Boulevard Raises the Banner
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Forty-six banners touting Carmichael as a destination and business hub were erected this week on Fair Oaks Boulevard.
Festooning streetlight poles between Manzanita and El Camino Avenues, the lofty vinyl pendants are a new outreach by the Carmichael Improvement District.
“We’ve long wanted to add color and presence to our main street,” says CID executive director Rachael Taylor. “These banners highlight what is exciting and unique in our area. They say we’re proud of our community.”
With a bill of over $12,000, the project cost met by CID’s image and enhancement budget. The four-year-old organization fosters image improvement, security and prosperity for the central district. CID programs are funded by an annual assessment on commercial properties in central Carmichael.
The eight-foot banners represent attractions such as restaurants, recreation and services. A bocce court version (pictured) plugs the sporting facility recently completed by Carmichael Recreation and Park District. Other images celebrate local beauty salons and the abundance of dining opportunities.
“Our first priority is to represent CID stakeholders businesses,” explains CID board chairman Nick Bloise. “We plan to add more banners to the boulevard as time and budget allows. We’d also like to keep things fresh by changing some images seasonally.” Manufactured by the Fresno company Sierra Display, the pendants raised by Reese Installations of Lockeford, CA. The project required permits and many months of communication with County departments. Installation coincides with near-completion of Phase 3 of Sacramento County’s Fair Oaks Boulevard Improvement Project; a one-mile facelift that has clogged the busy corridor‒on and off‒for eight years.
“Carmichael’s main street is looking better than it has for many decades,” says Taylor. “Our banners will be one more enhancement.”
Learn about Carmichael Improvement District at www.discovercarmichael.com
Facility Offers Help for Teens
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SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - A private treatment center for teenagers with mental health problems has opened designer doors near Carmichael.
Located in Arden Oaks, the Evolve Treatment Center offers therapeutic programs for 12 to 17-year-olds. Clients will be referred to the facility from all over Northern California; stays range from 30 to 60 days.
In the 5600 sq ft premises, teens suffering depression, anger management issues, self-injuring behavior, substance abuse and personality disorders will receive care. Tucked into a residential neighborhood near Arden Way, the home will host six or fewer clients at a time. A ratio of one staffer per three guests is supplied. Program costs are typically shared between families and their insurance companies.
From landscaping to décor – and featuring a chef’s kitchen straight out of House Beautiful -- the center has an atmosphere more resort than institution. “Our home plays a big part in our programs,” explains Evolve spokesperson Judy Sylvia. “We need lots of space for treatment activities and teens need to be comfortable while they’re focusing on their well-being. We hope to see them gain skills to cope with what causes them distress. We want young people to thrive and find a life worth living.”
Silvia notes that despite increasing youth distress, mental care centers for teens are in short supply. Her company operates 12 facilities in California and plans more. “There’s so much need right now,” she says. “Fortunately, the stigma around mental illness is becoming less. But we live in unprecedented times, with challenges we’ve never seen before.”
Programs are built around counseling, group therapy, psychiatric evaluation and skill training. Recreation opportunities include horse riding (the center boasts an Elk Grove stables), hiking, art, cooking, music and fitness training. A large swimming pool is part of the one-acre property. Computers are allowed only for educational purposes and school-age children must complete at least two hours of study per day. Cell phones are prohibited. “We should all learn coping skills instead of using a phone as a distraction,” considers Silvia.
Daily menus are prepared by a professional chef. Children rise on schedule; meals are a group activity.
Client families are closely involved in treatment. “These kids will be going home,” says Silvia. “Parents and siblings need learn to support their teen who has mental health problems. Recovery can’t just end when they leave us.”
Learn about the center at www.evolvetreatment.com
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - At approximately 1:50 a.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, the Sheriff’s Communications Center received a call from a subject on the 1600 block of Bell Street in Sacramento County stating that someone had been shot.
Upon arrival, deputies searched and located one unresponsive adult female victim who sustained a gunshot wound. Deputies performed life saving measures. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene by responding personnel from Sacramento Metro Fire.
Homicide detectives and Crime Scene investigators responded to the scene, interviewed witnesses and gathered evidence. No further information or suspect information is available at this time.
The identity of the victim in this case will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office after identification and notification of next of kin.
Detectives are asking anyone with information relating to this incident, to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477).
Regional Parks Seeking Input on Dillard Ranch
Space at the Community Center will be limited, residents will have the option to attend via Zoom
The Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks acquired Dillard Ranch in 2018 through a trade agreement with Cosumnes Community Services District, and now they want your input as they put together a Master Plan for the property!
Dillard Ranch is located in Wilton and is approximately 97 acres in size. The property is currently a working ranch, used for cattle grazing and growing hay, with a single-family dwelling and additional farm structures.
“We are excited to hear from the public and to include their input in our plans as we move forward with the development of this property,” said Liz Bellas, Director of Regional Parks. “We have had this property for three years now and we are ready to develop it into something that the community can enjoy and be proud of.”
Regional Parks is hosting a public engagement and outreach meeting at the Wilton Community Center in order to provide information and obtain input from the community and other stakeholders regarding this project. Since space at the Community Center will be limited, residents will have the option to attend via Zoom.
When: Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Where: Wilton Community Center (9717 Colony Road, Wilton) or join via Zoom
In preparation for this public engagement and outreach meeting, Regional Parks has put together a Natural Resource Assessment and a Historic and Cultural Resources Report with some information on the property. They have also put together this virtual tour of the property.
Puppets Invade Local Parks
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Puppet shows are popping up in several Carmichael area parks throughout the month of July, offering families some free fun on Saturday mornings. A team from Touchstone Christian Fellowship is putting on these events each Saturday morning, featuring not only puppet shows but also sing-alongs, free crafts and group games. The first event brought smiles and laughter to Mission North Park last Saturday, July 10.
The events are a revival, of sorts, of the popular Touchstone Tales Theater, which was, for years, a fixture at several local events, including the annual Carmichael 4th of July fireworks celebration at La Sierra Community Center.
“These kinds of events are our way of simply sharing God’s love with our community, with no strings attached,” said Touchstone Christian Fellowship associate pastor, Steve Bunnell. “In these challenging times, the gift of laughter and silly fun is one of the greatest gifts we can offer,” Bunnell said.
The events are being held each Saturday morning in July at 10:00 am: July 17 at Gibbons Park, 4701 Gibbons Drive; July 24 at Arcade Creek Park, 5613 Omni Drive; and July 31 at Touchstone Christian Fellowship, 5300 Madison Avenue.
For more information visit www.touchstonecf.org
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - As the weather heats back up it’s important for everyone to have a plan for staying cool and hydrated. It is especially important for those who may be extra susceptible to heat and dehydration due to certain medications.
Some medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature. During hot and humid weather, individuals taking medications can be at increased risk of developing excessive body temperature, or hyperthermia.
“Individuals taking certain medications, including those used to treat mental illness, need to take extra precautions to ensure they have a plan for staying cool and hydrated,” says Dr. Ryan Quist, Sacramento County Behavioral Health Director.
Those with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable, e.g. heart and pulmonary disease, diabetes and alcoholism, etc. Heat exhaustion is the most common heat-related condition, which is most likely to occur in people who are involved in physical activity outdoors during heat waves.
Keep as cool and hydrated as possible: drink plenty of water, avoid spending time outside, especially during the hottest part of the day, and limit outside activities as much as possible. Cooling down a few hours a day will allow the body to recover and tolerate the heat better for the rest of the day.
“It is important for individuals to continue taking their medications as prescribed,” says Quist. “Those with questions or concerns regarding medications and heat should contact their prescribing clinician.”
Don’t get caught unprepared as temperatures keep reaching into the triple digits. Have a plan to stay cool, stay hydrated and be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
Safe Swimming Pool Tips for Families
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SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Summertime is swimming time. As families enjoy gatherings and newly-opened swimming pools, Sacramento County Public Health reminds parents and caregivers to practice water safety tips in and around pools. Even inflatable pools can be dangerous for children.
In Sacramento County, 70 percent of drowning deaths occurred in children under the age of five, according to the Safe Kids Program of Greater Sacramento. Drowning is the leading injury-related cause of death for children ages 1-4, and many of those deaths occurred in backyard pools or spas.
Here are a few tips to keep children safe while swimming in pools:
Watch your children at all times or designate an official Water Watcher who can swim to monitor children in or around the pool. This should be an adult who is 18 years old or older. Their ONLY job is to supervise children in the water – they should not be reading, texting or playing games on their phone;
Teach children to stay away from drains in pools and spas; Ensure all pools and spas - both in a backyard and any public pool you may visit - have drain covers;
Keep a phone nearby for use in an emergency; Enroll your children in swimming and water safety lessons;
Learn infant and adult CPR; If a child is missing, check the pool/spa first; Own a pool?
Install proper child-proof barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa; Cover pools and spas when not in use;
Remove ladders for above ground pools when not in use.
To download multi-lingual water safety posters and other useful materials, visit the Safe Kids Greater Sacramento website.
For more safety tips or to download a pool safety app, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely program website.