CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Raptors, reptiles, marsupials and mammals were among educators featured at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center’s recent NatureFest. Beneath fall skies and autumn leaves, more than 1500 visitors supported the annual festival. Programs aim to encourage wildlife appreciation through education.

Save the Snakes – a non-profit that champions one of nature’s most misunderstood species, offered a program designed to dispel many myths. Gopher and king snakes slithered into the spotlight as living exhibits. Among other presenters, wildlife expert Gabe Kerschner brought an exotic cast from Wild Things, his Placer County animal sanctuary.

All rescued from adversity, his animals are stars of hundreds of television and school programs. Those who made the Carmichael journey included alligator Izard, a lemur called Ringo, Opie the opossum, iguana Linguini and kinkajou Nike.

Kerschner’s commentary outlined heartbreaking animal rescues. Six-foot Izard was pulled from a Los Angeles apartment bathtub and now thrives at the Colfax wildlife preserve on fish supplied by Nimbus Fish Hatchery. One of an endangered species, lemur Ringo barely survived an illegal smuggling operation and – 24 year later – the petite primate is one of Kerschner’s most popular ambassadors.

Resident Nature Center raptors also interacted with visitors. Shell crafts and animal track recognition were among many activities offered for children. As the facility is also a center for Native American studies, Maidu basketry was demonstrated in the replica native village.

Learn more about Effie Yeaw programs at www.sacnaturecenter.net.

Market Marks Autumn with Falling Leaf Fest

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - It’s autumn when leaves fall, pumpkins appear on porches and pooches parade unlikely costumes in Carmichael Park.  The Sunday Farmers Market last weekend spiced up business and staged an annual Falling Leaf Festival.

Frivolous fun included a pumpkin dessert bake-off, fire dancing, pumpkin-painting and the October Doggie Costume parade.  For this much-anticipated event, a dozen or more pooches donned Halloween costumes and strutted in procession around the packed market place. A small dog dressed as a taco led the pageant, followed by a huge German shepherd in Deputy Dawg attire. A Dalmatian rigged out as Carmen Miranda, three French bulldogs in drag and a biker pug brought up the rear. Grand marshal and market founder Marie Hall then called each entrant forward to perform party tricks. These consisted mainly of handshakes and the ability to sit, woof on command and sniff out rewards for doing so.

Two winners were chosen by audience acclaim. Runner-up was a caped labradoodle super-hero. A Pomeranian/chihuahua mix in a panda outfit won riotous applause, wolf whistles and first prize. Owner Jason Rose spent $40 on his four-year-old Sarah’s costume and had a feeling his panda pooch had victory in the bag. “Everywhere I went before the parade, people were taking her picture,” said the Arden Arcade tiler.  “Sarah doesn’t do any tricks . She wins just by being adorable.”

HOPE Raises Funds for Affordable Counseling

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - The second annual Hops for HOPE fundraiser was held on October 4 at Carmichael’s Milagro Centre, hosted by River City Brewing Company and HOPE. Community donations help support HOPE’s mission to offer affordable counseling sessions to those in need and allows the organization to train new therapists to serve the community.

The owners of River City Brewing Company, Steve Cuneo and Beth Biro, are happy to support the mission of HOPE. “We’ve known Darlene [Davis, executive director of HOPE,] a long time. We did HOPE’s fundraising event last year, and we’re happy to do it again. The event brings attention to the Milagro Centre and raises money for an important local cause,” said Cuneo.

Davis said that most of the staff members of HOPE weren’t able to attend the event because they were busy in counseling sessions; evenings are prime time because it is more convenient for clients to meet after work. But Davis was happy to see in attendance many prior employees who worked for HOPE during their training and are now licensed therapists in private practice.

Traci Bianchi-Templin, now a licensed marriage and family therapist, described her time working at HOPE, stating, “Darlene was a wonderful supervisor, and it was so rewarding to serve the community, be part of a family, and help train the next generation of therapists. It was a wonderful experience to address the community’s mental health needs while working in such a supportive environment, which is why I still support the organization.”

HOPE board member Shannon Dickson knew Davis from their involvement in the MFT Consortium, which offers stipends to students seeking advanced degrees in mental health higher education. Dickson explained why she was compelled to join the board of HOPE: “As a psychologist, I am interesting in ensuring that mental health services are affordable and accessible, and HOPE does that.”

When Davis asked Margaux Helm to join the board, Helm was already very familiar with the organization and knew that HOPE is an important part of the community because of both the affordable services and the training of future therapists. Helm used to be the director of WEAVE, and “we would need alternate places to refer people, and HOPE offered affordable services.” Helm also taught at California State University Sacramento in the graduate counselor education program and helped coordinate student internships at HOPE.

Helm revealed that Davis was recently awarded the Distinguished Clinical Member Award from the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. “She’s a great therapist, and a great leader, and she won’t brag about it,” said Helm.  

Not all attendees were previously familiar with HOPE’s mission. Carmichael locals Peter and Kitti Ruttan bought tickets at the door on the evening of the event. “We saw it in the paper and thought, ‘Well, we can give to a charity and drink beer,’ so we just decided to do it,” said Peter Ruttan.  

Kitti Ruttan was interested in attending specifically because it was a fundraising event. The Ruttans just recently moved to Carmichael, and Kitti Ruttan said, “After moving to a new community, I think it’s important to get involved and give back to the community.” They are especially cognizant of the necessity for affordable mental health services because both of their children have struggled with mental health issues.  

Davis thanked everyone in attendance for their support, and commended the donors for their generosity. She also had a special message of thanks for the members of the board, who “have helped grow HOPE to what it is today.” Davis hopes to expand the fundraiser next year with a raffle and live musical entertainment to increase turnout.

For more information about HOPE, or to donate directly to the organization, visit their website at www.hope-counselingcenter.org.

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sacramento’s largest block party celebrating cars and car culture shut down Fulton Avenue between El Camino and Marconi Saturday, October 6. For a few hours, people set aside concerns, put down signs, and left protests outside of the 10^th annual CruiseFest, because, it seemed from the smiling faces, laughter, and dancing in the streets and parking lots, everyone loves a block party with cars. And there were cars to be seen, touched, admired, purchased, and to bring back memories. Metropolitans, Porsches, Fords, Chevys, Pontiacs, Plymouths, Jeeps, and even dune buggies showed off their best. Not all of the 360 registered vehicles cruised. That number, up from 2017, was forty cars shy of the cap, according to Fulton Avenue Association Executive Director Melinda Eppler.

CruiseFest is a car show equalizer welcoming any make, model, year, or type when most shows set criteria based on those or other factors. It’s rare to see Porsches in a show alongside Gremlins, the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, or a replica of the ambulance used in Ghostbusters, the 1984 movie starring Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd.

 “It is a true celebration of Northern California’s car culture,” said Delta Pick Mello, Executive Director of California Automobile Museum.

No car show or street festival is complete without the all-important soundtrack, which was ever-changing along Fulton Avenue. Every few paces, the music shifted from classic to alternative rock courtesy of 96.9 The Eagle and ALT 94.7 to hip hop from a passing muscle car to surf music to classic R&B with a side of Rolling Stones, Bill Withers, and Tommy James and the Shondells.

Every parking lot, both sides of Fulton, and along both sides of the median housed cars. Sidewalks and streets were jam-packed with the estimated several thousand spectators who walked, rolled, strolled, and sat along Fulton, often roaming out into the street and occasionally joining the procession or receiving goodies from passing vehicles. Families, couples, children, even dogs were part of the event and seemed to enjoy the warm, blustery afternoon. Even bicyclists and skateboarders dropped in on the fun.

Participating car clubs included Sacramento Area Miata owners Association, Porsche Club of America-Sac Valley Region, 356 California Alta Region, Metropolitan Club-Capital Chapter, Northern CA Pontiac GTO Club, Burgiemen Capitol City Car Club, Early Ford V8 Club-Sacramento Region, Capital City Mopars, Sacramento Area Mustangs, and the always-popular lowriders club, Family First. Individuals, businesses, and corporations also showed and cruised. Parked along the east side of Fulton, behind a giant blue Volvo with roll cage, were the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile and Planter’s Peanuts Nutmobile. Further down Fulton were the Radio Fiyer Red Wagon and Tribute Team American Graffiti cars.

Vehicles flashed their colors – aqua, metallic flake, red, flames, purple, rust, blue, yellow, and one white car with Marilyn Monroe’s image painted on its hood. Others sported colorful rims and wheels. Many had displays showing the vehicle’s restoration. And some highlighted power and what was under the hood. Chrome shone and waxed cars provided an alternate view of the party through gleaming reflections.

As they made the U-turn at Marconi, some cars meandered by, taking their time, slow and proper as a beauty queen coming down the runway. Others strutted, head held high, like top models wearing their designer best. A few made sure to be heard above the music and voices, showcasing their power. And many made the turn with little fanfare.

 “I used to drive one of those,” said a woman when the purple Gremlin began the southbound journey. “I didn’t know they still existed,” said a man.

Booths, pop-up boutiques, food trucks, California Highway Patrol, and Sacramento Children’s museum lined the street. Asia Market & Restaurants’ parking lot became a dance party, courtesy of James Powell and his 1971 Cutlass playing R & B dance tunes from waterproof boat speakers installed in the engine compartment.

At times, the event seemed to be all about the children who could be found at Sacramento Children’s Museum’s booth in front of the Assistance League’s Fabulous Finds on Fulton shop. Molly Mix, the museum’s program manager, was on hand teaching kids how to play the kazoo and use the catapult to launch Leo.

                “You’re never too old for a kaleidoscope, catapults, or flip car racing,” she said.

Also set up there were California Highway Patrol officer Amy Walker and senior volunteer John Harris who were giving teddy bears to children and offering child safety tips and identification information.

                Further down, a woman said, “Hey look, it’s the Porsche lot.

                “Every kind of Porsche you could think of,” said another.

It seemed like every type of vehicle imaginable was on hand, including a golf cart doubling as the Zombie Outbreak Response Vehicle. This was the event’s seventh year on Fulton Avenue and is hosted by Fulton Avenue Association for California Automobile Museum, which showcased many vehicles from its collection.

 “We are very grateful to our volunteers and our sponsors, especially the Fulton Avenue Association for supporting and hosting this event,” wrote Mello in an email.

                For additional information, visit: www.calautomuseum.org. If you go: 2200 Front Street, Sacramento, CA 95818.

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – A standing-room only crowd of adults, college students, teens, and children gathered Saturday, September 29, at the Aerospace Museum of California, a Smithsonian affiliate, to hear Liz Ruth and Ace Beall talk about what they say is the coolest job in the air – piloting SOFIA, the largest flying observatory in the world. SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is a modified Boeing 747SP that once belonged to Pan Am World Airlines, was sold to United Airlines in 1986, then sold to NASA in 1997. The plane is stationed at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California, not far from where Ruth grew up.

                She is currently the only female pilot to fly the SOFIA as an active observatory. After a career that included serving in the Air Force piloting the T-38 jet trainer and T-43 flying classroom; as flight officer for United on B737-300, B757, B767, and B777 aircraft; raising a family; and serving as a legislative assistant, she returned to the pilot’s seat in 2016 when she joined NASA. She earned her Master of Aeronautical Science degree from Embrey-Riddle Aeronautical University’s McClellan campus and was stationed at Mather Air Force Base.

                SOFIA flies just over 500 mph with a range of nearly 7500 miles. Flight and mission crews are joined by scientists, observers, or educators. Although up to 30 people can be accommodated, that is rare they said. SOFIA’s lineage dates to 1968 when a Learjet was fit with a one foot diameter telescope, replaced in 1975 by a modified Lockheed C-141A Starlifter with a 2 ½ foot diameter telescope. SOFIA was put into operation in 2010, boasts an 8 ½ foot diameter telescope, and flew its first mission in 2011.

                Beall, who didn’t let a technology glitch that interrupted the slide show keep him from discussing SOFIA’s telescope specifications, flew as a space shuttle carrier pilot during much of his thirty five year NASA career. His first ferry flight was in 1984, and the former Air Force T-38 instructor found himself, through a bit of luck of being in the right place at the time, working for NASA and as a pilot flying the T-38 again. Although he retired from NASA in 2005, he kept flying and flew SOFIA until last year when age restrictions took him out of the pilot’s seat.

                Although Beall never flew with Ruth, they both discussed various missions which change nightly. A typical mission, Ruth said, might take her up to Canada and back, then to Mexico and back, then to the East Coast and back. SOFIA crisscrosses the air for the duration of the ten or so hours that crew and scientists are in the air.

                “The flight patterns drove air traffic controllers crazy,” she said, showing a map of North America with what might have passed for a toddler’s scribbles or a Jackson Pollock painting.

                Missions, which begin at sunset and end before sunrise, are driven by the scientists on board. Two or three scientists with specific and different projects each need to be at specific locations at specific times. It is the pilot’s job to make sure that the flight takes off at exactly the right time and arrives at each location at exactly the right time. That isn’t as easy as it might seem. The 2015 Pluto Occultation was an example, as Beall explained, adding that it was sort of like an eclipse

                “The trick was to be in the right place at the right time,” he said. “SOFIA was the only one to get to the center of the occultation.”

                The plane typically flies above the Earth’s water vapor line because the telescope needs to be in dry conditions and permits scientists to study the hidden aspects of space, to learn about the birth and death of stars, and to figure out how it all works, they said. SOFIA uses over 200,000 gallons of fuel per flight and weighs more than one half ton at takeoff. Ruth and Beall responded to many audience questions who wanted to know how SOFIA could be improved, what the pilots eat during the mission, why they wear those uniforms, whether safety belts were used, and how to get on one of the flights as a teacher. “You have to apply,” Ruth said.

                “You can learn if you put in the effort,” said Ruth, adding that NASA is a team effort with jobs in many fields – accountants, public affairs, photographers, mechanics, and is not just for astronauts or pilots.

                Beall suggested finding something you love to do, do a good job, don’t make enemies, and admit when you’ve messed up.

                The lecture, on the heels of the museum’s first teacher night, is one of eight events at the Aerospace Museum between now and Christmas, said Tom Jones, the museum’s director, which include a three day tribute to veterans, a visit by Mad Science, movies, and its newest exhibit, “Our Solar System: An Interactive Journey Exhibit.”

                For additional information on Aerospace Museum of California, visit: https://aerospaceca.org. For additional information on SOFIA, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/SOFIA/index.html.