Are We There Yet?
With the many recent storms and an above average rainfall saturating the state, lawmakers are calling for an end to Governor Brown’s drought restrictions on Californians.
We now see that with more rain and snow in the forecast that there are trillions of gallons of water rapidly flushing on to the ocean never to be harnessed again.
Senator Jim Nielsen recently stated in a release, “Californians dutifully conserved water during the drought. We took out our lawns and substituted drought tolerant plants. We took shorter showers. We used more efficient watering systems on our gardens and farms. Perhaps most painfully, we fallowed our land and sold off our livestock out-of-state.”
In a special report dated November 30th, 2016 from the Department of Water Resources titled “State Plan Seeks To Make Water Conservation A Way of Life” California Department of Water Resources Director Mark W. Cowin. said “Californians rose to the challenge during this historic drought and recognized that conservation is critical in the face of an uncertain future. This plan (The Governor’s Water Action Plan) is about harnessing the creativity and innovation that Californians have shown during the driest years in state history and making water conservation a way of life in the years ahead. This plan will help make permanent changes to water use so California is better prepared for whatever the future brings.”
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) manual snow survey recently reported “a snow water equivalence of 28.1 inches, a significant increase since the January 3 survey, when just 6 inches was found there. On average, the snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs as it melts in the spring and early summer.
More telling than a survey at a single location, however, are DWR’s electronic readings from 101 stations scattered throughout the Sierra Nevada. Statewide, the snowpack holds 31 inches of water equivalent, or 173 percent of the February 2 average (18.1 inches). On January 1 before a series of January storms, the snow water equivalent (SWE) of the statewide snowpack was 6.5 inches, just 64 percent of the New Year’s Day average.”
The report concluded, “Measurements indicate the water content of the northern Sierra snowpack is 26 inches, 144 percent of the multi-decade average for the date. The central and southern Sierra readings are 32 inches (173 percent of average) and 32 inches (200 percent of average) respectively.”
In his published statement to Governor Brown, Senator Nielsen commented, “Californians are now more mindful and aware of the scarcity of our water. You asked us to do our part to save. We dutifully complied. In fact, conservation had become widely practiced, particularly in agriculture, even before this most recent devastating and prolonged drought. Californians have done their part. Let’s do our part and end the drought.”
“Perhaps we could use all that cement planned for a Bullet Train to Nowhere on new innovation and creating a few more storage facilities for the rainfall when we actually get it?” said no one.
A Buzz Is in the Air
Sacramento County’s most recent Crop and Livestock report indicated that Apiary (bee keeping) production has increased. With Sacramento County’s embrace of its agricultural heritage, this increase should not come as a surprise as bees pollinate our crops.
Now is the time for beekeepers to order bees. Approximately two three-pound packages of bees and a queen— which costs $150 to $175 each—will pollinate an acre of almonds. They can be purchased locally at businesses such as Sacramento Beekeeping Supplies. The bees will be ready for pick-up or delivery in April and May.
If you are interested in raising bees, and haven’t already, contact the Zoning Department to find out if your property is properly zoned for bee keeping.
Your hive should also be registered. The Agricultural Commissioner will register your hive for $10.00 per year. A benefit of registration is that you can request neighboring farmers inform you when they spray pesticides, which are detrimental to bees.
The Sacramento Area Beekeepers Association (SABA) offers valuable classes for first-time beekeepers. They meet the third Tuesday night of every month.
Bees are fascinating creatures. Not only are they hard workers, they are sophisticated communicators. According to Agricultural Commissioner Juli Jensen, “A bee will search for a food source, such as a blooming tree. When she finds one, she returns to the hive, and performs a “waggle tail dance,” with the surrounding bees watching her. The dance communicates the location of the source and the directions to find it. The level of enthusiasm of her “waggle-tail dance” illustrates how “good it is.”
Bees also have great memory. Bees will recall and return to their first source of water. Thus, it is important to put water adjacent to your hive, so that your bees continue to congregate on your property.
It is also important to have food year around, so if you don’t always have flowers in your garden, you can provide sugar water.
An Artful Love
Just over 67 years ago, John and Alice Marston married and began their artful lives together, bringing them to Carmichael this last July.
John was drafted into the Army following his graduation from Burlingame High School. When he returned, he met Alice, who was attending his alma mater. They were officially introduced when both were invited to a friend’s wedding. John was attending San Mateo College at the time. Alice had just recently had been named Miss San Mateo in 1949, where she sang and won the talent show. They were married on January 7th, 1950 at St. Paul’s Church in Burlingame.
John served as a fireman in the early 1950’s and later owned a pest control company in the Bay Area. Alice became an accomplished artist and an interior designer.
Alice’s love for art led to her having many paintings displayed at art shows and at Stanford University. She had a number of them on display in her apartment at Aegis. Her beautiful paintings filled the walls of every room.
Alice’s talented life led her to perform at many weddings of family and friends. She enjoyed time as a member of the Symphony League while John served as a member of Rotary. They also purchased a few homes together along the way and remodeled them and resold them.
Prior to moving to Aegis, the Marston’s lived in Atherton, California for more than thirty years. They belonged to many clubs, including the MBZ Club and the Atherlon Club (for residents of Atherton). They belonged to many yacht clubs, as they owned an Island 36 Sail Boat and loved to sail in the San Francisco Bay.
They were fortunate to travel the world, as well. Their travels took them to Europe, the Bahamas, The Netherlands, as well as other destinations. John and Alice have two daughters, Louise and Denise, a son, Eric, and six grandchildren. Their daughter Louise lives in Sacramento and is a singer in the local group “Sister Swing” that entertains at many of the senior living communities. Their daughter Denise is a special education teacher who lives in Atascadero.
Together, John and Alice are such a sweet and endearing couple, now finding a new home in Carmichael.
Steffany Jamison, Marketing Director for Aegis of Carmichael said “It has been a pleasure to have them as part of our community, and now to honor them and their 67 years of marriage on Valentine’s Day, too.”
Non-profits Invited to Fundraise with River Cats at Raley Field
The Sacramento River Cats are pleased to invite Northern California non-profit organizations to partner for an exciting fundraising opportunity at Raley Field.
With the recent upgrades made to the concession storefronts at Raley Field, the River Cats are proud to bring in outside non-profit organizations excited to fundraise at the ballpark. A non-profit can agree to help run a storefront at Raley Field, taking orders from fans, and will in return receive a portion of the proceeds from that storefront for the night.
The River Cats have seven all-new storefronts at Raley Field, ranging from gourmet burgers and signature hot dogs to Mexican cuisine. Of course, all the ballpark classics will still be available. These storefronts will be fully operational for Sacramento’s home opener on April 6.
Non-profits interested in partnering with the River Cats to raise funds or with additional questions about the program are invited to contact Jeff Behr, General Manager of River City Concessions. He can be reached at jbehr@rivercats.com.
Wildlife Care Association Names Fall Photo Winner!
As the non-profit provider of rescue, recovery and release of injured, orphaned and displaced birds and small animals in the Sacramento region, Wildlife Care Association (WCA) challenged the community to send their best bird photos and you did!
Congratulations to all our photo entry participants which you can view at Wildlife Care Association on Facebook on the Photos tab. The contest ended Dec 31, 2016. Susan Bouclin, of Folsom, Ca is our Winner! Her picture of a California Quail was chosen as the 2016 WCA Fall Photo Contest Give us the Bird…Again best!
The photo was taken in her Folsom home backyard with a film camera. Located next to a ‘green belt’ in Folsom, Ms. Bouclin says she is frequently visited by a wide range of diverse wildlife and enjoys taking pictures regularly.
Honorable mention was awarded to 13-year-old Arav Karigattam for his picture of ‘American Robins’, and 12+ entry by Frank Mahar for his ‘Heron in Flight’, also outstanding photos of our local wildlife! See them all!
All the WCA Fall Photo Contest pictures can be seen at Wildlife Care Association on Facebook! The heroes of nature thank you for your participation. Call 965-WILD
Wrong Way Driver Kills Oncoming Driver and Self
On February 7, 2017, at 9:55 p.m. the CHP received a call of a wrong way driver going westbound in the eastbound lane of I-80 at Watt Ave. The driver was a female driving a dark Ford Mustang. CHP officers immediately began responding to the wrong way driver in an attempt to prevent a head on collision from happening. Shortly thereafter the Ford sideswiped a Chevrolet Impala near Raley Blvd. and continued going the wrong way on I-80.
As the Ford approached Northgate Blvd in the #1 lane it struck head on with a white Dodge Challenger driven by a male. The collision killed both drivers upon impact. A toxicology report is being taken by the Sacramento County Coroner to determine if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this collision.
The eastbound lanes of I-80 were closed for a little over 2 hours due to extraction and investigation and all traffic was diverted off to Northgate Blvd.
Any additional information about this news release should be directed to Officer Chad Hertzell who will be available at the CHP North Sacramento Area business phone number: (916) 348-2317, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“String of Pearls” Puts You “In the Mood!”
Moonlight Swing Brings Big Band Sound to Carmichael
The Sacramento region’s premier big band has booked a series of dates to bring its Glenn Miller Big Band sound to local audiences in the Carmichael area. The Moonlight Swing Living History Big Band has agreed to play a series of dates at the Carmichael Elk’s Lodge, which is located at 5631 Cypress Avenue in Carmichael. The band is scheduled to play next month, Sunday, February 19th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, in the main Elk’s Banquet Hall.
“Listening to Moonlight Swing is like taking step back in time,” said band leader and arranger Grant Pyle III. “Not only are our arrangements straight from the big band heyday during the 1930s and 1940s, but the group also strives for that vintage look through swing era attire and arrangements. It’s important that we recreate and stay true to the sounds of Glenn Miller and so many other great bands from that era.”
A full sized and authentic recreation of the big swing bands of the Big Band era featuring 20 members, Moonlight Swing has performed for a variety of public and private audiences. The band also takes great pains to recreate the great 418th Army Air Forces Training Command band of WWII, led by the immortal Major Glenn Miller, wearing authentic WWII Army air Corps uniforms.
Moonlight Swing’s busy schedule has included such popular settings as the Nevada County Air Show, the Magic Circle Theater, the Rocklin Jubilee, the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee and “Hot Jazz Sacramento”. The band has traveled extensively throughout California and Northern Nevada and has been privileged to perform for Bob & Dolores Hope at the “Wings Over Stockton” Airshow in 1998, the Jimmy Doolittle Raiders Reunion in 2003, and members of the Tuskegee Airmen in 2005.
Although there were many popular big bands during the Swing Era, none quite topped the charts like Glenn Miller. Poll after poll in the 1940’s consistently placed the Miller band in front. The band set attendance records almost everywhere it went, and by 1943 there were more than 500 Glenn Miller fan clubs across the United States and Canada. In 1940 alone, Miller recorded 45 songs that made it into the top-seller charts – figures that neither Elvis Presley nor the Beatles ever matched. Miller and his band were also the first to break through the Hollywood ceiling with popular movies such as Sun Valley Serenade and Orchestra Wives, the latter of which premiered after the United States had entered World War II.
“This music is timeless,” said Pyle. “It has commanded large audiences through the decades and will continue to do so. We are dedicated to keeping it alive and are humbled to have been rated the Number One Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra in the nation.”
Tickets to this February’s event and future events are priced at $10.00 and are sold at the door.
Following in the tradition of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Moonlight Swing Band reproduces the sound and feel of the Swing Era through original and adapted arrangements. Like Moonlight Swing on Facebook and visit the band’s website.