In Tune Carmichael
By Susan Peters
July 2019
Kids Don’t Float
Remember to don a life vest on the river this summer
Visiting Sacramento County’s public waterways is a traditional way to cool off and enjoy the outdoors. But before you take the plunge, remember to put on a life vest.
Donning a life vest before going into the river is the smart and safe thing to do. And it’s the law for children under 13. Wearing a life vest could save a life—including your own or your child’s.
If you don’t have a life vest, there are borrowing stations at local fire stations and along the American River Parkway, including Discovery Park, Ancil Hoffman Park, River Bend Park and the Howe Avenue, Watt Avenue and Sunrise river accesses.
For more information, visit regionalparks.saccounty.net.
PARADES, FUN AND FIREWORKS
This year, Carmichael is the place to celebrate Independence Day.
Kick off the Fourth of July with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Carmichael Park Clubhouse. The 61st Annual Elks 4th of July Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Fair Oaks Boulevard and Marconi Avenue, and continues to Manzanita and Cypress avenues. The parade will feature floats, antique automobiles, marching bands, equestrian entries and more.
Fireworks will light up the evening sky at the La Sierra Community Center at 5325 Engle Road. The first sky rocket is expected to go off at 9:30 p.m. Before the big show will be music, food and children’s activities beginning at 7 p.m.
PARKWAY ALCOHOL BAN
This Fourth of July there will be a complete ban on alcohol consumption and possession both on land and in water within the American River Parkway between Hazel and Watt avenues (with an exception for Ancil Hoffman Golf Course). The ban also is applicable to the Labor Day weekend in September.
In past years, problems along the American River during summer holiday weekends made the parkway less family-friendly due to fights, public nudity, profanity and littering. Since the alcohol ban, community members have expressed appreciation for making these holiday weekends once again a time for everyone to enjoy the American River Parkway.
CONGRATULATIONS WIZ KIDS
Congratulations to the St. Ignatius Parish School Academic Decathlon Team for taking first place at this year’s Junior High Academic Decathlon State Championships held in Redwood City.
The Board of Supervisors recently honored the students in a special ceremony for winning the top honor among nearly 700 Catholic schools in California.
Sixth- through eighth-grade students competed in 10 events: two team efforts tackling a logic quiz with 20 problems and a super quiz with five broad academic themes, and eight individual events testing knowledge on English, literature, Roman Catholic doctrine, science, mathematics, current events, social studies and fine arts.
Members of the winning team were Camille Alvarez, Kate Cockerton, Irene Cretu, Mason Fat, M.J. Gillis, Tommy Goyette, Veronica Hartono, Griffin Maloy, Arielle Montevirgen and Erica Pham. Coaching the students were Erin McGraw and Carlos Contreras.
PROTECT PETS THIS SUMMER
The county’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter reminds us that leaving a pet in a vehicle on warm days can quickly turn fatal. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a parked car can jump 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.
Leaving pets outdoors in temperatures above 90 degrees also can be dangerous. If you cannot bring your furry friends inside, it is important to provide them with shade and plenty of water.
Also, fireworks can be stressful on pets, causing fear and anxiety. The number of missing pets significantly increases during the Fourth of July holiday.
Leaving pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain, can lead to disastrous consequences. In their fear, pets may escape or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so if they become lost, they can be returned home promptly. For more pet tips, visit animalcare.saccounty.net.
FREE CONCERTS IN CARMICHAEL
Enjoy the summer nights by attending free concerts at Carmichael Park. Ten concerts will feature a variety of music, including classic rock, southern rock, country, rhythm and blues, funk and dance band tunes.
This month’s fun starts Saturday, July 6, with On Air playing classic rock with power horns. The final performance will be Sunday, Sept. 1, featuring the Kiwanis Swing Band.
All concerts will be held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more a complete schedule, visit carmichaelpark.com.
GREAT AMERICAN TRIATHLON
Following in the tradition of the former Eppie’s Great Race, a new summertime outdoor sporting event—the Great American Triathlon—will kick off Saturday, July 20.
The Great American Triathlon consists of a 5.82-mile run, 12.5-mile bike ride and 6.10-mile kayak paddle along the same American River Parkway course as the final Eppie’s Great Race.
The triathlon features 36 categories for competitors of all types ranging from world-class athletes to families looking for fun. This year, the event will benefit the American River Parkway Foundation and local children’s charities.
For more information, visit greatamericantriathlon.com.
ROAD WORK CONTINUES
Road projects continue in Sacramento County under gas-tax funding provided by SB 1.
Road overlay work on El Camino from Mission to Garfield is expected to begin in September. Overlay also has been approved for the Arden Manor area bounded by Arden, Morse, Hurley and Watt, as well as the area bounded by Hurley, Morse, Watt and Wemberley.
Signal upgrades will be made at the intersections on Walnut from Winding Way to El Camino, on Winding Way from Garfield to San Juan, and on El Camino from Garfield to Mission.
With a maintenance backlog of $700 million for the unincorporated area, not every road in need can be addressed immediately. However, the Department of Transportation is adding projects as new gas-tax money becomes available.
Track the county’s road projects funded by the SB 1 gas tax by visiting sacdot.com, under Projects & Programs, then Gas Tax At Work.
PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE
To reduce the stress and trauma experienced by children who are victims of sexual abuse and violent crimes, Sacramento County’s Department of Child, Family and Adult Services, local law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office have teamed up at the Special Assault Forensic Evaluation Center.
The SAFE Center conducts forensic interviews in the least intrusive way possible, interviewing a child once rather than multiple times by different agencies. The one location provides an efficient way to investigate child-abuse cases, identify new leads and gather evidence.
Last year, the SAFE Center joined services with the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center, and now provides a multifunctional place for families to receive services pertaining to abuse, counseling, safety planning and other needs.
For more information, visit dcfas.saccounty.net.
AMERICAN RIVER PARKS PASS
The American River Parkway is a unique 23-mile natural resource that provides an escape from the stress of urban life and offers plenty of outdoor recreational amenities. The parkway is a public asset worth protecting and preserving—and you can show your support by purchasing a yearlong unlimited Parks Pass.
This convenient annual parking/day-use pass is great for joggers, bicyclists, and other outdoor and nature enthusiasts who frequent the parkway. The pass costs $50 per year—and pays for itself after 10 trips.
Parks Passes are sold at the American River Parkway Foundation office in the William B. Pond Recreation Area or online at arpf.org.
LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM
The Sacramento Public Library wants to help improve the reading level of all area youngsters through its Summer Reading Program now through Aug. 15.
The program is open to all ages—adults and their children or grandchildren can join at any time. And there’s the opportunity to win books and other prizes. For details on how to sign up, visit saclibrary.org.
SPARE THE AIR
The Sacramento region’s Spare The Air season is now in effect and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality District is asking all residents to check the daily air-quality forecast and adjust their driving when high ozone is projected.
A Spare The Air alert in the Sacramento region will be issued when the Air Quality Index for ground-level ozone pollution is forecast to reach 126 or above.
Clean air is up to all of us and we each need to do our part. When possible, drive less or use alternate transportation. To sign up for alerts and check forecasts from the Air Quality District, visit sparetheair.com.
MORE FLIGHTS AT SAC INTERNATIONAL
More options are now available at the Sacramento International Airport for summer travel.
Contour Airlines is flying nonstop from Sacramento to Santa Barbara every day. Sun Country Airlines offers nonstop flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul four times a week. And Spirit Airlines is giving Las Vegas travelers three more daily nonstops to choose from.
Last year, Sacramento International saw more than a 10-percent increase in passenger growth and served a record 12 million travelers. That translates into a regional economic impact of more than $4 billion annually generated by Sacramento County’s airport system. For more information, visit smf.aero.
Susan Peters represents the Third District on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. She can be reached at susanpeters@saccounty.net.