CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Because Carmichael Park’s bocce ball courts opened during the pandemic, no dedication ceremony lauded their completion. Fans of the game now plan a celebration to make up for lost time.

Lessons, brunch and a tournament will “reopen” the park facility on Saturday, October 15. Anyone may attend festivities. Adjacent to the courts, the Italian Cultural Center will throw doors open to share food, music and folkloric dancing. At the courts, free Continental breakfast begins at 10 am; lessons and a friendly tournament kicks off at 11; free play continues all afternoon.

The event also honors facility benefactor, Shirley Pennington Simi. The Carmichael woman’s dying wish was to see bocce courts in the park. Her 2018 estate bequest of $5000 got the ball rolling – Carmichael Park District, Carmichael Parks Foundation and community fundraising met the balance of costs.

A daughter of Tuscan immigrants, Shirley loved all things Italian. She died at the age of 75, having long lobbied for her favorite sport to be among community activities. Shirley’s daughter Teri O’ Sullivan, and her son, Todd Pennington, spearheaded fundraising to augment their mother’s gift. “Mom was so proud of her cultural heritage and bocce was part of that,” explains her daughter.

Court construction began in 2020. The ADA-compliant amenity boasts synthetic surfaced lanes that allow all-weather play. “I wish mom could be here for the celebrations,” says Teri O’Sullivan. “I know she’d be clapping her hands and saying ‘bravo, mia famiglia!’”

The event will be preceded with an October 14 on-court blessing by Our lady Of Assumption Priest Father Eduino Silveira.

Carmichael Park is located at 5750 Grant Avenue. The courts are located near the North Avenue park entrance. The Italian Cultural Center is located at 6821 Fair Oaks Boulevard. Learn more about CRPD amenities at www.carmichaelpark.com 

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - With much merriment, Carmichael last weekend celebrated the former-colony’s 113^th birthday.

Almost 800 neighbors and visitors enjoyed the festival. A tradition for more than 60 years, Founder’s Day began as a Chamber of Commerce promotion to recall Daniel Carmichael’s 1909 real estate venture. Carmichael Recreation and Park District now presents the annual celebration in Carmichael Park.

Kids bobbed in bounce-houses; buccaneers blasted canons; merchants touted services and political parties registered voters. Cappuccino Cruisers Car Club filled much of the park with classic automobiles. The event also provided a platform for volunteer proponents of Measure G – a ballot initiative for voter-approved park funding – to canvas support.

High-kicking among youth performers was Del Campo High School’s 16-member Varsity Cheer Team. The Founder’s Day appearance was useful practice for the state-wide USA Cheer competition that their school will host on November 12.

Fellow performers included cheerleaders from El Camino High School, Kovar’s Martial Arts athletes, and dancers from K and M Studio.  The rock band Southbound played for afternoon audiences.

Festivities were sponsored by Buck Family Automotive; Mission Oaks and Carmichael Recreation and Park Districts; Supervisor Rich Desmond and the Cappuccino Cruisers.

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Members of the General John A. Sutter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), presented three community service awards for voluntary service to the local community on Saturday, September 17^th at the Sylvan Community Center at 7521 Community Drive in Citrus Heights.

Each of the three award winners were nominated by someone in the local community who suggested them to the DAR Sutter chapter for this special recognition. The Members of the DAR Sutter Chapter wish to acknowledge, honor, and thank these three honorees for their important contribution to the local community.

The honored recipients were:

Susan Maxwell Skinner, for her work in the community teaching about wildlife along the American River, community historian and speaker, and coverage of veteran events. Skinner is a reporter for the Messenger Publishing Group and writes feature stories for the Carmichael Times. Skinner, through her American River Nature blog on Facebook, has photographed and tracked a pair of bald eagles along the river for approximately 8 years.

“It’s the closest the American Bald Eagle have ever nested to the Sacramento area. They are truly beautiful and wonderful creatures,” she said. Skinner said she was honored to be recognized by the DAR for her work.

“It’s an honor to give back to the community you love with the skills you have,” Skinner said. Follow her American River Nature Blog at www.facebook.com/Susan-Maxwell-Skinner-1543823865927571

Karen Wilkes, for her work with “Days for Girls” in Rocklin, where she recruits recruiting volunteers, conducts fundraising, and teaches the necessary skills to sew, assemble, package, and prepare to mail a kit of supplies for girls in areas where they are forced to miss school and help them continue their education.

Brad Wilkes, her spouse, was also recognized for his help to manage, store, transport and mail these much-needed packages to countries around the world.

Together, the Wilkes help provide sustainable, fabric menstruation products to girls and women in 120 countries across six continents. More than 2,000 women, men and youth in Northern California and beyond have been involved with making the components of the “Days for Girls” kits with the Wilkeses.

“It’s also unified our community in an effort to come together to wash, iron, cut, sew, serge and assemble kits,” Wilkes said. The pair expects to assemble and distribute over $2,000 kits this year. They continue to reach out to support the needs of homeless women in south Sacramento, Los Angeles and in the Central Valley.

Visit www.daysforgirls.org/ to learn how you can help, or email rocklinca@daysforgirls.org for further information.

The General John A. Sutter Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), is a non-profit, non-political organization. The chapter meets on the Saturday of each month between September and May at the Sylvan Community Center, 7521 Community Drive in Citrus Heights.

Women who are 18 years of age and older and descended from a man or woman who aided in achieving American independence between April 19,1775, and November 26, 1783 are welcome to apply for DAR membership.

For correspondence, the Chapter mailing address is P.O. Box 1284, Citrus Heights, CA 95611-1284. Visit: californiadar.org/chapters/generaljohnsutter/ for more information or email: correspondence@genjohnasutter@californiadar.org

The John A. Sutter Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution presented community service awards during a recent Citrus Heights meeting. Honorees were Carmichael photojournalist Susan Maxwell Skinner (center) and activists Karen and Brad Wilkes. DAR chapter leaders are Deborah Bartlett and Dianne Poppert.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Celebrating PBS KVIE’s decades of creating an accessible venue to bring art into the homes of Northern Californians, the 41st annual PBS KVIE Art Auction will showcase 276 works of art by emerging, well-known, and world-renowned Northern California artists. PBS KVIE art curator Jill Estroff has announced that Carmichael artist Varya McMillan has been recognized with an award after submitting her art to the annual curated competition.

McMillan’s “The Kite” won a Juror Award in the Figurative category. The artwork will be featured as part of this year’s auction, a live three-day event broadcast on KVIE Channel 6 and online at kvie.org/artauction that airs on Friday, Sept. 30 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We’re so thankful to artists who have freely submitted their work to the Art Auction this year,” Estroff said. “Art should be out in the world. My favorites are from observations near and far as well as interpretations of the physical and imaginary places we inhabit. Some pay homage to internationally renowned artist Wayne Thiebaud, who passed away last year at the age of 101.”

The entire Art Auction collection will be on display at the station through September 28, offering visitors the chance to see the artwork up close and bid before the live auction. Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A complete list of the artists curated into the collection, plus images and information on every piece of art up for bid, is online at kvie.org/artauction. An awards ceremony to announce the Best of Show and first place in each category will be streamed online at kvie.org/artauction on September 13.

Proceeds from the auction help support PBS KVIE local productions and community outreach services. This year’s auction is sponsored by Wilke Fleury, Bank of Marin, Krogh & Decker LLP, Nick Sadek Sotheby’s International Realty, and Mansour’s Oriental Rug Gallery.

For more information, visit PBS KVIE’s website at kvie.org.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Making a comeback after two years of pandemic postponement, the Carmichael Parks Foundation gala last week benefited beautification and youth scholarship programs in local parks. Attendance almost sold out at 376 guests.

Entirely al-fresco, the soiree ambled over two hidden-gem reserves. VIP sightings among the throngs included Assemblyman Ken Cooley, Supervisor Rich Desmond, former Supervisor Susan Peters, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce President Mayor Kelli Foley, KFBK broadcaster Kitty O’Neal and rock music entertainer Todd Morgan.

After the recent heatwave, the event was blessed by 80 F and cooler temperatures. Cocktails were served among sunflowers at Sutter Community Garden. In adjacent Jensen Botanical Gardens, tables were linen-draped for a moonlit meal. Musicians serenaded guests in both venues and Todd Morgan and the Emblems played for after-dinner dancing.

Catered by Hawks Public House restaurant, the meal featured signature chicken and tri-tip dishes. Speeches followed and a fund-a-need program produced scores of donations.  

“Our guests’ generosity was overwhelming,” said Parks Foundation President Sharon Ruffner. “After a two-year hiatus, the community’s response was overwhelming. We could not have done it without the one hundred volunteers who helped us. The success of the event shows how much people care about our parks and youth opportunities. Thanks to the evening’s fundraising, no child will be turned away from programs because their family lacks funds.”

2022 Dinner in the Park sponsors included: BP Interiors; Brooks Erikson; Ameriprise; Thomas Sharp; Hensel Phelps; the Milagro Centre; Paul Pennington Investments; KMM Services. Beer was donated by River City Brewery. Togo’s donated volunteer sandwiches.

Learn about Carmichael parks Foundation at carmichaelparksfoundation.org