek.

“You’re so nice,” she repeated, still hugging, clinging. I could hear the rumble in her chest. “So nice.”

When she pulled away she wiped a tear from her eye and grinned at the guard who bestowed a beaming smile on both of us.

When she finally made her taxi call I peeled off the gloves and went back inside to find a bathroom to quickly wash away as much of the kiss as I could. But there was Moira coming toward me.

“They’re letting me go,” she said. “All clear.”

“Stay back.”

She bent down and lifted something from the floor.

“You dropped your glove,” she said.

“No. Don’t touch it. Drop it.”

“You’re getting crazy.” Moira was happy to have been released. She followed me to the ladies room, and hovered while I washed my face with the meager dab of soap allotted and the thin drool of lukewarm water. These See Good Deed, page 17 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Sacramento Zoo News Matchmaking Zoo Style With the planning by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Sumatran Orangutan Species Survival Plan, Makan may have found his future mate in Indah. Indah will be arriving in late spring and, after successfully completing quarantine in the Murray E. Fowler Veterinary Hospital, she will be moved to our Orangutan facility. There, keepers will be observing how well all three orangutans (Makan, Indah, and Cheli) are doing in close proximity to one another and how best to make the physical introduction. The hope is that Makan and Indah, in their own time, will take an extra special liking to each other.

Sumatran Orangutans are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are native to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. These arboreal apes require tall and mature forests and therefore are especially vulnerable to loss of habitat from ever expanding palm oil plantations and deforestation. In addition, poaching for the illegal bushmeat trade and taking for the illegal pet trade make their existence even more difficult. Current estimates indicate that there are only around 14, 000 Sumatran Orangutans left in the wild. In addition to the wild populations, two entirely new Sumatran Orangutan populations are gradually being established via the reintroduction of confiscated illegal pets; one in and around the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park ( Jambi and Riau provinces) and one in and around the Jantho Pine Forest Nature Reserve, in the far north of Aceh. To date, more than 260 individuals have been reintroduced. The goal of these efforts is to eventually establish new, genetically-viable, fully-reproducing and self-sustaining wild populations as a safety net against catastrophe elsewhere in the species’ range.

The Sacramento Zoo participates in the AZA Sumatran Orangutan Species Survival Plan. An SSP is the responsible for the planned management of a specific species in human

care. SSP’s cooperatively manage specific populations across multiple zoos and aquariums with the goal of sustaining a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied species well into the future. An important facet of the program is the breeding of animals in a responsible and planned manner. Even if an animal is not reproducing, they are still helping the SSP Program in an important way.

First spring birth at the zoo The Sacramento Zoo’s pair of Critically Endangered Mongoose Lemurs, Catherina and Elmo, welcomed the birth of their fifth offspring the morning of April 13. Older sisters, Abby and Camilla, born in 2015 and 2016, share the exhibit, learning important parenting skills from their mother.

Mongoose Lemurs carry their infants across their abdomen like a fanny pack until the infant is a little older and more mobile. Infants are born with the coloration of the female to aid in camouflage as it is being carried. The sex of the baby will not be known for a few months; its throat will stay white if it’s a female but will change to rust-brown if male. This species of lemur is monogamous and the typical group includes an adult pair and their offspring, usually one per year. Adults weigh just over 3 lbs.

Like other lemur species Mongoose Lemurs are found on the island of Madagascar. They are also found on the Comoro Islands just north of Madagascar after being introduced there by humans over 200 years ago. Mongoose Lemurs are Critically Endangered due to extreme forest fragmentation combined with forest destruction by slash-and-burn agriculture for cattle and charcoal production.

On the Comoro Islands they are often hunted as agricultural pests.

The Sacramento Zoo is located at Land Park Drive and 16th Avenue. Admittance into the zoo is between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Zoo grounds are open until 5 p.m.

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Police Log The information provided allows for a timely snapshot of significant events in our community. The crimes reported here are preliminary investigations, taken in the field by patrol officers, and may or may not be assigned to a Detective for further investigation. The information provided may be found after further investigation to be incorrect or false.

Certain details of these incidents have been removed due to potential follow up investigation into the incident and/ or for privacy rights.

-sacpd.org

from the residence. Officers took a report to document the incident and a board up crew was requested.

(Vandalism): 6400 block of South Land Park Dr at 8:49 a.m.

Officers responded for a vandalism report. Officers arrived on scene and took reports from two victims.

Officers determined their vehicle had been shot with a B.B. gun. Officers took vandalism reports and canvassed the area for witnesses. No arrests have been made at this time.

(Welfare check): 7600 block of Windbridge Drive at 8 p.m.

Officers responded for a welfare check of a subject that had not been heard from by family members for three days. Officers arrived and determined neighbors had not recently seen the victim either. Officers made entry into the residence and located the vic-

April 4 (Burglary): 1100 block of 35th Avenue at 8:14 a.m.

Officers responded for a report of a burglary. Officers arrived and determined a subject was seen fleeing from the residence. Officers determined entry was made into the residence. It was unclear if any items were taken

tim deceased in a bedroom. per sprayed and robbed of her The coroner responded and purse. The victim was walktook over the investigation. ing down the street when she was approached by 3 females.

April 10 One of the females pepper (Shooting): Golden Oak Way / sprayed the victim and stole South Land Park Drive at 9:17 her purse. The suspects fled a.m. on foot from the area. It is beOfficers responded to the lieved the suspects gained the above area on reports of shots location of the victim’s house fired. Officers located evi- from the identifying infordence that a shooting had oc- mation in the purse and went curred in the area. No vic- to the victim’s apartment and tims or property damage was stole her vehicle. An officer located. A report was gener- located the stolen car in the ated and the investigation re- area of Riverbend Circle the mains active. purse inside a nearby dumpster. A report was generated April 11 and the investigation remains (Burglary): 7400 block of South very active.

Land Park Drive at 1:17 p.m.

A 13 y/o was home with his April 12 11 y/o brother. The suspect (Stolen vehicle report): 6000 knocked on the door and then block of South Land Park Drive entered the house through a at 11:10 a.m. window. Officers respondOfficers responded for a reed and found the suspect hid- port of a stolen vehicle. Offiing in a nearby patio with sto- cers arrived and contacted the len items from the house. The victim. Officers determined suspect was booked on bur- the victim invited two suspects glary related charges. over that were known to him.

An argument ensued with the (Robbery): 3200 block of Riv- two suspects taking the vicerside Boulevard at 5:09 p.m. tim’s vehicle. A report was takOfficers responded to a re- en by officers. No arrests have port of a lady who was pep- been made at this time.

(Brandishing): 2500 block of Florin Road at 11:48 a.m.

Officers responded for a report of a brandishing.

Officers arrived and contacted the victim. Officers determined suspect(s) in an unrelated vehicle brandished a firearm at the victim while driving. Officers checked the area for the vehicle with negative results.

A report was taken and information was forwarded to detectives.

April 16 (Stolen Vehicle Arrest): 1300 block of Florin Road at 4:23 p.m.

Officers were dispatched to the area regarding a suspicious vehicle seen outside a business. Upon arrival, officers located the described vehicle and determined it had previously been reported stolen.

Both occupants were detained without incident.

The driver was arrested on charges of driving a stolen vehicle and possession of narcotics. The passenger was placed on a hold for violation of his parole terms.

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Big day of Giving returns to the Pocket The Big Day Of Giving is scheduled for Thursday, May 4th this year. The Big Day of Giving is a 24-hour online giving challenge that brings together the region’s nonprofit community to help raise money and promote the work nonprofits do in the Sacramento region.

This year, the ACC Senior Center has numerous events planned. Beginning at 3PM, the ACC will have entertainment, demos, door prizes, food sales and much more.

Throughout the day various Ukelele and Guitar groups will be performing. Also scheduled to perform is the Taiko Group. A cake judging contest will be at 4PM with Channel 31’s Tina Macuha judging the best cake. A silent auction for the cakes will follow. To enter your cake, contact director Linda Revilla, HYPERLINK “mailto:lrevilla@accsv.org� lrevilla@accsv.org. At 5PM, the ACC Showstoppers will be performing some of your favorite songs. The ACC Showstoppers are a community choir composed mainly of seniors.

They have been performing throughout the area to rave reviews. Special guests include Maeley Tom and the College Fund Street Band.

The Big Day of Giving will be entertaining and fun at the ACC Senior Services, 7334 Park City Dr. 95831. Put it on your calendar and make sure to stop by and see all the good the center does for seniors and residents of the community!

For more information on the Big Day Of Giving, www.bigdayofgiving.org

Schedule of events

3 p.m. - ACC Taiko, Greenhaven Happy Strummers (80+ year old players!)

3:30 p.m.- Buddhist Church Na Aikane Players 4 p.m. - Sacramento Mandarins 4:30 p.m. - Pocket Pickers, Amy’s Hula 5 p.m. - Sing for your Soul Choir 5:30 p.m. - Maeley Tom vocal stylings, Two Left Feet Dancers 6 p.m. - Guitar Ensemble 6:30 p.m. - The College Fund Street Band 7 p.m. - CCC Uke and Hula Group

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www.valcomnews.com • April 21, 2017 • Pocket News

11

Fashion for a Cause

By Pat Lynch

Where can you find a more up-tempo event than a fashion show that supports the worthiest of causes? You can find this particular show Thursday, April 20, 1-2 p.m. on the second floor at the downtown Macy’s (414 K St.) The show is Fashion for a Cause and the cause is stopping domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault. The highly regarded and much awarded My Sister’s House partnered with Macy’s to present this offering.

Nilda Guanzon Almores, Executve Director of My Sister’s House, says she hopes people might stop by My Sister’s House Café (455 Capitol Mall—across from Macy’s) and “have a delicious lunch” before or after the show.

Fashion show attendees will not only get a preview of au courant spring and summer wear, but will get to watch local high profilers strut the stuff. The models will include Genevieve Shiroma, SMUD Board President; Sonia Fernandez, President, Woman Lawyers of Sacramento; Heidi Pyle, Incoming

President of the Junior League of Sacramento; Angelique Ashby, City Council member (and her daughter); Risa Omega, General Manager of Channel 10; Mikey Hothi, District Director, Assemblyman Jim Cooper; Samantha Corbin, CEO, Corbin and Kaiser, LLC; Nha Nguyen, Reporter, Good Day Sacramento; Mark S. Allen, Channel 10 reporter; Stephanie Nguyen, Elk Grove City Council member and Executive Director, Asian Resources; Darin Walsh, Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Richard Pan; Corrine Yee Joe, retired, COO, Sacramento Children’s Home; Kao Saephanh, Manager, Affiliate Relationships, Safe Credit Union; Robbie Abelon, Senior Vice President, Region Business; Ron Tom, retired lobbyist. Some of these model volunteers are also My Sister’s House board members or friends.

How did Macy’s become involved in this do-good fashion event? It seems that a personal shopper there, Wendi Crum, worked with one of the executives of My Sister’s House. Almores says the idea

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grew from there and became unstoppable.

Founded locally in 1980, My Sister’s House is a 501 © (3)non-profit that provides services for victims of sexual abuse. It began in June of 2000 to address abuse in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, but serves all victims of sexual trafficking and oppression. In 2006, it began operating a multi-lingual telephone Help Line 24 hours a day. Since then its renown in Sacramento has grown. It has

received multiple awards for distinguished achievement in serving communities in peril. It has increased its profile, expanded its services and become a beacon of hope for exploited women and children.

Fighting human trafficking and sexual abuse is no small undertaking, but Almores says the organization makes an enormous difference. Providing help, counsel, learning, shelter and survival itself, My Sister’s House saves and changes lives. In the past

Revere courT

week alone two former clients returned to visit. One had benefited from the legal counseling services and the Women to Work program and was now in a position to hire staff. She “came to start volunteering,” Almores says.

“The other came with a donation check and a letter from her new employer.”

Tickets ($20) for the fashion show may be purchased through the My Sister’s House website or at the My Sister’s House Café.

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13

Pocket resident speaks about Pam Suwinsky tragedy

By LANCE ARMSTRONG lance@valcomnews.com

Pocket area resident Pamela Suwinsky was only 62 years old when word began to spread about her disappearance in South Lake Tahoe earlier this month. And as her friends and family held out hope that she would be discovered alive, some of those people joined in a search for her in that area.

Jeff Scott, a close friend of Suwinsky, was among those people.

Scott, who began that friendship with Suwinsky about six years ago, told the Pocket News this week about the moment he heard the tragic news that Suwinsky’s body was discovered in the Upper Truckee River on April 9, six days after she was reported missing. “ We were up there the Sunday before last searching for her door to door, asking people if they had seen her,” he said. “And then when we got back to the place where the police were (and) they had the search party there in Tahoe.

They told us how they happened to find her.”

The discovery occurred about a mile from the Motel 6 where she was last seen alive.

Scott said that until the moment that he learned about Suwinsky’s death, he and others close to her had been holding out hope that she was not dead. “(News of her death) was quite traumatic, because we always held out hope that something weird happened that she went away and wanted to get lost or something,” he said.

“But she wasn’t the type of person that would do that. It did not fit her character of somebody who was op-

Pamela Suwinsky, whose body was discovered in the Truckee River on April 9, had a variety of interests, including animal welfare, book editing and attending films at the Tower Theatre.

timistic. I mean, she had her problems, but we all do.”

According to a press release, Suwinsky had fallen in the motel’s parking lot and cut one of her lips and chipped one of her teeth the night before her disappearance.

Suwinsky’s ex-husband, who continued to be her friend after their divorce, reported on April 3 at about 10 p.m. that Suwinsky was missing and that she had last been seen in the motel’s parking lot during the afternoon of the same day.

Four days later, with Suwinsky still missing, Fox40 reported that the South Lake Tahoe Police Department was then calling her disappearance “suspicious.”

The same report notes that with a search warrant obtained through the El Dorado County district attorney, a computer tower, a small suitcase, and several paper bags were seized by authorities at Suwinsky’s Pocket area home on April 6.

Photos courtesy of Jeff Scott

Pocket area resident Pamela Suwinsky is shown with her dog. One of her close friends referred to her as an animal lover.

In memorializing his friend, Scott described Suwinsky as a Pennsylvania native who was a “very giving and gracious, fun person with a big heart.”

He added that he met Suwinsky through a mutual Pocket area friend and developed a friendship due to their similar interests, including watching movies at the Tower Theatre, visiting the Crocker Art Museum and Old Sacramento, and raising and caring for rabbits.

Scott also mentioned that Suwinsky was a book editor, and enjoyed spending time with her dog, Wilson, and her two cats. She was also working on her own book, a collection of

stories, called “Bloomers: Adventures in Lingerie Management.”

In dealing with the loss of his friend, Scott said that he is personally trying to have a positive attitude.

“I was in absolute shock and disbelief (about her death),” he said.“It’s still just a lot of sadness and anger over it.

But I’m trying to stay positive. That’s what she would want us to do is keep going in life and continue to do good things and be a light to people and not dwell in the past.”

Scott said that Suwinsky’s funeral will be held in Pennsylvania and that a memorial service with friends of the deceased will be held in the “next couple of weeks.”

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Pocket News • April 21, 2017 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

It’s raining eggs… and rain!

By Monica Stark editor@valcomnews.com

hundred show up, but again, fun in the rain was different. ” In addition to the 4,000 eggs that fell from the sky, 2,000 already were waiting for children on the ground.

Higley hopes for clear weather next year. The plan is to continue this event and make it better as the years pass.

“We suspect we will outgrow the area we have someday.”

Higley gives thanks to Nugget Market and Bel Air for helping with gift cards for the event and for Bel Air’s donuts, which were given out.

Besides the jaw-dropping egg drop,the event featured a large inflatable slide and bounce house, a toddler area, prizes in random eggs and a grand prize drawing.

Despite the rain, a few hundred kids watched in awe as 4,000 eggs fell from a helicopter overhead River’s Edge Church. Flying in from Executive Airport, Jeff Hendry from Capital Helicopters returned this year and boy, did he do a great job, even in the rain. As Pastor Mike Higley said,“Our greatest joy of doing this is to provide for our community something that is just a bit different and unusual. Egg Hunts are common , but to see them dropped from a helicopter is exciting for the kids. To feel the blowing wind and hear the helicopter is just plain fun! It really is all about gathering people in order to make new friends and see neighbors. I love watching kids smile and laugh, especially with River’s Edge Church is located at 6449 their parents and friends. Because of Riverside Blvd. For more information the rain, we probably only had a few about the church, call 391-9845.

Photos by Stephen Crowley

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Pocket News • April 21, 2017 • www.valcomnews.com

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Good Deed: Continued from page 8

stingy hospitals and their cheap public sinks. But part of the kiss had hit my lower left nostril, so the scrub was probably too late anyway.

Everything was fine when we got home at 6 a.m. I took a nap and woke happy. Everything was fine the next day too. On the third day I got a headache and woke the fourth day with a cough.

The cough was horrible, deep, rattly, incessant. I felt green. I called Moira. When I heard her voice I knew. She coughed for a week. Then for her it stopped.

I coughed for three weeks.

Three entire weeks and two days. My doctor said, ride it out. I coughed in bed, in the shower, in the car, walking, talking, resting, eating. I coughed on a trip to Bodega Bay. I coughed in the hotel, I coughed on the Pacific ocean. I came home to continue coughing in East Sacramento. I coughed when I tried to exercise. I coughed when I sprawled on the couch. I coughed, I coughed, I coughed. I didn’t go to any meetings or public gatherings because of the cough. I didn’t have to cook because, well, the cough. Wherever I went I carried with me this sick chest and this incessant frigging cough.

I coughed morning, noon and night, coughed till my sides hurt, coughed till my throat was raw, but never, I swear, not ever, not once, never did I, nor ever will I, spit.

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www.valcomnews.com • April 21, 2017 • Pocket News

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www.valcomnews.com • April 21, 2017 • Pocket News

19

What’s

happening

SATURDAY, APRIL 22 JOHN F. KENNEDY CLASS OF ‘17 SHREDDING EVENT: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring papers to shred to the parking lot.

SPRINGTIME STORY HOUR WITH THE ROTARY CLUB - Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library: From 10 to 10:45, kids and families are invited to join volunteers from Rotary International (District 5180) for some stories in the Reading Tower. Afterwards, check out the giant book sale in the community room to find some great deals on books for the whole family. 7335 Gloria Drive.

POCKET-GREENHAVEN FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSALE – Get great deals on gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and much more! All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Pocket-Greenhaven Library in support of library services and materials. A Members’ preview sale takes place Saturday, April 22 at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; regular sale hours begin on Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during library open hours Tuesday, April 25 through Friday, April 28 at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

READ TO A DOG– Looking for a way to boost school-age reading skills? Join us in the library’s Reading Tower area and practice reading out loud to a registered therapy dog (Marvin, the Wonder Corgi). Kids are invited to bring their own books or borrow one from our collection. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

BUDGET TOWN HALL MEETING: From 10 a.m. to noon, join Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City Council Member Jay Schenirer for a Community Discussion on the City of Sacramento’s Annual Budget. For more information, call 808-6789. Refreshments Provided. Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento,

Pocket/Greenhaven?

beautiful bicycles and other prizes from local community resources. 8 to 10:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 25 THROUGH FRIDAY, APRIL 28 POCKET-GREENHAVEN FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSALE – Get great deals on gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and much more! All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Pocket-Greenhaven Library in support of library services and materials.

Sale continues during library open hours Tuesday, April 25 through Friday, April 28 at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 OATH CEREMONY – In celebration of the library’s partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the community is invited to observe a special oath ceremony at the library. April 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Dr., Sacramento.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29 BOY SCOUT TROOP 259 SHRED EVENT: Event is FREE, however, suggested donation to support local Troop 259 activities is as follows: $3/bag and $5/ banker’s box; 9 a.m.-1 p,m at the Elks Lodge No. 6 parking lot; 6446 Riverside Blvd.

MONDAY, MAY 1-FRIDAY, MAY 5 FAIRYTALE TOWN PRESENTS CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK: Celebrate Children’s Book Week with storytime, activities and giveaways each day of the week! From May 1 through May 5, join us on the Mother Goose Stage each day at noon. A different book will be featured each day with storytime and craft activities inspired by the selected book. There will also be a Scholastic Book Fair with books and more for sale. It’s a week of literary fun! Children’s Book Week activities are free with paid park admission. Weekday admission is

SATURDAY, MAY 6 SUNDAY, APRIL 23 THE SACRAMENTO GUITAR SOCIETY PRESENTS MATTHEW FISH: He is a San Francisco based classical guitarist, an accomplished soloist, chamber musician and teacher. The concert will be held at the Clara auditorium, 24th and O Streets, Sacramento on Sunday, April 23, at 3 p.m. Donations at the door.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND BIKE RODEO AT ALICE BIRNEY: The pancakes are on the school! Head over at 8 a.m. for free pancakes and stay to learn about bike safety and play some fun games.

This is our very special way to thank the community for all of their support. Cost: FREE! Raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Raffle prizes include

20

SJUMC BAZAAR: The Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church will host its annual Asian Food and Cultural Bazaar at 6929 Franklin Blvd. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. Please note, this is a new date and time for the bazaar. The bazaar will feature teriyaki chicken, sushi, sesame chicken, chow mein, udon, Korean short ribs, pastries, and manju ( Japanese confections) cooked on-site by church members and friends. Free entertainment will include performances by ACC Pocket Pickers ( a ukulele group), Sacramento Taiko and more. The event will also feature handmade items crafted by the Boutique Committee, hand made cards, and children’s games. Rev. Motoe Yamada welcomes everyone to SJUMC’s lively and growing congregation. Current membership includes people of all ages and of diverse

Pocket News • April 21, 2017 • www.valcomnews.com

ethnic backgrounds. The church’s programs include a Youth Basketball Program; Choir; United Methodist Women’s Group; Adult Education Classes; Youth Group; Garden Angels (church landscaping); Prayer Ministry; and more.

For more information about the Asian Food and Cultural Bazaar or any of the SJUMC programs, please see www.sacjumc.com or call the church office at 4211017.$4.75 per person. Children ages 1 and under are free.

FRIDAY, MAY 5 CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA AT THE ELKS LODGE, NO. 6: No host cocktails start at 4:30 p.m., followed by a performance by Mariachi Los Gallos at 5 p.m., dinner and raffle at 7 p.m. (carnitas, rice and beans, nachos, salsa and chips), and dancing at 8 p.m. to music by Latin Touch. 6446 Riverside Blvd. $25 per person. ; 422-6666. Credit cards welcome.

SATURDAY, MAY 6 AND SUNDAY, MAY 7 FAIRYTALE TOWN PRESENTS A PUPPET SHOW: “THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF” Show times at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Puppet Art Theater Company presents the tale of “ The Three Billy Goats Gruff ” in the Children’s Theater. This production starts with the classic race of “ The Tortoise and the Hare.” Hare, super speedy; Tortoise, slow and steady. Who will win? The conclusion of the race takes place on the Troll Bridge, waking up the Grumpy Old Troll. Then watch on as the Three Billy Goats find a way to outwit the Troll and get across the bridge so they can enjoy the field of green grass. Tickets are $2 for nonmembers in addition to park admission and $1 for members. Tickets can be purchased at the Fairytale Town main gate or at the entrance to the Children’s Theater 15 minutes prior to showtime. For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call 808-7462.

SATURDAY, MAY 6 JFK E-WASTE FUNDRAISER: From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., bring your eWaste to the parking lot at Kennedy High School.

THURSDAY, MAY 11 BREATHE FEST 2017– Celebrating community and clean air in the Sacramento Region: Breathe California Sacramento Region will put a twist on their long-standing Clean Air Awards by honoring Sacramento’s leaders in sustainability at a brand new event, Breathe Fest.

Breathe Fest will highlight impactful changes Sacramento residents can make in their daily lives and honor five local Clean Air Champions. Breathe Fest, to be held at the exclusive Sacramento Railyards Paintshop, will feature live music from IdeaTeam, regional food and beer from SactoMoFo, a local marketplace curated

by DISPLAY, tiny homes, and an electric vehicle showcase. Event emcee, Kat Maudru, will honor local clean air champions, individuals and organizations making

significant strides in improving air quality in the greater Sacramento region. This year’s winners include an impressive list of local leaders and businesses that have contributed to improving air quality through targeted actions. Specific contributions include decreasing water and energy usage, pioneering public school food waste recycling programs and instituting innovative business practices In addition to the awards program, music, food and beverages, Breathe Fest will feature an exciting interactive networking space where sponsors can showcase their latest programs, achievements or technological developments to attendees. Many of the region’s most influential business and civic leaders as well as elected officials from all levels of government are expected to be in attendance. This year’s event is sponsored by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Regional Transit and Capital Public Radio, among others.

Breathe Fest will be held at the Sacramento Railyards on May 11, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor or learn more about Breathe Fest, visit www.sacbreathe.org/breathefest. After May 1, ticket prices will go up to $40. For more event or sponsorship information, contact Jenny Matchell at (916) 444-5900 ext. 217 or jmatchell@sacbreathe. org.

SATURDAY, MAY 13 FAIRYTALE TOWN’S COMMUNITY DAY AT THE SACRAMENTO ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND: All ages are invited for a day of play at the Sacramento Adventure Playground, located at the Maple Neighborhood Center, 3301 37th Ave. from 11 a.m.

– 3 p.m. Children get to create their own play structures and spaces by re-purposing everyday items such as cardboard boxes, plus household wares, natural elements and unexpected items. The playground is a fun and safe environment where children can use their imagination and creativity to direct their own play! The Sacramento Adventure Playground is open rain or shine, and admission to the playground is free. For more information, visit sacadventureplay.org or call 222-3831.

ONGOING BE A PART OF JFK HISTORY- PURCHASE A BRICK: John F Kennedy High School has a new athletic stadium for track, football, rugby, marching band, fitness, and soccer. Phase 1 of the brick walk is now complete. There is a section with over 100 bricks installed. There is room for many more, so become part of JFK history by purchasing a personalized brick for the walkway. This campaign continues throughout the 2016-2017 school year. Phase 2 bricks will be purchased in May 2017.

ROTARY CLUB OF SOUTH SACRAMENTO: The friendliest club in Sacramento, the Rotary Club of South Sacramento meets every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Casa Garden, 2760 Sutterville Road.

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What’s

happening

VINTAGE HOT RODS AND CLASSIC CARS AT LAKE CREST VILLAGE: Starting May 12 through Oct. 13, 2017, cars will be displayed on the 2nd Friday of each month from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Lake Crest Village Shopping Center corner of Florin Road and Greenhaven Drive. The June and August events will be held on the first Friday of those months. Come take a look, many of these cars participate in special events in the area. For more information you can contact Tony Antonucci at 916606-5459.

SUNDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET AT THE ELKS LODGE, NO. 6: From 8:30 to 11 a.m., enjoy eggs, omelets, corn beef hash, bacon or sausage.

6446 Riverside Blvd.

TEA DANCES AT THE ELKS LODGE, NO. 6: Every first Sunday of the month from 2 to 5 p.m., dance to the music of the 30s, 40s and 50s, played by a live 16-member orchestra., $8., 6446 Riverside Blvd.

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF SACRAMENTO SOUTH: Meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Aviators Restaurant, Executive Airport, 6151 Freeport Blvd. For more information, call Dee at 341-7852.

JOB COACH APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE AT POCKET LIBRARY– Make an appointment to meet one-on-one with a volunteer job coach and get help with online job searching, using library databases, interviewing tips, resume writing, and more.

For questions or to schedule an appointment, please ask at the library service desk or call 916-264-2920 during open hours. Appointment times are available for most Wednesdays between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

TECH HELP APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE AT POCKET LIBRARY– Have a technology question or problem? Sign up for a one-on-one technology help session with our staff. We can help with basic computer, Internet or e-mail questions, and/or get you started with library servic-

Pocket/Greenhaven?

es like e-books or e-magazines! Stop by the service desk or call 916-264-2920 during open hours to make an appointment. Appointment times are available for most Wednesdays between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursdays between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and noon, at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

BABY/TODDLER STORYTIME AT POCKET LIBRARY– Babies and toddlers (ages 0 to 3 years) and their caretakers are invited to join us for songs and rhymes. Arrive extra early or stay later for extra social time with other children and parents. Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

KNIT TOGETHER AT POCKET LIBRARY– Love to knit? Want to learn? Join us for expert advice, great conversation and more. All crafters are welcome, not just knitters! Every Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

BABY STORYTIME AT BELLE COOLEDGE LIBRARY –Nursery rhymes, fingerplays, simple stories, and songs designed to encourage a range of early literacy skills. For children up to about 18 months old. Each child must be accompanied by a participating adult. Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. at Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive.

TODDLER STORYTIME BELLE COOLEDGE LIBRARY– Toddlers ages one to three and their caregivers will enjoy fun songs, stories, and fingerplays. After the storytime, there will be a stay and play group. Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. at Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME AT BELLE COOLEDGE LIBRARY – Preschoolers ages three and older and their caregivers are invited for fun songs, stories, fingerplays and a play activity. Thurs-

Best Bets A library doubleheader on Saturday, April 22: SPRINGTIME STORY HOUR WITH THE ROTARY CLUB - Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library: From 10 to 10:45, kids and families are invited to join volunteers from Rotary International (District 5180) for some stories in the Reading Tower. Afterwards, check out the giant book sale in the community room to find some great deals on books for the whole family. 7335 Gloria Drive.

POCKET-GREENHAVEN FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSALE – Get great deals on gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and much more! All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Pocket-Greenhaven Library in support of library services and materials. A Members’ preview sale takes place Saturday, April 22 at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; regular sale hours begin on Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during library open hours Tuesday, April 25 through Friday, April 28 at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

days at 11 a.m. at Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento.

SING ALONG WITH MISTER COOPER- Join neighborhood favorite Mister Cooper for 30 minutes of music time and freeze dancing for families. Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento.

HOMEWORK ZONE AT BELLE COOLEDGE LIBRARY– Teen and adult volunteer homework coaches will be available to assist students in grades K-8 with homework assignments. Please note: Homework Zone ends on June 8, 2016. Space is available with coaches on a first-come, first-served basis. Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento.

Do you have an upcoming or monthly event?

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e-mail Monica: editor@valcomnews.com

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www.valcomnews.com • April 21, 2017 • Pocket News

21

LIFE IN THEByVILLAGE JAN DALSKE East Sacramento News

I already knew that September was going to be a great month. School was starting again soon. But, the California State Fair was coming to an end. We had never been to the State Fair, and it was just a few miles from our house. Every night they launched fireworks into the sky from the fairgrounds, and if we looked up in the direction of the fair, we could see them from our backyard. When the State Fair was open, we finished dinner early, sat on a blanket in our backyard, and watched the colorful show.

Maybe someday our fami-

ly will get to go to the fair grounds and watch the fireworks from the seats!

I finally got to play hopscotch with the girls in the neighborhood. My dad told me that I could use the chalk he gave me to draw the outline for the game on our driveway while his car was gone. So, I asked the girls that lived a few houses away to come over when they saw me outside. We drew the lines just like they had at school. Everybody brought their special marker for when they were jumping. We played until my dad came home from work and

needed to park in the driveway. I could not wait to get back to school and play more hopscotch games at recess time. Hopscotches were painted on the playgrounds at school.

Before we knew it, school was starting again. Timothy said he was excited about starting kindergarten. He walked with Rodney and me in the morning. But, he had to leave for home before we did. My mom put Wayne in the little red wagon, and walked to the school to meet him when his class was dismissed. Rita and Linda held hands and walked along with her. I was at recess when they came to the school and I waved hello to them. When one of my friends asked me who I was waving at, I told her “my family”.

Dad had told us to make sure that we did not walk along the train tracks when we went to school and back every day. There was a side-

walk along the street and that was where he wanted us to walk both to and from school. He did not want us to walk on the train tracks because, sometimes, trains came down those tracks.

Rodney wanted to ride his new bicycle but our dad said no. Walking was good exercise and he needed to stay with his brother and sister and look after them After all, he was the oldest kid.

Timothy was growing up, and was now in Kindergarten classes. I had never attended Kindergarten. My dad just put me in first grade when I started school. Now, I was in second grade, and Rodney was in third grade.

I was going to be seven in January, Rodney was eight, and Timothy had turned five in June. Linda would be the next Dalske kid to begin school. Her birthday was in October, when she would be four years old. I knew what she wanted for her birthday. She dreamed of a new doll with long blonde hair like hers, and blue eyes like hers. She hoped that the eyes would close when her doll went to sleep.

My new friends from around the block were in another class. Sue and Cathy came over to see me at recess. They asked me if I still wanted to join their group of Brownies. I told them

that I would check with my mom after school today, and let them know tomorrow when I saw them at recess. I saw Rodney playing with some of his classmates.

They were playing a game called baseball. You hit a ball and ran around some “bases” until you got back to where you came from. I would not want to do all of that running for a game. Jumping rope was more fun, and you stayed in one place without any running.

After Rodney and I got home from school I wanted to talk to my mom about joining the Brownies. Rodney was already talking to her. He was telling her about something called Cub Scouts. What was that? She told him that she would have to ask his dad about that group when she talked to him about the Brownies. Good. She had not forgotten about me.

Dad must think that his kids were growing up too fast if they wanted to join Brownies and Cub Scouts.

At dinner time Rodney and I were all talking about our first day back at school.

Timothy did not have very much to say about what he did at school. I think he had fun, but he was just a little nervous about meeting new kids, and being away from home.

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Hear, “Gloria”, some folk, gospel, Irish, Gershwin, “A Tribute to John Denver” “The Best of the Beach Boys” - and more!

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Sunday, May 7 4:00 pm Northminster Presbyterian Church 3235 Pope Ave. Sacramento

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Feral Cats Project

Volunteers needed to help feral cats Sacramento Feral Resources is seeking volunteers to assist with our recently launched Feral Cats Project. The focus of the Project is to involve residents throughout Sacramento County in altering feral cats and helping resolve feral cat issues in local neighborhoods.

Through Free Feral Cats Workshops anyone who wants to help feral cats through the Project can learn more about feral cats and volunteer opportunities. Volunteers may provide education, outreach, assistance with trap-neuter-return (TNR), feral colony assistance, education, and more. Workshops are open to the general public.

When it comes to feral cats in the neighborhood, people are either compassionate or angry about the cats. While both pet cats and feral cat are domestic animals. their lives are quite different. Unfortunately the stray/feral cats ended up on wrong-side-of-the-door when they were abandoned. They generally have a tough life and are maligned by many.

Community involvement is important to reduce the number of unwanted kittens that are born each year and left to fend for themselves and become another starving cat on the street.

However, the lives of feral cats can be easier when they are altered/returned and fed by caring people. In fact, since 2010 Sacramento County has supported altering feral cats and returning them to the neighborhood - not euthanasia, starvation, or trapping and relocating cats (which is illegal.) Many people that we talk with don’t understand why feral cat are in their neighborhood and that there can be a good outcome for both neighbors and cats.

You can help improve the lives of community feral cats The Feral Cats Project has been introduced to encourage public involvement with helping resolve feral cat issues in the community. Feral cats are a neighborhood issue, and active support from local residents can help improve the lives of both neighbors and feral cats.

• Are you computer savvy? Good at problem solving?

Volunteer in the Response Center, the frontline for information.

• Rather be outdoors? Want to be where the action is?

Trap and/or transport cats for altering and return to their colony.

Other ways to help feral cats in our neighborhood • Support a neighborhood colony – feed feral cats – be a caregiver – help alter, return, and monitor a colony.

• Care about humane treatment of feral cats and find out how you can help • Develop awareness of feral/stray cats in your neighborhood • Education and communication - talk with neighbors about the cats and how to help • Sponsor TNR for a feral cat or a colony – supports those who need help • Donate food to help caregivers feed – often willing to care for, TNR, etc. but do not have the funds. – They consider surrendering cats to the shelter because they can’t afford to feed – with some support the cats can remain in place and be cared for.

Feral cats project objectives • Help improve the outcome for community feral cats and neighbors.

• Make a positive difference in the feral cat population through Trap-NeuterReturn (TNR), Outreach, Education, and Networking to involve the general public in becoming an active part of the process.

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To request information on the Feral Cats Project, email: feralcatsproject1@gmail.com

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IN THE UPCOMING CALL (916) 429-9901 TODAY! Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

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$

1469 QUEEN STORAGE BED reg $

$ 1659 KING STORAGE BED NIGHTSTAND $399 DRESSER $1099 MIRROR $229

816382

EVERYTHING’S ON SALE!* 549

$

659

$

599 QUEEN PANEL BED reg $

739 COUNTER TABLE 54X36

KING PANEL BED $779 NIGHTSTAND $279 DRESSER $659 MIRROR $169

reg $

X-BACK STOOL $139 265946

872273

2399

$

599

$

669 60” ROUND TABLE W/DROP LEAVES

2659 3PC SECTIONAL reg $

AVAILABLE IN CHOICE OF FABRICS

reg $

UPHOLSTERED CHAIR $159 362983

380698

2299

reg $ $ 2549 RECLINING SOFA

WITH POWER POWER RECLINER $1599

180478

12125 Folsom Blvd.

Rancho Cordova 916-351-0227

Mon – Fri 10am – 8pm Sat 10am – 6pm Sun 11am – 6pm

www.naturwood.com

Sale applies to all indicated items except all “Clearance” and “Special Buys”. Sale price not available in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Allow time for delivery on some items. Sizes and colors are approximate. Sale ends May 14th, 2017.