SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The challenge: to encourage SAFE Credit Union employees to volunteer to help the Greater Sacramento region during a time of social distancing.

The solution: the credit union’s inaugural Building CommYOUnity Week that provided a mix of in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities.

“As a nonprofit financial cooperative, SAFE understands the importance of supporting the well-being of the communities we serve,” said Amanda Merz, SAFE Credit Union community and advocacy engagement manager and creator of Building CommYOUnity Week. “SAFE puts a high priority on philanthropy and volunteerism as part of the credit union mission of people helping people. We donate more than $400,000 a year to local organizations working to lift our region and to students through scholarships to help them reach for their dreams. And every staff member at SAFE receives 16 hours of paid time each year to volunteer for the causes they care about.”

More than 170 SAFE employees selected from the many socially distanced and remote volunteer opportunities SAFE scheduled to support 11 local nonprofits that align with SAFE’s philanthropic pillars of health, education, and current and former military personnel. Activities included making no-sew blankets for Hands4Hope; writing words of encouragement and journal prompts for City Year; stocking shelves for Placer Food Bank and Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services; writing letters to Snowline Hospice clients; creating Welcome Home kits for Sacramento Self Help Housing; and other projects supporting St. John’s Program for Real Change, Wellsprings Women’s Center, St. Vincent de Paul, and HOPE Counseling.

The Building CommYOUnity week, held in September, is part of SAFE’s expanded service to the community to help meet challenges posed by the pandemic. SAFE donated $60,000 in emergency grants to four local organizations to assist them with financial losses and additional need for their services due to COVID-19. SAFE also distributed thousands of protective face coverings to area nonprofits to help them safely assist local residents.

SAFE also extended emergency financial services to its members including no- to low-cost loans and payment deferral options on certain loans and credit cards to help them cope with lost wages during the pandemic.

“SAFE truly cares about our members, their neighbors, and all the communities we serve,” Merz said. “I’m pleased that SAFE launched what I expect will become an annual week dedicated to helping our region thrive.”

To learn more about SAFE’s grant program, please email grants@safecu.org.                                        

SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with more than $3.5 billion in assets and about 240,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person care for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region and a mortgage lending office serving Contra Costa and Alameda counties. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org

 

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to Texas! They plan to film episodes of the hit series American Pickers throughout your area in December.

We understand that with the proliferation of COVID-19, we are all facing very uncertain times. We at American Pickers are taking the pandemic very seriously and will be following all guidelines and protocols for safe filming as outlined by the state and CDC. While we plan to be in California this December, we will continue to re-schedule if conditions change for the worse. Regardless, we are excited to continue to reach the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking!

AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on History. The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. The pair hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.

Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. AMERICAN PICKERS is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST. facebook: @GotAPick

XIAMEN, CHINA (MPG) -- Earlier today the first ever commercial shipment of U.S.-grown rice was unloaded in China, following more than a decade of regulatory and political effort by USA Rice to establish a two-way trading relationship with the nation. 

The premium, medium grain Calrose rice was grown in California and sold by ADM Rice, Inc. to a private importer under the 'Sungiven' brand for retail distribution.

China is the world's largest rice producer and consumer, and only second to the Philippines in global rice imports.  Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report projected that China would consume more than 146 million MT of rice this year, dwarfing the 4.6 million MT estimated for consumption by Americans. 

"As seasoned exporters, this small shipment of California milled rice sounded routine at the outset, but the many logistical challenges of exporting to this new market proved to be one of our most complex transactions to date," said Buzz Burich, Vice President, ADM Rice.

Burich added that, "This shipment would not have been possible without the teamwork of all involved at Arbuckle, California-based ADM Rice, the USA Rice Federation, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, and our esteemed customer, Sungiven, a retail chain in China.  We hope this initial collaborative effort will lead to increased sales of U.S. rice to China and contribute to stronger trade relations between both nations."

"We are pleased to see the first shipment to China of U.S.-grown rice take place following the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement in January, calling for U.S. commodity purchases, including rice," said Bobby Hanks, chair of both USA Rice and the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee.  "We hope to see more buyers, both private and government, step forward to purchase U.S. rice.  As a reliable supplier with high quality long, medium, and short grain, the U.S. is well positioned to help fill some of the import demand in China moving forward."

Hanks added, "USA Rice has spent many years working cooperatively with the U.S. and Chinese governments to get us to the point that sales and shipments were possible, we have also invested significant promotional funds into the market for more than 15 years to establish relationships with importers and start developing demand for our products.  Our recent reverse trade missions have confirmed that the Chinese buyers visiting our U.S. rice farming and milling operations are interested in our crop and those efforts have now begun to materialize into sales."  

A reverse trade mission for Chinese importers hosted by USA Rice that visited Arkansas, Louisiana, and California in December 2019 helped lead to this sale and eventual shipment.  China's rice market has a demand for all types of U.S. rice, so all the U.S. rice growing regions stand to benefit.  China's neighboring countries currently provide the bulk of their needed rice, but access to U.S.-grown rice brings another premium option to the market for more high-end hotel, foodservice, and retail channels and consumers who prioritize sustainability and strong food safety practices.

Under the terms of the phytosanitary agreement reached between the U.S. and Chinese governments, all rice entering China must be milled and packaged according to specifications and originate from a pre-approved export facility.  There are currently 32 approved export facilities spread across the six major rice-growing states. 

U.S. rice entering China under their tariff rate quota faces a 1 percent in-quota duty in addition to a 25 percent retaliatory duty.  In most cases, importers in China may apply to waive the retaliatory duty.  

USA Rice recently asked the U.S. Embassy to invite the purchaser of the rice to the Embassy "Constitution Day" celebration, where he met with Ambassador Branstad (see accompanying picture).

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - An “Owl-o-ween” festival last week captivated families at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Great horned owl Echo – a rescued animal ambassador – was a star turn among bats, snakes and hawks.

The fundraiser open day was a COVID-sensitive version of the center’s annual NatureFest.  Where the fall festival normally draws more than 1500 people, the 2020 event capped attendee numbers and sold out almost as soon as it was scheduled.

Per County regulations, human participants wore face coverings. Families or group “pods” were guided through socially-distanced exhibits. Visitors met live critter ambassadors and learned about seasonal variations for plants and animals on the American River Parkway. With Halloween whimsy, giant Chinooks (now in spawning death throes in nearby waters) were reinvented as “Zombie salmon.” Insects were styled creepy-crawlies and bat exhibits were “creatures of the night.” A black crow called Onyx - ambassador for Gold Country Wildlife - was a beady-eyed sentinel over proceedings. Vernal Pool educators from the Splash organization provided a witches brew of live newts, frogs and salamanders. Save the Snakes slithered on board with a rattler called Natoma and a functioning beehive featured a queen and her humming minions.  As the pre-Halloween event was designated candy-free, kids were sent home with a pumpkin a-piece.

“We weren’t able to stage our normal NatureFest,” explained coordinator Jaclyn Teofilo. “But we did our best to give everyone experiences that got them closer to nature.”

Event sponsors included: Fred and Betsy Weiland; California Department of Water Resources; California Native Plant Society; Sacramento Autobahn; SMUD; Roemer Pumpkin Patch; Save the American River Association; Sacramento Creek Council.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center and its 100-acre preserve is located in Ancil Hoffman Park. During the COVID situation its educational mission continues with Zoom presentations, limited school visits and afternoon mini-programs at the central trailhead. For information, visit www.sacnaturecenter.net

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - SMUD’s new 2.7-megawatt hydroelectric powerhouse is now operational on the American River near Camino. Electricity from the new South Fork Powerhouse will supplement generation from an existing powerhouse at Slab Creek Dam. Because the new powerhouse is considered a “small hydro” project (less than 30 megawatts), the electricity it produces will count toward the state Renewable Portfolio Standard. The project received $1.5 million in U.S. Department of Energy grant funding.

The powerhouse project includes a boating flow release facility and is located just below Slab Creek Dam, about one-quarter mile downstream. This enhances whitewater boating flows on a 9-mile stretch downstream of the reservoir, improves raft and kayak put-in areas, and provides more boat parking and space. Boating flows will be released from the new facility, rather than from spilling water over Slab Creek Dam.

The powerhouse and boating flow release facility will also enable water releases from the dam for environmental needs, including enhancing fish habitat. The enhancements are required in the current 50-year license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for SMUD to operate its hydroelectric power plants in the Sierra Nevada, known as the Upper American River Project. The UARP is SMUD’s “Stairway of Power”—a system of hydroelectric generation facilities that provides nearly 700 megawatts of low-cost, clean, non-carbon-emitting hydro power, enough to provide about 15 to 20 percent of SMUD’s energy capacity during an average year.

Construction on the powerhouse began in April 2017 with commercial operation commencing September 25, 2020.

“The new South Fork Powerhouse allows us to generate more carbon-free renewable energy,” said SMUD Chief Energy Delivery Officer Frankie McDermott. “The boating flow release facility provides more accurate and safer recreational water flows for boaters while complying with the boating release requirements of the federal 50-year license.”

The South Fork Powerhouse project comes online as SMUD awaits transition closing of the Chili Bar hydro facility down river on the American. SMUD purchased the facility from PG&E last year. Chili Bar is also considered renewable by the state of California and adds another 7 megawatts to SMUD’s renewable portfolio.

As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for almost 75 years to Sacramento County (and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties). 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 energy is about 50 percent carbon-free and is committed to delivering carbon neutral electricity by 2030, ahead of California’s goals. For more information, visit SMUD.org.

The Speed of Trust

Coronavirus vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in coming months will not be distributed in California until a statewide panel of health experts can ensure they meet safety requirements, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday, October19, 2020.

While there is no vaccine available yet, California and other states have been gearing up for its eventual distribution. On Friday, California sent a draft of its vaccination plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the draft, state officials said a scientific safety review workgroup, made up of immunization and public health experts from agencies and universities across the state, will help “ensure public confidence in vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation efforts.”

Other states also have created committees to review any coming vaccine in response to concerns that the Trump administration might rush the regulatory approval process.

“Of course, we don’t take anyone’s word for it,” Newsom said, in a nod to the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This vaccine plan will move at the speed of trust. You have to have confidence in the efficacy of the vaccine, confidence that we’re not rushing to judgment in terms of its distribution and its accessibility,” Newsom said. 

In response to a reporter’s question, Newsom said the review group process will stand even if former Vice President Joe Biden wins the election.

A new survey from STAT and The Harris Poll showed 58% of people in the U.S. said they would get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as the vaccine became available — that’s down from the 69% who said the same thing in mid-August, possibly indicating a growing mistrust among the general public. Only 43% of Blacks said they’d get the vaccine as soon as it was ready compared to 59% of white respondents, according to the poll.

In the summer, California was tapped by federal health officials to help plan for a large-scale rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine as early as Nov. 1. Some public health experts pushed back on the idea that a vaccine could be ready for safe distribution by then.

The drug company Pfizer is expected to have one of the first coronavirus vaccines. If its vaccine proves effective, safe and can be consistently manufactured, the company would apply for emergency use authorization in the third week of November, CEO Albert Bourla said in an open letter last week.  

But even if ready in this calendar year, Newsom said, supply is expected to be limited and, just like previously with coronavirus diagnostic testing, people who are considered high risk would be first in line. 

In one projection, Newsom said that about 45 million doses could be ready for national distribution by the end of this year. California would only get a percentage of these, and each person will likely need two doses. Health workers and first responders would be prioritized, followed by people with high risk of becoming severely ill if infected, according to the state’s vaccination plan. 

To the rest of Californians: Don’t anticipate getting a vaccine at your local pharmacy anytime this year, Newsom said. 

Newsom also acknowledged that the state will need to work through some logistical hurdles. Some of the prospective vaccines will need to be stored in cold or “ultra cold” spaces, and their administration would require additional supplies of needles, alcohol pads, bandages and more face masks as doses become available.