SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On March 13, 2020 at approximately 3:17 pm, The California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a call of a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision on Sunnyvale Ave, west of Becerra Way. Based on witness statements, officers on scene learned that a 14-year old male out of Sacramento, was walking in the roadway on Sunnyvale Ave. west of Becerra Way. The 14-year old, jumped on the hood of an Infinity coupe being driven by a 17-year old male juvenile traveling westbound on Sunnyvale Ave. The 14-year old juvenile later came off the hood and was subsequently hit by the Infinity. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department (SMFD) personnel arrived at the scene of the collision and immediately pronounced the 14-year old male deceased at 3:29 pm. The driver of the Infinity remained on scene and cooperated with investigating officers. Sunnyvale Ave., west of Becerra Way was closed for approximately two hours to investigate the collision and scene processing. Witnesses remained on scene and the cause of the collision is under investigation. There is no suspicion that drugs or alcohol was a factor in this collision.
Any persons who may have witnessed this collision or who can provide any additional information regarding this collision should call Officer Greg Zumstein or Officer A.J. McTaggart at the North Sacramento Area CHP office at (916) 348-2300 by cell phone at (916) 798-0975. Follow us on Twitter @CHPNSac, Facebook.com/chpnorthsac, Instagram @chpnorthsac, or Nextdoor.
Post Script for a Postman
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - A huge part of daily life for 579 Carmichael families, mailman Julian Barbero (67) retired recently. For nearly 37 years, The US Post Office deliverer brought missives – joyful, sad or merely recyclable – to his routes. Though he lived in Rancho Cordova, Carmichael Creek customers considered this quiet man a neighbor.
“Julian knew our cars, he knew our children and our pets,” observed a Landis Avenue resident. “We couldn’t pass his van without getting a wave. He went the extra mile for us. If he felt something was wrong, he’d knock on our doors to check.” By dawn’s early light every day, the public servant sorted thousands of letters before steering his van to Route 51 – the old colony avenues travelled for most of his career. His careful driving last year earned the Post Office’s prestigious “Million Mile” honor for an accident-free career.
If people know little about their mailmen or women, they can have few secrets from these messengers in blue. Barbero observed the milestones of 579 families. The father of two rejoiced when pink or blue balloons floated from mailboxes. He retrieved toddlers fallen from bikes. The same kids would later await his van when exam results and college admissions were due. He saw them leave home and later, return to raise their own kids in familiar streets. The postman brought parcels at Christmas; letters from war zones; his mail presaged weddings and divorces. Bills and providential checks arrived by his hand. He comforted the bereaved when spouses – some decades-long friends – died. Barbero served a route that includes this writer’s home. I feel my street will never be quite the same.
His final day reversed the norm; scores of customers came from porches with cards and gifts for the mailman. In Lindy Court, neighbors stretched a farewell banner from sidewalk to sidewalk. “There were so many neighbor reunions to see me off,” Barbero marveled. “Every day for years, you deliver your mail and say ‘hi’ to people. You never know if that ‘hi’ is welcome. It’s overwhelming to see how meaningful it was.”
His retirement plans include travel with his wife Norma. They hope to spend summers in Argentina. "I thank this country for opening its doors to me and giving me a job,” Barbero told a gathering of colleagues and fans at the Post Office. “And for making my American dream come true. My customers have been part of my life. I'm happy to retire but sad at what I'm leaving behind."
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Out of consideration to our community members, the Visitor Center will be closed to the public and weekend programs will be cancelled through March 31st.
BUT nature is still open for business, so come take a walk and have an adventure in the Nature Study Area!
Time in nature reduces stress, engages kids of all ages, and avoids crowds. Public restrooms will be closed, so be sure to use the county bathrooms by the county kiosk or the Ancil Hoffman picnic area.
Not only will the trails open, but we will also be rolling out some new online environmental education activities! So be sure to follow us on social media.
We will continue to offer school programs while schools are in session, and animal ambassadors will receive their regular daily care.
If you have registered for a program or an event, you will be contacted shortly.
See you on the trails!
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Women’s History Month celebrates the vital role of women in American history. The vibrancy and legacy of women past and present unifies and nourishes our collective whole as we march onward towards fundamental human equality.
We all play a vital part in the intricately woven fabric of who we are as a whole.
We women, young and old, of diverse backgrounds and beliefs play a fundamental role in shaping our country’s future. We need to be ever mindful of our power and not only reflect upon and celebrate the lives of famous women pioneers and leaders in our history and the unsung women heroes of our daily lives; we need to SHOUT IT OUT to the world and be a part of that SHOUT OUT!
Cancelled Culture
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The Wuhan Coronavirus has been taking its toll on society, one grocery store at a time. People are panicking and raiding the shelves of most stores of basic essentials. People are loading up on toilet paper and water. Is anybody buying out all the vitamins and dietary supplements? Has there been a raid on fresh fruit and vegetables?
The virus is a serious matter to be sure, and precautions surely must be adhered to. But cancelling an entire society and giving up all control of your lives to the government?
Events started cancelling last week. Cancelled are all local events and programs presented by chambers of commerce, arts and entertainment groups, major and minor league sports teams, little league games and all high school sports, church functions, fundraisers, you name it. Our culture gets cancelled.
The economic backlash is going to be a big one, but get ready to pay those taxes. Maybe the government can cancel this year’s tax liabilities for all Americans? No, but they offer small businesses a tax credit that will never be realized before they go out of business altogether.
During the Black Plague (bubonic plague) in 1347, which also saw its first recorded case in China in 224 B.C.E., the primary cure was fresh water, fresh air and improved diet. Today, we are seeing a rise in that disease in Los Angeles prior to the Wuhan Coronavirus. And no one says a thing.
In a radio interview on Coast to Coast from August 12, 2009, Dr. Sherri Tenpenny explained what was happening in the medical field surrounding the Swine Flu of 2009 and preparations from the government. She outlines what happened with the Bird Flu in 2006 and the mass planning for future virus outbreaks and the looming government control. If you listen to the entire interview, you will hear exactly what is happening today, predicted almost 11 years ago. Will the government force vaccinations for the Wuhan Virus?
What can you do? Do what your parents told you when you were growing up. Wash your hands, often. Go to bed early and get good sleep. Eat your vegetables and don’t feed them to the dog under the table when your parents aren’t looking. Don’t eat too much sugar. Stop watching so much television. Be nice to everyone and share what you have with those who need help. Pray for those you love. Be thankful and show gratitude. Don’t be a jerk.
Support any local business that you can. Buy local. Order some take out from your local restaurants. Even a little cash flow will help some businesses weather this storm.
Human nature is obvious in every crisis, real or unreal. Rising above our basic human nature is what they call Humanity. It is time to care about each other and be fully “Human.”
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael Water District is proceeding with a planned water rate study that will affect all rate payer classes. The water rate study will serve as a guide to evaluate water rates needed to support the District’s operations, capital improvements, and Business Plan recommendations. As part of a proactive approach, the District is forming a Water Rate Study Committee (WRSC). The WRSC will serve in an advisory capacity to work with the District and its consultants as the rate setting process progresses. It is important to have a cross-section of the rate payer base participate in the process, therefore the District is seeking individuals from each rate payer class to participate on the WRSC.
The WRSC meetings are anticipated to begin in June, 2020. Interested individuals may apply by obtaining an application from Carmichael Water District’s office at 7837 Fair Oaks Blvd, Carmichael, CA 95608. Applications are also available on the District’s website at www.carmichaelwd.org. The deadline for applications is 12:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
Society for the Blind Celebrates Grand Opening of Carl R. Otto Annex
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – More than 130 guests celebrated the grand opening of Society for the Blind’s Carl R. Otto Annex earlier this month, an expansion of the nonprofit’s facility in Midtown that now includes a training center, senior teaching kitchen and dedicated music room. The event included performances by the music program, ribbon cutting, champagne toast and speeches by Vice Mayor Jeff Harris, Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Hansen and California Department of Rehabilitation Director, Joe Xavier.
The annex is named after Carl Otto of Otto Construction, who passed away in 2007 and served on Society for the Blind’s board of directors. Otto led the initial campaign to renovate the building, and his company, Otto Construction, played a key role. His daughter, Allison Otto, is past president and current secretary of Society for the Blind’s board of directors and co-chaired the group’s Vision 2020 campaign to expand services for the more than 100,000 people with vision loss living in the greater Sacramento region. The campaign raised $4.5 million to complete the annex, serve the growing number of seniors in need of services to stay independent, empower clients through education and training, create an endowment, expand the onsite Low Vision Clinic and upgrade technology.
“We are grateful to the many people in the Sacramento region who contributed to the Vision 2020 campaign and are making it possible for the growing number of people living with vision loss to access our services, workshops and events,” said Shari Roeseler, executive director, Society for the Blind. “The Otto Annex will increase our ability to serve more people who need to learn blindness skills and who are looking for fun social events with other people experiencing vision loss.”
For 66 years, Society for the Blind has created innovative ways to empower individuals living with low vision or blindness to discover, develop and achieve their full potential. Society for the Blind has grown from a dedicated group of volunteers to a nationally recognized agency and the only comprehensive rehabilitative teaching center that provides services for a 27-county region of northern California. The nonprofit provides low-vision eye care, life and job skills training, mentorship, and access to tools to maintain independence for nearly 6,000 youth, working-age adults and seniors experiencing vision loss each year. For more information or to make a donation, visit SocietyfortheBlind.org.