CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – Crises such as the year-long Covid pandemic and the following administration of vaccines has given many a chance to rise to the occasion and be their best selves. Unfortunately, these moments oftentimes also lend themselves to a little mischief such as what happened this April when staff at The Landing at Carmichael, an independent senior living community, realized their bus had its catalytic converter stolen.

Natalie McNeal, Executive Director of The Landing, explained to the Carmichael Times, “Independent senior living communities, unlike assisted living residences, are not required by state mandate to have in-house clinics,” because residents here, generally, do not have extremely critical health conditions. Independent communities are part of a continuum of options available to seniors depending on the lifestyle and health needs of residents, which keeps the cost of living at one more affordable.

McNeal continued to relate, “When the vaccine became available, we wanted to make sure to vaccinate all the residents who wished to do so, especially those who were wheelchair-bound and had trouble getting into automobiles. Many of our tenants are quite active and know they can approach us with any suggestions or ideas they have. So, one of them made the contact with their doctor, Dr. Wali Danesh, in Folsom who offered to administer the vaccination to all our community.”

“When we went to start the bus that we use to shuttle residents to their appointments, we realized someone had done something to it, and we couldn’t get to Dr. Danesh’s clinic,” said McNeal, “the catalytic converter had been stolen!”

McNeal said that many of their residents also used a separate transportation organization called Paratransit, Inc., and since they were already signed up with that service, The Landing staff decided to give them a call.

Nonprofit, Paratransit, Inc., which pioneered much of the industry of transporting services for the disabled and elderly, “offered to transport all their residents by reserving three buses to the clinic in Folsom for their Moderna vaccinations on April 8^th and May 6th,” said Neda Soudani, Office Manager at The Landing.

When they got to Dr. Danesh’s clinic, the patients did not have to get out of the Paratransit transports. The nurses boarded the air-conditioned buses and vaccinated all aboard.

Paratransit also offered to fix the independent living’s bus in their fleet garage which turned out very convenient for the senior living community.

The Landing at Carmichael is located at 7125 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael, CA.

For more information about The Landing at Carmichael visit TheLandingSL.com or call (916) 481-7105.

Carmichael, CA (MPG) – Letting go of a pile of old stuff never felt so good. On a cool morning on April 24, more than thirty cars and trucks lined up to offload old records and files to be shredded at the annual Shred Day, sponsored by the Society of St. Vincent DePaul in Carmichael.

“People were lined up more than an hour ahead of time to get their shredding done. It has been busy all morning” said Kristine Berault, leading the charge for the fundraiser. There were many volunteers on hand to help people unload their vehicles and keep the line moving. People even waited around to watch as their documents were being destroyed by the on-site shred truck.

The event was held to raise funds for their campaign “Help Us Help the Poor”. This event was the most successful of all the Shred Days to date. The parking lot where the shredding was done was at 5057 Cottage Way.

Society of St. Vincent DePaul of Carmichael is planning additional Shred Days and may not wait for another year to hold the next one. If you would like to know more contact them at 916-481-6352.

Farm and Tractor Days is held Saturday, May 15, in Rio Linda

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - After many months of lock down frustrations, the annual Farm and Tractor Days is back!!  The weather was warm, but a breeze kept it from being stifling humid.  I could tell there was still a lot of hesitancy to come out in public.  I usually made it every year to see the tractors and look through all the different stands set up by individuals and their homemade products. It should have been wall to wall of people and kids by noon. This afternoon, there are people looking around, just not like years before. Several of the merchants mentioned this very thing, but were also, "just glad to be outside!" I noticed there was still confusion about masks (wear or not to wear) and staying 6 ft apart or not too.

A tractor for every taste and every size. Some were new, some old and some old but refinished to new looking condition. There was even a pretty in pink tractor, made for the farmer’s daughter. I saw kid-size tractors, and a sweet, Kaley Marshall was being pushed by a determined Logan Jones. There was a beautiful new Red Tractor with a trailer full of hay in the back for free hay rides around the park. Many people were hitching a ride this afternoon while smiling, laughing and taking pictures.

I met a very proud Nate Polen standing by his 1934 dark colored Farmall. He said in 1938-39 the Farmall tractor went to red paint. "Once they went to the red paint, the company could hardly move their dark colored tractors," Nate said. Everyone wanted the red.  Mike Morgan was standing next to Nate watching his son Blake ready his tractor with straw to give people rides around the park. Blake told me his hobby was finding tractors just sitting out in a field and seeing if they were for sale.

One time Mike and his dad said, they “rescued 4 or 5 tractors on the way to the dump.” What a great find for them. Kept them refinishing for a long time.

A booth I came across was for the Sacramento Public Library, branch 28, in Rio Linda. Sally McGrath was telling me about some of the free programs they have set up at the library. They have a SEED library. You can come and pick out actual live seeds and plant them at your house. There is always someone to help you choose, depending on the size of your yard, etc. They are open from 10 to 6 Tues thru Sat, “please come on by,” Sally told me.

Mr. David Marquette was there with his1930 Ford Model A (looked light green). He is also a member of the Rio Linda Historical Society. The fun fact was he bought this Ford from a yard sale and worked hard and got it to look like it does now. The hard work showed‒beautiful.

My last stop was to see a 1916 Economy Sears and Roebuck engine. It cost a whopping $98 and change, new. It is all iron and over 3000 pounds. The wheels are even iron. It was pulled around by horses. He also mentioned it worked the Bonanza Gold mine for many years. 

I was starting to see more and more people coming in to look around. Plus, this being only Friday there should be a much bigger crowd tomorrow. It is a great way to let the kids run, get in the hay trailer and play on the little tractor. There is food, crafts and lots of photo opportunities. I am glad I went. Take care of each other and hug more. 

Farm and Tractor Days is held Saturday, May 15, starting at 9:00 a.m. and closing at 4:00 p.m.

It is located at Dry Creek Ranch at 6852 Dry Creek Road, Rio Linda, CA 95673.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Single Mom Strong, a nonprofit created to meet the unique needs of local single mothers and their families, has partnered with SMUD to bring Street Soccer USA, 916Ink, Square Root Academy and others to local children.

The cost of childcare is a significant strain on the family budget.  The problem is compounded when school is not in session and full-day programs are needed. Extended school closures related to COVID-19 have further intensified this problem.   Single Mom Strong’s summer camps not only meet the needs of working single parents at an affordable cost, but they will ensure kids get to be kids this summer.

“Not only has the irregular learning environment and disconnection from other kids weighed heavily on children for over a year, but their parents have had the added responsibility of supporting them through distance learning or finding and affording full day childcare.”  said Single Mom Strong Founder Tara Taylor. 

“Our EmpowerME Summer Camps are designed to ensure children enjoy their school breaks while continuing to learn and be active.  They are packed with fun, engaging activities, aimed at reinforcing values like perseverance, compassion, and responsibility, lessons that are so essential right now,” added Childcare Director Le Taunya Terrell. 

But even more essential is some good old-fashioned, off-screen fun. “Since the Sacramento region is home to an incredible array of organizations that support families, we reached out and asked them to collaborate for some unique experiences this summer.”

The result is 10 weekly themed summer camps with special guests and an amplified curriculum.  “Week 2 is our Summertime Stories session, which will include a trip to the library.  The kids will write and illustrate the Single Mom Strong story and enjoy a special activity with the team from 916Ink, an arts-based creative writing nonprofit organization,” explained Taylor.

Other themes include Sports Extravaganza with Street Soccer USA, Mad Scientist with Sacramento’s STEM program Square Root Academy, and Outdoor Explorers with Kaleidoschool.

Tuition for children of single parents is just $99 per week, $129 for all others.

Initially founded on the premise of community, inspiration and education, Single Mom Strong has expanded its mission to address the lack of affordable, quality childcare in the region and opened The Empowerment Center, a licensed facility for preschool, non-school day care, transitional kindergarten, and value- and activity-based camps. Preschool and childcare programs are open to all children, but single parents are able to volunteer in the center and receive a tuition discount. 

Since its inception in Sacramento less than five years ago, Single Mom Strong has served over 890 mothers and children in the greater Sacramento area.  Scholarship applications and more information may be found at singlemomstrong.org.

Based on the premise that a single mother can simultaneously be a professional success and a great parent, and the belief that neither the single mother nor her children are limited in any way by this circumstance, Single Mom Strong is:

A community, meeting the need for belonging and love for single mothers and their children; A place of empowerment: for single mothers through education and opportunity for balance; for their children through education and positive relationships; A means for betterment:  with their children in safe, quality childcare, single mothers can better provide for their families and achieve personal goals

 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Sacramento Valley Spark is proud to present “Spring Spark Drive-Thru” May 21 & 22, 2021, at the Mine Shaft in Rancho Cordova. This unique arts experience was granted a Covid exception making it the first and, to date, only drive-thru art experience to be officially recognized as an “official event” by The Burning Man Project.

Whimsical art, other-worldly mutant vehicles and spirited theme camps inspired by or created for the Burning Man event will be placed along a fun-filled 1-mile drive. Attendees are encouraged to dress expressively (whether a costume, something fancy or just uniquely you!), bring signs to communicate with other participants, and decorate their vehicles in the spirit of “Radical Self-Expression.”  

The event runs Friday, May 21 from 8 p.m. - until 1:30 a.m. and Saturday, May 22 from 7 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. 

“We hope this event and the creative opportunity it offers those who participate will help bridge our communities back to the vibrancy we have missed,” said Ed Fletcher, the president of Sacramento Valley Spark. “We‘re excited about creating a safe way to enjoy art, engage with the Sacramento community and share a taste of Burning Man culture with everyone.”

"The pandemic has been tough on everyone. It’s not by any means back to normal, but we hope this will shine a light on local artists, spark people’s imagination, uplift everyone’s spirits, and offer a taste of the future we want to make together," he said.  “We hope to be a vital force for culture in this region and this event will help get us a little closer to that goal.”

The drive-thru format, physical distancing, and mask use requirement will be employed to maximize health safety. Guests will not leave their vehicles once inside the experience.

With support from the City of Rancho Cordova’s Measure H Community Enhancement Fund, the drive-thru experience will allow us to re-engage safely, respecting current gathering restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the second time SVS has hosted a drive-thru in Rancho Cordova. (Link to 2020)

“We’re very excited to bring another Spark drive-thru to the City of Rancho Cordova,” said Rancho Cordova Mayor Garrett Gatewood. “Last summer, it provided a much-needed activity, and we hope the spring event provides another safe way to enjoy art and culture in the city.”

Sacramento Valley Spark is offering art grant opportunities for artists.  This event includes stunning art displayed at previous Burning Man events and original art from some of Sacramento and nearby regions’ most imaginative artists.  

“While keeping people in cars is less interactive than we would usually approve for an “official” Burning Man regional event, we felt this format was a wonderful adaptation during these very difficult times,” said $teven Ra$pa, Associate Director of Community Events for Burning Man Project. 

While the Burning Man Project will not be hosting a 2021 edition of the temporary city known as “Black Rock City,” Burning Man has become a year-round cultural movement with events around the globe -- including this unique drive-thru experience. Official Burning Man events must be organized in a manner that is consistent with the 10 guiding Principles of Burning Man. Learn more about the 10 Principles. Official events also have to meet additional event production criteria to ensure they are being responsibly organized and created in a manner that reflects well on the global culture and that builds local community.

“Quadrupod 2.0,” a mechanical walking machine the size of a large elephant will be among the three-dimensional art pieces on display. Operated by human controls, the machine, built by Sacramento artist Scott Parenteau is one of 58 works partially funded by The Burning Man Project.

 In 2021, thanks to generous donors The Burning Man Project has funded nearly $1 million in art--whether it can host its annual event or not.

Sacramento Valley Spark is a 501c3 nonprofit, inspired by the 10 principles of Burning Man, that seeks to build community through art and positive change.

 

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Because of Betty Ann Cassina, everything’s coming up roses at Carmichael Park headquarters.

Aged 81, the stalwart tends the District’s blooming Grant Avenue frontage. As sunshine prevailed during the final weeks of April, thousands of blooms made a petalled kaleidoscope.  CRPD merely supplies the soil. Labor, love and skill are Betty Ann’s contribution. “She’s a treasure,” affirms district administrator Mike Blondino. “A perk of my position is to enjoy Betty Ann’s roses from my office window. They bring smiles to so many faces.”

Says the octogenarian: “When we prune in January, we hope that this beauty will come. We can plan, but Mother Nature and God make the decisions. Sometimes exactly the right combination of cool and hot days occurs and a rose tide comes in. That’s what happened this time.”

A rose lover all her 40-year gardening career, Rio Linda-raised Betty Ann adopted neglected beds on Grant Avenue. “I live a block from the park and I noticed their sad state,” she recalls. “It takes a rose lover to understand a rose. If grafted bushes aren’t pruned properly, root stock can take over. The Grant Avenue beds were down to about four viable bushes, all in need of water, food and understanding.”  She knocked on CRPD’s door, volunteered and – championed by Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Eppler – the senior landed a big job. With 150 roses on her own Carmichael half acre, her hands were not previously idle. But the retired McClelland Air Base civilian worker felt a vacant spot her life to contribute to the community. “The park roses sure filled that spot,” she laughs.

Rose Society friends Chuck and Vera Howard donated specimens to bolster the public bed. Betty Ann also dug up bushes from home. As years went on, she purchased and gifted many more, including nine tree roses that line beside the park clubhouse patio. This year’s rose tide was a reward fit to drown in.

For the mom of one, the flowers are a consuming passion. “I love their fragrance and their beauty,” she explains. “The more you look, you see what a miracle they are. People say roses are expensive but, supply them what they need, and they’ll give back ten times what you paid. To me, each variety has a face I recognize, whether I see it in Sacramento or Albuquerque. They’re like friends.”

Friends with thorns. Betty Ann’s arms and legs bear witness to occupational hazards. “I’ve left DNA samples all over my garden,” she admits. “I call scratches love bites. Most plants have defense mechanisms you learn to work around. It’s important to protect your hands. I recommend goatskin or leather gloves.”

Favorite hybrids include old and new varieties. “I love white roses -- French Lace has a bridal appearance and a beautiful fragrance. But any rose I’m looking at is my favorite.” By any name, roses are love’s labor. The volunteer has trained a CRPD staffer to groom soil, spread manure and see beds get an inch of water per week.  Feeling the aches of 81 years, Betty Ann also delegates weeding chores.

Insects are both blessing and bane. “Anywhere you have roses, you have aphids,” she says. “I won’t use pesticides in a public garden. I spray them off with a hose. I try to select varieties less prone to mildew. If you keep plants strong with food and water, they’re more able resist disease.”

Public gardens come with human pests. Greedy-eyed bouquet bandits target roses above all other flowers. “If you expose flowers to admiration, you also expose them to vandalism,” the gardener concedes. “Vandals who tear off flowers damage the bush and deprive the rest of us. A stolen rose might please a girlfriend, but I’d hoped it might please hundreds more people. The last (COVID) year proved everyone’s need for pleasing public spaces. I’m lucky to have a rose garden at my home; lots of people don’t.

“There’s so much ugliness in the world and not much I can do about it. Bringing a little beauty is what I can do; roses are a vaccine I can provide. They’re a gift from God – and they’re meant to be shared. When I see someone stop to smell one of my roses, I hope that person gets the same infusion of life it gave me.”  

Betty Ann’s rose beds can be viewed at 5750 Grant Avenue.