SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The City of Roseville is excited that COVID has calmed down enough that Parks and Recreation is able to bring back the Turkey Trot this year. This will be the 9^th annual race and will take place on Thanksgiving morning. Registrations are now being taken to participate in the race. You must pre-register. Absolutely no registrations will be accepted on race day.

The Turkey Trot is a 5K and 10K race in which the proceeds will go to benefit at-risk and low-income youth in Roseville. There is room for 2800 participants in the race. There are currently about 1700 spots still open. The course will begin and end at Vernon Street Town Square in Downtown Roseville.

Registration fees from now until November 21, 2021, at 11:59pm are as follows: 10K - $45, 5K - $40, 10K/5K 14 & under - $35. Registrants are supposed to get shirts, bibs and awards. However, those that registered before November 1, 2021 will receive bibs with the racer’s name on it, after that your name will not be on the bib. In addition, those that register later than October 24, are not guaranteed a shirt in your size.

All adult participants will receive a Unisex Port & Company long sleeve performance blend race shirt. Youth will receive 100% cotton shirts. Extra shirts were ordered but they will be on a first come, first serve basis.

Packet Pickup times will be Tuesday, November 23 11am-3pm and 5-8pm and on Wednesday, November 24 from 9am – 11am. The organizers ask that you please plan on getting your packet, or sending someone to pick it up for you, as they will not mail packets to participants. Packet pickups will be at Roseville Sports Center located at 1545 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville Ca 95747. Late registration will be allowed at packet pickup until all of the spots are filled.

On the day of the race… Parking for the event will be free. Plan to arrive no later than 8:15 am. Race announcements and course instructions will begin promptly at 8:30am. The race will start promptly at 8:40am for the 10K and 9:00am for the 5K. The race will feature disposable chip timing with live results and finisher photos. Refreshments will be provided for participants.

You can get a copy of the courses by visiting the following web addresses: 10K route https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4602757573 and for the 5K route https://mapmyrun.com/routes/view/422418640. For further information and to register to participate visit Roseville.ca.us/events or call 916-774-5974

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Forty-eight years have not dimmed memories of Sheriff’s Corporal Bruce Verhoeven, who died in 1973 Sacramento shooting incident. The Sheriff’s Academy in Carmichael boasts a museum and a street named for him; a foundation established in his name assists police families in times of need.

The corporal’s name last weekend joined 14 other heroes on the Wall of Honor at Patriots Park (Fair Oaks). “It’s a proud day for my family,” said Verhoeven’s daughter Tracey. “Growing up without dad was tough for our family but we always knew he died doing what he believed in -- protecting other people. That was his life’s purpose.”

The popular warrant officer was La Sierra High School graduate and Foothill farms resident. Ten years into his police career, he responded to a robbery-in-progress call from the Gemco store on Fulton Avenue. An armed suspect had fled the store to hide in a nearby apartment complex. Verhoeven cordoned off an area to contain the suspect but, fearing bystanders might be injured, he broke cover and ordered the suspect to drop his gun. The suspect opened fire and Verhoeven was shot. He was awarded a posthumous Sheriff’s Department Medal of Valor for the act of bravery that cost his life.  

Public response to the tragedy was overwhelming. Thousands of donations poured in for the officer’s wife Betty and her two children. After family needs were met, Betty directed surplus funds to a foundation established in her husband’s name. “Bruce was a wonderful husband and father,” she said.  “I miss him every day. His death was a huge tragedy for us but it’s comforting that his foundation has been able to help so many other families. It means his memory will never die.”

Among speakers at Patriots Park, Sheriff Department veteran Sharon Telles -- now a Bruce Verhoeven Foundation trustee -- recalled how the pre-Christmas tragedy devastated the Sheriff’s downtown office where she worked. “Bruce was the happiest guy you’d ever know,” she said. “We always knew when he was in the building – we could hear him laughing and joking. He loved his job. We’d been one big, happy family and our family was suddenly very silent.”

Assemblyman Ken Cooley recalled President Abraham Lincoln’s reference to “mystic chords of memory” that stretch from patriots’ graves. “In honoring Bruce Verhoeven, we connect with those who have gone before,” said Cooley. “He put on his uniform and went out to risk his life for people he’d never met. He should never be forgotten.”

CHP veteran Rich Desmond suggested the Wall of Honor served to remind the community of sacrifices made by many law officers and their families. “We are all united by the patriots we remember today,” said the District 3 Supervisor.

Sheriff Chief Deputy Jim Barnes noted that police officers sign up with the understanding that tragedies happen in their ranks. “In our profession, we say never forget, “he said. “We never do. Knowing that people gather here today to celebrate officers who gave their lives brings us comfort. It tells us our community needs us. We’ll always do our very best for them.”

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – This wintertime, you can help local kids stay warm and join the efforts of Sacramento Blankets for Sacramento Kids in “Kindergarten Project” by making handmade blankets for children to be given out this December 13th.

Every December, we choose the lowest income Title 1 schools and find out in October how many kindergarteners they have. Then the last week of school before winter break, we deliver a double-fleece blanket and a Beanie Baby in a fleece pouch to EVERY kindergartener! Some of these kids sleep in their cars! For most, this is all they get for the holidays and our volunteers want to ensure kids have a beautiful experience for the holidays.

SBSK has been doing Kindergarten Project for 9 years now and has been expanding its reach to low income schools in the Sacramento Region every winter. The first year we were able to reach 6 schools.  This year, we can reach 27 schools – over 1,800 blankets and Beanie Babies!  We always hope to add more schools each year. 

Now that the holiday season is here, retailers, such as Joann’s, offer huge discount on their Blankets for Sacramento Kids kits, which you can put together with no sewing or specialized skills. We have people of all ages contributing from girl scouts to seniors.

If you have a Beanie Baby or have a huge collection of Beanie Babies and wish to do something meaningful for others, especially for kids, now is your opportunity. If anyone would like to donate Beanie Babies to this project or join us in making blankets for this special Kindergarten Project, they can email Claire Gliddon at claire@sacblankets4kids.com. 

The Kindergarten Project is wildly popular and the more low-income kindergarteners we can reach, the better chance of realizing school is a cool place!

Sacramento Blankets for Sacramento Kids (SBSK) is a nonprofit organization that makes handmade blankets all year round for children in need in Sacramento and Placer Counties, as well as for State emergencies (fires, floods) and National emergencies (9/11, Katrina).

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – Showing a long-standing love for our country, the Sacramento Republican Women Federated celebrated their 90-year anniversary in September with a luncheon program at North Ridge Country Club in Fair Oaks.

The program was led by Ana Mendez, President and included guest speaker from California FRW President Sue Blair, who gave a history of the organization and its loyalty to forever build a stronger nation. The second speaker was John McGinnis, former Sacramento County Sheriff and local talk show host. He discussed many of the current political issues of the day.

SRWF honored many members of more than ten years, including Bev Acker (36 years), Dolores O’Brien (41 years, Sharon Sanders (49 years) Patricia Ingoglia (54 years), Avalon Hahn (65 years).

If you want to join a great group of women who truly love our state and nation, contact them to attend a luncheon.

To find out more about the organization and their next gathering visit https://www.sacramentorwf.org.

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - David Peterson spends much of his life immortalizing everyday landmarks. A recent Carmichael Times story inspired his work to further emulate life. Reading the April 9 tribute to business giant Ed Marszal, Peterson took his sketch pad to the gas station that “Mr. Chevron” famously established at Marconi and Walnut in 1981.

Marszal and his bride Susan were retail newcomers when they started out. But through Ed’s business flair, Carmichael Chevron was the little station that grew and grew.  Its auto shop became a hub where car fanatics hung out. It was also the first of Marszal’s 40-plus stores. At one point, his California Retail Management operation spanned the US continent and Hawaiian Islands. The entrepreneur pioneered the concept of convenience stores and carwashes at every gas stop. As the profits rolled in, he gave back generously to community.

Marszal’s long career ended in March, with his death at 74 years old. Reading the remarkable gas-to-riches story, watercolorist David Peterson’s creative juices pumped. “I’d never heard of Ed Marszal, but he seemed like a legend,” Peterson says. “I decided to paint his gas station. I saw it as a monument to the man.”

Artistry was further fueled by passion for all things automotive. “I’d started drawing cars on walls when I was three,” he adds. “I’ve been a car nut all my life. During my El Camino High school years, I got my first job -- at a gas station.” With auto preferences firmly stuck in mid-century, Peterson’s Chevron foregrounds feature two-tone hotrods.

“I love David’s style,” enthuses Susan Marszal. “And the classic cars he included. These remind me of the guys who used to hang out at our service station on Saturdays. Even if their gas tanks were full and nothing needed fixing, they’d sit around and talk about their engines. David’s paintings bring happy memories of when Ed and I were just starting out.” She purchased Peterson’s two watercolors after a friend spotted them at Sacramento Fine Art Center.

Peterson says he doesn’t do property-scapes with the vision of selling art to business owners. “I paint places because they – and the people who built them -- are part of local history,” he considers. “Landmarks tell a story. I hate parting with my work, but I’m honored Susan Marszal approached me to buy these two paintings. I’m proud my work touched her heart.”

To see more of David Peterson’s work, visit www.aquacolorist.com