SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Tuesday December 7th, 2021, is the 80th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. For the past 34 years the greater Sacramento area United States Navy Submarine Veterans have honored that date with a Memorial and Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Discovery Park.
This Ceremony was originally started by the Submarine Veterans of WW II, Sacramento Base 34 years ago and has been carried forward every year to date by the Gold Country Base of the United States Submarine Veterans. (USSVI)
“It is our goal to keep the memory of December 7, 1941 alive and to honor the heroism, dedication, and painful sacrifice of our service men and women on that fateful day”.
The ceremony is open to the General Public.
Beginning at 9:00 am the program will commence with the presentation of the colors followed by a guest speaker and a narration of the history of the attack. At 9:55am PST (7:55am HST) a wreath will be placed in the water at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers from the stern of a Yolo County Sheriff Marine Patrol Boat, assisting them will be Marine Patrol Divisions of the Sacramento County Sheriff Department, Cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of “Taps” followed by the bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Honor Guard: U.S. Naval Sea Cadets - Sacramento Division
Welcoming Remarks: Barry Wyatt, Base Commander, Gold County Base United States Submarine Veterans
Master of Ceremonies: Pete Juhos, Commander, United States Submarine Veterans Western Region 5
Guest Speaker: Russell Atterberry, Undersecretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) see attached resume) https://www.calvet.ca.gov/Pages/Undersecretary.aspx
Bugler: Baldwin Wong Piper: Neil Henderson
When: Tuesday, December 7, 2021 9am (rain or shine)
Where: Discovery Park, Sacramento, CA at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers.
(Exit I-5 North or South at Richards Blvd. Go West to Right Turn on Jibboon St. Cross the bridge and turn Left into parking area.)
The Gold Country Base membership includes Submarine Veterans from the greater Sacramento area including, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano and Yolo Counties. The Base is a chapter of the parent organization, United States Submarine Veterans, a National Veterans Fraternal Organization, founded on the premise, “To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country.
Nurse Linda is Hands-on Hero
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - A Kaiser Hospital nurse and community volunteer has been named Community Hero of the month for November. Nominations are made by the public for the honor District 3 Supervisor Rich Desmond began this year.
Linda Rose Jones heard of her award with surprise. “I felt humbled,” said the Jones, “So many amazing people are doing so much locally; I’m a small part of a diverse family.” Jones has worked for Kaiser almost 24 years. Out of uniform, she volunteers for many causes. In two decades, the veteran R.N. has chaired drives to collect more than 12,000 pints of blood. She has organized veteran tributes at the Vietnam Memorial (Carmichael) for 21 years. Her hands-on labor helps maintain the reserve where the monument is located.
An active member of Carmichael Kiwanis, Nurse Linda can be seen in a blue tee shirt at club work efforts. “Kiwanis are everywhere” she notes. “Through their work for local food closets, they’re truly feeding our community. They’re providing jackets, backpacks and shoes for kids. They’re helping our immigrant population. Working full time, I can’t be part of all their projects. But I help in any way I can.”
Volunteerism was learned from childhood. “My parents, Marge and Jerry Rosenberg, adopted me when I was a baby,” she says. “Perhaps that gave me a feeling that the whole world is family.” Pillars of their Bay Area community, the Rosenbergs established a foundation to help children. “They taught me the Jewish concept of Tzedakah,” she says. “That’s the moral obligation to give, and to inspire others to give.”
A passion for nature was strengthened by Jones’ friendship with the late Earl (Jack) Koobs, a La Sierra High teacher who spearheaded the establishment of Carmichael’s Vietnam Memorial. On Memorial and Veterans Days, Jones leads commemorations beside the old school campus, in the Koobs Nature Area. “The sacrifices of these young men and their families should never be forgotten,” she says. “I feel good in my heart that this tradition is self-sustaining. With or without me, we’ll continue to remember veterans here.
“Jack also stressed the importance of environmental education. He helped me realize we’re making history today, and that our children are our future. My grandson and I planted a California maple in the nature area on Veterans Day. I feel good that someday he’ll see a 50ft tree and know he and grandma Linda planted it.”
Maintaining the five-acre preserve consumes many weekends. “I’m not indispensable,” she insists. “Boy and Girl Scouts, the California Montessori Project, Kiwanis, Carmichael Organic Gardening Club and many more – they’re all helping. Together we’re creating an incredible place to study the environment and honor veterans, for generations come.”
Anyone may email suggestions for Community Hero of the Month to richdesmond@saccounty.net
Always Glad to See You're Here
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Business partners Christina DeCelle and Chris Eaton last year bought a 23-year-old Carmichael institution known as Johnny’s Club 53. Trade had been slowed by the pandemic and the biker-favorite bar was, politely speaking, much in need of love.
A new theme, new decor and 15 large TVs later, Johnny’s was recently reborn as a sports bar the owners call Time Out Tavern. “The name has sports connotations,” notes Eaton. “But it’s also time you take to sit back and relax. Yeah, it’s still a dive bar ‒ we don’t consider that term a negative. We’ve taken care to keep a neighborhood atmosphere that regulars love. They’re still coming in. But they’re a more mixed group now. We’ve only heard positive comments from them.”
Retired police sergeant Eaton keeps his Harley Davidson parked outside. “Bikers, still come,” he says. “But my being a former cop has advantages. We don’t have fights here. As with most Carmichael businesses, the homeless population is a problem. But we’re on top of it.”
Opening weekend saw the bar packed, with Carmichael rockers Wasted Space playing for a crowd of 150. Co-owner Christina DeCelle was hands-on, guiding newcomers to parking spaces. “Chris and I bought the business because we wanted to be in Carmichael,” she explains. “He grew up here; I was raised in Citrus Heights. We wanted a place where neighborhood people would feel at home.” Decor includes memorabilia from local athletes. Several, including baseball legend Dusty Baker and NBA star Matt Barnes, are San Juan School District graduates.
DeCelle owns several more hospitality-related outlets. Her Ben’s Barketplace supplies health food for dogs and cats. The entrepreneur caters with a food truck called Chronic Taco; she also owns Beach Hut Deli stores in Citrus Heights, McClellan and Auburn. Plans for Time Out Tavern include incorporating her fourth Beach Hut Deli there next year.
The tavern is her first venture with Eaton, who previously ran a Western-theme bar in Old Sacramento. “Chris rides a Harley Davidson, I drive a Tesla,” she jokes of their partnership. “We’re an odd combination but it works. He came to me last year with the idea of opening an Irish pub together in Lincoln.
“And here we are, with a dive bar in Carmichael. But we have great plans for Time Out and we love being part of this neighborhood.”
Time Out Tavern is located at 7630 Fair Oaks Boulevard.
Grant Helps the CHP Focus on Street Racing and Sideshows
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Southern and Valley Divisions are working to reduce the number of victims killed and injured in traffic crashes as a result of illegal street racing and sideshows with the support of the Communities Against Racing and Sideshows (CARS) grant.
The CHP Valley Division continues to experience an increase in illegal street racing, sideshows, and drifting activities, often with fatal results. This continued dangerous behavior has proven the need for additional personnel and resources to properly address this illegal and highly dangerous activity.
With the CARS grant, CHP Valley Division officers will be able to focus enforcement on these unsafe driving behaviors and educating the public about the oftentimes deadly outcomes they bring.
“Ultimately we want to keep our roadways safe for everyone,” said CHP Valley Division Chief Mike Dust. “Those who choose to engage in these irresponsible and selfish acts need to know they put everyone’s life at risk, not just their own, and we cannot allow that.”
Grant activities will include focused task force operations, undercover procedures, “in-view” proactive patrol operations, local high school presentations, and a public awareness campaign including community events and presentations.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
Holiday Gifts and Craft Supplies Needed at Women’s Empowerment
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SACRAMENTO REGION (MPG) - Local residents can bring joy to formerly homeless women and children in Sacramento this holiday season by contributing to Women’s Empowerment’s Holiday Gifts and Crafts Drive. The group is seeking 300 unstuffed gift bags and specific fillers for children, teens and women. Gifts for teens and women are especially needed. Women’s Empowerment also needs craft supplies to provide a Craft Party in a Box for each family since the group cannot hold its annual craft party for women and children to make holiday gifts for their loved ones. For a list of gift and craft needs, visit Womens-Empowerment.org. Items are needed by Dec. 6.
“The holidays are often difficult for our graduates as they work hard to put food on the table, much less afford gifts,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment. “The last couple of years have been exceptionally grueling for them. We are grateful to the community for not only providing gifts and craft items to make presents, but also sharing the joy that comes with this gift-giving season.”
Thanks to donations, Women’s Empowerment will include a warm hat, gloves, socks and other items in each gift bag for the women and children. For those interested in making a financial donation toward a gift bag, the average cost is $40, but any amount helps. Women’s Empowerment especially needs extra $20 gift cards to Target, Walmart and similar stores to include in each gift bag.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Women’s Empowerment provides a nine-week employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so all women and their children can break the cycle of homelessness. Women’s Empowerment offers the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women experiencing homelessness, and their children. Eighty-two percent of the graduates secure a job or enroll in school. In the midst of the housing crisis, 75 percent regain a safe home for themselves and their children. The award-winning organization has graduated 1,719 women and their 3,842 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation, visit Womens-Empowerment.org.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, ca (mpg) - Sacramento County has made available on its Redistricting Draft Maps webpage the final draft map. The final draft map is a result of the Board of Supervisors’ direction on revisions to the earlier draft maps presented at its Nov. 2, 16 and 17 Board meetings, as well as public input.
The map is still in draft form, as Sacramento County’s Geographic Information System (GIS) team will be responsible for proofing the district lines submitted by the Board and comparing it to the district lines, Census blocks and legal boundary descriptions for all jurisdictions in Sacramento County, including cities. This is to ensure all areas of the County are assigned to a Supervisorial district and the proposed revisions follow existing district exterior boundaries.
The Board of Supervisors will adopt the final map at its Dec. 7 Board meeting at 2 p.m.
If the GIS team finds any discrepancies from a district’s legal boundary or a census block that may have been inadvertently omitted from the draft map, revisions will be documented and made, and the revised map would be made available for public review by Nov. 30, allowing time for the public to review prior to adoption on Dec. 7.
The public submitted more than 200 written comments containing suggestions for redistricting and supervisorial boundary lines. The public also submitted their own maps for consideration, either hand-drawn or drawn using the mapping tools available.
Every ten years, following the Census count, the resulting census data is used to geographically define electoral districts, at all levels of government, through a process called redistricting. Redistricting ensures that each of the electoral district boundaries have about the same number of people and comply with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Redistricting is important because it determines which neighborhoods and communities will be grouped together for the purposes of electing a Board member.
Visit Sacramento County’s redistricting webpage for information about redistricting, including the redistricting process, written public testimony, meetings and workshops, a timeline and more.
All aboard the Santa Train!
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Members of the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad Museum (SVLSRM) welcome the public to ride their annual Santa train, weather permitting, during the first and second weekends of December at Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova.
Club members help kick off the holiday season with their participation in the 22nd Annual Cordova Community Tree Lighting at Village Green Park at 3141 Bridgeway Drive from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 28 when a special train for young riders will loop around the brightly lit community tree.
Upcoming run times for the Santa Train at Hagan Community Park are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, and Sunday, December 5, and the following weekend, Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12th. The museum is located at 2197 Chase Drive in the rear of Hagan Park, past the petting barn.
Tickets for the Santa Experience train ride are $7 per person. Children, ages two and under, ride free with a paid adult ticket. Personal keepsake photographs taken with Santa Claus are free. Guests will receive a login and password to an online gallery where they can later view and download their photos.
“This is the largest fundraiser for the SVLSRM each year,” said club president Andy Berchielli.
Over the two weekends, some 2,400 riders and visitors young and old are expected to visit Santa, he said. “It’s also a lot of hard work and a lot of fun.”
An operating G-scale garden loop layout also gives youngsters a close-up view of scale model operating engines and passenger cars as they patiently wait to board each passenger train.
In advance of the event, club members including train crews, engineers, conductors, station masters, and operations managers will be busy getting the main line ready.
The 6,300-foot main line loop will be festively decorated by club members to enhance the holiday train ride experience. Passengers pass under a large inflatable gateway on their way to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
“It’s an event I look forward to each, and every year,” he said. “Our Santa trains put everyone throughout the community, and all our club members, fully in the holiday spirit.”
SVLSRM began in 1965 and trackwork was completed with a ceremonial Golden Spike ceremony in 1973. Track and guest improvements have continued ever since with new features added each year, Berchielli said. Live steam engines carry passengers through wooded areas and the nearby American River. The railroad also features wooden trestles, a 40-foot truss bridge as well as a girder deck bridge.
For the latest SVLSRM Santa Train event information, visit https://www.svlsrm.org/. Advance tickets should be available for sale soon through the club website, Berchielli said. Contact the club by email at: info@svlsrm.org for general information, or call (916) 361-7140.