SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - An accident involving the collision of two Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) light rail trains occurred on Thursday, August 22. At around 9:38 p.m., a passenger light rail train rear-ended a stopped light rail train undergoing maintenance testing. The incident occurred on the Blue Line in between the Roseville Road and Marconi/Arcade light rail stations. It is a standard safety practice for maintenance personnel to test trains that have been repaired on the main line with revenue service trains. This is required by the Federal Transit Administration to ensure mechanical issues have been repaired correctly prior to the train being placed back in revenue service.
There were a total of 27 people onboard, 24 on the passenger train and three on the train conducting routine maintenance testing. A total of 13 people were sent to area hospitals, 12 with minor injuries and one person with moderate injuries. Everyone else was released at the scene. SacRT is saddened for all that were impacted by the accident, but grateful that there were no serious injuries. The cause of the incident is still under investigation at this time. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the California Public Utilities Commission and SacRT are conducting independent investigations to make a final determination. The City of Sacramento Police are on scene to help keep the area secure during the investigation.
A bus bridge was immediately put in place and is expected to continue for the remainder of Friday, August 23, between the Roseville Road Station and the Marconi/Arcade Station to transport light rail riders to and from stations. Although a small section of light rail is impacted, SacRT staff is on site to provide assistance and guide riders to the special service buses. SacRT personnel are doing everything they can to minimize the impact to our customers.
Safety and security remains a top priority for SacRT. This is only the second time within a 32-year period that this type of accident has occurred. Our safety and security record remains one of the top in the transportation industry.
SacRT is the 2019 national TSA Gold Standard Security Award recipient for the highest standard of excellence. We operate approximately 70 bus routes (fixed-route, dial-a-ride and microtransit), 43 miles of light rail and 52 stations, and ADA paratransit services all within a 400-square mile service area throughout Sacramento County, which includes service in the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Elk Grove.
Bera to Hold Congressional App Challenge
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Office of Representative Ami Bera, M.D. is holding the 2019 Congressional App Challenge for middle or high school students. If you have a great idea for a new phone app or computer program you can sign up for the App Challenge.
The Competition Format will require the following: Code an Application; Create a demonstration video; Answer short essay questions; Register online. For a full view of the rules see https://bera.house.gov/appchallenge
All applications must be the original work of eligible middle or high school students who reside or attend school within the 7th congressional district; Students can participate as an individual or with a team of up to four; Any programming language (i.e. C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Block Code, etc.); Any platform (i.e. PC, web, tablet, mobile, etc.)
The winner will be eligible to have their work featured in Washington, D.C. next spring and receive other prizes.
Submission Deadline: November 1, 2019
For more information please contact Ivanna at (916) 635-0505 or visit https://bera.house.gov/appchallenge
Source: Office of Representative Ami Bera, M.D.
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On August 18, 2019 at approximately 9:22 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a call of an auto vs. pedestrian traffic collision on Watt Avenue just south of Whitney Avenue. CHP Officers arrived on scene and discovered that an unidentified transient man, who was using a “walker” to assist him, had stepped out into the lanes of traffic on Watt Avenue. The man walked directly in front of Tristan Sparkman, a 23- year old man out of Carmichael, who was driving his Chevrolet Malibu northbound. The Malibu collided with the pedestrian and he was pronounced dead on scene by the Sacramento Metro Fire Department. Sparkman was not injured during this collision. The pedestrian was not in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
The cause of this collision is under investigation. Sparkman remained on scene and was cooperative with CHP investigators. His sobriety was evaluated and it was determined that he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of this traffic collision.
Any persons who may have witnessed this collision or who can provide any additional information regarding this collision should call Officer Mike Zerfas at the North Sacramento Area CHP office at (916) 348-2300 or cell phone at (916) 798-0975. Follow us on Twitter @chpnsac or like us on Facebook.com/chpnorthsac
Rich Desmond Joins the Race for Supervisor
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Rich Desmond is the latest candidate to announce that they are running for the upcoming open county supervisor seat currently held by Susan Peters.
At his first fundraising event on August 8th at the Dante Club, former sheriff and radio talk show host John McGinnis opened the evening with his support for Desmond. Susan Peters also offered her support, saying of the fifth generation Carmichael resident “When I met Rich 18 months ago I thought, this might be the guy.” She then asked the more than 200 attendees to support his candidacy.
Desmond addressed the crowd by thanking his children and wife for their encouragement, along with his family, friends and supporters.
Desmond’s background includes 24 years with the California Highway Patrol. His four points of focus for his campaign include working to resolve homelessness issues, improving road repairs within the county, economic development for the region and increased public safety.
Desmond stated “I love this community. My life is woven into its fabric. I look forward to serving all of you.”
The race for County Supervisor District 3 is coming open, as Susan Peters has announced she will not be running again after serving the community for 16 years.
Cake4Kids Still Cooking One Year Later
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SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - In 2018, Cake4Kids arrived in Sacramento, thanks to Mary Barnes’ efforts. Barnes is the Sacramento ambassador for the Sunnyvale-based nonprofit. She has grown her area volunteers into a force of nearly 100 strong. Two dozen gathered on August 3rd to celebrate the one year anniversary of the first cake delivery in Sacramento to Opening Doors.
Since that first delivery, Barnes and her volunteers have made 135 deliveries to more than two dozen agencies throughout the region. The group averages 2.5 deliveries per week, and Barnes said that volunteers are eager to bake more cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.
“I’ve not found a lack of agencies to partner with,” said Barnes and explained that the process is long, especially since many nonprofits have limited staff.
She worked closely with Alison Bakewell, Director of Operations for Cake4Kids, to reach out to agencies by telephone or mail, and they both did a lot of follow up, often waiting to hear back for several months.
One of the agencies she contacted is Next Move Family Shelter. Javier Leon, the organization’s Children’s Services Coordinator, gave a short presentation to the volunteers.
“I try to make sure the children don’t miss out in development opportunities and having fun,” he wrote in an email. “Since February 2019, I have been able to get volunteer bakers from Cake4kids to bring cupcakes, one of the biggest highlights of each party! The children look forward to each batch of cupcakes because each volunteer baker adds their own special design on it. Once a volunteer baker made cupcakes with frosting shaped as flowers. Some kids didn’t want to eat it because they thought it was so beautiful. I’m very thankful Cake4kids exists to allow children experiencing homelessness to not miss out in having cupcakes at birthday parties.”
Leon’s statements echo those of other agencies since the purpose of Cake4Kids is to provide children with possibly the only birthday cake they have ever received. Many children are homeless, recent immigrants, in foster care, or victims of human trafficking.
Volunteer bakers are often challenged by requests for perhaps a vegan banana cake topped with vegan chocolate frosting, the request for the first cake delivered to Opening Doors on August 3rd, 2018.
The process to become a volunteer baker includes a mandatory orientation in order to learn more about Cake4Kids, including the demographics served, and resources. Orientations are held most months and are listed on the organization’s website. The next Sacramento orientation takes place in September.
Barnes, who is as dedicated to bringing cakes to at-risk children as she is to her full-time employment, said she spent an hour on her birthday meeting with representatives from Guardian Scholars Program at Sacramento State. The program serves transitional foster youth up to the age of 24 who are attending college, a program that Barnes called “amazing,” because few foster youth attend college.
Many, she added, don’t graduate from high school, but she learned that two who are being assisted by Guardian Scholars are pursuing master’s degrees.
To be able to meet face to face with agencies is one of Barnes’ goals. She has the opportunity to learn more about the organization, the population it serves, and express Cake4Kids’ gratitude for how each organization serves and supports the community.
“It really helps plant a strong relationship from the beginning,” said Barnes.
She has expanded the region from the first agency in Arden Arcade and volunteer bakers from Sacramento to agencies and volunteers in Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Carmichael, Roseville, and all of Sacramento. She is discussing future plans with agencies in Placer county.
“We can’t do it without our volunteers’ help,” she said, and that she’d like to work hand in hand with a volunteer in the future.
“Our volunteers are everywhere in the Sacramento region. They make my job much easier. They’re doing the weekly deliveries. I’m behind the scenes.”
Although volunteers bake the goodies, decorate them, and package them according to Cake4Kids’ guidelines, they never see the smiles of the children. It doesn’t seem to matter to them. They want to bake and bring the joy of a birthday treat to children.
“Another Cake4Kids celebration,” Barnes said, “is right around the corner.” On September 17th, the public and interested bakers are invited to attend an open house and information session.
One year ago, Barnes said her goal was to reach 100 volunteers, and she’s nearly accomplished that feat.
“I’m so appreciative of all the volunteers who have come forward. It was daunting to start this. I believed it and people showed up,” said Barnes, adding that she is indebted to the volunteers. For additional information, visit https://www.cake4kids.org/.
Library Friends Host Chamber Mixer
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Bookish stalwarts of Friends of the Carmichael Library hosted a recent mixer for the Chamber of Commerce. Lauding the value of books for readers of all ages were Roseanne Bonovich (left), Maria Farr, Berta Bogel and County Libraries Director Rivkah Sass. The non-profit is an all-volunteer advocate for Carmichael library, which is the busiest of all branches in the Sacramento Public Library system. Among other endeavors, the Friends donate and raise funds for children’s literacy with the Book First Program, which provides a free book for all first-grade children in local public schools. Membership of the organization costs $20 per year.
Learn more about Friends of the Carmichael Library at www.saclibfriends.org or visit the library at 5606 Marconi Avenue.
Honoring Grandparents With Butterfly Release
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sunday, September 8 is national Grandparents Day, and two local non-profits are observing the day with a Grandparents Day Butterfly Release. Sacramento Children’s Museum (SCM) and Snowline Hospice are hosting the Butterfly Release ceremony at 11:30 am at the museum, which is located at 2701 Prospect Park in Rancho Cordova.
SCM’s mission is to inspire a love of life-long learning by providing a space for children to play, create, and explore. Snowline’s mission is to help patients through end-of-life care and support their families through the grieving process. The Grandparents Day Butterfly Release is a way to support two great causes at the same time while also recognizing the vital role grandparents play in children’s lives.
SCM’s director of museum advancement Meghan Toland said, “We chose Grandparents Day because grandparents are so important to us at the museum — we see them bringing kids in every day. … Celebrating grandparents is a great way to bring awareness to Snowline and the Sacramento Children’s Museum.”
Participants can dedicate a butterfly in name of a beloved grandparent. “You can reserve as many butterflies as you want,” said Toland. The event will include Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies — both beautiful options to honor grandparents’ significant impact on our lives.
The butterflies are locally and sustainably sourced, and they will be transported to the museum on ice — putting them into a temporary hibernation until they are woken up at the event. Participants will wake the butterflies by warming them in their hands during the dedication, and then the butterflies will be ready for release after the ceremony.
Grandparents are an important part of all our lives, so Toland explained that the event is not just for children — all ages are encouraged to attend. She also emphasized that the dedications do not have to be in remembrance: “It’s to remember those we don’t have any more and also to celebrate those still in our lives every day.”
Toland said they expect to release 400 butterflies, so they are anticipating a large turnout at the event. After the Butterfly Release, a celebration will feature games, activities, face painting, and food vendors.
Proceeds from the event will benefit SCM’s educational programs and Snowline’s Healing All Together (HAT) grief group, which helps children and their families deal with grief after losing a loved one. Because it can be difficult for kids to verbalize their emotions, HAT helps kids express their grief through art, motion, music, and play. SCM works in partnership with Snowline, which hosts the HAT program at the museum twice a month.
Butterflies for the event must be reserved in advance on the website, and people are already signing up. The deadline to reserve a butterfly is Friday, September 6 and the cost is $10 per butterfly, or $15 for a butterfly and admission to the museum. To reserve a butterfly — or to sign up as a vendor or sponsor — visit www.sackids.org.