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St Ignatius Parish School earns first place among California Catholic Schools

Assemblyman Niello Recognizes St. Ignatius Parish School Academic Junior High Decathlon Team

Posted: 8/7/2010

St. Ignatius Parish School earns first place among California Catholic Schools

SACRAMENTO/Arden Arcade - Assemblyman Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) honored St. Ignatius Parish School's Academic Junior High Decathlon team with the presentation of a resolution on the Assembly floor on Tuesday, July 20th.

Founded in 1989, the California Catholic Academic Junior High Decathlon is acompetition for students in grades six through eighth who compete in ten events, two of which are collaborative team efforts, eight of which are based on individual knowledge of a range of different subjects. The winning school team from each geographic diocese competes in a state championship the first Saturday of May each year.

Upon defeating 23 other teams from Catholic elementary schools in the diocese's Academic Decathlon, St. Ignatius won their bid to compete in the state competition held at Xavier Preparatory High School in Palm Desert. In the past three years St. Ignatius has won the local competition, making this their first win at the state level. In the 14-year history of the statewide event, St. Ignatius is the first team from the Sacramento Diocese to ever win first place.

Led by team captain, AnnaMaria Arostegui, the St. Ignatius Parish School Academic Junior High Decathlon Team's success was made possible by the hard-work and dedication of the following members; Gabriella Arostegui, Joey Arostegui, Nick Econome, Ryan Kenneally, Thomas Ryan, Sklyar Saca, Jacob Solis, Matthew Watson and Lexi Weis. The team's success was also made possible by coaches, Carol Walker and Elisa Arostegui, along with the efforts of other parents and teachers.

"Through an incredible amount of dedication to academic growth and achievement, the St. Ignatius Academic Junior High Decathlon team has made the Sacramento region proud." said Assemblyman Niello. "I was honored to recognize these talented students and wish them continued success in their academic futures."

California Capital Airshow Rewards Youth That Dream Big

From teaching a little girl to fly to awarding scholarships to youth with aviation dreams, the Airshow is honored to give back to its community

Posted: 8/7/2010

Copyright © 2000-2010 Mark E Loper Photography
All rights reserved markeloper photography

SACRAMENTO - As part of its community relations efforts and overall mission, the California Capital Airshow (CCA) recently, (June 25, 2010) fulfilled dreams of several aspiring young aviators throughout the Sacramento region. Yesterday, CCA along with several sponsors fulfilled the dream of 15-year old Carmichael resident, Angela Evans, of one day becoming a pilot. For a majority of her childhood, Angela has been battling illnesses and required to spend a considerable amount of time in the UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Recently diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, in addition to other life threatening illnesses, Angela aspires to be behind the controls of an airplane as pilot-in-command.

“This was truly a joint effort where our community partners came together to make a little girl’s dream come true. To see the sheer excitement on Angela’s face when she stepped out of the plane having never flown in her life was truly moving,” said Darcy Brewer, executive director of the California Capital Airshow. “The Airshow is honored to have the opportunity to show not only Angela, but the community-at-large that wishes really do come true. Our hope is that Angela’s story inspires children of all ages to dream big.”

Additionally, the Airshow recently awarded scholarships to seven college-aged students from the Sacramento region to help assist in their pursuit of aviation, aerospace, aeronautics or related careers. The 2010 scholarship recipients are: Blake Andrus, Peter Blomquist, Jake Daum, Michael McKone, Ana Mendivil, Victor Rice, Da Hyun Shim. Each recipient identified a true passion and timeline for achieving their career goal.

“Many people already know how to fly and are experts at it; I don’t want to be just another pilot, I want to contribute to the industry, give them something they didn’t have before, leave a mark and know that I gave back to the business that inspired so much passion in me,” said Ana Mendivil, future aviation manager.

“Over the past four years, we have awarded more than 65 scholarships to deserving students from our region,” added Brewer. “The California Capital Airshow strives to honor our past while inspiring our future leaders to do great things; with the help of local organizations such as the GenCorp Foundation, our scholarship program helps each of these winners do exactly that.”

To download high resolution photos from Angela’s flight visit http://www.markeloper.com/aviation/angela.html. Other high resolution Airshow photos are available online at http://californiacapitalairshow.com/press/.

Established in 2004, the California Capital Airshow has become one of the largest and highly- respected shows in the nation. As part of its community relations, the non-profit organization has awarded over 65 scholarships to deserving students from our region with an interest in aviation, aerospace, aeronautics and related fields. For more information about the California Capital Airshow, please visit www.californiacapitalairshow.com.

Tickets to the 2010 California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport are now available online and can be easily purchased at the Airshow web site, http://www.californiacapitalairshow.com/buytickets.php or at all SAFE Credit Union branch locations. The California Capital Airshow web site will be updated regularly with news, attraction information and more. Community members and attendees can also follow the Airshow on Facebook and Twitter (#calcapairshow).

Carmichael Dog Park Could Win $500,000 Makeover

Posted: 8/7/2010

Carmichael - It’s official! Carmichael resident Phil Rylett and his four-legged best buddy Zoe, are one of 10 finalists in the national Beneful® WagWorld® Dream Dog Park Contest, and the city of Carmichael could win a half million dollar renovation of a local dog park! To enter the contest, Phil shared his dream to create the ultimate dog park that his entire community could enjoy. If chosen as the Grand Prize Winner, his dream could help serve as inspiration for a $500,000 makeover of a dog park the Carmichael-area, which will be managed by dog lover, design expert and television host Jason Cameron.

Our dog-loving community can help Phil and Zoe’s dream come true as they enter the final judging round by voting for their favorite finalist. From now until August 11, 2010, the 10 finalist entries will be posted on benefuldreamdogpark.com for public viewing and voting. The public vote counts for 10 percent of the final judging score. To get even more tails wagging, anyone registering for WagWorld.com, a Beneful Web site, and casting a vote will also receive a free dog toy from the Beneful brand (while supplies last).

Playing frisbee, climbing on rocks and exploring on an adventure trail are just a few activities that Zoe, a four-legged resident, likes to do with his owner and best friend Phil Rylett. Together, they shared their ideas for the ultimate dream dog park by entering the Dream Dog Park Contest. Phil said “An adventure should be more than darting back and forth from shade to shade in a dusty enclosure. It should be a time for dog and owner to share a time of fun and companionship.”

This first-of- its kind contest invited dog owners to celebrate the special relationships they have with their four-legged friends by creating a video that answered the question: If you had $500,000 to create the ultimate dream dog park for you and your best buddy, what would you do; and writing an essay explaining how a makeover of a neighborhood dog park could enhance their daily adventures. Zoe and Phil’s inspiring entry described the creative ways they would transform their park into the ultimate dream dog park and ultimately earned them a finalist position.

After the contest entry period ended, 10 finalists were chosen by a panel of judges based on the following judging criteria: 1) Creativity of entrant’s idea to enhance their daily adventures with their dog at a neighborhood dog park (60%), 2) Feasibility of bringing the idea to life (20%), 3) Effectively demonstrates how life is better together with their dog (20%).

The 10 finalists’ videos will be posted on benefuldreamdogpark.com for public viewing and voting from July 19 – August 11, 2010. To get even more tails wagging, individuals who register and cast a vote will receive a free dog toy from the Beneful® brand (while supplies last).

In September 2010, a celebration event will take place in the Grand Prize Winner’s hometown at which the Beneful WagWorld Dream Team’s blueprint design for the dream dog park will be unveiled

After the Grand Prize Winner celebration event in September, the Beneful WagWorld Dream Team, led by Jason Cameron, will begin work on the transformation of the dog park. Pet expert and bestselling author Arden Moore rounds out the design team and will help to manage the dog park transformation from the dog’s point-of-view. The much anticipated unveiling of the newly renovated park will take place in spring 2011.

WagWorld.com is a Beneful® Web site where dog lovers can find and share everyday adventures with their dogs. Visitors can find dog-friendly places to visit, add their favorite spots to go with their canine best buddies, write reviews and more.

Charles C. Jensen Botanical Gardens - Nature Path for the Blind

Posted: 8/5/2010

Carmichael Recreation and Park District invites you to join us for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony displaying the newest development at the Charles Jensen Botanical Gardens. It is created for the blind or low vision and individuals with physical challenges. The pathway leads to seven interpretive signs with the featured plant identified in Braille. After you stroll along the pathway, enjoy the waist-high planting bed which is easily accessible to all. Printed and Braille plaques describe the various species on display, concentrating on their non-visual features. Visitors are invited to touch, rub, and smell the fragrant leaves of many different plants.

The project was inspired by a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Jacqueline Coffroth. The District also recognizes the Friends of Jensen Botanical Gardens, Carmichael Geranium Club, Regina Brink with the Society for the Blind, and Alex Surette, Eagle Scout Project.

Visit our website at www.carmichaelpark.com to read more on the background of the Nature Path for the Blind at the Charles C. Jensen Botanical Gardens. When: Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 8520 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Carmichael, CA 95608. For more information call (916) 485-5322

Carmichael Resident Joins Cristo Rey High School Sacramento Board of Directors

Cristo Rey High School Sacramento, a private college preparatory school where students help pay for their education through an innovative work-study program, has announced that Sr. Gabrielle Marie Jones, RSM, of Carmichael has joined its Board of Directors. Jones is a member of the Sisters of Mercy.

Cristo Rey, which started with its first class of students in 2006, is part of a network of private Catholic high schools that provides college preparatory education for students of limited means.

A key part of the program is that students work one day a week at an employer, learning valuable life skills and helping to pay the cost of their education.

“We appreciate the willingness of community leaders, such as Sister Gabrielle, who share our vision for innovative, high-quality education,” said Ward Fansler, president of CRHSS. “I look forward to working with the Board of Directors to build on the great work that has been done at Cristo Rey.”

Cristo Rey currently has a coeducational student body of 250 students in grades 9-12 from Sacramento, Yolo and San Joaquin counties. In June 2010, the school will graduate its first class of students.

About Cristo Rey High School Sacramento
Cristo Rey High School Sacramento opened its doors in 2006. The school provides a unique work-study program in which all students gain valuable workforce skills, develop a strong work ethic and generate income to pay for approximately 50 percent of their tuition. CRHSS offers a Catholic college preparatory curriculum; co-curricular activities including music, art and athletics; and a rich spiritual tradition including liturgies, retreats and Christian service. The school is one of 24 high schools of the Cristo Rey Network® and is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Jesuits. For more information, please visit www.cristoreysacramento.org<.

About the Cristo Rey Network®
The Cristo Rey Network is comprised of 24 high schools that provide a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to 5,892 urban young people who live in communities with limited educational options. Most of our students qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program. Member schools utilize a longer school day and year, academic assistance, and counseling to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college. All students at Cristo Rey Network schools participate in a work-study program through which they finance the majority of the cost of their education, gain real world job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of their education. Learn more at www.cristoreynetwork.org.

Time to Get Control of the Thundering Herd

By Trent Loos

The Calico Mountain Range consists of 550,000 acres, and the official Bureau of Land Management range scientist there has said the area can sustain 600 head of horses.

In this arid desert region, however, it takes 1,000 acres of rangeland to sustain a horse year in and year out.

After the most recent round-up, the official number of horses counted in Fallon was 3,040, which is only allowing 180 acres per horse. One need not be very sharp in the animal husbandry area to figure out how that does not bode well for the horse.

Granted, the BLM has some very knowledgeable range scientists and horse experts, but their hands are tied by legislation and they simply can't do what they know needs to be done.

The weekend following the roundup, brought a rally at the state capitol in Carson City, Nev., with a reported 100 people protesting the horse gathering from the range. The Calico gathering was supposed to have be held in early fall, but because of earlier public protest, it did not happen until in the end of December. Then, these protestors spoke out about how the weather now made it tougher on the horses.

Why is it that the very people who restrict the government from managing these horses properly cannot be charged with animal neglect? Are they not preventing BLM officials from giving the horses the care they need to survive and thrive?

All of the regions designated for wild horses hold nearly three times the number of horses that the range can handle properly.

At this point the solution from the Obama Administration has been an increase of $12 million in the BLM budget for horse management. I don't understand how that is going to help. Are we going to continue to allow these horses to be mismanaged and grow in number for no reason whatsoever?

Even more concerning is that the BLM budget contains an allocation for $42.5 million in land acquisition funding to purchase another wild horse preserve. If this continues much longer, we will need to buy up the whole nation just to find feed for these wild animals, which fewer and fewer people are interested in adopting.

I enjoy seeing wild horses as much as anybody, but a little bit of animal owner responsibility must come into play.

The solution is not to increase the budget and increase the horse population. The solution is to finally get a backbone and explain to the "wild horse lover" that while we like to have some wild horses around, there comes a point in time when we need to slow the growth and also sell some horses.

We encourage people to spay and neuter their pets, so why not control reproduction in these herds as well?

In the big picture of government spending, I realize that this is just a blip on the radar screen, yet take a blip here and blip there, and suddenly, we have a thundering herd that is running completely out of control.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Trent Loos is a sixth generation farmer/rancher from Loop City, Neb., and founder of Faces of Agriculture, a group dedicated to presenting the facts as related to agriculture. Loos also is a broadcaster and can be heard on 100 radio stations nationwide as well as on Dish 9411 each weekend morning. He is a columnist for Feedstuffs and a partner in Feedstuffs FoodLink.

History Comes Alive at Sutter’s Fort!

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The 2010 season of “History Live,” a vibrant and interactive historical experience, begins anew on Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Visitors have the opportunity to meet pioneers who left their homes and braved the journey to Sutter’s Fort at the dawn of the California Gold Rush. Hands-on activities led by experienced docents change daily and include blacksmiths, bakers, doctors, vaqueros and more at this midtown Sacramento historic park.

Most people think of a “fort” as a place meant to keep people out, but John Sutter’s Fort was a central gathering place for a diverse group of people. Farmers, merchants, weavers, gunsmiths, candle makers, all sought their fortunes in the Sacramento Valley. During the special “History Live” program, visitors are encouraged to meet, ask questions and talk with individuals who made California what it is today.

In fact, talented craftsmen and women started their new lives with very little managed to build thriving homes and businesses from their starts at Sutter’s Fort. Experienced sailors ran ships up and down the Sacramento River shipping the bounty of the inland valleys to the towns on the coast.

Special “History Live” characters include those who built California and offer an opportunity for visitors to see, hear and talk with these early pioneers of our state. In addition to the “History Live” activities, visitors are also invited to stay the day and experience all that Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park has to offer.

Operated by California State Parks with financial assistance from the nonprofit Friends of Sutter’s Fort, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located in midtown Sacramento on L Street between 26th and 28th Streets, the Fort offers special events, Living History and Demonstration Days programs throughout the year. Established in 1839 by Swiss immigrant John Augustus Sutter, Sutter’s Fort was at the center of a flourishing agricultural empire named New Helvetia (New Switzerland.) This empire established Sacramento’s earliest settlement and the first European settlement in California’s Central Valley. For more information, call (916) 445-4422 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/. Special Event Admission: Adults $6.00; Youths ages 6-17 $4.00; Children 5 and under are FREE!

Getting Ready For Some Spring Cleaning?

Sacramento County Reminds Residents to Properly Dispose of Rubbish

Do you have old sofas, broken or old appliances, and other types of rubbish or landscape debris taking up space in your garage? Sacramento County Department of Waste Management and Code Enforcement is reminding residents about the many options they have to get rid of rubbish and bulky items.

“It is important that people dispose of their garbage in a safe and green manner,” said Paul Philleo, Director of the Department of Waste Management and Recycling. “Whether you take your garbage to a County facility, or call us to make an appointment, the County is ready to help you dispose of rubbish safely.”

Disposing of rubbish legally also helps prevent illegal dumping. Did you know that if illegally dumped trash is traced back to you, you could be held liable even if you didn’t do the dumping? That’s why it important to be sure to hire a licensed rubbish hauler to protect you, neighborhoods and the environment.

“Illegal dumping contributes to blight, drives down property values, encourages additional illegal dumping, is harmful to the environment and costs tax payers thousands of dollars to remove the junk and rubbish,” said Carl Simpson, chief of Sacramento County Code Enforcement.

There are three disposal options available:

• Make an Appointment – The Department of Waste Management & Recycling provides its customers with a once-a-year pick up of bulky waste by appointment. Call 875-5555 to schedule a pick up if your collection service is Sacramento County.
  
  
• Do It Yourself – There are several licensed facilities where you can dispose of junk and rubbish for as little as $20 a load. To find out more about these facilities, visit http://www.sacgreenteam.com/facilities/default.htm
  
  
• Hire a Licensed Hauler – Contact the County’s Business License Unit at 874-6644 to verify a hauler license, or visit http://www.illegaldumping.saccounty.net/

A Day at the DMV

The Man Who Wanted to say Something
By Perry Hartline

Thursday, February 11, was chill and amber-gray. Leaning against a wiry tree in the Carmichael DMV parking lot flipping through paperwork. I looked up at a stocky, muscular, middle-aged man in a plaid shirt, Wranglers and work boots. In high school he was the guy on the offensive line you didn’t want squinting at you.

He curved to a beaten bronze pickup, the bed piled with power tools and covered with a dingy canvas tarp. It was this cavalryman’s horse, his HummVee, his BFV; not beautiful but proven and dependable. Reading a sheaf of papers, he stopped, stared, and slapped them with the back of his hand, annoyed. Pulling the door open he slipped in and sat half-turned, one leg on the pavement, reading. Lifting his head, he blinked at the rain spotted window, and slowly slipped out, still reading, heading to the concrete box that DMV buildings come in. He stopped on the roadway, facing the mob leaning towards the entrance. His mouth moved, but nothing came out. He stiffened, standing straight. “Listen to me a minute! You got nothing else to do anyway,” he croaked. “I need to tell you something!” People strained to not see him. Pausing, he cleared his throat. “Folks, I need to say something to you!” The mob waiting, drinking coffee from the 7-11, smoking, talking, eating donuts, working crossword puzzles, and reading, shifted, preoccupied. “This ain’t America anymore!” He waited for it to sink in. “And this ain’t California anymore!” He aimed a thick palm at a bundled, bell-shaped lady and spoke directly. “Ma’am, you know what I mean. I know you do. These kids need to learn it!” Perplexed, she nodded. The mob turned, curious. A couple of tattooed teens, smoking, fixed on him.

“You two young guys don’t know what they’re doing to you, what they’ve done to all of us. You’re young!” Pointing at the concrete building, “You’ll go in there and get a number, hoping you won’t wait more than an hour, or an hour-and-a-half, to talk to someone. You’ll pay thirty bucks or a thousand bucks for something that used to cost a few bucks and ought to still cost a few bucks. How many of us are here? Fifty? Seventy? Maybe another hundred inside? It’ll average out to $200 or $300 each – and this is just the first hour!”

He had my attention. Watching his back, I checked the rear of his truck for the typical anti-tax, anti-government bumper stickers. There were none.

He took in a deep breath and exhaled words. It was the low, heavy song of a bull. Opening his arms he lowed evenly, “Life wasn’t always like this! Sure things were tough, they’re always tough! That’s life. But the people that ran things then weren’t making it harder for us, not like now. The government was on our side, once!” The man-bull waved an arm at his pickup. “They want $350 for my truck! My truck! Look, it ain’t new!” Taking a step forward, tapping his chest, “I work on it myself. I need it to make a living, and I don’t have the money to pay ‘em!” Everybody was facing him. “I’m California born and raised. I went to the schools when they were good. I joined the army. I got married, and got a job when there were jobs to get.

Pointing at the building, “It ain’t the people workin’ in there’s fault, it’s everything that put them there and tells ‘em what to do and how much to charge and makes us stand in line to get it. It’s the banks that took our money and wasted it, and drained the money out of our homes. And it’s the government that gave the banks the money. It’s spent now, but they want to keep spending it, so they’re printing more.”

His confidence was up. “Listen to me! You got to say No! Slightly embarrassed, his eyes poked the mob as he searched for words. They flew out. “Hide your money! Work for cash! Trade your abilities! Do what you need to do to protect yourself and your family. It’s up to us! I’m leaving. Me and my wife are going to start planning a way out of California today!”

"Where ya’ goin’?” one of the tattooed teens asked in a curious voice.

“I don’t know. It don’t matter. The weather here ain’t that good!”

The mob giggled. They were with him, then, bobbed like penguins moving a few more inches to the entrance. A young Mexican string bean under shining curly black hair, hands in pockets, laughed. “Yeah? But where to?”

“You got to leave to find it.”

A voice rose from the mob, “Ain’t no place you can go no more, it’s over, pops!”

“No it ain’t! No it ain’t! NO IT AIN’T! Sayin’ that means you accept it! You’re givin’ up!”

Standing mid-line a tall silver-haired lady, graceful as a heron in fur hat, dark jacket and slacks, cleared her throat. “Sir, in the end it’s up to us. It’s our responsibility. It always is.”

“Yes, Ma’am. You’re correct.”

The crane-lady waited a moment. “My husband and I love Arizona. We can’t sell our home…” she added. Folding her arms, looking down at the points of her shoes, “Not now. We’re stuck.”

The man-bull nodded to the crane-lady. “I understand, Ma’am. I surely do.”

Quietly he continued, “I’m not a churched man, but I believe in God, and I don’t hate no one. I hope he looks after you and everyone you love.” He turned dark-red, mortified at his foolishness and his poor words. “Good luck to all of you.” He turned whispering, “I needed to say somethin’. I had to say…somethin’. I-I’m sorry.” His words floated on the air and he hurried to his truck. “You did good, pops!” a young male voice from the mob called. “Good luck!” The crowd muttered agreement. The Bull-man raised his hand without looking back.

He slipped into his seat and rattled away in his battered pickup. The mob quietly turned, focusing on the concrete box they had yet to get into.

DMV Unveils New iPhone Application

iPhone users will now have DMV information and services at their fingertips with a new DMV iPhone application called “DMV Now.” The California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) created an application that will allow iPhone owners the ability to find a local office with the actual wait time and provide turn by turn directions based on the GPS location of the iPhone, take sample written driving tests, access a large library of DMV driver education videos and access other important DMV alerts.

The entire process of building the DMVNow iPhone application took only ninety days from inception to approval from the Apple Corporation and the DMV is the first state agency to build an application in-house keeping costs to a minimum. DMVNow iPhone application is free to iPhone customers and is available at the Apple applications store. As of July 2009, there were roughly 6.4 million iPhone users in the United States.

DMV Director, George Valverde said “Since millions of people own iphones and other Apple wireless devices we thought this would be a great way to make DMV that much more convenient and accessible to customers. More people are depending on their hand held mobile devices for information and we hope to build more DMV mobile applications in the future for other wireless device companies.”

Don’t Stand In Line, Go Online! Doing business with the DMV has never been easier. The DMV offers an array of services to customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through its Web site (www.dmv.ca.gov), including online appointments for written and drive tests; vehicle registration and driver license renewals, selection of personalized license plates, changes of address and payment of fees via secure debit transactions.