CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael’s Kiwanis Club Swing Band performance last weekend brought down the curtain on a four-month concert season in Carmichael Park. The 43^th summer series showcased 15 bands and delighted dancers, doggies, picnickers and set many thousands of toes tapping.

From a Beatles tribute band to Latin, blues, country, swing and funk stylists, the season provided high-decibel variety. Toddlers, teens, seniors and baby-boomers all found something to their taste. Beatles hits had the whole park singing. Mumbo Gumbo – whose audience topped 2500 fans – orchestrated a conga line around the dance floor. The Fryed Brothers’ park appearance was accompanied by the roar of dozens of motorcycles; the biker-friendly performance was as much a concert as a Harley Davidson convention. “I've never seen so much facial hair and tattoos in one place before,” observed a concert-goer. “But the music was fantastic and the biker fans were well-behaved and respectful.”

Like many of the season’s stars, the Fryeds have strong local connections: founding brothers Harry and Tommy attended Rio Americano High. Rocker Todd Morgan played his first gigs while at Garfield Elementary. Mira Loma graduate Tracy Walton fronted the Mumbo Gumbo group. Beatles tribute band Ticket to Ride has two Carmichael residents in its ranks. The John Skinner Band is based just blocks from the park bandshell and the Kiwanis Swing Band has almost 100 percent Carmichaelite content. “We strive to showcase diverse talent from the greater Sacramento region,” says recreation supervisor Sharlene Lal.  ‘It’s great to see so much hometown talent on stage.”

On duty for most shows, Park Police Officer John Mohamed mixed comfortably with concert regulars. “It was certainly a diverse season,” he noted. “I was happy that people all got along together and enjoyed the music.”

2019 sponsors included Supervisor Susan Peters, Emigh Hardware, California Family Fitness, Carmichael Creek neighborhood Association, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, the Carmichael Kiwanis Club and John and Susan Skinner. Thanks for a terrific show from all on stage and thanks to CRPD for a fantastic summer music season.

For an encore, Todd Morgan and the Emblems will play at the park on Founders Day (September 28) and the Skinner Band will co-sponsor a free community dance on October 20, at La Sierra Community Center.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Career journalist and sage of the American River, Peter Hayes died of natural causes last week. He was 93.

After childhood years in Vancouver, Canada, he and his family emigrated to Seattle. Hayes graduated in journalism from the University of Washington and took a job with United Press. Working at its Anchorage bureau, he met and married an Anchorage Daily News reporter Carol Lou Tippit. The couple raised three daughters and ended up in Sacramento, where Hayes served as the Sacramento Union editor for four years. He also took up fishing on the American River. “Too often I was disappointed,” he recalls of angling attempts. “I began paying more attention to the birds and the trees and the swift-flowing river. I eventually became a certified nature lover.”

Nature essays for the Union were a natural progression.  His observations were recycled in the American River Natural History Association’s “Acorn” newsletter and eventually collated, with photographs, in a tome he called “An American River Almanac.” It became a nature study resource and evergreen fundraiser for ARNHA. Re-published in hard cover in 2014, the opus was reinvented as a classic edition. Hayes’ theme never changed. Watching the seasonal moods of the river parkway was his passion.

His essays were love songs. Despite years of hard news reporting, Hayes was able to eulogize nature as an innocent. “Pale pink blossoms presage the juicy sweetness of wild blackberries,” he observed, are “a reminder of what the Maidus and pioneers knew, that the best of life is free.” He described July as “the cool caress of an ocean breeze that has made its way up the river.” A wild flower path is a place “to let the mind slip into neutral, forgetting about the price of gasoline and other day-to-day irritants.”

His beloved Carol Lou died in 1998 and as Hayes’ mobility declined, visiting favorite riverside haunts became tougher. The American River Parkway nevertheless remained his delight. “It’s like going to a surprise party,” considered the aging pilgrim. “I never know what kind of wild world I’m entering.”

Three years ago, Hayes moved into Eskaton Village, Carmichael. “One of the unknowns was how dad could continue as a writer,” recalls his daughter Debbie Kenngott.  “My daughter suggested he should do a regular blog about this new chapter of his life. After she explained what a blog was, he took the idea and ran with it.” Hayes authored “Notes From Pete” till his death; the 100^th e-epistle reached his friends a few weeks ago. “That blog fulfilled him,” confirms his daughter. “It made him feel like a writer again. Dad’s friends adored his powers of observation; his humor and his appreciation for everyone and everything he saw.”

A man of faith, Hayes was a long-time member of Arcade’s Grace Presbyterian church. But his greater cathedral was outdoors. “His thoughts were never far from the river he loved,” says his daughter. “Nature inspired my father; it brought him peace. Wherever his soul is now, people who love him want to feel he’s somewhere on his beautiful river.”

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - County Supervisor Susan Peters last week told the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce she will not seek re-election next year. After 16 years of service to Sacramento County’s District 3, months of rumors preceded her announcement. At least six hopefuls have thrown hats in the ring for her seat.

Peters has more than 14 months yet to serve. She’ll sit long hours on the Board; attend town halls; give speeches and cut her quota of ribbons. Future ground-breakings include the beginning of Phase 3 of Fair Oaks corridor improvements in Carmichael this fall.

Bowing away was carefully considered. “Sixteen years is enough for anyone,” she considers. “In this job, you should exit on a high note to avoid burning out – so residents still get the attention they deserve. I also want to leave District 3 in good hands. I brought several people onto commissions and watched to see who seemed capable and interested in doing the job.” Former CHP officer Rich Desmond emerged as her pick. “When I first met Rich 18 months ago,” says Peters, “I thought he might be the guy. He’s proven it through his work on the Carmichael Community Planning Advisory Council. His background in law enforcement also is a plus. Public safety is a priority for residents.”

Achievements will shine among her retiring memories. “We’ve built four new parks for Carmichael,” she considers. “A foundation’s been formed to raise money for district parks. Effie Yeaw Nature Center has developed into a public/private partnership that’s brought many enhancements. We’ve instituted quarterly town halls to help residents learn about issues that affect them. Fair Oaks Boulevard is looking beautiful. The new Carmichael Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) will improve the business area. When I first came into office, Carmichael people said: bring us more restaurants. Well, the Milagro Centre has answered that.”

Glittering memories will include igniting Christmas tree lights – with a loyal succession of schnauzer dogs as company for the 20-year widow. Peters opened the Swanston Community Center; she saw the stunning transformation of McClellan Air Force Base and the opening of Sacramento International Airport’s Terminal B. To the relief of countless motorists, Hazel Avenue (Fair Oaks) improvements were completed.

The Supervisor spoke at a glorious homecoming for Carmichael heroes who saved a French train from terrorism. She broke ground for trails and buildings and learned to graciously decline ceremonial tools as gifts (“You end up with a garage full of shovels, otherwise,”). On a never-to-be-repeated impulse, she volunteered for a police canine demonstration. Despite protective padding, the attack numbed her arm for days. Fair Oaks Cemetery and Patriots Park ceremonies for those who died in service touched her heart. “When a parent cries on your shoulder for a lost son or daughter, you never forget it,” she says.

For every problem tackled, plenty more will challenge her remaining term. “I’ll continue to work on measures to address homelessness,” she promises. It’s a problem all over California... a never-ending challenge that the next Supervisor will also have to wrestle with. The interesting thing about being a Supervisor is that something different comes up every day.

“You can’t fix every problem. But you do your best.”

Supervisor Peters will hold public meetings at Mission Oaks Community Center on October 10 and at Swanston Community Center on October 17. Both presentations will start at 6 pm and offer roadwork updates.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Ribs and rock were on the menu for the Barbecue, Beer and Boogie event last week. Held at Oakmont of Carmichael, the fundraiser supports the nation-wide Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s event.

More than 150 guests sipped beer and margaritas, nibbled from lavish barbecued buffets and were serenaded by Todd Morgan and the Emblems. Carmichael’s B. B. B. tradition was begun 13 years ago by former honorary Mayor Virginia Stone, whose mother died from Alzheimer’s. Stone’s fundraiser was taken over by the Oakmont facility in 2015. Over the years, the social has raised almost $100,000 in the cause of medical research and to assist those suffering from the disease. Sacramento’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held at Raley Field on September 28. The walk will be echoed by in 600 cities all over the nation.

Carmichael Barbecue Beer and Boogie sponsors included: Oakmont of Carmichael; Bristol Hospice and Dr. Lou Nishimura.

For more information on Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit www. Alz.org