Arden-Carmichael News

December 26, 2013 | www.valcomnews.com

Arden-Carmichael News — Bringing you community news for 22 years —

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World’s Best Comics Cartoons and Toys offer reward

See page 17

The Spyglass.............................................

3

Former ‘Disco King’ speaks about his work as paranormal investigator...................... 11 Jesuit physics teacher earns fellowship. ...... 14 Calendar.......................................................... 16

Happy New Year!

Locals share memories of 2013, hopes for 2014 See page 5

‘59 Arden Park Little League All Stars shared memories at luncheon See page 8

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E-mail stories & photos to: editor@valcomnews.com Arden-Carmichael News is published on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Newspapers are available in stands throughout the area.

Publisher....................................................................... George Macko General Manager......................................................... Kathleen Egan Editor............................................................................... Monica Stark Art Director......................................................................John Ochoa Graphic Designer.............................................................Ryan Wunn Sales Manager.................................................................Patty Colmer Advertising Executives: Linda Pohl, Melissa Andrews, Jen Henry Distribution/Subscriptions....................................... George Macko Copyright 2013 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc. All rights reserved.

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Vol. XXII • No. 24 2709 Riverside Blvd.

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A beautiful sunrise along the river Photo by Adam Stark

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The Real Santa and other Winter tales

By J.J. Millus Hope you had a merry little Christmas, Spyglass fans.

Avoided coal in your stocking, did you? Well, now that the major frenzy has abated somewhat, it might be the perfect time to say a few words about the origin of the customary Christmas jollity, old Saint Nick and the “real�

Santa Claus. Wouldn’t you agree? Only thing is, there are so many stories and legends about this saint that we would be presumptuous in picking out one that might be called definitive. We know about the red velvet suit, the white beard, the jolly ho-ho-ho’s, of course. And we’re vaguely aware that we have been celebrating the birth of the Savior. The Christian churches without a doubt mention this fact in sermons at this time, but the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th always

seems to slip under the radar and be gone in a flash.

Well, once upon a time there was a child born in a little town on the Turkish coast in the third or fourth century A.D.--of that we’re pretty sure.

He led a pious life as an early Christian--although in those rugged times without emergency phone numbers, or even emergency .38 Smith & Wesson’s, a man had to be able to take care of himself. OK, so he managed to acquire a little reputation as a two-fisted guy, strong-willed and not known to suffer fools gladly. In the cause of keeping Christian doctrine correct and pure, he was even known to cold cock a bumptious fellow or two who begged to differ with him on the right and wrong teaching of Master Jesus.

One of these was an actual bishop, and it was famously

done in the presence of the Emperor Constantine. The prelate had the temerity to declare that Jesus “wasn’t divine enough.� Pow, right in the kisser! This boldness in the defense of Christianity led eventually to his elevation to the position of Bishop of Myra. Thus the red velvet garments, perhaps white rabbit- or ermine-trimmed, a funny-looking hat, and a young (perhaps elfin-faced) servant or two. These were the marks of a bishop at that time. With rolling luggage carts or backpacks centuries away from being invented, people carried goods in sacks slung over their shoulders. They also carried a staff for support and protection. There was an acute shortage of sidewalks and smooth roads, feral dogs ran around freely, and a long, stout walking stick--like a shepherd’s crook or crosier-was a good friend, we might easily conclude. And, just as today, most men in that part of the world sported beards which, with age, became long and white. And so the popular Santa image we recognize today was beginning to evolve.

Santa, or “Holy� Nicholas (Claus in German, as his fame spread northward and as he came to be known) was also--to be fair--renowned for his kindness and generosity to children. Legend has it that he threw gold coins or lumps of gold in an open window when he heard a father praying out loud for a dowry for his unmarried daughters so that they might

entice young men to marry them. Hence the three golden globes which are a sign of pawnshops to this day, remind people that they could obtain cash loans based on their jewelry or other valuable possessions, plus a measure of faith and trust and a prayer to the saints. Over time the three globes or balls See Spyglass, page 19

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Locals share memories of 2013, hopes for 2014

By LANCE ARMSTRONG Lance@valcomnews.com

As local residents are preparing to ring in the New Year, it is certainly a timely endeavor to find out what a few of these people, and some visitors of the area, think about 2013 and what their hopes are for the upcoming year.

And in following through with this idea, the ArdenCarmichael News spent a few hours interviewing people around the Arden area.

Portions of their answers, many of which were very straightforward, are presented, as follows:

Michael Cortopassi

In speaking about 2013, Arden area resident Michael Cortopassi said, “It was a bad year. I lost my job, I’m on unemployment, got to move, you know, all that. I’m just hoping to get back on my feet (in 2014) and enjoy life. My New Year’s resolution is I’m going to try to stop cussing. I’ve got a real bad potty mouth.”

Will Vunibola The first person approached by this publication for this article was American River College student Will Vunibola, an Antelope resident who was visiting the Arden area.

Vunibola said that what sticks out in his mind about 2013 is this winter’s weather, which he referred to as “unusual.”

And in regard to the upcoming year, he added, “Hopefully, there are more job openings.”

Photo by Lance Armstrong

Eighty-three-year-old River Park resident Gene Geraty, shown with his pair of walking sticks, said that he hopes to meet his goal of having a better year next year than he had in 2013.

Gene Geraty

Bret Johnson

Eighty-three-year-old River Park resident Gene GeraArden area resident Bret ty, who walks an average of five Johnson did not speak kind- miles per day, took a break from ly about the fading year, as he one of his walks in the Arden said, “I hate pretty much ev- area to speak about 2013. erything about (2013).”

Gene, who is a member of But he added that for 2014, he the East Portal Bocce Club is looking forward to graduating in East Sacramento, said that from Sacramento State University. 2013 was “a bad year” for him,

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because Marilyn (Hilliard) Geraty, his wife of 58 years, passed away on Jan. 26.

In discussing his goal of working toward having a better year, Gene said, “In 2014, hopefully I can get to a better place than I’m in now.”

Gene added that he is appreciative of his supportive family and friends.

Pete Tencati Pete Tencati chose to direct his answer beyond 2013 and 2014 and toward the topic of the future revitalization of downtown Sacramento through a new, major entertainment and sports facility.

“I hope and pray that finally they straighten up downtown,” said Tencati, who complimented Vivek Ranadive and Mark Friedman’s involvement toward bringing a new arena to Sacramento. “If they have this deal where they vote on the arena and everything like that, I pray to God that they lose. I hope that the arena goes in. It will bring in jobs. It will revitalize the whole core area, like (in) San Diego and so many other places.”

cial advocate for child and foster care systems. I’ve been doing stuff that’s meaningful. So, 2013 was a good year and I look forward to 2014 and being able to do more things like golfing, taking guitar lessons and some art lessons, traveling.”

Eric Celaya East Sacramento resident Eric Celaya said that he is focused on assisting his daughSee New Years, page 6

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Linda Sabraw In reviewing 2013, Arden area resident Linda Sabraw said, “I had a better 2013 than 2012, because my husband died in 2012.

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New Year’s:

apy. (For 2014), my resolution is to stay focused in Continued from page 5 school and just have fun. I’m ters to obtain careers through hopefully going to be a physcollege educations. ical therapist somewhere and “We would like our (two) help people get back to movdaughters to finish college ing around.” and be what they want to be and be more successful than Ray Martin (their parents),” said Celaya, a 1981 graduate of San Juan Arden area resident Ray High School.

Martin said that despite some As opposed to making “family challenges,” 2013 was any New Year’s resolutions, “generally good” for him.

Celaya, who overcame a seAnd he added that he hopes rious health issue, said that to have an even better year in he is instead continuously 2014 and beyond. concentrating on improv“For me, I’m looking foring his health and appreci- ward to better things coming ating his life. in the future,” Martin said.

Kate Culley Eighteen-year-old Kate Culley, a Bay Area native who now resides in Sacramento, said, “(Two thousand thirteen) was a good year. I started college at Sac State, so this is my first semester.

I’m a kinesiology major with an emphasis in physical ther-

We go up on the coast – Santa Cruz, Olema, Point Reyes, Calaveras Big Trees, Big Sur. And we went to Tahoe for our (11th wedding) anniversary, swam in Lake Tahoe.

We’re going to Hawaii on the 28th (of December) and we’re looking forward to that.”

Jeff Berger

Jeff Berger was brief in his response, as he said, “I thought 2013 was better than 2012, economically that Photo by Lance Armstrong is, and I’m hopeful that 2014 Sacramento State University graduate student Amanda Chastain had an eventful can be better, because (the 2013 that included beginning graduate school, obtaining a new job and economy) certainly is not establishing a new relationship. great. And personally, I want to lose 25 pounds.” year. I think that it was kind ate who attends Sacramento of a challenging year, but at State, also shared her recolLisa Roe the same time, I think it was lections of 2013, as she said, In discussing her highlights Jenelle Taylor very enlightening for me.”

“For me, (2013) was eventof 2013, River Park resident Another Arden area resAnd although she said that ful. I started graduate school Lisa Roe, who grew up in ident, Jenelle Taylor, who she did not make any New (studying behavioral analysis) Chico, said, “Well, my son ran graduated from Florin High Year’s resolutions, Taylor and it was my first year not cross country and he loved School in 2006 and is pres- added, “I want to get more working seven days a week. I it. He’s in the 5th grade. We ently majoring in Spanish at focused on my studies and I had my first summer off since had some great camping trips Sacramento State, said, “I also want to better my rela- I was 16. (The summer) was in the summer with friends. think 2013 was an interesting tionship with Jesus Christ full of Jet Skiing, boating and and get better spiritually.” was the best real summer ever.

It was new job, new boyfriend, first summer, and starting Amanda Chastain school. (The year) was very Amanda Chastain, a 2008 eventful. I don’t really know if Folsom High School gradu- 2014 can top it.”

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’59 Arden Park Little League All-Stars shared memories at luncheon

By Steve LaRosa

It all began with an email from my friend and client Allan Davis. As I make my living in PR and advertising, I’ve been handling the publicity for the much-anticipated Milagro Centre, which he and wife Nancy are developing and which is coming soon to Carmichael.

Allan wasn’t writing me this day to talk about Milagro, however. He had more important matters in mind…the 50-plus year reunion of his 1959 Arden Park Little League All-Star team. I was mildly intrigued, so I asked Allan for a little more info, like, how successful were they…how far did they get?”

“Well, we beat Roseville and then went up and played Auburn, who beat us,” answered Davis. “That was the team that went on to the Little League World Series.”

Now, Sacramento can be a small town, especially if you have a long history here. Allan and his teammates do. So do I. I told Allan I would submit a story to the Arden-Carmichael News if I could bring a guest. Allan, being his typical amenable self said, “Sure, who is it?” I went on to tell Allan that my former roommate

Shown here is a photo of the 1959 Arden Park Little League All-Star team. Teammates recently met for a lunch reunion in the Arden area. Back row, left-to-right: Danny Segalis, Jeff Boroski, Chuck Cusack, Ric Williams, Rick Niello, Gary Foster, Eric French, Don Murphy. Front row, left-to-right: Coach Geandrot, Jack Stansfield, Jimmy Olson, Allan Davis, John Fuller, Bob Geandrot, Warren Bernoff, Coach Drennen.

See Little League, page 10

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Little League: Continued from page 8

played on that Auburn team that was the nightmare in their field of dreams.

We agreed we’d keep Tom’s identity a secret and reveal it at the luncheon at Piatti’s. So here’s the line-up that was present that day. Please hold your applause till the end or rattle your paper if the notion hits you.

Playing left field, retired San Juan School District teacher and administrator, Ric Williams. At catcher, Don Murphy, CEO/retired of the Optima Company. On the mound, Rick Niello, President of the Niello Company.

At second base, developer Allan Davis of Milagro Properties. In centerfield, dentist Jack Stansfield. Playing 3rd base, retired administrator from the San Juan School District, Eric French. Also in attendance at the luncheon were Steve French and George Cate. They played with these guys, but not on this particular team. The afternoon of the reunion, they were happily warming the proverbial bench.

When I explained to the team why I was crashing the party they were very welcoming. When I gave them the clue that Tom Owens, my former roomie, grew up in Auburn, he not surprisingly received a chorus of raspberries.

And then the stories started flying.

In their first outing against Roseville, the Arden Park gang had Rick Niello on the mound. Arden Park won that game, 4 to 3.

The former all-stars attribute much of their success to the fact that in summers previous they would spend long hours playing pick-up games in La Sierra Park, even creating their own sandlot league, which they dubbed “The Continental League.”

Riding high on their win over Roseville, it was on to face the Auburn Little League, home of the legendary Bob Sunada. Said Ric Williams,“He was a manchild.” According to Owens, his teammate, “When Bob would hit one out of the park, it would go beyond the 200 feet marker in centerfield…it would sail over the pines beyond the fence...you could hear the gasps come from the visitors’ bleachers.” Said Williams,“I was shocked anybody 12 years old could hit a ball that far. It went deep into the trees.”

In the early innings, Sunada hit a pair of those towering solo home runs, which put Auburn up by two. Arden Park’s Don Murphy hit a two-run rocket, which tied the game in the fifth inning.

One of the amazing things about the luncheon include the recollections 50 years since. Tom Owens remembers Murphy’s blast. “It was a line drive 30 feet above the fence.”

Murphy incidentally went on to play with the Detroit Tigers.

Alas, that was the final hurrah for Arden Park, as Auburn scored three more run in the bottom of the fifth, sealing the fate for the boys of summer, “Arden Park edition.”

10

Shown from the left: Allan Davis, Steve French and Jack Stansfield enjoy each other’s company at the 1959 Arden Park Little League All-Star team reunion.

Ric Williams, Don Murphy, Rick Niello and Allan Davis share memories of the 1959 Arden Park Little League All-Star team at a recent reunion.

With some melancholy Eric French recounted the experience.“It was like going to Mars to play Auburn…we’d never traveled like that…and I remember that in the days after my Dad brought out his transistor radio so that we could listen to Auburn playing in the World Series.” Added Don Murphy, “We always thought it could have been us.”

As the party was breaking up, it was reminiscent of that famous film footage of the last surviving members of the Civil War gathered together for a reunion.

Handshakes and good wishes were exchanged, despite the battle wounds suffered on the diamond. Allan Davis submitted one last request. “I’d like the readers to contact the paper if they know the whereabouts of anyone else on the team not present today.” Perhaps another reunion looms. The only question: Will they invite Auburn’s Owens?

Arden-Carmichael News • December 26, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Eric French and Tom Owens look at photographs of the 1959 Arden Park Little League All-Star team at a reunion lunch held in the Arden area.

One of the scrapbooks that was brought to the 1959 Arden Park Little League All-Star team reunion.

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Former ‘disco king’ speaks about his work as a paranormal investigator

By LANCE ARMSTRONG Lance@valcomnews.com

Editor’s Note: This is part three in a series about former Sacramento disco king, Paul Dale Roberts.

In continuing with the story of the life and times of the former Sacramento disco king Paul Dale Roberts, following the death of disco, Roberts evolved into a new persona.

Far from his days when his dancing attracted crowds at local clubs and he traveled around in Rolls Royces with an entourage, Roberts is now recognized as one the nation’s leading paranormal investigators.

But more than a basic paranormal investigator, he became a Fortean investigator, which is a person who investigates all things paranormal, from ghosts to UFOs to cryptids.

Before Roberts explained how he became a paranormal investigator, he noted that he receives many paranormal hotline calls from people in the Pocket area.” “ There are paranormal books that make claim that many new homes in the Pocket area became haunted due to the fact that these homes were built over Portuguese cemeteries,” Roberts said.

Although, with research, one can easily discover that the majority Portuguese pioneers of the Riverside-Pocket area were interred in the old St. Joseph’s Cemetery at 2615 21st St., it is likely that these books are instead referring to old Indian burial grounds.

In speaking about this delicate topic, Pocket resident Dolores Greenslate, who serves as the historian of the Portuguese Historical and Cultural Society, said, “ There was no Portuguese cemetery in Sacramento. We had a number of (Indian burial grounds) in the Pocket and Riverside area. Two of them that I know of are one on the Manuel Alvernaz ranch and then on the neighboring King Brown property, where his (two-story) home was located (to the immediate north of the Alvernaz ranch) on a mound.

The mound was an Indian burial ground. That’s the one when they constructed (Interstate) 5 and they hit this mound, they had to tear down the old house – it was the old Brown house – and when they did, bones went flying all over the place. They didn’t even bother askValley Community Newspapers, Inc.

ing anyone what that was, and if they had, most of us could have told them that that was an Indian burial ground. Anyway, they brought the whole Interstate 5 (project) to a halt until they figured out what they were going to do.”

After being asked the golden question of how he became a paranormal investigator, Roberts chuckled, then said, “Oh, yes, where do I begin? When I was a child, I lived in a haunted house on Effy Street in Fresno. I heard a young woman call my (middle) name and she was trying to beckon me into the orange grove. She was saying, ‘Dale, come here, Dale come here.’ I saw flying skulls in my bedroom. I was violently shoved into a heater. My mother heard me coughing one night and she came into my room and looked possessed and gave me a teaspoon of poison by accident.

I vomited the poison up. She was horrified and we moved out of this home. After moving out of this home, things got better and I remember meeting (William Boyd, who played) Hopalong Cassidy at a parade in Fresno and my life seemed normal again. I learned later in life that children have psychic abilities up to the age of 8, and then most lose those abilities. (That is) why you hear about children having imaginary friends. I was still haunted about that house on Effy Street, so I started reading every book I could get my hands on in regard to the paranormal. I was reading Brad Steiger books, ‘Chariot of the Gods’

by Erich von Daniken, etc.

“In 1973, I went into the Army and became a military cop with the Criminal Investigation Division, Drug Suppression Team. This is where I learned to be an investigator. I was also a private investigator with my own company, called Silhouette Enterprises. I was not very successful as a private investigator and I allowed that to phase out in my life.”

Roberts said that his curiosity about the paranormal continued through his disco years, and that he became interested in UFOS during his latter Army years.

“I was stationed in Seoul, Korea – Yongsan Barracks – Photo Interpretation Center – Korea,” Roberts said. “At PIC-K, I worked with image interpreters and we studied aerial reconnaissance pho-

Photo by Lance Armstrong

Paul Dale Roberts presents a selection of publications featuring his paranormal related writings.

tos of North Korea and Red China. On one particular day, six photos came in. The photos were of a variety of UFOs taken by reconnaissance satellites in outer space. On the back of all the photos, there were two words: ‘intelligent movement.’ Each photo represented a video that went with each photo. I assigned a number to each photo and sent the photos up the line to the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) and they eventually went to the CIA, and I heard nothing more about it. Military Intelligence honed my skills as a future paranormal investigator and I didn’t know in 1981 that I would ever became a paranormal investigator, but everything was leading me down a path toward this career. Later, I became an OPFOR (opposing forces) Army instructor teaching the Soviet Threat, which taught me the ability to lead a large group of people. This would be needed to lead my large group of HPI (formerly Haunted and Paranormal Investigations/now Hegelianism Paranormal Intelligence) investigators.”

Roberts said that he later began dating a ghost hunter and that since he was already a writer in the comic book industry and knew a lot about the paranormal, she invited him on an HPI ghost hunt.

With his introduction to HPI, Roberts met HPI’s then-owner

Shannon McCabe, who took an interest in Roberts’ experience as a writer.

In speaking about that time in his life, Roberts said, “(After) I told Shannon McCabe that I was a freelance journalist, she Googled me on her laptop, saw the many comic book articles I wrote, grabbed my arm and said, ‘I love the press.’ Shannon showed me how to use the equipment and I wrote my first HPI paranormal article that was published in two British magazines and (on) 14 ghost (related) Web sites.

“Shannon was so pleased at the results, she sent me an e-mail and cc’d her staff. She told me that I was going to be HPI’s ‘ghost writer,’ core group member, and she would teach me how to ghost hunt. I replied to Shannon that I would love to join them on a few occasions here and there, but I was too busy with the comic book industry. Shannon sent me a private message and explained to me that right now the paranormal is hot and I should allow my comic book industry partner and vice president, Richard Vasseur, (to) handle the business for a couple of months. Well, Richard has been running my comic book Web site, (www.jazmaonline.com) for eight years now, and now I am the owner of HPI International and still investigating, writing paranormal articles and writing books.”

www.valcomnews.com • December 26, 2013 • Arden-Carmichael News

11

How do you look in Yellow?

Volunteer educators share time and talent at the Sacramento Zoo The Sacramento Zoo is looking for Docent volunteers for 2014! If you’ve spent time at the Sacramento Zoo, you have undoubtedly encountered many of the yellow-shirted docents sharing animal information and answering visitor questions.

If you’ve ever wanted to share your love of animals, now is the time. Join forces with those who give a total of more than 6,000 hours to the Zoo each year.

As a Docent, you will share the strength of a tiger’s jaw, show the vertebrae in a giraffe’s neck and compare paw prints. Docents conduct station talks at the Zoo, giving visitors a hands-on education about animals at the Zoo and around the world. With additional training, you can lead school field trips, give tours and participate in live animal presentations, both on and off Zoo grounds.

Zoo Docents are volunteer educators, 18 and older, who have a love for wildlife and enjoy people. A required nine-week mini-course in Zoology runs every Saturday through midMarch. For more information on becoming a Docent and to receive an application, please email the Education Department or call 916-808-5889.

Located near the corner of Land Park Drive and Sutterville Road in William Land Park, the Zoo is wholly managed by the nonprofit Sacramento Zoological Society. This Sacramento treasure inspires conservation awareness through education and recreation.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., general admission is $11.25; children ages 2-11 are $7.25 and one and under are admitted free.

Parking is free throughout the park or ride Regional Transit bus No. 6. For information, call 808-5888 or visit saczoo.org.

Art Deco: 1939 to Present: Northern California Arts, Inc. celebrates 75th Anniversary Membership Exhibition Local art educator Christopher Daubert has selected artwork for a themed exhibition

by Northern California Arts, Inc. artists. A Second Saturday gala reception for the 75th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Jan. 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Awards will be presented. There will be an award for the “Best Costume” and there will be a graffiti wall, live piano music by Larry, as Landscape painting by Carol Ross. well as refreshments, including food, wine and Champagne. The event is free and the public is invited.

Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Inc., is located at 5330B Gibbons Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608. For more information, call 971-3713. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

e-mail editor@valcomnews.com or call 429-9901.

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Arden-Carmichael News • December 26, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

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Private/public sector partnership provides public with green energy upgrades Ygrene Energy Fund, in partnership with the City of Sacramento, has designed a program that allows property owners - both residential and commercial - to make improvements for renewable energy, water conservation and energy efficiency. Improvements include hundreds of upgrades such as window and door replacements, new water systems, skylights, solar technology, and upgrades to heating and cooling systems which can increase the property value by 16 percent or more.

According to a press release, Ygrene offers 100 percent financing up to 20 year terms for eligible property upgrades.

The financing is bound to the property rather than the individual or the business and can transfer with a change in ownership. Eligibility is based primarily on property value and equity rather than a credit score. The non-recourse financing is payable over the long term as a small line item on the property tax bill, and is typically offset by energy cost savings. This allows property owners to make upgrades without any upfront costs or taking on traditional debt.

“We are pleased to offer this program to our residents and businesses, without taxpayer expense,” said Phil Serna, Sacramento County Supervisor. “Ygrene’s financing enables us to provide 100 percent financing for energy retrofits to property owners, create thousands of jobs, boost property values and help achieve Sacramento’s goal of reducing energy use 15 percent by 2020 – that’s a triple-win that benefits the entire region.”

The process can be started online, at the resource center or over the phone. The six step process includes: 1) Checking property eligibility, 2) Applying for funding, 3) Funding approval, 4) Choosing a contractor & planning property upgrades, 5) Upgrading property, and 6) Enjoying the benefits of the savings with renewable and energy efficient upgrades.

Support is available to guide property owners through the process. To get started, visit CleanEnergySacramento.com or call 444-9700.

Additionally, Ygrene offers resources for contractors and are encouraged to learn more about educational resources available to them. This is a great opportunity for contractors to stay on the forefront of renewable and energy efficient technological advancements within the industry through Ygrene’s free training.

Clean Energy Sacramento by Ygrene is located at 2600 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, CA 95816. For additional information about the new program in Sacramento visit CleanEnergySacramento.com or call (916) 444-9700.

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www.valcomnews.com • December 26, 2013 • Arden-Carmichael News

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Jesuit High School’s physics teacher pushes students, earns fellowship Jessica Scheimer, a Knowles Science Teaching Fellow <http://kstf. org/> , identifies her achievement to her confidence, hard-work, and facing everyday challenges throughout the year. She was able to overcome time constraint challenges by mentoring her students during after-school hours and on weekends.

Her goal is to push students to learn physics at a deeper level and to inspire them to continue their studies in science in the future.

Jessica credits her success to her good rapport with her students and that the challenge of the AP exam is not just for the students, but for her as well. The trust that the students have instilled in Jessica is the reason that the class was able to accomplish a perfect score. Jessica also recognizes KSTF for the confidence it has given her to believe that anything is possible to achieve.

14

KSTF has also provided Jessica sometimes find it necessary to meet on with like-minded groups of colleg- weekends or after-hours at school. es with whom she can collaborate and use as resources. ·What advice would you give other teachers teaching AP courses? ·How were you able to help your stuThe best advice that I have is: students achieve a 100% passing rate? dents will rise to your expectations I think that I can credit a lot of my and to the occasion. If you present success to the fact that I have a very them with the confidence and opporgood rapport with my students; we tunity to know that they can succeed are in for the challenge together. They (and support them in this), they will, trust me to guide them in the right di- indeed, do so. rection and I trust them to rise to the occasion. The success we enjoy is due ·Do you think you could achieve anto a lot of hard work and collaboration other 100% passing rate? on both of our ends.

I certainly think that I can! The challenge will be much greater with ·What was the biggest challenge the transition to AP physics I and II, teaching AP courses? compared to the current model of just The biggest challenge was proba- one course of AP physics. bly the time constraint of the course.

We only have 100 hours of face-to- · Do you think being a KSTF Fellow face class time to complete the instruc- has helped you in preparing your tion for the course. This means that we students for the AP tests?

Arden-Carmichael News • December 26, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Jessica Scheimer.

KSTF has prepared me in that they have given me the confidence to know that anything is possible to achieve. They have also provided me with a like-minded group of colleagues with whom I can collaborate with and use as resources and sounding boards.

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Send your event announcement for consideration to: editor@valcomnews.com at least two weeks prior to publication.

Editor’s note: City Councilmember Kevin McCarty told the East Sacramento News the city council has likely postponed the vote for the controversial student housing project, Campus Crest, to Jan. 14. It was previously scheduled for the Dec. 10 meeting.

Ongoing AARP tax aide seeks volunteers for 2014 The nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service is seeking volunteers for tax assistance/preparation and leadership coordinators. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. Each year from Feb. 1 through April 15, AARP TaxAide volunteers prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for low and middle income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Volunteers are especially needed to assist with electronic filing of tax returns. You do not need to be an AARP member or retiree to volunteer. For more information on how you can join the AARP Tax-Aide team in Northern California, contact Ron Byrd at NoCalTaxAide@Outlook.com or visit website at; www.aarp.org/taxaide ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Attn. students: Submit now for water efficiency video contest High school students can win cash prizes and the chance to view their video on the Raley Field Jumbotron by entering the 2014 Water Spots Video Contest. The contest, sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and the Sacramento Bee Media in Education (MIE) program, challenges teens to create compelling and original 25-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) videos on a select water efficiency topic. The 2014 water efficiency theme is: Don’t be a gutter flooder: Prevent overspray and runoff.

Judging will be based on creativity, entertainment value, accuracy, originality and incorporation of the water efficiency topic. Finalist videos will be displayed on the Raley Field Jumbotron screen and winners announced at a Sacramento River Cats game in April 2014. Winning students and their teachers will also get cash prizes. The grand prize winner’s spot may become part of RWA’s 2014 television ad campaign. Submissions due Feb. 28. Visit www.BeWaterSmart.info for more information and tips on using water more efficiently and to submit entries or get more information about contest rules, judging and prizes, visit www.sacbee.com/water-spots ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Kiwanis Club of East SacramentoMidtown Visitors Welcome, weekly breakfast meeting on Fridays at 7 a.m. Topical weekly speakers

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A men’s Barbershop Harmony group, meets every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Pilgrim Hall (Sierra Arden United Church of Christ), 890 Morse Ave., Sacramento. Info: www.capitolaires.org, call 888-0877-9806, or email info@capitolaires.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Artisan holds Food Drive Artisan Salon is participating in the Spirit of Giving Food Drive. Over the last 17 years, the Spirit of Giving (SOG) drive has helped Sacramento Food Bank collect and distribute over 4.6 million pounds of canned and nonperishable food items for local families in need. Help support families in need by participating in this year’s drive! Artisan Salon is located at 3198 Riverside Blvd.

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Soroptimist International of Sacramento South meetings A service organization dedicated to insure the status of women and girls, the group meets at Aviator’s Restaurant, 6151 Freeport Blvd. for lunch and to discuss the day’s topic. Meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 12:15 p.m. The meetings discuss our fund raising Projects and Community Service, often with speakers from our community.

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Bi-Polar Anonymous Dec. 27: Free 12-step program/support group, for people who have Bi-Polar and those who love them. Meets every Friday, 78:30 p.m. 4300 Auburn Blvd., Room 106.

(916) 889-5786.

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Rotary Clubs of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael Dec. 31: Guest speakers address local, regional and international topics. Visitors welcome, every Tuesday. Arden-Arcade meets at noon, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the Pavilions on Fair Oaks Blvd. (916) 925-2787.

Carmichael meets at 6:30 p.m., Ancil Hoffman Golf Club. www.rotary.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

January Polar plunge at Greenhaven Cabana: Calling All Polar Bears!

Jan. 11: It’s time for the annual Polar Bear Swim at the Greenhaven Cabana Club North! Everyone is invited to take the plunge into the cool waters from 11 at 1 p.m. The Greenhaven Cabana Club North is located at 6207 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, 95831. The entry fee of $10 (for members and nonmembers) will earn the polar bear a t-shirt, certificate of Polar Bear Membership, hot chocolate and s’more’s in addition to the opportunity to take the plunge into polar bear stardom! For more information contact the club at swimcabanaclubnorth@gmail.com.

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February Sacramento Community Concert Association performance Feb. 22: Celebrating Black History Month, SCCA presents Tenor Darron Flagg & Soprano Candace Johnson and The UC Berkeley Gospel Chorus at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian, 1300 N St. Singer-actor Darron Flagg is recognized as a standout professional bel-canto tenor, lauded for his heartfelt performances. A few of Mr. Flagg’s engagements include the Lincoln Center, theaters in Eastern Europe, Walt Disney Hall, as well as the San Francisco and Sacramento Opera companies.

Candace Johnson is a dynamic vocal artist who has experience in musical theater, television commercials, poplar songwriting, and piano performance. Among her many accomplishments, she held the title of Ms. Black Tennessee, and she was a finalist in the National Leontyne Price Competition. The UC Berkeley Gospel Chorus started in the 1970s as an informal student activity. Since 2007, director D. Mark Wilson has taken the Gospel Chorus in new directions, building a repertoire, which includes traditional and contemporary gospel music, spirituals, and classically influenced gospel anthems. Regular subscription: $90, Group discount (8 or more people): $75, Students subscription: $45, Single Ticket: $25. For more information, contact Sacramento Community Concert Association www.sccaconcerts.org; info@scc. aconcerts.org; 400-4634.

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Flintmobile Stolen: World’s Best Comics Cartoons and Toys offer reward

By Steph Rodriguez

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One man, who prefers to remain anonymous, snapped a random photograph with his smartphone while driving one night. The sight was simply humorous: a Stone Age replica of that pedal-powered vehicle from the ’60s—in the bed of someone’s truck.

For Downey, the image offered more than just a comical snapshot of his Flintmobile piggybacked in the bed of a mysterious truck. The timestamp of the photo alone led to some key details about the theft, like a general timeframe when he estimates the Flintmobile was taken. According to Downey, the incident happened around 9:45 p.m.

What’s more is, for the past 13 years, World’s Best Comics Cartoons and Toys’ neighbors the Country Club Lanes bowling alley—and its surveillance cameras.

“The big lead was that picture, using its timeframe we

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Shown above, this Stone Age replica of that pedal-powered vehicle from the ’60s was stolen from World’s Best Comics Cartoons and Toys on Friday, Dec. 13. One man, who prefers to remain anonymous, snapped the random photograph, shown left, with his smartphone while driving one night. It’s shown in the bed of someone’s truck.

narrowed down the times to look at in the security cameras at the bowling alley,” Downey said. “We’ve got footage of the six people that were involved.”

Country Club Lanes shared the footage with police on Friday, December 20. Now, Downey and his “Mystery Gang” of comic shop employees wait for more answers to unfold from the investigation.

A six-pack of Cactus Cooler, a pineapple and orange-flavored soft drink, is still offered as a reward for any further information that concerns the Flintmobile.

Still, Downey admits if he returns to work one morning and discovers the cartoon-like prop in its usual place outside the store, he’d be content, but also theft-proof the Flintmobile.

“My plans would be to cut a tiny hole in each of the drums and fill them with cement,” Downey said. “ That alone will make it from an unlikely object of theft to an impossible object of theft.”

Witnessed a Flintmobile parked in a driveway, backyard or rock quarry under the watchful eyes of Mr. £ÇÌ Ê> Õ>

No prehistoric birds sounded off alarms when World’s Best Comics Cartoons and Toys store owner Dave Downey’s “Flintmobile,” a full-sized model inspired by “ The Flintstones” cartoon series was stolen on Friday, December 13 from outside his shop.

Downey just happened to drive past the comic book store on the Sunday morning after the theft occurred only to discover his Flintmobile, a gift from a customer just weeks prior, was no longer parked out front. The sight left him puzzled as the vehicle, with its two, 55-gallon oil drums for wheels and heavy wood frame is completely immobile.

“I wasn’t too worried about it getting stolen because it was really heavy,” Downey said. “ The tires weren’t on axles, so my Flintmobile did not roll across the ground.”

After he filed a police report, Downey posted the morning’s events on the store’s website and Facebook page. A flood of support and condolences poured in not only from longtime customers, but also from strangers, who all rallied behind the store’s unfortunate occurrence.

“I’ve had lots of help from people all over the place,” Downey said. “ There’s even been some great key evidence brought forth by a number of individuals.”

Slate? Post any tips on the World’s Best Comics Cartoons and Toys’ Facebook page or send an e-mail by visiting the store’s website.

World’s Best Comics Cartoons and Toys 2608 Watt Ave. www.wbcomics.com www.facebook.com/wbcomics Dave@wbcomics.com (916) 973-8973

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CALL AND PLACE YOUR EVENT TODAY! (916) 429-9901 www.valcomnews.com • December 26, 2013 • Arden-Carmichael News

17

(above left) Shown here, volunteer Jeff Thompson loads turkeys into boxes, as part of one of the projects the Carmichael Rotary participated in this year. (above right) One of the projects the Carmichael Rotary participated in this year included the procuring of 140 boxes for 140 needy families. Here, volunteers worked on taking them to a water tower garage, and spread them out and then filled them with canned goods and soft staples. It was phase one of the Christmas Baskets project for 2013.

Carmichael Rotary gears up for annual crab feed Every year, the Rotary Club of Carmichael participates in a number of projects for people in need. Every December, the club provides nearly a week’s worth of food-sand a big turkey for Christmas dinner to 100 families within the San Juan School District. Every October, they feed more than 500 Special Olympic athletes and coaches during the Northern California tournament. As students graduate from

high school, the club provides thousands of dollars in scholarships.

Every June, the club generates more than $25,000 for Easter Seals through our golf tournament at Ancil Hoffman. The list goes on and on.

How does the club do that? The biggest fundraiser of the year is coming up and this one event generates nearly 75 percent of the necessary funding. On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, the club will hold its annu-

al crab feed and fundraiser at La Sierra Community Center.

One of the projects the Carmichael Rotary participated in this year included the procuring of 140 boxes for 140 needy families. Volunteers took them to a water tower garage, and spread them out and then filled them with canned goods and soft staples, marking phase one of the Christmas Baskets project for 2013 complete.

About 40 people, consisting of Carmichael Rotarians, their children and grandchildren, friends and their children participated in the effort and there was plen-

Photos courtesy

Shown here are some of the many boxes that were dispersed to 140 needy families by volunteers from the Carmichael Rotary.

ty of food contributed by elementary schools in the area. Past District Governor Jim Thompson supervised the undertaking, which reportedly went swimmingly and they finished the task in about two hours.

Then on Friday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m., the volunteers topped off the boxes with perishables, including turkeys. The finale of the project and the most fun, was the delivery of the filled baskets to the needy families, which occurred on the next morning, Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8:30 a.m.

Volunteers backed up their SUVs, vans, and trucks to the garage for loading and off they went to the homes of more than 100 families and dropped them off right at their doorstep. All was accomplished pretty much by noon. The needy families were most appreciative of the food and the Rotarians were happy for what they had accomplished.

Source: The Nugget, The Carmichael Rotary’s newsletter

18

Arden-Carmichael News • December 26, 2013 • www.valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Spyglass:

Continued from page 3

came to mean, waggishly, “three-to-one you’ll lose!” (the object you pawned).

It’s an interesting study to research (Google) “the real Santa”. One such site is at cracked.com--”The 3 Creepiest Facts About the Real Santa Claus.” Have fun!

Spyglass readers may remember our mentioning the opening of a Christmas store in Loehmann’s Plaza. Actually, it is a satellite store, similar in principle to the temporary See’s Candies located not that far distant around the corner on Fair Oaks Boulevard. They are both here only for the Christmas season, with their main establishments firmly rooted in, respectively, Old Sacramento and L Street downtown.

Brother and sister Mark Snyder and Amy Guthrie are the hard workers who carry on a fifty-year legacy with Christmas & Company and Chef ’s Mercantile, and their efforts produce a wonderful assortment of Christmas ornaments, clever household gizmos and a fairytale array of other special gifts geared to the season. When we mentioned our search for New Year’s

Eve anecdotes, Amy replied, “ That’s easy--I met my husband on a New Year’s Eve!” Perhaps she’ll provide some details for us before we go to press.

A New York friend mentioned a good one: We’ll let Regina Crespi tell the story.

“My favorite New Year’s Eve pastime is heading uptown to catch the evening entertainment events at St. John the Divine Cathedral in upper Manhattan. There’s a long wait in the cold outside and with no stores nearby, I bring a blanket, a thermos of hot soup, bread or crackers and assorted other goodies such as raisins and trail mix in a backpack. The medievalstyle cathedral is huge-awesome is the word--difficult and expensive to heat.

That’s where the blanket comes in handy. The storytelling, music and song begins, leading into a surprise entertainment, unadvertised in advance. The crowd of all faiths and colors listens reverentially, appreciating the fact that it’s a house of worship, it’s free and, most importantly, they got in. I usually leave a donation, as do most others. I’m out by ten o’clock and home without any hassle from possible inebriated partygoers. From the comfort of my living room I sip a mint

tea and watch the celebrated ball drop in Times Square, toasty-warm in my happy apartment. Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians are long gone now--and few remember how he “owned” New Year’s Eve--but still the networks manage at midnight to broadcast that staple, the sentimental standard “Auld Lang Syne.” I still get misty hearing it as the old year goes out and the new one comes in.”

Back here in Arden, we’re keeping a close eye on the former Ethan Allen furniture store site at the junction of Fulton and Fair Oaks Boulevard. We hear it was purchased by Charles Schwabb & Company, brokers, and is a mass of plywood and two-by-fours as we write, just waiting for a complete renovation and a re-location of staff from their old place on Watt Avenue. An optometrist and another shop will occupy the completed site when it opens early in 2014. Nice not to have so large a vacancy sitting there for so many years. Best wishes and a happy move to all!

And best of luck to all making New Year’s resolutions. Pray for peace. Don’t party too much. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t text and drive. And what else?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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www.carmichaelCAdentist.com www.valcomnews.com • December 26, 2013 • Arden-Carmichael News

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EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOM

RANDY PARKS BUILT

Contemporary, designed for gracious entertaining! 5 bedrooms, 4 fireplaces, 3 baths; vaulted ceilings, open airy spaces, magnificent new kitchen. Remote family room with home gym space.

Lovely pool and water feature set on .80 acre with orchard, garden and inviting patio spaces. $978,500

4 or 5 bedrooms 3 full; 3 half baths; 24' entry, limestone floors, main floor master, bath with onyx counters, jetted air tub and heated floor. Granite kitchen, hidden refrigerator, highend appliances, and butler's pantry. Home theater, wine room, outdoor kitchen! Spectacular! $1,995,000

Charming three bedroom, two bath home on a lovely, quiet street close to shopping and Del Paso Country Club. Amenities include random wood plank floors and dual pane windows. The kitchen opens up to the family room, both rooms looking out onto the beautiful yard and Trex deck. $289,900

JAY FEAGLES 204-7756

COLLEEN WIFVAT 719-2324

BETH HARNEY 995-4120

PENDING

SOPHISTICATED

RARE TREASURE

SPACIOUS CARMICHAEL

Contemporary home in a private, gated community located across from Del Paso Country Club. This single story has vaulted ceilings with large living room and formal dining room with wet bar and double-sided fireplace, open kitchen, 3 full bedrooms and 2½ baths. Three separate patios! $439,500

From the elegant entry to the Provence inspired gardens, this Sierra Oaks home is a home of distinction! Intricately decorated Moire fabric walls, hand-painted wallpaper and windows galore; on a .65 acre parcel. Spectacular backyard, pool, koi pond, patios, walkways and secret garden!! $1,495,000

Beautiful one story home built in 2002; 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths plus a 3-car garage. The living room dining room is a great room concept with high ceilings and gas fireplace. The large master suite has his and hers closets and a oversized master bath with large shower and sunken tub. $485,000

CHRIS BALESTRERI 996-2244

CARMAH HATCH 765-6210

CHRIS BALESTRERI 996-2244

PENDING

RIO DEL ORO

CARMICHAEL

WONDERFULLY UNIQUE

Fantastic 3 bedroom 3 bath home is walking distance to amazing restaurants, coffee shops, and to Rio Del Oro Racquet club.

Vaulted ceilings, open areas, and the mature backyard are perfect for entertaining. Add your finishing touches to make it your own and this is simply a must see. $263,000

Wonderful four bedroom single story home in a nice neighborhood. Beautiful hardwood floors, charming brick fireplace, separate living and family rooms, RV or boat storage in large side yard and newer appliances. Great location close to great schools. Move right into this quality home. $319,000

Private, pole design home on 1½ acres with 4 bedrooms, 4 baths. Architect designed the Reagan Library! Gorgeous Joan Colton stained glass front door. Features cast iron tub-stays hot, brass doorknobs, solid oak doors, vaulted ceiling, and gazebo.

Garage and workshop/barn with lots of storage. $469,000

TIM COLLOM 247-8048

MONA GERGEN 247-9555

DIANA LOCKE 346-3286

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SACRAMENTO • LAND PARK • SIERRA OAKS • EAST SACRAMENTO • CARMICHAEL • WEST SACRAMENTO • GREENHAVEN