Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Will be Holding Public Ride Days

 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The sights, sounds and smell of steam railroad engines are once again being heard in Hagen Community Park in Rancho Cordova as members of the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad Museum (SVLSRM) have resumed their summer public run schedule.

“I’ve had a love of trains my whole life,” said club president Andy Berchelli, an active member since 2008. In all, the club has 173 members, he said.

Club members of the nonprofit SVLSRM began building their railroad in 1972, completing an original 1,700-foot loop in May 1973. The rail loop has since grown to cover some 6,800 feet. Its track and facilities can now support more than 33 steam engines at one time.

“My son Tyler, born in 2003, has a rare condition and went through many surgeries in his first five years. Our family got involved with “Make A Wish” foundation in 2008 and Tyler’s wish was to have his own first electric train and a riding car,” he said.

Berchelli invites the public to visit the railroad, learn about steam locomotives and to take a ride on one of the club’s trains. The members of the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers do not charge for rides during public ride days, but rely on donations to support their railroad.

Public runs are held on the first weekend of each month through September from 11 to 3 p.m. In celebration of the 4^th of July, special runs will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.

Club membership is a mix between G-scale garden railroad enthusiasts who enjoy the opportunity to run their trains on the club’s permanent layout and those who have built their own scale steam engines from scratch.

Three of the club’s four steam engines are over 40 years old and another was completed just a few years ago. At 1/8^th scale these steam and diesel engines are identical to their full-size counterparts, faithfully recreating all the characteristics of their prototypes. They are real operating locomotives, just smaller.

“Since this is a hobby for us, most take several years or more to build. Even when they are built, they are never completely done. Additional details and improvements continue to be added over time,” he said. 

New members are always welcome, Berchelli said. “We first train our new members to become a conductor and how to properly load our passenger trains,” he said.

“Members then move on to learn how to be an engineer on our diesel trains. Once they become comfortable, they can then learn steam operation. Operating a steam engine requires much more hands-on teaching,” Berchelli said.

Physical improvements of the layout continue. New track side buildings and a memorial to honor and remember past members have been added. While the main railroad line is most likely to remain the same, original aluminum rail and wood ties are being replaced with steel rail and composite ties for better durability.

“My overall goal for the club is to continue to improve the quality of our layout for the public to fully enjoy,” Berchelli said.

Club members have planted hundreds of California native plants and teamed up with members of the Sacramento Tree Foundation to help plant an additional 120 trees around the layout. An irrigation system has also been completed to improve and manage water consumption.

In the fall, a popular Pumpkin Train is set for October 2-3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A special Santa Claus Train is scheduled for the weekends of December 4-5 and 11-12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Safety protocols have been put in place as the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers welcomes the public to the return of its summer train runs. Hand sanitizer is placed at each train boarding station. One family is loaded per car and then a spacer car is placed between each riding car. After unloading each train, all seats are cleaned by our volunteers. Learn more about the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad Museum, Inc. or how to join by visiting their web site at www.svlsrm.org

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - A few cans of paint and a half a dozen Boy Scouts were all it took to lick a Carmichael Park tennis pavilion into shape last weekend. The 11-year-olds – and siblings – worked toward citizenship merit badges that require at least eight hours of community work.

Supervised by assistant Scout Master Braden Bill and Carmichael Park Board Chair Michael Rockenstein, Carmichael’s Troop 328 volunteers scampered up ladders and sloshed paint around. The Scouts plan several more park maintenance projects to fulfill their requisite volunteer hours. Park District Administrator Mike Blondino later pronounced the spruced-up shelter to be “looking realty great.”

Supervisor and dad Michael Rockenstein reported that the kids enjoyed the work. “Helping the park district is a great way for Scouts to receive service time,” he said. “They love working with brushes and rollers. Their paint job was even, there were no spills and the boys cleaned up beautifully after the job.”

For info on Troop 328 visit BSA Troop 328 Carmichael on Facebook.

Local Nonprofit Offers Free Inclusive Sports for At-risk Kids

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Playmakers Organization is a local non-profit that offers free inclusive sports events for at-risk kids, including foster kids and kids with developmental differences. “Today, inclusiveness is more important than ever,” said Playmakers founder Greg Roeszler (Coach Roz). The Playmakers goal is to provide resources and support to families while giving kids the opportunity to participate in sports. Coach Roz said, “Team experiences help in their overall development, giving kids a sense of team and a sense of accountability.”

All kids deserve the chance to participate, play, and thrive—but not all kids have the same opportunities. At-risk kids are already more likely to be living in a home without a father figure, and Coach Roz explained that the risk increases even more if the child has a disability. Living in a single-parent home comes with challenges that make it more difficult to participate in team sports.

Foster children also face barriers to team sports. Frequent moves to new homes and schools create a lack of stability, making it nearly impossible for them to continue with a team sport. And foster families often can’t afford the high cost of traditional team sports, nor the commitment to multiple practices each week.

To bridge this gap in opportunity, The Playmakers Organization has a busy summer planned, with activities and events that will reach more than 2,000 kids and their families. The summer will begin with football camps in Buffalo, New York; Omaha, Nebraska; and Orange City, Iowa. Here in the Sacramento Region, the Playmaker River City Fun Day cornhole tournament will be held July 10 at River City Church, and The Harrison Phillips Man of the Year Golf Tournament will be held in Rancho Murieta on July 11-12. The Mike McGlinchey Playmaker Football Camp will be on July 17 at the Fremont School for the Deaf, and the Izzie Lueken Soccer Camp will be held August 7 (location to be determined).

New this year, Playmakers is launching an All-Inclusive Sports league with weekly games. With a baseball season, football season, and basketball season, participants will be able to engage with sports year-round.  The practice and game will be held on the same day, and kids can attend as often as they are able. Coach Roz explained that kids will be able to come whenever they can and they’ll have a uniform, a coach, a referee, teammates, and “people cheering for them.”

To reach the kids most in need, Playmakers is partnering with Autism Speaks; Big Brothers Big Sisters; and Defending the Cause Regional Alliance, which coordinates with foster agencies and advocates for children in the foster system.

Since Playmakers is designed to support kids and enrich their lives, Coach Roz wanted them to have a voice in the organization’s direction. The Playmakers Children’s Board of Directors gives kids a unique opportunity to learn leadership skills and responsibility. He says the most important thing for all children is to have someone “just communicate with them and develop a relationship with them.”

The league and camps are completely free to kids and their families. As a non-profit, Playmakers depends on generous donations from the community, and there are always various opportunities for volunteers and sponsorships.

Visit www.ThePlaymakers.org to learn more about The Playmakers Organization and sign up for upcoming events.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Easing COVID restrictions have enabled the return of a beloved annual Carmichael tradition. After resorting to a virtual gala last year, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center will stage a modified in-person fundraiser on Sunday, June 13.

The facility will again partner with Sacramento Art Center to include the sale of nature-themed paintings, sculptures and photographs. Celebrity art donations come from Pat Mahony, Maria Winkler, Obi Kaufman, David Peterson and Deladier Almeida. Experiences and vacations will also be up for bids. These include Mexico and Sea Ranch vacations, tickets to the “Hamilton” musical, a chef-designed dinner for four, wine packages and a guided kayak safari on the American River. The ticket cost of $150 per person includes beer and wine and a meal catered by Bella Bru of Carmichael.

Affectionately dubbed the “Wild Things” celebration, Effie Yeaw’s spring art gala is its most important fundraiser. The center is administered by the American River Natural History Association, with educational programs – and the care of a 100-acre preserve -- funded solely through public generosity. A county-wide destination for nature lovers, its endurance was last year challenged by COVID-cancelations of income-producing programs.

“We’re thrilled to be able to do our gala again,” says EYNC staffer Kathy Fleming. “We know this magical evening will raise much needed funds so we can resume programs this summer and fall. Our 200-person limit includes volunteers and event staff, so we know we will sell out.”

To purchase tickets or learn more about the event, go to www.sacnaturecenter.net.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG0 - Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announces open registration for the 4th Annual Crime Lab Youth Shadow Days.  This is the second year this program is being offered virtually.

The Crime Lab Youth Shadow Day was launched in 2018, and quickly exceeded capacity.  A second day was added to meet the high demand, resulting in a total of 220 student participants from approximately 50 high schools across the county.  In 2020, over 100 students participated in the program virtually.

Participating students will visit the District Attorney’s Crime Lab virtually and meet criminalists who are experts in the various fields of forensic science and crime scene investigations (CSI).  They are provided a virtual learning experience in several areas including blood spatter analysis, bullet trajectory, trace evidence, firearms and tool comparison, and drug analysis.

There will be two virtual Crime Lab Youth Shadow Days this year: WHEN: Friday, July 16, 2021 OR Friday, July 23, 2021 ~ 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Virtually – broadcasted live via Zoom from the District Attorney’s Crime Lab

The program is open to current Sacramento County high school students.  Priority will be given to senior high school students. Students will need to submit completed registration forms and a signed permission slip, which can be downloaded at www.sacda.org.

The deadline to apply is July 2, 2021.  Space is limited and on a first come, first served basis.  Please register early.

DA Anne Marie Schubert stated, “Given the success of last year’s first-ever virtual Crime Lab Youth Shadow Day, we are pleased to offer this program virtually for a second year. It’s important we continue to engage our youth and inspire them to pursue careers in the criminal justice system while keeping everyone safe so our community can continue to make progress against COVID-19.”

For questions, please email YouthPrograms@sacda.org.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Local non-profits were big winners in the May 6 Big Day of Giving. Many achieved support that surpassed fundraising hopes. Choreographed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, the 24-hour give-a-thon this year assisted 688 organizations. Top Carmichael beneficiary, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, rallied $68,000 in support. Friends of Sacramento Library raised almost $103,000 – a windfall that in part assists Carmichael Library.

The Kiwanis Club of Carmichael Foundation set a $10,000 goal and gave a massive thumbs up when more than $22,000 flooded in. “We’ve had to cancel six of our biggest annual fundraisers in the last 15 months,” said Kiwanian Michael Koerner. “The BDOG result allows us to continue community giving until we can resume our normal fundraising activities next year.” A $5000 check from Lyon Real Estate boosted the club’s appeal.

Effie Yeaw supporters rejoiced in gifts that topped projections by more than $18,000. Administered by the American River Natural History Association, the facility funds educational programs solely through public generosity. The Center was COVID-closed for part of last year and forced to cancel many income-generating programs. “We were thrilled and thankful the community stepped up,” said Center spokesperson Kathy Fleming. “It’s been a rough year. Our appeal was boosted by large donations from several local families; these were used as matching incentives for hundreds more donors.”

Carmichael Parks Foundation realized over $14,000 – 40 percent more than last year. This total included matching funds from community philanthropist Paul Pennington. Two $500 incentive prizes further assisted. Awarded by Big Day organizers, these rewarded the group with most donations in one hour. “Our directors set alarms and gave online between 4 and 5 am,” explained president Sue Boucher. “In that hour, we raised $4170.” The Foundation provides youth program scholarships and improvement for Carmichael’s many reserves.

Kids helping Kids is a student-run nonprofit at Del Campo High School. On May 6, the teenagers raised almost $7000 to aid children in need. Support included a $1000 gift from Supervisor Rich Desmond. The District 3 leader also wrote checks for the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento, Effie Yeaw Nature Center and Sacramento Parks Foundation.

Sacramento Fine Arts Center whipped up nearly $18,000 – a $500 “Early Dog Prize” helped fill the artists’ pot. Fair Oaks Theater Festival’s appeal generated almost $11,000. Nature lovers opened wallets for conservation causes. The Placer Land Trust had a compelling net of $174,000. The American River Park Foundation and Save the American River Association achieved $15,245 and $12,625 respectively.

Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento collected more than $85,000. Soil Born Farms – a Rancho Cordova enterprise that promotes sustainable food production – harvested almost $32,000. Orangevale/Fair Oaks Food Bank gained $11,500 in donations. Carmichael’s Homeless Assistance Resources Team (HART) was aided by $4500. Fair Oaks Rotarians raised $6900. In North Highlands, California Aerospace Museum supporters set a goal of $20,000 and landed a $27,000 refuel.

To the delight of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation organizers, overall BDOG donations set a nine-year record at $13.3 million. Top beneficiaries included The Salvation Army ($345,000); Sacramento Food Bank (nearly $240,000); ACC Senior Services (more than $200,000); Sacramento SPCA almost ($198,000); Yolo Food Bank ($195,500). Crocker Art Museum topped cultural causes with more than $167,000 in gifts. Kiwanis Family House banked over $135,000 and Shriners Hospitals gained $100,000.

“People really responded to need,” confirmed Sacramento Region Community Foundation CEO Linda Beech Cutler. “People seem to realize that non-profits are critical to communities. BDOG aims to make philanthropy possible for everyone, so we were delighted when more than 36,500 people gave. More than a quarter of our donors were first-time givers and most contributed $50 or less. Small amounts make a huge difference. Despite the many challenges we face, the spirit of generosity is alive.”

Sacramento Regional Community Foundation’s Big Day of Giving has provided fundraising opportunities for nine years. The 2022 BDOG is scheduled for May 5. For more details, visit www.bigdayofgiving.org