Rotary Club of Carmichael
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael Rotarians and guests recently met at the Main Event Grill at Ancil Hoffman Golf Course for the club’s annual installation of officers for the 2019-20 Rotary year. Vicky Boatwright accepted the presidential Rotary gavel from outgoing president Greg Herrera.
In her remarks, President Vicky announced R.I. President Mark Daniel Maloney’s theme for 2019-20, Rotary Connects the World, which asks Rotarians to strengthen the many ways that Rotary Connects the World, building the connections that allow talented, thoughtful, and generous people to unite and take meaningful action through Rotary service.
She went on to enumerate the many programs and projects the club has supported in the past and briefly outlined plans for the coming year. In her professional life, President Vicky is one of two Government Affairs Coordinators with Anheuser-Busch Companies’ North American Zone.
She joined Rotary in 2012 and at the club level, served as President Elect, Treasurer (2x), Finemaster, and Crab Feed Fundraising Chair, in addition to participating in most of the club’s community projects.
At the district level, she served on the District Conference Committee.
The Rotary Club of Carmichael was chartered in 1948 and President Vicky holds the distinction of serving as its first woman President. The club’s Rotarians are excited by her enthusiasm to serve and anxiously anticipate the wonderful things she has planned for the coming year including service projects, fellowship, diversity and fun. To this end, she has assembled a group of dedicated Rotarians who share her vision.
Attending this historic event were dignitaries from Rotary District 5180—Past District Governor Sandi Sava and Assistant Governor Area 6/District Governor Nominee Desiree Wilson. Past President Chuck McBride administered the Oath of Office to the President and new officers.
Joining President Vicky as the club’s new officers effective July 1, 2019 are: Greg Herrera, Immediate Past President/Vice President; Karen Munsterman, Secretary; Jay Boatwright, Treasurer; Edward Bunting, Club Service Chair; Richard Bauer, Community Service Chair; William Donnoe, Vocational Service Chair; Richard Olebe, International Service Chair; and Doug Haaland, President Elect.
God’s Hand was in the Details
FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - In April, out of the blue, Nick Javier began experiencing pain in his right leg. It was so severe he couldn’t walk, and a lump formed. After an x-ray, an ultrasound, and various blood tests came back inconclusive, Nick asked for an MRI. The images showed a mass, and a biopsy revealed it was sarcoma — a rare malignant tumor.
After finding out he had cancer, Nick and his wife Joan decided to go skydiving: “It was literally a template for everything we’ve gone through,” said Nick. “It was pretty scary jumping out of that plane, and then there was a moment of bliss when the parachute opened. It’s helped us think through and deal with everything.”
The following day they met with the surgeon, who recommended amputation to remove the stage 3 tumor that had invaded the lower portion of his leg. A second MRI, just a day before the surgery, showed that the tumor had doubled in size in just a month. “It’s a miracle that it stayed local in my leg,” said Nick. “God’s hand was in the details.”
Joan said, “I could feel everyone praying for Nick.” While Nick was in surgery, Joan was overcome by a beautiful image: “I envisioned balloons going up to heaven — each with a prayer inside for Nick. … I felt such awe and wonder, and that everything was going to be alright.”
After the tumor was removed, doctors found that it was synovial sarcoma, which is very rare —affecting between one and three out of a million people each year— usually children and young adults. “I always said he was a big kid, and one in a million,” said Joan.
Although the tumor was successfully removed, Joan explained that this type of cancer sends out “sleeper cells” that could cause new tumors to grow, so Nick has to undergo extremely aggressive chemotherapy. Starting on July 15, he’ll spend five days in the hospital receiving chemo and then three weeks at home recovering, repeating the cycle four or five times.
Joan said that this type of cancer responds well to the proposed treatment, so Nick has an excellent prognosis: “The challenge is that they haven’t had a 65-year-old with this cancer, so they don’t know how he’ll respond, but I said, ‘They don’t know Nick. … He’s ready.’”
“I’m bolstered by God’s confidence. I do have the courage to come out the other side cancer-free,” said Nick. “They say God never gives you more than you can handle, so we’ve been leaning on that credo, and so far it’s been true. … It’s really been a miracle.”
Joan had her own battle with cancer last year — a stage 2 melanoma. Doctors had to remove the lymph nodes from one side of her face and neck, and Joan was incredibly lucky that the cancer had not yet spread into her lymphatic system. “They called that a miracle too,” she said.
Nick said, “Our faith is strong. We’ve been married 26 years, and God has always been the center of our life. He never ceases to amaze us. … Our faith has buoyed us and has continued to provide inspiration and encouragement.”
For 45 years, Nick has been working as an MC for weddings and corporate events, and while waiting for his diagnosis he even worked events on crutches. Now he’s had to reassign all his 2019 bookings to colleagues while he focuses on his recovery. Joan works as a lease negotiator, and is now only working part time while she helps care for Nick.
Nick also hosts DJ Trivia Nights three times a week, and shortly after the surgery he was already back at it. “They took my leg, but they didn’t take by mind or my intellect,” said Nick. “The fact that I can still do this under the circumstances makes me feel whole.”
Nick and Joan have lived in Fair Oaks for 18 years, and they have received so much support from the people of the community. Joan said, “It’s really been humbling.”
While walking their dog recently, a neighbor came out to push Nick’s chair. “Little things like that show what a great community this is,” said Nick.
“It’s community at its best,” said Joan. “It takes a village.”
A fundraiser through Go Fund ME has already raised over $15,000 of the $20,000 goal, which will create a financial safety net for the Javier family. If you would like to donate to “A Leg Up for Nick,” visit www.gofundme.com/nick-javier-amp-extremity-fund.
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Los Rios Community College District announced the largest set of investments to address college affordability in Los Rios history. In total, Sutter Health, SAFE Credit Union, Wells Fargo and VSP Global will contribute $752,500 resulting in 1,234 Promise Scholarships that will remove financial obstacles to education for low-income students, like textbooks and living expenses, which are not typically covered by existing aid programs.
The new funds build on the state’s newly announced two-year California College Promise Program, which guarantees free tuition for all first-time, full-time California community college students. These investments and state funds, along with partnerships with the City of Rancho Cordova and the City of West Sacramento and their respective Promise programs for the residents of those cities, will help Los Rios students reduce the financial barriers to academic success.
“Los Rios is committed to solving the financial challenges that our students face,” said Brian King, Chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District. “We are proud to partner with the committed leadership at Sutter Health, SAFE Credit Union, Wells Fargo and VSP Global to address college affordability by building on the state’s investment in our students and providing the support our students need to achieve their academic goals.”
The combined total marks the largest contribution to address college affordability in Los Rios’ 50-plus year history.
Sutter Health is providing the largest investment toward the Promise effort, committing $512,500 over five years. In a single year, this funding will support 180 students with $500 Promise Scholarships—helping reduce financial barriers and to support students’ post-secondary and workforce success. Additionally, a portion of the investment will be added to the Los Rios Promise Endowment, ensuring that students benefit from Sutter’s generosity for generations to come. They will also be using some of their contribution to create an endowment for the Los Rios Colleges Foundation Student Emergency Fund, which will build a sustainable source of funding to provide emergency grants to Los Rios students in their time of greatest need.
“As a not-for-profit organization, Sutter Health reinvests in the communities we serve. We appreciate the opportunity to form strong partnerships that support impactful programs, which help meet our communities’ most pressing needs,” said Keri Thomas, vice president of External Affairs, Sutter Health Valley Area.
“Education is one of the foundational pillars to the health of any community. We hope that these Promise scholarships provide the reassurance and spark the inspiration students need to continue pursuing their dreams and reaching for their goals. Students of today will help shape our communities of tomorrow,” he continued.
Wells Fargo was the first corporate partner to support this effort, giving $90,000 total over the past two years. Their gifts will fund 80 of the 120 inaugural Promise scholarships this fall, at $500 per student, and another 90 scholarships next year. Their gift will also support an additional $10,000 for the Los Rios Colleges Foundation Student Emergency Fund.
SAFE Credit Union’s gift of $120,000 will be shared between the Los Rios Promise Scholarship, providing 120 student scholarships, as well as supporting students who serve as program assistants at the STEM Center at American River College’s innovative new STEM building under construction. SAFE’s first pledge payment created the Los Rios Promise Endowment, and 10% of all future Promise Scholarship gifts will be invested into the endowment so that funding can support Los Rios students in perpetuity.
VSP Global’s recent gift of $30,000 to the Promise Scholarship will help support 54 students with $500 scholarships and $3,000 contributed to the Los Rios Promise Endowment. Several years ago, VSP Global designed ‘Professional Pathways – with VSP Global,’ a school-to-work/college program in partnership with Los Rios, Cordova High School, Folsom Lake College and the City of Rancho Cordova. The program helps local underserved students successfully transition to a path aligned with their career aspirations following high school.
The cities of Rancho Cordova and West Sacramento have been leaders in this effort, having dedicated local voter-supported tax measures to help residents of their cities with the cost of attending college. In Rancho Cordova, those funds have supported student tuition fees, book vouchers and other mandatory fees. In West Sacramento, the funds have covered tuition and other student fees as part of the city’s West Sacramento Home Run program.
Along with the generous support of corporate partners, the Los Rios Promise effort is supported by a number of individual donors, who are making it possible for the Los Rios Colleges Foundation to award 40 Promise Scholarships in 2019-2020.
The Los Rios Community College District is one of the nation’s most respected learning institutions and the second-largest community college district in California, serving the greater Sacramento region. Los Rios includes: American River, Cosumnes River, Folsom Lake and Sacramento City colleges; and six major education/outreach centers.
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Grayson Schuessler out of Orangevale. The gun Schuessler used to shoot at our officers and police K9 was a .357 magnum revolver. Mr. Schuessler was also in possession of a black airsoft gun which resembled a semi-automatic handgun, as well as over 20 additional rounds for the .357 revolver.
Mr. Schuessler was found to be on felony probation for elder abuse. The Citrus Heights Police Department has had one prior contact with Mr. Schuessler for a traffic violation in 2014.
The motive for Mr. Schuessler’s actions is still under investigation.
Carmichael Kids Get New Playground
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - In good time to serve the remainder of summer vacation, the Carmichael Park District last week unveiled a $279,000 children’s playground in its flagship park.
After a Carmichael Park opening ceremony, more than 60 children stormed shiny play structures. The “Berliner” playground features a 28 ft. climbing pyramid, two types of swings, a roundabout and a kiddie hut. Climbing cables are made of synthetic-coated steel. All features meet modern safety standards.
For ribbon-cutting honors, a lucky 12-year-old’s name was chosen by lottery. Park summer camp participant Angelina Lara assisted Supervisor Susan Peters with giant scissors and declared the new playground “a really happy place.”
Roped off last year, 1990s Carmichael Park playground was deemed outmoded and unsafe. To replace it, then District Administrator Tarry Smith championed German-made Berliner equipment. “I’d installed it in a Fresno park,” he explained. “I knew it would be a hit. Once a kid goes down a slide a few times, well, that’s it. But he can climb a rope pyramid 50 times and never do it the same way twice.”
Made in Germany, the structures took eight weeks to reach USA by ship; installation at the park required another month. Speaking for the Carmichael Park Advisory Board, Gayle Dax Conroy said the apparatus would provide safe, inclusive and active experiences for children of all abilities. “Parents will also enjoy peace of mind,” predicted the grandmother of eight. “There are no large barriers to obstruct views as you supervise your children.”
Funding for the project came from a previous assessment on Carmichael tax payer and community donations. Children aged from toddler-age to 12 may enjoy the new playground at 5750 Grant Avenue.
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (Sac Metro Air District) has successfully obtained millions of dollars through the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Cap-and-Trade program for fiscal year 2018/2019, which will be used to meet the goals of AB617, the Community Air Protection Plan. This plan seeks to reduce emissions in low-income, disadvantaged communities, whose residents are disproportionally affected by air pollution.
The Sac Metro Air District pioneered mobile source incentive programs, which create innovative and creative approaches for deployment of lower-emitting vehicle and equipment technologies and are now duplicated throughout the United States. “With this latest round of funding, the District will use its expertise to build upon its successes identifying and tailoring programs that assist businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, schools and other entities with zero emission incentive projects,” said Sacramento County Supervisor and California Air Resources Board member Phil Serna who also serves on the District’s Board.
This money will supplement current funding that protects the health of regional residents by reducing air pollution emissions and greenhouse gases through incentive programs.
“With the help of our regional partners, and under the leadership of Supervisor Serna who represents us on the CARB Board, the District has been successful in advocating for Cap-and-Trade funds for the Sacramento region,” said District Board Chair and City of Sacramento Vice-Mayor Eric Guerra. “Projects that were implemented with Cap-and-Trade money such as electric school buses and Our Community CarShare reduce emissions, protect public health and expand the growing number of clean mobility options in the region, particularly for underserved communities.”
The over $14 million dollars that will be administered by the Sac Metro Air District will result in hundreds of projects, which will protect public health and improve regional air quality by reducing emissions in the Sacramento region. The District has also asked CARB to add flexibility to its existing program guidelines in an effort to expand funding opportunities to those that do not currently qualify.
“It is important to me that we put these funds to good use,” said District Board Vice-Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost. “By working with CARB to expand the guidelines, we can aid businesses in taking on the costly burden of upgrading equipment that is less harmful to our air quality.”
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain Prepares for Fall Opening
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Opening this fall as Hard Rock’s first Vegas-style casino in California, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain recently announced its top-tier executives. “I’m very impressed with the caliber of experience of our executive team. They have over 200 years of combined gaming experience,” said Mark Birtha, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain. “We attracted very capable individuals from around the country.”
“This is the best team I’ve ever been a part of in my entire career. They are all experts in their fields,” said Birtha. “We’re a beacon for the area. Wheatland might not have been on their radar, but now they are excited to build long-term interaction with the community.” The executives will all be relocating to the Greater Sacramento Region and will be working on site in Wheatland every day.
Christopher Balaban, vice president of finance, has an MBA and over 20 years of gaming experience in Las Vegas, Florida, and the Bahamas. In addition to prior VP of finance roles, he led hotel and food and beverage operations, giving him a diverse operational background.
Ryan Flieger, vice president of human resources, has worked with Hard Rock since 2012. He held leadership roles at hotels in San Diego and Las Vegas, and he worked on several Hard Rock expansions. Flieger has experience in talent acquisition and retention, training, and culture setting.
Anika Gaskins, vice president of marketing, has an MBA and was recently the VP of national marketing for MGM Resorts as they opened a new $1 billion casino property. Gaskins has worked in various marketing roles in casinos from Canada to Las Vegas, developing marketing initiatives and increasing revenue.
Paul Mollo, vice president of table games, has almost 40 years of gaming experience and has been working with Hard Rock for more than a decade. Mollo used his expertise to help HBO Productions create authentic scenes of casino gaming on “The Sopranos”.
Matthew Morgan, vice president of information technology, has more than 20 years of experience in gaming technology. He has an MBA, and he has worked in Las Vegas and in local casinos Red Hawk and Thunder Valley. Morgan focuses on bringing mobile products to the casino market.
Will Provance, vice president of slot operations, has more than 20 years of leadership experience in restaurants, entertainment, hotel operations, and casino gaming. He has an executive certificate in customer-driven marketing, an MBA in international hotel and tourism management, and a Master of Science in hotel administration with a concentration on gaming.
Kaywan Samadani, vice president of hospitality, has worked at casinos in Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Missouri, and Ohio. Samadani has extensive restaurant and casino hospitality experience — working as a chef, director of food and beverages, director of hospitality, and VP of casino services.
Birtha said they will be taking occupancy of the administrative offices, kitchens, security offices, and surveillance and storage areas in early July. Then they’ll start moving in the furniture, equipment, and gaming tables. “Everything is on schedule and on budget,” said Birtha. “Our company has had that vision to stay focused.”
Hard Rock also just launched a social gaming app: Hard Rock Social Casino. “It’s a way to engage loyal Hard Rock followers and allow them to interface with the casino before it opens,” said Birtha. The free “social casino” will give people a taste of the gaming experience on their smart phones, tablets, or computers. Payment is not required to play, and winners earn virtual credits. Players can select Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain as their casino for the chance to win real-world prizes and promotions to use when the casino opens this fall.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain advertising campaign is also launching soon, with large outdoor billboards, social and digital marketing, and TV and radio ads. Birtha said, “This will be our formal introduction to the region, from Tahoe to San Francisco.” Birtha was also proud to announce some of Hard Rock’s local partners: Toyota Amphitheatre, Sacramento River Cats, Sac Republic FC, and Golden 1 Center.
Birtha said that Hard Rock has a “philanthropy of social engagement” and is committed to hiring local people and building partnerships with local vendors to bring in produce, wine, and art. For information about upcoming hiring and vendor fairs, visit www.hardrockhotelsacramento.com.