SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – The California Senate voted on May 25, 2022, unanimously to approve legislation written by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, D-San Diego, and co-written by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to add wine and distilled spirits bottles to California’s recycling program.

“I am really pleased that so many of our Senate colleagues recognized the importance of this common sense bill that benefits our environment and consumers,” Sen. Dodd said. “With SB 1013 we can increase the recycling rates of millions of bottles that would otherwise wind up in our landfills or be illegally discarded. I look forward to seeing this bill with all its benefits for California pass the Assembly and be signed by Gov. Newsom.”

“SB 1013 is historic change that is 40 years in the making,” Pro Tem Atkins said. “I want to commend the wine industry, distilled spirits industry, environmental advocates, and other groups who have come together to support this landmark proposal. We will continue working with stakeholders as the bill moves through the Assembly to make sure remaining concerns are addressed, and then, hopefully, 2022 will be the year we can pop a cork and celebrate this overdue improvement to California’s recycling law.”

The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, established in 1986, encourages consumers to recycle beverage containers by requiring them to pay a deposit for eligible bottles. According to a 2019 report, curbside programs received approximately $172 million from the so-called Bottle Bill in 2017, including $15 million that is annually provided from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund.

Although the program includes beer, it does not include wine or spirits. It is estimated that California generates more than 500 million wine and spirits bottles each year, with less than 30% being recycled and over 300 million wine and spirits bottles going into landfills. Under Senate Bill 1013, wine and spirits bottles would be added to the program, leading to more recycling, increased business for recycling centers and reduced processing costs. The expansion would also cut greenhouse gas emissions by almost 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide while reducing litter of wine and spirits containers, a visible and dangerous component of urban litter pollution.

SB1013 is supported by a number of groups including Californians Against Waste, Heal the Bay, California Association of Local Conservation Corps, Monterey Regional Waste Management District, National Stewardship Action Council, Northern California Recycling Association, California Teamsters Public Affairs Council, The 5 Gyres Institute, the Plastic Pollution Coalition and Zero Waste USA. It has no formal opposition.

It passed the Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support. It heads next to the Assembly.

Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The 51st Annual Optimist High School Baseball All Star games are set for Sunday, June 12, 2022.

The games will be held at Army Depot Park, 8411 Okinawa Street, Sacramento, CA 95828. Game 1 (Small Schools Teams) will start at 4:00p.m. Game 2 (Large Schools Teams) will start at 5:00p.m. General admission is $10.00; Seniors (65+) $8.00; Students $5.00; kids under 12 $3.00; and kids under 5 are free.  

The North Small Schools Team is coached by Jeff Wise from Center High School, and assisted by Dave Watson from Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, Matt Johanson, Tanner Wise, and Mike Manrique from Center High School. Some notable players on the team include outfielder Joey Gauldin, pitcher Roman James, third baseman/pitcher Jace Jones and first baseman Aidan Nielsen from Casa Roble. Other players include center fielder Jaxon Finley, right fielder Matthew Haggard, second baseman Elijah Marin and shortstop Cole Tyler from Marysville.

The South Small Schools Team is coached by Jason Adversalo from Liberty Ranch High School and assisted by Dean Kunze from Liberty Ranch High School. Some notable players on the team include pitchers Troy Combs and Matthew Jernigan from Cordova and Cade Jacobson from Dixon.

The North Large Schools Team is coached Pat Esposito from Granite Bay High School, and assisted by Jim Barr, Joe Swope, Tom Gallagher, Doug Herrenschmidt, Mike Musolino, and Brian Boyan from Granite Bay High School. Some notable players on the team include second baseman/pitcher Hayden Hughes and left fielder/pitcher Jordan Jacobson from Del Campo, shortstop Brandon Forrester and catcher Andrew Sloan from Jesuit, El Camino center fielder David Henry, Rio Americano catcher Jake Marr and Yuba City third baseman Matt Hernandez.

The South Large Schools Team is coached by Michael DeNecochea from CK McClatchy High School, and assisted by Briant Flint, Randy Davis, and Bob Crowl from CK McClatchy High School. A notable player on the team is River City utility player Alfredo Rodriguez who is coached by Robert Martinez.

At this time, we must be prepared for new COVID guidelines so spectators are asked to bring their masks and follow other public health guidelines if mandated.

These Optimist All Star games provide the top Senior athletes of Sacramento and Greater Sacramento the venue to showcase their skills and prowess. Their selection is to honor them and their schools, and reflects the culmination of their hard work, diligence, and excellence in this sport and school, as well as their coach’s commitment towards their player’s endeavors. The proceeds from this event will solely be used for youth programs and projects in the Sacramento and Greater Sacramento Areas.