River, Roads, Parks Come Clean Never, Ever Community Schedules Housekeeping Projects Page 2 Forget Page 2 Volume 35 • Issue 37 Serving Carmichael and Sacramento County since 1981 September 11, 2015 WATERING TREES IS WISE, NOT Looking for WASTEFUL Concert Celebrates Solutions 40 Years for Community Community Forum Addresses Homeless Problem Page 3 ATHLON SPORTS INSIDE COLLEGE CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - The FOOTBALL Carmichael Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free community forum to dis- cuss the homeless problem in Carmichael, which is a concern for both local businesses and residents. The forum, which will feature a panel discuss and offer the opportunity for questions, will be held at the La Sierra Community Center (5325 Engle Road) on Thursday, September Mission Oaks Recreation and Park District staff join Director Debby Walker (front center), who will retire during a September 13th celebration for the 24th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. district’s 40th birthday. To reserve your seat, please RSVP at www.carmi- Page 17 Story and photo Illustration chaelchamber.com, click on by Susan Maxwell Skinner far-flung district contains 16 parks. “I loved the community and wanted to By contrast, her district’s Swanson the “Events” tab, and then Community Center (Northrop Avenue) caters choose “Community Forum CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - serve all age groups,” says the retiree. “I cre- It is not quite a case ated our first senior programs and advocated largely to young people from low income on Homeless Problem in of mission accomplished. More like mission HIGH EXPECTATIONS for the building of Mission Oaks Community homes. “The neighborhood is home to 25% Carmichael” and register your ongoing. Center to house them.” Opening in 1982, of our district’s residents,” explains Walker. attendance. A BYPRODUCT OF September 13th festivities will recognize the center offered cooked meals on its first “Youth activities were greatly needed. We For questions or more infor Mission Oaks Recreation and Park District’s - WISHFUL THINKING day and has continued the tradition ever partnered with the Sheriff to provide pro- mation, contact the Chamber at (MORPD) four decades in business. The since. “We never thought of our customers grams that made a difference to hundreds (916) 481-1002. event is also a farewell to retiring District as seniors,” recalls Walker. “We were pas- of families. The wonderful thing about a Source: Carmichael Chamber Administrator Debby Walker. Rocking with sionate not to be known as a Bingo and cards park and recreation career is enhancing peo- of Commerce H celebrations, San Francisco-based tribute center. We took our seniors rafting, hiking, ple’s quality of life and helping create happy band Petty Theft will present a 5–7 p.m. and on cross-country skiing trips.” memories for them.” END OF THE concert at Gibbons Park. Children’s activi- Walker’s retirement will include helping ties are included and food trucks will offer More than 900 customers use the center’s programs each week. It is also dance-central with her family’s Lodi vineyard and vol- refreshments. for the light-footed. “We started weekly band unteering for church, school, and Sheriff’s BENCH The administrator’s retirement spearheads programs. “I’ll still be active,” she explains. jam sessions at the YMCA in 1976,” Walker Sheriff's a reunion for past and present district staff- recalls. “People soon turned up to dance. The “I’ll never retire from community service.” ers, who are invited to the park community BY GERRY SCHOLL musicians called themselves the MOB— Anyone may attend MORPD celebrations center from 3 p.m. Community Mission Oaks Band. When our center at Gibbons Park on September 13th. The Page 14 Walker was appointed recreation supervi - opened, the MOB moved in with its danc- park is located at 5701 Gibbons Drive. Learn sor as MORPD began operations in 1974. ers. We now host three live-music dances per about district events at www.morpd.com. H Meeting Straddling Carmichael and Sacramento, the week.” Fish Derby for Disabled Persons SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Carmichael Kiwanis Club and California Fly Fishers Unlimited, along Scan our QR Code for a with Sacramento County’s Therapeutic direct link to our online edition! Recreation Services (TRS), are hosting CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - their annual fun-filled Fish Derby and The Carmichael Sheriff’s BBQ lunch, a free event for individ - Community Meeting will meet uals of all ages with disabilities. This on Tuesday, September 15th fun event will be held on Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Del September 19th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Campo High School Library, at Hagan Community Park (2197 4925 Dewey Drive in Fair Oaks. PAID Chase Drive in Rancho Cordova) at This meeting will provide an PERMIT 350 US POSTAGE Carmichael, CA PRESORTED STD. Picnic Area B4, located in the back of updated report on crime and the park. other issues in the Carmichael Change Service Requested Pre-registration is required to be community. There will also be included in the lunch count and free time to share concerns or ask entry into the park. Participants will questions. also need to have a completed TRS Source: Carmichael Chamber Enrollment Form on file before sign- of Commerce H ing up. Call (916) 484-2044 or email [email protected] if you need a form. Limited supervision will be provided, so families and care provid- ers are encouraged to attend with the Individuals of all ages with disabilities are invited to attend a free Fish Derby and BBQ lunch at Hagan We participants. Community Park on September 19th. Participants should bring a fishing Support pole, hat, sunscreen, and lawn chair. (Fishing poles will be provided for 1. Guaranteed Delivery of the Carmichael Times Our those who need one.) Participation 2. Guaranteed Delivery of The Sunday Sacramento Bee Triple Play! 3. And One Free Car Wash includes lunch, fishing instruction, and from QUICK QUACK Car Wash ($ 99 Tennis Player 6 value) Read & Feed Program from Arden Hills Wins National Digs In As Librarians “Little Mo” Get a great deal on this 6 month subscription for only: Military prizes. Go Agrarian Title in Texas Page 9 Page 4 Source: Therapeutic Recreation Volume 34 • Issue 45 Serving Carmichael and Sacramento County since 1981 November 6, 2013 00 Services, Sacramento County What Is The Veterans Memorial H World’s Fastest Commemoration STARS Shine at Planned at Earl J. Animal? Koobs Nature Area CARMICHAEL, C A. ( MPG) - A $ memorial service will be held in San Juan Fundraiserthe Earl J. Koobs Nature Area located in Carmichael, between San Juan Central (previously Garfield Elementary) and the La Sierra Community Center on 5325 Engle Road. Gates to the 25 area will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Color Guard Ceremony will be at 11:00 See inside for details Page 2 a.m. The Color Guard will be by local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Venture Crew. The Earl J. Koobs Nature Bera Gets Area started with a teacher’s off-hand suggestion in 1971 and local high school students’ Back to His perservance in purchasing 4-1/2 acres in Carmichael as a nature Doctor Roots and environmental studies area. Even then-Governor Reagan and President Nixon donated to the students’ cause. A California ecology grant helped pay the bal- ance. The area was later named for Mr. Koobs, now called “Ranger Jack”, the biology teacher who planted the idea. The Vietnam Memorial is especially intriguing. In 1973, while many were still in dis - belief of America’s losses, the Page 9 nature area’s symbol became a memorial to 14 students from La Sierra High School who died for Broadcaster Beth Ruyak (left) welcomed VIPs at a San Juan Education Foundation gala. Receiving alumni awards our country. This, the first known were Justice Gordon Liu, Lt. General John Goodman, Fox News correspondent Laura Ingle and Nobel Prize 7 Healthy Tips winner David Wineland. Vietnam Memorial in California, was made in metal shop by stu - Words and pictures by Laura Ingle attended El Camino (Bella Vista); Assemblyman dents remembering their own For Air Travelers Susan Maxwell Skinner High. Lt General John Goodman Roger Niello (Encino); Olympic classmates. (also a former NFL star) spent swimmer Debbie Meyer (Rio In 1988, the nature area was Q: What do a Nobel Prize win- his athletic teens at Encina. All Americano) and baseball legend almost sold for lack of use and ner, a California Supreme Court grown up and diversely distin - Dusty Baker (Del Campo). interest, but a community group, judge, a decorated Marine and guished, the four were honored A 2011 winner, Timothy B. “Save Our Soil” rallied. They a network broadcaster have in at Arden Hills Country Club. Schmit (Encino) rose to fame established it as an educational common? Over 300 supporters applauded with rock super-band The trust and preserved it future A: The VIPs all graduated from the returning alumni. Celebrity Eagles. Schmit donated a gui - generations. San Juan School District high host at the seventh annual tar – autographed by Eagles Don On Nov 10, 1988, there was a schools. At a recent Carmichael event was television and radio Henley, Glenn Fry and Joe Walsh special re-dedication of the La gala, they jointly entered the star Beth Ruyak, herself mom and himself – for the 2013 auc - Sierra High School Memorial District’s Hall of Fame. The sev- to two Rio Americano gradu - tion. Nail-biting bidding brought featuring B.T. Collins, a disabled enth annual Evening with the ates. “The honorees are the link bids to $2,500.