Carmichael Artists Earn Award for PBS KVIE Art Auction
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Celebrating PBS KVIE’s decades of creating an accessible venue to bring art into the homes of Northern Californians, the 39th annual PBS KVIE Art Auction will showcase 260 works of art by emerging, well-known, and world-renowned Northern California artists. PBS KVIE art curator Mariellen Layne has announced that Carmichael artists David Dietrich, Leslie McCarron, and Sean Royal have been recognized with awards after submitting their art to the annual juried competition.
Dietrich’s “#dreamingtree” and McCarron’s “Standing Together” each won a Curator’s Award. Royal’s “The First Date” won a Juror’s award in the Contemporary category. The pieces will be featured as part of this year’s auction, a live three-day event broadcast on KVIE Channel 6 and online at kvie.org/artauction that airs on Friday, Oct. 2 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“This year’s collection of 260 works showcases our region’s top artistic talent, from California masters to emerging artists – including 40 first-time participating artists,” said Layne. “Even during this challenging time, we saw an increase in submissions over last year. We’re grateful to the art community for their generous, ongoing support of the PBS KVIE Art Auction.”
A complete list of artists juried into the collection is online at kvie.org/artauction. Images and information on every piece of art up for bid, including air dates and times, will launch on August 24. An awards ceremony to announce the Best of Show and first place in each category will be streamed online at kvie.org/artauction on September 15.
Proceeds from the auction help support PBS KVIE local productions and community outreach services. This year’s auction is sponsored by American River Bank, Krogh & Decker LLP, and SMUD.
Broadcasting from California’s capital since 1959, PBS KVIE inspires viewers to explore the world and connect with their community through engaging experiences in current events, drama, history, nature, science, and more. As a member station of PBS, the most trusted media institution in America, PBS KVIE curates the best in educational television programming and online content available, reaching almost 1.4 million households in the nation’s 20th largest television market. PBS KVIE can be viewed in 28 of California’s 58 counties and brings our region the highest quality programming like “PBS NewsHour,” “Nature,” “NOVA,” and “MASTERPIECE,” and is also one of the leading producers of public television programming in the country with series like “America’s Heartland,” “Rob on the Road,” “Studio Sacramento,” “KVIE Arts Showcase,” and “ViewFinder.” For more information, visit PBS KVIE’s website at kvie.org.
Renters Helpline Aids and Informs Tenants with Eviction Issues
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sacramento Self-Help Housing’s free Renters Helpline is currently experiencing a significant uptick in calls, and remains open and staffed with experts available to help with potential renter discrimination, tenant/landlord disputes, education on new laws about rent increase and “just cause” evictions, and eviction ban to COVID-19. On average, the helpline typically receives approximately 750 calls per month. However, in the first week of April 2020 alone, 311 calls were received with 90 related specifically to landlord/tenant issues, the eviction moratorium and COVID-19 prevention.
Originally launched in 2016, the helpline is made possible through a collaboration with Project Sentinel, and Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC). The free service provides tenant education on their rights, and dispute resolution services for residents in unincorporated Sacramento County, and the cities of Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights and Folsom. Experienced Tenant Advisors deal directly with concerns regarding landlord/tenant disputes and help to refer fair housing issues to the appropriate agency.
The Renters Helpline is one of a variety of programs offered by Sacramento Self-Help Housing, a non-profit 501(c)3 agency that is dedicated to assisting those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to find and retain stable and affordable housing. To help solve the ever-increasing number of homeless men, women and families in Sacramento County.
The Renters Helpline is available at 916-389-7877 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the Renters Helpline, please visit www.rentershelpline.org.
Stay Safe While Celebrating Golf Month
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - August is National Golf Month, and the Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks owns and manages three championship golf courses and one nine-hole executive golf course for residents and visitors to enjoy. The courses offer a variety of settings and designs for a wide range of player skills.
Because each course resides near or within a regional park, it is not uncommon for players to share a fairway with turkey, deer, geese and other wildlife.
To stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, residents have had to make adjustments in their day-to-day lives. The same is true for the Regional Parks Golf Division and their golf courses, which were permitted to remain open as outdoor activity has been deemed essential under the public health orders.
“Golfing is a great and safe way to enjoy the outdoors while exercising during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Greg Bliek, Golf Division Manager. “We take health and safety very seriously so early on, we developed and implemented protocols and staff training to ensure safe environments for employees and golfers.”
To view the new safety protocols implemented at our courses visit https://www.saccounty.net/news
For a list of County-owned golf courses, visit the Regional Parks Golf Course Contacts page. For course information and to schedule a tee time, visit each courses respective website.
Check-in for golf is in designated areas and limited to one guest at a time;
Play is limited to individual play – no tournaments or leagues
- Golf carts are limited to one rider per cart
- We ask that all guests pay with credit card
- Pens for credit card signature are sanitized between uses
- All practice areas are either temporarily closed or reduced to 50% capacity – please call ahead to check
- Doors are propped open
- Ball washers have been removed from the course
- Rakes have been removed from golf course bunkers (we recommend playing as ground under repair)
- Cups have been set to reduce touch points – please leave flags in place and do not touch
- No shared equipment including golf clubs, every player must have their own set of clubs
- Cleaning of all surfaces has been increased to a minimum of 4 to 6 times per day
- All employees wear masks when in buildings or interacting with customers
- All employees at all point of sale locations wear gloves
- All employees have received significant training on sanitary and safety standards
- A designated Safety Ambassador is on duty at all times
- Golf carts are fully disinfected between uses
- Range balls are fully disinfected between uses
- Range baskets are fully disinfected between uses
- Garbage cans lids are removed or touchless
We want to remind everyone to keep cool during this summer heat:
- Stay hydrated
- Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing
- Use sunscreen
- Know the signs of heatstroke and heat exhaustion
For a list of County-owned golf courses, visit the Regional Parks Golf Course Contacts page. For course information and to schedule a tee time, visit each courses respective website.
Assemblyman Ken Cooley Honors Equestrian Center as Small Business of the Year
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - On Monday, July 27, Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) announced Brittney Chambers, owner and founder of CBC Therapeutic Horseback Riding Academy, LLC as his Small Business of the Year 2020.
Every year, members of the California State legislature take time to honor a small business from their district. Prior to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Salute to Small Business event provided space for small businesses to learn of resources and meet with other small business owners from across the state. The annual event is sponsored by the California Small Business Association, a volunteer-driven, non-partisan organization with the mission to provide small businesses with a meaningful voice with policy-makers in state and federal government. This year, the in-person event is postponed to a later date.
“I actually knew in January who I wanted to honor as my small business of year,” said Assemblyman Cooley. “Understanding the reasons for the postponement of the in-person event, I still wanted to publically salute the great work of Brittney Chambers and her riding academy. Brittney created a niche service to help disadvantaged youth, veterans experiencing PTSD, and people struggling with addiction or mental health issues find a certain solace while communing with Brittney’s horses.”
CBC Therapeutic Horseback Riding Academy is located in southern Sacramento County and is adjacent to Deer Creek. Ms. Chambers has over 20 years of experience with horses. She has ridden several different disciplines and specializes in Rider Biomechanics, and both English and Western Fundamentals. Brittney combined her education and experience in the human services field with her passion for horses after earning degrees in social science and alcohol and drug counseling, and a Master Degree in criminal justice administration. She confidently serves at risk youth, individuals who have mental health or addiction issues, the developmentally and physically disabled, veterans, individuals who are involved in the criminal justice system, and anyone who just wants to become involved with horses. More about CBC: https://www.cbcequine.com/
“It is an honor to be receiving this recognition. I am so happy that I am able to help those in need by introducing them to a new way of healing, said Brittney Chambers. “It is always such a great experience when you get to see the moment at which one connects with the horse for the first time. It is truly amazing. I appreciate all of the support I receive from the community in order to help change lives, by the touch of a horse.”
Assemblyman Ken Cooley represents Assembly District 8 which includes the communities of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Herald, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Murieta, Rosemont, Wilton and other portions of unincorporated Sacramento County. For more information, please visit http://asmdc.org/members/a08/
Let’s Release Butterflies to Support Grieving Children
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA, (CA) - Honoring grandparents at the 2nd annual Grandparents Butterfly Release on Sunday, September 13th took on a profound, unexpected new meaning considering the coronavirus pandemic. The event, co-hosted by Sacramento Children’s Museum (SCM) and Snowline Hospice, invites families to purchase and release butterflies to honor the special role that grandparents play in a child’s life.
Many of last year’s participants honored a grandparent who died. This year, however, families will also honor the wonderful, vulnerable grandparents our community keeps safe by sheltering in place.
Releasing butterflies on Grandparents Day is an ideal event for families craving a safe but inspiring outdoor event. SCM’s drive-through events this summer – including July’s PajamaJam and semimonthly ExplorAbility events for children with autism, have been wildly popular with museum attendees.
While the vendor booths, interactive games, and indoor museum experience will not be a part of this year’s festivities, attendees can enjoy their own socially distanced space, free giveaways, and outdoor museum programming. Masks are required for all attendees. Families who want to participate, but who don’t yet feel comfortable in a group setting, can schedule curbside pickup for their butterflies.
“It’s important for us to engage families while we’re closed, whether it’s outside of the museum or from their homes,” says Sharon Stone Smith, SCM’s executive director. “We’re delighted to bring our museum family together at such a challenging time.”
Rene Hamlin, Snowline Hospice’s development director, agrees. “This is a wonderful event that brings multiple generations together. Watching a butterfly take flight is an incredibly magical, memorable experience that I look forward to every year.”
Butterflies are available for $15 each on the event’s Facebook page, and must be purchased by August 30th. Proceeds from the event benefit SCM’s distance programming, post-COVID-19 reopening, and Healing All Together (HAT), a program for children dealing with grief.
The 2nd annual Grandparents Day Butterfly Release is on Sunday, September 13th, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at 2701 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, 95670.
This event is sponsored by Republic Services and McDonald’s
Bridge Over Troubled Times
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Strong Ranch Slough trickled silently as Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District VIPs last week applauded a new footbridge over the artery. A rarity during COVID months, the real-time celebration featured more masks than at a Phantom of the Opera. The occasion also marked retirement of the district’s general manager Michael Grace. His place will be taken by Emily Ballus, who previously led a Stockton children’s foundation.
Grace will soon take the executive director job for Sacramento Parks Foundation. He will also serve on the board for Arden Manor Park. He regards the Cottage Park bridge completion as a fitting culmination to his 28 years with Arden-Arcade area parks. “The old bridge served our community for over 50 years,” he said. “Our new one provides a path for generations to come.”
The overpass replaces a span built in the mid-1960s. Five decades of storms took their toll on abutments and a 2020 deluge created a large sink hole that closed the beleaguered crossing to traffic. Fortunately, reconstruction was already scheduled; the $288,890 steel and concrete structure rose during spring. Hundreds of people -- including Kaiser hospital traffic and school kids – cross the park every day and the new bridge – plus additional concrete paths -- assure safe passage. Project costs were met from the district’s tax and assessment-based funding.
The gathering also celebrated community room improvements. Now remodeled for youth recreation, the facility boasts new restrooms that meet ADA requirements. With outdoor access eliminated, the conveniences are easier for maintenance staff to keep clean.
Through improvements partially funded by a $25,000 donation from Stingray Swim Team boosters, the park’s pool complex now has additional showers and better water drainage.
County Supervisor Susan Peters congratulated the district on its improvement projects. “Despite (COVID) restrictions, park districts continue to provide recreational opportunities that people can enjoy while practicing social distancing,” she approved. Peters noted her first after-college job was managing the Fulton El Camino District’s swimming pool in nearby Seely Park. When offered a lifeguard job to fill her own imminent retirement, the supervisor gracefully demurred: “Working in a cool pool sounds appealing,” she agreed. “But I think my days dedicated to rescuing swimmers are over.”
Cottage Park is located at 3097 Cottage Way, Sacramento.
Two Duplex Fire in Carmichael
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - During the late hours of August 11, Metro Fire responded to a residential fire at a pair of Carmichael duplexes on the corner lot of Root Avenue and Douvan Court.
Dispatched firefighters responded to the two-alarm blaze during which the conflagration enveloped the whole of the four units under heavy fire conditions. Although it is not determined what caused the fire, some noted a gas leak as the possible point of origin during the investigation. The fire damage also extended to several vehicles which were parked outside the residences as well.
Fortunately, all the habitants of the units were able to evacuate their respective housings without injuries.
Source: Sac Metro Fire