Final Carmichael Summer Concert on Sunday August 26
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - The 43rd Carmichael Park summer concert season concludes on Sunday, August 26. Musicians of the John Skinner Band are the final performers. To cater to fans of all ages, the popular combo will present a program that ranges from classic rock to swing and Latin numbers.
Carmichael-based, the Skinner Band is a co-sponsor of the concert series. Instrumentation includes trumpet, sax, trombone, bass, keyboard, guitar and drums. Susan Skinner is the featured vocalist. A full dance floor is expected. The concert repertoire includes a finale of “YMCA” to get everyone up and moving. Downbeat is 5 pm. For information, call 916-483-7826.
Music Store Demonstrates Art and Heart
Tim's Music Promotes Wellness Through Music
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Since music is the food for love, music supporters are spreading love through food donations to Tim’s Music Store. Established in a new Carmichael location last year, the instrument sales and repair shop boasts its own recital hall. Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable groceries in lieu of admission for clinics and performances. These donations assist local food banks.
Tim’s staffers also kick in a few dollars a day for snacks in their break room. Their cash adds to an in-house fund to buy more food. In seven months since the 2018 drive began, more than 600 pounds of food has stacked up. Owner Scott Mandeville’s staff recently delivered the yield to the Sunrise Food Bank, a Citrus Heights agency that aids the homeless and families in need.
The store’s stated mission is to promote “wellness in society through music education and performance.” Sales Director Jim Hart feels this vision fits the staff’s humanitarian efforts. “Music and art are all about feelings,” he considers. “Artists tend to be compassionate people. We’re delighted at the support this food drive has received from the musical community, as well as from our clients and employees.”
Store staffers hope to assemble more groceries for food bank donations before 2018 Christmas holidays. Anyone may assist the effort by taking non-perishable items to Tim’s Music, at 6818-B Fair Oaks Boulevard in Carmichael.
Rudy Moll: Irrepressible Spirit
Citizen Rudy Dies After 60 Years in USA
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Immigrant, patriot and irrepressible spirit, Rudy Moll died recently at the age of 89.
Moll was beloved of Carmichael and Arden communities. In Sinatra hat and trademark red white and blue shirts, the little dancing man was a familiar figure at concerts, dances, air shows and any event that celebrated American culture.
Born in Dutch Indonesia, he spent teenage years in Japanese prisoner of war camps where he survived near-starvation and enforced labor. Before emigrating to the United States 61 years ago, he served the Royal Dutch Army in Holland.
Feast and famine shaped Moll’s life. Every rice grain was coveted by POWs during Japanese occupation of his homeland. When peace came in 1945, American rations were salvation. Moll was among many mixed-race immigrants who struggled for acceptance in Holland after Indonesian independence. He pursued a dream to live in the bountiful USA, whose air-dropped food helped save him.
Carmichael Presbyterian Church sponsored his immigration (with his first wife Sonja), in 1956. Their first landlady was Effie Yeaw. “She was strict,” he recalled of the community matriarch. “But she was fair. Everyone in Carmichael knew all about my wife and me. We were the first refugees they’d seen. We’d always lived in cities and we had to get used to village life.”
Moll last year celebrated his 60th year in the “village” that welcomed him.
No prouder patriot could be found. He recalled prisoners’ elation when US P-38s chased Japanese Zeros over Indonesia. “My father (an electrical engineer) refused to work for the Japanese,” he explained. “They loaded thousands of us in a ship and took us to Celebes. I was small, so I stayed with the women and children; pappie was taken to a men’s camp.
“We slept on hard bamboo cots and dreamed of breakfast. We finished every last grain of rice and it was never enough. The guards saw boys as future enemies and treated us bad. Mom protected me; she was terrified I’d be taken to men’s camp, where things were worse. We all learned to help each other; we also learned not to waste. When I see people throwing away food, I still remember those hungry times.
“The first American grocery store I saw was in Carmichael. My wife and I had never seen so much food; it seemed cheap. We wrote home that we were in the land of plenty.”
The immigrant found a clerking job for PG&E in Arcade and retired from this company 30 years later. By then, he’d married his second wife, Mady. Music lovers, the Molls were dancing fixtures at local concerts. Moll also volunteered his baritone for the Northern Californian Vocal Artists Association and sang at Rhythm and Shoes dance performances. Passionate about American aircraft, he supported the P-38 National Association and any event that spotlighted aviation.
A dapper figure at every senior social, Rudy was greeted by scores of friends. “I don’t feel like an immigrant,” considered the naturalized American. “My brown skin never bothered anyone here; I’ve always felt accepted. America has been good to me.”
Rudy Moll is survived by his wife Mady; daughters Maureen and Gisa; son Andy and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. His memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 14, at St Ignatius Church (3235 Arden Way).
2018 California State Fair Celebrates Many First-Ever Moments
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California State Fair has wrapped up our 2018 season, which featured the theme “Don't Miss A Moment.” As we reflect upon the 17 days of the Fair, which ran from July 13-29, we celebrated many first-ever moments that happened on the CA State Fairgrounds. The California State Fair is a place where memories are made which represents the best of what California has to offer; both nationally and globally.
“The CA State Fair has enormous roots as a beacon of the achievements of Californians and our multicultural threads,” said Rick Pickering, CEO of the California State Fair. “We measure success by the many positive experiences of our fairgoers and our competitors.” Judging by all of the experiences listed below, the 2018 California State Fair was a huge success.
When it comes to competitions, the CA State Fair was proud to showcase culture and host its inaugural statewide youth mariachi competition. Ten ensembles throughout the state were invited to compete, ranging from first graders to college students, and our judges represented some of the strongest mariachi talent in California, including celebrity judge, Anthony Gonzalez, the voice behind Miguel in Disney’s Coco. In the end, Mariachi Tesoro de San Fernando (Los Angeles County) won first place and as part of their reward they played on stage with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán to a sold out crowd. For a complete list of the winners, prizes, and competitors click here.
One heartwarming first, that we are especially proud of, was the SMUD Cares at the Fair Giving Monday. The CA State Fair partnered with local utility company SMUD and the Elk Grove Food Bank, each Monday of the Fair, to restock the empty food shelves that are common during the summer months. Fairgoers donated nearly 29,000 lbs. of food to help feed hungry families served by the Elk Grove Food Bank. In exchange for the food items the Fair provided free admission to the donors.
There were plenty of first-ever exhibits as well. Silent Disco was a popular “Cool Spot” to visit in Expo Center. Over 26,000 fairgoers danced with headphones to the songs of their choice, creating memories, and taking lots of selfies in the process. Tiny Homes were showcased during the first weekend at the Fair to a large, interested crowd. In the California Building, fairgoers enjoyed the new Life’s Big Ag-Venture game and the National Geographic exhibit, The Future of Food, which visually explained how California helps feed the world. Also sprinkled throughout the fairgrounds were selfie stations for guests to capture their best pics for social media.
Other firsts happened over at Papa Murphy’s Park, which included concerts and being the new home of the CA State Fair Cornhole Championship on the final day of Fair. The S.M.O. Tour, Kidz Bop Live 2018 and ZZ Top with special guest George Thorogood and The Destroyers were the first three concerts held on the sports field during the CA State Fair's 17 day run. Before his July 26 performance, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons toured the fairgrounds and got up-close to some of the CA State Fair's furriest animals.
Food and drinks saw their share of firsts too. There were six new food vendors for Fairgoers to enjoy. The Speakeasy Whiskey Lounge was a new site that was home to live music and a chance to use a secret word (hence the term “speakeasy”) to get a special drink made. Over in the California Building, The Taste of California Experience Classes expanded to give fairgoers knowledge about wine, cheese, olive oil, and honey.
To help battle the heat of July, the CA State Fair made a conscious effort to help our guests find relief by creating 20 "Cool Spots." These were either air conditioned buildings, fans with misters, full body misters, and shaded areas where a mobile device could be charged. As another way to stay cool and pay homage to the Oscar-nominated film “Lady Bird,” the Fair offered the “Lady Bird Experience Package” which was admission and unlimited rides on the “Log Ride.”
The Carnival area, which is operated by Butler Amusements, had some firsts of its own. The CA State Fair held its first-ever “Gender Reveal” on the giant Ferris Wheel (It was a girl!). Butler Amusements was also excited to announce it had its three largest ride days ever (including all the fairs and festivals they attend) during the last two Saturdays and final Sunday of the CA State Fair.
There were other great community outreach firsts too. The Rescue Dog Dive Day with Splash Dogs had 39 rescue dog participants; with the prize money being donated to a local animal shelter and two dogs adopted. Out At The Fair also became an official CA State Fair event this summer for the final day; featuring Out At The Races and a Diva Drop bungee-jump.
During Sacramento Navy Week, Admiral Scott Jones and CEO Pickering joined together in a touching wreath laying at Cal Expo's 9/11 Memorial. This was even more significant because Admiral Jones grew up in Sacramento. The Cal Expo Police Department also connected with the CA State Fair community in a new and unique way. Most nights of the Fair, the public was able to feed the police horse and canines, or sit on one of the police motorcycles.
The 2018 California State Fair becomes a mini-city each day, and highlights the best of what California has to offer. Attendance ranged from 20,000 to 60,000 a day for a total of 572,250 this year. Extreme heat for 9 days of the CA State Fair contributed to a decrease overall in attendance; with guests spending over $8.5 million in food and drink purchases. While county fairs celebrate their local communities, the CA State Fair showcases the achievements of people state-wide. This year competitors entered the Fair from 57 of California's 58 counties. Since many of the young competitors and exhibitors at the Fair can only travel to Sacramento in the summer, when they are not in school, the CA State Fair is held in July. We want to thank everyone who attended this year and extend an invitation to come out to the 2019 California State Fair.
Source: California State Fair
Check this Out – Librarian Rules at Chamber Meeting
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - “Your library is a shared resource; get out and share it,” commands Rivkah Sass. Carmichael business people got the message when the feisty director of Sacramento County libraries addressed the Chamber of Commerce.
The executive – who started her career as a children’s librarian in Washington State – was recently named in a stellar lineup of “Women Who Mean Business” by Sacramento Business Magazine. Daughter of a Manteca dairy farmer, Sass runs the fourth-largest library system in California with an iron fist, a velvet glove and a sense of humor.
Taking her Sacramento job in 2008, Sass inherited an institution reeling from an internal embezzlement scandal. Perpetrators have since served jail time and much of the stolen money ($500,000 of $800,000) was recovered. An iron-clad system, explained Sass, is now in place to prevent similar occurrences. “We now have the best financial management in world,” she says. “We want the public to trust we’re doing a good job with their money.”
Sass is proud that programs introduced under her aegis now serve customers from cradle to (almost) the grave. She boasts of recently checking out a pressure-washer to clean her home deck. “Our Library of Things can loan you anything from a sewing machine to a musical instrument or a go-pro camera,” she says. “We can help you apply for a passport; publish a book; get free or discounted museum passes; earn a high school diploma or help your child get ready to read. Anything you need to learn, you can discover at your library.”
A recent “Lunch at the Library” program served meals to children in 13 county locations, including Fair Oaks and Arcade libraries. “If kids are hungry, they can’t learn,” Rivkah explained. “If kids are readers, they’re thinkers – and they can make a difference.”
“In a world where there is so much competition for our personal resources, it’s critical to know there’s an agency that can help stretch family dollars,” she says. “Many people don’t know it costs nothing to get a library card. Walking through the door and making that discovery is so important. I’m proud to be a librarian because we provide what anyone can take advantage of. We help people realize their dreams.”
Chamber Recalls History as Supporters Honored
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Now celebrating a platinum anniversary, the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce recently feted longest-serving supporters. Formed in 1948 by a handful of merchants, the organization has boosted business and community interests for 70 years.
While no founding members surfaced for the awards luncheon, many organizations were applauded for more than 30 years of support. Resident Jack Pefley (94) took top honors for 42 years of membership. Carmichael Water District and Lind Brothers Funeral Home followed with 39 years and 38 years respectively. Sixteen members, including churches, senior homes, service groups and a dance band boasted more than 25 years of membership. At 32 years, Bel Air Grocery is the oldest continuous retailer among Chamber ranks.
Though 70 years is an historic milestone, the chamber has even deeper community roots. It morphed from the Carmichael Colony Improvement Club, formed by local settlers in 1913. Legendary farmer Mary Deterding was its first president. Her volunteer roll read like a local street map: Mr. and Mrs. Ed Van Alstine; Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Stanley; Mr. and Mrs. A.D. MacDonnell; Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Boyer and Mrs. E. Clark. Meetings were convened in barns and sitting rooms; pioneer needs were addressed. Getting electricity and telephones lines to the new colony took major effort and the group lobbied the American Canyon Company for reliable irrigation and household water supply. Road signs were another project for the group (members evidently had few qualms about naming streets for themselves). Colony founder Daniel Carmichael was cajoled to supply wood for signs and land for the first school. Through five decades, efforts by club members brought parks, a library and a post office to the area.
Carmichael population and industry mushroomed after WW II. Town leaders (many of them Improvement Club members) formed a business organization. Their energetic new Chamber of Commerce took over the older club’s representation for local interests. An early Chamber inspiration was to make Carmichael a destination; for this, they mooted a Western theme for main street stores.
Merchants eagerly embraced the idea: they strutted around town in in cowboy hats and holsters. Frontier facades were erected for stores; wooden planking was laid over sidewalks; rodeos and Western dances were staged in parking lots. A 1953 “Western Days” festival brought thousands to downtown Carmichael. Miss Carmichael beauty pageant contestants posed on wooden fence rails. Though it took off with a yee-hah, the Western concept did not lasso enduring support. Sidewalk planking and hitching rails are long gone. These days, a “Frontier Village” strip mall and the Western Feed Store are lonely vestiges of that quirky merchant ambition.
Where the Chamber failed at establishing a cow town destination, Allan Davis’s Milagro restaurant complex now promotes Carmichael as a chow town. The three-year-old culinary center, coincidentally, now houses the Chamber office and is a major organization sponsor. Like any non-profit, the group has had good years and lean years. With almost 300 members and energetic leadership, the 70-year-old Chamber is now enjoying a revitalization. High-profile events like the “Carmichael Person of the Year” gala and the “Best of Carmichael” – supported by celebrities like radio host Kitty O’Neal, TV host Tina Macuha and basketball legend Vlade Divac – have recently kept the Chamber conspicuous in public attention. Like the hoary old Carmichael Improvement Club, Chamber members are also lobbying for town needs with a strong voice in Property Business Improvement District (PBID) affairs.
“We’re blessed to have so many old and new members,” considers Chamber CEO Linda Melody. “Their support is our backbone. We couldn’t have our 70th anniversary without their faith in the organization and in Carmichael.”