Pooches on Parade in Park
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael will go to the dogs on Sunday, October 23.
In the first local event of its kind, dogs and owners will celebrate friendships, fashions and fancy footwork at the Barktober Festival. Partly a fundraiser for Carmichael Dog Park, the day of dogs will also give pet-friendly businesses a chance to strut services.
“We hope to begin a tradition for pets and pet owners,” says event organizer Rosie Buck. “Carmichael needs an autumn-themed event; what better way to celebrate fall than with Fido?” Proud owner of a rescued black lab, Buck visits the park regularly and feels its dog enclosure could benefit from TLC. “Unfortunately, improvements cost money and Carmichael Park District is strapped for cash,” she says. “In my role as a board director of the Carmichael Improvement District, I found sponsors, to make this day special for the community.”
The free October 23 festival kicks off with a “doggie and me” line dancing class at 11:15 am.
A teacher from Arthur Murray Dance Studio will lead a class incorporating moves with her own dog as partner. “Don’t think your pet has to be Fred Astaire,” says Buck, “It’s just fine to dance with your dog in your arms or by your side.”
Obedience training techniques will be demonstrated by an All Stage Canine Development instructor at noon. A “musical sit” game follows, to showcase obedient pets. The Aloha Dance group will perform hula dancing at 1 pm.
The main event, a pet costume contest begins at 1:45 pm. Categories include: best-owner-and-dog duo; most unique outfit. A “Tiny but Mighty” category will give center-stage to small breeds and – so other species are not forgotten – a “best dressed pet” division will invite pets of any kind to the catwalk.
A pumpkin patch, live music, merchant and craft booths and craft sales will be part of the event. The Nor Cal Car Culture organization will exhibit classic automobiles. Refreshments may be purchased from food trucks.
Barktober is presented by The Carmichael Improvement District, in partnership with CRPD.
Other sponsors include: Buck Family Automotive; McElroy’s Repair and Restoration; 916 Doo Doo Squad; Bowen Law Firm; Incredible Pets; Western Feed; Carmichael Chamber of Commerce.
Jesuit remains unbeaten in league with win at Cosumnes Oaks
ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) – The No. 6 ranked Jesuit High School varsity football team continued to roll in Delta League play on Friday night with a 28-7 victory at Cosumnes Oaks.
The Marauders are now 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the DL with their only loss coming on October 1 at home against Clayton Valley Charter of Concord. Jesuit got on the scoreboard quickly on Friday as junior running back Caleb Dixon returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.
Following a turnover on downs from the Wolfpack (3-6, 2-3 DL), junior quarterback CJ Lee completed a 55-yard pass to Dixon for the score. Senior Anthony Seibles ended Cosumnes Oaks’ next drive, as he intercepted senior quarterback Ranvir Malhi.
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The Marauders kept their foot on the metaphorical gas pedal to begin the second quarter with Seibles dashing into the end zone to complete the scoring opportunity that he created. Cosumnes Oaks turned the ball over again midway through the third period, leading to a 28-yard TD pass from Lee to senior Trenton Dewar.
Junior tight end/defensive end George Hemmen nailed the extra point kick, as he successfully did four times on Friday night, to give Jesuit a commanding 28-0 lead. The Wolfpack avoided the shutout with a one-yard rushing score from sophomore running back Brandon Lambert in the fourth quarter. Senior kicker Anu Vigneswaran knocked through the PAT. The Marauders ultimately defeated Cosumnes Oaks 28-7.
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Lee completed 9-of-15 pass attempts for 149 yards and two TDs. The junior also rushed five times for 17 yards. Seibles finished with a game-high nine carries for 76 yards and a score. Dixon led all receivers in yardage with two catches for 63 yards and a TD.
On defense, senior outside linebacker Tatum Pappas had a team-high seven tackles with four solo and one for a loss of yards. Junior strong safety Drew Vassar recorded the only sack. Seibles and senior cornerback Cormac O’Flaherty each had an interception.
Jesuit has arguably its toughest matchup of the season this upcoming Friday, on the road at No. 7 ranked Elk Grove (5-3, 4-0 DL). Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – On September 29, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced new steps that, if approved, could save enough water to supply 4.7 million Californians annually while making conservation more affordable through financial assistance and tax exemptions. The actions improve long-term water conservation and reduce wasteful outdoor water use as California adapts to a hotter, drier future driven by climate change.
“We have the tools to make it easier than ever for Californians to conserve water and we’re taking action to get it done. It will take forward-thinking practices to ensure that we’re managing our water resources resiliently now and for the future,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “From regulatory recommendations to funding for lawn replacement and water conservation, DWR is putting California on the path to achieve historic water savings.”
The new actions will build on California’s ongoing long-term efforts to make water conservation a way of life while advancing water efficiency efforts outlined in California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future. The plan, released by Governor Newsom this summer, sets a target of securing 500,000 acre-feet of additional water per year through increased efficiency and conservation.
DWR will be implementing and supporting actions that include:
Outdoor Water Use Recommendations
To help prepare for a hotter and drier future, DWR has submitted outdoor water use efficiency recommendations to the State Water Resources Control Board. With outdoor water use accounting for 50 percent of urban resident water use on average, the recommendations outline standards that would provide urban retail water suppliers with a framework to support more efficient outdoor residential water use. The framework will also include standards for the irrigation of large commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) landscapes in their service areas.
DWR’s outdoor water use recommendations combined with indoor residential water use recommendations submitted in November 2021 would result in expected long-term water savings of 450,000 acre-feet per year starting in 2030 – enough water to supply about 1.6 million homes or about 4.7 million residents for both indoor and outdoor annual needs. The recommendations would also result in near-term savings of 100,000 acre-feet a year starting in 2023. DWR’s recommendations will be evaluated by the State Water Resources Control Board through a formal rulemaking process, which will include additional analysis, engagement, and opportunity for public comment.
Indoor Water Use Legislation Signed
California also recently took additional steps to increase indoor water use savings with Governor Newsom’s signing of Senate Bill 1157 (Hertzberg), which adopts recommendations made by DWR and the State Water Board last year to reduce indoor water use targets to 47 gallons per day by 2025 and 42 gallons by 2030. By adjusting indoor water use standards to reflect the joint recommendation of DWR and the State Water Board, the legislation will help increase water conservation and water use efficiency, ensuring a more water-resilient future for California.
Financial Assistance for Turf Transition and Conservation
DWR has developed a set of funding programs that will help build resiliency in all communities including underrepresented communities and Tribes. The funding programs include financial assistance for projects that strengthen resilience in urban communities, turf transition for residential and commercial landscapes and water conservation programs for urban water suppliers. DWR’s programs will help to clear some of the hurdles that underserved communities face with direct install programs and support for local water agencies, while also helping build resiliency with equity in mind. DWR plans to release these grant programs in October. These new programs will build on the momentum created by the millions of dollars in grant funding that has been distributed by DWR in 2022.
Turf Tax Exemption
For those making smart water decisions to replace their lawns now and, in the future, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2142 (Gabriel), which will exempt from state income tax calculations any grant, rebate or additional financial assistance awarded from a state or local agency for turf transition. The law will provide the exemption through tax year 2027.
These announced actions come on the heels of state and local leaders gathering today at the Bay View Google Campus to discuss the urgent need for all Californians, including businesses, to conserve water amid extreme droughts. With California experiencing a climate transformation bringing hotter and drier conditions, each individual act of conservation makes a difference.
For more information on water use efficiency and the recommended standards, visit DWR’s Urban Water Use Efficiency Standards webpage. For information about other DWR and State drought response efforts and funding programs, visit drought.ca.gov.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Medicare’s Open Enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. During that period, Medicare recipients are allowed to change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year.
Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year, including such things as cost, coverage and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. If you have a Medicare health or prescription drug plan, you should review the materials your plan sends you and make sure your plan will continue to meet your needs in the coming year.
If you need help understanding your plan and other options available to you, there is a free, state-registered nonprofit organization in your area that can help. It is HICAP (the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program.
HICAP’s volunteer counselors can help you decide whether you want to:
Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage; Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare; Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another; Switch from one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to another; Enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if you didn’t enroll when you first were eligible for Medicare.
HICAP is administered by the California Department of Aging. Its trained volunteer counselors are available in person, by phone or by video-conferencing to answer questions and help seniors and other eligible recipients understand their Medicare rights and benefits.
HICAP counselors can provide information about Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap policies); Medicare Advantage plans; employee and retiree coverage; long-term-care insurance and how to appeal coverage denials.
To schedule a free, one-hour appointment with a state-registered HICAP Medicare counselor in Sacramento County:
Call – (916) 376-8915 or email – hicap@lsnc.net
Once your appointment is scheduled, you will receive an appointment reminder by phone, email or text prior to your appointment. If you need to cancel an appointment for any reason, you are asked to call (916) 375-3763.
For more information, go to www.HICAPservices.net.
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Capitol Pops Concert Band and the city of Citrus Heights will celebrate a shared birthday with a free, public concert and special event from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 22 at Citrus Heights City Hall, 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
Under the baton of Susan Hamre, the CPCB will perform an eclectic mix of enjoyable music from a Hall of Fame list of composers, including John Williams, George Gershwin, Benny Goodman and Leonard Bernstein. For its part, the city has arranged to have food, beer, wine and other refreshments for purchase on-site. And of course, there will be birthday cake.
Various city officials and other dignitaries are expected to join in the dual outdoor celebrations 25 years in the making.
Citrus Heights became an incorporated city on Jan. 1, 1997, the culmination of a 12-year effort. Barely a month later, the Capitol Pops formally launched as a certified nonprofit. The Citrus Heights-based band suspended operations in March 2020 due to COVID but relaunched in March this year, just in time to celebrate its Silver Anniversary Season.
Over a quarter-century, the Capitol Pops has performed a diverse portfolio of high-quality, well-prepared music heard by thousands of concert-goers throughout Northern California. The self-supporting, nonprofit community band of about 50 musicians represents a wide cross-section of the Sacramento area.
For more information on the Capitol Pops, visit www.capitolpops.org or its Facebook page.
De'Aaron Fox surprises local breast cancer survivors
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Sacramento Kings sixth year guard De’Aaron Fox recently partnered with the Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation to surprise local breast cancer survivors.
Fox and Albie Aware were joined on the surprise squad by Kaiser Permanente and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District on October 7.
“The Sacramento Kings, Kaiser Permanente, Metro Fire and Albie Aware have come together to celebrate breast cancer survivors,” said Courtney Quinn, breast cancer survivor and executive director of Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation. “Also, we are creating awareness as many individuals missed their breast cancer screenings throughout the pandemic and Albie Aware is here to provide this support in the greater Sacramento area.”
According to Albie Aware, Sacramento County has a higher death rate due to breast cancer than state and national averages. Additionally, the county did not reach its Healthy People 2020 goals for mammograms in the past two years for women ages 50-74.
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“A cancer diagnosis can be life-changing for so many, and Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento is committed to providing our patients with high-quality, compassionate care,” said Claudia De Young, MD, an internal medicine physician at the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, who also runs the breast clinic and breast cancer survivorship program. “We are proud to partner with Albie Aware as we our support our patients on their breast cancer journey, and provide them with this joyful, fun experience.”
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fox and the crew surprised breast cancer survivors with tickets to the Kings Breast Health Awareness game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 14. Fox arrived on the scene in Metro Fire’s Cancer Engine, which was covered in pink and blue to raise awareness of breast and prostate cancer.
“We are honored and proud to work alongside the Sacramento Kings and Albie Aware to honor these breast cancer survivors,” said Sacramento Metro Fire Captain Parker Wilbourn. “The Sacramento Metro Fire Cancer Engine is a 46,000-pound billboard traveling throughout Sacramento County raising awareness and reminding everyone to get their breast and prostate cancer screenings.”
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Breast cancer is a personal subject for Fox, whose mother Lorraine was diagnosed with the disease in 2000 when he was only 2 years old. Now today, Lorraine is celebrating over 20 years as a survivor and her son is making a significant impact in his community both on and off the court.
“It’s great to be out here, just to see all of these smiling faces,” Fox said Friday. “Not only the moms, but the kids, the husbands – everyone who is out here to support them. It’s definitely a great day.”
Inspired by his mom’s perseverance, De’Aaron and his family established the Fox Whole Family Foundation to help women whose lives have been affected by breast cancer and to strengthen the leadership skills of underprivileged youth. Albie Aware and Fox’s foundation have partnered to provide financial assistance to individuals dealing with breast cancer across the greater Sacramento region.
To learn more about both foundations, visit albieaware.org and deaaronfox5.com/fox-whole-family-foundation.
Volunteer with the River Cats and the Special Olympics - Northern California
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Special Olympics - Northern California is excited to host the River Cats for our October Cats Care event!
We were surprised, but mostly excited and thankful that all the volunteer spots were filled up in less than an hour!! We are all so thankful for you all!
Special Olympics has opened up more volunteer spots for our Cats Crew Volunteers!
This regional competition is the culmination of the eight week soccer season for Northern California Special Olympic athletes. 250 athletes from eight counties will be competing in games and individual skills contests. Volunteers help make sure that the games run smoothly and allow both spectators and athletes to have an unforgettable weekend of fun and celebration.
- Volunteer date: Saturday, October 15
- Location: Davis Legacy Soccer Fields
26375 County RD 105
Davis, CA 95618
Please view the two shifts that are needing volunteers below:
Set up Crew (AM): 6:30 A.M. - 9 A.M. (21 spots available). Set-up Crew will help with setting up the fields for the event.
Scorekeepers (PM) – 12:30 P.M. - 6 P.M. (17 spots available). Volunteers will keep track of goals, players entering games, time, and penalties. They will also assist with reporting issues/scores to the Field Manager.
If interested in volunteering, visit the registration link below to register for Saturday, October 15 and sign their digital waiver.
Hurry up and register before spots are all filled up!
Requirements:
- Volunteers are asked to wear clean, comfortable clothes with close-toed shoes.
- They ask volunteers be at least 14 years old to volunteer with Young Athletes.