Blue Ribbon Awarded Shaded Ladies at the for Green Thumb Parasol Parade Page 2 Page 3 Volume 35 • Issue 21 Serving Carmichael and Sacramento County since 1981 May 22, 2015 The Final Salute Memorial Day Travel Highest in Decade Gala to Aid Nature Center Summer Travel Kicks Off With More than 4.4 Million Matsui and Kondos Chair Fundraiser for Parkway Gem Californians Expected to Travel SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - This year, Memorial Day travel is expected to mark the highest number of California travelers for this holiday since 2005, accord- ing to the latest holiday travel forecast. The travel survey projects nearly 4.4 million Californians plan on traveling 50 miles or more Page 13 this Memorial Day holiday week- end. This represents an increase of 4.6% from last year’s record highs. “A stronger economy and over- all lower gas prices have boosted Volunteer Has a consumers’ disposable income,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Heart Bigger than Northern California spokesper- son. “This summer travel season His Clown Shoes is starting off with great potential as many Californians are eager to take that long overdue weekend getaway.” It is projected that more than 3.7 million Californians will drive this upcoming holiday weekend, a 5.5% increase from last year. Air travel will increase by 2.6% compared to 2014 figures, with just over 419,000 Californians intending to fly to their holiday getaways. Approximately 294,000 Page 2 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of trans- portation, such as rail, bus, and Assemblyman Ken Cooley (far left), and Congress Member Doris Matsui (far right) will be among VIP sponsors to greet guests at the May 30th Effie watercraft. This represents a 3.4% Yeaw Nature Center art gala. Seventh Son Review decrease compared with 2014. Story and photo Nationally, it is estimated that by Susan Maxwell Skinner more than 37 million people will Couch Theater The Center has a special history in this commu- journey 50 miles or more dur- CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Now in its fifth “nity and the support of caring people keeps us ing the Memorial Day weekend, year operating as a non-profit, the Effie representing a 4.7% increase com- Yeaw Nature Center is preparing for its open and available for future generations. pared to last year. annual art-auction fundraiser with new Effie Yeaw Fund Developer Betty Cooper ” The AAA Leisure Travel Index patronage. shows that hotel rates at AAA Celebrity painters have donated can- Three Diamond lodgings are vases for auction at the May 30th Art the facility and its preserve welcome Bender adds to the celebrity lineup as expected to increase by 7% from Where Wild Things Are benefit. But the more than 90,000 visitors per year. Betty event emcee. An annual highlight is a a year ago, averaging $182 per best news for Effie Yeaw supporters is the Cooper notes, “The Center has a special sale of specially selected artwork under night. Weekend car rentals rates event’s endorsement by Congress Member history in this community and the support the hammer of David Sobon. Silent auc- will average $62 per day, $19 Doris Matsui and the VIP art team of Greg of caring people keeps us open and avail- tions will offer other award-winning work. more than last year. Airfares are and Moni Kondos. As honorary event able for future generations.” A portion of Before the date, these can be viewed at the falling 2% for the top 40 domestic Page 5 chairpersons, the team follows Supervisor funds raised on May 30th will provide free Sacramento Fine Arts Center on Gibbons flight routes, averaging $222. Muriel Johnson and philanthropist/artist Effie Yeaw science enrichment programs to Drive in Carmichael. These projections are based on Marcy Friedman in this role. schools that cannot otherwise afford them. A sunset supper and beverages are all research conducted by IHS Global “Just by being there,” says Effie Yeaw The Sacramento Fine Arts Center is part of the $60 per person admission. Insight. The Boston-based eco- Fund Developer Betty Cooper, “community a vital gala partner and the art show that Art Where Wild Things Are runs from 5 nomic research and consulting figures like Doris Matsui, Congressman supports the fundraiser will offer work p.m.to 8 p.m. at the Nature Center in Ancil firm teamed with AAA as part of Ami Bera, Assemblyman Ken Cooley, and from throughout Sacramento, juried by Hoffman Park. Table sponsors are wel- an agreement to jointly analyze Supervisor Susan Peters demonstrate that David Lobenberg. Celebrity artists include come. For information on the event, visit travel trends during major holi- the Nature Center’s work is vital.” David Peterson, David Lobenberg, Tim www.sacnaturecenter.net. days. AAA has been reporting on Administered by the American River Collom, Gregory Kondos, and Maria To learn about the Sacramento Fine Arts Natural History Association (ARNHA), Winkler. CBS-TV Weatherman Dave exhibition, visit www.sacfinearts.org. H Continued on page 6 Scan our QR Code for a direct link to our online edition! Find Your Favorite Variety at the PAID PERMIT 350 PERMIT US POSTAGE Chrysanthemum Sale Carmichael, CA PRESORTED STD. PRESORTED SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento Change Service Requested Chrysanthemum Society annual spring chry- santhemum sale will be held at Shepard Garden and Arts Center, 3300 McKinley Boulevard in Sacramento, on Friday, May 29th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday May 30th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a popular event and eager shoppers arrive early for the best selections and varieties. The members have grown a great selection of Lava, Spider Mum (Class 11A). Photo courtesy of Sacramento Chrysanthemum Society many of the popular varieties, including the exotic Feeling Green, Pom spiders, quills, and very large exhibition bloom Pom (Class 6B). Photo types. courtesy of Sacramento The plants are not currently in bloom and are Chrysanthemum Society identified by cultivar name and color and, in most cases, with a picture of the flower when in bloom. Club members will be available to assist with your selections. Primrose Supreme, Irregular incurve (Class 1A) (above). Photo courtesy of Sacramento Source: Sacramento Chrysanthemum Society H Chrysanthemum Society www.CarmichaelTimes.com 2 • Carmichael Times May 22, 2015 Blue Ribbon Awarded Volunteer Has a for Green Thumb Heart Bigger than Story and photos His Clown Shoes by Susan Maxwell Skinner Shriners Hospital Volunteer Recognized CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Having woodland for Exceptional Service beauty at your doorstep is reward enough SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Shriners Hospital volunteer for maintaining the acre of Carmichael Harry Norman was recently awarded the Doug Busath Lifetime known as “Pauline’s Garden.” Achievement Award at the Northern California hospital’s volun- But after a busy spring of cultivating teer recognition ceremony. The award is named in honor of Doug and sharing their retreat with hundreds Busath, who volunteered in the hospital’s Central Activity Area for of visitors, Pauline and Irv Faria recently 10 years after his grandson was treated at Shriners for severe burn gained another bouquet. The octogenar- injuries sustained in an ians earned a statewide award for their automobile accident. lifetime project. As part of 2015 awards, The award is presented California Garden Clubs (a federation annually to a hospital of 340 gardening clubs) commended volunteer to honor dedi- their property as an “Outstanding Private cation, commitment, and Garden.” joyful service to patients, The Faria garden represents the triumph families, and the entire of 50 years of green-fingered labor. In this hospital community. time, the couple turned a valley filled with Mr. Norman, win- oaks and brambles into the terraced idyll ner of the 2015 lifetime that is the pride of their Carmichael Creek achievement award, is neighborhood. While raising a family and affectionately known holding down full-time jobs, they nurtured Irv and Pauline Faria (center) received a statewide award for their Carmichael garden. Surrounding the couple are Sacramento Organic Garden Club members Linda Holmes, Beth Blair, and California throughout the hospi- hundreds of Japanese maple, dogwood, Garden Clubs representative Carlotta Wixon. tal as Hare Bear the and camellia trees (many from seeds) to Clown. Every Thursday form a cooling secondary canopy in the retained and shade plants thrive. Statues Through winding trails, garden tourists rain or shine, Hare Bear valley. Beneath this umbrella, moisture is and small ponds add to the vista. and many four-legged visitors seasonally traipse; Pauline’s Garden was certified 20 can be found greeting years ago as a Wildlife Habitat. On their families as they arrive path to the American River Parkway, deer for their clinic appoint- and wild turkey shelter their young. In ments. On his volunteer trees and in Irv’s many hand-made nest- days, he gets up at 4:30 a.m. to put on his clown Harry Norman is affectionately known ing boxes, new generations of birds are throughout Northern California Shriners hatched. face so he can arrive at Hospital as Hare Bear the Clown. Every The valley presents a stunning kaleido- the hospital by 7:45 a.m. Thursday rain or shine, Hare Bear can be He has volunteered at found greeting families as they arrive for scope in spring and in autumn. “We’ve their clinic appointments. Photo courtesy of had an incredibly lush spring,” notes Irv. the Northern California Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California “Many plants and trees bloomed for lon- Shriners Hospital since it ger than usual and the dogwoods and opened in April 1997, contributing more than 5,300 hours to the hos- cherry blossoms were spectacular.” In pital clinic and thousands of hours in the community supporting both April, the Farias’ two-day open garden Shriners and Shriners Hospitals for Children.