Out & About
By Jessica Laskey
April 2023
Century Of Fellowship
Carmichael Presbyterian Church celebrates 100th anniversary
Carmichael Presbyterian Church celebrates its centennial this year—100 years of service in the local community.
What started as a Sunday school planted in Carmichael Colony by three determined mothers in 1918, was officially organized as Carmichael Community Church in 1923 under Rev. J.W. Babcock. (Rev. Samuel Holsinger became the first “called pastor” in 1925, the same year the organization began its affiliation with the Presbyterian Church.)
The church used Carmichael Elementary School on Sutter Avenue as its first home. Eventually outgrowing that location, the church found a new home along Marconi Avenue on land donated by H.A. Hobbs in 1927. The new sanctuary, still in use today, was completed in 1951. The church changed its name to Carmichael Presbyterian Church in 1964.
Over the decades, the church has “played an integral role in the growth and development of the community,” says Karen Orlando, a member of the Centennial Committee that’s organizing celebratory events throughout the year.
The church has offered a summer Vacation Bible School since 1925 (this year’s will be July 10–14) and a Food Closet since 1973. It also hosts monthly Saturday suppers, weekly Wednesday dinners, facilities for the homeless, choirs for adults and children, language classes and various support groups.
Events to celebrate the centennial include guest preachers, concerts, potlucks and workshops. “Stories of Faith: Carmichael Presbyterian Church at 100” will be published in December. For information, visit carmichaelpres.org.
IMPACT100 GRANT
Impact100 Greater Sacramento will award up to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations operating in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado counties.
Applications are accepted through the end of April in five areas: Arts & Culture; Education; Environment, Preservation & Recreation; Family; and Health & Wellness.
“We want to help nonprofits realize their goals,” Sacramento chapter President Evelyn Jensen says. “Collectively, Impact100 chapters have provided $123 million in grants in their regions. Now it’s our turn.”
Impact100 Greater Sacramento is the newest chapter of an international organization that empowers women as philanthropists working to benefit their local communities. For information, visit impact100greatersacramento.org.
MAYOR OFFICE ART
Mayor Darrell Steinberg is once again highlighting local artists by hanging their work in his office.
The artwork will be updated each month in the alcove located in the public reception area between the mayor’s conference room and his office.
April’s featured artist/photographer is Inside Sacramento’s own Aniko Kiezel. Her photo, “15 minutes before Sunset,” captures a Lotus in William Land Park.
PHOTO MONTH
It’s finally here! Photography Month Sacramento is happening across the city led by Viewpoint Photographic Art Center in collaboration with the city of Sacramento and Sacramento365.
The monthlong event features special exhibits, receptions, photo shoot meetups, workshops, lectures and more. For up-to-date event information, visit sacramento365.com and photomonthsacramento.org.
PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC
California Northstate University College of Psychology has opened Community Counseling and Psychological Services in Rancho Cordova to provide low-cost mental health services.
“Our students have given over 20,000 hours of free mental health service to this community,” says Dr. Bret McLaughlin, dean of the College of Psychology. “CCAPS is the next step in fulfilling our mission to provide skillful and affordable mental health care to this region.”
Individual and group therapy is provided by doctoral psychology students supervised by licensed psychologists, many of whom are faculty at the school. CCAPS is open to everyone 18 and older. Each therapy session is $20 and the clinic is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clinic services include general psychotherapy for mild to moderate depression/mood-related symptoms, anxiety, family conflict/relationship difficulties, phase-of-life adjustments, gender and identity concerns, and trauma. For information, visit psychology.cnsu.edu/ccaps.
JUNK PICKUP
Spring cleaning is upon us and the city of Sacramento’s Solid Waste and Recycling department reminds residential customers you can make two appointments per year to pick up junk too large to fit in curbside containers, including extra yard waste.
To make an appointment, call City Customer Service at 311—or (916) 264-5011 outside city limits. You can also use the free Sac311 app or make an online request at sac311.org. Appointments are available through October.
Materials should not be placed in the street more than 24 hours prior to pick up. Piles must be no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet by 9 feet and should be placed 6 feet from vehicles. Place tree and yard waste (branches, stumps, leaves) in a separate pile away from junk. Keep piles away from storm drains and bike lanes.
Appliances, e-waste and hazardous waste should not be included. For information, visit cityofsacramento.org.
INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Applications are open for the Creative Business Innovation Challenge supporting underserved and minority-owned businesses in food, fashion, design, festival and cultural experiences, game design, film, media, music and entertainment.
The six-week program is managed by Unseen Heroes and Creative Start Ups, and is funded through the city’s Office of Arts and Culture.
“Sacramento has a history of creative talent but it has not always been actively supported and recognized,” says Unseen Heroes CEO Roshaun Davis. “Through partnerships like this, new opportunities are being created to support and celebrate the city’s creative ecosystem, specifically for BIPOC entrepreneurs.”
Business experts mentor participants on developing business plans and pitches; marketing, finance and operations; networking and collaboration; and accessing funding and investment opportunities.
The deadline to apply is April 16. The application fee is $95. Find information at sacramentocityexpress.com.
CREATIVE CORPS
If you’re a nonprofit organization, arts collective or artist, now’s your chance to join the city’s Capital Region Creative Corps. The California Arts Council recently awarded $4.75 million to the city to implement the new program in our region.
The Creative Corps provides grants to create public awareness campaigns related to water and energy, conservation, climate mitigation, COVID-19, civic engagement and social justice. For information, visit arts.cityofsacramento.org/creativecorps.
FREE TAX PREP
Eligible residents can file their taxes online for free through United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program through April 18.
Households that earned up to $66,000 in 2022 can file for free and receive up to $8,000 cash back from state and federal credits, including the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits.
The program provides tax help virtually and in person in multiple languages and locations. For information, visit yourfreetaxprep.org or call 211.
ANTI-DISPLACEMENT
The City Council has approved a suite of programs to prevent people from being displaced along the Stockton Boulevard corridor as a result of UC Davis’ $1.1 billion Aggie Square mixed-use innovation district. The anti-displacement effort is funded by the city of Sacramento and UC Davis as part of the project’s Community Benefits Partnership Agreement.
Four community programs will receive funding to repair homes; help residents with one-time financial assistance for rent, utilities and other needs; and assist first-time home buyers in the ZIP codes surrounding Aggie Square.
The four programs are Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento Home Preservation and Electrification Program; Salvation Army Homeless Prevention Program; Step Up Homeless Prevention, Housing Coordination, Stability and Retention Program; and Unseen Heroes/CLTRE First-time Homebuyer Loan Program.
The Community Benefits Partnership Agreement includes pledges for local hiring and a commitment by the city to invest in affordable housing along the Stockton Boulevard corridor.
BETTERMENT PROJECT
The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Sacramento class of 2022 has completed its community betterment project—the renovation of the outdoor space at Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center’s Senior Center.
The outdoor area now offers social spaces for seniors of varying mobility and their families, as well as space for exercise and fitness, gardening and quiet time.
“Our senior population is often an underserved community and the pandemic has been especially isolating for them,” says class member Patrick Ibarra. “While there were so many great applications from deserving nonprofits in the area looking for help, we were most moved by Stanford Settlement’s application as we remembered members of our own families struggle during these trying times.”
Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center is at 450 West El Camino Ave. To learn about the project, visit leadershipsac22.org.
WATER REBATES
With a range of rebates, the Sacramento Suburban Water District encourages county residents to use water more efficiently.
Earn $150 for installing a WaterSense-labeled high-efficiency toilet, which can help the average family save 13,000 gallons of water per year. Earn $75 for a clothes washer on the Energy Star’s Most Efficient list.
Earn $500 for upgrading your sprinkler system with high-efficiency rotator sprinklers and drip irrigation; $150 for a weather-based sprinkler timer, which uses local weather data to time when and how long sprinklers run; and $500 for repairing leaks. Earn $100 for a new pool cover.
For information, visit sswd.org/rebates.
ENERGY EFFICIENT
Hoping to reduce your energy bill and your home’s carbon footprint? SMUD and the city of Sacramento have partnered with XeroHome to launch a website where residents can find retrofits to make their homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
XeroHome is free and available to all who live in single-family or duplex dwellings. The site helps users estimate their energy use based on a series of short questions and then provides suggestions for upgrades, such as electric heat pump water heaters, ceiling insulation and DIY options like LED lighting. For information, visit xerohome.com.
CITY MANAGER
The California City Management Foundation has named Sacramento City Manager Howard Chan as City Manager of the Year.
CCMF gives the City Manager of the Year award to city managers who provide exemplary leadership while delivering on important community initiatives.
Chan was appointed city manager in 2017, becoming the first Asian-American person in Sacramento history to hold the office. He has worked for the city of Sacramento for more than 20 years, including three years as an assistant city manager and more than a decade as parking services manager.
FOOD LITERACY NEWS
The Food Literacy Center has some new residents—three sheep and three goats—at its student farm at Leataata Floyd Elementary School.
The animal residents are on loan from AG Livestock for a few months to help reduce weeds, educate staff on how to care for animals and give students in gardening classes a chance to interact with them. Interaction with animals—petting, feeding and touching—can have positive benefits, helping us stay calm and become more social.
In more good news, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty and his team provided $247,500 in grant funds to help build infrastructure on the farm, deliver a 10-week garden curriculum for 250 students and conduct outreach to surrounding communities to encourage participation with this new community amenity. For information, visit foodliteracycenter.org.
MCCLATCHY LIBRARY
After two years of serving solely as a pick-up location, the Ella K. McClatchy Library is open again for public browsing.
The beautiful historic building in the Newton Booth neighborhood of Midtown was closed first due to the pandemic and then to address ventilation and other issues. The city has made the needed repairs and the library is welcoming visitors back to this beloved landmark.
CAP-TO-CAP
Slots for the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s 51st Annual Capitol-to-Capitol federal advocacy program are filling up. Cap-to-Cap returns to Washington, D.C., April 22–26.
The largest and longest-standing chamber delegation of its kind, Cap-to-Cap includes a local contingent of up to 400 regional business leaders and changemakers—including more than 80 electeds—who travel to D.C. to meet with federal officials.
Advocacy issues include infrastructure investment and reimagined workforce development, forest health and wildfire mitigation, housing needs and solutions to help combat homelessness.
For information or to reserve a spot, visit metrochamber.org/cap23.
NEIGHBORHOOD GRANTS
Bank of America has named the Los Rios Colleges Foundation and North State Building Industry Foundation as two of its Neighborhood Builders awardees for greater Sacramento.
Each organization will receive a $200,000 grant over two years, as well as comprehensive leadership training on topics from increasing financial sustainability to human capital management and strategic storytelling.
The North State Building Industry Foundation trains at-risk teens and young adults for residential construction careers. The grant will allow the organization to expand its services and outreach.
The Los Rios Colleges Foundation (which includes American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College) helps previously incarcerated people transition back into school and the community through the Prison and Reentry Education Program.
PROM DRIVE
It’s prom season, but not everyone can afford a new set of dancing duds.
Bring your gently used (clean and in good condition) dresses, suits, shoes and other accessories to your local Sacramento Library during open hours and the library will redistribute them to high school students in need.
All sizes are needed. Suits and button-up shirts are especially in demand.
UNITED WAY GOAL
United Way California Capital Region has announced a new goal to raise $3 million to help 10,000 kids excel in school by 2025.
“This is such an important year as we celebrate 100 years working together with this community to end poverty for local families,” says Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO. “We have learned so much over the past 100 years and now we are ready to enter our next century with a bold new goal. We know education is a proven ladder out of poverty and we know school is square one for reaching families in need.”
Through its Square One programming, United Way offers an array of services to ensure children and their families have the resources, from tutoring to income programs, to succeed in school and adulthood.
United Way’s milestone year will culminate April 29 with its 100th Anniversary Gala fundraiser at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. To purchase tickets or make a donation, visit yourlocalunitedway.org.
SUMMER JOBS
Know a teen who needs a summer job? Recruitment is underway for more than 150 seasonal positions in the city of Sacramento’s Aquatics Division across 17 area aquatics facilities.
The Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment Department is looking to fill positions for lifeguards, senior lifeguards, assistant pool managers, pool managers, aquatics specialists and cashiers for the 2023 summer season.
Applicants must be at least 15 years old by June 1 (cashiers must be 16). All lifeguards must be American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPR-AED/First Aid certified. To apply, visit governmentjobs.com and type the desired position into the toolbar.
NEW PARKWAY SIGNS
The next time you’re walking along the American River Parkway, take notice of new welcome signs.
The Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks Maintenance Division posted new “Welcome to the American River Parkway” and “Do Not Enter, Sensitive Habitat Area” signs at five sites. The signs include universal symbols to show allowed uses and regulations.
New signage was placed at Bannon Island, Two Rivers Trail, Steelhead Creek and SAFCA Loop, and Camp Pollock. These areas have been prioritized based on their locations in flood zones, public safety concerns like unstable soil or the potential for falling trees, impacts due to trash, levee compromise (digging), degradation from vegetation fires, criminal activities and community complaints.
ALL THAT JAZZ
Sutter Middle School won big at this year’s Teagarden Jazz Festival (formerly the Traditional Jazz Youth Band Festival) at Sacramento State. The festival is open to small ensembles of four to nine musicians from elementary school to college.
The Sutter Miner Minors enjoyed a festival debut and many students received awards, including Janelle Wells (Outstanding MS Clarinet), Owen Naqica (Outstanding MS Banjo), Luke Lyda (Outstanding MS Saxophone), Gloria Haskin (Outstanding MS Vocals) and Sidney Manricks (Outstanding MS Piano).
Naqica also won a half scholarship to the Teagarden Jazz Camp and trombone player Max Schwitalla won a $500 Music Lesson Award Scholarship.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
