Rio Americano girls volleyball team advances to semifinals of D2 playoffs
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SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Following home playoff wins against Golden Valley and Tracy, the Rio Americano girls varsity volleyball team is moving on to the semifinals of the 2022 Division II CIF Sac-Joaquin Girls Volleyball Playoffs.
The Raiders (34-7, 12-0 Capital Athletic League) have won seven matches in a row dating back to a midseason tournament played on October 8. In that tournament, Rio was swept in two sets by Vacaville, who the Raiders will be playing on Tuesday, November 1 in the semifinals of the D2 playoffs.
After securing its eighth CAL championship with a 12-0 record in league play, Rio entered the postseason tournament as the No. 3 seed. The Raiders faced off against No. 14 Golden Valley (23-10, 10-2 Central California Conference) of Merced in the first round on October 25.
Rio swept the Cougars in three-sets. However, the win did not come easy. The Raiders narrowly won the first set, 25-22. The second set was not as close, but still competitive, with Rio prevailing 25-19. The Raiders won the third and final set by the slimmest of margins at 25-23, which was just enough to move them onto the second round.
Senior outside hitter Nikita Rogaski led the way for Rio with 12 of its 29 total kills. Junior setter Grace Stone tallied two game-highs with eight serving aces and 28 assists.
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In the quarterfinals two nights later, the Raiders matched up against No. 6 seed Tracy (20-11, 8-2 Tri-City Athletic League). The Bulldogs matched up against Rio earlier in the season in the midseason tournament on October 8, a match in which the Raiders were victorious two sets to one.
On Thursday night in Sacramento, Rio and Tracy played a grueling five set match and the victor remained the same.
Just like in their first meeting 19 days prior, the Bulldogs won the first set by a score of 25-23. The Raiders stormed back and took the next two sets 25-18 and 25-21. Tracy controlled the fourth set with its season on the line, winning 25-16 to even the score and send the match into a decisive final set.
With the home crowd at Rio behind them, the Raiders took the fifth set 15-10 to advance to the semifinals of the D2 playoffs. Stone tallied 56 assists on Thursday night, giving the junior over 1,000 total assists on the season.
Senior outside hitter Lulu Voss, who had a team-high 24 kills, combined with Rogaski for two-thirds of Rio’s total kills with 44 of 66. Junior defensive specialist Livia Bacchi finished with a team-high 15 digs. Bacchi and Rogaski nearly combined for two-thirds of the Raiders’ digs with 29 of 45. Voss followed closely behind with eight digs of her own.
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Rio will not only be playing for a berth into the section title game on Tuesday, but the Raiders will also be seeking revenge. Vacaville (23-6, 14-0 Monticello Empire League) swept Rio in two sets on October 8, winning 25-22 and 25-16.
The Raiders have seven CIF SJS championships in school history and are two games away from obtaining number eight. The first serve on Tuesday night in Vacaville is scheduled for 7 p.m.
What a Coup!
GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - That’s the only way to describe the 90th Anniversary Samoyed Club of America National Specialty last week. And Judy Davis was the inspiration and Chairwoman behind the success of this momentous event.
Just think, it’s been 26 years since there was a Samoyed National Dog Show in Northern California, and to be honest, I didn’t know if it was going to happen. The original location was the Roseville Fairgrounds and then, just days before the show was to begin, Judy had to move the show because Cal Fire needed to use the grounds for equipment staging because of the Mosquito Fire.
Judy had about two days to find a new venue, and the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, California was the only place not booked. Can you imagine what it took to move a whole show with dog owners bringing their dogs from all over the country and world in just a few days? But she did it. I still marvel how she kept it all going.
The National show had people and dogs from the lower 48 and Hawaii and Alaska as well as Canada, even China to name just a few…some 450 entries in all. One of the judges was from Australia, and Judy had an excellent New York photographer to capture the precious moments. But Judy pulled it off, and it was a major success to boot.
Judy also gave kudos to the Gridley community who stepped up to the plate to help in any way they could. By the way, Judy is very near the 80-year-old mark, but I don’t think a 30-year-old could have kept up with her.
This was on Judy’s bucket list to chair this National Show for twenty years. She put in her bid in 2019 and won. And here’s one for the record books, this is a volunteer position. She wanted to make some changes too. Most of the other locations were done inside, but Judy wanted to prove we can do wonderful outside shows in California, and that’s just what she did.
Next year the show goes to Virginia Beach and then Texas in 2024, and they should take lessons from Judy to make it all happen. Maybe she can write a guidebook on how to make it a great National show, no matter what obstacles get in your way.
Judy had her first Samoyed in 1965 called Yukon, and that’s the name that stuck when she became an owner/breeder of her Yukon Samoyeds.
This is Judy’s passion to make sure her legacy lives on with her beautiful Smiling Sammies. I know how deep her passion is. We have two of her Sammies, Ice and Trekker. Trekker was a rescue from neglect. Judy drove to Utah to bring him home, and now Trekker is a Grand Champion. Her passion lives on through her love for these beautiful loving dogs. What a coup indeed and the kudos all go to Judy and her passion and persistence.
Congratulations on a job well done! It was a WOOFING GOOD TIME!!!
Dog Day Afternoon in the Park
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Rover reigned last Sunday as a new (destined to be annual) festival brought more than 400 dogs and best friends to Carmichael Park.
With pumpkins generously festooned, Barktober also celebrated Halloween. In theme, pooches paraded costumes of cunning invention. The event featured contests, exhibitions and vendors. Pets and parents lined up for one entrepreneur’s treats that included frosted woofle-pops and pup-cakes.
A dance-with-your-dog class with Arthur Murray instructors tested canine/human coordination. All-stage Canine Development put a trainee service dog called Runner through a stunning series of behaviors, geared to help a disabled partner. During a game of “musical sits”, contestants vied to halt when music ceased.
Tension was high as canines and humans circled; spectators bit paws. Furry favorites were eliminated down to the bone. Bigger canines ruled. Bernese mountain dog Winston edged out Malinois shepherd Rayer. “Good sit,” howled the crowd.
“Our attendees were well-mannered and enjoyed the activities,” approved organizer Rosie Buck. “There were no fights, no bites – but as you’d expect with a few hundred dogs having fun together – there were plenty of woofs. Our festival united families, pets, businesses and community. Even some of our classic car owners had doggie passengers.”
Wannabe winners converged for the main event from all over Northern California. The costume parade attracted 45 master and mutt partnerships.
Sharpei Enzo and school teacher Kristina Argueta took a ‘Small But Mighty’ award for matching bumblebee outfits. Teenager Sarina Verma donned blue gingham and red shoes – presenting herself and Maltie-poo pup Teddy as Dorothy and Toto. Their Wizard of Oz entry was judged ‘Best Junior Duo.’
Angela and Charles Reinold wore ranger khakis; their shepradors Ari and Coda sloped along as ‘Jurassic Bark’ raptors and snared the ‘Best Adult Team’ prize.
No pet was left behind. A ‘Best Non-Canine’ award commended Saylor Lofschult and bearded dragon Iroh. Mom and reptile bespoke matching western outfits. Iroh’s microscopic stetson came courtesy of a cowboy doll. “It’s not easy to find a hat that small,” noted Saylor. “Fortunately, he seems to like wearing it.”
‘Best Overall’ honors went to Big Bird and Cookie Monster - AKA Laurie Brajkovich and golden doodle Waffles. Their Sesame salute paraded feather-and-glue creations, just holding together after previous festival victories in Roseville and Benicia. The ringers shed feathers with every outing, but Halloween night will be a final hurrah, says state worker Brajkovich.
“I’ve dressed Waffles up since she was a puppy – before that, I used to dress my cat,” she admits. “Dogs are easier, they love the attention. I don’t have kids, so spending time with Waffles is my greatest fun. We won ‘Best Duo’ in Roseville’s Barktober Fest, and ‘Funniest’ in the Benicia Dog Festival. We loved the Carmichael event; it was so well put together, with lots of fun contests.”
Carmichael’s Barktober sponsors include the Carmichael Improvement District, Buck Family Automotive; McElroy’s Repair and Restoration; 916 Doo Doo Squad; Bowen Law Firm; Incredible Pets; Cappuccino Car Club and Carmichael Chamber of Commerce.
Mural Makes Door to Adore
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - When is a door not a door?
When it’s a flora and fauna-festooned frieze, brightening a Carmichael neighborhood.
Janet Jimenez went on a Midtown Sacramento mural walk in June. Captivated by walls transformed, the former Aerojet employee told daughter Kim Hanagan: “I know what you can get me for my 82nd birthday – a mural.”
Replied Kim: “That would be a lifetime of birthday presents, mom.” In the end, she and mom agreed to share the expense of beautifying their street-facing garage.
Many weeks and a birthday later, artist Jesse Melanson (35) arrived from Truckee. The professional muralist had previously daubed city walls from Boston to Austin and San Francisco. Kim and Janet first saw his nature-inspired work on a Fair Oaks Pizza restaurant wall and asked the artist to design for their project.
Octogenarian Janet has fond memories of Hawaiian vacations. She also loves birds and flowers. She and State worker Kim settled on hummingbirds and tropical blooms. Their double garage was a small project compared to some of Melanson’s massive commissions. But its ridged surface was a two-day challenge. “I’m used to bricks, concrete and some really gnarly walls,” he noted. “But I’ll paint on anything. I feel privileged when people ask me to share my art.”
Mom left town during the mural’s creation and returned to a fait accompli. “I got home at midnight, so I didn’t see it till the morning,” she says. “Our garage door turned out even more beautiful than I’d imagined - it’s still fun to come home to. Our neighbors have made nice comments.
“The man across the street has a better view than we have. He says he feels like he’s in Hawaii.”
See more of Jesse Melanson’s art at www.jmelart.com
Who Let the Dogs Out? We Did.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - It was all fun and games for the dogs at Sacramento County’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter last month.
The shelter was chosen to participate in three intensive, all-day training workshops with Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL), a 501c3 nonprofit organization rooted in a dog’s natural instinct to play. The sessions, which taught staff how to conduct successful large-scale playgroups to increase dogs’ adoption prospects as well as provide efficient and effective socialization and exercise, took place from Sept. 28 - 30, 2022. Over three days and a series of playgroups, more than 100 dogs ran, wrestled and rolled around together.
The play model is part of an innovative approach to animal sheltering: one that aims to make a stay at the shelter more like a fun trip to summer camp and less like time behind bars. DPFL furthered staff’s expertise of dog behavior by teaching them how to assess nuances of play styles and body language in order to create dog playgroups that bring out the best in animals while minimizing the risk of injury or spread of infection.
“A big misconception is that it’s too risky to let dogs play or that shelter dogs have to be carefully taught how to socialize,” said Lauren Revier, Program and Research Administrator for DPFL. “It’s natural for dogs to interact and play, and when playgroups are approached thoughtfully, most dogs can participate and enjoy them.”
Dogs that have the most difficult time getting adopted stay in shelters the longest and are most at risk of developing behavioral issues due to prolonged shelter stress are generally those that aren’t social with other dogs. Most adopters and rescue groups seek out dogs that play well with others since the majority of homes interested in fostering or adoption already have at least one dog at home. These playgroups can help the less social dogs develop the dog-to-dog skills they need to adopt and succeed in their new homes.
“When you focus on meeting a dog’s needs–their needs for mental enrichment, physical exercise and socialization–you see that many behavioral issues tend to disappear or are greatly reduced,” said Annette Bedsworth, Director of Bradshaw Animal Shelter. “Oftentimes, we can meet those needs through one simple thing: play. We’re not only going to see major quality of life increases for our dogs by implementing more playgroups, but by making our shelter a place that prioritizes the opportunity for dogs to safely have fun and just be dogs, we’re going to be able to save even more lives.”
Shelter staff plan to carry out what they learned from DPFL in ongoing future playgroups. In large municipal shelters like Bradshaw Animal Shelter, where the numbers often tip past 300 pets on site, it is a daily endeavor for shelter staff and volunteers to ensure every animal gets quality time outside of their kennels each day. Not only will the playgroups give dogs more time to run free, but they will enable staff and volunteers to spend individualized time with dogs that need it most, such as the ones that are extremely scared and shut down in the shelter environment.
3 Sacramento locals prepare for baseball’s biggest stage
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Despite the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics missing the playoffs this season, Sacramentans still have a lot to look forward to with the 2022 World Series beginning this Friday, October 28.
Three Sacramento-area locals will be participating in this year’s Fall Classic, with two on the field and one in the dugout. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins stands on one side representing the 916. On the other side stands utility player Mauricio Dubón and manager Dusty Baker for the Houston Astros.
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Hoskins has played for the Phillies his entire career since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft out of Sacramento State. Before becoming a Hornet, Hoskins played locally at Jesuit High School in Carmichael. This is Hoskins’ first playoffs and World Series appearances as Philadelphia snapped an 11-year postseason drought this year.
Baker is back for more after reaching the World Series with Houston last year. After playing 19 years in the big leagues, Baker is in his 25th year as an MLB manager. He led the Giants to the World Series in 2002 and now the Astros to back-to-back appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Baker holds the record for most wins among managers who have yet to win a World Series. He went to Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks and still has a Sacramento residence to this day. His son, Darren, played at Jesuit until 2017 and was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
RELATED: San Francisco’s shortstop stops by SacTown
Dubón has had two stints in Sacramento, both as an amateur and as a professional. After growing up in Honduras, Dubón moved to Sacramento as a 15-year-old to play baseball at Capital Christian High School in Rosemont. He was drafted in the 26th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. He returned to Sacramento in 2019 to play for the Triple-A affiliate of the Giants, the Sacramento River Cats.
Regardless of who wins, Sacramentans have multiple individuals to root for in this year’s Fall Classic. The 2022 World Series begins Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 5:03 p.m. PST.