SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - For individuals living with disabilities, recreation opportunities and a sense of community may not be easy to come by. That’s where the Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) Division of the Department of Regional Parks comes in! 

One way to provide these individuals with recreational opportunities is through recreation therapy, which utilizes activities such as arts and crafts, dance, exercise and more to improve and maintain cognitive, physical and emotional functioning in order to facilitate full participation in life. TRS is in the business of delivering recreation therapy, and they have been since 1975. 

“Providing Recreation Therapy is so impactful because everyone likes to have fun, feel included and feel capable," said Jenn Wilson-Marchino, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with TRS. “Recreation therapy gives people the opportunity to try new things in a safe and supportive environment, be with people that accept them for who they are, and push themselves to be independent!"

February is recognized as Recreational Therapy Month, and TRS is celebrating the role that recreation therapy has played in the lives of its participants by reflecting on what they enjoy most about TRS.

Ryder, TRS Participant
“I love TRS because it gives me the opportunity to be silly with my peeps!”

Tess, TRS Participant
“TRS makes me feel like I am part of a group. I really like that feeling.”

Josh, TRS Participant
“Because of TRS, I get less screen time and more people time with my friends.”

Dylan, TRS Participant
“With TRS, I like hanging out with my new friends and learning to become more independent.”

Hermanda, TRS Participant
“I really like that with TRS, I get to see new places, have fun and be myself without being judged.”

TRS programs focus on abilities while encouraging people to attain their highest level of independent leisure functioning by increasing leisure skills, improving social skills, increasing independence and increasing their awareness of and involvement in community recreational activities. 

For more information on the great programs TRS provides and how you can get involved with, volunteer with and support TRS, visit the TRS webpage. For more testimonials, check out their YouTube channel. 

 

 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Tuesday Morning, a popular off-price retailer, will close its only Citrus Heights store, located in the Regency Shopping Center at 7255 Greenback Lane near Citrus Heights City Hall, on Thursday, March 30^th.

The Dallas-based retailer is consolidating as part of its bankruptcy filing on Tuesday, February 14^th. The company currently operates 487 stores in 40 states. Its planned closures include all remaining Tuesday Morning sites in the Sacramento area, including Folsom and Roseville.

Tuesday Morning relocated to the Regency Shopping Center as an anchor tenant in July 2019 from the Sunrise Village shopping center near the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Uplands Avenue. The store is located adjacent to the Sam’s Club warehouse store and the Pacific Coast Foods supermarket.

The Dallas-based retailer has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division.

Edwin, a store manager in the Citrus Heights location, who gave just his first name, said he had been with Tuesday Morning for over 13 years, and was a part of the management team that opened the store on Greenback Lane when it moved from its former location in Sunrise Village.

The closure will impact between 10 to 12 full and part-time employees, he said. He referred all questions to the Tuesday Morning corporate office in Dallas, Texas for further comment.

Store merchandise is now marked down by 10 percent off regular ticketed price, and that discount percentage will increase as the store reaches its final liquidation date. All sales are final.

Customers busily browsed and searched for bargains up and down store aisles under a banner sign reading “Brands you love, prices you can’t believe.”

With an ever-changing assortment of top-quality and unique items, Tuesday Morning in the Regency Shopping Center, has been a one-of-a-kind source in Citrus Heights for home fashions and the finest home basics from around the globe which has had its customers in their words, coming back again and again.

Store merchandise typically includes gourmet and specialty foods, children’s toys, kitchenware, bath and bedding, furniture and home décor. Special seasonal merchandise for spring gardening and the upcoming Easter holiday was on display.

A part-time cashier, who retired from a 30-year retail career with JC Penney, now is a grandmother, said she started work at the Citrus Heights Tuesday Morning store two years ago.

“I’ll honestly miss the so many of our regular customers. It’s difficult to see this store close, and it was unexpected,” she said. “It’s also going to be tough for many of my co-workers here who will now be out of work.”

Customers generally described the retail store’s pending closure as a “loss for the people of Citrus Heights, who prefer in-person retail shopping.”

Tuesday Morning at 7255 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. Call (916) 536-9877 for store hours and more information.

 

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Thumbing through the California Magazine that I picked up in a local Chamber of Commerce, I noticed a small advertisement in the back with the word, “Dunsmuir” in red letters. I normally wouldn’t have noticed this except I then saw the subhead of “Spend the Night in a Caboose.” Now, it really had my attention. I’ve always been a fan of trains since my mom and young son took a trip on one to Colorado out of the Davis train station. Since, we’ve taken a few more trips and I’ve purchased a membership to the Sacramento Railroad Museum and enjoy taking the grandchildren there. Recently, I had been looking for a site for a small family reunion and the more I read about this place, the more I was intrigued. To make sure this would work for the families and young children involved, hubby and I made a reservation and hit the road.

Just about three hours on straight I-5 freeway and driving through peaceful wheat fields and eventually through tall trees and snow-capped mountains, we arrived at the small town of Dunsmuir, California and home of the Railroad Park Resort since 1968.

It was then that Bill and Delberta Murphy, local descendants of pioneering railroaders, decided to collect and preserve the old rail era and began collecting cabooses, flat cars, and boxcars, transforming them into beautifully renovated units. Now, this resort offers 12 cupola-topped cabooses big enough for families, sleeping up to five and a separate area of cabooses and converted boxcars for adults only.

I knew it would be cold, but I was pleasantly surprised at the beautiful snow-white drifts everywhere and the numerous brightly colored red, yellow, and blue train cars awaiting guests.

Inside our red Southern Pacific Caboose #2 was a knotty pine interior decorated with antique train pictures and railroad paraphernalia; even the nightstands were old train lanterns with small flickering lights in the center. It had a super comfortable Queen bed, small table with two chairs in the seating area across from a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee bar. There were windows with blinds everywhere and a large television screen across from a coat hanging/suitcase storage area. At the end of the room was a private bathroom complete with a full-size shower/bath combination and a huge train engine pictured on the shower curtain.

We explored the children’s playground area, checked out the snow-covered swimming pool, the barbecue pits for roasting marshmallows, and checked out the trail leading to tent and RV camping sites. We snapped pictures of the huge black engine called the Willamette Steam Driven Locomotive and the rustic water tower but really enjoyed the center attraction waterfall that had a small moving locomotive winding through its tunnels.

I went shopping in the little store that had all kinds of puzzles, metal trains, train whistles, sweatshirts, jewelry, and all things trains. Besides this place being basically all-inclusive – meaning you can hike, play, swim or hot tub, there is a complete restaurant on site that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a full bar and even a place for special gatherings in the old but refurbished railcar. We did enjoy a delicious breakfast while we watched birds tango over berries through the many large viewing windows.

We took a day trip into town where there are a few small shops and restaurants to browse but catching the beauty of the Castle Crags (mountains) and the rambling river through town was inspiring.

The trip was very much worth the affordable price, and we found staff friendly and helpful. It is located at 100 Railroad Park Road in Dunsmuir and there are two contact numbers: For Lodging/Reservations, call (530) 235-4440 or for the RV/Campground, call (530) 235-0420. 

I’ve learned that they are in demand and book in advance so don’t hesitate to call if you are wanting to go. Their website is rrpark.com. It is very informative and lets you peek into each caboose or unit – and be sure to check out the ones with the cupola-topped ones as you can climb up and see vast mountain views while still being in your ‘cabin!’ 

If it was that pleasant during the freezing weather, I happily anticipate our family reunion there in the warmer month.

Debra Dingman, is editor of the Dixon Independent Voice, a journalist, author, and a 30-year Dixon resident sans extended assignments to Dallas and LA. Her book, Learning A+ Living, Adventures & Rewards of a Mom Entrepreneur, is published by WestBow Press and is available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The McGeorge School of Law is hosting a series of events to make seniors aware of the dangers of financial abuse. The school’s Elder & Health Law Clinic partnered with Capital Stage for the interactive theater event. The group put together several skits explaining the warning signs of financial abuse to seniors. The “No.” Is A Complete Sentence Elder Abuse Awareness Roadshow gives the public a chance to learn how someone might try to scam them and how they can avoid financial harm. The McGeorge School of Law's Elder & Health Law Clinic often works with Sacramento County’s Senior and Adult Services to provide legal guidance to seniors.

“Our event is an interactive know your rights presentation where actors from the Capital Stage perform several skits taken from real-life elder financial abuse cases that our legal clinic has litigated,” said staff attorney Lacey Mickleburgh.

During the presentations, actors play out different scenarios. In one skit, a son asks his dad to sign over power of attorney. Later, the dad realizes the son took out his entire savings. The skit is meant to teach older adults that sometimes even those close to them might not have the best intentions.

Once the first act of the performance is finished, the performers ask the audience for feedback. The advice from the audience is then applied to the skit and the financial abuse is avoided.

“There are so many cases that come through our door where our older adults have been influenced to make a decision that ended in financial abuse,” said Mickleburgh.

The Elder & Health Law Clinic wanted to stop that financial abuse before it occurs. The skits illustrate the questions older adults must ask before signing documents or making agreements. When they know what to ask and what to look out for, they can better protect themselves.

There are two upcoming performances at the following locations:

March 28, 2023, at 3 p.m., at ACC Senior Services (7334 Park City Dr., Sacramento, CA 95831)

May 12, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Sacramento State (6000 J Street., Sacramento, CA 95819)

You can register for the event on February 9 by clicking this link https://www.cop.church/event/11094816-2023-02-09-elder-abuse-roadshow/.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder financial abuse, contact law enforcement and Sacramento County Adult Protective Services.

For more information on McGeorge's Legal Clinics:

Legal Clinics at McGeorge School of Law law.pacific.edu/law/legal-clinics