SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Dr. Lisa Cardoza has been named as the new President of American River College. Her appointment will go to the Los Rios Board of Trustees at the May 10, 2023 meeting.

“Dr. Cardoza is exceptionally qualified for this position and brings a wealth of experience in a variety of different capacities within higher education,” said Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brian King. “Extraordinarily thoughtful and strategic, Lisa understands the vital role that community colleges play in our communities and is deeply committed to seeing our students be successful.”

Most recently, Cardoza served as the Vice President for University Advancement at California State University, Sacramento and Executive Officer for The University Foundation at Sacramento State, where she led record-setting fundraising efforts for the University. Prior to her current role, Cardoza was Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen’s Chief of Staff, and also as the University’s Interim Vice President of Human Resources. 

“Dr. Lisa Cardoza has been preparing to be the President of American River College since the first day I interviewed her to be my Chief of Staff at the University of Texas Pan American. I knew then that she would someday be a president; I just didn’t know where,” said Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen. “I am so pleased that it will be in Sacramento and in the Los Rios Community College District. She is an amazing force with a brilliant mind and a huge heart.”

Before arriving in Sacramento, Cardoza worked at The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) in the areas of outreach and college access, enrollment and student services, governmental relations and as Chief of Staff.

“My life’s work and passion are to help individuals - students, faculty, staff, administrators - achieve their highest potential. I want to ensure that all students, especially students of color and those who come from underserved communities, have the opportunity, the resources, and the support to attend and graduate from college,” said Dr. Lisa Cardoza. “I am really looking forward to working with the exceptional team of faculty, staff, and administrators at ARC to support our students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

Cardoza is a proud graduate of Edcouch-Elsa High School in Texas and graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Arts in Social Sciences of Education. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She is also the very proud mother of two boys—Gabriel, a recent graduate of the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), and Diego, a junior in the San Juan Unified School District. 

She will succeed Melanie Dixon who departed American River College in December 2022 to be closer to family in the Pacific Northwest. American River College Vice President of Instruction Dr. Frank Kobayashi has been serving as Interim President while the college and district conducted a comprehensive nationwide search.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - With temperatures on the rise this weekend, swimming in the American River may sound like a great way to beat the heat, but, with the snowmelt causing the river to run so cold and swiftly, Sacramento County Regional Parks is advising residents to find other ways to beat the heat. 

“Cold rivers are dangerous rivers, and right now the American River is running colder than most people realize,” said Liz Bellas, Director of Regional Parks. “Water flowing through the American River right now is in the low 50 degrees. We typically see water in the high 50-/low 60-degree range at this time of year.”

According to the National Weather Service, “Cold water drains body heat up to four times faster than cold air. When your body hits cold water, 'cold shock' can cause dramatic changes in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The sudden gasp and rapid breathing alone creates a greater risk of drowning even for confident swimmers in calm waters.”

Flows out of Nimbus Dam into the American River this weekend will be around 8,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is quite high. A typical Sacramento summer sees outflows into the American at around 2,000 cfs or less.

The cold water combined with the swift flows are a recipe for disaster. Don’t be bold, the water is cold, so please stay off the river. For more water safety tips, visit LifeLooksGoodOnYou.org.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - After a three-year hiatus, bon vivants will again eat, drink and be merry at the Taste of Carmichael fundraiser – Friday, May 12.

Absent from calendars during the pandemic, the Kiwanis Club event celebrates food, beverages and community tradition. Pre-COVID, the blowout annually drew more than 400 supporters to La Sierra Community Center.

“So many people have told us they’re thrilled to have Taste of Carmichael back,” says event co-chair Linda Martin. “Our club members are delighted, too. The money we raise helps so many programs.”

In its 18^th year, the blowout will offer samples from dozens of restaurants, markets and merchants. American, European and Asian eateries will dish. Vintners and breweries will libate. In the center’s courtyard, Carmichael rocker Todd Morgan will serenade dancers. Proceeds will be boosted by raffles and silent auctions.

The mammoth fundraiser has been sorely missed. “It’s often been voted best Carmichael event,” notes Martin. “Through it, we support the community – and everybody has so much fun.”

Proceeds will be split between dozens of nonprofits, including the Kiwanis Family House, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Shriners Hospital, the American River Parkway, Carmichael Park District, food closets and many school and arts programs.

“We aim to raise as much money as possible,” says co-chair Martin. “But the greatest thing is how this event spotlights what is best in our community and brings people together.”

Tickets (for persons 21 and older) are $75. Purchase in advance at www.kiwanisclubofcarmichael.com

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced on April 28, 2023, the graduation and deployment of nine new canine teams. After months of intensive training, the teams were certified during a ceremony at the Canine Training Facility on the CHP Academy grounds. 

“These loyal and brave public servants play a critical role in supporting the mission of the Department,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.  “Canines have a keen sense of smell that helps them detect items that a human officer cannot, such as narcotics and explosives.  Both the canine and their handler’s skills are refined during the hundreds of hours of intense training, ensuring the teams are prepared to serve throughout the state.”

The graduates consist of six Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canine teams and three Explosives Detection Canine teams, all of which meet the guidelines set by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.  The newest team members include four Belgian Malinois, two Dutch Shepherds, and three German Shepherd dogs.  Once graduated, the CHP will have a total of 51 teams deployed throughout the state.

Each canine’s partner, or handler, is an experienced CHP officer with experience ranging from five to 22 years.  The officers represent six of the CHP’s eight geographic regions, including:  Valley, Golden Gate, Southern, Border, Coastal, and Inland Division.  Once deployed, the handlers will spend a minimum of eight hours every week completing scenario-based training with their canines to ensure the highest level of peak performance in the field.

The CHP uses canines to perform a variety of tasks, including detecting human scent, contraband, and explosives. The CHP canines are also used to assist allied agencies in apprehending criminals, detecting explosives or drugs, and in locating at-risk missing persons.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The 2023 100 Best Fleets were announced by the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) at the end of April and Sacramento County was named the number two best public fleet!

The 100 Best Fleets in the Americas program recognizes peak-performing public and commercial fleet operations. This program identifies and encourages the ever-increasing levels of performance improvement and innovation within the fleet industry. 

“Last year we were named the number three best fleet by NAFA, and this year we improved to number two," said Keith Leech, Chief of the Fleet Services Division and Parking Enterprise. “This is a testament to the hard work our talented fleet professionals have put into adapting to the challenging fleet environment by preparing for a zero emissions future while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Sacramento County has long embraced clean air initiatives. This commitment to fleet sustainability began in 1999 with the adoption of the County's Heavy Duty Low Emission Vehicle Acquisition Policy and is currently recognized as one of the most sustainable government fleets in North America.  This achievement is primarily due to the county's conversion to renewable fuels.

About Sacramento County Fleet Services:
Number of On-Highway Vehicles: 2,295; Number of Heavy-Duty Vehicles: 417; Number of Off-Highway Vehicles: 140; Department Owned: 566; Number of Fleet Employees: 99

Fuel Statistics Calendar Year 2022:
Total Fuel Consumption: 3,505,930 Gallons; Unleaded Gasoline: 1,406,894 Gallons; Conventional Diesel: 13,926 Gallons; Advanced tech / Hybrid Unleaded: 96,395 Gallons; Renewable Diesel: 725,140 Gallons; Propane Autogas: 12,800 Gasoline Gallon Equivalent (GGE); Renewable Liquefied Natural Gas: 465,251 GGE; Renewable Compressed Natural Gas: 879,128 GGE; Compressed Natural Gas: 2,791 GGE

NOTE: Electric vehicle charging and Hydrogen fuel are not represented in the above totals.