SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Brenda Hottal got her first taste of adoptive parenting 12 years ago when she and her husband become guardians of her grand-nephew Landon. Landon eventually became Brenda’s adopted son, and after Brenda’s husband died, she and Landon decided they wanted to welcome foster children into their home.
When a local adoption agency approached Brenda about caring for a sibling set of two brothers and their sister, she was hesitant, but after taking them in, she had a change of heart.
“I knew right away that taking care of three children was going to be hard but once I got to know them, I decided that mine was going to be the last foster home they would ever live in,” she said.
Brenda is now the legal mother of James, 14, and Michael, 16, and the legal guardian of Alia, 17. And while being a single parent to four teenagers (while working full-time) is hard, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“My life was pretty empty before they came into my life. I really can't imagine not having them here. I receive so much joy just watching them mature and make their way into adulthood,” she said.
“Hopefully someday they'll look back and say that my guidance has helped them to be better.”
Brenda and her family illustrate why Sacramento County and local foster-adoptive agencies celebrate National Adoption Month, held every November to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families.
According to federal statistics, more than 122,000 children and youth are waiting to be adopted and are at risk of aging out of foster care without a permanent family. In Sacramento County, at least 224 children and teens are awaiting their forever families.
This year’s Adoption Day ceremony takes place virtually from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18. To watch this year’s event, visit the Stanford Sierra Youth & Families website.
The Heart Gallery of Sacramento will also celebrate the day with an informational event from noon to 1 p.m. The Zoom meeting ID is 830-1145-7525.
Sacramento County joins organizing sponsor Stanford Sierra Youth as well as A Better Life Children’s Services, the California Alliance of Child and Family Service, the California Department of Social Services, Koinonia Family Services and Uplift Family Services in supporting National Adoption Month.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a resource family or adoptive parent, please call (916) 875-5543 and visit the Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services Resource Family webpage.
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - California is the capital of innovation and a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis. Over the past five years, Californians have witnessed two of the hottest years on record and experienced devastating wildfires that affect the health, economy, and overall well-being of our communities. As state legislators, we set policy aimed to protect our great state, and it is imperative that we collaborate with and recognize community partners that take action to move the needle toward real, identifiable, and positive change. For these reasons, we proudly authored Senate Concurrent Resolution 51 – which passed with bipartisan support – recognizing SMUD for being the first large utility in the country to adopt a Zero Carbon Plan that will completely eliminate carbon from its electricity generation by 2030.
The Sacramento area is consistently ranked as one of the dirtiest air basins in the country, as shown by the recently released American Lung Association State of the Air Report. Our children are 22 percent more likely to develop asthma than those in the rest of the country. Consequently, these challenges impact our most vulnerable populations disproportionately. Our current reality is unacceptable, and the only way to safeguard our future for generations to come is to create carbon free solutions that foster healthy outcomes and create green jobs for the benefit of us all.
Right here in our own backyard, our community-owned, not-for-profit electric utility, SMUD, recently adopted a Zero Carbon Plan to eliminate all carbon emissions from electricity generation in our region by 2030. While that timeline sounds ambitious, SMUD’s track record of delivering on sustainable solutions and championing innovative action plans is exactly what is needed to create clean powered communities.
The SMUD Board of Directors has consistently championed green initiatives that support innovative solutions to renewable energy. Their leadership has achieved tangible results. For example, SMUD was the first utility to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 percent from 1990 levels – the equivalent of removing 377,000 vehicles from the road. They’ve championed clean cars and partnered to plant more than 600,000 shade trees. They helped usher in the solar industry and now with their Zero Carbon Plan, they are ushering a new era of innovation. Today, SMUD already delivers power that is 50 percent carbon free. With its Greenergy and SolarShares programs, SMUD provides many state owned and privately owned buildings with 100% clean, carbon-free electricity. In keeping with this tradition, their new Zero Carbon plan doubles down on these efforts and would power the Sacramento region with 100% renewable sources.
SMUD’s Zero Carbon Plan includes retiring carbon emitting natural gas plants and relies heavily on the electrification of the building and transportation sectors since these are two of the largest carbon emitting sectors in the State. For example, efforts include providing support for all-electric homes through customer incentives for rooftop solar and battery storage, electric vehicles, and by providing rebates to builders and homeowners for the installation of clean water heaters, HVAC systems, and cooktops.
In addition, SMUD has spearheaded and funded the California Mobility Center to bring emerging clean transportation options to the market. This innovation hub has brought federal funding to the Sacramento area and has successfully attracted startup companies in the field of clean mobility. The Center is providing the guidance, education and partnerships needed to bring these ideas to fruition, while simultaneously providing 8,500 new clean technology jobs.
SMUD’s comprehensive plan to reach zero carbon emissions by 2030 is one that relies on all the tools in our toolkit. It’s the most ambitious of any large utility in the nation and their commitment to our community and equity for all is one to be commended and recognized.
Assemblyman Ken Cooley represents the 8th Assembly District which includes the communities of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Murieta, Rosemont, Wilton and other portions of unincorporated Sacramento County. For more information, please visit http://asmdc.org/members/a08/
Now That’s a Plan
City Council Unanimously Votes on Long-awaited Development
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - On November 10, 2021, Citrus Heights City Council unanimously voted in favor of adopting the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan and its associated Environmental Impact Report, rezoning, and General Plan amendment.
“Sunrise Mall has long been in decline, due to changing retail trends,” said Chris Boyd, Interim City Manager. “We know our community wants to see the site brought back to its former glory, and the adoption of our Specific Plan is a huge step in that process. Unlocking the 100-acre mall property for future mixed-use development, as opposed to keeping the site all retail, means mall owners now have the opportunity to densify, diversify, and breathe new life into the heart of our City.”
Citrus Heights is a community that is 98 percent built out, meaning there are few opportunities for new development. Working with mall owners, thousands of community members, experts in the field, and elected officials, City staff and the Gensler consulting team honed a vision for the site and then drafted a data-driven plan for realizing the collective vision. Rezoning the site to encourage revitalization also involved creating and certifying an in depth Environmental Impact Report (over 4,000 pages), reporting and approving California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) findings, and adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
The majority owner at Sunrise Mall, Namdar Realty Group, was among the many to submit a letter of support in favor of the City’s Specific Plan. “We greatly appreciate you and your staff’s diligent efforts to be collaborative in establishing the vision for the future of Sunrise Mall,” said Chief Executive Officer Igal Namdar in his letter. “We look forward to advancing our plans for the site.”
The Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan:
Introduces new uses to the Sunrise Mall site, like zoning for a variety of residential options, entertainment, and more; Triples the development allowed on the site, creating an opportunity for the community to diversify its economy, attract quality industry sectors like medical and tech, and more; Streamlines future development review, so that projects aligned with the Sunrise Tomorrow vision can be expedited, saving developers time and money; Allows flexibility for redevelopment, empowering responsiveness to changes in the market; Fulfills CEQA requirements and mitigates development risk, which is one of the most impactful ways local government can stimulate redevelopment; Aligns market demand with community vision, building grassroots, local support in favor of re-imagining the Sunrise Mall site.
“Our specific plan lays the groundwork for transforming the Sunrise Mall site into a vibrant mixed-used community creating a destination for our residents to live, shop, work, and play,” said Boyd. “And while the plan is momentous in that right alone, I also know that this project has the potential to serve as a national case study in how local government, when armed with motivated staff and an engaged community, can influence real, meaningful change when it comes to economic stewardship.”
To learn more about the work that went into developing the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, visit SunriseTomorrow.net.
What does this mean for the Sunrise Mall?
The Sunrise Mall will remain open through redevelopment, which will be completed in phases, likely starting with converting the surplus parking. The City encourages the community to continue to shop and attend events at the Sunrise Mall. The Specific Plan implementation is flexible and incremental. Sunrise Mall will continue to operate, but if/when it cannot any longer, this plan will serve as a toolbox for accelerated revitalization.
Phase 1: (Ready Now) Redevelopment of former Sears as a Dining Entertainment District, Retail, Limited-Service Hotel, Residential, and Open Space. Phase 2: (Employment Anchor) Redevelopment of Macy’s Men & Home as Creative Office Campus, additional Retail and Dining, Extended Stay Hotel, Residential, and Neighborhood Park. Phase 3: (Mixed-Use Main Street) Redevelopment of Sunrise Mall as mixed-use Main Street with Retail, Dining, Office, Residential, Full-Service Hotel, and Central Open Space. Phase 4: (Longtime Opportunities) Redevelopment of JCPenney and Macy’s Women as mixed-use district with Office, Retail, Open Space, and Residential.
What will the Sunrise Mall site look like in the future?
Now that the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan has been adopted, mall owners may begin redeveloping their properties in alignment with the plan’s new uses and zoning. The Specific Plan was guided by “Five Big Ideas,” that reflect feedback from the community and stakeholders: Community & Regional Destination, Green Network, Streets for People, Livable Neighborhoods, and Economic Engine.
When paired with in depth research and data around the types of development that are realistic for the Citrus Heights market, the Five Big Ideas evolved into a site plan, which staff refer to as a “21st Century Main Street” concept. The concept includes:
A walkable “main street” through the center of the property featuring dining, retail, and entertainment; New employment anchors, solidifying the site as an employment hub for the region; A new town square for Citrus Heights, nick-named “Sunrise Commons,” with space for community events year round; Entertainment anchors to create a community and regional destination with family oriented entertainment options; Hotels providing full-service, boutique, and extended-stay hotels to serve a range of travelers; Housing with connected neighborhoods that provide a variety of choices and amenities for high quality of life; Open space featuring a network of parks, plazas, and streets that are safe, connected, green, and healthy; A transit center designed to minimize car use, with streets and paths that make it easy to get around by bike or on foot.
Again, redevelopment of the site will be completed in phases. Now that the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan has been adopted, staff will continue their work to catalyze development aligned with the plan. This will include promoting development opportunities, working closely with mall owners and potential mixed-use developers, and more.
Veterans Honored at Sylvan Cemetery
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – Many Citrus Heights veterans, their families and members of the community carried on the tradition of honoring the brave men and women past and present who have served their country in the military. Sponsored by American Legion Post 637, Veterans Day in Citrus Heights was again held at Sylvan Cemetery on Wednesday, 11/11 which is the anniversary of the singing of the armistice, ending World War II.
Members of the Citrus Heigh Police Department honor guard presented arms for the service and the Folsom Harmony Express choir comprised of military veterans performed their traditional patriotic songs during the service.
The service began and concluded with prayers by American Legion Post 637 Chaplain Barry Fitzgerald. American Legion 637 past commander Paul Reyes emceed the program.
Post 637 Commander Sylvia Thweatt greeted the audience and thanked all the veterans for their service.
Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost, a Citrus Heights resident and former mayor, faithfully returns to her home turf on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day always giving the audience new food for thought as they honor the men and women who served their country at home and in other wars and conflicts. She thanked the city council for recently voting on a resolution to declare the month of November National Military and Families Month in Citrus Heights.
On behalf of the Citrus Heights City Council, Vice Mayor Porsche Middleton shared how her family members have served their country and thanked the veterans present for the future we can have here as a result of their sacrifice and dedication to their country.
Newly appointed Chief of Police Alex Turcotte has been with the CHPD since 2006. He spoke of the similarities between American law enforcement and the military, and how each knows with unspoken certainty that they will have each other’s back if and when necessary.
Deborah Bartlett, Regent of the General John A. Sutter Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, gave a compelling talk, focusing on the 7.2 million living Vietnam era veterans and the 9 million families of those who served during the Vietnam War period. She noted that in 2008 the Secretary of Defense was authorized to conduct a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day 2012. Vietnam veterans and their families are now being recognized. Nearly one-third of the 19 million veterans of all wars still living served on active duty between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975, the Vietnam War period.
Recognizing their sacrifice and how their return home was one of turmoil and disgrace rather than appreciation for their service, Bartlett invited all present who had served on active duty during that time period to come forward to receive their Vietnam Veteran lapel pin “as a lasting memento of a grateful nation’s thanks.” Services like this are now taking place throughout the country to finally officially honor and welcome home our Vietnam veterans and honor their families.
Harmony Express ended the morning with a final song, followed by a prayer given by Chaplain Barry Fitzgerald and a 21-gun salute and TAPS from the honor guard.
2020 Farm Report: Wine Grapes Still Top Crop
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The value of Sacramento County crops dipped slightly last year, but agriculture continues to be an important player in the local economy. In 2020, the total cash value of all agricultural commodities was almost $455 million, according to the 2020 Sacramento County Crop and Livestock Report.
Wine grapes once again took the lead as the highest-valued commodity, with a value of close to $156 million. More than 34 reported varieties are grown on 36,000 acres in Sacramento County.
Milk and other dairy products remained the County’s second-highest valued commodity at $64 million, an increase in value of 25 percent over 2019. About 16,000 dairy cows live on 16 family-owned dairies in Sacramento County. The County is even home to a water buffalo dairy that provides milk products to a creamery in the Bay Area.
Every year, the value of specific commodities rises or falls based on weather, supply and demand, and market forces. Notable increases in 2020 included cherries, whose cash value is up 82 percent over 2019 due to favorable spring weather conditions. Oat hay is up 69 percent over last year, and almonds increased 61 percent in value over the previous year’s crop.
The 2020 value of agricultural commodities decreased 1.2 percent in comparison to 2019. This represents gross returns and not actual net profits or losses, according to Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner Chris Flores.
“Last year was fraught with challenges and yet the gross production value of agriculture in Sacramento County remained relatively stable,” she said. “This is a testament to the resiliency and importance of this industry.
“We would like to honor and recognize our essential growers, ranchers, farmworkers and all others supportive of agriculture, who continued to produce and provide agricultural commodities locally and to people around the world.”
Top10 Agricultural Commodities in 2020:
(1) Wine grapes; (2) Milk; (3) Poultry; (4) Nursery stock (ornamental trees and plants, Christmas trees and sod) (5) Pears; (6) Hay (alfalfa) (7) Aquaculture (bass, carp, catfish, crayfish, sturgeon and caviar) (8) Rice (9) Cattle and calves (10) Silage (corn grown to feed livestock)
The 2020 report includes a list of local Certified Farmer’s Markets and a 2022 calendar with full-color illustrations.
Flores presented the report to the County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 2.
The Best Feel-Good Moment of 2021
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) — Sacramento River Cats outfielder Drew Robinson’s final professional baseball game, and the moving standing ovation from fans, teammates, and opponents at Sutter Health Park, was a moment much larger than baseball, and won the MiLBY Award for Best Feel-Good Moment of 2021.
With his family watching from the stands, players from both dugouts stepped out to applaud an emotional Robinson before his first at bat against the Round Rock Express on July 20.
The standing ovation celebrated an incredible comeback to the diamond that reached thousands on social media. Less than a year after losing his eye in an attempt to take his own life, Robinson returned to baseball, making the River Cats’ roster out of Spring Training.
He started for Sacramento on Opening Day against his hometown Las Vegas Aviators. In his fourth game of the season, Robinson launched a towering home run and pointed to his family in the crowd as he touched home plate on May 11.
Robinson also earned the No. 1 spot on SportsCenter’s Top-10 Plays with a diving double-catch against Round Rock on July 19.
The inspirational Robinson has since transitioned into a role as a mental-health advocate with the San Francisco Giants.
The MiLBY Awards highlight the best players, moments, and teams in Minor League Baseball each season, and are decided through voting on MiLB.com.
The Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the 2021 National League West champion San Francisco Giants, kick off their 2022 schedule against the Sugar Land Skeeters (Houston Astros) on April 5 at Sutter Health Park, with a 6:35 p.m. (PT) Opening Night first pitch.
Sutter Health Park is the West Sacramento home of the 2019 Triple-A Champion Sacramento River Cats, and a proud affiliate of the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants. Sutter Health Park is consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. Memberships and Mini-Plans may be purchased now for the 2022 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487) or visiting www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Sutter Health Park, visit www.sutterhealthpark.com.
Water For California Event! November 18, 2021
CA Businesses Protesting the Lack of Sufficient CA Water Supply!
November 18, 2021
California Capitol Building
1315 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you or your business has been affected by the lack of water in California, let your voices be heard on November 18th! We would like to invite our California farmers, agriculture, Dairy and fishing industry representatives to speak. Let us know how your businesses have been affected by California's lack of water and let us fight together to bring water reform to our state.
Invited also are all Grassroots organizations. Free booth space is available. Bring your own table and materials. Please let us know if you would like to have a booth by registering below. Since the event is giving out free T-Shirts, attendees please register below to get your T-Shirt.
To read the full account of what is happening to our water supply in California, click on the link below.
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Event Hosted by Boots on The Ground Cali and Co-Hosted by Make California Great Again, Inc.® with Diego Martinez for Governor 2022