FROM THE FOLSOM RANCH LIVING TEAM
Greetings, Folsom Ranch Community!
Welcome to the July/August issue of Folsom Ranch Living! As summerreachesitspeak,we’reexcitedtobringyouavibrantmix of stories and updates that celebrate our wonderful community. This issue is packed with everything from local events and outdoor activities to tips for staying cool and hydrated during these hot months.
In this edition, we highlight the latest developments in our neighborhood, including the much-anticipated opening of new parks andcommunityspaces.You’llalsofindinspiringstoriesfromour residents, showcasing the unique talents and passions that make Folsom Ranch such a special place to live.
We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm. Your feedback and contributions are what make this magazine truly reflective of our community spirit. As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions for future issues.
Your Voice Matters: Share your dreams, your stories, and your hopes with us at folsomranchliving@gmail.com. Let’s continue building a legacy that shines brighter with each passing season.
With gratitude,
The Folsom Ranch Living Team
Managing Editor
Ahrash Zamanian
Managing Editor
Scott Davenport
Social Media
Luis Cantos
Art & Layout
Donnell de Leon
Cover Photo
Mona Cantos
Contributing Writers & Photographers
Alayna Wagner, Luis Cantos, Scott Davenport, Christopher Pritchard
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The Royal Prints www.theroyalprints.co
For information and/or advertising you can reach us at folsomranchliving@gmail.com
The information provided by Folsom Ranch Living ("we," "us,"or "our") in this magazine and our digital version is for general information purposes only. All information in this magazine and our digital version is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy adequacy, validly, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information in this magazine or on the digital version. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF INFORMATION IN THIS MAGAZINE OR THE DIGITAL VERSION. YOUR USE OF THIS MAGAZINE AND DIGITAL VERSION ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND YOU MAY USE THE INFORMATION SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY
ICONNECT WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS
n theageofdigitalconnection,fosteringasenseofcommunity has never been more vital. Our hyper-local magazine is excited to introduce a new way for you to connect with your neighborsandshareyourinterests,hobbies,andlocalnews–all through our exclusive Linktree QR code.
Get Started in 3 easy steps!
1. SCAN THE QR CODE
2. EXPLORE LOCAL WHATSAPP GROUPS
3. JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Have a Group Idea? We Want to Hear It!
We believe in the power of community-driven initiatives. If you don't find a Whatsapp group that aligns with your interests, fear not! We're open to creating new groups based on your suggestions. Whether it's a dog lovers' club, a recipe exchange, or a jogging meetup, your ideas can become a reality.
To propose a new group, simply shoot an email to FolsomRanchLiving@gmail.com and suggest your group idea and let us know the purpose and interests it will cater to. We'll work to create the group, and you can watch your community grow!
Let's build a stronger, more connected neighborhood together. Scan the QR code, join a Whatsapp group, and start making meaningfulconnectionsrightatyourfingertips.Yourcommunity is just a click away!
NEW SCHOOL YEAR…
New School… New Principal at Alder Creek Elementary!
With a new school year just beginning, there are always lots ofnewfaces.Newstudents,new teachers, and in Folsom Ranch, a brand new school - Alder Creek Elementary!
Veteran Principal Sara Parenzin is now at the helm of the TK through fifth grade school set to open on Thursday, August 8thwiththestartofthe2024-2025school year. Parenzin is looking forward to the challenge of a new school. “I’m excited to be at Alder Creek where we can create a positive school culture and a legacy of academic excellence,” Parenzin said. “We have a gorgeous building, we have put together an incredible team, and our plan is to build an environment where the students and families of Alder Creek can grow and thrive.”
Ms. Parenzin was most recently the principal of Empire Oaks Elementary where she served since 2019. An educational leader in our District, Ms. Parenzin has served Folsom Cordova for 22yearsasateacherandadministratorin both Folsom and Rancho Cordova, at the elementary and secondary levels. She led Empire Oaks into California Distinguished School status, was recognized an ACSA Administrator of the Year, and has held National Board Certification in teaching English Language Arts.
Parenzin was principal at Mather Heights Elementary for three years prior to accepting the position at Empire Oaks.
Her first teaching job was at Mills Middle School where she taught English Language Arts and Social Studies. Parenzin also worked at the Folsom Cordova district office as the English Language Arts curriculum specialist and was involved with professional development for teachers across the district. In 2016 she divided her time as assistant principal at both Russell Ranch Elementary School and Cordova Villa Elementary School. “I am so grateful for mytimeandvariedexperiencethroughout this district. Folsom Cordova is truly an exceptional school district with outstanding leaders, mentors, colleagues, and families.”
Parenzin is a native of Sacramento having attended El Camino High School. After high school she spent four years at Pepperdine University in Malibu where she began her college experience with a major in liberal arts. After Pepperdine she received her master’s degree in Education at Sacramento State University. In addition, Parenzin has achieved National Board Certification, NBCT, which recognizes accomplished teachers. It is considered to be the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education.
When she’s not at school, Parenzin said she and her husband, Fred, who recently retired from a career in law enforcement, enjoyhikingandotheroutdooradventures with their three dogs. Sara said she is an
avid trail runner and has even completed a couple of marathon races.
As for advice for parents to help their children be successful in school, Parenzin said reading with any age child is vital. She also advocates for parents to involve themselves with lots of play with their childrenasthisiswherechildrencanlearn about social interactions and character development. “I strongly believe that parents are their child’s first teacher,” she said. “Parents should talk to their children no matter the child’s age and always ask them open-ended questions such as ‘what do you notice,’ and ‘what do you wonder,’ even if it’s just a conversation about the weather.”
Parenzin said she plans to focus on academics as well as school culture at Alder Creek. Her leadership style is highly collaborative and she said she likes to keep her staff connected and motivated. She said she particularly enjoys spending time engaging with students, whether it be in the classroom, out at recess, or in the lunchroom. “I’m looking forward to building relationships with students and families. We are eager to establish a school culture where students feel a sense of significance, belonging, and fun. While the new building is beautiful and state-of-the-art,it’sreallythestudentsand staff who will bring it to life. It’s going to be an incredible year!”
THE BEAUTY OF A WELL-MAINTAINED FRONT YARD A
COMMUNITY EFFORT
― SCOTT DAVENPORT ―
Awell-kept front yard does more than enhance the curb appeal of our homes; it contributes to the overall beauty and harmony of our neighborhood. As homeowners, we share the responsibility of maintaining our front yards, and this collective effort brings numerous benefits to our community. Whilesomeneighborhoodsinourareaare part of an HOA others fall into the standard CC&R's that the city of Folsom has for its residents.
ENHANCING STREET APPEAL
First impressions matter. A tidy, attractive front yard not only reflects pride in homeownership but also uplifts the entire street. When each homeowner takes a little time to weed, mow, and tidy up their yard, the cumulative effect is a visually appealing neighborhood. This shared commitment can foster a sense of community pride and mutual respect among neighbors.
BOOSTING HOME VALUES
Realestateexpertsagreethatcurbappeal plays a significant role in home values. According to studies, a well-maintained front yard with strong curb appeal can
increase a home's value by 5% to 11%. A neighborhood with well-maintained properties is more desirable to potential buyers, which can drive up property values. By taking care of our front yards, we’re investing not only in our own homes but also in the financial well-being of our neighbors.
CONTROLLING RODENTS AND PESTS
Overgrown weeds and untidy yards can provide hiding places and food sources for rodents and pests. Regular yard maintenance helps mitigate this issue, creating a healthier and safer environment for everyone. A community that prioritizes cleanliness and orderliness is less likely to struggle with pest infestations.
FOSTERING NEIGHBORHOOD TIDINESS
A clean, orderly neighborhood promotes a sense of tranquility and well-being. When we all take pride in our surroundings, it sets a standard and encourages others to do the same. This mutual effort can lead to stronger community bonds and a shared sense of responsibility.
Maintaining our front yards is more than a
personal task; it's a contribution to the collective beauty and harmony of our neighborhood. By keeping our yards tidy and free of weeds, we enhance street appeal, boost property values, control pests, and foster a sense of community. Let’s take pride in our homes and work together to create a neighborhood we can all be proud of.
KEEPING MICE AND VOLES AT BAY
EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR GARDEN AND BACK YARD
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Gardening in our beautiful neighborhoodisajoy,butitcanbe marred by the presence of unwelcome guests like mice and voles. Thesesmallrodentscancausesignificant damage to plants, lawns, and even the foundations of our homes. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to manage these pests, ranging from natural methods to synthetic options. Here's a guide to help you protect your garden and backyard.
NATURAL SOLUTIONS
1. Encourage Natural Predators: Birds of Prey: Installing owl boxes and perches can attract hawks and owls, which are natural predators of mice and voles.
Domestic Animals: Cats and dogs can be effective in keeping rodent populations under control.
2. Habitat Modification:
Remove Cover: Clear away dense vegetation, tall grass, and debris where rodents can hide. Keeping your yard tidy reduces shelter options for these pests.
Limit Food Sources: Store birdseed, pet food, and compost in rodent-proofcontainers.Cleanupfallenfruitsandnutsregularly.
3. Repellents:
Natural Repellents: Sprinkling substances like cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or peppermint oil around the garden can deter rodents. Planting aromatic herbs like mint and rosemary also helps.
Ultrasonic Devices: These emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant to rodents but harmless to humans and pets.
SYNTHETIC OPTIONS
1. Rodenticides:
Bait Stations: Using bait stations with rodenticides can effectivelyreducerodentpopulations.Ensurethatthesestations are tamper-proof to protect children and pets.
Tracking Powders: Thesepowdersadheretorodents'furandare ingestedduringgrooming,leadingtotheirelimination.Usethese with caution and follow all safety instructions.
2. Fumigants:
Professional Use: Fumigants are highly effective but should only be applied by licensed professionals due to their toxicity and the need for specialized equipment.
Combining multiple strategies often yields the best results. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) involves monitoring rodent activity, identifying problem areas, and employing a combination of natural and synthetic methods to manage pests effectively. This approach minimizes the reliance on chemicals and promotes a balanced ecosystem.
Managing mice and voles in our gardens and backyards is crucial to maintaining the health and beauty of our outdoor spaces. By using a combination of natural and synthetic solutions, we can protect our plants and homes from these peskyinvaders.Whetheryouprefereco-friendlymethodsorneed the power of synthetic treatments, there's a solution for every gardener in our community.
POOL OF THE MONTH
Designer: Kyle Willis Supervisor:: Elder Quinteros
SHAH MEET THE FAMILY
The Shahfamily’sjourneyfromIndia to the United States is a tale of love, resilience, and community. Sagar and Shivani, both originally from India, began their love story not back home, but in Sacramento, California. Shivani, who had moved to Cameron Park inherearlyadolescence,wasvolunteering to help recent immigrants when she met Sagar- a reserved Engineering masters student. Their relationship blossomed quickly. Shivani taught Sagar how to drive and cooked him meals reminiscent of home. Within three months became a couple. Sagar completed his masters at CSU Sacramento, and in 2012, the two were married.
Thefamilygrewwiththebirthoftheirson, Ayaan,(7)in2016andthentheirdaughter, Anya, (5) was born in 2019. Ayaan is known for his selflessness, often supporting his classmates with patience and encouragement. He dreams of becoming a baseball player and an engineer. Anya is a lively and surprising spirit who aspires to be an art teacher.
Shivani is a dedicated dental hygienist, a profession that aligns with her values of service. She is known for her ability to calm anxious patients, a skill exemplified by a memorable moment during her training. Sensing something amiss with a patient in hygiene school, she gently
probedandfoundouthehadnoteatenfor three days. “Treating someone with an emptystomachisnotsomethingIcando” she explained, explaining that she bought him lunch herself.
Sagar is described by his wife as very supportive, protective, and as someone who stepped out of his comfort zone by immigrating and finding love. He said he always intended to stay in the United States and chose California for the weather, affordable education, and the connection his university had with opportunities at Intel. Sagar grew up surrounded by dozens of cousins and has found joy in bringing both of his children back to India for a 3 week trip in summer 2024, watching his children expand their culinary horizons, participate in new activities, and learn to love travel. The couples son, Ayaan, has bonded with his father over their love of Cricket.
Sagar and Shivani had lived in Folsom north of Highway 50 from 2015-2021, and looked at over 30 homes before being cajoled by their realtor to take a chance in FolsomRanch. Theysharedthatforthem, having a home backing up to the trail with access to wildlife viewing and a view of thefuturecommunityparkwastheselling
point that pushed them to finally say “YES!”. For Sagar, he also has hopes of enjoying Cricket matches and tournaments at the planned, regulationsized field behind their home. The family has truly found their home and has invested in making new friends and new traditions here.
GETTING TO KNOW THE NEW DOCS ON THE BLOCK
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN A VETERINARY HOSPITAL IN FOLSOM RANCH?
We are 5 regular people who banded together to create a privately owned veterinaryhospitaltohelpimproveaccess to veterinary care while reducing wait times for those pets needing to be seen. All of our veterinarians are partners in this project and we have a minimum 1 partner on site every day, 7 days a week to ensure ourteam,clientsandpatientsgetthecare and attention they deserve.
The 5 partners have a combined 5 decades of experience in the veterinary field and bring a blend of urgent care, emergency and surgical skills to our facility along with robust experience in veterinary dentistry and preventative/ wellness care.
WHAT SETS YOUR VETERINARY HOSPITAL APART FROM OTHERS IN THE AREA?
We are open 7 days a week, including holidays,from8amto8pm.Whilewehave several doctors everyday, We have a minimum 1 doctor daily with an entire team and no scheduled appointments. That 1 team is truly there for urgent-care only cases. Additionally, we offer regular appointments daily and have an entire dentistryandsurgicaldepartmenttomeet your needs every week.
While we are proud to offer a bit of a different set of services and availability, we are also different because we want to work WITH your regular veterinarian should they be too overbooked to get you seenquickly.Clientscancallouroffice,be seenthesameday,andfollowupcarecan then be sent back to your family veterinarian should that be preferred by the client. FVRH is here to work with the entire community, especially surrounding veterinary hospitals as we are all in this together.
WHAT RANGE OF SERVICES DOES YOUR HOSPITAL OFFER?
We offer wellness/preventative medicine, urgent/emergency care, advanced dentistry and surgery services to our patients. Additionally, we have access to round the clock pathologists, radiologists with monthly access to traveling radiologists, boarded surgeons and cardiologists.
HOW HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN FROM THE FOLSOM RANCH COMMUNITY SINCE YOUR OPENING?
In a word? Exceptional. Not only do we feel that the community has been responsive and appreciative of our mission but surrounding hospitals have been very kind in allowing us to participate in the care of some of their patients. It has also been special to see how happy our team members are at FRVH, something we really wanted to focus on as this profession is extremely challenging and stressful.
CAN YOU SHARE A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR STORY WITH A CLIENT OR PET THAT STANDS OUT SINCE YOU’VE OPENED?
On our 2nd a grateful client came in, without a pet, and gave me a great big ole hug and said thank you for taking the chance and opening this place in Folsom. She said this facility had been needed for quite some time and she knew it was going to help a lot of families in the area. I haven't stopped thinking about that interaction since.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS?
We have 3 veterinarians with robust knowledge and experience in surgery, dentistry, urgent and emergency medicine along with other important areas such as dermatology, ear infections, foxtail removals, ophthalmology, internal medicine and orthopedic medicine. Whatever the problem is, one of us has probably seen it and has experience in working the problem. If we haven't seen it, we have relationships with surrounding specialists to get the best plan together for that pet.
We have 6 department heads that run theirowndivisionsatFRVH,withatotalof 35 veterinary professionals to serve our community 12 hours a day, everyday.VH has had over 700 applicants. We have hand-selected these 35 because of their hearts, minds, skills and passion for this project and this community. Ever growing,
we look forward to continuing to add the kindest and brightest professionals to our team.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU’VE FACED IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OPERATION, AND HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THEM?
We had no idea how busy we would be when we first opened. The first week had some ups and downs, but since then we have been steadily getting busier. We've been able to handle being busy, earlier than we thought, by having 35t team membersinplaceandhavingthepartners on site daily to make sure EVERYONE has the support they need to work through the cases. Before opening, we started our team's training in the weeks prior to ensure we were ready for the challenge. We truly believe this made a huge difference in our ability to respond to the needs of the community.
CAN YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL APPROACH TO WORKING WITH ANIMALS AND THEIR OWNERS?
We adhere to the Fear Free initiative and believe in reducing stress before, during and after veterinary visits. We built FRVH in a way to hopefully help pets and their parents forget they are at a veterinary clinic, which can be an inherently scary place. We feel that if we can make veterinary visits just a little less intimidating, then patient care and client satisfaction thrives
DO YOU OFFER ANY SPECIAL PROGRAMS OR DISCOUNTS FOR NEW CLIENTS?
We offer first free doses of parasite prevention to puppies and kittens being seen at FRVH, along with a robust beverage and snack bar for our clients and patients while they wait in our lounge or exam rooms. We also offer very generous rebates to our clients who are purchasing parasite prevention medications in 6 and 12 month supplies
Dustin Noack, DVM
Veterinarian and Co-Founder
Folsom Ranch Veterinary Hospital and Urgent Care folsomranchvet.com
Office: 916-936-1130
Cell: 559-999-5781
Photo Credit: Christopher Pritchard @chrispritchard.photography
4TH OF JULY BIKE PARADE
HIGH SCHOOL DECISION DELAYED BY FCUSD
In October 2023, FCUSD began reconsidering the master plan for future schools within the district, specifically the location of the next comprehensive high school. What followed were months of community meetings, social media efforts, grassroots organization, political engagement,researchabouttaxratesand school capacities, and of course, the appointment of a community committee to provide recommendations to the FCUSD school board about new schools withinthedistrict. Thoserepresentingour neighborhood on this committee included Dianna Laney, Sung Park, Santosh Sangras, Amy McBride, and Alayna Wagner. The committee findings are:
1. Measure M should be ended, and a district-wide bond should be on the ballot in 2026.
2. Rio Del Oro should receive equitable funding for a school facility, possibly an
Since December 2023, the topic of police coverage for Beat #5 covering all of the Folsom Plan Area south of Highway 50 has been a topic of conversation at city council meetings, Coffee with a Cop events, and on social media. Staffing was thin due to slow hiring and multiple officers being out on various leaves of absence, resulting in shifts in Beat #5 only being covered 149 days of the year, per Folsom Police Chief Hillman. Followingthepassageofthecity budget on June 25th, six new positions will be filled by the Folsom Police Department with the direction given to Chief Hillman to use the new positions to balance staffing Beat #5 and establishing a Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). On June 28th, four officers graduated the police academy and in early July, two additional officers returned to work from their leaves of absence. With all of these changes in staffing, the Folsom Police Department now anticipates full coverage forallfivebeatsintheCityofFolsomfrom July 5th moving forward.
alternative trades high school.
3. The next comprehensive high school will be built in Folsom Ranch.
However, the school board then ended their session for the summer without discussing or voting on the recommendations made by the committee. Naturally, the fact that over 80%ofthestudentswithinSFID3residein Folsom, per FCUSD Facilities Planner JoAnne Blaisdell, paired with the two Folsom High schools being over planned capacity by 500+ students already and 800 additional seats still available at Cordova High School per FCUSD capacity certifications signed by Chief Operations Officer Matt Washburn, would suggest that a decision does not need to be delayed for additional information. The efforts of the community have been effective but the individuals who are on
the FCUSD school board will ultimately be the ones to make this decision, and our area is represented by outgoing trustee Tim Hooey who lives north of 50.
BEAT 5 GETTING POLICE DEPARTMENT COVERAGE
CITY BUDGET BENEFITS FOLSOM RANCH PARKS PROGRESS
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The Folsom City Council was presented with a proposed budget by the City Manager, Elaine Anderson, at their May 28th meeting. The proposed budget included a new city employee position for a second Parks Planner, specifically to address the development of new parks in Folsom Ranch. With Prospector Park expected to be complete Fall 2024, the sole city Parks Planneristurningattentiontothenextcity park to be developed, north of 50 next to Vista Del Lago High School, named Benevento Park. Hiring a second parks planner allows the renovation needs north of Highway 50 and the new park needs southofHighway50tobothbeaddressed at the same time, as opposed to one delaying the other. While the hiring and
training of the new park planner will take time, the overall result will be expedited development of parks in our area. Rest assured that community workshops will be held in due time to discuss which park amenities will be prioritized at each park site-similarly to how the plans for Prospector Park were modified with onsite, neighborhood workshops.
Shortlyafterthebudgetwasapproved,the city council was also able to approve the final design and engineering contract for the Mangini Ranch Trails, the first phase of the trails to be developed by the city south of highway 50. These trails are primarily Class 1, with 12’ pavement and
2-4’ shoulders, with some smaller areas beingcompletedaspavedpathswitha5’ width.Thecityanticipatesthecompleted work product to be in-hand by the end of July,andconstructionisnowexpectedto begin Fall 2024; previously, construction was expected in Spring 2024 but there were delays in the property being deeded tothecityandthecompletionofadjacent roadways. The area of trails being developed is bordered by East Bidwell, Alder Creek Parkway, Savannah Parkway, and White Rock Road.
HOMES SOLD IN FOLSOM RANCH
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