Holiday Season Brings a Real Can Do Spirit
Carmichael, CA (MPG) - Carmichael's junior philanthropist Cameron Dax is shopping up a storm for his annual “Cameron’s Cans” food drive. With $800 personally saved and many more donated dollars, the 13-year-old will soon gather 10,000 items to help local non-profits. He has organized an annual drive since he was six. Carmichael Chamber of Commerce this year lauded him as “Young Philanthropist of the Year.”
Cameron’s retail expeditions will begin at The Grocery Outlet on Greenback Lane. Owner Sarah Wheeler gives Cameron a generous discount and commends his efforts: “He’s the youngest big shopper we have here,” she says. “Cameron is doing great things.” Helped by parents Coral and Jeff Dax, the customer will need six cars to transport his 2017 haul. His drive combines purchased goods with thousands of items donated by friends and the community in support of food banks run by San Juan School District, Carmichael Presbyterian Church and Carmichael Adventist Church.
This year’s drive got an unexpected boost. Impressed by Cameron’s efforts, the online platform Go Trade Me delivered a whopping donation. “Of all the people who raise funds on Go Fund Me,” marvels Cameron, “they picked me among 100 children and featured us on their home page. And they gave us $1000 each. I couldn’t believe it. Their announcement also brought in an extra $425 in donations in four hours. This gave me more than I’ve ever had to spend on groceries.”
Home-schooled and a budding artist, the philanthropist annually offers paintings to boost fundraising. Four of his oil canvases last year earned $400. “With the food drive, my school work, my Civil Air Patrol leadership program and my art, it’s a busy time of the year,” attests Cameron. “Thanks to my family, my friends and the community, I somehow manage to get it all done. Helping people makes me feel good.”
To assist Cameron's Canned Food Drive, contact Daxgirl@surewest.net or call (916) 320-7928.
DAHLONEGA, GA (MPG) - Some 47 Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets at the University of North Georgia (UNG) have been ranked in the top 20 percent in the nation out of 5,536 cadets in this year's U.S. Army Cadet Command national Order of Merit List, including Harrison Smith of Carmichael, CA. Smith is ranked in the Top 20% in the nation. Ranking in the top 20 percent and higher also carries with it designation as a Distinguished Military Graduate.
Cadets are ranked on the national Order of Merit List (OML) by achieving superior grade point averages, strong performance in the Army physical fitness test, proving their worth as exceptional leaders in their college ROTC training, and their performance at Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
"Our cadets are achieving tremendous results and I'm very grateful for the support of this great institution and our alumni as we train the future leadership of our Army," said Col. Brent Cummings, professor of military science at UNG.
Each fall, in conjunction with their branch selections, all Army ROTC senior cadets from around the country are ranked in a national OML. A cadet's positioning on the OML can determine his or her priority in being chosen for the branch or occupational specialty of choice; cadets who are ranked highly on the list typically are given their first choice.
Source: University of North Georgia
The Government is the Real Problem
Nielsen Speaks to Carmichael Chamber
Carmichael, CA (MPG) – There was a lot of passion being displayed at the most recent Carmichael Chamber of Commerce luncheon about the current state of affairs in California politics.
Senator Jim Nielsen struck right at heart of many of the issues on the minds of local business owners and residents. There was a large contingent on hand, over 115, wanting to know what could be done about the out of control State government.
“Minimum wage is going to be very tough on small businesses. Many of the new bills will increase the cost of doing business in California” Nielsen said. “The current government wants to continue to give authority to agencies, not elected by the people, to raise fees without any oversight.”
The senator described the process of one recent bill and the excesses of the legislature. Contrary to the 72 hour in print rule (and available on the web), a bill of over 700 pages was presented just ten minutes prior to the vote. He said rarely does anyone read the actual contents of the bills being passed before they are voted on.
Nielsen emphasized that it is up to the constituents to be diligent and to “Be aware of the creeping Administrative State”. He described how he had taken it upon himself to try to get through to one particular agency over an issue. His staff could not get through to an actual person in that agency after many attempts. He called himself many times and could not get through. He then assigned a Sergeant at Arms to go to that agency and stand at the desk of the person he was calling to order them to answer the telephone when he called.
The speech to the Chamber also outlined how there are many backdoor dealings by the current out of control legislators, and how their processes are designed specifically to keep the public in the dark. He said “Government is real problem.”
The senator also touched on other hot topics. He spoke about the complete failure of the government to properly oversee all the problems with the Oroville Dam, both before and after the crisis. He spoke about his personal feelings about the kneeling of people when our national anthem is being performed. “Our anthem speaks to the greatness of our country. We have the finest nation. We are a great nation and a great people” he said.
After his speech, the senator took a number of questions from attendees. One question was “Why weren’t we allowed to vote on becoming a sanctuary state?” Senator Nielsen’s reply was pretty direct. “The legislature in California has created a magnet for criminals. This slams the door shut between law enforcement agencies and they can’t communicate. With Propositions 37, 47 and 57 we are not safe.”
Bottom line? Pay attention to state politics and hold your representatives accountable. They don’t love you.
Fighting Fire with Family
Sac Metro Fire Station 109 is a "Family Operation"
Carmichael, CA (MPG) - For the 27 members of Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District’s Station 109 in Carmichael, a typical day on the job most often includes everything but putting out a fire.
The reality, says Capt. Jeff Hickman who oversees a team of seven of firefighters and two EMTs comprising Station 109’s “B” shift, one of three shifts at the station, is much of the time a shift for his crew entails a regiment of equipment drills, practice runs, working out and lots of waiting.
If “The Truck” does get a call, says Hickman, it’s likely for a 9-11 medical emergency, which can range from a non-life threatening issue to a deadly roadside crash.
“I don’t know of any other job where you spend more time preparing than actually doing what it is you initially came to do,” says Capt. Hickman, 50, who launched his career at 27 as a firefighter at the American River Station in 1994. “We don’t want a fire of course, but on the other hand, that’s what we are trained to do. Put out fires.”
Make no mistake: the work is among the most dangerous, fire or no fire. As such, the hiring process is stringent. The training grueling.
Getting in
Metro Fire formed in 2000 as the American River Fire and Sacramento County Fire Protection districts merged, creating the 7th largest department in California. Its 40-plus stations provide fire protection and emergency medical services to some 740,000 people across 358 square miles of unincorporated Sacramento County.
Metro Fire receives thousands of applicants to the training academy annually. If accepted, recruits spend roughly 20 weeks pushing themselves to their physical and mental limits, hoping to secure one of only a few open slots at one of 16 station houses.
Applicants must be 18 to enter the academy, and, due to the increased demand for emergency 9-11 service support, graduates must also be certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Paramedics in the academy have the edge.
“When I got here in 2003, I was the only paramedically trained firefighter in the house,” said Hickman. We now have two and the need for the training is significant.”
Initially, says Hickman, Engine 109 handled roughly 1,000 9-11 calls a month. Today, it’s about 4,500. As such, Metro Fire’s EMT services division has roughly 250 trained firefighter-paramedics on staff.
“Every firefighter has to at least be an EMT, and every truck has at least one paramedic on board,” said Hickman. “If you have paramedic training, that’s your foot in the door right there.”
Applicants begin with the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), involving a series of endurance and agility drills. According to Hickman, roughly nine out of 10 pass the CPAT, but that’s no guarantee they’ll graduate, as the academy training itself, he said, is CPAT on steroids, twenty weeks of it. There’s also a written exam.
“I think the academy dropout rate is about 25 percent,” Hickman said.
The Sit-down and The Probie
Academy grads must secure an interview for an open firefighter spot, provided there is one. According to Hickman, there are roughly five openings for every 3,000 applicants.
“If we have an opening, we’ll conduct what we call “The Sit-down,” said Hickman. “That’s where we meet with candidates and ask them why, out of 3,000 other applicants for the job we should hire them.”
Selected candidates begin with a year of probation, where their character and physical and mental skills will be scrutinized. It’s no time for resting on laurels.
“The Probie is under a microscope,” Hickman said. “We’ll test them extensively at every level. We can’t have someone in the house who is a liability rather than an asset.”
The Job
Metro Fire firefighters with paramedic training can expect a beginning monthly salary of roughly $5,300, and a full pension after 30 years of service. Shifts A, B and C at Station 109 run 48 hours on, 96 hours off. That’s two, 24-hour shifts, back to back.
“We work 10 shifts a month, and usually all night long,” says Hickman. “That’s the downside. You are always on duty when you are on your shift.”
Station 109 has 27 crew members, one is a female. Two EMTs handle the ambulance, while the rest of the crew run either The Truck or The Engine. The Truck is the brain and muscle of the operation, housing, among other things, a computerized “ER,” digital cameras, and a plethora of heavy duty tools and equipment, including extractors and the jaws of life, as well as the ladder. The Engine houses the hoses and the pump.
Station 109 is also a designated, Hazmat station. So if, for example, an abandoned barrel of liquid is found on the side of the freeway, crew members can assess its contents and advise on its safe removal. The Truck also has a full-functioning lab on board to analyze chemical and biological materials, as well as three computers and three wireless network.
“The Truck is not just a hose and ladder on wheels,” Hickman said. “You’d be surprised how self-contained it is. Even the ladder is inside the truck, not on top like everyone imagines.”
The Rush and the Risks
There are many reasons why firefighters love their work, including the blend of public service and adrenaline-pumping responsibility. But the risks, says Hickman, are high, and no firefighter gets around them.
“Firefighting is a rush like no other,” Hickman said. “But no firefighter can avoid getting injured in some way.”
Hickman said the biggest threat, aside from the obvious ones, is invisible. Cancer from long-term exposure to chemicals from burning furniture is a growing concern.
“It’s all made of vinyl, rubber and plastic now, and even though we have our protective suits on, we still get exposed to those chemicals inside. So cancer is our biggest concern.”
Stress and heart disease are also common, Hickman said, but not from smoking, as was the case some 20 years ago, but from the main attraction to the job itself: the adrenaline pumping.
“The stress from going from zero to 10 in 20 seconds is big,” said Hickman. “But it’s getting better. Thirty years ago, the average age a firefighter lived was about nine years past retirement, largely due to smoking and drinking and the job itself. Today, we have more awareness, we work out and eat healthier meals. So now it’s about 20 years past retirement.”
The House
Station 109 is more than just a place of employment. It’s a second home, even if occupied by a revolving crew of adrenaline junkies. The furnishings are far from opulent. All crew members sleep in cubie-sized rooms on single beds, where bags are half-packed for quick end-of-shift exits. A large TV room with an army of blue recliners is the entertainment center, and there’s a makeshift gym in the truck bay.
Like most homes, the heart and soul of Station 109 is the kitchen, where crew members share three meals a shift together, jointly shopped for, cooked and consumed around a large, round wood dining table that Hickman built.
“When we sit down at this table, we call that ‘family time,’” said Hickman. “This is where we get to know each other. We spend a third of our lives here, so it’s a place for a family, and it is our house.”
Music is Universal and So is Learning
Sacramento County, CA (MPG) - Can teaching someone how to play the guitar deliver on the promise of overcoming socio-economic challenges?
Absolutely, says Lili Williams, president of Sacramento Guitar Society (SGS), which has, somewhat under the radar, been promoting and celebrating the art of the guitar for decades through its community classes, workshops, youth scholarships, public performances, and even onsite classes for prison inmates.
Originally founded in 1961 as a small group for guitar enthusiasts in the Bay Area, SGS has evolved into a full-fledged nonprofit dedicated to providing free and low-cost classical guitar workshops and performance opportunities to youth and adults from across a broad spectrum of cultural and economic backgrounds.
Guitar classes and performance opportunities are available to players of varying ages, abilities and backgrounds, Williams said, however, the focus of SGS’ community classes is moving more exclusively in the direction helping underserved youth and students in schools where funding for the arts is lacking.
“A lot of kids in the community have never been exposed to the art of classical guitar, or say a flamenco guitar performance,” said Williams, a former Intel engineer who came out of retirement to raise funds for SGS before becoming its president. “Our purpose is to give youth of all abilities an outlet through classes and performance opportunities on the guitar, and we are deeply focused today on at risk and disadvantaged kids.”
Through its educational outreach programs in schools, community spaces and, most recently, two newly secured partnerships with the Carmichael and Rancho Cordova parks and recreation programs, SGS is working to expand its reach deep into the communities where access to musical education and instruction are needed most.
Previously, SGS raised funds for outside organizations with similar missions, primarily the Sacramento Preparatory Musical Academy, which served to extend the SGS mission through its own workshops and performances. Now, SGS, which currently runs on a $48,000 operating budget, is shifting its funding toward its own programs, primarily the new parks and recreation partnerships, as well as plans for extending services to targeted youth living in foster homes across Sacramento County.
“For the last few years we’ve been raising funds through grants for the Sacramento Preparatory Academy’s efforts,” Williams said. “Now our focus will be on redirecting funds from our grantors and supporters back to our own agency in order to expand our own programs,” Williams said.
SGS students do not need to have any guitar skills. They are given a safe, professional space in which to learn to play the guitar. They learn to read chords and notes, finger pick and strum, and how to properly position the guitar in classical styles.
“Music is universal and so is learning,” said Williams. “But not every kid out there has access to both of those things. For many disadvantage youth, exposure to something like the history of classical guitar and how to play an instrument seems way out of reach. So we are here to help change that.”
In addition to classes for youth, the SGS Community Orchestra, comprised of members of all ages, offers community concerts throughout the year, including its upcoming Winter Concert, slated for December 17 at The CLARA (E. Clare Raley Studios for the Performing Arts) in midtown. Monthly rehearsals for the orchestra are also held at The CLARA and invitations to join are open to players ranging 10 and up, Williams said.
The “The SGS community orchestra is an amazing part of our agency,” said Williams. “You’ll not only be treated to a concert of ensemble players if you come to one of its performances, you’ll see players from middle school on stage playing side-by-side with adults. It’s truly a wonderful event and experience.”
SGS also supports music programs in the San Juan Unified School District by holding in-class performances by featured artists, including SGS teachers. Also, SGS accepts donations of used acoustic guitars, which are restored, tuned-up and given to schools and music academies in need.
“A big part of our program is making sure that music programs in the schools across the districts that do not have the funds to purchase new guitars for their students get guitars,” Williams said.
Other community performances help support SGS programming. In February, SGS will hold its annual Young Artists Showcase Concert featuring talented young artists from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Preparatory Division and Yuri Liberzon’s Los Altos Studio. The 2018 spring concert lineup includes An Evening with Alex De Grassi & Andrew York at the Harris Center in March, and Eleftheria Kotzia from Greece at The Sophia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts in April.
As a nonprofit, SGS relies on membership fees, concert ticket sales and the generosity of its corporate and individual donors. Over the next decade, Williams said, SGS will be pushing to expand its operating budget to $1 million—a tall order, perhaps, but, says Williams, when you are driven by passion, everything is possible.
“It’s because of my passion for kids who are low-income or struggling in some way that I want to grow this program into one that brings our underserved youth more opportunities to gain exposure to music and learn to play the guitar,” she said. “We want to reach the ones out there in our communities that don’t have those opportunities and see to it that they get there.”
Home for the Holidays Celebrates the Season
Grinch, Children, Puppets, Headliner, Orchestra and Chorus Star in SCSO’s December Celebration at Memorial Auditorium
Sacramento Region, CA (MPG) - SCSO Conductor Donald Kendrick and the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra are once again setting a joyful scene for their magical Wells Fargo Home for the Holidays celebration in downtown Sacramento. This premier Christmas celebration has become a standing-room only area tradition when families converge in Sacramento’s venerable landmark Memorial Auditorium (15th & J Street) to salute the season in fine style.
You Spoke – The SCSO Listened
“Last year’s inaugural matinée concert played to a full house so we are definitely running a 2 PM matinée performance again this year on Saturday, December 9,” says SCSO Marketing Director Jeannie Brown. “That will be followed by a 7:30 PM evening performance to accommodate our loyal patrons.”
SCSO attendees also requested that the Grinch and the life-size Puppets return to regale children young and old at this year’s events. Christopher Cooke and the Green Valley Theater Company will once again create the puppet magic and baritone Matt Hanscom will once again make Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas jump off the page and into the hearts of the audience. (As an aside, it’s hard to believe that The Grinch is celebrating its 60th birthday this year.)
The SCSO is once again proud to partner with Wells Fargo to help Sacramento area families celebrate the season in a meaningful way. “It is our pleasure to collaborate with Wells Fargo to offer such an exciting choral orchestral program to so many people,” says Board President James McCormick. Wells Fargo and the SCSO are partnering to offer tickets for the underprivileged and for Veterans. “Sacramento’s venerable Memorial Auditorium was built in 1927 and it is celebrating it’s 90th birthday this year. The performance venue was dedicated to Veterans back in 1927, so our Veterans and their Families feel a special kinship for this Sacramento landmark” says SCSO Board Member Amanda Johnson.
The SCSO is enjoying a strong collaboration with KVIE for their December 9th performances and their PBS documentary is gaining lots of airtime leading up to the concerts. “We also have a close partnership with Make-A-Wish this year,” says Board Member Jeannie Brown. “We hope to grant not one but three wishes for our young stars at this year’s performances.
SCSO Artistic Director Donald Kendrick has added some extra special magic for children young and old at their December 9th performances. Says Kendrick, “People love to hear stories at Christmas and we intend to share a stunning arrangement of American composer Randol Alan Bass’ The Night Before Christmas featuring the orchestra and narrator Matt Hanscom.
“The warm atmosphere created by Memorial Auditorium’s u-shaped seating plan fosters a very strong sense of community at the concert itself. For most people attending, witnessing the power of such a large chorus and orchestra, and even singing along with the orchestra on the second half of the program leaves an indelible impression, one sparkling with hope and joy,” says SCSO Board Member Derek LaCrone.
SCSO Conductor Donald Kendrick has once again drawn together another refreshing and sparkling program designed to capture the magic and spirit of the season, providing seasonal surprises and merriment for the whole family. “We are working hard to provide a festive and celebratory mood for our Wells Fargo Home for the Holidays concert as we plan to welcome families who come together to celebrate this joyful season,” says SCSO Conductor Donald Kendrick. “It is a time to experience a wonderful sense of old-fashioned community and camaraderie brought about by the thrilling music of the season.”
Music, Mystery, Children, Guest Artist and Narrator, Audience Singalong
The concert’s special guests will once again be the Sacramento Children’s Chorus under their new director Alexander Grambow. The program begins with a sense of mystery in darkness with the entire large 180-voice combined SCSO/SCC Choruses surrounding the audience with candles in the first balcony, singing a cappella from memory. This sound around effect is stunning and moving for both the performers and audience members alike,” says SCSO patron Lynn Estabrook. “The candlelit procession to the stage during Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Festival will make for a magical opening to our performance.” Following the intermission, the large audience will rise to its feet and fill Sacramento’s Memorial Auditorium with a joyful noise when they join Kendrick and the large SCSO Chorus and orchestra in an exciting audience singalong. “The sound of such a large chorus and the looks of inspiration and joy on people’s faces during the sing along really add to the sense of community that great music brings to us all’, says SCSO Bass Zane Brown.
Kendrick has once again chosen a mixture of outstanding choral orchestral works celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, a mixture of traditional carols that people have come to love tinged with new arrangements by such well respected composers as British composer John Rutter and young American composer Barlow Bradford along with a stunning arrangement of Robert Wendel’s Holiday Greetings. Baritone Matt Hanscom will serve as the SCSO’s headliner, rounding out the evening with solos in arrangements by Randol Alan Bass, Matthew Naughtin and Robert Wendel.
Christmas CDs Available at the December 9th Performance
The SCSO’s December 9th performances will offer patrons an opportunity take the SCSO’s Christmas CDs - great stocking stuffers - home with them. “Nothing compares to the joy that live music brings, especially at Christmas,” says SCSO Alto Tonia Hagaman. “Our large orchestra excels in these sparkling arrangements that Don serves up and the energy on stage is definitely contagious.
Come celebrate the true spirit of the Christmas season at the SCSO’s 2017 Wells Fargo Home for the Holidays performances at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. We guarantee merriment.
Wells Fargo Home for the Holidays 2017 At a Glance
Event: Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra’s Wells Fargo Home for the Holidays at
Memorial Auditorium, Donald Kendrick Conductor
Guests: The Sacramento Children’s Chorus, Alexander Grambow, Director
Matt Hanscom, Guest Artist and Narrator
Puppets by Green Valley Theater Company – Christopher Cook, Designer
Lobby Entertainment – Vibrance Barbershop Quartet
Date/Times: Saturday, December 9 - 2 PM matinee – 7:30 PM evening concert
Location: Memorial Auditorium – 1515 J Street, Sacramento
Tickets: $35 - $40 - $50 – Students with ID: 50% discount
Sacramento Community Center Box Office: 916-808-5181
Information: SCSO: (916) 536-9065 or sacramentochoral.com
You have probably heard it dozens of times from seniors in your life: “I can’t find my glasses, I must be getting Old Timer’s Disease”. Which is only half joking when it comes to dementia. It is often hard, even for health care professionals, to sort out normal aging symptoms from those associated with dementia. It is no wonder that families often find themselves asking: “Is this normal? Should we be concerned? What can we do about the situation?” Unfortunately, there are no clear or straight-forward answers.
Nearly everyone has been touched by dementia, either through direct experiences with families or friends or indirectly though co-workers, acquaintances or life experiences. It is a scary, sneaky indiscriminate killer that crosses all social boundaries and drastically changes the dynamics of family life.
Even though the prevalence rate of dementia has fallen dramatically in recent years, there are still over 7 million American seniors today that have some form of dementia. Diet and exercise, along with staying physically fit and mentally active, have helped slow and reduce the overall risk of dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is by far the most prevalent and recognized form of dementia. There are presently 5.5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s. Someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease every 66 seconds--that is 500,000 additional Americans every year. By 2050, that number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease alone is expected to increase to 16 million. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and it kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Alzheimer’s is also the only disease in the top ten that cannot be cured or prevented. (American Alzheimer’s Association). .
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressively degenerative disorder that becomes worse over time. It involves a gradual loss in memory, as well as changes in behavior, thinking, physical abilities and language skills. Even though it cannot be cured, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be managed with early identification of the disease, treatment, care and changes to in daily environment and living conditions.
Identifying someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s is sometimes difficult, even for health care professionals. Many dementia symptoms overlap with normal aging related changes that typical occur when people move into their 50s. The most common aging symptoms include slower recall speed and reaction times, decreased problem solving abilities and decreased attention span and concentration. These are all regular mental declines associated with aging, which occur at a slow and gradual pace. Dementia, however, is often characterized by rapid, sudden and severe changes in memory and cognitive ability (Mayo Clinic).
There are a number of recognized systems to help identify, chart and measure dementia. The most common system used to measure the stages of dementia is the Reisberg Scale, also known as the Global Deterioration Scale, or GDS. The GDS divides the disease process into seven stages based on the amount of mental and physical decline. These stages range from very mild to very severe.
While identifying possible signs of dementia is tough enough, dealing with its repercussions and aftermath is often a daunting experience for families and loved ones. There are a number of educational programs and seminars relating to identifying and understanding dementia and Alzheimer’s. One such program is a two part workshop entitled the Stages of Dementia and Life As a Caregiver series developed by Kristina Blocker of Silver Pathways in Loomis.
Blocker is a geriatric specialist who has an expertise in lifestyle care planning, dementia training, home care plans and placements and assessments for families with assisted living and dementia needs. She has found that families often needed more help coping with a relative’s dementia that did the residents themselves, stating: “I decided to start a business with educating families on what to do and how to cope with dementia, and what to expect when the unexpected happens, how to communicate, that sort of thing”.
Blocker’s next workshop on helping to identify the symptoms and stages of dementia (Stages of Dementia) will be Thursday, December 6th from 10-12:30 at the Summerset Senior Living, located at 2341 Vehicle Drive, Rancho Cordova . Her follow up seminar (Life As a Caregiver) will also be at the Summerset Community from 10-11:30 on Thursday, December 13th. There is no cost for this seminar and reservations can be made by calling Summerset at (916) 330-1300