SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - A magic show will bring razzle dazzle to Arcade Creek Park District on September 30.

In the District’s first community event since pandemic restrictions eased, Carmichael illusionist Dale Lorzo and his wife (chief wizard) Elaine will whip bouquets and bunnies out of hats at the community center in Hamilton Street Park.

Celebrating 50 years in conjuring, Lorzo began making silk hankies disappear as a teenager in Eureka, CA. His wife Elaine joined the act 47 years ago. Their long joint career has included shows all over the state and a 35-year stint as goodwill ambassadors for McDonald’s.” We loved visiting schools and hospitals and helping people forget their worries,” says Lorzo. “And we got all the milkshakes and hamburgers we could eat.”

As for most entertainers, the pandemic put a lid on live performances for more than two years. “We tried to keep things alive with Zoom shows,” explains mustachioed Lorzo “Without audience participation, it just wasn’t the same. It’s great to get back doing what we do, in person. Elaine and I are thrilled to be part of this community celebration.”

The Lorzo’s “Magical Mysteries” showcase promises laughs and gasps. The act includes the couple’s signature lady-in-a-basket illusion – where Elaine climbs in a hamper and is summarily pieced with spears. “We’ve done this illusion ever since we were married,” notes Lorzo’s bride. “I’ve had some bruises. Thankfully, I’m still in one piece.”

The Lorzo’s Magical Mystery show begins at 6:30 pm on Friday, September 30. General admission is $10; $5 for children under 12 and for seniors over 65. A family of four is $25. For information, call (916) 482-8377.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Is it really a rivalry if one team wins all the time?

According to the Del Campo High School varsity football team (1-2), there is indeed a rivalry between themselves and Bella Vista (2-1). That is despite a 31-7 victory on Friday, September 2, being the Cougars’ 19th consecutive win against the Broncos.

“It’s always going to be a rivalry because it’s close proximity,” Del Campo coach Matt Costa said. “We share a lot of kids and it’s in the same neighborhood so yeah it is still a rivalry. I still want to keep them on the schedule because they bring in a great gate.”

Additionally, Costa would like to bring back a rivalry game that started in 1976 but ended in 2015 due to tempers flaring amongst players and fans.

“Honestly the rivalry that I want to get back going again is Casa [Roble],” Costa said. “I think that’s one that interests me a little bit more right now.”

Junior running back Jordan Wiley wasn’t alive the last time his Cougars lost to the Broncos on Sept. 15, 2003.

“They’re a good team,” Wiley said. “They got a good program. Definitely building getting better and better. They’ll be good these next couple of years.”

RELATED: Bella Vista blows past Cordova in season opener

DC scored three unanswered rushing touchdowns in the first half to get out to a 22-0 lead. The first two came from the Illmatic, Nas Jones. The senior running back’s first score came in the first quarter as he high stepped into the end zone from 10 yards out. He converted the two-point conversion on the ground as well.

Jones nearly took a wide receiver screen 90-yards for the TD, but it was called back due to a block in the back. Jones scored again in the second quarter, this time from one yard out.

However, he was flagged for a second time and ejected due to excessive celebration for spinning the ball when he scored. The subsequent PAT from senior kicker Maleki Walton was missed. Jones finished with 12 carries for 45 yards and two TDs.

“We’re going to fight that,” Costa said. “That was a pretty weak ejection. So that’s just my opinion but we’re going to the league on that one.”

The ejection of the Illmatic Nas didn’t help BV on Friday night. Wiley got in on the fun without Jones, scoring on a sweep to the left followed by a successful two-point conversion with a run up the middle with 1:51 left in the first half.

“I think it was pretty stupid, but things happen,” Wiley said of the ejection. “He’ll be back in two weeks and it’s [all] good.”

The Broncos were able to avoid a halftime shutout as senior quarterback Ian James snuck the ball into the end zone on the ground with 30.1 seconds remaining in the second quarter. BV kicked the extra point to make the score 22-7 at halftime.

Broncos junior QB Aaron Mora entered the game in the second half in relief of James. Following a scoreless third period, Mora was clobbered by Cougars sophomore defensive tackle Demetri Brown for a safety. DC junior receiver Xander Diaz returned the ensuing safety kickoff for a TD from midfield. The extra point by Walton was good.

RELATED: ‘The greatest Del Campo team in history’

For the 19^th straight time, the Cougars defeated the Broncos, this time by a score of 31-7. In the absence of Jones, Wiley totaled 21 rushes for 113 yards and a score.

“Wiley’s great, Wiley is fantastic, Jordan Wiley is a dude,” Costa said. “He’s kind of our Swiss-army knife. We use him at running back, we use him at receiver, we use him all over the place. So, it’s not like we’re losing a lot. Nas is fantastic, obviously it is still a hit. I think if we were at some other school, it would probably be a bigger hit.”

The two teams combined for 119 passing yards, with 40 of them coming from the starting quarterbacks, James and DC sophomore Angel Reyna. On the ground, James had two carries for four yards and a TD.

DC will seek its second consecutive win Friday at home against Woodland (1-2), with kickoff set for 7 p.m. BV has an extra week off to regroup with a bye, before traveling to Yuba City to take on River Valley (0-3) on September 16.

Moonlight Repast Benefits Parks

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael Park Foundation’s ‘Dinner in the Park’ will next Saturday support youth programs, maintenance and beautification at the community’s parks.

Entirely al-fresco, the September 10 soiree ambles over two hidden-gem reserves. Cocktail hour is bathed by sunset among the fragrant arbors of Sutter Community Garden. In adjacent Jensen Botanical Gardens, tables will be linen-draped for a moonlit meal. Musicians played in both venues and Todd Morgan and the Emblems will serenade dinner. Festivities begin at 5 pm.

The sit-down dinner will be catered by Hawks Restaurant of Granite Bay. Postponed by two pandemic years, the event is a community favorite and traditionally sells out. Tickets are $150 per person.

For more information on the Park Foundation, visit Carmichaelparksfoundation.org or call (916) 485 5322.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - With high hopes, Camon Lee opened a sushi restaurant 20 years ago.

The son of Chinese immigrants saw a hot trend and decided Japanese cuisine was a cool way to go. “Californians are health conscious and aware of how they look,” Camon explains. “People don’t always want to fill their stomachs up. Something told me sushi would succeed.”

It did. After several years learning the ropes in other sushi establishments, Lee located his Silver Sake restaurant in the Marconi & Walnut Center, Carmichael. Several busy years later, the entrepreneur expanded from one rented space to two. Customers became regulars. Regulars came to claim the same seats for each visit; sitting shoulder-to-shoulder and greeting fellow diners by name. “It’s like ‘Cheers’ in here, every night,” beams the owner.

Surviving the pandemic without laying off staff, the father of two considers himself “fortunate to still have a business.” Loyal customers adopted his restaurant as one they did not want to fail. They helped organize outdoor eating space; convened weekly sushi nights with friends; ordered home delivery and fundraised to help keep the place going. “Their kindness brought tears to my eyes,” says the owner. “I could not have survived without them.”

For Lee’s 20^th year celebration, rice steamed; sake glasses clinked; caviar exploded on tongues and raw fish slithered down ecstatic throats. A supporter presented a cake festooned with marzipan California rolls. In space that is cramped most nights, standing room only was available.  

“My parents told me America is an opportunity of gold,” beamed Lee. “They were right, one hundred percent. But the most beautiful thing is having friends who want you to succeed.”

Silver Sake is located at 4949 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - It takes more than a year to prepare a dog to partner a veteran with post-traumatic stress or to work with an autistic child.

Carmichael breeder and trainer Jan Lopez – who began the nonprofit Breeding Education Service and Training for service dogs six years ago – estimates $25,000 is needed for the process. Expenses mount beyond the cost of the puppy itself: specialized training, food, vet bills and health clearances add up.

A September 25 fundraiser will support Lopez’s operation. Guests at her open house will meet canines in training and be offered a chance to bid on art. Paintings by famed Carmichael painter Earl Boley are among auction items. Other artists include Helen Plenert, S.R. Jones, Susan Leith, Grey Lux, Euan Rannachan and Gabriel Teague. The event will be staged on Lopez’s ranch-style Carmichael property.

Lopez’s Labrador Retrievers (a favored breed for service training) have been placed with national agencies like Paws for Purple Hearts, Joyful Paws Service Dogs and Good Dog Service Canines. “You can’t have service dogs without puppies,” she says. “My puppies go to experienced groups that provide dogs for people who desperately need them.

“One of my dogs is in Connecticut; others are in Detroit, San Antonio, Nebraska and New York. These are all good Carmichael dogs – but they go to work where they are needed.”

Training starts with basic obedience skills and works towards public access. “This includes trips to stores, restaurants, parks,” she says. “They train anywhere where their eventual partners might want to take them.”

When dog-lovers see a trainer and student out shopping, they are gently reminded that a working team should not be distracted. “It’s understandable people want to approach them,” says the trainer. “But they need to do their work. Service dogs will eventually be paired with people who want to lead normal lives.”

Her breeding operation produces one or two litters per year and puppies are placed with service agencies at about nine weeks old. “It’s tough to part with a puppy you’ve raised with love,” says Lopez. But it’s my philosophy to be happy. They’re going somewhere they’ll be loved. They’ll change someone’s life for the better.”

Learn about the art show/fundraiser at www.bestservicedogs.org or call (916) 277 5189.