Decision Year for the Sacramento Bee
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - “2020 is a decision year for the Sacramento Bee,” said Sacramento Bee columnist Marcos Breton–the invited guest at the Carmichael Chamber Luncheon on Tuesday, November 29.
Breton was referring to the recent financial situation at McClatchy Company–parent company of the Sacramento Bee. “It’s been happening in many communities that they are losing the newspaper platform,” he said, concerned with the industry-wide decline of newsprint which worsened in a decade of national economic decline, bankruptcy, shifting advertising trends and internet competition.
Until 2006, The Sacramento Bee had been growing economically and becoming the head of one of America’s largest news corporations, but few knew that the Great Recession was just around the corner in 2007. In addition to the national economic crisis, a lot of the Bee’s momentum was slowed with “the debt incurred from its previous purchase of Knight Ridder in 2006,” said Breton.
During the following decade, McClatchy did a lot in streamlining, cutting costs and significantly paying down its debt from $4 billion to $708 million, but next year the corporation is in serious jeopardy with respect to an upcoming pension contribution.
As it navigates through the new year, Breton said, “Several options with investors, financers and other news companies are still being contemplated at headquarters.”
“Committed to the role the newspaper plays in a democratic society,” Breton added that its online traffic at sacbee.com really helps to stabilize and supplement the capital newspaper with a very affordable and accessible digital platform.
For more information visit www.sacbee.com
New NASA Hubble Exhibit Launches at the Aerospace Museum of California
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The air is cool and still. Lights from illuminated panels give off an unearthly glow as the soft whine of computers suspend the passing of time. Hushed voices can be heard discussing stardust and light waves and the edge of charted space. Have you stumbled upon a secret governmental lab? A starship pulled from science-fiction? No, you’re at the Aerospace Museum of California, in the midst of the official NASA Hubble Space Telescope Traveling Exhibit!
Blast off to the Aerospace Museum this holiday season and be a part of history as the NASA Hubble Space Telescope Traveling Exhibit debuts for the first time in California! Experience the magnificence and mystery of the Hubble Space Telescope and its unique mission through interactive stations, guided tours and engaging activities for explorers of all ages! Visitors are invited to explore the vast reaches of space through Hubble’s iconic images, learn the history and purpose of this technological marvel in a space station environment, and look to the future of space exploration with the James Webb Telescope.
The Exhibit features a 1:15 scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope, a real-time GeoSphere that displays earthly phenomena and a collection of tools that have actually flown into space to serve one of five servicing missions Hubble has required since its launch in 1990. Visitors will experience a deeper appreciation for Hubble’s mission and a sense of child-like wonder at the sheer size and beauty of space.
To promote STEM Education in the local community, the Aerospace Museum has partnered with SMUD to contribute $25,000 in sponsorships, transportation funding, teacher memberships and educational resources for local students in underserved communities to experience this once-in-a-lifetime STEM education opportunity.
The Aerospace Museum of California is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation located in McClellan, CA. Visitors experience aviation history and aerospace science in an interactive setting. With a 4-acre airpark and rotating exhibits, families engage with STEM activities for all ages and let their imaginations soar. The Aerospace Museum is a Smithsonian Museum Affiliate and a North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) member. For more information, visit their website at AerospaceCA.org
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – Over holiday break, kids who rely on United Way’s Healthy Meals after-school supper program can still receive free meals at six locations across Sacramento through United Way’s partnership with Sacramento Public Library and Mack Road Partnership.
“One in five kids in our region is food insecure,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “While schools are closed over the holiday break, we want to make sure kids continue to have access to healthy food. United Way is helping to fill in the gaps. We are committed to providing year-round support so kids can succeed in school. They need that support even when school isn’t in session over the holidays and during the summer.”
Five Sacramento Public Libraries will be providing meals over the holidays. The North-Highlands Antelope Library and North Sacramento Library will serve meals at 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, Dec. 31 and Jan. 2. The Del Paso Heights Library will serve meals at 4 p.m. on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2. The Sylvan Oaks Library in Citrus Heights will serve meals at 4 p.m. on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. The Southgate Library will serve meals at 5 p.m. on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Mack Road Partnership also will provide meals at 7833 Center Parkway in Sacramento at 3 p.m. on Dec. 23, Dec. 26, Dec. 27, Dec. 30, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, as well as at noon on Dec. 28 and Jan. 4. For more information, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.
United Way expanded its Healthy Meals program this fall through its partnership with the Sacramento Public Library’s eight branches, which served 183 meals in the first two days of the school year.
“At the library, we see kids who are hungry every day,” said Christie Hamm, youth services manager, Sacramento Public Library. “They can’t focus on homework or reading when they are hungry. This provides a way to give kids something nutritious to eat, and while they’re at the library, our resources are available to them such as books, computers and homework help.”
For nearly 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen. Today, the nonprofit is bringing people together across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties for its Square One Project, a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of students in our region who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. United Way believes ending poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones and their families receive support and resources. To learn more and make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the selection of a new Inspector General for Sacramento County and for the County Executive to begin contract negotiations for Mark Evenson to serve in that position.
“Following a nationwide search, I’m pleased to say that we have identified a qualified candidate,” said Board Chair and District Two Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “We look forward to welcoming Mark Evenson in his role as Inspector General and his work in providing good oversight and accountability.”
The Office of Inspector General was created to facilitate the Board of Supervisors’ responsibility to oversee without interfering with the Sheriff’s investigative or personnel deployment functions.
The Inspector General ensures the integrity of the citizen complaint process and the thoroughness and fairness of related Sheriff’s Department investigations, while fostering positive relations with the community. The Inspector General works independently on items detailed in the scope of services. In addition, the Inspector General may investigate other non-personnel matters as requested by the County Executive or a majority of the Board of Supervisors. The Inspector General will present recommendations relating to these examinations to the Board of Supervisors, County Executive and the Sheriff.
Evenson is an experienced police executive with 32 years of law enforcement experience. Of those years, 20 were in middle and senior management levels, and 10 years were as Chief of Police for the City of Brentwood.
Additionally, Evenson has extensive experience as an Internal Affairs investigator, a commander and has demonstrated leadership success in police accountability, citizen complaint investigations and community/police relations.
The Office of the Inspector General is a contract position. A start date for the Inspector General will be announced when contract negotiations are complete and there is a signed contract.
36th Annual Optimist High School Girls Volleyball All-Star Game
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The 36th Annual Optimist High School Girls’ Volleyball All-Star games were held on December 8, 2019 at Capital Christian High School.
The Small Schools match was won by the North Team. The scores were 25 (North) – 22 (South), 25 (South) – 22 (North), 25 (North) - 22 (South), and 26 (North) – 24 (South). All of these sets were so exciting that they brought the fans to their feet and yelling for more. The Outstanding Player for the North was Faith Menary from Nevada Union High School and for the South Team was Shelby Mahaffey from El Dorado High School.
The Large Schools match was won by the South Team 25 (South) – 18 (North), 25 (North) – 19 (South), 25 (South) – 17 (North) and 25 (South) – 13 (North), and as like the Small Schools match, the fans were super excited. The Outstanding Player for the South Team was Alexa Edwards from St. Francis High School and for the North Team was Gianna Nielsen from Woodcreek High School.
During the intermission, Alynn Wright from St. Francis High School was inducted into the Optimist Hall of Fame for her tremendous dedication and commitment to make the young women “become a better athlete and a better person”.
Rob Kerth Elected SMUD Board President
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - SMUD’s Board of Directors elected Rob Kerth as President of the Board. His term as president will run from January through December 2020. He previously served as board president in 2015. Kerth has been serving his second term on the SMUD Board of Directors since 2014. Kerth was previously elected to the SMUD Board in November 2008 and served a four-year term. He represents Ward 5 which includes midtown, downtown, North Sacramento, Natomas, Rio Linda and Elverta.
Kerth is a third-generation Sacramentan and former two-term city councilman who got his start in public service as a neighborhood activist for the historic Woodlake district of North Sacramento. While on the Sacramento City Council, he was recognized as a major force for revitalization efforts not only in his district but also in other long-established neighborhoods.
During his time with the city of Sacramento, Kerth also specialized in regional problem-solving. His assignments included the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Sacramento Regional Transit District and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency. Kerth developed notable expertise on infrastructure issues throughout the six-county Sacramento region.
Kerth founded Ice Unlimited, which brought Sacramento and Folsom their original holiday ice rinks. He is also responsible for the design of ice rinks in Sacramento's Arco Arena and at Squaw Valley U.S.A.
A graduate of Stanford University, Kerth holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in controls and systems. He and his family still live in Woodlake, less than three blocks from his childhood home.
San Juan Unified Community Partners Were Principals For A Day
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - San Juan Unified welcomed 59 business and civic leaders from the community to its annual Principal for a Day event on Nov. 13. This event provided an opportunity for community partners to act as guest principals and visit classrooms, interact with students and staff and promote academic achievement.
The district’s Family and Community Engagement team coordinated and matched schools with current community partners and worked to recruit new partners to participate.
The event culminated in a luncheon where district staff shared ideas with community partners about ways to support the schools and students.
“One thing that changed our perspective and inspired us today is the innovation and creativity found in the spaces of learning and expanded by administration and teachers,” said Windy Ly and David Augusto of PRO Youth and Families, one of the community partners.
Lunch attendees also enjoyed a slide presentation of photos from the day spent at each school.
Participating partners included businesses; local politicians; financial institutions; non-profits; faith-based organizations; the Sacramento River Cats and California State University, Sacramento.
In an effort to address and close achievement gaps, San Juan Unified creates partnerships with local corporations, businesses, nonprofits and faith-based organizations throughout Sacramento County to support the district’s schools, students and families with the most need. The district, together with community partners, create opportunities that will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed academically and beyond.
For more information on partnering with San Juan Unified, contact Natalia Aguirre at (916) 971-7929.