CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - 95608 recently lost a beloved figure. Carmichael mailman Phil Kaluponov (66) died unexpectedly in Charleroi, PA. He was interred in nearby Monongahela Cemetery, beside his parents.

A grandson of Russian immigrants, Kaluponov studied business at Shippensburg University. In 1983, he packed his belongings in a Subaru and drove to California. “He wanted warmer winters and an adventure,” recalls his only sibling Daria Tatasciore. The traveler found work at Hollister Post Office (near Santa Cruz) before continuing his USPS career in Carmichael. His 2016 retirement followed 30 years in uniform, mostly delivering to Carmichael’s Route 53. This long beat includes about 600 homes in streets near Cypress Avenue. Bachelor Kaluponov saw customers grow from infancy to high school age. He farewelled their departures for college and welcomed them back, often with kids of their own. Like many long-serving carriers, he knew most of his residents -- and their dogs -- by name. Summer and winter, he and his mail bag walked up to eight miles per day.

“With his seniority, Phil could have asked for an easier route,” considers co-worker Barry Wilson. “But he said he loved his customers too much to change.”

Upon retirement, Kaluponov traded federal service for family duty. Back East, his nonagenarian mom lived alone and had Alzheimer’s. His sister lived far from Charleroi, with family of her own. “Phil was determined to care for mom,” she says. Aged 94, Priscilla Kaluponov died last October. Her son developed health problems and died from complications of multiple organ failure in February.

Daria Tatasciore describes her brother as artistic and humble. "When people talked to him, he listened,” she says. “He was a fantastic photographer but he never converted from 35mm to digital. Phil was old-school. He didn’t have a computer. He drove a 1995 car. Coming home to care for mom was a sacrifice, but he loved family. When mom went into memory care, he saw her several times a week. He talked to everyone at the home -- staff, patients, visitors -- it was like he worked there."

Her brother had survived open heart surgery at four years old. Lingering delicacy ruled out playing sport but to compensate, he managed high school basketball and football teams "It's amazing how Phil could have worked so hard outdoors for all those years in Sacramento,” considers Daria. “He complained about the heat but he loved the job. He told us all about his customers, they were his other family. At Christmas he got so many gifts he needed his truck to get them home. He'd send us boxes of See's Candy that he couldn’t eat himself. When he retired, he had an emotional time leaving Carmichael. Coming home was a hard thing, but he knew it was the right thing." 

Mailman Phil’s former colleagues still miss him. Fellow veteran Patty Peters labels him “One of our Post Office’s hardest workers, with a work ethic you wouldn’t believe.”

Deliverer Erin Williams sorted mail beside the Route 53 veteran for 25 years. "Guys like him are a rarity," she considers. "He was polite and genuine. When he went on vacation, he brought us back little presents. Phil talked about his nieces and nephews. He loved his customers and they loved him. He carried a book of stamps, so if someone didn't have one for a letter, he’d take care of it. If he was on leave, people would ask his sub: 'when is Phil coming back?’”

One of his oldest customers, Christine Bishop (94) made iced tea to refresh her mailman every day during summer months. “He drank it on my doorstep,” she recalls. “Phil was so appreciative and often asked if he could do anything to help me. I think he saw his mother in me because she and I were the same age. I thought of him as the son I never had. After he retired, he’d often call me from Pennsylvania. Phil was a good boy: kind, considerate and the best mailman you could ever have.”

 

 

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - You can now visit 21 library locations with limited occupancy. The public will be able to visit and browse any of the reopened locations to browse for up to one hour.

Patrons can continue to use curbside service at most locations and make one-hour computer appointments at select locations. 

Which locations are open to the public?

Some 21 locations are open for browsing as of February 9: Arcade, Arden-Dimick, Belle Cooledge, Carmichael, Colonial Heights, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Martin Luther King, Jr., North Highlands-Antelope, North Natomas, Rancho Cordova, Rio Linda, Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven, Southgate, South Natomas, Sylvan Oaks, Valley Hi-North Laguna and Walnut Grove.

Curbside service at select locations continues to be available Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

One-hour computer appointments at select locations continues to be available by calling (916) 264-2920

Appointment times at most locations are 10:30 a.m. / noon / 2 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. / 5 p.m. Special hours for seniors and those with chronic conditions or who are immunocompromised are available on Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m.;

Patrons can return items curbside at most locations during regular hours of operations.

24-hour book drops are available every day at 17 locations.

Ella K. McClatchy and Orangevale remain closed.

Are face coverings required?
Yes. All patrons and staff must wear CDC recommended masks, which are required at all times. If you cannot wear a face-covering during your visit, you are welcome to use our curbside service.

What safety measures are in place at the library?

Public health and safety are our priorities. Please be advised that a few things have changed to help reduce contact and slow the spread of COVID-19. We have implemented the following safety measures:

Face coverings are required at all times for anyone two years or older; We are practicing social distancing – observe all signage and markers; Libraries will have limited occupancy and seating to ensure proper social distancing; Library visits are limited to one hour per patron; Hand-sanitizing stations are provided for use prior to entry, and frequent handwashing is encouraged; Staff conduct daily health checks; High-touch surfaces will be disinfected regularly.

Please keep yourself and others safe by:

Staying home if you’re experiencing symptoms of any illness; Wearing a face covering that covers your nose and mouth, which is required for all patrons two years or older; Washing or sanitizing your hands frequently; Maintaining at least six feet of distance from staff and other patrons; Respecting social distancing guidelines and limiting your visit to one hour; Following the instructions of the library and security staff.

Are there limits on the number of people allowed into the building?
Yes. Our occupancy is limited to ensure that all can maintain social distancing following public health orders. Thank you for your patience.

How do I return items?
Patrons can return library materials during our hours of operation in designated bins. Book drops are also available at select locations. Returned items will be placed in quarantine for 24 hours and will not be checked in immediately. Items may take up to a week to be removed from your account.

Can I drop off donated materials?
The library is not accepting donations at this time. Learn more about Friends of Sacramento Public Library donation guidelines.

What services are available?
The following in-person services are available: Curbside pickup and returns; Computer use; Mobile Printing; Mobile Services

The following virtual services are available: Virtual Programming, Personalized Reading Recommendations; Personal Shopper; Homework help; Virtual Job Coach; English Language Learning; Online learning; VetNow; JobNow

Participate in our pet festival online!

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Registration for the Sacramento SPCA's Virtual Walk & Pet Festival is Now OPEN!

On Saturday, June 5th, join thousands of walkers as we lace up our shoes and leash up our pups for the 28th Annual Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash, our largest fundraiser of the year and an opportunity to celebrate the amazing commitment of our community to healthy, happy and unconditional relationships between pups and their people!

This virtual event allows you to participate in your own way while keeping the community safe. Show us your support by walking in your neighborhood, backyard, or local trail - creativity is encouraged!

JOIN US ONLINE for all the fun!

Participate in our pet festival online!  Enter contests, win prizes, and visit the Virtual Vendor Village. Don't miss the fun - follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Your registration and participation in the Doggy Dash helps the Sacramento SPCA provide direct care to more than 35,000 animals each year in our community.

Register at www.classy.org/event/2021-sacramento-spca-doggy-dash/e322474

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The bald eagle found dying near Folsom’s Johnny Cash Trail last month had a three-strike run-in with urban influences. While its flesh showed minor traces of two rodenticides, the great raptor was not poisoned to death. Neither was the angler’s hook found in its system fatal.

A California Department Fish and Wildlife analysis last week concluded the eagle – an otherwise healthy young adult with good muscle and fat distribution -- died of “massive trauma and blood loss” after some sort of violent impact. The male bird was discovered huddled against tree roots and later transported to a Folsom vet clinic, where he died.

When one of a protected species – and America’s iconic national symbol – dies through human influences, federal and corporate agencies react. The eagle’s remains were necropsied at the California Fish and Wildlife Investigations Laboratory in Rancho Cordova. Tissue samples were sent for further analysis in a UC Davis lab. While the nature of the fatal accident might never be proven, a Fish and Wildlife scientist theorized the bird might have collided with power lines, then plummeted to earth. Either the collision or the fall -- through trees and branches – fractured sternum and keel bones. The bird’s stomach was empty, so it had likely been hunting in the nearby American River.

For the couple that found the fallen icon, a Sunday walk turned into an afternoon of heartbreak. Danny De Lange and girlfriend Sydney Frank explored a mud track near the Johnny Cash Trail. Their steps followed a creek near Folsom Prison fence line. Above was a thick canopy of branches and – rising with the ravine slope – a dozen power cables. The hikers found the bald eagle in the throes of a tragedy that saddened nature lovers everywhere.

“My girlfriend warned me not to turn quickly, recalls De Lange.  “She’d seen a bald eagle behind me. I expected it to be in a tree but when I looked, it was leaning on the roots of an oak. I could see blood on the side of its head. Its eyes were open and it was breathing. It seemed in pain and unable to move.”

“Our gut reaction was emotional. Here was the embodiment of our nation, helpless.” Using cell phones, the couple contacted the police and animal agencies. “To our frustration, no one we called could come to pick up an eagle,” says De Lange. A nurse assistant, he judged the raptor in bad shape. “A couple of times, we heard him cough and gag. I knew that could indicate internal bleeding. We stayed with him for more than two hours, talking to him and trying to keep him awake. We kept our distance and did not touch him. We took a photo only because we knew he was a protected bird. We felt some sort of evidence might be needed.”

As darkness fell, US Fish and Wildlife biologist Jennifer Brown arrived with a transport carrier. Animal rescue expert Ben Nuckolls came minutes later. “I was struck by how beautiful the eagle was,” says Jennifer Brown. “My biggest impulse was to get him help.” Anticipating a struggle, she first gloved up. “But when I lifted him, there was just no fight left in him.”  Brown drove her fragile passenger to a Folsom veterinarian; he died 30 minutes after arrival.

“When you’re working in animal rescues, you steel yourself for the worst,” she says. “His chances were slim but I still had hopes. When I heard he passed away, I was very sad. Especially with an eagle – its species has such an amazing recovery story from near extinction. I knew he was a young adult. He hadn’t had a chance to live a full life.”

Transmission lines along the American River supply the power grid from Folsom and Nimbus dams. SMUD, PG&E and WAPA (Western Area Power Administration) maintain cables that pass over the Johnny Cash Trail and adjacent areas.  PG&E offers this statement: “At PG&E safety is our most important priority, and we work closely with wildlife organizations to protect all endangered species. With respect to the incident near the Johnny Cash trail, our team is investigating the circumstances, however there are no definitive results at this time.”

                                                                                                                                                    

Footnote: Rare in Sacramento County, bald eagles have established a presence on Lake Folsom and on American River stretches over the last 12 years. At least six nests are documented in this vicinity. The deceased male is possibly from a Folsom Lake family. Necropsy examination revealed the raptor had recently engaged in breeding. Although eagles mate for life, widowed adults can eventually continue breeding with another partner.