SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - As the mercury rises in Sacramento, residents are seeking ways to stay comfortable in their homes without breaking their budget. While SMUD customers enjoy some of the lowest rates in California, air conditioning needs can drive customer usage and bills during these hot summer months, so SMUD is offering tips on how to stay comfortable in your home while also saving money.
It’s easy to keep energy use in check without giving up cooling comfort. One of the easiest ways to save is to pay attention to when you are using energy. Energy rates are cheapest during off-peak hours before 5 p.m. and after 8 p.m. That means customers can save by minimizing energy use during the week between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Another easy step is to prevent your home from heating up, which can reduce immediate cooling costs and help save on long-term costs from wear and tear on cooling equipment.
SMUD has more energy-saving solutions on its website and offers additional tips to save:
In the summer, use fans and close blinds on windows that get direct sun; Swap out light bulbs for LEDs; Change your air filter and clean your HVAC unit; Use a programmable/smart thermostat to help control HVAC use; For every 2 degrees that you turn up your thermostat, you can save 5-10 percent on cooling costs; Avoid using multiple large appliances at the same time, especially during peak hours; On hot days, BBQ outside or use small cooking appliances like crock pots and microwaves to help keep your house cool; Pre-cool your home before 5 p.m; Customers can get customized tips, manage their bills and set up alerts on the website.
As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for more than 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD’s power supply is on average about 50 percent carbon free and SMUD has a goal to reach zero carbon in its electricity supply by 2030. For more information on SMUD’s Zero Carbon Plan and its customer programs, visit smud.org.
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 467, a bipartisan measure authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Encino) that will strengthen the ability of judges to grant and modify domestic violence protective orders.
“At a time in which violence against women and domestic abuse have increased to record levels around the world, it is crucial that we ensure domestic violence restraining orders are offering the fullest possible protection,” said Assemblymember Gabriel. “This legislation will clarify a judge’s authority over these orders, and extend the amount of time a court can modify the orders to ensure that we are providing ample protection to victims of domestic abuse.”
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, sponsor of the bill, hailed the new law as crucial to make sure that victims of crime can petition the court to change the terms of restraining orders during the 10-year lifetime of those orders. In some instances, victims will need more protections from the court, and in others fewer. District Attorney Rosen said, “Giving judges the ability to modify their own court orders will help victims of domestic violence manage the protections to keep them safe. We are so grateful to Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel for championing this important new law."
Ambiguity in current law has left some courts confused as to when and for how long they have authority over domestic violence restraining orders and when they can modify provisions related to contact between the restrained person and the protected person, which can either be a “peaceful contact order” (PCO) or a no contact order (NCO). Victims often seek to modify the order from PCO to NCO or vice versa.
Some courts have determined that if the defendant is no longer serving a sentence and is not on probation, they do not have the jurisdiction to modify the order, even if both the victim and defendant request it. This confusion in current law is detrimental to both victims and defendants. AB 467 gives sentencing courts the authority to modify the terms of a peaceful contact order or no contact order and make modifications to the order throughout the duration of the domestic violence protective order.
Jesse Gabriel proudly represents the San Fernando Valley in the California State Legislature.
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes New Volunteers
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - On June 22, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office announced they are looking for additional volunteers to round out the variety of programs they offer the community. Despite the fact many living within county lines are unaware volunteer tasks even exist, residents should know that the tasks available often coincide with duties of trained law enforcement. Many of the county’s volunteers have experience working as a police officer or in emergency services, however, anyone who is of applicable age and meets the requirements is welcome to give their time.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, there are currently five different divisions volunteers are welcome to apply to: The Sheriff’s Amateur Radio Program (SHARP), Volunteer Reserve Officer, Volunteers in Partnership with the Sheriff (VIPS), Search & Rescue, and a youth program called the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program.
SHARP was created in 1977 after an increase in theft crimes hit the region. It was further inspired by the level of participation from the community that came about when the Police were working to apprehend the East Area Rapist. It became clear that year how valuable citizens were when it came to operating radio and helping to relay emergency information. All volunteers are licensed by the FCC, and, according to their website, “have the responsibility of assisting the Sacramento County Emergency Operations Center with any emergency requiring auxiliary communication.”
VIPS meanwhile, provide clerical support, work in the Community Service Center, assist with Missing Person follow-ups, and patrol neighborhoods. They are granted authority to report code and parking violations, perform vacation checks on homes, and other basic Officer duties as directed by patrol.
Margie, a VIPS since 2013 stated, “After I retired as a teacher, I wanted to give back to the community a little more and have something to do. The main reason I do this is to help the public and the small chores I do for the department keep that kind of thing off the shoulders of the deputies, so they are able to do more to keep us safe.”
Those wishing to be a VIPS should note it is one of the biggest time commitments – the Sheriff’s Office requires its volunteer team to give at least 16 hours per month – and participants should realize they won’t necessarily be the most popular people in town. Since the VIPS are known for issuing citations throughout the County, they sometimes ruffle the feathers of those on the receiving end. When asked about the volunteer group, resident Stephanie Vasquez stated, “No thank you! You couldn’t pay me to be around crooked people.”
For those who have a passion for serving with law enforcement, volunteering at the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is not just for adults. The Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program is another group that’s been around since the 1970s and is aimed at young people aged 14-20 who are interested in a career in law enforcement. As resident Bill Shanklin stated, the youth involved in the program are “our hope for the future.”
Explorers learn self-defense, training in search and seizure laws and arrests, practice public speaking and learn to work on a team. There are also opportunities for Explorers to compete with sister groups around the nation.
If you wish to become a volunteer with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, you can request an application by emailing volunteers@sacsheriff.com or calling 916-874-7339.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - As part of the Local Homeless Action Plan (LHAP) and in conjunction with the City-County Partnership Agreement, the Coordinated Access System (CAS) has been developed by Sacramento Steps Forward. The CAS is a streamlined system that matches people experiencing homelessness with housing and service options. This process prioritizes limited local shelter and housing resources, so people with the highest vulnerability can be connected to supports as quickly as possible.
In Sacramento, the front door for CAS is 2-1-1 Sacramento. Households can call the Housing Crisis Line at 2-1-1 (select #8) to be triaged to appropriate resources. In addition, trained agencies with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) access can conduct the individual or family shelter assessment to place a household on the shelter waitlist.
Why is Coordinated Access Critical?
It's an efficient, equitable, client-centered approach to ending homelessness.
Key strategy of the Local Homeless Action Plan; Requirement of the Sacramento City/County Partnership Agreement; CAS connects people who are unhoused with critical resources and services; CAS creates a pathway for people who are unhoused to navigate an end to their housing crisis; Without system coordination, the community is limited in the impact we can make toward addressing homelessness; The system empowers people who are unhoused and providers to have clarity and know the supports available.
What resources are available through the CAS?
CAS is not just a shelter referral resource. People may also be connected to additional resources such as Problem-Solving Access Points (PSAP) and the Coordinated Access Navigational team (CAN). CAN is operated by Elica Health Centers and supports households on the shelter waitlist with problem-solving services and warm handoffs to the shelter. PSAPs are trained agencies that support households in identifying alternative housing options and community support to resolve their housing crisis. This could include mediation, conflict resolution, connections to mainstream resources, and limited financial assistance that directly results in housing being secured or retained. Four designated PSAPs receive referrals from 2-1-1 and can provide housing location services for households with vouchers or identified housing.
CAS by the Numbers – Q1 2023
5,711 Calls Received; 3,975 Households connected to other resources; 1,721 Households currently or at risk of homelessness; 1,023 Referrals to crisis resources; 322 Households enrolled in a shelter; 504 Households exited or diverted from homelessness.
Who is calling, and what services are they referred to?
Nearly 50% of head of households are Black, African American; 11% of callers were transitional-aged youth; 56% of households were female identifying; Average call wait time: 7:54; Average call handle time: 11:40; Most frequent zip codes: 95811, 95823, 95815; Shelter referrals: 452; Average wait to get into a shelter: 14 days; PSAP Referrals: 175; Expenditures: $550,515; CAN referrals: 399; Average wait to enrollment: 2 days
You can read the full Q1 2023 Coordinated Access System Report at the Sacramento County website.
Learn more about Coordinated Access System and the associated programs and services
To learn more about what Sacramento County is doing to address homelessness, visit the Department of Homeless Services and Housing website.
Sacramento Kings Unveil New Uniforms for the 2023-24 NBA Season
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On Monday, July 3, 2023, ahead of the California Classic Summer League presented by Ticketmaster and the 2023-24 NBA Season, the Sacramento Kings announced three all-new uniforms. The franchise will wear redesigned Nike Association, Icon and Statement Edition uniforms throughout the 2023-24 NBA Season.
“We are excited to unveil a new collection of uniforms that salutes the team’s origins while celebrating the organization’s future,” said Sacramento Kings President of Business Operations John Rinehart. “We believe our fans will appreciate the modernized Kings script and the return of the popular color scheme.”
The new uniforms feature a change in the hierarchy of colors, returning to black being the primary color with purple as an accent. In May, the team teased the return of the Kings script wordmark, now a focal point of the Association and Icon jerseys.
Fans will get their first look at the Association and Icon editions July 3 with the uniforms on display in the Grand Entrance of Golden 1 Center during California Classic. The Statement Edition will be revealed on the second day of the event. Kings fans will also be able to sign up to be notified when the jerseys are available for purchase. Related merchandise utilizing the new designs and created in collaboration with Lululemon, Sportiqe, Authmade, Melin, and the children’s brand Sweet Wink, will be available for purchase inside Golden 1 Center.
The three uniforms will debut during the 2023-24 NBA season. The team will wear a simplified version of the new uniform during California Classic and 2023 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
For more information and to sign up to be notified about the on-sale, visit Kings.com/Uniforms.
The Parade Goes On
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Having barely wiped dust from their boots after July 4, Carmichael Elks organizers are already seeking a 2024 parade Grand Marshal.
“He or she is an important part of the parade,” explains Jim Warrick, whose family has run 63 Independence Day pageants. “Our marshal’s got to be a figure really connected to the community – someone that people know is out there, serving.”
2023’s Grand Marshal was Izzy DeLancey. Riding in a red 1966 Mustang convertible, the realtor and civic volunteer smiled till her teeth ached. “I was elated to be asked,” said DeLancey, who leads the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Carmichael Improvement District board. “It was great to hear my name shouted and to feel the community’s response. The parade’s 2023 theme – ‘Community Service’ – sat well with me.”
Past Grand Marshals have included sheriffs, politicians, war heroes and sport and media icons. The role carries the prestige of riding behind blaring fire trucks and being the toast of post-pageant celebrations at the Elks Lodge. Carmichael residents and businesspeople are encouraged to forward 2024 nominations to Jim Warrick at jdwarrick@lanset.com
Izzy DeLancey offers advice to those who follow in her wake: “Enjoy the moment,” she says. “Relish all the smiles and keep waving. It’s an experience of pure Americana that you’ll never forget.”
2023 Carmichael Elks Parade sponsors included: Carmichael Improvement District, Carmichael Elks, Carmichael Times Newspaper, Ron Greenwood-Lyon Realty, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, Kovar’s Karate, McElroy’s Classic Cars, Carmichael Water District, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, El Rancho School, Sacramento Spring Inc, I Love Pie Bake Shop, Chris Bish for Congress, Airport Transportation, Harry Belcha Family, Bonney Plumbing, Sunrise of Carmichael, Marconi Dental Group, Blain Stumpf Fencing.
Jehovah’s Witness Conventions Returning to Downtown Sacramento
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - After a three-year pandemic pause, one of the largest convention organizations in the world has chosen downtown Sacramento to host its global three-day event, the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention.
The return happens just in time to use the newly renovated SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, and will draw an estimated 28,000 attendees to the downtown area during a time when most locals are away for the summer.
Prior to 2020, summers in Sacramento drew Jehovah’s Witnesses from all over Northern California who filled hotels and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions at the Sleep Train Arena. In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition when the Witnesses canceled their in-person events throughout the world and held their convention programs as virtual events in more than 500 languages. Starting in late June of this year, the Witnesses will bring back the tradition to Sacramento, hosting conventions exclusively downtown at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center. Conventions will be held over seven weekends this summer starting June 30, 2023, and ending Aug 13, 2023. The conventions will be held in English for five weekends and two (July 14-16, July 21-23) in Spanish.
“After three years without in-person conventions, we can’t wait to gather together again for these special annual events,” said Adrian Barnes, local spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “It’s particularly exciting that we are returning to support beautiful downtown Sacramento, where the local restaurants, businesses and residents have always been welcoming.”
Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention series. In the United States alone, more than 700 conventions will be held in 144 host cities. From Friday through Sunday, six convention sessions will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through Scriptural examples. A live baptism will be performed following the Saturday morning session and a prerecorded drama will be featured in two parts during the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions.
“Given the challenges we face today as individuals and communities, the theme of our convention, “Exercise Patience”!, is particularly timely,” said Barnes. “The three-day program will share practical ways attendees can cultivate and display patience, which in turn contributes to stronger relationships and more compassionate communities, including right here in Sacramento.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years. After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023 marks the first time they will gather at much larger regional events around the world since the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
The convention is open to the public and no collection is taken. For more information on the program or to find other convention locations and dates, please go to jw.org and navigate to the “About Us” tab.