Fireworks and Fun on July

Congratulations to PLUS: Get the Most Local Students! Bang for Making the Grade for 2014 Pages 6,7 Your Buck Page 13 Grapevine ndependent VOLUMEI 4 6 • ISSUE 26 ProudLy SErving r AnCHO CORDOVA & Sacr amentO count y June 27, 2014 2014 Cordova High Sober Grad Night a Fireworks Huge Success! Celebrating America and Fun on July 3rd RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Independence Day celebration starts early in Rancho Cordova; it’s a two-day event full of family-friendly activities. Independence Day fun gets a jumpstart on July 3rd when the Page 2 Fourth of July Festival opens its gates at 4 p.m. with a full carnival, free Kids Zone with plenty Happy Birthday, of fun activities, beer gardens complete with musical enter- Happy City New tainment, and more. Festival food, exhibits, pedal boat rides Year, Happy on the Hagan Park ponds, plus a spin for the kids on the Bobble Independence Day Lagoon and Swan Lake boats make it a night to remember. The BMX Freestyle Team will present three exciting shows on the hour beginning at 6 p.m. Watch their breath- taking tricks and get a free bicycle helmet autographed by the riders. 27 Outlaws will play country tunes in the Beer Garden at 6 p.m. At 8:15 p.m., head to the out- door Main Stage concert venue Page 3 for music under the stars from “The flag of the United States is one of the most recognizable symbols on earth, more so than our monuments or presidents. From its creation, the flag Journey Unauthorized, a trib- has stood for freedom, liberty, and the prosperity of the United States. It was designed to accommodate the growth of a budding nation. Stars have ute band that is the next best been added, but it has retained the same significance. When you take your flag out to fly, hold it carefully, as it is a representation of our whole nation!” – Author Unknown thing to the real thing! Be Baja Experience in sure to bring a blanket or lawn Commentary by worn on our body and feet. We it had to take a national disaster to It has been over 10 years since chairs, and be ready when the Rancho Cordova Elise Spleiss have rugs we walk on, napkins to bring us a renewed appreciation of 9-11, so why is this topic becom- band rolls the crowd into the wipe our faces, and even cloth on our flag. ing important again? I believe it’s concert-ending fireworks mini There was a time not so long which we sit bears this precious Remember the photo taken of because everywhere we look today show—an eye-popping treat for ago when our flag, I believe, did image. three firefighters raising the flag in this country, we see on TV, hear the senses to get you warmed not have as much meaning as it This misuse remains, but on above the rubble of the World on the radio, and read in print how up for the Fourth of July. does today. It was just a part of our Sept. 11, 2001, we found our- Trade Center—raising the Flag our borders, our language, our Friday’s events include a 5K lives, and we took it for granted. I selves with a renewed respect and at Ground Zero? It was reminis- American culture, and our way of Fun Run, the 4th of July Parade, know I did. appreciation for our flag. cent of the famous 1945 WWII life are being compromised in the carnival rides, concerts, beer Growing up in the 50s and 60s, Following a catastrophic attack photo of six Marines raising Old name of political correctness. We gardens, domino tournaments, I assumed it would always be on our American values and free- Glory over Iwo Jima. Thomas E. are being led to believe that when the Kids Zone, and fireworks. around, always representing my dom, our pride suddenly—once Franklin, the photographer of the we’re too proud of our own way Be sure to pick up next week’s country, and always respected by again—exploded. new photo, said of it, “This was of life, of our freedom and unique- Rancho Cordova Grapevine- Page 3 our citizens. But unfortunately We saw our American flag on an important shot. It told of more ness, we are insulting another’s Independent to see the schedule this did not happen, and the flag homes, on posters in businesses than just death and destruction. It way of life. This is when it gets of Rancho Cordova’s 4th of began to be treated badly. Allowed of every kind, and on numerous said something to me about the dangerous. July events! H to fly unmanaged, never folded or pieces of clothing—which was strength of the American people We still welcome all who desire Source: Cordova Community brought in at night, many became still inappropriate. I think we just and of these firemen having to to come to this country with integ- Council dirty and tattered. Disgruntled did not know, but maybe for a battle the unimaginable.” rity as they embrace our culture groups burned flags in protest. moment it was all right. One of the three firemen in the alongside their own. We welcome Yes, this is legal, but still sad. And Of course, many of us remem- photo, Dan McWilliams remem- them as they learn our language, our flag began appearing on inap- ber those mammoth flags fluttering bered that as the flag was being and come to appreciate and love propriate items. from the windows of cars and raised, other fire personnel yelled, the American way of life that GOT MORE I never realized it, but we are trucks. Today I’m beginning “Good job” and “Way to go!” He already exists here as much as we LOCAL not supposed to wear a flag in any to once more see the fluttering said, “Every pair of eyes that saw do. We learn from each other. form, yet so many different items flags attached to the windows of that flag got a little brighter.” I This is what our flag means to NEWS? with this precious image are cre- vehicles. think this pretty much confirms me. What does it mean to you? H ated to be wrapped around us and It felt good then, but it’s too bad what our flag means to us. CALL 773-1111 Rotary Honors Rancho Cordova Police Officer RANCHO Cordova, CA (MPG) - Rancho positive role models for youth, and I community meetings and events at Cordova Police Sergeant Steve Dutra decided to give back to the program night on weekends, and volunteers his is the recipient of the “Service Above when I was provided with this oppor- time to coach the Junior Giant’s base- Self Award” that is given annually by tunity,” said Sergeant Dutra, who is ball team in Rancho Cordova. the Sacramento Rotary for outstand- a supervisor for the Rancho Cordova “Sergeant Dutra is truly one of ing community service by a public Police Department (RCPD) and the those individuals who bring passion official. Sacramento Sheriff’s East Patrol to the mission of public service,” said The award came with a $1,000 Division. Lieutenant Chris Pittman, Assistant prize that Sergeant Dutra donated to As a member of the RCPD Commander of the RCPD and East the Rancho Cordova Police Athletic Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Patrol Division. “He is a hardwork- League (PAL) program. detail, Sergeant Dutra oversees PAL ing, thoughtful and accomplished “I did this because I have seen in Rancho Cordova, supervises the leader within the community, and his how instrumental the PAL program School Resource Officer and Youth can-do attitude makes him a pleasure is and how it makes a positive differ- Services Officer programs, oversees to be around.” H ence in the lives of children within the the youth alcohol reduction program, Source: City of Rancho Cordova community. At the same time, it pro- and manages the crime prevention spe- Rancho Cordova Police vides officers with the chance to be cialist program. He routinely attends Sergeant Steve Dutra. www.RanchoCordovaIndependent.com Page 2 The Independent June 27, 2014 2014 Cordova High Sober Grad Night a Huge Success! By Sheryl Longsworth RANCHO Cordova, CA (MPG) - Thanks to the generosity of our numerous supporters and volunteers, Sober Grad Night for the Cordova High Class of 2014 was an enormous success! 203 seniors, which are approxi- mately 50% of this year’s graduating class, had a memorable night safely celebrating their accomplishments at Golfland Sunsplash in Roseville thanks to the generosity of the following donors and sponsors. Without their support, a majority of our students would be unable to afford a Sober Grad ticket because we would have to pass all $20,000 in costs on to our students, which would put the starting price of a ticket at $110. Because of our fund- raisers and donor/sponsor support, the starting price of a Sober Grad ticket is $75 and we have money for scholarships to assist our most financially-challenged students. The biggest thank you of all goes out to the Sober Grad committee comprised of Connie Farnsworth, Liane Sousa and Stacey Kingsley. I am also extremely grateful to Cordova High Site Captain Laura Sims and Sunsplash Site Captain Gracie Castillo for preparing and keeping their respective ends orga- nized and running as smoothly as possible. I would also like to thank the 40+ volunteers comprised of alumni, family, teachers and Drake Crump of US Bank, that helped Photo courtesy of Rae Lynn Flippo out at Cordova High to get the kids safely on the buses and being ever returned home to see their future’s through strong parent, family, and THANK YOU SPONSORS! vigilant keeping seniors safe at through, was very gratifying,” says community involvement.

Load more